Well-written message on Web site is critical

Good writing is the fundamental element of all your small business marketing strategies. A thoughtful, well-crafted message will do more to connect with your customers than any other element. This is particularly true for Web sites because, although the Web is a visual-driven medium with sites using flashy graphics, sounds and other fancy features, success still comes down to what you say and how you say it.

Small business owners to lobby in D.C. for health care public option

PORTLAND — A dozen local business owners traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to discuss health care reform and advocate for a public option provision in the legislation being considered by Congress.

Dean Powers, director of the Maine Small Business Coalition, said the group was expected to meet with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Small Business Administration Administrator Karen Mills, who will hold a briefing with them and other business owners from around the country on the impact of health care

Eggs and Issues Seminar date set

RUMFORD — The River Valley Chamber of Commerce, along with the River Valley Growth Council, has invited Rachel Meyer of the Better Business Bureau to present on "Giving Wisely to Charities," the next Eggs and Issues Seminar.

Rachel Meyer will offer guidelines on choosing a trustworthy charity; tips on tax deductions, organizational charities and how to avoid scams will also be discussed.

Bowen hired as CEO in Vermont

ST. ALBANS, Vt. — The Board of Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) has appointed Jill Berry Bowen, a native of Phillips, Maine, as the hospital's new chief executive officer. NMC is a  not-for-profit community hospital in northwestern Vermont whose staff has been recognized two years in a row by Avatar International for excellence in overall patient satisfaction.

FAME to hold annual meeting

AUGUSTA — The Finance Authority of Maine will hold its annual meeting and awards event, Showcase Maine, Nov. 10 from 4:30 to 7:45 p.m. at Portland's Holiday Inn By the Bay.

Showcase Maine is a celebration of the many successful partnerships FAME has forged over the past 26 years with Maine's business and higher education communities.

Third generation takes over Tilton's Market

BUCKFIELD — A new face can be seen working at Tilton's Market in the center of downtown Buckfield. Steven Tilton, the grandson of founder Gilbert Tilton, took over the reins of the store on Oct. 1.

The business was opened in the 1940s by Gilbert Tilton. In 1980 the store was taken over by his son, Virgil, and daughter, Rossie. Together, they have managed the store since.

Steven was raised in Buckfield but moved away for several years. He returned to Buckfield two years ago with his wife and two children who attend the elementary school.

Sour grapes: New law forces "Prohibition" measures on wine merchants

FALMOUTH — When Leavitt & Sons Deli holds its monthly wine tasting on Nov. 19, newspaper or cardboard will probably cover the windows. Inside, participants will sample whites and reds behind a curtain.

The measures are designed to prevent children from watching adults consume alcohol — something they can see any day at a restaurant but which is now prohibited at wine shops, under recently enacted state regulations.

Peter Leavitt calls the law "neo-Prohibitionist," and he's not alone.

Lewiston attorney speaks in Russia

LEWISTON — Jennifer N. Ferguson, a partner at the Lewiston law firm of Fales and Fales, P.A., 192 Lisbon St., Lewiston, recently participated in a rule of law exchange program in Russia as part of an American delegation. The delegation of three judges and two lawyers from Maine and New Hampshire traveled to Archangelsk, Russia, to participate in Russian-American seminars sponsored by the United States Agency on International Development.

Designer joins Blais Flowers

LEWISTON — Floral designer Katie Gay joined Blais Flowers and Garden Center, 539 Webster St., Lewiston, earlier this year. Gay has been in the floral industry since 1998, most recently as a lead designer at Berry and Berry Floral in Hallowell.

She has designed for many Maine State Florist and Growers Association's events, including the Maine State Agricultural Show in Augusta and an 8-day floral presentation at the Fryeburg Fair. Her abilities include wedding designs, special occasion bouquets and sympathy expressions.

KeyBank employee celebrates 30 years

NORWAY — Pamela Lovely of Oxford is celebrating her 30th anniversary at KeyBank in Norway.

Lovely currently serves as the client service manager for KeyBank's Norway branch, where she manages the operation of the branch and provides support to the staff, opening loans and accounts and working the teller line.

Hudson speaker at national conference

WAYNE — Wayne resident Steven A. Hudson, an attorney with Preti Flaherty in Augusta, recently spoke on climate change issues at the annual meeting of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry held in Memphis, Tenn.

Hudson, who practices in the area of government relations, energy and environmental law, delivered a paper on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and how companies can comply with this and other climate change issues. Hudson is a member of the firm's recently formed Climate Strategy Group.

Major Automotive opens for business

AUBURN — Rick Coron and Ron Major have recently opened an auto repair business called "New Major Automotive," located at 250 Broad St., Auburn. They will be celebrating the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. on Oct. 29. Coron served the community of Auburn for more than 21 years as an Auburn police officer. His goal is to become known as the community garage for Auburn citizens.

