Nov. Banner 2011
Cohase Chamber of Commerce
Serving Bradford and Newbury in Vermont, Piermont and Haverhill in New Hampshire
 Newsletter  NOVEMBER 2011


Create a Link to the Chamber
Why not place a link on your website to the Cohase Chamber of Commerce? While you're at it, share this newsletter with someone you think will be interested. Both are great ways to help us spread the word .
Ice Storm in Corinth, VT



Quick Links

Cohase Website

Become a member

Local Events

Historic Tour

Area Directory




"Link of the Month"   Bradford Merchants Association Facebook Page


"Event of the Month"
Bradford Winter Market

The Bradford Farmers' Market will be moving to the Bradford Elementary School for the winter. They will hold the market the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, November through May.

 

 

 

 

 

ECONOMIC SUMMIT DINNER 

Dec 7th

by invitation only

RSVP by Nov. 30th 

 

 

ANNUAL MEETING AND DINNER

January 23rd, 2012  

Lake Morey Resort

$20 per plate.

 Cash Bar. 

 
Membership Applications To Be Mailed Out Soon:

November kicks off our
Annual Membership Renewal
and
New Membership Drive
at the
Cohase Chamber of Commerce.

 

Whether you have been a long time member or just joined last year, we want to thank you for your membership.  We hope that you agree that the chamber is working hard to promote a more vital community to work and live in for our entire region.  

 

To show our appreciation, the Cohase Chamber is committed to holding membership dues at last year's level. Also, for new members who join the chamber in November or December, you will be recognized as a member for the remainder of this calendar year, as well as for the entire year of 2012.  In other words, November and December are included in the cost of membership for the year 2012 if you sign up before December 31st.

 

We are hopeful that this year's membership drive will be as successful as last year's drive. You can help us.  If you are aware of a business that is considering joining the chamber, please let us know so that we can contact them and provide the information that they will need to join.

 

    
free membership
ONE FREE YEARS MEMBERSHIP TO NEW BUSINESSES AND BUSINESS OWNERS:


We want you to experience the benefits of belonging to the Cohase Chamber of Commerce.  We are betting that once you do, you will renew your membership in future years.  So here is our offer!

New Business Membership offer Effective Nov 1st, 2011: 

The Cohase Chamber of Commerce extends an offer of one free year of membership if your business meets one of these criteria:
  • Currently not a member of the Cohase Chamber of Commerce and began your business within the last year.
  • Currently not a member of the Cohase Chamber of Commerce and you became a new owner of an existing business purchased within the last year.  
To take advantage of this offer, please fill out a membership form available online at the website, and tell us that you meet one of the above criteria.  We look forward to welcoming you.

The Chamber will continue its current policy to offer the last two months of any calendar year free to any business, (new or old), that becomes a member after October 31st of each year. 

The Board of Directors. 

WineBuilding the Local Economy: 

Ariana's Restaurant


Chef Martin Murphy brings a new culinary experience to the Lower Cohase area at Ariana's Restaurant. He has recently leased the restaurant space created by Chris and Bruce Balch, owners of Bunten Farm, in Orford, NH. While Martin now gets to run his own business and create his own cuisine, Chris and Bruce contribute a wonderful array of cheeses from their herd of Devon cows.

 

Hearing great things about Ariana's, we headed over to check it out. The menu features many "small plate" options, pasta selections, and full entr�es. There are also a few choices from the Comfort Corner with different home cooked favorites. Offering selections from Seafood Stew and Wild Rice Salad, to Steak Bavette and Veal Cassoulet, there is plenty of variety. Along with family friendly options and daily specials, you'll find something for everyone.

 

The atmosphere at Ariana's is equally comfortable whether you are looking for a casual night out or a special occasion. The wine list offers a nice selection of glasses and bottles, and the sodas are all natural without high fructose corn syrup. Our waitress helped us pick out just the right wine to complement our meal.

 

For dessert, we opted for a Bunten Farm cheese plate that was paired with treats to bring out the flavors. This inspired us to visit the cheese shop right next to the restaurant and we came home with feta, farm cheese and yogurt that have contributed to our own treats here at home.

