Beyond International Credit Union Day

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Ryan Poulin, center, CEO of New Dimensions FCU, prepares to cut the ribbon at a special ceremony commemorating the opening of the credit union’s new Waterville location in 2020. (contributed photo)

At New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, every day is Member Appreciation Day. While they look forward to celebrating International Credit Union Day with their members on October 19th, they strive to show their appreciation to their members year-round by offering services, products, and continuous commitment to financial education and community enrichment.

“Our mission is to help our members achieve financial security and add value to their lives by showing them how to build a solid financial foundation,” stated Ryan Poulin, CEO. They offer competitive rates on loans and deposits, robust digital banking tools, and personalized service to meet each member’s unique needs. Their financial coaches provide guidance to help members reach their goals, whether saving for a down payment, paying off debt, or planning for retirement.

Giving back is the core of who they are at NDFCU. Last year alone, they raised over $50,000 for impactful organizations like the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, Special Olympics Maine, and the Maine Credit Union League’s Ending Hunger in Maine campaign. They believe in investing in the next generation, so they awarded $5,000 in scholarships to two graduating high school seniors each year to support their first year of college.

In 2022, their financial coaches logged over 130 hours teaching financial literacy in area schools and organizations. The NDFCU staff logged over 1,700 volunteer hours in 2022, and so far this year, they have already volunteered over 1,300 hours with worthy causes. They are proud to actively partner with local nonprofits to support affordable housing initiatives, food banks and pantries, health and wellness programs, and more. Finally, the credit union paid out over $575,000 in dividends in 2022, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to providing meaningful benefits and returns to member-owners. At NDFCU, they are dedicated to giving back and making a positive difference in their communities.

While the gifts and prizes on International Credit Union Day are their way of saying thanks for being a member, they feel that the real gift is the opportunity to help their members every day of the year. Our members are not just members; they have an ownership stake in New Dimensions FCU, and together, they are working to build a stronger, more equitable community.

Real ID deadline is 2025

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The REAL ID deadline is now May 2025, yet the multiple extensions have caused confusion among the general public. When Maine residents were asked what they believe the deadline to be, the average answer given is on October 5, 2023.
If you still haven’t made the switch, you’re not alone: 76 percent of residents in Maine still haven’t gotten their new card, according to a poll from Upgraded Points.
Additionally, 18 percent report not even knowing what a REAL ID is and 30 percent say they don’t know how to get it. Thirty-eight percent do not plan to get one at all.

Vassalboro Historical Society quilt show a success

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submitted by Janice Clowes

During the weekend of October 7 & 8, 2023, the Vassalboro Historical Society (VHS) held a Quilt Show and a raffle. The quilt exhibit showcased vintage, heritage and contemporary quilts that were donated to the Society over the years. Two quilts were donated as part of the raffle. One quilt was a lovely twin quilt in blue, black, and white made by Judy Wentworth Goodrich.

Another quilt sewn by Peggy Dore Lawrence was donated for a raffle item. This quilt was of particular interest due to its connection with Peggy’s mother Phyillis Dore who donated her time and efforts throughout her life to the betterment of her community. The quilt was a “Crazy Quilt” pattern using fabrics that Phyillis had collected through the years. Phyillis’ quote “No Scrap Would be Left Behind” was the sentiment of the quilt donated.

The quilts were last displayed 18 years ago, in 2005. At that time the museum displayed approximately 20 quilts and coverlets. Since that time more than 30 additional quilts have been added to the VHS collection and range in historical value from the early 1800’s to the present.

The quilts were presented throughout the building (the former East Vassalboro Grammar School) and incorporated the fabrics to enhance its many ongoing exhibits.

The displays also centered around the month-long fundraising event which was a raffle showcasing various Vassalboro businesses, farms and individual patrons with values nearing $3,000.

VHS would like to thank the many patrons who supported by both donating the raffle items and those that took time to come and enjoy the quilts.

They look forward to future events of this kind and will keep you posted via VHS Facebook, Instagram (@vassalboroHistoricalSociety), website www.vhsme.org or you can call the museum at 207-923-3505 or email at vhspresident@gmail.com.

