Dana McGrath is a member of Penmen Toastmasters since April 2022. She moved to Claremont, NH in February 2021 and decided to get involved in the community. She started an online Facebook group called “Claremont Cooks” to bring together food lovers in the area during the pandemic in a virtual environment, to encourage people to share recipes and food photos and it was a catalyst for a lot of foodie-related things in the community to bring people together!

She started a little local access cooking show called “Community of Fare” on Claremont Community Television (CCTV) to highlight local home cooks. She helped coordinate and served as MC for a local salsa competition and pizza party at a local organic farm for The Claremont Growers Collective awareness event titled “Tomato Jam” – Eagle Times article. She drafted a weekly recipe amalgamation for local, organic Winter Street Farm for 20+ weeks to highlight ways to use featured crops for the week: Recap of 2022 Season. Dana competed in a Grilling for Good competition for the Claremont Opera House and helped cause a bit of buzz by taunting her competitors with a promo video – fundraiser for the Opera House and the Claremont Soup Kitchen (spoiler! she didn’t win! LOL). Dana actively volunteers as a committee member of the Claremont, NH Parks & Recreation Commission, Vice Chair for Claremont Community Television (CCTV), Secretary for the Claremont NH Historical Society, Board Member for the Claremont Opera House, and Board Member for The Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce

Given all this, it’s little wonder that Dana is being recognized as 2022 Young Professional of the Year by the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce (New Hampshire). This is a prestigious award for her volunteerism and dedication to making the Claremont community a better place. The Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce President’s Awards selection committee selects citizens for their “dedication and enthusiasm for the civic growth and development of the Greater Claremont Community, exemplary contributions that have enriched the lives of citizens as well as leadership that motivates others.”

Dana practiced her award acceptance speech at Penmen Toastmasters club as if speaking at the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce Annual President's Awards Ceremony at the Claremont Opera House. She’ll be officially recognized and give her speech on 3/11/23 at the Claremont Opera House. You can find out more about this event at https://www.greaterclaremontnh.org/Presidents- Awards OR https://www.facebook.com/events/689858702634612