New Audubon staff

HOLDEN – Ruth Perry of Clifton and Holly Twining of Orono have joined the Maine Audubon staff at Fields Pond Audubon Center.

Perry joins Maine Audubon as an environmental educator responsible for coordinating Maine Audubon programs for schools.

Previously the owner of Maine Science Lady and a day camp counselor at the Maine Discovery Museum, Perry has 20 years of experience interacting with children, teachers and parents. Her interest in nature began in childhood as she spent hours peering into the water and fishing for sunfish at her family’s camp and in a farm pond in Clifton. Her love of science continued as she pursued degrees in biology and worked in aquatic environmental research.

“Her love of science and nature is equaled only by her love of teaching,” said Fields Pond Audubon Center director Judy Markowsky.

Perry holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from University of Maine and a master’s degree in fisheries biology from Iowa State University.

Holly Twining joins Maine Audubon as a program naturalist. She will be responsible for creating and administering programs for families and children of all ages.

Recently, Twining created and led at Fields Pond Audubon Center a new program, Wild Theatre, in which children explored the outdoors, rehearsed a short nature-based play, and performed it for family and friends.

“Theater pulls out the fun side of the natural world,” said Twining. “Children love experimenting and taking on the roles of animals and trees.”

Twining holds a bachelor’s degree in theater and dance and an interdisciplinary master’s degree in humanities and social thought with a focus on environmental ethics from New York University.

For information about Fields Pond Center, call 989-2591.

Gas-to-energy plant

HAMPDEN – Ground was broken May 14 as construction began on Maine’s first landfill gas-to-energy generating plant in Hampden. Kurt Adams, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, state and local officials, and representatives of Casella Waste Systems and the company’s Pine Tree Landfill attended the event at the landfill off Interstate 95, near Coldbrook Road.

John Kerry, director of the governor’s Office of Energy Independence and Security, and Rick Briggs, mayor of Hampden, joined company executives from Casella Waste Systems for the event.

When operational, the plant will generate enough electricity to power 3,000 homes. Methane gas harvested directly from the landfill will power three 20-cylinder internal combustion engines, producing electrical power to be fed into Bangor Hydro Electric Co. lines. Because the project uses no fossil fuels and adds no greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, the energy is considered “green power.” The project is consistent with the Maine DEP’s Climate Action Plan for Maine.

The landfill is scheduled to close in December 2009. Harvesting the gas generated by the landfill will continue after closure. The “gas-to-energy” plant, projected to be up and running in late 2007, is expected to operate for approximately 15 years.

Branch opening

HAMPDEN – A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on May 18 to celebrate the completion of Maine Savings’ second branch office, located at 671 Broadway in Bangor.

The 6,000-square foot facility will provide commercial services, mortgage lending, consumer banking, insurance services and financial planning.

As a supporter of University of Maine Athletics, Maine Savings also will provide a place to purchase UMaine logo wear, with part of the proceeds going back to the University as athletic scholarships.

“Opening a Bangor location has been a goal of Maine Savings for some time,” said John Reed, president and chief executive officer of Maine Savings. “Our current branches surround Bangor and we are thrilled to be able to provide our approximately 25,000 current members with the convenience of a full-service location in Bangor. We are excited about the potential to grow our existing membership by having a facility in Bangor.”

Sweet treats for troops

BANGOR – For the past few months, American troops have been enjoying a taste of home – Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and doughnuts as they passed through Bangor International Airport.

Several Bangor-area Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees partnered with the Maine Troop Greeters to give a sweet sendoff, or welcome home, to every military transport flight that arrived and departed via Bangor International Airport. Dunkin’ Donuts has donated its freshly brewed coffee and several dozen of the company’s doughnuts each week to the Maine Troop Greeters’ cause.

“Our troops serving overseas and the volunteers of the Maine Troop Greeters there to meet them as they come through Bangor deserve all the support they can get,” said Lou Lima Jr., one of the Dunkin’ Donuts franchisees that provided coffee and doughnuts. “Dunkin’ Donuts is pleased to be able to serve those who have proudly served our country.”

The Maine Troop Greeters organization was founded in 1991 to greet troops headed to the Persian Gulf War. There are now more than 100 volunteers operating out of a small room at the airport at all hours of the day or night to help troops feel appreciated as they ship out to or return home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Since May 2003, the Maine Troop Greeters have greeted more than 1,600 flights and 400,000 U.S. troops with encouragement and assorted refreshments.

“We have been very thankful to have the support of Dunkin’ Donuts,” said Bill Knight, founder of the Maine Troop Greeters, and a World War II veteran. “I know the delicious coffee and doughnuts have put big smiles on the faces of the troops as they have come and gone.”

Annual CVB awards

BANGOR – The Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau presented several awards on May 15.

Jonathan Daniels, a supporter of the Bangor CVB, presented the Bangor Mall with the Eagle Award for Organizational Achievement.

Bob Bangs, chairman of the CVB board of directors, presented Donna Fichtner with an Eagle Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Peter Boucher of Hollywood Slots was honored with the Tourism Employee of the Year Award for 2007. The award is presented for consistently reaching above and beyond normal job requirements; for receiving excellent ratings from customers and guests; and for contributing to the profit, training and image of a local business.

The Spirit of Hospitality Award was presented to Leo McHugh of Hollywood Slots. The award is given for community service and for personal and professional actions consistently fostering good will and pride in the tourism industry.

The Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit organization which exists to stimulate economic vitality by promoting the Bangor region as the preferred destination for meetings, conventions and visitors. For information, call 947-5205 or visit www.bangorcvb.org.