Editor’s note: The following is a look back at business events from April to December 2009. The first installment appeared in last week’s edition.
The state’s maple producers threw open the doors to their sugarhouses for the public to see demonstrations, take tours and taste products.
Charlene Bradbury, co-owner with her husband and family celebrated 25 years in business producing several hundred gallons of their prized maple syrup each year for bottling and other products they said were selling quickly through the open houses and through mail orders.
The Maine Farm Bureau board of directors endorsed a joint action with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) to help eight family organic dairy farms in Aroostook and Washington counties find a new market once their existing contracts with H.P. Hood were terminated.
Marty Gervais, president of the Shiretown Inn & Suites, updated the banquet facilities and started taking reservations for receptions, conventions and other events.
Some 30 local business representatives met over lunch to learn how they could participate in an upcoming three-week WorkReady program for prospective employees.
Opportunities to access higher education in Aroostook County received a boost through a contribution by KeyBank NA to Northern Maine Community College.
Regional leaders with Key Bank presented NMCC and NMCC Foundation officials with a $5,000 gift to support the purchase of new distance education technology on campus.
BusinessWeek magazine named KeyBank one of its top 25 “Customer Service Champs” for 2009.
Several area contractors in the various disciplines turned out April 8 for an update on local requirements and consequences involved in demolition and disposal of debris to avoid health hazards and code violations.
James Drost of Houlton was the grand prize winner of a Weber Barbeque Grill offered by S.W. Collins Company as part of a valued customer survey.
Aroostook Mental Health’s Sexual Assault Services partnered with Houlton Farms Dairy to fight sexual harassment and abuse by distributing 80,000 half-pint milk cartons printed with the slogan, “Know What ‘No’ Means.” The milk cartons were distributed to all Aroostook County schools and at Tim Hortons in Houlton.
Furniture & Floors North in Houlton won the People’s Choice Award for having a very attractive booth at the 26th annual Home and Garden Show.
Several bankers from Katahdin Trust Company taught area school children the value of saving their money as part of National Teach Children to Save Day on April 21.
The Insurance Association of Greater Houlton offered a “Women In Business” scholarship of $200. Women planning to pursue a business degree from any university, college or institution that demonstrated outstanding potential in the field were eligible.
Katahdin Trust Company senior vice president and chief financial officer Matthew Nightingale announced the promotion of Joe Porter to assistant vice president and controller. Also announced were two new officer positions — Andrew Putnam as network administrator and Angie Small as systems administrator.
Jerry Wilson retired after 38 years with the Dead River Company. Although he said he “loved every minute of it,” the former district manager of the Houlton-Patten unit says he was looking forward to spending time with his family and visiting his camp. Gary Briggs was named the new district manager.
St. Mary’s Food Pantry received a $500 donation from Louisiana Pacific in New Limerick. Complimenting the gift was a donation by Danny Delucca to provide a box truck to pick up 3,000 pounds of food from the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Brewer.
The Houlton Water Company announced that Dr. Richard Goodwin was appointed to the Houlton Water Company board of directors.
The renovations at Ivey’s Motor Lodge neared completion for the tourist season with an expansion that included meeting and banquet facilities.
Two local organizations accepted grants earmarked for technological support from the Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation.
It recognized the A.E. Howell Wildlife Conservation Center and Spruce Acres Refuge in Amity and the Houlton-based Friends of Aroostook which operates under the umbrella of Empowering Life. Both were singled out for their broad reach in the county.
The Cary Library benefited from the generosity of a Maine Community Foundation grant for $366 from the Rose and Samuel Rudman Library Fund to help support the 2009 summer reading program.
Houlton’s letter carriers joined U.S. postal workers nationwide Saturday, May 9, to help stamp out hunger by collecting non-perishable food items for the three local community food pantries.
The Southern Aroostook Development Corporation elected its third president and chairman of the board – Peter Chase.
Verizon Wireless announced May 8 it had added 76 new 3G cell sites across 12 Maine counties. The company also upgraded equipment at already existing 3G cell sites throughout eight of those counties, effectively doubling network coverage in those areas.
A retirement party, in Chris McGuire’s honor was held at the Courtyard Café for some 30 co-workers and family members in recognition of his many years of service with the Houlton Water Company (HWC).
