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The devastating fire on Rossiter Street yesterday (8.27.13) destroyed the home of the Mahoney family. As the Chamber learns of fundraisers and ways for people to help, we will keep you posted.
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LEAF PEOPLE COMING TO BRANDON
Summer is winding down. That means Brandon's streets will soon be decked out with Leaf People. Adorning the streets of Brandon for more than a quarter-century, we would venture to say that many people in town have seen their old clothes show up on a Leaf People or two!
While the Leaf People are a favorite of many, the Chamber of Commerce needs many helpers in order to get them on the streets!
Wednesday, September 11 starting at 9:00 am, volunteers are needed to spruce up the town's Leaf People crew.
Following the spruce up, we have a need for volunteers to help with The Hanging! Just let us know if you'd like to help and we will schedule this around your availability.
Saturday October 5 is HarvestFest where we open the event to the public.
NEEDED: Local non-profit organizations interested in vending in Central Park. The event is from 10 am - 2 pm.
Send along an email to info@brandon.org or give us a call at 247-6401 if you can help or if your organization would like to vend in the Park.
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Christy and Susan are busying re-dressing Leaf People last year, getting them ready for the streets of Brandon!
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CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Chamber Board recently elected Catherine Wall of National Bank of Middlebury to the Board of Directors to fill out the rest of a term that was left vacant. There are 15 members of the Chamber Board who meet monthly and help shape the organization.
The Chamber's next meeting will take place on Monday, September 16, 2013 at 6:30 pm at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace. Meetings are open to the general membership and the public.
For more information about the Chamber, please visit www.brandon.org or contact us.
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THINKING AHEAD
MEMORY TREE LIGHTING & FESTIVITIES:
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
MOONLIGHT MADNESS in BRANDON:
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
and
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
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VERMONT HEALTH CONNECT
For most Vermonters, purchasing health insurance is about to change from how we have done it in the past. The Brandon Chamber is sponsoring an information session (details below) to help start making decisions. The session is geared toward small businesses but individuals who will be purchasing through the Exchange will also find helpful information. 
Learn More About Health Care Reform and
Vermont Health Connect
As the statewide Navigator Organization for the small business community, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce is here to help. Join us for an informational forum for small businesses, cohosted with the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce. Here we will share the most current information on healthcare reform and your health insurance purchasing options starting on October, 1, 2013. As certified Navigators, the Vermont Chamber can help you learn more about Vermont Health Connect, assess which options are best for you, and assist you and your employees throughout the enrollment process. This is a great opportunity to get all of your healthcare questions answered! Click here to register Join us in Brandon: Wednesday,September 18th 6:30 pm to 7:30pmBrandon Town Hall 1 Conant St. Brandon, VT 05733 |
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BRANDON GREEN OR BRANDON BUCKS
NEW SIZE AND NEW DENOMINATION
A Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce membership benefit is accepting Brandon Green aka Brandon Bucks. Over the years, the Chamber has put tens of thousands of dollars back into the Brandon economy with the sale of this local currency.
Due to popular request, we have changed the certificate for the first time since we started them -- almost 20 years ago. First of all, we shrunk the size of the certificate to better fit in cash registers. They are now 7-1/2" across and 2-5/8" in height. Also, we have added a new denomination. $5 certificates are still the same green color. There is now a $25 gold certificate, printed on the same "check" safety paper but in a goldenrod color.
Certificates are available for purchase at the Park Street branch of Lake Sunapee Bank. Contact the Chamber if you have questions.
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The colors didn't photograph well! The $25 certificates are goldenrod in color. The $5 certificates remain the same green as always.
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Do you enjoy receiving the e-newsletters from the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce? Its easy to sign up your co-workers, friends, and family members who are not currently receiving it.
