We will now be closed Monday and Tuesday and open Wednesday-Friday 9am to 3pm until May.
Information Center is open 24/7.
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February menu
Meals are served at 11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center, 125 Broadway, Bucksport. For reservations call 469-3632. $5 per meal. All ages welcome.
Download the menu (.pdf) here.
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Bucksport United Methodist Church
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Church services
The Franklin Street United Methodist and East Bucksport United Methodist Churches have combined to form Bucksport United Methodist Church.
The
Sunday service is at
10 am at 71 Franklin Street in the fellowship hall. (Wednesday evening service is there also, at
6:30p.m.)
Any questions or concern, feel free to contact the church office at 469-3622. Office hours are
Tuesday and Thursdays from
9:00-2:00p.m.
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Private Home Care, Inc., a personal care agency, serving Belfast and surrounding areas is now accepting new clients.
We provide non-medical in home care, 3 to 24 hours.
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The Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce this year's Bucksport Bay Festival dates! Friday, July 21, Saturday, July 22, and Sunday, July 23, 2017.
#Thinksummer and join us
for #bayfest2017! For more info call 207.469.6818 or visit the festival website.
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Playing at the Alamo Theatre...
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Fri 17 Feb, 6:00 pm
Fri 17 Feb, 8:30 pm
Sat 18 Feb, 6:00 pm
Sat 18 Feb, 8:30 pm
Sun 19 Feb, 2:00 pm
Sun 19 Feb, 6:00 pm
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The Buck Memorial Library
on Main Street in Bucksport
offers a free story time each
Wednesday from 10:30AM
to 11AM.
Children of all ages are welcome.
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Free Small Business Advising for Bucksport Bay Area
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Thinking about starting a business? Or do you already own one? There's a helpful (free!) small business resource for the Bucksport Bay area ready to help you with everything from starting, to maintaining and growing your business. The business advising is confidential, offered at no charge and provided by the Maine Small Business Development Centers. Space for the consultations is graciously provided by Bangor Savings Bank.
Bangor Savings Bank
89 Main Street
Bucksport
By appointment only
Please contact
Betty Egner at 207.664.2990
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BEGINNER-FRIENDLY
Healing Hatha Yoga
Tuesdays 4-5pm
Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center, Ellsworth FREE
Wednesdays
3:30-4:30pm
Bucksport Regional Health Center ($12)
Thursdays 1-2pm
Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center Ellsworth FREE
Discounts for first- responders
All classes FREE to Beth Wright Center clients
All classes are for adults and teens. Anyone under 18 must have a signed waiver from their parent or guardian. Children under 13 are only permitted by special permission from the instructor. Mats and props are provided and no yoga experience is necessary.
More details online
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Free LEGO Club at the Stockton Springs Community library
The Stockton Springs Community Library (SSCL) is proud to offer free LEGO programs on the 3rd Thursday of every month from 4:00 - 5:00 PM through April 20th 2017.
Focus age group is 4 through 10 years old, however children of all ages are welcome to participate in the LEGO Fun! No registration is necessary.
The purpose is to become a creative, engaged, lifelong learner while having fun. The library provides the LEGO bricks and participants provide their imagination and creativity! LEGO creations will be displayed in the library until the following month's LEGO Club.
February 16, 2017
March 16, 2017
April 20, 2017
No registration necessary! SSCL is located at 6 Station Street in Stockton Springs. For more information call
567-4147.
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Frost Fest happens tomorrow (Saturday, February 18)--and we've got SNOW!!
We'll kick things off with an old-fashioned ice skating party with music at 11am. Other activities include a snow sculpture competition and miniature golf in a course made of SNOW! To rent a putter and a ball is $5, under 5 years old FREE. All the fun will wrap up at 3pm when the snow sculptures will be judged and the winner awarded their prize!
Our Community PTO will be joining us this year and will be selling warm food and drinks. All proceeds of food and drink sales benefit the PTO who help serve the needs of the students and staff throughout the school year.
We hope to provide a fun, healthy, invigorating cold weather experience for children and their families in our local communities. This event helps us demonstrate that our multi-faceted communities are active destinations for those looking for exciting and diverse activities during the winter months.
Funds raised support the Bucksport Rec Department and the Bucksport Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.
In order to pull it off, though, we need some help moving the snow! Please join us TODAY (Friday) at 1pm to shovel, snow-blow, or otherwise relocate all this snow. (Snowball fights optional!)
Scroll down to find out more about Frost Fest, as well as how to become a sponsor of our annual awards, how to keep the kids busy during vacation, and what you need to know about the Affordable Care Act from a tax perspective--and lots more!
Come join us in the snow...and send us your news!
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Help us clear the SNOW!
We need folks to help clear the ice rink and create a miniature golf course out of snow.
All this snow is the best thing that could have happened for Frost Fest, but we need all hands on deck to make it happen. We have a lot of snow we need to move in order to have some of our fun on Saturday!
Bring your shovels, snow blowers, gloves, hats, and any other winter gear to help us clear off the ice rink and create the miniature golf course out of all this snow in the practice field!
MEET US with your SHOVELS, SNOWBLOWERS, and FRIENDS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.
at the Municipal Ice Rink and Practice Field Area on Miles Lane in Bucksport.
Contact us to let us know your availability and what type of equipment you could bring to help! 469-6818
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Increase visibility for your business!
Production has started with the 2017 edition of our Visitor's Guide. Advertising opportunities begin now and include some new choices and same affordable rates!
If you're not a member yet, and would like to join, this is the perfect time for that! You still have time to join and get the member discount rates on your ad in our 2017 Visitor's Guide.
Download an application (.pdf) today and receive all the year-round benefits of Chamber membership including these discounted advertising rates for 2017!
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Frost Fest, February 18th
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Winter fun
Frost Fest is an annual winter celebration held in Bucksport over February school vacation. Activities this year will be on Saturday, February 18, 2017. An old fashioned ice-skating party at the ice-skating rink will kick it off at 11am. Other activities include a snow sculpture competition already sponsored by Seaboard Federal Credit Union and miniature golf in a course made of SNOW!
Learn more
online here.
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Sponsor our Annual Awards
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Annual Meeting & Awards
Our Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at The Alamo Theatre in Bucksport. Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar start at
6pm and then we head into the screen room at
7pm.
Come celebrate a year of Bucksport Bay Area Chamber accomplishments while highlighting those members that have had an exceptional influence on the Bucksport Bay Area community and economy. Board Members are celebrated for their commitment to the Chamber including announcing new Board Members and thanking out-going Board Members.
By sponsoring, your organization will reach local businesses and community leaders who recognize and appreciate companies that help support sound economic development initiatives that create a healthy business climate. Your recognition as a sponsor within the business community will insure you make those important connections necessary for the future growth and success of your business.
Please let us know what level sponsorship you would like to contribute.
You can email
[email protected]
or give us a call 207.469.6818 during office hours.
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Healthy Acadia Awarded State Prevention Services Funding
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded funds to four statewide vendors to help Maine residents live safe, healthy, and productive lives by addressing several primary drivers of chronic disease and addiction. Healthy Acadia was selected by each of the statewide vendors through a competitive process to provide public health prevention services throughout Maine's Downeast Public Health District, which includes Hancock and Washington counties. As the sole sub-recipient for the Downeast District, Healthy Acadia will receive over $350,000 to provide services across four health domains, including: substance use prevention (as a sub-recipient to the University of New England); tobacco use and exposure prevention (as a sub-recipient to the MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence); youth engagement/empowerment (as a sub-recipient to The Opportunity Alliance/Maine Youth Action Network); and obesity prevention (as a sub-recipient to Let's Go!, a program of The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center).
