LEWISTON — The Employment Times has merged with Sun Media Group, parent company of the Sun Journal, Forecaster, Bethel Citizen, Norway Advertiser Democrat, Rumford Falls Times, The Franklin Journal, Livermore Falls Advertiser, Rangeley Highlander and Penobscot Times newspapers.

The Employment Times was founded in April of 1999 by four local entrepreneurs looking to start their own business and help connect employers and employees. Jeanne Paquette, one of the original founding members, continues to run the organization and will stay on as Publisher.

The Employment Times currently produces a weekly employment paper that has free distribution of over 33,000 copies in more than 1,500 locations throughout Maine, Seacoast New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts.

“We are very pleased to be working with the Employment Times, because in the midst of these difficult economic times, it is important for us to develop new ways to strengthen our products,” said Stephen Costello, a Vice President for Sun Media Group. “The Employment Times together with the Sun Journal and the other Sun Media publications will now be able to offer additional advertising options for Maine employers to reach qualified job applicants and allow job seekers to find great jobs. It will also offer opportunity for growth by allowing us to expand into new products and services for employers throughout the region.” Costello said.

The Employment Times operation and its nine employees will remain at 306 Rodman Road in Auburn. The Employment Times also produces the HR Times, a trade publication for the human resources profession.

“We’re thrilled,” said Paquette. “We will be able to have resources we could not have had if we didn’t combine forces. It’s a win-win.”

She added, “Both companies bring something to the table, and I think the result will benefit Maine and seacoast New Hampshire. We’re going to be able to offer more to our clients and be a bigger and better resource for them.”

Cathance River Education
Alliance receives grant

TOPSHAM — The Cathance River Education Alliance based in Topsham was recently awarded a $52,000 grant by State Farm Insurance Youth Advisory Board Committee.
The Youth Advisory Board is comprised of 30 students, ages 17-20, from across the United States and Canada. The board is helping State Farm design and implement a $5 million service-learning initiative.
CREA’s grant will be used to continue its Environmental Youth Leadership Initiative. The Environmental Youth Leadership program was established in 2007 by four Brunswick High students who designed a service-learning project using the Cathance River Ecology Center to teach elementary students about resource conservation and sustainability. Based on the success of the program, CREA developed the Environmental Youth Leadership Initiative as an ongoing project. The State Farm grant will support EYLIs 2009 theme, “Get Outside To Learn,”  addressing the need for engaging children in outside physical activity.  

Awards/Designations

Brian C. Cataldo of Portland, project engineer in the wastewater practice group of Wright-Pierce, has received his professional engineering registration. 

Suzanne Ellis of Gulf of Maine Yacht Sales of Falmouth has passed the Certified Professional Yacht Brokers certification exam.

Edward William Rogers Jr., of the Portland office of Smith Barney was designated a Guided Portfolio Manager by Consulting Group in recognition of his achievements as a financial advisor within the firm’s wealth management group.

Maine Maritime Museum has designated the Bath Iron Works employees, collectively, for its “Mariner of the Year” award for their extraordinary accomplishments building Arleigh Burke class destroyers for the U.S. Navy. 

John E. Kazilionis, D.O., of South Portland received the honorary designation of Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. 

Kristi Woloszyn, project architect at Gawron Turgeon Architects in Scarborough has earned the designation of LEED Accredited Professional.  

New Ventures 

Pollard Builders, an ecologically sustainable construction company, has opened an office at 386 Fore St. in Portland and hired two new employees, Ian-Michael C. Wilkey of Portland as an operations associate and Daisy Wilson of Portland as a management associate. 

Johnny Robinson, formerly of Finch’s Restaurant in Falmouth, has launched his new restaurant, Johnny’s Bistro & Bar, at 204 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth.  

Longtime employee Dan Gifford recently purchased Falmouth Flowers, located 251 U.S. Route 1 in Falmouth.

Marcus B. Jaynes of Falmouth has joined the firm of Landis & Arn, P.A., as an equity owner. The firm is now known as Landis Arn & Jaynes, P.A.  

Joe de Silva, Personal Fitness Trainer; Deb Bergeron, Life Coach; Jennifer Lunden, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor; Robert Myers, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor; and Jasmina Agrillo, Licensed HeartMath provider, have joined True North of Falmouth as affiliate members. 

Steven P. Lavallee of Yarmouth purchased The Mortgage Office, 360 U.S. Route 1 in Yarmouth, and will continue to offer mortgage services from offices in Yarmouth and Portland. 

Simmons Ardell Design has been engaged by Maine Cardiology Associates of South Portland to provide advertising, marketing, and design services. 

Berlin City Auto Group recently acquired five properties totaling more than two acres adjacent to its Toyota/Scion/Lexus dealership on Riverside Street in Portland for expansion of its inventory and service center. 

The Rotary Clubs of South Portland-Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough held their first Pizza Bowl at the SMCC Dining Hall to raise funds for Rotary International’s PolioPlus program to eradicate polio. Bob Carson, pictured right, presents the People’s Choice Award to Ryan Coulombe and Chrysta Lacey of 3 Brothers Eatery in South Portland.