The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Year in Review Awards Gala and Annual Meeting took place at the Samoset Resort on Saturday, November 3, with more than 350 Chamber member businesses, elected officials, and local community representatives were in attendance. The Year in Review Award Gala recognized those who made contributions to the community in the past year. 

All award recipients, except for Community Person of the Year, had been announced in September. The top award of the evening, the Community Person of the Year Award, was presented to Reade Brower, of Camden.  

“Brower is now known throughout Maine for his entrepreneurial spirit, and he’s especially well known in the Midcoast area for keeping our hometown newspapers on the stands each week,” said a news release from the chamber. “As the owner of six daily and 23 weekly newspapers, websites, commercial printing facilities, niche publications and more, his support of local media is truly remarkable.”

Brower arrived in Midcoast Maine in 1980 with a background in selling ads and coupon books and a love of newspapers. He founded the Free Press in 1985. He later started Target Marketing, a direct mailing business, and selling that business in 2004 allowed him the freedom to start a printing co-op.  Reade purchased the assets of Village NetMedia and re-established the Courier-Gazette, Camden Herald, and Republican Journal.

Brower was also given the Community Person of the Year Award in recognition of his efforts to give back to the community, both through nonprofits — One Community, Many Voices and Go! Malawi – and through private acts of quiet philanthropy. 

For the first time, the chamber presented Milestone Anniversary Awards to businesses and organizations celebrating anniversaries in 25-year increments. Honorees celebrating 25 years in 2018 included Café Miranda, Make-A-Wish Maine, North Atlantic Blues Festival, Schooner Bay Taxi, and Welte & Welte, P.A. Michael Good Designs was honored for reaching the 50-year-in-business mark. Morse’s Sauerkraut was recognized for their 100-year anniversary. French and Brawn was vetted for reaching its 150-year milestone in 2018.

This year’s Award Winners included:

New Building Award – Lincolnville General Store

This award recognizes a person, organization, or business that builds a new structure, or substantially renovates a structure, that enhances the community image.

A great love for a building and a community, not to mention a significant investment in the heart of Lincolnville Center, has resulted in the re-birth of the Lincolnville General Store just over a year ago.  Briar Lyons & John Fishman poured heart and soul into making this store a centerpiece for residents and visitors to Lincolnville, creating a welcoming space to buy local products and chat with neighbors and friends.  

Beacon Award – Pies on Parade

This award recognizes a person, business, or organization that has attracted significant positive regional or national attention to the Penobscot Bay Region, resulting in a rise in local economic activity.

A program of the Historic Inns of Rockland, Pies On Parade is entering its 15^th year in late January, bringing hundreds of visitors to our area, filling inns, eating in restaurants, shopping, and enjoying the festivities.  In recent years, the event has expanded its geographic impact by incorporating events in Camden as well.  Most importantly, Pies On Parade has contributed over $200,000 to the AIO Food Pantry.  

Environmental Leadership Award – Alison McKellar

The Environmental Leader Award recognizes a person, business, or organization that has worked diligently to protect our environment using sustainable practices.

A member of the Camden Select Board, Alison McKellar has worked tirelessly to advance municipal awareness and actions to protect the local landscape, to encourage best practices, and to research and analyze new methods and technologies to help preserve what makes our region so healthy and livable.  She is visible and active in her leadership of ongoing roadside clean-up efforts in Camden and surrounding communities.

Public Improvement Award – Doris and Dennis Norton/Save Oceanside Fields

The Public Improvement Award recognizes a person, organization, or business that makes a major improvement to benefit the general public.

Doris and Dennis Norton, of Rockport, have been a fixture on the sidelines of sporting events for the former Rockland District High School and now Oceanside High School for decades, following their children and grandchildren.  They recently created “Save Oceanside Fields”, with a master plan to update outdoor sports facilities for RSU 13.  They began with the baseball and softball fields on Thomaston Street in Rockland, bringing them back to varsity playing conditions by raising well over $100,000 in cash and in-kind support, and completing all the facility work, in the course of a year.  

Community Service Award – Robin McIntosh

This award recognizes a person, business, or organization whose activities have resulted in a significant community enhancement and/or positive contribution to the quality of life among local community members.

For those familiar with the Midcoast Leadership Academy, the first person who comes to mind is Robin McIntosh.  Robin coordinates this program – a series of nine one-day seminars, for existing and emerging business and community leaders in the Midcoast, giving countless hours of her time to lead dozens of local leaders through the program.  Robin is also an active community volunteer in Camden and the region.  

Innovation in Business Award – Bixby & Co.

This award recognizes a business or organization that produced advancements in a product or business method that has resulted in renewed economic vitality of its business and/or the local community. Recipient demonstrates a proactive and innovative approach toward finding solutions to business challenges and embraces change as an opportunity for growth.

Bixby & Co. is a family owned and operated chocolate confectionary company in Rockland.  Founded in 2011, the Bixby team is led by Kate McAleer, with strong support from her parents, Donna & Gordon McAleer.  Bixby & Co. crafts organic and non-GMO chocolate confectionary products.  In 2017, Bixby & Co. became the first bean-to-bar craft chocolate maker in the state of Maine.

Small Business of the Year Award – LAUGH loud SMILE big

This award honors a business of fewer than 25 employees that is making a positive contribution to the community and is recognized by peers as a leader in what they do. Has a commitment to excellence, and has been in business for at least 5 years.

Vicky Murray started LAUGH loud SMILE big in Rockport six years ago, and the business is now legendary locally for their amazing cupcakes and custom party goods.  They also sponsor paint nights and other events, and contribute generously of their time, talent, and treasure to the Barbara Bush Childrens Hospital and other local non-profit organizations.  

Heritage Preservation Award – Schooner Boyd N. Sheppard and Schooner Ladona

This award recognizes a person, business, or organization whose contribution has resulted in the preservation or enhancement of the history, maritime heritage, or quality of place in our communities.

The Chamber recognized the restoration of two legendary local schooners.  Katie and Adam McKinley purchased the former Isaac H. Evans last year, conducting significant renovations while returning her to her original name – the Boyd N. Sheppard, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.  Noah and Jane Barnes, and J.R. Braugh, purchased the Schooner Ladona and restored her.

The evening also included a social hour with hors d’oeuvres and cash bar, a plated dinner served by the Samoset staff, and a Gala After Hours celebration with live music provided by the local band, The Right Track.

The Year in Review Awards were created by Maggi Blue of Warren, and the Community Person of the Year Award was created by Richard Remsen of the Foundry & Glass Studio in West Rockport. Gala photography was provided by Aidan Kaczynski/AKZ Photography of Camden. Video productions were created by John Viehman and Geoffrey Parker.

Several businesses provided sponsorship support for the Gala: Camden National Bank (Gold sponsor), Eaton Peabody (Gala After Hours sponsor), LCI (Wine sponsor), and Ballou & Associates (Honoree Ticket sponsor). In addition, Courier Publications/Village Soup, Fiore Artisan Olive Oil & Vinegars, Wallace Events, and the Samoset Resort were event supporters.

About the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce: The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business and tourism in the Camden/Rockland Region, encompassing more than 20 communities within and surrounding Knox County.  To learn more, visit www.CamdenRockland.com.