Maine's Capital Area

Brian Bernatchez CFP, Managing Director of Golden Pond Wealth Management today announced inclusion in LPL’s Executive Council. This elite award is presented to less than 1% of the firm’s more than 17,000 financial advisors nationwide*.

“On behalf of LPL, I congratulate Brian and his team at Golden Pond on reaching this milestone in the growth of their firm said Angela Xavier, LPL executive vice president, Independent Advisor Services. “Business owners, American investors and industries at large faced extraordinary challenges throughout 2020. In the advisor-mediated financial advice market, investors showed how much value they place on a trusting relationship with a financial advisor. We applaud them on their extraordinary commitment to their clients and resiliency as business owners. It is an honor to

support Golden Pond and we wish the entire team continued success as they continue to add value

for clients and in their business in the years ahead.”

Since 1996, Golden Pond Wealth Management is a family owned and operated firm celebrating its

25th anniversary in 2021—affiliated with LPL Financial since inception.

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial is a leader in the retail financial advice market and the nation’s largest independent broker/dealer**. We serve independent financial advisors and financial institutions, providing them

with the technology, research, clearing and compliance services, and practice management programs they need to create and grow thriving practices. LPL enables them to provide objective guidance to millions of American families seeking wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and asset management solutions. LPL.com

*Achievement is based on annual production among LPL Advisors only.

**Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine June 1996-2020

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is currently accepting applications from high school seniors for the Bank’s Career Technology Education Scholarship.

The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to income-eligible students 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. Students must reside in counties in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont where the Bank has a branch location.

The Bank established the Career Technology Education Scholarship in 2018 and has awarded 45 scholarships to date.

Interested students can visit www.barharbor.bank/scholarships for more information about eligibility and to download the application. The deadline to apply for a 2021 Career Technology Education Scholarship is May 1, 2021.

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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Over the last 20 years, Maine’s Credit Unions & the Maine Credit Union League have raised over $10 Million, for the Campaign for Ending Hunger. The year 2020 was a record-breaking year for the campaign, which is both surprising and wonderful. In a year with so many more people in need of food assistance, those able to help dug deep and provided the help that was needed.

The pandemic caused Gardiner FCU to cancel several planned fundraisers, for the Campaign for Ending Hunger, including their annual yard sale & the spaghetti dinner. Missing out on those two fundraisers could have set them way back, but the credit union members and their community members supported every remaining fundraiser. Thanks to their support, Gardiner FCU will be donating a total of just under $20,000 to several area food banks and organizations that help provide meals to those who may otherwise go without.

The fact that the credit union members and community members fully supported this worthy cause was no surprise to the GFCU staff. Each year when the Maine Credit Union League goes over the fund raising figures, they announce which credit unions raised the most and who had the most generous per member contributions. Gardiner FCU consistently has the most generous, per member contributions. Seven out of the last eight years, their members placed first, the other year they placed second. “It goes back much farther than that.” explained Kelly Marie. “But we only display the most recent eight plaques.”

Gardiner FCU raises funds year ‘round for the Campaign for Ending Hunger and 100% of the funds go directly into their local community. “We’re so proud to be able to do our part & proud of the generosity of our members and our supporters.”

Aside from the many Ending Hunger fundraisers, GFCU also has school supply drives, food & toy drives. They support Special Olympics of Maine, area schools, school sports, and many other local charities and events. This month, March 1 – 31, they’re holding a pet supply drive, for the Kennebec Valley Humane Society. Lists of items that are needed, are posted in their lobby and under the Community tab on their website. GARDINERFCU.ORG

WATERVILLE, ME – February 24, 2021: New Dimensions Federal Credit Union (NDFCU) is pleased to announce its new Digital Branch Manager, Teresa Gagne, who began in the credit union industry, as a teller, over 30 years ago. Since then, she has worked her way up and has landed in the lending department, where her indirect lending expertise has been second to none over the past 25 years.

The Directors and staff of NDFCU are excited to have Gagne join their team as her extensive experience will be valuable as she settles into her position. Her focal point will start in executing new processes and procedures that will create efficiencies department-wide. She states, “I am really excited to be part of the New Dimensions family and to join a growing team of wonderful people. I have been in the credit union industry with a lot of focus and attention on dealerships and know I can help our members find the car of their dreams. I am also very excited to be able to assist the current indirect team so they can achieve success within their career paths”. Gagne has lived in Waterville for most of her life and enjoys spending time with her husband Steve. Together they share time with their two children, grandchild, and walking their dog.

