Staff Writer
The Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its annual Recognition Dinner at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center on the evening of March 19.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Andrea Swanberg, left, accepts a gift presented by Superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department Kathy Mazzuchelli at the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industries annual recognition night.
As guests entered the dining area, they were greeted with tables adorned with tastefully arranged fresh flowers, quiet music and a continuous slideshow portraying events and individuals that captured the community pride and involvement throughout last years’ Sesquicentennial Celebration.
Following a buffet dinner Duane Walton, representing the Friends of Scouting, held a coin auction, encouraging collectors seated around him to purchase commemorative Boy Scout coins that had been available during the past year. Walton successfully auctioned off the bronze, silver and 14 carat gold coin sets.
Jim Cyr addressed those in attendance, reminding everyone of the success of Caribou’s 150th birthday celebration and stated, “We have a challenge we will meet,” referencing the future and economic situation impacting Caribou. “To live here, we have to be tough, which makes Caribou such a unique place — our history and character sets us apart. We have dealt with stock market crashes and the loss of Loring Air Force Base; we are vital and strong but if we have to create our own destiny we have to have some sharp elbows. We have a lot to offer in this community.”
Cyr also recognized several individuals who were instrumental in a number of ways throughout the previous year’s celebration including: Joe Bouchard, Dr. Phil Turner and Alan Hewitt. In closing Cyr said, “The spirit of people came to the forefront during the Sesquicentennial year, proving it (spirit) is there and now we need that to continue.”
Wendy Landes, executive director of the CCC&I introduced the board members and in her remarks suggested economic development isn’t accomplished in sprints and achieves greater success if done with teams not by one person. “We are ready for the next leg of the race,” she said.
Landes also recognized Robert ‘Bob’ Mockler and John Swanberg as the forces behind the success of Caribou’s year-long 150th birthday celebration.
Shawn Anderson, CCC&I board member, representing Cary Medical Center presented a special recognition award to Mary Lou Nelson for her dedication over the past 50 years working in the lab at Cary Medical Center.
Nelson who came to Cary Hospital in 1960 (when home one summer and as favor to a friend) when there was literally no lab in the true sense of the word at the facility. “I had no intension of staying for more than a year,” said Nelson. Over the past 50 years Nelson has helped create one of the most advanced and elaborate laboratories anywhere,” Anderson said.
The annual awards evening continued as Dixie Shaw representing Catholic Charities of Maine and well known for her never-ending work in the ‘Feed the County’ campaign proceeded to describe the Business of the Year. Shaw singled out John Swanberg, president of Aroostook Savings and Loan, highlighting her initial approach to Swanberg and the bank regarding the Feed the County program and the institution’s ongoing assistance.
Shaw stated the Feed the County started as a need to help Catholic Charities increase awareness regarding the need to fight hunder within the county. Over the past seven years more than $50,000 has been spent in advertising by Aroostook Savings and Loan in support of the Catholic Charities efforts. This dollar amount has been matched by WAGM TV, providing more ads.
Aroostook Savings and Loan originated in1936, through the efforts of a group of nine citizens who raised subscriptions amounting to $50,000, the amount necessary to start a charter.
The main purpose of the banking facility was to assist citizens to become homeowners, today known as “Your Home Bank,” Aroostook Savings and Loan offers full service banking, including mortgage and home equity loans, commercial and real estate loans, consumer and auto loans.
Swanberg, who was a very successful force behind the recent Sesquicentennial events was presented with a painting of his home, which he and his wife Andrea are in the process of refurbishing.
In recent years the CCC&I has announced the name of one person to receive the of Citizen of the Year. Award. However, with all of the events from last year and the tremendous amount of volunteer hours offered by many citizens, this year three individuals were named to the honor.
Shawn Anderson presents Mary Lou Nelson with an award in honor of her 50 years of dedicated service at Cary Medical Center.
Dr. Carl Flynn, spent some time describing the first recipient, David Sleeper.
“He coaches rec/peewee soccer and is on his second stint as a Little League coach, he is willing to practice as the sun rises or finishes a practice as the sun sets — he is an exemplary role model to these young athletes. His civic involvement is impressive.”
