Promotions at BDN

BANGOR – Bangor Daily News Publisher Richard J. Warren has announced the promotion of Mike Kearney to advertising director

Kearney graduated from College of the Holy Cross with a bachelor’s degree in English, the University of Maine with a master’s degree in English, and Husson College with a master’s degree in business.

He joined the BDN promotions department in 1979 as a promotions assistant and became assistant promotions manager in 1984.

Kearney transferred in 1986 to the advertising department, where he has been advertising projects manager, advertising sales manager and assistant advertising director to Wayne Lawton, who retired in April.

Beth Grant has been promoted to advertising sales manager for retail and co-op advertising.

Grant joined the BDN in 1996 as a sales representative in the classified department. She later became a clerk, then saleswoman in retail advertising, and in January 2007 was promoted to co-op advertising sales coordinator.

Fiber optic expansion

BANGOR – Gov. John Baldacci on Tuesday celebrated the expansion of Oxford Networks’ fiber optic network to the Bangor area. The company is investing some $4 million in the project, which will bring advanced telecommunication and data services to businesses in Bangor and Brewer.

“We know that Maine can attract talented people and innovative companies that can compete anywhere in the world,” Baldacci said. “But their success depends upon a reliable network that connects them with customers and partners in the United States and overseas. This announcement is good news for Bangor and Brewer, and it’s good news for the state.”

Oxford Networks began construction on the 34.5-mile fiber optic network last fall. The project connects Bangor and Brewer to Oxford Networks’ 600-mile fiber optic network that stretches to Boston.

“Expanding and improving broadband communications in Maine is one of the cornerstones of this state’s economic future,” Baldacci said. “These are critical investments that enable people enhanced access to technology, transforming our state economy, and expanding business opportunities for more Mainers. Today illustrates how important are our private partners in this effort, and we celebrate Oxford Networks’ investment of more than $4 million in the Bangor-Brewer area.”

Oxford Networks was founded in Oxford County in 1900.

Julia Munsey of Bangor has been hired as marketing and public relations specialist. Munsey will manage the company’s news media relations, trade shows and special events, as well as manage its Web site. She will help plan and implement Oxford Networks’ marketing plan.

Munsey has a degree in communications, with a concentration in public relations, from the University of Maine. She has worked as a marketing specialist in tourism, the arts and the tradeshow industry. She is a board member of the American Folk Festival and board chairwoman of the Maine State YMCA Camp.

Seasoned Worker Forum

BANGOR – After successful Seasoned Worker Forums for older workers in Augusta, Lewiston, Portland and Rockland, the Seasoned Workforce LLC will present a forum 9 a.m.-noon Monday, June 23, at the Bangor Career Center.

The popular event is designed for people over 50. Many who have attended the forums have found jobs. Many more have attended to discuss the issues facing older workers and to explore opportunities.

There are dozens of jobs and volunteer activities where seasoned workers are making a difference.

The event is sponsored by the Seasoned Workforce, in conjunction with the Bangor Career Center, the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board and several local employers.

Whether you are retired, semiretired or looking for full- or part-time work, the organizers want to hear from you.

The Bangor Career Center is at 47 Oak St., between Hancock and Washington streets. Light refreshments will be served. To obtain more information and to reserve a spot, call 561-4050. Because of space restraints and the overwhelming response to the forums around the state, seating is limited.

Seasoned workers are critical to the economic health of the country as the population ages. Maine has the distinction of having the oldest population in the country. With the increasing retirements of the Baby Boomer generation, the labor force is facing shortages of qualified people.

For more information about older-worker issues, visit www.seasonedworkforce.com.

UCP Peace Pals

BANGOR – United Cerebral Palsy of Maine recently received a $15,000 check 0 from the Elizabeth W. Means Trust, in which Bank of America is the trustee.

The grant will be used to sustain UCP’s Peace Pals child care program, a day treatment program for children with emotional and behavioral needs, developmental delays or disabilities.