Ryan Poulin, CEO, states, “We are excited to have Terri join our team. Her years of indirect loan experience will bring our loan department to new levels not only in house but in the dealerships that work with us every day. Terri has hit the ground running since she started, and I look forward to getting her started with our current indirect lending processes and workflows. We welcome her and look forward to working with her in the years to come.”

About New Dimensions FCU

New Dimensions Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, financial cooperative with nearly 170 million dollars in assets that offer a full array of personal and business banking services, has locations in Waterville, Augusta, Winslow, and Skowhegan. They proudly serve over 16,000 members and employ over 70 employees, who are available and ready to assist our community with their finances. For more information, contact NDFCU at (800) 326-6190 or visit www.newdimensionsfcu.com.

WATERVILLE, MAINE - February 22, 2021 - Golden Pond's founder and managing director, Brian Bernatchez, CFP , was recently named to Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for the second consecutive year.

According to Forbes, the annual list spotlights the nation's top-performing advisors, evaluated based on a methodology developed by SHOOK Research and nominated by their affiliated firm. Advisors are also evaluated based on personal interviews, industry experience, revenue trends, a review of compliance records and a focus on those that encompass best practices in service to their clients.

“On behalf of LPL Financial, we congratulate Golden Pond for being recognized on this year’s Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list. This past year has demonstrated that strong financial advice cannot be underestimated, and that personalized financial advice is critical in helping clients work toward achieving their short and long-term financial goals,” said Angela Xavier, LPL executive vice president, Independent Advisor Services. “We applaud Golden Pond for continuing to raise the bar in our industry and demonstrate the value of the independent model in creating meaningful and long-lasting investor-advisor relationships.”

Golden Pond Wealth Management is based in Waterville, Maine. They provide retirement planning and comprehensive wealth management to individuals and families, and investment & endowment management to non-profit institutions.

Brian Bernatchez is an independent advisor affiliated with LPL financial, the nation's largest independent broker-dealer* and a leader in the retail finance market, providing resources, tools and technology that support advisors in their work to enrich their client's financial lives.

*Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2020

LPL Financial, Forbes magazine and Golden Pond Wealth Management are all separate entities. The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on inperson and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) has earned the 2021-2022 Military Friendly® School designation by VIQTORY recognizing its exceptional service to veterans, military service members, and their families.

“UMA is honored to receive this designation,” stated UMA President Rebecca Wyke. “Our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing a welcoming community for our military service members and veterans.”

“We are very excited to receive this designation from Military Friendly Schools recognizing UMA’s commitment to support our military service members and veterans, and their families,” said Amy Line, UMA Director of Military and Veterans’ Services. “This has been a challenging year for everyone as we have responded to the pandemic. However, we have maintained the lines of communication and contacts with service members and their families through the use of virtual meetings and in-person contacts within the COVID-19 protocols.”

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation are evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey completed by the school. Methodology, criteria, and weightings are determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council

of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey with 747 earning the designation. The 2021-2022 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at https://www.militaryfriendly.com/.

Earlier this year, UMA was also ranked by US News and World Report as Best Online Bachelor’s Degree for Veterans.

Additional information:

UMA Office of Military and Veterans’ Services

UMA has a rich tradition of supporting military and veteran students and has been “changing lives since 1965”. UMA is commitment to educating and providing opportunities to our veterans, service members and families. A Veterans Academic Center on UMA’s Augusta Campus and a newly refurbished Veterans Lounge on the UMA Bangor Campus provide students and staff with dedicated spaces to study before or after class, as well as seek support from fellow veterans.

About VIQTORY:

Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands. VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

MaineGeneral Medical Center, in partnership with the State of Maine and the City of Augusta, today opened a community vaccination site at the Augusta Civic Center. Nearly 200 members of the community received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic.

“We’re pleased to bring COVID-19 community vaccinations clinics to the Augusta Civic Center. This location greatly expands our ability to provide more vaccine to community members,” said MaineGeneral Health President & CEO Chuck Hays. “The City of Augusta has been incredibly helpful in transforming this facility into a vaccination clinic. Along with State support on the ground, the City has supported our needs. This includes everything from transforming the physical layout, providing equipment to set up each area, helping us ensure the necessary technology is able to be installed, and providing key logistical support in every way here at the Augusta Civic Center.”

