Moving Forward / Coming Events, New Member Updates, Member Spotlight, Seeds of Hope 5K, & More
May 2021
Moving Forward

Have you found yourself saying "when things get back to normal" this past year? I have ... though I'm realizing it might not be the most helpful framework anymore about what's to come.

"Normal" can be a relative term; we all have our own perspectives about what is business as usual (personally, I've been accused of many things over the years, but "normal" is not one of them! :). But the more relevant issue with the phrase is that until someone invents a time machine, the river of life sends us all downstream - there really is no going back to a simpler time.

If life was one big round of golf, we'd all take our mulligan and go back and do 2020 over again - warier, wiser, and more humble about what was coming at us no doubt. But our shared reality is that we move forward. And while we all would prefer to do so without having to consider ongoing safety constraints whatsoever, it will likely be a while before we can do that again.

Our members have adapted to move forward with their business and priorities. So too must the Chamber. We're moving forward in a manner that will strive to balance our collective need for safety with our desire to give the membership all of the benefits you signed up for and deserve. So in the next month, we will be moving forward with our "new Chamber normal", featuring all of our traditional tried-and-true activities with some reimagined approaches for some of them:

* Ribbon Cuttings - the next one will be outdoors at Soul Stitchers on 5/20

* Business After-Hours Networking - our next one with indoor & outdoor flexibility (and our first one in quite a while!) will be at Pension Professionals / Attache Business Center on 6/10

* Monthly Informational / Educational Sessions - we will continue to offer these via Zoom, with the next one on Financial Planning Basics being hosted by Atlantic FCU on 5/27

* Business Expo / Member Appreciation Event - Coming in August

Details on these sessions and other upcoming events will be shared soon. We hope you can attend some or all of them as we move forward together!
New Chamber Members

Please join us in welcoming the following new members to the Chamber:


B-Dry of Maine and NH Inc. - B-Dry installs sump pumps, drainage systems, crawlspace encapsulation and dehumidifiers to eliminate basement water intrusion.

CP Property Services - This full-service landscape company provides high-quality lawn and garden services along with nursery product options and tree maintenace activities

CUSO Home Lending - CUSO Home Lending is a licensed mortgage company owned by Maine credit unions, originating and servicing mortgages since 1993

Jason's Auto Service - This Biddeford business is a customer-centric auto repair service that provides clear estimates and accurate repairs with honesty and integrity

Maine Needham Co. - This Saco company makes and sells Needhams, Maine's iconic potato candy ... they sell wholesale, work with local distributors and shops, and also offer retail sales on-line

Soul Stitcher LLC - Soul Stitcher is located on Main St. in Biddeford, and specializes in custom sewing and alterations.

Chamber Member Spotlight: Mill Studio Arts

Our Spring Marketing Intern Kyra Yu recently wrapped up her time with us, and graduates this weekend from UNE. Congratulations and thank you Kyra... best wishes going forward! Her last Chamber marketing assignment was interviewing Amy Goodness of Mill Studio Arts - CLICK HERE to read this member spotlight feature.

ME Community College Training Options

Right now Maine has thousands of jobs available, but many unemployed or unemployed potential candidates need more training to qualify and obtain those positions. Training for existing employees would also help them add more value in their current positions and advance in their careers potentially. The MCCS's Maine Workforce Development Compact program invites businesses and associations to partner with them on delivering the training needed throughout the state. Participating businesses may be able to receive up to 100% reimbursement for training activities depending on their level of need and the particular training required. For more information, please CLICK HERE

SMHC Vaccine Community Forum


Southern Maine Health Care (SMHC) will host a COVID-19 vaccine community forum on Wednesday, May 19 at 6pm via ZOOM. The forum will include a short presentation followed by questions and answers from Dr. Michael Albaum, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Schmitz, Emergency Physician, and Dr. Margy O’Hare, OB/GYN. This is a chance for the community to ask questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and receive answers in real-time from our experts.
 
Community members can submit questions ahead of time by emailing info@smhc.com. The ZOOM link to join the forum on May 19th is: https://zoom.us/j/92498970327
Seeds of Hope 5K Fundraiser


Seeds of Hope is starting a fun new tradition for the community as a way to raise funds for their many programs that provide invaluable help to those in need. Please join them for the 1st Annual Seeds of Hope Hero 5K. The event is virtual, so you can choose the day, time & location to complete your 5K on or before 6pm on Saturday, June 5th. Walk, run, bike, skip or roll your way through it! Participation in this fundraising event means you become a hero to everyone at the S.O.H. Neighborhood Center. To sign-up to participate in this event, please CLICK HERE

Click on the ads below for more information: