Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce names local stars

HEBRON — At its annual dinner, held January 31 on the historic campus of Hebron Academy, the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce recognized those business and individuals who made the greatest impact in 2008.

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.

Chamber vows to ‘work hard’ in tough economy

ANNUAL GALA — More than 260 business leaders from across Western Maine
converged on the Hebron Academy’s Sargent Memorial Gymnasium, January 31,
for the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.  (photo by Duke Harrington)

HEBRON — If, having just arrived on the planet, you had happened inside Hebron Academy’s Sargent Memorial Gym, Saturday evening, you wouldn’t have know that we are one-year deep into a national recession.

Although the economic mood everywhere is gloomy, it was all smiles and forward-looking Yankee pragmatism at the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce (OHCC) annual dinner and award banquet.

“On the national economic front, we are facing a level of uncertainty about our future that we have not faced in long, long time,” said outgoing chamber Chairman Michael Newsom, of W. J. Wheeler & Co., of Paris.

“But the people of the Oxford Hills are no strangers to adversity, and I’m not just talking about the weather,” said Newsom.  “We are a resourceful, resilient people and there is nothing coming down the road that we cannot handle together.”

Nine business leaders were recognized for outstanding  contributions during the past year, Chamber leaders promised a laser-like focus on local needs, and the CEO of the Maine’s only private company dedicated to luring new business to Maine urged attendees to focus on their strengths, and to think big.

Matthew Jacobson, CEO of Maine and Company, spoke before a capacity crowd of more than 260 people, saying that success is tied to three key ingredients — business climate, an educated work force and a willingness to increase its environmental standards.

Credited with recruiting T-Mobile, Athena Health, NotifyMD and Boston Financial Data Services to the state, Jacobson focused on one failure.  Maine lost out to Tupelo, MS, on a $1.6 billion Toyota plant, Jacobson said, because Tupelo had met all three points.

After speaking with his counterpart in Tupelo, Jacobson said he learned that it was the only one of the final three cities under consideration by Toyota willing to raise its air quality standards to meet the manufacturers demands.  The others were afraid doing so might hurt existing businesses.

Mississippi also was willing to pass a $300 million bond package, some of which went to area community colleges  to train potential plant workers, while other dollars went to create an auto industry research and development program at the University of Mississippi.

Jacobson pointed out that Maine also voted in $300 million in bonds that same year on roads, bridges and conservation projects, but it was Tupelo that got 10,000 jobs.

“We don’t have to spend more money,” he said.  “We spent the same money.  They’re just more focused.”

Jacobson urged local business leaders to think regionally.

"This individual town and city attack, you're not big enough to compete," he said.

As an example, Jacobson focused his talk on Maine’s tourism industry, and its efforts to attract cruise ships.  Although he apologized that none are due to dock at in South Paris, Jacobson said the area can benefit if Maine will only look beyond its current philosophy, which he described as “Get ‘em off the boat; get ‘em to L. L. Bean’s; fill up their bags; get ‘em back on the boat.”

Jacobson said Maine needs to spend enough on marketing to lure up to 1,500 cruise ships up and down the coast, not just the $65,000 is spends to bring 202 ships to Portland each year.

Jacobson said Maine also should invest in education to train cruise ship captains and hospitality crews here in the state, and to provision ships with Maine produce.  The state also can revitalize downtowns by filling empty storefronts with cruise line corporate headquarters.

“Tourism is our biggest industry and there is no place in Maine to get a four-year degree in hospitality, culinary arts or hotel management,” said Jacobson.  “Why isn’t the best university in the world for tourism in Maine?  We can do that, and that’s how we are going to win.”

Facing front

In his remarks, Newsom acknowledged “more than a few challenges” for the Chamber in the past few years, including “leadership turnovers, financial difficulties and a set of programs and events that didn’t always meet expectations.”

