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Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce Continues Event Schedule Through Year’s End The Mid-Maine Chamber is committed to helping the businesses in our region continue to grow and prosper. To that end, the Chamber continues to explore ways to assist members in pushing out marketing messages about their local goods and services through an enhanced schedule of events, sponsorship opportunities, Chamber Chatter videos, Breakfast Spotlighters and more. In November and December, the Chamber will host Business Breakfast Series events held from 7:15 to 9 a.m. at the Best Western Plus Hotel, allowing area business professionals to network, enjoy great speakers and win door prizes. Check out www.midmainechamber.com for additional details and to register. November 13, from 4-5:30 there will be a New Member Orientation and Member Refresher meeting on Zoom and at the Mid-Maine Chamber boardroom, with happy hour drinks and light appetizers. To register email jamie@midmainechamber.com. This is your opportunity to find out how to utilize your Chamber benefits to grow your business. Our Meet the Reps event will be held on Thursday, December 5 from 5:30-7 in the Plourde Conference Room on the second floor above Holy Cannoli, 70 Main Street. Join our elected officials to hear updates on legislative and municipal issues. There is no fee to attend, but please email cindy@midmainechamber.com to help us gauge attendance. There is no scheduled BAH for November. The next Business After Hours event will be Wednesday, December 18 with SKILLS, Inc./Ervin Community Supports and will be held at 15 Wandrup Road in Hinckley. This event is free of charge 5:30-7 p.m. and allows a great opportunity to enjoy some great food and beverages, exchange business news and updates, and win door prizes. - - - - - - - - - - Shop Small – Save Big with Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and Shop Small Saturday Mid-Maine! Small businesses are the heartbeat of the area. This year, Mid-Maine Chamber will be working once again to enhance the holiday season for area businesses, focusing on their unique, local flavor. Saturday, November 30 will be a day to shop small – while making a BIG difference to the businesses who have been there to support customers throughout the year. It will be a day of fun, with businesses encouraged to put out festive holiday lights and decorations. Participating businesses will have coupons with plenty of savings, shopping bags to collect goodies, and a fun way to enter to win a $100 Chamber Gift Certificate good at 180-plus area businesses. Most coupons are valid prior and post-event to ensure that you have time to utilize them. Mix 107.9 will be doing live remotes throughout the area and businesses are encouraged to give shoppers a reason to shop locally. So, grab your friends and family, and head on out for a day of enjoyment with your local businesses. Stay tuned for additional information as the date gets closer. Let’s kick off the beginning of the holiday season and Shop Small Saturday Mid-Maine! But, if you can’t join us on November 30, and want to do your part to help out, consider giving Mid-Maine Chamber Gift Certificates this season. These are always a great way to support area businesses – and this year, it is more important than ever. Give your friends and family members the perfect gift – no worries about something too big or small – and know that you are keeping monies locally. Check the Chamber website for additional details at www.midmainechamber.com . - - - - - - - - - - Festival of Trees – Save the Dates: November 22-24, November 29-30 and Dec. 1 Waterville Elks Banquet Center, 76 Industrial Road, Waterville Join us for one of the most popular events of the season. Over 50 beautiful trees to win. Daily 50/50 drawings are held, with winnings up to $10,000. For more details, or o help out with the day and volunteer, go to www.festivaloftreesmaine.net . Festival of Trees – a great event for the whole family!