TDBanknorth added instant issue debit cards to its services. John Tribou, Houlton manager said new customers opening an account would receive the card after the initial application process.
Katahdin Trust Company recognized Smith & Wesson Corp. for their milestone of producing six million handcuffs at the Houlton facility with personal visits to the facility, fresh coffee and donuts and a framed print to commemorate the milestone.
The campaign encouraging residents to shop locally with area merchants resurfaced to address the economic downturn according to Lori Weston, executive director of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce (GHCC). Weston said it was the perfect time to regenerate the theme of shopping at home.
Peter St. John, senior vice president of commercial services at Katahdin Trust Company, announced that Peter G. Collett of Houlton joined the bank as credit analyst with responsibilities for analyzing business financial statements to provide a foundation for the bank’s loan decision making.
Dawn Nickerson, receptionist and insurance agent at the F.A. Peabody Insurance Company in Houlton was selected as the Insurance Woman of the Year for 2009.
Local attorney Michael Carpenter acquired the contract for a carriage ride business through Acadia National Park.
Officials with Primerica Financial Services announced the promotion of David Carter of Littleton to regional vice-president.
TDBanknorth partnered with Cary Library’s summer reading program, “Be Creative at Your Library: Explore the Arts,” to spark the interest of children to read in the summer.
Katahdin Trust Company Senior Vice President of Retail Services, Bonnie Foster, announced the promotions of Leslie M. Gardner to assistant vice president and retail lending supervisor and Patty A. Hersey to assistant vice president and corporate services officer.
The after-school program of Mill Pond School in Hodgdon was a second time recipient of a Community Matters More grant sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank. The $1,000 grant was used to provide transportation for students to participate in the Dunkin Dugout at Fenway Park when the Red Sox play the Florida Marlins on June 16.
Modern Beauty Salon celebrated its 30th anniversary with a couple hundred clients, friends and family members who turned out for a grand gala at the business’ Main Street location in Market Square. GuideOne Mutual Insurance Group of Des Moines, Iowa appointed the F. A. Peabody Company to sell their special church insurance program in the state of Maine.
Gov. John E. Baldacci signed LD 844, “An Act To Reduce Costs for Customers of Northern Maine Consumer Owned Utilities.” The law allows consumer-owned electric utilities in northern Maine to sell their excess electricity.
The Houlton Water Company (HWC) announced the promotion of Brian McGuire to Superintendent of the Water/Wastewater Collection department.
Fazzi Associates, Inc., a national consulting, benchmarking and best practice research firm, named Visiting Nurses of Aroostook (VNA) a 2008 National Best Practice Agency.
The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger presented $17,000, one of the largest, single-day contributions to multiple hunger organizations ever in Maine, to 33 hunger organizations throughout the state.
The recipients included two food pantries in Aroostook county – Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians’ Food Pantry in Houlton and the Town of Ludlow Food Pantry in Ludlow.
Seven Houlton-area residents graduated June 1 from the WorkReady program at the Houlton Higher Education Center with perfect attendance by completing a 60-hour course on career planning and success in the workplace.
Madigan Health Care Services recognized its employees during National Nursing Home Week. Special recognition was given to employees for their years of service and commitment to residents and home-care clients.
Jake Gardner and Bryan Guiggey, life-long friends, formed J&B Auto Repair as a business venture at 6 Main Street in Patten.
As a part of June National Homeownership Month, USDA Rural Development officials recognized essential partners whose efforts led to an increased number of Maine residents obtaining homeownership.
RE/MAX Central, Houlton Office was selected to receive the Homeownership Partner of the Year Award on June 24.
Josh Holcombe, a Bridgewater native, opened the Solid Rock Health Center at 80 Main Street in Houlton.
Officials with Katahdin Valley Health Center (KVHC), headquartered in Patten announced plans to expand its medical clinic at 30 Houlton Street in Patten.
Nancy Levin and Bill Roderick relocated their restaurant, Horn of Plenty, to Houlton after 16 years in Island Falls.
During the June 12 annual meeting of Aroostook Partnership for Progress, the highlight of the breakfast meeting was the announcement of Aroostook County’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year — Matthew Bell. Bell, founder and co-owner of Northeast Pellets, LLC of Ashland, was selected for the honor from a pool of 14 nominees.
