Hight News & Events

Tinman Sam goes around town to promote local businesses

Sam Hight went around sharing his heart with Skowhegan local businesses to promote a benefit event at Brickyard Hollow for the Skowhegan Public Library to help fund their programming and a showing of the 1939 Wizard of Oz playing at the local Strand Cinema. He visited the public library, Showhegan Savings Bank, The Bankery & Skowhegan Fleuriste, and the Brickyard to challenge their employees to a dance of the Tinman Dance. 

It was a fun day bringing smiles all around town promoting how amazing and loved Skowhegan is! "A heart is not judged by how much love; but how much you are loved by others" - Wizard of Oz

There's no place like home!!!

Coburn Park Clean Up

On April 26th, 2024, Hight Ford closed their doors Friday to volunteer their time at their local Coburn Park in Skowhegan. Joined with other local businesses (210 Service, York's Landscaping, Short Circuit Electrical and Skowhegan Savings Bank), Hight Ford spent their day cutting trees, raking, leaf blowing, picking up debris and litter, and setting new electrical for their gazebos. At the end of the day, the park looked brand new and revitalized as a cleaner, greener, and more welcoming space for residents of Skowhegan to enjoy together as a community.

King of the Mountain Hill Climb at Saddleback Mountain

On April 20th, 2024, Hight sponsored the 3rd annual King of the Mountain Hill Climb at Saddleback Mountain. Hundreds of snowmobilers came from all over to race in multiple events with thousands of dollars in prizes. This year the hill climb honored the families of Greg Nichols and Scott Newton. Congratulations to Jesse James on winning the one and only King of the Mountain!

Sam Hight signs the final beam to Skowhegan school he helped fundraise

From NewsCenterMaine:

The cost of the new school is more than $75 million. Much will be funded by the state, and there’s roughly $2 million in federal funding. Local community members, including Sam Hight, also helped fundraise more than $3 million for the completion of the school.

“We’re hoping to put families in this area in a better position to succeed for generations,” said Hight, a former Skowhegan student who was the campaign chair for a fundraising committee. “The great part of this new school is my daughter will be able to go here next year as well. And it's just wonderful for the community.”

The school is expected to open for the 2025/2026 school year.

Check out the full story.

Cascade Elementary School Workshop

On April 11th, 2024, Jonny Wakefield (Sales Manager) and Craig Gajewski (Marketing Director) went to Cascade Elementary School, joined by local business, for a budgeting workshop for 5th grade students. Students imagined they were getting ready to leave college and needed to budget their expenses for groceries, taking out a loan from the bank, buying a home, and picking between two of our vehicles. They took them through the car buying process and students had to choose between a new truck and a used car, weighing their options considering their career choices and other life expenses. Students were engaged and loaded with questions!

KVCAP announces $1.6 million at their Campaign Kickoff for New School

KVCAP announces $1.6 million at their Campaign Kickoff for New School September 22, 2022 SKOWHEGAN- Sam Hight announced on Saturday that $1.6 million has already been raised for the new Early Learning Center which will be built in Skowhegan. The new Early Learning Center will be built as part of the new elementary school building located near the existing Margaret Chase Smith School site. When built this will be the first birth through grade five school in Maine. “The success of any community is built on the success of its children and families. By focusing on ages zero to five–the most important ages in brain development–this initiative builds the foundation for learning,” said Hight on Saturday afternoon to a group of sixty at Bigelow Brewing. “We (The Hight’s) are incredibly fortunate that we can give a multi-generational gift to a program that will impact generations of local families. For five generations, the importance of children’s well being, education, and supporting the local community has been paramount in the way we do business.” Hight is chairing the committee responsible for leading the fundraising effort. Also on the committee are: Erin Merrill, Suzanne Walsh, Tracye Fortin, Gail Gibson, Chelsey Carrier, Rich St. Pierre, Michael Lambke, and Jon Moody. On Saturday, Hight announced that the Hight Family will lead the fundraising with a $500,000 gift. In addition to announcing 100% giving from the campaign committee, Hight also announced leading pledges from The Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation for $500,000, the Skowhegan Savings Foundation pledged $250,000, $100,000 from Ware Butler, $50,000 from Don Skillings State Farm, and $50,000 from the Damon Family. “Skowhegan Savings Bank is pleased to help support this exciting initiative in Somerset County. It aligns well with the bank’s mission to make our communities a better place to live and work. Additionally, our Foundation’s focus on workforce development makes this a perfect initiative for us to support. Getting these additional resources to the next generation at an early age will help them excel and flourish throughout life,” said David Cyr, President and CEO of Skowhegan Savings Bank. The school is slated to open in the fall of 2025, with the Early childhood wing operated by KVCAP, using Educare philosophies, to offer childcare and pre-k education for 160 students. In addition to serving more students, the wing will add an additional fifteen jobs to the region. The Early Learning Center will not only be for instilling the importance of education to For Immediate Release children at a young age, but will provide crucial workforce development, addressing the poverty cycle in Somerset County. “KVCAP has been providing services to families in the Skowhegan community for 57 years. We are proud to be part of this new school, in partnership with MSAD 54, and to have the opportunity to support more children during their first five years of learning as well as to support parents and families as they advance their own education, workforce, and housing goals,” said Suzanne Walsh, CEO of KVCAP. To learn more about the campaign and how to donate, visit www.kvcap.org/building-better-beginnings

