Business Spotlight: Dirfy Generators

Dirfy Generators offer so much more than a backup for when the power goes out, they provide peace of mind and ensure that life goes on as normal when storms strike or blizzards hit.

Covering all of Windham and Raymond and most of Maine, helping people is the essence of what the company does, says Bob Cyr, owner of the Limington-based Dirfy Generators business.

“We have been rated as the Top Dealer in Maine five years in a row,” Cyr said. “We’re the only dealer offering a 20-year protection program on their generators, even those not installed by us on brands we service.”

The company provides sales, the installation and service of standby generators as well as offering inspections, evaluations, and consultation services. Dirfy technicians are factory trained, hold master electrical licenses and are licensed master propane installers.

According to Cyr, what distinguishes Dirfy Generators from the competition is its outstanding customer service, low pricing, its 10-year parts, labor and travel manufacturer's warranty, and its own 20-year Complimentary Protection Program for new and existing generators.

“We have many customers that have switched from their company to ours for this reward program that gives protection for their generator for 20 years,” Cyr said.

Dirfy Generators has been rated as the
Top Dealer in Maine by Briggs & Stratton
five years in a row. Don;t let another
power oputage dampen your days, call
owner Bob Cyr today at 207-637-3346.

Dirfy Generators sells nationally known and trusted brands of generators including Briggs & Stratton Fortress, Kohler, Generac, and Champion.

“We sell the only generator that comes with a 10-year travel, labor, and manufacturer's warranty right out of the box,” Cyr said. “It's not an extended warranty like other products. In addition, we offer the 20-year complimentary protection.”

He said that the revolutionary 20-year complimentary protection program assures customers that the Dirfy Generators stands solidly behind the products it sells and services.

“So many of our customers say that the 20-year protection program made all of the difference when they chose to do business with us,” Cyr said. “They say it gives them peace of mind knowing that their generator is protected for 20 years.”

Customers also appreciate knowing that they will have uninterrupted power when required.

“They can feel secure with an automatic natural gas or propane backup generator for when you lose power,” Cyr said. “These generators provide power for heat and air conditioning, sump pumps, security systems, lights, and refrigeration units. Our high-quality professionally installed generators automatically turn on and shut off, providing you with uninterrupted power.”

Staying on top of current trends in the continuing technological advances made by manufacturers, Cyr said that Dirfy Generators is able to keep customer costs affordable.

“Right now, our customers should take notice of the 10 percent and 15 percent discounts we have been able to offer for a while,” he said. “Our service is one of the best values, and new installs run as much as $2,000 less than other competitors due to our volume.”

Different financing plans and options are available such as deferred interest plans, no-interest plans and low-interest plans.

“Dirfy Generators has been in business for 47 years and can offer you the knowledge that comes with over 48 years of generator experience,” Cyr said. “Our licensed and insured company was started by electrical contractors who installed standby generators at the customer’s request. We carry a full inventory of generators and in most cases, we can have your generators delivered in a few days.”

And now during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for uninterrupted power has taken on added significance, Cyr said.

“Generators are becoming more helpful and serving multiple uses now,” he said. “More people than ever are working from home, or teaching school from home, or have students going to school from home and so the need for uninterrupted power has increased. People with medical equipment need power.”

For more information about DIRFY Generators, call 207-637-3346 or visit them online at Dirfygenerators.com or on their Facebook page. <

Business Spotlight: Cleaning Essentials

Whether it is time to move, hosting a gathering for friends and family members or simply just wanting to add a new sparkle to your home or business, the Cleaning Essentials team stands ready to help.

Based in Raymond, Cleaning Essentials offers honest and reliable cleaning solutions for almost every situation that may arise. Through the use of environmentally friendly products and employing experienced staff, the business can assist in making any home or office perfectly presentable.  

Owned by Regan Burke, Cleaning Essentials goes the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.

“The best part of being in this business is certainly our valued customers,” Burke said. “Helping them has always been our mission at Cleaning Essentials.”

As a REALTOR® since 2002, Burke said she launched Cleaning Essentials four years ago when she saw a need existed for this type of business locally.

“A regular thorough cleaning of your home can improve your general well-being and mood,” Burke said. “A weekly, bi-weekly or monthly cleaning may make all the difference in the world for you. We are not like the rest. Every regular visit we fit in something extra. You will notice.”

