Nine
awards were passed out, with all but two selected by the OHCC executive
committee, from hundreds of nominations submitted by chamber members.
Director’s Choice
Noting
that the Chamber now has more than 60 people volunteering on its various
committees, OHCC executive director Steve Wallace singled out one, Bruce
Little, of Frost Farm Gallery, in Norway, with a Directors Choice Award.
“Bruce
was one of the first people to embrace me when I was hired,” said Wallace. “It seems like, no matter what is going on,
Bruce is there to help. He has very
unselfishly dedicated a lot of hours to helping me as a new executive
director. He truly has a love of the Chamber. He is about this community.”
Above and Beyond
NEPW
Logistics was given a special “Above and Beyond Award” for getting through the
devastating week-long fire at it Paris warehouse in December.
Most
impressive, said chamber Chairman Sue Goulet, was the fact that the company
managed to carry on without laying off any of its employees.
“We
cannot imagine the challenges you experienced,” said Goulet, in presenting the
award to to NEPW manager John Dumant.
“We just really felt you deserved this for bringing the community
together and for standing firm for your employees.”
New Business of the Year
The
New Business of the Year Award went to Element Day Spa, in Paris. Wallace credited owner Su-Ying Chavez with
making an extra effort to contribute to the community, such as when employees
gave free messages to weary firefighters at the NEPW blaze.
“Element
Day Spa may be a new business, but you are old-time good when it comes to doing
things right,” said Wallace.
Rising Star of the Year
Heath
Poland was named Rising Star of the Year.
Having joined Flanders Electric eight years ago as a journeyman
electrician, Hearth bought the company this past year.
“In
just his first year of ownership, Heath has taken the generator sales and
service side of the business to one of the top 20 in the nation,” said Wallace.
Poland
said he was “humbled” to be named a “rising star,” but was too savvy to miss
the marketing opportunity provide to him by a few brief moments at the podium.
“Please
think of Flanders Electric for all your electrical and generator needs,” he
said, to the delight of the crowd.
Small Business of the
Year
Small
Business of the Year Award went to Cafe Nomad, in Norway, owned by Scott Berk,
who will grace the cover of the Chamber’s 2009 annual magazine.
“The
cafe has filled an important niche in the economic and social fabric of
downtown Norway and the Oxford Hills,” said outgoing chamber Chairman Michael
Newsom, in presenting the award.
Employee of the Year
Employee
of the year went to Ena Derenberger, sales manager at Turnkey Homes of Maine.
Derenberger
was credit not just with her work on behalf of Turnkey Homes, but for community
volunteerism, having logged countless hours for Toys for Tots and Big Brothers,
Big Sisters.
“Your
can-do attitude is a testament to your commitment to make Turnkey Homes and the
Oxford Hills a better place to live and work,” said Wallace.
“I
really consider it a blessing to be recognized for this award, when there are
so many equally deserving people in the community” said Derenberger. “Working at Turnkey Homes with such a
dedicated and truly exceptional staff makes what I do really rewarding.”
Nonprofit Business of
the Year
The
Oxford Fair was recognized as the Nonprofit Business of the Year.
“It
was just eight years ago that the Oxford Fair was a fair in decline,” said
Goulet. “Attendance was down, buildings were in disrepair and money and support
were in short supply.
“Now,
with hard work, community partnerships, strong leadership and creative ideas,
the New Oxford Fair is growing,” said Goulet, adding that it was “the only
agricultural fair” to grow in 2008, based on attendance figures.
“We
will always strive to honor this award,” said fair president Suzanne
Grover. “We promise to keep the fair
affordable, fun and exciting.”
Large Business of the
Year
The
Large Business of the Year Award, for concerns with more than 25 employees,
went to Norway Savings Bank.
Wallace
noted that, as a mutual bank, owned by its depositors, Norway Savings cannot be
sold to or acquired by any other bank.
The bank was recently named the best place to work in Maine for 2008 by
the Best Companies Group.
“As
we all know, whether you are a for-profit or a nonprofit, the success of any
organization is built upon the people you work with,” said CEO Bob Harmon. “I’m really proud to say that the 275 employees
of Norway Savings Bank are great [and] hardworking. They make Norway Savings one of the best
institutions I have ever seen.”
Citizen of the Year
Finally,
the Citizen of the Year Award was presented to SAD 17 Superintendent Dr. Mark
Eastman.
