February InTouch Newsletter by Mid-Maine Chamber

InTouch

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2012

Business to Business Showcase

Highlights in this Issue: P. 2: From the President’s Chair

April 11, 2012

P. 3: 2011 BVP Year in Review

2:00-7:00 PM Alfond Youth Center 126 North Street, Waterville See Insert for Registration Information.

P. 5: Good Health = Good Business

P. 4: Member Events Calendar P. 8: Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s Centennial

Seminars and Events 2:00 - 3:00 PM: Marketing Roundtable Forum - - Join other businesses at one of our four tables to discuss how to use: QR Codes, LinkedIn, Facebook Intro & Facebook Advanced. There will be a facilitator at each table keeping the discussion to the topic identified, and sharing their own success within that area. Participants will have time to share ideas and network at four tables during the hour. The tables are an opportunity for any business professionals to ask questions and share feedback on marketing strategies they have tried or have concerns with. 3:30 - 5:00 PM: College Internship Fair - - Network with local college students that are looking for an internship. College students from Colby, KVCC and Thomas will be present. If your business can offer a paid/unpaid internship with a minimum of 10 hours per week, please join us. Contact Diane Anderson andersond@thomas.edu to reserve your booth. Sponsored by the Central Maine Growth Council. 5:30 - 7:00 PM: Business After Hours - - The trade show floor will culminate into a Business After Hours event complete with hors d’oeurves and beverages. Don’t miss this great opportunity to network with your fellow area business leaders. Business After Hours sponsored by Oxford Networks: Thank you to our 2012 Major Sponsors:

2012-2013 Living Better in Mid-Maine Guide Book Hot off the press, a copy will be mailed out to you soon. If you would like extra copies for your business call the chamber and reserve them today! 873-3315 or email biz.dev@midmainechamber.com A special thank you to our sponsors, SAPPI and Atkins Printing who made this publication possible.

49th Annual Awards Dinner Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Waterville Elks Banquet & Conference Center 5:00 PM Social Hour ~ 6:00 PM Dinner Watch for your invitation in the mail or call 873-3315 to reserve a seat. $50 Per Person or $500 for a table of ten. Thank you to our Major Sponsors: Inland Hospital & AT&T Video Sponsor: Oxford Networks Happy Hour Sponsor: Care & Comfort Home Modification Specialists of Maine

Congratulations to our Winners! Distinguished Community Service Award: Gilman “Gil” Pelletier Business Person of the Year: Pamela Kick, Pinnacle IT Business of the Year: Central Maine Disposal Outstanding Professional of the Year: Dr. Barbara Covey, Medical Director MaineGeneral SAFE Program Rising Star: Bruce Harrington, The Bank of Maine Customer Service Stardom: Darla Frost, Loan Officer KFS Community Service Project of the Year: Waterville Public Library

50 ELM STREET, WATERVILLE, ME 04901 • TEL: (207) 873-3315 • FAX: (207) 877-0087 info@midmainechamber.com • www.midmainechamber.com Nikki Desjardins, Chair of the Board • Kimberly N. Lindlof, President & CEO

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From the President’s Chair Mid-Maine Chamber board of directors and I are so thrilled to roll out a new Bowdoin Photography program in this, our centennial year. In March, we will host of first of our quarterly program, Leading Women. This will be a noontime luncheon at the Best Western Plus. Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield is our exclusive sponsor. The luncheon will be $20. Leading Women is intended to be more than just learning about a profession that a successful woman has embraced; Leading Women is intended to be mentoring, as the speaker reveals her path to success, the ups and downs, what worked and what did no work. The focus is on the unique opportunities, challenges and obstacles that women face. It's designed to allow attendees to network with each other, and to learn from one's colleagues as well as the presenter. We have a short list of exceptional women that we will invite to speak; if you have someone in mind, please drop me a line.

Business After Hours: Inland Hospital, Eastern Maine HomeCare & Kennebec Behavioral Health

Wednesday, Feb. 15 5:30-7:00 PM @ Inland Family Care 16 Concourse West, Waterville Sponsored by:

Complimentary Beer, wine, & hors d’oeuvres Door prizes, 50/50 raffle & other fabulous prizes! $100’s in Chamber Gift Certificates will be given away to one lucky winner in celebration of 100 years! Thank you to our 50/50 Sponsor:

Don’t forget to use up your Chamber Gift Certificates that you received over the Holidays! Also, take advantage of the great discounts with your Chamber Advantage card!

More details to come so stay tuned! Happy Valentine's Day.

Barbara Woodlee, President of KVCC, is speaking at the Blaine House press conference where the Alfond Foundation announced a $10.85 million gift to KVCC and Good Will-Hinckley, Maine’s First Charter School.

- Kimberly Scan with your smart phone QR code reader & save it for future reference!

Leading Women Luncheon Advantage Card Discounts List

www.centralmaine.com

Gift Certificate Program List

Legislation Tracker Concerned about the workings of state government? Want to keep track of legislation during the 125th Legislature’s Second Regular session? Maine.Gov let’s you do just that. Track the progress and scheduling online at maine.gov/legis/lio/publications.htm

27 Cool Street • Waterville, ME 04901 (207) 873-0721 • Fax (207) 877-2287 www.genesishcc.com Rehabilitation and Living Centers

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2011 BVP Year in Review By Darryl Sterling

Each year the Mid-Maine Chamber of Com-

from this year’s survey despite a challenging business climate: Median size of businesses visited: 49 employees. If 5 businesses with over 100 employees excluded, the mean declines to 14 employees. 15 businesses have been in the community for 20 years or more. 109 jobs were lost from 2008 2011; an average decrease of 2.7 employees per company. Sales comparisons from 2008 – 2011: 14 companies: increase in sales; 9 companies: the same; 6 companies: decrease in sales. Most companies feel that central Maine is a good place to do business but a struggling economy, lack of capital, high cost of energy and health care, high taxes, and regulatory burdens make it harder for local businesses to compete. Key workforce issue: Skills gap to hire qualified workers to fill jobs. Key marketing challenges/opportunities: Businesses need to cooperatively cross promote each other, do more shop local/customer loyalty campaigns, and better celebrate and publicize small successes that businesses are experiencing. In 2012, BAR expects to do 45 – 50 BVP visits utilizing a new survey form to better assess the needs of our businesses and effectively respond to achieve desired outcomes.

merce (MMCC) and the Central Maine Growth Council (CMGC) conduct a Business Visitation Program (BVP) facilitated by MMCC’s Business Attraction & Retention Committee (BAR) to determine the economic health and viability of our central Maine businesses and ways to effectively respond to the needs of local businesses. The process for gathering information for BVP is a face-to-face interview with individual businesses in which a confidential business assessment form is completed. The form addresses topics such as challenges/obstacles for success/ growth, future plans, workforce concerns, business climate, and public policy. Both MMCC and CMGC have a mission to stimulate local economic growth by working with our business community to grow and expand existing businesses. Primary objectives of the program include community support for local businesses, addressing individual business concerns, increasing the strength and competitiveness of local establishments, and assisting local/ regional economic development organizations with their strategic decision making. The tabulated results of the 2011 BVP information gathered are as follows: Darryl Sterling is the Executive Director for the 40 businesses were visited and interviewed by Central Maine Growth Council FMI: 680-7300, 18 Chamber Board members/volunteers. Kim dsterling@centralmaine.org Lindlof and I sat in on many of these visits and we wish to thank all the businesses and volunteers that participated! Several trends emerged

Did you know... If you are a 501(c)3 that there's a statute on the books requiring that you possess a fund-raising license if you raise money in the state of Maine? FMI: www.maine.gov/pfr/ professionallicensing/professions/ charitable

Tractor Supply Dennis Bonman 10 Kennedy Memorial Dr. Waterville, ME 04901 Phone: 877-7775 str1513@tractorsupply.com http://www.tractorsupply.com/ Lockharts Lawn Care & Critter Removal Justin Lockhart 293 Cushman Rd. Winslow, ME 04901 Phone: 314-3849 justdeerhuntin@aol.com http://lockhartscritter.com/ Kennebec Valley District, Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts Assc. Scott Verrill 131 Johnson Rd. Portland, ME 04102 Phone: 797-5252 x 27 strictly@megalink.net http://kv-scouts.org

100 Year Centennial Continued from page 8 Another story is people had to throw paper airplanes into open sun roofs and whoever got the airplane in from the furthest point won the car! I know I could have won that one! I think Mr. Gaunce has a good job because he gets to be the leader and it seems like he has fun all day--plus, HE GETS TO DRIVE ALL THE TIME! He says it's been very important to be a member of the Mid Maine Chamber of Commerce

Full Service Office Supplies Retail Store and Furniture Showroom in Downtown, Skowhegan

The Paper Klip New & Used Furniture A Local, Independent, FamilyOwned & Operated Company www.WarrensOfficeSuppplies.com 800.924.9006

because he unites with other businesses and they all help each other make Waterville a great city to live and do business in. His company has been a member for many years. If I could buy a car, I would get a Toyota because they have some that are good for the environment and look really cool and can get up to high speeds easily. I would buy it at CMM because they are so nice to their customers.

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Feb 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29: 5:30 pm Snowshoeing/ Winter Hiking at Inland Woods/Pine Ridge Trails Stay active this winter! Join us for a weekly outing on the trails to enjoy quality time with friends in the outdoors. All are welcome; lights required. Meet at the trailhead behind Inland Hospital, 200 Kennedy Memorial Dr., Waterville. FMI: ewells@emh.org or 861-3292.

Winger, Esq. at the Augusta Civic Center. Employment law is constantly changing and it’s essential that HR professionals maintain a current understanding of how these changes affect the workplace. FMI: bmartin@skowsavings.com

Feb. 2: Happy Ground Hog Day! Come to the L. C. Bates Museum and have your picture taken with its mounted groundhog, Gertrude. And, check if -- or not -- you can see her shadow.