“A Man on a Mission” is how I would describe entrepreneur, Brock Dostie. He is the creator of his two Maine companies, Dostie’s Towing and Dostie’s Tire Depot. One visit to “Command Central” at their Benton location and you will find a Brock behind a corner desk with a headphone on, computer screens ready to assist customers finding parts, taking wrecker calls and answering any staff questions. The gleam in his eyes is a true sign of the joy Brock experiences each day of his ever changing businesses. Dostie’s Towing is located at 46 Bangor Road in Benton, and their newly acquired old Arbo’s location at 126 Drummond Avenue in Waterville. Both service vehicle and truck repair needs. Dostie’s Tire Depot on 218 College Avenue in Waterville provides a full line of new tires, flat repairs, winter tire changeovers, mounting and balancing services. Studded snow tires are now being installed for your winter driving safety. Brock admitted he was always a car guy! In 2017, the summer following his Lawrence High School graduation in Fairfield, he made a pivotal decision. His future was planned as he was accepted to Maine Maritime Academy to study engineering. He went to work for a local towing company. He saw the need for medium and heavy duty recovery through out Maine. In January of 2018, Brock purchased his first used tow truck. He found a truck garage on the Bangor Road ready to move right into. This allowed him to do truck repairs and fleet services for local companies. Together with one mechanic they set out to satisfy their customers with state vehicle and truck inspections. They also specialize in commercial truck repairs. All repairs are guaranteed as they are a “Certified Auto Repair Center.” Brock is proud of the current staff. During the past 7 years, he has handpicked and nourished their skills keeping everyone up to date. Brock would like to thank all the members of his team for their help every day! Everyone pitches in creating a family atmosphere. Brock’s wife Briannah, daughter Kensley, and son Kashton all help to keep him grounded. Brock said he enjoys all aspects of his business but the challenges of heavy duty towing and recovery really makes him feel like he’s firing on all cylinders! If you’ve ever watched the reality TV show “Highway Through Hell,” it shows wrecks on the icy roads of Canada needing complicated recoveries. That’s what Brock and his crew does! Brock covers towing challenges anywhere in Maine, including the north woods territory. He had a memorable job last winter. The Forks was the sight of a heartbreaking scene at Martin Pond. During a particularly gnarly storm, a Canadian log truck slid through a guardrail down a steep embankment and into the pond. It was fully submerged. Dostie’s Towing was summoned for the recovery. The entire trailer and its load of logs had to be off-loaded up the embankment while securing the submerged truck, thus allowing the Maine Warden’s Service and the Maine Dive Team with their air boat to complete their grim recovery. This event took several hours. The Somerset County Sheriff’s Department and the Maine State Police also assisted. Brock has recently added a bright red equipment trailer to hold all their recovery equipment and tools for quick and efficient on sight staging. When You see a bright red tow truck with the Dostie’s Towing logo around town or on the highway, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing the team at Dostie’s Towing is there to make a bad day better! Dostie’s Towing • (207) 805-8372 • dostietowing@gmail.com • www.dostiestowing.com • Follow Us on Facebook Dostie’s Tire Depot • 207-806-5003 • dostiestiredepot@gmail.com • Follow Us on Facebook

Looking for a fun, family-friendly event that has “The way Life should be?” written all over it? The 48th annual Common Ground Fair proudly celebrates Rural Living in MAINE! September 20-21-22, MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association) invites everyone to enjoy their 700 scheduled events. Gates open Friday & Saturday at 9am to 6pm. Sunday 9am to 5pm. The fair is located at the MOFGA campus in Unity, Maine. Local food vendors will focus on organic Maine grown foods. There will be many vendors joining in the diverse food scene, bringing you bean hole beans served hot from the pot, as well as mouth watering Maine Grains pizzas and so many other delicious treats. Fresh fruits, veggies, ciders, local brews and wines are on display and for sale. This year hundreds of vendors are waiting to share their expertise showcasing handcrafted t-shirts, bags, ceramic pottery, maple products, soaps, honey and many other unique creative ideas. They are truly a unique group of handpicked crafters selected Maine craftsmen ready to demonstrate their skills and offer fabulous items for your Christmas giving. THIS EVENT DOES NOT OFFER FAIR RIDES! It spotlights the state of Maine for its rural, supportive communities. In place of rides, the Common Ground Fair will challenge your senses in the exhibition hall, yoga tent and a big top fine arts and crafts venues on over 22 acres of the MOFGA campus. Livestock demonstrations and lots of local animals come together to meet the children. A venue filled with chickens, baby goats, lambs and cows and horses and alpacas. Sheep herding events and Sheep dog trials are always fan favorites! Take a break from your strolling activities and sit and watch the amazing skills of the area’s border collies performing sophisticated commands while corralling the sheep. Check the schedule for times. LETS NOT forget the Music!!! This year fair goers will be entertained by some of Maine Premier Performers! The Oshima Brothers will headline the stage on Sunday afternoon. Maine Marimba Ensemble on Saturday and Maine Fiddlers Showcase both Saturday and Sunday. Area schools plan field trips to the Common Ground Fair each year. It is an opportunity to share MOFGA’s heritage with Maine youth. Our future farmers, future land conservators and future forestry experts will learn how to make a sustainable living and protect our natural resources in Maine. Parking is available in the surrounding areas. Volunteers and safety personnel will direct traffic. Carpooling is encouraged. Train rides from Thorndike and Unity will be offered via the Belfast Railroad. A round trip ticket and entry to the fair must be purchased together. The MOFGA website offers more information on parking and transportation options, including signing up for carpooling. Tickets are available in advance until September 18. They are priced as low as $15.00 for adults aged 18–64, $12.00 for youth and elderly 13-17 or 65+, and no cost for those 12 or younger. Those with disabilities are able to access free admission for themselves and 1 guest. Tickets may be purchased at the gate all 3 days for $20.00 per day. Come on down and celebrate “All things Maine!” Our friendly folks, unique products & delicious food await you. Visit mofga.org/fair for more information. 

