Maine's Capital Area

We are already almost to the halfway point of 2023! The Keller Agency wants to express a huge thank you to all of you for your support and understanding as we navigated the waters of this new agency. We are thankful that State Farm gave Paul the opportunity to be an agent in Augusta and we are thankful to the community for their support. Collectively, our team has 46 years of service in State Farm and though our agency is new, our team is not, and we have lots of experience to help you with what is important to you. In this agency, we pledge to treat every customer as we would our own family and provide you with choices and appropriate products and services to meets your individual needs. Thank you again for your support through our transition in the new agency, and we look forward to many years of service to you!!

We are pleased to announce that Katherine Higgins, Relationship Manager has successfully completed the requirements for her Series 7 investment securities license. The exam focuses on stocks and bonds, investment risk and interactions with clients. Katherine is now preparing for the Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law exam.

Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Katherine Higgins holds her Series 7 license with LPL Financial.

WATERVILLE, MAINE - April 20, 2023  - Golden Pond Wealth Management’s founder and managing director,    Brian Bernatchez, CFP®, was recently named to Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for the fourth consecutive year.

“According to Forbes, the annual list spotlights the nation’s top performing advisors, who are nominated by their affiliated firm and evaluated based on a methodology developed by SHOOK Research. Advisors are also evaluated based on personal interviews, industry experience, revenue trends, a review of compliance records and a focus on those that encompass best practices in service to their clients.

“Although Forbes recognizes the individual advisor, being included in the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list with a top 4 ranking for Maine is a reflection of our entire team, our clients, and their continued confidence in and support of our efforts to grow and protect their wealth,” said Brian Bernatchez, CFP®.

Golden Pond Wealth Management is based in Waterville, Maine. They provide retirement planning and comprehensive wealth management to individuals and families, and investment & endowment management to non-profit institutions.

Brian Bernatchez is an independent financial advisor affiliated with LPL financial, the nation's largest independent broker-dealer* and a leader in the retail finance market, providing resources, tools and technology that support advisors in their work to enrich their client's financial lives.

Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC

*Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2022

LPL Financial, Forbes magazine and Golden Pond Wealth Management are all separate entities. The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

RSVP to Nichole Rutherford at  or 207-221-2306.

The Augusta Civic Center is celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2023! To commemorate this milestone, they plan to publish a special 50th Anniversary section scheduled to run in the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel on Thursday, December 29, 2022.

The Augusta Civic Center has hosted thousands of events over the 50 years from concerts to sporting events, conventions to corporate meetings, expositions to trade shows, and more! They have delivered space and support services for all groups-both large and small with great service and a professional and friendly staff for over half a century.

They truly value their business partnerships and friendships they have gained along the way and hope you will support their 50th Anniversary celebration by being part of this special publication. We look forward to working with you in helping to celebrate this milestone with the Augusta Civic Center.

If you would like to be part of this special commemorative section, please contact Bridget Campbell, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel Advertising Operations Manager at or call 207-861-9155.

Riverview Psychiatric Center (RPC) is seeking volunteers to fill two (2) vacant positions on our Advisory Board. The Advisory Board meets every other month, on the third Thursday from 10:30am-12:00pm and is currently meeting via Zoom/Teams.

If interested, please submit a letter of interest to Amanda Esler in RPC's Superintendent's Office (). Candidates will be reviewed by the Superintendent and presented to the Board to be considered for appointment. Additional details about the Advisory Board are provided below.

Riverview Psychiatric Center (RPC), located in Augusta, Maine, is a hospital for the mentally ill established under the laws of the State of Maine, owned by the State of Maine, and operated by its Department of Health and Human Services.

The mission of RPC is to provide state-of-the-art care to persons with serious and persistent mental illness in collaboration with the community and to be a center for best practice, treatment, education and research for such individuals.

Riverview offers medically directed inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services for the diagnosis, treatment, care, protection, and rehabilitation as indicated of individuals admitted with psychiatric disorders.

