Maine's Capital Area

Local SERVPRO fire restoration specialist says use common sense and caution to help control risk of holiday season home fires

In a year when large holiday gatherings may not be possible, fire damage restoration specialist Anthony Wolverton of SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville says a focus on family decorating traditions and more intimate celebrations may take on extra significance. "It's as important to keep safety top of mind with a small family gathering as it is with a large holiday party," says Wolverton. "We all enjoy bringing the glow of the holiday season to our homes with Christmas trees or menorahs and candlelight, but these statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration¹ show how easy it is for home decorating to turn into a home disaster."

* The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year's Day and New Year's Eve.
* More than half of the home decoration fires in December are started by candles.
* A heat source too close to the Christmas tree causes one in every four winter fires.
* On average, one of every 52 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in death.

In addition to exercising caution with candles and heat sources, it is important to follow manufacturers' guidelines for holiday lighting, says Wolverton. "According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 44% of home Christmas tree fires.² Though Christmas tree fires may not be common, they can be devastating to more than the house itself. They can destroy irreplaceable photos, mementos, and family heirlooms and even cost lives," says Wolverton. "To help keep your holidays bright and your home and family safe, use common sense with candles and tree placement, and follow these important home decorating guidelines³."

* Only use decorations that are flame-retardant or not flammable.
* Check holiday lights each year for frayed wires or excessive wear.
* Don't link more than three strands of holiday lights.

"In a year when so many of the things we take for granted have changed, we know people will still come together – in person or virtually – to celebrate family and holiday traditions," says Wolverton. "'Stay safe' has become a common expression in the context of public health, but this holiday season, we urge all Augusta-area home and business owners to think about 'staying safe' in their homes as they prepare for and enjoy the holiday season."

SERVPRO is an industry leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services. For more fire prevention and fire safety tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit www.servpro.com. For more information on SERVPRO of Augusta/Waterville, please contact Anthony Wolverton at (207) 622-7166 or .

¹https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/holiday_infographic.pdf
²https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Winter-holidays
³https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/media/social_toolkits/toolkit_holiday.html

Are you ready for A NIGHT IN?  Kennebec Behavioral Health is hosting its fourth annual comedy show fundraiser ‘A Night IN’ featuring stand-up comedian group, the River Comics on Saturday, December 5^th at 7:00 pm via Zoom.  KBH invites the community to stay home and join in the fun with Leonard, Sam and Kyron of the River Comics www.therivercomics.com  who will put on a show that can be enjoyed safely and comfortably at home.  You bring the snacks, they’ll bring the laughs!  Comedy show and 50/50 raffle tickets are available now at WWW.KBHMAINE.ORG/ANIGHTIN  or by contacting Tina Chapman at KBH .

And, during the week leading up to the event, KBH will be hosting a themed basket raffle which includes their (now famous) money bouquet raffle beginning on Friday, November 27^th and leading up until the start of the comedy show. Raffle tickets will be available starting on 11/27 at https://go.rallyup.com/ANIGHTIN.  The winners of the 50/50 and money bouquet will be drawn live during the comedy show.

All of the proceeds from the show and the raffle ticket sales will go toward KBH’s College Scholarship Fund.  Each year, KBH awards several scholarships to local graduating high school seniors who are  pursuing their academic and career goals in the mental health field.

Kennebec Behavioral Health was founded in 1960 and operates clinics in Waterville, Skowhegan, Winthrop, Augusta and Farmington. For more information, or to schedule an appointment for any KBH service, call 1-888-322-2136. Information can also be found at www.kbhmaine.org.

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust will donate $6,000 to several Northern New England nonprofit organizations on behalf of the Bank’s customers. The Bank hosted a poll during its Customer Appreciation Week, held virtually October 12-16, to give the public an opportunity to vote for a nonprofit in their region that has been impacted by COVID-19 and could benefit from a donation from the Bank. The organizations that received the most votes are: The American Red Cross of Northern New England, Clara Martin Center, Girls Inc., and Healthy Acadia.

