Dear Editor:

While economic times remain challenging for many people and businesses, it was uplifting to see the amount of support for local businesses from community members in the Wiscasset area throughout our holiday buy local campaign, Think Outside the Box. 

With more than 40 businesses participating in Think Outside the Box and nearly 300 passports submitted for the raffle, documenting nearly $30,000 spent locally as part of the four week promotion, Think Outside the Box was a huge success showcasing our vibrant, prospering local economy. 

The success of Think Outside the Box is credited to our community.  We would like to extend our most heartfelt appreciation to the community members and businesses for the support they showed during the campaign. 

Thank you to Big Al’s for the impressive fireworks display on December 20; Le Garage for hosting our raffle drawing and celebration; the Wiscasset Fire Department for offering support during the fireworks display; Treats for offering wine tastings during extended shopping hour days, Key Bank for providing hot cocoa during extended shopping hours; Kim Andersson for coordinating Christmas caroling; the Chamber and town of Wiscasset for sponsoring horse drawn wagon rides; Todd Souza from Wiscasset Parks & Recreation and Town of Wiscasset Staff for coordinating a remarkable December 1 Santa arrival and tree lighting ceremony; Jody Haggett for providing a lobster boat for Santa and his friends; the community groups who participated in the December 1 events, offering hot beverages and tasty treats on the Wiscasset pier; Chamber Events Committee volunteers for all your time and ideas; and to the many businesses that participated in the passport campaign, businesses showcases, offered extended shopping hours, and especially those that donated prizes for the passport raffle. 

Although the promotion may be over, we hope you will all continue to show the same enthusiasm and patronage for our local businesses for the next 11 months until Think Outside the Box returns next year!

David Stapp, President, Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce
Sherri Dunbar, Events Committee Chair, Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce
Misty Parker, Town Planner, Town of Wiscasset