InTouch
Monthly Newsletter· March 2015
52nd Annual Awards Dinner
Thursday, April 30, 2015 Waterville Elks Banquet & Conference Center 5PM Social Hour - 6PM Dinner & Award Presentations
Distinguished Community Service Award Lucille Zelenkewich
Elias A. Joseph Award Gary Poulin EZ to Use.Com
Business Person of the Year Ryan Poulin New Dimensions Federal Credit Union
Business of the Year The Giguere Group
Outstanding Professional Tammy Rabideau Waterville Public Library
Community Service Project of the Year Colby Art Museum
Rising Star Award Holly Towle KFS and Habitat for Humanity
Customer Service Stardom Award June L’Heureux Waterville Maine Street
Thanks to our major sponsors:
Contact Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce to reserve your tickets! Tables may be reserved for parties of ten. Contact Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce at 873-3315 or programs@midmainechamber.com.
50 ELM STREET, WATERVILLE, ME 04901 • TEL: (207) 873-3315 • FAX: (207) 877-0087 customerservice@midmainechamber.com • www.midmainechamber.com Jeff Corey, Chair of the Board • Kimberly N. Lindlof, President & CEO
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2015 Business to Business Showcase March 26, 2015 12:00PM - 6:00PM Colby College Field House Still Time to get a Booth! REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2015 BUSINESS TO BUSINESS SHOWCASE! This mega networking event is the PERFECT place for you to showcase your business, sign new business and get leads! With over 150 vendors and 2000+ people in attendance, you will have the perfect opportunity to market your products or services to a qualified audience! See the enclosed insert and grab your booth spot today!
Midmaineb2b.com
Business After Hours March 18, 2015 MaineGeneral Medical Center Thayer Center for Health 149 North St, Waterville
5:30 to 7PM 50/50 Sponsor: Sponsored by:
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, fabulous door prizes, 50/50 raffle & more! WATERVILLE Healthy People of the Kennebec Valley Quarterly Article Kennebec Technologies Becoming Wellness Champions At Kennebec Technologies we have aggressive, employee driven safety and wellness programs which benefit our bottom line and are fully supported by senior management. Our safety program has been in place for many years and it has resulted in a consistently low rate of injuries and a performance discount of 35%. With that as a model we approached wellness. We can’t control the insurance market, but if our claims are less it opens up the possibility of competitive pricing but that is a secondary benefit. Our Core Values stress respect for balance in our employee’s lives and in their careers at Kennebec Technologies and the wellness program supports both. Our initial HRA and biometrics screenings at the inception of our wellness program indicated that as a group we were at high risk of having potentially very serious medical conditions, many that were preventable. In confidential one-on-one meetings with our health coach, risk factors ere discussed and individuals developed
their own unique personal health goals which are now tracked as often as monthly. What changed? Everyone is coming to realize that each of us has the opportunity to positively impact our own health, often with relatively small changes. Over 90% of our employees voluntarily participate in the wellness program, all are rewarded for participating and the results have been dramatic. In 2010 when we started, 35% our employees were at high risk and 26 % were at low risk. Today 8% are high risk and 43% are low risk. As with life, this is a work in progress and the results are even better than we hoped. We now have an active wellness team which plans events throughout the year to keep everyone engaged and we even have our own employee planned and tended organic garden which produces fresh vegetables all summer. All in all, we have become Wellness Champions.
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Significant Tax Credits Available to Maine Residents Who Graduated From College in Maine Signed into legislation in 2007, the Educational Opportunity Tax Credit (EOTC) is one of the boldest college affordability initiatives in the nation. This program can provide significant tax benefits to Maine residents who have earned a college degree in Maine and continue to live and work in the state. “The EOTC can provide individuals who earned an associate’s degree from a Maine college or university nearly $800 in yearly State income tax credits and over $4,000 for a bachelor’s degree,” Brown explained. “Savings of that magnitude can remove a major financial barrier for those who thought going to college was out of their reach.” “While many residents qualify for this valuable tax relief, many are not aware of the program and have not applied,” stated Senator Justin Alfond, Treasurer and Founding Member of Opportunity Maine. “We want to change that. This generous initiative is unique in that it funnels the benefits of the program, increased investments in higher education, directly to Maine workers. And those savings can assist Maine residents in better preparing themselves for jobs of the future,” Alfond expanded. The program also includes a business level component as well, allowing companies that pay their employee’s student loans as an employee benefit to claim credit for those payments on their business taxes. This provides an attractive employee and business benefit, which may spur more organizations to support their employees in pursuing higher education.
