Chamber of Commerce celebrates summer with annual strawberry shortcake sale

5 years ago

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — With the sun shining and a warm breeze blowing, Thursday, June 13, proved to be the perfect day to grab a strawberry shortcake courtesy of the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.

Four-year-old Sophie Henderson of Mapleton enjoys a strawberry shortcake with her father, Matt Henderson, on Thursday during the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce strawberry shortcake sale.
(Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)

Not long after the Chamber began its annual strawberry shortcake sale that morning, folks lined up in the North Street Plaza parking lot, anxious to experience their first sweet taste of summer.

A group of 30 volunteers kept busy throughout the day serving shortcakes and delivering boxes of the treats to businesses in Presque Isle, Mapleton, Fort Fairfield, Caribou, Mars Hill, Easton, Ashland and Washburn.

Chamber executive director LaNiece Sirois said that the shortcake sale has remained a popular event with the local community every summer.

Volunteers Mary Green (left), Elizabeth Zell and Ginger Kieffer whip up fresh strawberry shortcakes on Thursday, June 13, during the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s annual sale.
(Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)

“I think for a lot of people having a strawberry shortcake means that summer has finally arrived,” Sirois said. “It brings a lot of happiness to the business district and the community.”

Matt Henderson of Mapleton brought his 4-year-old daughter Sophie to the strawberry shortcake sale for the first time this year.

“We’ve had strawberry shortcakes before, but not like this one,” Matt Henderson said. “It’s really good.”

Emily Sjoberg (left), Summer Dahlgren and Melissa Dahlgren were three of 30 volunteers who helped create fresh strawberry shortcakes for the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s strawberry shortcake sale on Thursday, June 13.
(Staff photo/Melissa Lizotte)

Sophie also enjoyed tasting fresh strawberries topped with whipped cream.

“I like the strawberries,” she said.

Shortcakes were sold for $4 each. All funds raised through the strawberry shortcake sale will support Chamber events and community outreach throughout the year.