Community Connections

Sam Hight led the way for Hight Chevrolet of Farmington to donate $100 per vehicle sold in October to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care! The Hight family has been supporting their community since 1911, and we are thankful they choose to support the HACCC. Sam, along with his wife Amanda, daughter Hadley and pup Somerset, presented a check for $2,000!  See Full Story

Hight's Tin Can Sailor Raises $5,320 For Local Charities

October 20, 2021, SKOWHEGAN- The Hight Family of Dealerships celebrated their 110 year anniversary in a unique way, brewing a beer with Bigelow Brewing in Skowhegan. In August, the two Skowhegan-based businesses announced their one of a kind beer collaboration, "Hight's Tin Can Sailor," with the Hights pledging to donate $1 for each can sold to local charities in honor of the late S. Kirby Hight. 

The first batch of Hight's Tin Can Sailor, which features a photo of S. Kirby Hight on the label and named to honor his legacy as a war hero and business icon, sold out within four days. The first batch yielded 55 cases, or 1320 cans-giving $1320 to Skowhegan Free Public Library, a charity that Kirby  and his wife Grace were incredibly supportive and proud of. 

With the success of the first batch of beer, Sam Hight, Dealer Principal at Hight Ford, and Jeff Powers, owner of Bigelow Brewing, set out to more than double the production of Hight's Tin Can Sailor and reached out to area businesses and restaurants to make the beer widely available throughout central and western Maine. 

"The first batch was for fun-a homage to my grandfather and a celebration of 110 years of business. Thanks to Jeff and his  Bigelow crew, they made an incredible beer that was well received-with locals,  patrons, and Hight friends asking for more. Jeff was willing to brew an entire 18 barrel batch that has put a great beer for great causes in the hands of thousands of Mainers," said Hight. 

The second batch of an additional 166 cases, or  4000 cans, added a $4,000 donation to four local charities. The Skowhegan Food Cupboard received $1000, board chair, Jennifer Grenier stated that, "These funds will go a long ways and will help provide food for many families that struggle with food insecurity. We wouldn't be able to do what we do on an ongoing basis without assistance from businesses like the Hight Family and are just truly humbled to see the support they give to so many wonderful organizations!"

In addition, Skowhegan Rotary and Main Street Skowhegan both received $1000. "The Hight Family of Dealerships has been a steadfast supporter of our community and of Main Street Skowhegan for many years, and we can't thank them enough for all that they do. We were thrilled to get the news that Sam and his family were donating a portion of proceeds from Tin Can Sailor to our organization. The Hight/Bigelow partnership and tribute to Kirb make this beer special -- it's a great example of community collaboration in Skowhegan, and we're excited to be a part of it," stated Kristina Cannon of Main Street Skowhegan. 

The Skowhegan Rotary Club echoed the sentiments of Cannon,"As a long time member of the Skowhegan Rotary Club, I was especially pleased to accept the donation from the proceeds of the Hight Family of Dealerships' Tin Can Sailor project. The image of my friend, Kirby Hight, on the container reminds me of the many years that Kirb was a member of our Skowhegan Rotary Club and of the many worthwhile community projects in which he took part. Kirby cared greatly about his community and this donation is another example of how there are so many individuals looking out for one another in our area,"said Rotary President, Gail Gibson. 

