A ‘Golden’ Moment!

PORTLAND—

On Monday, February 13, at South Portland’s Marriott Hotel, Maine’s credit unions made a major announcement on the success of their efforts towards “thawing” out hunger in Maine in 2011 at the ‘Thaw to End Hunger’ Celebration Event. At this annual event, credit unions were recognized for their success in raising the most funds ever for the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, and the official, record-breaking total was announced. The total raised in 2011 was $446,929.56, an increase of nearly $45,000 over last year’s record. In addition to raising a record-setting amount in 2011, the Campaign also surpassed the $4 million milestone in funds raised since the Campaign began 22 years ago.

Three credit unions with ties to York County placed in the Top 25 in Total Funds Raised and Highest Per Member Contributions: Saco Valley CU, which has branches in Saco and Waterboro; York County FCU, which has branches in Biddeford, Saco, Sanford, North Berwick and York; and PeoplesChoice CU, which has branches in Biddeford, Saco, Sanford and Wells. Also, Ocean Communities FCU, with branches in Biddeford, Kennebunk, Saco, Sanford and York, and Shaw’s Employees FCU of Wells, participated in the fundraising Campaign.

“The generosity of the over 615,000 credit union members in Maine is extraordinary,” explained John Murphy, President of the Maine Credit Union League. “This marks the sixteenth consecutive year that the Campaign has raised a record-setting total, and the milestone of the Campaign surpassing the $4 million mark in funds raised since the Campaign began—a remarkable effort in such a challenging economy.”

The celebration was a luncheon event, and featured an address by award-winning author Ernest Thompson. In addition to giving the keynote address on community-service and the “can do” attitude and the “neighbor helping neighbor spirit” he learned from spending nearly every summer in Maine, Thompson helped to unveil the big check announcing the total raised during the 2011 Ending Hunger Campaign. Thompson also had his picture taken with representatives from each credit union in attendance and presented them with certificates and envelopes containing the total funds each credit union has to distribute in their own community.

Ernest Thompson won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for writing the classic film, On Golden Pond, which is based on Thompson’s summers at Belgrade Lakes in Maine. On Golden Pond was named by the American Film Institute as one of the Top 100 romantic films of all-time.

Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised more than $4.3 million to help end hunger in Maine.

About the Maine Credit Union League

Formed in 1938, the Maine Credit Union League is the State Trade Association for Maine’s 63 credit unions providing a variety of services and products to assist credit unions in meeting the needs of their membership. For more information, please visit www.mainecul.org.

Photo Caption: York County FCU’s Brenda Robbins (second from left) represented her CU at the Luncheon announcing the record-setting results raised by the Maine CUs’ Campaign for Ending Hunger in 2011. Pictured with her are (l-r) Luke Labbe, Academy Award-winner Ernest Thompson, and John Murphy. (Courtesy Photo)

Kittery Residents Meet with Prime Minister

KITTERY—

Kittery residents David, Cathleen and Kay O’Shaughnessy had the opportunity to meet Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Thursday, February 16, at the Seaport Hotel in Boston. Mr. O’Shaughnessy is the President and Managing Director at the Seaport, and is an Irish native who moved to the US only three years ago with his family. He was honored to welcome Prime Minister Kenny to the Seaport yesterday, who stopped by during his two-day tour of Boston to be feted by the City’s Irish community. Also at the reception were Senator Scott Brown, Irish ambassador Michael Collins, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis and Ireland’s Consul General to Boston Michael Lonergan.

Photo Caption: David O’Shaughnessy, President of Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, his daughter Cathleen O’Shaughnessy, Prime Minister of Ireland Enda Kenny and (David’s wife) Kay O’Shaughnessy. (Photo courtesy of Dom Miguel)

Seashore Trolley Museum Wins 2012 Preservation Award

KENNEBUNKPORT—

The Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, recently announced the receipt of the 2012 H. Albert Webb Memorial Railroad Preservation Award given by the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts, Inc. The grant, in the amount of $10,000, will pay for key components needed to complete the restoration of former Bay State Street Railway car 4175, a valued part of the museum’s operating collection of historic electric railway equipment. The award was presented to the Museum on January 28 during the “Railroad Hobby Show” in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

James D. Schantz, Seashore’s Chairman of the Board, received the award.

