Happy September!

Wow. That happened fast! What a fantastic summer! And for the first time in a long time, we may have a fantastic weather weekend for Labor Day Weekend. I hope everyone finds time to sit back and relax with friends and family for just a tiny part of the weekend.
Boards in the Stores was a complete success. The total brought in by auction was $21,130. On behalf of myself and the Orleans Chamber Board of Directors, thank you to all artists, businesses, and the community for supporting this now-annual initiative. And a special thank you to Mainsail Events for steering this program to its success.
We are looking forward to 2024!
The Fall is a beautiful time of year on Cape Cod and one of my favorites. A few activities in September to be aware of: First, we will continue our Market to Main Street initiative. Any businesses that would like to be included, please send me an email.
Orleans Safety Series will return this Fall. I'll make sure to keep you posted on dates and topics.
On the 3rd weekend of September, the Orleans Pond Coalition will host its annual Celebrate Our Waters weekend. Next week, the Chamber will be selling a savings card for a $20 donation. The "Celebrate Our Waters" Savings Card will be available for sale AFTER Sept 6 at Ace Hardware and Friends' Marketplace and the Chamber Office at 44 Main Street. Sales of the savings card will benefit future initiatives.  The card can be shown to participating businesses around town for 10% off in September. Restrictions may apply and are up to the individual businesses. The participation list grows daily and will be posted on Social Media and the chamber calendar on September 6.
Business After Hours starts again on Thursday, Sept 21 at 530 p.m. I hope to see most of you there. Sign-up is required for all Business After Hours, but if you have a last-minute change of plans, please feel free to join us. In September, we will be hosted at Cape Cod 5 and refreshments by Friends' Marketplace.
Happy Labor Day weekend!
Judy Lindahl
Executive Director

Chamber News

SEPTEMBER AFTER HOURS!

Join us for an evening of networking & socializing during the first Business After Hours of the season at Cape Cod 5 in Orleans.
Catch up with friends and colleagues while enjoying food and drink from co-host Friends' Marketplace. Non-members are charged a $10 fee. The fee can be applied to a new membership in the calendar year. Sign up here.


Celebrate Our Waters Discount Card
We're excited to offer a new initiative with the Orleans Pond Coalition and it's the Celebrate Our Waters Savings Card. With a $20 donation, you'll receive discounts to business all over Orleans. For more information or to be a part of this, email [email protected] or click here. See more below about the Celebrate Our Waters weekend coming up.

Head to the Orleans Farmer's Market every Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon and receive exclusive, local offerings for different businesses in Orleans! Businesses that would like to be included in the promotion should reach out to [email protected] by 12pm every Thursday.

Events!

Sunday Guided Family Field Walks
The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster presents Sunday Guided Family Field Walks May 28 ~ September 24, 2023, at 12pm. Join one of our naturalists and explore the world outside the Museum. Our naturalist will explain the various plants, animals, habitats, and other ecological features along the John Wing Trail. Weather and/or high tide may cancel the walk so please check in at the Admissions desk to confirm the scheduled walk. *The walks are approximately 90 minutes over somewhat challenging terrain. Included with Museum Admission Research suggests nature walks are good for your brain!

Looking for more up-to-date events? Click here!
Want to add your event? Click here!


Member News

Agway Raises Funds for Hawaii

Agway of Cape Cod proudly announces the successful conclusion of a four-day fundraising event held in their stores and online, with all proceeds benefiting the Hawaii Animal Rescue League Foundation. The event aimed to provide crucial support to the local pets affected by the devastating wildfires in Maui, offering them temporary foster homes until they can be reunited with their owners.
The Hawaii Animal Rescue League Foundation has been diligently working to provide safe and loving foster homes for pets who lost their homes due to the wildfires. With an unwavering commitment to reuniting pets with their families, the foundation's efforts have brought hope to both pets and owners during these challenging times.
The fundraiser, which ran for four days, garnered a total of $6,586 in donations, including a $500 contribution from Agway of Cape Cod.

Lower Cape TV New Channels

Lower Cape TV is still here but your cable channel numbers have changed. Yes, that's right. As of August 17th, your cable channels have moved — Lower Cape TV is still cable casting but now you will find us at Channel 26! Your local government station is now Channel 8 instead of 18. Education Channel 22 stays where it is at channel 22. Comcast says this change was made to align stations in eastern Massachusetts so that the channel line up is consistent from town to town.

Plein Air Painting & Gallery Reception for Celebrate Our Waters

Addison Art Gallery cordially invites the public to watch award-winning artists paint at Rock Harbor Orleans on Saturday, September 16 from about  9:00 to about noon. The wet paintings will be brought to the gallery at 43 South Orleans Road and displayed as part of the Celebrate Our Waters Reception from 3:00 to 5:00. Paul Schulenburg, Jonathan McPhillips, Andrea Petitto and Maryalice Eizenberg are among the artists planning to paint en plein air. For more information and/or additional images, please contact Helen Addison at [email protected] or 508.255.6200.

David Briggs Live at the Church of Transfiguration
David Briggs will be performing an organ concert on Saturday, September 9 at 7:30 at the Church of Transfiguration, Rock Harbor, Orleans. Call 508-240-2400 or click here for more info and tickets.


Tips From The CDP

Closing Your Seasonal Business

September brings the end of summer and, for those with seasonal businesses, the end of the business year. As you close out your seasonal business, keep these four tips in mind:
 
1. Clear out inventory to avoid storage or disposal costs – consider “end of season” markdowns, bundling products, and special discounts for past customers and/or locals.
2. Examine your equipment – now is the time to see how your equipment held up and assess what repairs/upgrades are needed for next year.
3. Review your revenue and expenses – how did your cash flow projections match your actual numbers? The numbers tell the story of your business. What went well and what needs work?
4. Look at your licenses and permits – make sure your expiration and renewal dates are on your calendar so you can act when necessary and be ready to go next year.
 
 
The CDP offers a range of small business programs to nurture the launch and growth of small business. Learn more by visiting https://capecdp.org/local-business.

Welocme New Members!

The Tilery at Trees Place