“My Favorite Thing”... Is a new segment for the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce newsletter. We would like to hear from our Chamber members what your “Favorite Thing” is regarding another Chamber member. It could be about the new lawnmower you just got, an event or service. Send us an e-mail and we will put them in the monthly newsletter. E-mail: customerservice@midmainechamber.com. Send your photo too, if you can! A Few of Our Favorite Things... Jackie Dalton—REM. “When I am walking on Main Str eet, I love to see all the dogs walking out of Loyal Biscuit with their new toys. It puts a smile on my face!” Ellen Wells– Inland Hospital. “I just love Quarry Road Recreation Area! This beautiful area is helping to improve our community’s health and at the same time, giving our local economy a boost too! ” JOSEPH B. EZHAYA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Joe Ezhaya was a community leader who distinguished himself with his warmth, enthusiasm, generosity and particularly, his friendships. Successful candidates for this scholarship should share Joe’s interest in citizenship, community service and exemplify his spirit and vitality. Applicants must:
Be currently attending a Mid-Maine Chamber area high school: Lawrence, Winslow, Mt. View, Waterville, Messalonskee, MCI or Erskine
Maintain an academic average of a “C” or better
Must complete a required essay on citizenship
Must show evidence of community service and involvement
Be enrolled in an accredited New England College or University
The scholarship committee has determined that:
To help increase understanding and awareness of the program, Opportunity Maine recently revamped its website with updated program details, answers to frequently asked questions, and helpful resource links.
The annual selection committee will be selected by an established committee of the Chamber to include no less than one member of the Ezhaya family.
The Chamber will mail out the scholarship announcement with criteria to all Chamber area high school guidance counselors each year.
For more information on the Educational Opportunity Tax Credit, visit www.opportunitymaine.org, email info@opportunitymaine.org, or call 800-922-6352. Information on filing Maine state income taxes can be found at www.maine.gov/revenue.
The scholarship will be given upon completion of the 1 st college semester with a grade point achievement of 2.0 or better. Deadline is April 24, 2015—To download an application: www.midmainechamber.com/cms/index.php/for-members/joseph-b-ezhayamemorial-scholarship?device=xhtml
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860-bc1a-11e2-8242d4ae528eaba9&ch=629d6530-bc1a-11e2-8242 -d4ae528eaba9 March 2-5:30PM –8:30PM, Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, facilitator tr aining for their grieving children’s program, Hope’s Place. FMI: 873-3615 jroy@hvwa
March 11– 10:00AM—2:00PM, Thomas College Car eer Fair . FMI: www.conta.cc/1seiaiA or contact Diane Anderson at 859-1464 or andersond@thomas.edu.
March 4-2:15PM –1:30PM, The Maine Heritage Policy Center luncheon with Gover nor Paul LePage. Cross Insurance Center, Bangor. Register online: www.eventbrite.com/e/bangor -luncheon-with-governor-paul-r-lepage-tickets -15668434710
March 11-8:30AM-12:00PM, Training workshop on Business Planning and Introduction to Financial Statements . The Renaissance Center, 60 Water Street, Skowhegan. FMI: Jim Batey at 474-0166 or jimbatey@myfairpoint.net.
