2 0 0 9 THE CHAMBER N E W S

INSIDE:

Chair’s Column

Calendar of Events

Liberty Festival 2009

Best Places to Work

Business Day

ALDI Grads

Work Healthy Awards

Job Fair

Adopt A Spot

LAEGC AnnualDinner

Member in Focus

Moxie Festival

M A Y

THE BUSINESS SERVICE

CENTER AT KEYBANK PLAZA

P.O. BOX 59LEWISTON, ME 04243-0059PH: (207) 783-2249FAX: (207) 783-4481WEBSITE: WWW.ANDROSCOGGINCOUNTY.COM

E-MAIL:INFO@ANDROSCOGGINCOUNTY.COM

P A G E 1 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

B TO B TRADE SHOW SPACE NEARLYSOLD OUT!Exhibit space for this year’s Androscoggin Business toBusiness Trade Show on June 11th at the AndroscogginBank Colisee is nearly sold out! More than 100 businesses,most of them Chamber members with special discountrates, have already signed up for the show. This year’sshow, with the theme “Recharge Your Business,” will drawnearly 200 exhibitors and more than 2,500 attendees.

Thursday, June 11, 2009 • 9:30am – 6:00pm

The Androscoggin Bank Colisee

FREE ADMISSION WITH BUSINESS CARD

Organized by the Lewiston Auburn Economic

Growth Council

The event includes a special Chamber breakfast at the newBates College dining hall. Last year over 400 peopleattended the trade show breakfast – making it the largestbreakfast event in Chamber history.

A Chamber After Hours caps the afternoon’s events, withappetizers provided by Margarita’s, The Bread Shack, andthe Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch’s GreatAmerican Grill. The 2009 Business to Business trade showwill feature a chance to win a new Toyota Prius compli-ments of Emerson Toyota.  The day will also have a special“Personal Recharging” station in the Shipyard Lounge fea-turing refreshments courtesy of Federal Distributors, thelatest Wii games courtesy of Best Buy, aroma therapy, andmassages by Katy Taylor of Kripalu Therapeutic Massage.

This year’s sponsors are:

Gold Sponsors

CMP, Gleason Media Group, Nassau Broadcasting, SunJournal, and WGME-13.

Prime Sponsors

Alliance Press, Androscoggin Bank Colisee, AndroscogginCounty Chamber of Commerce, Central Maine MedicalCenter, Mainebiz, Time Warner Cable, Unitil, andWorkmed.

Major Sponsors

Albin, Randall & Bennett, CPAs, Androscoggin Bank,Auburn Business Development Corporation, BangorSavings Bank, Camden National Bank, Community CreditUnion, Downeast Energy, Hilton Garden Inn/AuburnRiverwatch, Lewiston Development Corporation, MaineFamily Federal Credit Union, Maine Turnpike Authority,Mechanics Savings Bank, The Medicine Shoppe, NewEngland Business Finance, Northeast Bank, and TDBanknorth.

Don’t miss the show from 9:30 to 6 p.m. June 11 at the

Androscoggin Bank Colisee! Call Paul or Stephanie at

784-0161 for more details.

MAINE GRAINS & GRAPES FESTIVALThe Chamber is teaming up againthis year with the AndroscogginBank Colisee’ to kick off our sum-mer festival season! Get your tick-ets early!

The 2nd Annual Maine Grains &Grapes Festival will be held at theAndroscoggin Bank Colisee’ onSaturday, June 20, 2009. There

will be two sessions, session 1 runs 3:00pm-6:00pm andsession 2 runs 7:30pm-10:30pm, doors opening at 2:30pm& 7:00pm.

The event will feature breweries and wineries from aroundthe State of Maine including: Allagash Brewery,Carrabassett Brewing, Casco Bay Brewing, Fiddler’sReach Winery, Gritty McDuff’s Brewing, Kennebec RiverBrewery, Sea Dog Brewing, Sebago Brewing Company,Shipyard Brewing, Tanguay and Sons Winery and more! Itwill also feature a sampling of foods from local restaurantsand live entertainment. There will be festival shirts andsouvenirs, paraphernalia from the brewers and vintners onsale for those attending the festival.

Upon entrance, you will receive 10 tasting tickets and asample glass. Each ticket gives you either a 4oz sample ofbeer or a 2oz sample of wine. 

