PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Henry David Thoreau once stated, “If I seem to boast more than is becoming, my excuse is that I brag for humanity rather than for myself.” Well, one of the great things about being the chamber president is I get to do a lot of bragging — I call it advertising — about Mid-coast businesses. From the biggest to the smallest, I think our region has some of the best organizations in the state.

For example, Mid Coast Hospital was just given an “A” Hospital Safety Score. This score is calculated using publicly available data on patient injuries, medical and medication errors, and infections. U.S. hospitals were assigned an A, B, C, D or F for their safety. The Hospital Safety Score uses 26 measures to produce a single score representing a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe.

I don’t know about you, but I really like the idea of having a hospital in the area that gets “A” grades in safety. While I really don’t want to have to experience their expertise by being an injury patient, it is heartening to know that “our” local hospital is recognized for excellence.

Speaking of hospitals and excellence, I’d also like to brag about a local photographer, Ann Hutchins, of MaineMade- Photos.com. Ann was selected by MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta to show off her art. She has 28 Gicle’e on Canvas on exhibition until July 6. These pieces can also be bought, but in the meantime, what a great way for a hospital to show off local art and local artists. Ann’s art supports the phrase “Where memories are preserved, emotions are stirred.”

Finally, I’d like to give a big shout out to the local organizations that came to the assistance of local businesses that felt a “little under the water” last week. Thanks to organizations like the American Red Cross, United Way, and Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency, many of our area businesses and residents received the assistance they needed when the floods came.

One note to the businesses that received water damage: If you had substantial damage, please take the time to let Misty at the Sagadahoc County Emergency Management Agency know. If area damages are significant, disaster relief funds may be available.

Also, if your business was water damaged, please take the time to ensure walls, carpets, floorboards and other hard-toget at spaces are fully dried. If you don’t, mold and mildew can develop; costs to mitigate these hazards can be extreme. To find a local business professional that can advise you about potential hazards, visit the chamber’s website at www.midcoastmaine.com and click on the business directory.

To close, I’d like to restate what I said in the beginning: One of the great things about being the chamber president is I get to do a lot of bragging about Mid-coast businesses. From the biggest to the smallest, I think our region has some of the best organizations in the state.

Until next week, take care, shop local, and I hope to see you at a chamber event soon.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Are you using social media to grow your business? We’d like to hear how it is working. The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber wants to learn how it can better network and grow Mid-coast businesses through social media channels, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and blogs. Come to a brown bag lunch meeting on Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Border Trust Building, 2 Main St., Topsham. Seating is limited. Please register online at www.midcoastmaine.com.

Learn simple meditation of imagery to bring your body and mind to a healing and peaceful place, easy stretches to increase circulation and release tension with presenter Donna Marie Bordeaux, of Greater Brunswick Physical Therapy. This program is Mid Day Chambers on June 21, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is free and open to the public and takes place at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road.

Get a taste of LEAN methodology (chocolate, anyone?), and envision how continuous improvement (LEAN) can be applied to your work environment to improve the process. This is a hands-on introductory lesson intended for anyone on June 26, 9 to 11:30 a.m., at Border Trust Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. Presenters are Dr. Walter Lowell (certified Continuous Process Improvement practitioner) and Marcel Gagne (chairman of the advisory board at USM/LAC). The workshop is free but participation is limited to 15 people. Please register online at www.midcoastmaine.com.

Fairfield Inn and Suites will host the June 27 Chamber After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. Businesspeople are encouraged to make use of the networking power of the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and enjoy the camaraderie of other business people. Door prizes include gift certificates, a “Spotlight on Members” column, flowers from Flowers Etc. and more. This event is free but preregistration is required online at www.midcoastmaine.com or by calling 725-8797.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: SMMC welcomes Primerica Financial Services-Libby Farmer to its membership.

The chamber proudly serves 660 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.