The Chamber was recently contacted by a man in Lincoln, Nebraska asking if we were aware of a business in Searsport, Maine by the name of www.overstockcloseout.com.  He had purchased a children's swing set for his 4 year-old son from this company using a pre-paid VISA credit card. The gentleman was leary of purchasing anything on the internet but felt reassured by the Better Business Bureau symbol at the bottom of the website.  He even called his local BBB to see if it was a legitamate website, being told that if they were using the symbol then they must be a real company.  When he went to check the status of the shipment he learned that the website had been closed and was no longer available.  So as a last bit effort he contacted our Chamber to see if we were aware of this business.  After some research we have learned that there is no business in Searsport by that name, and there never has been. 

Please be aware of internet scams such as this one.  Everything about the site looked legitimate even down to the BBB symbol on the bottom of the website.  Contact your local Chamber of Commerce or the Chamber in the area where the site is located and if something seems to good to be true, it may very well be.  If you do intend to purchase things off of the internet stick to well kknown sites that have been proven to be legitimate.  Take this man's story and please try to not repeat his mistake. 

Annual Winter Games Celebration February 10, 2013

Celebrating the 7th and final year of the design and construction phase of Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage, the neighborhood is opening its doors to anyone interested in learning more about the award-winning community and its homes, or just interested in coming to play at its Annual Winter Games gathering.  This year for the first time, "The Games" will feature a Snow Soccer Tournament (with or without snow) and, for the more artistically inclined, an Ice Sculpture Contest (with or without freezing temperatures). Special prizes will be awarded to the sculptor who can carve the best Community Barn Prototype which will kick off the design process for this long-awaited structure. Depending on winter conditions, possible XC skiing, sledding and skating may also be available. Also happening indoors will be a Valentine Workshop focused on cookie decorating, chocolate truffle tasting and card crafting (and non-competitive cocoa sipping). No experience necessary for any of the activities, though a sense of humor can be helpful. All events free and open to the public.

Belfast Cohousing & Ecovillage is a resident-planned neighborhood community of 36 homes, a "common" house and 42 acres on VIllage Rd (off the Tufts Rd.) in Belfast currently under construction. The multi-generational community is structured as a resident-managed condominium association where all families own their own home but have extensive shared facilities that few would otherwise have access to. The community's mission combines environmental sustainability with farming and an eye toward long-term affordability. Construction began in the fall of 2011 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Thirty-one of the thirty-six homes are sold or under contract. Currently 13 homes are occupied, 4 will be completed this month, another 4 four are in the beginning stages and the rest scheduled for later in 2013. For more information on the project or the Annual Winter Games event, go to www.mainecohousing.org, email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 338-9200

Delvino's Holiday Raffle Winners

Winners were drawn Tuesday Dec 18th at Delvino's

Prize#1 Richard Demarais (800$prize pkg)
Prize#2 Ron Braybrook (800$ prize pkg)
Prize#3 Sarah Childs (painting)
Prize#4 Annalee Littlefield (jewelry set)
Prize#5 Michelle LeClerc (Nunn's gift cert.)

Thank you again to all of the businesses who donated prizes and thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket.