The Spirit of Aroostook Award was created in 1993 to recognize a person, business or organization which has had a significant impact on the economic development of Aroostook County and who exemplifies the “can do” attitude and positive thinking of the people of this region.

      At the 20th annual Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD) meeting last week, Barbara Bossie, LEAD’s 2005 President, and Patricia Sutherland, 1996 Spirit of Aroostook recipient presented Dennis Curley with the 2006 The Spirit of Aroostook Award.

      Curley, known to many as Douglas Christensen on Channel X radio, was recognized for his devotion, loyalty and commitment to informing and challenging the people of Aroostook County through his thought- provoking style of talk radio. Sutherland prepared a speech which she read for LEAD participants before Bossie presented Curley with the much deserved award.

      Sutherland’s speech read; “The recipient of the 2005 Spirit of Aroostook Award is a transplant into the county. He had many years of professional experience before he chose to locate here in the mid 1980s. Since that time he has truly been an asset to all the citizens of Aroostook.”

      “Curley spent more than 25 years in radio in northern New York. Returning to N.Y. from Canada, he happened upon Caribou and the rest is history. Since 1986 he has arrived at his news desk in the wee hours of the morning to write and deliver the several weekday newscasts he presents daily.”

      “He devotes a lot of time and energy to making sure people understand the issues impacting all of us in Aroostook County and provides a forum for discussion about those issues. Curley has been and continues to be an advocate for Aroostook County. At times he presents the citizens of the region with some hard truths, but that only serves to motivate all of us to address those truths and move forward.”

      “Curley has been a great supporter of promoting the county in any way possible. He has made numerous trips to Augusta to broadcast live for “Aroostook Day at the Legislature” and is seen throughout the county offering live, remote broadcasts at many local events, all of which serve to better inform and include all citizens in what is happening in our region.”

      “Curley is the recipient of other awards: In 2000 he was selected as “Broadcaster of the Year” by his colleagues in the Maine Broadcasters Association and in 2002 he won the SBA’s Small Business Journalist of the Year award for New England.’

      “Our recipient embodies those qualities of hard work, community pride and small business acumen which we appreciate in Aroostook County. It gives me great pleasure to award the 2005 Spirit of Aroostook award to this most deserving gentleman,” Sutherland concluded.

      As soon as Sutherland introduced Curley, he ducked out of the room, leaving LEAD guests and participants wondering whether Curley knew he was the man of the hour or just effectively creating a more dramatic setting. Neither seemed the case when Curley finally returned. He was surprised and seemingly pleased about the award and acknowledgement by LEAD.

      “We appreciate you and this award is in recognition of your continuing commitment and enthusiasm in supporting economic opportunity for Aroostook County. For your positive attitude and ‘We can do this’ spirit, you truly exemplify the best in Aroostook citizens. Thank you very much,” announced Bossie.

      “I’m overwhelmed and I thank you very much. I can think of a lot of people who are a lot more deserving than I am but thank you. This is great and very unexpected,” said Curley.