Hospice staff inspired by sergeant’s story

Hospice of Southern Maine recently welcomed retired Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills to speak at their annual staff meeting as part of National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. While on patrol in 2012 with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan during his third tour of duty, Mills was critically injured by an improvised explosive device, or IED. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the war on Iraq and Afghanistan to survive his injuries. Mills shared his story about how he overcame challenges, broke physical barriers and defied the odds. Mills spoke to hospice staff about the importance of perseverance and offered inspiration to “never give up. Never quit.”

Daryl Cady, CEO of Hospice of Southern Maine, said in a press release, “His courage and belief in the human spirit supports the work hospice staff does every day. Travis has an incredible story that inspired all of us to keep going no matter what life throws our way.”

Recognition

Lt. David Young of the Cumberland Police Department successfully completed the Command Training Series: Executive Development Course at the Justice System Training and Research Institute at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. The seven-week course included concepts of management and leadership in a modern criminal justice academy. “The class has a very good reputation amongst New England law enforcement,” said Cumberland Chief of Police Charles J. “Chip” Rumsey IV. “We were very pleased that Lt. Young could attend as he settles into his new role of running the day-to-day operations of the Cumberland Police Department.”

Three local Portland businesses were recognized Nov. 30 by the city of Portland and the Portland Development Corporation for their role in expanding the city’s economic vitality. Icelandic shipping company Eimskip received the Economic Development Achievement award. Receiving the Business of the Year award was Bristol Seafoods. Think Tank Coworking was named the Small Business of the Year and Fork Food Lab was honored with the New Business of the Year award. 

Jim Atwell of Sevee & Maher Engineers in Cumberland has been selected for a 2017 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Atwell is being honored for his many lifetime achievements in the environmental engineering field.

Granted

Town & Country Federal Credit Union awarded a total of $25,000 to eight nonprofits through its Better Neighbor Fund. Included were Friendship House of South Portland, which supports men in recovery; Hemophilia Alliance of Maine; The Family Restored in Portland, which assists individuals and families in recovery; The Summer Camp, to provide scholarships to low income and foster girls in Maine; and Wayside Food Program in Portland. 

Hires, promotions, appointments

Richard P. Olson of Falmouth joined Curtis Thaxter LLC in Portland. Olson was twice elected to the Falmouth Town Council and served as its chairman, and also served as president of the Falmouth Conservation Trust.

Portland Ovations announced that Tania Powers of Yarmouth and Mary Allen Lindemann, co-owner of Coffee By Design of Portland, have been elected to the board of directors. ??

Day One Board of Directors has selected Gregory Bowers as the nonprofit agency’s new chief executive officer, effective Dec. 4. Based in South Portland, Day One addresses youth substance use and mental health concerns.

Maine Health Management Coalition has hired Peter Hayes as its new president & CEO, effective Dec. 4. Hayes, a graduate of Bowdoin College, comes to the coalition from Healthcare Solutions, a Scarborough organization he founded in 2009.

Save the Date

Helen Hudson and Jessica Dafni, co-owners of Mala Room in Bath, will host a benefit party for Friends of Thai Daughters from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. The event will celebrate the first anniversary of their Thai bodywork and yoga studio, but also raise money to help girls in Thailand, who are at great risk of being trafficked because of the poverty that many of their families face. Founded by two New England women, Friends of Thai Daughters provides education, shelter and emotional support. The party will include raffles, a silent auction, live music and refreshments. Tickets are $5 at door.

New Ventures

On Nov. 20, Patriot Insurance unveiled its new 34,500-square-foot headquarters at 701 U.S. Route 1 in Yarmouth. The $13 million project was built on the site of the former Down-East Hotel and Village and includes a 1,800-square-foot conference room, employee gym and a catering kitchen. To accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, walkways are being added near the new facility. A new sidewalk has been built along Route 1, and a new crosswalk will be built across Route 1, connecting to Forest Falls Drive.

Sam Raymond and his dog, Gracie, on Nov. 10 during a check ceremony at TD Bank on Forest Avenue in Portland to benefit K9s on The Front Line. The nonprofit Portland organization supplies fully trained PTSD service dogs at no cost to the recipient. The bank raised $7,143.96 for the cause.

Dexter

Hospice of Southern Maine CEO Daryl Cady with Travis Mills after his Nov. 20 keynote address to HSM staff for National Hospice and Palliative Care Month.

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