“Large community vaccination clinics like this one at the Augusta Civic Center are a key part of our effort to vaccinate as many Maine people as quickly, efficiently, and equitably as possible,” said Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. “We thank MaineGeneral and the City of Augusta for their collaboration on this site, the Maine Legislature for their support of this location, and all those on the front lines of administering vaccines for their work to protect the health of Maine people.”

“This is a great day and an important first step in returning life in our community to normal,” said David Rollins, Mayor, City of Augusta.

MaineGeneral began community vaccination clinics at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta on Feb. 1. With the opening of the space at the Augusta Civic Center, all public

COVID-19 vaccination clinics MaineGeneral provides will be conducted at the Civic Center.

“We’ve worked for weeks with the State to find the appropriate place to hold large vaccination clinics in the region,” said Hays. “As we receive larger amounts of vaccine, we’ll be able to meet the community’s needs at the Civic Center.”

Since the COVID-19 vaccines became available, MaineGeneral has provided more than 5,600 vaccines to eligible individuals, including health care workers and people age 70 and older.

Vaccination clinics at the Augusta Civic Center are open to Maine people currently eligible for vaccination under the state’s vaccination plan, including residents age 70 years or older, and health care workers and others eligible under phase 1a.

Maine’s vaccination plan aims to use the state’s limited supply of vaccine to save the lives of Maine people at greatest risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19 and to protect those directly engaged in the fight against the pandemic. In Maine, 13.4 percent of residents have received their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine. This includes more than 85,000 Maine residents age 70 and older.

Those who are eligible must register in advance through the MaineGeneral pre-registration process, which can be found online at www.mainegeneral.org/covid. Those who are eligible but do not have internet access can call toll-free at 1-866-XOUT-C19 (1-866-968-8219).

All people entering the Augusta Civic Center must wear a face covering and observe social distancing.

A video walk-through of the Augusta Civic Center clinics is available online at www.mainegeneral.org/covid

Recognizing diversity is an essential element of academic excellence, the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) is offering Equity and Inclusion scholarships to students whose academic achievement and varied experiences will enhance and enrich the education of all UMA students and the institution’s educational mission. 

Equity and Inclusion Scholars may receive up to four years of funding, provided they continuously enroll each fall and spring semester in either full or part-time study in a graduate or undergraduate program and maintain the minimum GPA requirements of the scholarship.

“We are excited to provide this new scholarship opportunity,” stated UMA President Rebecca Wyke. “This continues UMA’s long-standing reputation as a welcoming learning community.”

“This scholarship provides benefits beyond the monetary assistance to the students,” said Susan Baker, UMA Professor of Science and Co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, “We all gain when there are opportunities to engage with a diverse community of all abilities, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, religious traditions, socioeconomic classes, and ages.”    

Scholarship funds may be used to cover education related expenses, including tuition and fees. UMA anticipates awarding two graduate and five undergraduate Equity and Inclusion Scholarships each year.  Award amounts for full-time graduate students will be $3,000 ($1,500/semester) and part-time graduate students are eligible to receive $1,500 ($750/semester).  Those in full-time undergraduate programs will be eligible to receive $4,000 ($2,000/semester) and part-time undergraduate students $2,000 ($1,000/semester).

The application deadline is March 15 and scholarships will be awarded beginning fall 2021. For complete scholarship details and to complete the application, visit:  uma.edu/eischolarship

The City of Augusta is pleased to announce that philanthropist Robert G. Fuller, Jr. has recently committed to a donation of $1,640,000 for the express purpose of underwriting all of the remaining funding necessary to construct state-of-the art improvements to Cony High School’s Alumni Field complex. Fuller, for years a vigorous advocate for causes in the City that was home to his forebears of both Fuller and Cony lineage, recently reached out to City Manager Bill Bridgeo expressing his desire to assist with a project that would benefit the youth of the City for generations to come. The $2.3 million Alumni Field improvement project, a long sought-after community goal, had stalled a year ago due to a lack of funding and Covid-19 related municipal finance challenges. Fuller’s donation will allow the project to proceed immediately.

