What could a Chamber do for Freeport?...
Find out on January 12,2009 by attending the meeting that starts at 5:30pm at the Harraseeket Inn. All FMA members, Freeport residents and interested parties are invited and I urge you to attend. During this meeting we will learn the history of the Chamber exploration, the proposal and discuss the next steps..This meeting is very important, because we are responsible for making a decision about what is best for Freeport. We at FMA must educate ourselves on what a chamber could mean for Freeport and for FMA. We must arm ourselves with all available facts -form an educated opinion and then vote on continuing the exploration with FMA as an arm of the Chamber or without FMA as an arm of the chamber. I urge you to get your questions answered on that night or immediately after so we can vote on this issue later in January. If a chamber forms in Freeport and FMA is included ALL members of FMA will automatically be members of the chamber this year and will continue to enjoy all of the benefits you expected. If a chamber does not form, you will continue to enjoy all of the benefits you expected. If a chamber does form and we are not part of it you will continue to enjoy all of the benefits you expected. So, if you have already joined or renewed your membership for 2009 THANK YOU we have a strong business plan and strategic marketing plan in place for 2009 that will drive traffic to Freeport and enhance the Freeport experience. If you have not yet renewed or joined for 2009...Now is the time to do so...with your continued support -together-this year we will make the vision that we all have for Freeport a reality. I am confident that together we can make this year -as challenging as it may be -the best! It is during these times of challenge that we can achieve and celebrate our greatest success...let's work together to do that.
Students protest Big Tobacco’s targeting of teens...
FREEPORT — On a busy pre-holiday afternoon downtown, students from Freeport, Mount Ararat and Brunswick high schools gathered to protest tobacco companies that market to young people. The students held up signs, chanted anti-smoking slogans and distributed informational brochures.Freeport High School student Bryn Gallagher said the public responded well to the demonstration.“It is very important for high school students to take a stand in this way,” she said. “We really can make an impact in our communities.”She said nearly a dozen students stood in front of the Ben & Jerry’s shop on Main Street to refute the claims of the big tobacco companies and share the dangers of smoking.Josh Charette, a sophomore at Brunswick High School, said there were a few people who didn't appreciate their efforts, but most passers-by offered encouragement.“It makes me happy to know we may have made a difference in some of the people who saw us,” he said. “What we are doing can cause an effect.”The students from the three high schools are members of the Youth Advocacy Program coordinated by Melissa Brown of Access Heath at Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick.Brown said she works with the students to help promote healthy living and to discuss ways to benefit from leading a healthy lifestyle.“We discuss everything from physical activity, substance abuse, nutrition and stress maintenance,” Brown said. “Freeport High School students feel passionately about preventing smoking in teens so this is one of the activities we organized to take their knowledge public.”Myra Hopkins, executive director of the Freeport Merchants Association, said the protest was important because teens are especially vulnerable to peer pressure.“I think knowledge is power,” she said. “I am thrilled the high school is actively involved with smoking cessation and tobacco information.”She said the town and businesses in Freeport are associated with Healthy Casco Bay and the School Department is involved with Access Health at Midcoast.Healthy Casco Bay is funded with tobacco settlement money from the Fund for a Healthy Maine.Jim Tasse is the project director of Healthy Casco Bay and works with Brown on the local student projects. Their mission is similar to Access Health at Midcoast Hospital – to reduce tobacco use and to promote healthy living through exercise and nutrition.Charette said each week the three Brunswick High School students who are involved in the Youth Advocacy Program meet with Brown to “try to think about change.”“We focus on wellness issues and healthy eating,” he said. “We will discuss racism next.”Gallagher said there are 10 members of Youth Advocacy Program at Freeport High School, but she is hoping other students will soon join.She said the group’s upcoming projects will include visiting local elementary schools and giving them healthy lifestyle presentations.“Smoking is not our core focus, but the protest was a great experience” she said. “I met students from other schools and made new friends with similar interests.” Written by Amy K. Anderson Forecaster
Meet our Freeport Merchants Association Board Members..
Right here! Each month I will introduce you to one of our FMA Board Members starting with our President Tim Paul in next months Newsletter. I am happy to announce and welcome two new members for 2009. Angie D'Amours from the Hampton Inn and Robin Baron proprietor of the James Place Inn start their three year commitment with us this year..Please join me in extending a warm welcome to them. I will keep you apprised of other changes as the months unfold. Also I want to thank Tim Rudolph owner of the Kendall Tavern Bed and Breakfast for his years of service on the FMA board. Thank you Tim for our contribution and participation over the past years.
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Executive Directors Message..
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the winter. I cross country skied during our first snow fall - it was wonderful! The reasons to live in Maine are piling up-just the way I like it-I hope you do too.
There are many things to share in this issue; let me start with the Holiday Shopping Season. First things first a special thanks to Santa and his helpers and to the magic of the talking Christmas tree. Sparkle Weekend was a big success! The Parade of Lights attracted more parade goers than over the past few years. The Tuba Concert and other events made the weekend a hit. Thank you all for participating. With more promotion and participation 2009 will be a bigger event, we want to establish a Sparkle Task Force and a Moonlight Madness Task Force to start working together on these events in February please call Alison to volunteer. Thank you again for contributing to and sponsoring these events and activities. You make Freeport Sparkle! We received unprecedented coverage from the Portland Press Herald, Brunswick Times Record, Forecaster, Shopping Notes, Down East, Port City Life and others. We were also seen on the Harley Davidson website, a few shopping sites and Channel 13 news... We will look forward to more coverage in 2009.