March 6– Railroad Square Cinema will be airing: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. FMI: For times 873-6526 or www.railroadsquarecinema.com
March 11-7:30AM-9:30AM KVHRA breakfast meeting at O’Brien’s Restaurant, Waterville. Maine Legislative Update presented by Peter M. Gore. FMI: www.kvhra.shrm.org
March 7-8:00PM, Waterville Opera House presents Paula Poundstone. FMI: www.operahouse.org/Events/MusicComedy March 10-7:00AM—11:00AM, CEI will host its 37th Annual Meeting at Bowdoin College's Thorne Dining Hall, buffet breakfast and a keynote address by bestselling author Jeremy Rifkin, who will present live via video from Europe on The Internet of Things, Energy, and Future Economies. Register today for a lively conversation about technology and opportunity: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ceis-37thannual-breakfast-meeting-the-internet-ofthings-energy-and-future-economies-tickets15327727646?aff=eac2 Spring Job Fairs Scheduled Around the State Maine Department of Labor www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/article.s html?id=635194
March 12-5:30PM –7:00PM, MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta. A Fr ee Event: Making Your Favorite Recipes Healthier. FMI: www.mainegeneral.org/Pages/ENRS/ EventsSearchResult.aspx
March 17-1:00PM –2:00PM, HGHW Parenting Series. Mother-Daughter Book Clubs. FMI: 861-8131 or info@hghw.org or www.hghw.org March 17 –7:00PM, Colby College, Environmental Studies Program Evening Lecture Series: Are GMOs Safe? What the Science Tells Us. FMI: www.colby.edu/events/es-eveninglecture-are-gmos-safe-what-the-science-tellsus-dr-sheldon March 20–6PM– KVCC Foundation 9th Annual Jazz Gala. KVCC Carter Hall, Fairfield. FMI: www.kvcc.me.edu/pages/foundation/gala March 21-7:30 PM, Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter “Red Car pet Event”. Will be held at Colby College-Page Commons. $100.00 per couple. FMI: wtd54@yahoo.com
March 24-1:00PM-2:00PM, HGHW Parenting March 15 -2:00PM-4:00PM, REM Community Series. Raising Culturally Competent Children. Volunteer Award Ceremony. FMI: www.rem- FMI: 861-8131 or info@hghw.org or www.hghw.org wtvl.net/rem-awards-march-15-2015 March 11–1:00PM –2:00PM, HGHW Parenting Series. Activism for You and Your Family. FMI: 861-8131 or info@hghw.org or www.hghw.org March 13-7:30AM-9:30AM, Workplace Health Friday Forum for Employers. MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta. March program will feature Joel Allumbaugh, CEO of National Worksite Benefits Group. FMI: www.events.r20.constantcontact.com/ register/eventReg? oeidk=a07eakzr562326bf7ed&oseq=&c=6298f
March 28–9:00AM-2:00PM, Inland Hospital’s 18th annual Wor ld of Women’s Wellness. Held at Thomas College, Waterville. FMI: www.inlandhospital.org/Events/ Calendar/2015-Events/18th-annual-World-ofWomen-s-Wellness.aspx March 28–8:00PM-Waterville Opera House presents Juston McKinney. FMI: www.operahouse.org/Events/MusicComedy
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Adams Realty Lucas Adams 445-4323 302 Route 3, China www.adamsrealtyme.com Axtell Acupuncture Issac Axtell 395-6101 13 Libby Hill Road, Oakland www.axtellacupuncture.com Bacon Farm Maple Products LLC Shelley & Kevin Bacon 547-5053 1427 Pond Road, Sidney www.baconfarmmaple.com
NWBG welcomes Chuck Luce as benefit specialist. The newest member of our team, Chuck brings a quarter-century of experience in financial services, sales, marketing and customer service. He has particular expertise in corporate knowledge management systems and procedures, and will bring a renewed focus on customer relationship management to National Worksite Benefit Group.
Boucher’s Meats Alan Boucher 873-3671 715 Benton Avenue, Winslow
Waterville Creates! welcomes Nate Rudy as their executive director.
GO Tubing Inc. Kevin Gower 445-4450 60 Alder Park Rd, South China www.gotubingmaine.com
Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate employee awards for 2014. Congratulations! Beth Satow was recognized for having been with the company for 20 years. Diamond Society: Kim Hawkes, Lisa MacKenzie, Betty Natole Mills, Pam Natole. President’s Circle: Rachel Anderson, Steve Roy. Broker of the Year Steve Roy. Most Improved in Sales: Lisa McKenzie. Rookie of the Year: Terry Spenard-Church. Team Player of the Year: Terry SpenardChurch.
Douglas Cutchin 453-9220 Sponsor Michael Roderigue Financial Services Michael Roderigue 453-5200 43 Western Avenue, Fairfield www.mikeroderiguefinancial.com Pillars Community Outreach Inc. Christopher Money 616-0278 11 School Street, Apt. 1, Waterville www.pillarscommunityoutreach.org Spectrum Property Management LLC Jayne Roberge 716-1096 58 Main Street, Oakland www.spectrum09.com Waterville Creates! Nate Rudy 616-0292 93 Main Street, Suite 201, Waterville www.watervillecreates.org Wiswell Electric, INC. Kevin & Naomi Wiswell 426-3789 17 Pleasant Street, Clinton www.wiswellelectric.com Women’s Initiative Martha Dempski 93 Main Street, Waterville www.womensinitiativeme.org
Join Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and its members at Meet The Reps events! These events have been formed to induce and prolong communication between business leaders and other professionals with their local, state and federal government officials. Hosted by Hampton Inn at 425 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville March 12, 2015 5:30 - 7:00 PM Complimentary hors d' oeuvres, beer & wine provided. Thank you to our sponsor, Eagle Rental!
Workforce Practitioners meeting held January 29th at Educare in Waterville.
Track proposed legislation: Legisative Documents www.maine.gov/legis/lio/publications. htm
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Be A Goal Getter Not Just A Goal Setter
by William McPeck Beginning in late December, extending into early January, our inboxes Business Expansion & Retenare flooded with promises that “This is Your Year!”. Newsletters, articles Tues., Mar. 3 8:00 AM tion and blog posts are filled with tips to make this “Your Best Year Ever!”. Chamber Boardroom Most often by March though, New Year resolutions have gone by the Information Services—Jewel wayside. Even if instead of resolutions you have set some goals, chance Thurs., Mar. 5 12:00 PM of India are high you are no longer actively pursuing them. Success involves more than setting a goal. Public Policy Fri., Mar. 6 7:30 AM So what is going on here? Where is the disconnect? Chamber Boardroom Just because things never seem to work out, that doesn’t mean you Executive Committee should stop hoping or dreaming. It just may mean that a shift in strategy Fri., Mar. 20 7:30 AM Chamber Boardroom may be in order. It just may mean you need some support in creating the plan you need to make your hopes and dreams a reality. A dream is where Fri., Mar. 27 7:30 AM Board of Directors it all begins. Chances are high that you have tried and failed to accomplish the goals Membership Committee 8:00 AM you have set in the past. You may have even failed at goals that may have Wed., Mar. 25 Chamber Boardroom even been really meaningful to you. Just remember that you are not alone. Success involves more than just setting a goal. Success involves goal setting and goal getting. March 8 : Business Breakfast Series -Generating Business Through Social Media Marketing The 5 Keys To Goal Getting Success Nationally recognized, Maine-based, social Successful goal getters have these are 5 characmedia marketing expert Katrina Crowell, Flyte teristics in common. New Media, shows you how to find, engage, Key #1: Successful goal getters believe in and commit wholeheartedly to and ultimately sell through social media. To their goals. Their goals are not just random or feel good goals. Their goals register; 873-3315 or customerservare not just wishes or random ideas that will eventually fall away. Their ice@midmainechamber.com goals are neither vague nor unattainable. Key #2: Successful goal getters understand that failure is a natural part March 12: Meet the Reps of life. They let go of the past so they can fully embrace the future. Goal Hampton Inn, Waterville getters accept the interplay between failure and success. Goal getters rec5:30PM to 7:00PM ognize that failure is part of the success process. Key #3: Successful goal getters set clear, specific goals aligned with March 18: Business After Hours their beliefs, core values and life purpose. Their goals will help them to MaineGeneral Medical Center - Thayer Center for Health stay on track to achieving their bigger vision each and every day. Their 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM goals inspire, excite and move them in new and exciting ways. Goal get149 North Street, Waterville ters find they don’t just meet their goals, they are actually bettered by A great opportunity to mix and mingle with them. other business professionals and community Key #4: Successful goal getters have strong internal motivation. They leaders. Remember to bring plenty of are internally, rather than externally motivated to achieve the goal. Successful goal getters know their Big Why. They know why the goal is most business cards! important to them. Key #5: Successful goal getters understand that the time will never be March 26: Business to Business Showcase “just right” to begin. They start immediately to pursue their dreams, hopes Colby College Field House and goals. Goal getters are action takers. Goal setting and goal getting 4000 Mayflower Hill complement each other. Apply both to achieve your hopes and dreams. 12:00PM to 6:00PM
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Northern Stars Planetarium—Schedule your dates for 2015-16 now and save. Northern Stars Planetarium will raise its prices starting in September for the first time in 10 years. BUT . . . all schools that book a date for the 2015-16 school year before June 15, 2015, can enjoy this year's prices.
