Community Business Associates News  

NEXT MEETING  

The next regular meeting of Community Business Associates, takes place on Friday,
May 11 at 7:15am at Oliver Wight Tavern at Old Sturbridge Village.    

Meetings run from 7:15-8:30 a.m. and are an opportunity for networking as well as discussing common business solutions and challenges. Business and professional guests are welcome to attend meetings of the Chamber's official networking and referral group.

More information is available at www.communitybusinessassociates.org 

email info@communitybusinessassociates.org

or contact Bob Datz at 508-637-1116

In two short weeks, our first ever SPRING INTO SUMMER  online auction goes live! The auction will help us raise money to support the Chamber's efforts in community and economic development. We've received some fantastic donated items from our Members and there is still time for you to be a part of the auction action!    

How You Can Help: 

Donate.   

We're seeking items from donors like you, that we can put up for bid on a special Web site that we'll be heavily advertising to our members.  

By supporting our Spring into Summer Online Auction you'll receive:

* Valuable exposure simply for donating an item to our online auction-far beyond that of a traditional in-the-room auction.

* Greater interest in your products/services because we're sending out numerous weekly e-mail communications and using other powerful promotional vehicles to encourage our members' participation and support in spreading word about the auction.

* Leadership recognition through your willingness to participate in an innovative kind of auction that reaches beyond a physical event and membership lists.

Click on the Donate link to access our BiddingForGood Auction website.

Create your login info and you will be able to:

• Bid on and purchase auction items
• Donate items to organizations
• Receive email updates about your favorite auctions
• Take advantage of the BiddingForGood Bidder Community features

Be a Sponsor.   

As a Sponsor of the Spring into Summer Auction not only will you be aligning yourself with a worthy cause, you'll be tapping into an active, engaged community. On the auction website, as well as in our targeted weekly emails, we will feature your brand, along with a link to your own website. That means your involvement will be visible and your products/services accessible to each and every one of our members as well as the friends or family they involve by passing these emails along. 

Contact us at cmschamber@biddingforgood.org or 508-347-2761 to take advantage of promotional opportunities for your business or to pledge your individual support.     

Tell Your Friends.   

Do you know someone who would be interested in supporting our cause? Please share the news of the online auction with your friends so they can be part of the excitement. Refer a Friend  to our auction so they can get involved.      

The Spring into Summer Auction opens on May 15 and closes on June 1, 2012. 

Thank you in advance for your continued support!  

We look forward to your item donations and online bids!

Welcome to the Chamber of Central Mass South!

American Family Life Assurance Company 

105 Sandy Beach Road   

Holland, MA

413-530-6428

www.aflac.com

Table 3 Announces Opening of Avellino and Revitalization of The Duck

Open-Kitchen Italian Restaurant Opens in Whistling Swan Building

April marked the long-anticipated opening of Avellino, Chef Enrico Giovanello's latest restaurant venture. An open-kitchen Italian restaurant, Avellino features piattini, or "small plates," in addition to a host of traditional Italian dishes such as fresh pastas and risotto, distinctive seafood dishes, and meat specialties. Diners can choose to eat in Avellino's completely renovated dining room or enjoy a cocktail and piattini at the stunning new Lobby Bar.

Avellino also offers guests the unique opportunity to dine at the Chef's Table-for $25.95, diners can enjoy three courses chosen and prepared by Chef Giovanello using the freshest seasonal ingredients available. The menu changes nightly and features an antipasto, primo, and secondo.  

Revitalized Duck Offers Innovative Spring Menu

Also opening its doors last month was the newly renovated Duck, debuting Chef Rob Fecteau's new Spring menu. While still featuring such Duck favorites as stuffed cheeseburgers and specialty salads, Chef Fecteau has also created new "Loft Classics"-his inspired takes on old favorites such as meatloaf and chicken pot pie.

Key renovations to the restaurant include expanded seating at the Duck's famous sunken bar, all new lighting and art, and fully revamped bathrooms. As always, the Duck features evening entertainment Thursday through Saturday.

Country Bank Joins Forces with Local Paramedic to Aid in the Emotional Healing of Young Tornado Victims

Toto the Tornado Kitten

Country Bank is proud to partner with Jonathan Hall a local paramedic on his project to help children heal emotionally from the tragic tornado that passed through our area in June, 2011.

