Shannon Kinney named among top Local Digital Innovators

ROCKLAND — Shannon Kinney, founder and client success officer at Dream Local Digital, has been named a top Local Digital Innovator, by the Local Media Association, recognizing the best and most innovative organizations and people in the local media industry, globally.

The Local Media Association represents over 2,200 local news outlets globally, and each year recognizes the best in digital media, presenting awards across 18 categories, including best community website, best use of social media, and best digital advertising initiative (see full list here).

The Local Digital Innovator award is given to people who have greatly improved their company's digital value through innovation, risk taking, use of new technology, distribution methods and effective marketing.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition by an association that I so value for its industry leadership and innovation, and with esteemed colleagues that I so admire," Kinney shared, "Our mission at Dream Local Digital is to be a transformative part of the growth and change of traditional media in the digital age, and to receive this honor and recognition from the industry is so moving. Thank you!" - Shannon Kinney

In 2013 Shannon set Dream Local Digital in the top tier of digital marketing agencies in North America. Founded in early 2009, the company set forth on a mission to expand media partnerships and develop new product offerings to adapt and lead the way in the ever-changing media advertising, social media, and digital marketing industries. The company has served more than 20,000 small businesses in workshops, with online marketing strategy development, and the management of social media, search, and content marketing campaigns. As the company continues to expand, Shannon uses her expertise and developing influence in the industry, supporting media partners, offering seminars for small businesses throughout North America, and speaking at events to advise peers and give entrepreneurs direction.

Learn more about Dream Local Digital's Media Partner Program here >> http://dreamlocal.com/partner-program/media-partners/.

Camden National celebrates local beauty at annual Gardens in the Watershed Tour

CAMDEN — Camden National joined volunteers, local garden enthusiasts and the Georges River Land Trust for the 23rd annual Gardens in the Watershed Tour on July 13. The popular event featured seven gardens in the middle watershed of the Georges River and highlighted the diversity and beauty of the landscapes from Montville to Port Clyde. The day also included short talks on topics related to gardening, and offered attendees a chance to meet garden owners.

"The Georges River Land Trust is delighted to have had the support of Camden National Bank for our Gardens in the Watershed Tour this year. Their sponsorship benefits our conservation and education programs, and their volunteer efforts were a big help on tour day!"

A primary fundraising event for the Land Trust, proceeds from the tour enable the organization to conserve the Georges River watershed through permanent land protection and stewardship, maintain the Georges Highland Path, and offer environmental education and outdoor experiences to the public.

Pen Bay nutritionist recognized as a Fellow

ROCKPORT — Marcia Kyle, RDN, LD, CDE, FAND has been recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND). To become a Fellow, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND) recognizes Academy members who have distinguished themselves among their colleagues, as well as in their communities, by their service to the dietetics profession and by optimizing the nation's health through food and nutrition.

Kyle has made significant and sustained contributions to the field of nutrition and dietetics by establishing herself as role model in the field. She has shown high levels of leadership, professionalism and achievement in each of the areas of the FAND's focus: integrity, innovation and social responsibility; knowledge in clinical, education and organizational leadership. She has distinguished herself through her service to the dietetics profession and by optimizing health of persons with diabetes through food and nutrition. A global thinker, she continually strives to bring research, policy recommendations and advocacy about diabetes and nutrition to the forefront.

Kyle is a licensed registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Pen Bay Healthcare. Committed to excellence, she leads others to practice excellence as well. She has mentored and trained many dietetic interns and registered dietitian nutritionists and has helped to improve nutrition care across all levels of the continuum of care.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.

Bangor Savings Bank donates $1,000 to Pope Memorial Humane Society

THOMASTON — Representatives from Bangor Savings Bank Mary Bumiller and Mark Foster recently presented Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County's Executive Director Tracy Sala with a check for $1,000, as part of their annual Community Matters More Campaign.

PMHSKC received the award as winners of the write-in portion of the program, ranked as one of the highest vote recipients in their respective region.

"We sincerely thank all of our supporters who voted for us as a write- in for the grant. It's wonderful to have so much community support." said PMHSKC Executive Director Tracy Sala. "We are thankful to the Bangor Savings Foundation for offering this opportunity to the community to support their favorite non-profits doing work in the community. These funds will go a long way in helping us rescue and re-home local animals."

profit organizations throughout the State through this program based on public voting. The PMHSKC was founded in 1989 to provide care, protection, and loving homes for abandoned and homeless companion animals in the Midcoast Maine area. The Society operates an animal shelter located between the Dexter Street Extension and Buttermilk Lane in Thomaston that is open between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays).

The Humane Society of Knox County provides animal support services to the towns of Rockland, Thomaston, Warren, Owls Head, St. George, Port Clyde, Martinsville, Tenants Harbor, S. Thomaston (including Spruce Head), Hope, Union, Appleton, Montville, Cushing, Matinicus, North Haven, Vinalhaven, Stockton Springs, Morrill, and Thorndike.

Rockland Kiwanis bestows gift to the Coastal Children's Museum

Rockland- The Rockland Kiwanis is an organization dedicated to making the world a better place one child at a time and their recent gift to the Coastal Children's Museum will help touch children from near and far. Amy Pease, past President of the Rockland Kiwanis, presented a check for $500 to the museum this summer to support the operations and programming of the museum. "We are just so overwhelmed with the generosity of time, talent and resources that Rockland Kiwanis has given to the museum since the very beginning," says museum Program and Outreach Coordinator, Megan Rogers. "The group is always willing to help out at events here and our annual springtime Children's Festival is a much anticipated program. We didn't expect this gift at all and thank Rockland Kiwanis from the bottom of our hearts."

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. They meet every Monday at noon at the Samoset Resort. For more information please visit rocklandkiwanis.org or call them at 594-2511. The Coastal Children's Museum is located at 75 Mechanic Street, Rockland. Through the month of August they are open Tues- Sat 10am-4pm and Sun 1pm-4pm and in September they revert to their regular hours of Wed-Sat 10am-4pm and Sun 1pm-4pm. For information of upcoming events and memberships available visit coastalchildrensmuseum.org, email info@coastalchildrensmuseum.org , or phone the office at 596-0300.

Rockport Alumni Association donates $5,000 to Bleacher Project.

At their annual meeting in July , the Rockport Alumni, from classes 1930-1965, voted to donate $5,000 to the Camden Hills Community Bleacher Project. After an extended discussion over the possibility of a donation, Eileen Mehta from the Rockport High School class of 1965 donated a check for $5,000 to the Rockport Alumni Association, to be used for the donation to the Community Bleacher Project. The Rockport High School Beavers will be remembered with a 3' x 5' commemorative sign affixed to the top of the bleachers, looking down on the athletic field for as long as the stadium exists. In addition, the Rockport Alumni Association voted to approve a 8" x8" Brick Paver in honor of Eileen Mehta for her generous donation.

Charlie and Penny Crockett have been contacting the alumni of Rockport HS, Camden HS, Appleton HS, Camden-Rockport HS, and Camden Hills Regional HS with the goal of getting each and every class represented in this project in some way, either by Brick Pavers or a Bleacher Row.

Donations have been made by several classes, from 1941 up to the class of 2015, but more are needed. Class officers, or anyone from a class who is interested, are encouraged to contact their classmates to organize getting a Brick Paver so that their class can leave a legacy in this project and be represented in the Pathway to Victory. Pavers come in two sizes : one that is 4" x 8" with three lines of text with 15 characters in each line, and the other that is 8" x 8" with six lines of text with 15 characters per line.

Individuals have also purchased pavers in memory of friends, children, grandchildren, other family members, faculty or teams. A few families are planning a multi-generational Brick Paver, recognizing the names of family members who have attended schools in this district over three and four generations.

Site preparation for the Bleachers has started, and the goal is close to being reached, but there is still time to donate legacy Brick Pavers on the Pathway to Victory for family members, teammates, classmates, and staff members.

For more information, get in touch with the Crocketts at 763-3547, or email c2pro@tidewater.net, or Camden Hills RHS athletic director Steve Alex at 236-7800.

Wolliker's benefits Historical Society and Women's Club Scholarship Fund

In a continued effort to benefit their hometown community, the owner and participants of Wolliker's Waldoboro Whimsies have issued donation checks to two more deserving non-profits: the Waldoborough Historical Society and the Waldoboro Women's Club Scholarship Fund.

Wolliker's Waldoboro Whimsies is a monthly flea market and bazaar at the VFW Hall on Mill Street in Waldoboro. Wolliker's owner Sally Lobkowicz, a Waldoboro resident, offers a minimum $50 monthly donation, often combined with other enhancements, to help support area non-profits.

"The non-profits we support on a are welcome to use our venue to sell their own items and/or to distribute informational or fundraising literature," Lobkowicz said.

The June Wolliker's Waldoboro Whimsies benefited the Waldoboro Women's Club Scholarship Fund with an $82. donation, part of it from items provided by the Women's Club and sold at Wolliker's by Lobkowicz. The July Wolliker's Waldoboro Whimsies benefited the Waldoborough Historical Society with a $50. donation.

The opening Wolliker's Waldoboro Whimsies in May benefited the Waldoboro Food Pantry with a $50. donation.

Wolliker's Waldoboro Whimsies is open on the last Sunday of the month from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., which makes Sunday, August 31 the next open date for the flea market and bazaar. A beneficiary for that date will be announced soon.

