Throughout the calendar year the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce works on Community Programs in addition to the current business programs in the area. Through this effort, ongoing contact with the local Town Offices, Town Recreation Departments, libraries, churches, Rotary, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, Lions Clubs, to name a few, and Maine State Fairs from summer to fall bring to the Chamber a wealth of information regarding current events for the tourism industry as well as business and community programs.
This information is publicized by the Chamber conducting press releases, posting the information in the Bi-Annual Business and Pleasure Guide that is printed and distributed through the 400 Chamber business members, the two Chamber Information Booths located in Naples and Windham, and sending booklets to other Chambers throughout New England, the Maine Office of Tourism, the Maine Tourism Association, Confirmation and Visitors Bureau in Portland, and many other organizations.
As we continue to work on highlighting some of the current programs that the SLRCC is publicizing this summer through our Chamber Newsletter and within our Information Booths please note the following current events:
Local Casco Information: The Casco Library has recently announced some great news: The Casco Public Library received a generous donation from the Hancock Foundation which enabled them to purchase brand new computers for patrons’ use. They have two wireless hubs so visitors can use their laptops anywhere in the library. There is also one laptop available at the circulation desk in case all the patron computers are in use. Anyone 16 and under will need a consent form signed by a parent or guardian in order to access the internet. Their online catalog can be accessed from their website along with MARVEL, a collection of databases from encyclopedias to periodicals, book searches to kids’ activities, all available for free 24/7. If you need assistance, stop by the library for a demonstration. For more information, contact the library at 627-4541. They are open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Or check out our Web site: www.casco.lib.me.us.
The Town of Casco and Bushido Karate Dojo & Fitness Center (BKD Fitness) presents a summer event for kids ages 6-15 from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Camp Dates are July 11 to August 26. Cost is $125 per weekly session, $30 per day (2 day minimum). Family Pricing is available. Activities include swimming, arts & crafts, reading, outdoor play, KidSmarts Self Defense, FastPlay Aerobic Fun, KidsSnacks Education. Also available for an added fee are karate and/or swim lessons. For more information or to register call 627-7170 or visit www.bkdfitness.com.
Habitat for Humanity is holding a fund-raiser for a new home in Naples on the Songo River Queen on Saturday, August 13. A DJ, food, fun and socializing on beautiful Long Lake in Naples are the order of the evening. Please join us for this fun-filled event. For more information, contact the Chamber Office at 892-8265.
Summer Tourism
Recently a visitor from Sackville, Nova Scotia stopped in to the Windham Info Booth and asked for assistance from Marion Rochford to secure overnight accommodations in our Region. Julie Sackville was in the area to meet a friend who is a local Camp Counselor for the summer months and arrived at the last minute with no place to stay. Marion assisted Julie with an armful of information about our Region and directed Julie to our local shopping district where she wanted to do some errands and shop. Several hours later Julie returned with a bouquet of summer flowers and gave them to Marion as a “Thank You” for her assistance to locate shopping and accommodations in our area. Her note said “Thank you for your help. It is people like yourself that make the tourism industry a pleasure to work in.”
In Naples, a visitor stopped into the Naples Information Booth and met with Pat Shiers on a Saturday morning. Pat answered questions, handed out a packet of brochures from the Business Members, including local maps, and welcomed the family to our Region. Several days later the family called the Chamber Office to thank us, and Pat, for serving their needs while on vacation in our Region.
Through the year-round efforts of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce many visitors are accommodated within our Region to dine, tour, spend a day, a week, or a month exploring our area as they vacation, shop, spend time with family members, golf, hike, bike on our local trails, boat on our many lakes, and enjoy the seasonal summer weather of bright days and cool evenings. The phone continues to ring, the visitors stop by, the e-mails continue to flow, and the business members continue to greet the many tourists in the area – a busy time for all.
Our Chamber continues to welcome year-round visitors to our area, and provide them with the resources and information available to accommodate their needs. Welcome to all of the summer visitors in the region – we hope you are enjoying your stay in the Sebago Lakes Region, and please plan on returning at a future date. FMI please contact the SLRCC at 892-8265 or via email – www.sebagolakesregion.com.
If you are interested in learning more about our Chamber programs please contact the Chamber Office at 892-8265, or stop by the Chamber Business Office located at 816 Roosevelt Trail in Windham.
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