The Charlie Award For Two Schools

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM/HUNTER - He always liked making people smile so the late Charlie VanEtten is hopefully beaming now.

A scholarship in his name has been established at Hunter-Tannersville and Windham-Ashland-Jewett schools by his wife, Linda VanEtten.

It is simply called “The Charlie Award,” granting $2,000 to a student, male or female from each school, desiring to pursue a blue-collar trade.

“Charlie would’ve been ticked at first but he’ll get used to it,” says Linda, smiling and noting her husband didn’t like attention shone on him.

That, though, isn’t the point. Charlie impacted many lives. “He was related to half the mountaintop and knew the other half,” Linda says.

He was present personally, with friendship, and professionally, providing steady jobs through his ski shop and trucking businesses.

He did a lot in life. One thing he didn’t do was, “tell me what he wanted to do after he passed,” says Linda, continuing his community involvement.

So, ta-da! Here is “The Charlie Award,” presented at graduation ceremonies (with light-hearted apologies from its namesake).

“Charlie knew everybody gets bored, sitting there on a hot day, listening to all the awards being handed out, but he knew it helped kids,” Linda says.

“I think this is something he would approve of. He enjoyed mentoring people and I just want students to know this is out there.

“It doesn’t matter what the trade might be; a mechanic or welder, barber or hair dresser or trucker,” Linda says.

“Charlie often had trouble finding people to do his work, not enough of them in the area, plumbers or whatever, so hopefully this encourages young people to stay close to home in the mountains too.”