Interested in volunteering for this year’s event? EmailMaureen at mmaube@androscoggincounty.com.

How to Get Your Tickets $25.00 in advance

$30.00 day-of-showPlus applicable fees online and by phone.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at theColisee’ box office, charged by phone at

783-2009, or online at www.mainegrainsandgrapes.com

P A G E 2 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CALENDAR OF EVENTSCHAIR’S COMMENTSBy Peter Murphy

Chamber/CMCC ScholarshipScramble

On Wednesday, August 26, the 10th AnnualChamber/CMCC Foundation ScholarshipScramble will tee off to raise funds for scholar-

ships. Start will be at 10:30 a.m. at Martindale Country Club. Last year,over 80 Chamber members signed on as sponsors and the tournamentraised over $42,000 in scholarships for local youth to attend college.

The major sponsor for the tournament since its inception has been WhiteRock Distilleries and a major co-sponsor has been Skelton, Taintor &Abbott. Last year the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and MechanicsSavings Bank joined as major co-sponsors. Their leadership has made adifference.

Solicitors are now seeking the following sponsors:

Cart Sponsor $1,500 (limited to 2)Reception Sponsor $1,500Contributing Sponsor $1,000 (limited to 5)Longest Drive Sponsor $500 (limited to 2)Hole Sponsors $400Green Sponsors $200

Call Chip or Maureen at The Chamber and let him know that you willjoin the 30 organizations who have already signed on as sponsors. Let’skeep up our momentum, providing important support for local students toattend post-secondary education.

MEMBER SURVEY SEEKS FEEDBACK

The Chamber’s annual survey of members will be underway soon, seek-ing feedback from members on Chamber programs and services. Againthis year the survey asks for ideas about programs to support small busi-ness members. Board Chair Peter Murphy noted, “our annual surveytells us what our members think about the organization and the serviceswe provide. The Board pays close attention to the survey results as weplan programs and budget for the future.” He added, “I hope every sin-gle Chamber member takes the opportunity to let us know what theythink.”

A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA:LIBERTY FESTIVAL 2009The best Fourth of July celebration in Maine will be in Lewiston-Auburnagain this summer. This year’s 13th annual festival will be held only onJuly 4th with a celebration on the banks of the Androscoggin River featur-ing a wide variety of food, games, carnival rides, and live music for allages, and culminating with THE BEST FIREWORKS in the state. Formore information, visit www.libertyfestival.org.

MAY

5 T Brown Bag, “Investing in Challenging Times,” Sal Bonetti of Morgan Stanley, Noon at The Chamber

7 Th Auburn Citizen of the Year at Lost Valley14 Th Chamber Breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn, 7:15 am,

Saving $$$ on Electricity14 Th LAEGC Annual Meeting14 Th Score Seminar, "Franchising", 1-4 pm at the Chamber18 M Sales Success Steps Seminar Series begins, 5:29 pm,

at the Chamber19 T Non Profit Brown Bag, "How to Keep and Recruit Your

Volunteers", 11:30am at the Chamber20 W Seminar, “Making the Best Use of a Trade Show”, Kurk

& Skip Lalemand, The Chamber, 8:30-10:30am.21 Th Business After Hours, 5-7 pm, A Fireside Inn and Suites25 M Memorial Day, Chamber closed27 W Chamber Roundtable Lunch at Marco’s Restaurant,

11:30am – 1:30 pm

JUNE

3 W Seminar, “Refresh, Renew, Re-energize” with Lee Szelog, 8:30-11:30 a.m., at The Chamber

11 Th Trade Show Breakfast at Bates, 7:15am

11 Th Business to Business Trade Show at Colisee11 Th Business After Hours at the Trade Show24 W Joint Seminar with MEBSR, "Talk to a Laywer About

Diversity in the Workplace"25 Th Business After Hours, 5-7 pm, Agren Appliance

JULY

3 F Chamber closed for Independence Day Holiday4 S Liberty Festival, Auburn & Lewiston9 Th Chamber Breakfast at Lost Valley, 7:15am10-12 Moxie Festival, Lisbon Falls16 Th Business After Hours, Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pub, Main

Street in Auburn, 5-7pm

NOTICE!

The Chamber has been informed that the national"Certificheck Program" has gone out of business.Local Chamber members can no longer redeem

these instruments at local businesses.

