PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Thursday was a night of celebration as the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce recognized outstanding citizens and businesses.
The annual meeting and awards ceremony drew a crowd that filled the Northern Maine Community College gym.
Honorees were Gary Marquis, superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, Citizen of the Year; Bike, Board and Ski of Presque Isle, Business of the Year – Economic Impact; Beaulieu’s Garage of Caribou, Business of the Year – Community Impact; and Lifetime Achievement Award, Joe Olore of Presque Isle.
Chamber Vice President Ryan Rackliffe presented the Board Member of the Year Award to Elizabeth Singer. President Margo Dyer recognized Jennifer Olson with the President’s Award.
Michael Marquis presented the award to his uncle, Gary Marquis, who he said embodies the spirit of volunteerism.
“Gary has devoted his career to enhancing local recreational opportunities and ensuring that Caribou and Aroostook County are vibrant and welcoming for residents and visitors,” Michael Marquis said.
The elder Marquis has volunteered for more than 30 years to promoting, grooming and maintaining the region’s snowmobile trails. He also serves on the Maine Snowmobile Advisory Council, and Aroostook County Tourism board and represents The County at various trade shows.
He also serves on the Maine Parks and Recreation Association, helps organize chamber events like the Oktoberfest and is on the Christmas in Caribou Committee, which in December created a first-of-its-kind Christmas village in the city, his nephew said.
“I wouldn’t be able to do all this without having a great staff, a great city council, a great city manager and obviously my family,” Gary Marquis said, adding he has always tried to stay behind the scenes. He thanked city staff for allowing him time to visit other areas to promote snowmobiling in The County.
“I am pleased and honored to accept this award tonight,” he said. “I’ve got to go get a groomer now and start grooming the trails.”
Chris Condon presented Bike, Board and Ski with the Business of the Year Award for economic impact. Successful businesses have to have three things: great products, great location and great people, he said.
From its beginnings at a smaller, rented location to purchasing and expanding its 12,000-square-foot store, the business has become a staple on Presque Isle’s Main Street, Condon said. Staff believe in their products and are experts at helping customers find what they need.
“One of the best shops that I’ve ever been in is located right here in Presque Isle. It’s an incredible jewel, an incredible value to our community,” he said.
The business is proud to be part of the community and to be a staple of the downtown, said co-owner Andrew Bouchard, who accepted the award with co-owner Mike Chasse.
The business started in 2013 and moved to its current site, 450 Main St., in 2018, Bouchard said. Mike’s father, Tom Chasse, was instrumental in the business until his death in 2020.
“This would not be possible without our customers, our BBS team and most all of you in this room tonight,” he said. “From our entire family, I would like to say thank you for this recognition, and we know that Tom would be proud.”
Steve Richard presented Beaulieu’s Garage with the Business of the Year award for community impact.
The shop has remained family-owned for four generations, but its community service goes beyond auto repair, Richard said. Founder Pete Beaulieu received the Silver Beaver Award, the Boy Scouts of America’s highest volunteer service award, and staff even helped refurbish the planet Saturn in the Maine Solar System Model.
In 1988, current owner Jeff Robertson launched a free towing and ride service for impaired drivers, which they offer every year on New Year’s Eve, Richard said.
“While it’s challenging to quantify the exact number of lives saved through the program, it’s reasonable to infer, by preventing impaired individuals from driving, numerous potential accidents and fatalities have been averted,” Richard said.
Robertson invited people to recall when they’ve bought something from a fundraiser, supported a church function, helped kids or a needy family or offered kind words. He and his family are thankful for the award, but everyone who does those things serves the community, he said.
“You are The County. You make a difference,” Robertson said. “From southern Aroostook to the Valley to central Aroostook, we all pull together. We all help each other. People care so much here because of you and what you do.”
Former Maine State Chamber Director and former Presque Isle City Manager Dana Connors introduced Lifetime Achievement Award winner Joe Olore, 93, of Presque Isle.
Olore came to Presque Isle in 1947 from San Gimignano, Italy. While his skill as a tailor was legendary — he kept a Main Street store in Presque Isle for more than 50 years — his love of the community stood out more, Connors said.
He was always doing something to make the community vibrant. For instance, he transformed the local Lions Club minstrel shows into Broadway productions, and spearheaded the Mafia Open, a golf tournament at the Presque Isle Country Club that humorously was named for his golf foursome who all had big noses, Connors said.
“His legacy is really one of unselfish dedication, love and commitment to the people and this community that he loves. Joe, anybody can serve, but there are few who take to the call like you have, a lifetime of doing it,” he said. “Joe Olore, we love you, because you loved us.”
Olore’s daughters, Gina and Mia, shared reflections of the family, including the tailor shop and the theater productions, and helped present the award. Olore’s wife of nearly 72 years, Gloria, could not be present due to illness.
Olore recalled a scene from “Fiddler on the Roof” when Golde calls love nothing but a poor tailor. That was him, he said, adding he was proud to receive the award.
“I always say if you live in a community, you should give of yourself a little bit. I did OK for a poor tailor,” he said. “People have been very good to me. I love you all. Ciao.”
Olore received a standing ovation. People filed out to a song in his honor, “Still the One,” played on the jukebox that once sat in Olore’s mother’s Roma Cafe.
