Former Patriots linebacker is keen on kids

Rob Ninkovich showed his softer side on May 17, when the former Patriots linebacker spent time with children at The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center.

“Giving back to the community, and particularly to kids, is something I have always enjoyed,” Ninkovich said. “It’s important for children in the hospital to know that we, as athletes, are cheering for them, just like they cheered for me.”

Ninkovich went room to room in both BBCH’s inpatient unit and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, spending time with each child, showing off his Super Bowl rings and signing autographs. Seven-year-old Karsyn Mann, an oncology patient who had been studying up on the Lombardi Trophy before Ninkovich’s arrival, got to try on both of Ninkovich’s rings.

“This was my first time meeting someone famous from football,” she said. “Today was a really special day. I really liked the rings. He’s lucky his team won championships.”

Ninkovich played 11 seasons in the NFL, finishing his career with the New England Patriots in 2017.

Transitions

The Rev. Casey Collins, who has been a minister for 27 years in seven churches, including the past two at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church, will be retiring in June and living in Cumberland. During the course of her career Collins served Maine churches in West Cumberland, Raymond, Grey, Peaks Island and Lewiston.

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Steve and Judy Brown have retired after founding Brown Goldsmiths jewelers over 50 years ago in Freeport. They have sold the business to a long-time employee, Shannon Hartigan, who has worked with them for over 25 years.

Hires, promotions, appointments

Jeff Joyce, a patent/intellectual property lawyer, has joined Eaton Peabody’s Portland office.

Members of the Portland Education Association recently elected Carrie Foster as the new president of the union. She is a social studies teacher at Moore Middle School and a National Board Certified teacher.

Katahdin Trust has announced the promotion of Susan L. McCarthy of Biddeford to vice president, manager and commercial services officer for Maine Financial Group, an affiliate located in Scarborough and specializing in equipment financing.

Frank Barry of Portland, who is licensed as an associate broker, has joined  RE/MAX Oceanside in Cape Elizabeth.

Granted

Creative Portland, the city’s nonprofit arts agency, is receiving a matching grant of $25,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The funding will be used to support phase 1 of an initiative to design artistic bus shelters celebrating Portland’s racially diverse communities.

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Recognition

Maine Initiatives announced the 2019 Watering Can Awardees recognized for being inspiring leaders and activists include Pious Ali, a Portland City Councilor and a youth and community engagement specialist for the Muskie School of Public Service. Other honorees include Deborah Felder, former Maine Initiatives executive director and donor adviser for the Broad Reach Fund and Joseph Jackson, director of Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition and community liaison for Maine Inside Out.

Scott Simons Architects were recognized with an Honor Award for its work on the Waynflete Lower School at the American Institute of Architects Maine Design Awards on May 9. 

For the sixth time in a row, Northern Light Mercy Hospital has received an ‘A’ for meeting the highest safety standards in the country. The Hospital Safety Grades report is based on performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

Falmouth residents Timothy J. Bryant, Sigmund D. Schutz, and Jeffrey D. Talbert; Cumberland resident Elizabeth A. Olivier; and Yarmouth resident David B. Van Slyke, all partners at the law firm of Preti Flaherty, were recently recognized by the legal directory Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

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Karsyn Mann, an oncology patient at Barbara Bush Children’s Hosptial in Portland,  got to try on both of the Super Bowl rings earned by former Patriots football player Rob Ninkovich during his visit to the hospital. At right is Danielle Mann, Karsyn’s mother. 


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