PORTLAND, MAINE — Oakhurst Dairy, northern New England’s largest independent family-owned dairy company, announced today the winners of its Oakhurst Moments – Win Oakhurst for Life Contest. More than 700 participants shared their special moments with Oakhurst via photos, video and brief written stories. Robin Roberts Webster of Morrill, Maine, received the grand prize – Oakhurst products for life and the opportunity to donate $1,000 to the charity of her choice. In addition to the grand prize winner, four individuals — Philip Almy of Hallowell, Maine; Dayna Herz of Bangor, Maine; Joan Dubé of Windham, Maine; and Laura VanWagner of Hooksett, NH — were randomly selected to receive $100 each in product.
Webster submitted a heart-warming and funny story about her father, Roger Roberts, a 30-year dairy farmer and former Oakhurst Dairy producer. In her entry, she calls him “Uncle Roger” and tells of a time almost 40-years ago involving a unique “chocolate cow” and an extremely gullible cousin. Here’s her story:
I grew up on an Oakhurst Farm in Maine, drinking Oakhurst milk. My Dad took over the farm at age 12…He has now passed on, the farm no longer has cows but the Oakhurst Farm sign still hangs proudly on the barn door. One of my favorite memories is “Uncle Roger’s Chocolate Cow.” One of the attractions of cousins coming to Maine was the farm. Picture these kids all excited, helping feed, calling cows to the barn and getting to milk that chocolate cow. Only one of Uncle Roger’s cows gave chocolate milk so you had to wait your turn. You always milked into a Dixie Cup that he held for you. (otherwise you would see the syrup). Warm frothy chocolate milk fresh from the cow!! They told everyone about the chocolate cow, one silly little cousin even tried to convince a teacher at school that Uncle Roger really had a chocolate cow. They will never live that down. We are all older now but we still laugh and tease about “Uncle Roger’s Chocolate Cow.”
“After speaking with Mr. Bennett, I could hardly believe it,” said Robin Roberts Webster. “It is exciting news for our family and just another way we can honor my father, who is no longer with us, but loved dairy farming and our summers with our cousins and the only “chocolate cow” in Maine.”
Webster continued: “Winning will also allow us to say a special thank you to the Morrill Fire Department for being there when we really needed them a few months ago.” Upon learning she was the Oakhurst Moments – Win Oakhurst for Life grand prize winner, Webster immediately selected the Morrill Volunteer Fire Department to receive the $1000 donation. On Memorial Day weekend, the house attached to the barn in her story suffered a significant electrical fire. The Morrill Fire Department was a first responder on the scene with four trucks working to control the blaze.
The Oakhurst Moments – Win Oakhurst for Life Contest began on April 9, 2012, and concluded on June 30, 2012. Throughout the contest period, submissions were reviewed weekly and narrowed to 10 finalists. In July, the panel of judges — Bill Bennett, Chairman of the Board, Oakhurst Dairy; John Bennett, Co-President, Oakhurst Dairy; Jean Bennett Driscoll, Executive Assistant, Oakhurst Dairy; Althea Bennett McGirr, Director of Customer Service and Consumer Affairs, Oakhurst Dairy; Robert Clark, Chief Professional Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine and nationally recognized comedian, Karen Morgan — met to review the entries of the 10 finalists and select the grand prize winner.
“It’s been really fun to experience our company through our customers memories – some have been funny, some more serious but all really interesting,” said Bill Bennett, Chairman of the Board, Oakhurst Dairy.
Bennett continued: “Out of all the entries, Robin’s moment was the most compelling story to the judges. It had a whimsy and real life component to it that everyone connected with. And one of the judges even commented “Uncle Roger” would make a perfect cartoon series.”
Source: Oakhurst Dairy