Feb. 10: Unity College Career Fair, 10 AM to 2 PM Free & open to the public. Environmentallyfocused. FMI: 948-9453, crc@unity.edu or unity.edu/CareerServices/CareerResourceCenter/Care erFair.aspx.

Feb 2, 9, 13: Sustain Mid Maine Coalition's Education Team presents FREE presentations on abrupt climate change by Alder Stone Fuller, Ph.D. 6-8PM. 2nd & 9th at Barrels, the 13th at Waterville Public Library. Feb. 2: Friends Night Out: Dinner & A Plate • 58PM Enjoy a night out with friends, share dinner and beverages while you make a decorative, mosaic style fused plate. Stained Glass Express FMI: stainedglassexpress.com. Feb. 3, 4, & 5: Check out Pine View Homes at the 24th Annual Manufactured Home Show. Pine View Homes will have three affordable energy efficient homes at the Augusta Civic Center. FMI/Free Tickets: 1-800-464-7463 or payer@pineview1955.com. Feb. 3: An Evening of Jazz, gala fundraiser, cocktails, music, food, live and silent auctions. Kennebec Valley Community College, 92 Western Ave., Fairfield. FMI: 453-5020 or foundation@kvcc.me.edu.

Feb. 10: Father/Daughter Dance 6-8PM at the Waterville Jr. High School.

Kennebec Behavioral Health Ribbon Cutting. Pictured above are Tom McAdams, Kim Lindlof & John Dalton.

Feb. 11 Chocolate Festival 10AM –4PM Fairfield Community Center FMI: www.fairfieldchocolatefestival.org/. Feb. 11: United Way of Mid-Maine invites you to spend an evening with friends and two comedians from the Boston comedy scene, Ben Hague and Ray Harrington at Best Western Plus. Please be advised the comedy will be PG-13. All proceeds from ticket sales and a 50/50 raffle at the event will benefit the Keeping Mid-Maine Warm Program and The Waterville Area Warming Center. FMI: 873-0686 or info@unitedwaymidme.org. Feb. 17: Downtown Sounds Coffeehouse Opera House Studio Theater FMI: www.operahouse.org. Feb. 26: Ice Fishing Derby • 2-5PM Sponsored by Spectrum Generations FMI/Tickets: 873-4745. Feb. 29: 8-9:30AM Healthy People of the Kennebec is offering a presentation of Maine’s first comprehensive statewide community health needs. holweger@mainegeneral.org or 621-7579.

Feb. 4: Quarry Road Recreation Area Winter Carnival, 10AM – 2PM – off North Street in Waterville, near Thayer Hospital. Family-friendly activities include ski instruction, sledding, laser biathlon demo, trailside food, snowshoe races, and the Amazing Tree Maze. New this year - expanded trail system, winter bike race, Winter Story Walk, and more! Admission is free.

Starts March 4: Sign up for Move and Improve free community-based 12-week program put on by Inland Hospital that provides resources and support (and great prizes!) for increased physical activity. Register as an individual or bring Move and Improve to your organization or worksite. FMI: moveandimprove.org or 973-7245.

February 8: 7:30-9AM. Kennebec Valley Human Resource Association seminar on Employment Law Update presented by Lawrence C.

March 14: 9:30 AM to 2 PM Thomas College Career Fair. Registration fee $35. Register online by Feb. 24 at www.thomas.edu/career. 859-1464.

Facebook, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and NFIB recently united to present a free Facebook seminar for Mid-Maine and KV Chamber members. Pictured above are the two Facebook presenters. It was great to see so many of you there!

Chamber Tip of the Month Did you know that for just $100 a year you can have your brochures included in our relocation packets? Relocation packets are sent out to anyone who requests information about the area and who is looking to move here. Many of the hospitals and other big businesses also use these for recruiting purposes. Call the Chamber Today!

Prime Financial You dream it... We help you realize it Prime Financial has become the trusted partner for many clients, both in Maine and across the country. We understand that each stage in life presents unique challenges and opportunities. We also know that wherever you are in life – expanding your business, adding to your family, looking forward to your retirement or any stage in between – being prepared for change is crucial to future growth. Contact us today for a personalized consultation in regard to your financial future. Securities offered through Investors Capital Corporation Member FINRA / SIPC Advisory Services offered through Investors Capital Advisory 753 West River Road, Waterville, Maine 04901 800-877-9450 Fax 207-877-8876

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What Price for Success? By William McPeck