“ On a professional level, he has expanded his near century old family-owned grocery and clothing store into a group of business that includes two Dollar Stores and another clothing store. He is still a fixture at the flagship Sleepers Store and can be found both in the office ordering product and in the aisles, on his knees, stocking shelves as he did as a child. This year his Dollar Store moved to the downtown core — in part to increase his floor space, but in truth, to help revitalize downtown Caribou, a subject very dear to his heart,” stated Flynn.
Deborah Doody Sirois was nominated to be named part of the three-way Citizen of The Year Award by her sister, Susan Doody Stedt and Dottie McDuffie.
Stedt described her sister, in part, in the following words. “Deb has been especially proud of Caribou’s Sesquicentennial Committee. The year -ong activities and events the committee planned were a tribute to the capacity of many people to organize, manage and help make the celebration so satisfying to all the folks who participated.
“It is not unusual to walk into their home to find Deb stuffing envelopes, organizing mailings or preparing materials for a meeting or event. Don (her husband) teases her about the ‘stuff’ that often fills the back seat of the car or trunk or their lovely back porch ready to be used for something, suggesting they might start their own recycling business,” continued Stedt.
Debbie Sirois, left, received one of the three 2009 Caribou Citizens of the Year Awards from her sister, Susan Stedt.
“Debbie is an angel right here on earth. She is the epitome of ‘ambassadorship.’ Her countless deeds of kindness are innumerable and always done silently and subtly for fear of recognition.”
Sirois later said, “It took a community working together. You may have cooked for the Irish dinner, Ski-Dash or the Community Barbecue, folded programs, handed out flyers, participated in the time capsule burial; the play, the queen’s tea, the parade, the Ecumenical service, sold baked potatoes; worked in our Celebration Center, purchased a Caribou print or the “Caribou 150 Years” book. Whatever you did nothing was too small — I want to say thank you to you.”
Kathy Mazzuchelli described the third Caribou resident nominated and selected as Citizen of the Year.
“We are here tonight to honor volunteers from our community that gave up considerable time during 2008-09 to organize and implement Caribou’s Sesquicentennial. I am particularly honored to recognize Andrea Swanberg as a recipient of Caribou’s Citizen of the Year, honoring her for her role in making the celebration one for the history books,” said Mazzuchelli.
Dr. Carl Flynn stands with David Sleeper, recently named one of Caribou’s 2009 Citizens of the Year.
“Now for those who have never organized a parade, it is quite a task, but for a volunteer to step up to head up the largest parade in Caribou in the last 25 years, well that was pretty remarkable,” continued Mazzuchelli.
“For those of you that might not know Andrea, she is an intelligent, articulate, amicable, mother of three boys and wife to John Swanberg. Of course being married to John pulled Andrea into the fray by default at first, but her spunk and spirit drove her to take on probably one of the largest responsibilities of the 150th year … the parade.”
In conclusion Mazzuchelli stated, “From my perspective Andrea Swanberg went above and beyond what would be expected from a volunteer and it was a privilege to work with her during the course of our sesquicentennial year; her spirit and tenacity reflected that of those who founded our community and it is with great pleasure that I recognize her as one of Caribou’s Citizens of the Year for 2009.”
During the Chamber event Lisa Cantafio was introduced as a new member of the CCC&I Board of Directors. Other board members included Jim Cyr, Tom Ellis, William Tasker, Troy Heald, Richard Solman, Shawn Anderson, Mae Martin, Shawn Pelletier, Joseph Sleeper II, Steven Buck and Chris Bell.
Jim Cyr arranges his notes prior to speaking at the annual Chamber Recognition Dinner.
Aroostook Savings and Loan was named 2009 Business of the Year at the recent annual Chamber Recognition Dinner. Here John Swanberg, president, accepts a painting from Dixie Shaw of Catholic Charities who described Swanberg’s continuous support of the Feed the County campaign.
Jon Cyr,left, collects the commerative coins he successfully bid on during a coin auction at the recent Chamber Recognition dinner. Duane Walton, right, held the auction for the Friends of Scouting.
