NEXT CHAMBER MEETING GUESTS

Bernie Carr presenting The Cliver Room plaque to Blaine and Mary Cliver

CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AWARD ANNOUNCED

The Chamber is pleased to announce the recipient of this year's President Award. President Ed Bratton presented the award to Mary and Blaine Cliver at the organization's Annual Meeting on January 28 held at the Lilac Inn. This annual award is presented to a business or individual who makes Brandon a better place to work and live.

There was lots of warmth and good cheer at the Chamber's Annual Dinner.

The Clivers retired to Brandon in 2002 and have spent their years here volunteering their time for a variety of organizations and being involved in a number of activities. Blaine Cliver's professional experience proved to be invaluable during the renovation project at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace. He gives a lot of his time to helping research and preserve Brandon history and genealogy and was a major contributor to the Brandon Museum. Blaine has also been involved in the Brandon Town Hall renovations. Mary gives generously of her time at the Brandon Free Public Library, sings with the Festival Singers, has been on the Board of the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, and helps with landscaping in a variety of places. Both Mary and Blaine are on the Board of the Vermont National Alliance on Mental Illness organiza

Congratulations to retiring Chamber board member and long-time Treasurer Bob Schmidt

tion.  

After being presented with the President's Award, Bernie Carr, President of the Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace, Inc., said the Board of Directors of that organization voted to rename the meeting room in the building, "The Cliver Room." A wall plaque was presented which has been hung in the room. The Chamber congratulates Mary and Blaine on this award. For more information contact the Chamber at 247-6401. 

ART IN THE SNOW
BRANDON'S WINTER ARTS & WINE FESTIVAL
February 26-27, 2011

Art in the Snow has many exciting and new components this year. Most classes are $25 or under. Open Studios are free. 

TAKE THE WINE TRAIL:

• Neshobe River Winery at Tastes of the Valley
• East Shore Vineyard at Brandon Artists Guild
• Artesano Mead at Brandon Music
• North Branch Vineyards at Liza Myers Gallery
• Eden Ice Cider at Park Street Gallery  

JUST FOR FUN:  

•  Visit with the Alpacas at Maple View Farm Alpacas
• "Brandon Roadshow" at Antiques By The Falls - Verbal appraisals

SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES: 

• Brandon House Antiques  
• Carr's Florist & Gifts
• Park Street Gallery
• Shapiro's Dept. Store
• 4 Conant Interiors

STAY:  

• Lilac Inn
• Inn on Park Street
• 12 Franklin Street
• Rosebelle's Victorian Inn
• Brandon Inn
• Gazebo Inn

Thanks to the Vermont Wine & Grape Council and

Heritage Family Credit Union for helping to sponsor this event. 

Art in the Snow 2011 offers an opportunity to experience Brandon, Vermont in a whole new way. Brandon's Art in the Snow is for life-long learners and the curious. 

Follow this link for a list of weekend offering and event sponsors 

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES

Please feel free to forward the information to your friends and family. Contact the Chamber if you have any questions.

www.artinthesnow.com 

Wine Tastings Friday, Feb. 11 and Friday, March 4

Also featuring three different ways to celebrate Valentine's Day with a romantic Dinner at Cafe Provence, or a calm evening at home by the fire with our a take-out dinner for two, or a romantic Sunday Brunch at Cafe. 

New England Maple Museum Opening for Season:

Training to Excel - Attractive lower tuition for next pre-scheduled ServSafe® certification sessions with examination on Feb. 22and March 29. Classroom location is Brandon Library. Call regarding details at 802.247.0098 

DISCOVERING HAWK HILL: WALKS & TALKS SERIES 

SAVE THE DATES for Saturday morning walks at Hawk Hill -- the ridge behind Otter Valley Union High School --  this winter and spring.  The Hawk Hill Committee, who maintains the property, and the Staying Connected Initiative, a group with the goal of spreading awareness about a local wildlife corridor, are co-sponsoring this free series.  Except for the bird walk, which begins at 8:00am, the walks begin at 10:00am and last approximately 2 hours.  Families are welcome. For all walks, please meet at the far end of the Otter Valley High School parking lot.  Please visit www.stayingconnectedgrnsadks.wordpress.com for additional information.  With questions, please email monica.erhart@gmail.com or call 446-7030.

TRACKS AND WILDLIFE ON THE HILL February 26

Did you know that Hawk Hill--and much of Rutland County--is part of a wildlife corridor connecting the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks?  Join a few veteran Moosalamoo Center students and Monica Erhart, of the Staying Connected Initiative, to discover some of the wildlife of Hawk Hill.   No dogs, please.

CLUES OF THE FOREST March 26

HAWK HILL HISTORY  APRIL 16

ROCKS, CLIFFS, AND GLACIERS APRIL 30

WINGS ON HAWK HILL  May 21  

DOUGLAS BIRTHPLACE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
 

The Brandon Museum at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace is starting to look for volunteers for the upcoming season. The Museum will be opening to the public in mid-May and will be staffed by Museum Steward John Dilts along with community volunteers.

Extensive knowledge of history and / or Brandon is not required, but a positive attitude and a love of people are essential. Volunteer shifts are  two-and-a-half hours long. John is in need of regular shift workers and substitutes who can help on a less regular schedule.  

The Douglas Birthplace is a fun and exciting attraction in Brandon and a great place for community members and history lovers to get involved. Our 2010 volunteers loved working there and most are eager to begin again. Many worked as a team with someone else (we can pair you up or you can volunteer with someone).  

Contact the Chamber with your questions or interest and we will pass your name along to John. 
 

www.brandon.org

Please take the time to link our website:

www.brandon.org to your website. It will help with search engine optimization for both your business and the Chamber. 

Next Chamber Mixer
 

Thursday, March 17

Joint Mixer At
Carr's Florist & Gifts &

Sheri's Diner

Details Coming!

The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce administers a low-interest revolving loan fund available to businesses for an approved building improvement project. The loan fund was originally established as a way to recognize that each and every improvement to Brandon's built community is important to a revitalized town. This loan has been lent several times in the past and there is $2500 available to be lent at the current time. Please contact the Chamber if you would like more information about this little pot of gold!

BRANDON ROTARY ICE OUT 

Guess the date and time the flag sinks on Belden's Pond (Rt 7 north of town). Look for the snowman later in January who will stop the clock when the flag goes down. Winner's share is 50% of entry fees with the balance going to Rotary to support Rotary projects locally and internationally. $1 per entry or 6 for $5. Enter as often as you wish. Predict the date, hour and minute, am or pm, that the flag will sink. Winner is the one closest to the actual time the flag sinks, ties share the prize. Click here or on the snowman for an entry form.