People and Business

Topsham prepares for big birthday

The town of Topsham is preparing for its 250th birthday party kick-off, with a year-long celebration to follow. Festivities begin with a New Year’s Eve celebration at the Topsham Fairgrounds. This family-friendly, alcohol-free event is partnered with another group holding a dance inside the fairgrounds exhibit hall. Outside will be a large bonfire starting at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9 p.m. Sleigh and wagon rides will also be available, along with hot cocoa. It’s just one of the many celebrations planned throughout the year in Topsham. Events include a Celtic festival in May, a weekend of events in July which involve a firemen’s muster and 5k road race, guided tours through the historic district, and of course, there’s the annual Topsham Fair in August, celebrating its own 160th anniversary. The goal for the steering committee of the 250th is for a steady stream of events through the year celebrating town heritage.

Giving Back

L.L.Bean will allocate $1.6 million in grants to nearly 200 community organizations in its Charitable Giving Program. The program was approved by the L.L.Bean Board of Directors at its December meeting. The gifts, ranging from $500 to $25,000, will be dispersed to organizations involved in the areas of conservation and recreation, health and human services, education, and culture and the arts. For decades L.L.Bean has supported the community through the program, including $36 million in funding for nonprofit organizations in the last decade.

The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, recently donated a total of $25,000 to the Avesta Home Ownership Center. Launched in June 2012, the Avesta Home Ownership Center helps families stabilize their housing costs and increase their economic self-sufficiency through home buyer education, housing and credit counseling, and foreclosure prevention.

New Hires, Promotions and Appointments

Berry Talbot Royer President and CEO Michael Royer was appointed as the vice chairman of the finance committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine.

Scarborough resident Jeremy Deering has joined Androscoggin Bank as a vice president of commercial lending. Deering has more than 15 years of success as a commercial lender and will be building relationships with businesses in southern Maine by providing smart business solutions based on Androscoggin’s financial products and services.

Pat Thompson, of Yarmouth, a member of the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System policy committee, was elected the northern subregional representative on the PACTS executive committee, representing the towns of Falmouth, Cumberland, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth and Freeport. Thompson is a Yarmouth Town Councilor and a member of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Janet O’Toole, co-founder of Portland-based CPA firm Honeck and O’Toole, has joined the board of directors of Friends of DaPonte String Quartet. A Cape Elizabeth resident, she is a Maine native who graduated from the University of Southern Maine. She specializes in tax and financial planning for various small business and individuals and trusts. She is active in community organizations including the Maine Women’s Fund, Figures of Speech Theatre and Ram Island Dance. She has served as the president of the Kennebec Girl Scout Council and been a Board member of the Greater Portland United Way.

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