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The Month of March -
Packed with Congrats & Celebration!
Melissa Pike named Parade Marshall
Like many of our Chamber members, Melissa is also a very active volunteer. She currently chairs the St. Patrick's Scholarship Committee, which awards scholarships to Greater Easthampton students of Irish heritage who will be attending college.
Please join us in congratulating Melissa, past Chamber President and member of our Board of Directors, upon being named the 2012 Greater Easthampton St. Patrick's Day Parade Marshall! Melissa will be leading the Easthampton contingent at the Holyoke St. Patrick's Parade on Sunday, March 18.
Congratulations again, Melissa, for your well-deserved honor!
St. Pat's Luncheon, Friday March 16
Everyone is Irish on St. Patty's Day!
Join us on Friday, March 16 at noon at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Northampton for our annual celebration of St. Patrick's Day. We'll be recognizing Melissa Pike as Greater Easthampton's Parade Marshall and honoring Molly Bialecki, the 2012 Distinguished Young Woman of Greater Easthampton. Our guest speaker will be Bob Flaherty, WHMP1400AM Radio morning host, author and Gazette columnist.
Please sign up today for this fun and entertaining event sponsored by the Easthampton Learning Foundation which is underwritten by the folks at Finck and Perras Insurance Agency. It's a tradtional corned beef and cabbage luncheon with all the fixins. Deadline for reservations is Friday, March 9, 2012.
Eric Snyder, Executive Director
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Member Spotlight: Opa Opa Steakhouse and Brewery
Opa Opa Steakhouse and Brewery is located at 169 College Highway in Southampton. Owned by Efthimos Rizos and his brother Tony since 2004, it does in fact contain its own brewery with a wide variety of beers that are distributed throughout Mass. and central/western Conn. A sister restaurant, the Brewmaster's Tavern, and a larger Opa Opa brewery are located in Williamsburg. The Rizos brothers have a long history of operating restaurants in the greater Easthampton area, beginning about 20 years ago with Red Rock Pizza and opening Opa Opa in 2004. They have been members of the Greater Easthampton Chamber for most of that time as well. The name "Opa Opa" comes from two sources: in Greek, it means "cheers", and in German, "Opa" means "grandfather." The latter is a tribute to the Rizos' grandfather, who was German, led a remarkable life and lived to age 95. The Rizos have just opened a new venture, Kaptain Jimmy's, at 916 Suffield St., Agawam, now in its third week. It's a pirate-themed restaurant that is unique in being the first restaurant/microdistillery in the Northeast, producing its own rum, vodka, gin, whiskey and ouzo. The name is a tribute to the Rizos' father, Demetrios, whose nickname is Jimmy. Of his business, Efthimos says, "I offer a clean restaurant, good food, good prices and good service." He loves doing business in the greater Easthampton area. "My wife grew up here in Easthampton, and I love living in Southampton. I grew up in a city and have traveled all over the world, but for raising a family, this is where I want to be. I like having the support of the community. The area is quiet, friendly, no traffic and close to everything--major highways, New York, Boston, Vermont." The Chamber has also been a good source of support for Efthimos' businesses. "The Chamber also provides me with a community that supports me in my restaurants. We've held events together, and they provide good information for me to help in my business. I want to thank everyone for the 20 years of support they have given us--keep it local!" More information about Opa Opa's steakhouse, events, and selection of beers can be found on their website at opaopasteakhousebrewery.com and on their Facebook page.
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Member News: 2012 RSI Auction
 The eighth annual "Taste the Arts, Taste the Eats, Taste the Beat, East of Paradise" fundraiser for Riverside Industries, Inc. will take place on Friday, March 30, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at One Cottage Street in Easthampton. RSI is a nonprofit that serves people with developmental disabilities and their families.
The fundraiser will feature food, music and both silent and live auctions of hundreds of donated items, including a one-week stay for up to 10 people in a house in Chatham, Mass.and autographed items such as a Bill Belichick football, a Dustin Pedroia baseball and a Derek Jeter baseball. RSI raised more than $92,000 at last year's auction, some of which was used to build a new greenhouse located at RSI's Cottage Street address.
RSI provides services to about 250 clients and their families living in over 30 area communities. Many of these clients are employed in area businesses, and others are engaged in therapeutic activities and training programs at the organization's Cottage Street building. Last year, Riverside was honored to receive the highest certificate given to a human service agency in Western Mass. by the Department of Developmental Services, Office of Quality Management, as well as the highest possible recognition from the national Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF).
To register online for the auction or for donation/sponsorship opportunities, go to RSI's website at www.rsi.org.
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Member/Area News: Making Moves Two Chamber members have expanded or changed their business locations in 2012: - Hampton Flooring Center moved from Red Rock Plaza, Southampton to 250 Northampton St. Easthampton (413-527-5279).
- National Carpet One is now National Floors, 150 Northampton St., Easthampton (413-527-3740).
The Chamber would also like to welcome the following new businesses that have recently opened their doors in downtown Easthampton. When you go there, tell them the Chamber sent you! - The Botaniste, 101 Main St. (Corina Miller, Owner; flowershop, art and second-hand treasures)
- Manhan Internal Medicine, 2 Mechanic St.
- Vonnahme Eye Care, 89 Main St. (Drs. Hans and Angie Vonnahme)
If your business is "making moves" in the greater Easthampton area, let us know and we'll post your info in future issues.
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