KENNEBUNK – The Kennebunk Kennebunkport Arundel Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner meeting on Sept. 13 at the Kennebunk Savings Operation Center in West Kennebunk – a last-minute change of location due to weather.

“We can’t thank Kennebunk Savings enough for giving us such a spectacular place to hold our annual dinner meeting, all with less than 12 hours’ notice,” said Executive Director Laura Dolce in a Sept. 14 news release. “We were scheduled to be at the beautiful Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, but the weather just didn’t allow for a tented event.”

Dolce said Sharper Events was “wonderful in putting the tent up and down and moving the stage and chairs over to the Kennebunk Savings location.” She also thanked Wallingford Farm for all of the flowers “that made the event shine,” and Video Creations for “the professional and poignant video packages.”

The evening included 100 Drive to Be the Best winners in categories such as best breakfast place to best bank, as well as 10 major award winners. The Chamber also seated four new trustees – Jim Atwood from The Restore, Matthew Havrilla from The Breakwater Inn, Tiffany Lathrop from The Daily Sweat and Nikki Ranwell from The Port Box.

The Chamber thanked outgoing board members Joan Hull, Stacy Miller and its six-year members, Maureen DiGiovanni and Rachel Pelkey.

Outgoing chair Doug Spurling was thanked for his time in that role, with Chris Cluff stepping up into the chair position, with Colby Marvin Bracy becoming the vice chair.

The Chamber also recognized Alisson’s Restaurant on its milestone 50th anniversary.

The final award of the night went to Kennebunk Savings President Brad Paige, who received the award named for late bank president Joel Stevens and, because of the venue change, was honored in the Joel Stevens Hall.

Major award winners:

Volunteer of the Year Award: Leslie Lindgren for her work with the Kennebunk Community Garden.

Outstanding Achievement Award: Raptor Falls for bringing dinosaurs to Arundel (in the form of mini golf).

Municipal Employee of the Year Award: Kennebunkport Police Sgt. Jason Hafner, for his service to the community.

Nonprofit of the Year Award: York County Habitat for Humanity/The Restore, for helping people find homes of their own.

President’s Award: Blake Baldwin of Video Creations, for his support of the Chamber and the Kennebunks.

Rising Star Award: Kylie Raymond, for being the driving force behind The Spirit and the visionary behind the new Pilot House.

Driven Woman Award: Abigail Smith of the Animal Welfare Society, for turning the Animal Welfare Society into a world-class facility and her leadership.

Business of the Year Award: The Lost Fire and owner German Lucarelli for transforming the restaurant and creating new, beautiful spots Ultra Mar and Casa Seventy Seven Osteria.

Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award: Lesa Kraft Angelos, for her work with Rotary and CS3 and making a difference in the lives of the children in the three towns.

Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award: Brad Paige, Kennebunk Savings president, for his work in recovery friendly workplaces, substance abuse disorder treatment and in carrying on the legacy of Joel Stevens.

The Chamber also thanked its event sponsors:

● Dinner sponsor –

○ Alisson’s Restaurant

● First gear sponsors –

○ Breakwater Inn

○ Nonantum Resort

○ Video Creations

● Second gear sponsors –

○ CIRE Travel

○ Kennebunkport Conservation Trust

○ Mike’s American Diner

○ Nvest Financial

Thank you to our annual sponsors:

● Presenting sponsor –

○ Kennebunk Savings

● Gold sponsor –

○ Nvest Financial

● Silver sponsors –

○ M&T Bank

○ Maine Community Bank

○ Southern Maine Community Bank

○ Video Creations

● Bronze sponsors –

○ 207 Prime Properties

○ Camden National Bank

○ MM Total Bookkeeping

○ Portside Real Estate

Kennebunk Kennebunkport Arundel Chamber of Commerce annual awards:

Driven Woman

A leader in her field who inspires and supports other women’s success.

Business of the Year

This award honors that business which has made significant investments to support the region’s economic growth – and has a lot of fun in the process!

President’s Award

This award recognizes individual effort which, through professional and civic deeds, has made a significant contribution to the high quality of life we enjoy in our community and in our region.

Volunteer of the Year

This award honors an inspiring individual who has gone “above and beyond” in her tireless, timeless commitment to the betterment of living, working and playing in our “three towns, one community.”

Nonprofit of the Year

This award recognizes a non-profit organization that has made a significant contribution in the Kennebunks, through fundraising and citizen involvement that creates a flourishing environment in which this community can grow.

