2008 Year in Review

January
• Hilltop Motors opened on Route 1 under the ownership of Scott and Charlene Pike, of Mapleton. The business offers late-model vehicles, including pickup-trucks, SUVs, cars and vans.
• Stantec and one of its latest acquisitions, Neill and Gunter, was identified as one of the top 10 fastest-growing architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firms in the country by research firm ZweigWhite Information Services’ 2007 Hot Firm list. • Rosella’s opened at 18 North St. in Presque Isle with new owners Sheldon Hyde and Debbie Nelson.
• Savings Bank of Maine opened a branch in Mars Hill at 8 Lincoln St.
• Hoffses’ Auto Rental, LLC, d/b/a U-Save Auto Rental, was sold to Neal Griffeth, owner of Presque Isle Auto Rental, LLC.
• The University of Maine at Presque Isle established a community card for users to obtain access at the library and Gentile Hall.
• KeyBank partnered with Northern Maine Community College on a corporate wellness program for the St. John Valley, in cooperation with the Northern Maine Medical Center.
• Woodlot Alternatives, a Topsham consulting firm, joined Stantec.
• Velma Sperrey was won of the lucky $1,000 winners in a Maine Lottery drawing.
• Early and frequent snowstorms proved beneficial for snow-dependent businesses in Aroostook County.
• Katahdin Trust Company and the American Red Cross partnered for an annual Valentine fund-raiser.
• The Maine Potato Board reviewed a number of legislative bills.
• Northern Maine Community College and KeyBank partnered for a televised financial series.
• Smith & Wesson, of Houlton, supported NMCC’s Precision Metals Manufacturing Program with a $45,000 contribution to the Campaign for the County’s College over a three-year period.
• Krista Doody was promoted to marketing officer at Katahdin Trust Co.
• Wood Prairie Farm was profiled in American Artisanal: Finding the Country’s Best Real Food, from Cheese to Chocolate, by Rebecca Gray.
• Dean Grivois was named health careers coordinator for Acadia Health Education Coalition.
February
• The Southern Aroostook Region Two School of Applied Technology donated a 2000 International truck to Northern Maine Community College for use by students in two programs.
• David Fraser, U.S. Potato Board Industry Communication and Policy vice president, served as guest speaker at the 23rd annual Maine Potato Conference held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center, where he mentioned a possible deal with Subway restaurants which would make potatoes a menu option.
• Lee R. Theriault, certified public accountant, of Fort Kent, announced the opening of a branch office in Ashland.
• The University of Maine at Presque Isle unveiled its newly-remodeled Faculty Lounge located in Normal Hall.
• Terry Burtchell opened her seamstress shop next door to Pancsofar’s Bridal Shop on Main St. in Presque Isle.
• Dr. Eric Nicholas was honored in Mars Hill for 45 years of service to the community.
• Stantec promoted Bill Gerrish to senior associate.
• Savings Bank of Maine contributed $15,000 to NMCC’s Campaign for the County’s College.
March
• Organic Sam’s, owned by Gary Kaszas, of Fort Fairfield, transformed a family farm stand to an Internet business, offering a variety of certified organic apple, cherry, pear and plum trees from their 291 Currier Road location.
• Senate Majority Leader John L. Martin, D-Aroostook County, presented a bill to the Legislature’s Utilities and Energy Committee which intended to protect electricity ratepayers in Maine by adding requirements for approval of siting transmission lines.
• Rep. Patricia Sutherland, D-Chapman, presented a proposal to the Taxation Committee aimed at increasing access to dental care in rural areas.
• Debi Gustin purchased the Irish Setter Pub, in Presque Isle, and planned some minor menu and seating changes.
• The New Shoppe Salon, under the ownership of Tara Peterson and Danielle Foster, opened for business on Main St. in Ashland, featuring walk-in service and affordable prices.
• A Valentine’s Day fund-raiser raised $8,000 for the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter – through the sale of stuffed animals at area Katahdin Trust Co. offices.
• Terry Greenier, owner of I Care Pharmacy in Fort Fairfield, accepted the award for Business of the Year 2008 during the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner.
• WAGM created a scholarship award through NMCC through a $10,000 gift to the Campaign for the County’s College.
• Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Giberson donated funds to TAMC for the purchase of SimMan, an advanced medical training mannequin that breathes, talks and has a heartbeat and pulse, to provide a more lifelike experience for training medical professionals.
• United Insurance Group reinvested in APP (Aroostook Partnership for Progress) by pledging $50,000 to the organization.
April
• Aroostook County snowmobile trails were praised in SnowGoer Magazine and The Maine Sportsman.
• Television viewers were being urged to get with the program. On Feb. 17, 2009, federal law requires that all full-power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting analog format and broadcast only in digital format.
• NMDC officials received $200,000 in federal funding to identify property that may be contaminated with petroleum products.
• Katahdin Trust Co. presented Momentum Aroostook with a $1,250 check, making the company the latest major sponsor of Momentum Aroostook.
• S.W. Collins donated $750 to Homeless Services of Aroostook.
• Martha Bell joined ACAP as a community health education specialist and regional tobacco coordinator.
