Central Aroostook ARC
honors longtime employees
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The long-standing dedication and hard work of individuals who have been employed by Central Aroostook ARC for 20 or more years was celebrated June 21 at an appreciation barbecue.
CAREER MILESTONES — The Central Aroostook ARC board of directors recently honored employees who have been with the organization for 20 or more years at an appreciation barbecue.
In addition to being treated to lunch and receiving a gift from the board, each individual had a maple tree, seen in the background, planted in their honor on agency grounds. Among those recognized were, from left, front row: Irene Dafonte, Merle Antworth, Sally Lewin, Katie Endy and Pam Powers. Back row: Alice Malloch, Josette Madore, Mike Samon, Barb McNeal, Steve Richard and Kelly Gagnon.
“When you have 14 people who have hit that milestone — which represents over 400 years of combined service — it’s cause for celebration,” said Steve Richard, executive director of Central Aroostook ARC, “and the board of directors wanted to do something really nice for them.”
In addition to being treated to lunch and receiving a gift from the board, each individual had a maple tree planted in their honor on agency grounds.
“About two years ago we decided to change our logo which was a dove,” Richard said. “We changed it to a tree. The tree has eight roots representing the eight programs that we sponsor here at Central Aroostook ARC (Adult Services, Community Case Management, Home & Community Support, Opportunity Training Center, Residential Services, Shared Living, Children Supports Program and Work Services). The trunk of the tree is depicted by a person and that represents the association itself, and the branches and leaves of the tree are the people that we support, their families and our employees.
“The 14 maple trees that we planted not only enhance our property,” he said, “but it gives the employees the opportunity to look and say, ‘That’s my tree.’”
Seven of the honorees continue to work at Central Aroostook ARC, while others have retired or passed away.
Those being recognized were Evelyn Cyr (40 years), Irene Dafonte (40 years), Richard (37 years), Josette Madore (34 years), Pam Powers (34 years), Mike Samon (29 years), Katie Endy (27 years), Sally Lewin (27 years), Merle Antworth (26 years), Kelly Gagnon (26 years), Alice Malloch (26 years), Barb McNeal (23 years), Kathi Howlett (22 years) and Carolyn Deschesne (21 years). Honored posthumously were Pamela Dyer (24 years) and Virginia Forbes (21 years).
“I had the pleasure of working with all of the people who were honored, as well as the two who have passed away,” said Richard. “Their longevity speaks to their compassion for what they did, and I hope it talks about the association and that it’s a good organization to work for.”
Lewin, who is the business manager, said she loves coming to work each day.
“I’ve never had a day when I didn’t want to get up in the morning and come to work,” she said. “It takes dedicated, wonderful people to work with the consumers that we have in our programs. They’re special and the staff is special, and they deserve to be honored for their work.
“I’ve never had a tree planted in my honor and I think it’s wonderful because some day when I’m no longer here,” said Lewin, “my grandkids can come up here and walk around the grounds and see the tree that was planted in my honor.”
Endy, who is the supervisor at Adult Services 29, said the last 27 years have “gone by quick.”
“Every day is a different day; I enjoy the staff and I enjoy the consumers we work with,” she said. “We mostly do daily living skills … occupational and physical therapy, and fine motor and gross motor skills.
“It’s a big deal to be recognized,” said Endy. “My sister has intellectual and developmental disabilities so I’ve grown up with it, and that’s what led me to work here. It’s been a worthwhile career.”
A plaque has been installed on the lawn that lists each employee receiving the recognition, along with a description of the appreciation program. As staff members reach this milestone, a tree will be planted and their name will be added to the plaque.
