And don't forget that you can get your gifts wrapped for free this weekend in Bucksport!

Read on to find out about all of this--and remember to take a selfie when you shop locally and share it to our Facebook page to be entered into the Shop at Home contest. (More on that below!)

Stay warm, be kind, and...#thinklocalfirst!

You can leave this on the counter at your business to remind you and your customers how they can enter to win! 

Contact us to request one...

207.469.6818
office@bucksportbaychamber.com

It's almost Christmas Season in Downtown Bucksport!

Here's an update from the dedicated elves who make up the Town's Decorating Committee. We're excited to get back into the swing of the holiday season, and are especially glad to be able to involve you too! 
 
Make a Donation
To offset some of the cost of purchasing trees and maintaining lights, barrels, and decorations we're asking for each organization's support of $20. 

Checks can be made payable to Town of Bucksport Decorating Committee, and dropped off at: 
Town Office
ATTN: Decorating Committee
50 Main Street | P.O. Drawer X
Bucksport, Maine 04416
 

To learn of other holiday events happening in Downtown Bucksport, follow the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's community calendar as well as Main Street Bucksport's Facebook page. 

Incorporated in January, 2015 - Awarded 501(c)(3) exempt status by I.R.S., all contributions are deductible.

Board: President - Gaylord A. Wood, Jr, Vice-President, Melissa Doherty, Secretary Garie Blackwell, Treasurer Jody Murphy

The Center occupies a historic building, portions of which were built in the late 1800s, and which became the Victory Grange in 1922, celebrating the end of World War I.

The Community Center primarily serves the residents of North Orland and North Bucksport - with a variety of programs throughout the year; a monthly feature is the Open Mic where the famous Happytown Band is very likely to be heard. During the Winter months, the Fever Relievers provide just that.

The Center is very kid-friendly - programs are being planned for the kids for next summer along with music for the whole family. We are a membership organization and are using membership funds to complete some much needed building repairs. Family membership is just $20/year. 

The Center has put in a bid for a Monday concert by the steel drum orchestra, Flash! in the Pans from Blue Hill for next Summer.

We are planning a Wood Bank to provide firewood for residents who can't afford to buy their own.
We also have a "take one - leave one" lending library in a cubby hole outside the Center.

In 2015, we received a grant from Maine Farmland Trust which we used for raised beds for our vegetable gardens.

In December 2016, we will hold a Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, December 17. More details can be found on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/baldmountaincommunitycenter/

Everyone is welcome to show their community spirit at 4pm on December 17, 2016, in the Farmer's Market Parking Lot across from Good Deal Antiques as we carol around the bonfire and enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies. 

At 5 pm we will carol up and down Main St. ending at the Verona Wine and Design's Courtyard for more free hot chocolate, cookies and caroling. Thanks to The Bridge Church, Bucksport Area Cultural Arts Society and Verona Wine & Design for teaming up to make this happen.

Saturday, Dec. 17,  4 to 6 p.m.

From Andy at BookStacks: You certainly don't need me  to tell you that the clock is ticking:  
TWO WEEKS!!!, Well, calm down. Pick up a couple bottles of wine and relax. It's the most wonderful time of the year, as the song says. Accordingly, we've got a terrific line-up of wines to taste next Saturday, and our good friend Jack Scully of Easterly Wines will be here to introduce us and enliven our taste buds to some new and exquisite wines this Saturday, which happens to be a week before Christmas Eve. Tick tick tick... 
And yes, Denise Gordon  will be here with her delicious munchies to pair with the wines, thank you very munch.

Bucksport High School is proud to announce they have been selected to host the Class B State Wrestling Championships!!  Saturday, February 18 ! 

Providing your business information to the 112 wrestlers and their families benefits everyone! 

A Message to YOU from Ed Hatch, Athletic Director at BHS:

Bucksport High school is proud to announce we have been selected to host the Class B State Wrestling Championships which will take place Saturday, February 18, 2017. This means there will be at least 112 wrestlers and their families coming to town to participate in the tournament, and I am in hopes this tournament will create an opportunity for our local business community. Families will be looking for lodging, places to eat, and local shopping experiences.

As the host site, I am planning on sending out an informational flyer, February 4th, to each of the qualifying schools and I would like to share your business information. If you would like to be included please send me:

1.   Your business name
2.   Hours of operation during that weekend
3.   Contact information
4.   Any discounts you may be willing to offer 

You may send me this to me via email: ed.hatch@rsu25.org or you may call me at Bucksport High School 469-6650.  

