RE/MAX By The Bay is also pleased to announce that Susan Scanlon has joined the firm as a Maine Licensed Commercial Broker. Scanlon brings with her, 9 years of commercial & residential experience in the sale and leasing of commercial properties throughout Southern Maine. She is actively involved in the non-profit community including the Junior League and serves as Interim Crisis Team Manager for the Trauma Intervention Program.

“We are fortunate to have Susan Scanlon on board and feel positive about the commercial market in Southern Maine“, said Michael Banks, Director of Operations at RE/MAX By the Bay. “Our entrance into the commercial real estate market in Southern Maine, is part of our commitment to expand our services to our current and prospective clients.”

About RE/MAX By The Bay

RE/MAX By The Bay is affiliated with RE/MAX of New England and RE/MAX International. Since its inception in 1985, RE/MAX of New England has grown to over 250 offices with more than 3,000 sales associates throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, providing residential and commercial real estate.

For more information, contact Michael Banks 207-773-2345

Susan earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University College of Communication. She is a member of the Maine Public Relations Council (MPRC) and the United Way of York County’s Marketing and Communications Strategy Committee. She enjoys volunteering at Equest Therapeutic Riding Center, hiking and antiquing, and visits to Monhegan Island in Maine. Susan lives in Kennebunk with her husband and their Westie, Sydney.

Portland, MAINE (3/4/10) – Norman Patry’s journey from the desk of an investment office to a bicycle seat in coastal Maine is not just the story of a man who pursued – and caught – his dream. It’s also a tale of how one person’s vision can inspire others.

Patry’s business, Summer Feet, is celebrating its 10^th anniversary, in providing van-assisted bicycle tours, where all lodging, food and other logistics are handled for clients.

The business grew out Patry’s cross-country bicycle adventure, which he took as a break from his work with annuities and other financial instruments, even though he had not being on a bike for 13 years. Today, Summer Feet trips spur others to get out of their homes and, in many cases, onto bicycles for the first time in years.

“I hadn’t been on a bicycle outside for at least 16 years,” said Colleen Harwood, a nurse who lives in Bolton, Mass. “But two years ago, I decided to take a trip with Summer Feet to coastal Maine, as a way to get my husband away from his Blackberry and laptop.”

“A trip like that just does so much good for your psyche,” she said. “You let things go.”

The day after her return from the trip, Harwood bought a bicycle. She is now an avid cyclist who has twice completed 50-mile fundraising rides for charity. It also helped her reconnect with family, she said.

“This trip said to my husband and me that we really are still connected as a couple and can have fun together,” Harwood said. “I think it’s good for any relationship to do something like this.”

Summer Feet offers bicycle tours to some of the most stunningly beautiful locations in New England, Canada and New Zealand. Four new trips are planned for this summer. Two are geared for all cyclists:

• Quebec, where riders will take the Route Verte, which was first among the Top Ten Bike Routes selected by National Geographic Magazine. The trip includes Quebec City, as well as historic villages and beautiful natural features such as the spectacular Montmorency Falls.

• Cape Breton, which has been described by Bicycling Magazine as one of the best rides in North America. This trip includes Cape Breton Highlands National Park and incorporates the Scottish flavor to be found in this part of Nova Scotia.

Summer Feet’s other two new trips are being adapted to meet the needs of deaf people. These vacations will be led by experienced bicycle-trip guides who also are fluent in American Sign Language. The first of these trips will take place Aug. 27-29, in and around Acadia National Park, near Bar Harbor, Maine. The other will be Sept. 24-26 to the area around scenic Camden, Maine.

“It’s amazing how much I’ve learned doing this,” Patry said. “I love riding my bike, of course. That’s how I got started. But I also really enjoy the other part of the business — making sure clients have incredible, sometimes life-changing experiences.”

Andrea Schall took a Summer Feet trip to the Maine coast in 2006, even though she was not much of a bicyclist at the time.

“It was one of the best vacations I’ve ever been on. Norman and his guides totally understand what you need, and they take care of you,” said Schall, who lives in Los Angeles. “It actually got me into biking to the point where I bought a bicycle and bike all the time now.”

Summer Feet is different from many of the large tour operators, in its ability to find unique local experiences that higher-volume businesses miss. His trips to Camden, Maine, for example offer sunset dinner cruises on schooners.