According to Burke, Cleaning Essentials provides rigorous and meticulous deep cleaning at competitive prices.

Regan Burke is the owner
 of Cleaning Essentials.
COURTESY PHOTO

“Our team of people are fully trained staff can efficiently clean a house in a reasonable period of time at a reasonable cost,” she said.

Cleaning Essentials offers special discounts for real estate professionals and homebuilders. Burke said that as a REALTOR® herself, she is keenly aware that having a showable property can certainly add value to a listing and make potential buyers feel right at home.

“No matter if it’s residential, new construction or foreclosures, we’ve got you covered,” Burke said. “It makes the perfect closing gift.”

For those in short-term rental situations, Burke said that the Cleaning Essentials team is well-versed in assisting renters and property owners in making a transition.

“We know what needs to be done and we get it done,” she said. “Transition day can be stressful. Included is a report about the condition of your rental so you can best determine any extra charges. No matter what, we make sure your tenants will be happy with the cleanliness that they hoped for, so that they will be return customers.”

Burke said that tenants who are moving can be assured when they employ Cleaning Essentials that every nook and cranny of their rental will be exhaustively cleaned to meet required standards.

“We are friendly, reliable and local,” Burke said. “We’re knowledgeable and environmentally friendly. A clean home is truly the embodiment of the science and holistic cleaning philosophy we maintain at Cleaning Essentials.”

She said through the years Cleaning Essentials has been in operation, the company has received testimonials from several satisfied customers which can provided upon request for peace of mind before hiring.

One local customer boasts about their service. “Regan and her crew at Cleaning Essentials are thorough, trustworthy and extremely reliable.  They’ve been cleaning our camp for three years now and I am always impressed at how the place sparkles after they clean and with their attention to detail. We rent the place year-round and she is confronted with a variety of situations and never complains. Regan uses a line of cleaning products she has created using essential oils which leave the camp smelling like a yoga retreat center.  We use them at our home now, we love them so much. I highly recommend Regan Burke at Cleaning Essentials.”

“For peace of mind, our energetic and trained Cleaning Essentials staff members are fully insured and the cleaning products we use on the job are totally safe and effective,” Burke said. “We arrive when we say we will arrive and we do what we say we will do.”

For more information about Cleaning Essentials services or associated costs, call 207-391-3783 or visit their website at www.mycleaningessentials.com or Find them on Facebook at Cleaning Essentials. <    

 

  

Business Spotlight: Maine Power Wash Pros

The owners of Maine Power Wash Pros believe that their business can best be defined by seven simple words: dependability, reliability and outstanding service to customers.

Maine Power Wash Pros offers low-pressure house washing, cement cleaning/gum removal, roof cleaning, composite decking cleaning, condo/apartment building washing and commercial building washing in the Windham and Raymond areas and has been in business for more than a decade. 

“The best thing about our business is our customers. We have hundreds of repeat customers that come back time and time again. We relate that to clear expectations and incredible results,” said Brian Condon, Maine Power Wash Pros co-owner. 

“We also think the world of the people we have working with us. They take real pride in their work and work very hard to deliver a great service to our customers.”

Using biodegradable products, the company measures every home to keep its pricing consistent. 

“We also offer a price-lock guarantee,” Condon said. “Once you get your quote, the price never changes, whether that’s 30 days or five years or 10 years. The price never changes once you get a quote.”

Maine Power Wash Pros was formed when owners Mike Morin and Brian Condon found a genuine need for this type of business existed in Maine and discovered that the learning curve to perform this service wasn’t too bad.

“We put in a lot of time and energy before every wash.” Condon said. “We stand behind our work and don’t just take our word for it. Look at the hundreds of testimonials from our customers we’ve posted on our website from the last 10 years.”

Condon said each of the five Maine Power Wash Pros employees are determined to go above and beyond to earn the loyalty and continued support of its customers.

“We are all about setting and exceeding expectations,” he said. “We’re very prepared for what we do and any situation we may encounter be it cleaning homes, business, condos or restaurants.” 

Through its use of low-pressure house washing and no-pressure roof cleaning, Maine Power Wash Pros thrives on delivering quality and overall service.

