Chamber of Commerce doles out annual awards

by Staff Pioneer Times
9 years ago
By Joe Cyr
Staff Writer
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APPETIZERS — Tony Bowers, right, samples the candy bacon from servers Shasta Shields, a UMA student at the Houlton Center middle, and Jessica Nye, an UMPI student at HHEC.  

 

HOULTON — Saturday evening was a time for fine dining and camaraderie as the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce held its 2016 annual Dinner Meeting and Gala Saturday evening at the Houlton Lodge of Elks.

Jane Torres, executive director for the Chamber of Commerce, and Josh McLaughlin, Chamber president, served as the evening’s moderators. The evening marked McLaughlin’s final duties as the Chamber president as he stepped down from the position after two years. Kent Good was elected as the new incoming president.

“It was a great turnout,” Torres said. “We did not have any empty seats, which was awesome. The support in the community for this event is truly overwhelming.”

The lodge was transformed into scenes of a starry night and this event recognizes people involved in the individual businesses and organizations that make up the Chamber of Commerce.

“These people are the driving force in the community and their support makes a collective impact on how the town adjusts to economic challenges,” Torres said.

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 Douglas Callnan of Agri-Cal; Community Spirit was presented to Steven Bither; and Community Service Award went to Sally and Tom Callnan. The Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Andy Marino. (A story on Marino’s award appears on the front page of today’s paper.)

 

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BUSINESS OF THE YEAR — Doug Callnan, center, was announced as the 2016 Business of the Year by the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce during Saturday evening’s annual awards dinner. Callnan is the owner of Agri-Cal. With him are, Chamber Executive Director Jane Torres, left, and Chamber President Josh McLaughlin.
 

Business of the Year

Doug Callnan, along with his wife Anne, operate Agri-Cal, a local seed business in Houlton that started out at Aroostook Milling.

“After [Doug] graduated from the University of Maine-Portland/Gorham with his degree to be a shop teacher, he worked for a while in management before making the decision to come to Houlton and take over the family business,” Torres said in her presentation. “When he decided to branch off from ‘The Mill’ and concentrate on seed, Doug sold the business that had been in the family for 60 years to work on the grain terminal on Bangor Street.”

For more than 40 years, Callnan has operated a business in Houlton, through recession, tough drought conditions and farm closures. But Callnan never turned his back on the town and was always looking for new opportunities, while looking out for his employees as if they were members of his own family.

“For that steadfastness and commitment to his community, the Chamber would like to present Doug with the Business of the Year award,” Torres said.

 

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COMMUNITY SPIRIT — Steven Bither, middle, was the recipient of the “Community Spirit” award Saturday at the 2016 Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony. With Bither are Josh McLaughlin, left, outgoing chamber president; and Jane Torres, executive director. 
 

Community Spirit

Bither, an electrician and a 35-year member of the Linneus Fire Department, was lauded for his tireless efforts in helping out in the community. He served as a volunteer youth leader for 30 years at Houlton Wesleyan Church and 25 years as a member of the church’s board of administrators.

Bither has also served 15 years as a member of the Greater Houlton Christian Academy board of directors; has served on the Houlton Rotary for the past four years; serves on the Little Eagles Preschool board of directors; and has operated his own electrical business for the past 30 years.

“Whenever we have setup to do for certain events, electrical needs to get power to a certain location, or just want a friendly, smiling hand, Steve is there for us,” McLaughlin said.

 

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COMMUNITY SERVICE — Sally and Tom Callnan were presented with the “Community Service” award during Saturday’s Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce annual dinner and awards ceremony. Making the presentation is Jane Torres, left, executive director for the chamber.  
 

Community Service

Tom and Sally Callanan received the Community Service award for their tireless efforts in helping out the town in whatever capacity is needed. The couple have donated countless years and resources to prepare and maintain the downtown flower beds, as well as flower pots located along the North Street median to help make Houlton brighter.

“They do this each year without being asked, without being paid and they grow some of the most beautiful flowers,” McLaughlin said. “Their efforts help to make Houlton ‘pop’ each summer and for this I say ‘thank you’ and am honored to present the Callnans with this award.”

 

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AUCTION — At the conclusion of the awards ceremony Saturday, a number of items were auctioned off. The proceeds benefited the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Josh McLaughlin served as the auctioneer.  
 

Following the meal, an auction was held, with many high-end items resulting in bidding wars from those in attendance. The auction generated $6,000 for the Chamber, Torres said.