Photos of some of the quilts at the Quilt Show and raffle (photos by Laura Jones):

photo by Laura Jones

photo by Laura Jones

photo by Laura Jones

photo by Laura Jones

photo by Laura Jones

photo by Laura Jones

photo by Laura Jones

China student honored at Annual SkillsUSA Workforce Development Event

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Galen Neal

A career and technical student in China was recognized for excellence at the 2023 SkillsUSA Championships, held in Atlanta, on June 21-22. More than 6,000 students competed at the national showcase of career and technical education. The SkillsUSA Championships is the largest skill competition in the world and covers 1.79 million square feet, equivalent to 31 football fields or 41 acres.

Galen Neal, from China and a student at Mid-Maine Technical Center (Waterville), was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Photography.

Skill Point Certificates were awarded to all national contestants who met a threshold contest score. The Skill Point Certificate represents workplace readiness in the occupational specialty and students can add the certificate to their employment portfolio as an indicator of proficiency.

Students were invited to the event to demonstrate their technical skills, workplace skills and personal skills in 110 hands-on competitions including robotics, automotive technology, drafting, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking. Industry leaders from 650 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions planned and evaluated the contestants against their standards for entry-level workers. Industry support of the SkillsUSA Champ­ionships is valued at over $36 million in donated time, equipment, cash and material. More than 1,200 industry judges and technical committee members participated this year. All SkillsUSA Championships competitors were honored on Friday night, June 23 at the SkillsUSA Awards Session at State Farm Arena.

The SkillsUSA Championships event is held annually for students in middle school, high school or college/postsecondary programs as part of the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference. The national, nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry is a verified talent pipeline for America’s skilled workforce that is working to help solve the skills gap.

Timmins joins CMGC staff

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Nicole Timmins

The Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC), a public-private collaborative economic development partnership, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Timmins as Grant and Finance Manager. Nicole is responsible for overseeing CMGC’s granting efforts, which include optimizing the grant administration process, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with grant regulations.

Nicole’s work will directly support CMGC’s existing funding landscape in addition to being responsible for overseeing CMGC’s Economic Recovery Implementation Hub activities throughout Kennebec and Somerset Counties.

“I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with an organization that champions business interests across all sectors, offering tailored solutions to support operational growth,” remarked Timmins. “The prospect of spearheading impactful initiatives that empower entrepreneurs and reduce obstacles they face is deeply motivating. I am committed to driving ongoing advancement in this space.”

Nicole brings previous experience as the Director of Finance at Care & Comfort, where she oversaw all aspects of the finance department, including managing staff, billing, accounts receivable and payable, payroll, and reconciling the general ledger. Her experience monitoring fee schedules to ensure compliance with various provider contracts and funding sources demonstrates Nikki’s familiarity with financial management.

Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Orono in Mass Communications.

Better Business Bureau: Online shopping scams

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Recently, BBB Scam Tracker has received multiple reports of an online shopping scam on TikTok. It’s a sneaky one! It starts with a disgruntled employee supposedly seeking revenge and ends with victims ordering hundreds of dollars in phony merchandise.

How the scam works

You come across a TikTok video featuring someone claiming they were recently fired at a high-end jewelry store. The termination was completely undeserved, and they are angry. To take their revenge, they are sharing their top-secret employee discount code with anyone who wants it. This code gives you up to 100 percent off the company’s merchandise. That’s right, they claim you can get expensive jewelry for free! As long as you’re willing to pay shipping, that is.

You may notice some red flags when you checkout using the ex-employee discount code. One consumer reported: “As you add more things from the website to your cart, the shipping cost increases disproportionately… However, this still seems like a ‘deal’ because you are getting a 100% discount on (faux) jewelry that costs $100-200.” However, that’s not the only warning sign. The consumer added, “There is no cancellation mechanism on their website/order confirmation email, no social media, no address, and no phone number. You can only contact them via an email address.”

If you fall for this scam, you won’t receive the high-quality jewelry you thought you ordered. You may get cheaply made knockoffs – or nothing at all. Also, you’ll be out any money you spent on “shipping” too.

