REM Award Honorees (2006) — Jack and Pauline Mayhew (Kotlas Connection)

The Kotlas - Waterville Area Sister City Connection honors Jack and Pauline Mayhew as its volunteers of the year. They are special people who have been involved with the Connection since 1991.

Jack and Pauline are originally from Manchester, NH, but moved to Maine in 1975 while Jack was a Field Manager of Customer Service for Xerox Corporation. He retired from Xerox after thirty years. Pauline was a substitute teacher for Union #52 for nineteen years. Between them they have six children located in Maine, New Hampshire, Florida, and California. They also have eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild!

Jack and Pauline are actively involved in all facets of the Connection. Jack served as Co-Chair for seven years and has been the Connection’s contact with Sister City International. He was instrumental in bringing the Kotlas mayor’s delegation to Waterville in 2004, and served on the committee that orchestrated the September, 2006 medical delegation visit.

Pauline has contributed countless hours cooking for the Connection’s booth at the Voices of the Kennebec Festival, teaching at Colby’s Russian Sampler Days, and selling Russian-made Christmas ornaments. She has also used her creative skills as our Educational Outreach representative for decorating the Russian theme tree at the Good Will-Hinckley School’s annual Festival of Trees for many years.

Their association with the Kotlas Connection has given them the opportunity to travel to Waterville’s Sister City, Kotlas, on three occasions forming lasting friendships with members of Grisha and Irina Reznichenko’s family. Being volunteers for the Kotlas Connection has added a dimension to their lives that is difficult to measure. As Jack says, “Perhaps our small contribution to ‘Citizen Diplomacy’ will make a difference.”

For more information about the Kotlas - Waterville Area Sister City Connection, please visit its website.

Note: Jack Mayhew died of multiple myeloma in November 2013.