 

Martin's culinary passion includes using "fresh, seasonal, high quality ingredients...working closely with farms from the local valley for much of my vegetables, dairy and meats." With 30 years of restaurant experience, Martin is clearly adept at transforming the local harvest to a gastronomical delight.

 

Lora Nielsen 

 

1322 NH Route 10
Orford, NH 03777
603.353.4405


Photos of Last years Award Recipients


Call for Nominations!
 


Nominations are now being accepted for the Chamber's "Annual Awards".

You must be a chamber member to make a nomination for Business of the Year and/or Cohase Citizens of the Year.  

 

Nominations will be accepted untill December 1st, 2011.  There is no limit to the number of nominations you can make.  All nominations will be judged by a panel consisting of the three previous award recipients plus two Chamber Board members.   

 

The eligibility criteria are as follows:

 

Business of the Year 

A.  Member of Cohase Chamber

B.  Not a previous BoY recipient

C.  In operation for more than 1 year

D.  Charitable works in the community

E.  Innovativeness and creativity

F.  Environmental  consciousness

G.  Employee friendly 

 

Cohase Citizen of the Year

A.  Resident of Chamber region

B.  Over 18 years of age

C.  Demonstrates community/volunteer spirit

D.  Charitability

E.  Community impact

F.  Inspirational Leadership

G.  Not a previous CSY recipient 

 

Submit your nominations to Mark Nielsen

[email protected]  
 
Ice Storm in Corinth, VT

Musings on our community:

New Health Care and Dental Rates set for 2012. 

 

For Vermont members, the Health Care Insurance rates offered through VACE and the Cohase Chamber of Commerce for 2012 have been set, approved and published.  (RATE SHEET)  The good news is that this agreement is an unprecedented two-year agreement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) to provide health insurance coverage to businesses insured through the VACE program beginning on January 1, 2012. The agreement provides VACE members with the benefits of coverage currently in place through the state's only locally-based health insurer. Most importantly, it assures protection from premium increases, maintaining current premium levels for another full year and limiting increases in 2013.  

 

Until the end of 2011, VACE will continue to use CIGNA as its provider for all enrolled Chamber members.  After that, if you are currently enrolled in this program you will be automatically rolled into the new program and your insurance carrier will become Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont.   

 

We are waiving the 18-month rule for VACE starting on 1/1/12 and until 2/28/12. This means that any group who has cancelled in the last 18 months may rejoin effective 1/1/12, and this waiver will be in effect through the end of February.  

 

The VACE Board selected BCBSVT after an extensive review of the options available to small businesses in Vermont and unanimously agreed that BCBSVT's commitment to service, its medical cost management strategies, and its ability to assure rate stability to VACE members, offered the best possible coverage. VACE Insurance and BCBSVT are extremely proud of the premium protection afforded by this agreement for small businesses.

 

Highlights of the VACE Insurance/Blue Cross Blue Shield Agreement

  • A two-year agreement that will provide price stability and minimize anxiety over health insurance rates through 2013.
  • A strong financial performance guarantee to assure the highest levels of service to VACE and its members.
  • No significant changes in benefits or plan requirements and continued multiple plan selection within each company.
  • Coverage though Vermont's only local health insurer, keeping VACE's administrative expense spending within the state and supporting VT jobs.
  • Ease of transition: No forms to complete, no paperwork to sign, no application. As of 1/1/2012, you're in. It's just that simple!

 The VACE Board and staff are working with BCBSVT to ensure an efficient and seamless transition.  Updated enrollment forms and eligibility information will be posted on the vaceinsurance.com  

 

We are also happy to report that our renewal with Delta Dental has been finalized, and there will be no increase in rates for either 2012 or 2013. The 2011 rates will remain the same, with all current benefits in place!

 

I will keep you posted as we get more information!

Sincerely,

Mark Nielsen, Executive Director 

Lower Cohase Regional Chamber of Commerce  


 


Our Mission: 
The Lower Cohase Regional Chamber of Commerce is committed to fostering a vibrant economic climate by encouraging cooperation and communication among the region's communities, while ensuring a high quality of life.
Cohase Chamber of Commerce
www.cohase.org
[email protected]
(802) 757-2549
Mark Nielsen, Executive Director
Chamber Logo