Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce announces annual awards
Boothbay Harbor – (May 7, 2012) The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce named winners of its annual community service, community improvement and business improvement awards Friday night, May 4, 2012 at Boothbay Harbor’s newest fine dining establishment, The World is Mine Oyster. The event was attended by over 100 Chamber members and friends.
The award recipients are:
Community Service Award of 2012 — Boothbay Region Community Resource Group, founded by the Reverend Kit Sherrill. The Reverend Sarah Foulger accepted the award.
Community Improvement Award of 2012 – Boothbay Region Refuse Disposal serving Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb. Mr. Steven Lewis, Operations Supervisor and Mr. Palmer Payne, Board Chairman accepted the award.
Business Improvement Award of 2012 – Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. Dr. Graham Shimmield, Executive Director, accepted the award.
Others receiving honors were:
The participating members of the Boothbay Region Community Resource Group – Makayla Stone, Coordinator; “Helping Hands”, Peggy Miner, Brenda Tibbetts and Bonnie McKinney at Southport Town Hall; Our Lady Queen of Peace, Elaine and Tom Fogerty; Edgecomb Congregational Church, Louise Hardina; St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, Tancy Mitchell, Gloria and Bob Walter, Margaret Perritt, Leslie Cook, Rimar Reed and Phil McClellan; Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, Sarah Feifert; Southport United Methodist Church, Kathy Barter.
Outgoing chamber board members: Cindy Mastrella, President; Molly Hutchins, Vice-president; Anita Roelz, Treasurer; Lori Bailey, Secretary; Susan Clough, Director and longtime Windjammer Days Chair; Karen Greenleaf, Director; Margaret Hoffman, Director; Laura Honey, Director; Heather O’Brien, Director; Mohamed Osman, Director; Julie Roberts, Director; and Wayne Sheridan, Director.
Former staff members: Lori Pecor, Director of Sales & Marketing and Heather O’Brien, Director of Member Services.
Current Board Members: Pamela Byrne Riley, President; Doug Roberts, Vice-president; Sue Wood, Treasurer; Evelyn Andrews, Secretary; Jim Chaousis, Dorothy Freeman, Sheri Gordon, Andy Hamblett, Eileen King, Tim O’Donnell, Peter Robison, Jim Taliana and Lorna Weber.
Current staff members: Catherine Wygant, Executive Director; Cherie Scott, Events Manager, Gabrielle Di Perrier, Office Assistant, Rachel Tibbetts, Visitor Services; Alain Kessler, Office Intern; and Office Volunteers Extraordinaire, Brooke Hubner and Kris Ward.
Chamber board President, Pamela Byrne Riley, hailed the work of the 2011 board, during which time the volunteer leadership team had to deal with not only a major staff turnover, but tough challenges to our local communities due to the uncertain economic times. Pamela commented that “the toughest decision facing the board of a non-profit organization is that of hiring the right Executive Director ... And while most of the current board was not in office last year, we are grateful to our predecessors for their decision to employ Catherine Wygant in that position.” Pamela’s words were met with cheers.
The Annual Awards Dinner is a Chamber sponsored event to honor/recognize individuals, organizations and businesses for their volunteer community service, outstanding dedication, and exceptional achievement in good business practices which go above and beyond the expected to benefit the Boothbay Harbor Region. “Our hats are off to all of our award winners for all you do to help the Boothbay Harbor Region be THE place to live and do business” exclaimed, Chamber Executive Director, Catherine Wygant.
Following a buffet dinner and the awards ceremony, a live auction took place conducted by Captain Crudbeard and Blood Thirsty Barbara of the pirate ship Dark Rose. Pirate packages for the Chamber’s upcoming 50th anniversary Windjammer Days on June 26 and 27 were auctioned off to the highest bidders. The attendees then sang “happy birthday” while Cherie Scott, Chamber Events manager, lit the 50 candles on the beautifully decorated cake donated by Hannaford in honor of the Chamber’s 50th birthday. Sheri Gordon, Chamber Membership Chair, and husband Roger, of Midcoast Clock and Sales Company, said “the evening was delightful ... the venue, the food, the program, the pirates, the candy treats (compliments of And Candy too!) and most especially the surprise 50th Windjammer Days t-shirts designed for the occasion made possible by O’Donnell, Lee, McCowan & Phillips! It was just fun!”####