More than 50 volunteers, board members, friends and family gathered at the Community Center for a thank you party for Jane Good on Saturday evening, May 26.

The surprise party, held two weeks after her last day as the Center’s director, was planned by a team of volunteers and coordinated by Dwight Lewis.

Gifts, laughs and tears were all part of the celebration as were balloons, candles, a dinner buffet and countless desserts. Robert Moore provided music for the guests as they waited for Good’s arrival.

Margaret Perritt, founding member of the Center’s governance committee, explained, “The board wanted to have a party for Jane when she announced her retirement and we started to work on it. But Dwight came to us and said the volunteers also wanted to have a ‘thank you’ party in her honor and so we stepped back and let the volunteers plan the celebration.”

Among the gifts given to Good were a large peony presented by the “Just Sew” group and a silver bracelet from the board of directors and engraved with “Thank You.”

Good also received a hand-painted tin mailbox from Betty Sullivan, a hand-painted glass with a picture of Good’s dog, Buster, from Jen Field, chocolates from Patrice Connelly, and a jacket and scarf from Martha Hess.

The crowd was silent as Dwight Lewis read the inscription on a plaque presented to Good from the volunteers. “Because of your determination, perseverance, work ethic and warmth, the Community Center came into being and has become a home away from home for many people in the region,” read the inscription written by Betty Sullivan.

Reflecting on the surprise party, Good told the Boothbay Register, “Never in my life have I felt as loved and appreciated. Thanks to so many for their time and energy. I’m beyond lucky to have the Community Center in my life.”