LIMESTONE, Maine – Behind every community are dedicated business owners and volunteers who give extra time and work to make their town a great place.
That is the message officials from the Limestone Chamber of Commerce, Limestone Development Foundation and Limestone Rotary Club wanted to spread at their annual awards dinner Tuesday.
The Chamber and Foundation recognized three retiring business owners who have a combined 90 years of service: Paul and Patsy Poitras, owners of Poitras Services; and Wayne Langley, owner of the former Rendezvous Restaurant.
As lifelong residents of Limestone, Paul and Patsy Poitras operated their business as a gas station and convenience store on Access Highway for most of their careers before expanding into an auto and small-engine repair shop and hardware store on Grand Falls Road.
While dealing with the 24/7 challenges of running a busy operation, Paul and Patsy raised four sons – Tim, Jon, Eric and Nick. The couple now has seven grandchildren.
Patsy fondly recalled the customers who quickly became friends over the years and shared some advice for young aspiring business owners.
“Just take it one day at a time and do your best,” Patsy Poitras said. “Never forget to be compassionate and recognize when people are struggling to make ends meet.
After operating Poitras Service for 45 years, Paul and Patsy sold the business to Joey Lapierre, owner of Boulevard Graphix, who plans to expand his business from its current location on Main Street.
Langley, who lives in Caribou, operated the well-known Rendezvous Restaurant on East Gate Road for 45 years near the former Loring Air Force Base. His business remained popular after the base closed in 1994 thanks to his homemade pizza and other Italian recipes.
Though Limestone’s version of the Rendezvous closed last month, Langley has sold his recipes to the owners of Evergreen Lanes in Caribou. The new 35,000-square-foot bowling alley, set to open in December, will feature a new version of the Rendezvous. Langley is set to train the kitchen staff on how to make the homemade recipes.
Langley’s best memories of operating Limestone’s Rendezvous come from the local and Canadian customers who frequented the restaurant. He said he felt “honored and ecstatic” when the Chamber recognized his business.
“People supported us right until the restaurant closed,” Langley said. “We had snowmobilers and four-wheeler riders but it was also a family restaurant, a place for people to have a good time.”
Limestone Rotary Club also honored four residents with “Service Above Self” awards: Elmer Morin, Glenn Michaud and Chuck and Jo-Ellen Kelley.
Morin has spent his entire life in Limestone, graduating from the town’s former high school in 1963. He is often seen trimming weeds around buildings and playground equipment and shoveling snow or raking leaves from the sidewalks.
“Elmer takes pride in his hometown and wants these high-traffic, visible areas within our community to be appealing and look good for others,” said Grace O’Neal, Limestone Rotary Club vice president and publicity chair.
Michaud, another lifelong resident, graduated from Limestone High School in 1972. He has coached girls and boys soccer, baseball, softball, basketball and hockey for Limestone Community School and the town’s recreation department.
But Michaud is more known for donating locally-grown potatoes to food pantries and to residents in need, often leaving bags of potatoes on their doorsteps. His good deeds do not stop there, O’Neal noted.
“Glenn bags up five pounds of potatoes for families of Maine School of Science and Mathematics students when they visit or leave for the holidays,” O’Neal said. “The students have potatoes from Aroostook County to take home.”
Chuck and Jo-Ellen Kelley, who have been married 31 years, share a long history of serving their community.
A 1979 Limestone High School graduate, Chuck has been a member of the town’s Water & Sewer District board of trustees for 17 years and is now the chairman. As chairman of Limestone’s solar committee, he helped spearhead a partnership with MSSM that will save both the town and school thousands on their electric bills.
Kelley encouraged others to give back to their community however they can.
“Small communities across the country are struggling with resources. Supporting your community in any way you can will provide a positive impact now and in the future,” Chuck said.
Jo-Ellen, a Millinocket native, moved to Limestone after marrying Chuck and is involved with numerous local organizations. She is currently the vice president of Limestone Chamber of Commerce and Development Foundation, a member of the Albert Michaud Park Revitalization Committee and secretary for the Limestone Trail Hawks.
Jo-Ellen has helped both the Albert Michaud Park committee and Trail Hawks secure major grants for playground and trail upgrades. She also has volunteered for Cary Medical Center and Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital and is a long-time blood donor for the American Red Cross.
“I see things that could be done for the betterment of the community and I work towards that goal. It makes me feel good to see the results of my actions,” Jo-Ellen said.
The Rotary Club also recognized member Lisa Cantafio as a Paul Harris Fellow. The award is a “tribute to a person whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objectives of Rotary,” O’Neal said.
LIMESTONE, Maine — November 18, 2022 — Jo-Ellen and Chuck Kelley received Service Above Self awards from the Limestone Rotary Club for their years of volunteerism in town. (Courtesy of Limestone Rotary Club)
LIMESTONE, Maine — November 18, 2022 — Jo-Ellen and Chuck Kelley received Service Above Self awards from the Limestone Rotary Club for their years of volunteerism in town. (Courtesy of Limestone Rotary Club)