The Houlton Rotary Club held their annual dinner at Ivey Motor Lodge and inducted John Tribou as its 90th president. Tribou is the bank manager at TDBanknorth.
Also inducted that evening were Houlton Rotary’s new vice-president, Scott White, and new sergeant-at-arms, Scott Dionne who was presented with the Presidential Award.
S.W. Collins Company’s customer, Marie Wamboldt was the grand prizewinner of $1,000 in merchandise as the winner of the S.W. Collins Company’s shopping giveaway.
Officials with Katahdin Valley Health Center (KVHC), headquartered in Patten announced that they received a grant award in the amount of $525,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for Expanded Medical Capacity Funding.
A new state-of-the-art connectivity business, GWI, launched in Houlton adding to the town’s high-speed Internet capabilities.
The newly established Houlton Community Market had its inaugural over the Fourth of July weekend offering residents and visitors fresh local farm produce, baked goods, and handicrafts from local artisans.
Houlton Chamber of Commerce members welcomed Debra and John Garibotto with a ribbon cutting at the opening of their shop, No Wine-ing Without Me.
The Upper Valley Economic Corporation received a $4,000 donation from the Katahdin Trust Company for the general budget.
Judy Metcalf of Houlton opened a new business in her home, To the Manor Born, for special occasions.
The Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project received $10,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.
Josh and Sarah Holcombe, owners of the Solid Rock Health Center, celebrated the opening of their business at 80 Main St. in Houlton with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by members or the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and Wade Hanson, Houlton’s community development director.
The Houlton School of Martial Arts opened at 84 Main St. and offered classes for adults and children in To-Shin Do — a modern version of the ancient survivalist martial art, Ninjutsu which dates back 900 years.
Jon Ross, owner of Ross Sheet Metal, presented Joe Fagnant, band director and chairman of the Houlton Community Arts Center with a check to purchase four auditorium seats.
The national award-winning film, “The Way We Get By”, played at the Temple Theatre in Houlton for three days Sunday, Aug. 2-4. They were the only screenings in The County.
Dead River Company’s propane delivery driver, Arthur Briggs of Oakfield who had been featured in an internal brochure for their employees, participated in a commercial advertising for the company.
Employees supported an executive decision within Bangor Savings Bank to forgo the annual employees’ meeting and donate the money it would have spent on the annual gathering to Maine food pantries. In Houlton, Mildred Madigan, coordinator for the St. Mary’s Food Pantry’s said the $100 donation would go a long way.
U.S. Cellular launched 3G Mobile Broadband in Presque Isle and Houlton, allowing customers to access data on their cell phones 10 times faster than before at no additional cost.
Officials at Machias Savings Bank announced their fifth annual community development grant of $25,000 to deserving projects.
The A.E. Howell Wildlife Conservation Center on Lycette Rd. in North Amity hosted an open house with tours and a survival theme and activities that included building emergency shelters, what to do when lost in the woods, preparing for disasters and what to put in a “go” bag.
With the greater Houlton and southern Aroostook County area unemployment at a staggering 13.8 percent, higher than the national average of 9.7 and higher than the state average of 8.2, the federal government stepped in with an emergency three-month grant. The new program at the ACAP office assisted the unemployed and dislocated workers in obtaining resources for their transition back to the workforce after layoffs and plant closings.
The Woodie Wheaton Land Trust held the grand opening of its Land Trust Center in Forest City. The new center provides office and meeting facilities for the land trust, serves as a base for conservation outreach and is available for use by community groups in Maine and neighboring New Brunswick.
A state grant of $4 million is guaranteed affordable rents for 90 years when the new senior complex in downtown Houlton opens in the summer of 2010. A grant of stimulus money was funneled through MaineHousing enabling the developer, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., to salvage the 28-apartment complex project after delays resulting from the country’s financial collapse.
Market Square Commons, with a projected opening next July, will have five of the 28 units designated for visually impaired seniors. The three-story building will have a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments with an elevator, secure entry, laundry facilities on each floor, common meeting rooms, and a main gathering area with 19 parking spaces for residents.
