Business Spotlight: Ranger Pest Services

By Lorraine Glowczak

Whether it is the pesky mosquito that will soon make it’s early summer appearance, ants that live in your home uninvited, ticks hiding in your landscape or the irritating mice and squirrels camping out in your attic – Ranger Rick of the independently and locally owned Ranger Pest Services has your back and is there to protect you, your family and your pets, too.

Rick Reinhard and his wife, Melissa, co-own and operate the family-owned Cornish, Maine business. They offer pest control services in Southern and Western Maine and have done so for over two years. Not new to customer service or entrepreneurship, the Reinhard’s have also owned a construction business, offering honest and reliable service for over 25 years. Rick brings his past experiences to Ranger Pest Services. “Rick’s experience in building and construction gives him the knowledge required to locate and assess any pesky situation quickly, while delivering the most effective results,” Melissa explained.

Krista Lair, owner of Krista’s Restaurant in Cornish verifies the top-notch advantages of hiring Ranger Pest Services:

“[We] switched to Ranger Pest Services last year after many years with a major pest company. Best decision ever. Personalized service, check-ins regarding issues and concerns and of course, the best part is....results! Rick also started servicing my house, which had become a squirrel circus training site for the entire Northeast. He focused on removing said circus from the house by tightening up entry points instead of just trapping them...loved this and love the fact that I haven't had an issue since! Definitely very thankful and highly recommend.”

Rick can professionally solve issues like these, and thus gaining trust of the clients they serve. Most service professionals who work for well-known and national pest control businesses would and could not offer what Rick can so easily resolve. First, he owns the business and his reputation matters. Rick delivers the services needed and develops a relationship with his patrons. You will not find this in the “big box” businesses. 

Secondly, and as their website states, “Ranger Pest Services brings the same honesty, integrity and fair prices Rick and Melissa have always been known for here in southern Maine. Using the latest technology, resources, and products, Ranger Pest Services offers both traditional and organic treatments.”

Rick is licensed with Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Board of Pesticides Control and holds a Master’s Applicator License. 

Rick and Melissa take pesticides seriously, using them in the only most needed situations. “We are very concerned about and hold deep respect for the environment,” stated Melissa, who went on to explain her personal limited use of plastic. Rick added, “We think first, spray last.”

Using both traditional and organic treatments, the following are very imperative reasons why pest control services are important and the purpose why Ranger Pest Services opened their doors;

Owners, Rick and Melissa Reinhard

“There are a lot of serious diseases and health issues that are spread by pests and rodents to humans and pets,” Rick explained. “The top health issues to be considered is the West Nile Virus, transmitted by mosquitos and Lyme disease, spread by deer ticks. And, that’s just a few concerns we have.”

According to the American Mosquito Control Association, “As of 2014, there have been 36,437 cases of WNV [West Nile Virus] reported to CDC [Center for Disease Control]. Of these, 15,774 have resulted in meningitis/encephalitis and 1,538 were fatal.”

Regarding the recent health and environmental concerns surrounding local Sebago Lakes region streams and lakes, Rick points out that it is mandated by law to spray a certain range away from watershed areas, thus relieving any possibility of contributing further to water contamination.

As for the over abundance of ants you may have visiting now or the mice who will want to nest in your home this fall, Rick can easily take care of them without entering your home. He can spray the foundation to prevent infestation. What is important to remember is to not put your health at risk by waiting for the problem to escalate.

To receive the highest quality and personalized pest control services that considers and respects the natural environment, contact Melissa and Rick by email at rangerpestservices@yahoo.com or by phone; 207-712-8871 (Rick) or 207-651-3834 (Melissa). For more information, peruse their website at rangerpestservices.com.

Business Spotlight: Kind & Co.

By Craig Bailey

Ben Ferri, Kind & Co’s founder, defines his company as “A lifestyle brand for the cannabis enthusiast.”

To achieve this mission, Kind & Co. offers cannabis products, cultivated locally in their state-of-the-art facility. They also provide some of the best concentrates in the greater-Portland area, related merchandise such as Maine-blown glass, clothing hand printed in Portland and edibles prepared by chef, Meghan Newport who earned a degree in baking from The Culinary Institute of America.

Upon entering Kind & Co., you’ll feel the homey, down-to-earth and welcoming environment.

When asked, what made him interested in launching the business, Ferri responded “the love of the plant. My passion for horticulture started when I began growing cannabis, at nineteen, for personal use. The passion grew on when I started working in a greenhouse, growing produce hydroponically. It was furthered more while working at Oxbow Brewing Company, managing their fruit orchard of sour cherries, raspberries and strawberries.” He continued, “I’ve been a caregiver for over 7 years, just after the medical cannabis laws changed in Maine. During this timeframe, I also achieved a degree in finance at USM.  Starting the business just made sense.”

