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February 20, 2008
Portland a Finalist in Bushmills, Ireland Twin City Contest
Local nonprofit group, Maine Share Our Strength, and City to receive $40,000 if named winner
PORTLAND, Maine – This month, the City of Portland was named a finalist in the Bushmills Twin City Competition. Portland is one of three finalists and will be competing against Louisville, Kentucky and Boston, Massachusetts.
Local chef, Jeff Landry, nominated the City on behalf of the nonprofit group, Southern Maine Share Our Strength, an all volunteer chapter of Share Our Strength (the nation’s leading organization working to end childhood hunger in America). Landry is Executive Chef at Portland Harbor Hotel's Eve at the Garden Restaurant, and the current Maine Restaurant Association Chef of the Year.
If Portland is selected as Bushmills Twin City in the US, both Southern Maine Share Our Strength (SOS) and the City will receive $20,000 grants. The SOS grant will be distributed to local programs focused on ending childhood hunger in Maine. The City’s grant will be used for local responsible drinking programs.
“We are very excited to be named as a finalist,” stated Mayor Ed Suslovic. “Portland’s connection to Ireland dates back to our settlement and it would be fitting to be named Bushmills Twin City. We share many of the same values; a great sense of pride in our community, a commitment to hospitality, and an unbeatable sense of humor.”
Bushmills sits on the north coast of Ireland in County Antrim and is home to Bushmills Irish Whiskey. 2008 marks the 400th anniversary of the region of Bushmills receiving a license to distill, and the Bushmills Twin City contest is a part of the celebration.
The city receiving the most online votes between now and March 17th will be chosen as the winner. People can vote for Portland at: www.bushmills400years.com . Voters must be at least twenty-one, legal purchase age, to participate.
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