Press Release 11/19/09

FRANKLIN COUNTY - The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce celebrated with members and guests at their Annual Meeting Dinner held Wednesday, November 18 in the Bass Room at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

 

Over 100 attended the annual event which serves as the annual meeting and awards presentation to nominated businesses and non-profit organizations.

 

A wonderful buffet dinner was served by Aramark and the evening was made possible through the generosity of Franklin Community Health Network, Franklin Savings Bank and Camden National Bank.

 

Chamber president Matt Wotton thanked those board members stepping down after fulfilling their term commitments, which included Leo Deon of the University of Maine, Farmington; Peggy Willihan of Verso Paper in Jay and long-time Executive Board Member Ellen Curtiss of Camden National Bank, who has accepted a promotional opportunity with Camden’s offices in Ellsworth.

 

President Wotton also welcomed new board members to fill open board positions: Todd Bullen; Hannaford, Farmington; Jennifer Eriksen, University of Maine at Farmington; Nancy Chase, Farmington Emblem Club 460 and Debra Harris, Harris Real Estate and Auctions, Farmington.

 

Joining the Executive Board is Scott Landry, owner of Shiretown Insurance in Farmington and long-time board member who has accepted the position of Vice President of Membership.

 

A beautiful bouquet was presented to Committee Chair Shannon Smith for her hard work and help in planning and putting the evening together.

 

Immediately following the business meeting, awards were presented to the following:

 

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION - Wilton Lions Club

This non-profit group works year-round to support the Wilton Community with various events and programs designed not only to bring visitors here but also to support various organizations and those less fortunate with programs designed to lend a helping hand; along with awarding various scholarships to deserving students. They continue to host the breakfast at the Wilton Blueberry Festival which helps to bring visitors to this great annual event.

LARGE BUSINESS - Sugarloaf

Under new ownership, Sugarloaf has been working to upgrade its operations which in turn will attract more visitors to our region and thus have a larger economic impact on all businesses in Franklin County.

The golf course continues to attract not only local players but those from afar who come here for the world-class golfing experience.

The conferences held at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel continue to bring in groups for several days at a time – exposing those from around the state and beyond to all that Franklin County has to offer.

They have also been instrumental in distributing the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Welcome Guide to those who visit Sugarloaf.

SMALL BUSINESS - Bangor Savings Bank, Farmington Mt. Blue Branch

Bangor Savings Bank’s local employees and parent company continue to volunteer and help the community with programs and donations badly needed by the area’s non-profit organizations.

 

Community Matters More program - with over 86,000 votes cast by the people of Maine, the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation has committed to donating $100,000 to over 60 Maine-based non-profit organizations throughout the State. What makes this program unique is that citizens of Maine vote for their favorite non-profit organization, and those organizations receiving the most votes win.

They have been recognized by the Maine Development Foundation for their commitment to communities in Maine and have been recognized as one of the best places to work in Maine.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Ben Franklin Volunteer of the Year Award 2009

A new award this year recognized a non-board member for service and commitment to the Chamber for 2009: the FCCOC Ben Franklin Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Heidi Elliott of Bangor Savings Bank, Mt. Blue branch in Farmington.

 

Heidi has donated countless hours of her time attending board meetings and volunteering on various committees and helping with events and other activities of the Chamber. ‘Her interest and dedication is recognized and greatly appreciated’, commented Executive Director Lorna Nichols. ‘It is important to let those who volunteer with our organization know they are invaluable and key to the continued success of our Chamber and its members’.

Following the Annual Awards presentations, President Wotton introduced the newest member of the Chamber’s staff: Michele Pelletier.

Growing up in Stratton, Michele is a native of Franklin County and knows all the great things Franklin County offers its residents, as well as visitors.

Michele earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in advertising from St. Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine.  Her experience includes winter marketing assistant for Sugarloaf where she was involved in planning and executing events on mountain.  She also interned at RSN Television and worked as a temp after graduating college.

Michele has a friendly and outgoing personality, strong work ethic and enjoys working with the public. She has participated in the Boston Ski Show and Franklin County Business Expo.

Michele has great computer skills and will also help with social networking applications, which is the newest generation of marketing and advertising opportunity for the success of our member businesses and the Chamber.

With the Chamber’s growth and success in implementing new programs and increased visibility in the communities we serve, Michele will be an integral part in continuing to provide these programs for the Chamber’s members, as well as providing additional administrative support to the Executive Director.

One of Michele’s first tasks will be to set up and implement a network of volunteers to staff the Welcome Center for a few hours each weekend.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors invites you to stop by the Chamber’s Welcome Center at 248 Wilton Road in Farmington and welcome Michele.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Chamber, its programs or in the new volunteer network program at the Chamber’s Welcome Center, please contact the Chamber office at 207-778-4215 or via email: info@franklincountymaine.org.