“We do what we say we’ll do and when we say we’ll do it,” Condon said. “We’re very hands-on and our word is our bond.”

He said that customers have found that there is a distinct advantage in calling Maine Power Wash Pros when working on a project.

“Roofs are guaranteed for two years and we offer free estimates,” Condon said. “Your satisfaction is guaranteed and senior discounts are available. We are fully insured and professionally trained and certified.”

According to Condon, Maine Power Wash Pros provides restored beauty and curb appeal of residential or commercial property with hot water washing available and safe, effective and affordable workmanship.

“You can change your home’s appearance in a single day,” he said. “Power washing is a safe and effective option for a wide variety of surfaces, including concrete, brick, roofs, wood decking, painted and all types of siding. It removes mold, mildew. dirt and grime for a truly clean wash that’s hard to accomplish through others means.”

Power washing can help prolong the life of a home’s exterior surface and a power wash completed by Maine Power Wash Pros can keep all home surfaces in great shape, Condon said.

“Our main service is cleaning vinyl siding, which is about 95 percent of our business and the rest if painted houses,” he said. “Our no-pressure roof cleaning is a great option as well.”

Even during the pandemic, Condon says Maine Power Wash Pros offers no-contact estimates and no-contact services to alleviate health concerns.

“We can come out, review the job and email customers an estimate immediately,” he said. “They can pay with a credit card for cleaning services and we guarantee it will be spotless when we finish. Everything can be arranged over the phone and we do not have to come into contact with anyone in person when we do this type of work.” 

To receive an estimate or to receive more information about Maine Power Wash Pros, call 207-320-1801 or visit their website at www.mainepowerwashpros.com <

  

Non-Profit Spotlight: Windham Veterans Center

For those who have worn the uniform of the United States of America, the Windham Veterans Center is a helpful resource and a place to gather with those who share the bond of military service to the nation.

A collaboration between American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10643, the Windham Veterans Center was founded in the early 1990s as a place specifically for veterans to meet and receive assistance with veterans’ services and support. The Windham Veterans Association was formed as an organization to support the needs of both posts and in 1994 ground was broken for the construction of the Windham Veterans Center at 35 Veterans Memorial Drive, behind the Hannaford Supermarket Complex in North Windham Complex.

With a great deal of construction work performed by veterans and local contractor volunteers, the Windham Veterans Center opened in 1999 with the building debt free and the Windham Veterans Association owning a mortgage on the property which was paid off in 2009 through various fundraising activities. 

According to Willie Goodman, the Commander of VFW Post 10643, the VFW is grateful to have the Windham Veterans Center in town.

“The VFW Post 10643 currently has 77 members. We sponsor Windham's Boy Scout Troop 805 and they use our facility to hold their meetings,” Goodman said. “The Boy Scouts are a part of our annual Veterans Day Program which is open to the public although the ability to hold this year's program may be impacted by Covid-19.”

He said the VFW sponsors annual essay contests open to all schools in the appropriate age groups as well as those being homeschooled, and the top winners are recognized with certificates and cash awards.

“All veterans are encouraged to contact the VFW for whatever their needs may be and either we will help them or know where to direct them,” Goodman said. “Even though we are located in Windham, the VFW slogan is ‘Veterans Helping Veterans’ and we strive to live by that motto so any veteran in any town should feel free to contact us. Many times, we find veterans who aren't aware of services they could benefit from or don't know who to call to answer specific questions they may have. Our members are more than comrades, they genuinely care about each other and we want veterans to reach out to us if we can be of any assistance.”

Goodman said that the Windham VFW meets the second Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center.

Eric Bickford, American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 commander, said that the Windham Veterans Center is a focal point and home for the organization, which was first created 82 years ago by local World War I veterans.

“The post has been immersed in veterans’ lives and the local community since 1938, providing the town’s Memorial Day events including the parade, ceremony at Windham High School and a splendid open house annual picnic at the Windham Veterans Center,” he said. “The highlight of each week is the Veteran's Coffee held each Wednesday at the Center for local veterans from 9 to 11 a.m. In addition to “Veterans Serving Veterans” the post has very active youth programs including American Legion baseball, Boys State, Windham Little League baseball and a soon-to-be-opened Youth Air Rifle Program.” 