“We wanted to show our gratitude for our customers during Customer Appreciation Week by letting them be a part of our charitable giving and help us decide how we can help the communities where they live and work,” said Joseph Schmitt, Chief Marketing Officer for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “We received an overwhelming response and are honored to make these donations on behalf of our customers.”

The American Red Cross of Northern New England helps 3.3 million people in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. Since the beginning on the COVID-19 pandemic, they have responded to 167 disaster events, which impacted 262 families. Learn more about The American Red Cross of Northern New England at www.redcross.org/local/me-nh-vt.

Clara Martin Center is a community based, nonprofit organization that provides acute and long-term behavioral health care services, offering a comprehensive array of mental health and substance abuse services to the greater Upper Valley area including Orange County, Vermont. Learn more about Clara Martin Center at www.claramartin.org.

Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, through direct service and advocacy. The organization combines long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and evidence-based programming to equip girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. Learn more about Girls Inc. at www.girlsinc.org.

Healthy Acadia works on a broad range of collaborative community health initiatives in Hancock and Washington counties in Maine. Their focus areas include: Healthy Food for All, Healthy Aging, Substance Prevention and Recovery. Learn more about Healthy Acadia at www.healthyacadia.org.

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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Concord, New Hampshire – Kimberly DeSchuiteneer has joined Bar Harbor Trust Services as Senior Vice President, Retirement Plan Coordinator. In this role, she will be responsible for helping new and existing customers in Maine and New Hampshire with employer-sponsored retirement plans including 401(k), 403(b), profit sharing, and defined benefit plans.

Kimberly has more than 34 years of experience in the financial services industry, nearly all of them focused on retirement planning. She worked at Citizens Bank for more than 20 years, serving in a variety of roles until ending her career there as Vice President & Retirement Plans Manager. Most recently, she was Vice President and Wealth Management Officer at People’s United Bank in Manchester, NH.

“Kim’s experience and skill set make her a valuable asset to Bar Harbor Trust Services and, more importantly, to the businesses in Maine and New Hampshire who are looking for a thoughtful retirement plan program that satisfies their needs and the needs of their employees,” said Jason Edgar, President of Bar Harbor Trust Services. “We are excited to welcome Kimberly to our team and look forward to our successes together.”

Kimberly is a graduate of the American Bankers Association’s Graduate and Undergraduate Employee Benefits School, hosted at Northwestern University. She is a designated Certified Retirement Services Professional and Accredited Investment Fiduciary. Kimberly is FINRA Series 65 Licensed.

Kimberly and her husband, Brian, live in Chester, New Hampshire.

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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Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust will host its annual Customer Appreciation Week during the week of October 12-16. To adhere to safety precautions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all of the Customer Appreciation Week activities will take place virtually on the Bank’s Facebook page.

The feature activity during Customer Appreciation Week will be a contest to give away money to several Northern New England nonprofit organizations. The public will have the opportunity to vote via a poll posted to the Bank’s Facebook page for a nonprofit organization in their region that has been impacted by COVID-19 and could benefit from a donation from the Bank. The nonprofit organization with the highest number of votes in each of the Bank’s six regions will receive $1,000 on behalf of the Bank’s customers.

“Customer Appreciation Week is a great opportunity for us to really show our gratitude for our customers in a way that is above and beyond our everyday actions,” said Joseph Schmitt, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “We felt that the best way to show that gratitude during these unique times is to let our customers be a part of our charitable giving and help us decide how we can help the communities where they live and work.”

In addition to the donation giveaway to nonprofit organizations, the Bank will host daily contests on Facebook that will allow individuals to highlight the businesses and service providers in their communities that they admire. Winners will be selected at random from a pool of participants, and each winner will receive a $25 gift card.

For more information and to participate in Customer Appreciation Week, visit www.facebook.com/BHBTsocial during the week of October 12-16.

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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MaineGeneral Health has been named one of the 2020 Best Places to Work in Maine. This is the second year in a row that the health system has earned this distinction.

“MaineGeneral Health staff exemplify ‘excellence at work’ every day,” said Chuck Hays, president & CEO of MaineGeneral Health. “Especially during the pandemic, our employees are proud to serve our community. They are dedicated, compassionate and skilled at their jobs, and strive daily to provide the best possible care and services to every patient, every time.”