“We are truly honored and pleased to receive this generous grant which will greatly move forward our restoration work on Car 4175. We hope to have the work completed in time for Seashore’s 75th Anniversary which will take place in 2014.”

The Laconia Car Company of Laconia, New Hampshire, built car 4175 in 1914. It was part of the 4100 series of cars built for the Bay State Street Railway. The car was state-or-the-art for its day, built for the largest street railway system in the world at the time, and the only Bay State car in existence today. Laconia was a boutique car builder and car 4175 is a prime example of that builder’s art with an interior of hand-rubbed cherry woodwork and polished bronze hardware. So strong was the car’s external construction that car 4175’s riveted steel body has not needed any re-work—the joints are still tight after almost a century.

Car 4175 has had many lives in its 98-year history, including originally running in Revere, Massachusetts, on the Boston-Beachmont line. In 1917, it was transferred to Newport, Rhode Island, to run on the Newport division of the Bay State system and was subsequently sold to the Newport County Electric Company. In 1926 it was sold to the Coast Cities Railway in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where it ran until 1929. After it was removed from service in 1929, it evolved into a summer cottage in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, where it remained until the Seashore Trolley Museum acquired it in 1976. Restoration began in 1985 and will hopefully be completed and fully restored to its original grandeur to celebrate it’s 100th birthday by 2014.

Emergency System Gives Arundel Man Second Chance at Life

ARUNDEL—

Nelson Ballou, 57, of Arundel, died for six minutes. The fact that he is alive today is due to a series of fortunate circumstances, correct choices and the emergency pre-plan in place between the local fire rescue units, Southern Maine Medical Center and Maine Medical Center.

Late in the afternoon on Friday, September 23, 2011, Ballou, a math teacher at the Middle School of the Kennebunks, was preparing for the annual 8th grade bike trip by jogging on his home treadmill. After some running and weight lifting, he felt a burning in the upper center of his chest. It hurt to breathe. After an attempt to “walk it off” by strolling around the back yard, he told his wife Donna that he was going to lay down for a few moments. Fortunately, after she heard him moaning, she decided to call 911.

Five minutes later, Justin Cooper and his crew from the Arundel Fire Rescue arrived to find Ballou in significant pain and ashen gray.

“I knew the second I saw him that his condition was extremely critical,” recalls Cooper, a paramedic with extensive rescue experience. “I was concerned that we wouldn’t make it to the hospital in time.”

Moments later, Ballou went into cardiac arrest. The rescue team immediately began CPR and prepared to use the defibrillator to jump start Ballou’s heart. The paramedics worked with calm assurance to revive Ballou. He awoke to find Jason Nedeau, an EMT and one of his students from 20 years before, applying chest compressions. In his foggy state of mind, he was actually struggling against Nedeau’s attempts to save his life.

“I couldn’t figure out why anyone was pushing so hard on my chest,” recalls Ballou. “My ribs were hurting. I wasn’t sure what was going on. And then I open my eyes to see one of my former students over me pushing on my chest. I didn’t know what was happening.”

In fact, Ballou’s heart stopped for almost six minutes. In this vital stretch of time, Cooper, Nedeau and the other Fire Rescue team members kept Ballou’s blood pumping to critical organs of his body. Once he revived, they performed an electrocardiogram, which identified an acute blockage of one of the blood vessels in his heart as the reason for his heart stopping. While the ambulance raced to SMMC, these men saved Ballou’s life.