If you have questions, please call The Chamber office at 783-2249.

P A G E 3 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BEST PLACES TO WORK IN MAINE

The Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resources Managershas kicked off the fourth annual “Best Places To Work in Maine” pro-gram. The event, endorsed by Best Companies Group, the Maine StateChamber of Commerce, Employment Times, and Mainebiz, recognizescompanies that have established and consistently fostered outstandingworkplace environments.

In June, Best Companies Group will survey all the Maine companies thathave registered online by the deadline of May 29th. The scientifically val-idated survey will incorporate a company’s employee benefits and poli-cies and responses from a comprehensive employee engagement and sat-isfaction survey. The data collected from the assessment will be used todetermine the Best Places to Work in Maine.

Here are some examples of unique benefits offered by companies thatmade the Best Places to Work list in 2008: • Offered the option to work compressed work weeks• Paid all or part of employee’s health club membership

or fitness/wellness program• Provided cafeteria or meal subsidies, free daily snacks or beverages• Allowed employees paid time off for community service

activities/volunteer work

The program also helps companies that want to improve their score. TheBest Companies Group “Employee Feedback Report” is presented to eachparticipating company, even if they did not make the list. The reportincludes the summarized employee engagement and satisfaction data, theMaine Benchmark Report, and the transcript of employee written com-ments. The report is used by many to make significant improvements intheir workplace culture.

Any company with at least 15 employees in the state of Maine is encour-aged to participate. Companies selected as a “Best Place to Work inMaine” will be announced at a gala event in the fall of 2009. A completelist of top companies will be featured in a statewide publication. Winnerscan expect a positive effect on employee morale, employee relations andrecruitment.

Interested companies can apply to participate in the program online atwww.bestplacestoworkme.com. The deadline for registration is May 29,2009 and all registered companies will be surveyed simultaneously fol-lowing the deadline date.

Further details about the Best Places to Work in Maine program can befound online at www.bestplacestoworkme.com.

BUSINESS DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOLOn March 17th, over 200 businesses from across the state met in the StateCapitol to talk with the Governor and members of the Legislature aboutthe important issues they are working on and how they impact local busi-nesses. The Androscoggin County Chamber was represented by almost40 members and each member of our local delegation was “shadowed” bya member of the Board of Directors or Business Advocacy Committee. Inaddition several local Chamber members put up exhibits in the Hall ofFlags, including Poland Spring Bottling Company, Procter and Gamble,The Employment Times, and Austin Associates. “It is my hope that wewere able to develop great contacts to facilitate better communicationswith legislators for the remainder of the legislative session.

On Friday March 27th, the Business Advocacy Committee hosted one oftheir periodic breakfast forums with local legislators – and 10 local legis-lators discussed important issues with them.

LOCAL LEGISLATORS ARE ALDI GRADSTwo members of the current Androscoggin County legislative delegationare graduates of The Chamber’s Androscoggin Leadership DevelopmentInstitute. Stacey Dostie of Design Matters represents Sabattus and Walesin the House of Representatives. Mike Lajoie, former Lewiston FireChief now represents part of Lewiston in the House of Representatives.

CHAMBER WEBSITE ADVERTISINGAds are now available on the Chamber website! They can be reserved onthe members search page by categories. For example, if you were anaccountant you would want an advertisement on the “Accountants” pageon the website. Only two ads of 120x90 pixels will be allowed in eachcategory and they will be priced as follows:

• 9 or more members in a category, $175/calendar quarter per category, 120x90 pixels, JPG, $600 year per category

• 8 or less members in a category, $ 90/calendar quarter per category,120x90 pixels, JPG, $250 year per category

Did You Know?

All employees of Chamber members can participate in any Chamber event?

Please share program information with your colleagues!

P A G E 4 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Building Materials Exchange in Lisbon ismaking home improvement and weatherizationprojects affordable for Maine homeowners. A

fantastic new design for a reusable interior stormwindow heads their new products list. See

www.mainebme.org for details and their stimulating inventory.

A group of Central Maine Federal Credit Union employees recentlygave of themselves by donating their blood to the American Red Cross.

Cheryl Dobbelsteyn has been named Director of the St. Mary’s

d’Youville Pavilion Rehab Center.

Denise Marois has been appointed Box Office Manager at the Franco-

American Heritage Center.

