Five-O brunch raises over $10,000 for Frannie Peabody Center

Jimmy Lucibello and Donato Tramuto

The dining room was buzzing with activity at Five-O on Sunday, Feb. 19, as local residents and visitors turned out to enjoy brunch and support the Frannie Peabody Center.

Jeffrey Porter, Five-O’s owner and president and board member for the Frannie Peabody Center, said there were nearly double the amount of people for this year’s third annual event, with 153 diners as opposed to last year’s 77, which resulted in a met goal to raise over $10,000 for the organization best known for its contributions to HIV and AIDS prevention and services.

Significant funds were raised by the Donato J. Tramuto Foundation, the organization founded by Porter’s partner in life and business Donato Tramuto, which contributed $50 per brunch diner and $100 for every diner who contributed their own donation to the Frannie Peabody Center.

Tramuto said the Tramuto Foundation hopes to serve more local organizations and the decision to donate to the Frannie Peabody Center was well-supported by board members.

Mark Register, president and development committee chair for the Frannie Peabody Center, said the fundraising efforts at Five-O will have a direct influence on the success of the Center.

“During this very tedious time regarding the state of Maine, and non-profit organizations, this fundraising success will ensure that the Frannie Peabody Center will be able to accomplish some of its important objectives, especially around prevention of HIV transmission in the state of Maine,” Register said.

Register added that the importance of the Fannie Peabody Center is it “sets the bar for how an AIDS support organization is supposed to function.”

“They provide prevention and support services to Ogunquit and surrounding communities throughout southern Maine,” Register explained. “The Frannie Peabody Center also brings the community together through important fundraising efforts like this.”

Jeffrey Porter and Normand Paquin

Cheryl Staff, an Ogunquit resident and board member for the Tramuto Foundation, said she brought a table of ten friends to enjoy the brunch.

“They do a lot of great things and help everyone in the community,” Staff said of the Frannie Peabody Center.

Wait staff at Five-O barely had a moment to spare as they happily hurried between tables to accommodate guests and usher in patrons as they arrived at the event Porter admitted “exceeded our expectations.”

“Everyone seemed to be really happy with their food. Several commented that it was the best brunch they’ve had in a while,” Porter said. “We were thrilled by the support of the community. We were pleased that Norm and members of the Mainestreet team came in along with Jimmy Lucibello from The Abalonia and supported the Frannie Peabody Center.”

From his seat in the dining room, Lucibello, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1989 and helped transform the Frannie Peabody Center from an unknown organization to a prominent and thriving community-supported non-profit, joked that he attended the brunch for the food.

“I came for the French toast and Bloody Marys,” Lucibello quipped.

Jimmy Lucibello shows off his plate of French toast.

More seriously, Lucibello said he enjoyed the camaraderie among familiar faces who attended the event. 

“Instead of writing a check, it brings the community together. It shows the HIV community that we’re here for you and we support you,” Lucibello said. “It’s a boost and it makes you more comfortable in your community.”

Normand Paquin, owner of Mainestreet, said the Frannie Peabody Center is his favorite organization.

“What they provide to the community, what their presence means to southern Maine. The Frannie Peabody Center is the one providing services in Maine,” Paquin said of why he has supported the Center’s efforts.  “We want to be part of their presence.”

Paquin mirrored Register’s gratitude to Porter and Tramuto for their efforts within the Ogunquit community and for the Frannie Peabody Center.

“Many thanks to Jeff and Donato and the foundation that made this event possible and so successful,” Register said. “Jeff Porter has proven to be a very dedicated and important member of the FPC board and his involvement and reach has certainly made an impact. This is just one example.”

And as patrons happily chatted, laughed and enjoyed their meals, guest Brian Linden possibly best captured the morning’s mission.

“It’s good food and good drinks for a good cause,” Linden said. 

Bryan Wilson, Jimmy Lucibello, Brian Linden

Leanne Cusimano, Tramuto Foundation board member and Ogunquit business owner

Normand Paquin, Tyler Rioux, Eddie Gayhart

Bread and Roses Bakery launches special weekend hours

Mary Breen, owner of Bread and Roses Bakery.

On Saturday, the sweet scent of cinnamon buns and freshly brewed coffee will be wafting down Main Street once again as Bread and Roses Bakery reopens their doors for an early start to the season.

With newly added limited winter hours, starting this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 18 and 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., owner Mary Breen said it was a quick and unexpected decision to reopen for weekend hours.

