Norway-Paris Kiwanis Club
Norway - South Paris, Maine
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Meeting of September 10, 2009 — Attendance: 24/51 Members — 50/50: Buddy Coffren $15
GUESTS: John Palmer, Guest of Mary Anna; Jane Perham, Guest of Maryann ANNOUNCEMENTS Oxford County Fair Parking: We will be parking cars on Wednesday, September 16th, from 9am – 9pm. We have all our shifts filled. For those helping out bring a chair if you’d like and for those in the evening bring a flashlight. SPEAKER/PROGRAM Tina Rhuland introduced Steve Wallace, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. Steve reviewed current statistics of the Oxford Hills community. As part of the Chamber’s mission to help members succeed he is responsible for marketing this region. Out of the top 37 reasons people visit Maine, the OH Region has 35 of them (lakes, mountains, fishing, shopping, etc.). We just don’t have whales and light houses! The issue is that people are not aware of this area. Only about 12% of tourists in Maine come to this area and out of those 85% are here to visit family and/or friends or have a second home in the area. A group is currently looking into the opportunity to build a permanent stage and venue structure at the Oxford Fair Grounds in order to attract “A” List artists. They are looking to hold 4 or 5 concerts per year. LiveNation, a concert promoter, has expressed interest in helping with the development. The project would be financed by grants, loans and private investors. They have been working with local economic development groups, the State Tourism Agency, etc. to obtain the approvals. They need to bring in Phase II Power, improve the land and develop parking and build staging and seating. The total cost is estimated at $3.5 million. They would be looking at the Spring of 2010 to start building if all is approved. A development of this magnitude has great potential to bring “recognition” to this area and make us a destination for tourists. There is a direct benefit to local businesses with these types of functions. There are concerns regarding traffic and noise but those are being reviewed to be minimize as best as possible. They are all very excited for what this could mean for this community! 09/17/09: Spiritual Aims Committee |
HAPPY/SAD $$: Sarah, Sad $ for daughter who was going to visit with granddaughter and attend Fryeburg Fair but has had to cancel, Happy $ for job daughter just got!, Maryann, Happy $ for Jane attending today’s meeting and glad to see Steve here. Happy $ for Kathy’s granddaughter who is a great soccer player and Kathy wasn’t exaggerating; Buddy, Happy $ for making two meetings in a row; Stuart G. our resident Club Historian recently found a 1984 Stephens Memorial Annual Report and found our club well represented on the Board of Directors with Dick Gaisford as Treasurer, Stuart Cummings as Vice President, Henry Morton as President and Helga as Auxiliary President. Steve, Happy $4 for recent renovations of Chamber office that couldn’t be accomplished without the generosity of Mike Cullinan. When completed the Chamber will have professional office space! Tina, Happy $ for son Jordan who is playing in his first Freshman Football game today. Wish them luck and hope they win!