2022 Annual Chamber Awards Nominees

The Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce and Board of Directors are happy to announce the 2022 Annual Chamber Award Nominees:

*** CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE! ***

Business Growth Award
A Chamber Member business that has successfully expanded, renovated, created an innovative new line, or increased employees in the past year.

Ananda Yoga & Wellness – Expanded to second retail/studio location downtown
The Back and Forth – Added second boat, The Out and About
The Grasshopper Shop – Renovated space and brought store back to Belfast
The Homeport Inn & Tavern – Renovated historic inn and tavern and created new jobs
Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort – Added second location, Moorings II, in Searsport
Must Be Nice Lobster – Expanded to City Park and Downtown
ReVision Energy – Expanding solar services and clean energy options
The Scone Goddess – Built new brick and mortar café and retail shop, franchised food truck

Hometown Heritage Award
A Chamber Member business that has been around for more years than we can remember and is a bedrock in the community. They contribute experience, knowledge, and wisdom to other businesses.

Allen Insurance & Financial – Providing the community with insurance and financial guidance since 1866
Belfast Historical Society & Museum – Dedicated to the collection, conservation, preservation and interpretation of artifacts relevant to Belfast history
Camden National Bank – Award-winning, full-service community bank since 1875
Consumers Fuel Co. – Providing fuel delivery and home heating repair for Belfast and Waldo County since 1911
Hamilton Marine – Providing traditional marine hardware and supplies since 1977
Liberty Graphics – Employee-owned, water-based ink t-shirt printer for over 40 years
Mathews Brothers – Providing energy efficient, and affordable windows and doors for 167 years
Rollie’s Bar & Grill – Belfast’s premier sports bar, serving up drinks, televised games, and hearty comfort food for 50 years

Health Care Partner Award
This award recognizes an individual or organization outside of the health care profession who through their actions demonstrates a commitment to our shared vision of making our community the healthiest in America.

Belfast Parks & Recreation Department – Provides programs and activities for citizens and visitors alike
Belfast Rotary Club – Coordinating 5k races and family activities
Belfast Soup Kitchen – Provides nutritious meals for the public
CG Bikes – Provides free weekly group rides for bicyclists
Come Boating – Provides opportunities for community rows
Kids Unplugged – Provides many activities and resources for children and families
Waldo County YMCA – Provides many programs for healthier living

New Business Award
A new Chamber Member business that has been around for three years or less and holds the promise of being here for many years to come. The new business may be creative, innovative, unique and/or fills a need in the community.

Downshift Coffee, Belfast – Local roaster, coffee and espresso shop, fresh baked treats
Harborside RV Resort, Stockton Springs – 30 lot RV park with Wi-Fi, laundry, and other amenities
Hey Sailor!, Searsport – Gastropub/Restaurant and bar with art gallery space
Mainely Gallery & Studio, Belfast – Showcasing Maine artist works and offerings workshops
Rio’s Spiked Café, Searsport – European-style tapas bar and eatery, spirits and cocktails
Splendiferous Sweet Shoppe, Searsport – Wonderland-themed, family-friendly candy shoppe
Stone Tree Farm & Cidery, Unity – Cidery and winery, venue for live music, markets and events
Trove, Searsport – Contemporary and functional goods, Maine artisans

Waldo County Business Award
This award recognizes a Chamber Member from Waldo County or just somewhere outside of greater Belfast, that has demonstrated sound business development, civic involvement, or support for our overall business community.

Chase Toys, Unity – Central Maine’s leading outdoor power equipment dealership for sales, service, and finance, and support Mt. View High School’s Project Graduation
Friends of Fort Knox, Prospect – Nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the Fort and enhancing its educational, cultural and economic value for the people of Maine
The Hichborn, Stockton Springs – Restored historic house offering casual, elegant dining and cocktails
LCI Fiber Optic Network, Lincolnville – Largest provider of ‘fiber to the premises’ (FTTP) service in all of coastal Maine
Northport Golf Club, Northport – Beautiful 9-hole golf course hosting tournaments and the community for over 100 years
Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport – Maine’s oldest maritime museum, designed to preserve and educate our rich, unique maritime and shipbuilding history since 1936
Whale’s Tooth Pub, Lincolnville, Northport Inn & Lodge, Belfast – Evolution of a team and community-centric oceanfront eatery, and rapid introduction of an innovative property to Belfast, whose mission offers affordable, extended stay housing to working professionals

Citizen of the Year
This award recognizes a person who has made an outstanding positive impact in Waldo County, either through a single event or on a continuous basis. Nominees can be from any occupation, including business, education, services, medical, government, a charitable organization or they can just be a resident.