Thank you for attending our Annual Meeting on December 10th at the Harraseeket Inn. It was a pleasure to meet and share thoughts with you about 2008 and plans for 2009. It was a privilege to recognize three of our members with paraise and appreciation for their contribution and participation in Freeport and to FMA and to reward them with a Gift Certificate to Gritty's, a box of Chocolates from Wilbur's and a Certificate. All recognition was well deserved and it was my honor and privilege to share in the award ceremony.The Certificate of Special Appreciation was awarded Lori Yotides. She was instrumental in keeping FMA on track during the year as our Treasurer. The Member of the year Certificate was awarded to David Marstaller in recognition of his outstanding dedication, contribution to FMA and with sincere appreciation for his commitment to Freeport and FMA.The Cornerstone Award was awarded to Chip Gray in appreciation of his steadfast support of Freeport Merchants Association, and in recognition of his commitment to the community and outstanding achievements, which have become a valued part of the fabric and character of Freeport, Maine. Thank you.
During a meeting, Pat Eltman (the Director of the Maine Office of Tourism)shared a story about a customer’s experience in Freeport that I want to share with you. It all started with a call that was forwarded to Pat from the Governors office. A gentleman from Texas was on the line to speak with her about his experience in Freeport. He and his wife checked in to the Nicholson Inn and decided to walk around and enjoy the day –dressed for the sunny weather in shorts, capris and sandals-You all know the saying “don’t like the weather-wait a minute” well true to nature they found themselves a while later in a torrential down pour. They ducked under cover at the Jameson’s Tavern for lunch. While enjoying their lunch they looked up to see their innkeeper Jane standing before them. She had tracked them down to offer transportation and an umbrella to keep them dry. The couple was so pleasantly surprised by Jane’s care and concern that they were compelled to share the story. When Pat heard the story she too was struck by the level of service Jane and Alden provided and has shared this on numerous occasions. When I called Jane to share this story and thank her I learned that she actually found all of her guests that day and offered them all umbrellas and transportation. During our conversation it was obvious to me that she does many things to enhance the Freeport experience for her guests as a practice and didn’t think her actions were so special. Jane, your actions and commitment to your guests experience is an example for all to follow. Thank you Jane and Alden for your commitment and contribution to the Freeport experience you are leaders in our community. I would love to fill this letter with more stories about the wonderful service our customers receive in Freeport.
Thank you for attending our Freeport Merchants Association Strategic Planning Meeting on January 8th. It was beneficial to hear from you directly and discuss opportunities to participate in Events, Marketing,Internet Marketing, Freeport First –familiarization – volunteer opportunities, taskforce opportunities and much more. Speaking of events make sure you get your tickets to the Destination Freeport event- Flavors of Freeport in February tickets are on sale now and selling fast at the Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport and the Harraseeket Inn check out www.flavorsoffreeport.com for more information. Tickets are also available through Leapin Lizards online at www.leapinlizards.biz and in the store locations for the event with Dr. Christine Northrup at the Harraseeket Inn for that weekend-she will be speaking about the "Secret Pleasures of Midlife and Beyond". Plan today to join is in Freeport!
Myra
Join us in Support of the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women Campaign.....
This year, the American Heart Association’s(AHA) Go Red For Women campaign celebrates its 6th anniversary of building awareness and educating women about cardiovascular disease - the #1 killer of American women. On National Wear Red Day on February 6, the AHA will be promoting heart health awareness to women across the country and several Freeport business owner are already involved with the “Flavors of Freeport” festival that will benefit the AHA that weekend. You can take part in this national movement by educating your employees and customers. The local AHA in a Maine will provide all the supplies and information you need to have a successful Wear Red Day campaign (contact info is below). Here are some ideas of how you can show your customers that you care about their heart health: - Decorate your storefront with red items to draw attention to Go Red, and ask employees to wear red and/or a red dress pin on their collar (provided by AHA).
- Ask customers if they’d like to make a donation ($2 or $5 or whatever they can give) to the American Heart Association’s Wear Red Day Campaign for Women. They will receive a red dress pin and heart health information.
- For each donation received provide the customer with love your heart messaging and a tribute card. The cards are an opportunity for the donor to recognize someone in their life who has been affected by cardiovascular disease. Customers will place these cards on display somewhere within your business (walls, windows, etc.).
- Once the campaign is over, any donations to the American Heart Association will be collected in the envelope you will receive in your Wear Red Day kit (to be delivered by the AHA).
- Invite employees and customers to attend a free “Heart Hall” discussion panel at Freeport’s Old Town Hall moderated by WGME 13 Anchor Kim Block from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. Block will guide a question-and-answer forum with local health experts to help answer your questions about heart disease and stroke and what you can do to prevent these diseases through lifestyle changes.
Please call Brenda Quinn at the Maine American Heart Association office at (207) 523-3005 to sign up to have supplies delivered in advance or for more information! Thank you for your support of the American Heart Association! Freeport Police Advisory...
Recently there has been increased activity involving females being followed to their vehicles by a known local male. In one recent instance the male made a crude remark after a female confronted him. He followed two girls into a store then followed them down the street.
In another more recent instance he whistled at a female and then followed her to her car before reversing direction and walking away.
The male is describe as follows:
white male, 6'01", 180-190 lbs, gray/wavy/collar length hair, ruddy complexion, medium build w/ slim waist, blue jeans, work boots. Currently clean shaven, but has had a mustache.
To date, he has not engaged in any behavior other than following and harassing comments. He can be seen on Main St. during daytime hours, usually wearing dark sunglasses. This documented behavior after dark is relatively new.
Females are advised to be aware of your surroundings and pair-up when walking to your vehicles at night. If the person matching the above description is encountered and/or you believe you are being followed, please don't hesitate to contact Freeport Police immediately.
It might be a good idea to program the phone number for the police into a speed dial number for immediate connection. (865-4800)
Be a good witness and take note of physical description and any comments made. Try to monitor his movements and location so that you can advise the police when you call.
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