“Summer Feet is very purposeful in how they run the trip to make sure that you have a wonderful experience,” said Tom Braun, a middle school teacher from Iowa who was an active bicyclist even before his first Summer Feet trip. “A lot of the places you stay are right on the water. The food is great. And you don’t carry a suitcase at any time in the trip, because they take care of all that for you.”

Patry began his cross-country trip by taking a book out of his local library and getting a map of Virginia through the Adventure Cycling Association. A few years later, he stopped working with finance in Massachusetts, so that he could move to Maine and start Summer Feet.

“The first year we had 11 clients, total,” Patry said. “Today, we help hundreds of people explore beautiful, new areas every year. Some of our clients bike all the time. But others really fall in love with bicycles on our trips, the same way that I did on that ride across America.”

Based in Portland, Maine, Summer Feet offers travelers assisted bicycle tours and the most-authentic experiences available of beautiful locations in Maine, Canada and New Zealand. Summer Feet has a decade of experience in providing van support, knowledgeable guides and logistics for memorable bicycle vacations. More information is available at www.summerfeet.net, via email to info@summerfeet.net, or by phone at 866-857-9544.

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Planning For Good Workshops, presented by Sarah Ruef-Lindquist  March 2010 Topics:

• Assessing organizational readiness

• Involving the Board: ensuring sound policy basis

• Setting Goals and evaluating success
  

Go to :  www.planningforgood.net for more information and advance registration details (required)

March 16th – Augusta location, Maine Bar Foundation offices

March 23rd – Portland location, Cumberland Club

Speakers at SMBME’s Best-Of Brunch include 32north’s Heather Wasklewicz, Thirteen Thiry Marketing’s Chrystie Corns, Goodwill NNE’s Calvin Gilbert, Alex Steed, Pierce Promotions’ Brad Lawwill, Cabot Creamery’s Candace Karu, the City of Westbrook’s Keith Luke and Jeff Parsons from Q97.9. Topics include building online communities, social media for nonprofits, measuring social media presence, personal branding, traditional media using social media, social media policies and more.

The Social Media Breakfast is an event where social media experts and newbies alike come together to eat, meet, share and learn. It exists in 40 cites throughout the United States and around the world. Every event of the Maine edition of SMB is organized by Amanda O’Brien, VP of Marketing and Kyle Pouliot, Inbound Marketing Specialist – both of Hall Web Services. Over the past year, SMBME events have garnered rave reviews and have been a boon to the Maine marketing community.

About Hall Web Services

Hall Web Services of Portland, Maine partners with small to medium sized businesses to grow their businesses through the creation of a comprehensive web strategy. Hall’s services include web design and development, managed hosting, internet marketing, inbound marketing strategies and multimedia production.

The Dance Studio of Maine today announced that Trish Moulton has signed up with STRIVE to offer hip hop classes at their 6^th annual Dance Marathon on Saturday, March 6^th. STRIVE offers social, recreational, and educational programs for over 600 teens and young adults with developmental disabilities in Maine. Last year, the Dance Marathon raised $30,000.

Trish Moulton will serve as a volunteer and will be bringing many of her students from the Dance Studio of Maine to take part in the event. “I am proud to work on this wonderful event with the best volunteers and most creative dancers” said Moulton.

If you would like to take part in the event, you can get a registration form online at www.firstgiving.com/strive.

About Trish Moulton

Trish Moulton is a dance instructor and the owner of the Dance Studio of Maine and Music School of Maine. She and her dances have won many awards and participated in dance competitions all over New England. She can be reached at 839-6161 or at http://www.dancestudioofmaine.com

Photo from left to right: Jim Delamater, Northeast Bank; Ron Philips, Coastal Enterprises; Margaret Bean, Maine Housing (behind); Lucie Ottati, Birch Hill Resident; Kevin Reilley, Benchmark Construction (behind); Governor John E. Baldacci; Richard Berman, Development Collaborative; Mayor Laurent Gilbert, City of Lewiston.

The event at the corner of Birch and Knox streets in Lewiston featured speakers from the collaborating partners of the project who spoke on the importance of affordable senior housing in Maine, the various challenges that the project faced and the successful collaboration of local and state organizations. Facility tours were given and refreshments were provided by Willie Bean’s.

“Birch Hill is one of those projects that has truly had a positive impact on the community. These economic times are unprecedented, and capital is the difference between a project like Birch Hill coming to fruition or simply being a plan on the shelf. That is why we believe it is imperative for those of us who can, to work together to continue to invest in our future,” said Jim Delamater, President and CEO of Northeast Bank.

“The real story of Birch Hill is in how it got created. It is a story of collaboration and leadership. It involved collaboration of many key partners and it is a story of leadership as each partner had to exert their individual leadership to create the development. Hopefully, we will see more projects like this over the coming year and we are thankful that this development came to fruition for the residents and the community,” said Richard Berman of Developers Collaborative.

Also featured at Thursday’s event was Lucy Ottati, a new resident of the Birch Hill Apartments. She shared her gratitude and excitement about her new home.

“It’s a joy to wake up every day in a place surrounded by activity. To look outside my apartment and see kids getting off the school bus and having people around really makes me feel part of a community, and I’m just honored to be living here.”

Local and state officials were also present, including representatives from Senator Olympia Snowe’s and Congressmen Michael Michaud’s’ offices. Mayor Larry Gilbert of Lewiston spoke about the project being a part of Lewiston’s revitalization and the city’s goals for the future.

“The City of Lewiston continues to seek out and embrace opportunities to grow and develop through worthwhile projects like this one, even amidst the struggles of the current economy. . . We will continue to invest and reach out to our partners to do what needs to be done to meet the needs of our community and our residents.”

Gov. John E. Baldacci attended the event as the keynote speaker. He congratulated the partners of the project on their success and also spoke on the importance of collaborative development in the state.

The Birch Hill Senior Housing project has created 20 units of simple yet elegant affordable elderly rental housing in a new building in downtown Lewiston. The unit mix includes 17 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom units, with 5 units to be fully handicapped accessible. All 20 of these units will be targeted to households aged 55 or older with incomes at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). Wireless broadband access is built in to the facility and a computer is available in the community room for residents. The building also has a laundry room available to residents.

The Birch Hill Senior Housing project started construction a year ago on a 15 year vacant lot in the heart of Lewiston’s downtown. Its completion was made possible through a public-private partnership between the City of Lewiston, Lewiston Housing Authority, Maine State Housing Authority, Coastal Enterprises Inc., Northern New England Housing Investment Fund, Benchmark Construction, Developers Collaborative and Northeast Bank.

About Northeast Bank

Northeast Bank, a leader in delivering one-stop shopping for financial services, is headquartered in Lewiston, Maine and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Bancorp (NASDAQ: NBN). The Company has approximately $612 million in assets as of December 31, 2009 and operates 26 retail outlets, including 11 bank branches, 15 insurance offices and 3 financial centers serving the financial needs of western, central, mid-coastal and southern Maine, as well as seacoast New Hampshire. Information regarding Northeast Bank can be found on its website at www.northeastbank.com or by contacting 1-800-284-5989.

Fan NEB on Facebook * Join the NEB group on LinkedIn * Follow NEB on Twitter: @northeast_bank * Check out the NEB YouTube Channel

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Simard, Belisle and Robin have joined Northeast Bank as a team of financial specialists who will help clients pursue their financial goals through creating and implementing a comprehensive long term plan.  This is an ongoing process that will be specifically tailored to their clients’ needs and risk tolerance.

“In the current economy, people are looking to experienced professionals for help, so we are excited to bring on Matt, Helen, and Mike to our team of experts who provide our customers with the financial information they need,” says Jim Delamater, President and CEO of Northeast Bank.

Simard has as Bachelor of Administration in Economics from Colby College in Waterville. He also sits on the Board of Advocates for Children and lives in Auburn.

Robin also has a Bachelor of Administration in Economics, with a focus in Financial Markets, from University of Maine in Orono. He volunteers at the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook and resides in Gray.

Belisle attended school at Mid Maine State College in 1994 and is an active volunteer with United Way and various elder services in her community. She lives in Greene.

*Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA / SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Investment and Insurance products are: not insured by the FDIC; not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, the financial institution; and subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.

About Northeast Bank

Northeast Bank, a leader in delivering one-stop shopping for financial services, is headquartered in Lewiston, Maine and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Bancorp (NASDAQ: NBN). The Company has approximately $612 million in assets as of December 31, 2009 and derives its income from a combination of traditional banking services and non-traditional financial products and services including insurance and investments; operating eleven traditional bank branches, fourteen insurance offices and three investment centers that serve seven counties in Maine and two in New Hampshire. Information regarding Northeast Bank Insurance Group, Inc. and Northeast Bank can be found on its website at www.northeastbank.com or by contacting 1-800-284-5989.