Bob MacGregor, Waldo County Woodshed – Founder and president of WCW, volunteer-run nonprofit keeping residents warm in Waldo County and beyond
Debbie Murphy, Community Volunteer – Proactive community volunteer from the Annual Street Party to Keeping Belfast Maine Beautiful, Holiday Tree Lighting and more
Erin Herbig, Belfast City Manager – Leading the City of Belfast through the pandemic and beyond
Jane Snowdeal, The Kindness Program – Providing food for students and seniors in the Searsport area
Dr. John Gage, Retired Physician – Decades of service to Waldo County General Hospital, Chamber volunteer
Mary Mortier, Belfast City Council – Committed to making Belfast a better place, from Our Town Belfast Board of Directors to Belfast Rotary Club and New Year’s by the Bay
Sue Dupler, Public Health Nurse – Deferred retirement to continue serving the community during the pandemic
Wayne Hamilton, Hamilton Marine – Business leader and benefactor for the community

Chamber Appreciation Award
Selected by the Chamber/Board of Directors

Newsletter – September 15, 2022

In This Issue: Strung Together Old Time Bluegrass Music Campout at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, Four Course Beer Dinner at Rio’s Spiked Café, Marsh River Theater Teen Production of ‘Vanities,’ Bikes, Beans, and Mean Machines at Changing Seasons Federal Credit Union, Repair Cafe at Waldo County YMCA, Guild Fine Craft Show at Waterfall Arts, and so much more!

This week’s cover photo comes to you from Waterfall Arts Chalk Walk, Artist Mike Fletcher, Photo by Jacki Cassida. News from the Bay & Beyond!

Click Here to read this week’s Chamber newsletter

Newsletter – September 8, 2022

In This Issue: 9th Annual Chamber Cup Golf Tournament, Fiber College of Maine Touchstones weekend, The Gawler Family Band performs at Arts on the Hill with Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Waldo County Triad Annual Auction, SunLightMoonLightSameThing viewing and tea with Observatory/Smudge Studio, Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walkathon, Kite Day with Little River Church, Waterfall Arts Chalk Walk, Maine Wienerfest, and so much more!

This week’s cover photo comes to you from the Passy Pete Prediction, courtesy of Jim Leonard. News from the Bay & Beyond!

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Newsletter – September 1, 2022

In This Issue: Final Belfast Summer Nights performance, Marsh River Cooperative Birthday ‘Buch Tasting and Potluck Dinner, Kids Stuff Sale at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast, Maine, RSU 3 Adult & Community Education Program offering Unity Train Ride tickets, Wild Grace Farm Lamb Roast, Fiber College of Maine at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, Arts on the Hill presents Gawler Family Band with Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Waldo County Triad Annual Auction, Kite Day with Little River Church, Waterfall Arts Chalk Walk, Maine Wienerfest and more!

This week’s cover photo comes to you from Tuba Skinny @ Belfast Summer Nights, courtesy of John McKeith. News from the Bay & Beyond!

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Newsletter – August 25, 2022

In This Issue: Belfast Summer Nights presents Tuba Skinny, Art Works for Humanity with Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County, Southern Fried Gospel Supper at Searsport First Congregational Church, Fourth Friday Art Walk, Owls Head Transportation Museum’s 44th Annual New England Auto Auction, Maine Authors Publishing Book Festival, Waldo County Woodshed Fundraiser at Riverside Farm, Sitzfleisch Anniversary Party at Three Tides & Marshall Wharf Brewing Company, Author Alice Elliot Dark at Left Bank Books, and so much more!

This week’s cover photo comes to you from Rio’s Spiked Café. News from the Bay & Beyond!

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Newsletter – August 18, 2022

In This Issue: The Right Track plays Belfast Summer Nights, Evening by the Bay ~ Belfast Harbor Fest Benefit for Waldo County Technical Center, Belfast Harborfest weekend, Come Boating Belfast Maine Rowing Regatta, Muzzy Ridge Concerts, Build Your Toolset to Heal Your Body with The Healing Garden at Penobscot Bay Coaching, Annual Auction and Chicken BBQ Benefit at Belfast, ME American Legion Post #43, Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County‘s Lobster Gala, and so much more!

This week’s cover photo comes to you from RE/MAX Jaret & Cohn Real Estate. News from the Bay & Beyond!

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Newsletter – August 11, 2022

In This Issue: Belfast Summer Nights presents Michael Cressey & Mojo, Belfast Garden Club Open Garden Days, Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening events for New Studio Space for Ananda Yoga & Wellness, The Blow Out Glass Artist event with Rip Tide Smoke Shop, Ales for Tails benefit with Miracle German Shepherd Dog Rescue of Maine, Wild Grace Farm Pig Roast and Axe Throwing, Finnish Supergroup Frigg with Belfast Flying Shoes and Belfast Summer Nights, Tri-County Horsemen Horse Show, Artist Rachel Siviski at The Gallery at Trove, Erica Brown and the Bluegrass Connection at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground, and so much more!

