Contact: Elizabeth Sutherland, APR  207-945-9999

esutherland@sutherlandweston.com

New Contract Brings Additional Jobs to Northern and Eastern Maine

David Whitney, president and owner of Whitney Wreath in Machias, announced today that Whitney Wreath has been selected as the provider of balsam products for the 2009 L.L. Bean holiday catalog. Winning this competitive selection process establishes Whitney Wreath as the largest mail-order Christmas wreath company in the United States.

“This is great news for our successful business in Washington County,” said David Whitney today. “Since 1988 we have worked hard to establish Whitney Wreath as the premier wreath company of Maine and this contract with L.L.Bean validates all that we have worked for. We have loyal, hard working employees year round that have helped this happen, and I cannot say enough about our seasonal employees who are committed to producing the finest wreaths and other balsam products for the company.”

“We are pleased to be working with Whitney Wreath to provide quality balsam products to our customers this Christmas  season. We are doubly pleased to be supporting the Maine balsam business in Washington County.” Mark Fasold, Sr VP & Chief Financial Officer.

Whitney Wreath estimates that several full time employees, approximately 20 eight month positions and an additional 250 seasonal workers will be required for the increased production demand throughout the company’s seasonal décor and wreath producing facilities. Whitney Wreath has four facilities in Maine: Machias, Crawford, Indian Township and Presque Isle.

“Adding another 250 jobs this fall is a great boost to the region’s economy,” added Whitney. “I am pleased Whitney Wreath was selected by L.L. Bean to be part of its national sales effort, but most significant to me is the positive economic impact these jobs will have on our rural communities in Washington and Aroostook counties.”

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About L.L.Bean, Inc.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multi-channel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel.  Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe.  While its business has grown substantially, the company remains committed to the same honest principles upon which it was built – a focus on the customer, continuous product improvement and innovation, respect for people, preservation of the natural environment and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  The 220,000 sq. ft. flagship campus of stores in Freeport, Maine is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than three million visitors each year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide on www.llbean.com

About Whitney Wreath

Whitney Wreath is one of the largest producers of fresh holiday wreaths and home decorations in the nation. Started in 1984 on the back of owner’s, David Whitney, pick-up truck; Whitney’s has been providing fresh, full balsam wreaths to families throughout the United States for more than 25 years. In 2007 Whitney was awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration Jeffrey H. Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year in Maine. More about Whitney Wreath can be found at www.whitneywreath.com.

June 26, 2009 – Bangor, Maine - Bangor International Airport has awarded contracts to Sutherland Weston of Bangor and Swardlick Marketing Group of Portland for Public Relations, and Advertising and Marketing respectively.

Sutherland Weston won the Public Relations contract in a field of six candidates from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington, DC. Sutherland Weston is based in Bangor and is one of the largest marketing and public relations firms in eastern and northern Maine. The firm, incorporated in 2005, is the result of a merger between Blue Paper Communications and CM Weston. Sutherland Weston’s primary focus for the Airport will be developing and implementing a strategic public relations plan, a social media plan, and increasing awareness of BGR’s services to all of their markets.

Elizabeth Sutherland, partner at Sutherland Weston, stated, “We are very pleased to be working with Bangor International as they are one of the key elements of Bangor’s economic development. As a growing public relations firm in Maine, we’ve been very fortunate to work with some of the state’s premiere brands, and we are thrilled to add Bangor International as a client.” Sutherland went on to say, “We are excited about helping BGR achieve its public relations goals. We feel our public relations expertise, neighbor status and loyalty to the City of Bangor is the perfect combination to provide BGR with a quality partner.”

Swardlick Marketing Group of Portland won the Advertising and Marketing contract. They were among five Maine companies competing for that contract. Swardlick Marketing Group has been in business in Portland for 28 years serving the travel, tourism, and transportation industries. Swardlick’s principal role will be to develop and implement the Airport’s marketing and advertising campaigns for scheduled air service, general aviation, and all other market segments.

Swardlick Marketing Group’s Managing Director, Steve Mason, said, “We are enthusiastic and prepared for the tasks ahead. We are ready to dedicate ourselves to a highly productive collaborative partnership. And we are confident that we can make a real difference for the Airport in this endeavor.” He continued, “We have a depth of understanding of the challenges facing Bangor International and a strong understanding of the market segments and key players in the aviation industry.”

Airport Director, Rebecca Hupp remarked, “We are pleased that two Maine companies were chosen by the selection committee. Both agencies offer their own unique qualifications and a wealth of experience to develop and strengthen the Airport’s marketing and public relations programs.”

Risteen Masters, BGR’s Marketing Manager, expressed, “I think that we have a very strong team that will help BGR realize its marketing and public relations goals. By dividing the contracts as we have, it gives us the expertise of two highly qualified agencies to draw upon.”

Bangor International Airport is a full-service regional airport offering non-stop, affordable flights to Boston, Detroit, New York’s JFK, Philadelphia, and seasonal flights to New York’s LaGuardia, Minneapolis, and Washington, DC. The Airport is an enterprise funded entity operated by the City of Bangor and is supported solely through Airport generated revenue.

