LEWISTON – The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce has a long-standing tradition of annual meetings – 120 years’ worth.

So it’s appropriate that at Thursday night’s gathering, some of the area’s most venerable and longest-serving supporters were honored for their contributions.

“This is the largest single celebration of excellence in our community,” said Trisha Fletcher, chairwoman of the chamber board, to the more than 400 people gathered for the annual ceremony at the Ramada Inn.

Over the din of the sell-out crowd, Fletcher quickly listed some the chamber’s accomplishments in 2007: 174 new members, bringing the total to more than 1,300; the renovation and relocation to the KeyBank Plaza Business Service Center; the growth of a young professionals’ group; several legislative roundtables; a reinvigorated Junior Achievement; and $38,000 raised for local scholarships.

“It’s been an incredibly busy year,” said Fletcher, noting that all the chamber networking functions – breakfasts, brown bag lunches, Business After Hours – have seen significant increases.

A new way to enhance those connections – the chamber’s new Web site – was unveiled by President Chip Morrison and Bill Clarke, chief executive of The Geek Squad, a technology services company that won the Greene Business Award.

The new site, still at www.androscoggincounty.com, should roll out within a week or two, said Clarke. It features a fresh, simple design, with several drop-down menus that lead to calendars, member profiles, maps and other information clusters.

“Hopefully this will be a value-added asset for the chamber and the community in general,” Clarke said.

Community assets seemed to be a theme, as some of Lewiston-Auburn’s most stalwart supporters were honored for their service.

Peter Geiger, who presented the Ray Geiger Award in honor of his father, noted that the recipient was much like the man who brought the Farmers’ Almanac company to Lewiston in 1955. Citing his “drive, spirit and generosity,” Geiger presented the award to Bud Willey, owner of Canteen Services, in recognition of his long service to the chamber and community. Besides serving on various chamber boards and committees for more than 25 years, Willey also has a long service to the United Way and other community events such as the Moxie Festival.

“He is one of our most reliable and enthusiastic volunteers,” said Geiger. “Whatever Bud touches, he makes better.”

Also recognized for an impressive career of public service was Gerard Dennison, analyst with the Department of Labor. For 36 years, Dennison has worked to bring hard data about L-A’s economy to the fore, while privately volunteering with organizations as diverse as the Auburn Exchange and Boys and Girls Club andserthe Auburn City Council.

“He is one of the unsung heroes of economic development in the L-A area,” said Morrison, who presented Dennison with the President’s Award. He noted that prospective businesses contact Dennison to get the lay of the land before committing to new projects here, while existing businesses rely on his analysis of wages, hiring trends, growing industry sectors and more to guide their business plans.

“He’s had a huge hand in the revitalization of L-A,” said Morrison, adding that Dennison plans to retire this spring. “He will be missed immensely.”

Two other longtimers were honored by the chamber as well. Steve Wessler, executive director of the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence, had a long history in public service with the Maine Attorney General’s Office before starting the nonprofit dedicated to opening communication between cultures. Presenter Barbara Trafton noted that Wessler’s initiation of “community conversations” between local immigrants and established residents, and school-based workshops have been “a positive experience for our students and our community and moved us toward a more civil and respectful society.”

Wessler received the chamber’s Education-Business Partnership Award in recognition of his “inspired leadership, gentle facilitation and passionate pursuit of a just world,” said Trafton.

Another advocate for building better community relations – Phil Nadeau, Lewiston’s deputy city administrator – received the Public Service Leadership Award. A native, Nadeau was honored for his “tenacious” dedication to improving the area’s quality of life.

“The energy and enthusiasm he wraps around a project is contagious,” said Mary LaFontaine, who made the presentation. Specifically, he was lauded for his pioneering work with new Mainers, advocating for immigrants and refugees.

He also volunteers with many community groups and teaches at the Muskie School of Public Policy.

“Please join me in thanking him for an incredible career in public service and for leading our community in times of change,” LaFontaine said.