We also include a link to a resource for those looking to start a new business next year, as well as an opportunity to promote your business to a large group of people coming to town in February.

Read on to find out about all of this and more. 

May your days be merry and bright  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

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.

Call today for your reservation.
207-745-0731

Penobscot Home Performance has helped 14 low income Mainers weatherize their homes at little to no cost! Five of them have been right here in Bucksport with six still scheduled for work!! 

Thank YOU! For only a $50 co-pay, homeowners can receive $1000 worth of weatherization work in their homes! This is where you come in, for every $50 you contribute a local Maine homeowner in need will receive $1000 in FREE weatherization work. Let's keep this going... 

...Efficiency Maine has launched a new program designed to help low-income Mainers weatherize their homes! 

Most of us spend the summer months enjoying the weather, working on house projects, spending time with family and friends, and generally living "The Way Life Should Be." We spend these months forgetting about winter's wrath and for good reason. Winter brings cold temperatures and reminds some of us how drafty our homes are and how much we have to open our wallets to pay fuel bills. And for some of us, these burdens are harder. Much harder.

Many of our low-income and elderly friends and neighbors, the most vulnerable among us, feel especially hard hit when winter sets in. They have trouble keeping warm, paying the oil delivery person, and struggle to keep up with high electric bills. Fortunately, there is a way each of us can help our fellow Bucksport homeowners keep warm and lower their fuel use.

Efficiency Maine has just launched a new program designed to help low-income Mainers (anyone on General Assistance or who's received HUD, USDA, or Maine Housing assistance is eligible for participation in this program; as well as mobile home owners and homeowners whose homes are valued at $80,000 or less). For only a $50 co-pay, homeowners can receive $1000 worth of weatherization work in their homes! This is where you come in, for every $50 you contribute a local Maine homeowner in need will receive $1000 in free weatherization work. This valuable work will be completed by an Efficiency Maine registered vendor and will include:

Plugging holes in attics and basements to stop drafts
Installing LED light bulbs
Installing low-flow showerheads
Repairing and weather-stripping doors
Air leak testing
Wrapping pipes and duct sealing
Sealing up mobile home bellies

So, for a $50 investment, each homeowner can receive about $1,000 worth of weatherization work! This work will help homeowners be more comfortable in their homes and will help lower their energy burden this winter and for winters ahead.

Whether you want to donate $50 or $500, your contribution will go a long way to ensure that all members of our community are safe, warm, healthy, and have a little more money in their pockets!
**Additional Rebate for a Ductless Heat Pump
A modification to LIHESP has been made 
providing an elevated rebate of 80% up to $2,000 on the installed cost of a ductless heat pump in LIHESP eligible homes that have completed the Energy Upgrade Bundle 
(or a prior HESP Air-seal and Assessment or RDI project).
EXAMPLE:
Energy Upgrade Bundle - $1,050 scope of work with $50 co-pay. Ductless heat pump - $2,500 total with $2,000 EM discount and $500 co-pay.

How do I donate?
Please make checks payable to:
Bucksport Community Concerns

Please send in the mail to:
Bucksport Community Concerns
Attn: Weatherization Program
P.O. Box 603
Bucksport, ME 04416

Have Questions?
or Schedule the FREE work
Please contact Chamber member
Penobscot Home Performance
528 Suite B Millvale Road
Bucksport, ME 04416
Tel. 207.469.6100

Thank you Jess Ormsby for organizing this fun community event! The gingerbread houses are getting placed in local businesses today. By the end of the day they should all be in place...Please stop by the businesses listed below to cast your vote for your favorite! 

Here's to another great season at the Good Kettle. Thank you to our staff and customers for always making our business a wonderful place to visit. Happy Holidays to you and yours. 
Cheers!

Merry Christmas from all the Staff at Private Home Care, Inc., in Belfast.  

We extend our warm wishes this Holiday Season to our clients and their family and friends.

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)