Maine's Capital Area

Theater at Monmouth’s Shakespeare in Maine Communities Tour will go on, though not in person as in previous years, but streaming virtually! Each fall and spring, TAM sends adaptations of classic literature on the road for students in Maine and New Hampshire. Through ShakesME, TAM has provided literature-based education tours in schools and community centers since 2005. For 2020, we’ll present Measure for Measure (for grades 5-12) to deepen understanding of, appreciation for, and connection to classic literature.

Shakespeare's strikingly current play speaks powerfully about impossible moral choices in the story of the devout novice Isabella, whose faith is tested when her brother is sentenced to death for impregnating Juliet out of wedlock. When the outwardly virtuous leader Angelo propositions Isabella in exchange for her brother’s release, she must decide whether upholding her holy vows is worth her innocent brother's life.

Measure for Measure will be available to schools and community venues October 12- 31, 2020 (dates can be adjusted to fit curriculum schedules). Due to covid-19 concerns, ShakesME performances will be brought to schools via video with a Zoom Post-performance Discussion with the actors following.

TAM’s production is part of Shakespeare in American Communities, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Of getting the news that TAM had received the grant for the program, Producing Artistic Director, Dawn McAndrews responded, “We are so grateful to ArtsMidwest and the National Endowment for the Arts for selecting Theater at Monmouth to receive the Shakespeare in American Communities grant for 2020-21. TAM has been a part of this initiative to bring Shakespeare to students throughout the country for seven of the past eight years”. TAM’s Shakespeare in Maine Communities is also funded in part by grants from the Onion Foundation, the Helen and George Ladd Charitable Corporation, and the Morton Kelley Charitable Trust. These foundations provide the funding for TAM to offer scholarships to schools to bring the arts into their communities.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, TAM staff was unsure about the ability to bring ShakesME to schools as they have for the past 15 years, especially after postponing the entire 2020 Season. “We were devastated to not be able to bring classic theatre to Maine this year, and felt we’d have to cancel the ShakesME Tour as well,” said Jordyn Chelf, TAM’s Marketing Associate. “Thankfully the support from Arts Midwest and several other foundations is making ShakesME possible.”

Theater at Monmouth has provided literature-based education programs in schools and community centers since the Theater’s founding. Since 2005, TAM has taken the Bard on the road with Shakespeare in Maine Communities— featuring 60 to 90-minute adaptations of Shakespeare with five to eight actors. The target grade levels for this tour are middle and high schools; previous tours have reached more than 6,000 students annually. For more information about TAM’s Education Tours visit www.theateratmonmouth.org/education-tours or call 207.933.9999.

Kennebec Savings Bank recently named six nonprofits throughout its service area as the recipients of its 2020 Catalyst Grants. Each recipient will receive a one-time $10,000 donation to help them continue to fulfill their missions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year, Kennebec Savings Bank’s Catalyst Grant program awards funds to nonprofits to help them launch new, innovative projects that enhance their ability to serve the community. However, due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the nonprofit community, the 2020 Catalyst Grant program has award six $10,000 grants to local nonprofits who are able to demonstrate a specific need for relief funds.

“We know that this has been an especially challenging time for nonprofits providing critical services to our community’s most vulnerable citizens during this time,” said Kennebec Savings Bank President & CEO Andrew Silsby. “We are pleased to provide this funding to six nonprofits so that we can provide the kind of support that our nonprofits need the most.”

The recipients include:

Educare Central Maine of Waterville provides early care and education to young children and communities.

Boys & Girls Club of Augusta provides free after school programming for at-risk, low-income, and low-performing teenagers, serving 450 teenagers in grades 7-12.

Kennebec Behavioral Health, headquartered in Waterville, promotes the well-being of children, adults and families who experience mental illness, emotional difficulties, or behavioral challenges throughout Kennebec and Somerset counties.

Neighbors Driving Neighbors coordinates volunteer drivers who assist elderly and disabled individuals with grocery and prescription drop off and pick up in the towns of Mt. Vernon, Fayette, Vienna, Belgrade, and Rome. They are now working to safely get back to their mission to provide transportation services.

Freeport Community Services provides emergency food, fuel, and utility assistance, as well as enrichment programs for children and adults in the greater Freeport area.

Family Violence Project (FVP) is the Domestic Violence Resource Center serving Kennebec and Somerset Counties. The agency takes a proactive and responsive approach in ending domestic violence, from the 24/7 free confidential helpline and emergency sheltering to community and school-based educators. FVP offers a wide range of services for victims/survivors, perpetrators of DV, and third parties.

"Kennebec Savings Bank's generosity to support Educare's quality service for the children and families during this pandemic highlights how important community partnerships are,” said Tracye Fortin, Educare Central Maine’s Executive Director. “We are proud to ensure that significant health and safety protocols are being implemented as we engage with children to promote creative learning experiences throughout their day.  KSB funding directly supports the smaller group opportunities for enhanced learning at school and allows Educare to provide families with ways to continue learning at home."

Catalyst Grant recipients are chosen through a competitive application process by an internal selection committee comprised of employees representing different areas of the Bank. Since its inception in 2016, the Catalyst Grant program has awarded $240,000 toward sixteen organizations.

For more information, contact Community Engagement Director Amanda Cooley at .

