Chamber Connections - June 10th
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Maine continues to be a jewel of the North East, sparsley populated, full of natural beauty and craggy coastlines. If you are planning a trip to Maine this summer, here are a few things you need to know...
The new
Keeping Maine Healthy
plan, effective July 1, now allows visitors in lieu of quarantine to sign and submit a certificate of compliance to their lodging facility that they have received a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their visit.
Dining out
Lodging
Maine’s hotels, inns, beds and breakfast and other
lodging facilities
are now accepting reservations.
Shopping
Retail stores
in Maine have reopened for shopping with extra safety precautions in place. Tourists are free to visit open stores, galleries, gift shops and other commercial retail shops. However,
there are strict limits
on how many people will be allowed inside any one store.
Farmers markets
Farmers markets are a big part of the summer season in Maine. Those who want to shop farmers markets should know that while the farmers markets are operating this summer, they
will look very different
than in years past. There will be no onsite dining, music and congregating is strongly discouraged. Vendors are enforcing the six-feet between people social distancing and everyone should plan to wear face masks.
Visiting parks, beaches and other outdoor spots
If Maine has one thing, it’s plenty of outdoor space in which to spread out and enjoy. All state parks,
trails
and historical sites are open for day use, according to the
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
. Even outside in Maine it’s important to adhere to COVID-19 health restrictions including social distancing of six feet between people and wearing face masks.
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Face masks
With most businesses re-opening over the coming weeks, just a reminder that safety guidelines are still in place that require a face masks in
most establishments
. This measure ensures both customers, and employees are protected. If you don't already have a mask, many local businesses are selling beautiful ones and would be glad to assist you.
Thanks for keeping our community safe!
Read the state
guidlines
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Open for Business
With the current situation constantly evolving we continue gathering information on which businesses are
open in the region
and what services they are offering.
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Let There Be Music - Opera House Reopens!
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Stage lights will be coming up again at the Opera House of Boothbay Harbor the night of July 3 when The Boneheads return to the peninsula’s musical arts center for a 7:30 show. It will be the first show since Ireland’s Altan played the House on Feb. 29, and the first since COVID-19 took center stage in all of our lives.
“This is not business as usual, this is business as unusual,” said Executive Director Cathy Sherrill. “There’s some trepidation, but I’m really excited. We’re going to open the doors! And we can have 50 people! What would have been considered paltry is now a bounty.”
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New Botanical Garden Safety Protocols
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Gardens have long been places of healing, tranquility, and beauty — especially during times of crisis. The global coronavirus pandemic has thrown into sharp relief a renewed appreciation for the importance of a connection to the natural world. To that end, Gardens staff have been hard at work on a plan to welcome guests back safely.
To help ensure that safety, advanced online ticketing for various arrival times is required, with a limited number of tickets available for each arrival time. Advanced tickets are required for admission, and no walk-ins will be allowed. Members must also reserve their tickets online, as their free admission will count towards the total number of tickets available during each time slot.
Those who would like to use a guest pass or are eligible for one of the Gardens’ complimentary visiting days, please call CMBG to reserve your complimentary ticket(s).
Visit us Online
.
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Congratulations to Gleason Fine Art
who are finalists in the Art Gallery category in the Best of Maine by DownEast for 2020. Show your support for them by voting
here
.
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Pinkhams are generously offering curbside services and free delivery service in the Boothbay Region. Large grocery orders should be emailed in advance to
pinkham208@gmail.com.
Send us your list and telephone number and we will contact you. Stop by the store, due to the Covid-19 we are only allowed 5 customers at a time in the store and ask that you please wear a mask.
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BRHS Class of 2020 parade
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Before embarking on the next chapter in life, the Boothbay Region High School Class of 2020 led a remarkable parade June 5 from campus to Boothbay Harbor downtown to the Boothbay common.
Graduates and their families decked out their vehicles which were escorted by Boothbay Harbor police and fire departments, Southport Fire Department, Boothbay Region Ambulance Service and a single bus with Principal Tricia Campbell and Dean of Students Allan Crocker cheering on the graduates.
Congratulations to all, we are so proud of what you have accomplished under less than ideal circumstances!
View Pictures here.