In the February 2012 edition of the Success magazine, there is a story about the TV reality show Shark Tank. I have never seen the show, but as I read the article, my blood began to boil. The article suggests that to achieve success, you must sacrifice Good Health = Good Business everything else. Is this really necessary? Is success really worth this price? success, you will be happy. Recent positive psychology research has, however, proven otherwise. If I understand the show’s concept correctly, entre- Happiness precedes success. If you can achieve preneurs are selected by the show’s producers to happiness, success will follow. pitch their business concepts to the sharks whose role is to decide whether to invest in the entrepreFor the past two years, I have been studying the neur’s business. The so called sharks are: Kevin happiness and success model put forth by Mike Jay. O’Leary, Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Barbara Mike is an international business and leadership Corcoran and Robert Herjavec. developmentalist who has consulted and coached managers and executives in 47 countries. OriginalAs a worksite wellness and well-being thought ly from Nebraska, Mike now lives in Manila, Philleader and strategist, what particularly concerned ippines where he believes he can better capitalize me was two of the story’s concluding three paraon the near east and Asian demographic growth graphs. These two paragraphs stated: “The sharks curves. agree that entrepreneurs have to be willing to sacrifice a lot until a new business starts to succeed.” In Mike’s model, known as Flawless Living, what Mark Cuban is quoted as saying, “If you are not makes us happy is inborn and unique to each of us. dreaming about it, if your relationships aren’t being What we view as success is usually determined by injured by it, you know, if you are not tired, you are sources and forces outside ourselves, what Mike not working hard enough.” refers to as a composite success standard. This creates a gap that Mike refers to as the happiness – Kevin O’Leary is quoted as saying, “I love working success gap. Traditionally, we try to close the gap with young people who are willing to sacrifice by changing ourselves, more often than not, witheverything for success. I am talking about people out success. As Mike is fond of saying, “Just bewho are willing to give up their marriages just to cause you can, doesn’t mean you will.” In Flawless make the business successful. They are willing to Living, closing the gap involves the use of stratelive like hermits and work for 20 hours a day if that gies other than personal change. is what it takes.” If you think about it, the current entrepreneurial I have been a W-2 employee for all of my profesmodel, where 90 percent of the start-ups fail within sional career. As I explore what my life might be five years, is obviously flawed. I am not suggestafter state government, maybe I am more of a ing that entrepreneurial success should not require wantrepreneur, than a true entrepreneur. However, focus and hard work, only that it should not require it just does not make any sense to me that in order the loss of either health or happiness. The good life to achieve success, one has to sacrifice their health should include happiness, success and health. To and happiness. There has to be a better way. achieve the good life, you should not have to sacrifice either happiness, health or success. As human beings, I believe we both want and need happiness and success. Our current societal operat- Bill McPeck is a Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant and Director of Employee Health and Safety for ing model, known as Blank Slate, puts success ahead of happiness. Blank Slate and its associated Maine State Government. Contact Bill with your questions and comments at 287-6783 materialism overlay state that once you achieve

Fourth in a series:

Childhood health and our prosperity EDITOR’S NOTE: Today’s young children are tomorrow’s business leaders, policy makers, and parents. Capable children are the basis of a prosperous and sustainable society. Our future prosperity starts with their success.

etting it Right Early – Early childhood is a complicated time when cognitive, emotional and social development are tightly connected. Learning, behavior and physical and mental health are tied to this development. “Early childhood experiences and learning opportunities have a significant impact on a child’s future success in life. We understand that the positive impact of early childhood programs is directly dependent on the level of program quality. Economists have determined that investments in early childhood programs provide a more significant return on interventions than at any other stage in an individual’s life.” (Reidt-Parker, Judy. "Data Collection in Maine: Assessing the Return on Public Investment in Maine's Early Childhood System | Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center."Home | Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2011. <http://mcspolicycenter. umaine.edu/?q=V18N1_Reidt-Parker>.) Your business can assist in the healthy development of children. Offer a family friendly environment where children are welcome at some company events or a “bring your child to work day”. Another way to help is to offer financial support to parents with children in early education programs. Another option is to have flexible work hours for those working parents. For free children’s books and tips on how to make your business more child-friendly please contact United Way of Mid-Maine at 873-0686, PO Box 91, Waterville, ME 04903-0091 or tchapman@unitedwaymidme.org This early childhood development message is brought to you by the Greater Waterville Alliance for Early Childcare and Education.

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New Business Support Services Available By Tammy L. Rabideau, MLS

Feb. 7

Are you starting a business in Maine? Growing your business in Maine? Bringing your business to Maine? Maine now has business development experts strategically located throughout the state. A newly formed team of Governor’s Account Executives intends to make sure hundreds of companies and economic development organizations take advantage of Maine's valuable business resources. The team’s primary goal is to ensure that businesses are successful and have the ability to grow jobs in the state of Maine. This new team of Governor's Account Executives is available now to help you and your business succeed. Account Executives will work with you to identify your goals and help you achieve them by bringing the right people and resources to the table. You don't have to know all the programs, people, resources, and requirements necessary to run and grow your business, the Governor’s Account Executives are ready to help with it all. The Governor’s Account Executives program was created by Deb Neuman, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. To speak with a member of the Governor’s Account Executive Team, call: 1-800-8723838 or contact any of the Account Executives. Governor’s Account Executive Team: Deb Neuman: 624-9822; 557-1097 (cell); deb.neuman@maine.gov Sparetime Recreation in Waterville is now being managed by Rusty Cottle, previous owner of Lucky Strike Lanes in Gardiner.

