MADAWASKA, Maine — Local businessman and community leader John Ezzy received the 2022 Outstanding Community Service Award at the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism annual dinner and awards ceremony on Friday.
Ezzy is volunteer executive director of Four Seasons Trail Association in Madawaska.
Colin Jandreau presented the award to Ezzy.
“His forward vision brought about the construction of our 3,600-square-foot lodge, then the purchase of over 200 acres of our trail, and in 2013 the construction of our large drive-thru maintenance garage,” Jandreau said.
Ezzy has been instrumental in raising money for these and other projects.
“Without all of these fundraising efforts there is no doubt our facility would be closed due to financial constraints. From negotiating fuel oil purchases to insurance policies and much more he has been with us all the way,” Jandreau said.
Ezzy has also served on the Northern Maine Medical Center board of directors and served as moderator at Madawaska town meetings, among other acts of community service.
The St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce & Tourism represents Madawaska, Frenchville, Grand Isle, Van Buren, Cyr Plantation, Sinclair and St. Agatha, with a mission to promote the area and grow the local economy.
Chamber president Gail Beaupre said 2022 was a successful one for the chamber with the return of the popular Top O’ Maine Trade Show, for the first time since COVID-19 derailed many such events. More than 2.000 people attended the event.
A new fundraiser, the Festival of Baskets, brought in more than $5,000 and will return this year.
“One of our biggest accomplishments is launching our New St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce & Tourism website,” Beaupre said.
The chamber also presented awards to other individuals and local businesses at the ceremony.
Country Village Estates received the 2022 Business of the Year Award.
The President’s Award was presented to Al Beaulieu, Chance Gervais and Gerald Ouellette.
Dan Thibodeau received a Shining Star Award.
The Community Spirit Award went to the Madawaska Beautification Committee.
Roberts Jewelry received a Spotlight Award and Norstate Federal Credit Union received a Community Involvement Award.
Guest speakers at the event were Greg Letourneau, senior superintendent at Reed & Reed, and Ken Baron, senior superintendent of J&J Contractors.
