Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

Governor sweet on Gifford's

By Scott Monroe smonroe@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

WATERVILLE -- Gifford's Ice Cream, a locally-owned family business, has been operating for more than a century.

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Fans of Gifford's Ice Cream taste the company's treats in Waterville Thursday. The Skowhegan company was one of five businesses to receive the Governor's Award for Business Excellence. From left are Steph Kant, Riian McCormick, Joyce Sutherland, Tracy Clough and Anne Kaan.

Staff photo by David Leaming

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And Gifford's has done a whole lot more than offer cool ice cream.

That's why, on Thursday, the business was among a handful receiving top honors on behalf of Gov. John Baldacci.

The 2010 Governor's Award for Business Excellence honors, given out at Colby College, recognized those "that go above and beyond typical community service, which in turn has a far-reaching positive effect on employees and communities."

Gifford's, according to a release from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, has "long been committed to making all of their products using fresh, pasteurized, growth-hormone-free milk from local dairy farms. Gifford's is the only family-owned and operated regional ice cream manufacturer in northern New England.

"Being a good corporate citizen is at the core of Gifford's roots. Ten percent of all profits go to supporting programs that promote healthy, active children."

Lindsay Gifford, vice president of sales for Gifford's, accepted the award and said the honor means a lot to her father, John, and uncle, Roger, who own the business.

"Our family and extended family ... we couldn't do it without my uncle and father," she said. The award "is another sign to show that we're doing something right."

Gifford's, with headquarters in Skowhegan and local shops in Waterville and Farmington, has 30 full-time employees and about 100 seasonal employees, Lindsay Gifford said.

In addition to Gifford's, also receiving the honors were Sprague & Curtis Real Estate and Maine Manufacturing, both of Augusta, and Old Town Canoe Company/Johnson Outdoors and Yankee Marina & Boatyard of Yarmouth.

Also given out were the 2010 Governor's Award for Nonprofit Excellence to Hardy Girls, Healthy Women of Waterville, plus Health Access Network of Lincoln, Woodfords Family Services of Portland, Portland Symphony Orchestra, Spruce Run Association of Bangor and Youth Arts of Camden.

Megan Williams, executive director of Hardy Girls, Healthy Women, said her organization's 10 years of work has helped empower girls.

Quoting a 15-year-old board member, Williams summed up the nonprofit group's goal: "I am able to love who I am completely inside and out and teach others to as well."

Scott Monroe -- 861-9253

smonroe@centralmaine.com