Business Spotlight: Automill LLC

For Mark and Sarah Day, the owners of Automill in Windham, their business is the realization of a dream come true, and that’s evident in everything they do for their customers

Just six years ago, the couple were both working full-time jobs when the opportunity arose to launch Automill, a resale auto dealership also offering maintenance and parts. Located at 971 River Road in Windham, Automill has grown to become a preferred destination for high quality customer service, hard-to-find auto parts and exceptional vehicles and maintenance.

“Opening the business we tried to work our full-time jobs and get the business up and running but we were not meeting the needs of our customers. Then we finally decided that it was time to leave our full-time jobs and make the business our full-time jobs,” said Sarah. “We have five children so the first year was super tough and going into our second year we were thrown into Covid and had five children that had to be remote learners. But that didn’t stop us, we worked long hard hours to build our business to best meet the needs of our customers.”

Mark said the most significant aspect of the Automill business is Subarus.

“We specialize in Subarus, we know Subarus from front to back, not only for resale but parts and any maintenance,” he said. “We have about 300 Subaru parts vehicles, as well as tons of Subaru parts already removed and on the shelf. We also have tons of other vehicles for arts too.”

He said that Automill has customers from all of New England drive to Windham for specific parts for their vehicles, but the business also ships parts nationwide.

“We know Subarus very well so typically Subarus always have the same issues,” Mark said. Anyone that knows Subarus knows that a leaking head gasket is very common, So we get that out of the way by doing the head gaskets, timing belt and water pump and we still keep our prices at an affordable rate. We also offer financing, and everyone gets approved. We offer bad credit, no credit with easy terms and extended warranties.”

Sarah said Automill’s parts inventory is vast.

“We sell used auto parts from the smallest piece of plastic on the vehicle to major components, for example, engines of vehicles,” she said. “Back in the day it was very common for families and children to go to a junk yard and check out all the other vehicles while bonding with your family to pull your own parts. Yes, we offer pick and pull. Also ,we have multiple tools to look up parts so if we don’t have it, we can find it.”

Customers who purchase cars from Automill discover that the business performs any and all upcoming work or maintenance to Automill vehicles at a discounted rate. Oil changes for vehicles purchased through them are just $30.

“We try to maintain a high quality of services and keep our customers happy. We have had numerous families that purchase not one vehicle but multiple and we keep up with the maintenance,” Mark said. “Also because we have so many parts vehicles on hand if something breaks like a bumper or headlight, we almost can do an exact match up for parts right down to the color.”

Customer reviews have been outstanding.

“Very nice people to work with. They do what it takes to provide 100 percent customer satisfaction. We have gotten three vehicles through them and were very happy with all three.” Tammie Donner

“Great folks to buy a car from. Reasonably priced and reliable. Their knowledge of Subarus is extremely impressive. I am so glad I purchased my son’s first car from them. I feel safe sending my child out in a car they have run through because of their knowledge and trustworthiness. I highly recommend purchasing a car from them and I will continue bringing this car to them for regular maintenance and repairs.” Rebecca Poole

“Excellent. Great people to deal with. Honest and fair.” Chris Whitney

Both Mark and Sarah say what makes Automill stand out from the competition is that everyone is treated as a family member.

“We are a family run business so you can bring your children and pets, it does not matter and pull parts or find parts that are very inexpensive,” Mark said. “With prices on everything skyrocketing, we have managed to still keep our prices affordable and reasonable.”

To find out more about Automill, call them at 207-890-9270 or visit them at automillllc.com or on Facebook under Automill LLC. <

Business Spotlight: Nappi's Painting

Are you looking to transform the look and feel of your home or business with a fresh coat of paint? Choosing the right painter is crucial to achieving a high-quality, long-lasting paint job. The job needs to be done right — and that takes experience, expertise, trustworthiness, and reliability. Nappi’s Painting offers all of that and more.

Sam Nappi, owner/operator of
Nappi's Painting, knows the
importance of quality work and
is ready to give your home or
office a perfect finish.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Locally owned and operated by Raymond resident Sam Nappi, Nappi’s Painting is a company that has established a stellar reputation for its exceptional work and outstanding customer service. Sam has built his business on a foundation of integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence in every project he undertakes. With a keen eye for detail, he takes great pride in his work, ensuring that every project is completed to the highest standards.

As Sam puts it, "I will not leave a job unless the quality is 100 percent, and the customer is 100 percent satisfied." He always goes the extra mile on quality and precision to ensure that his clients are happy with the results.

Sam's commitment to excellence has earned him high praise from contractors and realtors who have called his work "the best paint job they've ever seen." But for Sam, it's not about boosting his ego - it's about completing each project with the highest of standards and earning trust.