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has named seven high school graduates from Maine as recipients of the Bank’s 2020 Career & Technical Education Scholarship. The $1,500 award is presented to students in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont who attended a technical career program as part of their high school curriculum and are planning to attend college or a technical school after graduation.

The Maine scholarship recipients are:

Haley Batson of Addison, Maine, is a 2020 graduate of Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School and was enrolled at the Hancock County Technical Center. She will be attending the University of Maine at Farmington, enrolled in the Elementary Education program.

Reese Brown of Cherryfield, Maine, is a 2020 graduate of Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School. She attained the Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA) license. She will be attending Husson University, enrolled in the Pharmacy program.

Trevor Bryant of Knox, Maine, is a 2020 graduate of Mount View High School and was enrolled at the Waldo Technology Center. He will be attending Northern Maine Community College, enrolled in the Diesel Technology program.

Jenna French of Ellsworth, Maine, is a 2020 graduate of Summer Memorial High School and was enrolled at the Hancock County Technical Center. She will be attending Universal Technical Institute, enrolled in the Auto/Diesel Technical program.

Malaya Jelks of Hermon, Maine, is a 2020 graduate of Hermon High School and was enrolled at the United Technology Center. She will be attending Husson University, enrolled in the Business Marketing program.

Race Parsons of Bar Harbor, Maine, is a 2020 graduate of Mount Desert Island High School and was enrolled at Hancock County Technical Center. He will be attending Johnson & Wales, enrolled in the Baking & Pastry Arts program.

Justice Rotta-Butler of Trenton, Maine, is a 2020 graduate of Ellsworth High School and was enrolled at Hancock County Technical Center. She will be attending Eastern Maine Community College, enrolled in the Culinary Arts program.

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiaries Bar Harbor Trust Services and Charter Trust Company. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.

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Spectrum Generations, the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging, announced its 18th Annual Golf Fore a Cause Tournament to be held on Friday, September 25 at the Brunswick Golf Club Participants will tee off at noon and spend the day on the beautiful course supporting Spectrum Generations programs and services, including Meals on Wheels.

The cost is $125 /individual, $500/team and includes 18 holes with cart, bagged lunch (catered by Cohen on the Meadows), awards, contests for longest drive, accuracy drive, putting, and hole-in-one contest for a chance to win $5,000.

The Brunswick Golf Club was recently named the 2019 Small Business of the Year by Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber, and offers challenging and championship golf in a beautiful setting with tree-lined fairways and immaculate greens, located just off Route 1.

There are various sponsorship levels available which offer a great way for businesses or individuals to generate positive publicity from their association with our tournament. For more information visit spectrumgenerations.org/golf or contact Sarah Brown at or call 620-1677.

On June 23, representatives from the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, Central Maine Growth Council, City of Waterville, and Bowman Construction joined New Dimensions FCU’s Board of Directors and employees at a ribbon cutting ceremony at its beautiful, new location on Silver Street in Waterville.

The credit union will open its new branch on 94 Silver Street on June 29. All services at the 61 Grove Street location will be discontinued.

Connected Credit Union and Winslow Community Federal Credit Union are two financially strong not-for-profit cooperatives that have combined resources to become one financial institution, serving Kennebec, Somerset, Lincoln and Waldo, Counties.

Richard Lachance, CEO of Connected Credit Union said “The name Connected Credit Union will remain, as we feel it is a perfect fit for our combined memberships. We think of this partnership as a reflection of the larger community we will serve and of connecting the entire membership through technology and personal relationships to foster financial success.”

“What makes this so exciting is that both institutions share a common culture and provide like services. We are building financial security for the members we serve and this bright, new partnership will provide great opportunity” said Cathy Bond, President of Winslow Community Federal Credit Union

While this is considered a merger from a regulatory standpoint, all parties involved view this as a coming together of like institutions and a “win, win” for all. This partnership positions us for continued growth and sustainability while meeting the needs of our members. All existing branch locations will remain open, providing full-service to members.

Connected Credit Union was originally chartered in 1967 while Winslow was charted in 1958. Both credit unions have a long-standing tradition in their communities, having served their respective memberships since 1967 and 1958. Connected Credit Union will now have more than 8400 members with assets of $100MM.

CampShakes is looking for young people who play well with their friends and are imaginative, energetic, and excited to explore Shakespeare with Theater at Monmouth this summer. The best way to explore Shakespeare is hands-on and on your feet, and CampShakes will do just that for students entering grades 4 through 8. Classes in voice, movement, and acting help students explore Shakespeare’s text emotionally, physically, and intellectually in preparation for a final performance for family and friends.

For 2020, all sessions will take place Virtually from home via Zoom from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with breaks for snacks, lunch, and arts & crafts projects.

There are three week-long sessions to choose from:

Session 1: As You Like ItJuly 27 – 31

When Celia’s Dad tries to banish her favorite cousin, Rosalind, the ladies take to the Forest of Arden to find Roz’s father and accidentally discover true love.

Session 2: Romeo & JulietAugust 3 – 7

Get ready to rumble in Shakespeare’s star-crossed tale of two young lovers destroyed by fate.

Session 3: Twelfth NightAugust 10 – 14

A shipwreck, two lost brothers, and a bunch of wacky servants play on in Shakespeare’s comedy of searching for Mr. or Ms. Right.