Lastly a $1,000 donation to Educare Skowhegan helped to kick off the work for the new Skowhegan early childhood education facility. "Educare is thrilled to have Hight Family of Dealerships as a partner in supporting early childhood education in the Skowhegan community.  When businesses support children and families in the community, everyone wins; children receive quality care, parents can go to work knowing their children are safe and learning and employers have employees that are driven and focused," said Erin Merrill Director of Development for Educare Central Maine. 

Hight's Tin Can Sailor is available at 30 different locations from Oquossoc to Portland both on tap at restaurants, retail locations, and of course on tap at Bigelow Brewing in Skowhegan. It was truly a one of a kind project, receiving recognition from the National Automobile Dealers Association Automotive News, MaineBiz, as well as local papers and news stations. In addition, Sam Hight was recognized by the Skowhegan Regional Chamber of Commerce for his impact with none other than the S. Kirby Hight Community Impact Award.

Hight Family of Dealerships and Bigelow Brewing Release a One Of A Kind Beer

August 13, 2021, SKOWHEGAN- The Hight Family of Dealerships celebrates 110 years in business by announcing a beer collaboration with Bigelow Brewing- Hight's Tin Can Sailor-the first known brewery and auto dealership collaboration in the country. Together the two Skowhegan businesses have launched "Hight's Tin Can Sailor" a Scotch Ale honoring the late  Lt. S. Kirby Hight's legacy as a war hero and business icon. Tin Can Sailor-a term use to describe Navy Sailors on Destroyers-plays homage to Kirby's service to his country, and highlights his affectation for scotch, cigars, and most importantly his dedication to the community.

LOCAL CAR DEALER DELIVERS BBQ FIRST TO LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS

October 2020 (WABI)- Last year, Hight Motor Group here in Skowhegan invited area first responders for a big barbecue celebration to thank them for their hard work. This year due to the pandemic they brought the barbecue to them.

"So what we decided is called Barbecue to go. So I reached out to 19 agencies across Franklin and Somerset County and offered basically a tool kit to have your own barbecue," said Sam Hight

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Random Acts of Philanthropy In Rangeley Maine

Hight Ford Awarded The Ford Motor Company President's and One Ford Elite Award

August 2020 - Hight Ford is proud to announce that they were awarded the Ford Motor Company President's Award and the One Ford Elite Award for 2019. This recognition places Hight Ford amongst a cohort of only 1% of all dealers in the country who won this combination of awards. Hight Ford also won the President's Award in 2016. See Full Story

Skowhegan Chamber honors Walter Hight with most Dignified Award

Skowhegan - The Alton W. Whittemore Award for outstanding service will be presented to Hight along with awards to others at the Thursday night banquet. See Full Story

Hight Family Of Dealerships

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Local Businesses Donate Goods To officers Involved In Manhunt

…"A lot of these guys are friends, customers, and they're just good people," Sam Hight, of the Hight Family of Dealerships said. "We just wanted to do whatever we could to help out in a time like this when they shouldn't have to think about eating." See Full Story

Hight Family Shares 70 Car Collection of restored antiques

Display commemorates the 200th anniversary of the fair.  See Full Story

Postcard Jack Trains As Saddle Horse After Winning Skowhegan Race Career

The winningest standardbred horse in Maine state history was named after John Garbarino, who sent thousands of postcards over three decades to a Madison restaurant. See Full Story

Memorable Hole In One

Sangerville man wins car with memorable hole-in-one, gives it to his mother… See Full Story

Skowhegan Selectman Dedicate 2017 Annual Report to Kirby Hight

Hight lived on the same street for 102 years, grew the family's automobile dealerships and supported community organizations from Little League to one-act play competitions. See Full Story

On Ramp: Why Buy From Hight

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Skowhegan Annual Report 2018

Samuel Kirby Hight, to whom this Town Report is dedicated, exemplifies what is right about business and family in Skowhegan.  See Full Story

Community Connections

Sam Hight led the way for Hight Chevrolet of Farmington to donate $100 per vehicle sold in October to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care! The Hight family has been supporting their community since 1911, and we are thankful they choose to support the HACCC. Sam, along with his wife Amanda, daughter Hadley and pup Somerset, presented a check for $2,000!