This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Maine, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses. The 2020 Best Places to Work in Maine list is made up of 84 companies in three size categories: small (15-49 U.S. employees), medium (50-249 U.S. employees) and large (250+ U.S. employees). 

The awards program was created in 2006 and is a project of the Society for Human Resource Management - Maine State Council (MESHRM) and Best Companies Group. Partners endorsing the program include: Mainebiz, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and Maine HR Convention.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in Maine. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Maine and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings. 

MaineGeneral is hiring. Join our team! Learn more at www.mainegeneral.org/careers.

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust was recently named a recipient of the Independent Community Bankers of America’s (ICBA) 2020 National Community Bank Service Award for extraordinary efforts to help small businesses, consumers, and their communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been serving our community for more than 130 years and supporting our neighbors during times of prosperity and adversity,” said Curtis C. Simard, President and CEO of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all of us, and I am so proud of our team for going above and beyond to ease hardships or remove obstacles for our customers. We are grateful to be recognized by ICBA for our efforts.”

As consumers and small businesses grappled with the onset of COVID-19, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust stepped up as a financial first responder and steward of its community by: processing thousands of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program loans; donating resources to support essential workers and local nonprofit organizations; and maintaining continuous service during state-mandated lockdowns through innovative solutions such as the installation of walk-up windows to three locations that did not have drive-up services. The Bank even hosted a wedding in the drive-up of its branch in Northeast Harbor, Maine, to help a couple whose wedding was derailed because of travel restrictions.

“ICBA is proud to honor the extraordinary dedication and commitment of community bankers, whose spirit of service shined through when our country needed it most,” said ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey. “We are so fortunate to represent such thoughtful and compassionate community leaders, and we commend their efforts to go above and beyond, even during times of challenge.”

The 2020 National Community Bank Service Awards, presented by ICBA and sponsored by FIS, generated more than 100 inspirational stories from community banks like Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, whose story is showcased in the September issue of ICBA’s magazine, Independent Banker.

ICBA founded the National Community Bank Service Awards program in 2002 to celebrate outstanding volunteer efforts and bring national recognition to the unmatched contributions community banks make to help sustain their communities.

About Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
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.

About ICBA
The Independent Community Bankers of America® creates and promotes an environment where community banks flourish. With more than 50,000 locations nationwide, community banks constitute 99 percent of all banks, employ nearly 750,000 Americans and are the only physical banking presence in one in three U.S. counties. Holding more than $5 trillion in assets, nearly $4 trillion in deposits, and more than $3.4 trillion in loans to consumers, small businesses and the agricultural community, community banks channel local deposits into the Main Streets and neighborhoods they serve, spurring job creation, fostering innovation and fueling their customers’ dreams in communities throughout America. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at www.icba.org.

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The Amtrak Downeaster has expanded its carry-on bike program and is now accepting bicycles from all Downeaster stations in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Newly installed luggage racks that convert to bike racks make it possible to roll bikes on board from any Downeaster station, then secure and store them on the train.  Previously, bikes had to be stored in a special car, restricting access to only a few stations.  Now, standard full-size bicycles may be carried on at any Downeaster station and stored in the designated racks, as long as the front wheel is removed.  Bicycle space is limited to four per train, and a specific bike reservation is required in advance of travel. A nominal bicycle fee applies. 

“NNEPRA and Amtrak have been working to improve bike access on Downeaster trains for a long time.   We are very excited that passengers from all Downeaster stations now have the ability to bring their bikes on board,” said Natalie Bogart, Marketing Director. “This project could not have been accomplished without the continued support of the bicycle community and the partnership with Amtrak to modify the current train equipment”. 

About the new Amtrak Downeaster Carry-On Bike Program:

• Space is limited and advance-reservations are required for the passenger and the bicycle.
  • When booking a ticket on Amtrak.com or via the Amtrak app, an icon with a number of spaces available will display if bike space is available.
  • Proceed 'Add Ons' step to add bikes to a reservation.
  • A bike reservation can be added to an existing reservation by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
• Passengers traveling with bikes are encouraged to arrive at the station at least 15 minutes prior to departure.
  • All panniers and bags attached to your bicycle need to be removed and consolidated before boarding.

