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BRANDON MEMORY TREE
 Donations are now being accepted in memory of your loved ones to help light Brandon's Memory Tree. Each bulb costs $1 and names will be printed in the local newspaper. Please send a check made out to Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) and mail to BACC, PO Box 267, Brandon VT 05733. Names may also be dropped off at Carr's Florist & Gifts and The Inside Scoop. Make sure to include your name and phone number and the name(s) of loved ones. Deadline is November 25, 2011. Memory Tree Lighting and Singing is November 27 beginning at 3:30 pm in Central Park.
A form is at the bottom of this newsletter. |
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EXCITING HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION
The Chamber-sponsored health insurance plan through VACE, has announced tremendous news for 2012. The Chamber, in conjunction with Holden Financial Agency, will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, November 15 at 7:00 pm at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace to talk about this plan. The meeting is open to all Chamber members and members of the community interested in this insurance plan. Here are highlights of the changes:
- NO RATE INCREASE IN 2012
- Change in carrier from Cigna to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (a Vermont company)
- Ease of transition - No enrollment paperwork
- Access to the expansive Blue Card national network of providers
- New benefit additions include: annual vision exam, new wellness drug rider, no limitations on home health or skilled nursing, and no co-pays on in- and out-patient services.
- Lower out-of-pocket maximum on the $2500 plan
- Full H.S.A. compatibility on the $2000 plan
- If you had been on the VACE Cigna plan and dropped it within the past 18 months, VACE is waiving the 18-month re-enrollment clause through February 28, 2012
For more information, contact the Chamber. |
CHAMBER DUES 2012
In November, the Chamber will begin billing membership dues for 2012. With the changing economy, the Chamber's financial position relies heavily on each and every membership. The Board of Directors has voted a very small dues increase for 2012 to help keep the organization financially healthy and stable.
Members will be able to pay their dues by sending in a check or by PayPal (credit card). If you would like to keep your membership but are struggling with the dues amount, please contact us. As always, if you believe in the programs, activities, and projects of the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, please support us with your membership. |
BRANDON T-SHIRTS - All sizes are back in stock
YOUTH SIZES - $12 ~ ADULT SIZES - $15
Great-looking Brandon commemorative T-shirts with the Chamber's popular logo on the front are available for sale at the Brandon Inn. Sizes Youth to XL. Shirts available with and without the "250th" commemorative line and in stonewashed blue and stonewashed green. These shirts have been very popular and make great gifts! To see more info on the shirts, click here.
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HOLIDAY DECORATING / LIGHTING CONTEST
 The Brandon Chamber is sponsoring a Holiday Lighting Contest this year and there will be both residential and commercial categories. Pull out your Santas, sleds, reindeer, wreaths - and don't forget the lights! Judging will take place sometime after December 2, 2011 so please make sure all your decorations are in place by then.
For residential displays, you MUST register in order to qualify to win. Please call 247-6401 (leave a clear message with your name, phone number and address) or send an email to: info@brandon.org and write HOLIDAY DECORATIONS in the subject line and write your name, phone number and address.
Commercial addresses will be judged in a separate category and do not have to enter. The judges will find you (if you have a remote location, you might want to contact us just to make sure!)
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| CHURCH & COMMUNITY SUPPERS
Spaghetti:
Friends of Otter Valley Music Annual Spaghetti Dinner
at the Brandon Inn ~ Tuesday, November 1
There are two seatings, 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm
And a preview of the OVUHS fall musical: The Sound of Music
Roast Pork:
St Mary's Church
Saturday, Nov 5 from 5 -7pm
Roast Pork, potatoes, squash, coleslaw and PIES!
$9.00 for adults; $5.00 for children under 12
For reservations, call Terry at 247-3677 or Carolyn at 345-8762
Turkey: Methodist Church The Turkey Supper is Nov. 12 at the Brandon United Methodist Church from 5 to 7. Turkey with all the fixings including dessert. $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12. FREE to children under 6.
