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By Diana Bowley of the news staff - GREENVILLE - A few years ago, the Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce was in dire straits because the membership structure did not support the Chamber's activities. Today, it appears the Chamber is on the rebound, thanks to an infusion of new blood. Jonathan Pratt, who came aboard as executive director in May 2003, has restored the faith of many local businesspeople. More new blood arrived late last month with the selection of Dennis Welsh as Chamber president. "There is a renewed enthusiasm," Pratt said Wednesday. "It feels like we're headed in the right direction, and Dennis and I are ready to move forward to harness that enthusiasm." Because they are new to the region, their ideas and outlooks and those of new members blend well with the experience drawn from longtime board members, Pratt said. Although he has been a member for two years, Tim Shelep, owner of Pleasant Street Inn, said he has seen improvements. He said businesses working together through the Chamber is the best outlet. Today, the Chamber has a membership of 120 that is continuing to climb, according to Pratt. To bring the Chamber back into the fold as the region's biggest cheerleader, Pratt has made it a point to visit local businesses to find out their needs and wants. Pratt and his staff also have managed to keep the visitor's center open all year despite tight finances. A move a few years ago to reduce the hours of the center caused anger among some visitors who were looking for information. But today, visitors frequent the center. The No. 1 question asked, according to Pratt, is where to go to see a moose. As well as its work at the center, the Chamber publishes an annual visitors' guide, sponsors a variety of events throughout the year, and partners with the town and local organizations to help foster community spirit. On Dec. 13, the Chamber and the town will work with the C.A. Dean Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home Auxiliary to broaden the scope of activities offered during the auxiliary's annual Inn Walk. Pratt said he and Greenville Town Manager John Simko have discussed opening the school gymnasium and the ice skating rink the night of the Inn Walk to provide additional options for visitors and residents alike. There also has been some discussion that the annual tree-lighting ceremony will be held at the school in an effort to centralize the activities, he noted. |