PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: With the words, “To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan,” President Lincoln affirmed the government’s obligation to care for those injured during the war and to provide for the families of those who perished on the battlefield.

There are many organizations in Midcoast Maine, both profit and not for profit, that rally behind President Lincoln’s statement. This November 13, it is the privilege of the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber to partner with some of these folks and host the second annual “Hiring Maine’s Heroes Job & Resource Expo.”

The event will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2 Columbus Drive in Brunswick, and is free-of-charge to service members, veterans, family members, and members of the public seeking work in the greater Bath-Brunswick-Topsham region. Employers with immediate job openings are invited to the expo free of charge.

Mid-coast Maine has the highest concentration of veterans, retirees and family members in Maine. In addition, with the closure of Brunswick Naval Air Station, former base workers — many of whom are former service members — are still looking for their next career. For these reasons and more, the chamber teamed up with Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc., and the Maine Department of Labor to host the Job and Resource Fair.

In recent months, the Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. has been convening a broad work group focused on bringing efficiency in approach to the many services offered by the variety of agencies on behalf of veterans.

“We are happy to be a sponsor of this year’s Veteran’s Job & Resource Fair. These events are affective for veterans as well as area businesses,” explained Michael Bourret, director of Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. and a Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber board member.

Last year’s event had more than 40 vendors with approximately 150 veterans in attendance, with attendees getting job interviews the very next day.

In addition to potential employers being on-site, other veteran resource providers will also be in attendance, such as Veterans Counselors and approved training providers. Seminars on resume and cover letter writing, as well as interviewing and salary negotiating skills, will be available free of charge.

Last year’s event was graciously sponsored by IDEXX Laboratories and General Dynamics. Sponsors for this year’s expo include Mechanics Savings Bank, RE/MAX Riverside, Parkview Adventist Medical Center, Mid Coast Hospital, BEK Inc., Inn at Brunswick Station, and WCME Radio 9. Hosts for this year’s event again include Maine Department of Labor and Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc.

Job seekers wanting more information can go to www.midcoastmaine.com or call the Southern Midcoast Career Center at (207) 373-4000 or 1-888-836-3355. For employers interested in attending the fair, contact Steven Wallace at president@midcoastmaine.com or call (207) 725-8797 ext. 5.

UPCOMING EVENTS: “A Golden Opportunity to Help Students in Your Community” is a fundraiser for the chamber’s scholarship fund. Cash in your gold, silver and platinum; make some money and Party of Gold will donate a percentage to the chamber’s scholarship fund. Oct. 9, noon to 5 p.m. at Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham (benefits students in Brunswick, Topsham, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham and Harpswell); Oct. 10, noon to 7 p.m. at Key Bank, 40 Front St., Bath (benefits students in Arrowsic, Bath, Phippsburg, West Bath, Woolwich); and Oct. 11, noon to 4 p.m. at Nickels- Sortwell House, 121 Main St., Wiscasset (benefits students in Wiscasset, Westport Island, Edgecomb.) For more information, go to www.midcoastmaine.com/calendar/ event/4585/u/.

There are two ribbon cuttings on Thursday, Oct. 10. At 10 a.m., The Vicarage by the Sea (off of Curtis Cove Road, Harpswell) opens its Freedom Trail along scenic Casco Bay. It is handicap accessible. And from 4 to 7 p.m., Beau Eye Care, PA has a grand opening at 15 Winners Circle, Topsham. Their ribbon cutting is at 4 p.m. Welcome optometrist Dr. Peter (“Doc B”) Beauboeuf and his staff to the region. Come for refreshments, demonstrations and educational offerings.

There are three Business Success Seminars in October: “How to Hold a Meet Up” is Oct. 16 and “Benefits of Wind Power for Business” is Oct. 30. Both take place at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road. The third seminar is about QR codes and is Oct. 22 at Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. All take place 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are free to attend.

Back by popular request, a repeat performance of the seminar “Intentionality, a Vital Component for Delivering Excellent Customer Service,” is Oct. 22 at a new time, 6 to 8 p.m. The seminar takes place at Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. Seating is limited and you must register and pay online. Bob LaBrie, of Maximum Potential, is presenter extraordinaire. Don’t miss out this time.

Maine State Music Theatre and Joshua’s Tavern host the Chamber After Hours on Oct. 23, 5 to 7 p.m. Experience the best networking which takes place at 22 Elm St., Brunswick. Make new connections, gather business leads and reconnect with business owners. Chamber members, their employees and guests are all invited. The event is free to attend.

Please go to the chamber’s website (www.midcoastmaine.com), scrolling the calendar to register for all of these events. For some the seating is limited and there may be a fee.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: The chamber welcomes the Big Top Deli, a downtown Brunswick restaurant, and InnovationMaine, a new monthly magazine to its membership. Discover more about chamber members at www.midcoastmaine.com or download MyChamberApp 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.