While the business itself is two years old, Nappi has been working as a painter on and off since the age of 13. Over the years, he has gained thousands of hours of experience, which has helped him develop precise skill in applying products properly for various projects, from outdoor homes and decks to interior walls and basement floors. He has also learned the most effective ways to complete tasks within the given timeframe without sacrificing quality workmanship.

Sam understands that painting is an investment which is why he knows the importance of starting with a high-quality product. For this, Sam has a distinct preference. "I only use Sherwin Williams products because they offer top-of-the-line paints.” He adds, "Using the same products for every project guarantees that we can produce quality results every time."

According to Nappi, he’s flexible in scheduling and tries to work with customers as much as possible. He understands that everyone has a unique schedule and works hard to accommodate that. "I want to make the process easy and stress-free for my customers," he emphasized. “If a customer has something come up and wants me to come back the day after tomorrow, I do it, no questions asked. We are totally customer focused and that’s important.”

His prices are in line with current market rates, but what sets Nappi's Painting apart is his honesty, transparency, excellent customer service, and meticulous attention to detail. "My customers are spending their hard-earned money into my work, and they expect it to be done correctly and efficiently," Nappi stated. "I have high standards, and I always strive to meet or exceed them."

“The best thing about what I do is being able to provide a skilled service for someone,” Sam said. “I derive a great deal of satisfaction in customer engagement. I enjoy seeing the results of a project as much as they do. People want their home or office to be a place where they’re comfortable and fresh paint changes people’s moods in positive ways.”

Equipped to handle painting projects of all sizes, whether big or small — Nappi’s primary service area is the Lakes Region and Southern Maine, but he is always open to travel upon request. He serves residential and commercial customers in all aspects of painting and staining from new construction to renovations.

He strives to stay up to date on current industry trends for the benefit of his customers. “I would say one of the more popular options in painting right now would be cabinets. It's a slightly cheaper option than replacing them but provides the finish and appearance of new cabinets,” Sam said. “General repaints of interior rooms are also something to consider since studies show room color can help set mood and even enhance productivity.”

A true professional in his field, if you’re looking for unparalleled quality and professionalism in the painting industry— Nappi’s Painting is the clear choice.

For more information about Nappi's Painting, please call 207-233-5397 or check out Nappi's Painting on Facebook, Instagram, or Google.<

Business Spotlight: Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care

Around the clock, day or night, during the week or on the weekend, the emergency department staff at Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care (PVESC) is on duty and stands ready to assist with emergencies when pets experience severe health issues and life-threatening injuries.

PVESC is locally owned and operated, with two convenient locations at 739 Warren Avenue and 2255 Congress Street in Portland. Emergency and critical care is available from PVESC’s reliable and compassionate staff members at their Warren Ave location 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The Warren Avenue location also provides specialty services with board-certified veterinary specialists in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Oncology, Neurology and Cardiology. Ophthalmology and Dermatology services are offered at their Congress Street facility.

“The best thing about what we do is absolutely helping animals and their families,” said Dr. Marta Agrodnia, Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care’s owner. “I’ve been doing this for 26 years and I love assisting animals in recovering and leading healthy lives with their families.”

PVESC’s emergency service has been providing emergency and critical care for animals every day, serving Maine for more than 30 years, delivering compassionate, expert emergency care for your pet, and offering pet owners peace of mind that their pet is receiving the best possible treatment available.

“We see so many sick animals,” Dr. Agrodnia said. “Having to work in a high-stress environment is certainly a challenge, but it’s a duty that we embrace and our highly trained and caring staff are truly the best.”

Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care has more than 100 employees, including many board-certified specialists, emergency veterinarians, veterinary technician specialists, licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants and client service representatives who can be counted on to care for your pet when your regular day clinic isn’t open, or if critical care or specialty care is needed. Emergency care is prioritized based upon triage determination.

PVESC is the only privately owned multi-specialty and emergency veterinary hospital in the state of Maine and offers most every service that can be found at more distant locations in Boston.

“More than anything, the quality of care that animals receive at PVESC is what I’m most proud of,” Dr. Agrodnia said. “We take our responsibility to care for each pet very seriously. We do everything we can to make your pet as comfortable as possible.”

Board-certified veterinary specialists at Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care receive referrals from general practice veterinary hospitals throughout Maine and surrounding areas, and they work in partnership with family veterinarians for the benefit of your pet. PVESC provides advanced diagnostics, sophisticated techniques, and treatment of complex diseases and injuries while working together as a team to provide diagnoses and effective therapies for the most challenging conditions.

