[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 194 (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING SIMPLY DIVINE BROWNIES

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, with the holiday season upon us, I 
rise today to recognize a Maine small business that operates with a 
philosophy of giving back to those in need. Simply Divine Brownies of 
Brunswick is a baker and distributor of gourmet brownies and assorted 
gift packages that recently received well-deserved attention for 
finishing second in Forbes magazine's Boost Your Business contest.
  Founded in November 2004 as a home business by Trina Beaulier, Simply 
Divine Brownies is a true treat for the taste buds. In just 3 years, 
the company has grown to 20 employees, including Trina's daughter 
Meggen, and now operates in Brunswick's historic Fort Andross Mill. Its 
gourmet brownies range from the chocolate and nut-filled brownies to 
the more eclectic cappuccino or peppermint frosted brownies. Seizing 
the opportunity to bring a creative twist to the epicurean world, 
Simply Divine produces brownies with a unique Maine accent. The 
Need'him is a chocolate and coconut brownie based on the needham, a 
traditional Maine cookie. And the Singin' the Blues consists of a 
chocolate brownie that is covered with blueberry buttercream frosting 
and topped with wild Maine blueberries. Simply Divine's brownies also 
come in a variety of shapes, such as Christmas trees, wedding cakes, 
and lobsters and even palm trees for those seeking a different climate. 
Remarkably, Simply Divine is also able to offer Reflection Brownies 
imprinted with a digital image of the client's choosing, as novel 
remembrances for special occasions.
  What makes the company so special--aside from its delicious baked 
goods--is what Trina and Meggen do to help the less fortunate. Seeking 
to use their skills to help others, they developed the Divine 
Intervention Brownie Collection. These specialty brownies come in the 
shape of hearts and stars, and after each purchase of one of these 
sets, Simply Divine donates a portion of the proceeds to Volunteers for 
America, a national nonprofit group that assists people of all ages in 
rebuilding their lives. Whether it be helping the homeless find safe 
and affordable housing, or aiding at-risk teens and those with mental 
illnesses, Volunteers for America helps over 2 million people in over 
400 communities, a task that it has successfully performed since 1896. 
Volunteers for America's philanthropic acts of kindness and compassion 
are admirable, and at this time of year, we can be particularly 
thankful for the work that Simply Divine Brownies and other businesses 
like it do to make these programs a reality.
  For all their hard work and success, the Beauliers have been 
celebrated in various capacities over the past several years. Their 
brownies have been cited as the Snack of the Day on the ``Rachel Ray 
Show'' and have also been featured on NBC's ``Today's Show.'' Most 
recently, and perhaps most prominently, Simply Divine came in second in 
online voting for a Forbes magazine contest to receive a financial 
assistance package to grow its business. They beat out nearly 1,000 
other small companies to place in the final round. Having to create a 
forward-looking business plan for the contest has been of tremendous 
benefit to the Beauliers, who say that their newfound knowledge, 
combined with increased sales and peaked interest in the company, has 
allowed them to forge ahead with their planned expansion.
  In the past 3 years, Simply Divine Brownies has made a name for 
itself. As a family-owned small business that has flourished and 
continues to receive accolades of the highest accord, Simply Divine's 
growth certainly has not gone unnoticed. Yet, through it all, the 
Beauliers and the employees at Simply Divine have found the will and 
desire to make a difference, and they are to be commended for their 
insatiable appetite to brighten the lives of others. I wish Trina and 
Meggen Beaulier and everyone at Simply Divine Brownies a happy holiday 
season, and continued success in the years to come.

                          ____________________