The Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund is accepting nominations for its prestigious Profile Awards, which will be presented in a celebration of New Hampshire’s icon on June 12.
Established in 2004, the year that followed the collapse of the Old Man, the three Profile Awards presented annually honor an individual, an organization and a municipality in the state that characterize the spirit and values generations of Granite Staters saw in the visage that overlooked Franconia Notch for centuries.
“Although this great emblem is gone, the Old Man left behind an indelible mark on our state,” said Dick Hamilton of Littleton, president of the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund. “The profile has been an inspiration for many and the Profile Awards recognize the people who display the values the Old Man embodied for so long.”
The selection committee is looking for the person, the organization and the town or city that have a distinguished record of working on behalf of the conservation or preservation of New Hampshire’s natural resources, historic structures and scenic beauty, or its culture, traditions, social or political history. Last year’s winners were North Country writer John Harrigan of Colebrook; Copper Cannon Camp in Franconia, and the towns around Lake Sunapee – Newbury, New London and Sunapee. Each year, winners are presented with a handsome birch, glass, and granite sculpture, crafted by Berlin artist Andre Belanger.
Presentation of this year’s Profile Awards, the eighth anniversary of the fall of the Old Man, will coincide with the dedication of the first phase of the Old Man of the Mountain monument, on the shore of Profile Lake. The project is funded entirely by private donations; to date, more than 150 engraved granite pavers have been sold. Orders continue to be accepted through April 30; forms are available at the legacy fund’s website, www.OldManNH.org.
Nominations for the Profile Awards should be submitted, in writing, not to exceed 500 words, citing specific contributions and accomplishments. They may be mailed, or e-mailed, by April 15, to the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund, P.O. Box 375, Concord, NH 03302 or to NHOldManLegacy@gmail.com Active members of the New Hampshire Legislature are deemed ineligible. For more information about the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund and previous winners of the Profile Awards, visit www.OldManNH.org.