For more information about Amtrak’s Bike policy, visit Amtrak.com. 

The U.S. Department of Education’s Student Support Services Program, part of the federally funded TRiO program, has awarded Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) $1.69 million. This grant allows for a five-year continuation of the College’s own TRiO support services program that helps first-generation students and students with disabilities meet their academic and professional goals.

KVCC’s TRiO program offers services tailored to each student’s unique needs to help them overcome barriers to college success. These services are offered to nearly 200 students every year, and include academic guidance, degree progress monitoring, assistance in course selection, and connection to other College and community resources that are designed to encourage student persistence, while fostering a supportive community. These services are intended to help students maintain higher GPAs and make steady progress toward their academic and personal goals. Some choose to graduate from KVCC and enter the workforce directly, while others seek to continue their higher education through transfer to a four-year college or university. The data show, over many years, that KVCC’s TRiO students accomplish these goals at higher rates than non-participating students.
KVCC has maintained a TRiO program since 1993. The team focuses on growing and evolving the program every year based on student needs. According to Lisa Black, KVCC’s TRiO Project Director, the TRiO program is designed in partnership with students, while thoroughly exemplifying KVCC’s institution-wide commitment to student success. Whereas one approach to student success may work for one student, that same approach may not work for another. This tailored methodology means that the program is in a constant state of evolution to accommodate ever changing needs.

Karen Normandin, KVCC’s Vice President and Dean of Students, shared that the TRiO team at KVCC “provides critical support for students from admission to graduation or transfer to a four-year institution. This vital program is woven into the fabric of this college – as such it has become essential to our mission.”

KVCC’s TRiO program is currently running its annual PUSH orientation and recruitment week (August 17-21) to onboard students. This initiative helps new KVCC students navigate the College, adapt to the hybrid educational approach of the Fall 2020 semester, and access the vast number of resources available to them, both at KVCC and in the community. This academic year begins on August 31 and there is still time to apply for admission and financial aid.

GHM Insurance recently was selected for The Hanover Insurance Group’s President’s Club, an elite group of independent insurance agencies from across the country.

The Hanover’s President’s Club agencies are recognized for delivering outstanding value to their customers through their insurance expertise and responsive service.

The Hanover partners with a select group of 2,100 independent agents nationwide. GHM was one of only 150 independent agencies recognized with this distinction.

“The team at GHM Insurance is committed to delivering superior service to their customers,” said Richard W. Lavey, president, Hanover Agency Markets. “With their high-quality insurance expertise, they are valued advisers to their clients. We are proud to partner with GHM Insurance.”
“This recognition is a result of the value that our team places on providing the best service for our customers,” said Bill Mitchell, President at GHM Insurance. “Our team is proud to be recognized with this honor.”

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees are donating more than $10,000 collected in Q2 from its employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause, to 14 non-profits serving Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The non-profits receiving donations were selected by and voted on by the employees.

“The critical services provided by these non-profit organizations are more important than ever as our communities face hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “We are honored to contribute to their efforts and help our friends and neighbors in need.”

With the Casual for a Cause program, Bank employees dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a contribution to a pool of funds collected during each quarter. The employees then select and vote on which nonprofits receive their contributions. Since the program began in 2018, employees have donated more than $85,000 to nonprofits across Northern New England.

Q2 2020 Recipients

Maine

• AIO Food Pantry (Rockland)
• Bar Harbor Food Pantry (Bar Harbor)
• China Community Food Pantry (China)
• Island Food Pantry (Stonington)
• Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry (Ellsworth)
• Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program (Brunswick)
• Tree of Life Food Pantry (Blue Hill)
• Westside Food Pantry (Southwest Harbor)

New Hampshire

• Claremont Food Pantry (Claremont)
• KLS Community Food Pantry (New London)
• LISTEN Food Pantry (Lebanon)
• Newport Food Pantry (Newport)
• Wellspring Food Pantry (West Lebanon)

Vermont

The Clara Martin Center was the Vermont recipient for the Q2 Casual for a Cause donation. The center, located in Randolph, Vermont, provides mental health and substance use services to improve the health and wellbeing of communities in the Upper Greater Valley.