The current version of this scam involves a jewelry store, but watch out for other variations as scammers change their schemes to avoid detection. This con would work with high-cost items like electronics or designer handbags.

How to avoid online shopping scams

Don’t fall for deals that are too good to be true. Scammers love to draw people in with this bait. If a deal seems extraordinarily good, stay skeptical. Research the company thoroughly before you buy.

Only shop with reputable companies. It’s always best to shop with companies you already know and trust. That said, if you come across an appealing item from an unfamiliar business, it’s especially important to do research. Look up the company’s website, physical address, and contact information. Read reviews from customers on third-party websites and review comments left on their social media pages, too. You can even search the company name and the word “scam” just to be safe.

Always make payments with your credit card. When shopping online, use your credit card to pay. Controlling fraudulent charges (and possibly getting your money back) will be much easier with this payment method.

For more information

For more tips and advice, review the BBB Tip: Smart shopping online. You may find the BBB social media scams page helpful as well.

If you spot a scam on social media or elsewhere, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help us build consumer awareness and scammers in their tracks.

EVENTS: Free offerings at Muskie Community Center in Waterville

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Free offerings at Muskie Community Center in Waterville

Spectrum Generations’ Muskie Community Center
38 Gold Street, Waterville, ME 04901

Addressing the Stigma: A Look at Mental Health and Aging

Monday, October 16
10 – 11 a.m.

Join us at Spectrum Generations’ Muskie Community Center as we welcome Leslie Lennig, Clinical Director from Community Health and Counseling Services for a free workshop.

This workshop will take a deeper look at general mental health trends, symptomology of the most common diagnoses seen in older Americans, identify how the traditionalist and baby boomer generational values play a role in mental health, as well as look at some ways someone can seek support from symptoms one may be experiencing.

Pre-registration is required by calling (207) 873-4745 or stop by the Muskie Community Center reception desk.

Free Hearing Tests

Thursday, October 26
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Join us as we welcome Always Listening Hearing Aid Center at Spectrum Generations’ Muskie Community Center.

Felicia Curtis, Hearing Care Practitioner, will be performing free hearing tests, ear wax checks, and basic cleaning of your hearing aids.

Registration is required for your private appointment. To register, visit the front desk receptionist or call the Muskie Community Center at (207) 873-4745.

A Service for Veterans

First Thursday, Monthly (By Appointment)

A Veteran Service Officer from the Bureau of Veterans’ Services will be available to meet with you from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Muskie Community Center.

Veteran Service Officers are experts on federal, state, and local veteran resources and are dedicated to providing assistance to veterans in navigating the complex web of services and benefits available to them and their families.

Appointments are 30 minutes. To reserve your private appointment, call (207) 873-4745.

Family Caregiver Education and Support Group

Third Wednesday, Monthly
1 – 2:30 p.m.

We understand that the transition into the role of caregiver for a loved one can be a stressful, emotional, and difficult endeavor. Our support groups are specifically designed to be educational and supportive for you. We are here for you as a trusted resource and to connect you with solutions to help ease ever day life as a caregiver.

To learn more, visit the front desk receptionist at the Muskie Center or call (207) 873-4745.

Scouts hold uniform distribution day

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Photo by Chuck Mahaleris

by Chuck Mahaleris

Dozens of youth from across central Maine came to the Goodwill Store, in Waterville, on September 27, for the Scout Uniform Bank. The annual event is a way to assist families during these difficult financial times. Scouts who attended the event left with a gently-used uniform shirt, pants, neckerchief, hat and even patches. Youth who had outgrown their uniform could trade theirs in for another. Sabrina Garfield, of Winslow, is the Cubmaster of Winslow Pack #445.

Winslow Cub Scout Pack #445 Cubmaster Sabrina Garfield explained that this uniform bank is truly needed during these challenging economic times. (photos by Chuck Mahaleris)

“Scouting is a great experience,” she said. “I do a lot of activities with my kids but it is nice to do these activities with other people as well. They have made a lot of friends in Scouting.” Garfield said that there were several families in her pack that would benefit from the uniform bank. “It is really helpful,” she said. “The prices of everything is going up and this is a tremendous help to a lot of people.”

