| Welcome to Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
Greetings!
October was a month for congratulations and celebrations! Columbus Day weekend was exceptional within our Valley. Events were all packed from Cider Days in Belmont, to the Hoedown in Ludlow, to the Weston Craft Show and the Chili Cook-off. We had a great Chamber mixer and our guests on LPC-tv were Jon from Mountain Riders and Gary from The Cool Moose Cafe. www.lpctv.org
Congratulations to Okemo! Parents Magazine names Okemo Mountain Resort's Jackson Gore Inn #1 in the 10 best snow resorts for families.
Welcome to Brian Halligan who replaced Rob Hodgkins as Director of Sales for Okemo Mountain Resort. Be sure to meet Brian at our November 11 mixer at the Jackson Gore Inn.
Congratulations to Vermont Country Store for being on the Today Show: The Today Show
Congratulations to BRAM who will be honored with three separate awards at its Nov 6 meeting for its multi-generational programs from The League of Local Historical Societies of the Vermont Historical Society.
Congratulations to WAAWEE Family Farm Market on Jersey Girl's 10 year anniversary.
Congratulations to Weston for appearing in Chronicles, again.
Congratulations to Willow of Chapter XIV for a wonderful front page picture in 10/29 Rutland Herald!
Congratulations to new member BestofVermont.com for being chosen in Nov/Dec 2009 edition of Yankee Magazine article's; "The Ultimate Guide To Distinctive Gifts.
November/December 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler ranks Vermont as one of the top five Best-Rated Places.
http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/destinations-rated/north-america-text/24
Thank you to Melissa Bushey of PJ Bushey Landscaping for decorating the Chamber office for the season.
Thank you to Chris and Sarah from Curtis' All American Restaurant for hosting our October 14th "Let's Make A Deal" mixer.
Please let the Chamber know of any and all successes and news that we can broadcast for you.
Thank you to Bob Aldrich from the Inn and Weston and John McAveeney from Sunshine Acres Garden Center for joining me for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund meeting at Newsbank. The Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives have set down a 2010 Legislative Agenda draft to address this issue. (copies are at the Chamber office).
Thank you to Deb Murphy of Green Mountain Rail Road; Bonnie Watters of Bonnie's Bundles; and Peter Crowley of CZ Construction Management for attending the SBDC meeting with Jane Applegate. The Chamber is starting a library and you will be able to take out "The Enterpreneur's Desk Reference" as well as "201 Great Ideas for Your Small Business" both by Jane Applegate.
Save the Date: Our Chambers Legislative Day at the State House is scheduled for January 21, 2010. Please let me know if you would like to join me and meet with your legislators.
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Upcoming Events
11/01/2009
Sunday 2:00 PM Vermont Voices: A Series Presented by Misty Valley Books - Archer Mayor Stone Church, Rt 103, Chester
11/03/2009
Tuesday 6:00 pm Black River Academy Museum-Annual Meeting & Pot Luck Supper
Black River Valley Senior Center
11/03/2009
Tuesday 1:30p Board of Director meeting Fletcher Farm, Ludlow
11/04/2009
Wednesday 8:00 pm Open Mic Night at Curtis' All American Restaurant
908 Route 103, Chester, VT 05143
11/06/2009
Friday 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm Vinny Dibernardo performs at Fullerton Inn, Chester, VT
11/07/2009 - 11/08/2009
Saturday - Sunday
The Covered Bridge RallyCross
Jackson Gore Inn
www.ner.org
11/08/2009
Sunday 2:00 PM Vermont Voices: A Series Presented by Misty Valley Books - Madeleine Kunin Stone Church, Rt 103, Chester
11/15/2009
Sunday 2:00 PM Vermont Voices: A Series Presented by Misty Valley Books - Philip Baruth Stone Church, Rt 103, Chester
11/18/2009
Wednesday 6pm-8pm Chittenden Bank presents a Senior Safety Seminar at Annunciation Church, 7 Depot Street, Ludlow. Call Barb LeMire at 802-228-8821 by November 13th.
