Goodrich receives Lifetime Achievement award

15 years ago

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer

HOULTON — For more than 30 years, Walter Goodrich has played a prominent role in the community of Houlton through his actions as a town official and businessman.
ImageHoulton Pioneer Times photo/Joseph Cyr
CHAMBER AWARD WINNER — Walter Goodrich was named the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner Saturday.

    The Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce lauded Goodrich for his accomplishments Saturday when he received the organization’s highest honor — the Lifetime Achievement Award.
    (A story on the Chamber dinner appears on the Business page One B.)
    Goodrich is the owner of Goodrich’s Jewelry, located on the North Road. Goodrich’s Jewelry offers a wide array of gifts including pottery, pewter, wedding and anniversary gifts, pictures, bags, ornaments, and colored glass, as well as gold, silver, diamonds, and pearls. Additional services include computerized engraving, ring sizing, and appraisals.
    Goodrich was unable to attend Saturday’s gala as he was in Florida. However, he sent a letter of appreciation for the award, which was read by Chamber Executive Director Lori Weston.
    “I would like to thank the membership of the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce for the honor of your Lifetime Achievement Award,” Goodrich wrote. “When my wife [Lois] and I moved to Houlton in 1974, we came from very different areas of the country — me from a bedroom town in Connecticut and Lois from a suburb of Washington, D.C. We were quickly welcomed into this friendly town and it became a great place to raise our daughter. I was soon impressed with the people of the area and was aware of the dedication many showed for the town. As my business began to grow, I found organizations where I thought I might be able to help in return. I hope to continue working for Houlton as I believe it is a special place.”
    Walter and his wife were impressed with the people in the community and the dedication many showed for the town. He purchased a small three-generation jewelry store known as Osgood’s in 1975. After 10 years, he out grew the location and moved to a larger location on Main Street, in downtown Houlton, that featured antique fixtures and custom designed mahogany showcases.
    After many successful years, he relocated to his current location on North Road (US Route 1).
    “Walter works tirelessly to promote and do what is in the best interests of our town,” Weston said. “His dedication to Houlton is obvious by the pivotal roles he has chosen to play in the many groups and organizations that he has been a member of.”
    Goodrich was part of the Revitalization Project in the late 1980s and is often the first person to support efforts to improve the business climate in the community.
    Goodrich is a past president and board member for the Chamber; a past president of the Retail Trade Board; past president and current member of the Houlton Rotary; was elected by Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow; is a past president and member of the Houlton Planning Board and the Houlton Regional Hospital board of directors.
    Currently, Goodrich serves as president of the Health Services Foundation and is chairman of the Houlton Town Council.  
    “Walter continues to contribute greatly to the vision we all have for our community,” Weston said.