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Craig's Column
The Chamber has begun to put together the next edition of its Community Resource Directory and Tourist Guide. This publication is widely distributed. It can be seen at visitor centers along the Maine Turnpike, at eight tourism and travel shows spanning from Canada to Pennsylvania, at all the local hotels and this year we plan to get copies out to every Chamber member. The Directory lists all Chamber members by category for easy usage by travelers coming to Biddeford-Saco and surrounding communities. It provides excellent exposure for your business and gives a brief overview of what this area has to offer visitors, shoppers and locals as well.
This year we have contracted with Cristina Forsyth of Bustle and Grow to sell advertising opportunities to our membership. She will be contacting you to explain the sizes and pricing of advertising. If you would like to get a jump on your competition, feel free to give her a call
at 978-609-0609 or email at bustleandgrow@gmail.com and reserve an ad space. Also, if you have been considering joining the Chamber, now is the time. Join before May 18th and make sure your business gets listed in the directory. Call the Chamber office at 207-282-1567 for dues and details.
Spring is always a busy time for the Chamber. We recently hosted a successful Ladies Night Out. Estella has posted pictures on FaceBook and in this Newsletter. The next event is Business After Hours on Thursday May 3rd at Peoples United Bank in Biddeford. We hope to see you there for some networking and fun. On May 15th, the Chamber in its partnership with Anthem, will host the 4th and final 3rd Tuesday Workshop from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Saco Train Station. This workshop will focus on Credit Scores, their importance and how to increase your score. May 17th we will see you at another Business After Hours at Moody's Collision Center in Biddeford. And finally on May 24th, we encourage you to attend Business after Hours at Mainely Media. Let's relax, have some fun and get to know each other better as we prepare to grow our businesses this summer.
Be sure to check out our ads and links in this Newsletter. We have included some great information and we have really great advertising rates. Check us out and secure your spot next month.
Have you seen my monthly column in the Courier? My first two focused on the concepts and the working of a Chamber of Commerce. In the coming months I will discuss programs and campaigns that the Chamber is involved in and how they support our membership. If you missed them, you can find them on our Chamber Blog .
Thanks,
Craig
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Business After Hours hosted by
Bangor Savings Bank
On Thursday April 5, 2012 Bangor Savings Bank
held their Business After Hours in their
Downtown Biddeford location on Main Street.
The room was full of laughter, great conversation and
guests enjoyed making solid contacts while networking throughout the spacious branch.
 Saco Island Deli as always outdid themselves. All of the appetizers were fantastic! 
Thank you to everyone at Bangor Savings for making the evening truly memorable. For more event photos: |
Newly Renovated
PeoplesChoice Credit Union
On April 6, 2012 PeoplesChoice Credit Union
proudly showed off their Newly Renovated ~
369 Elm Street, Biddeford Branch.
P.M. Construction
made topnotch
renovations.
Remember to stop by and say hi!
For more photos:
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Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide
is back for another season at The Ballpark in Old Orchard.
As the newest member of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League of New England, the Raging Tide will compete in a 54 game schedule with 27 Home games. summer long.
Nearly half of the Raging Tide roster will include student athletes from Maine schools with many of them from local towns in the Southern Maine
community. From the University Of Florida, to the University of Maine, fans can come to the Ballpark all summer long to catch the stars of tomorrow compete on the diamond.
The team is also looking for host families to house their players during the season. Don't miss your chance to take in what could possibly be an MLB superstar! If interested in being a host family, email Pam Gallo at pam@oobragingtide.com. Host families are expected to provide a player with a place to sleep as well as access to food and laundry. Families who take in a player will be compensated with season tickets as well as recognized during our Host Family Appreciation Night at The Ballpark.
Fans can expect an affordable family oriented atmosphere at The Ballpark this summer with tickets as low as $3.00. From special promotional nights to whacky between inning promotions, kids and adults will be entertained all season long.
Be on the lookout for this year's
Chamber Night at the Ballpark!
Check out photos from last year's event:
Chamber Night at The Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach
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Seminar ~ First Responders &
the Person With Dementia
First Responders attended a Brown Bag Lunch Seminar on April 11, 2012 at the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry Conference Room (Amtrak/ Downeaster Train Station Saco).
