Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce

09/04/2026

Good day Members and Friends,

Ok. I have to confess that I started my pellet stove last night to take the chill off the house and by chill, I mean the temp dropped to 68 and I was not happy. It’s the curse of running cold compounded by the fact that I went hiking for a few days and brought a sleeping bag rated at 47’ and the outdoor overnight temp dropped below 40’. Note to self… never believe the weather forecast when sleeping in a lean-to.

The Chamber and the Rec had our first Spooktacular meeting leading into the Halloween celebrations on October 31. It’s going to be a corker with costume contests, games, a haunted house, and a lot more. Posters will be out soon!

Coming up…

• Please do not forget the Metaksonekiyak Community Days at the HBMI grounds at 88 Bell Rd. in Littleton on the 5th and 6th (Saturday 7am to 8pm including fireworks! and Sunday 7am to 3pm). Lots and lots for the family to do and see and all are welcome. FMI contact Joe Cyr at 532-4273 ext. 238
• Adopt-A-Block is hosting a Drive-thru Food Giveaway Saturday September 5 starting at 9am at The Church on the Hill.
• Join the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians at the Community Center (568 Foxcroft Rd.) on Sept. 9 at 2pm, to break ground and celebrate the Foxcroft Rd. Reconstruction Project. Whoo Hoo! It’s finally happening!

Have a lovely, long weekend everyone

Jane

09/03/2026

Even Chamber Execs need a support of Commerce group. From left to right. Christina Ouelette, St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce, LaNiece Dampf Sirois, Central Aroostook Chamber. and yours truly, Jane Torres, Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce.

08/28/2026

Good Day Members and Friends,

Ah, the first day of school will soon be upon us. Don’t we all remember that sense of anticipation? New school clothes were laid out, bedtime was much earlier than we had enjoyed that summer, and (now I’m dating myself) the new lunchbox was ready on the kitchen counter. Yes, those were the days of the metal lunchboxes, now collectors’ items. Some memories are with us forever. On Monday, please remember that the school busses will be out and to drive extra carefully.

More…
• Now that summer has almost passed us by, here at the Chamber we think it’s time to host another Success in 60, “Running a Business without Running Yourself Down”. Don’t we all need this? Tentatively scheduled for Monday, September 28 featuring Dr. Mark Cuccazella. Stay tuned… more information on how to sign up .coming soon.
• Our friends at Fidium Fiber have asked us to share a recent press release - https://www.fidiumfiber.com/blog/maine-fiber-connectivity-from-fidium-earns-top-internet-performance-rankings-in-latest-ookla-speedtest-analysis
• Tonight from 4 to 7pm the Greater Houlton Christian Academy Food Booth will be open at 27 School St. while also hosting a Square Body drive-in!
• The Rec and Chamber are once again hosting Spooktacular in Monument Park on October 31 from noon to 2. If you or your business would like to set up a table and give out treats to little ghouls and goblins please leave Crystal ([email protected]) or me a message and we will save you a spot! (A reminder that Spooktacular is separate from a similar event run by the Community Impact Alliance).
• Don’t forget Community Market this Saturday. Lots of great stuff!

The office will be closed September 1 and 2 but will reopen on Wednesday the 3rd

Have a lovely weekend!

Jane

Fidium announces that it has earned top performance rankings for communities across Maine in Ookla’s analysis of Q1-Q2 2026 Speedtest Intelligence® data.

08/21/2026

Good Day Members and Friends,

Two things I obsess about, and no, it’s not my job although I do have the best job and most fantastic Board of Directors in the whole town. If you know me, it’s indoor plants and hiking. Now, indoor plants are a solitary thing, time consuming but restful and fulfills my nurturing instinct providing the calm needed after long days at work. Hiking, on the other hand is best done with people you like, who understand the need for good snacks, challenging trails and views that few ever get to see. Most importantly, these are people who I would trust with my life and make me laugh until I cry. In pondering why these two things are my hobbies of choice it has dawned on me that both depend on keeping something alive… me on a rigorous hike and the plants when I go away and yes, I am going hiking soon with 3 wonderful friends. What do you do that makes you happy and brings you joy?

