Marketplace at Augusta to host Pop-Up businesses

With a mission to support local artisans and businesses, the Marketplace at Augusta is introducting the Pop-Up, devoted to showcasing best-in-class, locally owned businesses on a rotating basis. Cunnah Town Blues, a Damariscotta-based small business, is the first brand to take over the space and is now open, according to a news release from the development company.

Owned by a former fisherman, Brian Eugley, Cunnah Town Blues offers a one-of-a-kind line of home decor and pet accessories that use unusual materials such as recycled polypropylene rope and lobster trap runner wood. Items include Boot Scuffah doormats, Stride Walkah pet leashes, Doggie Dinnah Mats, Pictchah Frames and Business Card Holdahs.

Cunnah Town Blues will celebrate Giving Tuesday each week in partnership with Kennebec Valley Humane Society, an animal protection organization that serves nearly 20 local communities. Shoppers who bring in necessities for pets or people will receive 10 percent off their purchases each Tuesday in December. On select days, the Kennebec Valley Humane Society will have pets available for adoption at Cunnah Town Blues and will offer complimentary in-store gift wrapping in exchange for tax-deductible contributions.

The Pop-Up is located between Panera and Verizon at the Marketplace at Augusta. Cunnah Town Blues is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week through February 2017. Additional Pop-Up tenants will be announced as they join the program.

Maine State Museum to add Wi-Fi services

AUGUSTA — The Maine State Museum plans to enhances the visitor and discovery experience by providing complimentary Wi-Fi, partnered with digital signage, in the museum’s welcome area and entry-level exhibit areas.

The new service is scheduled to be launched at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at the museum.

The service will allow the museum to begin to build programs that include internet-based learning components throughout the museum, critical to meeting the needs of today’s learners, according to the museum.

Human resources group wins national professional award

The Central Maine Human Resources Association won the Pinnacle Award last month, which is given by the Society for Human Resource Management for highly notable contributions to the human resources profession, according to a news release from the central Maine association.

Board members Mary Lafontaine and Kim Dionne went to Washington, D.C., to accept the award. Winners received a $1,000 prize, given by Paychex Inc., which is the sponsor of this year’s Pinnacle Awards. The award was given at SHRM’s annual Volunteer Leaders’ Summit in Washington.

Created in 1991, the Pinnacle Award is the highest achievement the society’s state councils and chapters can attain, and it honors programs that exceed the standard activities of society affiliates in enhancing the creation of effective human resources management. The central Maine group was one of 12 human resource organizations from across the country to win the award.

CMHRA President Rebecca Webber emphasized that the HR Thursday program that was the basis for the award represented the association’s commitment to helping Maine businesses deal with attracting, training and retaining employees, whether or not they have a human resources person. The program was a collaborative effort with the LA Metro Chamber and the Lewiston CareerCenter.

Compiled from contributed releases.