Larry Sidelinger, executive director of Lincoln County Television and president of Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce, was the featured guest at Thursday evening’s Business After Hours. The Oct. 19 event sponsored by Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce was hosted by Water’s Edge Restaurant and Bar which overlooks the Sheepscot River in Edgecomb.

Sidelinger was greeted by about three dozen WACC members who gathered in the bar and dining areas for snacks prepared by the kitchen staff and enjoy a golden sunset over Wiscasset harbor. Sidelinger commented this past summer had been full of activity for area businesses, adding, it was nice to relax a bit before the holiday season. He congratulated Pat Cloutier, WACC executive manager, for her regular contributions to LCTV’s ChatTV, which he noted was one of the station’s most popular programs. Sidelinger concluded by inviting everyone to visit the new home of the Damariscotta Region Chamber in a recently restored brick building at the corner of Church and Vine streets, downtown Damariscotta.

During the business portion of the meeting, Monique McRae AVP, branch manager of The First National Bank, Wiscasset provided a brief update on upcoming WACC events. The next one she said was the popular “Nightmare on Federal Street” held on Halloween evening and sponsored jointly with Wiscasset Parks and Recreation. McRae said hundreds of people of all ages gather for the annual event that includes a costume parade, music, dancing, trick or treating and more. “We try to involve as many businesses as we can and offer prizes for the best costumes,” she added. McRae said new this year will be prizes for the best dog costumes.

Looking ahead to the holiday season, Lucia Droby, Wiscasset Art Walk organizer, said plans were under way for the business community’s eighth annual Holiday Market Festival. “It continues to grow every year and become a destination point for holiday shopping,” she said. The event will take place Dec. 1, 2 and 3 from 10 to 5.

Francie Siegfried, owner of Birch on Main Street, won the business card drawing, for a gift certificate to Water’s Edge; and Shannon Babcock won the 50/50 raffle. For more on WACC, visit www.wiscassetchamber.com