Bank of Maine announces Leaders and Luminaries award finalists

The finalists for The Bank of Maine’s 2015 Leadership and Luminaries Award have been announced following a review of more than 65 nominations from across the state. The criterion for this award is excellence in board governance, supported by demonstrated examples of inspiration, creativity and ingenuity.

The award will be presented at the Maine Association of Nonprofits Finance Conference on Thursday, Nov. 5, at The Harraseeket Inn in Freeport.

“For the third year, The Bank of Maine Charitable Foundation is thrilled to honor nonprofit board members through the Leaders and Luminaries Award, which recognizes the importance and impact of nonprofit board members who provide invaluable services to our communities,” said John W. Everets, chairman and CEO of The Bank of Maine. “It is admirable to see finalists from all sectors of the nonprofit community, including housing, the arts, health and human services, and youth programs.”

There will be one grand prize winner, to be revealed at the event, who will receive $10,000 in grant money for his or her organization. The other three finalists will each receive $2,500 in grant money for their nonprofits. In addition to the four finalists, one other person will be honored for her outstanding dedication and commitment to nonprofit board service.

The Leadership and Luminaries Award finalists are: Catherine Powers, Bath Housing Development Corp.; Harris J. Bixler, Bay Chamber Concerts in Rockport; William Branch, Kennebec Behavioral Health in Waterville; and Lynn Gierie, Robbie Foundation in Scarborough.

Rebekah Smith, Main Women’s Policy Center in Augusta (Emerging Board Leader), also will be recognized.

Car dealer to donate portion of sales in October to SeniorsPlus

SeniorsPlus, western Maine’s designated agency on aging, has been selected as a beneficiary of Darling’s Deals for Meals charitable program, according to a news release.

During the month of October, Meals on Wheels at SeniorsPlus will receive a direct donation of $200 for every car purchased by residents of Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties from any Darling’s dealership in Maine. Darling’s has six locations: three in Bangor, two in Ellsworth and one in Augusta.

“Two-hundred dollars can make a difference in our work to avoid a wait list for Meals on Wheels, especially as winter approaches,” said Betsy Sawyer-Manter, executive director of SeniorsPlus. “We are happy to have been selected for this charitable program.”

Established in 1972, SeniorsPlus is the western Maine designated Agency on Aging covering Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties. The overall program goal of SeniorsPlus, which is headquartered in Lewiston, is to assist older adults and adults with disabilities to remain safely at home for as long as possible.

Waterville CREATES!, Out & Allied Youth Theatre form youth theater laboratory

Waterville CREATES! and Out & Allied Youth Theatre have partnered to create a youth theater laboratory within Studio 93, a 60-seat “black box” theater at 93 Main St. in Waterville. Other partners in the project include the Waterville Opera House and Colby College’s Center for the Arts and Humanities, its theater and dance department, and its education program.

“We know there are many youth who do not have the opportunity to explore, experiment with or develop their skills in the many facets of the performing arts,” said Out & Allied Youth Theatre Director Mark Fairman. “Many haven’t even realized that the performing arts offer so many avenues for them to build on their interests in new and interesting ways. We believe that this partnership will allow youth to increase their self-confidence and resilience, make new friendships, and contribute enormously to the Waterville community.”

Waterville CREATES! is a collaborative consortium established to work directly with community arts, creative and cultural institutions to enhance and strengthen the vitality of Waterville. Out & Allied Youth Theatre is a troupe of middle school, high school, and college students who use theater to address issues of social justice, build community and share their everyday experiences.

Out & Allied Youth Theatre will manage the Studio 93 space for Waterville CREATES!, which seeks to host expanded programming in the theater throughout the year.

“Waterville CREATES! is providing Out & Allied Youth Theatre with access to Studio 93’s stage and a meeting space as a theater laboratory and their ‘home base of operations’,” Waterville CREATES! Executive Director Nate Rudy said. “We will further partner with the Waterville Opera House technical crew to provide training to these students so that Out and Allied students can help manage Studio 93, including providing technical assistance for the lighting and sound systems to individuals and organizations who rent the space.”

Over the coming months, the partners will move quickly to establish Studio 93 as a learning laboratory engaging youth to work with young adults and explore theater arts. For example, Isaac Woods, lighting technician at the Opera House, and Jayson Murray, sound technician at the Opera House, will not only teach and mentor youth about these aspects of the technical side of theater, but will also help youth connect a general interest in electronics and technology with opportunities to learn about and apply this knowledge and skills in a real-life setting. Lily Fernald and Kelsey Book, Colby College theater and dance majors, will teach and mentor youth about creating theater, acting, directing and production. Students will also learn about set design and construction, marketing and theater management.

For more information, call Mark Fairman of Out & Allied Youth Theatre at 660-1672 or email markfair56@gmail.com.

Credit union breaks ground in Augusta

Connected Credit Union celebrated the groundbreaking on Oct. 6 at its new site at the corner of Civic Center Drive and Gaywalk St. in Augusta.

On hand for the groundbreaking were the staff and board of directors of the credit union, along with representatives of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce and business partners throughout the community.

President Richard Lachance said the credit union is excited to be starting construction of the building. The 5,400-square-foot facility will allow the credit union to consolidate its University Drive and South Chestnut Street locations. The new building will feature a three-lane drive-thru, including an ATM, and will serve as the credit union’s main office. The new location is expected to be completed in the summer of 2016.

Connected Credit Union was chartered in 1967 and serves over 4,000 members throughout Maine.

Compiled from contributed releases