2010 business review
Editor’s Note: The following is the first of a two-part series that looks back on some of the more memorable news stories of 2010. This article covers January to June, while the second installment, to appear in next week’s paper, will feature July through December.
Compiled by Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
• Drs. Nicholas and Andrea Pesut celebrated the opening of the Presque Isle Animal Hospital’s newly-constructed facility at 79 Mapleton Rd. in Presque Isle.
• IronCAD, LLC, an Atlanta-based company specializing in producing three-dimensional design tools, donated a software package and related services valued at $70,555 to Northern Maine Community College for use by students and faculty in the precision metals manufacturing program.
• Maine Veterans’ Home in Caribou teamed up with Robert’s Jewelers of Madawaska and Northeast Publishing newspapers on a project to assist a local veteran in need.
• NorState Federal Credit Union joined with the Maine Credit Union League, in conjunction with the National Credit Union Foundation, began accepting donations to aid Haiti relief efforts, following a devastating earthquake that resulted in destroyed buildings and caused many fatalities.
• Dr. Mylan C. Cohen, a 1979 graduate of Presque Isle High School who practices in Portland, was named president of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.
• Freddy P’s, owned by Chad Graham and Brady Mahan, opened at 431 Main St., offering a place to listen to local musicians, view local artwork and enjoy Maine micro-brewed beer.
• Ben Lindner opened Fishermen’s Net at 93 State St. in Presque Isle, offering a wide selection of fresh seafood.
• Spud Country Corn, owned by Alan Perry, Richard Porter and Larry Ireland, with a warehouse in Mars Hill, sells corn as a heating alternative that’s considered more cost-efficient than other sources of heat.
• A partnership between GO MAINE Commuter Connections, MaineDOT, the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS) offering new transit services for Aroostook County Commuters proved enormously popular in its first full year of operation.
• Thomas Richard, director of housing and residential life at NMCC for the past 25 years, was selected to serve as the campus human resources manager and assistant to the president.
• Employees of MMG Insurance, through donations and a 3-to-1 company match, raised nearly $7,500 for Haiti relief efforts, following a devastating earthquake in that country earlier in the year.
• Gallagher Insurance Agency, based in Caribou, opened a second office at 551 Main St. in Presque Isle.
March
• The Central Aroostook Mentoring Program welcomed a new program manager, Stephanie Stiles.
• The Braden Theatre, of Presque Isle — owned by Arlen and Chris Dow of Presque Isle — was named the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year during the organization’s annual dinner.
• Oakhurst Dairy was chosen the official supplier of local Maine dairy products to six campuses in the University of Maine System and Northern Maine Community College.
• Dr. Michael Newman opened Star City Dental Care, LLC, at 169 Academy St. in Presque Isle.
• Several new businesses opened under one roof at 110 Presque Isle St. in Fort Fairfield: Balls of Yarn, County Primitives and Happy, Pretty, Shiny Glass.
• Keith Smith was named manager of the new Tractor Supply Co. store at 23 Houlton Rd. in Presque Isle.
• Home Foreclosure Prevention Program expanded into Aroostook County as ACAP added a counselor to provide homeowners with advice.
• Bruce Roope, of Presque Isle, and Keith Doyen, of Mapleton, were seated as board members on the United States Potato Board (USPB) at the organization’s 38th annual meeting in Denver.
April
• The 30th annual Agri-Business Trade Fair, held at the Forum in Presque Isle, attracted a lot of traffic, as a variety of exhibitors showed off their wares.
• TAMC began offering epidural service to help patients better manage pain, during such events as child birth.
• Teresa’s Corner, the newest dining option in Presque Isle, located at 299 Main St., opened for business, under the ownership of Teresa Bonville.
• Presque Isle Fish & Game Club’s annual Sportsman’s Show, held at UMPI’s Gentile Hall, was met with great enthusiasm, with approximately 7,000 attending the event, featuring a variety of sporting and recreational-type exhibits.
• Bamma’s Basket was the latest addition to the Merchants on the Corner offerings at the 394 Main St. facility, with new owner Chantel Graves and manager Nan Carmichael ready to create special gift baskets for any occasion.
May
• Professor Shirley Rush, of UMPI, was named the 2009 Social Worker of the Year by the Maine chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
• Betty Kent-Conant was honored as the 2010 inductee to the Aroostook County Health Care Professionals Wall of Distinction at NMCC.
• Jean Brawn opened Oasis Salon at 422 Main St. in Presque Isle.
• Cavendish Farms was honored for its food safety and quality systems procedures, earning Silliker, Inc.’s Audit Platinum Award.
• The Presque Isle Rotary Club honored three PIHS seniors — Kelsey Park, recipient of the District 7810 Youth Merit Award; Nathan Ackerson, recipient of the Outstanding Senior Male Award; and Madelyn Carson, who was named Outstanding Senior Female.
June
• The Wintergreen Arts Center’s Studio Cafe opened for business in Presque Isle.
• The Aroostook Centre Mall weathered the poor economy. Despite losing B. Dalton and F.Y.E., it added Mr. Paperback, Koko’s Kafe and looked forward to more positive business news in the future.
• Maine Mutual Group Insurance selected DigitalPersona Pro centrally-managed end-point protection and authentication systems to improve the company’s network security and reduce costs.
• Gerry Chasse, president and COO of Bangor Hydro Electric (an Emera company), joined Brent Boyles, president and CEO of Maine & Maritimes Corporation (parent company of Maine Public Service Company), speaking to a group of about 30 business and community leaders from Aroostook for an Eggs and Issues Breakfast — with each providing an update on the process of M&M becoming a subsidiary of Canadian power Company Emera Inc., owner of Bangor Hydro.
• David Dorsey was named to the board of the Maine Potato Growers Inc.
• Citadel Broadcasting Corporation (with stations in Presque Isle) successfully completed its financial restructuring and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• Norm’s Used Auto, owned by Norm and Leslie Soucy, opened for business on Main Street in Fort Fairfield.
• An act signed by President Barack Obama enabled television viewers to watch local channels via satellite service — good news for many rural customers in Aroostook County who struggled with antennas to pick up local broadcasts.
• Ben’s Trading Post, owned by Ben and Penny LeBlanc, moved from Main Street to a new home at 191 Parsons Road, Suite 1, in Presque Isle.
• MPG, of Presque Isle, unveiled its new website, www.mpgco-op.com.
• NMCC brought the concept of workplace safety to the forefornt by unveiling a new, innovative, electronic safety system.
• Todd Adelman, formerly of Mars Hill, was named New Hampshire’s Small Business Person of the Year.
• Dr. Kimberly Esquibel was appointed to serve as chair of the nursing and allied health department at NMCC.
• Flawed Designs, owned by Hannah Gartley of Presque Isle, provided one-of-a-kind hand-made jewelry, giving new life to heirlooms and garage sale treasures.
• Decelles-Smith Media Inc. filed an application with the FCC to transfer assignment of its license for WEGP AM 1390 radio station in Presque Isle to Northern Maine Broadcasting Inc. and owner Greg McNeil, formerly of Millinocket. The new owner planned to keep the news-talk format and staff.
• USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel congratulated Washburn homeowners Jeremy Poulin and Jacquelyn Raymond on their new home which was provided through USDA Rural Development with the use of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
