A Newport couple and a Pittsfield business will be among the award recipients this year when the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts its Annual Banquet and Awards on Thursday, February 9th. This year’s event is being sponsored by Bangor Savings Bank. George and Linda Lougee of Newport are the recipients of the Joyce Packard Community Spirit Award. C.M. Almy and Sons, Inc., of Pittsfield, will be honored as the Chamber’s Business of the Year for 2012.
Since arriving in Newport in 1999, the Lougees have immersed themselves in area organizations, causes and projects including service on the MSAD 48 Board of Directors and the local Chamber. George served on the Chamber board for eight years, two years as president.
Both together and individually their service has included the town’s Budget Committee, Sebasticook Community Center, Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union, Sebasticook Family Doctors, High Street Congregational Church and the Chamber. Annually, they donate their time to planning Sparkle, the Chamber’s largest fundraiser, an event they founded. The nomination papers also noted that the Lougees were personal friends of the award’s namesake Joyce Packard.
C.M. Almy and Sons, Inc., has manufactured church vestments, furnishings and accessories since its founding in New York City in 1892. The involvement of the Fendler family, beginning in 1929, brought the business to central Maine in the 1950s where it grew and thrived to its 120th year.
Under the direction of Michael and Stephen Fendler, third generation family members, the company employs 75 people at its Ruth Street location along the Sebasticook River in Pittsfield. The company maintains a showroom and catalog center in Greenwich, CT.
Since moving its operations to central Maine, the Fendler family and their company have been ardent supporters of community organizations and institutions. The Fendlers are supporters of Maine Central Institute, are among the founders of the Pinnacle Ski Club, supported the recent capital campaign for the Pittsfield Public Library, and served on the Pittsfield Town Council where Michael served two terms as mayor. The Fendlers’ community generosity is mirrored in their employees with participation in several community and national causes including community garden maintenance, toy collections and UNICEF efforts, as well as the creation of banners for the area’s winning teams.
The two awards will be presented at the end of an evening including a banquet and silent auction, annual Chamber business, and guest speaker Peter Vigue, CEO of Cianbro.
Chamber President Michael Wiers will preside over the annual meeting that will include the election of incoming President Angel Quick of Skowhegan Savings Bank. Along with Quick, directors nominated to new terms on the board include Kathryn Ruth, manager for the town of Pittsfield; Mindy Nyman of Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union; Russell Chretien, United Insurance-Lehr Agency; Judi Young, People’s United Bank; George Lougee, Loug’s Treasures; and Karen Zelkan, Sebasticook Family Doctors.
Reservations are still being taken for the event. The social hour begins at 5 PM at Millennium, Route 100 in Palmyra. For more information contact the Chamber at 368-4698, or e-mail info@ourchamber.org. |
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