Substance use prevention interventions will focus on youth and young adult populations, with interventions aimed at reducing prescription drug misuse (including opioids and heroin), underage alcohol use and binge drinking, and marijuana use. Tobacco prevention strategies include prevention of tobacco initiation, prevention of involuntary second hand smoke exposure, and promotion of tobacco treatment available through the Maine Tobacco HelpLine.
Education and prevention strategies will be implemented in partnership with schools, colleges, municipalities, workplaces, social service agencies, health care providers and other venues.
Youth engagement/empowerment activities include supporting the Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) to create prevention-focused youth-adult partnerships and youth groups with the overall goals of increasing resilience among youth and reducing youth substance use. Youth groups will participate in researching and implementing public health policy change projects, as well as health and prevention-related efforts. This work will be grounded in positive youth development and social-emotional learning principles.
Obesity prevention efforts will focus on the implementation of programs and policies to prevent overweight and obesity through increased access to healthy eating and active living opportunities for Maine's youth. Healthy Acadia staff will provide professional development and technical assistance to schools and licensed childcare facilities in order to increase access to physical activity and healthy nutrition offerings in those settings. Mini-grants will be available to support implementation of physical activity and nutrition policies and activities at schools and early childcare facilities.
Healthy Acadia is a community health coalition building vibrant communities and making it easier for all people to lead healthy lives throughout Washington and Hancock counties. For more information about Healthy Acadia's initiatives, please visit
www.HealthyAcadia.org.
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"Trolls" at the Stockton Springs Community Library
Everyone's invited to the Stockton Springs Community Library for a special screening of the animated "Trolls Movie" Friday, February 24th at 6:30 PM.
"Trolls" is a 2016 3D computer-animated adventure comedy film based on the Troll dolls created by Thomas Dam. The film revolves around two trolls on a quest to save their village from destruction by the Bergens, creatures who eat trolls.
Movie snacks will be served. Wear your jammies, bring your favorite stuffed animal and pillow.
The event is free and all are welcome.
For more information call 567-4147 or visit
www.stocktonspringslibrary.org
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Hancock County Food Drive
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Begins March 1
The 2017 Hancock County Food Drive is fast approaching. This month-long, countywide effort to collect food and funds kicks off
March 1st
, and will benefit various food pantries, community meal sites, and school food programs across Hancock County. In 2016, the food drive generated enough money and food items to provide nearly 12,500 meals for families and individuals in need.
This year, Healthy Acadia hopes to do even more, and needs your help. The public health organization is seeking additional businesses, non-profits, schools, churches, and other organizations to serve as sponsors and collection sites for the 2017 food drive. Please contact Healthy Acadia's Emily (at 667-7171 or
[email protected]
) for more information about how your business or organization can support the 2017 Hancock County Food Drive.
"Financial donations are just as important, if not more so, than donations of food items," notes Emily Herwerden, Anti-Hunger & Opportunity Corps/Maine Hunger Initiative VISTA with Healthy Acadia. "Just $1 can provide 4 meals to families in need, since pantries can often buy food items at wholesale/reduced cost." To donate to the Hancock County Food Drive, text FeedMe2017 to 41444 or click
app.mobilecause.com/form/ppQMpw
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Friends & Family Market, located at 390 State Street in Ellsworth, will host the kick off event for the Hancock County Food Drive on
Saturday, March 4
from
9am-1pm
. They will be offering special deals to shoppers who donate to the food drive during the event. Tune in to Star 97.7 FM during the event to learn more about the food drive, and about deals being offered by Friends & Family Market.
The Hancock County Food Drive is organized in partnership with Healthy Acadia, Maine Community Foundation and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and sponsored in large part by United Way of Eastern Maine, Star 97.7, and the Maine Coast Mall. Complete information about the Hancock County Food Drive can be found at
www.healthyacadia.org
, including ways to donate, a list of benefiting organizations, and official collection sites and sponsors.
The Chamber is a drop-off location! Drop your donations off with us any time we're open.
