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MAY 2013
Chamber & Community News |
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CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP MIXER
THURSDAY, MAY 16
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Great Hors'Douvres ~ Cash Bar
Bring Your Employees and Business Associates
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CHAMBER MEMBERS DON'T FORGET
A great member benefit of the Brandon Chamber: Not just a free listing or link from our website to yours but an entire page dedicated to your business. More and more members are taking advantage of this benefit and so should you! Send a paragraph or two and up to four photos. If you need ideas, take some time and look through the entire website or cut right to our Members page. Send your corrections, photos and blurb to: info@brandon.org.
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HEALTH INSURANCE CHANGES ARE COMING TO VERMONTERS JANUARY 1, 2014. DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO?
The Vermont Association of Chamber Executives will be building a fact sheet about the Vermont Health Care Exchange. Do you have questions you would like answered? Please send any questions directly to Darcie at director@nekchamber.com. Once compiled, we will get the FAQ sheet out to everyone.
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MAY CHAMBER MEETING
The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will be meeting off-site in May. Our next meeting open to the public and members will be Monday, June 17, 2013 at 6:30 pm in the Cliver Room at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace.
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CHAMBER SUMMER CONCERT LINE-UP ANNOUNCED
We like local: Local restaurants, local stores, local agriculture and LOCAL MUSIC. With great thanks to our Summer Concert sponsors: Lake Sunapee Bank, Casella, Omya, Inc., and Neshobe Golf Course, we are pleased to bring the Brandon community a summer of BRANDON-BASED-BANDS:
∙ June 28 - Feral Godmother at Neshobe Golf Course
All others in Central Park:
July 19 - Keating 5 August 2 (night before Yard Sale Day) Ten Rod Road
August 14 - Jubilee Jazz Band
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Free Screening of Award Winning Lyme Movie
 Friday May 17th at 7pm in the Brandon Town Hall The award winning Lyme disease documentary, Under Our Skin, will be shown on May 17, 2013 at 7 pm in the Brandon Town Hall, compliments of local Lyme disease advocates. Admission is free and plenty of seats are available.
Lyme disease is one of the most misunderstood and controversial illnesses of our time. The exploding epidemic has already claimed many victims across the state, with Vermont having the 2nd highest rate of infection in the nation.
Come learn about this growing epidemic so you can protect your family and loved ones from this debilitating disease. Doors open at 6:30pm and the movie begins at 7pm. The film will be projected on a large screen. Not suitable for children.
"Head-spinning...riveting...a rigorously researched and highly thorough piece of investigative reporting." - Lauren Wissot, Slant Magazine Watch the Trailer for Under Our Skin
Described as the "next tsunami" by experienced front-line physicians treating countless numbers of chronically ill and disabled patients, but also being reported to be nothing more than an "easy to diagnose" and "easy to treat" disease by a handful of self-proclaimed experts promoting "cost effective" treatment, Lyme disease is no doubt a national health crisis threatening the health and welfare of millions.
Filmed across the country, Under Our Skin takes a close look at the science and politics behind the growing epidemic. It exposes some of the doctors and researchers who have been linked directly to the controversy and reveals the ostracizing and harsh punishment bestowed on the few researchers and physicians risking their licenses to save lives; those who continue to bravely step out of the proverbial box in an effort to follow their oath to "first do no harm".
A forest ranger, major league baseball player, recently married couple, pregnant mother and a rock band crew member are some of the adults whose struggles with Lyme are featured on the big screen. The heartbreak and devastation caused by this illness, however, can best be seen in the eyes of the children who were denied treatment and deteriorated to the point of being unable to speak, walk, play or attend school, as their parents watched in horror during the unfolding of this shameful medical nightmare.
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BRANDON TOWN HALL NEWS
Opening day was Friday, May 3 at the Brandon Town Hall and we have already hosted a number of successful events.
Board members and volunteers pitched in several weeks ago for the annual clean up day. The main hall's floor was stripped and new layers of wax were applied. The floor is sparkling!