There will be a final performance each session for friends and family.

Each day at CampShakes begins with a movement class to warm-up campers physically and vocally. The rest of the day is filled with acting, ensemble building, voice, costume and set design, and learning to interpret Shakespeare’s plays as Text Detectives.  After a break from Zoom to eat lunch, students return to read through scenes from that week’s plays and get personalized coaching from professional actors and directors. The day ends with circle time for students to check in with each other, share their thoughts and questions, and get ready for the following day.

CampShakes’ teachers bring a variety of training and experience from colleges and universities all over the country. Each specializes in an area of theatre from Voice to Movement, Improv to Shakespeare, Ensemble Building to Acting.

For more information, call 207.933.9999 or visit theateratmonmouth.org/education/campshakes.

MaineGeneral Medical Center has been named one of the top hospitals in the country for superior patient experience by Healthgrades, a leading online resource for comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.

MaineGeneral is a recipient of the Healthgrades 2020 Outstanding Patient Experience Award, which recognizes hospitals that provide high levels ofpatient satisfaction. This is the second consecutive year that the Medical Center has earned this award and been named among the top 10 percent of hospitals across the nation

“All MaineGeneral employees are committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care,” said Chuck Hays, President & CEO of MaineGeneral Health. “Our goal is to continue providing the highest level of care, safety and patient experience.”

MaineGeneral also achieved five-star ratings in 2020 from Healthgrades for “Better than Expected” outcomes in Treatment of Heart Attack, Pacemaker Procedures, Treatment of Pneumonia and Treatment of Sepsis.

“We know when you need quality health care, you want to receive it right here in the Kennebec Valley,” Hays said. “Our MaineGeneral team is part of the community and we take great pride in providing high-quality health services to our community members. The Healthgrades awards recognize the efforts and achievements of our entire staff.”

Healthgrades evaluated 3,346 hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), covering admissions from April 2018 through March 2019, to identify hospital performance. Of those hospitals evaluated, 424 hospitals outperformed their peers—based on their patients’ responses—to achieve this distinction.

Healthgrades then evaluated hospital performance by applying a scoring methodology to 10 patient experience measures, using data collected from a 29-question experience survey from the hospital’s own patients. The survey questions focus on patients’ perspectives of their care in the hospital. The topics of these questions ranged from cleanliness and noise levels in patient rooms to physician and nurse communication. The measures also include whether a patient would recommend the hospital to friends or family.

Full results for each award program can be found at: Healthgrades: http://www.healthgrades.com

Ryan Martin will be taking the reins of the Viles Arboretum beginning in July.  Ryan comes to this position with Maine roots and a wealth of experience in all of the areas pertinent to the work of this Augusta based non-profit.  Ryan was selected out of a pool of more than a dozen applicants and his experience with non-profits, enthusiasm and multidimensional skills clearly made him stand out.  Ryan comes to the position from the Tilton School of New Hampshire, where he has been Director of their Summer Institute, a residential/day summer school program. Earlier in his career, Ryan worked for the Isleboro Adventure Camp and the Maine Trust for Education, both heavily focused on environmental education.  Working with botanical collections, public outreach, fundraising and non-profit governance are all familiar ground for Ryan. “I’m so pleased and honored to assume the role of Executive Director this upcoming June 29th. During these difficult and unprecedented times, there's an even greater need for Viles Arboretum and the services it provides for our community. For those of us quarantining in city apartments and townhouses without green space readily available, access to the outdoors isn't just important, it's essential. With over 200 acres located in the heart of our historic Capital City, Viles Arboretum is the perfect place for people of all ages to explore a diverse landscape filled with rich and immersive opportunities for recreation and learning.

This summer, we will break ground on our new Education Center, which will provide the Arboretum with an important new facility from which we can continue to expand our current program offerings and events. If you haven't had an opportunity to support this effort, I encourage you to do so.  We are a community-led organization, and the efforts of our many members, volunteers, and partners make this initiative possible.” 

Outgoing Executive Director Mark P. DesMeules commented, “We are all very excited to be able to pass the baton to Ryan for the next decade of exciting and new efforts at this outstanding arboretum resource for Maine and beyond.  It’s clear that Ryan is up to the task and very enthusiastic about moving forward with exceptional programming for this institution. I personally really look forward to working with Ryan on the transition and overseeing the completion of the new Education Support Center.”

The Board of Directors, both current and past, wish to thank Mark DesMeules for his leadership, knowledge, devotion, work ethics and tireless spirit in his 12 years as Executive Director of the Arboretum. Under his leadership, memberships increased, new programs were created, areas spruced up, trees were identified and tagged, new partnerships were formed among other things which has made the Viles Arboretum a destination to visit.  Local people, as well as world travelers have signed our guest book.  We will miss his day to day presence but his spirit of excellence lives on.

The Viles Arboretum is centrally located in Augusta, Maine on 224 acres of fields, forests, wetlands and with botanical collections from around the world. We offer an ever-changing selection of inspirational exhibits, educational and practical programs for the general public and for schools. We focus on interactive, creative and hands-on teaching with a focus on botany and natural history.  Our goal is to unlock everyone’s natural ability to understand the nature of our world through your own eyes and by using your own intellect.

We strive to make our 224 acres of fields, forests and wetlands, play a key role in contributing to the quality of life for Maine citizens and visitors from every corner of the world. Our presence contributes significantly to the quality of life in and around Augusta and beyond and our newly installed Art Trail presents the largest publicly accessible display of outdoor art sculpture in Maine.

You can learn more about the Arboretum and its programs, or how to become more involved by checking our website at www.vilesarboretum.org

MaineGeneral Medical Center has been awarded a total of $133,000 to address food insecurity and other social needs in the Kennebec Valley.

The grants include $98,000 from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, $25,000 from the John T. Gorman Foundation and $10,000 from the Maine Cancer Foundation.

“Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit our region, MaineGeneral saw the detrimental effects of food insecurity on our patients and the community,” said MaineGeneral Health President & CEO Chuck Hays. “Having enough nutritious food is an essential building block of good health and healing. We have been building our capacity to link community members in need with food resources. These grants will help expand our efforts.”

Hays said the three grants expand MaineGeneral’s ability to screen patients for food insecurity and other social needs (such as transportation), provide them with short-term food supplies and connect them to community programs for long-term solutions. Hays praised community partners who will help achieve these goals, including the Good Shepherd Food Bank, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP), Healthy Northern Kennebec, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Specifically, the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care grant expands food insecurity screening at practices outside of the MaineGeneral system to reach more patients. Over the past three years, MaineGeneral’s primary care practices have implemented a food insecurity screening questionnaire and connected food-insecure patients to local food resources. With support from the Good Shepherd Food Bank, practices can provide those without enough food with an emergency food bag.

The new funding will expand this work in three ways: adding four more practices to the program; enhancing follow-up capacity with the use of community health workers; and evaluating of the effectiveness of the program. Additionally, vouchers from local chambers of commerce will help at-risk patients access ready-made food from local restaurants. Community health workers will identify patients’ other social needs, such as transportation, and assist them in meeting those needs.

Funding from the John T. Gorman Foundation will enable MaineGeneral to meet the needs of more patients who are hungry. The health system will provide emergency food bags to patients, targeting those who live in rural areas where transportation services are currently unavailable, have co-existing conditions, are being discharged from hospital stays and other high-risk individuals. In addition to emergency food bags, vouchers will be provided to patients to purchase ready to go meals from local area restaurants and short-term transportation needs will be addressed, as well. MaineGeneral staff will work with patients to develop longer term solutions. The foundation funding will enable the health system to help approximately 1,000 people access these critical supports during this time of need.

The Maine Cancer Foundation grant will help MaineGeneral cancer patients access food during the COVID-19 pandemic by establishing a food closet at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care. The food will be given to patients based on individual needs and dietary restrictions. For example, while some cancer patients can eat soups, oatmeal and canned vegetables, others may need supplements such as protein powder to ensure they are getting the proper nutrition as they undergo treatment. While patients’ ability to access nutritious food has mostly been a financial obstacle, the COVID-19 pandemic has created additional safety and product availability issues for patients.

“Combined, these grants will greatly expand our ability to meet patients’ underlying social needs, which we know contribute to overall health outcomes,” Hays said. “We’re grateful for the level of support from these foundations, especially at this critical time when the COVID-19 pandemic and reduction in social services have created even more challenges for people in need to access basic necessities. MaineGeneral looks forward to building on our local partnerships to address the needs of our most vulnerable people in our community.”

THE FREE COURSES WILL ALLOW MAINE’S CLASS OF 2020 TO GET A HEAD START ON THEIR COLLEGE EDUCATION

Kennebec Valley Community College is proud to offer free courses for this summer semester to Maine’s 2020 high school graduates. These courses will allow the newly-graduated students to explore their career options, jumpstart their college education, and potentially save money toward their total cost of higher education. These courses are made available through the Maine Community College System's Class Gift 2020 program, which includes KVCC along with six other community colleges throughout the state.

Courses eligible for this program include: Principles of Accounting I, Anatomy & Physiology I, Intro to Communication, College Composition, Statistics, College Algebra, and more. Many of these courses are required for further college education and cover a wide variety of fields, giving summer learners a chance to explore their career options and find out first-hand which courses and academic fields excite and interest them. Taking community college courses for free offers new college students the chance to kickstart their career or college journey, especially when taking courses that are prerequisites for degree programs, potentially shortening the length of time needed to complete their degree. Offering a quicker path to college program completion also allows students an opportunity to enter the workforce sooner, with a lower amount of student loan debt.

In order to take part in the program, students simply need to email KVCC’s college navigator, Brian Holtz, who will help each student choose the course that’s right for them based on their desired career path or educational outcome. KVCC’s summer courses are available at a variety of start dates throughout the summer to accommodate students’ busy schedules.

“The class of 2020 has had anything but a normal finish to their high school career,” shared CJ McKenna, KVCC’s Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management. “The Class Gift will give them the chance to build a strong foundation for the next chapter of their educational goals. I hope that next chapter will include enrolling full-time at KVCC.”

To browse a list of courses, or for more information about taking courses with KVCC, please visit: https://www.kvcc.me.edu/academics/information/courses/. To learn more about the free course program offered through the Maine Community College System, please visit: https://www.mccs.me.edu/our-programs/class-gift-2020/.

