Following are a roundup of business briefs that have been sent to PenBayPilot.com recently. Congratulations to everyone mentioned. To have your business news included in upcoming roundups, send them to news@penbaypilot.com.

Evergreen promotes David Holmes to project manager

Evergreen Home Performance has promoted David Holmes to project manager.

Holmes joined Evergreen as a field technician in October 2014. He grew up working on his family’s farm in northern Maine and learned early the value of using natural resources wisely. Holmes went on to earn a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Southern Maine, where he also studied applied energy, and a career in energy efficiency improvements and insulation was a natural fit.

“I joined Evergreen to deliver energy efficiency upgrades that help people, help the environment, and help keep Maine beautiful,” said Holmes. “I’m excited to grow into a position of greater responsibility doing work I care so much about.”

Evergreen General Manager Brian Schortz echoed that sentiment, saying that Holmes is one of several people to join Evergreen as technicians and work their way up.

“We pride ourselves in recognizing the leadership potential of our team members and providing the training and opportunity for them to grow,” said Schortz.

To learn more about the Evergreen team, or to learn how that team delivers insulation upgrades that improve the comfort and efficiency of Maine homes, visit www.evergreenyourhome.com.

United Mid-Coast Charities to distribute more than $535,000 to 54 area nonprofits this year

CAMDEN — United Mid-Coast Charities UMCC directors decided at the organization's annual meeting, held Wednesday, Aug. 19.will distribute more than $535,000 to 54 area nonprofits in 2015,

The total distribution is 60 percent more than what UMCC distributed in 2014, said Steve Crane, UMCC's board president.

"With all that United Mid-Coast Charities has gone through in the past year, we've been blessed with an overwhelming response from donors in our communities," said Crane. "This has allowed us to give more in 2015 than we originally thought possible."

These are the nonprofit agencies scheduled to receive a grant from UMCC this year: American Red Cross (Mid-Coast Chapter), Area Interfaith Outreach, Belfast Area Child Care Services, Belfast Public Health Nursing Association, Belfast Soup Kitchen, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, Broadreach Family & Community Services, Camden Area Christian Food Pantry, Camp Forest (Expanding Opportunities), Coastal Opportunities, Coastal Trans, Inc., Come Spring Food Pantry, Cornerspring Montessori School, Game Loft, Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County, Herring Gut Learning Center, Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County, Knox County Homeless Coalition (Hospitality House), Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care & Hospice, Knox County Health Clinic, LifeFlight Foundation, Literacy Volunteers of Midcoast Maine, Maine Family Planning, Make-A-Wish, Meals on Wheels, Megunticook Rowing, Merryspring Nature Center, Mid-Coast Habitat for Humanity, Midcoast Recreation Center, New Hope for Women, No Greater Love Food Pantry, OUT As I Want To Be, Partners for Enrichment, Penobscot Bay YMCA, Peopleplace Cooperative Preschool, Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast, Rockland District Nursing Association, The Soap Closet, Saint Bernard Soup Kitchen, Station Maine, Tanglewood 4-H Camp, Teen & Young Parent Program of Knox County, Trekkers, University College at Rockland, Vinalhaven Eldercare Services, Vinalhaven Fuel Fund, Waldo Community Action Partners, Waldo County Dental Care, Waldo County Home Health Care & Hospice, Waldo County YMCA, Waterfall Arts, Waterman's Community Center, Wayfinder Schools (Passages Program), and Youth Arts.

More information online at umcc.me.

CAMDEN — Camden Rotary Club members Richard Householder and Bruce Cobb recently presented a $5,000 grant to STRIVE Northern New England Executive Director Dan Domench.

The Belfast-based organization, an affiliate of STRIVE International, provides work readiness training and support and prepares people - including those at risk - to succeed.

ROCKLAND — The Gautschi Center, located at 8 Elm St. in Rockland, will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, Sep. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. The Gautschi Center is an art gallery and education center designed to inspire individual and group discovery and creativity by offering a variety of art classes and workshops.

The gallery opens with an exhibition showcasing the artwork of the organization's founder, . Born and raised in Germany, where she received her formal art training, Gautschi became a citizen of Switzerland after marrying her husband, Hans. The couple's quest for privacy and serenity brought them to Lincolnville in the mid 1980s. Brigitte describes the Midcoast area as having an inexplicable connection to her soul, a home where she has found true inner peace and creative inspiration.

A common theme in her artwork is the impact that her natural surroundings have had on her life. The inaugural exhibition is a collection of more than 35 paintings that were all created in Maine.

Also ardent naturalists, the Gautschis co-founded the Ducktrap Wildlife Preserve in Lincolnville. Brigitte currently serves as the organization's president. The preserve's intent is to insure the protection of the more than 700 acres of land at the Ducktrap Watershed, in perpetuity, for the benefit of wildlife and nature.

Brigitte's goal with the investment in the new Gautschi Center is to nurture a complimentary and supportive relationship between the Center and the Ducktrap Wildlife Preserve. Whereas nature has played such a central role in her creative development throughout her life, she wants to make similar opportunities available to future generations. Brigitte envisions the two organizations working closely together to offer educational and creative experiences for artists, naturalists and students of all backgrounds and ages.

For more information, visit gautschicenter.com.