Pioneer Times photo/Elna Seabrooks
DIGGING IN — In August, the developer, local officials and residents attended the official groundbreaking of the new 28-apartment complex scheduled for a July 2010 opening. From left, Ronald Phillips, president of Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; John Egan, CEI’s director of housing development; Doug Hazlett, Houlton town manager; Sonia Charest, construction analyst for MaineHousing; Daniel Brennan, director of development for MaineHousing; Jason Merriam, project architect; Glen Morse, Blane Casey Building Contractors and Jon McLaughlin, Southern Aroostook Development Corporation executive director.
Machias Savings Bank on North Street in Houlton, for the second year in a row, was named as one of the best places to work in Maine.
The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians received word they were in line for $151,733 in a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) through the Tribal Resources Grant Program (TRGP), which supports Native American law enforcement agencies.
Hogan Tire expanded and diversified for the future by absorbing a heavy duty truck parts company that was about to close.
The steps for the pedestrian walk up to the Highland Avenue Bridge from Riverfront Park were slated for completion. The park’s committee offered sponsorships of pavers, steps and landings as a fund-raising tool.
Steven Cheney joined the Randy Lincoln Insurance Agency in Houlton as its newest staff member. Cheney came out of semi-retirement to join the agency and brought with him 25 years of experience in the industry.
A course on tips to develop a Web site, led by Larry Hamilton of Amity Professional Services, was presented by the Maine Small Business Development Center at Northern Maine Development Commission, Amity Professional Services, Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce and the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
A dozen employees of Louisiana Pacific Corporation’s New Limerick plant were in-line to earn a certificate in industrial mechanical maintenance through a special program developed by Northern Maine Community College and funded by the Maine Departments of Labor and Economic and Community Development.
The project, which began in the fall of 2007 and will wrap up in 2010, has allowed the mill workers in southern Aroostook County to take courses that have been offered on-site at the LP facility, locally at the Houlton Higher Education Center, and on-line. The grant provided for the cost of course related materials and equipment, as well as covered tuition expenses for the employees.
Barbara Sutton, a newcomer to Houlton was named the new executive director for the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts program replacing Audrey Zimmerman who had resigned earlier in the year.
The Aroostook Band of Micmacs and Four Directions Development Corporation were among 23 recipients to receive more than $4 million in grants to spur economic development in Native American communities.
REMAX Central relocated from Houlton’s historic downtown district to the fringe of the commercial zone at the intersection of Kendall Street and Route 1.
Workers at Maine Wood Recycling Inc in Ashland, Boralex Sherman LLC in Stacyville and Wausau Paper Specialty Products LLC in Jay became eligible to apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance. Investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor indicated that the workers lost their jobs as a direct result of increased imports.
Katahdin Cedar Log Homes announced that it will be ready to meet or exceed new national energy-efficiency codes that go into effect in 2010.
Debbie Lunn and Bonnie Patchell were honored by UPS for completing 20 years of service with the company. Lunn is a preload supervisor with UPS in Houlton who began her career in 1989 as a preload clerk with the company. Patchell is an air driver who began her career in 1989.
Employees of Katahdin Trust Company used the seventh annual National Get Smart About Credit Day on Oct. 15 and throughout the month, as an opportunity to stress the fundamentals of wise credit use to teens and young adults.
Guiding Stars, the world’s first store-wide nutrition navigation system, announced a partnership with Paradis Shop ‘n Save to launch the good-better-best nutrition rating system in the store. With Guiding Stars, each item throughout the grocery store receives a zero-to-three star rating according to its nutritional value.
Chadwick Florist and Greenhouse of Houlton was one of 20 florists from around the state selected to participate in the inaugural Public Maine Floral Design Show and Expo.
First Wind, owner and operator of Stetson Wind, the largest wind farm in New England, donated $100,000 to the Forest Society of Maine, a statewide land trust, to establish the Stetson Mountain Fund. The fund will provide grants to local groups and communities to maintain and enhance access to recreational opportunities in the Baskahegan Stream watershed in Washington County.