After being notified of his condition, SMMC’s Emergency Department swung into action preparing to stabilize Ballou immediately upon arrival and activating their colleagues at MMC’s Maine Heart Center in preparation for emergency heart surgery. Dr. Larry Haith and SMMC’s ED team quickly stabilized Ballou and prepared him for the surgery at MMC. They would later learn that Ballou had a 100 percent blockage of his Left Anterior Descending Artery, which is the main blood supply to the portion of the heart that pumps blood to the rest of the body. This condition, nicknamed “the widow maker,” is the cause of the classic heart attack for men between the ages of 55 and 65. It has only a five percent survival rate. Ballou was fortunate.

“Mr. Ballou’s survival is the result of a well-planned system of emergency care that begins with his wife choosing to call 911,” notes Michael Schmitz, DO, an emergency department physician and EMS coordinator at SMMC. “The quick response of the paramedics with the appropriate equipment, their correct assessment of the situation, prompt defibrillation, fast stabilization at SMMC, and the emergency surgery to open his blocked artery at Maine Medical are all part of a comprehensive system of emergency care that is focused on accurate assessment and immediate treatment of this type of illness. The results show clearly in a case like Ballou’s. The prompt response and intervention by the Arundel Fire Rescue team clearly saved his life and activated the system of care that was able to fix the problem so quickly.”

According to Cooper, Ballou was also the recipient of another bit of good fortune: the town of Arundel’s decision to have two Fire Rescue personnel on hand 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “The response time prior to our current program ranged from ten to twenty minutes,” notes Cooper. “Now, our average response time is four to five minutes. Those few minutes are critical to saving lives.”

Within a month after heart surgery, Ballou entered the cardiac rehabilitation program at SMMC. He was a bit intimidated to begin exercising again. “I was apprehensive to start any exercise because of the incident,” recalls Ballou. “But the cardiac rehab team at SMMC were great. They were very thoughtful and reassuring.”

The cardiac rehabilitation program at SMMC provides medically supervised and monitored exercise, education, and support in the Joseph A. and Anna M. Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Gym that is designed to guide patients through the recovery process following a heart attack or other cardiac problem. Each patient’s program is custom designed based on specific health situations and goals. A team of cardiologists, exercise physiologists and nurses provides an environment in which participants confidently increase their activity. In addition to exercise, patients learn about a heart-healthy lifestyle and receive support to change unhealthy habits. A complete educational program accompanies the monitored exercise with topics including heart disease, physical activity, blood pressure, cholesterol, medications and nutrition. To complete the program, participants are offered a one-on-one learning experience to ensure healthy changes continue long after the program ends.

“Each time I visited, I felt more secure,” adds Ballou. “By the fourth week, I was back to enjoying exercise full time. I have no fear of working out now.”

Ballou has since returned to teaching school, a position he notes that he is as passionate about now as when he started over 35 years ago. But today one of his best lessons is reserved for men his age. “Don’t wait until any chest pain gets severe,” he warns. “Don’t take the chance. Call 911. I owe my life to the Arundel Fire Rescue team and the doctors at SMMC and MMC, but I wouldn’t be here if my wife Donna hadn’t called 911. I’m forever grateful.”

PHOTO CAPTION: (from left) Donna and Nelson Ballou with Jason Nedeau (at top) and Justin Cooper of the Arundel Fire Rescue team. Jason, a student of Nelson’s 20 years ago, helped administer life-saving CPR. (Courtesy Photo)

Committee Approves Bill to Establish Jobs Training Program at YCCC

AUGUSTA—

The Education and Cultural Affairs Committee unanimously approved legislation submitted by Rep. Devin Beliveau (D-Kittery), to establish a jointly operated Precision Tool program between York County Community College (YCCC) and Southern Maine Community College (SMCC).

“There will be a shortage of skilled workers in York County over the next few years,” said Beliveau. “This program would produce Precision Machinists who have the technical skills that are needed for these well-paying jobs.”

The three largest employers in York County are Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Pratt & Whitney and General Dynamics. All three heavily depend on the technical skills of Precision Machinists and no postsecondary program currently exists in York County for this type of training.

This program would provide residents of York County with the opportunity to earn an associate degree in their backyard and be qualified for high skill high wage jobs. Pratt & Whitney contributed an initial $100,000 to The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges designated for this program but further funding is needed in order to permanently establish the program.