Please have this information to me no later than January 31, 2017.


Cordially,

Ed Hatch
Athletic Administrator

Looking for a place to host your next gathering or showcase your business? Is your group looking for a place to meet? Planning a small party? The 2nd floor space at The Local Variety is available and ready to host you for your after-hours needs! For just $20 per hour, you can rent the beautiful space with outstanding views over the Penobscot River. Coffee and Cookie service is also available to treat your guests. We will work with you to find a package to best fit your needs, contact us on Facebook, email  thelocalvarietybucksport@gmail.com  or give us a call at 469-0865.

Sales every week at Huckleberries in Bucksport!

Everyone is invited to join the North Bucksport United Methodist Church for a Christmas Eve service. It will be a hymn sing and candlelight service December 24 at 3pm.

The Bucksport Area Senior Citizens Center has some news for you!

The "Off Broadway" Chorus will begin rehearsals again on Friday, January 6th after lunch. They are still looking for a new chorus director and also welcome new members to the chorus!

Local donors have kindly funded the free meals program. During this season of giving, donations may be made to the Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition for the "Senior Free Meals Program." This program enables an individual meeting the guidelines to enjoy one free meal, along with companionship of others, once a week. The program has just received a $1000 donation from the James and Betty Jacobs Family Charitable Trust! If you can't give money, consider giving your time. Volunteers are needed for meals program for setting tables, serving, and clean up.

If you have questions or would like to learn more please contact 469.3632.

 

Participants will learn to:

• Describe the roles and functions of a recovery coach
• List the components, core values & guiding principles of recovery
• Build skills to embrace relationships
• Explore many dimensions of recovery & recovery coaching
• Discover attitudes about self-disclosure & sharing your story
• Understand the stages of recovery
• Explore ethical and boundary issues
• Experience recovery wellness planning
• And more.

 

For more information about recovery coaching and the CCAR model visit www.ccar.us.

 

The course will be taught by certified CCAR trainers Denise Black and Terri Woodruff of Healthy Acadia. The tuition cost for the training is $100 per participant, which includes the course workbook and light refreshments. Advance registration and payment are required. 30 CEU's are available for full training completion. Financial scholarships are available upon request, and interested community members are encouraged to call Healthy Acadia for more details.

If you are interested in promoting recovery by removing barriers and obstacles to recovery and serving as a personal guide and mentor for others seeking or already in recovery, this training is for you! To register, please contact Denise by e-mail  denise@healthyacadia.org  or call 667-7171 x 15.

Where: The Gatherings Community Center, Surry, Maine 

Dates and Time: Mondays from 10:00 to 11:00am, January 16 to May 1, 2017. 

Surry. Healthy Acadia will offer a "Tai Chi for Health" class series beginning January 16, 2017 in partnership with Healthy Peninsula and The Gatherings. The classes will meet on Mondays from 10:00am to 11:00am at The Gatherings, 1208 Surry Road in Surry. 

 "Tai Chi for Health" offers participants an opportunity to learn how to improve their strength and balance and reduce their fear and risk of falling. The course teaches exercises that promote movement control through the integration of mind and body. "Tai Chi for Health" is an evidenced-based program that, when practiced regularly, helps increase flexibility, muscle strength and coordination, thus reducing the risk and fear of falling. In addition, practicing "Tai Chi for Health" increases confidence, further promoting health and wellbeing.

This free course is supported by a Thriving in Place (TiP) grant, awarded to Healthy Peninsula in partnership with ten local community health organizations, by the Maine Health Access Foundation. "We are thrilled with the popularity of 'Tai Chi for Health'! Over one hundred people participated in classes during TiP's first two years, and we look forward to introducing it to many more community members this year," stated Nina Zeldin, who facilitates the tai chi sessions.

To enroll in this class series, or for more information about "Tai Chi for Health," contact Nina Zeldin at 667-7171, ornina@healthyacadia.org.

There will be no Yoga with Naomi classes between December 20th and January 1st and no Tuesday night classes in January.

Attendance at the Tuesday night class in Orland has been shrinking as the nights get colder and longer. If there's enough interest (if 6 people sign up for the next 5-week series), then we'll begin evening classes again in February.

If you'd like to sign up for the series and commit to five classes ($50) on Tuesday nights (6:30-7:30pm at the OCC), get in touch with Naomi Graychase at yoganaomi@gmail.com, 207.370.9589, or via Facebook at facebook.com/yogawithnaomi.

Om shanti! (Peace)