The presenters were 
Joline L. Pothier RN BSN CHPN - Community Liaison Kindred Assisted Living, Monarch Center and William Kirkpatrick of the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
The program was designed to provide first responders with basic information about memory, decision making and behavioral issues shared by those afflicted with dementia. These people are often unable to explain unusual behavior, and their actions are frequently misunderstood. The lapses associated with dementia tend to increase a person's chances of interacting with first responders and law enforcement.
First Responders learned about: Symptoms and effects
of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia; the affects of Alzheimer's on the brain; causes and risk factors; stages of the disease; treatment; hope for the future, and ways the Alzheimer's Association can help, including the MedicAlert and Safe Return service.
Six out of ten people with Alzheimer's will wander.
You can't know when it will happen,
but you'll know what to do when it does.
For info visit: www.alz.org/maine.
For more photos:
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3rd Tuesday
FREE Community Workshop
Understand and Manage
the Stress in Your Life
March 17
The presenter was Debra Papps, LCSW.
Ms. Papps listed a number of stressors, and discussed the consequences of each when they continued unchecked.
 She underlined the importance of identifying any sources of stress in our lives, and making a concerted effort to understand and alter the environment creating the stress. Stress at work, stress of changing jobs, stress caused by lack of money, and inter-family difficulties were discussed. The attendees were encouraged to participate in the presentation and many of them did; with positive contributions and meaningful questions.
Ms. Papps emphasized stress and its consequences could take a terrible toll on your health, and suggested a proper diet would assist in alleviating stress in your life.
She offered a slide presentation covering long term and short term stress; resources available to cope with stress, and stress management techniques.
See more pictures of the Workshop below:
Understanding and Managing the Stress in Your Life Photos
Workshops like these are provided as a Community Service by the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of
Commerce & Anthem BlueCross BlueShield.
They are a great way to stay informed and healthy.
Next FREE Workshop - May 15th
The final session in this valuable series will be
held on May 15, at 5:30-6:30 at the Chamber.
The subject will be: "Credit Scores and their meaning."
Call 207-282-1567 to Register
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Business After Hours
Hosted by
Key Bank Saco
April 19
This "Business After Hours" event was a "cook-out" at the
Key Bank on Scammon Street in Saco on April 19, 2012.
We were told it was to be a barbecue and our thoughts were Brrrr because the wind was cold and strong, certainly not conducive to a wide open parking lot; however we were pleasantly surprised because it was an "indoor cookout" in the very spacious and well appointed lobby of Key Bank.
The Steamed hot dogs were the order of the day with a healthy array of veggies. Dessert was a personal favorite: Sea Dog Biscuits ~
A chocolate chip cookie-pie. Two large cookies surrounding frozen vanilla ice cream. Yummie!
Sea Dog's Mascot Slugger was there, glad handing the crowd. He was in great demand for picture taking with fans ~ and very obliging. Accompanying him was his younger "brother," Dune Doggy, mascot for the Raging Tide baseball team at Old Orchard Beach. The Raging Tide also supplied extra dessert in the form of "Whoopie Pies" wrapped with a copy of their logo and shaped like little paws. Delicious!
The Grand Drawing, two tickets to a Red Sox game in May, was won by our own Bernie Valliere who will enjoy the trip to Boston with her husband Marcel as they will be celebrating their 50TH Wedding Anniversary during the same month of May.
Food, entertainment, good conversation and liquid
 refreshment were enjoyed by all. Thank you Key Bank!
Check out more event photos:
Business After Hours
at Key Bank Saco Album
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3rd Annual Ladies Night Out
April 26
This popular event, sponsored by the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce & Industry was held Thursday, April 26, 2012 at the Rochambeau Club in Biddeford.
The ladies were, as usual, spoiled by booths which offered a variety of mouth watering merchandise and pampering to satisfy every taste.
.
The highlight of the evening (the fashion show) featured magnificent outfits both from Simply You of Saco and Dress Barn of Biddeford. All mouths dropped in envy as the fabulous models paraded wearing the latest colors and trends in fashion.
Thank you to the Women for Women Committee members, Chamber Team, Volunteers, and to all of the Exhibitors who contributed their time & talent to make the 3rd Annual Ladies Night Out a huge success.
Check out more event photos:
3rd Annual Ladies Night Out Album
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Welcome New Members
Freedom IT
42 Cumberland Ave, Unit C
Saco, Maine 04072
Phone: 207-232-3693
Hobson and Company
4 Isabella Lane
Saco, Maine 04072
Phone: 207-283-0023
Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN)
323 Marginal Way
Portland, Maine 04101
Phone: 207-874-6570
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Why Buy Local?
There are several reasons to support your local businesses; here is just one of them:
Support a healthier environment.
Local businesses tend to open in more urban areas where walking, use of a bicycle or short care rides result in less dependence on imported fossil fuels. This helps lessen pollution, sprawl, over-development and the impact on waterways and forests.
As we head into Spring, farmer's markets are opening up and we're naturally buying more produce locally. Keep your eyes open for other local products you may not have expect there like honey, eggs, meats & seafood as well as a variety of crafts depending on the by-laws of your favorite farmer's market.
For more reasons to buy locally or to find local business,
please visit www.biddefordsacobuylocal.org
For a list of farmer's markets in your area
try Get Real Get Maine
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 Celebrate Saco's Sesquibicentennial
This June!
June 9, 2012 marks the 250th Anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Saco.
On June 9, 1762, citizens opted for the name "Pepperrellborough" after Sir William Pepperrell, the Kittery merchant who purchased land in this area for a timber industry, as well as a cemetery and new meeting house.
In 1805, the town changed its name to the shorter, easier to spell "Saco." To celebrate this momentous occasion, the city has planned a five-weekend long series of events, starting June 9, and concluding on July 8. The festivities kick off on June 9 at 10 a.m. with a parade down Saco's Main Street, followed by a reading of the historic proclamation at the original Meeting House on Route 9 in Biddeford at 2 p.m.
On Friday, June 22, the Saco Museum's much-anticipated summer exhibition, The Moving Panorama of Pilgrim's Progress opens. The next evening, on June 23, a replica of the Pilgrim's Progress panorama will be performed at City Hall. In conjunction with the Sesquibicentennial, Saco Spirit's 42nd Annual Side Walk Arts Festival will occur on Saturday, June 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
Other events, including historic walking tours, a street fair, and other socials will occur throughout the five-weekend block. Be sure to check our Facebook Page (Saco.250th.Anniversary) or our website
http://www.sacomaine.org/saco250.shtml
for the latest news and details.
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You Are Invited
Excellent Health Care
Provided With
Compassion & Respect
May 3
Appetizers * Refreshments *
Door Prizes * 50/50 Raffle *
Bring Your Business Cards
When: May 3, 2012
Where: People's United Bank
Location: 28 Adams Street, Biddeford
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
*********
May 17
Appetizers * Refreshments *
Door Prizes * 50/50 Raffle *
Bring Your Business Cards
When: May 17, 2012
Where: Moody's Collision Center Biddeford
Location: 631 Elm Street, Biddeford
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
*********
Mainely Media LLL (Courier)
May 24
Appetizers * Refreshments *
Door Prizes * 50/50 Raffle *
Bring Your Business Cards
When: May 24, 2012
Where: Mainely Media LLC
( Courier )
Location: 1 York Street, Biddeford
( next door to old location )
Time: 5:00-7:00 PM
RSVP: Estella
207.282.1567
or Email:
Estella@BiddefordSacoChamber.org
Please Mention
Which Event
All members from
Biddeford-Saco Chamber
and their Employees
are Welcome!
Non-Members - $10
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FUTURE
BUSINESS
AFTER HOURS
June 7 - Prudential Prime Properties Saco
June 14 - Monarch Center
of Saco
June 21 - The Chef & The Gardener
Aug. 16 - The Chamber
Sept. 13 - Kennebunk Savings
Sept. 27 - Ever Mustang Rescue
Oct. 11 - Norway Savings
Oct. 25 - Saco Biddeford
Savings Institution
Nov. 8 - Furman Gregory Deptula
Dec. 13 - Bergen & Parkinson
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