Kennebec Valley Community College is one of seven community colleges operating under the authority of the Maine Community College System Board of Trustees, located on a seventy-acre campus in Fairfield, Maine. KVCC offers the lowest tuition in Maine, with tuition rates set at $94 per credit hour for Maine residents. There are multiple financial aid options available for prospective and current students, including scholarships, grants, loans, work-study programs, and more.

The health and well-being of people in the Kennebec Valley region will be enhanced for years to come because of generous gifts from the Peter Alfond Foundation to MaineGeneral Health and the Alfond Youth & Community Center.

A $40 million endowment will allow MaineGeneral to significantly expand its prevention programs to sustain improvements to community health. The Alfond Youth & Community Center has been endowed $8 million to fund the positions of Wellness Director and Wellness Trainers.

“The $40 million Peter Alfond Prevention and Healthy Living Center Endowment Fund supports innovative approaches to improve lives,” said MaineGeneral President & CEO Chuck Hays. “With this investment, we will continue to break down barriers to care and wellness services to better address the health of community members. This requires us to provide tools and services where people live, work and play.”

Hays noted, “This funding comes at a critical time for our health care system. COVID-19 has dealt a severe negative financial blow to all health care organizations, requiring hard decisions. Maintaining funding for community health is always a challenge. This gift allows us not only to continue but to expand our prevention and healthy living programming as we focus operational dollars on COVID-19 recovery and disease-specific health care needs.”

The endowment supports investments in:

• Expanding the reach of MaineGeneral’s current Prevention & Healthy Living – now named the Peter Alfond Prevention & Healthy Living Center – which provides free and low-cost classes on healthy cooking and eating, physical activity and mind-body health. Classes will expand to worksites as well as other places throughout the area to increase access.
• Enhancing access to teaching kitchens, including working with our community partners, and using pop-up kitchens to teach individuals how to make healthy, affordable and tasty food at home with their families. Additionally, this funding will support culinary medicine efforts throughout our system.
• Expanding community health outreach through a team of Community Health Workers (CHWs) who will meet people “where they are at” and link them to
• needed care and resources to improve their health and quality of life. CHWs are trusted members of the community who understand community resources and needs. CHWs facilitate access to services and improve the cultural competence of service delivery.
• Evaluation of supported programming to ensure that the goals of improving personal and public health are being met through these efforts, and sharing best practices so other communities may benefit from successful strategies and tools.

Peter Alfond’s children said, “It was our father’s sincere desire to improve the quality of life of those living in the Kennebec Valley. The Peter Alfond Prevention & Healthy Living Center is the result of his vast knowledge of wellness, his entrepreneurial spirit and his relentless philanthropic zest. This gift represents a final manifestation of our father’s vision of a sustainable solution to improving one’s quality of life through a multi-faceted approach.”

Most recently, the Peter Alfond Foundation invested in community health at the Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) in Waterville, ME. Those funds supported facility enhancements and accessible programming, including services provided by MaineGeneral Health, to engage more area residents.

The additional $8 million investment in the AYCC by the Peter Alfond Foundation broadens the Center’s ability to address whole family wellness by providing 1:1, small class and large group wellness classes and activities to all community members. The endowment will support the sports medicine and teaching kitchen programs offered by MaineGeneral at the AYCC.

“Peter was a friend, a supporter and a mentor who led the way in wellness in the community and the expansion of our facility’s focus,” explained Ken Walsh, AYCC CEO, “and his kids are ensuring the success of his visions. Knowing that a place is nothing without the people who plan and deliver the programs to its members, this endowment secures the Wellness Center operations and staff positions well into the future and gives us the ability to employ the most talented and visionary folks around.”

Barbara Crowley, MD, Peter Alfond Foundation Endowment Leader at MaineGeneral Health, is overseeing the implementation of the MaineGeneral endowment funds.

“We lost Peter Alfond, visionary, friend and philanthropist, nearly three years ago,” Dr. Crowley said. “Peter believed passionately in disease prevention and healing through access to good nutrition, exercise, stress management and mindful living. He cared so deeply about this community and we are honored to receive this gift from his family and foundation to help us further his vision.”

Peter Alfond served nearly a decade on the MaineGeneral Health Board of Directors. He invested in wellness opportunities that became the teaching kitchen and cafeteria in the Alfond Center for Health, and in the creation of new programming accessible to all in the community under MaineGeneral’s Peter Alfond Prevention & Healthy Living Center.

“The people of the Kennebec Valley will benefit for generations to come because of the impact Peter Alfond has made and these gifts from his foundation,” Dr. Crowley said. “We are deeply grateful to Peter’s children for continuing his vision.”

Over the past several weeks, Gardiner FCU has donated about $23,000.00 to food pantries and organizations who provide food to area families, with food insecurities.

Record numbers of people are unemployed. Schools and many daycares are closed. Children who may have received two meals a day, at school or daycare, are now at home. As a result, the need for assistance at area food pantries has never been greater. “I spoke to a source at one pantry, who is seeing twice as many families. Another has seen the number of people increase four times over.” States Kelly Marie, Marketing Coordinator for Gardiner FCU.

