Murphy to receive Chester A. Smith award in October

Jack Murphy, a longtime Peekskill civic leader and former editor of the Evening Star, will be honored with the 2011 Chester A. Smith Award by the Field Library.

The event will be held at the library on Saturday, Oct, 15 starting with a cocktail reception from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by the award presentation.

Murphy came to Peekskill in 1973 to become editor of the Evening Star. He began his journalism career after graduating from high school in Albany as a part-time sportswriter for the Albany Times Union while attending Siena College.

He was the editor-in-chief at the Evening Star for 12 years until the paper was sold to Gannett. Following that, Murphy served in the public affairs department of the New York Power Authority for 20 years, retiring as director of public relations in 2005.

His long involvement in the Peekskill community includes being a founding member of Peekskill Celebration and one of the early leaders of the Peekskill St. Patrick’s Parade committee, which he has served as chairman for 16 years.

Murphy is a Life Member of the Cortlandt Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1; a member of the Peekskill Lodge 744 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and a member of the Peekskill Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

The cost is $40 per person and all proceeds will benefit the Field Library cultural programs. Tickets are available by calling Sibyl Canaan at 737-7110 or email scanaan@wlsmail.org

The Chester A. Smith ceremony, named after a former library board president, is held each year to honor individuals who serve the community.  Chester A. Smith’s support of The Field Library spanned more than 50 years, beginning in 1920 when he chaired a committee to raise $20,000 to buy a church and convert it into a library, and continuing until his passing in 1972. Researchers on Peekskill City history always consult his book, Peekskill, A Friendly Town.