 

Jonathan approached Country Bank with the idea for a children's book that tells the story of how communities came together in a very special way to help each other during and after the storm. In particular the book focuses on a tiny kitten that was blown into a tree and rescued by a worker, brought to the command center in Brimfield where Jonathan was working, and then taken to the Animal Rescue League in Boston for treatment along with many other animals in the affected areas. Once the dust settled a bit Jonathan and his wife followed up on the progress of the young kitten and subsequently adopted him and brought him back to Brimfield - they named him Toto.

 

Jonathan was so moved by the support given to the local communities from The Animal Rescue League that he wanted to give something back to them and thought that perhaps a book for children that told Toto's story could help them heal from their individual traumas. Because he was also aware of how involved Country Bank was in the communities and the tornado relief in particular he thought they were the obvious choice to partner with. "I was drawn to Country Bank because of the presence they have throughout all of the communities that the tornado swept through." states Hall. "I am so grateful for their support on this project and their continued commitment to the people of our towns."

 

Paul Scully, President & CEO of Country Bank spoke very highly of Jonathan and his passion for philanthropy, "Jonathan represents the kind of energy and enthusiasm that we at Country Bank commit to in all of the towns that we serve. Jonathan's mission to give back to the organization that helped us in our time of need is an extraordinary example of generosity."

 

Please visit www.totothetornadokitten.com for more information about Toto and to learn how to purchase your copy. All proceeds from the sale of these books will be donated to The Animal Rescue League of Boston.

 

Country Bank serves central and western Massachusetts with fifteen offices. The Bank is a full-service, mutual savings bank and a member of FDIC, DIF and the SUM network.

North Brookfield Savings Bank Joins 7^th Annual Walk of Champions

Team Cancer Crushers is raising money for Baystate Mary Lane Hospital

North Brookfield, MA - North Brookfield Savings Bank is registered as the "Cancer Crushers" for the 7th annual Walk of Champions on May 6, 2012 at Quabbin Reservoir. All proceeds benefit Integrated Cancer Services at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital.

This will be the sixth year that North Brookfield Savings Bank has been involved with the Walk of Champions, having raised more than $11,000 to date. The 2012 goal is to raise at least $4,400. The Cancer Crushers are also aiming to be the largest team at the walk, a feat North Brookfield Savings Bank last achieved three years ago. In addition to walking, the Bank will be hosting a table to distribute water. Water will be donated by Health New England.

"North Brookfield Savings Bank is thrilled to once again participate in the Walk of Champions. For the past six years, our employees, customers and community partners have brought so much positive energy to this event and always leave feeling inspired," said Donna Boulanger, President and CEO of North Brookfield Savings Bank. "We've already started receiving donations, over 50 walkers have registered and we are looking forward to teaming up with more volunteers. The Cancer Crushers are committed to helping change the lives of friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers and others who have been affected by cancer."

Walk of Champions has raised nearly $300,000 for Baystate Mary Lane Hospital since it was established in 2006. Over 1,000 participants attended the 2011 Walk of Champions and helped raise $64,000.

Individuals who wish to join the Cancer Crushers can go to the Walk of Champions website and enter "cancer crusher" in the search field. You can make donations on the Walk of Champions website as well. All walkers raising $50 or more receive a free t-shirt.

About North Brookfield Savings Bank:

North Brookfield Savings Bank is a community based mutual savings bank with full-service branches in North Brookfield, Belchertown, Palmer, and West Brookfield. Part of the community since 1854, the bank offers a wide-variety of deposit and loan products to individuals and businesses throughout Central Massachusetts. All deposits are insured by FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund. For additional information, please call 1-866-711-6272 or visit www.banknbsb.com.

Cleanup! Greenup! Volunteers Needed!

The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) is looking for volunteers to help with spring cleanups in this special place we call home. Towns and organizations throughout The Last Green Valley will be sprucing up parks, roadways, rivers, and trails in April, and they need your help. A complete list of cleanup projects can be found on TLGV's website, www.tlgv.org, (click on "Get Outside & Volunteer!). Check back often, as new listings are being added weekly. TLGV has provided funds to support many of these cleanups, because together, we can make The Last Green Valley an even more beautiful place to live, work, and play.