• The Totally Trades conference at NMCC showed area girls there’s no such thing as “man’s work.”
• The Young Professionals Institute wrapped up its second successful year of helping participants develop their skills in public speaking, professional writing, social networking and interaction with the media.
• Haley and Mark Kelley, owners of Country Farms Market in Easton, held a grand opening.
• Businesses from across the state took part in Responsible Beverage Service trainings during sessions held at the Houlton Civic Center.
• Acadia Home Care, a division of Rotech Healthcare Inc., donated a CPAP machine to TAMC in memory of Dr. Tim Gordon.
• Stacy L. Shaw was promoted to vice president at MMG Insurance.
• Gary Hebert, of Caribou, was named to the United Way of Aroostook’s board of directors.
• Jim McKenney was the first non-nurse inducted into NMCC’s Health Care Professionals Wall of Distinction.
• New nurses celebrated entry into the profession during an NMCC pinning ceremony.
• The Maine Health Access Foundation (MeHAF), the state’s largest private health care funder, announced the election of Connie Sandstrom, of Presque Isle, to its board of trustees.
• Gagnon’s Auto & RV Sales, Inc., Presque Isle, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
• Local entrepreneurs John Cancelarich, Presque Isle, Doug Callnan, Houlton, and Steve DeMaio, Wade, started Maine Natural Oils, in Houlton, the only Maine licensed producer of food-grade vegetable oils.
• Graves Shop ‘N Save awarded a $1,000 check to Fort Fairfield Elementary School for raising the most dollars through Hannaford Helps Schools program.
• Verizon Wireless expanded its network in Maine, adding 76 new 3G cell sites across 12 Maine counties.
• TAMC’s Sleep Disorders Center in Presque Isle received program re-accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
• Boondock’s Grille, owned by Steve and Vicki Adams, opened in Fort Fairfield.
• For Paws Grooming & More, owned by Tracy Ayotte, opened in Presque Isle.
• Jason Rogers, formerly of Presque Isle, now of Nashville, Tenn., home, recorded his first CD, “Jason Rogers.”
• Caribou Inn & Convention Center, owned by Kevin Simmons, celebrated its 15th year in business.
• Gateway Title Services, Inc., opened an office in Presque Isle.
• Lowe’s and Kobalt Tools, in partnership with SkillsUSA, donated tools to both the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center and the Caribou Regional Applied Technology Center as part of the store’s new Tough Tools for Cool Schools program.
• Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, along with Congressman Mike Michaud, announced a combined $863,390 in federal irrigation assistance funding was allocated for Maine.
• Presque Isle’s Ted Blanchard published his first novel, “Laura.”
• Verizon Wireless opened its easternmost U.S. office in Presque Isle and presented at $1,500 grant to the Battered Women’s Project.
• Maine Mutual Group held its annual meeting in Presque Isle.
• ACAP Child and Family Center earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals.
•Mars Hill potato grower Darrell McCrum of the Maine Potato Alliance, a fifth-generation potato farmer who’s grown potatoes for Lay’s Potato Chips for 23 years, was featured in a Lay’s advertising campaign.
• Employees of Lane Construction Corporation, with divisions throughout the state, raised $542, with the company matching the amount for a total of $1,084, for Special Olympics of Maine.
• Law enforcement officers, including members of the PIPD, joined forces with Irving’s Circle K convenience store/gas station, Presque Isle, pumping gas and washing windshields, with a portion of sales and tips going to Special Olympics of Maine.
• Adam Simoes was promoted to director of workplace services, County Physical Therapy, LLC, for Presque Isle and Caribou .
• One of a Kind: Consign & Design, a florist shop, owned by Pat Canavan and managed by Andi Fredette, opened for business in Fort Fairfield.
• TAMC and NMCC hosted Survivor Aroostook, a week-long camp to bring area teens together to learn more about various health professions.
• Dr. David A. Mitchell was named the chairman of NorState Federal Credit Union’s board of directors.
• U.S. Cellular promoted Mary Hebert to business development manager for central and northern Maine.
• The Presque Isle Rotary Club named its new officers and directors: Mike Kelley Jr., assistant treasurer; Tim Poitras, treasurer; Nancy Fletcher, president; Floyd Rockholt, president-elect; Gina LeBlanc-Eggert, secretary; Scott Carlin, Mike Thibodeau, Brian Hamel, Chad Bartley and Joy Barresi-Saucier and Lehrle Keiffer, board members; Gretchen Morse, sergeant-at-arms; Susan Brown and Jason Parent, board members; Jane Towle, ex-officio/immediate past president; Jeff Pangburn, vice president; and Rachel Rice, assistant secretary.