“We are proud to support UCP of Maine and what their Peace Pals child care program is trying to accomplish in the community,” said Rose Marie Bates, Bank of America vice president and relationship manager. “We know how important this program is to the children and families who rely on it.”

The early intervention program offers child care and treatment in a setting of up to 10 children ages 3 to 5. The mission of the Peace Pals is to prepare each child to the best of his or her ability to become an integral, functional member of the family and community.

“We are so appreciative of the support of the Elizabeth W. Means Trust to help fund our Peace Pals Program, as we rely on donated monies to help sustain this program,” said Bobbi Jo Yeager, UCP executive director.

“Most parents have reached the end of the line when they bring their kids here because they have been denied service by so many other childcare facilities,” she said. “It is so important that we are able to fund the Peace Pals program, as our community and children depend on it.”

For information, visit www.ucpofmaine.org.

Culinary scholarship

BREWER – Dick Grotton, president and CEO of the Maine Restaurant Association, announced that culinary scholarships were awarded to Maine students in the fields of culinary arts and hospitality management at the scholarship luncheon June 3.

Area awardee Kristi Boyle of Holden, a senior at Brewer High School, received a Russ Casey Scholarship. Boyle will enter Eastern Maine Community College in September to study culinary arts.

Since 1985, the association has awarded tens of thousands of dollars in financial aid to several dozen culinary students. This year, some $10,000 was awarded through the MeRA Education Foundation, and through the contributions of various Maine businesses.

For information about the Maine Restaurant Association, visit www.mainerestaurant.com.

Certified optician

BREWER – The Optical Outlet at Twin City Plaza has been a dream for owner and certified optician Libby Morse for some time.

“I have worked in the optical field for almost 25 years,” Morse said, most of that time in an optical shop in Ellsworth. The last five years she worked for optometrists’ offices in Bangor. Now she’s branching out on her own.

“I wanted that one-on-one, personal type business I was used to,” Morse said. “In my 24-plus years I have done it all, from setting up optical shops to purchasing inventory, assisting customers with their purchases, to being the lab guy – cutting lenses to fit frames.”

She added, “Brewer just seemed the place to start. It is growing, but somehow it still has that feeling of community that is important to me. I want to be a strong part of this community.”

Offerings range from package deals for contact lens wearers who wear glasses occasionally to prescription reading glasses and high fashion frames with progressive lenses. Many single-vision prescriptions can be filled the same day in the on-site lab, Morse said.

For information, call 992-9172.

‘Peaceable Stories’ training

OLD TOWN – The Penquis Child Care Resource Development Center will offer the training session, “Peaceable Stories,” 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, July 15 and 17, at the Old Town-Orono YMCA, 472 Stillwater Ave.

The cost is $20.

Presented by the Born to Read program of the Maine Humanities Council, the six-hour training will explore a variety of picture books in conjunction with related activities and strategies on the subjects of conflict resolution and peaceable environment.

Each participant will receive books and a curriculum guide for use in the early care and education child care setting. The training is intended to complement, not duplicate, the Building a Peaceable Non-violent Early Childhood Setting training.

Those who want to participate in the training are encouraged to call in advance to ensure that space is available. For more information or registration, call 973-3533 or 888-917-1100.

Wireless business consultant

BANGOR – U.S. Cellular has named Chrissy Doyle of Hermon as wireless business consultant for the northern Maine market – Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, Waldo and Washington counties. Doyle’s responsibilities include developing direct business-to-business sales throughout the region.

“Chrissy’s commitment to customer service and knowledge of the wireless industry will be a tremendous benefit to our company’s continued growth,” said Eric Conlon, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in New England.

Doyle has more than 10 years of sales and management experience. She started her career with U.S. Cellular in 2004 as a retail wireless consultant, where she was responsible for assisting new and existing customers with the purchase of cellular equipment and service.

Doyle held several positions in the retail industry, including sales manager, sales consultant and store manager.

“U.S. Cellular understands that businesses have different needs than traditional consumers. I am thrilled to be part of a team that’s focused on providing solutions for this diverse and important client base,” Doyle said.