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NESHOBE PTO HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA
The Neshobe PTO invites crafters, vendors, and local businesses to participate in the second Holiday Extravaganza! The event is Saturday, November 19th from Noon to 4 pm at Neshobe School. Holiday shoppers can enjoy delicious food, door prizes, silent auction, kid's activities and a nice selection of local, unique gifts. Last year was very successful and had a wide variety of vendors. It is an excellent opportunity to promote your business at a local community event. For more information or to reserve a table, please contact Hazel Wood at hazel.wood@hostplanet.us or go to www.neshobepto.com.
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CAFE PROVENCE UPCOMING COOKING & BAKING CLASSES
and
CENTER STREET BAR UPCOMING EVENTS
Cafe Provence:
Monday October 31st - 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Get ready for your Thanksgiving Dinner
Monday November 7th - 2:30 PM to 5:00 PMLearn the Best from our Pastry Chef!
Monday November 28th - 5:30 PM to 8:00 PMCafe Provence Chicken Favorites Monday December 12th - 5:30 PM 8:00 PM Learn how to Make the Best Soufflé Every Way! Monday December 19th - 2:30 PM 5:00 PMLearn How to make some of the best Café Provence Hors d'oeuvres Monday December 26th - 5:30 PM 8:00 PM Braised Signature Items from Café Provence Center Street Bar: November 5th: Feral Godmother: Hailed as "South Central Vermont's second or third most powerful garage band" November 12th: Karaoke night with Cowboy Steve: The best DJ in town is back!
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NOVEMBER FOLK AND TRADITIONAL MUSIC SERIES
at Brandon Music
Brandon Music will be hosting a series of concerts by Vermont bands on the three Sunday afternoons in November preceding Thanksgiving. These will be from 2 to 4 PM and will be free to the public. Donations are suggested and welcome.
The first, appearing on November 6th, will be Bread and Bones, featuring Richard Ruane of Ripton on vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo and ukulele; Beth Duquette of Lincoln on vocals and Mitch Barron of Hinesburg on vocals and fretless, fretted and upright basses. Bread and Bones performs original songs with a strong influence of Celtic, British and American traditional music. They've been described as "full of finesse and creativity", "crisp and confident", with "gorgeous harmonies, captivating lyrics" and "excellent melodies". Their CD,"I Know Stories", was named Vermont's Best Traditional Album of 2008!
The second on November 13th is Possum Haw, a dynamic, original, authentic bluegrass and folk quintet from Burlington, Vermont. Originally formed in 2004, the band has evolved to combine award-winning, evocative songwriting and singing with top-notch bluegrass instrumentation. Colby Crehan, lead vocalist, was named Vermont Vocalist of the Year in 2010. On the stage, PossumHaw offers a genuine, energetic, and highly entertaining performance without gimmickry. They have produced three full-length albums and have appeared at various venues throughout Vermont and Massachusetts.
The third, and last, on November 20th is The Salt River Revue, comprised of members of The Saltash Serenaders and The Cold River Band. Separately and together, they have been playing for concerts and contra dances around Vermont for the past 30 years. Appearing will be Steve Spensley on fiddle, guitar, and vocals, Vickie Arthur on guitar, bass and vocals, Paul Sgalia on mandolin, guitar,bass, and vocals and Marcos Levy on guitar and vocals. They are donating proceeds received to Brandon's flood relief efforts.
Brandon Music - Vermont's Classical Music Haven - is at 62 Country Club Road, opposite Neshobe Golf Club on Rte 73E. Brandon Music hosts the Divine Art CD Store, The Tea Room & Music Café, the Phonograph Room, The Gallery featuring an exhibition of work by Warren Kimble, and a gift shop selling vintage English china and other collectibles. More information is available at www.brandonmusicvt.com. For more information call Linda Banta at 802 465 4071 or linda@brandon-music.net
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SPECIAL AD CAMPAIGN
LAKES REGION FISHING TV SHOW
Lakes Region Fishing TV show is a Vermont based fishing show that promotes vacation destination and local attractions for the whole family and not just the fisherman.
