Columbus, OH – On Wednesday (June 17), U.S. Trotting Association Director and District 9 Chairperson Don Marean was officially named as a 2026 Spirit of America Award recipient by the Town of Hollis, ME at the Hollis Selectboard meeting.
The Spirit of America Foundation Tribute is a statewide Maine honor given to local individuals who demonstrate exceptional volunteerism and community service.
Marean, a former state representative, was specifically recognized alongside his fellow volunteers for his vital role on the Hollis Town Manager Hiring Committee. He and the committee dedicated seven months to executing a smooth transition into Hollis’s first-ever Town Manager form of government, finishing the complex onboarding and hiring process completely on schedule.
Winning the local town nomination automatically makes Marean eligible for the broader York County Spirit of America regional ceremony, where county commissioners officially honor all town winners together.
Following is the congratulatory message to Marean on his Spirit of America Award:
Don Marean: A Lifetime of Service and Stewardship
Today we gather with deep gratitude and admiration to honor a true champion of community, Don Marean, as the recipient of the Spirit of America Award. Through decades of quiet leadership, unwavering integrity, and generous service, Don has left an indelible mark on our town, our state, and the industries he holds dear. His life stands as a shining example of what dedicated citizenship and heartfelt commitment can accomplish.
For many years, Don has been a steadfast voice for the people of District 16 in the Maine State House of Representatives, serving from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2020. As a respected member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee for four consecutive terms, he worked tirelessly to protect the land, support farmers, and preserve the natural heritage that defines our region.
Closer to home, his service has touched nearly every corner of community life: as a valued member of the Town’s Finance Committee, a former member of the Hollis Select Board, and currently as a dedicated member of the MSAD 6 School Board since 2021. In these roles, he has contributed with distinction to facilities planning, finance, negotiations, and the Budget Advisory Committee, while also moderating Town Special Meetings and Candidates’ Nights.
A champion of fiscal responsibility, Don has worked diligently to ease the tax burden on the families of MSAD 6. His love for the land and commitment to future generations is beautifully embodied in the agricultural conservation easement he placed on his own property — creating a “Forever Farm” that will remain a living legacy of open fields and agricultural tradition for all time.
Don’s influence reaches far beyond local boundaries. A respected leader in the agricultural and equine worlds, he has served as Director for the New England Expo at the Big E, as a member of the Board of Agriculture at the University of Maine, and on both the Harness Racing Commission and the International Association of Race Commissions. His deep involvement with the United States Trotting Association spans numerous boards and committees, and he has lent his expertise as a Board Director and President for the Standardbred Transition Alliance and the Board Member of the American Horse Council.
A successful businessman and entrepreneur, Don owned and operated Standish Hardware and Feed Company for thirty years before thoughtfully selling the business to his loyal employees in 2003.
In 1988, he and his beloved wife Linda founded Lindon Farm, Inc., where they bred and raised fine horses until 2010. Even today, in retirement, their love for horses continues as they lovingly care for their animals. Together, Don and Linda have built a rich family life blessed with three daughters, two granddaughters, one grandson, and four great-grandsons — a legacy of love that brings them their greatest joy.
Don Marean embodies the very essence of the Spirit of America — a man of principle, vision, and quiet strength who gives of himself without fanfare, always working for the betterment of others. Through his service, his stewardship of the land, and his devotion to family and community, he has made our corner of the world a better place.
Congratulations, Don. Today we celebrate not only all you have accomplished, but the generous and honorable spirit with which you have lived your life. You truly represent the best of us.