Just click here
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From Lindy Brown at REFLOXOLOGY FOR THE SOLE:
Reflexology For The Sole will be closing in Brandon on August 30th. I am moving closer to our 4 kids and our grandchild ( and two more by Nov). It was a difficult decision but one we need to do. If you want one more session, call 282-3538! Thank you to the clients who supported me over the past few years!
Lindy Brown, Reflexology For The Sole
802-282-3538 ~ www.vermontreflexology.com
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NESHOBE GOLF CLUB'S GUEST CHEF NIGHT
FRIDAY, August 30, 6 - 8 p.m.
The Chefs for this Friday's special dinner is our own Larry Houseal and his special guest assistant, Guy Baker. They are planning to amaze the masses with this week's very special menu. If you've never attended one of Neshobe's Friday night meals, this may be the one that will have you eager for the next one. The cost is $15.00 per person. Reservations appreciated!
JUST LOOK AT THIS SPREAD: Schnitzel, Broccoli, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Tossed Salad and Rolls, Butterscotch Pudding with Oatmeal Cookies
Call your friends and invite them along. Make a reservation. Come early for a cocktail (or two). Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! DON'T MISS OUT - RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW! 802-247-3611
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NEWS FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE
BRANDON TOWN HALL
Friday, August 30 at 7:00 p.m.
"Forks Over Knives" The film also provides an overview of the 20-year China-Cornell-Oxford Project that led to Professor Campbell's findings, outlined in his book, The China Study (2005) in which he suggests that coronary disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer can be linked to the Western diet of processed and animal-based foods (including all dairy products).
Rescheduled to September 6: at 7:30 p.m.
Director Jay Craven presents his new film Northern Borders. This is part of Craven's 100 town tour of northern New England this summer. The movie takes place in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and is a humorous and sometimes startling coming-of-age story. Tickets are: $12 for adults, $6 for student under 18. $10 for seniors 65 and older, and a special family four-pack (2 adults and 2 children under 18) for $25. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Adults and Seniors who purchase their tickets in advance, can save $2.00 each ticket.
As always we look forward to seeing you at the Town Hall. If you have any questions or would like help please contact us at info@brandontownhall.org and visit our website at www.brandontownhall.org
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Brandon Artists Guild Show and Opening:
Renditions of Folk Art
Pottery: Stacey Stanhope / Painting: Dolores Furnari
Historic style prevails in the fresh new work of Stacey Stanhope and Dolores Furnari. The po ttery of Stacey Stanhope is expressive of the Vermont rural landscape. She fell in love with Vermont 10 years ago while visiting her grandparents farm. It so dramatically influenced her style that she decided she had to make it her home. Using a very distinctive artistic style, graphic designs are applied using wax resist and carving, resulting in a wood cut look. It is finished with a salt glaze, a technique over 800 years old. "Ewe Are My Sunshine" is a playful body of work with a focus on farm animals, particularly sheep, and introducing a colorful palette of glazes.
Dolores Furnari paints in the style of the early 1800's itinerant artists. Furnari, a Brandon artist and instructor, brings traditional and unexpected subject matter with authentic style to portraiture, stenciling, and decorative objects. Furnari hopes to raise public awareness of American Folk Art, highly collectible art produced by country artisans with no formal training, but demonstrating a power of observation, technical competence, a sense of design, and a wide range of imaginative vision.
The opening reception is Sept. 6th, 5 to 7pm. The show runs until November 5th. The Brandon Artists Guild is open everyday 10am to 5pm, (802) 247-4956. For more info go to www.brandonartistsguild.com.
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Vermont Chamber of Commerce Celebrates the 2013 Hospitality Award Winners
Congratulations to this year's "Stand Out" hospitality leader:
Chef Robert Barral, Cafe Provence, Brandon: Chef of the Year
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News from Wood's Market Garden
Wood's FALL CSA
We hate to think about closing for the winter, but it happens every year. Once again, we will extend our season by offering a FALL CSA! The perfect way to keep eating from our farm even after the farm stand has closed.