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THIS WEEKEND IN BRANDON
Join the Brandon Police Department in an Open House at their new station. The station will be open from 1 - 4 pm on Saturday, October 29. 301 Forest Dale Rd. |
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MOONLIGHT MADNESS
BUSINESSES:
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN MOONLIGHT MADNESS?
If you did not receive an email from the Chamber regarding Moonlight Madness and would like to know more, please call us at 247-6401 or send an email: info@brandon.org
Moonlight Madness dates for 2011 are:
- Thursday, Dec. 1 and
- Wednesday, Dec. 14
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| ART IN THE SNOW
FEB. 18-19, 2012
Would you like to be  a part of planning Brandon's most exciting winter event? Art in the Snow will be taking place during President's Day Weekend in 2012 and planning is underway now.
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 8:30 am in the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace meeting room. Contact the Chamber for more info or stop by the meeting.
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THE BRAND-AID FUND: $22,500 has been sent. Thanks to all of you! DONATIONS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED AND MORE FUNDS WILL BE SENT TO BUSINESSES. It's not over!
DONATE NOW
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REFLECTIONS OF BRANDON MIRRORS
SILENT AUCTION
at the
BRANDON LIBRARY
The Brandon / Forest Dale Lions Club thanks the Friends of the Brandon Town Hall for the use of the building for the "Reflections of Brandon" mirror event on October 1, 2011. Unfortunately, due to very cold and wet weather, the event was temporarily cancelled.
The "Reflections of Brandon" mirrors will be on display at the Brandon Library through the month of October, Briggs Carriage Bookstore in November and at Neshobe School in December and January. People will have a chance to bid by placing a silent bid in a box. Each mirror is numbered, a bid sheet will be available to place your name and phone number along with your bid for the mirror that you wish to bid on. There is a minimum bid of $40.00 on each mirror. All bidders will be notified a week before the live auction to confirm their bids.
Mirrors will be on display in different areas in town and be auctioned off at the "Taste of Vermont" event in February 2012 at the Brandon Inn.
All proceeds will go to the Renovation of the Brandon Town Hall Fundraising and the Brandon Boys & Girls Club.
A big thank you to all of the artists that donated their talent on the beautiful mirror frames; to Desabrais Glass and Dolores Furnari for helping with the mirrors; to New England Woodcraft for making and donating the frames; to Past International Director, Tom Broughton who volunteered his time to auction beautiful fall decorated wreaths made by the Otter LEO's and the Brandon Boys & Girls Club. We also wish to thank the Brandon Rotary for kindly donating some yummy looking apple pies for the event.
COME LOOK, COME BID; BRING HOME A PIECE OF "REFLECTIONS OF BRANDON"
Sincerely,
Brandon / Forest Dale
Lions Club
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NEW ENGLAND
MAPLE MUSEUM
Now thru October 31: Halloween & Fall Celebration.
The maple sugaring story takes on a new twist, as the exhibits turn into a colorful array of autumn colors celebrating the harvest. Decorations demonstrate the Vermont tradition of scaring off "evil" spirits during this wonderful time of year. 8:30AM- 5:30 PM daily, (802) 483-9414. 4578 Rte 7 in Pittsford.
info@maplemuseum.com. |
MAPLE VIEW FARM ALPACAS HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE will host its ninth annual holiday open house on November 26 and 27. Guests are invited to learn about alpacas, raised for breeding as well as their luxurious fiber. See carding and spinning demonstrations. Then browse the farm store for great holiday gifts made from luxurious alpaca.
 Dates: Nov. 26 - 27, 2011 Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Directions: From US Rte. 7, north of Brandon, turn west onto Arnold District Rd. Continue 1.1 miles, then left onto Adams Rd. House is at the end of the road; barns are behind the house and not visible from driveway.
Contact: Deb Bratton. Email: mvfalpacas@earthlink.net
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HAPPY 250th BIRTHDAY BRANDON
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NEXT CHAMBER MEETING
The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce will next meet on Monday, November 21 at 6:30 pm in The Cliver Room at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace.
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CONTACT INFO
| Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 267
Brandon VT 05733
802-247-6401
info@brandon.org
www.brandon.org
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