Local residents perform
in PSOs “Magic of Christmas”

PORTLAND – Local residents are taking part in the 30-year holiday tradition of Portland Symphony Orchestra’s “Magic of Christmas” concert begining on Dec. 11 at Merrill Auditorium in Portland.

Twenty-eight performers from Portland include: Mary Arnold, Donna Bisbee, Debra Carter, Joanne L. Jenssen, David Kennedy, Michelle Bernier, Jeff Decareau, Helen Meyer, Jeannine Plourde, John Predmore S.J., Chuck Riddle, Cynthia Setchell, Thomas Smith, Bethany Field, Brendon Morrill, Hilary Chapman, Maxine L. Spohr, Robert L. Spohr, Dick Stevens, Janice Tisdale, Rebecca Wallace, Day Whitehead, Robert Witham, Margaret Metcalf, Richard Noyes, Thomas Parchman, Mark Manduca and Clorinda Noyes.

Performers from Cumberland include: Charlotte Bickford, Linda L. Eaton, R. Stanley Eaton, Betsy Stoddard, James Stoddard, and Constance Clayton. Falmouth residents include: Peter Brown, Tom Bruns, Penelope P. Carson, Gary E. Conway, Mary Ann McLean, and Wayne Newland. Additional performers include Lynn Hannings of Freeport, George Rubino of Pownal, Carol Carlton and Yasmin Craig-Vitalius, both of Yarmouth.

Performers from Cape Elizabeth include: June Berry, John Leasure, Judy McManamy, Patti Roderick, Steve Roy, and Holly Ovenden. Scarborough residents include: Paul Andruilli, Diane Beaudoin, Jeanne Scheddel Berensen, Beth Eastman, Cheryl Hart, Nancy MacLean, Camille Rowe, Phil Rowe, Nancy Sawyer, Stephen Sawyer, George Calvert, and Kimberly Lehmann. South Portland residents include: Julia Berman, Marilyn Chase, Frances Peterson, MaryEllen Schaper, Marylynn Hillman, Mary Spasiano, Nancy Smith, Deirdre Oehrtmann, and Elizabeth Miller.

The 2009 production, led by music director Robert Moody, includes new features, such as an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” with puppetry from Freeport’s Figures of Speech Theatre; scenes from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker”; traditional carols with the Portland Community Chorus; a choreographed retelling of the story of the Nativity with guest vocalist Joe Cassidy; dancing Santas; and the popular audience sing-along.

Portland Municipal Organist Ray Cornils will offer a pre-concert Organ Prelude on the Kotzschmar Organ one hour prior to the show.

“Magic of Christmas,” runs from Dec. 11-20. Performances times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays. An additional 2 p.m. matinee will be offered on Friday, Dec. 18.

Tickets for all shows are still available and prices range from $25 to $55, with special pricing  for students, seniors, and groups. For more information, please visit www.portlandsymphony.com. 

Nonprofits earn public
relations industry awards

PORTLAND — Two nonprofit organizations took home public relations awards at the annual Maine Public Relations Council Golden Arrow Awards ceremony.

In the communications campaign category, a Silver Award was given to Goodwill Industries of Northern New England in recognition of the success of the “Reconnect Computer Recycling” campaign.

In the special events category, a Gold Award was presented to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine in recognition of the quality of the “Great Maine Bike Swap” campaign. 

Awards 

Patrick A. Morin, principal and director of Baker Newman Noye’s information technology consulting division, was presented with the Reeves Silver Merit Award at the annual meeting of the Maine Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

Earle W. Noyes & Sons of Portland, an agent of United Van Lines, has received the 2008 United “President’s Quality Award,” which recognizes the top service achievement of moving companies within the United Van Lines U.S. network.

Hannaford Supermarkets received the “Climate Champion” award from Clean Air – Cool Planet for its use of innovative technologies and business practices that help protect the environment.

Kevin G. Hooper of Falmouth received the Burton W. Marsh Distinguished Service Award at the Institute of Transportation Engineers 2009 annual meeting and exhibit, for his long-term and continued contributions to ITE.

Financial advisor team, Simmons Wilkes Group of Portland, which includes Edward B. Simmons, Jr., Gibson R. Wilkes, Michael Simmons and Blake Wilkes, based in Merrill Lynch’s Portland office, was recently named to Research Magazine’s “Top-Ranked Advisor Teams in America.”

The Maine Grocers Association has named Maine Beverage Company, a wholesale liquor supplier, 2009 Vendor of the Year for creating civically responsible promotions, focusing on Maine-based businesses and developing a well-run corporation.

Fiddlehead Center for the Arts was awarded Scarborough’s non-profit business of the year for 2009 by the Scarborough Economic Development Corporation.

New Hires, Promotions

Dr. Duke Dufresne has joined Martin’s Point Health Care as vice president of health plan medical management, serving as the medical director for Martin’s Point health plans and responsible for the clinical aspects of the Martin’s Point health plan operations.

Attorney Avery T. Day of Yarmouth has joined Pierce Atwood LLP as an associate in the firm’s governmental relations and litigation practice groups.  

Portland-based Diversified Business Communications has named Mary Larkin as the new publisher of its seafood industry magazine “SeaFood Business.” 

Mark Bundner of Cumberland Foreside has joined Maine Medical Center as director of hospital applications. 

Preti Flaherty has hired two attorneys, Matthew E. Lane of Yarmouth to join the sports and entertainment law and litigation groups at the firm’s Portland office; and J. Andrew Cashman of Brunswick, to join the energy and litigation groups at the firm’s Augusta office. 

Allen & Selig Realty of North Yarmouth and Bath has hired Beth Bell as a broker and Deb Sileo as an administrative assistant and buyer specialist at its North Yarmouth office; and Ann and Allen Bever has joined the Bath office as brokers/realtors.  

Cumberland Foreside-based Norton Insurance Financial has hired Leigh Howison of Cumberland as a human resources generalist and Jenny Gaghan of Brunswick as a sales producer for the Mid-Coast region at its Durham and Brunswick offices.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Matt Jacobson has named Bill Becker, former Maine Heritage Policy Center president, as the campaign manager for his 2010 campaign.  

Thomas McGintee of Yarmouth has joined Paquin & Carroll Insurance as an agent specializing in individual and business insurance at its Biddeford and Westbrook offices. 

Bernstein Shur has hired three new associates at its Portland office; Maire Corcoran and Halliday Moncure for its business restructuring and insolvency group; and James Garrett for its business law and real estate law practice groups.

Dufresne
Bundner
Howison
Day
McGintee
Hooper

Sidebar Elements

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Members of the Topsham Garden Club, pictured above, recently hosted a Silver Tea at the Topsham Public Library to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the club. State Representative Seth Goodall (D – Sagadahoc County) presented a Proclamation from the 124th Maine State Legislature congratulating the club on its 75th anniversary and extending best wishes for future success.