Sweet Tree Arts introduces a new flexible day time school program for children ages five to 12 at the Sweetland School. 

HOPE — Two, three and five days of programming will be offered integrating the arts across the curriculum. 

Children in grades one to three are welcomed into the three or five-day program engaging in a small multi-age classroom enriched by the community and invigorated by the arts. 

Homeschool families with children ages five to 12 are invited to participate in the school’s two-day creative arts programming with the option for world languages. 

Malone named executive director at Knox Museum

Knox Museum has named Tobin Malone executive director effective immediately. Board of Trustees cochairman David Farmer announced Malone’s promotion following executive committee recommendation and board approval in late June. 

Malone began her tenure at the General Henry Knox Museum in 2011 as assistant to the executive director, became director of programming and marketing the following year, and acting executive director last fall. Under her leadership, The General Henry Knox Museum has rebranded as “Knox Museum, Very Revolutionary,” designed and launched a new website, and expanded its community outreach through significantly increased programming. 

A Maine native, Malone’s lived many places across the country and abroad. A graduate of Lincoln School in Providence, she attended Skidmore College, received her B.A. from Antioch College in Ohio, and completed a graduate program in film directing at American Film Institute in Los Angeles. She currently resides in Rockland. 

Malone served as Artistic Director of the Belfast Maskers and stage director at Camden Civic Theater and Northport Music Theater, performed throughout Europe with The Living Theatre, and has had half a dozen original plays professionally produced across the country. 

Malone can be reached at ghkmdirector@knoxmuseum.org or 354-8062.

MidCoast Community Chorus donates $10,000 from concert 

ROCKPORT — After the sold-out "Shed A Little Light" concert on June 14, Mimi Bornstein, founder and artistic director of the Midcoast Community Chorus, (MCC), presented a $10,000 check to Pinny Beebe-Center, Board Member of the Knox County Homeless Coalition, this year's concert beneficiary. 

In what has become an annual tradition, MCC seeks to fulfill its mission to sing as a community for the community by hosting a benefit concert each June for a local non-profit organization that addresses a community need or social injustice. Thus far, the chorus has donated a total of more than $60,000 and helped to raise awareness about the work being done in the Midcoast. 

The Knox County Homeless Coalition (KCHC) is a recently-formed group that arose to answer the need for shelter and support for the homeless population and those being impacted by the economic downturn. The Coalition has reopened the 15-bed Hospitality House as one of its resources, and offers direct service to individuals and families facing homelessness, from workshops to emergency shelter and a wide array of services. 

For more information contact Midcoast Community Chorus at www.mccsings.org; email info@mccsings.org; phone 207-975-0582; or write to Midcoast Community Chorus, PO Box 192, Rockport, ME 04856.

Union’s Vose Library gifted with bench

Vose Library is the grateful recipient of a new bench made possible by the generosity of one its patrons, Dorothea Schmitt. The library accepted the gift at a small ceremony prior to the library’s annual meeting. Board President Paul Gaudreau noted that the gift of the bench for all to use was an example of the high level of community involvement that is enjoyed by Union’s local library.            

Allen Insurance and Financial donates to P.A.W.S. Forever-Home Capital Campaign 

CAMDEN — Allen Insurance and Financial has made a donation in support of the P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center's capital campaign for the organization's new home on John Street in Camden.  “Allen Insurance and Financial is a longtime supporter of P.A.W.S.,” commented Amie Hutchison, Executive Director of P.A.W.S.  “We are grateful for their help with our Capital Campaign.”  Pictured here, from left, are Joelle Albury, P.A.W.S. Director of Development, Karen Reed, Allen Insurance and Financial and Amie Hutchison, P.A.W.S. Executive Director. 

P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center provides a safe, caring environment for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats until they can be placed with loving families. P.A.W.S. serves the towns of Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville, Belfast, Northport, Searsmont, Liberty, Islesboro and Swanville. For more information about P.A.W.S. and its Forever-Home Capital Campaign visit the center at 146 Camden Street in Rockport or www.pawsadoption.org.

Allen Insurance and Financial is an insurance, employee benefits, and financial services company with offices in Rockland, Camden, Belfast and Southwest Harbor. In 2014, the company is proudly celebrating 25 years of employee ownership.

