SOUTH PARIS — The board of directors for the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2017 Business and Community Award winners.

Because of a tie, the Business of the Year award goes to Oxford Wal-Mart and the Norway Center for Health & Rehabilitation.

According to Oxford Wal-Mart manager Melanie Wright, more than 100 tons of food is donated to local food pantries each year. Store associates also adopt a family at Christmas and provide gifts and dinner. The store also fills backpacks with school supplies each year for area schoolchildren. In addition, $21,000 is given to the local community through grants.

Norway Center for Health & Rehabilitation was recognized in 2016 as one of the “Best Nursing Homes” in the country for the third consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. The center earned the U.S. News ranking through assessments in health inspections, level of care, quality of nursing staffing and a five-star top ranking from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare Services.

The Rising Star of the Year award goes to the Norway Brewing Company. The microbrewery opened its doors on Main Street, Norway, last year and has a small taproom where owners Charles and Erika Melhaus brew craft beer year-round.

Donita St. John of Community Concepts has received the Employee of the Year award. She has been working at Community Concepts for more than 25 years. She is the first person people see when they walk through door and is always there to help people, one of her co-workers noted.

The Community Service award recipient is Sarah Glynn. She is a local attorney and involved in several community organizations and projects, including the Norway-Paris Kiwanis Club, Paris Renewal Committee and Western Maine Addiction Task Force. Glynn is also a retired U.S. Navy commander and is active in the South Paris American Legion post. 

All the winners will be honored at the chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 16, at the Silver Spur in Mechanic Falls. U.S. Sen. Angus King Jr. will be the keynote speaker.

Tickets are $50 per person and include a buffet dinner. Tickets can be reserved online through the chamber’s website or by contacting the office at 207-743-2281.

There are also sponsorship opportunities for this event. For more information, call 207-743-2281 or email jennifer@oxfordhillsmaine.com or john@oxfordhillsmaine.com.

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