Franklin Dermatology opens

FARMINGTON — Franklin Health Dermatology, located at 105 Mt. Blue Circle, Suite 2, recently held an open house. It is the first dermatology-only medical practice based in Franklin County, and offers treatment for a full range of dermatological conditions affecting those of all ages, including acne, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, dandruff, dermatitis, excess sweating, hair loss, excess hair (hirsuitism), and disorders of the mouth, tongue, lips and nails.

Martial arts class

Owners Harry Harris and Donna Bouchard announce that the Phoenix Academy of Martial Arts has opened for classes for students ages 2 and up for traditional karate, kickboxing, self-defense and yoga. The academy is located at 1225 Center St., Auburn, and is open Monday through Thursday, 6-8:30 p.m., and Saturday from 7 a.m.-noon. The first class was held Oct. 1. For more information about classes, call 577-4179 or 577-1046, or visit: www.phoenixkarateacademy.com.

Oxford Chamber event date set

OXFORD — The Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held Nov. 5 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the newly remodeled Grassroots Graphics in the Oxford Plaza, Main Street. It is next to Subway and Diamond Cut Jewelers. Networking, food and prizes will be available. No registration is required.

Grassroots Graphics relocated from downtown Norway on May 4. It continues to provide quality printing services with easier access and ample parking. It also carries a new line of personalized gifts for business or that special person.

Lewiston native honored

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Lewiston native Thomas E. Hachey, executive director of the Center for Irish Programs at Boston College, was named to the inaugural Irish Education 100 list, an initiative conducted by Irish Voice newspaper to "quantify the Irish commitment to excellence in education in the United States." The list was published this month in Irish Voice.

Richards joins Tastefully Simple

POLAND — Jessica Richards of Poland has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring easy-to-prepare food products.

As a consultant, Richards offers the company's gourmet foods and beverages to guests at home taste-testing parties. Guests receive samples, easy meal ideas, recipes and serving suggestions.

For more information about Tastefully Simple products, taste-testing parties or a business opportunity, contact Jessica Richards at my3babyangls@aol.com.

Wilton Career Center lists offerings

WILTON — The Wilton CareerCenter, 865 U.S. Route 2E in Wilton, announces the schedule of workshops for November.

The workshops are at no charge to the public. All workshops begin promptly at listed times. Registration is required. Telephone 645-5800; toll-free 1-800-982-4311; TDD 888-697-2895 to set up an appointment.

"CareerCenter Employment and Training Orientation," Mondays, 10 a.m.-noon. An explanation of training programs and career exploration. This workshop also provides a brief introduction to the Wilton CareerCenter services.

Gogan opens new business

LEWISTON — Debbie Gogan has opened Reconcile in Style Bookkeeping, 2 Jerome St. She specializes in Quickbooks, accounts payable and accounts receivable, tax preparation and reconciling bank statements. She has also added notary to her services to better accommodate clients.

Gogan has 20 years of experience handling bookkeeping for small businesses and nonprofits. She recently joined the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. Gogan may be reached at 754-6704 or by e-mail at: ddgogan@yahoo.com.

Fairpoint plan spells fear for workers' benefits

 

COLCHESTER, Vt. (AP) — Thirty-year telephone company worker Darlene Stone campaigned against FairPoint Communications' takeover of Verizon's northern New England operations, fearing the company was biting off more than it could chew.

Once the deal was completed, she worried FairPoint would end up filing for bankruptcy and she would have her wages, pension or medical benefits scaled back. So she retired last May from her $45,000-a-year job as an administrative assistant in a South Burlington call center.

Obama approves funding for northern border panel

 

 

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A commission created to provide jobs and boost the economy in the northern reaches of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York is getting $1.5 million under a measure signed into law by President Barack Obama.

The funding for the Northern Border Regional Commission is the first awarded to the fledgling panel, created in 2007. The amount was part of an appropriations package Obama signed Wednesday.

YPLAA combines annual meeting with murder mystery Friday

AUBURN — An evening of mystery, murder and good eating is on the agenda when YPLAA holds its annual meeting and awards ceremony at Martindale Country Club this Friday.

Titled "Lights Camera Murder," the mystery dinner is just one element of the annual event held by the Young Professionals of the Lewiston Auburn Area. It will also include a buffet dinner, a silent auction with a host of items and presentation of annual awards. Attendees are being encouraged to dress for the occasion in the Halloween costume of their choice.

FairPoint chief: Bankruptcy won't ruin Maine plans

Fairpoint President Peter Nixon

Garrison named engineering fellow

FARMINGTON — Don Garrison, chief of facilities management at Franklin Community Health Network, recently received the prestigious American Society of Healthcare Engineers Fellow Award. It honors the exemplary efforts, outstanding achievements and accomplishments of an individual in the field of health care engineering.

Development series sessions listed

LEWISTON — The Young Professionals of the Lewiston-Auburn Area and Kurk Lalemand, owner of NEXT Level Business Coaching, are offering a six-week series of seminars geared to help a company grow and develop its employees personally and professionally. Each session will be held at the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, 415 Lisbon St., Lewiston, in the conference room and will last from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The series will begin Nov. 4 and continue until Dec. 16. Cost for the series is $79.

Session topics for each date have been announced: