School Committee Agenda for April 24, 2017

Laura Keller to Address L-A Rotary May 4

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, May 4, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Laura Keller, will be the featured guest speaker at the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Keller joined Nestle Waters North America (NWNA) in February 2015. Keller moved to Maine in March 2010 from Wilmington, Delaware and quickly found that Maine is her “true home”. In 2014 Keller was recruited to join the NWNA Poland Spring Factory as the Human Resource Manager. She supports the Poland and Kingfield Plant Locations, which also includes Natural Resources and the Northeast Logistic Department. Prior to her joining NWNA, Keller was the Regional HR Manager for the East Division for TruGreen. She had been with the company supporting the operations from Maine through Virginia. Laura was instrumental in strategic planning of the operations, inclusive of executing and developing mentoring programs to assist in development of talent internally. She was the Business Partner supporting two Divisional VPs, and 4 Regional VPs. Prior to TruGreen Lawncare, Keller had worked for several “Big Box” retail chains including Target, Sports Authority and Office Depot as a Regional HR Manager in the Mid-Atlantic, and East Coast. She has a proven record to achieve results through human capital. She is known for her ability to identify gaps in recruitment, training, and retention in organizations and work with senior leadership to build strong plans on closing those gaps. Laura has a BS from Pennsylvania State University in Labor and Industrial Relations. She holds a SPHR and SHRM-SCP certification, and is a member of both SHRM and HRASM.  Reservations are not required to attend the Rotary meeting.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org.

 

 

TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA FOR APRIL 18, 2017

L-A Rotary Club Officers Attend Conference in Quebec

 

 

Lewiston – Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club Program Chair and 100^th Anniversary Committee co-chair, Monica Millhime (pictured left), and Secretary, Morgan Thorndike, represented L-A Rotary at a President-Elect Training Conference in St. Georges-de-Beauce, Quebec.  The three-day event addressed goals for Rotary International in 2017-2018.  Workshops included procedures and recommendations for global and district grant applications, recruitment, engagement, membership retention, budgeting, community service projects and more.  L-A Rotary’s President-Elect, Millhime, an Employment and Training Business Specialist for Western Maine Community Action at the Lewiston CareerCenter, will representing L-A Rotary Club by attending the District 7790 May Conference in Saguenay, Quebec.   Thorndike is the Finance Manager- Maine Campuses at Kaplan University.  L-A Rotary meets Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston.  FMI on programs and community partnerships email mmillhime@wmca.org or call 753.9040. Visit at https://www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/ or http://www.lewistonauburnrotary.org

L/A ROTARY 100TH ANNIVERSARY

 

Lewiston – Members of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club, Charter 291-District 7790, are busy finalizing plans for the Club’s 100^th Anniversary gala event scheduled for Saturday, April 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn.  Reception and social hour are scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.   A seated dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. with entertainment at 9:00 p.m.  Entrée selections include lobster stuffed haddock, filet mignon or stuffed chicken breast.  Tickets are $50 each with an RSVP deadline of April 14.  Committee members (pictured l-r) Monica Millhime, Sylvia Plourde, Tom MacDonald and Jan Barrett met recently to confirm venue specifications and menu items.  FMI and tickets contact Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org  Photo courtesy of Brett Bisson. 

 

TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA - APRIL 11TH

Jenny Cowie to Address L-A Rotary April 27

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, April 27, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Jenny Cowie, will be the featured guest speaker at the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Cowie graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2009.  Having children  delayed completion by several years.  Jenny has been a part of St. Mary’s since 2001.  Currently she is the Manager of Volunteer and Interpreter Services. Jenny is the chairperson for the St. Mary’s Commit to Get Fit Challenge, May 6, 2017, which will be the fourth annual event.. Jenny is pleased to be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary on Thursday, April 27.  Reservations are not required to attend the Rotary meeting.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org.

 

 

Juliana L’Heurex to Address L-A Rotary May 11

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, May 11, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Juliana L’Heurex, will be the featured guest speaker at the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  On May 23, 2017 the Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine Lewiston Auburn College (USM LAC) on Westminister Street in Lewiston is hosting an exhibit and community presentation to highlight the contributions of veterans to our nation's wars and military campaigns.  Juliana L'Heureux is an FAC Board member and chair of the May 23, veterans exhibit and program.  She has written about Franco-Americans for 30 years through newspaper articles and published essays.  Her on line blog on the Bangor Daily News website is titled "Franco-American News and Culture".  She served on the Franco-American Task Force appointed by the Maine Legislature and was recognized in the Franco-American Hall of Fame.  As a member of the Rotary Club of Portland and a Rotarian since 1998, she enjoys speaking to our colleagues about "Service Above Self" and supporting our role as Community Service leaders.  A keynote presenter at the May 23 program is Colonel Donald Dubay, USA-Ret, a native of Lewiston who grew up in Auburn, now living with his family in North Carolina. Colonel Dubay will be the guest on May 23, to speak about his diplomatic career in the Middle East.  Mrs. L'Heureux is a resident of Topsham.  Reservations are not required to attend the Rotary meeting.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org.

