Eliot Police Help Make Strides Toward Ending Elder Abuse

ELIOT—
The York County Elder Abuse Task Force was recently announced as the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Huntington Common Charitable Fund, administered by the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation. The funds will be used to purchase hidden camera equipment and software, which will be made available to any Police Department in York County for the purpose of investigating suspected cases of Elder Abuse.
The York County Elder Abuse Task Force is a group of committed professionals from many fields, including law enforcement, social services, and legal services for the elderly and financial institutions. They meet monthly at the Eliot Police Department to share knowledge and skills, to serve as a resource to educate the public about elder abuse, and ultimately to eliminate it as a problem in York County.
According to Officer Candice Simeoni of the Eliot Police Department and Chairperson of the Task Force, “Maine is the ‘oldest’ State in the nation. By 2030, 27 percent of our population will be over the age of 65. It is estimated that there are over 12,000 cases of elder abuse in Maine each year.” Simeoni says “elder abuse can come in many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, financial, neglect and even sexual abuse.”
One of the more difficult aspects of elder abuse is that the person being abused may not be able to speak for him or herself. Family members may suspect that abuse or theft is occurring, but in the absence of evidence it is difficult to prove who is inflicting the abuse. Several Maine police departments have had significant success in solving elder abuse cases with the use of hidden cameras. These cameras, installed with the knowledge and consent of the victim or the victim’s family, can provide the key piece of evidence in breaking the cycle of abuse.
In the current economic environment, with budgets as tight as they are, few police departments in York County have ready access to such cameras. “Thanks to the grant from the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation we will be able to buy some of these cameras, and make them freely available to any police department in York County for use in the investigation of suspected elder abuse” explained Simeoni. “We feel that we can not only assist our law enforcement officers in investigating these cases, but more importantly send a very clear message to abusers that these tools are now available to protect our senior citizens,” Simeoni continued.
Since 2007 the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation has administered the Huntington Common Charitable Fund and has distributed over $400,000 to area organizations to benefit York County Seniors. Each year, to further charitable work and the building of community, the Huntington Common Charitable Fund for Seniors of the Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation seeks out projects and programs that will serve and benefit area seniors.
Funded programs have been wide-ranging and have included programs that help to feed seniors through area food pantries and meals programs, support for caregivers, library programs, job funding and various visiting nurse programs to name just a few.
If you are interested in learning more about the York County Elder Abuse Task Force please contact Officer Candice Simeoni at the Eliot Police Department at 207-439-1179 or cnoble@eliotpd.com.

Hannaford Helps YCCC Look Toward Culinary Future

By Larry Favinger

Staff Columnist

WELLS—

The Hannaford Center for Culinary Arts was officially opened Tuesday at York County Community College.

The new culinary arts center provides space for 32 students at one time, double the capacity of the old facility.

The Hannaford Charitable Foundation donated funds for the project supported by the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges. The community college foundation received $500,000 from Hannaford for this and other projects at the state’s other community college sites.

“This expansion allows us to better serve our students and provide well trained employees to local businesses,” said YCCC President Charles Lyons in a prepared release. “Hannaford’s financial support was a key to making this happen.”

Lyons did not attend the ribbon cutting ceremony as he is recovering from surgery.

Beth Newlands Campbell, Hannaford’s president, said the company’s donation was “an investment in our community” as it aids in educating the state’s work force.

Campbell noted the importance to the state of Maine of the hospitality industry adding that the York County Community College is helping train “the next generation” of those who will keep that industry healthy.

Charles Galemmo of the Culinary Arts Department said efforts were successful in upgrading the program but “we didn’t have the facilities” to match that upgrade. As an example he said it was difficult to teach 16 students how to sauté on only 12 burners.

“But now, thanks to Hannaford,” he continued, “we have facilities which gives them 40 burners” and those students each have their own workstations.

Beth Shorr, president of the Community College Foundation, said Hannaford has a history of support for the community college system. She termed the total donation of $500,000 “an incredible gift.”

Beth Walker, a student in the culinary program, and Shorr and Campbell cut the ribbon officially opening the new center.

In addition to added space much of the equipment was upgraded. These improvements included adding five 10-burner ranges, three 32-inch char broilers, a confectionery guitar cutter, an 1800-watt sugar lamp, and assorted chocolate molds.

Culinary arts is a 17-credit program that allows students to complete it in less than a year and could not be easily implemented without the renovations. Faculty is also exploring other new program concentrations that are now possible because of the renovations.

Based in Scarborough, Hannaford Supermarkets operates 179 stores in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. The company employs more than 26,000 associates.

The Hannaford Charitable Foundation was founded in 1994 providing financial support to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the communities where Hannaford operates.

The Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges is dedicated to ensuring that the state’s community colleges have the resources they need to provide a high quality, affordable, and accessible college education for Maine people.

York County Community College was established in 1994 and is one of seven community colleges in the Maine Community College System. It enrolls over 1,600 students in associate degree and transfer programs and over 2,500 individuals in non-credit continuing education and professional development areas.

Photo Caption: Beth Shorr, left, president of the Maine Community College Foundation, and Beth Newlands Campbell, president of Hannaford Supermarkets, take part in the opening of the Hannaford Culinary Arts Center at the York County Community College in Wells. (Photo courtesy of Larry Favinger)

Video Featuring Kennebunk High School Students to be Distributed State Wide

KENNEBUNK—

Maine’s Spirits Industry presented Secretary of State Charlie Summers with contributions to purchase 500 copies of the video “Point of No Return,” a video with a powerful lesson for young people on the dangers of drinking and driving.

During his “Conversations With the Communities,” Kennebunk Police Chief Robert MacKenzie, who invited the Secretary to view the film, approached Secretary Summers. “I was so profoundly affected by the message of ‘Point of No Return’ and impressed by the quality of the production, that I wanted to make sure every high school student across Maine has the opportunity to see this for themselves,” stated Summers.

Video Creations locally produced “Point of No Return,” after Chief MacKenzie approached them with his idea, and stars Kennebunk High School students. “The idea was to protect the kids in our community—in Kennebunk. We had no idea that it would turn out like this. They say it takes a village to raise a child, what we focused our time, energy and resources on was that it also takes a village to protect a child,” said Video Creations President L. Blake Baldwin.

Secretary Summers reached out to Chairman of the Maine Liquor Commission Peter Danton to discuss Teen Driver Safety and the message of “Point of No Return,” along with his desire to provide each high school with a copy of the video. Maine Beverage Company contacted the Office of the Secretary of State and committed to raising and/or donating the required money to make this effort possible. “Maine Beverage Company is proud to be associated with this great program and we commend Secretary Summers on his passion for this cause. We hope this contribution will further the cause of reducing the incidents of teenagers driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Maine Beverage Company President and CEO, Dean Williams.

Other contributors include White Rock Distilleries, MS Walker, Sidney Frank, Charles Jacquin and Cold River Vodka

“Former Senator Peter Danton played a key role in making this project a success. I want to thank him and all the contributors who participated in making the wide-spread distribution of this video a reality,” commented Summers. Secretary Summers is presenting a copy of this video to each of the high schools he brings his message of Young Driver Safety Awareness to and is making it available, free of charge, to all high schools across Maine. Additionally, because eight of the ten deadliest days for teen drivers occur between May and August, Secretary Summers is also encouraging schools to show this video to the entire student body in an effort to highlight the dangers of Drinking and Driving during prom and graduation season.

Five-0 Executive Chef Brings Back a Bit of Italy

By Larry Favinger

Staff Columnist

OGUNQUIT—

A special evening of dining is scheduled at Five-O on Shore Road next week for those who enjoy Italian food and wine like that served in Tuscany, Italy.

Executive Chef James Walter has recently returned from a visit to Il Falconiere in Tuscany, where he had the opportunity to work with renowned chef Richard Titi.

“It was amazing. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a chef,” Walter said during an interview Tuesday at Five-O. “It was a learning experience. You’re never done learning.”

Walter has been cooking since he was 15 years old “and never looked back.” He said being a chef is “not for everybody, but it is for me.” He has been an executive chef for more than four years.

The Thursday, April 19, event will be “based on the trip James took,” according to Jeff Porter, co-owner of Five-O with Doneto Tramuto. As the four-course dinner is served with the appropriate Italian wine, Walter will discuss it.

It starts with an anti-pasti and wine at 6:30pm in the lounge. Dinner is scheduled to begin at 7pm.

Reservations can be made by calling Five-O at 207-646-5001 or on the restaurant’s web site at five-oshoreroad.com. The number of seats will be limited.

Walter said Tuscany is “a surreal place” due to its history, its architecture, its food and wine. He said this year’s Tuscany to Ogunquit event is “more than a dinner, it’s a great experience for everyone.”

According to a website devoted to Tuscany, the area has a unique culinary tradition, and is famous for its wine.

Diners will have two options per course. The menu is posted on the website, five-oshoreroad.com. The cost is $65 per person plus tax and gratuity.

Wells High School Senior Wins at National Art Competition

WELLS—

Patrick Menard, a senior at Wells High School, recently learned that he is the recipient of the Silver Medal award from the prestigious Alliance for Young Artists and Writers for one of his winning entries in the regional 2012 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Several weeks ago, Menard received two Gold Keys in the contest. One award was for a digital photograph in the Mixed Media category, the other for his design of a video game in the newly created video game category. Receiving a Gold Key qualified him to move forward and compete at the national level, where he received the Silver Award for his photograph, entitled “Spectre.”