The Credit Union typically holds fundraisers, year-round, to benefit the Campaign for Ending Hunger. Realizing the urgent need, they released those funds early and also made separate contributions to the Gardiner Tiger Food Pantry and to the Good Shepherd Food Bank, where many of the pantries supported by GFCU, go to get items to fill their shelves. When Townsquare Media approached the Credit Union with their Virtual Food Drive, for Good Shepherd, GFCU jumped at the chance to lend support, making a donation to Good Shepherd and sponsoring the first hour of the drive, on air, on both the Moose & the Bee. Their virtual food drive, found on their website, has raised over $32,000, as this is written.

“We are not alone in our efforts to help our local families and food banks. We are proud to be doing our part. I saw a post about Faith Food Pantry losing a freezer full of food and having refrigerator issues too,” said Kelly. “No sooner had I seen the post, than I saw another from Faith saying thanks to the outpouring of support, they had replaced all they had lost and then some. People who can help are stepping up and helping so many.”

There are many ways to help, even when practicing social distancing. You can contact a food pantry, in your area, and ask them what their greatest need is. They may need diapers, toilet paper, or shampoo, as well as canned goods or gift cards they can use to purchase needed items, as they shop. If you are able to help, give them a call. Bread of Life 207-626-3434; Chrysalis Place 207-582-5507; Faith Food Pantry 207-203-0002 Food for Thought 207-737-9150; Hallowell Food Bank 207-992-6899; Janice’s Community Food Pantry 207-582-5283; South Gardiner 207-582-7807; Spectrum Generations Meals on Wheels 207-626-7777; Gardiner Tiger Food Pantry 207-582-3150; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kennebec Valley 207-582-8458; Chelsea Food Pantry 207-480-9239.

Once the lobby reopens at Gardiner FCU, they hope to resume fundraising for Ending Hunger. For now, they are accepting monetary donations are accepted through drive up, or by leaving donations with a note, in their drop box.

MaineGeneral Medical Center (MGMC) has received a five-year, $2 million grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support efforts that address youth trauma.

“This National Childhood Traumatic Stress Initiative Grant enables MaineGeneral’s Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Center to build on existing community and medical staff partnerships to improve the capacity of mental health providers in central Maine to provide evidence-based trauma services to children,” said Chuck Hays, president & CEO of MaineGeneral Health.

The Central Maine Youth Trauma Initiative, fully funded by the federal grant, will enable the Pediatric Center to:

· Provide training for up to 100 providers in well-researched, effective therapies for children who have experienced trauma or are in high-risk situations;

· Provide education and support to foster parents in caring for children who have experienced trauma; and

· Create a Trauma 101 curriculum that will be provided at no cost to organizations that serve children who have experienced trauma, such as schools.

The need for a robust effort to address trauma comes in the wake of Maine’s high rates of opiate addiction and increased risks to children from rising rates of poverty, parental unemployment and the loss of social supports during COVID-19.

“Expanding evidence-based treatment and training will bring much-needed help to countless Central Maine youth,” said Dr. Stephen Meister, medical director of MaineGeneral’s Edmund N. Ervin Pediatric Center. “We know the need for these services is great. In 2019, Maine experienced a 42 percent increase in children coming into state custody, and all these children have experienced trauma. It’s essential that we strengthen our capacity to support these young people.”

For the first time in the theater’s history, Theater at Monmouth will not produce a Summer Repertory Season. After months of planning for the 51st Season, the theater will remain dark for the foreseeable future. While TAM had been preparing patrons, artists, and staff for the inevitable, having paused ticket sales in early March, they were surprised by Governor Mill’s announcement of the Four-Stage Plan to re-open Maine on April 28.

“We surveyed our patrons early on and had an idea of what they would and wouldn’t do in response to the continued spread of the coronavirus and what guidance they would be looking for from state and national officials before making a decision to come to the theater again.” said Dawn McAndrews, TAM’s Producing Artistic director. “On April 28, we expected that the Governor would announce an extension of the Stay Healthy at Home mandate and were hoping for guidance on how best to move forward during the pandemic. Governor Mill’s announcement confirmed that arts organizations and particularly theaters would not be opening for some time. We recognize that many patrons will be disappointed by the news but due to the continued threat of COVID-19, we’ve decided to postpone the 2020 season.”

TAM’s Board President, Ryan Dumais, agreed, “Since early-March, the Board of Trustees has been monitoring developments surrounding COVID-19. It had been our hope that the situation would improve more quickly and that we might be able to go ahead with our 51st season of classic theater here in Monmouth. Unfortunately, things have not turned out that way. After nearly two months of meeting, planning, and strategizing, the Board came reluctantly to the conclusion that it has no alternative but to forego production of our 51st season in the summer of 2020, and to move that season instead to the summer of 2021.”

Before the Governor’s announcement of the four-stage plan to reopen the State, it was already clear that it would be extraordinarily difficult to go ahead with TAM’s summer season in a way that protected the health and well-being of audience and company members. Any lingering hopes that somehow, someway, the season might happen were dashed with the announcement of plans for reopening the State. Unfortunately, under that plan, theaters will be among the last classes of establishments to re-open. Closing, though not easy, was the right and responsible decision for the well-being of company members and audience.

