SADC announces sign winner

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
WINNING SLOGAN — Krista Putnam, left, of New Limerick was the winner of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation’s slogan contest for the proposed new “Welcome to Houlton” sign to be located near the off-ramp of Interstate 95. With Putnam is SADC Executive Director Jon McLaughlin.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — “Welcome to Houlton Maine, worth a visit … worth a lifetime.”
    That phrase will greet motorists as they exit Interstate 95 in Houlton this spring when the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation (SADC) erects a 20-foot-tall sign welcoming people to Houlton. SADC Executive Director Jon McLaughlin unveiled the winning motto during a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Houlton Town Office.
    The slogan was submitted by Krista Putam of New Limerick as part of a contest to determine the motto. She won $50 for her effort.
    “I knew I wanted to submit something that appealed to both tourists and residents,” Putnam said.
    While she feels the logo fits Houlton perfectly, Putnam admitted the slogan was not an original.
    “Maine has used this slogan in other areas in the past, but it’s not as well known as the other one, ‘the way life should be,’” Putnam said. “When I came across this motto, I thought ‘Wow, what better way to say it for Houlton?’”
    Eighteen entries were submitted for the contest, with an essay accompanying each explaining why they chose that particular slogan. Those 18 were narrowed down to three, before a final winner was selected. The other two finalists were Lucas Anderson, a Houlton High School student; and Theresa Bragan.
    In her essay, Putnam wrote, “I feel the tag line ‘worth a visit, worth a lifetime’ truly reflects the spirit of any Houlton resident as well as anyone who visits the Houlton area,” she wrote. “The town’s natural beauty, dynamic economy and rich history make it an extraordinary place to work and live. The inference in this line is that many may visit the Houlton area, for specific reasons or simply a random stop, and discover a community that offers them all their mind’s eyes have ever wanted.”
    “It was very hard to choose one winner between the top three,” McLaughlin said. “All three were excellent.”
    Anderson’s slogan was “Where tradition meets progress,” while Bragan submitted the motto, “Where yesterday and today come together.”
    “For years there has been a desire to have a sign directing people to Houlton’s downtown area as they get off the Interstate,” McLaughlin said. “Town officials, merchants, tourism officials, and event sponsors have struggled with the fact there is little signage at the interstate telling visitors to town where our downtown is located.”
    Last month, the town and Maine Department of Transportation reached an agreement to allow the sign to be positioned facing the Interstate off-ramp. MDOT typically does not allow electronic signs to be visible from the Interstate. An exception was made for Houlton’s sign on the basis that no commercial messages are displayed and that only town officials are allowed to post messages.
    A contest was then held to allow members of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce and Houlton High School to come up with a motto for the sign.
    The sign is being created by Sign Services in Stetson and will stand 20 feet tall with an 11-foot by 12-foot cabinet and internally illuminated graphics. McLaughlin said the 4-foot high by 12-foot wide full color message center would be radio controlled to change the display reflecting town events. The sign will be located on the Dunn Furniture Company property facing the northbound I-95, Exit 302. McLaughlin estimates the cost of the project at $42,000. About $9,000 remains to be raised, which will be accomplished through a private fund-raising effort for the sign has been initiated by SADC.
    “We are hoping to raise the necessary funds for this project through private contributions and as a tribute to the late Dallas Henderson,” McLaughlin said. “Dallas was not only a longtime Houlton businessman, but also an active member of the SADC board and champion of the need for this project. We would like to see this project brought to a conclusion not only for the benefit of Houlton, but as a tribute to his memory.”
    When completed, the sign will become the property of the town. SADC hopes to see construction begin this spring, with a completion date of June anticipated.
    The idea for the sign grew out of an SADC committee proposal to recognize Houlton’s assets. Dallas Henderson headed that committee. The late Houlton businessman, civic leader and SADC board member “had a longtime vision of a directional sign, alerting tourists getting off Exit 302 at Houlton, about the downtown,” said McLaughlin. “Unfortunately, before actual work and design of the sign could take place, Dallas passed away.”
    Contributions of any size are welcomed. Checks can be made payable to Town of Houlton – Memorial Sign, and contributions are tax deductible. For more information, call McLaughlin at 521-0157 or the town office at 532-7111.