2012 Board of Directors
Norma Milton (Caribou), David and Ruby Bickford (Etna), Sandra Milton (Caribou), Anne Price (Presque Isle), Sharon Watson (Fort Fairfield), Robyn Smith (Caribou), Verna Johnson (Stockholm), Zachary Earl Smith (Presque Isle), Kathryn Harnish and Rob Lawless (Houlton), Carol Austin (Caribou).
2011 Board of Directors
Norma Milton (Caribou), David and Ruby Bickford (Etna), Sandra and Garrick Milton (Caribou), Anne Price (Presque Isle), Julie Damboise (Connor) and Gerald Nelson (Stockholm), Sharon Watson (Fort Fairfield), Robyn Smith (Caribou), Mike Loux (Caribou), Kelly LeBlanc (Caribou), Verna Johnson (Stockholm), Zachary Earl Smith (Presque Isle).
Board Member Profiles
Robyn Smith of Caribou brings her web and computer experience to Halfway Home Pet Rescue. A web site specialist by profession, her involvement with HHPR is a labor of love.
"I'm originally from southern Maine and I grew up in northeastern Ohio. After high school I enlisted in the Air Force where I served 10 years and travelled the U.S. and Europe. Although never stationed at Loring AFB, I decided to make Aroostook County my home in 1988 after graduating from UMPI. I love living in the County and recently learned that I actually have ancestral roots in the area. After a few other careers, I fell into web design and now work for Academic Web Pages of Connecticut as Maintenance Manager, building and taking care of more than 100 web sites for university departments across the country."
"When I first settled in the Caribou area I met Norma and Everett Milton at Home Farm Kennels where I would occasionally board my dogs. Sadly, my dogs are all gone now, but 3 amazing cats now take care of me and my family. I've always felt connections with animals and have supported other animal causes over the years. It was inevitable I would find HHPR. My mother, Roberta Corp, is also an active supporter of HHPR. I reconnected with Norma at one of the HHPR yard sales and as it turned out, they were in need of a web site! I'm happy to say the website I created has been very well-received and continues to gain visitor traffic. I'm delighted to be involved with this great group of compassionate and dedicated volunteers. "
Sharon Watson. Sharon replaces Everett Milton who passed away on March 3, and she will continue her term of office as board secretary and memorial chair. Read below about her background and interest in animal welfare.
I became involved with Halfway Home Pet Rescue in September of 2009 with the adoption of Emma Sweetie. Answering Norma's call to help service the HHPR booth at the Caribou October Art's and Craft's Fair was where I learned just how special this organization was to the community, as I heard countless positive stories from contributors and donors young and old, who stopped by the booth to tell us their stories of adoption, and of their great respect for the founder and volunteers of this wonderful rescue organization.
Several months later at Norma's request for foster assistance for Tiny Tim, he came into our home on February 1. Emma Sweetie and Tiny Tim seemed to bond right from the start, and after several weeks, we all knew Tiny Tim had found his forever home. Today, both Tim and Emma enjoy long nap times together, with Emma stealing Tim's body heat and Tim stretched out with his belly and paws up in the air, and mutual grooming of each other sessions. They enjoy late night play dates and cuddling with their people, and for us, it's all about them and what we can do to help make their lives the best they can be.
I am employed with the local financial and estate planning firm Thompson-Hamel, LLC in Presque Isle.
My husband, Scott and I are both originally from Caribou, and currently reside in Fort Fairfield.
It is my personal conviction that if I am not part of the solution to unwanted, abandoned and over populated animals, then I am part of the problem, so it is always my goal to become a part of the solution.
In Memoriam
Everett W. Milton
CARIBOU - Everett W. Milton, 76, rode the train to heaven March 3, 2010, in Bangor, after a long illness, while listening to the spring opening game of the Red Sox. An avid sports fan and a fanatic Red Sox fan, he seldom missed a game, so it was very fitting that he listened to the opening game of the Red Sox during his final hours. Everett had worked on trains for more than 25 years, 15 as a locomotive engineer. He collected trains as a hobby and during his retirement, often commented how he missed the sound of the train whistle. Just as the ball game ended, and as Everett drew his last few breaths, a train went past the hospital and blew the whistle three times, surprising, as well as comforting his family as well as the medical team. Everett then went gently to his other beloved family in heaven, leaving his earthly family comforted and chuckling, "Dad did it his way." More...
Board Member Profiles 2011
Kelly LeBlanc of Caribou: Originally from Cheticamp, NS. I arrived in Caribou Maine in 2002 via a Connecticut detour where I met my husband, Mike Loux. Mike and I moved to Caribou for work and fell in love with the area. As we settled in we started looking for ways to help within the community. Every year we would donate to various local organizations and participate in fund raising events organized by ATX and/or MMG.
Throughout 2010 I started looking for a cause I could really help with through volunteering my time and/or skills, but I was having a difficult time finding something I could connect with and where I felt I could make a real difference. Day after day I would drive by Toby's Treasures on Sweden St. Curious, but never stopping in to find out more. Then one day, while sitting in my doctor's office I saw a pamphlet for Toby's Treasures and I picked it up. That pamphlet moved me so much that I started to cry. Here was a cause I cared about. Thankfully Norma welcomed us into the fold and we've been doing what we can to help ever since.
Mike Loux of Caribou: Originally from Connecticut, Mike moved to Northern Maine in 2002 to work as a software developer for ATX. He currently works for MMG Insurance as a Senior Programmer/Analyst and lives in Caribou with his wife (fellow board member Kelly LeBlanc) and two cats (Ringo and Sam). A cat-lover all of his life, Mike is honored to serve on the HHPR board, and excited to be able to apply his programming skills to something outside the office, especially as giving and caring an organization as HHPR.
Board Members
Julie Damboise has helped with the pet food pantry for the past year, with all fundraisers and has been a successful foster family for dozens of tiny kittens. She is a dedicated worker, always willing to go an extra mile to save a life, but she also has an understanding of when tough decisions need to be made. Julie also has a family committment to quality animal care and it is my pleasure to welcome her to the board.
Jerry Nadeau has been an active supporter of the pet food pantry for the past year. Helping with delivery, sorting and distribution. His basic answer whenever I have called for help is a simple "No problem." You can't beat that. Previously, Jerry volunteered on many issues concerning fundraising for Caribou Pet Rescue and in the winter of 2004-2005, Jerry worked diligently with the effort to rescue over 30 feral cats at Madawask Lake. He has an understanding of our need for volunteers and doesn't hesitate to pitch in.
2010 Board of Directors
Norma Milton (Caribou), Jean Nadeau (Connor), David and Ruby Bickford (Etna), Sandra and Garrick Milton (Caribou), Anne Price (Presque Isle), Julie Damboise (Connor) and Gerald Nelson (Stockholm), Sharon Watson (Fort Fairfield), Robyn Smith (Caribou).
Board of Directors Meeting 2009
The Board of Directors for the newly formed Halfway Home Pet Rescue met recently for a potluck luncheon and program planning meeting at Madawaska Lake.
Front row (left to right) are: Free pet food pantry coordinator; David Bickford of Etna; treasurer, Anne Price of Presque Isle; president, Norma Milton of Madawaska Lake; northern area food pantry distributor, Cheryl Kelley of St Francis; Back row (left to right) secretary and activity support, Everett Milton of Madawaska Lake, program leaders, Garrick and Sandra Milton of Caribou; vice-president Jean Nadeau of Connor; Ritchie Nadeau of Connor (not pictured).
The Nadeaus are also food distributors of the feral cat feeding & spay/neuter program and directors of the shelter foster program. In the fall of 2009, the foster shelter network will be relocating to Caribou and will, at that time, delete the dba Madawaska Lake from its name. The shelter is currently in need of used bath and hand towels, bleach, Purina Kitten Chow, evaporated milk for kitten formula. We appreciate your kindness with returnable bottles at 88 Bennett Drive Redemption, our area collection boxes and your patronage of the Valley Woodworking tag sale. Caribou Shop & Save graciously provide a shopping cart for you to leave donated items for the food kitchen as well as shelter supplies. These options are our only income for our supplies, spay/neuter program and medical needs. We are currently organizing a community-wide bottle drive and yard sale on Sept. 12 at the home of Judy Robertson on Pleasant St., in Caribou. Please drop any yard sale items or bottles off at the location and/or call 492-1722 if you are able to work with the fundraiser.