InTouch
Monthly Newsletter· May 2015
submitted by Cynthia Sturtevant After the winter we have experienced, it will feel good to get outside and give the house and grounds a good sprucing up. Below you find a handy checklist. To help you with your list, check out Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce’s member list at www.midmainechamber.com to find the business that can help you. Exterior Winter can be tough on roofs, chimneys, windows, foundations, gutters, and decks, to name a few. Binoculars will work great to inspect your roof and chimney for damage or vegetation. Roof Chimney Exterior Walls Interior We have all heard and even done our share of Spring Cleaning. Throw open the windows and give the house a cleaning and airing out. Don’t forget to check your air conditioning units for good working order. The filters should be changed and the hose connections checked for leaks. General Cleaning Air Conditioning Attics (any critters?) Basements (cracks?) Outdoors The temps are up (finally!) and the sun is out. Roll up your shirt sleeves and get busy! Lawns Decks & Patios Outdoor Furniture Grills Home Improvements After completing your spring chores, it is now time to think about home improvements. Maybe this will be the year you add that fire pit, pool, or beautiful new garden. Perhaps you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. Don’t dismay! We have people that can help with that, too! Landscaping Renovating/Remodeling a Room Painting Energy Efficient Windows Enjoy!
Small Business Week honors local business Submitted by Jennifer Olsen, Waterville Main Street Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, Waterville Public Library Business & Career Center, Waterville Main Street, KVCOG and TOCmedia invite you to join Small Business Waterville to celebrate National Small Business Week. In addition to weeklong local events, US SBA is honoring one of Waterville’s own. Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced this year's Small Business Person of the Year winners from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A panel is currently reviewing all the packages and a national winner and two runners-up will be selected and announced at a future date. The national winner will be recognized as the 2015 National Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration this year in Washington, D.C., May 8. "It is my pleasure and honor to announce the 54 winners. Competition was extremely keen across the nation for these prestigious awards. I couldn't be any prouder than recognizing these outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners, they represent the backbone of our economy. Small businesses created nearly 2 million of the roughly 3 million private-sector jobs generated in 2014. More than 7 million of the 11 million jobs created during our recovery have been generated by startups and small enterprises," said Contreras-Sweet. Our contender from MAINE: Loyal Biscuit Co.! Since 1963, National Small Business Week recognizes the critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. Continued on page 6
IN THIS ISSUE:
Spring Cleaning
From the President’s Chair ................................ 2 Member Events’ Calendar ................................. 4 Member News ................................................... 7 Member Spotlight: Diane’s Travel Agency ........ 8
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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From the President’s Chair
event and sets the golf world standard when it comes to presentation. It’s landscaping nirvana. Absolute perfection. We saw 5 Several years ago, I people weeding one sand trap. Every pine won Masters™ tickneedle on the ground along the fairways ets in an online lotlooked like it’d been hand-placed. And tery so Ted, Connie & Amen corner…um. Ray Winship and I attended. What an My point is this: if they can do it with that experience! Whether Bowdoin Photography kind of volume, we can do it right here in you like the game of mid-ME within our own businesses and at golf or not, the lesson in logistics, presentaour events. What if your region became tion and customer service excellence was known statewide (or worldwide) as having nothing like we’d ever experienced before. exceptional customer service, ease of getLet’s start with logistics – Imagine that tens of thousands of people were descending upon your facility or event all at once. Literally, there is about a two hour window when the bulk of the attendees arrive. Parking, security, bathrooms, routes/pathways, etc. all must be considered. I know what we experience with the Taste of Waterville; I can’t imagine it on that scale. Much of it is staffed by club members and other volunteers who are extensively trained, which brings me to my next point – customer service. I’ve never experienced anything like it in my life. No lines, no waiting -- anywhere. Imported beer: $4; Domestic: $2.50. Egg Salad Sandwich: $1.50; Club Sandwich: $4.50. Bathrooms: IMMACULATE. (In fact, Ted reported that in the men’s room they had an attendant cleaning each toilet after every use.) I asked about why everything was priced so affordably and was told that the hosts feel that we were their guests and thus are not to be price-gouged but to be pampered. And everyone in town participated -all hands on deck. Total buy in and engagement – plus they were NICE. And that carried right through the entire
Business After Hours at The End Zone Brandi Meisner, Higgins and Bolduc Agency, won a dinner for 10 catered by Rita’s Catering. She beat her competitor Kerry Smart, Thomas College, in a rousing game of darts. Way to go, Brandi!
ting around and outstanding cleanliness? We can do this, right? Let’s all set the examples in our businesses by building this culture and watch it carry through into the greater community!
