With this seminar, you’re going to read and hear the word “learning” quite often. Social media is an ever-evolving medium that offers daily lessons we can all benefit from. No matter how large or small your organization or budget, communication and public connections are a balance of time and priorities. We want to share in the things that can only be learned by rolling up the sleeves and getting into the thick of it. This will not be a lecture – this will be a day of interaction, exploration, and engagement to help you make the most of the experience in the room.

Bring your questions. Bring your laptop. Bring a board member…and let’s start working the social network!

Who Should Attend?
While the conference will be geared for non-profits, any organization looking to get ideas on strategic use of social media will find terrific value in the day.

What’s the Cost?
Individual registration for the entire program is just $129.00. Bringing a board member for the afternoon session is just an additional $35. Register today as space is limited! www.sutherlandweston.com/seminars

In addition to her experience as an assistant in a law firm, for the past 8 years Shawna has worked as an underwriter and agent in the Westport Insurance Company Lawyers’ Professional Liability Program.

Pat LaVoie, COO, said, “We are really excited to launch a new area of specialization within our organization.  In addition to having the experience necessary to make this successful venture, Shawna has a lot of energy and enthusiasm.  It really is great to have her as part of our rapidly growing company.”

The Varney Agency was started in 1980 by Bill Varney who is still active in the business.  Through its 16 Maine locations, the agency provides insurance to a wide range of residential and commercial customers.  Varney Agency is licensed in 49 states and is now insuring over $1 billion of property value spread over 30 states.

For More Information, contact:

Jeannie Stanhope

Varney Agency Inc.

207.947-5032 x3026

Bangor – Affiliated Pharmacy Services and Miller Drug announced today that their pharmacy operations will be combining into a single entity with four locations in the Bangor area, creating one of the largest independently owned, community pharmacies in the Northeast.

For more than 50 years Bill and Gloria Miller have operated Miller Drug from their landmark location on State Street. Affiliate Pharmacy Services operates three locations: Riverside Pharmacy on the EMMC campus, Westgate Pharmacy in the EMMC Healthcare Mall on Union Street in Bangor and Whiting Hill Pharmacy in the Lafayette Family Cancer Center in Brewer.

It is anticipated all regulatory and licensure changes will be completed by early summer and the four locations will operate as a single service network, improving on the extraordinary standard of access each company’s respective customers have come to expect. The three APS locations will all be re-branded as “Miller Drug” and the very familiar Miller Drug jingle will now say “Miller Drug-Our Family Serving yours – Now from four locations.”

Community pharmacies are all about local families caring for local families. This partnership means that the community pharmacy model will continue to thrive in our region.

“It has long been our primary goal to offer good healthcare and great customer service to each and every resident of this region. And this new partnership will make that even easier,” says Bill Miller of Miller Drug. “We believe our customers will see this change as smooth and simple. Every aspect of the work we do will be improved – our four locations will mean better access, better hours, and increased convenience. We will be able to offer the same level of care and service that my family, the Miller family has shared with our region for more than fifty years.”

“We are absolutely thrilled to join forces with Miller Drug,” says Miles Theeman, President and CEO of Affiliated Healthcare Systems, Affiliated Pharmacy’s parent company. “At AHS we pride ourselves on great relationships with our customers and the quality of products and services we offer.  In the pharmacy business, both APS and Miller Drug have set the bar extremely high for both quality and service and for more than four decades nobody has done it better than Billy, Gloria and their team. Joining these two great organizations will ensure that Miller Drug’s incredible legacy of outstanding family-owned, community-based service to residents of eastern and northern Maine will continue for years to come. ‘Miller Drug – Our family serving yours – now from four locations’ isn’t just our new jingle, it’s a way of doing business.”

The combination of Affiliated Pharmacy and Miller Drug into a single, locally-owned community pharmacy means many things for our region: local ownership and decision-makers, a commitment to the health of our region, and access to specialty prescriptions.

Most importantly, this new partnership creates a gold standard for pharmacy customer service that will be available in four locations: Miller Drug on State Street, Miller Drug, Riverside, Miller Drug, Westgate, and Miller Drug, Whiting Hill.

“This change is a realization of a dream for me and I hope you will join Gloria and me in celebrating the new Miller Drug family,” finishes Bill Miller.

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.”

30-30-30

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.

###

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.

# # #

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.