 

Misty Parker to Address L-A Rotary May 25

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, May 25 at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Misty Parker, will be the featured guest speaker at the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Parker is the economic development specialist for the City of Lewiston. In her role with the City she is focused on downtown redevelopment, strengthening the community through creative programs and services, and supporting business owners to establish and expand in the city. Currently, Misty is working with several community partners on a pilot construction trades workforce development program to help supply our construction industry with much needed workers while also helping Lewiston residents find a successful career in the industry. Prior to coming to Lewiston in 2014, Misty worked on economic development and town planning in the Midcoast area. Misty holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from UMaine Machias and a Masters in Resource Management and Conservation from Antioch University New England.   Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org.

 

GRANT’S BAKERY & WMCA PARTNERS IN JOB TRAINING PROGRAM

 

 

Photo caption:  (l-r) Grant’s Bakery newest baker, Kierstyn O’Donnell, is congratulated by Don Grant, of Grant’s Bakery, on successfully completing her On-the-Job Training Program funded by Western Maine Community Action at the Lewiston CareerCenter.  Photo courtesy of Monica Millhime.

 

Lewiston – Western Maine Community Action (WMCA) and Grant’s Bakery in Lewiston, recently formed a partnership to offer an On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program.  WMCA provides grant funding to qualified candidates to enter into a training program supported by various business sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and more.  Training is provided by an employer to a paid employee engaged in productive work resulting in knowledge or skills essential to full and adequate performance of the job.  “WMCA partners with the Maine Department of Labor’s Business Employment Services (BES) in order to provide services through various grants for people in Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford and Somerset Counties,” shares Patti Saarinen, WMCA Program Site Coordinator in Lewiston.    On-the-Job Training is an incentive based program that reimburses up to 50% of a trainee’s wage for a specified time.  Partnerships are developed with employers in the public, private non-profit or private sector.

 

“Working with Monica Millhime, an Employment and Training Business Specialist, and the folks from Western Maine Community Action at the CareerCenter in Lewiston, has been a great experience,” shares Don Grant. “We needed someone to fill a baking position and had come up empty in our own search. Monica and her team referred three candidates to interview within a couple of days. Once we had determined our preference, WMCA proceeded to interview and review  our candidate was eligible and had the required skills needed to train as a baker.  Kierstyn O’Donnell was hired and trained on the job performing tasks needed to become a commercial baker. By partnering with WMCA, we were able to start Kierstyn at a wage we would have paid a trained baker to start . It would not have been easy for Kierstyn to come to work for us at a pay rate we would have started her at with no baking skills. So all in all, it was a win for everyone involved. We would do it again when it is time to hire again.”  FMI on job training sector partnerships call 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca. 

 

Deb Morin to Perform at L-A Rotary 100th Anniversary on April 22

 

Lewiston - Deb Morin a well-known singer, song-writer who has performed in and around New England and Canada for over 30 years will be joining Denny Breau and Melinda Laliberte as enterers for the 100^th Anniversary Celebration for the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club.  The Gala event will be held on Saturday, April 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn.  A reception and social hour will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., a seated dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. and entertainment will follow at 9:00 p.m.  Entrée selections include lobster stuffed haddock, filet mignon and stuffed chicken breast.  Tickets are $50 each with an RSVP deadline of April 1. 

For more information contact and reservations please contact Monica Millhime at 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org. 

Betsy Sibley to Address L-A Rotary April 20

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, April 20, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Betsy Sibley, will be the featured guest speaker at the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Betsy Sibley is the Vice President of Marketing/ Business Development at Community Credit Union. She has been with the Credit Union for 5 years. She oversees the sales, marketing, advertising, community outreach, internal staff training and event planning for the Credit Union.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from Thomas College, has been a licensed insurance agent since 2002 and has been working in the financial industry in various capacities since that time.  Betsy is involved in the community serving as the Public Relations Committee Chair for the L-A Rotary Club, Secretary for the Turner Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club, the President of the Turner Parent Teacher Committee, Member of the Statewide Awareness Committee for the Maine Credit Union League as well as an Ambassador and Committee Member for the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce. Betsy has a passion for youth sports and volunteers as a coach for the Turner Athletic Association also.  Some achievements include earning the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor in 2008, being recognized with a Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary in 2015 and being a 2015 graduate of the Androscoggin Leadership Development Institute.  Betsy was recently nominated in the “Creative Genius” category for Uplift LA’s 40 under 40. 