Theater at Monmouth previously cancelled its spring Page to Stage Education Tour PACHANGA! Latinx Stories for Kids in consultation with school administrators. This annual tour brings adaptations of classic literature to elementary and middle school students throughout Maine and into New Hampshire. McAndrews continued, “We looked for ways to bring this production to students through video or live streaming but with actors and director coming from New York City, it would have been impossible to guarantee the safety of artists and our community.”

Theaters across the country have shuttered, and many artists find themselves suddenly unemployed. It is essential that Maine’s only Classical Repertory Theater does not collapse. By making the difficult choice to postpone productions this summer, TAM hopes to ensure that it will survive until next year and thrive in the summers to come.

TAM’s 2020 (R)evolutionary Season was scheduled to begin public performances on June 27 and conclude August 27. The season was programmed to celebrate Maine’s Bicentennial, the 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage, and the Election Year. Summer Repertory plays included Shakespeare’s Cymbeline directed by Eddie DeHais and Julius Caesar directed by Bill van Horn; the Maine premiere of Mat Smart’s The Agitators directed by Josiah Davis; a World Premier of Callie Kimball’s Sofonisba directed by Dawn McAndrews; Edward Albee’s Seascape directed by Kate Bergstrom. The Family Show, Aesop’s Guide to Friendship adapted by Dawn McAndrews and directed by Ian Kramer, annually reaches young people and the young at heart.

TAM currently plans to produce the plays of the (R)evolutionary Season in 2021. Thanks to an outstanding group of artists, technicians, and administrators, the summer was on its way to being one the theater’s strongest yet; and they look forward to coming back stronger than ever in 2021.

“We believe that arts are essential during times like these but until there is a vaccine and universal testing, it seems impossible to bring people together in the intimate space of any theater and ensure the safety of all. Know that this is not a curtain call. This is only an intermission. And we will be back for the next act.”

Find TAM on: http://twitter.com/TAMonmouth | http://www.facebook.com/TAMonmouth https://www.instagram.com/theateratmonmouth | http://theateratmonmouth.org/

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has helped our customers navigate many financial crises and economic downturns over the last 133 years. We are committed to serving our customers and supporting them as we navigate through the COVID-19 crisis. We recognize each customer need is unique, and we will continue to provide personalized, individual service and support. If you are experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19, we are here to help. Give us a call at 888-853-7100.

Our local branches are open and here to serve you. See below for additional information about your local branches and their hours:

Branch Name: South China

Branch Address: 368 Route 3, South China, ME 04358

Branch Phone Number: 207-445-4865

Branch Hours:

• Monday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Tuesday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Wednesday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Thursday: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• Friday: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
• Saturday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Branch Name: Waterville

Branch Address: 335 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901

Branch Phone Number: 207-877-9900

Branch Hours:

• Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Saturday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Types of Service Available: The drive ups at these locations are available for regular transactions and lobby appointments are available for needs that cannot be handled at the drive up. Please call the branch directly to make an appointment with a banker.

24/7 Remote Banking options: We are proud to provide our customers with many tools to allow them to complete their banking without leaving the safety of their home. We offer online banking, mobile banking with mobile deposit, telephone banking, and more. Additionally, our locations offer Smart ATMs that allow customers to withdraw money and deposit checks. Don’t want to use cash? Consider using your Bar Harbor Bank & Trust debit card with Contactless Payment Technology, just tap and pay. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.barharbor.bank/bank-anywhere

Home mortgage payment relief:  If you are wondering what your mortgage payment relief options are as a homeowner, please contact our Customer Service Center at 888-853-7100.  They will connect you with a dedicated team member who will work with you to review all of the options available and build a solution for your particular situation.

Business loan payment relief: If you are a business customer or business owner wondering what your loan payment relief options are, we encourage you to connect with one of our Commercial Bankers. They can discuss the different options available, including the SBA Paycheck Protection Program, and will develop a solution specifically for your needs. Contact one of our branches or our Customer Service Center at 888-853-7100 to get connected with a Commercial Banker.

Cash management solutions: Running your business during this time of social distancing can present challenges and we are here to provide solutions. We can help answer your questions about FDIC insurance, credit card processing, depositing checks remotely, moving money electronically, and more. We offer a variety of products and services to help you run your business remotely, securely and efficiently. Simply give us a call at 888-853-7100 and ask to be connected to our Treasury Services Group.

Beware of scams:  Be aware of specific coronavirus-related scam information by visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s website. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust will never ask you for your personal information without your prompting.

We are here to help. Many of our employees are working remotely to minimize face-to-face contact. Those employees can be contacted directly or by calling our Customer Service Center, which remains open and ready to assist you.  Simply call 1-888-853-7100.  You can learn more about our response to coronavirus here: www.barharbor.bank/coronavirus

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiaries Bar Harbor Trust Services and Charter Trust Company. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.

Chuck Hays, president & CEO of MaineGeneral Health, recognized the first responders who greeted MaineGeneral staff today outside the Thayer Center for Health in Waterville and those from the Augusta area who greeted staff at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta last week.

Chuck’s statement follows:

We’re so inspired by the outpouring of support from our fellow first responders in our community. They’re our partners, with us all year round and during these unprecedented times. We are honored to work beside them, and are so thankful that they are part of our team, protecting our community every day.

All the support we have received in our community brings joy and inspires our staff who are on the front lines of this crisis. This outpouring of support – whether donations of homemade masks or other equipment or simple messages of thanks – has helped us take care of others.