11/20/2009
Friday 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm Bern McWain at the Fullerton Inn, Chester, VT
11/21/2009
Saturday 6:30 PM Green Mountain Festival Series: A Reunion Night of Music
Green Mountain High School, Chester, VT
11/22/2009
Sunday 2:00 PM Vermont Voices: A Series Presented by Misty Valley Books - Robert Cohen Stone Church, Rt 103, Chester
11/25/2009 - 11/27/2009
Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Annual Shop Sample Sale at Bonnies Bundles
Bonnies Bundles 250 North St (RT 103) Stone Village, Chester, VT
11/27/2009 - 11/28/2009
Friday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thanksgiving Crafts Bazaar
Weston Playhouse on the Green, Weston, VT
11/27/2009 - 11/29/2009
Friday - Sunday 10 am - 4 pm
Thanksgiving Weekend - A Top 10 Winter Event! Billings Farm, Route 12, Woodstock, Vermont
11/28/2009
Saturday 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Handcrafted Ornament Show at DaVallia-Art & Accents, 78 Common Drive-Village Green, Chester,
11/28/2009
Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Craft Show & Sale
Black River High School, Route 103 Ludlow
There are so many events in November that we couldn't list them all. Please check our website for details. If you have an event that is not listed on our website, please email sgregg@yourplaceinvermont.com with the details. We'll be happy to post it!
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Membership Committee News
The membership committee met on October 19th. Benefits for new members and those members who refer new business to the Chamber receive:
a. Ribbon Cutting in front of your business and sent into the newspapers for additional exposure.
b. Television interview with Executive Director on LPC-TV and online at www.lpctv.org
c. Free six month banner ad on website.
The member benefit for November is 10% off at WAAWWE Family Farm market.
We welcomed 10 new members this month.
Did you know your membership dues are tax deductible?
Don't miss out on being part of our 2010 M2M Benefit Program. Call the Chamber office so we can update our website. We are adding links to you after your offering. You can view your current offering on our website under ABOUT US, M2M Benefits.
Your new 2010 M2M Benefit cards and 2010 window clings will be going out in January upon receipt of your 2010 dues.
Contact Laura Tuttle-Williams, Chair of Membership at 802-738-5556 or email: calmmoments@yahoo.com if you would like to join this committee.
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Marketing Committee News
The marketing committee met on October 19th. Our focus was to review the 2010 media plan. We are offering a new co-op advertising opportunity for dining establishments in Yankee magazine for the May 2010 issue. January 4th is the deadline to participate. First come, first serve.
We have also placed our inside front and inside back covers for the Summer 2010 Vermont Vacation Guide. We are now accepting space on the covers for Winter 2010/2011.
The blog is still a work in progress. The committee is reviewing three proposals and will chose shortly.
You might have noticed videos on our website. These were taken from RSN television program, Your Place In Vermont. Call Dan if you would like a video segment 802-258-2200.
Make sure you check out our website. We are adding banner ads and video!!!
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Chamber Mixers
Join us for our monthly Chamber Mixers on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Please mark your calendars NOW!
All mixers are from 5:30pm-7:30pm
November 11 Jackson Gore Inn at Okemo Mountain Resort - Ludlow
RSVP: Chamber office 228-5830.
December 9 - Annual Meeting at Gill Home - Ludlow
RSVP Chamber office 228-5830. Confirmed Speakers: Secretary of State, Deb Markowitz;
SBA Darcy Carter and Linda Rossi of SBDC.
January 13 - Newsbank Conference Center mixer. Topic: Customer Service interactive presentation presented by Guy Payne, Sr. Consultant with Action to Excellence (ATX), a Vermont based consulting and leadership training company from So. Burlington.
RSVP: Chamber office 228-5830.
January 21 - Legislative Day at the State House
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Welcome New Members
North Fork Bagel Company - Ludlow
Severy Brothers Inc.- Ludlow
BestofVermont.com - Rutland
J & L Consulting - Belmont
Spectrum Photography - Belmont
Chef Mei - Ludlow
Massage By Patrice - Ludlow
The Pizza Stone VT - Chester
Outback Pizza - Ludlow
The Hatchery - Ludlow
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NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS:
From Patrick at LPCTV: If you have not done so already, please take a moment to complete LPCTV's survey. It can be found on the homepage of our website - www.lpctv.org .
