Business Spotlight: Octagon Cleaning and Restoration

When disaster strikes, it can be a confusing and difficult time trying to figure out how to properly restore your home or commercial property. You can feel confident calling upon Octagon Cleaning and Restoration to be of assistance in turning things around.

The Octagon Cleaning and Restoration Team stands ready 
to help restore your home or commercial property 
following a fire or natural disaster. COURTESY PHOTO

Located at 12 Roosevelt Trail in Windham, Octagon’s team of IICRC-certified and experienced professionals help take the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of your unfortunate situation and return your life to normal as quickly as possible.

Octagon offers catastrophic storm damage solutions including addressing water damage restoration, mold removal, asbestos abatement, lead removal, fire and smoke damage, and it provides air duct cleaning for commercial properties. The company services Portland, Southern Maine, Western Maine, and Central Maine from its main office in Windham, and also has locations in Fairfield, Maine and in Barrington and Meredith, New Hampshire.

Robert York launched Maine Cleaning Services in 2002 and cleaned floors for local businesses. He quickly realized the need for restoration services as many businesses turned to him for answers when these disasters occurred. He became educated about restoration and remediation services and the company was transformed into Octagon Cleaning and Restoration and now has 50 employees.

York is a Maine-licensed master pesticide applicator for mold and bacterial treatments, an EPA-certified Lead Safe Renovator, certified in applied microbial remediation (mold remediation), water damage restoration, fire and smoke damage, and applied structural drying. He is also board certified for CMRS (Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor) and a CIEC (Council-certified Indoor Environment Consultant).

“We are a locally owned family business. We are not a national chain or franchise,” said Robin Mullins, Marketing & Relationship Manager for Octagon Cleaning and Restoration. “Through our Octagon Gives Back program, we actively support our local communities by sponsoring youth programs and participating in chambers of commerce. We participate in community events like Trunk or Treats and ensure community members in need receive necessary restoration services. We also offer a five-year Workmanship Guarantee on water damage restoration and mold remediation projects, so clients can rest assured we will get the job right the first time.”

Mullins said Octagon’s experienced project managers will come and do a free initial site inspection for all projects and from that they will provide an objective and honest assessment of the scope of work needed.

“The most important thing to remember when disaster occurs is to move quickly to get the work done ASAP,” she said. “This will save both time and money. It's important to know who to call before disaster occurs.”

According to Mullins, Octagon technicians care about protecting the environment in performing their duties and use integrated electric vehicles in their fleet and solar power to offset their energy bills. They also deeply understand that disasters can be bewildering and overwhelming.

“Even though we face disasters every day, we know these events are devastating to our clients. That is why we offer a comprehensive service that puts our client firmly in control of their restoration journey,” she said. “With our swift and efficient response, we are always there to guide, communicate and answer questions throughout the entire process. After remediation, we’ll work with customers to determine what repairs are necessary to restore a property to its pre-damage condition. This could mean partnering with our sister company Octagon Construction & Energy for minor repairs, such as drywall replacement, or major reconstruction. Either way, our goal is to make your home or business look as if the damage never occurred.”

Through the years, Octagon Cleaning and Restoration has earned the trust of property owners, home inspectors, realtors, and a variety of building contractors in Maine and New Hampshire. They are A-plus rated by the Better Business Bureau and have hundreds of 5-Star reviews on Google.

Some of those reviews include:

“Octagon told me what they were going to do and when. They did what they said on time and within the estimated cost. The people were friendly and helpful. I would use Octagon again and have recommended them to my neighbors.” Doug Sax

“We used Octagon a few years back for an asbestos job that we had at our home. They were absolutely wonderful and easy to work with. The quote they gave us was reasonable and they even dealt with a few other areas that were found at no extra cost. We would recommend them to everyone!” Alexandra Carlson

“I had a great experience with Octagon when I was dealing with water damage in my kitchen! They make sure that it is being done correctly all through the process. Would use them again!” Brianna Palmer

The company is open 24 hours a day. Call for immediate assistance at 207-893-0002 or visit them online at https://octagonrestoration.com/. Find them on Facebook under Octagon Cleaning and Restoration. <

Nonprofit Spotlight: Polar Dip and Ice Fishing Derby

The calendar may say February and temperatures could dip well below freezing, but that won’t halt the resumption of the annual Polar Dip and Ice Fishing Derby the weekend of Feb. 20 at Raymond Beach.

Both events will have a slightly different look this year as a result of COVID-19 precautions and the Polar Dip will have a new sponsor in the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, but it’s all intended to be a spirited good time to raise money for deserving local charitable causes.

As far as the Polar Dip goes, the event resumes in 2021 after there was no Polar Dip last year.

“The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce has not been part of the event in the past,” said Robin Mullins, executive director of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce. “George Bartlett from Busy Bee Laundry in Windham is a member of the Sebago Lakes Rotary Club and wanted to bring the Polar Dip back as part of the Sebago Lakes Rotary Fishing Derby for 2021. He approached me and asked if I would help. I quickly jumped at that and asked if proceeds could benefit the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber's Charitable Trust, or what we call Feed The Need. We contribute annually to the food pantries in the Sebago Lakes Region in Casco, Gray, Naples, New Gloucester, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham and George agreed.”

Mullins said the chamber is excited to be a part of the Polar Dip because all proceeds stay here in the Sebago Lakes Region and they are able to host the festivities despite COVID-19.