Institutions in Augusta which have benefited from Fuller’s generosity include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Kennebec Historical Society, Cony High School, Kennebec Valley YMCA, Old Fort Western and Lithgow Library. He also endowed a scholarship fund administered by Le Club Calumet Educational Foundation, assisting high school seniors in Augusta and neighboring communities to pursue their postsecondary education.

In recognition of Fuller’s decades-long contributions to enhancing the quality of life for Augusta’s citizens, the City Council has resolved to rename the athletic field complex “Fuller Field.” Mayor Dave Rollins said “It’s hard to express our depth of gratitude to Bob for what he has done for and continues to do for our City. Bob appreciates that youth athletics are a vital element in the development of our children. Ensuring that they have facilities that encourage that growth and that they can be proud of is about as good a gift as someone can make. I speak for the entire community when I say ‘Thank you Bob Fuller - Augusta is a better place because of you.”

Fuller Field’s improvements will include a new artificial turf playing field, bleacher upgrades, and related ancillary improvements as well as a new track and field events area in the region of a former abutting tennis courts site (as events like javelin, discus, and shot-put are incompatible with an artificial turf surface). The City already has about $400,000 in funds on reserve for this project and $300,000 in community pledges that were committed through an earlier fund drive. The project is now expected to go out to bid within the next two months and construction should be underway soon thereafter. Artificial turf will allow for a significantly expanded playing season for the complex.

Asked what motivated him to make his gift, Fuller said, “I believe that when a high school has a continuing history of athletic success, it fosters a sense of community pride. It rubs off. When this pride is evident it becomes easier to attract people who’ll add value – doctors, teachers, artists, entrepreneurs – and who’ll choose to stay around. Not only because Augusta has the superior facilities and services they demand but it’s also where a visitor can detect that its citizens are upbeat and enjoy living where they are. You can’t have successful teams these days without the infrastructure you need to support them. So I don’t think of my action as simply a gift but rather as an investment in Augusta’s future.“

Questions should be directed to City Manager Bill Bridgeo at 207-626-2300.

One River CPAs is excited to announce our merger with Gibson LeClair, LLC. At One River, we understand that providing the best customer experience means continuing to grow the services that we currently offer without forgetting our commitment to the community. Our merger with Gibson LeClair, LLC gives our firm a larger presence in the Augusta area while also allowing us to build a staff of likeminded community leaders.

Gibson LeClair has been recognized as a leader of non-profit audits and tax services over the last twenty years. In addition to exceptional technical expertise, both Jeanne Gibson and Steve LeClair have dedicated countless hours to the Augusta community. Jeanne, Steve, Scott and the rest of the Gibson LeClair staff will make a wonderful addition to our One River team!

One River CPAs’ focus has always been and will always be on providing great customer service as we continue to grow. We take great pride in being able to provide tax, forensics and audit services using data analytics in our fully integrated cloud-based environment. This merger will make the firm one of the largest in Maine with offices now in Augusta, Bath and Oakland.

Current clients of both Gibson LeClair, LLC, and One River CPAs, can still count on the same faces, services and local offices and we encourage you to visit us at www.onerivercpas.com.

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust recently presented donations totaling nearly $12,000 to seven Northern New England nonprofit organizations from its employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause. The recipients of the contributions collected in Q4 2020 are: BROC Community Action, Capstone Community Action, Friends in Action, Island Connections, Knox County Homeless Coalition, Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, and Tedford Housing.

“These nonprofit organizations provide much-needed services to our communities, and the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust are honored to be able to assist them with their efforts,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.

Casual for a Cause gives Bank employees the opportunity to dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected during each quarter. The employees then vote on the nonprofits to receive their contributions. Employees have donated more than $100,000 to more than 50 organizations across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont since the program launched in 2018.

Recipients of Q4 2020 Donations

Maine

Friends in Action supports Hancock County elders with a range of free or low-cost programs, services such as transportation assistance, and activities that support health, fitness, and arts and enrichment. They empower older adults and those with disabilities to thrive and to live independently with dignity and a strong quality of life. Learn more about Friends in Action at www.friendsinactionellsworth.org.

“Thank you very much for the generous donation from the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees,” said Jo Cooper, Friends in Action Executive Director. “This will assist us in providing much-needed free transportation for older people to medical appointments, as well as doorstep delivery of food and medicine, including boxes from food pantries and hot meals from local food programs.”