Kim Lindlof gives Kathy Corey, Day’s Jewelers, her winnings from the 50/50 drawing, sponsored by Best Western Plus! Congratulations Kathy!
- Kimberly
Business After Hours May 20, 2015
Waterville Country Club 30 Country Club Road, Waterville
5:30 to 7PM Cash Bar 50/50 Sponsor: Sponsored by:
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, fabulous door prizes, 50/50 raffle & more! WATERVILLE
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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 this monthly newsletter. E-mail: customerservice@midmainechamber.com. Send your photo too, if you can! A Few of Our Favorite Things... “ We love seeing all the smiling faces at Oakland Pharmacy. Everyone is so friendly and they are always eager to help” Brandi Meisner - Higgins and Bolduc Agency, Inc. “If you haven’t had a chance to stop in and see Somerset Stone’s new location on KMD you are missing out. Wayne and his staff had everything we needed to get our home ready for summer” Matt Marquis – Higgins and Bolduc Agency, Inc.
Download your FREE 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, iphone, ipad or kindle use QR Code below or go to app.midmainechamber.com.
MMCC has been so fortunate to work with David Dutil (above) our Thomas College intern/work-study student for the last 2+ years. David will graduate with his Bachelors in Communication with concentration in Public Relations & Marketing with a minor in Sports Management this month. You may recognize him for the work that he’s done around revitalizing and fundraising for the Skateboard Park in Waterville. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Thank you David!!
Save the Date! August 5, 2015 Mid-Maine Chamber Services Boardroom Rental: $45 for half day including coffee service and equipment; $75/day Insert: $150; must provide 625 copies to MMCC by 3rd Friday of month prior to insertion List & Labels: $40 emailed; $50 on labels; $25 printed list (does not include emails) Web Banner: $150 large & $100 small/monthly
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May 1-6:00PM-8:00PM, Lakewood Continuing Care Center, May Day Auction. 220 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville FMI: 861-3377
May 15– 2PM to 4PM, Maine-ly Eldercare, free blood pressure clinic at Skowhegan Hannaford. May 16– 9:00AM—10:30AM rain or shine. Quarry Road Ramble! FMI: quarryroadrecarea.org or 861-3292
May 2–9:00AM, United Way of Mid-Maine, Color Mid-ME Fun! Color Walk Fundraiser. Skowhegan Federated Church-13 Island Avenue May 16– 10:00PM, Mainely Brews , The 220’s FMI: www.unitedwaymidme.org will be performing. FMI: www.mainelybrews.com/ May 4—8 Small Business Waterville is honoring liveMusicCalendar.aspx Small Business Week by offering a week of free seminars including QuickBooks, Social Media, May 17-10:00AM, Common Street Arts, SculpRetirement Concerns, Energy Savings & more! tural Crochet. FMI: www.eventbrite.com/o/small-businessFMI: www.commonstreetarts.com waterville-2757778256 May 19– 12:00PM to 6:00PM, Give Life-Donate Blood at the Alfond Youth Center May 7-Help and Guidance for the Small BusiFMI: www.redcross.org/blood ; 1-800-733ness Owner, Webinar put on by the Internal 2767 Revenue Service. https://events.na.collabserv.com/portal/ wippages/register.php?id=0d9b5904cc&l=enUS May 9—Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, 5th Annual Run/Walk for a Life 5K. FMI: www.hvwa.org May 9— 8AM—4PM, Somerset Stone & Stove , Open house and Customer Appreciation Day. May 12–7:00PM, Railroad Square Cinema, NY Film Critics Series® Premiere Screening of EVERY SECRET THING. One Night Only. FMI: www.railroadsquarecinema.com
Grand Re-Opening Rite Aid Fairfield Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon Cutting at LaBelle Bridal Boutique
May 28—5:00PM –7:00PM, Mainebiz reception series will be in Bangor at the Hilton Garden Inn. FMI: www.mainebiz.biz/bangor May 28—8:000PM,Lakewood Theater presents “The Witch in 204”. FMI: www.lakewoodtheater.org May 29—11:00AM to 1:00PM, Maine-ly Eldercare, free blood pressure clinic at Uncle Dean’s. May 31– 7:30PM, Waterville Opera House presents The Robert Cray Band. FMI www.operahouse.org or 873-7000
E-mail your events, member news and people news to customerservice@midmainechamber.com by the 3rd Friday in May for our June InTouch newsletter.