The Hall's roof will receive a $5,000 repair to its northwest chimney area in the upcoming weeks. A leak had formed there and some of the timbers are rotting. Thanks to your donations last fall we were able to pay for this repair.
Because of your donations during our annual fundraising campaign, we will be able to pay our bi-annual payment to the Town of Brandon Revolving loan of $6,800. It is our hope that the loan will be paid down well ahead of the three year loan so that we may resume our continued building improvements.
The Friends of the Town Hall will be running a "Baskets & More" raffle as a fund raiser for the hall throughout the season. "Baskets & More" will be on display all season and patrons can purchase raffle tickets at any of the events. Winners will be chosen at the end of each month for specific items. There are over 25 Baskets, gift certificates and special items in the raffle. Hope to see everyone at these great events. The Brandon Town Hall will be open on Monday, May 27, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for tours of the building.
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VERMONT OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND
May 25 & 26; 10 AM to 5 PM
Once again Brandon is the ideal place to tour the 21st Vermont Open Studio Weekend, due to the heavy concentration of studios in town open to the public. The Vermont Crafts Council (VCC) maps are already available at the Brandon Artists Guild (BAG), a designated site on the map.
Patty Sgrecci, whose colorfully refreshing kinetic art is featured at the BAG this month, will receive her visitors at that location.
Nine other BAG artist members can be found in their own studios: Mike Mayone, Susan Smith-Hunter, Warren Kimble, Judith Reilly, Kathy Malillo, Karen Deets, Stacey Stanhope, Stacie Mincher, and Althea Bilodeau. Of these, ceramic sculptor Smith-Hunter, painter Warren Kimble, and fabric artist Judith Reilly are located in Brandon proper, while the other locations can be found on the VCC's terrific map.
Also in Brandon (again, please see the VCC map) are these following non-Bag artists: photographers Don Ross and Caleb Kenna, weaver Lee Greenwalt, stained-glass artist Laura Rideout, and painter/sculptor Joan Curtis.
Visitors cannot help but be enticed by the convenience of ten artist studios within walking distance in the charming village of Brandon, in the midst of exciting shops and restaurants.
Two hundred and forty-two artists participate in this statewide event. Look for the bright yellow signs as you drive around!
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ANNUAL STUDENT ART SHOW
This is our current exhibit featuring artwork by local area K-8 students.
K-8 is displayed at the Chaffee Art Center on 16 South Main Street. 9-12 is displayed at Chaffee Downtown on 75 Merchants Row.
This fun and creative show filled with budding artists is a must see for all ages.
Both locations will be open during Vermont Open Studio Weekend, May 25th & 26th.
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Another Thai Evening at Center Street Bar with Chef Dao Toner
Tuesday May 28th, 5pm-9pm
Chef Dao Toner will be serving "Laag-Nhaa", a mild Thai pork and vegetables stew served over rice noodles.
Mark your calendars!
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THE HARVEST PROGRAM
To our Friends in our community
For thirteen years the Harvest Program has been serving our local youth, providing educational activities that instill in them a sense of pride, compassion and purpose. Through these activities, Harvest youth have continually made significant and meaningful contributions to their surrounding communities. Those communities have reciprocated that giving and their support for Harvest has increased each year.
In 2010, we were challenged with budget decisions by RNESU that meant the end of Harvest. Our loyal community rose in support for our youth and our program. Even though the Board voted to fully reinstate our funding, in 2011 our budget was cut dramatically. We then worked to restructure, and with the help of major grants have been able to continue to provide Harvest for its traditional population of students during school hours, as well as serving many more youth through after school and summer sessions. Our after school and summer sessions have been fully attended and successful, though we have been disappointed and discouraged in our collaboration with the program serving our traditional population of youth.
It is with a heavy heart that I write to inform you of our uncertain future. Once again, we are facing major cuts from RNESU; so major that even with our established base of support from contributions, grants and farm revenue we will not be able to continue our current services. We will try to continue our community service projects through the month of May. Since receiving notice of the cuts in late February, we have been working hard to find alternative and sustainable support from other resources to be able to continue Harvest after the end of this school year.
We are truly fortunate and extremely grateful for all of our community's support over the last thirteen years. It has made a great amount of good happen for our youth.