Riverview’s Advisory Board helps achieve its mission and vision, ensure compliance with applicable mandates, and ultimately improve the quality of client care. Inclusion of members of the community on the Advisory Board will result in valuable input and involvement from the community and more collaborative dealings between the two.

The collaborative and cooperative efforts of the Advisory Board, the Medical Staff, the administrative staff, and others are necessary to achieve the mission and vision of Riverview Psychiatric Center.

Happy fall!

Please come and join Right at Home for our GRAND OPENING happening Monday, October 17th from 12:00-2:00. We are located at 2540 US-202, Winthrop, ME 04364.

We will be serving a light lunch and beverages for everyone who joins us in celebrating our new business. 

Everyone who joins us will be entered for a chance to win a door prize. 

Hope to see you all soon! 

Mindy Maheu and Martha Wentworth,  personal insurance account executives with GHM Insurance, have been honored with the Safeco Insurance Award of Excellence, an honor recognizing superior underwriting skill.  

This recognition is achieved only by a select group of agents across the country who sell Safeco Insurance. This is the Maheu’s third year and Wentworth’s sixth year earning this recognition.

Excellence in underwriting means bringing exceptional customer service together with a deep understanding of the complexities of insurance coverage to create great outcomes for GHM customers. Mindy, Martha and the GHM  personal insurance team do that daily by ensuring customers get the insurance coverage that works best for them. This recognition is well deserved and GHM is especially proud of the number of consecutive awards they have earned.

Both Maheu and Wentworth are long-time GHM Insurance employees, joining the company in 2002 and 2000 respectively. Maheu holds the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR), and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designations.

Wentworth holds the CIC, Certified Risk Manager (CRM)  and  Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM) designations.

The Safeco Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding agents who have developed a solid underwriting relationship with Safeco and whose agencies have qualified for the Safeco Insurance Premier Partner Award, the company's top recognition program. Fewer than 10 percent of agencies who sell Safeco have agents who receive this award.

GHM Insurance of Waterville is a division of Allen Insurance and Financial, an employee-owned insurance, employee benefits, and financial services company with offices in Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Southwest Harbor (L.S. Robinson Co.) and Waterville (GHM Insurance). Call 800-439-4311. GHMAgency.com and on Facebook  

Happy October!

We are officially open and will be holding our GRAND OPENING this Saturday, October 1st from 8-6 pm. The first 25 people to come in and visit will receive a free custom water bottle. Those who visit through the day will be entered in a drawing for a FREE drip of choice.

Stop by to get hydrated, an immunity boost, or just stop by to see our amazing location and to say HI! Come in and ask questions to see how we can help you.

We look forward to seeing you.

IV HydraLounge

Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (www.mmsa.org) is pleased to announce the opening of our co-working space at 343 Water Street in Augusta!

Any mission aligned non-profit or partner organization may sign up to use our co-working space for a monthly fee of $120 or $1,200 per year (limited spaces available). 

Features include:

• One person using any co-working desk available in the main office.
• Fiber optic internet access. 
• Use of the large conference room for yearly subscribers, one day per year.
• Use of a small conference room, per availability.  

We also have room rentals available to the general public (Large conference room-$250/day; Small conference rooms-$100/day).

For more information:

Jeanne Hanson, Office Manager

(207) 626-3230 x100

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Website: https://mmsa.org/co-working-space/ 

Physical address: 343 Water Street, Augusta, ME

Kennebec Behavioral Health is hosting its annual community event, A Night Out, on November 5, 2022 from 6-9 PM at Club Calumet in Augusta. This year's event will feature a 1920s speakeasy murder mystery dinner with Mystery 207. Mystery 207 will stage a crime scene and attendees will have the chance to work together to solve a fictitious murder which occurs during the party. This event is often compared to a live-action version of the game Clue! Costumes are encouraged!

During intermissions, attendees can enjoy appetizers, a cash bar, a plated dinner and our basket raffle. At the end of the event, the culprit will be revealed and winners will be drawn for the raffle. Early bird tickets start at $35 (including dinner) until October 5 when ticket prices increase to $40 each. Purchase tickets online at www.kbhmaine.org/anightout/. 

All proceeds benefit KBH's College Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund awards graduating high school seniors in Maine with scholarships to continue their education in the behavioral health field. 

Contact Liz Keane at  for questions.

Supported by Northeast Air and FedEx Express!

The guts and determination it takes to pull a plane pale in comparison to the challenges America's recalibrated veteran families face in their life after service to our country. 

The 2022 Plane Pull ® pits teams of 20 individuals against each other in the ultimate tug of war! 

Teams line up and see who can collaboratively pull the plane 20 feet in the quickest SECONDS of execution!

PLEASE NOTE: Teams who sign up after September 15th will not get a team t-shirt due to print deadlines. Teams must be pre-registered and cannot sign up at the event.

Proceeds from the 2022 Plane Pull ® benefit the Travis Mills Foundation - a nonprofit organization to benefit America's recalibrated veterans and their families. 

Sign up here >>> https://give.classy.org/Plane-Pull_2022

Join the Travis Mills Foundation for The 2nd Annual Building Strength Gala on Saturday, September 10, 2022  at 5:00 p.m.

Location: The Travis Mills Foundation | 1002 Watson Pond Road | Rome, ME 04963 

Tickets: www.mills.givesmart.com

Event Schedule

4:00 p.m VIP Reception

5:00 p.m. Cocktail Hour, All Guests

6:00 p.m. Dinner

7:00 p.m. Program and Auction

8:00 p.m. Entertainment by Love and Theft 

The event will feature a ribbon cutting of the new Health and Wellness Center at the Travis Mills Foundation; last year we gathered to celebrate its groundbreaking at our first Gala. The addition includes an indoor pool, massage rooms and fitness rooms with mainstream workout equipment that our recalibrated veterans will learn how to adapt and use, allowing them and their families to maintain healthy lifestyles after their visits to the Retreat.

Enjoy an evening of entertainment by Love and Theft. Bid on one-of-a-kind, high-end silent auction items, once-in-a-lifetime getaways and more.

This evening is an opportunity to learn what the Travis Mills Foundation does and how it supports recalibrated veterans and their families through various programs that help these heroic men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families, and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Join us at the Travis Mills Foundation Veterans Retreat for our first Open House of the year from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6, 1002 Watson Pond Road, Rome, to take tours of the property, meet SSG Travis Mills, and learn more about the Foundation.

Sign up for your free ticket(s) >>> https://give.classy.org/august2022openhouse

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has named 15 recent high school graduates as recipients of the Bank’s 2022 Career Technology Education Scholarship. The $1,000 award is presented to students in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont who attended a technical career program as part of their high school curriculum and are planning to attend college or a technical school after graduation.

This year’s scholarship recipients will be eligible to apply for an additional $1,000 next year to be used toward a second year of college or technical school.

The 2022 scholarship recipients are:

Maine Scholarship Recipients

• Mallory Audette of Jefferson, Maine, is a 2022 graduate of Cony High School and attended Capital Area Technical Center. She plans to study nursing at the University of New England.
• Samantha Corliss-Bothen of Bowdoin, Maine, is a 2022 graduate of Region 10 Technical High School. She plans to study pre-nursing at the University of Maine at Augusta.
• Emily Keniston of Rockport, Maine, is a 2022 graduate of Bucksport High School and attended Hancock County Technical Center. She plans to study elementary education at the University of Maine at Farmington.
• Emily Knutson of Rockport, Maine, is a 2022 graduate of Oceanside High School and attended Mid-Coast School of Technology. She plans to study nursing at the University of Maine.
• Emily Sawyer of Milbridge, Maine, is a 2022 graduate of Narraguagus High School and attended Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology. She plans to study psychology at Husson University.