The Field-Allen Post meets on the first Wednesday of each month with a 5 p.m. social followed by a business meeting. All veterans are welcome.

Windham Veterans Association President Tom Theriault said association is made up of 10 members of the Board of Directors and that the facility is one of the few in America that is jointly operated by both the VFW and the American Legion.

Theriault said that what makes the center successful is the veterans themselves.

“They are there for each other and will listen when other veterans need to say something, or give advice when needed,” he said.”

The Windham Veterans Center also is a rental venue available with a 2,000-square-foot space for memorial services and other functions. If a loved one was a veteran, the Windham Veterans Center has the ability through the American Legion Honor Guard to provide additional honors along with the appropriate flags at memorial services held there. 

The center also provides a monthly Veterans Service Officer support function on the second Wednesday of every month which will be resumed once the COVID-19 situation is resolved. 

Therault said that the Regional Service Officer works out of the Portland Office but holds office hours in Windham on the second Wednesday of each month and any veteran may visit and receive information and learn about available veterans’ resources during that time.

For more information about the Windham Veterans Center, call 207-892-1159. For rentals, see ad below or contact Dave Tanguay at 207-939-0892 for details. <

Business Spotlight: Chute’s Family Restaurant

One of Windham’s most familiar and popular restaurants is back open to the public once again and expanding its lunch menu and hours to better serve customers. The new hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with lunch starting at 11 a.m.

Through the years, Chute’s Family Restaurant has become a Lakes Region tradition featuring a folksy and country décor and world-class homemade English muffins, Eggs Benedict and giant cinnamon rolls. The restaurant was closed for nearly 3 ½ months because of COVID-19 restrictions, but owners Bruce and Maila Stevens reopened for business July 1.

Almost all of Chute’s Family Restaurant’s 22 employees have returned to their jobs and ready to see and greet old and new friends once more.

“So many people have visited the restaurant over the years that they’ve become like family,” Bruce Stevens said. “I can recall several families stopping in for a meal following the birth of their child and now that same child is coming in with their own family. It’s so touching to see something like that.”

Originally named Chute’s Coffee Shop, the restaurant was launched in 1978 by Edward and Gloria Chute of Casco. It was established as a compliment restaurant to Chute’s Country Tea Room in Casco, which is now called Chute’s Cafe and is independently owned and operated.

At its inception, the Windham location saw a number of members of the Chute Family actively involved in the restaurant’s operation. But in 1982, the Chute’s daughter, Maila, and her husband, Bruce Stevens moved back to Maine with their family of six and purchased the restaurant in Windham, which they continue to own and operate to this very day.

The restaurant’s longstanding reputation as an old-fashioned diner featuring home-cooked meals, cozy and authentic ambiance and friendly staff is richly deserved.

According to Bruce Stevens, the restaurant has become a landmark destination in Windham over the decades because of its quaint family atmosphere, an adherence to the consistency and quality of the meals its serves, and for very generous portions offered to its customers.

“People come here for years and become a part of our family,” Bruce Stevens said. “We have such a loyal and consistent following stretching all the way from Bridgton to Portland. And we’ve had visitors that have stopped in from as far away as Florida, New York and Massachusetts.”

He said the most popular item on the Chute’s menu in the 38 years that they’ve owned the restaurant is the “Mini Platter” for breakfast, which includes two eggs, grilled home fries, choice of meat and toast. Veteran Chute’s Family Restaurant patrons rave about its tasty home-cooked hash, especially the Swedish hash, lush biscuits, an assortment of freshly baked goods, piping hot coffee and heaping plates of fluffy pancakes.

Savvy diners also rave about Chute’s more than ample portions of French toast, sausage biscuits with gravy, a variety of omelet dishes and tea cakes, all prepared exclusively in the restaurant’s kitchen. .   Diners will also find various specials of menu items and old favorites on the weekends and gluten-free bread available for toast and sandwiches.

Since Chute’s Family Restaurant reopened, visitors may notice that a few things are different, Bruce Stevens said.

First, the seating capacity for Chute’s has been set at a maximum of 50 at a time and we are following state guidance on distancing and sanitation.

