Shop Early And Shop Local With The KV Chamber Shop Local Program
by Iris Alexander
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It feels a little early to be gearing up for the holidays considering we just completed October and celebrated Halloween. However, with supply chain delays occurring in industries from manufacturing and production to the US Post office, getting a little head start on the process makes sense.
One way to get a head start on your shopping and spread the cost of the holidays out is to shop early and local. Though online blowout sales are tempting, they negatively impact smaller communities such as our own in the Kennebec Valley. One way that they negatively affect our society is that they generate a substantial environmental footprint. Online items come wrapped in plastic, protected with styrofoam, and in a distortional large cardboard box. The impact of delivering to your door causes unnecessary use of gas, creates CO2 emissions, holes in the ozone layer, and ultimately results in the death of polar bears. A crime Santa would not forget.
But you as a consumer have the power to save the holidays when you shop large with small local stores. This brings not only money back to your local economy but also creates the habit of community investment. With your money now circulating locally, entrepreneurs can create more jobs, which means more workers will purchase from other local businesses. The spending money part is where the KV Chamber steps in to help. We created our Shop Local program in partnership with our members to bring money back to our community. When you purchase a gift certificate in the following value options: $5, $10, $25, and $50, you are committing to helping your community prosper. These gift cards are redeemable at more than 100 KV Chamber member locations. So, stop into the Kennebec Valley Chamber to purchase your Shop Local gift certificates and have your hard-earned dollar make an impact on your community.
Remember, shopping is a fun activity, but it can also be an opportunity to make a significant impact on a small business.
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November 10th, 11:30-1:00 pm
Augusta Civic Center
$20 for Members & $30 for Non-Members
Lunch Provided
Join the Chamber and Amy Marston of CMP for a presentation on the importance of recognizing that the journey is just as crucial as getting where you want to be. Our personable speaker will share her story of setbacks, obstacles, and successes.
The Chamber is pleased to bring back the WNL in person for our members. We received many inquiries for us to make this happen and are excited to see everyone next month. The Civic Center has a mask policy in place when guests are not eating or drinking. We ask you to respect the policy and still have a great time with us!
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Thank you to our Women's Network Sponsor! |
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We are pleased to announce that the 2022 Kenney Awards will be outside Mill Park on July 15th. Save the date!
To celebrate our 90th year as a Chamber in style, we thought there was no better way than a night under the real stars. Join us in celebrating the business and people who make the Kennebec Valley a community.
The final days to nominate for an award are here! Make sure to take a moment to help us recognize the stars in our community.
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November 3, 11;30-12:30 via Zoom-
Join the Cynergy and The Emerging Leaders Society for a CEO Spotlight with Nicole Evans, the Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Northern New England's Central and Mid Coast Maine Chapter. Nicole will discuss Leadership, Best Practices, and building community impact.
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Thank you to our Cynergy Sponsors! |
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Belgrade Lakes Region Business Group
Dan McCarron, (207) 242-9957
dan@belgradelakepoint.com
Clean Maine
Shelly Everett, (207) 446-1441
info@cleanmemaine.com
ConvenientMD
Lynn Derocher, (207) 740-5583
Lderocher@ConvenientMD.com
Cotone Family Chiropractic
Jennifer Cotone, (207) 620-2078
cotonefamilychiro@gmail.com
CPR for Less
Joshua Stevens, (207) 317-0391
josh@cprforless.com
El Oso Taqueria & Gift Shop
Paola Buentello, (207) 588-7926
elsoinmaine@gmail.com
Kennebec Cabin Company
Kristie Firlotte, (207) 480-1777
office@mainecabinmasters.com
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Kimberly Chamard Photography
Kimberly Chamard
kimberlychamardphoto@gmail.com
Lisa's Legit Burritos
Ehrin Simanski, ehrin16@gmail.com
Augusta#(207) 620-1040
Gardiner#(207)203-2013
Melissa Walden Photography
Melissa Walden
melissawaldenphotography@gmail.com
Merrill's K9 Academy
Sarah Voynik (207) 592-7567
sarah@merrillsk9academyme.com
Monkitree
Clare Marron (207) 512-4679
info@monkitree.com
West Street Bakery
Sanna Norwood-Harrop, (207) 461-5689
weststreetbakery.maine@gmail.com
Western View Golf and Pub
Cathy Cobb, (207) 213-6148
westernviewgolfandpub@yahoo.com
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40+ Years
Augusta Tool Rental, Charlie's Toyota, Peachey Builders, Thomas Agency
30+ Years
Allen's Transfer & Storage, Caron's Collision Repair Center, Companion Animal Clinic, D.R. Struck Landscape Nursery, Kennebec Technologies, Inc., Manpower
20+ Years
B H Builders, Inc., Charlie's Honda, Charlie's Motor Mall, Clark Marine, Coldwell Banker Rizzo Mattson Realtors, Kennebec Valley Humane Society, Lagace Properties, Lamey Wellehan, Maine Association of Broadcasters, Raymond James Mendall Financial Group, Retail Association of Maine, Riverside Disposal, Inc., Town of Winthrop, Camden National Bank Ice Vault
