Chamber of Commerce
NOVEMBER 1999 NEWSLETTER

Look Locally First
The following is a copy of a letter sent out to local media.

The Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce believes that the local merchants of the Piscataquis County Region play a very important role in our communities. The merchants are not only our friends and neighbors but as a group they are a major employer in the region. The local merchants also contribute to the local tax base but more importantly they provide financial support for various non-profits and local charities which contribute to the high quality of life in our region.

The Piscataquis County region is ranked as one of the poorest regions in Maine but despite are poor economy we have a high quality of life thanks to the work of our various non-profits and clubs. If it were not for the generous financial support of the local merchants a number of these organizations would have to either cancel or curtail their activities.

As the holiday season approaches we have many choices as to where to select our holiday gift items from such as city malls, catalogue sales and the Internet. Unfortunately, many people forget about the local merchant who has supported us all year. We are simply asking you to give the local merchant a chance to compete for your business.

The Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce along with the Piscataquis Regional YMCA, the Milo Recreation Department, Womancare/Aegis Association, Mayo Regional Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft Hockey Association, Three Rivers Kiwanis Club, Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club, Dexter Kiwanis Club, Piscataquis Community High School, Foxcroft Academy, Penquis Valley High School, Pine Tree Hospice, Community Health & Counseling, Mocutoc Club and Dexter Regional High School are asking you to join with them to support the first Look Locally First campaign.

The Look Locally First campaign asks that before purchasing goods from outside the region that you check with a local merchant first to see if it is available locally at a competitive price. The above mentioned organizations would like to thank the merchants for their generous support throughout the year by contacting their members and supporters and urging them to "Look Locally First".

In a 1995 study by the Eastern Maine Development Corporation indicated that Piscataquis County loses 42 million dollars annually to sales outside of the region. Unfortunately, the trend indicates that this figure is increasing. If every citizen of the Piscataquis County region could make a list (and check it twice!) to identify one gift item that could be purchased locally instead from outside the region, this could have a positive impact on the local economy and provide a happy holiday for the local merchants and their employees.

The members of the Look Locally First campaign would like to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season and to "Look Locally First".

2000 Penquis Valley Region Expo Friday April 7th & Saturday April 8th, 2000
It's time again to prepare for the Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce Annual Spring Exposition. Booth reservations are going fast, so don't miss out, contact us today. Send your payment before Feb. 1, 2000 and receive a $20 discount. You may also reserve floor space with a 50% deposit prior to Feb. 1, 2000. After 2/1/2000, spaces will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information contact the chamber of commerce at 564-7533.

Issues and Eggs - December 1, 1999
Deregulation of Maine's Electric Power Industry
The Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce will hold it's December Issues and Eggs breakfast meeting on Wednesday December 1, 1999 at 7 am at the Covered Bridge Restaurant in Guilford. The Topic for the meeting will be the deregulation of the electric power industry in Maine. The speaker will be Public Utilities Commissioner Steve Diamond. Deregulation of Maine's electric power industry will take place on March 1, 2000. If you would like to attend this important meeting or would like more information contact the chamber office at 564-7533. Cost for attending the breakfast meeting will be $5 per person. The chamber asks that you RSVP by November 29, 1999

Welcome Baskets
The SPCCC will be offering a new program for it's members in Sept. The Chamber will be supplying the local Real Estate Agencies with welcoming gift packages to give new residents. The package will contain useful information about the region. The Chamber is asking that the members supply a few items for the gift packages such as:
  1. Business Cards
  2. Brochures and flyers, or even some coupons
  3. Promotional items such as key chains, Pens, Calendars, Ect.

The Chamber plans to produce three hundred packages. If you would like to take part in this program Contact the Chamber @ 564-7533

December Calendar Of Events:
Dec. 3-5 � YMCA Festival of Trees
Dec. 4th- Holiday Open House Tour. Dover-Foxcroft White lighting Ceremony at 5 p.m.
Kris Kringle Koffee at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church from 9-11
Dec. 6th� Mayo Regional Hospital Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m.
Dec. 11th� Santa Claus arrives in Dover-Foxcroft .
Dec. 13th�Blood Drive at Foxcroft Academy
Dec. 18th� Breakfast with Santa Claus at the YMCA.

Chamber Welcomes Three New Members
Down Home B & B of Milo, American Cancer Society (Bangor Office) and Thorps Septic Service In Shirley!

Computer Raffle
On Saturday December 11th, the winning ticket will be drawn for the lap top computer. Tickets are still available at the Chamber of Commerce office. Prices are $5 each or 3 for $10.

Looking for a Christmas Tree?

FinestKind Tree Farm
26 Ames Rd. D-F
564-7500

Cole's Agway
North St. D-F
564-2730

Smith's Farm
Back Sangerville Rd. D-F
564-8374

Watson Springs
Elm St. Milo
943-2162

The Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following members for renewing their membership in November
Ellen Dewitt Real Estate
Guilford of Maine
Hardwood Products
Lumbra Inc.
Mallett Real Estate
Trask Insurance
Wildflowers B & B
Dr. Kevin Chasse
George Kousaie Family Practice
Evergreen Lodge
Trebor Inn
Mayo Regional Hospital Administration Service Corp
Peaks Kenny Motor Lodge
Community Health and Counseling

1999 White Holiday Lights Campaign
The Southern Piscataquis County Chamber of would once again like to invite you to join with us in the Third Annual White Holiday Lights campaign. The chamber will be asking business and homes in Dover-Foxcroft to be outlines in white holidays lights during the holidays.

The goal of having the town outlined in white lights is to give Dover-Foxcroft a Currier & Ives look. In 1997 Dover-Foxcroft 's White Holiday Lights were featured on a national broadcast story on public radio and in 1998 Bangor's Channel 5 did a story on the white lights.

Once again the Dover-Foxcroft Fire Dept. will outline the fire station,Central Hall and the old Observer Building. On Saturday, December 4th at 5 p.m. the chamber will invite citizens to join in singing Christmas Caroling in front of the Old Observer Building and at that time we will ask businesses and homes to turn on their lights, creating a magical effect.

On the following Saturday, December 11th, the Fire Dept. will bring Santa to town. The chamber and the town of Dover-Foxcroft would like to ask that you join with us to bring the holiday spirit to Dover-Foxcroft .

Enter your business to win $500 of electric service.
The holidays are upon us, so it's time for the Second Annual CMP Holiday Lighting Contest! Join us for this annual celebration of lights�this year, there are even more prizes and more chances to win. We want to see how festive you can be in celebrating the holidays with outdoor lighting at your business. Three business finalists in CMP's service territory will win $100 credits on their CMP accounts�and they'll be eligible for the business Grand Prize of another $500 credit (there's a residential contest, tool, with fifteen finalists to vie for the Grand Prize.) We'll even donate $1 per entry to your choice of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine or Campaign to End Hunger.

To be eligible to win, send CMP a photo of your business lit up for the holidays.

 

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