The input you provide is very valuable to us. It will help steer our organization in the direction it needs to go as we strive to meet community needs. Thanks!
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Did You Know???
Small business owners can deduct up to $250,000 of purchased equipment or software this year as soon as it is put to use. You can deduct heavy machinery, computers, office furniture, equipment and vehicles under Section 179, but not property investments, including land or building upgrades. Any eligible investment must be made and placed in service by December 31, 2009. If you hold off on these investments unto 2010, the allowance will fall back to around $133,000. What it means for your business: Expensing allows you to reduce your taxable income for the year simply by making an investment in your business. And unlike normal depreciation rules, you can claim a larger deduction in the year the investment is made. While you can reduce your taxable income with a Section 179 deduction, you cannot deduct more than your annual business income.
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Do you want a Government Contract?
Read more from Scott Holson, Procurement Counselor for Windham and Windsor Counties:
It is my pleasure to introduce you to the Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center (VTPTAC). The center exists for just one reason: to help Vermont businesses succeed in obtaining Government contracts. The center offers free counseling services to Vermont businesses and assists them in learning how to bid on Government contracts at the federal, state and local level.
Economic Development
Programs
Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Email: sholson2@vtsbdc.org
14 Clinton Square, Ste. 7, Springfield, VT
Cell: 802-661-8744
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Chester bridge project meeting
When: Thurs. November 12, 2009 at 6:00 PM
Where: 2nd Floor Chester Town Hall VTrans will hold a public meeting to discuss bridge construction projects Chester BRF 025-1(28) and Chester BRF 025-1(37)SC. The two projects will occur simultaneously and require temporary closure of a section of VT Rt. 103 for a period of up to 12 weeks at some point during the coming years. Chester BRF 025-1(37)SC includes the replacement of the so-called "Benny Sunoco Bridge" (Bridge #9) located on VT Rt. 103 immediately southeast of the intersection with VT Rt. 11 East. Chester BRF 025-1(28) involves the replacement of Bridge #8, which is the narrow bridge over the south branch of the Williams River on VT Rt. 103 southeast of Marshall Road. VTrans would like to extend this invitation to all interested parties to attend this presentation/question and answer session as we provide this opportunity for everyone to discuss these projects with us. Please forward this notice to other community members.
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About Our Organization
Our Chamber provides the following member benefits:
*Health Insurance provided by Cigna,
*Dental Insurance provided by Delta Dental,
*Free listing on our website,
*Free listing in our regional guidebook,
*Free placement of your business brochures in our welcome centers in Ludlow and Chester
*Free monthly chamber mixers,
*Member to member discounts
*Referrals
*Co-op advertising
*Marketing
*Events publicized
*And much, much more!!!
Our Mission Statement:
The Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit, member-driven organization. It is the voice of its members and the business communities in the Towns of Andover, Cavendish, Chester, Ludlow, Mount Holly, Plymouth and Weston, Vermont. It provides advocacy, support and unified regional marketing to promote and enhance our regional businesses and four-season economy.
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Volume 2, Issue 4
www.YourPlaceInVermont.com
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Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
Marji Graf
mgraf@yourplaceinvermont.com
Staff
Sandy Gregg, Office Manager
sgregg@yourplaceinvermont.com
Executive Board:
Jim Kubec, President
The Governors Inn
Lynne Reed, Vice President
Misty Valley Books
Maria Tomaselli, Treasurer
Bovine Bookeeping
Bill Dakin, Secretary
Dakin & Benelli
Board Members
Linda Aldrich
Inn at Weston
Michael Alon
DaVallia Art & Accents
Tesha Buss
Good Commons
Annie Fuji'i
The Village Green Gallery
Sheldon Ghetler
Stone Heath Inn & Tavern
Barb Lemire
Chittenden Bank
Laurie Marechaux
Fletcher Farm School
Ken Saccardo
Spring River Enterprises
Jack Smart
Gigg's Antiques
Laura Tuttle-Williams
Calm Moments Spa Services
Past President
John McAveeney
Sunshine Acres Garden Center
Your Chamber at work for you!
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