Island Connections provides transportation assistance to Mount Desert Island residents who can't drive for medical or age reasons. Volunteer drivers take residents to medical appointments, grocery shopping, pharmacy visits, and more. Learn more about Island Connections at www.islconnections.org.

“We at Island Connections are overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity of the employees at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for becoming a part of the family of Neighbors Helping Neighbors by recommending us to benefit from the Casual for A Cause Program,” said Doreen Willett, Island Connections Executive Director. “The funds raised will be used for the purchase of PPE for our volunteer drivers to help ensure their safety and that of the Neighbors for whom they provide free transportation services.”

Knox County Homeless Coalition offers comprehensive programs and services to help adults, families, and youth in Midcoast Maine address issues that lead to or perpetuate homelessness. They collaborate with community partners and support clients to find shelter, housing, childcare, physical and mental healthcare, transportation, as well as education, job-skills training, financial literacy and life-skills learning. Learn more about Knox County Homeless Coalition at www.homehelphope.org.

“We couldn't be more grateful to have this community support,” said Stephanie Primm, Knox County Homeless Coalition Executive Direction. “People don't always associate phones with housing but an activated phone can be a lifeline for those experiencing homelessness…Your donation can keep 30 families connected to essential resources for a month or more while they work on their goals for stability.”

Tedford Housing is a nonprofit organization based in Brunswick, Maine, with a central belief that everyone deserves to have a safe and affordable home. They provide emergency homeless shelter, supportive housing for previously homeless families and individuals as well as homeless prevention services. Learn more about Tedford Housing at www.tedfordshelter.org.

“Every gift is helping individuals and families experiencing or on the brink of homelessness in the community find permanent housing,” said Rota Knott, Tedford Housing Executive Director. “Thank you, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, for supporting our mission to empower people to move from homelessness to home.”

New Hampshire

Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice provides health care and hospice services for individuals and families in homes and community settings, fostering continuity of care across settings and enabling people to stay in their homes as long as possible. They serve more than 30 towns in the Lake Sunapee and Upper Valley region. Learn more about Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice at www.lakesunapeevna.org.

“We are very grateful for the strong and continued support of Bar Harbor Bank &Trust as Lake Sunapee VNA & Hospice remains committed to enhancing quality of life of for so many people in the regions both our organizations serve,” said Cathy Raymond, Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice Development Officer. “Our team of nearly 200 staff travel to every corner of a large service area, making a difference every day. It really does empower them to keep up their good and often challenging work knowing that organizations like yours have our back and believe in what we do.”

Vermont

BROC Community Action works to allow the disadvantaged members of the community to develop and use their capacities and abilities. They are coordinating volunteers and working to meet the emerging needs, such as food, shelter, and medical supplies, for those struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about BROC Community Action at www.broc.org.

“More families than ever are turning to us now for help due to the impacts created by this languishing pandemic,” said Tom Donahue, BROC Community Action CEO. “Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and their many thoughtful employees have been amazing partners in addressing the needs of vulnerable Vermonters during this difficult time.”

Capstone Community Action is dedicated to creating resilient households and communities and to advancing justice in social, economic and environmental policy. They empower individuals with the tools and resources to move beyond poverty. Learn more about Capstone Community Action at www.capstonevt.org.

“On behalf of the thousands of Vermonters we served in 2020, thank you for your generosity to Capstone Community Action,” said Sue Minter, Capstone Community Action Executive Director. “During a time of great uncertainty and challenge, we all needed to dig deep, and you rose to the challenge by partnering with us during a year like none other.”

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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KVCOG is proud to announce a new Business Financing opportunity through the CARES Act; $670,000 to expand KVCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). These funds will allow KVCOG to make significant new investments in our regional economy by supporting small businesses, employment, and entrepreneurship in the Kennebec Valley.

As an important contact for businesses within our region, we are extremely hopeful that the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce will help us to get the word out about this new business financing opportunity, as well as a virtual information session, to be held on February 2^nd.  

New to this CARES Act RLF is the availability of extremely favorable terms including interest rates as low as 0% and waiver of typical RLF requirements, such as providing leveraged capital or proving credit unavailability. To be eligible for this new Revolving Loan Fund, businesses must be located in Kennebec, Somerset, or western Waldo Counties. More information, including the application for funding, can be found at www.kvcog.org/rlf.

