MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Southern Midcoast Chamber (SMMC) is excited and proud to announce the recipients of its annual awards. The awards will be presented on Jan. 15, 5-8 p.m., at the Chamber’s “Big Night Out” event. The event takes place at the new L.L. Bean Learning Commons on the campus of Southern Maine Community College’s Midcoast Campus, located at Brunswick Landing.

Colleagues, friends and family and the public are invited to attend and congratulate the award recipients. Register and pay online at www.midcoastmaine.com/calendar/registration/e/cmVnaXN0cmF0aW9uLTc3NDU.

Mark Waltz of Topsham is the recipient of the prestigious Citizen of the Year award. He is an attorney, business owner and captain in the Brunswick Police Department and is both a current and past volunteer in numerous organizations. This award was initiated in 1958 and recognizes an individual who, through his or her unselfish commitment to the community, embodies the best characteristics of community citizenship and serves as an example to all.

Earning Business of the Year honors is Bill Dodge Auto Group and for Small Business of the Year, Now You’re Cooking. Selection is based upon: business growth and improvement, good financial health, quality customer service, staying power, overall excellence in the marketplace, and community contributions.

New Business Venture of the Year recipient is TechPlace, located at Brunswick Landing. It has demonstrated business growth, quality customer service and community contributions.

The Young Professional of the Year is an up and coming young chamber business professional in the region and it is awarded to Kelly Dorsey of Androscoggin Bank.

Chamber Volunteer of the Year is awarded to Liz Wyman of Camden National Bank, who has conscientiously led the chamber’s ambassadors group and served on the SMCC board of directors with endless enthusiasm.

SMMC Chairman Matt Barbour chose Cathy Barter of Key Bank as the recipient of the Chairman’s Award in recognition of the many and varied contributions that she has made to the chamber.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Start the new year off with two ribbon cuttings in Topsham: Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m. at the new Creative Treasures Workshop located at 433 Lewiston Road. And Monday, Jan. 11, 11 a.m. at the newly renovated and expanded US Cellular Store, 11 Winner’s Circle.

OUR MEMBERS: The new year starts out with two new members: Cook’s Lobster and Ale House, an iconic Maine restaurant on Garrison Cove, Bailey Island, and the newly opened Brunswick Landing Y. Find more chamber members at www.midcoastmaine.com. Our members are located in and around these communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.