ROSE Award winners Patti Ploof, Helen Demong, Keela Rogers and Keela Grimette pose for a photo during the celebration. Absent from the photo is Jen Kretser. (Provided photo)

To the editor:

On a misty day in early May with signs of spring everywhere, the Zonta club of the Adirondacks gathered at Heaven Hill to honor and celebrate local women whose talent, dedication, volunteerism and caring hearts make a big impact in the North Country and beyond. This is the eighth year the club has held the R.O.S.E awards, which signifies “Recognition Of Service and Excellence.”

The celebration included a surprise performance from the Northern Lights Choir. The five wonderful women recognized are Keela Rogers, Helen Demong, Keela Grimette, Jen Kretser and Patty Ploof. Additionally, this year, we honored both Keela Rogers and her namesake granddaughter Keela Grimmette.

Cornelia “Keela” Rogers joined the community in 1962. Keela has played pivotal roles in numerous capacities. She served as director of the Essex County of the American Cancer Society, President of the Lake Placid North Elba Historical Society, member of the Essex County Adirondack Garden Club and the Beautification Board, and actively involved in several capacities at the Saint Eustace Church. Through the years, Keela opened her home to over 90 foster children including 65 PA students from George Washington University.

Helen Demong has dedicated over 35 years to music education and choral direction in the North Country, sharing her passion with students, families and the wider community. She believed in music for all, music for life. She is the founding artistic director of the Northern Lights Choir and she built the Saranac Lake High School choral program into one of the most respected in Upstate New York.

Keela Grimmette is a mother and artist who lives in Lake Placid. While her community engagement and outreach have taken other forms– including a long-running program for children in Kenya — she is currently the artist behind Keelart, a watercolor painting studio that specializes in women’s embodiment and empowerment art. Her goal with these paintings of real women with REAL bodies is to help people feel seen and known and to create art that pushes and stretches norms, redefines beauty standards and encourages self-love.

Jen Kretser is the director of climate initiatives for The Wild Center. Jen manages The Wild Center’s climate change engagement programs including the global Youth Climate Program. She is working to help catalyze youth climate summits around the world. In November 2021, Jen led the Wild Center Youth Delegation and the US Action for Climate Empowerment Delegation at the UN COP 26 in Glasgow. Jen is on the coordinating team of the U.S. Action for Climate Empowerment, a founding member of the NY Climate Resilience and Education Task Force; and the national Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network Board. She also serves on the Adirondack Diversity Initiative core team, Adirondack Mountain Club Board and on the North Country Clean Energy Hub Advisory.

Patti Ploof has been involved with Holiday Helpers in Saranac Lake for more than 40 years. She works all year to provide families a wonderful holiday. Patti recently retired after working 30 years in the prison system. She has organized several fundraisers throughout the years for many local groups including the Prison Golf Tournament. She is a board member of the SL Civic Center, has served as Girl Scout troop leader, coached cheerleading and more.

Krystal Ford

Lake Placid