However, in handing the gavel over to incoming Chairman Sue Goulet, owner of Goulet Enterprises, Newsom said the Chamber is “stronger today than it has been in the past and is in a better position to achieve its mission to help our members succeed.”

Prime among those strengths — the “single greatest step,” said Newsom — was the May hiring of Steve Wallace as OHCC Executive Director.  For his efforts during the first nine months of his tenure, Wallace received a hearty ovation from the crowd.

“I’m really glad that the board of directors chose to take a chance on this former Marine living in Auburn,” said Wallace, as he acknowledged the applause.

Wallace said job one, when he took the OHCC helm was to poll its members.  Based on interviews with some 125 area business Wallace said he and the OHCC board decided to jettison “all the fluffy words” that dominated past Chamber agendas.

“Now, the mission statement of this Chamber is very simple,” said Wallace.  “We are going to help our members succeed. 

“For some members that might mean legislative advocacy,” said Wallace.  “For others it might be [help with] marketing, for others it might be sales, but no matter what you do, if you are a member of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, my goal, and the goal of the directors and the goal of all volunteers of this organization is to make your business succeed.  Period.  It’s just that simple.”

Newsom also credited seven new directors, who fill out the OHCC board to its maximum 18 seats.  Those new leaders include: Bob Klar (Design First Homes), Dawn Minigell (Modern Woodmen of America), Eric Lammers (Krack Media), Heath Poland (Flanders Electric), Khristopher Lalemand (Designs By Skip), Kristen Serles (Concentra) and Matt Delamater (Northeast Bank). 

They join sitting board members Amanda Huotari (Celebration Barn Theater), Becky Mason (Norway Savings Bank), H. Sawin Millett, Jr. (state representative) and Sharon Buffington (Western Maine Health Care) as well as the Chamber’s new executive committee — President Sue Goulet (Goulet Enterprises), Vice Chair Helga Thurston (Paris Cape Realty), 2nd Vice Chair Glen Holmes (Buckfield town manager), Treasurer Diana McLaughlin (Western Maine Health Care), Doug Van Durme (Bessey Motors), Terry Hayes (state rep.) and Newsom.

“We took an awful hard look at where we’ve been,” said Newsom.  “We’ve identified some new long-term strategic goals in the areas of finance, personnel, leadership, public relations and programs. 

“These are the areas in which we have struggled in the past,” said Newsom, “but I think we will become a force of strength in the future.”

New initiatives include a business success seminar series, a redesigned business showcase, several new fundraisers and a “buy local” campaign.

“A new executive director, seven new board members, a new mission, new goals and new programs,” said Newsom.  “Not a bad year, by my count.”

All that remained was for Wallace to outline what he expects to happen from here on.

“I am a believer that attitude follows conversation,” said Wallace.  “My conversation is always going to be positive because my attitude is always going to be positive.

“I will work hard with anyone who wants to work hard with me,” said Wallace, “to make this the best, pound-for-pound, chamber in the state.”

2006 Year in Review: August

AUGUST

August 3, 2006

Money, time running out for Cindy

OXFORD/OMAHA, NE — Oxford’s Cindy Hensen, in Omaha for lifesaving intestinal surgery, began to run low on funds while awaiting a suitable organ donation.  The Advertiser updated Cindy’s long struggle with Chron’s disease and provided contact information so readers could make tax-deductible donations to help keep her on standby for her operation, which we were happy to report on two weeks later.

Court says chief deputy can’t carry any firearms

OXFORD COUNTY — An court-ordered protection from abuse cost Chief Deputy James Davis, second-in-command at the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, his right to carry a firearm.  Davis his eventually retired, staying on administrative leave with pay long enough to preserve his benefits.

Hedgehog Hill Farm closes retail doors

SUMNER — After 35 years, and the death of his wife, Terry, Mark Silver closed the retail end of Hedgehog Hill Farm, in Sumner.  Silber said he would continue to welcome visitors to the farm’s vibrant perennial gardens.    

August 10, 2006

Pro-pot party moving to downtown?

