Meteorologist
BANGOR — NEWS CENTER announced that Todd Gutner will be returning to the television station. Gutner began his broadcast meteorology career at News Center in 2000 as a weekend meteorologist. He held that position until 2007 when he went to Boston to work for WBZ. From 2007 to August 2014, Gutner held several positions at WBZ including Monday through Friday evening and morning duties. He had a weekly gardening segment called “Gardening with Gutner,” in which he and local gardening experts demonstrated various home gardening techniques. He also was involved in the community, visiting hundreds of elementary schools.
Gutner will appear on multiple newscasts throughout the week. He will become the regular meteorologist on NEWS CENTER’s Morning Report starting Monday, Oct. 13. Kevin Mannix will slide his schedule to cover weekdays. Joe Cupo will cover weekday evenings and NEWS CENTER at 11p.m. Tom Johnston and AJ Burnett will beon air weekend mornings and evenings respectively. Steve McKay will watch the skies in Bangor on weekday evenings.
Grant awarded
ORLAND — The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation recently awarded WERU a $2,000 grant to be used for the creation of a new “web portal” for online and mobile delivery of the radio station’s content, such as archival radio programs, news about community issues, local arts and cultural offerings and more.
WERU is a noncommercial grassroots media organization that broadcasts at 89.9 Blue Hill and 99.9 Bangor, with studio and offices in East Orland. It broadcasts a wide variety of music and public affairs programs produced largely by volunteers. The station has been in existence for more than 26 years.
For information about WERU-FM Community Radio visit weru.org, e-mail info@weru.org or call 469-6600.
Maine Beef Conference
BANGOR — The Maine Beef Producers Association will hold its 25th annual Beef Conference 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Ramada Inn, 357 Odlin Road. The association and the Maine Grass Farmers Network will host the conference with sponsors University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Industry sponsors will include National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Maine Beef Industry Council.
Keynote speaker Dr. Bobbi Lorenz, beef nutritionist-distillers grain marketer, of Cornhusker Energy in Nebraska, will talk about the effect of prepartum nutrition on a farm’s bottom line. Other speakers will include Curt Pate a stockmanship instructor for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Stockmanship and Stewardship Tour. He will talk about the critical role proper handling plays in increasing consumers’ confidence. Darren Williams, senior executive director for NCBA Communications will speak on how to be a beef advocate and how to handle interviews on a wide variety of subjects. These three speakers will have a panel discussion at the end of the day to talk about the beef industry.
Ellis Additon will give an update from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. A panel of producers and processors will talk about social media and the role and importance in promoting a business. Participants will have an opportunity to share at least one thing they have done to add value to their farm. Attendees are encouraged to bring photographs, marketing tools, building or corral layouts.
Nonmember registration, including lunch, is $60 for the first farm representative, $40 to any others from that farm.
To register or for information, contact Melissa Libby at 800-287-7170 in Maine or 207-581-2788 outside of Maine or go to extension.umaine.edu/livestock/beef.
Business workshops
BANGOR — Eastern Maine Development Corporation and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension are gathering some of the region’s best marketing minds to share insights and experiences with business owners 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, beginning Oct. 16, at EMDC’s office, 40 Harlow St. Marketing for Business Success: Strategies to Improve the Bottom Line is a four workshop series designed to help businesses use multiple marketing platforms to increase awareness and sales. A light meal will be included.
The first session, “Marketing Pathways for Business Success” will be led by Jim McConnon of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
There is a $10 per person, per workshop, charge. Sign up at emdc.org/events.