BETHEL – Northeast Bank and Insurance Group partnered with the Boy Scouts of America in a “Whistle-Stop Tour” of seven central and western Maine locations on May 27.

The tour began at the Bethel branch at 9 a.m. where Eagle Scout Nicholas Kingsbury of Troop 565 recognized the Rotary of Bethel for its scouting contributions, represented by Mike Steven, club president.

At the Mexico insurance office, the Rumford Eagles were presented a plaque for support. Richard Welch, a member and leader of Scout Troop 580, received the award.

In Buckfield, Auburn Mayor John Jenkins gave a brief speech encouraging branch staff, Scouts and members of the Buckfield Community Church to continue to provide value to the community.

At 1:30 p.m. in South Paris, Life Scout Justin Cummings of Troop 130 presented Suzanne Grover of Grover Gundrilling a plaque acknowledging consistent support of scouting.

Hal Bumby of Maine Wood Treaters in Mechanic Falls received recognition for ongoing support, presented by Scout Leader Doug Santos and his son, Nicholas, of Pack 139.

Craig Phillips of the Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis, Dr. Thomas Shields and Bethel Shields were honored for their support of scouting at the Center Street location in Auburn.

The tour concluded after hours at the Lisbon Street branch with a presentation by Life Scout Mike Paradis of Troop 007, Eagle Scout and Venturer Nick Bouyea of Crew 116, and Eagle Scout and Sea Scout Lee Morin of Ship 741, to Industrial Roofing Corp. representative John St. Hilaire for outstanding support of the 2009 Friends of Scouting Campaign.

The 2009 Friends of Scouting Campaign total stands at $19,833, just under two-thirds of the $30,000 combined family and community campaigns.