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Changes at BSO

BANGOR – Concertmaster Trond Saeverud will lead the Bangor Symphony Orchestra during performances Oct. 25 at the Waterville Opera House and Nov. 2 at Peakes Auditorum in Bangor in the wake of conductor Xiao-Lu Li’s sudden resignation this week.

Board of Directors President Samuel W. Lanham Jr. announced Li’s resignation Tuesday due to personal reasons.

“Under the leadership of Xiao-Lu Li these past six seasons the orchestra has seen growth in many areas,” Lanham said, “including the contracting of several new musicians, satellite concerts throughout Maine, and the enrichment of our education program curriculum.

“We are pleased that our current concertmaster is more than ready to step in and lead,” said Lanham. “The board will be working with Executive Director David Whitehill to chart the best course for the remaining concerts of this season.”

Saeverud is founder and music director of the Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony and conducts the University of Maine at Farmington Orchestra. He had a very successful London debut in 1992 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His New York debut was as soloist with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at the Lincoln Center.

He has been a frequent soloist with orchestras in Norway and Denmark, has produced CDs with orchestras in both countries and regularly premieres new works.

Saeverud lives in Robbinston, where he is the artistic director of the Harald Saeverud Chamber Music Program, an international camp and festival for advanced music students.

United Way president

BANGOR – United Way of Eastern Maine announced the arrival of new president John Kuropchak.

Kuropchak will work with the board of directors, community partners, leaders and staff to best accomplish the United Way’s vision and mission.

“John was the ideal choice to lead this United Way,” said Rob Sutcliff, chairman of the board. “He brings tremendous experience, passion and dedication to the United Way mission.”

Kuropchak has more than 20 years of experience working for United Way. He was the executive director of the United Way of Tuscarawas County in Ohio. Most recently, Kuropchak held the position of director of operations for National Corporate Leadership at United Way of America.

“I look forward to again working with a local United Way.” Kuropchak said. “I am excited to join in the impressive work of the board of directors and the professional staff to increase United Way’s role as a community problem-solver, creating even greater impact in the lives of people, and working toward lasting changes in this community.”

Kuropchak has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Youngstown State University and a master’s from Kent State University. Kuropchak has been a member of the Lions Club International and served on local advisory boards for the Timken Foundation and Kent State University.

For more information, call 941-2800 and visit www.unitedwayem.org.

Leadership honor

A native of the Hampden and Bangor areas is now district director of the Twin Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, in Glen Falls, N.Y.

Scott L. Hayden, 30, has worked at the Twin Rivers Council for six years, first as Wakpominee District executive and then as senior district executive. He now oversees 140 scouting units with 3,000 youths and 1,000 adult volunteers.

Hayden is a 2002 graduate of the State University of New York, Plattsburgh. He served in the U.S. Army, 1996-1999, as a Patriot Missile crewmember, and was in the New York Army National Guard, 1999-2003.

He is the son of Alice Donovan of Brewer and Mark Hayden of Hermon.

Hayden continues to serve as a Scoutmaster and Cubmaster and has worked to bring scouting to children with emotional and behavioral problems.

The Post Star recently honored Hayden as one of the 20 Under 40 as Tomorrow’s Leaders. Hayden said he is a fan of Stephen King books and particularly enjoys visiting Camden and Quebec City.

Bank of America grants

Gov. John E. Baldacci recently joined Betsey Greenstein, president of Bank of America Maine, and Bank of America associates serving Maine communities to present grants of $5,000 each to 40 Maine nonprofit organizations.

“We have vibrant, more stable communities because of the work done by Bank of America not just for their employees, but for the nonprofits located within those communities,” said Baldacci.

“Today we celebrate Bank of America’s commitment to being a good corporate citizen, and we recognize the incredible work that our nonprofits are providing on the front lines of our communities,” he said.

Among those receiving grants from the Bank of America foundation were:

. Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine.

. Bread of Life Ministries Soup Kitchen.

. St. Joseph Healthcare.

. Bangor YMCA.

. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Maine.

. Good Shepherd Food Bank Distribution Center.

. Maine Audubon Society.

. Sebasticook Family Doctors.

. Cross Roads Ministries.

. Literacy Volunteers of Greater Portland.

. PCA.

. Dress for Success.

. PROP – People’s Regional Opportunity Program.

. Project Grace.

. Ocean’s Wide.

. Kennebec Valley CAP.

. Laudholm Trust.

. Healthy Futures.

. Royal River Conservation Trust.

. Footprints Food Pantry.

‘Shop Winterport’ theme

WINTERPORT – “Shop Winterport” was the chosen theme for the fall months by the Winterport Business Association at its monthly meeting.

“We have an incredible diversity of businesses in Winterport, such as accounting services, retail stores, bed and breakfasts, restaurants, health and beauty businesses, home contracting services, demolition debris haul-off containers and Maine-made arts and crafts,” said association president Deb Newman.

She encouraged those attending to network with other businesses in town, use their services and buy their products.

“This will help our local merchants and economize on fuel use during these tough economic times,” she said.

The Winterport Web site includes a list of businesses that operate in the community.

The association, made up of many small businesses in the Waldo County town, voted to continue meeting on the first Tuesday of each month. But members changed the time and place to 5:15 p.m. the first Tuesday at the town office.

November will be an exception due to the election. That month, the association will meet at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the town office.

It was decided to waive the annual dues of $25 for membership this yea, with the next dues payable at the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1, 2009.

Discussion centered on a proposal from Eastern Maine Development Corp. for an economic study of the town, including a survey of its business community and infrastructure.

A speaker from EMDC will be invited to discuss the proposal at the meeting planned for 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Winterport Town Office.

For more information, call Joe Brooks at 223-5733 or e-mail jbrooks@higginsbusinessservices.com.

Basics of buying a home

BANGOR – MaineStream Finance will offer a 12-hour certified training course to help potential home buyers make prudent purchasing decisions.

Participants must attend both classes – 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 8 and 15, at Penquis, 262 Harlow St.

The course uses a qualified trainer and discusses the roles of attorneys, real estate agents, lenders, insurance agents and home inspectors. Components of the course are budget and debt management counseling and credit counseling.

The course fee is $25. Payment must be received in advance. Send checks to Farrah Perry, MaineStream Finance, P.O. Box 1162, Bangor ME 04402-1162. Note date and location of class for which you are registering. Call MaineStream Finance at 800-215-4942, ext. 424, or e-mail fperry@penquis.org for more information.

Financing Your Future

BANGOR – Financing Your Future, a six-session workshop exploring attitudes and behaviors with money, will be held 9:30-11:30 a.m. starting Monday, Nov. 10, at Women, Work & Community.

The classes will help participants become more comfortable with money, assess current financial situation, learn basics of money management, and set personal financial goals.

Classes are free and confidential. Registration is required; space is limited. To register or for more information, call 262-7842 or 800-442-2092.

Community building grants

The Community Building Grant Program of the Maine Community Foundation recently awarded $99,231 in grants to 18 organizations across Maine. Some of the grant awards went to:

. Eastern Maine Development Corp., Bangor, to gather public input on the future use of land donated by the Penobscot River Restoration Trust.

. My Friend’s Place, Bangor, to launch a pilot program providing adults with a support system for the challenges of early memory loss.

. Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club, Indian Island, to hire a director of resource development.

. Penquis, Bangor, to increase production of replacement housing for homeowners living in substandard housing.

. Maine Audubon Society, Falmouth, to develop vernal pool conservation plans.

. SAD 67, Lincoln, to strengthen partnership among elementary schools and parents-guardians, and community organizations.

. New Mainers Workforce Alliance, Portland, for the Job Readiness Program.

. Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Portland, to support outreach and community education for Foreclosure Prevention Project.

A committee of community leaders reviews proposals and makes recommendations twice a year. The next deadline for submitting applications to the Community Building Grant Program is Jan. 15.

For information about the Community Building Grant Program, call Lelia De Andrade at 761-2440 or e-mail ldeandrade@mainecf.org.