Photo from Left to Right:  Mike Robin, Helen Belisle, and Matthew Simard

efforts to put students at the center of learning

Wiscasset, ME –The Wiscasset schools of RSU 12 (http://wiscasset.maineadulted.org) have been selected as a recipient of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation’s Catalyst for Change awards, which recognize existing examples of personalized, student-centered learning experiences across New England. Twelve schools and education organizations have received a one-time grant of $50,000.

“We are thrilled that the hard work and commitment to personalized learning is receiving this recognition,” said Anne Fensie, Adult Education Director. “It is our hope that we can collaborate on successful models of student directed learning with other schools in the region to capitalize on the school reform initiatives that promote personalized learning. In addition to actively engaging students in learning, the Wiscasset schools have created a change in the school culture that makes students believe that the logical choice is to attend some form of postsecondary training or college.”

“The selection process has helped us become more aware of efforts already taking place across the region to put students at the center of the educational experience,” said Mary Sylvia Harrison, Vice President of Programs for the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.  “We’re pleased to recognize these schools and organizations, and we look forward to further exploring how to build on the momentum for innovation that these models create.”

All Catalyst for Change applicants were asked to clearly articulate how they define, implement and/or promote personalized, student-centered learning through their school models, policy change or advocacy efforts.  Applicants were also asked to present a clear rationale for their particular approach and provide supporting evidence of the approach’s contributions to the improvement of educational outcomes for middle and high school students, especially the underserved.  Applicants also had to show that their programs were a core facet of schooling and not a stand-alone program.

Wiscasset Middle School will utilize the award to ensure the successful continuation of Expeditionary Learning. This program engages students in authentic opportunities that allow them to be out in the community doing “real” work that has significant impact as they do research regarding our local environment, especially the watershed areas. Wiscasset High School will enhance personalized learning by enabling additional programming for at-risk students and supporting the implementation of Response to Intervention. The funds will also support initiatives to bring students out into the community for experiential learning with local professionals, including after school and summer programming. Wiscasset Adult & Community Education will increase the availability and intensity of services for out of school youth, especially as they transition to postsecondary education. In addition, these funds will be utilized in coordination with the Maine Department of Education Office of Adult Education to create additional self-paced curricula aligned with the Maine Learning Results and modified for adult learners at various educational functioning levels, which can then be distributed to adult education programs throughout the state.

Twelve schools and organizations from across New England were selected to receive Catalyst for Change awards, including: Sheepscot Valley Regional School Union # 12 (Wiscasset, ME); Boston Arts Academy (Boston, MA); Boston Day & Evening Academy (Boston, MA); The Domus Foundation (Stamford, CT); Jobs for Maine’s Graduates (Augusta, ME); Northeast Kingdom Learning Services (Newport, VT); Q.E.D. Foundation (Amherst, NH); Springfield Renaissance School (Springfield, MA); Steps to Success (Brookline, MA); Vermont Rural Partnership (East Hardwick, VT); Vermont Youth Conservation Corps (Richmond, VT); and Young Voices (Providence, RI).

For more information about the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, visit www.nmefdn.org

Northeast Bank announced earlier this month that it has created 10 new positions to handle the increase in demand for mortgages, due in part to the expansion and extension of the Home Buyer Tax Credit program signed into effect recently for people buying homes from December 31, 2009 to June of 2010.

“Scott has been in the business for 18 years and brings a wealth of experience to our team,” Says Marcel Blais, Senior Vice President & COO of Northeast Bank. “His knowledge of the industry and experience with mortgage loans will provide an invaluable resource for our customers and other team members serving the Portland market.”

Blake earned a Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting from Ithaca College in NY and was an active participant in the Maine Housing Authority task forces. He has also won an “Excellence in Operations” Award for his work in the industry. He resides in Windham.

About Northeast Bank

Northeast Bank, a leader in delivering one-stop shopping for financial services, is headquartered in Lewiston, Maine and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Bancorp (NASDAQ:  NBN). The Company has approximately $604 million in assets as of September 30, 2009 and operates 26 retail outlets, including 11 bank branches, 15 insurance offices and 3 financial centers serving the financial needs of western, central, mid-coastal and southern Maine, as well as seacoast New Hampshire. Information regarding Northeast Bank can be found on its website at www.northeastbank.com or by contacting 1-800-284-5989.

Fan NEB on Facebook ³ Join the NEB group on LinkedIn ³ Follow NEB on Twitter: @northeast_bank ³ Check out the NEB YouTube Channel

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