Member News

PALS Cat Shelter is excited to announce a new statewide initiative launching in August 2026: a low-cost spay/neuter mobile clinic (“Spay/Neuter Rig”) that will travel throughout Maine, bringing accessible and affordable veterinary services directly to communities across the state.

This program is designed to reduce barriers to care, support responsible pet ownership, and help control the growing population of stray and unwanted animals in both rural and urban areas.

To make this important service possible, we are currently seeking business sponsors and community partners to help fund operations, outreach, and clinic stops across Maine.

Sponsorship opportunities include:

• Statewide visibility on the mobile clinic bus

• Recognition in press releases and outreach materials

• Promotion through community events and partner networks

• Direct impact on animal welfare and public health across Maine communities

This is a unique chance for businesses to align with a high-impact, visible program that will travel directly into towns and communities statewide, providing a tangible and lasting benefit.

If your business is interested in supporting this initiative or would like more information about sponsorship levels, please contact us directly.

Together, we can expand access to affordable veterinary care and make a meaningful difference for animals and families across Maine.

Please email if interested, development.pals@gmail.com

Patrisha McLean was the guest speaker at the June 9 Rotary Club of Augusta. She shared how she started the statewide nonprofit Finding Our Voices following the domestic violence arrest of her then-husband of 29 years, and how Finding Our Voices now supports women survivors with such programs as financial aid, donated dental care, a weekly online support group, and "Healing Together" retreats.

McLean, CEO of the grassroots nonprofit,  is on the far left with Donna Strickler, Ranae L'Italien, Jennifer Fortin, Merry St.Pierre, and Lisa Wardwell.

Spend a summer evening enjoying live chamber music in an intimate setting while supporting the Augusta Symphony Orchestra's mission to continue to bring free concerts to central Maine.

The Augusta Symphony Soirée is a special fundraising event featuring a chamber music concert made up of Augusta Symphony musicians, including Music Director and Conductor Jinwook Park, a talented violinist. Set in the cozy Fireside Lounge at the University of Maine at Augusta, this unique concert offers a rare opportunity to experience the artistry of ASO musicians up close in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere.

More than just a concert, the Soirée is an evening of music, conversation, and community. Guests are invited to gather with fellow music lovers, meet members of the orchestra, enjoy refreshments, and celebrate another exciting season of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra.

As the ASO's only ticketed event of the year, the Soirée plays an important role in supporting the orchestra's mission of providing free admission to its regular season concerts. Every ticket purchased helps offset the costs of music, guest soloists, rehearsal space, concert venues, and other operating expenses, ensuring that audiences of all ages and backgrounds can continue to enjoy live symphonic music without financial barriers.

Event Details

Date: Friday, August 21
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Fireside Lounge, Randall Student Center, University of Maine at Augusta, 46 University Drive, Augusta, Maine
Attire: Dressy casual
Program: Bach after Vivaldi, Wind Quintet
Dvořák, “American”, String quartet
Dubois, Dectet for Ensemble

A $40 ticket includes:

• Admission to the chamber music concert
• Catered light bites
• Soft drinks
• Cash bar
• Connecting with and enjoying time with other ASO supporters and players

Whether you are a longtime supporter of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra or discovering the organization for the first time, the Augusta Symphony Soirée is a great way to experience outstanding local musicians, connect with friends, and invest in the future of live orchestral music in our community.

Join us for a fun evening where music and community come together in support of a tradition that has enriched central Maine for more than a century.

For tickets and more information, visit:

Augusta Symphony Soirée - information and tickets — Augusta Symphony Orchestra

Preserve the Past, Inspire the Future—Join KHS Today!

The Kennebec Historical Society (KHS) invites your business to invest in something that lasts—our community’s history.

By becoming a member, you directly support the preservation of the stories, artifacts, and records that define the Kennebec region and connect generations past, present, and future. Your membership helps ensure that our growing collection of photographs, letters, maps, and scrapbooks are not only protected, but accessible for years to come.

Business memberships are affordable and impactful:

• $100 for businesses with 25 or fewer employees
• $150 for businesses with more than 25 employees

Your contribution is 100% tax deductible—and more importantly, it positions your business as a visible supporter of local history.

Join KHS today and play a meaningful role in preserving the legacy of Kennebec County while strengthening your connection to the community you serve.

If you are interested or have questions, contact Scott Wood at kennhis1891@gmail.com or 622-7718.

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125 local businesses throughout the Midcoast and Blue Hill Peninsula will be offering special yellow menu and store items for the entire month of July with proceeds benefitting Finding Our Voices and women domestic abuse survivors and their children. Complete listing of participants and their yellow offerings here! https://findingourvoices.net/into-the-light-2026

Roof Restore is now offering free roof inspections for homeowners and property owners across the KV Valley and Maine. The company provides roof repair, roof restoration, EPDM rubber roofing, leak repair, roof replacement, ice dam removal, heating cable installation, and snow guard installation.

With roof damage often starting small before becoming expensive, Roof Restore helps property owners identify problems early and choose the right solution, whether that is a repair, restoration, or replacement.

To schedule a free inspection, call 207 572 5745 or visit roofrestore5x.com.

Residents of Readfield, Fayette, Wayne, Mount Vernon, and Belgrade are invited to safely dispose of household hazardous waste at a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event hosted by the Town of Readfield and the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments (KVCOG).

Date: Sunday, July 12th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Readfield Transfer Station, 14 Recycle Road, Readfield, ME

Accepted materials include:
• Batteries of all types
• Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and other unwanted fuels
• Household cleaners and chemicals
• Antifreeze and pesticides
• Fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)
• Paint and paint-related products

Pre-registration is required through your local Town Office. Participants will be assigned a designated arrival time. A limit of three units of waste per vehicle applies (one unit equals 5 gallons, 20 pounds, or a combination of the two).

Items not accepted include electronics, recyclables, textiles, trash, pharmaceuticals, commercial waste, explosives, ammunition, and asbestos-containing materials.

For more information, contact Karen Peterson at the Readfield Transfer Station at (207) 685-3144 or visit www.readfieldmaine.gov/transfer-station.

AUGUSTA, ME — United Way of Kennebec Valley (UWKV) is proud to announce Katie and Chris Doherty as co-chairs of the 2026 United Way campaign, launching this September. In this leadership role, the Dohertys will steward UWKV’s long-running community investment effort. As a couple deeply rooted in Kennebec Valley, they will serve as connectors, helping to bring people, businesses, and organizations together to fuel the collective effort behind this year’s campaign theme: “United is the Way.”