Enough pondering…

• Adopt-A-Block Aroostook is hosting a Seedtime Harvest Class August 22 at Shelly’s on the subject of edible landscapes. Classes are free but please call 532-2273 to register.
• The Annual St. Mary’s Harvest Mass and Potluck will be held this Sunday (23) at 11am at the potato storage building behind the Fitzpatrick-Peabody Farm Stand on North St. This is an annual event to celebrate harvest. All are welcome.
• Tonight (21st) the Greater Houlton Christian Academy is hosting a Back to School/Alumni Night. The food booth is open to the public.
• Yes! It’s time for another fabulous dinner put on by the Southern Aroostook Ag Museum. This time it’s Roast Beef. 4:30 to 6pm, Saturday August 22. Get there early before they sell out.
• Friends and Needles Quilt Guild is offering a wonderful opportunity to anyone who wants to learn how to quilt. It’s a 4 class series starting on October 7th with a cost of $60. Sign up is through the John Millar Civic Center’s website. The classes are geared toward beginners, but quilters of all levels are welcome to take part!
• Our friends at the County Federal Credit Union are once again hosting Fall Festival to End Hunger at Mars Hill Mountain on October 3rd so put it in your calendar. They are also looking for sponsors to make this event bigger and better than ever so if you or your business would like to be part of this wonderful event, contact Will Belyea at our local CFCU and he will point you in the right direction.
• Community Market is this Saturday from 8:30 to 12:30. Produce is coming in fast!

Have a wonderful weekend my friends

Jane

08/14/2026

Good Day Members and Friends,

It’s the perfect summer day to meet us in Monument Park and help us celebrate Potato Feast, listen to some good music and perhaps even enjoy a lobster or two. Many of you have preordered but if you didn’t have a chance to call, we have ordered extra and you are welcome to take it to-go or eat in the park. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening and when…

Tonight –
• Touch-A-Truck from 4 to 6 for the kids (or the kid in you!)
• Potato Games with Summer in front of the library. She always makes things fun! 4:30 to 5:30
• The iconic Doll Parade at 5:30 meeting in front of the Chamber
• Candy drop at 6 in front of the library.
• Lobster Feast from 4:30 until sold out.
• Dave Hersey and his band in the Amphitheater from 5 to 8
• Quilt Show at the Rec 9 to 4
Tomorrow –
• We will be set up at Community Market with a Baked Potato Bar serving from 10am ( or perhaps earlier if we are set up) until they are gone
• Quilt Show at the Rec 9 to 4
• Craft Fair in Monument Park from 8 to 3
• The Pie and Ice-Cream Social is back at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Maine St.
• A special Kid’s Day at the Community Market where they can learn how to milk a cow! (Not a real one, but cute just the same).
• Hill Top Family Fest at Military St. Baptist from 11 to 1. Games, bounce house, hayrides, music and more

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jane

08/13/2026

Tomorrow!

The 67th Annual Potato Feast Days are here, and we’re ready for a weekend full of Houlton traditions! Friday kicks things off in Monument Park with the Lobster Feast, live music, Touch-a-Truck, Kids Zone, Doll Parade, Candy Drop and more, followed by a full Saturday of festivities downtown. Come hungry, bring the family, and help us celebrate 67 years of Potato Feast Days!

08/13/2026

Good Day Members and Friends,

A couple of announcements for today and tomorrow,

• McGill’s band is playing their last concert of the season in Monument Park tonight at 7pm. If it should rain the concert will be held at the Arts Center at Houlton High School.
• Also, Gill’s Point S on Bangor St. is hosting a grand re-opening today from 11 to 2 at the garage. Lunch will be served and yes, there will be a ribbon cutting at noon so please stop by and show your support!.

We are still taking orders for the Lobster Feast tomorrow in Monument Park. We always order extras but do you really want to take the chance that we will be sold out? I say no, so give us a call! 694-3414

Jane

08/12/2026

Good Day All! It has come to our attention that there is a scammer out there who goes by the name Julie Elizabeth selling spaces to the Potato Feast Craft Fair (Aug.15) for $70 to $180 depending on the size of the space. The kicker? they would like the money up front before confirmation. No picture, no identification, no logo of any sort.
We would like to assure you that, while there is space left, The Greater Houlton Chamber is the only entity that sells spaces and we are always available by phone 207-694-3414 or email [email protected]. to answer questions.
See you at Potato Feast Days!

08/08/2026

Who says a flower shop can’t go glamping?

Chadwick Florist and Greenhouses took their shop on the road to Wilderness Pines Campground & Outfitters for the first-ever Girls Night Out Aroostook: Glitz & Glamping weekend brought to you by the amazing crew led by ! Guests escaped the great outdoors for a little while and stepped inside the air-conditioned lodge to create their own beautiful bouquets with the Chadwick’s crew.

We love seeing our local businesses take what they do best beyond their storefronts and create experiences like this right here in Aroostook County!