HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Rotary Club met for its weekly meeting on July 23. There were many guests present. One of the club’s two summer exchange students, Emma Foster, hosted her exchange student Guilia Mantovania from Verona, Italy. They shared their visit so far here in the states that involved a visit to New York City.
Rotarian Frank Nataluk hosted his guest Adrian LaPonte. Peter Fitzpatrick was his wife Joyce’s guest. Rotarian Chris Anderson hosted his daughter Madelene who is working at his office this summer and also continuing her education. Rotarian Meg York hosted her children Sabra, Justis and Joseph Scott. And potential new members present were Joe Fagnant and Judy Conway. Rotarian Chris Carmichael hosted Stephanie McGary as well as his guest speakers Dick York and his son Jamie York.
York’s of Houlton is celebrating 50 years of business as of April 1. Gerard York purchased the Ralph L. Berry Company in 1968 when there were eight new car dealers in town and the population of the town was 8,100, double what it is today.
Ricker College was still in town as well as the B and A Railroad. York employed around ten people and sold an average of ten vehicles per month. Now the company sells around 100 vehicles per month.
Gerard’s sons Jerry and Dick came to work for their dad in 1975. In 1978, a representative from Ford Motor Company came to Houlton to explore the best siting of York Ford. He worked for several days in the area and came up with three properties north of town on Route 1. Only one of the properties turned out to be available and it was the McClusky farm along the Access Road. Dick York met with Jimmy McClusky and a deal was made at $50,000 for the six acres. Aubrey McLaughlin helped to contract the new building for $140,000 and the banker Paul Adams helped with the finances.
The original sign from the downtown business was installed, but a replacement was advised by Ford Motor Company at the open house so the old sign went to the Cole Transportation Museum. A 70 foot by 80 foot shop was added and original staff included Barbara Chapman and Galen Howe.
By the year 1990 a Toyota dealership was negotiated by a sales representative who had worked with Gerard York years earlier. In time GMC called to add their vehicles to the mix and wanted a separate showroom for their products. A body shop was added run by Roger Graham and Shane Gallop. John Haskell worked to run the finances on Fresh Start and that part of the business has served over one thousand customers.
The year 2005 brought Jamie York into the business. He mentioned that he has not yet found his keys, but appreciated everyone’s concern. Recognizing the people who work at York’s was Jamie’s theme as he shared information and a game to guess the names of employees shown in the continuing slide show. McGary ran the slides for both Dick and Jamie. Jamie shared views of the new doubled in size shop, an automated car wash, expanded body shop, a tow truck, as well as a detail area and a delivery service. Prizes for guessing names of employees in the slides went to Kyle Taylor, Torrey Sylvester, Lori Weston and Nancy Ketch.