“YCCC is pleased to partner with SMCC to bring this initial program to York County. SMCC has a long established and well respected program which will be very helpful as we establish a new program in our region” said Charles Lyons, President of YCCC.

“This program is essential in order to prevent a skilled labor shortage that could result in high paying jobs moving out Maine and overseas,” said Beliveau.

Oscar Season 2012 Has Arrived!

By Chip Schrader

Staff Columnist

As spring approaches, film buffs and movie fans alike have an annual event to look forward to that rivals the Christmas season DVD releases in November. The Oscars are quickly arriving, and it’ll delight many to hear names like Scorsese and Clooney mentioned. Conversely, though, is the hoopla surrounding two relatively new and unknown movies. One of which is a modern, nearly 100 percent-silent film from Harvey and Bob Weinstein. The second film is the English-American adaptation of one of the most successful novels of the last two years.

Martin (Marty) Scorsese was featured on CBS Sunday Morning two weeks ago implying that fatherhood has perhaps has mellowed him over the last few years. His wife suggested that Marty make a film that their daughter could watch, which ultimately resulted in Scorsese’s first real foray into three-dimensional cinema—Hugo, a family-friendly film based upon the children’s book, “The Adventures of Hugo Cabaret.”

The book itself boasts amazing visual elements that undoubtedly helped to inspire and challenge Scorsese to transition the story into film. The test—come Oscar-time—will be whether the Academy prefers the angry Scorsese of The Departed or the kid-friendly Scorsese that’s emerged this past year. Scorsese has competition for the Director category, though, as he is just one director amongst a staggering eleven nominations for Best Direction.

The Oscars began in 1929, just one year after the true end of the silent film era in 1928. French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius’ The Artist is the first full-length feature silent film to enter the Oscar race in several decades. After winning big at the Screen Actors Guild Award, Hazanavicius could very well the one to beat come Sunday, February 26—though, it should be said that Scorsese received the award at this year’s Golden Globes. Regardless, though, of past awards this season, it seems pretty divisive between the two-time Oscar-winning director the relatively unseasoned Hazanavicius.

The Artist is an evocation of an era that audiences can probably identify as the Roaring Twenties—complete with a stock market crash. Taking place in the final years of the silent film industry, Artist focuses upon silent-film star George Valentin—who fears that he will vanish from the public eye as the motion picture industry abandons silent film in favor of sound. Conversely, the film also focuses upon an up-and-rising starlet named Peppy Miller. The dichotomy between the two provides a solid plot point through the duration of the film. Inspired by silent film legend Rudolph Valentino, known simply as “Valentino,” Hazanavicius’ film has arrived at quite the appropriate time—considering the influx of horribly produced 3D-films like Clash of The Titans.

The Help, adapted from Katherine Stockett’s tremendously successful novel of the same name, has come out of almost nowhere as one of the Oscar favorites. Detailing the story of southern housemaids during the 1950s and 60s, The Help highlights the plight of women who helped to raise generations of southern children. After the cast’s recent numerous honors at the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes, the film is being touted as the one to beat—especially in the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories. The Help stands to win a fairly large percentage of their nominations, with Viola Davis for Best Actress, Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain both for Best Supporting Actress, and the film itself up for Best Picture.

With film nominations running the gamut of family-friendly 3D fare to one writer’s experience in 1920s Paris—but, only at midnight—it really is anyone’s guess on which way the Academy will lean. With a wide variety of actors and directors nominated for their work, it’s impossible to say who deserves the award more than their peers—though with seasoned actors and directors facing off with young ingénues, it’s sure to be an exciting race.

The 84^th annual Academy Awards air Sunday, February 26, at seven o’clock on ABC.

Boston’s Chronicle Travels to Maine Diner

By Joe Hebert

Staff Columnist

WELLS—

Popular news magazine show, Chronicle, visited Wells, Maine, landmark, The Maine Dinner, on Wednesday, February 8, as a part of their news feature, “A Tank Away.”

“A Tank Away” is a running news segment that allows Chronicle to highlight great getaways that will only cost Boston-area residents a tank of gas. And, at a mere hour-or-so drive away from the city, The Maine Diner certainly qualifies for this interesting segment.

Since its foundation in 1983, the Diner has become one of southern Maine’s preeminent vacation destinations. The restaurant was co-owned by Myles and Dick Henry for 28 years until Myles’ passing in December 20120. Since then, Dick has strove to maintain the legacy and reputation that the family worked so hard to create. After reaching many milestones through their hard work at the restaurant, it’s the icing on the cake to know that Dick and his dedicated staff have been able to both maintain Myles’ dream and further the Diner’s legacy. All of which helped to make their most recent success, a spotlight on the Boston-based news show Chronicle, a great start to the New Year.

With quite the turnaround, Ted Reinstein—full-time Chronicle correspondent and weekly online-columnist for the Bostonchannel.com—and his crew arrived in Wells early in the afternoon this past Wednesday. Settling in to a cozy corner booth, Reinstein discussed with Dick the true allure of a real authentic diner in such a popular tourist destination.

Besides for filming their discussion for the popular news show, Dick gave Reinstein and his crew the opportunity to try some of their famous “Lobster Pie,” a dish that Dick’s wife, Sally Henry, swears is the best she’s ever had. Reinstein responded with a quick, “Twist my arm…” The family’s secret recipe serves up tender chunks of fresh lobster—something you would be hard-pressed to find outside of the Seacoast—mixed together with delicious stuffing, and ultimately baked to perfection.

The air-date for the segment has yet to be announced, but in continuing with the storied legacy that Myles and Dick have created, it’s easy to expect other great opportunities for this historic Wells institution.

Chronicle airs weeknights at 7:30pm on Cannel 5 Boston. The Maine Diner open daily at 7am and is located at 2265 Post Rd., Wells.

Photo Caption: Pictured is Ted Reinstein (left) of Chronicle and Maine Diner owner, Dick Henry.

York Lady Wildcats Raise $16K Toward Breast Cancer Awareness

YORK—

For the second year in a row, the York High School Girls Basketball Team’s “Hoops for a Cure” event helped motivate the entire community, raising over $16,000 for the Breast Cancer Living Well Program at York Hospital.

The event, described as “part winter carnival, part sporting event, part food festival and part fundraiser,” featured a Free Throw Shootout and an evening of entertainment. The night’s events included dozens of raffle baskets donated by York sport teams, along with many silent auction items, the popular "chuck-a-duck" and three basketball games against Traip Academy. In between, the spectators were treated to a show by York’s fourth grade dribbling teams with a dinner and dessert donated by Ruby’s Wood Grill and York Hospital's Dining Room.

Jud Knox, President of York Hospital, was “thrilled with the overwhelming turnout and enthusiastic support shown that evening by the girls…coaches, parents and certainly the other teams who contributed immeasurably to the evening’s success.”

The money they raised will help to support the hospital’s Breast Cancer Living Well programs, designed to improve the quality of life for women diagnosed with, undergoing treatment for and recovering from breast cancer. These funds support programs, services and support systems, including rehabilitation exercise programs, integrative therapies like massage, Reiki and Art Hope, emergency funds for gas and food, assistance with prosthetics, etc.

For more information about York Hospital’s Breast Cancer Living Well Program, contact 207-351-2385 or fr@yorkhospital.com.

Photo Caption: York Hospital representatives receive check for $16,000 at the recent Hoops For A Cure event at York High School: (left to right) Boys' Varsity Coach Randy Small, Susan Kelly Westman, Laurie Knox, Girls' Varsity Coach Rick Clark, Crystal Butler RN, Jud Knox, Amanda Demetri Lewis DO, Addie LaBonte, Karen Cribby, Kira Wendorf MD, Andrea Mountford, Ruby Cribby, Robin LaBonte, Marquis MacGlashing, Emily Campbell

Oscar Season 2012 Has Arrived!

