COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL
Ace Flagg reflects on basketball journey with twin brother Cooper Flagg
GREENSBORO, N.C. — From his high school gym at Greensboro Day School in North Carolina, basketball star and Newport, Maine native Ace Flagg reflected on his basketball journey with his twin, Cooper Flagg.
The brothers won a championship with Nokomis Regional High School their freshman year before transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida, where they won another state title. Their mom, Kelly Flagg, is a former captain of the University of Maine women's basketball team.
Cooper played for Duke University this season after forgoing his final year of high school. He and the Blue Devils will play in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Cooper's widely believed to be the frontrunner for the No. 1 pick in this year's NBA draft.
Ace transferred to Greensboro Day School in North Carolina, where he recently won a state championship, marking three high school state titles in three different states for Ace.
When asked about when it first occurred to him that basketball could be more than just a hobby for him and his brother, Ace recalled, "once we really hit seventh or eighth grade.”
At that time, Ace explained, the pair started gaining traction and national recognition while playing on elite teams with the Amateur Athletic Union and Maine United Basketball.
"That's when we kind of started to realize, oh, wow, we really have something here that could be special.”
Ace has committed to playing for the University of Maine next season. Last summer, Ace and Cooper returned to their home state to lead a kids' basketball camp at UMaine.
"It was a pretty obvious decision," he said. "Maine is a special place to me, and it's where I wanted to go.”
Ace added that he will "absolutely" be in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday to support his brother and the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Final Four. The team is set to face off against the University of Houston Cougars at 8:49 p.m.
Partners Bank Has a Ball with “Homeruns That Count” for The Chase Home
Sanford, Maine—Homeruns count even more at Partners Bank with our “Homeruns that Count” community action program, where Partners Bank donates $50 to a nonprofit for each Boston homerun at a home game. Through the month of August, program donations will be designated to Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s The Chase Home.
The Chase Home is an organization dedicated to providing supportive and restorative residential and family services to at-risk youth in a safe and nurturing environment. Originally founded as an orphanage in 1877, The Chase Home is one of the oldest non-profit organizations in the state of New Hampshire. Currently, they continue to provide preventative, residential, and community-based services to vulnerable youth and families in the state.
“We recognize The Chase Home as a valuable resouce that contributes to building a better today and tomorrow for our community. We are excited to have them as a recipient of our ‘Homeruns that Count’ program and will be rooting for lots of home game homeruns!” says Partners Bank President and CEO, Blaine Boudreau.
Upon learning that The Chase Home would be August’s “Homeruns that Count” recipient, The Chase Home Advancement Director, Robert Levey, shared, “I’m from New York and a Yankees fan, so this puts me in a tight spot. But I will figure that out,” he added with a laugh.
Anyone that would like to play along with their own homerun donations (for Boston or any other team!) can do so by visiting chasehome.org.
As of the end of July, the 2022 baseball season had scored up a total of $2,800 in donations that have been distributed to V-MAT, York County Shelter Programs, Inc., and Animal Welfare Society (AWS) in Kennebunk, Maine through Partners Bank’s “Homeruns that Count” program.
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MEMIC Promotes Four to Vice President Positions
Portland, ME--Workers' compensation specialist The MEMIC Group has announced the promotion of four Directors to be officers of the company:
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Matthew Coy promoted to Vice President, Information Technology
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Robyn Jackson promoted to Vice President, Claim Operations
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Karen Johnston promoted to Vice President, Underwriting Operations
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Deb Sabatino promoted to Vice President, Human Resources
Matthew Coy of Salt Lake City, Utah joined MEMIC as Senior Director, Information Technology in 2017 with a background in application development. He has earned an MBA in Information Resource Management from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah and a BS in both Accounting and Information Systems & Technology from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
In 2005 Robyn Jackson of Limington, Maine joined MEMIC’s Claim team as a Compensation Specialist. She was quickly promoted to Unit Manager of Operation Support in 2006. In 2016, she was promoted to Director, Claim Operations. Jackson is a graduate of Husson University with a Master's of Business Administration in Risk Management and of the University of Southern Maine with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She has earned her Workers’ Compensation Professional (WCP) designation.
