Milestones marks some of the outstanding accomplishments of the people of eastern and northern Maine. Submissions may be sent to Milestones, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.

Joel Chaison, a graduate of Brewer High School and the University of Maine, was named 1995 High School Counselor of the Year in Connecticut. The counselor from Manchester High School was honored May 18 at an awards banquet attended by teachers, administrators, U.S. senators and representatives. Chaison was recognized particularly for his team approach to counseling students and for leadership in the development of the student educational plan process. He is the son of Henry Chaison of Brewer and the late Dorothy Marsh Chaison.

The Grand of Maine Military Order of Cooties and its Ladies Auxiliary have elected Clifton H. Deringer Jr. of Old Town and Julia O’Leary of Costigan as the 1995-96 commander and president, respectively. Both are members of Old Town Pup Tent 21, one of six local units in the state. The Cooties are the honor society of the Veterans of Foreign Wars who devote themselves to helping veterans in hospitals and nursing homes throughout the nation.

The University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation in Orono presented its 1995 Award for Programming Excellence to Eric C. Hendrickson, a chemistry teacher at Presque Isle High School. For more than 20 years, Hendrickson has offered innovative instruction showing his students the application of chemistry principles in ways that involve them in their own learning through demonstrations, projects and tutorial coaching. Receiving the foundation’s Sustained Leadership Award was Robert Gaboury, chairman of the science department at Brewer High School.

Philip H. Hutchins, a member of United Paperworkers International Union Local 1188 of Champion Paper Corp. in Bucksport, was presented the George Meany Award during ceremonies at the annual business meeting of the Katahdin Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, in Bangor. Given by the Greater Bangor Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, it is organized labor’s highest award for service to youth through the program of the Boy Scouts of America. Hutchins has been a volunteer leader for 31 years as scout master at the local and National Jamboree level, and in his community as instructor in snowmobile safety, Little League baseball umpire and with the local food bank. The Meany award has been given only eight times in Maine and 1,440 nationally.

Sue Johnson, English education instructor at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, has been appointed to the National Council of Teachers of English. She will serve as a member of the Conference on English Education’s Commission on the Preparation and Professional Development of English Language Arts Teachers.

Dr. David D. Jones, family practitioner at Aroostook Family Practice, has been named Maine Family Doctor of the Year by the Maine Academy of Family Physicians. Nominated by fellow physicians, hospital board members, administration and community leaders, Jones is described as “a physician who exemplifies the dedication and commitment Maine people have come to expect from their family physicians.” He has served on The Aroostook Medical Center’s medical staff since 1981. Jones is a graduate of Swarthmore College and the University of Vermont College of Medicine and completed an internship and residency at Maine-Dartmouth Family Practice.

Art McEntee, associate professor of business education at the University of Maine at Machias, has been named an editor of the 40,000-circulation National Business Education Forum. He will edit the methodology section, soliciting manuscripts from professionals around the country.

The Maine State Court, Catholic Order of Foresters, presented its 1995 Forester of the Year plaque to Maurice Pelletier of Eagle Lake in recognition of outstanding achievement, devotion in service and leadership. Pelletier is a state court trustee for the Maine State Court and has held other offices in the St. Joseph Court, Eagle Lake.

The Earth Day Committee at Unity College named Robert Winship of Thorndike as Outstanding Community Leader for his volunteer service to the United Area Regional Recycling Center. He has been a consistent volunteer at the center since it opened in 1989 and is a valuable source of information and a vocal advocate of recycling.

The Milestones column is compiled by Darlene S. Henderson.