A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Greetings, 

Thank you to all of our Chamber members, for being a part of what makes the Chamber a great resource for residents, visitors and the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel community.  Our Visitor Center, located in Lower Village, and our information center at 16 Water Street in Kennebunk have been a buzz of excitement as tourists and people who live here are stopping in to get information, rack cards, brochures and maps.  It's an exciting time of year!  

We are happy to announce that we have a new website:  www.gokennebunks.com.  Our home page features easy navigation for visiting here, living here, doing business here and our towns.  Members can log onto their listing, market their business and more.  Business searches are easier to use for everyone, and the new website is a great tool to help our community know your business.  Check it out! 

The Chamber is pleased to announce that our grant application has been approved for $10,000 from the Maine Office of Tourism, for marketing our area as a destination.  The funds will be matched by the Chamber and tourism partners, and we will seek a public relations firm to guide us. 

With an open-door philosophy, the Chamber welcomes you to stop by.  We would love to hear from you.  If you have ideas, concerns, or need help navigating through business resources and information, feel free to call me or set up a time to meet.  I would be more than happy to help. 

Best regards,

Denise Clavette 

INTRODUCING GOKENNEBUNKS.COM

The official website of Kennebunk-Kennebunkport-Arundel is live! This interactive, responsive website is managed by the Chamber office and will be a valuable resource for people living, working and visiting the area. It is also a great tool for our members to promote their businesses. Read about some of our favorite features of the new site.

Member listings can be updated by signing in to your account here. You can also add events, news, employment opportunities and hot deals. If you have forgotten your user name and password, you can request it on the sign-in screen. If you need a user name, please contact Traci Freed at 207-602-1061 or [email protected].  As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions!

 GOLF TOURNAMENT

 We have had a good response to the 25th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament that will be held on June 16th at Dutch Elm Golf Course. There is still room for a few teams.  If you are interested in playing, please register as a team or individual player by Monday, June 9th. Sponsorship opportunities also available to promote your business.  

Download the registration form or contact Traci Freed at

207-602-1061 or [email protected].

CHAMBER MAP & VISITOR GUIDE

The Chamber map is published. Both the map and visitor guide can be downloaded from our website. Copies are also available in the visitor centers and various business in the area. If you need copies, please contact the Chamber office.  

JOIN US FOR BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Mingle and linger coveside at The Lodge on the Cove at Business After Hours on Thursday, June 19th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This vintage motor lodge was restored in 2013, creating a fun, light-hearted atmosphere that's perfect for families or folks looking to have a casual vacation experience. Onsite restaurant, The Dory, offers build-your-own sandwiches, homemade milkshakes and clever sides such as sweet potato tater tots. With lawn games and ice cream for the kids, it's the perfect spot for summer fun!

QUARTERLY BILLING CYCLES

The Chamber recently implemented quarterly billing cycles.  The new membership renewal billing cycles are January, April, July and October and are based on your renewal date. Your membership joining date and renewal date may be different but membership still covers one full year. 

Invoices will now be emailed to the billing contact on your account.  You can sign in to your account anytime to update contact information.  You may also contact the Chamber office and we can update that information for you as well. Invoices will be emailed the month prior to the billing cycle. For example, if your renewal billing cycle is October, invoices will be sent the beginning of September.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

SOCIAL MEDIA 101

Come to Business Before Hours on June 26th at 7:30 a.m. to learn more about social media. Nathan Leary, owner of Mainely SEO, will demonstrate the value of using social media to reach customers, how it can lead to new customers and how it drives repeat business from current customers. Social media networks to be covered include  Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest.

If you would like to attend this seminar, please register by contacting Traci Freed at 207-602-1061 or [email protected].  

SHOP SECOND SATURDAY

The Retail Association of Maine has crafted a unique program designed to promote a special time to shop retail in Maine's cities and towns.  Branded as Shop Second Saturday, the program encourages retailers to participate in specials on the second Saturday of each month. The association is designing a multimedia ad campaign that will run statewide and focuses on online, print, radio and television. There is currently no cost to participate and businesses do not have to be members of the Retail Association of Maine. Learn more here.

If you are interested in participating in this initiative, please contact Traci Freed at 207-602-1061 or [email protected].

 MEMBER NEWS 

Ogunquit Playhouse Kicks Off 82nd Season

 The Ogunquit Playhouse kicked off its 82nd season with Grease starring Mo Gaffney of Absolutely Fabulous. Read the press release here.