“We are really building up the lunch menu,” he said. “You’ll find a lot more burger selections and fish and chips and a whole lot more here for lunchtime meals.”

Takeout meals also are available seven days a week for both breakfast and lunch, Bruce Stevens said. 

“We just want everyone to know that we are thankful for our faithful and loyal customers who’ve stuck with us through the years,” Bruce Stevens said. “We also want the community to know that in addition to our great breakfast, we are now expanding our lunch menu too and all of the great service and food that you’ve come to rely on us for is available at Chute’s Family Restaurant again.”

Chute Family Restaurant is at 686 Roosevelt Trail #B in Windham.

To place a take-out order, call 207-892-5197.<

Business Spotlight: Stoney Brook Lobster Pound

Longtime area residents and first-time visitors to the Lakes Region have discovered that the freshest and largest variety of seafood available locally at the best possible price can be found at Stoney Brook Lobster Pound in Sebago.

Operated by veteran fisherman Jed Spear, Stoney Brook Lobster Pound is open every day through Labor Day and offers a dazzling array of fresh lobsters, crabs, scallops, oysters, halibut, shrimp. clams, hake, salmon, mussels, swordfish, tuna, crab cakes, snow crab legs, king crab legs, haddock, and other seafood at their take-out market. Spear and the Stoney Brook crew are up before dawn every day to fish the Atlantic Ocean and harvest only the finest seafood in Maine for customers.

“As far as price goes, there’s nobody that can beat us,” Spear said. “There is no middleman to pay. We bring it from the ocean directly to the marketplace.”

Spear said when customers shop for seafood at Stoney Brook Lobster Pound, they are following a longstanding tradition in the Lakes Region.

“This business is fisherman-owned,” he said. “It’s a family-owned operation and a one-of-a-kind experience. When you come in the store to shop, you get to meet the harvesters and learn about where the seafood was harvested and how it was harvested.”

Spear has been involved in lobstering for his entire life and the allure of the sea runs in his family.

“My grandfather was a fisherman and my father’s a fisherman too,” he said. “I learned from them. My brothers are fishermen, my uncles are fishermen and my cousins are fishermen. It’s an art that’s been passed down for generations in our family. It’s in our blood and is something we love doing.”

According to Spear, shopping for seafood at Stoney Brook Lobster Pound is a step up in terms of quality from what is traditionally offered at local supermarkets.

Third-generation fisherman
Jed Spear owns and operates
Stoney Brook Lobster Pound in
Sebago. From the ocean to their
market allows them to offer
the freshest lobster and fish at
the best price in Maine.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Add caption

“We do not ever freeze our fish. It is always fresh,” he said. “It comes from here and is never stored. It’s absolutely the freshest seafood you can buy anywhere in the Lakes Region.”

The hottest trend in seafood these days is being able to know exactly where your fish was harvested and that’s something that Stoney Brook Lobster Pound has provided for years.

“People like to get to know their harvester and know from where their seafood on their dining table comes from,” Spear said. “They want to know when it was harvested and that it hasn’t been stored for weeks after being caught off of Canada.”

Stoney Brook customers are not just limited to the Lakes Region.

“We had a guy drive up here from New Jersey to buy from us,” Spear said. “We also have a lot of other customers from out of state and many on vacation here from Massachusetts.”

He said that the best thing about his business is connecting with the customers and helping them find exactly the type of seafood they are looking for.

“It’s nice to work for a business where you can see the faces of your customers,” Spear said. “We have a lot of regulars who have special requests and we do our best to find it for them. Even if we don’t have a particular seafood item, we know where to find it quickly and people are happy when we call them and tell them to come in and pick it up.”

For Spear, the life of being a fisherman is not without its challenges.

“This is certainly a day to day business,” he said. “But at Stoney Brook Lobster Pound it’s all about our customers and it’s truly become their place and they keep coming back year after year because they know everything we sell is the absolute freshest possible and at the least expensive price.”

Stoney Brook Lobster Pound is located at 304 Sebago Road in Sebago. It is open from noon to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from noon to 6 p.m. Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The store is closed on holidays. 

To order ahead and have your lobsters cooked for you free and for today’s selection call 207-637-1284 or visit them on Faceboob at www.facebook.com/StoneyBrookLobster.