The May Business Break will be held on Tuesday, May 18 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM aboard the M/V SONGO RIVER QUEEN II on the Causeway in Naples. The boat will leave the dock at 6 PM sharp for a one and a half hour cruise on beautiful Long Lake. Food will be provided by local area restaurants, there will be a cash bar, as well as door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. This event will also be shared with the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce in North Conway, NH.  The space on the boat will be available

for a “First Come, First Served” basis so please plan accordingly to accommodate capacity.

TIME IS MONEY FUNDRAISER

These are the final few days to purchase your fundraising tickets for the “Time is Money” program to support Project Graduation at Lakes Region High School.  Tickets will be available on the Songo River Queen Tuesday evening, May 18th.  If you are interested in attending the Chicken BBQ dinner (includes cole slaw, potato and macaroni salad, baked beans, cornbread and dessert) on Friday evening, May 21st, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  at Lake Region High School please contact Karen Thompson at 693-7064 (DownEast Engraving in Naples).  Tickets are $10 pp, $5 for children under 12 years of age.  The drawing will be held at this event.

NEWS FROM THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Dear Friends,

I wanted to let you know that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce began running ads last week in Maine in support of Steve Abbott’s plan to get Maine’s economy back on track. Steve is honored to have the support of the US Chamber, and is pleased that the business community in Maine has lined up behind him as well.

Maine business leaders all over the state are supporting Steve Abbott – from Tim Hussey in York County to Sam Collins in Aroostook County. Business leaders like Pete Vigue, Joe Boulos,  Darcie Main-Boyington, Sam Ladd, Julie Dawson, and many others have  put their support behind Steve Abbott because they know he’s got what it takes to bring Maine into a new era of prosperity.

Click below to see the ad the US Chamber is running in Maine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g2-oqgt1NQ

Maine is facing some tough challenges, but our business community has come together to support a candidate they know can turn things around. Steve Abbott will make it his #1 priority to make Maine the best place in the nation to do business. He’ll work hard to reduce the cost of doing business, and to end the constant adversarial attitude from our state government toward businesses. He’ll work to reduce the tax burden on Maine’s small businesses, and will make sure every branch of government knows that economic development is their primary goal.

Please visit Steve’s website , www.AbbottforGovernor.com, to learn more, and feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,
Felicia Knight
Director of Communications
Abbott for Governor
felicia@abbottforgovernor.com

Paid for and authorized by Abbott for Governor

Samuel A. Ladd III, Treasurer

BUSINESS NEWS

Registration for Schoolhouse Arts Summer Programs is Wed, May 19, 6:30-8pm. summer offerings include:

·        Musical Theater Workshop, Aladdin Junior, for ages 8-15, June 21 – Aug 1. $150

·        Shakespeare Workshop, Hamlet, ages 12-18, June 21 – Aug 15. $180

·        Theater Camp for ages 10-15, July 26 – Aug 6, 9am – 3pm. $310

·        Summer Arts Camp for ages 6-13, July 12 – 23, 9am – 3pm. $350. Also Before Care, 8-9am, $30/wk & After Care, 3-5pm, $60/wk.

·        Guitar Workshop, age 7 – Adult, Wednesdays, June 30 – Aug 4, two levels of instruction – beginners 4:30-5pm; intermediates 5-5:30pm; adults 5:30-6pm. $35

Family plans, partial scholarships and payment plans are available. 10% Early Bird Registration Deadline for all programs except Guitar is May 20. FMI contact Education Director at 642-3743 or education@schoolhousearts.org.

Tuition is non-refundable unless program is cancelled due to low enrollment. There is a $25 fee assessed for any returned checks.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Join the Route 113 Corridor Committee for their annual clean-up event for the portion of the Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway that is in Standish — Route 113 from Route 25 (Two Trails) to the Baldwin Line in Steep Falls. Committee members will be walking the trail to pick up trash and debris from 8:00 AM to noon on Saturday the 22nd. For those that are interested in helping, call Lou Stack at 892-4282 for more information.

The February Business Break will be held at Sawyer, Sawyer and Minott in Windham on Thursday, February 26  this event is co-sponsored with Tricia Zwirner of State Farm Insurance and Amy Abilgaard of The Print House.  All three businesses are located on Storm Drive in Windham.

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KEEP MAINE STRONG

News Channel 8 from Portland has been working with our Chamber to support their Fall initiative to Keep Maine Strong and shop local.

They recently met with the Chamber Board and provided a presentation to the members present at the Annual Meeting. Working through an Alliance Partnership to encourage consumers to “Shop Local” and support Chamber Members they are canvassing our members to discuss the statewide program and the success of keeping tax dollars in Maine. Currently there are opportunities to be a Charter Sponsor at a $500 value, which includes your business Logo and a Link to your website; $100 value includes your business listing with a link to your website; and $50 value is a static business listing on the Keep Maine Strong website.  FMI please contact David Black from News TV Channel 8 at 523-4513.  Please check out the website:   www.keepmainestrong.com to view the listing of Chambers and members who are supporting this program.

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ICE FISHING DERBY

The Rotary Ice Fishing Derby plans are well underway, and the event will be held on February 20-22nd.  FMI go to the website:  www.icefishingderby.com for a complete schedule of events.  The Chamber, in partnership with the Sebago Lakes Rotary Club, is looking for volunteers to help assist the events.  This well publicized event brings many visitors to our Region to spend a few days in the area as they shop, dine, fish, observe events, stay overnight in our motels and B&B’s, and have a great experience on a wonderful winter weekend. This is a wonderful way to network with the community and support your local events that provide a great time for families and bring visitors to our area to support local businesses.
If you are available to volunteer your time and support this event, please contact the Chamber office at 892-8265 or via email info@sebagolakeschamber.com

Friday Feb. 20 - 8 am – 1 pm Assist with Kid’s Derby, parking, etc, sell 50/50 Raffle tickets at Alyssa’s Motel on Thomas Pond in Casco

Saturday, Feb. 28 - 5:30 pm – 10 pm   Assist with ice races and parking, sell 50/50 raffle tickets at the track co-located with Genest and Lavalley Lumber – Enterprise Drive in Windham

(Please note that this date has changed from February 20th due to the ice track conditions)

Saturday,  Feb. 21 - 8 am – 11 am.  General help at Raymond beach to assist with the hot air balloon, parking, sell raffle tickets, etc.

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NAPLES WINTER CARNIVAL

This event is scheduled for this weekend, February 14^th and February 15th at the Naples Causeway (Town Dock Area).  FMI go to the Muddy River Sno Seekers Snowmobile Club website at www.muddyriversnoseekers.org for a complete listing of activities.

The above community events are a great way to network, support recreational and business programs in our Region, and help raise needed funds to enhance our commitment to a valued quality of life in the Sebago Lakes Region.  Sign up, have a fun filled day with your family, friends, and business peers.  I hope to see all of you at these winter events!