Lobkowicz hopes to build Wolliker's Waldoboro Whimsies into a venue that will feature a variety of craft, artistic, collectible items and more. "What we're really looking for are unique, one of a kind, items that our shoppers won't want to leave without," Lobkowicz said. "We invite sellers to give us a call early to make reservations; we'll have enough room for everyone, until we fill up."

Local musicians are also welcome to contact Lobkowicz. "We would like to welcome local musicians and are happy to trade a table where they can sell their CD's in exchange for some music to enhance our guest experience," she said.

Lobkowicz is excited that the VFW hall will allow the flea market and bazaar to be weather proof. "Now folks will have a fun place to check out even if it's raining," she said.

The Waldoboro VFW Hall is located on Mill Street between the Bremen Road (Rt. 32) and Jefferson Street.

To obtain a table reservation, contact Sally Lobkowicz at 207-380-3806 or email sallylobkowicz@gmail.com.

Restorative Justice Project receives $10,000 grant from Elizabeth Anne Leach Charitable Trust

BELFAST – The Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast, promoting fundamental change in the justice system and the schools, has received a $10,000 grant from the Elizabeth Ann Leach Charitable Trust.

The grant will provide restorative intervention services to Lincoln County schools to offer youth the opportunity for new conversations and relationships that can deter them from detention, suspension or expulsion from schools and the too frequent related arrests and prosecution through the criminal justice system. The Trust's support will also enable comprehensive partnerships with officers and school officials to develop and sustain systems of long-term restorative services in Lincoln County.

Within Lincoln County schools in 2012-13, there were 223 school suspensions and 20 expulsions. According to the most recent Maine Juvenile Justice Data Book, there were 103 arrests for such offenses as theft, vandalism, liquor and drug abuse violations in 2010. According to Jay Davis, president of RJP's Board, "With restorative intervention, we can make an important difference by reaching the broader population of youth — those getting in trouble and at high-risk of getting into more trouble —before their behavior has caused them to be in the formal systems of school discipline and criminal justice. "

RJP was started in Belfast in 2005 and now serves the four counties of Waldo, Knox, Sagadahoc and Lincoln within Prosecutorial District Six. Through services that encompass the spectrum of need from prevention, to intervention, to reintegration, RJP works with schools, juvenile courts and the Maine Coastal Regional Re-entry Center in Belfast. In RJP programs, offenders take responsibility for the harm they have caused and, with the participation of victims and others from the community, reach an agreement on repairing that harm. In RJP community-based programs, adult and juvenile offenders are linked with adult mentors in the community.

Support for the Restorative Justice Project is provided by state and local entities. In addition to the Leach Charitable Trust, these include the Maine Community Foundation, the Lerner Foundation, the Maine Department of Corrections, Volunteers of America, the Gorman Foundation, the Bangor Savings Bank and individual donors.

For more information, contact the RJP at (207) 338-2742, info@rjpmidcoast.org or www.rjpmidcoast.org.

Jane Monhart of Union has taken over from Rockport resident Tony Bates as president of the Camden Rotary Club.

CAMDEN — During the club's recent annual meeting at the Samoset Resort, club members recalled a fruitful year that included service projects as well as the distribution of some $54,000 in grants and scholarships during the past year.

Monhart worked for the U.S. Department of Energy as Deputy Site Manager of the Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York and Site Manager of the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Illinois. She also served on the staff of the Secretary of Energy in Washington, D.C. where she oversaw the implementation of a new contracting strategy for the management and operation of DOE's major facilities. She has served on the boards of the Washington chapter of the National Contract Management Association, and the Argonne Credit Union in Illinois.

Now retired, Monhart serves on the Camden Conference Board of in addition to her involvement with Rotary.

Having joined the Camden Rotary Club in 2007, Monhart said she is eager to help move the club forward with its Youth Are the Future initiatives and other charitable work.

"The Rotary motto of 'Service Above Self' reflects a value I strongly hold," commented Monhart. "I look forward to serving our community in my new position as we continue to support our youth and those in need."

A highlight of the annual meeting was the presentation of Paul Harris service awards – named for the founder of Rotary International and given in recognition of outstanding service -- to four club members. Willard Wight received his second Paul Harris Award in recognition of his generous contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Bill Taylor, who also received his second award, was commended for his unwavering service to the community. First-time recipients were Don Morrison of Camden and Ken Mitchell of Belfast.

Bay Chamber Music School awarded grant

CAMDEN -- The Camden Rotary Club presented a grant of $5,000 to the Bay Chamber Music School at its August 5 meeting as part of the club's annual program of support for local non-profit organizations. Club member Richard Householder and Jane Monhart, the club president, celebrate with Bay Chamber Concerts Executive Director Monica Kelly and Richard Anderson, one of the organization's trustees. The grant will help fund the school's scholarship program.