May 14—Maine Development Foundation, LeadJune 6—8:00AM, Pine Tree Society, Paddle ership Unplugged. Speaker Sharon Abrams, executive director, Maine Childern’s Home for with a purpose. Register Now. Little Wanderers at Colby College. FMI: www.pinetreesociety.org/paddle.asp FMI: mdf.wufoo.com/forms/mu6punf12wovlu Spring Job Fairs Scheduled Around May 14– 6:30PM-8:00PM, Common Street Arts the State Panel Discussion and Q&A on the Textile History Maine Department of Labor of Maine Mill Towns. www.maine.gov/labor/news_events/articl FMI: www.commonstreetarts.com e.shtml?id=635194
Don’t forget you can put your events, member news, job postings and hot deals on our Website at midmainechamber.com.
Track proposed legislation: Legisative Documents www.maine.gov/legis/lio/publications.htm
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Business to Business Showcase 2015 Congratulations to local artists who won in the Maine Open Juried Art Show presented in partnership with Waterville Main Street at the Waterville Public Library -JUDGES' AWARD: Abbott Meader (Oakland) "Springtime Insists!" OIL DIVISION: Special Merit: Mary Ellen Fletcher (Winslow) - "Onions & Garlic" PASTEL DIVISION: 3rd Place: Laurie Proctor Lefebvre (Fairfield) - "Subtle Brilliance"; Special Merit: Teddi-Jann Covell (Waterville native) - "Mussel Beach" OTHER MEDIA DIVISION: 2nd Place: James Macdonald (Burnham) - "Marquetry Portrait"; 3rd Place: Abbott Meader (Oakland) "Undercut Bank #1" Managing Owner and Financial Adviser Rick Forsley of Choice Investments has earned the distinguished Pinnacle Club award from Investors Capital Corp., a premier independent broker/dealer located in MA, & winner of the 2013 Broker-Dealer of the Year award. Pinnacle Club award is presented to registered representatives of Investors Capital Corp. who demonstrate a superior level of commitment to personalized client service, and provide comprehensive financial education & investment management to investors within their local community. Congrats, Rick! Congratulations to Diane Davis, occupational therapy instructor at Kennebec Valley Community College, who traveled to Nashville in April where she was presented with the Fellows Award for education and leadership. This national award was presented by the American Occupational Therapy Assoc.
Nate Cotnoir, Camden National Bank, vice president and commercial banking officer at our Augusta Armory Street location, recently received the Team Player Award for his leadership and service to both internal and external customers in his markets. Nate’s positive attitude and team-oriented approach helps to ensure exceptional experiences for new & existing customers throughout central ME. Great job & congratulations Nate! Maine Savings Vice President of Member Services, Don Poisson, has announced he will be retiring this May after a 46-year long, successful career in the Maine financial services industry, including 9 years at the credit union. Hampton Inn Waterville is happy to announce the newest member of the team, General Manager Chris Barstow. Chris came to the hotel from its sister property, Hampton Inn Freeport.
Best Decorated Booth! Steven Dumas Catering
Vaughan Woodruff, Insource Renewables, won the 1,000 cash prize.
