Seeking local nominees for
eco-Excellence awards

PORTLAND — ecomaine, a nonprofit recycling and waste disposal operation that is municipally owned and operated by 40 local communities, is accepting nominations for its annual eco-Excellence awards.

eco-Excellence Awards are given annually in recognition of green activities by a person or group that has made a difference in the community.

The names of nominees must be received at ecomaine by Friday, Feb. 18, with a brief description of the nominee’s activities/accomplishments.

Awards are open to individuals or groups who either live or work in the 40 communities or businesses of any size that are located in the participating communities. Local communities include: Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Harpswell, North Yarmouth, Portland, Pownal, Scarborough, South Portland, and Yarmouth.

Entry forms and more information can be found at ecomaine.org or by phone at 523-3108.

PORTopera founder
earns national award

NEW YORK — OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, recently announced John I. “Jack” Riddle of Portland was one of three individuals nationwide to receive the 2011 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award.

The award is presented to a trustee of an opera company for exemplary leadership, generosity and audience-building efforts on behalf of their respective opera companies.

In 1994 Riddle founded PORTopera, formerly Portland Opera Repertory Theatre, to provide high-quality opera productions in Maine. Highlights of his accomplishments include supporting family-friendly operas with special ticket prices for children. Riddle has worked intensively on PORTopera’s Young Artists Program which tours Maine and New Hampshire to bring opera to rural areas. He has also served as the principal fundraiser over the last 10 years and has worked on  corporate support campaigns.

OPERA America will honor Riddle and the other 2011 recipients and celebrate their achievements at a February dinner and reception in New York City.

Awards

At the annual USM Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine dinner, Allen J. Sockabasin was presented with the 2010 Sampson Center for Diversity Catalyst for Change Award for spending the last 50 years advocating for recognition and fair treatment of the Passamaquoddy and Maliseet people. The Sampson Center also presented Gerald E. Talbot with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work for social justice and civil rights.

The Alliance for Community Media, Northeast Region, presented its 2010 Video Festival Awards to three shows produced locally and aired on Portland’s Community Television Network, CTN5. “The Second Act,” hosted by Bill Gregory and Lesley MacVane and produced by Brian Knoblock, won second prize in the news magazine category. “Garden Thyme,” produced by Dianne Senechal, Donna Sawyer and Patrick Bonsant, shared third place in the community impact category with “Rippling Waters Summer,” produced by Patrick Bonsant, Phil Jellen and Matthew Fletcher.

At the Yarmouth Senior Housing, Inc. annual meeting, the Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to CPA Maura Halkiotis for donating her time to set up the nonprofit’s financial records
 
Garrand, a full-service communications firm based in Portland, was named one of Advertising Age’s 2010 Best Places to Work in media and marketing.  In its inaugural year, the award program honored 30 top national agencies, which have established an exceptional workplace environment for their employees. Garrand received the award based on its flexible work schedules, company-sponsored events and a competitive benefits package.  

Tedford Housing in Brunswick recently honored individuals and organizations for their outstanding service to the organization at its annual meeting. The late Jane Newhall and the First Parish Congregational Church, UCC received the Scootie Brownell Award for dedication and support of homeless services and prevention; The JTG Foundation and the Joseph McKeen Center for the Common Good received the Tedford Home Award; and the late Suzanne “Suzie” Moran received the Margit Cook Award for exemplary volunteer service.

South Portland-based VNA Home Health and Hospice was named one of the top 500 home health agencies in the country by the 2010 HomeCare Elite.

The Maine Arts Commission presented a 2011 Artists’ Fellowship Awards to Ethan Hayes-Chute of Freeport in the visual arts category. Hayes-Chute, one of four Maine recipients, received a $13,000 grant award at a recent ceremony. His installation “Hermitage,” was featured in the 2009 Portland Museum of Art Biennial.

Sidebar Elements

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The staff at 1330 Dental Associates in Portland, pictured here, recently held a successful food and clothing drive to benefit The Florence House for Women in Portland, The Preble Street Shelter in Portland, and the Windham Food and Clothes Pantry.