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Due to a later July 1 opening, Cabbage Island Clambakes’ season will run through Sept. 27 this year. Co-owner Wayne Moore said they already have 4,000-5,000 reservations, despite 10 bus tours that canceled. For now, Cabbage Island Clambakes will begin operating on July 1, Wednesday through Sunday, at a reduced capacity. The plan is to resume the seven-day a week schedule in August.
The bars aboard M/V
Bennie Alice
and on Cabbage Island will be for wait-staff service only. “We can safely distance up to 100 people on the the
Bennie Alice
. And on the island – it’s no problem,” said Moore. “Our responsibility is to make people feel safe.”
For More information and to book tickets,
visit online
.
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Maine Maritime Museum Now Open to the Public
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Welcome back, friends! We are so excited to welcome guests back to the museum!
Our normal hours of operation have resumed: seven days a week, from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Your upcoming museum experience might be a little different than what you’re used to, but we have developed some fun new ways for you to explore Maine’s incredible maritime culture.
Here’s what you can expect.
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Library Curbside Pickup Service Available Now
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What a long strange trip it’s been…and will continue to be! Since the statewide closures, BHML has connected patrons to digital books and content, collected dozens of poems by local poets through the
POETRY NOW
project, shared
virtual storytimes
and remote reference; now, BHML is excited to reconnect patrons with the library’s *physical* collection.
Beginning June 2, we will offer curbside pickup service. Library members will be able to request Boothbay Harbor Library-owned materials using the online catalog (or by phone/email) and we will pack them up for you and arrange a pick up time.
For More information
Click here
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The following will not happen Summer 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Business owners who wish to be listed may send an email, with or without an explanation, to
news@boothbayregister.com
BUSINESS
- Boothbay Railway Village will not open this summer. BRV’s board of directors held off on deciding as long as it could, changing scenarios to reflect Gov. Janet Mills’ latest COVID-19 guidelines. Full story.
- Maine State Aquairium is temporarily closed as a precautionary effort to protect the public and limit the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). "We understand the disappointment this brings, but we are adhering to recommendations that ensure the safety and well-being of our guests, employees and volunteers. For updates, please visit www.maine.gov/dmr/education/aquarium/index.html
- Hendricks Hill Museum, Southport - After careful consideration, the trustees voted not to open the museum to the public this summer due to the current COVID-19 social distancing requirements. We look forward to re-opening during the summer of 2021, will continue to work on projects that forward the museum's mission and, in the meantime, please join in on the Hendricks Hill Museum Community Photography Project to help us document life on Southport during 2020.
- Carousel Music Theater, Boothbay Harbor - It is with a heavy heart that we must announce due to business restrictions and health concerns caused by COVID-19 we are unable to open for our 2020 season.
- Kaler’s Crab & Lobster House, Boothbay Harbor
EVENTS
- Windjammer Days - The 58th Windjammer Days Festival set for June 21-29 has been canceled. .According to Capt. Pete Ripley, board member of Friends of Windjammer Days, the decision was made after Gov. Janet Mills announced her four-part plan to reopen the state. “There’s no way we can keep crowds down to less than 50 people,” Ripley said. “Here’s looking toward 2021.”
- Claw Down - It is with a heavy heart that we have had to postpone this year's Claw Down event which had been scheduled to happen July 11th. With restrictions still in place for large gatherings, at this time we have to err on the side of safety. Thanks to our team of Midcoast Hospitality, Maine Magazine & Hodgdon Yacht for all their hard work. Looking forward to 2021.
- Harbor Fest - Lori Reynolds, organizer of the annual Harbor Fest event in Boothbay Harbor, has announced that the ninth annual, late summer, 10-day event (Sept. 3-12) has been canceled for 2020, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
- 4th July Fireworks - Like many towns and cities in Maine and across the U.S., Boothbay Harbor will put off July 4 fireworks. Following the canceled Windjammer Days by a week, the event would be in the middle of Gov. Janet Mills’ order to keep public gatherings to at most 50 people. Full story.
- Pumpkinfest - Even though sadly we have had to make the decision to cancel Pumpkinfest 2020, as an expression of our hope in the future, and our agricultural mission, we encourage people to grow Giant Pumpkins this year in their gardens. Free Giant Pumpkin seedlings will be available for no-contact pick-up from May 16-30 at Pinkham's Plantation at 431 Biscay Road, Damariscotta, and Louis Doe Home Center at 92 Mills Road, Newcastle. Please visit our website for growing information.
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