Chamber of Commerce www.franklincountymaine.org NOW WITH 2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! 248 Wilton Road, Farmington 1216 Carrabassett Drive, Carrabassett Valley
207-778-4215 • 207-235-2100
Saying goodbye ... saying hello ... lots happening at the Chamber!
T
he Fra n k l i n Cou nt y Cha mber boa rd of d i rectors bid fa rewel l to its executive director, Lorna Nichols, along with her assistant, Michele Nichols, with a gathering of friends and co-workers at the Welcome Center on May 11. Nichols has been the face of the Chamber for the past five years, a nd h a s w orke d t i rele s s l y to help promote t he a rea a nd its businesses. A f ter work ing w it h so many businesses throughout Franklin County, she’s decided to join them, by fulfilling her own dream of operating a restaurant. She, a long w it h her son, Scott, Jr., and his wife, Michele, and the help of her husband Scott, w ill be running Nichols’ Top of t he Hill Grill & BBQ in New Sharon. Renovations are now under way, a nd t hey pla n on open ing t he restaurant in the very near future. The Chamber of Commerce thanks the Nichols family for all their hard work and volunteerism over the past five years, and wishes them the best of luck in their new endeavor!
Of course, losing our director and assista nt at t he sa me time lef t some large shoes to fill. The board compiled a search committee right away and began advertising for the position. We had a great response f rom 14 qua l i f ied people, a nd interviewed the top five candidates in early May. The Cha mber is now proud to announce that we have hired a new executive director, Stacie Bourassa. She plans on starting in the position June 6. Along with her great work ethic and endless energy, Bourassa brings with her a good sense of t he Fra n k l i n Cou nt y busi ness communit y t hrough her recent work as executive assistant with the United Way of the Tri-Valley area. The assistant to the director position has also been filled; please stop in and welcome Marc Relford to the team. Relford is a senior at UMF, graduating in August, and worked at the Chamber this spring as an intern. Relford looks forward to working with Bourassa and the board during this transition period.
Top photo, left to right, back row: Chamber executive board Scott Landry vice president, Doreen Cardona treasurer, Matt Wotton past president, Shannon Smith secretary, Mike Blanchet vice president membership; seated: Marc Relford assistant, Stacie Bourassa incoming executive director, and Ivan Gould president. Bottom photo, left to right, back row: Board members Nancy Chase, Patty Ladd, Doreen Cardona, Heidi Elliot, Matt Wotton, Tom Sawyer, Glenn Kapiloff, Mike Blanchet, Shannon Smith; seated: Michele Nichols assistant, Ivan Gould III Chamber president, and Lorna Nichols director.
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Home & Leisure Show a success The 17th Annual Franklin County Home & Leisure Show was held la st Sat u rday, May 21 at t he Farmington Fairgrounds. Over 75 businesses participated in the show this year, set up inside and outdoors at the Fairgrounds. A good crowd turned out for the show this year, and the free admission rea l ly broug ht a much la rger audience this year. T h e C h a m b e r ’s h o m e s h o w c om m it t e e, le d b y S h a n non Smith, deserve much thanks for organizing the event this year in the midst of the transition period for t he d i rector a nd assista nt positions at the Chamber office. Spec ia l t ha n k s aga i n to t h i s year’s partners: Franklin Savings Bank, WKTJ, Turner Publishing, The Frank lin Journa l, Camden Nat iona l Ba n k, Ha m mond L u m b e r, D o w n e a s t E n e r g y, Morning Sentinel, Sun Journal, Daily Bulldog, and The Irregular.
Member in the spotlight: Sunshine Pools Sunshine Pools is family-owned a nd operated by t he L a Roche family in Jay, Maine. This husband and w ife team of Jeff and K im L a Roche ha nd le ever y t h i ng from the sale of pools, hot tubs, chemica ls, a nd accessories, to the installation of pools, and fast, friendly customer service. Jeff has had a lifetime of experience installing pools, starting when he was age 11 working with his dad. He has extensive knowledge of the most efficient ways to install both inground and above-ground pools. Je f f a nd K i m a r e b ot h C P O certified. This nationa l cer t i f icat ion teaches pool professiona ls how to properly maintain pools in accordance with state reg ulations a nd industr y standards. Kim is a certified water-testing professional, and has extensive background in customer service and retail. Kim also handles the financial end of the business, doing the accounting and billing for the business. With the cost of gasoline at near all-time highs, many people have
been seeing t he purchase of a pool as long-term invest ment. “Staycations,”as they’re ca lled, a llow your family to enjoy t he benefits of a vacation right in your back yard for many summers to come.
Sunshine Pools is a big supporter of the Chamber. They set up at the annual Home Show, advertise in the Welcome Guide, and are actively involved in the Franklin Count y A l lia nce w it h t he Jay/ Livermore Falls Chamber, as well as Franklin County Chamber. With the weather getting nicer as we head through May, now is the time to call Sunshine Pools. Check them out on the web at http:// w w w.sunshinepoolsmaine.com for many pictures and samples of what they have to offer.
Joi n t he Fra n k l i n Cou nt y Chamber of Commerce as United Way of the Tri-Valley area hosts an FCCOC Business After Hours/ Campaign Kick-Off.
The 2011 Chamber Scholarships w i l l be awa rded at a specia l board meeting on June 21 at the Homestead Bakery in Downtown Farmington.
June 23 5-7 p.m. United Way of the Tri-Valley area, Broadway, Farmington.
T he C h a m b er ’s S c hol a r s h ip C om m it t e e pr e s e nt e d t h e i r choices at t he May boa rd meeting, and noted that it was a particularly hard choice this year. Over 35 students applied for the scholarships in 2011, with t wo $1,000 scholarships given out to the winners. Watch for the winners along with their photos in our next newsletter issue.
assistant@franklincountymaine.org.
1381 Main St. Jay, Me. 645-7516
In addition to new sales of pools and hot tubs, they a lso offer a wide variety of services including: pool openings and closings, liner ch a nge s, pool s er v ic i ng , hot tub diag nosis a nd repa ir, lea k detection services, filter cleanings, in-store water analysis, concrete patio repair, and walkway/patio installations.
Business After 2011 Chamber Hours Scholarships
RSV P by ca lling the Chamber office at 207-778-4215 or emailing
Sunshine Pools
Top photo: Kim and Jeff LaRoche stand by one of the pools they have installed. Bottom photo: Imagine this pool in your own backyard.
Welcome new members! Professional Hydro Blasters Goulette’s Tupperware & Woodworking Crafts Nichols Top of the Hill Grill & BBQ County Seat Realty JP’s Service Dixfield Foam Insulation Another Look Join the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
Cremation • HD with DVR Cable
Farmington 778-5911 Wilton 645-2033
Funeral Services
Jay 897-3077 Dixfield 562-7211
Toll Free 800-640-5910 2
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ryan Morgan Master Electrician Fully Licensed & Insured West Farmington, ME 04938 Home: 207-778-2452 Cell: 207-491-7314
Chamber members enjoy valuable services as they seek to establish, grow, and promote their businesses. Besides a list ing in t he a n nua l, awa rd-w i n n i ng Welcome Gu ide, and a listing under the membership directory on the Chamber website, other services are offered to members. Visit the Chamber site to learn more: www.franklincountymaine.org
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, May 26, 2011
Celebrate at the ninth annual Kingfield POPS concert mountains. moon. music. magic. Date: June 25 Place: Kennedy Farm, Rte. 142, Kingfield
The nint h a nnua l K ing f ield POPS concert on June 25, 2011 will showcase t he f ull sweep of Maine’s musica l her itage, f rom its ea rl iest Nat ive American roots, through its Acadian traditions and New England fiddle heritage, to contemporary folk, soul/ blues and pops.
T he Ba ngor Sy mphony Orchest ra will be back, conducted by their new Maestro, Lucas Richman, who just won a Grammy Award. We also have Maine’s folk icon Dave Mallett, R&B/Soul singer Lea h Tysse, Acad ia n ba nd Borea l Tordu, Native A merica n ensemble the Burnurwurbskek Singers, SAD9’s Frank lin Count y Fiddlers, and the Western Mountain Trash Can Band. Dave Ma l let t w i l l per for m some tunes with the BSO – which will be ver y excit i ng ! Equa l ly excit i ng is t he oppor t u n it y we have created for the incredibly talented Franklin County Fiddlers, and the Farmington band Borea l Tordu, to perform an arrangement by SAD9 string teacher Steve Muise – with the BSO! As always, we will round off the evening with a grand fireworks finale.
Battle of the Bands now seeking performers The Chamber will host a Battle of the Bands as part of this year’s Annual End of Summer Hoorah!
Western Maine Community Action • Health Services • Nutrition Services • House/Energy • Education/Training • Volunteers 645-3764 or 1-800-645-9636 www.wmca.org
The Battle of the Bands event will take place on Saturday, August 27 (time TBA) at the Farmington Fairgrounds. If you are a member of a band or group (we accept all genres) and would like to compete in this year’s BOTB, there are two steps you can take to apply: 1. D ownload the PDF form on our website. Print it out and mail it to the address at the form’s bottom. Include either a physical copy of one of your CDs or demos or email info@ franklincountymaine.org with either a link to your music or an attached .mp3 file (at least two original songs preferred) or point us in the direction of your YouTube video online.
OR 2. Email info@franklincountymaine.org all of the requested information, from the PDF form, in the body of the email. Then, either provide a website where we can listen to your music or attach .mp3 files of your songs (again, two songs preferred, but not necessary) or point us in the direction of your YouTube video online. The date of this year’s BOTB is August 27. Prizes TBA. This application does not guarantee that you will be selected to play for the FCCOC Battle of the Bands. Any application that doesn’t include music will not be considered.
R.S. Osgood & Sons
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Auburn • Bangor • Belgrade • Brunswick
166 Main Street, Farmington POWEREQUIPMENT
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Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 8-12 • 645-4934 or 1-800-287-4934 www.rsosgood.com email: rsosgood@roadrunner.com
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, May 26, 2011
Fairfield • Farmington Greenville • Portland • Skowhegan
778-5282 1-888-266-1572
1-866-HAMMOND
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Experience to build on.
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FAMILY OPTOMETRY
130 Main St., Farmington 778-2100 1-888-899-4229
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Lane Specials
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Kingfield POPS & Art Festival, Rte 142, Kingfield
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GOING ON NOW! 779-9000
www.harrisrealestate.net
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Advertise in this monthly section.
Contact Mike Blanchet,
148 Wilton Rd., Farmington
Sun Journal advertising executive, at
INSURANCE
INSURANCE IS OUR ONLY BUSINESS Call us for a Competitive Quote Today
171 Main St., Farmington 778-9862 or 1-800-244-5937
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Build your business!
FRANKLIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
800-482-0759 ext. 4102.
MT. BLUE AGWAY 912 US Rt. 2 East, Wilton ME
778-4054
Mt. Blue Shopping Center Rts. 2 & 4, Farmington
Call Mike today!
778-2045
Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, May 26, 2011