206 attend the 2015 Camden High School Alumni Banquet

The 2015 Camden High School Alumni Banquet was held Aug. 14 at Point Lookout in Northport with 206 attendees.

Alumni members came from near and far to renew friendships and enjoy an evening of camaraderie and entertainment. And the Silent Auction was, once again, deemed a great success.

Last year's scholarship recipient, Isaac Young, gave a brief summary of his first-year college experience. An exceptional young man, Young’s summary was very interesting.

Any member of the Camden Hills High School Senior Class may apply for a scholarship.

The highlight of the evening was the Special Recognition awards. CHS alumni members Orman "Sonny" Goodwin and Lawrence Nash were each presented with a plaque in recognition of their outstanding service to Camden and the surrounding communities over the years. A posthumous award to Muriel MacFarland was presented to her sons.

David Ames, president of the CHS Alumni Association Board of Directors, received an award for his many hours devoted to the CHS Alumni Association as outstanding committee member and president.

The 111th Camden High School Alumni Banquet will be held Friday, Aug. 12, 2016.

From the Board: "Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2015 CHS Alumni Banquet such a big success, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors, scholarship donors and auction donors for their generous contributions.”

Thousands enjoyed warm peak-of-the-summer weather during ‘highly successful’ 13th annual Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show

ROCKLAND — Thousands of attendees came from all over the country and beyond to admire the incredible talents on display at the 13th annual Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors boat and home show Aug. 14-16.

More than 50 new exhibitors joined show regulars to present custom-built power and sailboats, bespoke furniture, fine art and jewelry, cutting edge technology, marine gear and engines, and more. Everyone present enjoyed three days of near-perfect high-summer weather on the waterfront in Rockland.

To keep things fresh and the appeal broad, show organizers added several new attractions and events for 2015. A fleet of expertly refurbished boats was on display on the Refit Docks, a lovely complement to the dozens of gorgeous new boats on site. In a salute to Maine's working craft, the show hosted visits by the Maine Sea Coast Mission ship Sunbeam V, the 1921 Arctic-exploration schooner Bowdoin and a fleet of Peter Kass/John's Bay wooden lobsterboats.

The first-ever Boston Whaler Rendezvous was a weekend-long celebration of all things Whaler. Prizes were awarded in some eclectic categories — including "Most Bedraggled," which went to Camden's Hodding Carter. The "Most Outrageous" award went to a 1971 Outrage owned by Gary Hull of Friendship and the "Best in Pod" award for overall Whaler excellence went home to Rockport with Frank Emmet and his 1963 Classic 13.

Annual Boat & Home Show draws crowds, crowns World Champion Boatyard Dog and "Best in Pod" Boston Whaler

The 2015 World Champion Boatyard Dog: Zephyr from Owls Head, Maine
Photographs by Debra Bell, Bell's Furry Friends Photography

ROCKLAND — As always, Sunday morning got off to a rambunctiously furry start with the popular World Championship Boatyard Dog Trials. At the conclusion of the light-hearted competition, the newly crowned Maine Lobster Festival Crowned Sea Princess, Payton Billingsley of Rockland, awarded top-dog honors to the new World Champion Boatyard Dog.

While there were several stellar acts:
• A knot-tying pug that cleated off a line!
• A rescue Chihuahua who swam, even though she hates the water!
• A high-flying chocolate Labrador that caught the Frisbee in mid-air!

A paddle-boarding English-style yellow Lab named Zephyr, from Owls Head, and his owner, Tony Fitch, edged out the competition with their sheer exuberance and paddle-boarding skills.

As winner, Zephyr will be featured in the November issue of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine (the popular Boatyard Dog column in each issue is where all this silly fun got its start). Zephyr will also keep the cherished revolving "Canine Crown" trophy for one year, and have a private photo shoot with Bell's Furry Friends Photography.

Since everyone wins at the trials, all the competitors received an assortment of canine goodies provided by Loyal Biscuit and packed in a custom-made doggy bag (of course). The Boatyard Dog Trials’ supporting sponsors were Bell's Furry Friends Photography and Loyal Biscuit Company. The judges' boat was a 14-foot aluminum RIB from North Atlantic Inflatables.

Throughout the weekend, live music provided a backdrop for the food court area, where diners feasted on seafood, Vietnamese food, smoothies and edible delights sold to benefit shelter pets everywhere. There were burritos and crab rolls, wraps and sandwiches, ice cream and baked treats. The inaugural Food Truck Rally winner (chosen by popular vote) was long-time show exhibitor Orrs Island Chowder Company.

The "learn by doing" quotient for sailors of all ages was high as well. Boating skills were honed on a virtual trainer hosted by the Wawenock branch of the U.S. Power Squadron, and new talents were learned as part of the watery fun hosted by the Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership at the Kids Marine Experience Park.

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors’ show sponsors and supporters included Awlgrip/Interlux, Bangor Savings Bank, Bell's Furry Friends Photography, Epifanes, Loyal Biscuit, Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine, Maine Made: America's Best, Port Harbor Marine and US Harbors, the CHRHS Adaptive Sailing program, the City of Rockland (including Harbormaster Ed Glaser and his crew), The Pearl on the Pier, the Rockland Police Department, Shed City and the West Bay Rotary.