This year our FALL CSA will begin OCTOBER 10th and run for 6 weeks. You pick up your produce once a week at our farm...it's that simple! READ ALL THE DETAILS and find the sign-up form HERE. 
And...we're happy to say, that by popular demand, we've added a SMALL share size this year. We hope you become a member. Members have been really satisfied with the selection and quality and we love the chance to see folks a little later into the fall. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Have you seen the sunflowers? The flowers we'll harvest for seed later this fall have finally bloomed. Worth a little detour just to see this sight. There is a field on Wood Lane just past our barns and another on McConnell road this year. Bring your camera! They are stunning.
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Compass Music & Arts Center
Launches its Fall/Winter Programming Calendar for 2013-14
The Compass Music and Arts Center (CMAC) announces the beginning of a series of monthly programs based around the  Center's vision to bring a deeper appreciation of music and the literary, performing and visual arts to the people of Vermont and beyond. Over the course of the next several months, CMAC will focus on one "art" form each month by offering performances, readings, demonstrations, exhibits, workshops, and more. These activities are generously sponsored by the Compass Music and Arts Foundation.
September - The program begins in September with a month devoted to Literature and Poetry.
Maiden Vermont & the Curbstone Chorus in a Benefit Concert on September 1st at 3 pm at Compass!
Sunday Sept. 8th from 3:00-5:00pm - Members of the Otter Creek Poetry Society will read and critique poems helping to give insights into the creative process of poetry writing. Everyone is invited to come and engage in this informative yet informal workshop session. Find out too how you can join the society.
Tickets are $3
Sunday Sept. 15th from 3:00-5:00pm - Well known author and poet Paul Christensen PhD will talk about how he became hooked on writing and give readings from recent works including his most recent and highly acclaimed, The Human Condition. Paul is a teacher of writing, having been the coordinator of creative writing at Texas A&M, and is also an award winning writer of short stories and the foremost critic of poetry in the United States. He has been writing remarkable poetry and exploring the nature of language and its power to represent and to distort the world as we know it for thirty years. In 1991 he was given a fellowship in poetry from the National Endowment for the Arts; and twice the Writer's League of Texas gave him the "Violet Crown Award" for best books of poetry: Blue Alleys and Hard Country.
Tickets are $5
Sunday Sept. 22nd from 3:00-4:30pm - A not-to-be-missed session with award-winning poet, Jerry Johnson. Jerry will speak about his creative process and read from his recent book, Up the Creek Without a Saddle, a universal memoir of life experiences in poetry. Animals, the natural world around us, people, first loves, loss, joy, and so much more occurs in his poetry full of treasured images. In addition, Jerry will play some of the songs from the CD that accompanies his book where, to Jerry's delight, many of his poems were set to music by legendary Vermont musicians Jon Gailmor and Pete Sutherland. These poems celebrate the natural beauty of Vermont which Jerry fondly refers to as heaven on earth. Tickets are $3
Sunday Sept. 29th from 1:30-2:15pm - Well known and much loved Brandon author, Marilyn Taylor McDowell will give two presentations. The first is intended for young children in which Marilyn will share some simple stories from Appalachia best known probably as Jack Tales. She will be using a flannel board and will encourage the children to participate. Tickets are $3.50
The second presentation, from 3:00pm-3:45pm,is for young people 10 years and up, parents and adults. Marilyn will be focusing on her highly acclaimed debut novel, Carolina Harmony, helping the audience to step into the Blue Ridge Mountains, revealing the inspiration that resulted in the characters, and following this with a brief reading and question and answer session. These sessions promise to be memorable and positive experiences for everyone who attends. For those with a copy of Carolina Harmony, Marilyn is happy to personalize it. Tickets are $5
Marilyn Taylor McDowell has been bringing children and books together for more than 25 years volunteering as a school librarian, a cultural arts chairperson, and a storyteller. Once the proprietor of a children's bookshop, she took on the role of teacher, creating and teaching writing workshops for elementary school age children, visiting classrooms from elementary school to the college level and connecting with community-based initiatives to help parents learn to read with their children. Refreshments, including cat biscuits and jelly, as featured in Carolina Harmony, will be served at the close of each session.
