A GOLFING BEAR GOODBYE — Outgoing Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jim Mains reacts to the golfing bear given him as a goodbye gift, while his successor Barbara Clark looks on, at an April 10 Chamber reception at the Campfire Grille. Mains, who left to become General Manager of Bridgton Highlands Golf Course, will remain active in chamber affairs as a board member.
(Geraghty Photo)

By Gail Geraghty

Staff Writer

Over 50 people showed up to witness the changing of the guard and the promise of great things to come at an April 10 gathering of the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at the Campfire Grille.

They said goodbye to Jim Mains, who is leaving the executive director’s job to become General Manager of the Bridgton Highlands Golf Course, and said hello to his replacement, Barbara Clark, the former head of the Sebago Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Clark presented Mains with a stuffed bear wearing a golf outfit, which he held while he spoke to the crowd.

“Everything has come full circle. As soon as I decided to move on we set up a meeting at the Black Horse Tavern, and now we all know the result.”

Mains said the chamber, with Clark’s experience behind it, is “now poised to move ahead, and that makes me really happy.” Mains later also celebrated his birthday by cutting into a big golfing cake.

“I feel really confident that we made a really great decision” in hiring Clark, said Mains, who plans to stay on the chamber’s board of directors.

Clark gave a brief introduction of her background, and said, “My passion is retention and growth of business. Beyond that it is economic development and growth. So as you get to know me, I’m a doer and I’m a shaker and I’m so pleased to be here and to get to meet everybody I don’t know,” Clark said.

Chamber President Ken Murphy presented Mains with a plaque thanking Mains for providing friendship, stability and leadership to the chamber that is “beyond our expectations.