CHAMBER MIXER
The Chamber is hosting our next Mixer! Join us on December 9 from
5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace.
Appetizers ~ Munchies ~ Beer ~ Wine ~ Soft Drinks
Due to liquor license and liability concerns, there will be a suggested donation of $2.00 per beer / glass of wine.
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 NEEDED:
Do you have a spare artificial Christmas tree you are not using. If you are willing to donate or lend it to us for the season, please contact the Chamber. Any size.
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LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST
Brandon's state legislators have been invited to join us for a Legislative Breakfast on Tuesday, December 14 at 7:15 am at the Brandon Inn. With a change in Montpelier and the state's fiscal issues, this is an opportunity to tell your elected officials about your priorities and concerns.
Chef Louis will make sure we are well-nourished with a fantastic breakfast: buffet items to include a variety of cereals, homemade granola with natural yogurt, bagels & cream cheese, pastries, muffins & fresh fruit salad. In addition, there will a hot plated meal to include scrambled eggs, bacon, homemade Belgian waffles with maple syrup, and toast. Please RSVP to the Chamber by email at info@brandon.org or by phone: 247-6401. Cost of the breakfast is $15 (all inclusive) and will be payable to the Brandon Inn. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is co-sponsoring.
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CHAMBER DIRECTORS
Congratulations are in order to new Chamber board members elected at the last meeting. Re-elected to the Board for a second term was Nancy Leary (Nancy Leary Design). We welcome the following new members to the Board: Wendy Bizzarro (Heritage Family Credit Union), Liz Gregorek (OMYA), Aaron Kerins (Brandon Motor Lodge), and Russ McColman (Russ and Kerrie). We look forward to a busy and productive year.
Officers re-elected were: President Ed Bratton (Maple View Farm Alpacas), Vice President Beth Carr (Carr's Florist & Gifts), and Judy Reilly (Judith Reilly Gallery). At this time, the Board is in need of a Treasurer. Honorary Board member / treasurer Bob Schmidt will continue taking care of the Chamber's (and Stephen A Douglas Birthplace) accounting and bookkeeping but Bob will soon be retiring out of the Brandon area and someone else will be needed to fill Bob's (big) shoes. It does not have to be a Board member. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the Chamber.
Our thanks to the following outgoing board members for their time and dedication to the organization: Del Cook, Jeff Faber (The Faber Group), Doug Sawyer (Lilac Inn), Bob Schmidt (Robert Schmidt, CPA, PC), and Deborah Wing (National Bank of Middlebury). Bob and Doug join the ranks of a very elite group: Honorary Directors of the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce! |
CHAMBER WORKSHOPS
Thanks so much to Jackson Whelan for conducting a terrific workshop on WordPress last week. About 25 Chamber and community members spent a couple of hours engaged in learning all about WordPress.
The Chamber is looking into holding other technology-oriented workshops. If you have an interest in something specific, please let us know. Chances are, someone else is also interested. Ideas being floated about are:
- A hands-on demo / instruction just on Twitter?
- Or just about Facebook? (professional use, not personal)
- A workshop / demo about computer networking for small users?
- A workshop about computer security issues?
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BRANDON GREEN - Gift Certificates to Shop in Brandon make a perfect gift! The certificates can be used at more than 100 local businesses and come in $5 increments. Buy one or buy a bunch! A gift envelope and directory of businesses which accept them are included. Brandon Green is available for purchase at any teller station at the Brandon Park Street branch of Lake Sunapee Bank (First Brandon Bank). For more information, contact the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce at 247-6401.
ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS are encouraged to accept Brandon Green certificates. If you are not familiar with them or need a further explanation for your employees, please contact us and we will get you a photo. The certificates look like a check but are "oversized." The color is mint green and they are pre-signed by Treasurer Robert Schmidt. They are worth $5 and are legal tender. Just deposit them like you would any other $5 check. You may give change back if the order does not total $5. You will be paid $5. If you have any questions, please contact the Chamber. Brandon Green keeps money local!
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WIKIPEDIA
Several months ago, the Chamber solicited our membership for someone willing to help lend a hand updating the Brandon, Vermont Wikipedia page. Bob Foley of the Old Mill Inn teaches a CIS 310 Management Information systems class at College of St. Joseph and he volunteered his students for the work!
Students Erin Beland, Carrie Dufresne, Megan Giggings, Angela Houle, Stephanie Quill-Szelc, Grant Morrison and Nick Small rose to the occasion and submitted great writing on a myriad of subjects that Wiki readers would be interested to know about. The students were astute to write the facts and not throw in their biases. Wiki throws out entries which are too subjective or biased. In the future, we hope to see the page embellished with more information and some photos. Wikipedia is a free on-line encyclopedia that anyone can edit. Click on the Brandon page. We thank Bob and his students for a well-done project.