###

Dollars to support research and hands-on learning for more than 1000 Maine students

AUGUSTA - Biomedical research and education in Maine received a major shot in the arm today with the announcement of an $18 million grant from the National Center for Research Resources, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The grant ensures the continuation of the Maine IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), a collaborative network of 12 Maine research laboratories, universities, and colleges led by the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory in Bar Harbor. Stretching from South Portland to Fort Kent, the INBRE was created in 2001 to enhance the ability of scientists and students in Maine to conduct cutting edge research and improve their ability to compete successfully for federal research dollars.

The grant will be awarded over 5 years. During that time, more than one thousand Maine high school, undergraduate and graduate students will receive hands-on biomedical research training through research fellowships, short courses, and research assistantships in Maine. In addition, the grant will provide research support for eleven scientists statewide, enabling them to compete for federal grants and bring students into their labs as research assistants. Overall, the grant will support 96 full time research and administrative positions.

In announcing the award at a ceremony at the State House in Augusta this morning, Governor John Baldacci said, “Biomedical research is an increasingly important sector of the Maine economy. Thanks in large part to the Maine INBRE, we will continue building a sophisticated, educated workforce to support research in Maine and enhance our capacity to be a leader in science and technology.” The governor added, “I am particularly pleased that Maine students are learning that they don’t have to leave the state to have a meaningful, rewarding career in science.”

INBRE: Connecting Maine Scientists and Students

The Maine INBRE links two major research institutions, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory and The Jackson Laboratory, with the University of Maine, College of the Atlantic; Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Colleges, the University of Maine at Farmington, Fort Kent, Machias and Presque Isle, as well as Southern Maine Community College. INBRE also fosters outreach to other academic institutions, including Maine high schools, through ongoing symposia, workshops and courses.

Dr. Patricia Hand, Administrative Director of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDIBL) and Principal Investigator on the grant, stated that the grant both recognizes and builds on the remarkable progress of the Maine INBRE since its beginning in 2001. “Over the past eight years, the Maine INBRE has received over $25.6 million from NIH and is making a real difference for biomedical research and education in Maine,” she says. “When students are able to get into a lab and find out for themselves what research is really like, it can have a major impact on their lives. The same is true for young scientists. When they are given the freedom to pursue their own scientific vision, it often leads to thought-provoking discoveries and helps inspire the students they mentor. We see these things happen all the time at MDIBL and other INBRE institutions. It’s exciting to see Maine’s biomedical research sector flourish.”

According to Dr. Hand, a follow-up study conducted in 2008 shows that fully 89 percent of undergraduate students who received hands-on laboratory research training through INBRE and have since graduated are pursuing further education or careers in science or health-related fields. Maine INBRE also supported 15 junior faculty research projects over the past five years. Although the average success rate for scientists applying for federal research grants was only 25 percent over the past decade, INBRE-supported faculty enjoyed a 42 percent success rate, propelling their careers and bringing millions of federal dollars into Maine.

For Dr. Andrew Christie, a scientist at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, the INBRE program has helped him fulfill his dream of returning to Maine. A native of Farmingdale, Dr. Christie graduated from Bowdoin College and received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University. After spending most of his research career on the West Coast, he was recruited to MDIBL in 2008 from the University of Hawaii. According to Dr. Christie, “As someone who was born and raised in Maine, it has always been my dream to come back here and pursue a career in Science. Thanks to the INBRE grant, that dream has now been realized.”

# # #

Social media is the newest, hottest trend in Internet marketing and is poised for exponential growth in the years to come. This workshop will teach you about the approaches to monitoring and engaging consumers in social media. Through a quick vocabulary lesson and regional case studies, participants will learn how to engage targets and glean valuable knowledge of how consumers are interacting with brands. A brief panel discussion on how social media can be used in different fields will end the session.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. Social media is not a question of “if”, but rather of ”when“ you will get involved. This workshop is a must-have for marketers and public relations professionals who are looking to learn how to launch and manage successful social media campaigns.

The Maine Public Relations Council is a professional association of Maine public relations practitioners.  It is dedicated to the professional development of its members and to a greater awareness of the role of public relations in the world today.  To learn more, visit www.meprcouncil.org

The price for the professional development seminar which includes a continental breakfast is $20 for Maine Public Relations Council members and $35 for non-members. Registration is at 9:00 am and the program is from 9:30-11:30 am. To make your reservation today, please e-mail info@meprcouncil.org or call 207-761-4477.