Ethan Gamage has joined Opus Consulting Group, a management consulting firm in Portland, ME.  Ethan, a senior consultant brings more than 10 years of experience providing financial, technology, and risk management in numerous industries including manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, and retail.

Ethan graduated from the University of Maine where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

Opus Consulting Group (OCG) helps businesses on their path to success by offering corporate renewal, financial management, turnaround services, business planning and strategic forecasting.

To learn more about Opus Consulting Group, contact Jacques Santucci at 207-618-1899 or info@opuscg.com or visit www.opuscg.com

Ethan Gamage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Charles “Wick” Johnson III
Kennebec Technologies
207-626-0188 ext 201
207-626-0198
clj@kennebec.com
www.kennebec.com

Kennebec Technologies and Its President Win Two Awards

Augusta, ME, December 31, 2009 — Kennebec Technologies President, Charles “Wick” Johnson, has been named “Business Person of the Year” by Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce and honored with a “Profitable Connections” award from the Smaller Business Association of New England.

KVCC’s 2010 Business Person of the Year Award
The Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Charles “Wick” Johnson its 2010 “Business Person of the Year.”

Peter Thompson, President and CEO of KVCC, nominated Johnson. “This former teacher, entrepreneur, and owner of Kennebec Technologies exemplifies business success and community service,” said Thompson. “Wick has led a team of innovators at Kennebec Technologies while also serving a number of important public roles.”

Thompson cited Johnson’s service on the Maine State Chamber Board of Directors, his past chairmanship of the University of Maine System Trustees, and past chairmanship of the Augusta Board of Trade.

Johnson will be honored January 22, 2010, at the KVCC Annual Awards Banquet.

SBANE’s 2009 Profitable Connections Award
Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE) recognized Kennebec Technologies, at its annual Profitable Connections Awards meeting October 22, 2009, for becoming certified as a supplier to Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems.

Rick Briggs Jr., Managing Director of Consilium Partners in Boston, and an SBANE member, made the nomination. “I was delighted that Kennebec Technologies could make a key connection with Raytheon through SBANE” said Briggs. “Kennebec had pursued Raytheon for several years, knowing they have great potential to be a key supplier. Kennebec offers a full range of sophisticated fabrication equipment and a highly trained and dedicated workforce; they produce complex components at the highest standards of precision, in high volumes, under tight timeframes — they just needed the right connection to really state their case. SBANE’s collaboration with Raytheon enabled them to make that. This promises to be a significant relationship for both companies.”

Kennebec expects to receive its first orders soon for a project Raytheon has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

ABOUT KENNEBEC TECHNOLOGIES — Established in 1972, Kennebec Technologies is a full-service high-precision machine products manufacturer specializing in complex, high-value-added parts and assemblies for the aerospace, defense, alternative energy, medical, semiconductor, and telecommunications industries.

For additional information on Kennebec Technologies, contact Wick Johnson, or visit www.kennebec.com.

ABOUT SBANE — The Smaller Business Association of New England is a not-for-profit organization established in 1938 to promote and protect small businesses. Its 700 member companies in six states range from sole-proprietorship service businesses and growing high technology firms to 200-employee manufacturing plants. SBANE’s programs and services address the shared interests and needs of its diverse membership.

For additional information on SBANE, visit www.sbane.org.

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Note to Editor: High-resolution digital photo available. Please e-mail request to lisa@yes-mg.com.
Photo caption: Rick Briggs (L) presents Wick Johnson with SBANE’s 2009 Profitable Connections Award.

In business since 2001, Maine Goodies has been offering its website visitors Maine related products from across the state and New England. Offering over 1500 products on-line and through their catalog from their home bases business in Albion.

Maine Goodies will be opening an Outlet Store at 5 Winslow Rd in Albion, ME this Saturday November 14th. They will offer most of their website product line at saving of 15 – 20% off their on-line prices. Hours will be 10 AM – 6 PM Daily until Christmas, closed Thanksgiving Day.

The store will feature mostly gift items and will be backed up by their full inventory that is on site. Featured items include Thanksgiving items including Pumpkin Spice Coffee, Organic Cranberry Sauce and turkey candles. Other opening specials include Loose Balsam for projects and a huge inventory of Balsam, cedar and Pine incense and home made Needhams.