By Chip Schrader

Staff Columnist

As spring approaches, film buffs and movie fans alike have an annual event to look forward to that rivals the Christmas season DVD releases in November. The Oscars are quickly arriving, and it’ll delight many to hear names like Scorsese and Clooney mentioned. Conversely, though, is the hoopla surrounding two relatively new and unknown movies. One of which is a modern, nearly 100 percent-silent film from Harvey and Bob Weinstein. The second film is the English-American adaptation of one of the most successful novels of the last two years.

Martin (Marty) Scorsese was featured on CBS Sunday Morning two weeks ago implying that fatherhood has perhaps has mellowed him over the last few years. His wife suggested that Marty make a film that their daughter could watch, which ultimately resulted in Scorsese’s first real foray into three-dimensional cinema—Hugo, a family-friendly film based upon the children’s book, “The Adventures of Hugo Cabaret.”

The book itself boasts amazing visual elements that undoubtedly helped to inspire and challenge Scorsese to transition the story into film. The test—come Oscar-time—will be whether the Academy prefers the angry Scorsese of The Departed or the kid-friendly Scorsese that’s emerged this past year. Scorsese has competition for the Director category, though, as he is just one director amongst a staggering eleven nominations for Best Direction.

The Oscars began in 1929, just one year after the true end of the silent film era in 1928. French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius’ The Artist is the first full-length feature silent film to enter the Oscar race in several decades. After winning big at the Screen Actors Guild Award, Hazanavicius could very well the one to beat come Sunday, February 26—though, it should be said that Scorsese received the award at this year’s Golden Globes. Regardless, though, of past awards this season, it seems pretty divisive between the two-time Oscar-winning director the relatively unseasoned Hazanavicius.

The Artist is an evocation of an era that audiences can probably identify as the Roaring Twenties—complete with a stock market crash. Taking place in the final years of the silent film industry, Artist focuses upon silent-film star George Valentin—who fears that he will vanish from the public eye as the motion picture industry abandons silent film in favor of sound. Conversely, the film also focuses upon an up-and-rising starlet named Peppy Miller. The dichotomy between the two provides a solid plot point through the duration of the film. Inspired by silent film legend Rudolph Valentino, known simply as “Valentino,” Hazanavicius’ film has arrived at quite the appropriate time—considering the influx of horribly produced 3D-films like Clash of The Titans.

The Help, adapted from Katherine Stockett’s tremendously successful novel of the same name, has come out of almost nowhere as one of the Oscar favorites. Detailing the story of southern housemaids during the 1950s and 60s, The Help highlights the plight of women who helped to raise generations of southern children. After the cast’s recent numerous honors at the Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes, the film is being touted as the one to beat—especially in the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories. The Help stands to win a fairly large percentage of their nominations, with Viola Davis for Best Actress, Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain both for Best Supporting Actress, and the film itself up for Best Picture.

With film nominations running the gamut of family-friendly 3D fare to one writer’s experience in 1920s Paris—but, only at midnight—it really is anyone’s guess on which way the Academy will lean. With a wide variety of actors and directors nominated for their work, it’s impossible to say who deserves the award more than their peers—though with seasoned actors and directors facing off with young ingénues, it’s sure to be an exciting race.

The 84^th annual Academy Awards air Sunday, February 26, at seven o’clock on AB

“Float Out” Planned for Memorial Bridge

KITTERY & PORTSMOUTH—

The first major event associated with the demolition of the Memorial Bridge that crosses the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Kittery, Maine, was schedules to take place during the daytime hours of Wednesday, February 8, with the possibility of continuing into the morning hours of Thursday, February 9.

Weather permitting and barge setup, the removal and “float out” of the lift span of the nearly 90-year old lift bridge is expected to take place between February 8 and 9. The operation—as high tide approaches—will involve the use of a barge upon which the estimated two million pound truss lift span will rest after it is disconnected from cables that support it. The barge “Cape Cod” will likely be put into place between 8am and 1pm on February 8, while the actual float-out will likely take place in the following 16-hours. The barge will then be floated out of the channel, secured near the New Hampshire shoreline, and then floated down the Piscataqua River.