Belfast teacher travels to Germany

BELFAST — Of the many hundreds who applied in 2014, Michael Bailey from Belfast was one of 100 social studies educators selected to travel to Germany with the Transatlantic Outreach Program. Bailey received a two-week, all-expenses-paid study/travel seminar between June 6 and June 21. Bailey sampled each corner of Germany through sight, sound, touch, and taste. 

TOP seeks to find the best and most qualified K-12 social studies educators in the United States and Canada, and give them the opportunity to experience Modern Germany in the most dramatic way possible: in person.

Pen Bay Healthcare raises minimum hourly wage

ROCKPORT — On July 9, president and CEO Mark Biscone stated he will raise the minimum wage this year for Pen Bay Healthcare, Knox County’s largest employer of approximately 1,600 employees.

The increase was implemented on July 6 and moved the minimum hourly rate from $8.25 to $10.10 an hour. “A decision was made to increase the minimum entry-level pay for all Pen Bay employees to $10.10 per hour effective with the pay period beginning July 6. Employees impacted by this decision will see this wage increase reflected in their pay check dated July 25,” said Biscone.

Biscone adds, “Each day, every day, Pen Bay staff provide excellent care to the patients, residents and families in our community. The increased wages recognizes the important work we do, work that influences the lives of our neighbors in very profound ways.”

The move to increase the minimum wage follows Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Other MaineHealth members are exploring this decision.

ROCKPORT — Pen Bay is now the teaching site for the Tufts University School of Medicine Maine Track MD Program and welcomes the first students: Kelly Brooks and Bradie Manion. Both Brooks and Manion are first generation Mainers and third year TUSM medical students. Over the next nine months, Brooks and Manion will be learning the art and science of medicine at Pen Bay Medical Center.

The educational model for the students at Pen Bay and other rural sites is an innovative program called the Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship. During their third year, students learn medicine primarily in an outpatient, community-based setting, rather than spending their key clinical year in the hospital. The advantage is that students learn about medical practice in a smaller community and have the opportunity to become part of the community over the nine month period. In contrast to hospital-based education, the students are exposed to community-based physicians as role models.

At Pen Bay, Brooks and Manion will spend time each week rotating through internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN and psychiatry.

Kelly Brooks grew up in Rangleey and graduated from Colby College with a degree in psychology/neuroscience. After college, Kelly did clinical research in the Behavioral and Neuroscience department at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston.

Bradie Manion was born and raised near Old Town in the Bangor area and graduated from the University of Maine, Orono with a degree in biochemistry. She was among the first to be accepted into the TUSM Maine Track Early Assurance Program. Manion was a participant in the Dahl Chase Pathology Summer internship which involved visiting rural hospitals.

For more information about the TUSM - Maine Track MD Program, visit md.tufts.edu/Education/Maine-Track-Program or www.mmc.org/meded_body.cfm?id=5939.

Pen Bay Medical Center as a teaching site for Tufts University was funded by local philanthropists Charles and Julie Cawley through the Better Together Campaign - Projects in Clinical Excellence. To learn more, call Holly Miller at 594-6716 or visit www.penbayhealthcare.org/support-pen-bay.

Gene McKeever a 'Subject Matter Expert' for Maine Bureau of Insurance

CAMDEN — For the 14th year, Gene McKeever of Allen Insurance and Financial has served as an official "subject matter expert" of questions for the property casualty producer and consultant license exams given by the Maine Bureau of Insurance.

Each year, when it offers insurance exams to those seeking licensure in Maine, the state Bureau of Insurance calls upon experienced insurance executives from around the state to review exam questions for accuracy.

The bureau seeks experienced insurance professionals who have reputations of honesty and integrity plus a high degree of specific and current industry knowledge of their field. This year,  McKeever said, the group, which included three attorneys from the Bureau of Insurance, reviewed the current test and wrote new questions. McKeever is a commercial insurance specialist, with a special emphasis on the marine industry. He runs Allen Insurance and Financial's in- house license education program. Working with the state Bureau of Insurance is an extension of his belief in the importance of continuing education for all his colleagues, McKeever said.