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Senator Snowe gives mustard-loving President Obama a “taste of Maine”

EASTPORT, MAINE – The leader of the free world likes a good mustard. So, in the wake of recent well-publicized burger runs by President Barack Obama, U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) has given the President a gift pack of Maine-made Raye’s Mustard.

President Obama made headlines during a visit to Ray’s Hell-Burger, a popular eatery in Arlington, Virginia, where he famously made it clear that he likes mustard on his burgers. Upon learning of the President’s preference for the spicy condiment, Snowe sent him a variety of Raye’s Mustards – made at the Raye family’s historic stone mill in Eastport.

“In a note to the President, Snowe said that since he enjoys Ray’s burgers, she “thought it was only fitting” to forward him an assortment of Raye’s Mustard. She told the President that the Maine-made mustard is “a fantastic product” and expressed her hope “that you, the First Lady, and Malia and Sasha enjoy the mustard – and that you might consider making it a staple around the White House!”

Snowe told the President that Raye’s Mustard is “a small business in Downeast Maine and the last remaining authentic stone ground mustard mill in North America”. She also noted that it is owned and operated by her former Chief of Staff and current Maine Senate Minority Leader Kevin Raye and his wife Karen. They are the fourth generation of the Raye family to own and operate the mill, originally established in 1900 to supply Maine’s once-thriving sardine industry.

“We are thrilled to know that there is Raye’s Mustard at the White House,” said Karen and Kevin Raye. “As an avowed mustard lover, we hope the President will enjoy our authentic stone-ground mustards. It’s great to know that he and his family will be able to enjoy a taste of Maine!”

Earlier this year, Raye’s “Down East Schooner” Mustard earned its third gold medal in the past four years in the Classic American Yellow Mustard category at the World-Wide Mustard Competition in Napa Valley, California. Raye’s “Winter Garden” Mustard, noted for its dill, garlic and celery accents, won the bronze medal in the Herb Mustard category. Both were among the varieties of Raye’s Mustard included in the gift pack President Obama received from Snowe.

A working museum, Raye’s Mustard Mill uses a cold-grind mustard-making process developed in Europe during the Middle Ages. The Eastport mill is a popular tourist destination, featuring a retail outlet, gift shop and free tours. For more information, visit www.rayesmustard.com or call 1-800-853-1903.

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ORONO: The Church of Universal Fellowship (CUF), in partnership with area businesses and organizations, will host a Spaghetti Supper Tuesday, June 16, 2009 with seatings at 6pm and 7pm.

With a donation to the fire victims guests will dine on a full dinner featuring spaghetti, salads, bread with butter, non-alcoholic drinks and a variety of desserts.

CUF will also be collecting clothing, furniture and other household items Monday, June 15 from 10am to 3pm and Tuesday, June 16 from 3pm to 9pm at the Church.

Thanks to the generosity of the following businesses and organizations, all monies and items collected will be distributed among the 23 individuals who lost their homes and belongings in the June 9 fire that destroyed the historic Katahdin Building in Downtown Orono: Best Western Black Bear Inn, Frank’s Bakery, YAWP (Young Adults With Pizazz) and members of the Church of Universal Fellowship.

The Church of Universal Fellowship is located at 82 Main Street in Orono. Contact Cami Carter at 207.866.3655 for more information on this event.

Free Service at BGR A Result of Business Collaboration

Bangor International Airport’s new free Wi-Fi is the result of their collaboration with the Four Points by Sheraton and Premium Choice Broadband. While other airports throughout the region and the country charge for their WiFi service, BGR worked diligently to ensure that wireless internet service is available at no cost.

“We wanted to offer free Wi-Fi to the traveling public and especially for the many troops passing through Bangor. Most proposals we received were beyond our budget. Then we asked the Sheraton about extending their Wi-Fi” stated Rebecca Hupp, Airport Director. She continued, “We were very pleased that the Four Points by Sheraton was ready to work with us to accomplish our goal. Then a conversation with Premium Choice Broadband, a local high-speed internet provider, completed the necessary elements to have these new amenities available for our passengers at no cost. This is part of the Airport’s ongoing efforts to provide the best facilities and amenities possible for our passengers.”

Vivian Cammack, General Manager for the Four Points Sheraton at Bangor Airport stated, “We were pleased to work with Bangor International Airport on this important project helping to promote our facilities. The new $4 million dollar addition at the airport, along with the Four Points $9 million dollar renovation, improves the appearance and functionality of the facilities and makes Bangor Airport passenger-friendly with new high speed technology.”

Bangor International Airport is a full-service regional airport offering non-stop, affordable flights to Boston, Detroit, JFK, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, and seasonal non-stop flights to Minneapolis, New York’s LaGuardia and Washington, DC. The Airport is an enterprise funded entity operated by the City of Bangor and is supported solely through Airport generated revenue.

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