Chamber salutes Mildred Hillman, Town of Porter Citizen of the Year

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 16, 2005
by Sandy Hays-Mies
Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce

Editor’s Note: As the days approach to the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce Gala, Saturday, June 4 at the Niagara Falls Country Club, the Chamber continues its profiles of the 2005 honorees. In today’s Sentinel, we take a look at Mildred Hillman, recipient of the 2005 Town of Porter Citizen of the Year.

The town of Porter has selected Mildred “Millie” Hillman as their 2005 Citizen of the Year. Millie (Bradley) Hillman was born in her parents home on Dickersonville Road in Ransomville, the last of eight children. Her life’s travels haven’t taken her much further than Ransomville but make no mistake, she has made her mark on this small hamlet. Millie met her husband Robert “Frenchy” at her sister’s beauty shop on Youngstown-Lockport Road. They dated for two years, but waited until she graduated from high school and the couple had saved $200 to begin their life together. She and Frenchy had six children -- Steve, Scott, Roxy, Leigh, Sue and Shiela. Several were born in the Ransomville Hospital which is now Heritage Manor. Frenchy spent his career as the Town of Porter deputy superintendent of Highways. Their sons followed in his footsteps. Scott is now the Highway superintendent and Steve also works for the Highway Department.
		Mildred Hillman, honored as the Porter Citizen of the Year, has made her mark on the hamlet of Ransomville.

Millie hails from a long line of farmers. She recalls not being able to go out in the evening with her friends until the truck was loaded and ready for market in the morning.

She worked as a young woman for Carborundum and left the position to marry and raise her children. She didn’t return to the workforce again until she took on the job of curator at the Ransomville Historical Room. It’s just a part time job, but Millie gives it her full time attention.

For nearly a decade and a half, she has made it her mission to collect historic artifacts that reveal the Ransomville’s rich history. Millie is most proud of the Ransom family heirlooms that she has discovered and showcases in the museum. She makes friends with everyone she encounters, and has even been invited to the Ransom family reunion. Her work is really a labor of love for her, but for generations to follow she has provided the lasting gift of history that will tell the story of the families and founders and folks who came before.

In addition to her work with the Historical Room, Millie has spent more than 55 years as an active volunteer with the Ransomville Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary. She is also an active volunteer with the Ransomville United Methodist Church.

To put it very simply, Millie has spent her life embracing the Ransomville community. She has kept their “home fires burning.” She seems to know everyone and everyone seems to know and love Millie.

The Town of Porter salutes her as they deem her “Citizen of the Year.”