PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce celebrated businesses and people who are bettering the community during its annual awards banquet held March 10.
The chamber handed out five main awards: the President’s Award, Citizen of the Year, Economic Impact Business of the Year, Community Support Business of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chamber President Margo Dyer presented the President’s Award to Jordyn Madore, who has been an instrumental part of setting up the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival. Despite all of the work and preparation that goes into the event, all on a volunteer basis, Madore’s leadership helped make sure the event went smoothly over its three-day run.
“A big part of why I am here is because of all of the work the volunteers have done during these events,” Madore said. “It would not be possible without them.”
Chamber member Elizabeth Singer presented the Citizen of the Year Award to Cindy Blanchette, who was one of the first to volunteer to administer COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they became available and has been a dedicated nurse during the course of the pandemic. She has also volunteered her time at various soup kitchens and helped with Meals on Wheels. When she was faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, Blanchette became an advocate for regular screenings and promoted being an advocate for one’s own health.
“I will continue to advocate for those in Aroostook County,” Blanchette said. “For those who have been diagnosed, or for those who have not yet, I will continue fighting until nobody ever has to have this diagnosis again.”
Dyer presented the Economic Impact Business of the Year Award to Pineland Farms, which has been preparing food for local communities in Aroostook county, while also supporting and using resources and materials from 30 different local farmers.
“They have acted as community stewards, donating to the communities that they serve,” Dyer said.
The award was accepted by Shawn Lovely, plant manager at Pineland Farms.
“We have great employees who have done a lot of great work,” Lovely said. “They wanted to make a difference in The County, and I think that we have.”
Northern Maine Community College Academic Dean Dr. Dottie Martin presented the Community Support Business of the Year award to WAGM, which raised $79,000 through its Operation Hunger campaign and has raised $25,000 through its telethon thus far to benefit the community. The station has also donated more than $1 million worth of screentime, helped raise $100,000 for the Maine Special Olympics and has partnered with local organizations for charitable events, such as St. Apollonia’s Festival of Trees.
“We do not do this work alone,” said Dick Palm of WAGM. “We partner with many of you in this room to help this community.”
The final award of the evening was the Lifetime Achievement Award, which chamber member Thomas Stevens presented to Stuart Wyckoff, who started the Aroostook Huskies football club from literally nothing — no funding, no field, no equipment and no players. He slowly built the program, garnering interest from local kids. Funding for materials and equipment was made through yard sales. The Huskies now have their own field named Lisa’s Boneyard.
The chamber also gave its 2021 annual report and 2022 forecast for the rest of the year. In 2021, the chamber performed 541 business visits, held 31 ribbon cuttings and had 52 company features. The chamber began the business ambassador program and hosted two career fairs. The chamber also held three craft fairs and created a new website.
“We haven’t slowed down much,” chamber Vice President Mary Kate Barbossa said. “We continue to adapt, persevere and serve the community.”
In 2022, the chamber will relaunch its Eggs and Issues breakfast, starting on March 17 with the topic of solar energy. The chamber is also looking to have more business ambassadors , and will continue doing Mondays with the Chamber. The chamber also wants to offer customer service awards.
The chamber honored retiring board member Bethany Zell, saying that she is a smiling face who will be missed.
