Tom Bolster is looking forward to a healthy 2013, both in his personal life and for his business.

As owner of Gosline’s Hardware in Farmingdale, Bolster said he’s hoping the new year brings more customers.

“I’m hoping for the business to start growing again and to grow enough to bring on more employees,” he said.

In 2010, he had as many as 12 workers, a number that has since dwindled to five. Aside from the bottom line, he’s looking forward to a healthier new year after dealing with a bout of hepatitis C that developed after a blood transfusion decades ago.

Also, he’s encouraged about the Boston Red Sox.

“They picked up that closer,” he said, referring to Joel Hanrahan, an All-Star for the Pittsburgh Pirates. “That’s a good start.”

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Peter Johnson, of Gardiner, who stopped by the hardware store, said he wants to find more time to relax in 2013.

“To enjoy family,” said Johnson, an assistant girls soccer coach at Gardiner Area High School. “To visit my son in California and enjoy the fruits of his labor.”

Waterville resident Jeanne Couture, 60, said she wants to go into the new year with a positive attitude. She said she wants to spend time in 2013 at the gymnasium to help keep up a happy energy.

“I’m grateful for this past year, and I’m looking forward to the new year,” she said.

Glenda Dart, 61, of Waterville, said she hopes 2013 will be a better year than the last. “Last year was not the best year. I’m looking forward to the new year and I hope to spend more time with family and friends,” she said.

Melissa Holmwood, 30, owner of Madlyn’s New and Used Consignment Shop in Waterville, said she is hoping in 2013 to make more time for her family.

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“It was my goal last year, so hopefully I can continue to work on it and do it better next year,” she said.

In Hallowell, Deb Fahy, executive director of Harlow Gallery, is looking forward to a major milestone for the art gallery — its 50th anniversary.

“I’d like people to be mindful of the role Harlow Gallery has played in the community and cultural life of Hallowell,” she said. “It’s a big deal for an art gallery and a nonprofit to make it 50 years.”

As the new year unfolds, the gallery plans to host various events to mark the occasion, including a partnership with the Vaughan Homestead and Vaughan Woods, an animal-themed show and a big party at Hallowell City Hall, she said.

“The arts is what gives me hope for humanity,” she said.

As people across the country vow to lose weight and eat better, two other local businesses are poised to help people keep their New Year’s resolutions.

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Customers who visit Harvest Time Natural Foods in Augusta at this time of year often are looking for cleanses to rid themselves of all the extra food and drinks they’ve consumed over the holidays, owner Karen Purinton said. Also, many people have been coming in to find gluten-free products.

“We used to see more fad dieting. Now we see more lifestyle changes all year,” said Purinton, who’s been in business in Augusta for 39 years. “In the wintertime, we sell a lot more vitamin D. It’s sunshine in a bottle.”

Her goal for the new year?

“Keep on,” she said. “What we’re doing is working. What we do, we do well.”

Just a few doors up from Harvest Time is Augusta’s newest gymnasium, Anytime Fitness. It opened Dec. 21 and has about 90 members signed up so far, office assistant Zoey Bard said. She said the key to success when it comes to working out is setting a goal.

“Without one, you come in blind, you get a little frustrated,” she said. “Set a goal instead of just, ‘I’m going to the gym.'”

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When it comes to personal goals, Rep. Dennis Keschl, R-Belgrade, does not set New Year’s resolutions; but he does have a goal in mind for the next Legislature, which will begin a new session Jan. 8.

“I’m hoping we can take the partisanship out of the political process at the national and state level,” he said. “When you get down to governing, you need to be more bipartisan. You have to work for the people.”

Along those lines, Rep. Gay Grant, D-Gardiner, said constituents can meet with her at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Gardiner Public Library, where she will listen to ideas for legislation.

“I think we can get Maine growing again,” she said. “I want to be part of the positive momentum.”

Staff writer Kaitlin Schroeder contributed to this report.

Susan Cover — 621-5643
scover@mainetoday.com


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