The public is welcome to observe the lift span removal and “float out” operations from safe nearby locations. While the work zone itself is not open to the public, good views can be obtained from Prescott Park, Badger Island, Four Tree Island and Peirce Island. Interested persons are asked to be especially careful when driving near the bridge location as an increased number of pedestrians are expected.

Archer Western Contractors, of Canton, Massachusetts, is the general contractor for the $81.4 million project, which has a completion date of July 2013 to open the new bridge to vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.

Estes Oil Celebrates Fifty Years

By Larry Favinger

Staff Columnist

YORK—

Fifty years ago, the late Clarence Estes worked out a deal with two local oil companies to handle their burner repair work, thus establishing Estes Oil Burner Service.

“That’s how Estes Oil Company started,” Michael Estes, Clarence’s son and now president of the businesses, said early this week, sitting in his office at its Route 1 building.

Now, 50 years later, the business is in its third generation, employs 17 fulltime people, has five oil delivery trucks, two propane trucks and covers an area that includes the Seacoast of New Hampshire to Kennebunk and Sanford.

Michael Estes, flanked by his daughter, Kate (Estes) Cavanagh, the company’s service manager, said the company now services approximately 5,000 people.

Company growth has been steady over the years. Estes Oil bought their first oil truck in 1981 and its initial propane truck in 2005.

Michael said the business has grown from about $50,000 at the start to over $10 million at its high point. “When we took this company on I probably had a base of 50 or 60 customers that signed on for oil with us.”

As a teenager Michael worked with his father, but decided it was “not something I’d be interested in” once out of school. Upon graduating from York High School he went to work for Watts Regulator.

But in January of 1987 he joined his Dad and six months later they bought their first truck.

Two years later they hired their first employee and the rest, as they say, is history.

Kate’s entry into the business was a bit like her Dad’s, in that she wasn’t interested when graduating from York High School. She went to the University of Vermont to study to be a physical therapist.

“Two years into school I realized I didn’t like blood and I didn’t want to be a doctor and changed my major,” Kate said. She graduated from UVM with a major in mathematics and a minor in business.

Upon graduation, she said, “I was still on the fence” and went to work for a catering company for about six months. But when her Dad came to her and said he had a place for her, she thought she’d “give it a whirl.” She’s been with the company since 2009.

Over the years, Michael said, “We’ve tried to stay a full service oil company. I like to tell people I built this company from the basement. I mean I went in and fixed your burner, put in your heat.”

The business was also built on one-on-one service.

“There was a time when I could answer the phone and 90 percent of the people would tell me their name and I could drive to their house,” he said.

Kate said there’s a lot of training involved in the business and it, unlike many others, is really a generational business. “It’s really a family affair here,” she said, noting her mother, Terry, is a secretary/treasurer.

Over the years Michael has been active in town affairs, having served with many civic groups including the School Committee, Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Recreation Committee, and Budget Committee.

Looking down the road as the company moves into its second 50 years, Michael sees more changes in the business with the continued improvement in burners, the inclusion of the bio-fuels and other moves to make burning oil a greener proposition.

“I think our future is strong,” he concluded.

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Maine Awards $85,205 To Maine Organizations

BANGOR—

Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Maine recently announced that it has awarded grant funding totaling $85,205 to seven Maine non-profit organizations. This brings the total grants awarded by RMCH of Maine in 2011 to $175,354.

RMHC of Maine is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help Maine children and their families lead happier, healthier and more productive lives. While the Portland and Bangor Ronald McDonald Houses® are the cornerstones of the Charities, RMHC of Maine’s support goes far beyond the Houses. Since it’s founding in 1989, RMHC of Maine has awarded more than $1.7 million in charitable grants to not-for-profit programs that positively impact families and children across Maine.