• State Rep. Tyler Clark said Maine residents who lost their jobs in 2009’s recession could use federal subsidies to help cover the cost of remaining in a previous employer’s group insurance plan.
• NMCC multi-media center, located in Christie Lecture Hall, was dedicated to late businessman Peter. G. Hunt Sr.
• Local salsa company Shipwreck Galley Salsa won two first-place national awards for its products: Hot Pepper Awards and Kato Production Fiery Food & Sauce Competition.
• Critter Hill Kennel, owned by Christine Robinson, opened in Presque Isle, offering daily and weekly rates, as well as some grooming services.
• TAMC opened its Walk-In Care clinic at North Street Healthcare.
• Star City IGA shopper Twila Farr, Presque Isle, won $5,000 and family board games in the IGA Family Meals national sweepstakes.
• NortState Federal Credit Union officials named June Gallant as branch manager in Presque Isle.
• The Seamstress, owned by Terry Burtchell, moved to the Aroostook Centre Mall.
• The Maine Potato Board approved a $1.4 million budget.
• The University of Maine at Presque Isle was the recipient of a $96,800 Maine Technology Asset Fund grant from the Maine Technology Institute to help fund construction of a state-of-the-art GIS and GPS laboratory.
• In an effort to reduce the facility’s ‘carbon footprint,’ new heating and air-conditioning units were installed at Aroostook Centre Mall.
• Dr. Robert Sterling joined TAMC’s staff.
• Campbell’s Redemption, owned by James Campbell, opened for business in Fort Fairfield.
• Lloyd Archer, Mapleton, published a collection of his poems.
• Dave Peers, doing business as the Mars Hill Barber, opened.
• The Hampton Inn opened in Presque Isle.
• FairPoint Communication applied for grants. According to company officials, the proposal would allow some northern New Englanders to get broadband access for the first time.
• Maine Community Foundation officials elected Brian Hamel, Presque Isle, and George Shaw, Newcastle, to the MCF board of directors.
• Ayer Potato Farm, of Caribou, was named McCain Champion Grower.
• Attorney Norman G. Trask, Presque Isle, was named a certified member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
• NMCC honored employees’ service: Guy Jackson, 25 years; Nancy Gagnon, Betty Kent-Conant and John Price, each for 30 years; Nancy Cowett, five years; Colleen Harmon, Becky Maynard, Nikki McNally, Leo St. Peter and Robert Smith, each for 10 years; and Shannon Cook and Barry Ingraham, 15 years each.
• TAMC officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a guided tour of North Street Healthcare.
• MPG officials announced a number of changes to the Parsons St. business, including the discontinuation of appliances and lawn equipment, the addition of Carhartt and Iron Clad clothing lines and an expansion of its fastener, paint and paint supplies, hardware and feed lines.
• U.S. Cellular announced the promotion of Kirk Fongemie to senior network field engineer for Maine and Lindsay Robinson to associate relations representative for New England.
• Home Farm Kennels, Caribou, offered lodging options for pets.
• Peter Flewelling was elected to the board of directors of the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association — New England Chapter for 2009.
• Shannon Cook, an NMCC alumna, was selected to coordinate the activity of the NMCC Foundation.
• Local businesses welcomed the chance to be socially responsible, with several in Aroostook County adopting alcohol sales policies and strengthening others in an effort to keep alcohol out of minors’ hands.
• Stephanie Caverhill and staff, Northern Massage and Wellness Center, took part in the Citidel Women’s Expo, offering demonstrations of Zumba, a new fitness dance program she teaches.
• Presque Isle’s post office was one of several receiving awards, based on the latest Gallup Organization survey of customer service at the U.S. Postal Service.
• The County Federal Credit Union reported significant growth in 2009, up 7.63 percent over 2008.
• Prize winners at Citadel’s/Haney’s Building Supply Women’s Expo at the Forum in Presque Isle included Haney’s $10,000 kitchen remodel winner Tammey White, Easton.
• UMPI welcomed several new members, including professors, a coach and professional staffers.
• Donald F. Collins, of S.W. Collins Co., was named 2009 inductee into the Northern Maine Construction Hall of Fame.
• Thousands attended the annual Fall and Winter Expo, at the Forum, Presque Isle.
• A number of area non-profit organizations will be able to “Count on the County,” an initiative by the CFCU that will award $1,000 each month through next year to a county non-profit.
• A UMFK professor and University of Maine System colleagues kicked off National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, with a grant used to purchase computer equipment for high school teams to prepare for and participate in the first-ever statewide cyber defense competition.
• NMCC student nurses were the winners of a $400 scholarship donated by TAMC for the team of students with the best health fair display at Fall and Winter Expo.