In conjunction with this new RLF program, KVCOG is pleased to partner with the SBA to offer the first in our new Resiliency Series! This series is designed to highlight different aspects of Resiliency throughout our region and is the product of additional funding from the EDA focused on helping our region respond to, and recover from, the COVID-19 pandemic.

This first free virtual session is titled “Help My Business Now!” and will provide an overview of this new funding opportunity including guidance on how these funds can best be utilized. This session will feature William Card, Economic Development Specialist, SBA, who will inform new and existing small businesses about SBA’s free and confidential Technical Assistance programs, as well as information about SBA’s own loan programs. 

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s employee giving program, Casual for a Cause, recently surpassed the $100,000 mark of total donations made to nonprofit organizations since the program launched in 2018. More than 53 organizations across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont have received donations through the program.

Casual for a Cause gives Bank employees the opportunity to dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected during each quarter. The employees then vote on the nonprofits to receive their contributions. The program is entirely voluntary, and each employee sets his/her own level of giving. Approximately 2/3 of the Bank’s employees participate in Casual for a Cause.

“Casual for a Cause gives our employees an easy way to give back to the communities where we live and work,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Even if employees are only able to contribute a few dollars, those donations add up and can make a significant difference to nonprofit organizations and the people they serve. Reaching this milestone is proof of the power of collective giving.”

The nonprofit organizations selected to receive a donation through Casual for a Cause generally offer a program or service that is tied to the Bank’s giving focus on education and workforce development. In 2020, employees targeted their donations to help nonprofit organizations that were delivering emergency services to people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizations that have received a donation through Casual for a Cause since the program launched include:

Maine – AIO Food Pantry, Bar Harbor Food Pantry, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Coast, China Community Food Bank, Community Christmas Project, Downeast Community Partners, Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Emmaus Healthy Acadia, Homeless Shelter, Hancock County Tech Center, Island Food Pantry, Junior Achievement, Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Lubec Community Outreach Center, Machias Food Pantry, Maine Mental Health Connections, Maine Seacoast Mission Family Food Center, Mid-Coast Hunger Prevention Program, Newport Community Food Bank, Next Step Domestic Violence Project, OHI Inc, Tree of Life Food Pantry, Waterville Area Food Bank, and Westside Food Pantry.

New Hampshire – American Red Cross, Claremont Soup Kitchen, Friends Program, Girls Incorporated, Granite United Way, KLS Community Food Pantry, LISTEN Community Services, Newport Area Association Food Pantry, Second Growth, Turning Points Network, Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity, Upper Valley Haven, Waypoint, and Wellspring Food Pantry

Vermont – BROC Community Action, Brandon Area Emergency Food Shelf, Capstone Community Action, Clara Martin Center, Everybody Wins! VT, Gifford Medical Center, Girls on the Run Vermont, Jump$tart VT, Randolph Area Food Shelf, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Safeline Incorporated, and Vermont Institute for Natural Science.

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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Virtual care – care by smartphone, tablet or computer – is now available to patients through MaineGeneral eCare.

“Today we begin to offer fast, convenient and affordable virtual visits to anyone across the Kennebec Valley and beyond,” said Chuck Hays, President & CEO of MaineGeneral Health. “Access to quality health care at the right time is more important than ever.”

MaineGeneral eCare features:

• Fast, convenient medical care appointments
• Available anywhere – from your mobile phone or computer
• Affordable – $49 a visit (pay by credit, debit or Health Savings Account card)
• No appointment needed
• Hours
  • Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    (Note: The service is not available Christmas Day - Friday, Dec. 25, but is available on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 until 5 p.m.)

Hays said virtual, or telehealth, services are ideal for conditions such as allergies, cold and flu symptoms, rashes, ear infections, pink eye and more.

“Patients have embraced telehealth during the pandemic as a safe, secure and convenient way to get the care they need, fast,” Hays said. “We’re proud to offer high-level health care to people affordably, wherever they are.”

Hays stressed that access to MaineGeneral eCare is open to anyone. You do not need to be a patient of MaineGeneral to use this service.

To learn more about MaineGeneral eCare or to get an eCare visit, go to www.mainegeneral.org/ecare or find the app in the Apple or Google Play app stores by searching for MaineGeneral.

Gardiner FCU has long been committed to financial education for area school children, K – 12. This included going into the schools, creating interactive content for students, and teaching them lessons early in life, to help set them up for successful budgeting and saving, throughout their lives.

Four years ago, they began holding after hours workshops, for adults, on topics ranging from Basic Budgeting, to Estate Planning, and Avoiding Scams. These free workshops featured local experts on the featured topics. They were first open to CU members and then opened up to community members. When asked one evening, after the workshop “I don’t get it. What’s in this for the Credit Union?” Kelly Marie, GFCU’s Marketing Coordinator answered, “If any of you have learned something new and found something that has helped you in any way, that is what we get out of it. Knowing you have benefited and are happier, or better off for it, is all we need.”

Needless to say, the pandemic has us all doing our jobs differently. No longer able to go into the schools, to assist with financial education, Gardiner FCU has found new ways to reach out with valuable lessons for all ages.  For the Kindergarten or first grade classes, they launched a new YouTube channel, called GFCU4kids. There, Kelly has uploaded recorded video classes for the students. Below the link to each video is a list of materials needed or a linked PDF worksheet, to finish the lessons. These can be used by teachers in the classrooms, or by parents in the homes. “The one positive thing about not being able to go into the classrooms, is that I can now finally be in more than one place at the same time,” Kelly mused. Now, instead of running four classes out of one elementary school, she is able to offer it anywhere and everywhere.

On their website, gardinerfcu.org, there have been new links and features added to pages that are targeted for certain age groups. There are interactive games, animated videos, and resources to help put our youth on firm financial footing and have them better prepared than most of us were. To help replace the workshops, previously offered to their adult members, a new page was added to the website. It covers topics from tips & resources for the college-bound and their parents to ten financial tips for seniors. All of these pages and links are available, under the Products & Services tab on their website.

Gardiner FCU is also very excited to announce that they have partnered with ZOGO, to make an app available to students, teachers, CU members and community members. They are the first institution in Maine to make it available. The app teaches financial education in little snippets, then asks questions. The more correct answers, the more points earned. Points are redeemable for FREE Gift Cards to popular places like iTunes and Amazon. They just rolled it out to some of the area high schools, hoping it will benefit students. Adults are welcome to earn while they learn too. There are great lessons on budgeting, credit, loans & more. If you are interested, go to the app store on your phone, look up ZOGO and download. Your access code is GARDINER. It’s that easy to earn free gift cards, all while becoming smarter savers & better budgeters.

Contact Kelly, with any questions. , or call 207-582-2676, ext. 125.

Augusta Adult and Community Education is invested in creating educational and professional development opportunities for our local residents and businesses. We create classes and professional development sessions specific to your organizational needs.  These sessions range from the 21st century skills of team development and navigating virtual platforms, to technical skills such as Microsoft Office and Quickbooks. In an effort to understand the needs of individual businesses we are conducting this quick survey regarding training and development that you and your employees would benefit from.  Please take a moment (survey takes about 2 minutes to complete-7 questions) to fill in the form and we will contact you to follow up. Even if you are unsure what you might need or want, please take the survey so that we may capture the overall needs of the Augusta business community.

Link to the survey: https://forms.gle/hoXXRuLbDrFJSPiF8

Greenwich Associates, a leading independent research firm, named Camden National Bank a Customer Experience (CX) Leader for 2020. This marks the third year in a row Camden National Bank has been recognized for its Retail Banking customer experience, and the first year it’s also awarded for its Small Business Banking customer experience. Camden National Bank is one of seven U.S. banks to receive 2020 CX Leader awards. In both categories, the bank was honored for its commitment to delivering a superior experience and meeting client needs during the COVID-19 crisis.

“I’m very proud of our entire team in celebrating this recognition,” said Greg Dufour, President & CEO of Camden National Bank. “All of our employees—from our business team supporting thousands of small businesses with PPP loans, to our mortgage team processing record volume, and our retail team safely serving customers each day—have stepped up in an impressive way.”

During 2020, Camden National Bank issued over 3,000 loans through the SBA’s PPP program, representing $229 million for Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts businesses. Its mortgage banking division has recorded nearly $1 billion of residential mortgages. At the same time, its banking centers remained open to customers during the pandemic, while the Customer Care Team and digital banking platforms remotely supported thousands of customers, many of whom increased digital banking usage during the pandemic.

“Customer experience awards for both retail and business banking represent our team’s steadfast dedication to listening to our customers’ needs and going above and beyond, so we can be there for them,” added Renée Smyth, Chief Experience & Marketing Officer at Camden National Bank. “Especially in such a challenging year for all, providing guidance, stability, and support for our customers is so important to us.”

Greenwich Associates conducts interviews and extensive research which provides a foundation of benchmark data on bank customer relationships which does not exist anywhere else in the industry. Greenwich CX Leaders achieve scores that exceed the industry benchmarks by a specific margin for overall satisfaction, likelihood to recommend and likelihood to continue using. Camden National Bank was one of only two banks nationally recognized in the retail banking category, and one of four in the small business banking category.

“A small group of banks that had committed to superior customer experience as the centerpiece of their strategies stood out during the COVID-19 crisis by stepping up and helping their small business, middle market and retail clients navigate pandemic challenges,” Greenwich Associates said in its November announcement.

Today marks the 19th Anniversary of Amtrak Downeaster service between Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. Since December 15, 2001, more than 65,000 Downeaster trains have operated, transporting more than 7.62 million passengers the equivalent of nearly 658 million passenger miles.  The Downeaster transports a diverse cross-section of riders who travel for a variety of purposes including commuter, college students, senior citizens, school kids on educational trips, sports fans, beach goers and tourists and more.

Amtrak Downeaster ridership increased nearly 90% in the fifteen years leading up to FY19 and continued into FY20 as ridership records were achieved in the first eight months of the year.   

Many improvements have been made since service began including reduced travel time, increased frequency and expanded service to Freeport and Brunswick. There’s more on the horizon!   Downeaster frequency will increase to serve Maine commuters. Efforts to reduce travel time by relocating the Portland station and to expand access by adding a station in West Falmouth are being explored. Amtrak is purchasing new train sets which will be used on the Downeaster route in the coming years.

This past year has had its challenges, but Amtrak Downeaster adapted and continues to operate with an enhanced focus on passenger safety and comfort.

The NNEPRA Team is grateful to passengers, crews, station communities, and ambassadors for riding along with us on this journey. 

Cheers to 19 years – there are many more to come!                                                                                                                

This holiday season, Theater at Monmouth brings back a holiday favorite, previously performed in Cumston Hall. Every Christmas Story Ever Told… (and then some!) is a fast, furious, and slightly irreverent look at holiday classics and traditions. The play begins as yet another version of A Christmas Carol and takes “a wrong turn in Albuquerque” on the way to a B.H.C. (Beloved Holiday Classic) Smackdown between A Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life. Santy Claus, Rudolph (or in this case Gustav), the Grinch, and just about every other seasonal character makes an appearance in this racy comedy that, according to Kelly Monaghan of TheOtherOrlando, “will have you laughing harder than spiked eggnog.”

Instead of performing Charles Dickens’ beloved holiday classic for the umpteenth time, three intrepid actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told—add a sprinkling of Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to contemporary pop-culture, and every carol ever sung—and you’ve got a madcap romp through the holiday season.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told… (and then some!) by John K. Alvarez, Michael Carleton, and James FitzGerald features James Noel Hoban, Ian Kramer, and Grace Bauer; directed by Dawn McAndrews with set and lights by Jim Alexander, costume design by Elizabeth Rocha, and sound design by Elizabeth Nelson. Every Christmas Story Ever Told… is sponsored by MaineGeneral Health and Winthrop Area Federal Credit Union. This production is best suited for revelers ages 13 and up.

TAM’s producing artistic director explained the shows mission, “We know so many of our patrons are missing our annual Holiday show and everyone could use a good laugh right now. We promised our patrons a BIG HOLIDAY SURPRISE and after being nagged for ages about when we were going to produce this belly-buster again, we decided to haul out the holiday cheer with a past TAM Holiday Show classic.”

Every Christmas Story Ever Told… (and then some!) will be streamed through BroadwayonDemand’s ShowShare from December 10-14. A link to book tickets is available on TAM’s Facebook and website. Once purchased, patrons will receive the link to rent the show for 48 hours once it's started just like other streaming services. Tickets are $20 with a service charge of $3.95. For instructions on how to purchase tickets and view the show visit http://theateratmonmouth.org/plays/every-christmas-stream.

For more information please call 207.933.9999 or visit www.theateratmonmouth.org.