Five Aroostook County farmers participated in a new organic milk product program. Maine’s Own Organic Milk Company (MOOMilk), a cooperative effort of 10 Maine organic milk farmers, was available for consumers thanks to efforts by the Maine Farm Bureau and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Five of the 10 farmers participating in the MOOMilk program hail from Aroostook County. The local farmers are Vaughn Chase of Mapleton, Norman Kaufman of Smyrna, Matt Oliver of Hodgdon and Kip Griffin of Washburn. H.P. Hood had notified them that it was canceling its contracts for certified organic milk citing the poor economy for its decision.
Dallas Henderson announced he would close out a 35-year career with State Farm Insurance Company.
On Oct.26, Spring Break Maple & Honey hosted 85 members of the International Maple Syrup Institute (IMSI) and the North American Maple Syrup Council (NAMSC). Members represented 12 states and four Canadian provinces. They attended annual meetings, seminars, a trade show, a special lobster dinner and tours of the coast of Maine, Old Town Canoe and the University of Maine’s Food and Science and Human Nutrition Department. The visit coincided with NAMSC’s 50th anniversary.
The Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce welcomed Gordon’s Beverage to the community with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 23.
S.W. Collins began expanding its operation by building a drive-through warehouse behind its Bangor Street location. The half-million dollar-plus project is a new structure that will house building materials while enabling sales associates to speed up customer service, according to Scott Dionne, branch manager.
Elm Tree North, owned by Gary Dwyer and operated by Nancy Manton, held its grand opening on North Street behind the Shiretown Inn on the North Road. Elm Tree North is an offshoot of the Elm Tree Diner, which was destroyed by fire in September.
Ivey’s Motor Lodge neared completion of its $2.5 million expansion after winning the 2009 Best of Houlton Award in the hotel and motel category of the U.S. Commerce Association, a private Washington, D.C. business group.
Aroostook Housing, Inc. hosted a mortgage burning celebration at the Amity home of George and Leanna Moorhouse fourteen years after the home was completed and dedicated.
The Moorhouses built their home with the help of volunteers and financing through Aroostook County Habitat for Humanity.
The Houlton Rotary Club welcomed its newest member, John Bishop who moved to the area from northern New York to assume the role of headmaster at the Greater Houlton Christian Academy.
The downtown merchants in Houlton threw their annual “Holiday Open House” which many local business people called a huge success.
Peter and Jon Ellis, owners of the Ellis Family Market in Patten, were in the midst of a 6,000 square foot expansion project that would nearly double the size of their Main Street grocery store.
Vendors and shoppers filled the annual craft fair held at the Gentle Memorial Building on Main Street in Houlton.
Jean and Richard Sloat, co-owners of Jean’s Serendipity and Fish and Friends, expanded their business earlier in the year with an embroidery service.
Doris Scott managed a seasonal tree stand on North St. where she and family members sold wreaths and Balsam fir trees grown at Scott Tree Farm in Linneus where there are, she says, about 80,000 trees.
Businesswoman Paula Dahlk of Littleton and her children made a cornucopia piñata for the students at Wellington School in Monticello.
The newly renovated Salvation Army Family Store at 2 Pleasant St. near Market Square offered bargains for budget-conscious shoppers.
Red Moose Gifts maintained an emphasis on Maine-themed products at Red Moose Gifts while continuing to sell antiques and gift items in the shop at 14 Main St. in Patten.
Machias Savings Bank announced the introduction of MSB Mobile banking that delivers information to Internet-equipped cellular and Smartphones.
Shop ‘n Save participated in the annual campaign for the Salvation Army by placing cartons near the front door where residents could drop off coat and toy donations for area families.
Louisiana Pacific donated $2,000 to Houlton Southside School to help purchase jackets and other items of winter clothing for needy students at the school.
The Elm Tree North was the site for the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation’s annual meeting. Guest speaker at the breakfast meeting was Cianbro Corporation’s Chair, CEO and president, Peter G. Vigue.
Andy’s IGA, Shop ‘n Save and County Yankee responded to a request from SAD 29/70 Adult Education Director Otis Smith for a donation of turkeys as incentives for students for the holidays.
The visitor information center at the juncture of Ludlow Road and U.S. Route 1 had a good year with more than 21,000 people going through the doors for free information on Maine, discount coupons, maps, dining guides, museums and what to see or do in the state.