Maryann Lanzieri and Frank Whittier, lighting consultants at Lighting

Concepts, have received the national certification of Certified LightingSpecialist from the American Lighting Association (ALA).

GHM Insurance Agency is among a select group of agents nationwide tobe recognized as a OneBeacon Lighthouse Partner.

Designs by Skip recently hired Bruce Bickford as a Sales rep.

Kelly L. Turner has joined Skelton Taintor & Abbott as an associateattorney.

Sebago Technics, Inc. announces the appointment of three VicePresidents: Owens A. McCullough, P.E., Patrick S. Somma and Troy F.

McDonald, P.L.S.

Kenleigh Nicoletta, an Associate with Brann & Isaacson, ran in theBoston Marathon as a member of the American Liver Foundation’s Runfor Research Team.

Argo Marketing opened a new state of the art ‘Call Services Laboratory’,designed to service marketing companies in need of establishing bestpractices with regards to sales, customer service and the implementationof emerging technology. 

Coldwell Banker Millett Realty was presented the top award of #1Selling Company in Maine at the annual Coldwell Banker awards event.

Excel- Learn to Create Pivot Tables in 3 hours! May 8.  Call Tricia

Richardson at VTEC: 699.3403 to register. 

Are you moving or relocating locally or out of state? Are you in need ofoffice moving or reconfiguration services? Bisson Moving and Storage ishappy to help! Call 800-370-8469 for an estimate today!

Dragonfly Trips specials: 7 nights in Barbados starting at $699 per per-son (September travel) and 7 nights all-inclusive in Punta Cana from $869per person (price based on June 11 departure, others available). ContactJane Grant at jane@dragonflytrips.com or 888-222-6846.

Agren Appliance will sponsor a Maine play premiere in 2009, GodTouches, at the Franco American Heritage Center.  Written byLewiston native Paul Baribault, this dramatic comedy features Dennis

St. Pierre with Louis Carbonneau in a supporting role, and Andrew

Harris as director.

Attention 1st time Home Buyers (anyone who has not owned a home in 3years).  Call Linda Beaulieu, Realtor, ABR, for info on the $8,000 taxcredit the government will give you if you buy a home before Dec.1, 2009at 795-9652. 

Alice Ruvane of Chill Yoga invites you to join her and Glenn Close atBack Cove on May 9th for the annual NAMI Walk.  Sign up atwww.nami.org/walks/me.

Need a gift for Mother’s Day on May 10th?  Need a giveaway for theBusiness-to-Business Tradeshow on June 11th? The Basket Case canhelp! Call Barbara Lauze at 783-7303, or visit www.the-basketcase.com.

Pajama Party Dance at The Great Outdoors, Rte 117, Turner. Dance toFirewater Creek, doors open at 7PM, Music 8pm-Midnight (and maybe alittle beyond?). Visit www.greatoutdoorsme.com or call 224-7061 for tick-ets and information.

Kristen Phillips LMT has made the Yoga Center of Maine andBrunswick Physical Therapy office on Center St. her new home forMassage Therapy. For more information call 576-4320 or visitwww.KristensMassage.com.

A Journey for Hope, October 4, 2009, a charity ride/run/walk to benefitthe Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. www.demps-eychallenge.org.

Patricia Estes HHP, of Woodbury Hill Wellness is now credentialed inholistic psychology. She is available for workshops and counseling instress and anxiety management, thought reframing and classic PositiveMental Attitude (PMA). 786-3997

Bates Dance Festival announces the Youth Arts Program July 20-August8. A summer dance and music camp for kids ages 6-17. For more informa-tion call 786-6381 or visit abacus.bates.edu/dancefest/youthprogram.php.

NAUI Scuba Class starts May 17th. For more information contactSkindivers Paradise at 784-7300 or www.skindiversparadise.com.

Louise Nicholas from L Enterprises reminds the membership thatMother’s Day is just around the corner.  Surprise that special woman inyour life with a Miche Bag.  For more information call 512-8134.

International Door Corp/Door Systems Corp, located at 66Westminster St. in Lewiston, is pleased to announce the Grand Opening oftheir brand new Showroom.

Adam Morris has joined Maine Family Federal Credit Union asDirector of Marketing.

Time to hit the deck at Gritty’s and soak up some sun! There is nothingbetter than good friends, great beer and food on the deck.

