PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: For those of us that live in Maine, we sometimes forget exactly how unique our great state is. There really is no other place like Maine. Parker Stevenson once commented, “I looked along the San Juan Islands and the coast of California, but I couldn’t find the palette of green, granite, and dark blue that you can only find Maine.” That, my friends, is a true statement.

All one needs to do is drive down Interstate 295, it doesn’t matter which direction, and you start to catch glimpses of the diversity of Maine. If you travel north, the lush trees, hills, forests, and inland waterways become apparent. If you travel south, you see wonderful shopping districts that weave in and out of quaint little inlet towns and villages.

If you go west on Route 196, it does not take long before Maine’s heritage of mills and manufacturing plants become apparent. If you continue west, you begin to see many of Maine’s beautiful mountains, lakes, and gem mining facilities.

If you go east from Brunswick, you drive through the beautiful peninsula islands that comprise Harpswell, Orr’s Island, Baily Island, and Great Island. Breathtaking scenery to say the least (and might I add wonderful candy and seafood shops along the way).

Up and down these traffic corridors, you will find hundreds of Maine shops, bakeries, and restaurants that are sure to please. Some might seem to be the same on the outside, but if you take the time to investigate, my sense is they are all uniquely different. Just like Maine.

So why am I preaching to the choir? We all live in Maine, right? We do, but what I have overwhelmingly found is this: the vast majority of Mainers do not take the time to visit the sites right in their back yards.

How many people reading this column have taken the time to ride the train from Brunswick to Rockland, with stops in Bath and Wiscasset? Maine Eastern Railroad is a gem to visitors, but goes vastly under-utilized by locals. Instead of driving next time you go up the coast for leisure activities, grab the family and a deck of cards and enjoy some quality time together on the train.

Maine Maritime Museum is absolutely beautiful, with more and more attractions being added each year. You simply cannot walk through the many rooms and displays without getting a sense of awe and pride about Maine shipbuilding history. When is the last time you stopped by to support this local institution?

Within minutes of the chamber office in Topsham, you and your family can get to Bowdoin College’s Museum of Art, the Maine State Music Theatre, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Popham Beach State Park, Reid State Park, Musical Wonder House, Dolphin Restaurant and Marina, Arrowsic Island Pottery, Country Fairways Par 3 Golf, Captain Jay McGowen’s Sports Fishing Charter, Cathance River Education Alliance, Art Walks, Taste of Maine Restaurant, Main Streets, and so very much more.

We need to become re-acquainted with our own back yards. We get so use to traveling to different towns for work and getting wrapped up in the day to day that we forget Maine is one of the most peaceful states in America … if we let it be, that is.

I submit that we need to slow down and get involved with our own communities and become knowledgeable of our region. By doing so, we can be much more ardent supporters and advocates.

Moreover, you can save your traveling dollars for buying local. We need to support our local businesses every chance we get, to include our local grocers and farmers markets. These are the places that make our communities unique. I really hope you get a chance to get out and see them this summer.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Tonight, May 29, is Chamber After Hours and it will be hosted by the Bath Holiday Inn, 139 Richardson St., Bath from 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy refreshments, vie for door prizes, meet new members and catch up on what’s happening in our 16-town region. Chamber members, their employees and guests are invited and it is free. In addition, come meet the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) students who will have business displays on view. Learn more about YEA! Bring your student. Please register for this event.

“How to Write, Grow and Sustain an Effective Blog” presented by Jennifer Barbour. Takes place June 11, 5 to 7 p.m. at Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. Fee for class is $25/person and seating is limited.

The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber’s Hacker’s Ball Golf Tournament is June 13. This 18-hole scramble will support scholarships for youth going to college from our region’s five high schools. It will also support young people who want to start their own business through the chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy.

Please go to the chamber’s website (www.midcoastmaine.com), scrolling calendar to register for all of these events.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: Discover more about chamber members at www.midcoastmaine.com or download MyChamber- App for use on your mobile phone or tablet.

The chamber proudly serves 760 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.

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