• Katahdin Trust Company named Tori Barber branch manager and retail service officer in Mars Hill.
• NorState Federal Credit Union hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Presque Isle.
• Acme Monaco, Presque Isle, celebrated its 20th anniversary.
• Ty-Co Touchless Carwash, owned by A.J. Levesque, opened in Ashland.
• MMG Insurance Co., Presque Isle, was named one of the 2009 Best Places to Work in Maine, a program sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
• Bradley’s Citgo and Car Wash offered free washes to area veterans for Veterans Day.
• Caron’s Lawn and Property Maintenance, Presque Isle, donated shrubbery and a stone bench to help beautify the entrance area of UMPI’s Folsom Hall.
• “Opportunity” was a recurring theme in the comments of six panelists at a Fall Business Forum sponsored by Momentum Aroostook at UMPI.
• Mainebiz recognized Maine Mutual Group’s Matt McHatten as one of 10 people shaping the future of Maine’s economy. Matt Bell, owner of Northeast Pellets LLC, Ashland, was also named to the list of young entrepreneurs.
• NMCC Foundation touted successes, elected officers at its annual meeting. Among those recognized were outgoing NMCC Foundation Board Chair Richard Engels and incoming Chair Brian Hamel.
• Ryan’s Heart, an organization that helps grieving children, received the first ‘Count on The County’ Initiative award of $1,000. Funds will be used for a 10-week grief program called “Neighborhood Hearts.”
• Maine’s Own Organic Milk Company (MOOMilk), a cooperative effort of 10 Maine milk farmers, began selling organic milk in Aroostook County.
• The solarium section of Gram Russo’s restaurant at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center was renovated to improve energy efficiency.
• NMCC nursing instructor Dr. Kimberly Esquibel was appointed by the National League for Nursing to serve as an NLA ambassador.
• MPG Inc.’s President and CEO Pierre Patenaude announced that MPG had a strong fiscal year in 2009, during the company’s 77th annual meeting.
• Five employees of Northeast Publishing Company, Presque Isle, recognized for over 125 years’ of service: Gerry Driscoll, Presque Isle, 20 years; Carrie Lee, Presque Isle, 25 years; Michael Gudreau, Presque Isle, 30 years; Bob Maynard, Mapleton, 30 years; and Dale Johnston, Mars Hill, 20 years.
• Barresi Financial, Inc., marking 30 years in business, offered to match dollar-for-dollar donations, up to $3,000, with the goal of raising $6,000 for Presque Isle’s Wintergreen Arts Center.
• MMG Insurance, Presque Isle, expanded its service area to New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
• UMPI hosted a dedication ceremony, unveiling its GIS (geospatial information system) laboratory, part of its Geospatial Information Technology Center directed by Dr. Chunzeng Wang.
• The Northeastland Hotel and Bonanza Restaurant were honored by the PIACC as joint winners of the People’s Choice award for Street Fair 2009 booths.
• Women, Work and Community awarded $300 to a tourism business group: Ayo Olugbemi, owner of the lodging establishment Kingsland, Inc.; Kevin Freeman, owner of The Sled Shop; and Leo Freeman, owner of Perception Aroostook.
• Edward Jones, with an office in Presque Isle, rated high in investor satisfaction with full-service brokerage firms, according to J.D. Power and Associates’ 2009 Full Service Investor Satisfaction StudySM.
• Long-time educator and coach, Jim Carter, held a book signing at UMPI’s Bookstore for: “Six Decades of Wildcat Basketball: A History of Boys & Girls Basketball at Presque Isle High School 1950-2009.”
• Katahdin Trust Co. donated $2,000 to the Wintergreen Arts Center in Presque Isle.
• CES Inc., a Brewer-based engineering firm with a Presque Isle office, announced the promotion of four employees: Denis St. Peter, president; Jeff Teunisen, executive vice president; Pete Tuell, director of structural engineering; and Travis Noyes, director of civil engineering.
• UMPI Assistant Professor of Fine Arts Renee Felini, assisted by of her husband, Tim Bair, transformed a vacant Presque Isle storefront into a performance art display entitled, “Is This the Way Life Should Be?”
•Scott Carlin, owner of IGA stores in Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle and Mars Hill, was named the Maine Grocers Association’s 2009 Grocer of the Year.
• UMPI President Don Zillman’s books on energy and sustainability attained global recognition.
• TAMC opened a clinic at Walmart in Presque Isle.
• Greg Doak, on behalf of the Doak family, presented an electric scooter to UMPI for enhance mobility.
• Thompson-Hamel, LLC and Smith’s Farm donated cash and food to Catholic Charities of Maine.