“The event is co-hosted by the Sebago Lakes Rotary Club and Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, it only seems fitting that the monies stay local to the Sebago Lakes Region food pantries,” she said. “People want to get out and it is exciting we are giving folks a chance to get outside and help fight food insecurity in our region at the same time.”

Because of some virus restrictions, Mullins said they only have spots for 12 teams for the Polar Dip and spots are filling fast.

“So if anyone wants to join the fun, they need to sign up ASAP,” Mullins said. “In order to participate, jumpers need to get at least one donation (sponsor forms are on the chamber website) for Feed The Need. There will be prizes donated by Hannaford Supermarkets for teams raising the most funds and for the best team costumes.”

She said because of limited space, the chamber does not expect donations to exceed more than $5,000.

“We will also be limiting the amount of people viewing the event in-person. We will have jumpers videoed and will have on Facebook Live so family and friends can watch brave jumpers take the plunge,” Mullins said. “We do have other alternatives if people want to give, but do not jump into the frigid Sebago Lake in mid-February.”

People can gather sponsors and video themselves and post videos on the chamber’s Facebook page.

“Or they can give directly to Feed The Need via our website,” she said.

Information regarding Feed The Need and participation in the Polar Dip or other winter challenges can be found at www.SebagoLakesChamber.com.

The Ice Fishing Derby was the idea of Sebago Lake Rotary Club member Tom Noonan in 2001 and in cooperation with the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department. It has grown to become the rotary club’s largest fundraising effort and has supported hundreds of charities over the past 19 years donating over $1 million in that span.

In 2014, under the leadership of Rotarian, Toby Pennels, the derby gained notoriety as one of only four derbies in the United States to be featured in a new television program being filmed for the National Geographic Channel and ran in June 2014.

This year’s derby welcomes a new Gold Sponsor, General Dynamics/BIW and official media sponsor, Channel 8 WMTW | Maine’s CW for 2021. The derby will be held Feb. 20 to Feb. 21 and the grand prize will be a 2021 ATV purchased from Windham Powersports, and every entry will qualify to win even if they do not fish.

Proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army, food pantries and other Rotary focused charities. The club is also adding an Ice shack contest this year and a 50/50 raffle to benefit wildlife conservation, with details on the icefishingderby.com website. <

Holiday Spotlight: Shop Local with this Bonus Gift Card Promotion

It just might be time to rethink the old expression “it’s better to give than receive” when shopping for
Christmas gifts in the Lakes Region, thanks to a new bonus card program.

The initiative was created by Robin Mullins, the Executive Director of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and Tom Bartell, the Executive Director of the Windham Economic Development Corporation. Customers will receive a $5 bonus card for every $25 in gift cards that they purchase at 22 different participating chamber businesses.

As an example, those who buy $100 worth of gift cards will receive four $5 bonus cards to be used during a later date.

“Residents should be excited about this because they get bonus $5 cards for gift cards they were probably going to buy anyway, and by shopping local they are helping local businesses and the community,” Mullins said. “If a consumer spends $100 at a locally owned business, $68 of that stays local, supporting community programs.”

Bartell echoed that sentiment.

“In this time of restricted business activity, buying local will help our locally owned and operated businesses through the upcoming winter season,” he said.

The promotion is modeled after successful bonus card programs offered by businesses elsewhere and was created by Mullins and Bartell during a brain storming session at Rustler’s Steakhouse.

“We said ‘Hey we can do that here,’” Mullins said.

This special promotion begins Dec. 6 and ends when the merchant’s allotment of 50 cards has been distributed or at 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31. To redeem the cards, a customer must present the card to a participating business and it will be accepted as cash against the total bill.

Bonus cards expire March 31. 2021 and the initiative is generously sponsored by the Windham Economic Development Corporation and Gorham Savings Bank.

“Because the bonus cards do not expire until March 31, we hope that folks will use them well after the holiday season,” Mullins said. “By doing so, they will continue to support local businesses and the community.”

She said it is hoped that this program prompts residents to consider shopping locally this holiday season.

“Ordering online, although convenient, is hopefully a consumer’s last option, and only when an item cannot be found locally,” Mullins said. “If a consumer orders online with an organization like Amazon, none of that money stays local. Therefore, providing no benefit to our community at all.”

She said that locally owned businesses generate more tax revenue and thus promote positive economic growth by recirculating a greater share of every dollar back into the local economy, adding to the pot of many non-profit and social programs, facilitating civically based healthy communities.

Bartell said the timing of this program follows growing national trends.

“Recent studies have shown that consumer spending above gift-card value has been increasing over the last few years and is averaging $59 more than the original value of their gift card, up from $21 from 2017,” he said. “Bringing customers into your establishment with a gift card leads to increased sales.”

Mullins said the bonus card program is perfect for both local shoppers and area businesses.

“I see this as a huge benefit as it will not only get shoppers in to buy gift cards but will also get them back to redeem the $5 bonus cards,” she said. “And, due to the generosity of Windham Economic Development Corporation and Gorham Savings Bank, the $5 bonus cards will not come out of the businesses’ bottom line, but rather will be reimbursed to them.”

According to Mullins, local businesses are excited to offer the bonus card initiative this year.

“Every business has been happy to participate,” she said. “In fact, they say ‘This is a no brainer.’ And they asked if we wanted them to reach out to other business owners about the program.”

Bartell said that Windham Economic Development Corporation is grateful to Gorham Savings Bank for funding the initiative.

“It was great that Gorham Savings Bank reached out to us and agreed to provide the resources to be able to double the participating local businesses,” he said. <