Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
HONORED — Dan Pelletier of the Houlton Police Department received the Community Spirit Award Saturday. It was also announced by new Police Chief Joe McKenna that Pelletier was promoted to captain.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — It was an evening of fine dining and camaraderie as the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce held its 2015 annual Dinner Meeting and Gala Saturday evening at the Houlton Lodge of Elks. The lodge was transformed into scenes of a Moroccan paradise of bright orange, pink and blue hues to match this year’s theme.
Serving as the Chamber’s annual business meeting, four major awards were presented on the evening — Lifetime Achievement Award, Business of the Year, Community Service and Community Spirit. The Business of the Year award went to Robin Crone, owner of Country North Gifts; Community Service Award was presented to Swallow’s Electric; Community Spirit Award went to Lt. Dan Pelletier of the Houlton Police Department; and the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Barbara Bossie. (A story on Bossie’s award appears on the front page of today’s paper.)
Jane Torres, executive director for the Chamber of Commerce, and Josh McLaughlin, Chamber president, served as the evening’s moderators.
Business of the Year
Criteria for the Business of the Year award includes business growth and improvement; quality customer service; staying power; overall excellence in the marketplace; community contributions; major achievements within the business field and they must be a member of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce.
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR — Robin Crone, middle, owner of Country North Gifts was the recipient of the Business of the Year award at Saturday’s Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Dinner Meeting and Gala. With Crone are Chamber President Josh McLaughlin and Executive Director Jane Torres.
“Two years ago Robin Michaud Crone purchased Country North Gifts, a longtime business in downtown Houlton,” said Torres. “She had a vision and lots of enthusiasm but little experience in retail. True to Robin’s nature she dove in head first and went right to work bringing a fresh look to the store.”
Crone then went on a buying trip and, listening to her customers’ wants and needs for inventory, expanded her product lines.
“When York’s Bookstore closed its doors last year, the town could have had an empty storefront, but instead Robin saw an opportunity to expand Country North Gifts,” Torres said. “She knocked down a wall and remodeled yet again adding a kitchen section, special occasion cards and an area dedicated to Christmas. The goods and wares she offers are attractive to all customers made even better by her team’s artistic displays. Through her efforts she has become an anchor store in Historic Market Square.”
Crone lives in Houlton with her husband Richard and they have two children, Courtney and Alex as well as a daughter-in-law, Bethany and twin grandchildren.
Community Service
The Community Service Award recognizes an individual or group who has consistently contributed to the community in any manner that has improved the quality of life to residents through services or programs provided.
“No matter the organization or entity, whenever a power connection is called for, an electrical problem needing a solution, a man lift required and a helping hand desired, Doug Swallow of Swallow Electric is always quietly making things happen,” said McLaughlin. “Doug and his crew never ask for payment nor do they want recognition. Doug truly believes in giving back. When called upon to lend a favor to one of our events, he is always willing and eager as long as we don’t make a big deal out of it. He wants not to be in the limelight.”
Started by his father, Pat, Swallow’s Electric is a residential and commercial electrical company now run by Doug Swallow and his son Brian. Brian’s wife Krissy manages the office and there are two additional employees.
“Swallow’s Electric, without a doubt, represents a business in our community that always answers the call for its community and therefore, it is our honor to recognize them with the Community Service Award,” McLaughlin said.
Due to a prior family commitment, members of the Swallow family were unable to attend Saturday’s event.
Community Spirit
Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
BUSY NIGHT — The Houlton Elks Lodge was bustling with activity Saturday evening as part of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Dinner Meeting and Gala. An auction was held in the later part of the evening.
The Community Spirit Award is an award given to that individual who selflessly and with great enthusiasm shows up at events, helps out and never expects anything in return. The Community Spirit Award recognizes an area individual who has shown extraordinary community spirit through acts of volunteerism and or any other manner of contribution to the area.
“Some might say that our honoree this evening is merely doing his job, but we know different because when the Chamber is sponsoring an event and the director doesn’t remember to check in with the Police Department, Dan shows up at the office, hat in hand, and will ask with a smile on his face, ‘So, what are we doing?’” Torres said. “When there is an event involving the community that falls on Dan’s day off, he switches with someone so he can be there, then doesn’t leave until he knows we won’t need him anymore — or we won’t get into any trouble after he’s gone.”
Pelletier has lived and worked his entire life in the greater Houlton area. He was born in Houlton and graduated from Houlton High School in 1973. He joined the Houlton Police Department in March of 1975 and is now entering his 40th year with the force.
Pelletier attended and graduated in 1995 from the FBI Academy’s 182nd session in Quantico, Va. and is also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Pelletier married his wife, Valerie, 40 years ago and lived the first 10 years in Houlton before moving to Hodgdon where they reside today. They have two grown children, Danielle Pelletier Waite and Michael A. Pelletier and three grandsons.
“We could not do our many events without the willingness, community-minded attitude and gracious help Dan gives us year after year and it is a privilege and an honor for me to present on behalf of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, this Community Spirit Award to Dan Pelletier,” Torres said.
New Houlton Police Chief Joe McKenna made a surprise announcement on the evening as he promoted Pelletier to the rank of captain.
“When I was interviewing for this job, I said I wanted to take the department to the next level,” McKenna said. “One of the things that have stood out to me is Dan’s commitment. This seemed like the perfect time for me to recognize Dan for his commitment, his loyalty and devotion to the Houlton Police Department.”
Pelletier stated he was caught off guard by the surprise announcement.
“I am not much of a speaker and wow, this is a surprise,” he said. “I have seen a lot of people come and go. My tenure with the department has been very enjoyable. I really can’t think of anything more I would rather do.”
