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The New Year is always the perfect time to become the healthiest version of yourself and Dr. Gillis’ Wellness Center, located at 8 Water Street, Suite 2, Oakland is ready to help you! Dr. Gillis is a well respected, board certified Proctologist who has dealt with gut issues for 25 years, frequently treating colon cancer, obesity, diabetes, and other stomach diseases. His extensive research on how our microbiome breaks down fats, cholesterol, and even regulates our metabolic system has led to part of his newest endeavor. Dr. Gillis has developed something he calls “Stacked Prebiotics,” a compound targeting all of our dietary/nutritional needs. These supplemental capsules provide benefit to our gut-brain connection and therefore improve quality of life. These supplements can be taken separately to boost energy and stimulate intestinal immunity. Some ingredients can be found on their Facebook page. The Wellness Center’s main focus is to help their clients live their best life every day. There are no gimmicks or contracts! Their weight loss treatments are available on a monthly basis and begin with an intake consultation. Clients are started on a low does of Semaglutide or Tirzepatide (both GLP-1) while their progress is closely monitored. During your first shot you will stay in the wellness center while you are closely monitored for side-effects. If all is well and there are minimal to no reactions, staff will educate you on how to take these medications at home. Dr. Gillis and the Wellness Center are not here to sell you anything specific, rather they look to provide the tools for a better gut and better life. An individualized treatment plan is created for each client. In January, Dr. Gillis’ Wellness Center is offering a special: “Semaglutide starting dose special $199/cash price,” our lowest ever!! Dr. Gillis has a unique treatment plan that focuses on micro-dosing. This keep patients on the lowest effective dose (varies person-to-person) for the shortest period of time. The clinic also offers supplements that help keep the program costs effective for most patients. Dr. Gillis is an Oklahoma native who brings his “Cowboy Swag,” to his Oakland, Maine office. He is not afraid to show off his fun-side as seen in his staff photo with Jen Brann and Jaimee Jenkins-Shaw. Dr. Gillis is on the Maine State Medical Board and Northern Light’s Board of Trustees. He holds privilege at Northern Light and Maine General hospitals where is able and willing to see patients in both hospitals if any problems arise. Dr. Gillis’ programs are designed to extend your life and have a healthier lifestyle. This unique approach takes the stress off the pancreas and liver giving your gut what it needs to be healthy and produce natural GLPs. The Wellness Center offers curing edge laser and body sculpting treatments. They have a state of the art Verdant Body Slimming Laser and a top of the line Diode Laser that targets fat cells. It penetrates the cell walls and emulsifies the fat within. A treatment that requires you to be well hydrated. New clients can get their first laser treatment for only $25. An Ultrasound Cavitation Machine tones your body through the use of low-frequency radio waves. It can target trouble areas such as a gobbler chin, loose skin on arms or legs, belly, or buttocks area. The perfect way to tone your desired look. The Dr. Gillis’ Wellness Center has opened a second location at 41 Acme Road in Brewer, Maine. No scheduled appointments, walk in on Wednesday at both locations from 1pm-6pm or Fridays 1pm-5pm in Brewer only. Group consultations are 30 minutes each and all consultations are free without any pressure. Make 2025 your year by being the best you! Take advantage of the understanding, individualized treatment, and wellness products that Dr. Gillis’ Wellness Center has to offer. Reach out today to schedule your first appointment with their caring and professional staff. Folks will be asking you, “What did you do to look so good?”

Looking for a downtown Christmas experience filled with cobblestone sidewalks, Christmas lights and holiday music to set the mood for a festive shopping experience? Downtown Gardiner, Maine fills the bill! Monkitree, located at 263 Water Street, Gardiner, ME is ready to inspire your imagination. They host a variety of Maine Made pottery, jewelry, textiles, Maine books and more, offering just the right gifts for family and friends! Monkitree is owned by a community conscious, Maine Made supporter and local arts curator, Clare Marron. She is a gift shop entrepreneur who enjoys bringing you uniquely handcrafted goods. Jewelry, pottery, and so many clever items like Maine playing cards, Maine classic children’s stories, handmade soaps and scents, honey, coffee and chocolates might fit the bill. You can find treasures from $5.00 and up. The fun begins when you lean in to get a closer look at each hand designed earrings, knitted scarfs or cozy hats. Below, Clare models one of her creative crafter Carol Wynne’s newest creations. It’s a “Winter Warmth Hoodie Scarf,” an all-in-one infinity hooded scarf that includes a face mask for the blowing cold of winter. Since opening Monkitree in 2010, Clare has had the opportunity to showcase local artists by featuring their work on her walls or display areas. The featured artists for the 2024 holiday season are potters Mary Kay Spencer from the Potter’s House and Denae Ferguson from Denae Ferguson Ceramics. They bring their hand crafted bowls, mugs and plates to your gift recipients, with a personalized gift, chosen especially for them. Mary Kay and Denae will be in the store to meet and greet shoppers on Friday December 6th. The Gardiner Art Walk and other holiday festivities run from 5 to 8pm. The Gardiner Main Street area includes the festival of trees which will be held in Johnson Hall along with live music. Clare truly enjoys meeting all of her customers including the last minute shoppers! She believes matching them with a personalized treasure is her mission. Monkitree has just been named Kennebec Journal’s Readers Choice Awards “Best Gift Shop for 2024.” If you are looking for an uplifting holiday experience, Monkitree in Downtown Gardiner is the place to visit! 263 Water Street, Gardiner, ME • (207) 512-4679 • clare@monkitree.com December Hours: Sun–Mon 10am–5pm & Tue–Sat 10am-6pm • Closing at 4pm Christmas Eve

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