“He
doesn’t just delegate, he gets personally involved,” said presenter Tally
Decato. “Others realize this as he has
twice been names Maine’s Superintendent of the Year.”
In
a parody of Eastman’s popular “Top 10” lists unveiled at the start of each
school year, his son, Andrew presented via video a list of “Top 10 things you
need to know to become citizen of the year.”
These
included “the ability to get people to see things your way and make them think
it was their idea,” “getting your
friends on the committee,” and “always make sure your sox match.”
Eastman
congratulated Decato and his wife, Cille — termed a “mistress of deceit” — with
perpetrating a conspiracy to keep the surprise from him.
“This
one completely got by me,” said Eastman.
“I am certainly privileged, honored and humbled to be included among the
list of citizens of the year,” said Eastman.
Referring
to the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child” Eastman deflected
personal credit for any public education success stories.
“It’s
this community that’s pulling together to do those things,” he said, citing the
Aspire Higher Parade, the Oxford Hills Scholarship Foundation, community
schools, the comprehensive high school — “unique in the nation” — Christmas for
Teens, Tots and Kids and partnerships with Norway Savings, Community Concepts
and Stephens Memorial Hospital.
“All
of these things represent towns coming together to become a community, and
provide the support we need to create the greatest opportunities for our young
people,” said Eastman.
Eastman
then concluded by giving thanks for having made his home in the Oxford Hills.
“When
I think of places like the Seeds of Peace Camp in Otisfield, the historic
academy in Hebron, and [SAD 17’s] partnership with the Zhe-Jiang University
Middle School in China, I see, the world comes to the Oxford Hills,” said
Eastman.
“When
I think of our manufactured housing industry, the McLaughlin Garden in Paris,
historic Paris Hill and our beautiful four seasons,” said Eastman, “I see that
America comes to the Oxford Hills.”
“When
I think about the Waterford World’s Fair, the Oxford County Fair, Oxford Plains
Speedway, I think that New England comes to the Oxford Hills,” said Eastman.
“When
I think of the sidewalk art festival in Norway, the Chamber’s Christmas parade,
the wonderful lakes and recreation areas we have throughout our 11 towns,” said
eastman. “I see that the state of Maine
comes to the Oxford Hills.”
“When
we wanted a place that had a quality of life with a small town feel and
experience, we came to the Oxford Hills,” said Eastman, “and we’re glad that we
did.”
A CLOSER LOOK
Oxford Hills Chamber of
Commerce Citizens of the Year
2009
— Dr. Mark Eastman
2008
— Lisa Jones
2007
— Rev. Donald Mayberry
2006
— Mary Ann Brown
2005
— Hon. Richard Bennett
2004
— Andrea Burns
2004
— Myron Pierce
2003
— Joseph Cooney
2002
— Ann Siekman
2001
— Charlene Chase
2000
— Robert Andrews
1999
— Suzanne Grover
1999
— Rupert Grover
1998
— Al Bancroft
1997
— Dan Allen
1997
— Shirli Allen
1996
— Harrison Hahn
1996
— Donald Gouin
1995
— Barbara Hall
1995
— Betty Gianquinto
1994
— Roland Sutton
1994
— Leon R. Truman
1993
— Paul Hodson
1993
— Lucille Hodson
1993
— Lilo Knudson
1992
— Francis H. Shorey
1992
— Lloyd A. Watt
1991
— Rev. Dr. Donald McAllister
1991
— Raynor Brown
1990
— Robert Butters
1990
— Cotton Damon
1989
— Nancy Sutton
1989
— Robert Bizier
1988
— Jerry Major
1988
— Sen. R. Donald Twitchell
1987
— Grace Emmerton
1987
— Alfred LeClerc
1986
— Neil Tame
1986
— Susan Bell
1985
— Stanley Gates
1985
— Dr. William Medd
1984
— Dr. Charles “Doc” Hall
1984
— Connie Allen
1983
— Lajos Matolcsy
1983
— Alice B. Cornwall
1982
— Peggy Wolfe
1982
— Cynthia Wescott
1981
— Hervey Willey
1981
— Dr. Harry L. Harper
1980
— Dr. Walter Dixon
1980
— Anita Dixon
1980
— Linwood Allen
1979
— Dr. Beryl Moore
1979
— Robert Goodwin
1978
— John P. Cullinan
1978
— Mabel Brown
1977
— Josephine “Jo” Stone.
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