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Aim To Be Well Owner, Melissa Shatney, Brings Massage to Haiti Villages

Melissa Shatney, owner of Aim To Be Well, brought massage to remote villages in Haiti. Melissa is a health coach and massage therapist who runs a medical clinic in Dubre on the north side of Haiti. Three years ago Melissa teamed up with two friends to help the desperate health situation in Haiti. After her first visit, they realized the immediate need for clean water and medical care. There is no other clinic in this area and they work hard to keep it open and help others.

One of the best ways to help babies is infant massage. Infant massage increases the immune system drastically and helps infants bond with their mothers. Melissa helps teach the mothers in Dubre infant massage.

Aim To Be Well has also added another member to its team.  Terece Horton is a massage therapist with a degree in Health Sciences. She will not only be another set of therapeutic hands but will be teaching classes as well.  The first class is Monday, June 16th at 6:30 p.m and will focus on your PH balance and how to keep healthy, prevent major illness and stay out of pain. Aim To Be Well is also running specials to try out the new therapist.  This month you get ten minutes free on any massage. 70 minute massages are only $65. For more information, please contact Aim To Be Well at 207-985-3955.

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Book Signing for Kingsley Gallup

Kingsley Gallup, MA, LPC, NCC, DCC, local counselor and newly-published author, and Isabelle Julien, owner of Mornings in Paris, team up for a book-signing for Kingsley's just-release Project Personal Freedom: Tips and Tools for a Liberated Life.

Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Mornings in Paris, Lower Village, Kennebunk

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President George H.W. Bush's 90th 

Birthday Celebration

 On June 12th, rain or shine, between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., The Kennebunkport Historical Society will host a community celebration, on the grounds of White Columns at 8 Maine Street in Kennebunkport, in honor of President George H.W. Bush's 90th birthday. A highlight of the afternoon will be a birthday cake competition in four categories, with a panel of judges led by The White Barn Inn's Grand Relais Chef, Jonathan Cartwright.  More information on the celebration is here.

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Concerts in the Park

Concerts in the Park start June 18th in Lafayette Park and run every Wednesday throughout the summer. The schedule of musical talent 

is available here.

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Jillyanna's June Class Offerings

Jillyanna's offers a variety of cooking classes that are a fun way to spend time with friends and family or celebrate a special occasion such as a reunion or graduation. Visit Jillyanna's website for more information.

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Animal Welfare Society Events

The Animal Welfare Society has many events in the community this month. View the full calendar of events.

The Cowboy Ball will return to Spring Creek Farm on Saturday,

July 19th from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Join the Red Carpet for a gala evening of fundraising and celebration supporting the Carlisle Charitable Foundation! Enjoy dinner and drinks by the Kitchen Chicks, dancing to live music featuring The Coronados, a fabulous Silent Auction, awards for Best Dressed Cowboy and Cowgirl, and themed entertainment. Shannon Moss will return as emcee of the evening's festivities.

The Cowboy Ball will take place at Carlisle Academy, Spring Creek Farm, 65 Drown Lane, Lyman, ME.  Tickets are available at $60 per person in advance and $75 at the door (ages 15 years and up) or you can purchase a Table for 10 for $540.  This is a sell-out event, so purchase tickets early! Last date to buy tickets is July 9th.  

Purchase tickets at www.carlislecharitablefoundation.org or call 207-467-3242.  For information on sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected] or call 207-467-3242.

Proceeds support the Carlisle Charitable Foundation scholarship fund, providing charitable tuition scholarships for children and adults with disabilities who participate in therapy and adaptive riding programs at Carlisle Academy Integrative Equine Therapy & Sports in Lyman, ME.

Jazz Concert at Atlantic Hall 

  Returning by popular demand is a Jazz Concert  featuring Jason Anick and The Rhythm Future Quartet on Sunday, July 27th at 7:30 p.m. at Atlantic Hall.

Tickets: $20 regular seating, $30 preferred seating (first four rows)

To reserve tickets, call Debby Pearse at 207-967-5852 or email [email protected]

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Schedule a Flu Clinic with HomeHealth Visiting Nurses

HomeHealth Visiting Nurses is interested in helping businesses with health initiatives. Their nurses can schedule flu clinics at your business location making the effort seamless and efficient. By getting a flu shot with HomeHealth Visiting Nurses, employees stay healthier, lose less work and support their mission. They also have educators available to talk with employers and their workforce on health issues, including diabetes, nutrition and chronic care management.  Learn more here.

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