With sincere gratitude,
Anne Young, Foxcroft Farm Harvest Program
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VERMONT KITCHEN SUPPLY
Are you getting married? Come and register with us.We can make it easy for you.
We know how busy you are planning for your special day. We are happy to have you come in and talk to Pam or Susan. They will answer any questions you might have.They will enter your registry on our web page and keep it up to date so that you do not receive duplicates.We are happy to wrap gifts and deliver them with in a 10 mile radius.
We are now open 7 days a week.Monday through Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and Sundays 12:00 P.M. to 5:00.
Please call 465-8063 and we will be here to assist you.
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COMPASS MUSIC AND ARTS CENTER
NOW LEASING SPACES
Compass Music and Arts Center (CMAC) is now leasing art studio suites, retail spaces, and general purpose areas, primarily focused on arts and music related activities but also suitable as offices and a variety of other uses. The art studios are almost 700sq. ft and include an adjacent gallery space, slop sinks and storage. Retail and general use spaces vary in size from 143sq. ft. to 325sq. ft.
Work is ongoing while the 52,000 sq. ft. building is renovated in phases. CMAC will begin presenting exhibits and offering programming and performances this summer and fall. Rental units will be available in June.
Contact Edna Sutton at 802-465-4071 or by email for more information. Or see our website.
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Brandon Music Presents the Caswell Sisters
Concert on May 16 will feature NYC Sibling Duo with Boston Rhythm Section
Brandon Music's partnership with NH Jazz continues with the Caswell Sisters on Thursday, May 16at 7:30pm.The riveting performances of the Caswell Sisters, vocalist Rachel and violinist Sara, are the culmination of years of working together. Their seamless sound combined with their unique interpretation of repertoire ranging from the "Great American Songbook" to contemporary jazz, including their own compositions, is propelled by arresting improvisation.
Rachel and Sara co-lead the Caswell Sisters Quintet and have made such notable appearances as a weeklong After-Hours engagement at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City and an enthusiastically-received set on the opening night concert of the inaugural 2010 Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference in St. Louis. Their debut album, Alive in the Singing Air, featuring jazz pianist Fred Hersch will be released in early 2013 on Turtle Ridge Records.
The Caswell Sisters have given concerts nationwide and continue to provide audiences with electrifying performances through their unique combination of sound and artistry. The jazz series at Brandon Music is coordinated by NH Jazz Presents, a company that produces a five venue concert tour to Brandon, Laconia, Concord, Nashua and Portsmouth. The tour is sponsored by the Margate Resort, David Salzberg, the Saffron Bistro, Heat Pizza, Sanborn's Note-able Sound, the Landmark Inn, Carrie's Eco Spa & Boutique, Brandon Music, Nashua Community Music School, the Press Room, Seacoast Jazz Society, True Brew Barista, and the Brandon Inn. General Admission is $15. A dinner & show package is available for $30. Venue is BYOB. Reservations are encouraged. Call Brandon Music at (802) 465-4071.
Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Road, Brandon, VT. More information can be found at www.brandon-music.net and www.NHJazz.com.
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FROM THE GREATER COMMUNITY:
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NEWS FROM THE BRANDON SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER
New things always happening at the Center - We have Bone Builders at 10:30 and Meals on Wheels at noon on Mon. & Wed. Knitters and card club after lunch to late afternoon Mon., Wed.& Friday. Come by to read a magazine or do a jigsaw puzzle. We also take returnable bottles to help with maintaining the building. Thank you to all who do donate. Community free lunch every Fri. at noon, everyone welcomed. Wt. Watchers every Thurs. at 5. Lions Club every first and third Tues. at 7. Senior Center board meeting every second Mon. at 2 pm. Every third Tues. WIC 8:30-4. Our monthly dinner every second Tues. which will be on May 14 -- it's opened to the public. The May dinner is sponsored by Doug and Sandy Nagy. Having a party? Rent the Center! Call 247-3121 for info. We're not just for seniors.
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HAWK HILL BIRD WALK
Sue Wetmore will be leading a Bird Walk on May 19. Meet at the OVUHS parking lot at 8am.
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SUNDAY ON PARK STREET
The Friends of the Brandon Free Public Library present our second annual "Sunday on Park Street"
A Tour of Park Street Gardens
Sunday, June 23 from 12- 6 pm
Visit a dozen unique outdoor spaces. Demonstrations
A fundraiser for the Library's Capital Campaign
Refreshments will be served, 4 Franklin Street, Brandon
For more information call 802-247-8230
Tickets $25 per person
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Learn the Seven Secrets to Exceptional Customer Service
May 22 business workshop at Ilsley Library explores ways to surpass customer expectations.
Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) is offering an interactive workshop exploring the seven ways to provide "knock your socks off" service with each and every customer interaction. The three-hour course will be offered on Wednesday, May 22, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Ilsley Library Community Room, 75 Main Street, Middlebury.
Customer service is important to an organization because it is often the primary contact a customer has with a company, small business, or non-profit. Two-thirds of U.S. consumers say they are willing to spend more with a business that provides excellent customer service, according to the 2012 American Express Global Customer Service Barometer.
Customer service is also important to an organization because it can be a key differentiator, which helps separate a company from its competitors. Workshop participants will discover ways to:
- make customers feel important and earn customer trust
- transform complaints into valuable customer feedback
- become masters in the art of listening
- outservice competitors
- be aware of how every employee is significant in providing customer service.
The workshop fee is $49.00, and interested participants can register online at www.vtsbdc.org (click on the training tab and choose this workshop) or may call Steve Paddock, 802-728-9101, with any questions.
Space is limited for the event, which is sponsored by Vermont Small Business Development Center and funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and their Portable Assistance Program. The support given by SBA through its funding does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of any of the co-sponsors' or participants' opinions, products or services. VtSBDC provides free advice to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the state.
About the Presenter
Carrie Gendreau was born and raised in Littleton, NH. She currently lives in Littleton with her husband Bill. She is a Dale Carnegie Course Instructor. Carrie is owner and trainer of The Training Connection; an adjunct Professor for 18 years at Granite State College; and owner of Emma & Co. Consignment Boutique, 97B Main Street, Littleton, NH. Carrie has written various articles for national and local publications. She is the contributing author and editor of Wit and Wisdom from the Front Porch and contributing author of Trainer's Warehouse Book of Games.
Steve Paddock
Vermont Small Business Development Center
1590 Rte. 7 S. Ste. 8
Middlebury, VT 05753
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WOVEN WORD NEST
You can own this original painting! Purchase a raffle ticket now!
"Words weave dreams, stories and truths into nests which nurture and inform our hopes and aspirations.
On each paper shred in this fantasy bluebird's nest you will find a quotation from a renowned book: from Dr. Seuss to Mark Twain and Homer (the Greek poet, not Homer Simpson!). From J. R. R. Tolkien and Joseph Conrad, to Thomas Jefferson and many more. The three volumes supporting the nest are Winnie the Pooh, (A. A. Milne) To Kill a Mockingbird, (Harper Lee) and Roots, Shoots and Wings, by Brandon's own Bette Moffett."
This original painting was created by Liza Myers especially to support the Brandon Free Public Library. Every penny of your ticket purchase will be given to the Brandon Library as a contribution to their capital fund. A limited number of tickets (200 total) will be sold for $25 each.
When ALL of the tickets are sold, a winner will be chosen. Buy a ticket here or at the Library, Carr's Florist & Gifts, or The Inside Scoop.
Woven Word Nest, 20 x 16, acrylic on canvas Šliza myers
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FLOWER GIRLS WANTED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Were you ever a "Flower Girl" in the Brandon Memorial Day Parade? One of the first grade girls from the Seminary Hill or Neshobe School wearing a white dress, who marched in the parade and laid flowers at the Civil War Monument? Its been a Brandon tradition for more than 100 years! Looking for girls and women for a Flower Girl Reunion Marching Unit in this year's Independence Day Parade (July 6). Contact Ellen Knapp at Neshobe School if you 247-3721 if you want to march!
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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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