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Equipment loans from EMDC
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Funding for business owners
Okay so maybe it's not a backhoe. Maybe it's a new commercial oven, or a new POS system. But at some point in any small business, it will be necessary to upgrade, improve upon, or replace various pieces of equipment. Equipment can include such things as: medical and dental machinery; restaurant ovens, cookware, phone systems; computer monitors, furniture, tools, vehicles, industrial equipment, and more...
This is where equipment loans are a sort of lifeline to any business owner. They can mean the difference between success and failure when it comes to running a small business.
As a direct lender, EMDC has funding programs for business owners with less than perfect credit history, newer businesses and those businesses that perform well but can't show it with financial statements. We will work with to structure a loan that fits your needs.
At whatever stage you are, we will work with you to help you achieve success.
Contact Us Today!
Phone: 207.942.6389
Email: [email protected]
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Robin's Nest opening for the season
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Special matinees
Mon 20 Feb, 2:00 pm
Tue 21 Feb, 2:00 pm
Wed 22 Feb, 2:00 pm
Thu 23 Feb, 6:00 pm
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| Advertising opportunities |
Special inserts
The Ellsworth American has some special advertising opportunities coming up, including the
Business Neighbors special insert (
Ad Deadline: March 1,
Publishes: April 13) and the Staying Well lifestyle special section (Ad deadline: March 1st, Publishes: March 23).
Business Neighbors gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself and your employees, talks about changes in your business and drives home the fact that you are a locally-owned business.
New upbeat lifestyle special section featuring Recreation Activities, Exercise Programs, Mind Improvement and Healthy Eating Ideas.
Contact
Fred Berry,
Advertising Sales
Ellsworth, Bucksport, Bangor, Brewer, Trenton and NE Harbor
[email protected]
667-2576 ext. 265
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Respite care
Private Home Care, Inc.
is your local source for personalized non-medical in-home care for loved elders.
School break, personal time or appointments always leave caregivers with too much to handle. Please contact us to discuss flexible respite care - we can offer you peace of mind. Please call 207-338-2100 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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FREE workshops offered
Healthy Acadia, in partnership with Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, will offer a free, six-week "Taking Action for Health" workshop series at Emerson Hall, 67 Court Street, Castine. Classes will meet weekly on Wednesdays from
10:00am to 12:30pm
beginning
March 22 and continuing through April 26, 2017
. "Taking Action for Health" is Healthy Acadia's Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, an evidence-based program to help those living with a chronic disease discover new tools for managing their chronic condition and maintain an active and fulfilling life.
"Taking Action for Health" is a free, interactive series that is open to anyone living with a chronic health condition, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, obesity, arthritis, migraines, asthma, eating disorders, depression and more. Caregivers are also welcome. Participants will learn appropriate use of medications; how to evaluate new treatment options; appropriate exercise for maintaining/improving strength, flexibility and endurance; nutrition information; how to communicate effectively with family, friends and health professionals; techniques to manage frustration, pain, fatigue and isolation; and decision making processes. Visit
http://patienteducation.stanford.edu/programs/cdsmp.html
to learn more about "Taking Action for Health."
The process in which "Taking Action for Health" is facilitated makes it effective, even for those living with multiple chronic conditions. Classes are highly interactive -
participants share their progress and successes and provide mutual support and encouragement. This helps increase participants' self-assurance in their ability to manage their health and maintain active, fulfilling lives. Workshop participants will each receive a copy of the companion book, Living a Healthy Life With Chronic Conditions, and an audio relaxation CD, "Relaxation for Mind and Body."
This "Taking Action for Health" workshop will be facilitated by Gordana Hassett, LCSW, CADC and Raeann Hodgson, RN of the Castine Community Health Center. Pre-registration is required. Contact Raeann Hodgson at 374-3939 or
[email protected]
to register or for more information about "Taking Action for Health."