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at UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AND NEWS
FROM OUR MEMBERS:
TRAINING TO EXCEL: Food Safety and Protection Training Course and Services
DECEMBER COOKING CLASSES ON MONDAYS WITH CAFE & GOURMET PROVENCE CHEFS
DECEMBER 9 - BRIGGS CARRIAGE BOOKSTORE - ANDREA CHESMAN DECEMBER 10 - BALL & CHAIN CAFE - JUSTIN PERDUE DECEMBER 11 - BALL & CHAIN CAFE- SIMPLY ACOUSTIC
DECEMBER 12 & 19 - DECORATE A GINGERBREAD HOUSE WORKSHOP at THE INSIDE SCOOP. Contact 247-6600 for more info.
DECEMBER 29 - Listen to two episodes of the SHERLOCK HOLMES OLD TIME RADIO DRAMAS at 2:00 pm at BRANDON MUSIC - Brandon Music has recently acquired the original Sherlock Holmes Radio dramas. These are the classic radio dramatizations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's world famous sleuth. They will be presenting two episodes. The tearoom will be open so sit back with a nice hot cup of tea and enjoy these wonderful original radio shows. Each episode is approximately 25 minutes in length. This special event is free! Brandon Music and Harmony Tearoom 802-465-4071. 62 Country Club Road. 802-465-4071
You can produce programming at PEG TV for free. Are you an expert fly fisherman, amateur painter or part-time baseball card collector? Maybe you volunteer for a local organization and want to get the word out. Or maybe you just wrote a song that you'd like to share with the world. Why not put yourself on television and share your talent or interests with the community? Producing a show for PEGTV couldn't be any easier. Just call the studio at (802) 747.0151 and sign up for a brief VIP (Volunteer Independent Producer) class. Once certified, you will have access to our studios, editing bays, and field equipment.
Northeast Fishing Show, Lakes Region Fishing, premieres exclusively on the Sportsman Channel. This family-oriented fishing show aims to instruct, entertain and educate. Click the link to read more about Nate Laskiewicz, a professional fisherman and experienced fishing guide from Sudbury.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE A PRESS RELEASE OR EVENT LISTING FROM YOUR BUSINESS TO APPEAR IN OUR E-NEWSLETTER, PLEASE SUBMIT TO info@brandon.org. When there is space, we will print a press release; otherwise, we will link to a press release on your website. Another Chamber benefit provided at no charge to our members.
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SENIOR DINNER
The Chamber is hosting the Brandon Senior's January dinner. The date is January 11. Would you like to help? Contact the Chamber and we will give you an assignment!
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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
DECEMBER 11:
from 9 am - 3 pm
BRANDON FARMER'S MARKET ANNUAL HOLIDAY FAIR will be held this year at the Neshobe School Gym. Lots more vendors! Look for maple syrup, honey, baked goods, hand knit items in wool, mohair, and alpaca, goatmilk soap, canned goods, wooden toys, wooden clothes racks, dried flowers, aprons, jams and jellies, jewelry, holiday decor and more. Lunch available with proceeds going to Neshobe School. Contact Wendy at 273-2655
DECEMBER 12: BRANDON FESTIVAL SINGERS - This annual tradition features the music of Gene Childers. Brandon Congregational Church at 3 pm. The season feels extra special after experiencing this performance! Free will offering.
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ART IN THE SNOW
The Brandon Chamber and the Brandon Artists Guild have recently met and have decided to revitalize / revamp / rejuvenate Art in the Snow. There are exciting opportunities ahead. The event will be held only one weekend, February 25 - 27, 2011.
The weekend will be focused on education. This means workshops, classes, lessons, etc. There are perfect opportunities for partnerships so start thinking about what you can offer. More information, an invitation, ideas, and a registration form, are available here. Contact the Chamber for more details.
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Free Wireless Internet DSL is being provided at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace, Brandon Museum, and Visitor Center by FairPoint Communications.
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DUNMORE DIP
ICE OUT
The Dunmore Dip ICE OUT sponsored by the Lake Dunmore / Fern Lake Association is now accepting entries to guess the DATE and TIME when "Lord Dunmore" stops the clock! 50% of the proceeds goes to the winner and 50% goes to benefit the Milfoil Control Program. Click on the link for more information about the contest and to print a form.
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NEXT CHAMBER MEETING:
The Chamber will NOT be meeting in December. Our next meeting is scheduled for January 17 (note - this is the THIRD Monday of the month) at 6:30 pm at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace meeting room.
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CONTACT INFO
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Brandon Area Chamber of
Commerce
PO Box 267
Brandon VT 05733
802-247-6401
info@brandon.org
www.brandon.org |
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