IF WALLS COULD TALK – Week of June 30, 2016

by Katie Ouilette

WALLS, we’ve shared a lot this week, haven’t we?  O.K.  I won’t tell the sad stories, but will talk about the goodness that has come our way.  Oh, my, yes…..we’ve had the first day of summer announced by the Strawberry Moon (heard about it, but clouds kept it out of sight) but made sure to stop and buy yummy red strawberries in Benton!

Y’know, WALLS, this is a good time to lead into the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce story of a new leader, by telling our faithful readers about how lucky we are to have the ‘interim’ leadership of Jason Gayne now.  You see, Jason is executive director of Somerset County Hospice and,  hospice has received much appreciation from many of our friends for the loving care that has been given to their loved ones.  Recently a Vassalboro resident wrote of the ultimate care that was  provided to her  “loved one” by the many facets of Hospice Care and she spoke of the experience of having caregivers that adjusted quickly to the personality of the patient and the concerned family.

Well, WALLS, for sure, the Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce is especially fortunate to have Jason and his personality and his  thoughts at the helm of a Chamber of Commerce that, too, has known the good, bad and ugly of need over the years.  Yes, faithful readers, the SACC was founded in 1940.  Frankly, a few month ago, some of the SACC’s history was found in the walls of Skowhegan’s Free Public Library.  Wow!  if those walls could talk, eh?  Well, history having been written during the early ‘40s by Frances Croteau, the writer of The Town Crier, surely the WALLS have talked.  There were 12 committees and each met at their chairman’s office at a time set by members of each.  I won’t name those folks of the past, but the purpose of each was highlighted with duties and instructions.  What’s more, if you are old enough, you may recognized those names that have made us what we are.

Well, I met with Jason shortly after Dan Plante (SACC president for the past seven years) announced that  Jason would serve in that much-needed capacity.  Jason certainly impressed me with his thoughts about SACC.  I mentioned the many conferences and meetings that brought lots of people to Skowhegan and, hopefully, with Jason’s ideas, history will repeat itself.

Oh, faithful readers, do you know who the founder of the Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce (the first name) was?  Herbert Swett! Swett was the person who started the Lakewood Theatre.  Yes, the State Theatre of Maine.  Time to enjoy history repeating itself!