Opening in November of 2018, Ferri acknowledged the local market is becoming saturated with medical cannabis providers. Ferri mentioned, “There are several factors about Kind & Co that contributes to our providing the highest quality cannabis products in the community. This includes using beneficial insects to control pests, instead of spraying harmful chemicals. We are big on quality and have complete oversight of the entire process from start to finish. Further, consistency is huge, as we want our customers to be happy with everything from a gram to an ounce of product.”

Ferri stated, “My background in horticulture has helped implement a highly efficient cultivation operation, allowing the flexibility to then do things which, while less efficient (such as hand trimming our flowers), result in a much higher quality product.”

Ferri reinforced, “We don’t rush the process. Once product is harvested, we don’t put it on the shelf for another 4-6 weeks after the appropriate drying and curing time. Doing so ensures the moisture content of the flower evens out, resulting in a better, more consistent burn.”

A factor contributing to Ferri’s complete control of the enterprise is that he is self-funded and has no outside investors pushing for ever higher efficiencies which can result in lower product quality.

Owner, Ben Ferri

When asked, why the hype around the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, Ferri began, “I’ve seen it work on multiple levels, with folks of all ages. Even my mother and grandmother, both non-consumers, are using a topical for muscle soreness with great success.” Ferri continues, “Cannabis-based products are known to minimize epileptic seizures and relieve migraine headaches, among many other things. The alternative includes prescription drugs, many of which have harmful side effects. Just listen to the TV ads for such products. They speak more of the harmful aspects than the benefits provided. Cannabis just doesn’t have the same negative side effects of many of the traditional western medicines.”

One of Ferri’s customers, who has rheumatoid arthritis, stated their cannabis-based topical cream was, hands down, the most effective topical she had ever tried.

Ferri stressed, “We are not just trying to get everyone that walks through the door high, or to push the highest possible dosages. We listen to what our customers are saying and looking for. Then, based on their needs and experience, we start them on the appropriate dosage and work from there to find what is most effective for them.”

To reinforce the above, Ferri stated, “We don’t pressure people into buying anything. As a matter of fact, if a consumer wants to come in just to get educated on the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, we’d be happy to spend the time necessary to do so. Our goal is to ensure the consumer is comfortable and well educated.”

Ferri continued, “We see all walks of life coming into our store. And, we welcome those who are presently opposed to the use of cannabis, so we might have the conversation on how it may benefit them, or someone they love.  We want to break the stigma and stereotypes in our industry.”

Kind & Co. is located in Windham, on the corner of 302 and Heathwood Drive. You can learn more by visiting their website at www.kindand.co, or calling (207) 572-1086.

Business Spotlight: Property Management Inc. of Maine

By Lorraine Glowczak

In recent years, there has been a growth in vacation rental housing due to the popularity of rental listing sites. “It’s like money falling from autumn trees” it has been said about property income and the trendy websites many use to advertise their rentals. However, there are many downsides to doing it all on your own.  

There are the weekly duties of laundry, cleaning, stocking, key handoffs, pre-stay communication, in-stay responses, calendar management, and the occasional repairs. And that’s just the beginning of managing one’s own rental and/or vacation property. What if you live out of state? Vacation for the self-managed property owner? What vacation?

This is where Property Management Inc. of Maine, a newly established franchise property management company located at 5 Whites Bridge Road in Windham, comes to the rescue. Locally and veteran owned by Kurt Griffeth and wife Jackie, the company offers professionally managed rental properties as a smart and worry-free alternative in the greater Sebago Lakes region.

What makes PMI Maine special? “We are 100% locally owned and operated with housekeeping, maintenance, and concierge service to protect your asset and ensure extraordinary guest experiences,” Jackie explained. “Our worldwide distribution package will place your property in front of over 10 million travelers every month. That means you'll have no shortage of bookings, revenue and repeat customers. With accounting and reservations centralized, our managers are free to learn, help, and maintain properties to keep them in tip-top shape.”

The owners of PMI Maine come with significant experiences that will make a property owner feel confident – trusting the care of their rental homes in the hands of Jackie and Kurt.  Jackie is currently a real estate agent and has been working in the field for seven years. She also has 20 plus years of experience in management and customer service. Her friendly “hello” as soon as you walk in the door of PMI Maine will instantly put you at ease.

Kurt is a veteran who served in Desert Storm and Iraq and has over 20 years of experience working in utility services, management and customer service. He currently works for On Target Utility Services.

Unlike many property management companies where the only service offered is advertisement and reservations while the owner must do the rest - finding their own cleaning company, property repair person and landscaping company, PMI Maine provides it all, including a concierge service.

“We can have their groceries delivered and put away as well as accommodating any special events. We can help arrange those special occasions such as birthdays, retirements, etc. We will even order the cake,” Jackie said.