The University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College

announces the appointment of Dr. Joyce Gibson as Dean of the College,effective July 1, 2009.

WHAT’S UP…?

Looking to plan a future meeting or event? Sunday

River is offering a free overnight stay to qualified meet-ing planners! Come and experience the $14 million inrecent upgrades; call 1-800-430-0767 to set up a visit.

Music, poetry, dance, artwork, and individual stories ofhope and recovery will fill the Franco-American

Heritage Center on June 6 when Tri-County Mental

Health Services hosts the fourth annual Inspired VoicesBenefit Concert and Art Exhibit.

Tina Currie of Five County Credit Union has been pro-moted to Commercial Services Manager. 

Dube Travel is starting a new avenue of travel called“Women on the Go”. If you are interested in receivingmailings regarding upcoming trips e-mail Terry at tcarpentier@dubetravel.com or call 784-2916.

Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care was the for-tunate recipient of a very generous gift of $500 from theemployees of Liberty Mutual.

The Thomas College Art Gallery will feature the originalphotography of Patrick Brancaccio through June 26.

The Brunswick Business Center and owner Art Boulay

was recognized April 8 as the Small Business of the Yearby the Southern Maine Midcoast Chamber.

May 22-25 – McLaughlin Garden Lilac Festival, formore information call 743-8820 or visit www.mclaughlin-garden.org. 

Eaton Peabody Consulting Group, LLC has announcedthe addition of Mathew H. Eddy and John P. Holden toits consulting staff.

L/A Community Little Theatre presents: DisneyThrough The Years. May 23, 2PM & 7:30PM and May24, 2PM. All tickets $10, FMI or tickets: visitwww.laclt.com or call 783-0958.

Get more information on the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers by calling Laurie Danforth of Keller

Williams Realty Mid Maine at 689-9866.

Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity will hold Build-A-Car, Build-A-Home Race Event Information Meeting atLewiston High School on May 13 at 6pm.  For moreinformation visit www.androhforh.org or contact Deb

Leonard at Deb@MainelyTechnology.com.

Central Maine Medical Center is the only hospital inMaine to earn HealthGrades 5-Star Rating for carotidsurgery excellence.

Gleason Media has introduced a new interactive webpage that lists all Androscoggin County legislators withlinks to their state web sites and email. VisitLewistonAuburn.com.

Remodeling or building a new home this spring? That’s agreat time to invest in your family’s safety. Call or emailRick Rodrigue at Chandler Security Systems today at576-3418 or chandlersecurity@roadrunner.com.

Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli patio is now open. It’s been a longwinter so don’t spend your lunch hour inside. Enjoy a

delicious sandwich, salad or wrap in the sun or under ourspacious awning. For more information visit www.heidis-auburn.com.

Austin Associates, PA, CPAs and Camden National

Bank bring you a complimentary seminar, Accounting &Commercial Lending in a Challenging Economy, preced-ed by a complimentary breakfast on May 20 at the HiltonGarden Inn Riverwatch in Auburn.  To register call 783-9111 or email hillary@austinpa.com.

Free Medicine Disposal Day for Androscoggin County!May 9 at Lewiston High School, 9:00 - 11:30 AM. FMI:AVCOG - 783-9186 or Healthy Androscoggin - 795-5990.

Museum L-A Multi-media extravaganza celebrates L-A’smusic history from 1940-1970’s. Tickets for dinner, danc-ing and show are $85 per person, General admission,reserved seating tickets may be purchased for $20 by call-ing the Colisée at 783-2009.

Northeast Bank teamed up with City of Lewiston andinvestment group to celebrate the groundbreaking ofBirch Hill Senior Housing Project.

Eric Blom, former business editor for the Press Heraldjoins Broadreach Public Relations as VP – PublicRelations.

Nordic Walking LLC: Rita & Kate offering free NordicWalk demonstrations every Sat @ 10:00AM fromSimard-Payne Police Memorial Park 4/25 thru 5/30.FREE demo poles will be available on site. Come try thisnew efficient/fun style of Fitness Walking.www.nordicwalkingllc.com

Rinck Advertising has launched their new website!www.rinckadvertising.com.