Maine's Loyal Biscuit Company awarded top prize by national pet magazine

ROCKLAND – Pet Age Magazine has recognized Loyal Biscuit Company top status in the category "pet retailer with revenues under $5 million." Pet Age, a nationally distributed magazine that focuses on the pet industry, recently created Business of the Year Awards to recognize independent pet business for their entrepreneurial successes and excellence.

Eleven categories of awards include philanthropic programs, natural products, veterinary office, and training facility. The LBC competed along with the A1 Pet Emporium in Oklahoma and the Bag of Bones Barkery in New Jersey in the under-$5 million category.

The Pet Age website, announced the winners via video by David Schankweiler, CEO of Journal Multimedia the parent company of Pet Age, and Craig Rexford, Vice President and Publisher of Pet Age.

"Four and a half years ago when we purchased a small healthy pet supply store located in my hometown of Rockland, I never could have imagined where we would be today. We have locations in three amazing Maine communities and are two weeks (or so!) away from our fourth. We have eleven incredible team members that have become our family and who bring the LBC experience to our fabulous and incredibly supportive customers. We have a treat and a toy line. We work everyday to stay true to our mission of helping pets live happy and healthy lives," Heidi writes on the Loyal Biscuit Facebook page.

Healthy Kids receives donation from Rising Tide Community Market

DAMARISCOTTA – Rising Tide Community Market recently donated $299.91 to Damariscotta-based nonprofit Healthy Kids as part of its Co-ops for Community Day program. Each month, Rising Tide donates .5% of Wednesday sales to a local non-profit organization chosen by the co-op's member-owners. Healthy Kids was the recipient for June 2014.

Healthy Kids is focused on preventing child abuse and neglect in Lincoln County, and promoting healthy family environments. Since 1985, Healthy Kids has offered programs designed to help parents, caregivers and professionals in raising emotionally, physically and cognitively healthy children. They offer support and educational outreach to families throughout Lincoln County through services such as parenting classes, playgroups and home visitation. More information is available on their website, www.healthykidsmaine.com.

Rising Tide's Co-ops for Community Day recipient for the month of August is the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Newcastle. Other upcoming recipients are the Lincoln County Animal Shelter in September and the Community Housing Improvement Project (CHIP, Inc.) in October.

Rising Tide Community Market is a cooperatively-owned natural foods grocery store with 3000+ member- owners located at 323 Main Street in Damariscotta. Information about other community organizations supported by Rising Tide is available at: http://www.risingtide.coop.

MCH plans for the future of senior citizen's programs

Methodist Conference Home staff and board members met with aging experts Harvey and Ronnie Sterns on August 1 to brainstorm future programming at the Rockland-based nonprofit which operates critical community programs for seniors such as Meals on Wheels, Coastal Trans and independent living apartments.

Harvey Sterns, Ph.D., is a psychology professor at the University of Akron and the director of of the Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology. Ronni Sterns, Ph.D., is the president and CEO of Creative Action. Thanks from a gift from Susan Thomas, Methodist Conference Home residents will now have access to "Memory Magic," an activity program developed by the Sterns that exercises cognitive skills and stimulates social interaction.

Belfast Area High School grads announce technical school intentions

These four members of the Belfast Area High School Class of 2014 will be attending Universal Technical Institute (UTI) this coming fall: Greg Clark of Belmont, Sam Lear of Belfast, Cody Nelson of Searsmont, and Joshua Peabody of Searsmont. UTI has 13 campus locations across the country.

Belfast Area High School grads to attend ivy league universities

These two members of the Belfast Area High School Class of 2014 will be attending Ivy League Universities this coming fall: Romy Carpenter of Belfast will be attending Yale University in New Haven, CT. Ari Snider of Belfast will be attending Brown University in Providence, RI.

Belfast Students Attending Bowdoin College

These two members of the Belfast Area High School Class of 2014 will be attending Bowdoin College this coming fall: Emma Moessewilde of Belfast, and Evan Schweikert of Swanville.

Belfast Area High School grads announce technical school intentions

These four members of the Belfast Area High School Class of 2014 will be attending Universal Technical Institute (UTI) this coming fall: Greg Clark of Belmont, Sam Lear of Belfast, Cody Nelson of Searsmont, and Joshua Peabody of Searsmont. UTI has 13 campus locations across the country.

Belfast Area High School grads to attend ivy league universities

These two members of the Belfast Area High School Class of 2014 will be attending Ivy League Universities this coming fall: Romy Carpenter of Belfast will be attending Yale University in New Haven, CT. Ari Snider of Belfast will be attending Brown University in Providence, RI.

Belfast Students Attending Bowdoin College

These two members of the Belfast Area High School Class of 2014 will be attending Bowdoin College this coming fall: Emma Moessewilde of Belfast, and Evan Schweikert of Swanville.