Feb. 10 Feb. 16 Ron McKinnon: 624-9819; 557-3591 (cell); ronald.j.mckinnon@maine.gov Brian Doyle: 624-9807; brian.doyle@maine.gov Rosaire Pelletier: 624-7425; 557-1971 (cell); rosaire.pelletier@maine.gov Kristine Schuman: 624-7456; 592-0448 (cell); kristine.schuman@maine.gov Brian Mulligan: 624-7457; 446-7533 (cell); brian.mulligan@maine.gov Jaimie Logan: 624-7585; 215-0302 (cell); jaimie.logan@maine.gov To find out more about the Governor’s Account Executives contact anyone listed above or visit the web site at: http://www.maine.gov/decd/business_ in_maine/find_specialist.shtml

Tammy Rabideau is Business & Career Center Coordinator at the Waterville Public Library. FMI: 207.680.2611 or business@watervillelibrary.org, http:// www.watervillelibrary.org/departments/ness/, http://www.facebook.com/wplbcc ed Community Fundraising Coordinator.

ing been through the first time home owner process is especially excited to help people destined to own their own home!

Century 21 Surette Real Estate welcome’s Ron Blaisdell and Heather Stone to their team. Ron was first licensed in the mid 70’s and MaineGeneral Office of has been active full time since Philanthropy welcomes Tina 1984. Heather, recently havBurrill as their newly appoint-

Score, Counselors to America’s Small Businesses, recently appointed Ed Ross as the new Chair of the Board. Spectrum Generations is very happy to introduce Diane Woodworth as its new Development Director, with over 25 years of experience.

Feb. 22 Feb. 24 Mar. 1 Mar. 2

Fri.

8:00 a.m.

Bus. Attraction & Retention Chamber Boardroom Fri. 7:30 a.m. Public Policy Chamber Boardroom Thur. 7:30 a.m. Executive Board Chamber Boardroom Wed. 8:00 a.m. Membership Chamber Boardroom Fri. 7:30 a.m. Board of Directors Chamber Boardroom Thur. 12:00 p.m. Information Services Chamber Boardroom Fri. 7:30 a.m. Public Policy Chamber Boardroom

Upcoming Events Feb. 15: Business After Hours 5:30-7 p.m. Inland Family Care 16 Concourse West, Waterville Hosted by: Inland Hospital, Eastern Maine HomeCare & Kennebec Behavioral Health Feb. 9: Business Breakfast Series 7:30-9 p.m. Thomas College From Myth to Reality-What We Do & What We Don’t Do Peter Pare, Director of the Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Employment Services, will give an overview of the Bureau of Employment Services offerings. Feb. 29: Meet the Reps 5:30-7 p.m. Chamber Boardroom The final in the Mid-Maine Chamber’s and KV Connect’s popular Meet the Reps program is scheduled for the last Wednesday in February. The evening affairs are designed to promote and prolong communication between business leaders, professionals and young professionals with their local, state and national government officials. Complimentary hors d' oeuvres, beer & wine are provided thanks to our sponsor, Eagle Rental.

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Selah Tea Cafe is excited to offer new vegan and gluten-free menu choices. The ham and brie sandwich is coming back and the hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday, 8AM to 9PM. Bangor International Airport reported that 2011 passenger traffic was up 11%, with more than 429,000 passengers using the airport. This is the 2nd consecutive year that numbers have increased. A total of 31,282 passengers used BIA in Dec. making it the best Dec. since 1998. Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area will offer an 6 week support group for mothers and fathers who have experienced the death of an infant. The group will start at the end of January, 2012. Meetings are free and will be held at the Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area Community Center, 304 Main St., Waterville. Sarah Swift-Simons, Director of Bereavement Services FMI: or to join the group 873-3615 x 15 or sswiftsimons@hvwa.org. A collaborative effort of United Way of MidMaine, Key Bank, the IRS, Casey Family Services and many others, the Central Maine Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope (CA$H) coalition is launching its annual service of free tax preparation in what they hope to be a record-breaking season helping individuals and families gain their maximum tax return possible. They’ll be offering 16 local tax clinics. Appointments required. Call 8737700 or 1-888-392-4636. Try Champions Fitness Club's Zumba Class Tuesday and Thursday’s at 8:15 AM if you want to really spice it up! It's a Latin inspired, calorie burning dance party that is easy to follow and so much fun you'll forget your exercising. FMI: 8730571 or lisa@championsfitnessclub.com. Dead River Co. is buying the home-heating division of Webber Energy Fuels according to a recent press release. The two companies signed a purchase-and-sale agreement on Jan. 12 and expect to close by the end of Jan. or beginning of Feb. MaineGeneral VP of Philanthropy Lisa Hallee proudly announced that their Imagine campaign

for the New Regional Hospital/Thayer Comprehensive Outpatient Center recently surpassed the $7 million mark on their march to raise $10 million to fully meet the Alfond Foundation Challenge. In addition to its campaign, the steel for their new facility is also rising quickly – follow the progress with a live web cam and cool time-lapse video: www.give.mainegeneral.org.

A2Z Computing Services, Inc. the parent company of Hometown USA, announced that it will begin accepting press releases from businesses, organizations and individuals for posting on HometownUSA.com. In an effort to populate its redesigned News and Events section with quality information of interest to local residents and visitors alike, the company will immediately start posting valid press releases for viewing by its visiSomerset Stone Center, 43 Green Rd., Fairfield is tors. News and Press Releases may be submitted to proud to announce that it is a certified Techniseal news@hometownusa.com. Events are also being dealer. Techniseal offers only premium quality accepted for posting on the new Community Caltreatments to help clean and protect the exterior endars; please see HometownUSA.com for details. surfaces of homes. FMI: 453-2616 or www.somersetstonecenter.com Webster Atlantic Corp. is selling its three magazines, Bangor Metro, Real Maine Weddings and Maine-ly Elder Care would like to introduce its Maine Ahead. A group of investors led by area newest division, Christian Caregivers. Ease that businessman and former Department of Economic stress with caregivers that share your same values. and Community Development Commissioner Jack Clients not only receive the quality personal care Cashman is buying Bangor Metro. they need, but can share their faith with their caregiver. Such activities include: sharing in prayer Inland Hospital recently started a program called and worship, reading the Bible and participating in “Let’s Go!” to help combat the childhood obesity church functions, and sharing fellowship. This is a epidemic in Maine. Let’s Go! Reaches children match made in Heaven. FMI: 207-465-3249 or and families where they live, learn work and play www.maine-lyeldercare.com with a consistent message that promotes four healthy behaviors. FMI: www.letsgo.org or contact Winslow Community Federal Credit Union is Ellen Wells, Inland Hospital’s Community Wellproud to announce that with the help of its memness Coordinator at 861-3292 or ewells@emh.org. bers, area businesses and staff, it raised $3400 for this year's Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for US Airways will begin offering nonstop flights Ending Hunger. Way to go! between Bangor International Airport and Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Va., beginMaine State Chamber of Commerce and Maine ning in March. The airline will also add flights Development Foundation announce the release between Bangor and Philadelphia. of "Making Maine Work: Investment in Young Children = Real Economic Development." The Spectrum Generations Family Caregiver Promost recent in the Making Maine Work series gram is pleased to announce it will hold two sesexamines the proven benefits derived from invest- sions of the Savvy Caregiver Program at its Musment in a child's early development years, which kie Community Center located at 38 Gold Street, have real potential for Maine. For a copy, go to Waterville. This six week training is designed with either web site or stop by the Mid-Maine Chamfamily caregivers of people with cognitive losses ber. in mind. Participants will obtain the attitude, skills and knowledge that are necessary to keep a person Looking for the best sushi around? Check out with dementia content and involved in their life at Thai Bistro where sushi is always fresh and deli- home. Each session includes training, activities cious! and discussion. Caregivers are given reading and practice assignments to complete. FMI: call 1-800Downeast Energy recently announced that its 282-0764 ext 127. employees have raised $52,076 in this year's United Way campaign. Downeast matched with If you have any member news for the March $31,650 to make its total contribution $83,726! InTouch email it before Feb. 17th to biz.dev@midmainechamber.com!

PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

50 Elm Street Waterville, ME 04901

PAID PERMIT #146 Waterville, ME 04901

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Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centennial Charlie Haberstock is 8 years old and has a business card collection of over 1,400 cards. He likes to know about each business and asks many questions so he decided to help us by interviewing some area businesses. Below are excerpts from his 1st interview. Charlie received a little help from his mom, Carrie Haberstock. Chris Gaunce is the General Manager at Central Maine Motors. He manages the managers at his car sales company. You can tell he likes people because he has photos of all his employees on the walls, has great play rooms for kids who are waiting for their parents to buy a car, and has bananas and cookies for people. He took my mom and me on a tour of all of his buildings. We got to ride in one of his cars and sit in a Chevy Caprice Police car with a radio and spot light. I liked the tour and the funny customer stories the best. We went to the parts shops of Chevrolet and Toyota where CMM has so many parts that most likely they can fix a person's car that day. We

12 Monument St Winslow, Me 04901 207-872-2636 www.wcfcu.com COMMUNITY PEOPLE YOU KNOW

Charlie Haberstock (left) & Chris Gaunce at Central Maine Motors

went to the service shops where each worker has a tool kit that can be as expensive as $15,000.00 to $20,000.00!!! They take all the old oil from people's cars and use it to heat their buildings--a great thing for the environment. At the body shop we saw cars being painted in a place where the temperatures reach up to 150 degrees to set the paint! The paint is water based for the environment. The guy has to wear protective gear to breathe. Everybody seems really nice and everybody gave me business cards for my collection. I did not know that all this was going on in my town. In the past, CMM gave away one car a year but people had to do funny things to win the car. My favorite story is the one where people had to leave their hands on the car and whoever lasted the longest with both hands on the car won the car! A guy won after about 3 or 4 days. He couldn't sleep or itch himself. Continued on page 3

166 College Ave., PO Box 215 Waterville, ME 04903-0215 www.az-cpa.com

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 $125 per month. Call 873-3315 or email info@midmainechamber.com. Disclaimer: The Mid-Maine Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce.

