BANGOR – The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 19 presented prestigious awards during its 94th annual dinner.

. Edward Darling received the Norbert X. Dowd Award, the chamber’s highest honor, for community service and business growth. Darling is owner of Down East Toyota in Brewer and has been involved in many community activities. He serves on the board of St. Joseph Hospital and was co-chairman of the restoration campaign at St. John’s Catholic Church more than a dozen years ago.

. Richard J. Warren, president and publisher of the Bangor Daily News, accepted the Business of the Year Award, given in appreciation of the newspaper’s sponsorship of the National Folk Festival and its successor, the American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront. The newspaper also was honored for supporting children, family values and literacy. Warren thanked NEWS employees for working on the projects with him.

. Norman Ledwin, chairman of Eastern Maine Healthcare, received the chamber’s Chairman’s Award. He was acknowledged for his approach to streamlining medical services, and for creating “a premium medical facility.” He credited the 6,000 employees in the healthcare system.

. Bill Knight and his fellow troop greeters at Bangor International Airport were acknowledged with a plaque and a standing ovation for their faithful support of servicemen and servicewomen coming through the airport. Veterans and community members are at the airport at all hours to greet the troops. The Chamber of Commerce has received hundreds of letters from grateful soldiers and their family members for the support.

The dinner also recognized the leadership change of the board of directors for the chamber. Bion Foster was the outgoing chairman, and Nelson Durgin the incoming chairman.