Chamber Connection - Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Connection
April 2016
Meet the Board!
Welcome Caribou Area Businesses!
On January 1, 2016 the Central Aroostook
Chamber of Commerce welcomed the Caribou Chamber
of Commerce members with continued support and
representation.
Our mission statement is:
“To serve, advance and publicize the commercial,
agricultural, civic and general interests of our member
communities.”
We look forward to collaborating with all the
communities we serve in Central Aroostook County as
well as other Chambers of Commerce in Aroostook
County and beyond to advance our common interests.
2016 Board of Directors
Sarah Brooks
Bobbie-Jo Caron
Greg Doak
Nola Farley
William Getman *
Karen Gonya *
Kim Jones
Shawn Lahey *
Shelley McAtee *
Jim McKenney
Laurie Nelson
Karen Ouellette *
Bonnie Pack
Justin Pelletier
Floyd Rockholt *
Karen St. Peter *
Sherry Sullivan
Penny Wickstrom
Miles Williams *
* Indicates member of Executive Board
3 Houlton Rd., Presque Isle, ME 04769; Phone (207)764-6561, Fax (207)764-1583,
Shawn Lahey
MMG Insurance
Programmer Analyst II
President Elect
Shawn has served on the Central
Aroostook Chamber of
Commerce Board of Director’s
for just over two years, but has
volunteered for events for over
four years. He enjoys being on the
Board because he feels it
promotes community support and
betterment, as well as helping our
friends and
neighbors be
successful. Shawn has worked at
MMG Insurance for about six
months. Prior to that he worked
at Northern Maine Community
College for over eleven years,
primarily in IT and IT Education.
Shawn was born in Caribou,
graduated from Caribou High
School and has lived in Presque
Isle since that time. In his free
time, he likes to spend time
travelling with family and friends,
Klowning around, cooking,
fishing, poker now and again and
magic. Shawn says, ” Even though
Aroostook County is a large
geographical area, it’s one big
close-knit community. I can walk
into a store anywhere from
Madawaska to Houlton and it’s
quite likely there’s one person
there I’ve met before. This is
especially true when help is
needed, the entire County feels
compelled to help no matter the
location.”
Thank You to all
RENEWING MEMBERS
For your continued support!
The Central Aroostook Chamber of
Commerce is only as strong as its
membership.
Aroostook Limousines
County Wide Vacuum
Dalton Scovil Apartments
Extreme Granite
Nola Farley
Federal Express
Honey-Do Maintenance
James W. Sewall Company
Key Realty
Tracy Lee, LMT
LiveWell United
Martin’s Point
Matheson Valley
North Woods Communications, LLC
Northern Maine Realty
Oak Leaf Systems
Pines Health Services
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club
Clifford L. Rhome, CPA, PA
Seacoast Security, Inc.
Star City ATV Club
Steve St. Peter Custom Building
The Par & Grill
February 2016
Country Collectibles
Tell us about a recent
Customer Service Experience
and
nominate the business you want to recognize.
Nominations are due by the 25th of each
Month
And can be made by calling the Chamber at
764-6561
Or by emailing us at
lfrederick@centralaroostookchamber.com
Chamber Connection
Page 2
Welcome to our
Newest Chamber
Members!
Star City ATV Club
How to contact your representatives:
2016 Elected Officials
U.S Senator
Susan Collins - [R]
25 Sweden St.
Caribou, ME 04736
207-493-7873
U.S. Senator
Angus King - [I]
169 Academy St. - A
Presque Isle, ME 04769
207-764-5124
U.S. Representative
Bruce Poliquin - [R]
445 Main St.
Presque Isle, ME 04769
207-764-1968
Maine State Senators
Senate District 1 - Peter Edgecomb - [R] 207-287-1505
Senate District2 - Michael Willette - [R] 207-287-1507
Central Aroostook Chamber
of Commerce
Maine State Representatives
District 146 - Dustin White - [R-Washburn] 207-227-8756
District 147 - Robert Saucier - [D-Presque Isle] 207-227-1160
District 148 - Anthony Edgecomb - [R-Fort Fairfield] 207-484-8119
District 149 - Carol McElwee - [R - Caribou] 207-498-8605
District 151 - John Martin - [D-Eagle Lake] 207-834-7568
Opportunities to be Involved
CACC has several committees in which
members of the community and businesses in the area
are welcome to help plan and
participate while learning what the Chamber does.
There are also committees essential to the basic
operation of the Chamber. Anyone with an interest in
the success and future of the Chamber is
encouraged to become involved through committee
participation.
Now is a good time to join and help make a
difference in Central Aroostook County.
