The second half of 2015 featured a number of promising economic stories, including the arrival of several new physicians at Houlton Regional Hospital and the 40th anniversary of Houlton’s McDonald’s restaurant.
The following is a look at some of the more prominent business stories from July to December.
July
Houlton Regional Hospital welcomed two new physicians — a husband and wife team from central New York — to its staff as Dr. Dale Freier joined the Emergency Department and his wife, Dr. Grace Freier, joined Houlton Pediatrics. Dr. Solomon Olabiyi also joined the medical staff of Houlton Regional Hospital and Houlton Internal Medicine.
The annual Houlton Rotary Club Dinner lauded several local individuals with yearly awards. Darrell Malone was the recipient of the Houlton Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award for a Rotarian for all of his career work and continued work in his retirement to advance law enforcement in the state of Maine. Nancy Ketch was presented with the “Spirit of Rotary” Award. The Fitzpatrick family received double awards at the Rotary Club’s annual dinner and awards ceremony. Lauren Fitzpatrick received the new award “Community ‘Service Above Self’ award for her brainchild the Houlton High School Alumni Association and all of her continuing work in the association, while her husband, Chris, received the Paul Harris Fellow Award given to a non-Rotarian for his embodiment of the ideals of a Paul Harris Fellow.
Midnight Madness was an overwhelming success with all stores and vendors reporting great sales. There was so much going on in town that the crowd was estimated at 8,000.
Hidden Meadow Farm, a family-owned old-fashioned country store operated by Kevin Ehst with his wife and four children, opened in downtown Bridgewater. The store, located on Main Street, provided customers with naturally grown produce and farm fresh lamb, beef and pork products. Their livestock were both grass-fed and raised on the family’s farm, which is located on the outskirts of Bridgewater
Houlton-based Pioneer Broadband was replacing its copper cable lines in the towns of Sherman and Stacyville with about 16 miles of high-speed fiber-optic cable.
Myong’s Greenhouse closed its doors after 25 years of business.
Deanna Boisvert opened Divine Family Hair Studio on 7 Broadway after working for several years at Modern Beauty Salon.
August
President John Clark stated HWC was selected to receive the 2015 New England Small Utility of the Year award from the New England Water Works Association. The HWC is in the small division of companies serving 10,000 people or less.
There was a new taxi service in the Shiretown as Barbara Ganem started Shiretown Taxi.
Houlton Regional Hospital has announced the addition of Dr. Amira El Magbari to Houlton Internal Medicine.
September
Hodgdon resident Lee-Rae Jordan-Oliver celebrated the release of her first book “Chainsaw Mama,” which was a collection of short stories she penned about her time spent working on a dairy farm with her husband Matthew.
The Aroostook County Action Program Board of Directors announced that Jason Parent of Caribou was the new executive director/ CEO. He replaced Connie Sandstrom who had served as the executive director since 1995.
A new mobile eatery came to the Shiretown as Jonathan Buzbee and his family took the plunge by opening Pips, specializing in hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries. The eatery was located in Riverfront Park in Houlton.
State utility regulators rejected Emera Maine’s request to build a $15.4 million power line from Monticello to New Brunswick.
October
The United Way of Central Aroostook was looking ahead more than a year, hoping to garner enough support to continue nurturing the “building blocks of a good life,” said executive director Claudia Stevens.
Facing aging power lines and poles, Emera Maine started making its case to regulators for about $175 million in transmission projects over the next five years that would increase the transmission portion of power bills.
Expanded recycling options were now available for customers of Pine Tree Waste Services. Under the new system, customers are able to recycle all types of cardboard (including cereal boxes and food boxes) and all types of plastics (Nos. 1-7), as well as large plastic items such as laundry baskets.
November
Houlton native Steven Fitzpatrick was promoted to branch manager for the F.A. Peabody Company Houlton office, according to Chris Anderson, president of the insurance company.
The Cubby Thrift Store was enjoying solid success at its Houlton location. The thrift store, located in the Houlton Shopping Plaza, sells lightly used goods, clothing and other items at a discounted price. A portion of the proceeds benefit children with life-threatening illnesses.
December
Houlton’s Walmart was one of several stores targeted with an automated telephone call reporting a bomb threat. The store was evacuated and searched, but no bomb was located.
One of Aroostook County’s longtime independent auto parts retailers, Clukey’s Auto Supply, was sold to NAPA Auto Parts.
For the third time, The Leapfrog Group has named Houlton Regional Hospital to its annual list of Top Hospitals. This coveted and respected recognition showcased Houlton Regional Hospital’s commitment to Leapfrog’s vision of providing the safest, highest quality health care for consumers and purchasers alike.
Rob Lawless, co-owner of Took a Leap Farm, started making homemade gourmet meals that could be ordered online. The business, Make Dinner For Me, features dishes uses many locally-grown items.
McDonald’s restaurant in Houlton celebrated its 40th anniversary by bringing out old-fashioned uniforms and throwback prices on many items.
Editor’s note: The months of January to June were highlighted in last week’s edition.