Business to Business Showcase 2012 Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Alfond Youth Center 126 North St., Waterville 2:00 to 7:00 PM Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce members are invited to reserve a booth to display their wares/services at the 2012 Business to Business Showcase. The event will include a marketing forum, an internship fair, and culminate in a Business After Hours! The cost is $195 per booth, and space is limited.

2-3 PM — Marketing Roundtables on Facebook, Facebook 2.0, QR Codes, LinkedIn 3:30-5 PM — Internship Fair Sponsored by Central Maine Growth Council - Do you have a possible internship opportunity in your company? Contact Robyn Loubier at biz.dev@midmainechamber.com. 5:30-7 PM — Business After Hours sponsored by Oxford Networks

Name:

___________________________________________________

Company: ___________________________________________________ Signature: ___________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________Email:________________________ Only a few available booths are remaining, please call us at 873-3315 or email us at prog.asst@midmainechamber.com for openings. I would like provided (check all needed):

Electricity 

Table Table Cloth 

Thanks to our major sponsors:

Program Sponsors: Inland Hospital, TD Bank, Time Warner Cable Business Class, Pine View Homes, Cape Air, Thomas College Graduate Division, People’s United Bank, Fairfield, Oakland, Unity & Winslow Pharmacies Thanks to Oxford Networks for sponsoring the Business After Hours!

2012 Participants: 1 Amcomm Wireless 2 EZ To Use.com 3 Bangor Savings Bank 4 Central Maine Motors 5 TD Bank 6 Delta Ambulance 7 Cumulus - 92 Moose/B-98.5/KOOL AM 8 Kennebec Savings Bank 9 Day's Travel 10 Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center 11 Pine View Homes 12 Hospice Volunteers of Waterville 13 Fireside Inn & Suites 14 Workplace Health/MaineGeneral Medical Center 15 Elm City Home Inspection 16 American Glass Company 17 PFBF CPAs 18 Kennebec Valley Council of Governments 19 Kennebec Wealth Management 20 Kennebec Wealth Management 21 AAA Insurance & Travel 22 Cappza's Pizza 23 24 Spectrum Generations Muskie Center 25 The Advertising Specialist of Maine 26 KSW Federal Credit Union 27 Advance 1 Cleaning Services 28 29 30 31 32 Pete's Pig 33 Century 21 Nason Realty 34 Choice Investments 35 Bath Fitter 36 37 Windows Plus 38 American Lung Association

39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80

Pine Tree Cellular

High Hopes Club House The Bank of Maine Maine Eye Care Winslow Pharmacy

Black Dog Graphics Mid-Maine Marine

Assistance Plus Snow Pond Technology Group, Inc. Skowhegan Savings Bank Sullivan Wealth Management

81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101

SCORE

Time Warner Cable Business Class Cape Air Hampton Inn Waterville Opera House

102 103 104 105 106 109 110 111 112 113

114 115 116 MEANS (Maine Academy of Natural 117 Sciences) 118 119 Main Security Surveillance, Inc. 120 121

Kelly Services Care & Comfort Ware-Butler Inc. Morning Sentinel Are You Ready To Party?? The Maine Children's Home People's United Bank SBS Carbon Copy KeyBank NA New Dimensions Federal Credit Union Kennebec Behavioral Health Somerset Stone Center Champions Fitness Club BNI Elm City Referral Source Bug Busterzzz Lockharts Lawn Care US Cellular Stained Glass Express O'Donnell, Lee, McCowan, & Phillips, LLC Kennebec Electric & Lighting T & B's Celebration Center T & B's Outback Tavern Manpower Inland Hospital Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate Eye Center of Central Maine Transco Downeast Energy Bridges Help at Home - Spectrum Generations Valley Distributors Charles J. Ruff, Orthodontics Best Western Plus Northeast Limo United Way of Mid-Maine Oxford Networks Oxford Networks Century 21 Surette Real Estate

2012

2012 Registration Form is at the bottom Held at Thomas College Student Center, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

January 12: The New Face of DECD – Business Friendly. Deb Neuman, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development joins us to talk about the many ways State Government is working to be more "business friendly" and how the State can help you start and expand your business in Maine. February 9: From Myth to Reality-What We Do and What We Don’t Do! : Peter Pare, Director of the Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Employment Services, will give an overview of the Bureau of Employment Services offerings. March 8: Ten Workplace Wellness Tips for Small Businesses. Willow Sherwood, executive director of WELCOA. Despite limited resources, small businesses can implement a workplace wellness program for employees. Workplace health promotion can help improve employee health, boost productivity, increase employee morale, reduce employee turnover and increase your bottom line. April 5: Customer Service. LL Bean’s Julie Girard gives us a look at what makes Maine’s top outdoor retailer succeed. May 3: Grant Writing Workshop: “How to Find, Apply, and Get the Funding!” Find out how to add “CFO (Cash~ Flow~ Oxygen)” to your business, non-profit, construction, service, and more! June 14: Non-Profit Success Stories. Learn from Panelists of successful non-profits from around the state about what’s worked (and what hasn’t) as they strive to grow and remain relevant in today’s economy. September 13: Integrated Marketing: Getting The Whole Picture. Alexandra Heseltine of Gray Cat Marketing & Design explains why marketing is more than a Web site, advertising or social media. It is a holistic approach to identifying your customers’ pain points, meeting them where they are and offering them a solution to a problem. October 11: Legislative Issues: TBD. November 8: Become an Epic Networker: 10 Commandments to Build your Professional Connections. David Pease, senior vice president, Androscoggin Bank, and one of our state's most respected human resource professionals, will break it down for us so that we can become expert networkers and build our customer base. December 13: Unbind your Mind. Ted Helberg, vice president, human resources at Acadia Hospital outlines principals of creative problem solving and developing methods of reframing processes/work. The discussion centers on metaphorical thinking and ridding ourselves of 10 mental blocks. A fun session with puzzles and riddles mixed in for the audience.