Join Kristin & Ed Fournier and TriVita’s MichaelEllison and Brazos Minshew in Bangor on May 19 tolearn about the benefits of Sonoran Bloom Nopalea™,proven to help with inflammation issues. For more infor-mation call 783-0110 or email,opendooradventure@yahoo.com.

Over the last 2 years Starbucks in Auburn has con-tributed to the community by: collecting items for The

Androscoggin Humane Society and New Beginnings;sent pounds of coffee to the troops in Iraq; all marked outpastries go to Hope Haven; and raised over $300 forGood Shepherd Food Bank.

Scott Simmonds of Insurance Consultants of Maine

was inducted into the Million Dollar Consultant® Hall ofFame.

The Maine International Trade Center launched AsiaDesk, which provides technical assistance, marketresearch, trade leads, and organizes Trade Missions.

P A G E 5 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008-09BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Peter Murphy, ChairNeokraft Sign Co

Art Boulay, Chair ElectStrategic Talent Management

Robin Robbins, TreasurerAndroscoggin Bank

Trisha Fletcher, Past ChairTeam Fletcher, Coldwell Banker Millett Realty

Jan BarrettWare Street Inn Bed & Breakfast

JoAnne CampbellMechanics Savings Bank

Doug DiVelloCentral Maine Healthcare Corp

Susan DonovanDonovan's Auto Sales

Adam DunbarWachovia Securities

Patti GagnePatti Gagne Agency, Allstate Insurance

Clif GreimHarriman and Associates

Kevin HealeySt. Mary’s Health System

Elaine HemenwayPayroll Management Inc

Jennifer HoganCommunity Credit Union

Gretchen JonesSkelton Taintor & Abbott PA

Jonathan LaBonte, YPLAA ChairAndroscoggin Land Trust

Mary LaFontaineCareer Center

Kurk LalemandNext Level Business Coaching

Marc LamareElmet Technologies

Darlene Cadorette LevesqueWhite Rock Distilleries

Rick MalinowskiProcter & Gamble

Scott McKenneyHilton Garden Inn

Iman PoeraatmadjaBurgess Computer

David ScobeyBates College

Susan StaceyCentral Maine Community College

Laurie St PierrePercy's Burrow

Peter SteeleTwin City Times

Peter TraillNason Mechanical Systems Inc.

Jennifer WilleyCanteen Services

Thomas WilsonGritty McDuff’s

Oops!The wrong ad for Greater Androscoggin Humane

Society was posted in our 2009 Resource Guide. Theircorrect address is 55 Strawberry Ave, Lewiston.

P A G E 6 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2009 WORK HEALTHY AWARD WINNERS!Healthy Androscoggin’s WorkHealthy Award Program recognizesbusinesses and organizations withinAndroscoggin County that place ahigh priority on promoting goodhealth of their employees. By sup-porting tobacco-free lifestyles,encouraging physical activity orpromoting healthy eating, the fol-lowing businesses and organizationsare realizing the benefits of a health-ier workforce.

Gold Award: Central Maine Medical Center, Occupational MedicalConsulting LLC, ING and St. Mary’s Health System

Silver Award: Sun Journal, Thayer Corporation, Formed Fiber Technologies, City of Lewiston, Northeast Bank, Maine Oxy, and Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care

Bronze: Catholic Charities of Maine-Refugee & Immigration Services,Androscoggin Bank, Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Seniors Plus, Mainely Technology, Advocates For Children, Mechanics Saving Bank, Gleason Media Services, Support Solutions, FISC Solutions, Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, Mountain Machine Works, Community Concepts, Inc., Uncle Andy’s Digest, Central Maine Community College, Pathways, TD Banknorth and Futureguard Building Products.

Quality: Wales Elementary School

Merit: Western Maine Community Action

Whether large or small, employers can take action to support employee health. A beginning step for a Work Healthy Award is a written tobacco policy. Call Healthy Androscoggin today at 795-5990 to get started on your way!

6TH ANNUAL ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY JOBFAIR The largest job fair ever was held at Central Maine Community Collegeon April 2nd. Over 1000 job seekers came through the doors to meet withthe 40 employers at the fair. The event was sponsored by: The Chamber,Central Maine Community College, The Employment Times, TheCareerCenter, The Auburn Mall, Gleason Media Group, IKON, NeokraftSigns and the Sun Journal.