Throughout the year, Goodwill Industries of Northern New England collects Scouting uniform items that are donated at its various locations. Chris Bernier, a member of the Kennebec Valley District Scouting Committee from Winslow, receives these items, sorts them and prepares them for the annual uniform bank. Areli Watkins, of Palmyra, he is a third grader who is homeschooled. Areli said he liked this uniform event and received a new hat, shirt, neckerchief and other items.

“This is great,” he said. He recently joined Cub Scout Pack #428, in Pittsfield, but had a fun time at that first meeting where he learned how to cook a hamburger and was happy to have a uniform to wear for the rest of the meetings. Cyndi Davis, of Oakland, has been volunteering at several of these uniform banks. “We are helping Scouts get fitted out so they fit in,” Davis said. “This makes it a level playing field. Every scout has the same uniform. We like to treat every kid the same.”

Wyatt Collins is a Scout from Fairfield and volunteered to help at the uniform bank. He appreciated all the food people gave to help support the Scouting for Food drive. (photos by Chuck Mahaleris)

There were several volunteers from Winslow, Oakland, Belgrade, Sidney, Augusta, and Fairfield. Wyatt Collins of Fairfield is a Tenderfoot Scout in Troop 433. As people came in to look at uniforms, they turned in food for the Scouting for Food Drive. Wyatt helped with the collection of those food items. “It is important to help other people,” Wyatt said. “It is important for Scouts to help in their community.”

Bernier praised the relationship Scouting has built with Goodwill Industries. “There is a lot of good that happens in one night but it is thanks to a year-long effort by Goodwill Industries and we are very grateful for their partnership.”

Cyndi Davis is a Scouting volunteer from Oakland and enjoys giving her time in Scouting and in the Order of the Arrow to help improve the lives of others. (photos by Chuck Mahaleris)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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HealthReach welcomes family nurse practitioner

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Kaylee Wolfe

This September, staff at Belgrade Regional Health Center are happy to welcome Kaylee Wolfe, Family Nurse Practitioner, to the team.

Kaylee earned her master’s degree, Family Nurse Practitioner, from the University of Southern Maine. Previously, she earned her dual-major bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Spanish from Bowdoin College, in Brunswick. Wolfe has a wealth of experience from across the field of Nursing – including experience in both Emergency Nursing and specialty medical work with the LGBTQI+ community. Wolfe most recently graduated from the Keith Haring Nurse Practitioner Fellowship in LGBTQI+ Health.

Wolfe shares, “My philosophy of care is centered around creating a safe and comfortable environment where my patients can be their authentic selves. Primary care is a partnership based on mutual respect and understanding, and I work hard to earn the trust and confidence of my patients in every interaction. I am thrilled to be joining an organization like HealthReach – one that shares my belief that all people deserve access to high-quality and affordable healthcare. I look forward to offering new services, including HIV prevention and treatment, as well as gender-affirming care.”

Wolfe joins Belgrade Regional Health Center’s existing team of healthcare professionals, including Doctor Amy Madden; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Leslie Rita Alfonso LaBarbera; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Theresa Rush; and Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) Abigail Dalzell, Katie Gillihan, and Andrew Twaite. Our clinicians offer care for patients of all ages and from all walks of life.

Belgrade Regional Health Center, founded in 1977, is a part of HealthReach Community Health Centers – a Federally Qualified Health Center consisting of twelve community health centers located across Central and Western Maine.

Griffin Brown welcomed into the Honors College at the College of Charleston

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Griffin Brown, of Oakland, will attend the Honors College at the College of Charleston, in Charleston, South Carolina, starting this fall.

Brown joins a community of highly motivated Honors students who live and learn together while pursuing their own unique interests. Honors students at the College of Charleston benefit from personalized mentorship, access to specialized opportunities, and small, seminar-style classes. Students also participate in high impact experiences like faculty-led research, internships, and community engagement to help them maximize their time at college.

Brown is a graduate of Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, and plans to major in systems engineering at the College of Charleston.