NORWAY — Following repeated complaints of noise and trespassing, Norway selectmen voted to hold Aaron Fuda, accountable under the town’s new Disorderly House ordinance.  Selectmen held a public hearing, declared Fuda in violation of the ordinance, and compelled him to reach a consent agreement with the police chief and the town attorney.  By year's end, the attorney had not attended any meetings and the police chief would approach the problem from a new angle, by proposing a new ordinance banning large outdoor festivals, such as Fuda Fest, without a permit.

Growth Council head steps down

NORWAY — Following a contentious summer in which several area towns threatened to withhold funding, Brett Doney, CEO of the Growth Council of Oxford Hills, tendered his resignation from the local economic redevelopment group.  Doney left for a similar job in Montana and was replaced in early December by John Shuttuck, of New Gloucester.

Blank checks stolen from mailbox

NORWAY — Mail thieves struck although the actual thievery too place eight months earlier.  It was revealed that police were on the trail of whomever stole a box of checks out of a Norway mailbox last fall, subsequently forging and cashing more than $1,800 worth of bad instruments.

August 17, 2006

Future sparkles: New finds at Mount Mica

PARIS — Gary Freeman reported on his efforts to reopen Mount Mica, atop Paris Hill, and the exclusive arrangement with South Paris-based Creaser Jewelers to market the tourmaline found there.

Art group forges ahead in spite of president’s arrest

NORWAY — Only weeks after selecting Ralph Walen, of Peru, as its new president, the Western Maine Art Group (WMAG) was shocked to action when Walen was arrested for stealing $9,000 worth of copper from a former employer, with thoughts of cashing in on the resale market.  The arts group dumped Whalen and turned to Aranka Matolcsy, daughter of WMAG founder Lajos Matolcsy.

Harrison to snowbird: Don’t overstay welcome

HARRISON — Harrison wrestled with two seasonal residents who lived out of a mobil camper on property near Long Lake during the summer months, leaving the vehicle parked there in the winter.  Because the subdivided lot was not large enough to accommodate a “permanent structure, ” selectmen ruled the camper had to be registered and could only remain on the property 120 days out of the year.

August 24, 2006

Dog owners take leash law to lake

OTISFIELD — To keep their water-loving yellow lab, Tanner, from wading ashore down the banks of Saturday Pond from where he bounded in, thereby violating Otisfield’s leash law, a local couple came up with an ingenious buoyed leash to allow the dog to have his fun without risk of a legal crackdown.

No Wyman bank records at trial?

NORWAY — An attorney for Deb Wyman, Norway’s former community development director accused of pocketing more than $115,000 from state grants and town accounts under her care, made an unsuccessful attempt to suppress her bank records from an upcoming trial.

Residents petition state auditor to come to Poland

POLAND — As the convoluted history of Poland’s $2 million TIF snafu with the Poland Spring bottling company started to unravel, residents began to stump for intervention from the state auditor.

August 31, 2006

Norway has 30 days to ‘save’ Oddfellows Hall

NORWAY — Following abandonment by the Growth Council of Oxford Hills of its project to renovate the vacant Oddfellows Hall on Main Street, Norway selectmen were left with a state mandate to find a new developer within 30 days or else risk losing more than $400,000 in grant money awarded for the work.  By the time a new owner was found, after the Growth Council’s first choice backed out, about $265,000 was lost. 

Four Hebron students help to heal the world

HEBRON/MALAWI, AFRICA — Four Hebron Academy students shared their story of how they spent their summer vacation — working with abandoned children at the Littlefield Orphanage in Malawi, Africa.

Cache of pre-Civil War records found in Paris

PARIS — Wini Mott, of Paris Hill, found in her attic three reams of bound papers, all official town records  apparently kept by her late-husband’s ancestor, Hiram Hubbard, who was the Paris town clerk from 1846 to 1851.     The documents were returned to the town, with copies made for the historical society.