Municipal Employee of the Year

This award honors an individual who, with his superior and innovative efforts, goes “above and beyond” to connect and serve his community.

Outstanding Achievement

This award recognizes an individual or group for going above and beyond in contributing to the 3 towns, 1 community the Chamber serves.

Rising Star

This award recognizes a young professional in the Kennebunks.

Joel Stevens Community Spirit Award

This award honors an individual who serves his business community with distinction while contributing significantly to the overall good of business and betterment of the community, specifically in advocacy, member support and regional image development.

Drive to Be the Best category winners (top vote-getters):

Best breakfast spot: Mike’s All Day Breakfast/Mike’s All American Diner.

Best cup of coffee: Mornings in Paris/Coffee Roasters of the Kennebunks.

Best outdoor dining spot: Arundel Wharf/The Boathouse.

Best pizza: Roma Pizza/Wandby Landing.

Best lobster roll: The Clam Shack/Alisson’s Restaurant.

Best chowder: Alisson’s Restaurant/Cape Pier Chowder House.

Best steak: The Lost Fire/Chez Rosa.

Best cocktail: World Class Sinner, Batson River Brewing & Distilling/Watermelon Cosmo, The Tides Beach Club.

Best beer selection: Alisson’s Restaurant/Batson River Brewing & Distilling.

Best wine selection: Old Vines Wine Bar/Maine & Vine.

Best happy hour: Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant/Batson River Brewing & Distilling.

Best takeout: Mekhong Thai/Arundel House of Pizza.

Best vegetarian food: Bandaloop/Mekhong Thai.

Best bakery/bakedgoods/dessert: Boulangerie/Mornings in Paris.

Best ice cream flavor: Goat cheese blackberry chambord, Rococo/Maine Whoopie Pie, Rococo.

Best catering service: Kitchen Chicks Catering/Musette.

Best place/activity for a girls’ night out: Sea Love/Old Vines.

Best place to go for a first date: Sea Love/The Lost Fire.

Best spa: River’s Edge Spa & Salon/Tree Spa at Hidden Pond.

Best art gallery: MaineArt Hill/The Port/Wendy Webster Good.

Best shop/gift shop: Daytrip Society/Dannah/Dannah for Men.

Best garage/auto services: Guay’s Sunoco/Weirs Buick GMC.

Best auto detailing: Dubois Auto Detailing/BG’s Detailing.

Best bank: Kennebunk Savings/Camden National Bank.

Best financial services: Kennebunk Savings/Nvest Financial.

Best fitness club/yoga spot: The Daily Sweat/Quest Fitness.

Best trails/walks: Hope Woods/Eastern Trail.

Best landscaping service: George Burr & Son/Solari Property Care & Excavation.

Best real estate company: Pack Maynard & Associates/Kennebunk Beach Realty.

Best home improvement company: Huston’s Home Renovations/Hazelwood Handyman Services.

Best golf course/driving range: Webhannet Golf Club/Cape Arundel Golf Club.

Best local publication: Tourist & Town/Kennebunk Post.

Best family activity business: New England EcoAdventures/Raptor Falls.

Best water/recreation activity: New England EcoAdventures/KBIA.

Best pool: Colony Hotel/Rhumb Line Resort.

Best spot for a family stay: Nonantum Resort/Rhumb Line Resort.

Best spot for a romantic getaway: Hidden Pond/White Barn Inn.

Best wedding venue: Nonantum Resort/Colony Hotel.

Best local band/musician: Lisa Mills/Dock Squares.

Best photographer: Bob Dennis/Chris Becker.

Favorite nonprofit: Animal Welfare Society/Community Outreach Services.

Best local maker/artisan: Diane Lent/Wendy Webster Good.

Best museum: Brick Store Museum/Seashore Trolley Museum.

Best performing arts center/theater: Vinegar Hill Music Theatre/Ogunquit Playhouse.

Best animal rescue/pet services: Animal Welfare Society/Lucky Pup Rescue.

Best cleaning company: Ace of Maids/Marina Cleaning Services.

Best garden center: Estabrook’s/Snug Harbor Farm.

Best nails: River’s Edge Spa & Salon/The Nail Spa by Thao.

Best tour/walk: Seashore Trolley Museum/Maine Ghost Walks.

Best hair salon/barber: River’s Edge Spa & Salon/Lucky’s Barber Shop.

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.