For more information please contact
Theresa Fowler at:
tfowler@centralaroostookchamber.com
January—Annual Awards Dinner
February—Maine Quebec Caravan
June—Area Wide Yard Sale
June—Strawberry Shortcake Sale
July/August - Potato Booth/Northern Maine Fair
August—Crown of Maine Balloon Fest
October—Haunted Woods Walk
October—Aroostook County Brew Fest
December—Holiday Light Parade
Grand Opening
Sign!
Available for your use
from the
Central Aroostook
Chamber of
Commerce
$75.00 deposit fully
refunded when sign is
returned!
Call us at 764-6561
To reserve it today!
lfrederick@centralaroostookchamber.com
Area Events
The Maine State Chamber Invites You
You are invited to attend a Regional Business Breakfast meeting in your area on May
4th. The Maine State Chamber works together with the local/regional chambers to
invite key movers and shakers from the region to attend these breakfast meetings.
You attended last year's meeting and we'd be thrilled to have you at the table again this
year. The legislative session has been an interesting one this year and our staff has
much to share and equally, we look forward to hearing from you- Register Today!!
Join President Dana Connors and the staff of the Maine State Chamber
for a Regional Breakfast Meeting in your area
on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
at University of Maine at Presque Isle (Campus Center Building)
As a local business leader, your valuable insight would be instrumental to this open
dialogue about business issues that affect your business, your community and your state.
We need your expertise and input to make recommendations and to identify opportunities
for moving Maine's economic future in a positive direction.
This will be an informal group meeting of progressive business leaders like yourself from
your region. Space is limited and on a first come, first serve basis. Please RSVP to Rita
Stoddard by emailing rstoddard@mainechamber.org. Your response by April 25th is appreciated.
Please include the date of the breakfast in your subject line. If you have any questions
please call 623-4568 ext. 101.
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
SERIES SPONSORS:
Casella Waste Systems
Central Maine Power
Emera Maine
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
PREMIER SPONSOR:
McCain Foods USA, Inc.
PRESENTING SPONSORS:
Hampton Inn, Presque Isle
OFFICIAL SPONSORS:
MMG Insurance
Northeast Packaging Company
Pines Health Services
S.W. Collins Co.
4/06 - UMPI hosts Dolon Scott
4/07 - NMCC opens Gallery of Aviation
4/08 - UMPI hosting Maine Concussion Mgmt.
Initiative
4/09 36th Annual UMPI Spring Run Off
4/09 - City Wide Tour Aboard Molly the Trolley
4/09 - Wintergreen Saturday Open Studio
4/09 & 4/12 - Caribou Historical Society
Vintage Fashion
4/09 & 4/10 - Spring Trash & Treasure
4/09 & 4/10 - PI Fish & Game Club Sportsman’s
Show
4/09 & 4/10 - Bigrock Slush Rush
4/11 - PI Rec Theater/Drama registration
4/11 - PI Rec Track & Field Registration
4/11 - UMPI hosts drummer Michael Wingfield
4/12 - Caribou Rec Adult Deer
Yard/Greenhouse Tour
4/13 - PI Career Center Job Fair
4/14 - UMPI holding Alert Test
4/15 - Noises Off!
4/16 - Wintergreen Saturday Open Studio
4/16 & 4/17 - Home & Small Business Show
4/16 & 4/19 - Caribou Historical Society
Vintage Fashion
4/17 - Mapleton Daze Sip & Paint
4/18 - 4/22 - Lugdon Lodge Spring Fever
Adventure Camp
4/19 - UMPI hosts DLS speaker Jim Keady
4/20 - Chamber Breakfast Series
4/20 - UMPI celebrates University Day
4/21 - Fort Fairfield Library Kid’s Intro to
Animal Tracking
4/21 - PI Rec Peanut Carnival
4/21 - Wintergreen Ladies Night Out!
4/22 - Caribou Kiwanis Keystone Kops
4/23 - Mapleton Daze Craft/Vendor Fair
4/23 - Aroostook Birders Waterfowl Walk
4/23 - Wintergreen Saturday Open Studio
4/23 - Guided walking tour of Presque Isle
4/23 - Guided tour of the 1875 Vera Estey
House
4/23 & 4/24 - Top O’ Maine Trade Show
4/23 & 4/26 - Caribou Historical Society
Vintage Fashion
4/30 - Meduxnekeag River Canoe Race
4/30 - Ann King Cary Donor Dash 5K
4/30 - Wintergreen Saturday Open Studio
4/30 - Aroostook Autism Support Group
“Autism Challenge”
4/30 & 5/03 - Caribou Historical Society
Vintage Fashion
5/01 - K of C Polar Bear Dip for Special
Olympics
5/01 - 4th Annual Safe Homes Aroostook 5K
Run/Walk
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
TO SEE COMPLETE INFO ON THE ABOVE EVENTS!
http://www.centralaroostookchamber.com
If you would like to see your event in our newsletter
or on our website please contact us at:
Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce
207-764-6561
Or by email at
lfrederick@centralaroostookchamber.com
“I’m a Member, Now What?”