"Taking Action for Health" is supported by Grant Number
D04RH28404 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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The Net Result: Our Evolving Fisheries
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Tee-shirt design contest
In 2017, Penobscot Marine Museum will explore Maine fisheries in
our new exhibit The Net Result: Our Evolving Fisheries. To fit with this focus we are asking Maine students to help us design a fisheries related t-shirt. A panel of area artists and art enthusiasts will choose one student's fish design to be incorporated into a t-shirt that will be sold in our Museum Store. The student whose design is chosen will receive a life-time membership, as well as free museum admission for their class. Please have entries to PMM by April 1.
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Museum-Based Learning Award
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Robin Bray Award
Attention Area Teachers:
Robin Bray Award
March 1st Application Deadline
The Robin Bray Museum-Based Learning Award was established in honor of Robin Bray, an Orland Consolidated School teacher who supported student learning by advocating the use of experiences beyond the classroom. It annually provides a professional development stipend of $500 to a Blue Hill, Brooksville, Bucksport (including Orland, Prospect, Verona Island), Penobscot, Sedgwick, or Surry 5th - 8th grade teacher to develop a project that integrates the resources of the Wilson Museum with a regular curriculum component in their classroom. Teachers of all disciplines are encouraged to consider developing a project that would be enriched by the resources and support provided by the Wilson Museum.
For 2017-18 information, click here.
For 2017-18 application, click here.
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Myths and Facts from the IRS
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Affordable Care Act
Information Reporting by Employers on Form 1094-C and Form 1095-C
- These Q&As provide additional information about completing Form 1094-C and Form 1095-C for calendar year 2016 that are to be filed in 2017. The Q&As may be used in conjunction with the Instructions for Forms 1094-C and 1095-C, which provide detailed information about completing the forms.
Reporting of Offers of Health Insurance Coverage by Employers
- Certain employers are required to report to the IRS information about whether they offered health coverage to their employees and if so, information about the coverage offered. This information also must be provided to employees. These Q&As address these reporting requirements.
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Snowshoe/ice-skating event
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GPMCT
Great Pond Mountain Trust has postponed its snowshoe/ice skating event from this weekend back to
February 19th
.
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February School Vacation Day Camp
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The Amazing Doctor Wilson
The Wilson Museum is excited to offer
The Amazing Doctor Wilson,
a children's camp recommended for grades 1 - 8, during the February school break. Camp will begin on Tuesday, February 21 and end on Friday, February 24, starting each day at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at 12 p.m. All participants should bring a lunch and all-weather clothing for outside. The camp will explore the travel and adventure of Museum founder Dr. John Howard Wilson, as he discovered treasures that would establish the beginnings of his collection at the Wilson Museum.
Day 1 starts with exploring Dr. Wilson's life. Groups will construct a timeline of his life and deduce what it was like for him traveling abroad. Participants will make a pith helmet similar to the hat Dr. Wilson used while traveling. Everyone will learn how to use a compass. Day 2 will focus on outdoor shelter building. While traveling abroad, Dr. Wilson often explored far away from cities and relied on building basic structures for shelter. On Day 3, students will explore one of Dr. Wilson's destinations - the American Southwest. Native American sand art and leatherworking will be the highlights of the day.Students will use the compass skills from Day 1 to complete an orienteering activity. Day 4 will focus on documenting artifacts to be added to a Museum collection. There will also be another orienteering activity. The conclusion of camp will be celebrated with a party. Every camp day will include games, focusing on collaboration, problem solving, hand-eye coordination, and strength - all qualities Dr. Wilson needed as a successful traveler.
It is not necessary to attend every day and parents are welcome to stay and participate. Pre-registration is required. The deadline for registration is Tuesday, February 14. The cost of the camp for one child is $5.00 per day, or $15.00 for the entire week. Contact the Museum at (207) 326-9247 or [email protected].
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Community Matters More--time to vote!
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Make your vote count!
The 2017 Community Matters More voting takes place during the month of February, beginning February 1 and ending February 28. Winners will be announced in April.
It's easy to vote for your favorite nonprofits by visiting Community Matters More or stopping by any of our 54 branches statewide.
A complete list of voting guidelines and eligibility requirements for write-in nominations are available at www.bangor.com/cmm.
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