Chamber celebrates 100 years

    HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Chamber of Commerce and its guests celebrated the hundredth birthday of the Chamber’s organization this past weekend. Under the leadership of Executive Director, Jane Torres, assisted by the Board of Directors, guests dined at the Elks Lodge and honored several citizens who have made substantial contributions to the area by giving their time or promoting their vision for Houlton to be a better place.
The dining rooms were transformed into an elegant venue complete with dozens of burgundy roses gracing the tables and fireplace mantels, with gold accents that made a dramatic presentation. Classic metropolitan strings of clear lights, complimented with colorful strips of fabric streamers traversed the ceilings. Added features this year included an enhanced speaker system and closed circuit television which enabled each dining area to see and hear the speakers and recipients honored for the evening.
Professional designers, Lynn and Ernie Wheeler of Hermon created the atmosphere assisted by a committee from the Chamber. Several Houlton High School seniors and faculty helped serve the guests to earn money from tips for Project Graduation. The event was catered by: Anne and Doug Callnan, Jane Torres, Lori Weston, Debbie Clark and Teri Morse. Sponsors for the event were: Dr. Pat Coville, Aroostook Veterinary Services and Chadwick’s Florist and Greenhouse.
This event recognizes people involved in the individual businesses and organizations that make up the Chamber of Commerce. They are the driving force in our community. Their support makes a collective impact on how our towns react to the current economic challenges with which they are faced.
The evening’s program stated that these honorees of the night have gone “above and beyond” and put their faith in Houlton and the surrounding area. For that we thank them.
Presenting the awards were Chamber of Commerce President, Susan McAfee; Lori Weston, Houlton’s economic and community development director, and Torres.
Deborah Nisbett received the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. Nisbett, along with her husband, Tom moved to the community in 1982 and purchased Chadwick’s Florist. Not long after her relocation she became involved with the Houlton Agricultural Fair and from there she was off and running. She took over the Exhibit Hall and became a member of the board of directors, where she remained for 20 years. Nisbett was also active in the Chamber for many years and still offers her ideas, insight and support in any way to promote Houlton — a lovely town, she says we are so fortunate to live in.
“How many of us are this lucky, really?” said Nisbett.
She now devotes time to the board of directors of the Maine State Florists & Growers Association and holds the title of president.
Nesbitt has been honored by other organizations receiving the coveted Paul Harris Fellow Award from Houlton Rotary and the Lona T. Putnam Volunteer Award from the fair association.
The Meduxnekeag Snowmobile Club of Littleton, organized in 1994, shared the Community Service Award with the Linneus Sno Sports, which started in 1976. These two groups promote snowmobiling and winter activities in our communities through their tireless efforts. Hundreds of hours of volunteer time accrues every year in an effort to keep the trails open and to boost tourism in Aroostook County.
These volunteers work year-round, maintaining trails and getting permission from landowners to cross their property. Through their efforts hundreds of thousands of dollars are generated by the tourists who travel here to ride the trails. Together they maintain approximately 300 miles of groomed trails.
Both groups maintain beautiful clubhouses, which are available to the general public for private functions, community events and meetings. The Meduxnekeag Club offers a Saturday morning breakfast from 6-9 a.m. for $5 from January through March. The Linneus group also maintains eight miles of cross-country ski trails and opens their club every Wednesday night for Bingo.
These two groups are working with Houlton’s grant writer in an effort to secure funding to replace the bridge over B Stream that was washed out a few years ago. This funding would enable sledders to have a more direct route in and out of town, eliminating a 10-mile side trip to get to the same destination.
The 2014 Community Spirit Award was presented to a group of individuals who saw a need and acted upon it. Last November, Executive Director Torres voiced a need to update Houlton’s downtown Christmas decorations. Through an email she asked for help. Unbeknownst to her, Jon McLaughlin, executive director of Southern Aroostook Development Corporation forwarded the email to others.
The response was overwhelming. Not only was there enough money to purchase new lights for the Town’s Christmas trees, but 32 holiday banners were funded for the lamp posts and lights to outline the Gateway Bridge. These Christmas elves not only gave monetarily, but also braved one of the most blustery and cold days to decorate the town in time for the annual tree-lighting ceremony. Several of these volunteers experienced a trip in a bucket truck to hang lights on the highest branches, while some were on a scissor lift to reach the top of the arch on the bridge. It was truly a team effort.
Recognized for their community spirit were: Donna Anderson, Steve Bither, Pete Chase, Ben Henderson, Peter Howe, Jon McLaughlin, Josh McLaughlin, Andrew Putnam, Doug Swallow, Matt Tribou, John Tribou, Benjamin Weston and Jon Weston.
The evening concluded with an auction of a variety of items donated by individuals and local businesses. Kent Good was the auctioneer and the proceeds will assist in several of the Chamber’s projects.