For some businesses, being a member of the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce
(CACC) is second nature. For others, they have a hard time seeing the value in their investment.
What does the Central Aroostook chamber of Commerce actually do? The mission states: To
serve, advance and publicize the commercial, agricultural and civic interests of Central
Aroostook County. This mission is multi-faceted: it involves Business Networking, Education,
Economic & Community Development and Community Events.
Business Networking: This may be the most well-known opportunity for our members. Along
with our monthly newsletter, we have advertising opportunities, we give business referrals and
we are often the first information resource that new businesses seek out when considering
Central Aroostook County.
Education: The Centr al Aroostook Chamber of Commerce hosts monthly
Breakfast Meetings to meet the State of Maine Commissioners. The CACC also joins other local
institutions and businesses to provide forums for discussion on local issues.
Economic & Community Development: One of the main objectives of the Centr al
Aroostook Chamber of Commerce is to make Aroostook County a place where people want to
live and work. The Chamber is the liaison between our region, the State of Maine and the nation.
We work to accentuate the positive aspects of our region to those near and far.
4. Community Events: If you live or wor k near Aroostook County, then you have most
certainly been exposed to one of the numerous community events that the Central Aroostook
Chamber of Commerce hosts. The Annual Dinner in January, The Maine Quebec Caravan in
February, City-Wide Yard Sale and Strawberry Shortcake Sale in June, Potato Booth at the
Northern Maine Fair in July, Crown of Maine Balloon Fest in August, Haunted Woods Walk and
Aroostook County Brew Fest in October and the Holiday Light Parade in December are all
opportunities for your business to participate and gain exposure in events that draw people from
all over the State of Maine.
You membership is important to your community AND your business—utilize it! Call us today
at 207-764-6561 and connect with us to access all the resources available to you!
Original article by Cynthia Ross appeared in the Business Insider, a publication of the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber Connection
Page 5
~ 54 North Street ~ Presque Isle, ME ~ 769-2697 ~
www.amysflowersinmaine.com
Administrative Professionals Day ~ April 27, 2016
*Monthly Meetings*
Chamber Board Meetings are typically the
SECOND Tuesday of each Month.
During the winter they are held at the
Chamber office.
During the spring and summer months we like to
visit members in the community.
Chamber Connection
Page 9
Chamber Checks
Program
YEAR ROUND GIVING !!
The Chamber Checks Program isn’t just for the holidays! It is for year round spending in our local stores!
They are regular business size, fully encoded checks. The checks will be signed by Lynnette Frederick or Theresa Fowler. They are
being issued in $ 10, $15, $25 and $50 denominations. At the time of use the checks will be dated and made payable to the receiving
business. The check will be accepted at its full face value and any required change will be given to the client. For simplicity they will be
considered like cash until the bank deposit is being made.
Your business will then deposit the check in your bank deposit like any other check received for payment from a client.
The checks have gone through a duplicate printing process to make them protected against forgery.
Like Gift Certificates the money from the purchase will be placed in a specific account and held. There are no printed expiration dates as
they will expire 6 month after the check is presented for purchases, not 6 months from date of purchase here at the Chamber.
We are hoping that this project will encourage support of local businesses. There will be a list of businesses which have agreed to accept
these checks as forms of payment sent with each purchased check. Local businesses will be given window decals to advertise that they
accept these checks for payment as well.
If you have any concerns please contact the Chamber office and speak to either Lyn or Theresa at your convenience.
Thank you for your continued support.
The Following Businesses Participate in the Chamber Checks Program:
ACE Rent A Car
Amy’s Flowers
Aroosta Cast
Aroostook Limousines
Aroostook Savings & Loan
Aroostook Shredding
Aroostook Tech, Inc.
Ashland 1 Stop
Ashland Diner
Aural Rehabilitation Services/ARS Hearing Aids
Beaulieau’s Auto
Big Cheese Pizza (Caribou & PI)
Bigrock Mountain
Bike, Board & Ski
Braden Theater
Bradley’s Citgo & Car Wash
Bread of Life Bulk Foods & Specialty Store
Burger Boy
Card Smart
Care & Comfort
Caribou Inn & Convention Center
Caribou Save - A -Lot
Cary Medical Center Gift Shop
Chandler Farms, Inc.
City Drug Store
Collage Beauty Studio
Condon Sign, LLC
Country Cleaners
Country Collectibles
Criterium-Brown Engineers
Cushman & Sons, Inc.