We know this is a challenging time. Everyone is making sacrifices.

We’re here for you, your family and our community. We’ve trained for this, and while there are great unknowns, be assured you have skilled, compassionate care when you need us.

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has announced the availability of several online resources that parents can use at home to teach their children about finances. The content, which consists of worksheets, articles, coloring sheets, and more, is geared towards students K-12 and includes content for Spanish-speaking families. All of the resources can be accessed at www.barharbor.bank/financial-education.

“Students have transitioned to remote learning because of COVID-19, and we wanted to ensure that parents had access to valuable financial education content that can be taught at home,” said Joseph Schmitt, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Learning how to save and plan for the future is more important than ever, and we hope these resources will help put children on a path to a lifetime of financial success.”

The financial education content was created by the Bank’s partner, The American Bankers Association (ABA) Foundation. Since 2006, the Bank, in coordination with the ABA Foundation, has sent bankers into local classrooms to teach students valuable lessons about finances and how to become smart money managing adults.

The content on the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust website covers topics such as How to Talk to Your Kids about Money, Wants vs. Needs, and Budgeting in the Real World. There is also content for high-school students planning for college.

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiaries Bar Harbor Trust Services and Charter Trust Company. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.

Local food banks and food pantries able to stock their shelves.

When faced with unprecedented times, we all want to know that there is help available in times of need. Unfortunately, the resources we have are limited and it is the responsibility of the community to ensure underserved people are able to utilize them when needed. Food banks and food pantries are there to assist every person possible, but they need our help to be successful. Everyone has experienced a time when they were unsure how to find the necessary resources to meet their most basic needs, so we need to work together to take care of those who need our help the most.

Because New Dimensions FCU cares about its community and wanted to do something to help, they have donated over $11,000 to seven local food banks and food pantries. Ryan Poulin, CEO, states, “We all must play a role in keeping our community healthy and safe, so we quickly rallied to donate the funds to the quickly dwindling food banks and food pantries that needed it most. Everyone needs to eat, and we are doing our best to help as many people as possible, get through this pandemic.”

New Dimensions FCU wants you to remain healthy! With you, your family, and many communities in mind, we have found ourselves in a time of uncertainty, but know that together we will come out of this stronger, more united, and able to walk into the future with a solid understanding of what it takes to work together.

If you have any questions or need financial assistance, contact New Dimensions FCU at (800) 326-6190. Stay Healthy!

To address growing challenges and financial hardships due to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Camden National Bank announced several measures to support its customers, employees, and communities.

“We recognize that this is a very stressful time for individuals, families, and businesses,” said Greg Dufour, President & CEO of Camden National Bank. “In order to provide flexibility and better peace of mind for those in need, we are taking extra steps to alleviate financial burdens and support our customers, community and employees.”

COVID-19 payment relief program for customers

Supporting individuals and families

• Up to 90-day loan deferment program for those facing financial hardship due to interruption in income on qualified loans. During this time, interest will accrue, but customers won’t be charged any late fees or have impacts to credit.
• Additional flexibility in access to credit products and support, as well as waived penalties for early CD withdrawals

Supporting business customers

• Waived late charges for payments on qualified loans
• Flexibility for higher limits related to remote deposit capture
• Options for payment relief on commercial and small business loans, based on need
• Assistance with access to any government sponsored support, including any state or federal lending assistance programs, such as Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) or U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Expedited FAME and SBA application process for qualified businesses impacted directly or indirectly by the pandemic, including vendors or other external business partners

The Bank is also encouraging customers to take advantage of its network of 71 ATMs and its full range of digital tools and services, which can be used remotely. With online and mobile banking, customers can monitor their accounts, deposit checks, pay bills, transfer funds, pay friends, live chat for assistance, and more.

Customers with challenges, needs, or questions can reach out to their local banking center by phone or the Customer Care Team, available 24/7 at 800-860-8821.

“This is an important time to reiterate that Camden National Bank continues to be very well capitalized,” continued Dufour. “Through thick and thin, we lean into our identity as an innovative, caring community bank since 1875 with strong core values and a talented team that is here to support our customers and neighbors. In addition to our previously planned nonprofit support, we’re making special donations to local food pantries and hunger relief agencies at this time.”

Supporting employee health and wellbeing

Earlier this week, the Bank announced it would be temporarily moving to drive-up service only at its banking center locations, with in-person visits by appointment, in order to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Bank has also been ramping up cleaning efforts at all its locations.

In order to keep employees safe, the bank is increasing education on appropriate hygiene practices and social distancing. It has also modified its travel policy, restricting business travel and requiring notification of personal travel to higher-risk locations. In addition, applicable employees are transitioning to working from home temporarily, with a goal of having more than half of the bank’s workforce remote in the coming week.

“We’ve been closely monitoring guidance from the CDC and local authorities to protect the health of our employees,” continued Dufour. “Using internal communications tools, we’re educating everyone on best practices and benefits resources that can help employees during this challenging time. To provide a buffer of support, we’ve also added $100,000 to our Employee Emergency Fund, designed to help confidentially pay emergency bills for employees in need.”     

Relevant updates and the latest information can be found on Camden National Bank’s Coronavirus Updates page.