This week’s cover photo comes to you from Northport Golf Club. News from the Bay & Beyond!

Click Here to read this week’s Chamber newsletter

Chamber Welcomes New Board Members

The Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce has strengthened its Board of Directors with the addition of three new members: Michelle Curtis of First National Bank joins as Board Treasurer; and Mary Tripp, of Bank of America, and John McKeith, of The Belfast Center, join as Board Members, respectively.

Michelle Curtis is a VP, Business Development Officer for First National Bank, and has been in the banking realm for 25 years. She is a passionate relationship builder and community ambassador for the communities she serves in Knox and Waldo County. When she joined the Board, she wanted to be able to connect with other community leaders to support the business efforts of for-profit and nonprofit Chamber members. She wants to serve as liaison in the community and make connections for others to better their business or community relationships. For a community to be strong, it should work on the principle that a rising tide raises all ships. A community needs to drive the mission that all facets should be working together to ensure stability and growth for everyone.

Mary Tripp works for Bank of America and has for 23 years and has served many roles but is currently the Home Lending Business Enablement Executive and the Belfast site Integration Leader. She has lived in Waldo County her entire life. She also serves as Vice President and Secretary for Waldo County Habitat for Humanity and as the Treasurer for Triton Athletics.

John McKeith owns and manages The Belfast Center, a 70+ unit office and creative space overlooking Penobscot Bay in downtown Belfast. He is also a commercial photographer, working primarily with college and university clients around the country.

McKeith has spent the last 35 years helping create marketing campaigns for nonprofit organizations. His focus has been on the visual side of these campaigns, helping to tell a client’s story through imagery. He has also been involved in developing a number of these marketing campaigns.

“Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce is a fantastic organization that brings a lot of resources to the table,” he says, in a Chamber news release. “But as Dorothy explained to me in some earlier conversations, one of the challenges continues to be reaching the established area businesses and connecting with new businesses coming into the area to encourage them to become members and to take advantage of what the Chamber has to offer. I hope that I can use my experience in marketing and running a business in Belfast to help the Chamber reach and connect with this audience. If the Chamber is seen as a hub of accessible information and connections, then business people in the greater Belfast area have that many more tools at hand to grow their own businesses, and ultimately strengthen our community.”

Alex Hawthorne, Board Chair, welcomed the new board members and looks forward to working with them as the board continues to strength and advance the Chamber. The Chamber’s mission is to champion a thriving business environment for our members through promotion, networking, advocacy, community partnerships and access to relevant information.

Leaving the board recently was David Dancy who is retiring to Florida, and Cynthia Joseph who served as our Board Secretary. We are grateful to both David and Cynthia for their time and dedication to the Chamber.

The Chamber office and Information Center are open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, and 9am – 11am or longer on the weekends with volunteer availability.

Newsletter – August 4, 2022

In This Issue: Monsters Being Monsters First Friday with Launchpad, Last Weekend for Belfast Maskers‘ Little Shop of Horrors, Friends of Fort Knox present Ten Bucks Theatre Company‘s Romeo & Juliet, Belfast Garden Club‘s Open Garden Days, Community Dance on the Belfast Footbridge with Belfast Flying Shoes, Giant Indoor Yard Sale at Belfast Curling Club, Spaghetti Dinner to Benefit the Family of Mitchell Philbrook at the Belfast, ME American Legion Post #43, Owls Head Transportation Museum Air Show, Blues Singer Storyteller Marc Black at Marsh River Theater, and so much more!!

This week’s cover photo comes to you from The Out And About. News from the Bay & Beyond!

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Newsletter – July 28, 2022

In This Issue: Union Fair / Maine’s Wild Blueberry Festival weekend, Pripet Riding Program fundraiser, Belfast Maskers‘ Little Shop of Horrors (Break a leg all!), Wine Tasting at Wild Grace Farm, Artist Clint Burbridge at Mainely Gallery, Holy Mackerel Tournament Resurrected in Belfast Maine, Graze207 Event Weekend at Stone Tree Farm & Cidery, Bar Harbor Music Festival at Belfast, Annual Belfast Summer Street Party, Reading the Landscape with Friends of Sears Island, and so much more!!

This week’s cover photo comes to you from Maine Celtic Celebration. News from the Bay & Beyond!

Click Here to read this week’s Chamber newsletter