Buy a poetry and literature pass. A $12 pass gives attendance to all 5 events. ($10 for seniors and $8 for children under 12 years)
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You Can Watch PEGTV Shows 24/7 with Video On Demand
Did you know that you can watch any PEGTV programs from the comfort of your home or office or even on your phone at any time of day with our new, enhanced video on demand player? Simply follow this link and then scroll through the categories for particular shows. Remember: Entertainment and sports programs are on Channel 15; educational programs are on Channel 20; and government programs are on Channel 21. So sit back and enjoy!
Remember: You can produce programming, too - 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. And the only thing it costs you is your time! It really is that easy. Click this link for more information.
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BRANDON MUSIC UPCOMING EVENTS
Gillian Grassie Performs at Brandon Music
The award-winning indie harpist/singer-songwriter, Gillian Grassie performs at Brandon Music on Sept. 7th at 7:30pm.Grassie delivers literary lyrics with an expressive, soulful soprano over a blend of jazz-inflected folk/pop that's smart, accessible, and completely captivating.
Frequently weaving stories of her travel (mis)adventures into sets more evocative of Regina Spektor than Joanna Newsom, Grassie's charming, comfortable, and engaging stage presence has won her a growing audience of devoted listeners. Grammy-winner Marc Cohn has said of her live performance: "It's rare to hear a young singer with such control and understated soulfulness, and even more rare to hear a harp provide such a deep percussive groove. I was immediately captivated by her sound." Her innovative use of the harp, expressive vocals, and sophisticated but accessible songwriting prowess have earned her grants from the Thomas J. Watson Foundation and the U.S. State Department, a slew of awards, and the fervent support of her fans.
Grassie studied bel canto and sang with choirs in her youth but after a chance encounter with the poetry of Philip Larkin during a high school English class and the discovery of her parents' Joni Mitchell records in their attic, Grassie began writing her own songs, ultimately graduating early and jumped into the Philadelphia singer-songwriter scene. She wrote, recorded, and released her first full-length album, Serpentine (2007), while still a student at Bryn Mawr College. She again graduated on an accelerated schedule, earning her B.A. in Comparative Literature cum laude.Her music is often inspired by literary works, with references to Philip Larkin, Robert Frost, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Faulkner, and Francis James Child woven throughout.
Grassie continues to strike the delicate balance between innovative and accessible, with recent performances at the Times Center for New York's TedxEast conference, a 21-date tour of Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands, a 26-date tour of Italy, and a YouTube channel in excess of 160,000 views.
General Admission is $15 with a pre-concert dinner available for just $15. Reservations are encouraged. Venue is BYOB. Call (802)465-4071 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733. www.brandon-music.net
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75 Merchants Row
Rutland, VT 05701
802-775-0356
www.chaffeeartcenter.org
Find us on Facebook!
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Chaffee Updates & On-goings. Be in touch with any questions!
Motors & Ink - August 24-31, 2013
Chaffee Downtown, 75 Merchants Row
It's the season for motorcycles, and the Chaffee Art Center is celebrating with an exhibition of tattoo art and motorcycles, antique, modern, and sculptural. This show highlights the work of Vermont registered tattoo artist Melissa Shanholtzer of Mermonkey Tattoo, and will feature antique motorcycles as well as sculpture by Leif Johnson. Join us Saturday, August 24th, 5-7 p.m. for the opening reception!
CALLING ALL MEMBERS! Autumn All Members' Exhibit - September 20 - October 19, 2013
The Chaffee Art Center invites YOU to show your work in our upcoming Autumn All Members' Exhibit! This exhibit is open to Juried and non-Juried Members of the RAAA/Chaffee Art Center whose dues are current. If you need to renew your membership for 2013, you may do so by sending a check to Chaffee Art Center by September 3rd. For more information and application: info@chaffeeartcenter.org or (802) 775 0356.
