Sweet Taste of Maine
photos: (top) courtesy of l.l. bean; (righjt) courtesy of emcc
Skowhegan: No one turns Maine into a sweet tasting treat better than Skowhegan-based Gifford’s Ice Cream. With flavors like Maine Wild Blueberry, Moose Tracks, Maine Black Bear, Maine Deer Tracks, and Maine Maple Walnut, Gifford’s puts smiles on Mainers’ and tourists’ faces with every cone, cup, and sundae. In honor of L.L. Bean’s 100th Anniversary this year, they wanted to create something special to commemorate the event. The outdoor retailer turned to Gifford’s Ice Cream to help create a new special edition flavor for 2012 called Muddy Bean Boots. “When L.L. Bean asked us to help them celebrate 100 years, we quickly realized that this flavor should pay tribute to the company’s iconic product—L.L. Bean Boots,” says Lindsay Gifford-Skilling, Gifford’s vice president of sales. “My entire family has grown up wearing Bean boots—focusing on them was the only way to go!” The flavor combines Gifford’s award-winning Old-Fashioned Vanilla ice cream with sweet caramel ripple and rich chocolate brownie bites. Is your mouth watering yet? “L.L. Bean and Gifford’s share many of the same qualities,” says Kelly Warsky, L.L. Bean’s partnership marketing manager.
March Madness at EMCC
“They are both family owned, Maine companies that take pride in producing a quality product right here in Maine.” Part of the proceeds from the sale of Muddy Bean Boots ice cream will help support Healthy Hometowns, a Maine-based nonprofit that engages young people and their families in an active, healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation.
Bangor: March Madness was brought close to home this spring when the Eastern Maine Community College men’s basketball team hit the road for the 2012 National Championships. The team has been to the big dance twice before—in 1992 and 2002. This year marked the first time the school made it to the National Championships as part of the Yankee Small College Conference and the U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Golden Eagles finished as the YSCC regular season champions with an overall record of 18–4. “We entered Nationals as the sixth seed, which put us up against the defending champions, third ranked Andrews University out of Berrien Springs, Michigan,” says EMCC athletic director, Kent Corey. Andrews University went on to clinch the title. The secret to this small school’s success? Coach Steve Rich, who is in his third year as head coach. “Coach Rich has put great efforts into finding the right individuals who are willing to put in the effort both on the floor and in the classroom,” Corey says. “We are hoping that this team has set the environment for the future, not only for the men’s basketball program but for women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, golf, and our new baseball and softball programs.” While the Golden Eagles have had a very successful year, the program is preparing for the loss of a core group of players who will be graduating as well as transferring to a four-year institution to earn their bachelor’s degree. “We are expecting to see many of these young men playing for a NCAA Division II or III college or university next year,” Corey says. “Winning is great, but it’s even better to see each student athlete achieve their goals in life.” www.bangormetro.com Bangor Metro / 7