10+ Years
A-COPI, Alternative Manufacturing Inc., Augusta Crossing, Business Communications of Maine, Canty Construction, Capital Area Federal Credit Union, Capital Clubhouse, C. B. Mattson, Inc, CBU Benefits, LLC, C. Caprara Food Service Equipment, Central Maine Pyrotechnics, Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed, Gardiner Family Chiropractic, Kennebec Valley Family Dentistry, Maine Children's Trust, Maine Turnpike Authority, Mattson's Flooring Center, McFarland Electric Inc., Mid Maine Generator, Motivational Services Inc., Natanis Golf Club, Pat Jackson, Inc., Portland Glass, Riley Engineering, Sargent Corporation, Stoney Creek Antiques, LLC, Tallwood Design, Valley Distributors, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
5+ Years
Bay Area Title Services, Blais Property Management, Budget Blinds, Capitol Car Care, CurtisEase Coaching, Damon's Pizza & Italians, Day's Store, D R Designs, Inc., Emery's Meat & Produce, Evergreen Dental, Gagnon Dental, Goggin's IGA, Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, Hunting Works for Maine, Jim Pepin Homes, LLC, Jobs for Maine's Graduates, Malloy Construction, Inc., Sarah J. Dunckel & Associates, Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Inc., Travis Mills Foundation, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Masiello Group, Matt Maloney State Farm Insurance, Moody's Collision, Pine Tree Fence & Stove Shoppe, Zardus Art of Massage
Renewing
A&D Services Inc., Augusta West Kampground, Cloutier Carrillo, Elliott Office Products, HUB International New England LLC, LaRochelle Interiors, LLC, Strategic Real Estate Services, Greater Augusta Back to School Program
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Hallowell Granite Symposium Organizers Announce Fundraiser to Keep Two Sculptures in Hallowell Vision Hallowell is spearheading a fundraiser to purchase two of the resulting large-scale granite sculptures for permanent placement at Granite City Park in downtown Hallowell. “Bloom” by Isabel Kelley and “Flowing Through” by Mark Herrington won first and second place in a people’s choice vote during the symposium and were also selected for purchase by the Hallowell Arts and Cultural Committee. The $20,000 fundraising goal includes installation costs and permanent signage. Thanks to early donations from the Symposium organizing committee and volunteers, along with support from Kennebec Savings Bank, 40% of the funds needed are already secured.
Those interested in helping to keep the sculptures in Hallowell can write a check payable to “Vision Hallowell” and mail it to Vision Hallowell, PO Box 43, Hallowell, ME 04347
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Golden Pond Wealth Management is pleased to announce that Jennifer Smith has recently joined the Golden Pond staff as a relationship manager. She brings with her a depth of finance and government experience including public policy, communications, business development, and compliance.
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December 9th ~ Shemekia Copeland Concert with Snow Pond join for a pre-show holiday dinner followed by Shemekia Copeland in concert. With a recording career that began in 1998 at age 18, award-winning vocalist Shemekia Copeland has grown to become one of the most talented and passionately candid artists on today's roots music scene. "Shemekia Copeland is a powerhouse, a superstar…She can do no wrong" –Rolling Stone.
A Pre-Show Holiday Dinner will be served in Snow Pond's Historic Lodge. A prix fixe holiday menu will begin with prime rib or stuffed portobello mushrooms and end with a winter berry crumble.
Tickets: $75 pre-show holiday dinner & concert / $35 concert only.
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United Way of Kennebec Valley (UWKV) has hired Katelyn Pushard as the organization's Community Engagement Manager—a newly created position since UWKV's expansion into northern Kennebec County.
Pushard will lead a portion of UWKV’s resource development and fundraising initiatives, manage donor groups, and lead volunteer engagement strategies.
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Earl Kingsbury, Chair*
Augusta Civic Center
Tim Walton, Chair-Elect*
Walton External Affairs
Michele Pelletier, Vice Chair*
PERFORMANCE Foodservice - NorthCenter
Matthew Tardiff, Treasurer*
J.S. McCarthy Printers
Alec Rogers, Past Chair*
Quality Inn & Suites Maine Evergreen Hotel
Chuck Hays, Past Treasurer*
MaineGeneral Health
Cathy DeMerchant, Human Resources*
Capital Area Staffing Solutions, Inc.
Katie Doherty, President & CEO*^
Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce
* Executive Committee ^ Full-Time Executive

Karen Boston
Lipman Katz & Boston, P.A
Nathan Cotnoir
Camden National Bank
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Lori Dube
Sprague & Curtis Real Estate
Sue Grenier
G&E Roofing Co., Inc.
Eric Jermyn
Cross Insurance Agency
Steven Marson
Central Maine Pyrotechnics
Stacey Morrison
Ganneston Construction Corp.
Richard Parkhurst
Stained Glass Express
Lynn Quirion
Macomber, Farr & Whitten
Andrew Silsby
Kennebec Savings Bank
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KVCC Staff

Katie L. Doherty, President & CEO
Lindsay L. Corbett, Chief Operating Officer
Melissa L. Walden, Membership & Development Manager
Iris R. Alexander, Marketing & Events Manager
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