New Hampshire Scholarship Recipients

• Annalee Hall of Newport, New Hampshire, is a 2022 graduate of Newport Middle High School and attended Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center. She plans to study business at the University of New Hampshire.
• Emilee Mayotte of Grantham, New Hampshire, is a 2022 graduate of Hartford High School and attended Hartford Area Career and Technology Center. She plans to study cosmetology at the New England School of Hair Design.
• Nick Merzi of Peterborough, New Hampshire, is a 2022 graduate of ConVal Regional High School and attended Applied Technology Center. He plans to study industrial maintenance at Northern Michigan University.
• Anam Tariq of Manchester, New Hampshire, is a 2022 graduate of Manchester Memorial High School and attended Manchester School of Technology. She plans to study nursing at Saint Anselm College.
• Alexander Thibeault of Nashua, New Hampshire, is a 2022 graduate of Nashua High School and attended Nashua Technology Center. He plans to study business/sports management at the University of New England.

Vermont Scholarship Recipients

• JaColby Boyce of Randolph, Vermont, is a 2022 graduate of Randolph High School and attended Randolph Technical Career Center. He plans to study forestry at Vermont Technical College.
• Kellette Boynton of Rutland, Vermont, is a 2022 graduate of Otter Valley High School and attended Stafford Technical Center. She plans to study elementary education at the University of Maine at Farmington.
• Nicole Fullerton of South Woodstock, Vermont, is a 2022 graduate of Woodstock High School and attended Hartford Area Career and Technology Center. She plans to study business management and technology at Vermont Technical College.
• Mackenzie Hewitt of Woodstock, Vermont, is a 2022 graduate of Woodstock High School and attended Hartford Area Career and Technology Center. She plans to study criminal justice/conservation law at Washington County Community College.
• Emily Wright of Wilder, Vermont, is a 2022 graduate of Hartford High School and attended Hartford Area Career and Technology Center. She plans to study marketing at Bentley College.

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.

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The Augusta USCellular will be hosting a Local Business Craft Fair at Mill Park featuring over a dozen local vendors showcasing unique and locally made items. During the event USCellular will be onsite to Enagege with the commnunity and take donations for the LYME Warriors supporting the fight against LYME Diesase. A food truck will also be onsite to provide local eats and delicious treats. Come show your support and find a locally made treasure you wont find anywhere else!

^{CONNECTED CREDIT UNION PARTNERS WITH MAINE CREDIT UNIONS' CAMPAIGN FOR ENDING HUNGER
IN THE 3RD ANNUAL $100,000 CHALLENGE!}

^{WE NEED YOUR HELP TO RAISE $100,000 IN 30 DAYS!}

^{CREDIT UNIONS ACROSS MAINE ARE DEDICATED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND COLLECTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE MAINE CREDIT UNIONS’ CAMPAIGN FOR ENDING HUNGER.  JUNE IS NATIONAL HUNGER AWARENESS MONTH AND CONNECTED CREDIT UNION WANTS TO HELP FEED PEOPLE IN NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY. FROM JUNE 1 – JUNE 30, CONNECTED CREDIT UNION WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE MAINE CREDIT UNIONS’ CAMPAIGN FOR ENDING HUNGER $100,000 CHALLENGE.} 

^{THE CAMPAIGN IS HOSTING ITS THIRD ANNUAL $100,000 CHALLENGE. THE GOAL OF THE CHALLENGE IS TO RAISE AT LEAST $100,000 IN 30 DAYS. LAST YEAR, THE CAMPAIGN RAISED $110,000, AND WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN RAISE AT LEAST THIS MUCH AGAIN, IF NOT MORE!  EVERY DOLLAR RAISED BY THE CAMPAIGN WILL SUPPORT GOOD SHEPHERD FOOD BANK, LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES, AND MEAL SITES. THESE ORGANIZATIONS WORK HARD TO ENSURE PEOPLE LIVING RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD.}

^{ANY DONATION AMOUNT HELPS. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ONLINE DONATION TO THE CAMPAIGN. YOUR SUPPORT WILL HELP ENSURE MAINE FAMILIES GET THE FOOD THEY NEED.}

Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees recently presented $12,000 in donations from the Bank’s employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for A Cause, to five nonprofit organizations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The recipients of the contributions collected in Q1 2022 are: Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and The Ark Animal Shelter in Maine; Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter in New Hampshire; and Otter Valley Activities Association and White River Valley Education Association in Vermont.

Bank employees participating in Casual for a Cause dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected during each quarter. The employees then vote on the nonprofits to receive their contributions. Employees have donated more than $160,000 to more than 70 organizations since the program launched in 2018.

“Our employees truly care about the communities where we live and work, and the Casual for a Cause program is an easy way for them to get involved in philanthropy,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Whether someone donates $1 or $25 every pay period, the collective donation is significant and really makes a difference to the nonprofit organizations that are selected.”

Recipients of Q1 2022 Donations

Maine

Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is part of a nonprofit organization and provides medical services to communities throughout central, eastern, and northern Maine. The donation from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees will be directed to the Center’s Champion the Cure Challenge, an annual event that funds local cancer research and enhances patients’ care and their experience fighting cancer. Learn more about the Champion the Cure Challenge at www.ctcchallenge.org.

“We are very grateful to Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for including us in their Casual for a Cause campaign,” said Terry Leahy, Director for Oncology Operations at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center. “Not only will the funds support cancer patients right here in Maine, but the quarter-long initiative also provided Champion the Cure Challenge with enhanced visibility among Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees and clients. We are appreciative of all their efforts and look forward to cheering their team on at the Champion the Cure Challenge this August.”

 The Ark Animal Shelter is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the care of homeless, unwanted, or displaced animals. Since 1984, the ARK has been committed to providing compassionate care and placement of homeless animals, alleviating overpopulation of companion animals by promoting low cost spay/neuter programs, and promoting and improving the welfare of all animals through community outreach and education. Learn more at www.thearkpets.org.

“The ARK is simply honored and humbled to be the recipient of such a generous gift,” said Shaina Mugford, Administrator at The ARK. “The work that we are able to do every day is because of people and businesses like you. With this gift, The ARK will continue to provide compassionate care and placement to homeless, abused and unwanted pets while continuously striving toward alleviating the unwanted pet population through spay and neuter, and promoting and improving the welfare of animals in Washington and Hancock County.” 

New Hampshire

Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS) offers safe, comfortable housing for families, couples, and individuals as they move from homelessness to home. Established in 1991, MATS assists its guests with employment, housing, transportation, childcare, benefits, education, and other issues and connects them with agencies and community resources where they may find help. Learn more at www.matsnh.org.

“The Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS) is very grateful for the generous gift from the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust,” said Peter Harrison, President of the Board of MATS. “For more than thirty years, MATS has worked to provide transitional housing, support, and referral services to people who are experiencing homelessness – and to advocate for solutions to the housing crisis in our state. Your generous support will help us continue this work and expand its scope as we renovate a second apartment building for individuals and families on waiting lists for affordable housing.”

Vermont

Otter Valley Activities Association in Brandon, Vermont, supports students, coaches, and school staff at Otter Valley Union Middle and High School. The donation from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees will be used to support athletic camps, scholarships, and supplemental activities including theater and music programs.

White River Valley Middle School/ Education Association serves approximately 140 students in grades 6-8. The donation from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees will be used to fund student education and recreation activities.

“I was floored, honored and impressed with the generosity of the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees,” said Owen Bradley, Principal of White River Valley Middle School. “Please express our gratitude to the employees for thinking of our school and acting so generously with this gift.”

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.6 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.

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