Thank you to our 2012 sponsors

Special thanks to Time Warner Network 9 & Local Access Channel 7 for taping and rebroadcasting our Business Breakfasts!

R E G I S T R A T I O N

F O R M

Cost per person: $14 members, $16 late registration (after Friday before the event), $20 non-members

Name(s): ________________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________ Company: ________________________________________Address: ________________________________________ CHECK ENCLOSED FOR $ _________ as noted above. (PLEASE NOTE: Your reservation guarantees your Business Breakfast. To cancel, please call the Chamber three (3) working days prior to the event, or you will be charged. Late-registration fee applies after the Friday prior to the breakfast.) Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, 50 Elm Street, Waterville, ME 04901-6015 E-mail: prog.asst@midmainechamber.com • PHONE: 873-3315 • FAX: 877-0087

Do you have a need for an intern to assist with projects, research, marketing, data & more?

Do you want to support the professional development of the younger generation? Come meet with area college students at The 4th Annual Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s College Internship Fair Sponsored by the Central Maine Growth Council Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Alfond Youth Center, Waterville 3:30 - 5:00 PM

In conjunction with the Business to Business Showcase 2:00 - 7:00 PM

Consider hiring a student intern! What an internship might include:  Paid and unpaid positions  A minimum of 10 hours per week  Special projects  Takes place during summer and/or fall 2012 The Mid-Maine Chamber is recruiting local businesses that currently offer or can create internships to participate in this networking event, sponsored by the Central Maine Growth Council. Meet with area college students interested in working for local firms. Firms interested in participating or learning more should contact: Diane Anderson, Assistant Director of Career Services at Thomas College, at 207-859-1464 or andersond@thomas.edu Thank you to our 2012 sponsor! Registration form on the back.

2012 Internship Fair Registration and Information Thank you for your interest in participating in the 2012 Internship Fair, sponsored by the Central Maine Growth Council, and held in conjunction with the Mid-Maine Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business to Business Showcase. Please complete the form below. If you have questions about developing an internship description, need any other information related to creating an internship, or information about the event itself, please feel free to contact: Diane Anderson, Thomas College Career Services, at andersond@thomas.edu or 859-1464. Please return this form via email to: andersond@thomas.edu or by mail to: Diane Anderson Thomas College 180 West River Road Waterville, ME 04901 Company Info. Company Name: __________________________________________________________________ Contact Person: ___________________________________________________________________ Telephone: ______________________________ Email:___________________________________

Internship Info. Internship Title: __________________________________________________________________ Hours per week:__________ Guidance on whether or not an intern should be paid is available at: Paid or Unpaid: ___________ http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf Please provide a brief description of duties; and knowledge, skills, and abilities the position would require (feel free to attach a separate document if you need more space:

The 4th Annual Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Internship Fair Sponsored by the Central Maine Growth Council Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Alfond Youth Center, Waterville 3:30 - 5:00 PM

Reach Your Target Audience The InTouch newsletter is sent to over 825 business professionals. What better way to reach a responsive audience than with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s news publication? Advertise with us! Pricing  8 ½ x 11 inch single sheet, unfolded  8 ½ x 11 inch single sheet, folded

$125 per issue $150 per issue

825 Inserts Required Inserts must be delivered to the Chamber office by the 3rd Friday of the month. InTouch is printed 11 months per year.

Be wise – print on both sides of your insert. Contact the Chamber TODAY to reserve your space. All requests are taken by date on a first-come, firstserve basis. Call 873-3315 or e-mail: biz.dev@midmainechamber.com

Looking for Meeting Space? Rent our Chamber Board room! It comfortably seats 25 people, but more can fit if standing. Free Starbucks coffee service is included. LCD Projector and screen are available. Pricing for Members:  4 Hours  Full day  TV/DVD Service

$45 $75 FREE

Pricing for Non-Members:  4 Hours  Full day  TV/DVD Service

$75 $125 $15

Contact the Chamber TODAY to reserve your space. All requests are taken by date on a firstcome, first-serve basis. Call 873-3315 or e-mail Glenn at info@midmainechamber.com.