The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce is pleased to kick off the 2014 Business After Hours season with the Boothbay Sea and Science Center (BSSC) on Wednesday, April 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by BSSC and take place at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, located at 60 Bigelow Drive in East Boothbay (off Route 96, on the left, just past the East Boothbay General Store).

Liz Evans, chef and owner of the East Boothbay General Store, will cater the event. Light hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer compliments of Pine State Trading Company will be served. Be sure to bring a business card to put into the drawing for one of several door prizes, which will include items from BSSC and Bigelow Laboratory such as: T-shirts, hats, fleece shirts and a complimentary BSSC Saturday sailing lesson (date and time subject to weather and availability).

BSSC is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization whose mission is the advancement of sailing, boating and ocean sciences by minimizing economic and physical obstacles and further develop independence, self-confidence, teamwork and volunteerism in the participants, and to inspire individuals to strengthen themselves and their community through the enjoyment of the sea.

This summer, BSSC's inaugural educational collaboration with Bigelow Laboratory and the Rozalia Project will start the center on the path to becoming a regional learning center for marine science, maritime history, seamanship, navigation, safety at sea, meteorology and boatbuilding. 

From June 23 until August 15, BSSC's 2014 summer programs will include eight weeks of sailing programs and four weeks of science programs (pilot). According to Pauline Dion, president, the support BSSC receives from the Boothbay region and Midcoast Maine communities enables our youth to discover what has been found in generations of Mainers: self-confidence, self-reliance, responsibility and dependability along with an abiding wonder and respect for the marine ecosystem.                   

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences conducts research ranging from microbial oceanography to large-scale ocean processes that affect the global environment. Recognized as a leader in Maine’s emerging innovation economy, the laboratory’s research, education and technology transfer programs are spurring significant economic growth in the state.

The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours are open to members and non-members, and everyone from the business community is encouraged to participate. The event is complimentary to chamber members and $10 per person for non-members, which goes to support a stipend for our summer intern. We have seven Business After Hours scheduled so far and welcome more with an average attendance of 80 people. Please register to attend by visiting our website: www.boothbayharbor.com or calling our office at 207-633-2353. We would also be happy to work with you to learn about how you can become a host.

Since being founded 52 years ago in 1962, the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce has grown into a first-rate, multi-service membership organization that currently serves over 390 members. The chamber’s next big event will be the Annual Awards Dinner, scheduled for Friday, May 30 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. with the theme of “Let’s Go Green Together!”