Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce
Chamber News Edition
Hello Everyone,
A big thank you to all of you for your continued support of the Chamber in 2016. We've got a great year planned for you that started off with a bang at our Annual Dinner and Auction on Friday, January 29. A big thank you to our sponsors, Bath Savings Institution, Current Publishing, Mid Coast Parkview Health, Winter People, Maine Memories Gifts, Fusion Dance Academy and Servpro Bath/Brunswick.
Thanks to our amazing emcee, Shannon Moss, who is also a new
member and founder of Code Gratitude. Thank you to our events committee and all volunteers who worked so hard to make this an event that exceeded our expectations raising over $6,000 for website improvements, member education and our scholarship fund.
A big thank you to the Hilton Garden Inn for hosting us once again! I also want to thank our Board of Directors for their commitment and enthusiasm for our organization.
In 2016, we welcome Jim Frey from Bow Street Market to our Board and congratulate our Executive Board, Michelle Barker, President, Caleb Stephens, Vice President and Dale Bouton, Treasurer.
I look forward to bringing you new opportunities and events in 2016 and welcome your input and feedback. This is your organization so please let me know at any time if there is anything that I can do to help your business grow! All the best in 2016!
Stephanie Petkers
Congratulations our 2015 Chamber Award Winners
Ed Bonney Community Contribution Award, Melanie Sachs
|
|
Melanie Sachs (left)
Angela Garrison (right) |
L.L. Bean Community Involvement Award, Bath Savings Institution
|
|
| Bath Savings Institution Team |
Volunteer of the Year, Amy Gillis
|
|
|
Amy Gillis (left)
Michelle Barker (right)
|
Best Costume Award, Lennie Burke
|
|
|
Lennie Burke(right)
Nancy Anderson (left)
|
|
 |
February Chamber Newsletter
Valentines day is almost upon us. Share your February specials, promotion, or special event in the Chamber Member monthly newsletter.
Deadline for submissions is February 8th for Member News Edition release on February 15th.
Thank you
|
|
Burgess Computer 
6 Oak Grove Avenue
Bath, ME 04530
Phone: 207-443-9554
With over 30 years in business, Burgess Computer is a comprehensive technology firm in Bath, Maine. Burgess provides Managed IT Services, Network Design & An
alysis, Computer Repair, Help Desk Support, Web Hosting & Cloud Services, as well as Disaster Recovery Solutions, Vulnerability Testing, PCI Compliance & Voice Over IP telecommunications. Their team of experts also provide custom programming, software development and project management. Their clients range from small businesses to large organizations in many sectors: commercial, non-profit, municipal, military, education, and industrial/manufacturing. They provide excellent long-term value and exceptional personal service throughout New England.
|
|
Code Gratitude
Shannon Moss
P.O. Box 3345
Portland, ME 04104
Codegratitude.com connects supportive businesses with our protectors (fire, police, military, ems). Businesses sign up for a minimal fee then customize a discount that will help grow their business. Code Gratitude then markets those businesses to a large, loyal group of potential customers. It is marketing that you can feel very good about!
Member Discount: $50 off annual membership
|
|
Dube's Music
181 Lower Main Street
Freeport, ME 04032
Dube's Music began in 2006 when owner, Tom Dube, opened the first shop in Lisbon, ME. By 2014, Dube's Music found its way to Freeport where Tom and his wife had worked for many years. Dube's offers accessories, instruments, sheet music, lessons, rentals and more.
Member Discount: extra 5% discount on all accessories including guitar strings, drumsticks, band instruments, reeds and cleaning kits.
|
 Health Markets
163 Pleasant Street
Brunswick, ME 04011
Phone: 207-239-4100
New member Chris Storms is benefit specialist who assists clients in reviewing their options as it pertains to health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, Medicare and Long-Term care. Call him today to learn more about our insurance options.
|
|
Kellie Chasse, Fine Art
Phone: 207-241-0086
Kellie Chasse was raised in Presque Isle, Maine and moved to Coastal Brunswick Maine in 1987. Her interest in art sprouted from early childhood. Fascinated with the beauty of landscape surrounding her Coastal Maine home and coupled with her love and compassion for animals, was all the inspiration she needed to develop her artistic abilities. 
