February 5, 2025

February, the month of hearts & flowers!

Vol. 05

Sarah Rhinelander has been wonderfully busy with painting and photography around the island. The History Center is very pleased to have her 2025 Calendar for sale --please stop in any Sunday, 12 to 2, email us fowih19@gmail.com or call Mary Ellen at 380-5926!

The Garden Club of Wiscasset

The Garden Club of Wiscasset

Invites you to join us for

“Vernal Pools”

Presented by The Chewonki Foundation

Traveling Natural History Programs

1:00 PM the afternoon of February 6, 2025

Meeting in Fellowship Hall

First Congregational Church

28 High St, Wiscasset

Refreshments after the Program

Public Invited Free of Charge

Call today 207-882-9600!

Sunday Supper Series

Thursday, February 6 - Cocktail Revival

A deep dive into the modern mixology scene and revival of classic cocktails

*Inclement weather reschedule dates will be:

Cocktail Revival: Saturday February 8

Please ensure you will be available for reschedule days when booking!

We’re thrilled to welcome our dear friend Zach Beeson to Maine for the month of January. 

Zach will be the host of our

SUNDAY SUPPER SERIES: History of Cocktails.

Maine Tourism Association News

More than 2,000 Bill Titles Released Giving a Preview of This Legislative Session

A preliminary list of the bill titles submitted by legislators, executive agencies, and departments was published late Friday afternoon. While this session has about 30 fewer bills submitted than the last, it's shaping up to be a busy legislative season.

The released lists only include bill titles, without the actual language, leaving us to make our best guesses until we speak with the bill sponsors to understand their intentions. So far, around 280 bills have been printed, and public hearings are expected to pick up pace in the coming weeks. As more bills are printed with full text, we'll provide you with detailed updates on legislation relevant to the industry. For now, you can view the full lists below:

• List of bills by sponsor
• List of bills by policy area
• List of bills submitted by departments and agencies

This is a moment policy wonks eagerly await each session, so I put down my latest book this weekend to pull out some of the titles that may be of interest to industry. You can find that curated list below.

Pleased to announce the publication of a new study commissioned by the Department of Economic and Community Development, titled Why People Move to Maine. The report is based on unique research by Wallace Economic Advisors surveying people who moved to Maine from other states in recent years. A copy is attached and is available on our website at https://www.maine.gov/decd/strategic-plan.

We will be hosting a webinar about the report on February 10^th from 1:00pm – 2:00pm. Ryan Wallace, the author of the report, will talk through the findings. You can register here:

https://mainestate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PGZ90RJCSwqTnoepkbEWyQ

Free National Webinar: Executive Orders and Their Impact on Charitable Nonprofits Friday, February 7th at 3:00pm ET

The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind for many nonprofits, from the more than 100 Executive Orders (EOs) issued by President Trump to the confusion about the funding freeze ordered in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). While a judge has now granted another "Temporary Restraining Order (TRO)" in the case filed by the National Council of Nonprofits and others, and OMB rescinded the memo, the EOs are still in effect, and charitable nonprofits with federal grants are still feeling the impact of these decisions. 

This Friday, join a free, national webinar to learn more about the EOs most directly or indirectly impacting charitable nonprofits, and the latest on the legal challenges.

Free Webinar: Executive Actions and their Impact on Charitable Nonprofits

Friday, February 7 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm Eastern

Register for the live event*

Register to receive the recording

Happenings

On February 6th, Old Bristol Historical Society in collaboration with the Lincoln County Historical Association is inviting the community to register for "Slavery and Abolition in 19th Century Maine" featuring Maine author Carol Gardner.

Gardner will draw from her upcoming book, The Divided North: Black and White Families in the Age of Slavery. Maine was bitterly divided about slavery, and her citizens played key roles in supporting and undermining the institution. 

This Zoom presentation is free but attendees must first register at www.lincolncountyhistory.org/event/carol-gardner

Educational Opportunities

SCORE’s Small Business Training Workshops

Find low-cost, targeted training in both in-person and online formats on topics that matter to you and your small business. Join a business expert at an interactive in-person or virtual workshop or learn at your own pace with one of SCORE’s recorded webinars. Upcoming event topics include Grants & Programs for Your Business, Business Bank Loan Application Tips, Starting Your Own Business, and more.

Learn more below!

View Upcoming Workshops

National Digital Equity Center Awarded $13.7 Million to Transform Digital Access in Maine

The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) is proud to announce its selection as a

recipient of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program. This transformative $13.7 million award marks the first significant investment in digital opportunity in Maine’s history and will propel the state’s efforts to close the digital divide.

As part of the Maine Digital Opportunity Initiative (MDOI), NDEC will implement several targeted programs to advance digital equity in Maine, including:

• Digital Navigator Corps: Expanding the model statewide with Digital Navigators in all 16 counties and five Wabanaki Tribal communities, connecting underserved populations with affordable broadband, devices, and digital skills training.
• Digital Skills Training: Offering over 45 free courses online and in person, distributing up to 1,000 devices annually, and creating pathways to higher education through partnerships with the Maine Community College System.
• Library-Based Support: Training library staff and volunteers to become Digital Navigators and facilitating digital skills classes across Maine’s libraries.
• Telehealth Integration: Collaborating with the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center to expand access to healthcare services through digital tools and training.

If you or someone you know needs help getting the digital opportunity resources they need, please click on the button below and complete our form to request a call from a NDEC Digital Navigator.

Need Help?

Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce | www.wiscassetchamber.com

(207)882-9600

info@wiscassetchamber.com