Attendees at the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual award dinner at The 1812 Farm in Bristol on Thursday, Feb. 7.
The Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce held its eighth annual award dinner at The 1812 Farm in Bristol, catered by Stone Cove Catering, on Thursday, Feb. 7. It was wonderfully attended.
With the crowd ready to celebrate, having enjoyed some lovely hors d’oeuvres and libations, Jean Beattie, chair of the chamber, welcomed the membership and guests. Speaking on some of the successes for 2018, she then introduced Randy Cruz, treasurer, to report on the financials of the organization.
Chip Davison, vice chair, thanked the sponsors for this year’s event. Awards were up next, with the following: Volunteer of the Year Award to Mary Ellen Barnes, director of Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission; Community Impact Award (business) to First Congregational Church Wiscasset, Josh Fitterling accepting; Community Impact Award (individual) to Duane Goud, Wiscasset Community Center; and Growth and Development Award to Wiscasset Speedway, Vanessa and Richard Jordan. Scott Wilkinson, representative to Sen. Angus King, presented U.S. Senate Awards to all award recipients.
After the delicious buffet, which included perfectly cooked prime rib, a live auction was conducted by John Bottero, vice president of the Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, whose lively banter elicited money for myriad lovely donations that brought in around $2,500 for the Wiscasset Chamber Scholarship Fund. A huge thank-you to Bottero and all who participated in making the auction so successful.
Some facts for the year:
The Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce added 23 new members to its roster. The addition of ChamberMaster, a software program specifically created for chambers, is integrated with the chamber’s website and offers accessibility to members accounts, member-to-member deals, and networking options. The Ambassador program that will be initiated early this year will give members unprecedented customer service.
The chamber has also been involved in working to expand broadband service as well as partnering with the Midcoast Regional A-Team Workforce Development Group to finding ways to meet the needs of businesses and job seekers as related to training and education.
The chamber continues to be involved in Maine’s Midcoast and Islands, a chamber council charged through a grant from the Maine Office of Tourism to spotlight the Midcoast from Brunswick to Searsport in a variety of advertising options.
