10 mid-summer thoughts from the Brunswick-area chamber of commerce | Column

Published: July 23, 2026

Updated: July 23, 2026

Category: Maine News

Author/Source: Cory King - From the Chamber

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It’s time to revisit a reoccurring theme for these columns where I give 10 updates in 100ish words or less. These are in no particular order and tend to be a mix of upcoming events, business tips, personal observations and other local updates. Here we go …

Tourists love the Eat Play Stay

Sometimes you need to toot your own, so I will, and say our chamber guide, the 2026 Eat Play Stay, has seen a notable uptick this summer from tourist information centers both in our region and around the state. By the end of this week, well over two-thirds of our 15,000 copies will be on display, leaving us only 5,000 copies until next spring! That’s quite an increase when typically we wouldn’t even be at half of the inventory out on the street until mid-August. You can find copies at the Bath Regional Information Center, the Brunswick train station and Yarmouth rest area to name a few key spots.

But have you tried standing?

Pinched a nerve in my back (likely tossing the boys around, but no specific incident comes to mind), and I reluctantly plugged in my desk that I got three years ago but have never used the standing function. I’ll be honest, I’m typing standing up right now, and really, it’s not much different then sitting. It’s supposed to be much healthier. Just saying, if you’ve been on the fence, try it out.

‘Frozen’ is fresh, not frozen

Not that Maine State Music Theatre doesn’t put on outstanding shows annually, but there has been noticeably more buzz this season for “Hairspray,” “1776” and, now, “Frozen.” Typically, I will hear people say, “Oh, I went the other night and we really enjoyed it,” and this year, I’m hearing more of “Have you seen it, yet?! It’s incredible and unbelievable.” I’m just saying, if you need a date night, a getaway or have visiting relatives you want to spend time with but maybe not talk to for two hours, “Frozen” is getting similar buzz to the first two shows. Which brings me to …

Go see ‘Come From Away’

Potentially the least known show of the season is beautiful, restorative for your faith in community and an absolute joy, even when dealing with difficult circumstances. It is the only musical I have actually seen on Broadway and it wasn’t a show — it was an experience. Do all you can to go see “Come From Away.” For those unaware, it’s the actual story of small Canadian village in Newfoundland, which is on the eastern edge of North America and had a giant airstrip due to its geography for planes in the 1940s to refuel before or after transatlantic flights. On Sept. 11, 2001, over 30 transatlantic international flights were diverted to this airstrip, and this small community of 3,000 people ballooned to 7,000 people literally overnight. The story is about how these Newfoundlanders and the passengers from around the world found community with each other in the following days, as they comfort one another while also finding joy in the what makes us different and what brings us together. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Claws N’ Country this Sunday, July 26

Cook’s Lobster & Ale House, along with WPOR101.9 and the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum, are bringing back Claws N’ Country this Sunday with six music acts beginning at noon on the lawn at the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum. It starts at noon with Steadman’s Landing, 1 p.m. Travis James Humphrey, 1:30 p.m. Toby McAllister and the Sierra Sounds; 2:30 p.m. Isaiah Bennett; 3 p.m. Stephanie Ryann and 4:30 p.m. Grammy-winning artists The Band Perry!

Tickets are on sale on eventbrite.com, or go to the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham Regional Chamber’s Facebook page for a direct link.

Naming the tree festival update

Just a brief thank-you to everyone who engaged on the tree festival poll last week. It closed on Monday, and the team is meeting next week to discuss the votes (it was very, very close, and we now have some popular write-in candidate names to consider as we had nearly two dozen). We will make an announcement in August with a registration date, event name and new logo. Thanks for the help!

Hobby Lobby, The Brunswick Hotel and more celebrate openings

Between Moderation Brewing now in the old fire house, Black Pug Brewing moving into the old Moderation space, The Brunswick Hotel redesigning their patio with an incredible green space for lawn games and events, and Hobby Lobby opening in Cook’s Corner, it has been a celebratory summer so far. We also have a third Bath ribbon-cutting train on the horizon and much more. It’s an exciting time for our region.

Three quick ones

Invoicing season: 71% of our chamber members renew in July, so if you are a member business, take a look in your inbox for an email invoice. We will be following up with mailed invoices in the coming weeks. If you are unsure of when your renewal is, you can always email [email protected].

Planning season: It is also planning season for the chamber right now, as we are working on projects, events and programs that are not ready to be released yet. I mention this because I think you will be really excited about what you see coming this fall.

Three-way race: I have no inside information, but I’m going to predict that much like the Maine gubernatorial race, which will have three major candidates running with Bobby Charles (R), Hannah Pingree (D) and Rick Bennett (I) all vying for the seat in the Blaine House, I think we may see that in the U.S. Senate race, too. Again, I have no inside information, and it would have to be a write-in campaign, but there is a pretty wide lane between the two presumptive candidates for someone to run in. By law, in order to accept write-in votes, you must have your paperwork submitted to the state only 70 days prior to the election, which gives any write-in candidate five weeks or so to submit paperwork.

Cory King is executive director of the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham Regional Chamber of Commerce.