It was painting with her mother Artist Shelby Crouse that inspired her to paint when she was in high school. She started with abstract paintings, creating mood through bold colors and shapes. Kellie's later use of soft lines and vibrant colors captures the realistic beauty of Maine.
|
|
Ocean Stone Designs, Julia Doughty
Phone: 207-798-9057 
Artist Statement
I am a scavenger. I love the chance and the timing of where and when an object will present itself. When I find it, it speaks to me, it is truly a gift; it was waiting for me.
I have always been an avid, addict of beachcombing. Most recently, rusty iron remnants discarded by other past lives, call out to me. I love the color and the texture of the rust. I love that nature has changed these objects, that it has claimed them and how they now blend with their surroundings and are becoming part of nature. I visit old childhood haunts where I have found some really great things. I don't even know what half of them were, I just see the shapes they are and what they could be. I read once, that to find your true passion, you need to revisit your childhood and try to remember what made you  happy...before growing up and becoming bogged down by the less whimsical realities of the adult world. I recalled roaming tirelessly along the Halifax waterfront with a childhood friend, filling our pockets with rusty bolts and scraps which we then took home to paint and proudly display. My studio is an organized (some would laugh at this), constantly changing, clutter of found objects waiting to be recycled, transformed... awaiting whimsy, you might say. I am happy to have found my inner child again.
|
|
Polly Smith, Watercolor Artist
Phone: 207-844-4934
In the artists own words...
I paint the coast and farms of Maine, with some still lives of vegetable and flowers that I grow, because I love to capture and share the simple beauty I find in my every day life. As a painter and a gardener, I am connected to the land and sea, what grows here and can be seen here. Some times my titles help convey a sense of humor or meaning to complement the painting.
My paintings are primarily representational with compositions and colors that enhance reality. I use layers of watercolors to get rich colors and then complement that with washes that only watercolor makes possible. I work to be true to reality but not enslaved by it because painting is not photography and painters are not deities.
|
|
|
Summer's Day at Wolfe's Neck Park
Original is sold.
|
I have painted in watercolors for the past ten years or so. I have taken painting classes taught by Marguerite Lawler at Maine College of Art, Diana Johnson of Maine, and Mick Watson of Massachusetts.
To read the more of Polly's story visit
|
|
SPUN Bakery
Don Gaile, Chief Baking Officer
Phone: 207-417-7097
Spun creates and bakes delicious heirlook-minded, small batch baked goods and treats that are sourced with the best ingredients. Baked in Freeport by hand
with great care, our kitchen accommodates large scale orders as well as small batches for
anyone placing special orders. We make everything from applie pie to zucchini devil's food chocolate cake.
Member Discount: 10% off any order
|
|
Vet At Your Door - Veterinary House Call Services
Vet at your Door, P.C.
Deirdre Frey, DVM
P.O. Box 138
Freeport, ME 04032
Vet at your Door, P.C. lets your pets relax at home while they enjoy the best that veterinary medicine has to offer. A veterinary house call service, we provide wellness care, sick visits, hospice care and end-of-life care/euthanasia in the comfort of home.
Member Special: No trip fee charged ($25-$50 value per visit)
|
February 3, 2016 - Health & Wellness Meeting
|
REMINDER FOR TONIGHT
February 3, 2016 - Buck's BBQ Painting Night with Kellie Chasse
Buck's Naked BBQ
568 US Route 1, Freeport - 865-0600
Paint night with Kellie Chasse at Buck's Naked BBQ. Each attendee will
complete a 16 x 20 acrylic version of the painting shown. All materials will be provided. Cost is $35 per person.
Kellie is a
f
antastic teacher and very talented painter and one of our newest
Chamber members!
Please note; food and beverage is additional.
|
|
Tuesday, February 9, 2016 - Parking & Accessiblity, 9-10AM
Freeport Chamber Office, 57 Depot Street, Freeport
Talk Tuesdays, Parking and Accessibility, Please join us in a group conversation regarding accessibility and parking in Freeport. We will have Sally Walsh in attendance, she heads up a Task Force who just reported their findings to the Town Council. Input from local business owners is requested so please do come and join the conversation.
Our next Talk Tuesday is March 8, 2016. Topic "Advertising Your Business"
|
Tuesday, February 9, 2016, 5-7PM
Business After Hours, Royal River Heat Pumps
132 US Route 1, Freeport - 400-4065
Join us at the beautiful showroom and learn more about the energy efficient and quiet heat pumps as an alternative heat source. Guests will include new Chamber members, Polly Smith and Julia Doughty with artwork on display as part of the FebFest celebration. 5:00-7:00. (Across from the BFI)
|
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Freeport Family Ski Day
Mt. Abram, Greenwood
Freeport Family Ski Day at Mt Abram Ski Area, Greenwood, ME.
Special group pricing will be offered for this special day!
Enjoy the beautiful weather and a discounted lift ticket. Call the Chamber office to place your name on the list to receive group pricing on 2/27 when you ski at Mt. Abram. Simply give your name that day at the ticket window to receive your discounted passes.
|
Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 5-7PM - Joint Event with Yarmouth Chamber
Business After hours, Hosted by Beansprouts/Fusion
Lower Main Street, Freeport
Beansprouts and Fusion co-host this joint event with Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce in the newly expanded Beansprouts located in front of the Hampton Inn. Yarmouth chamber member Terri Arden, Licensed Massage Therapist, will be on hand as well. Come celebrate the growth of Beansprouts and meet some new people!
|
~ SAVE THE DATE ~
Friday, March 10 - Sunday, March 12, 2016
Sip, Spa & Shop at the Comfort Suites
Enjoy a weekend getaway just for the ladies. Relax and unwind with some friends and enjoy activities that include mini spa treatments, psychic readings, shopping discounts and a paint night. More details to come in the Member Newsletter but SAVE THE DATE.
|
~ SAVE THE DATE ~
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Day of Business - Business to Business Expo
Save this date for our Annual Business Expo being held from 1:00-5:00pm at the Hilton Garden Inn. More Information coming next week.
| Time |
Topic
|
Location |
| 8:00 - 11:00AM |
Business Seminar |
Freeport Community Services, Bradley Room |
| 1:00 - 5:00PM |
Business to Business Expo |
Hilton Garden Inn |
This event will be held jointly with Southern MidCoast Chamber
|
~ Noteworthy ~
T
he Chamber is currently working on a local calendar for the shared use of
our members. Check it out today!.
|
Shop Local Chamber Co-Op Advertising
Current Publishings in the Tri-Town Weekly
Freeport Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Current Publishing to bring you a special offer for advertising in 2016.
Beginning in February, the Chamber will sponsor a co-op monthly centerfold ad called "Shop Local" to be featured the third week of each month in the Tri-Town Weekly. There are only 12 spots available for the amazing price of $70 a month for a 12 month commitment. Once during that 12 months, a larger space will be available to each advertiser in addition to their regular monthly ad. This is a great way to have a consistent message during the year that reaches each and every household in Freeport, Durham and Pownal.
T
he deadline for this is Friday, February 5.
Do not miss this opportunity!
|
|
Congratulations to Jim Frey our newest board member.
Jim has been in retail for over 30 years. He was employed in store management by Shaw's Supermarkets for 19 years followed by 5 years at Wild Oats in Portland. Jim worked for Pet Smart in Biddeford as an Operations Manager and has been with Bow Street Market in Freeport as the Store Manager since 2008. Jim has been a Freeport resident since 2001 and a member of the Freeport Gridiron Boosters for over 9 years.
Welcome Jim!
|
|
|
|
