PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Presque Isle Kiwanis Club has revived one of its past spring traditions with an annual showcase for local businesses, clubs and organizations at The Forum.
Over the weekend, 42 businesses ranging from construction, home and garden, health care, and community clubs took part in the first annual Kiwanis Swing into Spring Showcase. For 30 years, the Kiwanis Club hosted a spring home and garden show at The Forum until ceasing that event in 2008 due to many businesses already taking part in the Agri-Business Trade Fair.
With the Agri-Business Trade Fair phasing out last year, Kiwanis Club President George Watson believed that the club had a great opportunity to fulfill a community need. Proceeds from Spring into Spring will benefit the Kiwanis Club’s scholarship program for high school students.
“We sent out 130 letters to businesses and have since sold out all spots that we had available,” Watson said. “Many businesses have thanked us for giving them another chance to expose their services to the community. We have people from central Aroostook and also from Fort Kent, Madawaska, Houlton and Bangor.”
With spring just now arriving, the Kiwanis Club also hoped that people with “cabin fever” would feel encouraged to come out and socialize with old friends. Meredith Folsom, a member of the Northern Maine Antique Tractor Club, and his wife Phyllis of Monticello were at The Forum to help sell raffle tickets for the club’s restored 1940s-era John Deere tractor. Raffle proceeds will benefit the Aroostook House of Comfort in Presque Isle and Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery.
“It’s a good way to get people out of the house and see what’s going on,” Meredith Folsom said.