And while most management companies will only allow the owner limited use of their own property, PMI Maine will accommodate the owner’s preferences. “There is no limit,” Jackie said. “If a property owner only wants to rent their house out for two weeks each year, that is okay.”

PMI Maine also offers marketing that includes worldwide exposure and reliable branding, maintaining an active presence on a wide range of channels, including industry publications and websites, Facebook, Twitter, Google +, as well as hundreds of online travel agencies that broadcast your properties for bookings.  

Accounting is another service. “No other property management network offers the level of centralized services that PMI provides,” Jackie explained. “We offer 24/7 access to accounts for property managers and monthly reporting for owners ensures everyone knows what is happening with a property.”

PMI Maine also provides a phenomenal guest experience for each guest on every visit. “At PMI Maine we look at vacation rentals, short term rentals, and even our corporate housing as an opportunity to WOW a guest and help make memories that will last a lifetime,” Jackie said. “Our goal is to have guests stay with us again and again. With over 250 offices across North America, South America, and Europe we are confident PMI will be your travel host of choice.”

In her role in real estate, Jackie has received many accolades on Zillow.com. “Jackie was our Real Estate Agent when we were looking for a house in Maine…she took her personal time to go see houses on our behalf since we lived in North Carolina. We bought our house without having ever walked in. We are forever grateful for Jackie and her patience and diligence.” This individual happily lives in Raymond, Maine.

If you currently have a rental vacation property or are considering purchasing income property and would like to know what PMI Maine has to offer, contact Jackie and Kurt at 207-558-5655 or email Jackie@pmiMaine.com. Check out their website at www.pmimaine.com.

With PMI Maine, you can rake in the money falling off the autumn trees and have freedom, too.

Business Spotlight: Siochanta Farm, LLC

By Lorraine Glowczak

Essential oils have become recognized by professionals, as well as the thoughtful consumer, to aid and support healing on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Specializing in USDA approved organic, pure and fair-trade ingredients, Siochanta (pronounced she-HON-ta) Farm, LLC located in Windham has the mission of creating products that are pure and natural – from the moment the product is planted in the ground to the moment it arrives in your hands.

Co-owners David and Suzy Palmer

“We provide – to the best of our ability – products that are made locally or in the United States and are USDA approved to be organic, pure and sustainably sourced,” explained Suzy Palmer, co-owner. For many years, Suzy has believed in the “power of nature” and the need for chemical-free, essential oil-based fragrances and skin care products.

Suzy, who retired in June 2018 after teaching third and fourth grades for 27 years, could not retire from learning, growing and living life fully. As a result, she and her husband David, a middle-school science teacher and co-owner, established Siochanta Farm in January 2019. Suzy decided to live her life passion surrounding the beneficial properties of essential oils.

“We want to support the overall wellbeing of adults,” Suzy began and then added, “Now, I have the time to pursue my passion by studying essential oils and creating unique products too. As educators, David and I always seek to learn, to care, and to nurture. Creating this business has given us an avenue by which to pursue this vision.”

Essential oils are known to relieve stress, exfoliate impurities, assist in the healing of the muscular, circulatory, endocrine, respiratory and immune systems. According to an online article from Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, “Essential oils are a fantastic way to help with myriad issues such as sleeplessness, nausea, anxiety, allergies and pain,” stated Michele Mack, LMT, CPMT.

Suzy explained that it is through education they learned about the importance of using oils that are certified pure, therapeutic grade and the truth about the marketing strategies. “There is no governing body in the U.S. that regulates the effectiveness, quality or purity of the oils,” she explained. 

“Because of this, essential oils can be marketed as pure when they contain only 5% of the oil.” “However, we purchase our essential oils from companies that have put effort into carefully planning each step of the production process. And, as we use these oils in our creations, we use them with knowledge and awareness of their strength.”

The Palmers are so thoughtful in their business, that they carefully source everything from the ingredients  to the paper bags and twine.

 “When I am asked to make a product sample basket for an individual or create a product, it is important that I think about the individual or the use of the product as I am working. I want to make sure that all products are created with a personal touch. That’s how much I believe in the healing powers of essential oils.” Suzy explained.

The word, “Siochanta, means “peaceful” in  Gaelic. There is no denying that the scent and/or use of essential oils can offer emotional and healing support. “It can relieve the intense stress we all experience in our everyday lives,” Suzy said. “It is my hope that my products can be used during the day – taking a 30 second breather, reminding us to stop and “smell the roses” for just a short while – enough to move on throughout our demanding day, creating - if only for a moment - a sense of peace,” Suzy said.

To purchase everything from the variety of gift baskets, to sugar scrubs, roll-on blends, hand sanitizers, lip balm, body wash, lotion bars to gift certificates and more visit their website at www.siochantafarm.com. You will also find Suzy and David at the Windham Farmers Market this summer, located at Turning Leaf Drive beginning May 25^th – every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. until October 14.