ADOPT A SPOT TO BEGIN 26th SEASONWith the spring planting season almost at hand, organizers of TheChamber’s popular Adopt-A-Spot beautification program are gettingready. The project, part of The Chamber’s Regional Image Committee, isnow in its 26th season. Local businesses and civic groups get an opportu-nity to help beautify the Twin Cities by planting public gardens on munic-ipally-owned lands in high visibility places. The Chamber providesattractive signs to recognize each spot’s sponsor.

While adopters are expected to commit to a spot for only one year, manybusinesses and groups choose to keep their spot year after year. Over 50locations were planted last year at parks, traffic islands, welcome areas,boat launches, and bridge entrances. It’s not too late for those interest-

ed in getting involved in the program. Call Emily Savoy at theChamber at 783-2249 for information.

LAEGC ANNUAL DINNER MAY 14The Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council will host its AnnualDinner and Business Forum on Thursday, May 14, at the RamadaConference Center in Lewiston. The keynote speaker will be EmmetBeliveau, a Maine native who is now working as the Director of Advancefor President Barack Obama, coordinating all the necessary preparationswhenever the president travels around the country and the world.

The event, which attracts well over 300 business and community leaders,also serves as the forum for the Cities of Lewiston and Auburn to presenttheir annual Economic Achievement Awards to the area’s preeminentcompanies and organizations. The program will also include a video pre-sentation highlighting the many exciting projects taking place inLewiston-Auburn.

The cost of attending is $45 per person, or a table of 8 for $315. Specialthanks to Camden National Bank, Maine Turnpike Authority, KaplanUniversity, Oxford Networks, Sun Journal, and WGME-13.   To make areservation call LAEGC at 784-0161.

AC

OM

M U N I T Y C O AL I T

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MOTING GOOD HEALT

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Dick GleasonPresident & General Manager

Tel: (207) 784-5868 Cell: (207) 754-3777E-Mail: DickGleason@Gmail.comOffice: 555 Center Street, Auburn, ME 04210G

GLEASONMEDIASERVICES

www.GleasonMedia.com

Radio Stations

WOXO 92.7 & 100.7 • WEZR 1240 • WTME 780 & 1450

Internet ServicesEmail Marketing • Web Site Development

P A G E 7 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MEMBER IN FOCUS: By Toni Seger, ProseWorks ™

Paul’s Clothing and Shoe Store

Paul Poliquin always wanted his own business and he’s always enjoyedworking hard for it. At the age of 6, he sold greeting cards, at 9 he had apaper route and by 15 Paul was working for a painting contractor whoalso had him working on demolition sites. The long standing owner ofPaul’s Clothing & Shoe Store at 281 Lisbon Street, Poliquin has enjoyeda very comfortable life working in Lewiston’s downtown and he’s alwaysgiven back to the community he loves.

Having grown up as one of 11 siblings, Poliquin learned to assert himselfon issues that concerned him the most. When some thought the Bates Millshould be torn down in 1992, Poliquinspoke out about wanting to see it restored.A life long Lewiston resident, Poliquinbelieved the historic buildings were key toa new phase in the economic life of L/A. Atthe time, Poliquin was serving on the citycouncil and would later serve as itsPresident. Along with the Mayor and othercity councilors, he traveled to WashingtonD.C. in order to lobby then Senate MajorityLeader George Mitchell about reviving themill instead of tearing it down. It proved tobe an exciting experience. Poliquin and hisgroup left Washington with a check for$1.2 million to make roof and furnacerepairs in the main area of the mill andbegin the process of trying to attract ten-ants.

Today, the results of a community wideeffort grow more apparent all the time as the formerly dark and emptymill that was once the city’s biggest economic engine, comes back to lifein a host of new guises. “Community work is always an investment intime”, says Paul, “and you have to be patient to realize a vision, but whenyou see what can happen it makes it all worth while.” Paul Poliquin is sohappy about the city’s progress at the mill, he’s determined to see millbuilding # 5 saved as well. “We have a terrific opportunity right now.There are economic stimulus dollars available that could help turn build-ing # 5 into a convention center. I can already see the jobs we could cre-ate.”