Acrylic Painting Classes - 6:30-9pm. Chaffee Downtown holds weekly Wednesday acrylic classes including canvas, paint, brushes, apron, instruction, music & laughter! New theme and instructor each week. No experience required. BYOB. Private parties welcome. RSVP required, one day in advance to 775-0356. $30 non-members, $25 members.
Figure Drawing Sessions 6-8pm. Chaffee Downtown hosts weekly Thursday figure drawing sessions. New models each week. Bring drawing materials & paper pad. Boards & benches provided. RSVP required, one day in advance to 775-0356. Chaffee Members $10; Non-members $15; $25 for two sessions. Instruction is not provided, but this is a fantastic opportunity to hone the skills of the observational eye!
Annual Photography Contest - This year's theme: "TAKE THE STREETS". Photographs may include the streets of your neighborhood, city, or surrounding town of choice. Use your creativity to capture the people that dwell in them, the abstract patterns that exist in them, the buildings and structures that create them or anything else you can find. Take this opportunity to get to know the street life of your home through the eye of a camera! Amateur photographers only, all ages welcome. Photos must be 8" x 10". Entries due mid October. Contact the Chaffee for more details and contest form: (802) 775 0356 or info@chaffeeartcenter.org
Chaffee Art Center, 16 South Main Street
Gallery Hours: THU, FRI, SAT, 11-6pm
&
Chaffee Downtown, 75 Merchants Row
Gallery Hours: TUE, WED, THU, 11-6pm FRI & SAT, 11:30-7pm
(802) 775 0356, info@chaffeeartcenter.org
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FROM THE GREATER COMMUNITY:
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Upcoming training sponsored by the VT Small Business Development Center:
Starting Your Own Small Business
Date: Thursday, August 29, 2013
Location: Rutland Economic Development Corp., 112 Quality Lane, Rutland VT 05701
Time: 12:00p.m to 4:00p.m
The three hour session will help future business owners determine the next steps toward starting and financing a new venture. The workshop offers an overview of business planning, including where to find market information, how to tackle projections and writing a business plan.
The workshop is designed for people who are thinking about going into business and want accurate information about the procedures and government regulations involved to start a business in Vermont.
The $99.00 registration fee includes a business planning workbook and access to five online workshops to help the prospective business owner get started.
Registration can be done online at www.vtsbdc.org.
For more information, contact VtSBDC in Rutland at 802-773-9147.
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BRANDON BIZ CARD CORNER
BIZ CARD LISTINGS - WE KEEP ADDING
The list is growing as is the number of cards in members' (including employees) hands. Here's the list to date.
It is super easy to add your offering to the list. Just give a call (802-247-6401) or send an email (info@brandon.org).
Not a Chamber member but want to get in on the Biz Card action? We have many Individual Members -- what a great way to support a local non-profit and get your Biz Card! Just click here for an application ($50 annual membership)
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LOOKING AHEAD: MARK THE CALENDAR
Geology rocks! Omya's Middlebury Quarry Open House is Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - rain or shine. For a rock'n good time come see what Omya does and learn more about Vermont's geology and mining! Take a bus tour of the open-pit marble quarry or disembark and explore. View the large trucks and equipment on display, learn about rocks and minerals from experts and collect a souvenir! Suitable for all ages.
Omya's Middlebury Quarry access road (1975 Private Road) is located on the east side of Rt. 7, 2 miles south of Middlebury, VT or 1 mile north of the Rt. 125 & Rt. 7 intersection to East Middlebury. The turn (between Connor Homes & Foster Motors) will be prominently marked on the day of the event.
For more information call the Omya Community Feedback Line at 802-770-7644 or visit http://www.omyainvermont.net.
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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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