Paper Klip, with the help of Lysol & RB, is offering a Healthy Office Promotion! Purchase $100 in eligible products & earn $15.00 Gift Cards! Offer expires 6/30/15. FMI: jen@warrensofficesupplies.com .
Kinder Morgan presentation at Amici’s Cucina on incr easing Natural Gas Line capacity. PretiFlaherty hosted the event.
Loyal Biscuit is moving to 109 Main Str eet Huhtamaki of Water ville is the 2014 Maine in Waterville and will be opening at the new location on March 1. MEP Manufacturer of the Year. The Manufacturer of the Year Award is given each year to a Maine company that demonstrates the Business Breakfast Series -February leadership, vision and manufacturing excelHow Can Maine Businesses Thrive in the Economy of an Environmental Century? lence that characterize Next Generation ManDr. Stephen Mulkey, President of Unity College ufacturers. AT&T's grant-making arm has donated $200,000 to Cony High School in Augusta for a career prep program that seeks to address ME's so-called "skills gap." Jobs for Maine's Graduates, announced r ecently that it will administer the AT&T Aspire program, which will provide high school students with various career, training and educational opportunities over the next 2 years. The program will help students "develop and hone the type of workplace skills, such as communication and critical thinking, that are in demand in today's job market." Stop by Champions Fitness Club to see some of their new fitness equipment.
e-mail your people news, member news & calendar events to customerservice@midmainechamber.com by the 3rd Friday in March for our April InTouch newsletter.
Mid-Maine Chamber Mobile App As more and more people use their smartphones to consume and search for information, it's more important than ever to provide mobile technology. Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce's free mobile app is an exciting new tool to connect our members and help your business reach new customers.
Go to your app store, and search for Mid-Maine Chamber and download. It’s Free.
Available on Google’s Play Store for Android devices and also available on the Apple Store and Amazon!
If you don’t have a droid, ipone, ipad or kindle use QR Code below or go to http: app.midmainechamber.com.
50 Elm Street Waterville, ME 04901
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #146 Waterville, ME 04901
Change Service Requested
Page 8 Northern Stars Planetarium was founded in 1987 by John Meader of Fairfield. John began his career in 1979 as a student lecturer at the University of Maine Planetarium. After graduating he moved to Easton, Maine, to run the Malcolm Science Center’s planetarium from 1983 to 1988. Wanting to return to his roots, he bought a Starlab portable planetarium and moved to Fairfield. A Starlab planetarium is 16’ in diameter, 11’ tall, made of opaque nylon, and holds 30 students. It easily inflates with two fans and fits in a classroom, gymnasium, or library. To make a living, however, John had to present lots of shows. He started with seven different presentations varying in age levels and topics, then he gradually expanded his offerings. A greater variety of programs gave teachers more diverse offerings to match their curriculum while allowing John variety so he wasn’t presenting the same shows repeatedly. From basic star shows and solar system tours, John now presents shows on subjects such as
holds 65 students. Utilizing the larger dome, John reduced the number of shows he gave to 350 per year—while increasing the yearly attendance from 14,000 to more than 18,000 students. It created that magical economic balance where the schools spent less while Northern Stars earned more! Today, Northern Stars is moving away from analog technology such as slide projectors to digital technology that runs off a laptop. The stars are still projected with the same star projector, but the total equipment load is lighter. galaxies, comets, mythology, volcanoes, oceanography, geography, dinosaurs, birds, and even cellular biology. Currently, Northern Stars offers more than 25 different shows, all presented inside the dome.
It’s been a privilege to bring the stars to central Maine students for more than 28 years. John enjoys meeting young adults who are excited when their children get to go “into the bubble” and see a show, just like they did when they were young.
www.northern-stars.com In 1996, having worn out the first dome with an info@northern-stars.com average of more than 500 shows per year, Northern Stars purchased another 16’ dome as 207-453-7668 well as a newly introduced 22’ dome, which
Have some news you would like to share? Submit a short announcement to the Chamber office by the 3rd Friday of the prior month. Inserts are also available for $150 per month. Call 873-3315 or email customerservice@midmainechamber.com. Disclaimer: Mid-Maine Chamber’s InTouch newsletter is published monthly as a benefit to members and affiliates. All member news is compiled and submitted solely by our members; therefore, we reserve the right to omit and/or edit as appropriate and cannot guarantee complete accuracy of all announcements. Sponsorship inserts do not necessarily reflect the position of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce.