Skowhegan Family-Owned Businesses Partner to Benefit Sweet Dreams Project

Gifford's Ice Cream, Hight Dealerships, and Animal Medical Clinic Team Up


SKOWHEGAN, ME - NOVEMBER 20, 2020 - The holiday season is here and with it comes excitement for the first snowfall, time with family, giving and receiving gifts, and delicious food. However, it's also a wonderful time of year to show your appreciation by giving back to your local community. With this sentiment in mind, Gifford's Ice Cream has teamed up with Hight Dealerships and Animal Medical Clinic to benefit a local charity called the Sweet Dreams Project. For the fifth year in a row, this charitable giving campaign will focus on providing children in-need with a new book, PJs, and toy to open during the holidays. Gifford's, Hight, and Animal Medical Clinic are working together to spread the word about Sweet Dreams and helping to collect donations through December 6, 2020. Donations can be dropped off at:

  • Hight Chevrolet located at 29 Madison Avenue, Skowhegan, ME
  • Hight Ford located at 242 Madison Avenue, Skowhegan, Maine
  • Federated Church located at 13 Island Ave, Skowhegan, ME

The goal? Bring warmth to the community and give kids a holiday memory they'll look back on fondly.


"As we head into the holiday season, Gifford's is thrilled to partner with local family-owned and operated businesses to give back to the community we were born and bred in," said Lindsay Gifford-Skilling, CEO of Gifford's Ice Cream. "This is our home and being part of this project means a lot to us. We hope that other community organizations and Skowhegan residents will help us in giving back to Sweet Dreams to make the holidays extra special for kids in our town as we continue to navigate pandemic challenges."


Sweet Dreams Hits Half a Decade Milestone for Giving Back to Skowhegan Kids


Since 2016, the Sweet Dreams Project has given gifts to children in Skowhegan during the holiday season with the hopes of lifting their spirits and bringing families together. In its first year, the project donated 114 sets of PJs and books to local community members. In 2019, the program donated over 400 gift sets. This year, they're doing all they can to make an even larger donation. 


Deb Tanner, Skowhegan Area Middle School Teacher and founder of the Sweet Dreams Project, is a dedicated public servant who was named Somerset County Teacher of the Year in 2015. Since then, Tanner has dedicated thousands of hours to do more and give more to the kids she teaches. Partnering with local businesses makes Tanner's vision for the program even more possible


"I'm so thrilled to have Gifford's, Hight's, and Animal Medical Center on board this year," said Tanner. "Having the support of local organizations means a lot to me and other Sweet Dreams organizers. Thanks for helping make what can be a tough season, a little brighter for Skowhegan residents." 


"If there is a silver lining to the COVID epidemic, it is how our community has come together to help our fellow neighbors," said Sam Hight. "We (the Hights are always honored to help these wonderful, local programs."


Donations for Sweet Dreams Project will be accepted through December 6, 2020 at the aforementioned locations. Those interested in giving to the cause can provide PJs and an age-appropriate book and toy in their donation package. If you plan to wrap your gift, please note the gender and size for the PJs, as well as the intended age of the book and toy. Distribution of toys will be conducted on December 14, 2020.


For more information about Sweet Dreams, please contact Deb Tanner at dtanner@msad54.org. 


Further Ways to Give Back in Skowhegan This Holiday Season


Looking for other ways to give back to the Skowhegan community this season? Gifford's is proud to support the Skowhegan Information Center/Chamber of Commerce in partnering with United Way of Mid-Maine for JingleFest 2020 and this year's Stuff the Trailer Towriffic Toy Drive. Anyone that drops off toys on December 12, 2020 at Skowhegan Information Center/Chamber of Commerce, Hight Dealerships, Charlie and Son Sales and Service, or T&B's Outback/Central Maine Family Fun Center, will be entered to win a $100 gift card to George's Market. 


"From our families to yours, we thank everyone in Skowhegan for helping us make these charitable campaigns successful in 2020," continued Lindsay Gifford-Skilling. "This may have been a hard year for many, but hopefully we can end it on a bright note."


About Gifford's Famous Ice Cream

Gifford's Famous Ice Cream is a fifth-generation, family-owned company that still makes ice cream the old-fashioned way - from scratch, with fresh milk and cream from local dairy farms. Their antique Cherry Burrell freezers slow churn the most delicious, creamiest ice cream possible to make the world's best ice cream in New England for New Englanders. The company has earned numerous international and national "First Place" and "World's Best" awards for its premium ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet. Gifford's is also the official ice cream of the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins and has created signature flavors for each team and their fans. As New England's ice cream, the company sells its products throughout New England and has five famous ice cream stands in Maine. For more information visit www.giffordsicecream.com. Follow Gifford's Ice Cream on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


About Hight Dealerships


Founded in 1911 by Walter H. Hight, the Hight Family of Dealerships have been serving the automobile needs of central and western Maine for over ten decades. Now consisting of four dealerships: Hight Ford in Skowhegan; Hight Chevrolet Buick GMC in Skowhegan; Hight Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Madison; and Hight Chevrolet Buick GMC in Farmington. The Hight Family of Dealerships are the only National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) century Award winner in New England - an award given to automobile dealers that have held their dealerships under one family for 100 consecutive years. Hight Family of Dealerships, Skowhegan, Maine. 207-474-3334. www.hightauto.com 


About Animal Medical Clinic


Animal Medical Clinic has been providing compassionate veterinary care to companion animals in central Maine for over 70 years. The veterinarians, technicians, and staff provide the highest quality of veterinary service in a friendly, caring environment while providing personalized care for the specific needs of your pet. Our health care team has been selected for their commitment to pet health, their experience and expertise, and their sensitive delivery of service. Our veterinarians and team members know how important your pet is to you. To meet their essential needs, we provide a full service hospital including preventative wellness care, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, dental care, state of the art laboratory services, and more. We encourage you to visit us on the web at www.animalmedicalclinic.us, follow us on Facebook, or reach out to the office directly at (207) 474-8376.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saddleback Mountain and The Hight Family of Dealerships form a partnership 
to help bolster economic development in western Maine


September 15, 2020, RANGELEY, Maine - Saddleback Mountain and The Hight Family of Dealerships have recently formed a partnership to help drive a growth in jobs and services for the Rangeley Community.

"There has always been a very special sense of family at Saddleback," said Saddleback GM Andy Shepard. "With the Hight Family of Dealerships, we have found a partner who shares this commitment to the community. With Sam and his team, it has been clear this is about more than selling cars; it has been about making a difference and I'm looking forward to a long relationship."
Saddleback will reclaim its spot as the largest employer in the region and will be unique in that it is owned by an impact fund - Boston-based Arctaris Impact Fund. As a result, our mission is about more than creating a sustainable business. Saddleback is looking to leverage a successful mountain to help solve for many of the challenges in the region including affordable housing, affordably, quality daycare, workforce development and transportation. The Hight Family of Dealerships and Saddleback Mountain will be working to identify opportunities to work together on these challenges.

"Hight Family of Dealerships has been a family owned business since 1911. We have established our brand based on dedication to our customers, employees, and community," said Sam Hight, Dealer Principal of Hight Ford in Skowhegan and Hight Chevrolet Buick GMC in Farmington.  "My family has served the central and Western Maine for 109 years, with a focus on the health and growth of our communities."
"When the possibility of the Saddleback Mountain re-opening became more promising, The Hight Family of Dealerships wanted to be part of the movement and the growing opportunities it would create. Rangeley is an incredible area, we have been proud supporters of the area's outdoor recreation for years. Its people are friendly, loyal and resourceful. What they have been able to achieve even without the mountain for five years has been truly admirable. Now, with the Saddleback back, and many jobs being restored, the area will be in the best possible position to succeed, even under pandemic conditions," said Hight. "This partnership between Maine's Mountain and New England's oldest dealership family just seem to make sense."

About Saddleback Mountain

Located in the beautiful High Peaks and Lakes district of western Maine, Saddleback Mountain was founded in 1960 and has grown its reputation for exceptional snow, some of the best skiing terrain in the East and a friendly, laid- back culture. At 4,120 feet of elevation and 2,000 feet of vertical, Saddleback is Maine's third biggest mountain, and its base elevation of 2,100 feet is Maine's highest. Just below the mountain is the iconic village of Rangeley, which is the gateway to Rangeley Lake, Mooselookmeguntic and Richardson Lakes. 

About the Hight Family of Dealerships
Founded in 1911 by Walter H. Hight, the Hight Family of Dealerships have been serving the automobile needs of central and western Maine for over ten decades.  Now consisting of four dealerships: Hight Ford in Skowhegan; Hight Chevrolet Buick GMC in Skowhegan; Hight Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Madison; and Hight Chevrolet Buick GMC in Farmington.  The Hight Family of Dealerships are the only National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) century Award winner in New England - an award given to automobile dealers that have held their dealerships under one family for 100 consecutive years. Hight Family of Dealerships, Skowhegan, Maine.  207-474-3334.  www.hightauto.com

2nd Annual First Responder BBQ Gallery

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SKOWHEGAN BACKUP PROGRAM

Thank you to all of our community supporters for the Skowhegan Food Backpack Program "Fill the Van" event. The Hight Family of Dealerships has humbly donate an additional $1,200 to this incredible cause. For more information, please contact the Skowhegan Food Backpack Program at the Skowhegan Area High School and Somerset Career and Technical Center. Because of this wonderful community's efforts more local children will have better access to food. Together we can make a difference.

 
1ST ANNUAL FIRST RESPONDER APPRECIATION 

Sam Hight hosted a bbq and ice cream social for local first responders as a thank you for their service. Members of the Skowhegan police department, Skowhegan fire department, Somerset county sheriffs office, Madison fire department, Cornville fire department, Maine state police, and the Maine warden service were in attendance!

Thank you!!

First Responder BBQ Gallery

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Snodeo

An annual snowmobiling event held in collaboration with the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club Rangeley, Maine
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SKOWHEGAN CRAFT BREWFEST
Maine-crafted libations, farm-to-table fare, and live music in the streets of Skowhegan, ME


SKOWHEGAN MAPLE FESTIVAL
Celebrating Somerset County's status as the top maple-producing county in the United States, this festival offers fun activities for all ages with a pancake breakfast, maple-marshmallow roasting, a maple leaf hunt, and more. New this year is the inaugural Maple Madness Basketball Tournament. Over a dozen youth teams across Maine will compete in this three-day tournament to be the Maple Madness Champion. Learn more or sign up here.

The festival leads up to Maine Maple Sunday, when sugarhouses around the state open their doors to the public with free maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugarbush tours, and much more.



POLARBLAST
Polar Blast is an annual snowmobiling event sponsored by the Arnold Trail Snowmobile club and the Flagstaff Area Business Association, along with many other business including Hight Ford.


SOMERSET SNOWFEST
Coordinated by Main Street Skowhegan and Lake George Regional Park, Somerset SnowFest is a celebration of all things winter!

With activities including an ice-fishing derby, dog sled rides, skating, tubing, and the Northeast's only equestrian skijoring competition, this is a not-to-be-missed winter festival taking place in Somerset County, Maine, in the heart of the beautiful Kennebec River Valley.

Join us in the towns of Skowhegan, Canaan, and Madison February 8-10 to make memories that will warm your heart for years to come.

Somerset Snowfest

Northeast's only equestrian skijoring competition
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SKOWHEGAN MOOSE FESTIVAL
Each year, the Moose Permit Lottery comes to the historic Skowhegan Fairgrounds in Skowhegan, Maine. To celebrate, nonprofit Main Street Skowhegan coordinates the weekend-long Skowhegan Moose Festival. The festival includes exhibits, demonstrations, a moose-calling competition, Axe Women Loggers of Maine shows, monster truck rides, kids' activities, local food, live music, and more.