“What a wonderful community to be part of, where our business partners and neighbors are so thoughtful, generous and see the value in the services that we provide,” said Melanie Gidney, Executive Director of The Clara Martin Center. “How wonderful of you and especially your Vermont employees to financially support our mission, particularly during a time when the needs of our community are increasing.”

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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MaineGeneral Health’s signature events — Cancer Survivors Day and the Walk for Hope — are now combined into one exciting Day of Hope.

This fall, we invite you to walk with us and to join us for an inspirational ceremony — virtually — toward a Day of Hope on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Day of Hope is an opportunity for us to come together in spirit and walk toward the common goal of supporting the work of the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care. For more details, visit http://give.mainegeneral.org/HOPE.

New Dimensions FCU has been ranked #1 as part of Forbes’ annual list of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions in 2020. This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on June 25, 2020, and can currently be viewed on the Forbes website.

Forbes Best-In-State Credit Unions 2020 is comprised of the top credit unions based on the results of independent surveys involving approximately 25,000 U.S. consumers who were asked to rate the financial institutions at which they have or have had checking accounts.

Participants made recommendations regarding overall satisfaction; they also assessed banks and credit unions in the following areas: ‘Trust,’ ‘Terms & Conditions,’ ‘Branch Services,’ ‘Digital Services,’ and ‘Financial Advice.’ Based on the results of the study, NDFCU is ecstatic to be recognized as one of Forbes’ 2020 list of America’s Best-In-State Credit Unions.

Ryan Poulin, CEO proudly states, “On behalf of the credit union, I am both humbled and honored to be part of such a great organization that does so much for its members and community. Being recognized for this award confirms the accuracy of our mission by demonstrating that our financial standards and practices are exactly what our members are looking for when choosing a financial institution.”

New Dimensions FCU has served the Central Maine community since 1956.

These are odd times - let's make the best of them with good food, good friends and by doing good! 

With limited ability to gather in person these days, creative collaboration is a must and we hope these partnerships do good while also pleasing your palette. With one ticket to any of these events, you support two important local causes: our friends in the restaurant industry and children with disabilities.

Each event involves a specially-crafted dining experience and a virtual program. A portion of your ticket pays the restaurant for their work; the remainder is a donation that translates directly into early intervention services for kids (birth to 5) with special needs.

Learn more, purchase tickets and donate at the following:

August 8: https://givebutter.com/childrenscenterstatelunch

August 29: https://givebutter.com/happyhour

September 12: https://givebutter.com/winedinegatheronline

Like these events on Facebook and stay up to speed with fun announcements!

$20,000 in total grants will be made to four awardees’ respective organizations

Camden National Bank announced that it is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Leaders & Luminaries Awards, a program which started in 2011 to celebrate the importance and impact of effective nonprofit board service. Between now and September 14, the bank is seeking nominations for passionate board directors who have been invaluable to the short- and long-term sustainability of their organizations. The bank will select and present four individuals with awards and $20,000 in total grants to their respective organizations.

“The pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes, requiring board directors to step up with leadership, innovation, and support,” said Greg Dufour, President & CEO of Camden National Bank. “Through Leaders & Luminaries this year, we look forward to celebrating individuals who have gone above and beyond to help their organizations strategically navigate the crisis without losing sight of longer-term mission and goals.”

Since 2011, Camden National Bank has given more than $150,000 to Maine nonprofits on behalf of 43 outstanding board leaders in our local communities. The 2019 awardees served on the boards of Boots2Roots, Island Community Center, Literacy Volunteers of Greater Augusta, Midcoast Recreation Center, Startup Maine, and Four Directions Development Corporation.

Nominations for the 2020 awards are due September 14. A selection committee, including three independent community members and two executives of Camden National Bank, will review all nominations, and the awardees will be celebrated later in the fall.

The Leaders & Luminaries Awards are made possible by Camden National Bank, through The Bank of Maine Foundation. For more details, eligibility requirements, and the nomination form, please visit: https://www.camdennational.com/leadersandluminaries.

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.