Retail Store in Albion

BANGOR, Maine (Press Release), March 31, 2009. Columbia Street Baptist Church has performed the dramatic play “The Last Supper” every two years since 1979.  The Ernest K. Emurian’s play is based on the famous painting “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci — created between the years 1495–1498.

This contemporary dramatization brings the painting to life. Taking place in the upper room, the painting represents the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples before His betrayal. The scene shows the tension filled moment when Jesus reveals that one of the disciples will betray him before the night is over. The play tells the story of the dismay, amazement and confusion this statement caused as each character reflects on their relationship with Jesus and wrestles with the statement “Is it I?”

Without knowing the history behind Leonard da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”, the figures in the painting could easily be eating a normal meal, discussing events of the day or telling of the glorious miracles they had seen. Andrew might tell of the boy who’s loaves of bread and fish fed thousands. Judas Iscariot might once again, express his anger at Mary for wasting precious oil washing the feet of Jesus, or his wishes that Jesus would hurry and become the King of the Jews. However, is it well documented that the intent of da Vinci was to portray the moment of betrayal.

Some of the players have performed this play numerous times. Mark Tuck, who plays “Doubting” Thomas, takes the role very seriously. “Doubt has stopped me from doing God’s will in my life more than once. Playing the role of Thomas has made me really look at my life and the things I have and some of the things I have not done in my life.”

Tyke McKay has played Andrew at least a dozen times, starting in 1987. At the time, the youngest man in the performance, playing the oldest disciple. “Andrew is an interesting contrast to the impetuousness of Peter. He is quiet and contemplative.  Traits I do not possess. It seems amazing to me that over the years I need less and less white hair powder. I look forward to doing the play once again as I search for new meaning, no longer a young man, but one closer to Andrew’s age with a little seasoning.”

Chuck Hillman has played Thaddeus at least four times. “It becomes more meaningful each time, as I learn more about Thaddeus, and the other disciples. It is an honor to be a part of the group, and humbling to try to portray the feelings of the disciples at that time . . . realizing that all the information was gleaned from scripture, it becomes very informative, and interesting.”

“The Last Supper” will be presented Thursday April 9, and Friday April 10, at 7:00 pm in the main sanctuary of Columbia Street Baptist Church, 63 Columbia Street, Bangor.

           One of America’s most unique folksingers and backcountry travelers, Walkin’ Jim Stoltz, on tour from the mountains of Montana, will bring his powerful multi-media show, Forever Wild, to the  Belgrade Community Center for All Seasons, 1 Center Drive in Belgrade, on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m.   The mix of stunning photography, stories, and music make this one-of-a-kind concert an inspiring journey into our nation’s last wilderness areas. 
           Walkin’ Jim gets his name from nearly 27,000 miles he has walked through the wild country of North America.  Carrying a guitar and writing his songs along the way, his lyrics express a great love and respect for the Earth and the wild places he knows so well.  Known for his powerful baritone and emotion-packed vocals, Stoltz’s Forever Wild show is much more than a concert. It combines live music and poetry with stunning, multi-image slides to create a stirring celebration of the natural world.  Stoltz is veteran of more than 30 years of performing.  In this show he will be sharing images and songs from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, his Yellowstone to Yukon walk, the Utah canyon country, the Northern Rockies, and wild places all across America.
                Walkin’ Jim has toured extensively throughout the U.S. for the past 23 years. In 2006 he organized a 45 state outreach tour with other musicians and authors, and worked with hundreds of community organizations to gain support for clean water, roadless lands, and wildlife. Jim has been presented with the Environmental Protection Agency’s, Outstanding Achievement Award for his sharing of nature and wilderness across America.  Stoltz will have copies of his recent book “Walking With the Wild Wind” to sign at the event.  His songs from 9 different cds get regular airplay on National Public Radio and will also be available.   Visit his website at www.walkinjim.com.
                 Tickets for the concert will be available at the BRCA office or at the door for $10.   This event is sponsored by the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance and will benefit the Kennebec Highlands Phase III campaign.  For more information contact Mary at BRCA 495-6039 or brca@gwi.net, or visit www.belgradelakes.org