Karen Johnston of South Portland, Maine began her career with MEMIC in 1994, with the latest of the positions she has held being Director, Underwriting Operations. She is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University and her designations include Workers' Compensation Professional (WCP), Chartered Insurance Operations Professional (CIOP), Master Insurance Business Analyst (MIBA), Customer Experience Analytics Professional (CXAP), and Notary Public (Maine).
Deb Sabatino of Scarborough, Maine has more than 25 years of HR experience in the hospitality, healthcare, retail, and insurance industries. She began her career at MEMIC in 2008 as a Human Resources Specialist. Sabatino has earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Society for Human Resource Management - Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and Workers' Compensation Professional (WCP) designations. Sabatino graduated from Husson University in Bangor, Maine with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
“These four all represent MEMIC’s values,” says MEMIC CEO Michael Bourque. “They are hard workers and leaders who collaborate well and are key to a host of important efforts that are leading us to our future success.”
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Three Students Awarded Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship
Portland, ME – The MEMIC Group has awarded a total of $20,000 in scholarships to three children of workers who suffered serious workplace injuries. Derek Collin and Kyle Collin of Trenton, Maine and Andrew Wuerthner of Wells, Maine are this year’s MEMIC Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship recipients. With the 2020 awards, workers’ compensation specialist MEMIC has granted scholarships totaling $210,000 to 39 young scholars.
As specialists in workers’ compensation, MEMIC recognizes that although workers’ comp insurance covers medical treatment and replaces a large percentage of lost wages, it cannot eliminate entirely the stress and strain that an injury can cause a family.
Andrew Wuerthner will be attending College of the Holy Cross as a first-year student with a major in Liberal Arts and minor in Biology. Wuerthner is a graduate of Wells High Schools where he was an active participant in soccer, track, National Honor Society, Interact and student council. He also has been involved with charities such as Special Olympics, Preble Street, Ronald McDonald House, and takes on volunteer jobs within his community.
Wuerthner’s AP and CP Biology teacher spoke of him as “an inquisitive, kind, and empathetic person with great academic promise.” He goes on to commend Wuerthner on his resiliency. “Andrew's family is very supportive, but he has had to deal with many family-related issues that most high school students don't experience. Through it all, Andrew has maintained his focus, academic standards, and a witty sense of humor.”
Derek Collin is studying Accounting as a second-year student at Husson University. He hopes to go on to attain his MBA in Accounting, attributing his aspirations to continue his college education to seeing his father’s career options limited after his injury by not having a college degree. “My father not going to college, and looking at his current state, has made me think hard about my future,” he says. “Looking at everything he's had to endure, I've made it a goal of mine to pursue an MBA.”
Collin is a Varsity basketball player at Husson and his coach, Warren Caruso, who has known Collin for 7 years, speaks highly of his character. “Derek is hard working and very diligent in his tasks. His work ethic is second to none and is present in all aspects of his life. He has a grit to him, always striving to better himself.”
Kyle Collin is a first-year student at Wheaton College studying Neuroscience. At Mount Desert Island High School, Collin was a well-rounded student that participated in a variety of activities from robotics, to tennis, to Math Team, and National Honor Society. Outside of school, he was active with the SPCA and Alström Syndrome International Conferences. Following the completion of his undergraduate degree, Collin hopes to attend medical school to pursue his doctorate degree.
“Working in the medical field has always been my goal since I was a volunteer to assist children with Alström syndrome,” he says. “I was able to help these kids and see the positive effects of my work. Since then, I have been driven towards a career in helping people.”