“When your family veterinarian refers you to the specialty services at Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care, it is because they know we will work hand-in-hand with them to ensure the best help for your pet,” Dr. Agrodnia said. “We will continue to work with you and your pet throughout the duration of the illness for which you sought our attention.”

The PVESC hospitals serve the Greater Portland area and surrounding communities but take clients from across Maine, throughout New England and beyond.

PVESC Warren Avenue offers 24/7/365 emergency and critical care, and the specialty services of surgery, internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, neurology, radioactive iodine therapy for hyperthyroid cats, and Synovetin OA therapy for canine osteoarthritis treatment. PVESC Congress Street offers the specialties of ophthalmology and dermatology.

As a referral center, PVESC beta-tests new veterinary diagnostic equipment and is often involved in research and clinical trials pioneering new diagnostics and treatment options for patients.

“Our staff consists of experienced, kindhearted board-certified veterinary specialists and emergency veterinarians,” Dr. Agrodnia said. “We have highly trained veterinary technicians and we seek the best equipment and treatment modalities from around the country and the world. It takes a tremendous level of dedication to accomplish our goal, which is to provide the highest quality medical, surgical, and critical care to our patients, and offer excellent service to our clients.”

To learn more about Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care, call 207-878-3121, or visit them online at https://www.pvesc.com/. Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PVSpetvets<

Nonprofit Spotlight: Health Choice Maine

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Health Choice Maine is working to restore and protect medical choice in Maine and strives to help people find the support they need.

A statewide nonprofit organization under the umbrella of American Citizens for Health Choice, the Health Choice Maine organization offers advocacy services for supporters and Mainers that are navigating complicated situations stemming from vaccine-related issues.

According to Tiffany Kreck of Health Choice Maine, some issues that the organization has assisted with include assisting Mainers that have suffered an adverse event related to the COVID-19 vaccine, schools that she said ignore sections of the immunization law and attempt to discharge students out of compliance, pediatrics offices that have lost vaccination records, and students that have legitimate, lawful medical exemptions that are being denied by schools.

“We also provide resources, and make as much data available as possible, to facilitate informed decisions by individuals and families,” Kreck said. “We work to build relationships with lawmakers to support good policy and oppose bad policy. We also host an array of events to support community building and resource development.”

Overall, Kreck said that Health Choice Maine endeavors to dispel the hyperbole that surrounds this topic in order to facilitate healthy conversation about vaccination based upon real science and fact.

She said what distinguishes Health Choice Maine from other organizations is two-fold.

“We operate within strict principles of honesty and integrity. While other organizations have often become self-serving, or unsupportive, we have maintained a safer community in which people can find the help they need,” Kreck said. “Our supporters span political divides, religious ideologies, and is rich in diversity and experience. We are Mainers of many backgrounds, brought together by a similar experience, that have bonded to create support for one another.”

She said Health Choice Maine is proud of its hard work and success in retaining legal counsel, not only to take on the legal fights that few others will, but also so that supporters have access to legal advice, when they otherwise wouldn’t have.

Health Choice Maine services are 100 percent supported by Mainers that believe in this cause, and believe in the work that Health Choice Maine does, Kreck said.

“We aren't what most people think we are. We don't want vaccines done away with,” she said. “We just want acknowledgment and support for the injured, and we want folks to have the space they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. It really is just that simple.”

She said Health Choice Maine continues to grow and build more support across the state over time.

“If people didn't believe in what we do, and didn't value our efforts, we wouldn't be funded. Our donors aren't wealthy backers, they are families like mine, and yours, that have prioritized us into their budgets,” Kreck said. “We have also never really advertised before, most of the people that seek us out with questions, or in need of help, have found us by word of mouth.”

The organization doesn’t have traditional staff, it’s made up of volunteers from across Maine.

“Our leadership team consists of six individuals, and we have a supporting advisory board made up of five more professionals in related fields and we continue to grow,” Kreck said. “In addition to this, we have almost two dozen active volunteers across the state, and we currently have almost 4,000 members in Maine.”

She said that Health Choice Maine volunteers are constantly monitoring any vaccine-related legislation or rule change actions being taken and also monitor and review all new studies, while constantly updating data regarding complex legal developments and other situations that are important with regard to vaccination issues.

“The most important issue that people need to be taking notice of, of course, is the COVID vaccine safety signals, not only the developing concerns with the safety, but also the unseen concerns,” Kreck said. “There is a lot of confusion, misinformation, and political polarization regarding this issue, and that's unfortunate because it's the everyday person that suffers as a result. With post-market safety monitoring, accurate reporting is paramount."

To reach Health Choice Maine, call 207-801-0227 or visit Healthchoicemaine.org. Find them on Facebook and Instagram under Health Choice Maine. <