• Theriault Equipment employees Jesse Theriault and Bob Godin achieved advanced level recognition for the position of parts and service sales representatives through the John Deere University program.
• Madawaska fudge-making business, Mom’s Fudge, benefited from the first Maine Quality Centers project under the MCCS Rural Initiative.
• Big community projects were in the works as UMPI’s GIS Program collaborated with a local city, town and economic development organization to offer paid student internships.
• An upgrade in wattage allowed WEGP to reach listeners in Aroostook and western New Brunswick, providing a stronger A.M. signal for better service.
• F.A. Peabody reinvested in Aroostook Partnership for Progress, pledging $50,000 to the organization.
• Renovation work began at NMCC on classroom modeled after the work environment at MMG Insurance in Presque Isle.
• Graves’ Shop ‘N Save awarded $1,000 to Fort Fairfield Elementary School, as part of the Hannaford Helps Schools program.
• Ryder System, Inc., a global leader in transportation and supply chain management solutions, honored Sr. Service Manager Eldon Crouse Jr., of Hermon, with the company’s Maintenance Excellence Award (MEA) for 2007.
• Amy Murphy, of Cook Florist, took top honors at the Maine State Florist and Growers Association’s spring design contest in Bar Harbor.
• Dr. Lisa Leduc, associate professor of criminal justice at UMPI, served as guest speak April 14 before the Presque Isle Rotary Club. Leduc invited Rotary members to visit the campus to take part in University Day activities.
• Katahdin Trust bankers prepared to teach students in the area savings lessons, as part of National Teach Children to Save Day on April 29.
• UMPI French students translated the Northern Maine Regional Airport’s Web site, making the site bi-lingual.
• The Sheridan Corp. announced it was recommitting its financial investment in the Aroostook Partnership for Progress (APP).
• NMCC students traveled to Cary Medical Center to learn more about their chosen professions in the medical field.
May
• Hundreds attended an open house at NMCC to celebrate Sinawik house.
• U.S. Cellular recognized several associates for their continued dedication to customer service.
• U.S. postal workers across the state and the nation sought the public’s help in stamping out hunger, with food donations being collected May 10.
• Aroostook County girls benefited from Totally Trades day at NMCC, with about 90 girls given an opportunity to take part in a hands-on daylong workshop that encouraged women to consider careers in fields traditionally dominated by men.
• The Maine NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) Chapter donated $54,000 to establish a scholarship at the state’s community colleges.
• Telford Aviation Services received a contract to test an unmanned aircraft at its facility at the Loring Commerce Centre in Limestone.
• CAPS (Central Aroostook Psychiatric Services LLC) opened for business at 181 Academy St., Presque Isle.
• The Maine Credit Union League and its members helped raise funds for flood victims, following the worst flooding in the area in 100 years.
• Caribou’s Spud Speedway prepared to open, under the ownership of Greg Veinote.
• CAARS (Curtis Auto and Airplane Repair & Sales, Inc.) opened for business at 359 Main St., Fort Fairfield.
• Katahdin Trust Co. planned to plant trees in the communities it has branches to mark the bank’s 90th year in service.
• Gretchen Morse, of the financial services firm Edward Jones, opened an office at 455 Main St., Presque Isle.
• Maine Mutual Group (MMG) donated $5,000 to the American Red Cross, Pine Tree Chapter, to assist victims of the spring’s worst flooding in Aroostook in nearly a century.
• North Country Auto held an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at the business’s new location on Main St., Presque Isle.
June
• The Kitchen & Bath Shop, owned by Kelly Mathes and Susan Czosnek, opened at 2 Reach Rd., Presque Isle, providing custom design of kitchens, baths and more.
• UMPI students helped create a Web site for TAMC, providing a healthcare resource for the region.
• Theresa Fowler settled in as the new executive director of the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce.
• Troy and Stephanie Caverhill moved their offices – Northern Physical Therapy and Rehab Services, LLC; and Northern Massage & Wellness Center – to 180 Academy St. Suite 3.
• Virtual Management Solutions LLC, owned by C.B. Smith, settled into its new home on Sweden St. in Caribou. Smith purchased the structure from the city, following the city’s receipt of the donated property from CCH Small Firm Services.
• Well Spring Health Center, owned by Tom and Dr. Eva Shay, moved to its new location at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
• Perception of Aroostook, under the ownership of Leo Freeman, celebrated his first year of service on the Caribou Rd., offering canoe and kayak rentals and sales, sales of collapsible garages and introducing the sale of wind generators.
• The Presque Isle Rotary Club welcomed a Group Study Exchange Team, through Rotary International, all hailing from South Africa.
• Bob Buckley, who joined the Star-Herald staff earlier in the year, was officially introduced to readers as the newest member of the newspaper’s sales staff, training to take the position held by Jim Berry, who planned to retire later in the year after more than 30 years in advertising with the company.
• United Way of Aroostook appointed new officers and presented awards to various organizations/individuals during its annual meeting at Northern Maine Community College. Bonnie Foster was chosen to take over as the UWA’s president, following the departure of Brian Sipe, who served for two years as president.
• Katahdin Trust Co. was named one of the top community banks.
• KeyBank reinvested in the Aroostook Partnership for Progress, pledging $25,000 toward the program.