Collin’s ambitions seem a natural fit given his AP Biology teacher, Jennifer Murphy’s, testimony: “Kyle has consistently demonstrated a strong drive, an innate ability with all things math, a passion for science, great maturity, and a kind nature.”
The MEMIC Harvey Picker Horizon Scholarship has been awarded annually since 2001 to the spouse or child of a worker who has suffered a serious injury or death at work.
The scholarship is named after former Camden, Maine resident Harvey Picker, a renowned physicist, educator, philanthropist, and advocate for education. In 1992, Picker was appointed by then Governor John R. McKernan as a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Workers’ Compensation, which led to the formation of MEMIC 27 years ago. Picker also served as a member of the Board of Directors at MEMIC.
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A Valentine's Affair
Burlington, VT—Take a step back in time and enjoy a glimpse at what’s to come with Vermont’s longest running cabaret troupe! The Spielpalast Cabaret is hosting their yearly Valentine’s show—A Valentine’s Affair.
Join us for a night of scandalous fun, burlesque beauties, and ritzy music numbers from the Spielpalast band. Come spend a dime on our silent auction with gifts from Crow Bookshop, G-2 Photography, Leunig’s, Stash N’ Stowe, Swan Dojo, Vermont Pub and Brewery, Waterworks, Yankee Tattoo, and more. Oh, and don’t forget the cash bar provided by Radio Bean!
The party starts at eight and won’t stop until the joint’s busted! Entry is sliding scale, starting at $5 at the door. Come help us transform the Swan Dojo at 19 Church Street into our bustling underground hotspot.
Be sure to come dolled up and dapper. And remember, grandma and grandpa will love the show, but leave the kiddies at home!
Hungry for more? Check us out on Facebook or at spielpalastcabaret.org for shows starting in May 2017.
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An Evening of Vaudeville and Vintage Burlesque
Burlington, VT—Rip-roaring musical numbers, burlesque beauties, naughty innuendos, and bathtub gin. The Spielpalast Cabaret implores you to indulge in our 2017 show!
Vermont’s longest running cabaret troupe returns once more with a theatrical experience that’ll have you blushing. We’ll take you on a journey back to the Weimar years, where sass, jazz, and wit are ever in supply. With dazzling gals in silk and garters, the scintillating tunes of the Spielpalast Band, and a dash of political satire, you’re sure to be leaving feeling most satisfied.
Beginning May 5-7 and 11-13, Spielpalast will transform the Black Box Theatre at Main Street Landing into a world of yesteryear, buzzing with the energy of a 1930’s cabaret. Performances will begin at 8pm with additional oh-so-scandalous late night showtimes at 11pm on Saturday, May 6, Friday, May 12 and a special 8:00 PM scandalous show on Sunday, May 7. All shows will be preceded by a cocktail hour that will feature a cash bar and titillating entertainment!
Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 on day of show and may be purchased through the Flynn Regional Box Office at 153 Main Street in Burlington, Vermont: (802) 86-FLYNN or www.flynntix.org. Pending availability, tickets will also be available for purchase at the venue on the night of the show, beginning one hour prior to showtime. We anticipate that most shows will sell out in advance, so be sure to get ‘em while they’re hot! And remember, Grandma and Grandpa will love the show, but leave the kiddies at home!
Hungry for more? Check us out on Facebook or at www.spielpalastcabaret.org. Additional ticketing information may be found at www.spielpalastcabaret.org/show-dates.
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The Making of a Spielpalast Beauty
Take one talented broad and immerse in a stimulating environment with supportive cast. Cultivate ideas, creativity, and skills for 3.5 months to create provocative and thought-evoking pieces sure to entertain! Infuse with 1920’s sass and style, dress in period garbs—straight-line silhouettes, silks and laces, and higher hems with pleats and slits to allow for the kicking up of heels—and accentuate with bobbed hair, rouged cheeks, and crimson lips. Finally, present to audience in dynamite show, and a Spielpalast Beauty is born!