September’s warm days and cool nights usher in one of Mainers’ favorite activities! 2024 is going on record as a banner year to enjoy the taste of fresh picked Maine Apples at their peak of their deliciousness! This summer, the weather has cooperated to plump up the juiciest of early Macintosh, Cortland, Honey Crisp, and a variety of heirloom varieties. Apple trees across Maine are getting ready to showcase their bounty and treat us to the sweetest pies, cobbler, apple crisp, applesauce and of course freshly mulled apple cider. Maine orchards offer a range of apple picking experiences. Visit many local orchards to enjoy corn mazes, direct in orchard picking, cornhole, pumpkin picking, or strolling through the sunflower gardens. Having an afternoon adventure in one of Maine’s scenic orchards, results in bushels of delicious apples to take home. Apples are always a favorite in kids’ lunch boxes and desserts. Apple pies, apple crisp, baked apples, or homemade applesauce will bring joy to everyone! Check out our “What About Maine? Food for You & ME?” feature in our September issue for Apple recipes. All of our recipes can be found on our website at www.whataboutmaine.com . Danielle and I would appreciate any recipes you’d like to send our way. You could win a $25 gift card to Bee’s for your efforts! Maine Apple season ushers us into Fall. We’re ready once again to wear our favorite sweaters or flannel shirts, comfy jeans and enjoy the crisp Fall air. Maine Apple Sunday Weekend is September 14–15, a time to celebrate everything apples and Maine’s bountiful harvest. Go to www.maineapplesunday.com for a list of Maine apple orchards.

Maine is home to a very on-the-go business! If you need party rentals, tents, tables, linens, chairs and more, ANYWHERE’S LLC is on the job! Entrepreneur, Denise Langley, will proudly guide you on your way to a perfect party. She and her right-hand gal, Amanda Scott, do it all. From the first phone call, text, or email, they ask all the right questions to help you design the perfect venue. If a wedding, celebration of life, company picnic, backyard birthday party, or family gathering is in your future, ANYWHERE’S LLC will deliver. THEY SERVICE “ANYWHERE” IN THE STATE OF MAINE!!! They have delivered and set up large and small event tents with all the accessories throughout Maine. Whether you want a 40’x80’+ tent with lights and LED cocktail tables set up at a remote camp on a lake up in the County for a celebration of life, or a company picnic on an island off the coast, ANYWHERE’S LLC can oblige. They provide tables, chairs, table cloths, napkins, cocktail tables with or without LED, portable bars, and other items needed for your event. Upon request, they will set it up and tear down everything after the event is completed. Delivery fees depend on mileage. Each job is customized to your special needs. They can diagram and design the layout with you, making sure you take advantage of all the design options. They are dedicated to getting things right the first time. ANYWHERE’S LLC has been in business for about 5 years. They call Winslow home, citing its Central Maine location makes deliveries convenient in all directions. This July, Denise supplied the tent at the Miff International Film Festival! They always set up their tents where safety is priority. They use a special hole filler so you can rest assured if you have a tent going into pavement it will look just as good after the stakes are gone! For the biggest of tents you will most likely see Denise’s husband, Alan Langley, coming to help after working 60+ hours at his other job. Denise is a busy wife and mom of two. She is a math teacher who enjoys helping students have their math lightbulb moments. They support non-profit organizations and events by helping them create a venue applicable to raising funds to complete their successful projects. She’s organized and detail oriented. Together with Amanda, they deliver to multiple sites and cater to each customer’s needs. Make the call to ANYWHERE’S LLC and you’ll be able to relax knowing the party is in good hands! Please give them plenty of notice for the best results but also know Denise and Amanda love a challenge! If you need it quickly, they will try their best to find it and get it to your site! ANYWHERE’S LLC is licensed and accredited with MATRA, ARA, Maine Rental Association Member, and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. Contact them at 207-649-3561 or anywheresfoodandrentals@gmail.com. Visit their Facebook page or website at www.anywheresrental.com .

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The 2024 Windsor Fair begins with an early surprise: the fair Begins A Day Early! Enjoy an extra day of fun! Saturday, August 24th, the Windsor Fair opens with a full day of activities. Ten Spectacular days of down-home farm and family hospitality bring friends and family together since 1889! Back in the early years, farm families brought their prize crops, cattle, sheep, horses, hand-made quilts and home-made pies and pickles to this 10 day celebration by horse and buggy. Today, farmers and families enjoy the many aspects of the fair with the conveniences of the 21st century. The Windsor Fair Historical Society’s historical village showcases copper and blacksmith shops, a working saw mill, and a working sugar house. You can learn how Maine maple syrup is made. It is well worth the walk down memory lane. The grandkids will be amazed! The Windsor Fair is Maine’s 2nd largest agricultural fair. They proudly showcase all things summer! You will find 4-H horse and cattle judging, oxen and horse pulls, prize winning steers, lambs, goats, donkeys, chickens and everyone’s favorite pig scrambles. Each day presents a variety of choices to satisfy everyone ‘s interests. Spend the afternoon in the grandstands watching harness racing, playing beano in the beano hall, or strolling down the giant midway enjoying fair food and rides. Every evening brings a variety of Maine’s premium entertainment options. Saturday’s “Opening Night” highlights Chase Jobe Band & The Running Kind in the grandstand from 7:30–9:00 pm. Sunday brings fair favorite Demolition Derby #1 at 7pm. Derby #2 is on Thursday evening. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s offerings are Maine State Truck and Tractor Pulls at 6:30 each night. The weekend begins with a bang with the Hurricane Mountain Band on Friday 7:30–9:00, followed by a fireworks show. Saturday features the 12OC Band. Sunday offers the RaveX Outer Limits Tour Freestyle Motocross Show. Many other Maine bands and entertainment will be scattered throughout the fairgrounds in many different venues and times. A new contest will be featured on Sunday August 25th the Manure Toss in the Vanner Pulling Ring. Please check the daily schedule for all of the many different events across the venue. Tom Foster is the long-time Windsor Fair president for the past 31 years. He is the fair’s biggest cheerleader who enjoys keeping the fair moving forward each year. The change of adding an extra day is one he’s wanted to increase for fair goers pleasure. Tom loves everything Agricultural! He is proud to encourage Maine youth to showcase the love and care they have developed with their animals. He believes that it will create confidence and teamwork skills they will need for future life projects! In 2023, the first Miss Windsor Fair Apple Queen was crowned. Aubrey Schaeffer has enjoyed her reign with the opportunity to visit other state fairs. She and other members of her court have encouraged new applicants to participate in this year’s contest. The new Apple Queen will be crowned on This year the Grand Illusions Magic Act by the Blooms from Ohio will return by popular demand to perform 4 shows a day throughout the Labor Day weekend. Check the schedule for venues and times. Also keep an eye out for their giant dinosaur strolling the midway. Before Summer is over, enjoy a day – or 10 days – of a true Maine fair experience. Bring the family, meet old friends and support Maine businesses. Watch the horses run and let the kids enjoy the midway. The Windsor Fair 2024 offers a vision of “Maine: the way life is today!” www.windsorfair.com 

Waterville is graced to have an old friend return to serve our community. Dr. Matt Townsend has opened a small veterinary care office located at 14 Waterville Commons. Dirigo Veterinary Care offers a ray of hope to pet parents looking for local care for their dogs, cats, and small animals. They are currently accepting new clients. Matt has created a one-stop facility where in-house labs and x-rays can be done on-site, thus speeding up the diagnosis. Matt has assembled a staff of 12 combining many years of knowledge in diet, nutritional counseling, wellness checks, vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, nail trimming, and pain management. Techs are certified in laser therapy and physical therapy that could be done in-house and you could do at home. They all work together for the health of your pets. Matt believes in client education, as pet parents are the best judge of their pets needs. Dirigo Veterinary Care has teamed up with Purina Veterinary Diet to provide specialty foods for your pet’s personalized care. Matt has developed a convenient website where you can order food, flea and tick meds, and reorder ongoing medications that could be sent directly to you, or be picked up at the office. Dirigo Veterinary has connected with a local compounding pharmacy to provide the specialized medications you might need. The practice’s website www.DirigoVet.com will connect you with VRXpro online ordering network. New patients may register on the website, email info@dirigovet.com, or call 207-618-6936 for an appointment. For evening or weekend services, call the Lewiston Emergency Clinic at 207-777-1110. If you are looking for down home, independent veterinary services, give Dirigo Veterinary Care a try. The small friendly practice with a big heart! ❤ 

The Children’s Book Cellar, a Waterville treasure located at 52 Main Street in downtown Waterville, Maine is on track to close on August 30, 2024. Owner Ellen Richmond has decided to retire after stewarding this venture for 22 years. Children’s Book Cellar began 1987 with Carol Wynne, filling a need by bringing children’s books to downtown Waterville. Ellen is the 4th owner, with years of experience, having worked at Mr. Paperback from 1978 to 2001. In January of 2002, Children’s Book Cellar was for sale and likely to close. Jennifer Bergeron and Faye Nicholson, who wanted Children’s Book Cellar to remain a downtown fixture, invited Ellen to come and talk. Ellen was able to work within a short time frame and became the owner in February. She had a new vision for the store. With an understanding of book selling and some practical connections, Ellen increased the offerings for teens and included more adult titles as well. Ellen says that the “Children’s Book Cellar meets your reading needs from infant through your senior years.” One of her talents is finding whatever titles you are looking for. She is a true “Book Detective!” If you know the title, author, or can even describe the story, Ellen can very often find the book. She enjoys the hunt and the satisfaction of tracking down a title. One of Ellen’s favorite additions is her Maine book section. Whether it is “Blueberries for Sal” or “Circus Ship,” Ellen makes sure Maine kiddos know all the best Maine stories. Through the years, Ellen has hosted many book signing events including, Cynthia Lord, Keven Hawks, Chris Van Dusen, Matt Tavares, Hazel Mitchell, Richard Blanco, Amy Calder, and Betty Cully are a few of the Maine authors who have shared their stories at Children’s Book Cellar! During President Obama’s inauguration in 2013, Richard Blanco, a poet living in Maine, recited his inaugural poem “One Today.” Ellen arranged his reading of it at the Waterville Opera House in December 2015. Ellen has also hosted Drag Queen Story Hours (2019 and 2023) in the store. Ellen has truly enjoyed getting to know her customers. Many local kids have grown up with Children’s Book Cellar and drop in to say “hi” when they are visiting. Parents and grandparents are regulars. All are friends. That’s one of the regrets of closing the book store which will remain open until the end of August. The Children’s Book Cellar is on the market and Ellen hopes someone like her, who enjoys reading and sharing books, will consider purchasing the store. She would be on call for any advice they might need. I asked Ellen if she had any retirement plans? She smiled and said she will enjoy some gardening and actually having time to read some of the TBR (To Be Read) stash on her nightstand. Her kitties, Koko and Rosie, will be happy to welcome her home, too. She said she has places to visit and friends to catch up with. Over the next couple of months please stop in to wish Ellen well and thank her for helping our children “learn to love reading!”