Allen Insurance and Financial is an employee-owned insurance, employee benefits, and financial services company with offices in Rockland, Camden, Belfast, and Southwest Harbor.

Call 800-439-4311. 

Maine Women’s fund elects six to the board of directors

PORTLAND — The Maine Women’s Fund’s board of directors elected six new members and selected officers at its June meeting. Beginning at the September meeting of the board, the six new members will begin three-year terms as part of the volunteer leadership for the Fund, the only foundation focused exclusively on advancing economic security for Maine women and girls. The elected new members are Amelia Kurtz, CTFA of South Portland; Donna McNeil of Portland; Rep. Mary Nelson of Falmouth; Noreen Alvarado Patient, Esq. of Durham; Candace Walworth, MD of Lewiston and Hancock Point; and Paula Watson, Esq., of Cumberland. 

Officers for the coming year include President Melinda Shain, Esq., of Gorham, Corporate Counsel for Diversified Communications, who has served on the Executive Committee and as Treasurer of the Fund; and Candace Walworth, Secretary, who will also serve as the Chair of the Grants Committee. Natalie Solotoff, CPA, will continue to serve as Treasurer. 

“Representing six of Maine's counties, the Fund's board members bring their passions, talents and wisdom and skills as dedicated volunteers to ensure the Fund’s sound fiscal and operational health,” said Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, Maine Women’s Fund CEO.

Hughes named Realtor of the Year

The Coastal Mountain Council of the Mid-Coast Board of Realtors has voted Nancy Hughes as this year's Realtor of the Year. Hughes has 22 years of experience in selling real estate in the area and has owned her own company, Camden Coast Real Estate, for the past two years.

Qualifications for being voted as Realtor of the Year amongst one's peers include the amount of experience and expertise within the industry, volunteerism, and community involvement by the nominee. Shown here with Nancy are award presenter Sandy Ellsworth and local board president Brian Wickenden. 

MDOC graduates adult probation officers and probation officer’s assistants

AUGUSTA - Ten individuals graduated June 30 at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy (MCJA) in Vassalboro as either Adult Probation Officers (APO) or Adult Probation Officer Assistants (APOA). Adult Community Corrections is divided into three regions with numerous suboffices. The graduates will serve either out of Portland (Region 1), Augusta (Region 2), or Bangor (Region 3).

Maine Department of Corrections Director of Training & Staff Development Angie Newhouse opened the graduation ceremony in the MCJA Lecture Hall. Director Newhouse introduced APO Marshall McCamish, who, after asking the graduates and fellow MDOC staff to stand, recited "The Code of Ethics for the Community Correctional Officers." 

That Code of Ethics begins, "As a Community Corrections official, my primary concern is to serve people and be ever mindful of the responsibilities entrusted in me by the public. To protect the lives of those placed in my charge. To safeguard the weak against oppression and intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder."

The graduates and the Regions in which they will be working are:

Region 1:

Brook Bowley (Probation Officer Assistant)

Alicia Cummings (Probation Officer)

Region 2:

Nicole Lenda (Probation Officer)

Marshall McCamish (Probation Officer)

Merrell Reeves (Probation Officer Assistant)

Michelle Urbanek (Probation Officer Assistant)

Region 3:

Lori Lamma (Probation Officer)

Shanna Pease (Probation Officer Assistant)

Amy Richard (Probation Officer Assistant)

Amanda Sermersheim (Probation Officer)

Before candidates can pursue a career as a probation officer in Maine, they must obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a number of areas, including: Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science, and Social Science.

Free Level 1 Chimney inspections for Belfast residents July

It is my fondest birthday wish that not one home in Belfast burns due to a chimney fire and to that end I hereby declare July is free chimney inspection month for Belfast for those that haven't been able to afford to have their chimney inspected.

The inspection is free, however, a donation towards the expenses would help, and any real work we bill for, but offer seniors discounts and sliding scales when acceptable.

If your chimney hasn't been inspected in recent memory, please give us a call. Your safety is more important to us than anything else.
  
Bradley Williams, Proprietor, Maine Chimney LLC, 207-323-7755.