Having worked on Lisbon Street since graduating high school in 1972,Poliquin has seen lots of ups and downs over the years. He’s convincedthe best time to launch a new business is in a downturn because a risingeconomy will lift new businesses with it. “These are tough times, noquestion, but we’ll get through it by helping each other. We need to seethis as an opportunity to launch new initiatives.” Having been located inthe downtown for so long, Poliquin is very familiar with the people wholive in the Twin Cities and he talks to them regularly. He’s always hiredlocal tradesmen to work on his properties which he thinks is more impor-tant than ever.

Poliquin has been such a fixture on Lisbon Street, he’s got an loyal clien-tele any business owner would envy. Customers prize his exceptional ser-vice and attention to detail. “People are amazed when I say we makealterations at no charge, but that’s the concept of service I learned. MaybeI’m just old fashioned,” he says with a grin. In addition to free alterations,Paul’s Clothing doesn’t levy either service or freight charges on specialorders and they never abandoned free 30 day layaway. In addition, this isthe first shoe store I’ve been in, in decades, where a patron gets their feetmeasured for a real fit!

Now, Paul Poliquin has a vision for upper Lisbon Street which he’d liketo see realized. “Look at the change in Lower Lisbon”, he points out withpride. “The Gateway is just beautiful. We eliminated blight and substitut-ed new and refurbished buildings that have been a boon to this city;Andover College, Northeast Bank, The Chamber, Oxford Networks. It’sfantastic what we have here. Now that we’ve accomplished so much, we

don’t want to drop the ball.” WhatPoliquin is referring to are the empty anddeteriorating store fronts at the upper endof the street. He proposes forming a smallsteering committee of a half-dozen peoplewhich he is willing to chair that activelyworks toward bringing life back to upperLisbon. “A couple economic developmentexperts from City Hall, an elected offi-cial, two store owners and a reporterwould be a great way to brainstormideas.” Because he believes in ‘walkingthe walk’, Paul Poliquin is prepared tooffer three free months in a year’s leaseto the right tenant for the corner portionof his building at Lisbon and Chestnut.He believes if other landlords clean upthe facades of empty buildings and offersimilarly attractive terms, they’ll all see

new businesses in the downtown.

In fact, by the time this article appears there should be survey forms inPaul’s store asking patrons what sort of business they think should belocated on his prize intersection where parking is abundant. “Couldn’tyou see a nice cafe on the corner?”, he asks with a twinkle. I can and webegin to explore the many different types of specialty businesses thataren’t located in the downtown and would greatly add to its flavor. “Iwant to see more families in the downtown and we can realize that if weoffer something for every age group.”

There should also be a new, hand made wrought iron fence framing thenew parking area Paul cleared for his tenants after buying and demolish-ing the dilapidated building. next to him. Paul’s vision includes a timewhen Lisbon Street doesn’t have empty storefronts anymore. At thatpoint, he proposes a parade down Lisbon Street and a celebration of eth-nic diversity, with a fabulous buffet, in the now empty McCrory depart-ment store which Paul envisions as a mini-mall with a restaurant at itscenter.

Check out Paul’s incredible Carhartt inventory, his unbelievable 90 stylesof work boots and vote your preference in his survey at 281 Lisbon.

P A G E 8 N E W S L E T T E R OF THE ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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2009 MOXIE FESTIVAL July 10-12, 2009Plans are underway for the 26th Annual Moxie Festival from July 10-12in Lisbon Falls. The festival is being organized by a local committeeheaded by Sue & Toby Conroy. For information about sponsorshipopportunities or the festival, call The Chamber at 783-2249.

THANKS TO OUR ADVERTISERSFrom Chip Morrison

The Chamber News is one of the premiere chamber newsletters in thestate and indeed across the country. It is possible only with the support ofour advertisers.

I deeply appreciate the long-time support of our newsletter advertisers.They include: Affordable Exhibit Displays, Alliance Press, Central

Maine Medical Center, Community Credit Union, GHM Insurance,

Gleason Media Group, Next Level Business Coaching, Ouellette &

Associates and Oxford Networks

The Chamber News is distributed to over 1,300 chamber member busi-nesses six times a year, with a total distribution of over 2100 readers.

If you would like to become one of our advertisers, call me at 783-2249.

July 10-12, 2009

Parade Crafts Games

Carnival Pancake Breakfast Canoe Race

Moxie Recipe Contest Lisbon Fire Dept Fun & Games Moxie Memorabilia

For more information call 783-2249 or visit www.moxiefestival.com

The Moxie Festival