Over 200,000 works of art and writing were submitted. About 11 percent of those entries will recieve gold or silver medals.

On June 1, Menard will be honored with other talented young artists at a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

While in New York, Menard will have an opportunity to meet art and writing professionals and view the work of his contest peers. He will also be able to participate in a number of showcase events at Parsons School for Design.

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards has been recognizing and presenting awards to talented teenage artists since 1924. Previous winners include Andy Warhol, Richard Avedon, Zac Posen, Sylvia Plath, Truman Capote, Joyce Carol Oates and Robert Redford.

The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers was founded in 1994 to provide national recognition for Gold Key recipients in the Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Photo Caption: Patrick Menard in art class at WHS, holding a photograph that received a national Silver Award from the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. (Courtesy Photo)

Donato J. Tramuto Foundation and Physicians Interactive Award Grant to Frannie Peabody Center

OGUNQUIT—

The Donato J. Tramuto Foundation and Physicians Interactive (PI), the leading provider of online and mobile clinical resources and solutions for healthcare professionals, are proud to announce a joint grant award of $10,000 to The Frannie Peabody Center (FPC). The Center will use the funds provide direct services, including medical case management and housing assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS in Maine as well as HIV prevention services in the wake of discontinued government funding in the state of Maine.

The Frannie Peabody Center provides HIV prevention services to its local community in Southern Maine, and the contributions from the Donato J. Tramuto Foundation and Physicians Interactive will go towards the Frannie Peabody Center’s Emergency Medical Assistance Fund. This fund covers unpaid medical and dental costs incurred by clients in FPC’s case management program when MaineCare or private insurance doesn't, thereby providing clients with access to vital treatment and medication that they otherwise would not have received.

“Overshadowed by the debates now going on in Augusta, many people in the community don’t know that early in 2011, the Ryan White Part B Program discontinued reimbursements for many of the medical needs that our clients face each day,” said Patti Capouch, executive director, Frannie Peabody Center. “The monies awarded will go a long way in replacing some of those costs and is just another demonstration of the tireless generosity of Donato Tramuto and the trustees of the Tramuto Foundation as well as the many generous people who came out to support us that day. We are grateful to each and every one of them for making this possible.”

“The Tramuto Foundation’s longstanding philosophy has always been to help individuals or communities overcome obstacles they are facing,” said Donato Tramuto, founder of the Tramuto Foundation and CEO and Vice Chairman of Physicians Interactive. “Our nation’s progress and prosperity is dependent on the active involvement of its citizens, and investing in healthcare subsidy programs like the ones offered by the Frannie Peabody Center is essential to help reduce the burden of healthcare costs for people and families in need.”

The Donato J. Tramuto Foundation, which provides grants and aid to help disadvantaged youth reach their educational goals, awards two grants annually to organizations helping either an individual or community overcome a serious challenge.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Ed Corley, director of development, at 207-774-6877, x8013 or email him at ecorley@peabodycenter.org.

United Way Pledges One-Year Grant to Children’s Program

KENNEBUNK—

Kids Free to Grow—the Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County (CAPC)—is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a one-year grant by United Way of York County (UWYC) totaling $41,100. Through mobilization of resources, expertise and funds that support programs focused on education, income and health—the building blocks of a good life—United Way of York County advances the common good and strengthens the whole community.

This grant will support the following programs at Kids Free to Grow: Baby Think It Over, providing students with the opportunity to understand the care of an infant and learn the risk factors that can lead to child abuse ($5,000); Break the Silence, assisting fifth grade students in understanding the four types of child abuse and that it is important to tell a trusted adult ($7,000); Mandated Reporter Training, providing professionals working with children the opportunity to learn how to recognize, respond and report child abuse ($5,000); Personal Body Safety, programs teaching young children the importance of “No, Run and Tell” and to tell a trusted adult ($5,000); The Nurturing Program is offered in communities by providing parents and their children a meal with ten parenting workshops and activities for the children ($10,100); Project Prevention is centered around April being Child Abuse Prevention Month but encompasses the whole year as children learn personal body safety ($9,000).

Thanks to the continued support of many dedicated individuals, businesses and organizations throughout York County, this year, the United Way is investing in 78 community programs serving children, youth, adults and families.

“Despite economic uncertainty in 2010, local people gave very generously to our United Way community campaign,” said United Way of York County President and CEO Kathryn Davis. “As a result, in 2011, we are able to provide much needed support for essential human services across the region.”

Kids Free to Grow offers these free programs and more to York County. If you would like more information about these programs or would like to volunteer, please call 207-985-5975.