In September and October 2011, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine awarded funding to the following organizations: Boys and Girls Club/YMCA in Waterville, Jobs for Maine Graduates, Healthy Kids in Damariscotta, Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine in Portland, A Company of Girls in Portland, the Girls Scouts of Maine and Youth Alternatives Ingraham in South Portland.

RMHC of Maine is funded in part by McDonald’s® customers who generously make donations in the canisters found at every McDonald’s drive-thru and service counter. McDonald’s restaurants across Maine hold annual events to raise money for RMHC such as the ‘Hands’ fundraiser in the fall and the Maine McDonald’s All-Star Basketball Games in March. In addition, a portion of the sale of every McDonald’s Happy Meal® supports RMHC.

Ever Wondered Where The “Bowl” in Super Bowl Came From?

In North America, college football teams compete in a series of post-season games called "bowls." In fact, this coming weekend will see the nation’s “bowl,” as the Giants play the Patriots in Indianapolis. The term has become synonymous with post-regular season football. Many may wonder where the term "bowl" originated and other interesting facts about football bowls. It may also be a nice tension-breaker for when your Patriots and Giants fans come to a head during Sunday’s game.

Football's bowls can be traced back to the early 1920s, when the collegiate football postseason would be one game. In 1923, the postseason game was moved to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It wasn't until 10 years later that another large postseason game was held, this time in Miami, Florida. In order to capitalize on the popularity of the Rose Bowl, the Miami organizers called their game the Orange Bowl. Since then, numerous bowl games are held annually all over the country.

Prior to 2002, bowl games were not included in a player's season-long statistics. Today there are 35 bowl games played by collegiate teams, and even a rather popular one in the National Football League for professionals. The Super Bowl is one of the world's most popular sporting events and determines the NFL champion each year.

Other bowl games are not part of the postseason, but simply are games that promote the rivalry between two opposing teams. These include the Egg Bowl, Iron Bowl and Steel Bowl, among others.

Across North America, bowl games are very popular. Canadians also get in on the action. Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) plays two semi-final "bowl" games, including the Uteck Bowl, played by the Atlantic Division Champion and the champion from another division. The Mitchell Bowl is played at the westernmost team's venue participating in the semifinals.

The origins of the term “bowl” notwithstanding, this weekend’s game is sure to bring with it quite the multitude of “bowl”-overs.

Jesse Mills Receives Maine Principal’s Award

WELLS—

Wells High School has announced that Jesse N. Mills has been selected to receive the Maine Principal’s Award for 2012. This award is sponsored by the Maine Principal’s Association, and recognizes Maine high school seniors with high academic achievement and good citizenship.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” said Mills about receiving notice of this award in the mail on January 20. “I opened it and I was really excited that I was chosen for it,” added Mills who has applied for admission to several colleges but remains undecided as to a major.

“Jesse has played an important role at Wells High School for the past four years,” read a statement from the Principal’s office on why Mills was picked. “He has been an outstanding role model and a high achiever.”

The statement later adds, “Jesse is a well-rounded student that has taken advantage of the optimal opportunities at Wells High School. Jesse is truly deserving of this award for both his academic accomplishments as well as his citizenship.”

Like other seniors picked to receive the Maine Principal’s Award, Mills is invited to a luncheon on April 7 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor. MPA winners will gather there to receive a plaque and a pin. In addition, five attendees will be picked to receive a $1,000 McGowan Scholarship in honor of former MPA Director Horace O. McGowan.

Academically, Mills has successfully taken numerous AP courses in his high school career and has not shied away from taking the ‘honors challenge’ afforded students in core courses at WHS.

Like many other students, Mills has also completed several college level courses by participating in a dual enrollment program between York County Community College and WHS.

Mills has demonstrated leadership and math skills on the WHS Math Team where he won several awards for his contributions. Jesse Mills is the son of Wesley J. Mills and Cheryl Dearman Mills of Wells.

This article provided by Reg Bennett.

Photo Caption: Jesse Mills of Wells High School recently received the 2012 Maine Principal’s Award. (Photo courtesy of Reg Bennett)