Page 6 Small Business Week continued from page 1
With generous sponsorship from New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, May 4, 2015 to May 8, 2015 we will host a series of seminars and workshops geared to small business owners and entrepreneurs including a Downtown Cash Mob on Friday, May 8th at Madelyn’s New & Used Clothing. Workshops include: Linked In Tutorial, Business Development, How Small Businesses Can Work with Efficiency Maine to Reduce Energy Costs, The Creative Economy and Small Business, a Self Employment Workshop and Increasing Sales in your Small Business, and more. For more information and to register, connect to SBWTVL http://www.eventbrite.com/o/small-businesswaterville-2757778256
Tues., May 5
8:00 AM
Business Expansion & Retention Chamber Boardroom
Thurs., May 7
12:00 PM
Information Services Cancun
Fri., May 8
7:30 AM
Public Policy Chamber Boardroom
Tues., May 19
3:30 PM
Taste Committee Chamber Boardroom
Wed., May 27
8:00 AM
Membership Committee Chamber Boardroom
Fri., May 29
7:30 AM
Board of Directors
Thanks to our Event Sponsor:
Thank you to our Media Sponsors:
May 7 : Business Breakfast Series
Leading Women’s Luncheon April, 2015 Commissioner of Labor Jeanne Paquette
Drive Improvements to Create Value John McLellan, LEAN Master Black Belt Senior Staff at IDEXX Laboratories, will explain the LEAN transformation. Note: This is a 2 hr. Presentation - 7:15-10AM To register: 873-3315 customerservice@midmainechamber.com
May 20 : Business After Hours Waterville Country Club 30 Country Club Road, Waterville, 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM A great opportunity to mix and mingle with other business professionals and community leaders. Remember to bring plenty of business cards!
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Kaplan, Inc., which includes Kaplan University's 3 campuses in ME, has been named among the top 100 of “America's Best Employers for 2015” by Forbes. Kaplan ranked 92nd on Forbes’ ranking of 500 U.S. employers across 25 industries. It is also one of only 26 orgs. in the education category — & the only proprietary education company — included. It has also been named one of the most innovative education companies worldwide by Fast Company magazine (2014). Kaplan has campuses in Augusta, S. Portland & Lewiston.
surance provider. The company will retain its approximately 55 employees according to MaineBiz. Since Cross was founded in 1954, it has acquired more than 100 agencies in NE and now employs 700 people across the region and in FL. Cony High School students recently received a $200,000 grant from AT&T to expand its Career Prep Services. Since ‘08, the company has awarded JMG more than $500,000, helping double the number of students served yearly, from 2,500 in ‘08, to more than 5,000 today.
Interested in having your business participate in the Best Places to Work in Maine 2015 program? Endorsed by the ME Dept. of Labor, Department of Economic and Community Development, Best Companies Group, Maine State Chamber of Commerce, ME HR Convention, and MainebJoseph’s Market is pleased to announce that it’s iz, the program recognizes companies that have now offering knife sharpening by Danny! It’s as established & consistently fostered outstanding easy as dropping off your knives and he’ll return them to you as sharp as can be! FMI: 873-3364. workplace environments. If interested, apply online at www.bestplacestoworkme.com . Deadline for registration is Friday, May 22, 2015, & all regisNominating employees for this scholarship is a tered companies will be surveyed simultaneously great free opportunity to honor the achievements of your staff. Scholarships will be given to employ- following the deadline date. FMI: Dave Vasconees who are engaged in taking additional steps in celos of ProSearch Inc. their education and skill development and who are (207-699-4383, dvasconcelos@psicareers.com), considered promising contributors to the organiza- Jodie Griffith of InterMed P.A. (207-523-3721,jgriffith@intermed.com ), or Jackie tions for which they work. Scholarships are only Miller at the Best Companies Group (877- 455available for employees of Next Step Maine Employers – committed employers like you who have 2159, ext. 271). joined our statewide initiative to advance the skill Northeast Laboratory Services, Inc., a Maine and educational attainment of Maine’s workforce. based prepared culture media manufacturer and full service analytical laboratory, is proud to anMain Security Surveillance and Capitol Computers nounce the launch of its asbestos identification are proud to announce a merger, which has taken section in Portland, ME. effect as of March 30, to form a single, powerhouse IT services company. FMI: www.mainsecurity.net. Nominations for the 2015 Next Step Maine Scholarship Program are being accepted Cross Insurance announced recently that it purthrough 4 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2015. Learn chased Corcoran & Havlin Insurance Group, a more about this scholarship, review the guideWellesley, MA-based firm that was founded in lines, and access the nomination forms online 1967 & has "grown dramatically." Corcoran & at: http://www.nextstepmaine.org/next-stepHavlin also has offices in Medfield & Duxbury. Corcoran & Havlin's owners, Jack Keefe maine-scholarship/ and George Doherty, will continue to lead the inRobert Redford, the iconic independent filmmaker who founded the Sundance Film Festival, will deliver the commencement address at Colby's 194th Commencement ceremony on May 24, 2015.
New Members Aquarius Animals Paula Rowe 314-1761 785 China Road, Albion B & F Vegetable Mark & Teddi Blakney 873-4345 327 China Road, Winslow Central Maine Cleaning & Supplies Doug Reed 990-3811 987 Finson Road, Bangor www.centralmainecleaning.com Century Pools Doug Hebert 465-3475 58 Church Street, Oakland www.centurypools.net C&J Trailer Repair & Towing Tim Welch 453-9178 or 465-5628 233 Skowhegan Road, Fairfield Cornerstone Insurance Agency Tim Martin 872-6529 54 North Street, Waterville Man vs Bass Maine Trail Corey Vose 441-4442 45 Longwood Avenue, Augusta www.mainemanvsbass.com One Bridge Consulting, LLC. Doug Ennis 877-455-4643 673 Route 135, Monmouth www.onebridgeconsulting.net Unity Foundation Lori Roming 948-6499 230 Main Street, Unity www.unityfdn.org
50 Elm Street Waterville, ME 04901
PRE-SORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #146 Waterville, ME 04901
Change Service Requested
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Diane’s Travel Agency is a well-established professional agency that has provided travel arrangements for the discriminating traveler for 40 years. Diane Roderigue opened at her new location at 197 Main Street Waterville in September 2013, and is a lifelong resident of Waterville where she has had the privilege to raise her three daughters. Her career in the industry began in 1975 before travel agents had access to the Internet. Reservations were made over the phone, tickets were handwritten, and airline prices were found in tariffs. Keeping up with industry changes has been exciting. She considers the Internet a great resource, but it can’t be compared to the personal service she can provide. The tour operators that she deals with will price match any package found on the Internet. With 40 years of knowledge, she understands the intricacies of the system, and can help you take full advantage of them. She will get you the best price on airfare, car rental and hotels. She’s the expert in making sure you get there! The most rewarding aspect of her job is keeping clients happy by “paying attention to detail and providing the best service possible.”
She also loves being part of a community where she can connect with friends, clients and other businesses. Part of having a successful business is having a close working relationship with reputable tour operators and consolidators. She has completed the educational programs and successfully passed online exams for the following companies: Un-Cruise Adventures, UniWorld River Cruises, Hotel Excellence by Marriott, Sandals and Trafalgar. The past few months have already taken her to St. Moritz Switzerland, a UniWorld River cruise to Venice & the Gems of Northern Italy, and most importantly, Framingham to visit her new granddaughter, Adelynn. Next on her bucket list is a South African safari, and a Viking River cruise on the Danube with a Prague extension. The travel business is all about relationships….it’s not what you know, but who you know that counts. Diane’s Travel is a one-stop shop for today’s traveler. Call or stop by to book the vacation you’ve been dreaming about. Take a river cruise on the beautiful Danube River and travel throughout the fascinating history of Eastern Europe. In every port, join complimentary shore excursions and immerse yourself in the culture, lifestyle and distinct beauty of the city. Every tour is led by a knowledgeable English-speaking guide. Diane can be reached at 207-873-9500, or by email diane@dianestravelagency.com , www.dianestravelagency.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 $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.