Reservations are not required to attend the Rotary meeting.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org.

Christopher Chekouras to Address L-A Rotary April 13

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, April 13, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Christopher Chekouras, will be the featured guest speaker at the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Chekouras joined St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston of October 2015. Previously he served as Senior VP of Post-Acute and Community-Based Services at Virtua, a comprehensive Marlton, New Jersey healthcare system with three hospitals. Prior to his work at Virtua, Chris held several senior leadership positions at Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, as part of the MedStar Health System, a 10 hospital health system in the Washington, DC and Maryland region.  Before joining MedStar, Chris spent 14  years with the bio-medical division of the American Red Cross in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD areas.  Chris has broad leadership skills, including strategic planning, business development, physician and board relations, philanthropy, marketing, finance and operations. He has a proven history of achieving desired results through effective collaboration, transparent communication, and personal accountability. Chris received his Bachelor of Science degree in child and adolescent development from Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania.  He earned a Master of Business Administration at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland.   Reservations are not required to attend the Rotary meeting.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org.

Jenny Cowie to Address L-A Rotary April 27

 

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, April 27, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Jenny Cowie, will be the featured guest speaker at the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Jenny Cowie graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2009.  Having children  delayed completion by several years.  Jenny has been a part of St. Mary’s since 2001.  Currently she is the Manager of Volunteer and Interpreter Services. Jenny is the chairperson for the St. Mary’s Commit to Get Fit Challenge, May 6, 2017, which will be the fourth annual event.. Jenny is pleased to be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston Auburn Rotary on Thursday, April 27.  Reservations are not required to attend the Rotary meeting.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org.

 

 

Taysir Jama to Address L-A Rotary April 6

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, April 6, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Taysir Jama, will be the featured guest speaker at the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Jama plays two roles in the Lewiston Community.   She is a Health Promotion Coordinator at Healthy Androscoggin responsible for building awareness about lead poisoning and educating our community about lead hazards and prevention methods.  Lead is a poison that affects virtually every system in the human body, and is particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of fetuses and young children. The effects of Lead Poisoning are irreversible and L-A has the highest rate of childhood lead poisoning in the State of Maine.  Taysir is also a Community Outreach Specialist at YWCA of Central Maine promoting  the single gender women’s swim class.  The program was developed by the YWCA is called PEACE.   PEACE (Positive Ethnic and Cultural Exchange) is a growing initiative working to build community among women at the YWCA emphasizing a cross cultural exchange. During the winter months PEACE offers twice monthly meet-ups for any women in the community around diverse activities ranging from exercise, crafts, cooking, and discussion groups.  Reservations are not required to attend the Rotary meeting.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email mmillhime@wmca.org.

 

Town Council Workshop March 21st at 0600 PM

Town Council Meeting March 21st at 7:00 PM

Peter Garrett to Address L-A Rotary March 23

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, March 23, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Peter Garrett, will be the featured guest speaker of the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.  Garrett has lived in Maine half his life, though he doesn’t sound like it (he’s British). An earth scientist by training, and a hydrogeologist by profession, he is now very involved as the northern New England coordinator of Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) volunteers. CCL volunteers (50,000 nationwide) meet with every Member of Congress regarding a revenue-neutral plan that can serve as a Reagan-like “insurance policy” against the perceived threats of the changing climate. It is called Carbon Fee & Dividend. It will level the playing field for energy sources to power our every need, speeding the new industrial revolution already underway towards renewables. It is fair to all, adds new jobs, builds the economy, improves health and does not increase the size of government. No kidding! Peter is a past president of the Waterville Rotary Club and past Assistant District Governor.  No reservation is required to attend.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

Veronica Cedre to Address L-A Rotary March 30

 

Lewiston - On Thursday, March 30, at the Ramada Inn, Lewiston, Veronica Cedre, will be the featured guest speaker of the LA Rotary from noon to 1 p.m.   Veronica Cedre is the owner and seamstress of Veronica’s Creations.  She has been creating quality handmade fashion clothes for over 30 years.  Veronica has proven abilities in many areas including clothing design of presented photos, prom dresses, bridal gowns, leather work, home décor, window treatments, men’s wear, business suits, alterations, clothing repair and much more.  Veronica’s is located at 1014 Route 202 in Greene.  She is open by appointment Tuesdays through Saturday. Please call 946.2123; 514.6820 or email veronicascreate@aol.com for an appointment.

Reservations are not required to attend.  Lunch is available for $10 in the Fusion Restaurant at the Ramada, 490 Pleasant Street, Lewiston.   FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President-Elect and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 753.9040 or email monica.millhime@maine.gov. 

 

SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDA - MARCH 13, 2017