“I got home from vacation at 2 a.m. on Monday and we made the decision by 4 p.m.,” Breen said. “It was unexpected but I have such an awesome team and they are behind me.”

Noting that the mild winter weather played a key influence in the decision, Breen said she is often approached by locals and visitors asking for the bakery’s 2012 hours.

“People ask me every time I am out in town,” she admitted. “We are ready and why not give it a try?”

After selling over 15,000 cupcakes last season, there’s little surprise that one of the limited weekend offerings will include a variety of cupcakes.

Other items expected to be offered include muffins, scones, a type of sticky bun or brioche, cinnamon butter puffs, whoopee pies, cookies, and possibly even an apple pie or chocolate cake.

And don’t forget the coffee, cappuccinos and lattes.

“We are proud to serve Carpe Diem Coffee. It’s very local and very fresh. I order my beans on Monday. They roast on Tuesday and are delivered on Wednesday. The coffee is so good,” Breen said.

With the full season opening on April 7, with hours extending from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and later as the weather improves and summer draws nearer, Breen said there are a few loose ends that still need to be tied.

“We are wrapping up a few projects that we didn't finish with our big renovation last year. We had to refinish the floors because the guy who did it last year really botched it. We are refinishing a few counter tops in stainless steel. We are also rebuilding our computer system,” Breen said. “These things will take place during the weekdays over the next few weeks.”

But even with the soft winter weekend hours, Breen warned that the new hours for Bread and Roses will be influenced by the weather.

“I would like to say that these weekend hours are weather permitting. If the forecast is grim, we aren’t going to open. It costs $500 to open the door, I can’t bear to make all the food and have to throw it away because of bad weather,” Breen said. “So be warned.”

Additionally, the bakery will be closed on March 9 and 10 while the staff attends a coffee convention.

With sunshine in the forecast and as the anticipation to enjoy favorite baked goods grows, Breen said she’s looking forward to serving the Ogunquit community and visitors once again.

“We are looking forward to seeing friends and catching up,” Breen said. “We strive to create an experience that is more than the great baked goods or the coffee. We want to be your great place.”

Bread and Roses Bakery is located at 246 Main Street in Ogunquit. To read more about the bakery, visit www.breadandrosesbakery.com.

Ogunquit kids make valentines for community members

Mary Maren-Maxon shows off her Valentine's Day box.

With glitter, construction paper, and a whole lot of energy, preschool students decorated valentines for friends and some of Ogunquit’s senior residents on Monday, Feb. 13.

In lieu of the traditional “toddler time”, held every Monday afternoon at the Dunaway Center, Ogunquit Parks and Rec Director Jennifer Ewing said the children were making Valentine’s Day boxes and cards for residents who receive assistance from the Ogunquit Police Department’s “Good Morning Program.”

“It’s nice to give them a little something, we thought it would be a fun idea,” Ewing said of the project.

Sisters Kelsey and Hailey Ewing make valentines.

Erin Latuplippe, Chairwoman for the Parks and Rec Dept., said one of the Rec Dept.’s missions is trying to bridge the gap between children and community service. 

With approximately 25 toddlers running around and swapping ideas on how to place stickers or sign their name with glitter pens, there was much excitement over the pending holiday.

Preschooler Angelina DeMarco, a resident of Ogunquit, said she’s excited to show her friends and family how much she loves them by passing out Valentine’s Day cards.

“Valentine’s Day is a special holiday because you give valentines,” DeMarco said. “I’m going to have a class party and we’re going to sing and give presents.”

As she put the final touches on her Valentine’s Day box, Mary Maren-Maxon said she was also excited to give out cards and candy to friends.

“It’s a special day because you give valentines out,” Maren-Maxon said. “It’s special because they’re from your friends.” 

Sisters Paige and Leah Jarochym dress festively for Valentine's Day.

Standing beside her younger sister, Paige, and her mom, Linda, Leah Jarochym said she already gave out her first valentine of the year as a Birthday gift.

“We made Valentine’s Day cards, I put hearts on them and wrote my name on it and I gave it to my grandpa. And he said, ‘This is the best Birthday ever’,” Jarochym beamed.

Explaining that Valentine’s Day is “about hearts” and “hearts are love”, Jarochym said her favorite part of Feb. 14 is showing her family how much she loves them.

“My favorite part is I give my mommy hugs and kisses,” she said.