So, who are New Hampshire’s 2009 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award Winners?

In the category of Small, For-profit organizations, the winner is Calef’s Country Store.

Cleve and Lindy Horton bought the store in 1996 from the Calef family, who opened the business in 1869 and ran it for five generations.  The Hortons set two goals: to return some luster to the old store and to create a workplace where people would want to work. Well, sales have grown remarkably over 12 of the last 14 years, and creating a good work environment remains one of their top priorities.  Proof of this is that the Barrington Chamber of Commerce named the Hortons “Business Leaders of the Year” in 2004.

Calef’s Country Store serves two distinct markets: It maintains its authenticity as a general store through good, old-fashioned personal service to the local customers. And, the store serves as a destination for the “Carriage Trade” - drawing customers from around the country and around the world in search of an authentic, old country store experience.

In the category of Education/Government/Military organizations, the winner is Moharimet Elementary School.

Moharimet Elementary School, part of the Oyster River School District, opened in 1989.  In a meeting held long before the school doors opened, the staff decided on the beginnings of a philosophy that has carried the school, the children who attend, and the adults who serve and are served (parents) through more than two decades of improvement and dedication to children and their education: “Always behave in ways that show respect for you, others and the environment.  Always behave in ways that will hurt no one physically or emotionally.” 

At the core is the belief that mutual respect among adults results in dedication and respect for the children they serve.  Since Moharimet opened, they have lived the philosophy and will continue to do so. 

In the category of Non-profit organizations, the winner is Northeast Delta Dental.

Voted one of the 25 Best Small Companies to Work for in America for the past 5 years, Northeast Delta Dental administers the dental benefits of nearly 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.  It contributes to oral health initiatives in all three states through the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation and is a valuable supporter to many community organizations.  It is a regional and national award winner for its corporate social responsibility and management practices.  It has a reputation for the outstanding quality of its customer service; and it is well known for its Guarantee Of Service ExcellenceSM program, which guarantees seven service areas and reinforces them with a group refund policy.  It offers programs for organizations of all sizes and individuals with no access to employer-sponsored dental insurance.  Visit Northeast Delta Dental at www.nedelta.com to learn more.