Daigle Property Maintenance
Dana’ s Auto Sales
Eagle Hill Stamp & Coin
Family Eyecare & Mavor Optical
Gagnon’s Auto & RV Sales, Inc.
Gil’s Sanitation
Governor’s Restaurant & Bakery
Graves Supermarket, Inc.
Hampton Inn By Hilton
Hand Me Down Antiques
Harry’s Motor Sports & Equipment
Diana Higgins, LMT
Hillside IGA
Irish Setter Pub
JP Market & Deli
Lynox Welding Supply
Diana Mains, LMT
Mars Hill Country Club
Mars Hill IGA
Merchants on the Corner
MOJO Outdoor Sports
Northeast Pellets
Northern Business Products
Northern Maine Community College
Northern Prosthetics & Orthotics
Pat’s Pizza
Percy’s Auto Sales
Plourde & Plourde, Inc.
Pottery by Karen St. Peter
Precision Lawn Services, Inc.
Presque Isle Country Club
Presque Isle Save - A - Lot
Quality Homes Services
RLW Management, Inc.
Rathbun Lumber
Shallie’s Place
Star City IGA.
Steaks N’ Stuff
Sunrise Massage & Birth Services
The Aroostook Medical Center
TAMC’s Country Heart Gift Shop
The Maine Dance Academy
The Olde Rustic Attic
Tim Horton’s (Caribou & PI)
Verizon Wireless Zone
Walmart
BDN Maine Outdoors
1/16 page—$65.00
1/8 page—$130.00
1/4 page—$260.00
1/2 page—$520.00
BDN Maine Outdoor prints over 50,000 issues
of their magazine four times a year.
Advertising
Opportunities
All purchased advertising will receive a free
Facebook posting
Email Blast to Membership—$25.00
The Chamber will send your ad out to our over
300 members
Monthly Newsletter—$25.00
Your ad will be included in our monthly
newsletter
Annual Directory
The Directory includes all of our membership,
local organizations, places of worship, and
information on Central Aroostook County. With
1200 printed annually, the directory is given in
relocation packets, new member packets and is
distributed throughout Aroostook County.
Website Banner/Rotator Ads
Top Banner—First Month FREE then $50.00 per
month with a 6 month
commitment up front. After 6 months you can
continue on at the same monthly rate or pick
times of the year that would benefit your
company the most.
Rotating Side Banner—First month FREE then
$20.00 per month with a 6 month
commitment up front. After 6 months you can
continue on at the same monthly rate or pick
times of the year that would benefit your
company the most.
Bangor Metro
1/16 page—$100.00
1/8 page $200.00
1/4 Page—$400.00
1/2 Page $800.00
With a monthly circulation of 12,500 magazines,
Bangor Metro is growing in popularity here in
Aroostook County due to a special feature called
“Crown of Maine”.
WAGM-TV-CACC Presents
$260.00 for 40 airings total over one month.
Choose the month that best suits your
business’s needs. The Chamber pays $60.00 of
the cost..
You get: A 15 second piece that introduces you as
a member of the Central Aroostook Chamber of
Commerce (5 seconds), then your advertising
information with an
exterior shot of your business (10 seconds) with a
total of 20 airings on CBS and 20 airings on FOX
over the month you choose.
Event Sponsorship
The Central Aroostook Chamber of
Commerce holds eight events each year with
varying levels of sponsorship. Please contact the
Chamber for sponsorship menus.
The Central Aroostook Chamber of
Commerce buys advertising to share with it’s
Members through local radio, local
publications, special inserts, and tourism items
sent through out the State of Maine
.
Spring is definitely on the way, the
calendar of events is filling up! When I
look at the things that need to be done to
prepare for all the spring and summer
activities I think I need that hour we lost
a few weeks ago back and a few more
with it.
The Breakfast series hosted by TD Bank
is very well attended. We have had very
interesting presenters and the attendees
have hopefully learned a lot.
Commissioner Mayhew will join us in
May, Canadian Consul General to
Eastern United States, Dave Alward in
June, Jim Pineau from U S Small
Business Administration will be here in
July.
If there is a particular topic you would
like to have a presentation on at one of
these breakfasts, please pass on the
information. We want to have
presentations and discussions that are of
interest to all.
As we begin mud season, outdoor
activities are restricted to fishing and
boating in places you can easily reach
without damaging property. Fortunately,
the golf courses may be open soon as
there is not much snow left.
Planning for many of our annual events
is underway. If you would like to join
one of the Chamber committees and
share in our fun, drop in or call the
office. Strawberry Shortcake Sale, Potato
Booth, Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, Haunted
Woods Walk and Aroostook County Brew
Fest are all rapidly approaching.
Join a committee and see if you might be
interested in joining the Board of
Directors in the future.
Watch for more exciting projects your
Chamber will be introducing this year!