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Brandon Recreation Winter Carnival
Mother Nature is helping out with some beautiful snow,
so join in and chase away those cabin fever blues!!
SATURDAY February 8th
10:00 - 11:00 am: Kick-off at Central Park (Get maps, Hot Chocolate, Stamp Cards)
10:00 - 5:00 pm: Collect Stamps from Area Retailers/Restaurants
for Entry to Raffle for Brandon Bucks
11:00 - 2:00 pm: Sledding at the Neshobe Golf Course
1:30 - 3:00 pm: Bounce House & Kids Activities at Boys & Girls Club (??)
2:00 - 4:00 pm: Movie at Town Hall Basement
1:00 - 4:00 pm: Table Tennis Tourney at Otter Valley North Campus Gymnasium (Prizes)
3:00 - 5:00 pm: Turkey Bowl at Estabrook Park Tennis Court (Prizes)
3:00 - 5:00 pm: Ice Skating at Estabrook Park Ice Rink
5:00 - 7:00 pm: Bonfire at Estabrook (Announce Winners of Mr & Mrs Brandon, Snow Sculpture Competition, raffle drawing from stamped cards, hot chocolate)
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Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce
Annual Dinner 2014
Friday, January 31st saw a record 109 people come out for a Cantina Fiesta at the Brandon Inn to celebrate 25 years of having an executive director employed by the Chamber.
It was also a surprise party to honor our long time Executive Director-Janet Mondlak!!
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The night started with a table for two, with Janet and her hubby Joel occupying the place of honor at the head of the proceedings. After donning a custom made fleece BACC super hero cape, reflecting her years as our multi-talented wonder woman, a delicious Mexican buffet was enjoyed by all. Janet presented a slide show with pictures of the many chamber events, volunteers and participants that have made such a difference in the fabric of our town. It was rewarding to see how much we all have accomplished over these many years and wonderful to see the many different faces of those who've supported all our endeavors. Thanks Janet for a nice walk down memory lane.
A plaque with the names and service years of the Chamber executive directors was presented to Janet and will be displayed in the Cliver Room at the Stephen Douglas Birthplace. She also received beautiful earrings made by Rebecca Zelis, incorporating local stones, a pretty "Fascinator" from Swan & Stone that complimented her cape nicely and monetary gifts from the Stephen Douglas and
Chamber boards and members of her Chamber family. As pictured above she also will have a token to remember the many times she changed the "bus stop" sign board ooooooh these many years!
It was a fun and nostalgic evening and an appropriate way to show our gratitude to someone who gave so much of herself to our town and our organization. Thanks also to her family who've been her support and indentured servants for so much chamber work- thank you Joel, Jessa and Ariel.
!! THANK YOU JANET !!
On a personal note I want to thank the board of directors and Janet for their support as I assume the position of executive director. Janet has been instrumental in assuring a seamless transition and as expected she was very thorough in providing me with detailed information needed to run the organization. She continues to be available for my questions and needs and is very patient !
Thanks to Janet and all the chamber members who've been so supportive of me and I look forward to working for and with you all.
Bernie
A note from Janet-
Dear Brandon Chamber Board, Members, and Friends
Thank you so much for the wonderful Annual Dinner celebration in my honor. I am so very humbled by all your good wishes, gifts and humor. I had quite a good time and your many congratulatory words and actions made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! My only regret - I didn't dress "like me." (But you all looked great!) Thanks again and I'll see you around.
~ Janet
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 The BACC perennial problem of finding storage for our year-round auction donations, is finally being solved. Thanks to Roger Paquette of Paquette Self Storage in Middlebury (and a recent new resident of Brandon) and Rodney Bicknell our esteemed local PGA pro at Neshobe Golf Club. Roger is giving us a great deal on a large truck trailer and Rodney is allowing us to park it on his property. We'll have access to it all year as Roger keeps the area plowed through the winter. We will bring donations out to the trailer, and when auction time rolls around Roger has offered to hook on and drive it to the Park. This saves a lot of time, multiple handling of the items and more importantly, our OLD backs! It also provides cover in case of rain the day of the auction.
We've been agonizing so many years with this issue and can't thank Rodney and Roger enough for their generosity and help. Hip hip hurray!
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Welcome New Members!!
Sue Gage and Bob Induni
and
Rod & Judi Pulsifer
Thanks for your support
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Insurance Forum
The Chamber will be presenting an informational forum on Vermont Association of Chamber Executive (VACE) dental, eye care and gap supplemental insurance policies.
Presentation by Paul Gladding- Holden Financial Services.
Wednesday February 19th in the town hall basement meeting room at 7pm
With the changes in health insurance options these can be valuable tools to combine with your regular health insurance coverage.
Another benefit of your chamber membership.
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BIZ BIZ BIZ
Don't forget to get your 2014 BIZ Cards!!
Stop at the flower shop or contact the chamber.
info@brandon.org
247-6401
BIZ BIZ BIZ
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2014 Candidates Forum
The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a candidates forum on Thursday, February 20, at 7:00pm. To be held in the Town Hall basement meeting room. It will be moderated by Charlie Jakiela.
Candidates will have an opportunity to introduce themselves and answer questions from the public.
3 year select board- Maria Ammatuna and Richard Baker
1 year select board- Richard Baker, Blaine Cliver and Ethan Swift
Town Clerk/Treasurer- Richard Baker, Sue Gage, Anna Scheck and Sarah-Ann Johnston Stevens
Thursday, February 20th- 7pm
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Winter Classes with AnnMarie Roth at Nourish Your Purpose
AnnMarie is offering a variety of opportunities to gain insights into and care for yourSelf this season at her downtown office.
They include a free introductory class as well as paid, take-your-experience-deeper workshops and series.
Your Heart Is In Your Hands
A Hand Analysis Heart Line Workshop
Thursday, February 6
Spiritual Discovery
Emergence Process: a 10-Week Journey from Ego to Essence
Introduction: Wednesday, February 5 *Free!*
Paid Class Series Begins: Wednesday, February 12
Self-Care
StressLess!
A 4-Week Journey of Serenity and Self-Care
Begins Thursday, February 20
Registration is appreciated, even for the free classes. All gatherings are held at Nourish Your Purpose, 39 Center Street (2nd floor).
Questions: 247.5300 or info@nourishyourpurpose.com
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Greetings from the lakes,
Lord Dunmore has returned to Kampersville. Having spent the winter at the Ebert Spa. All Dippers can get entry forms at Kampersville, locations throughout Middlebury, Brandon, or from the LDFLA web site. He is gathering supplies and will make his march to the lake at the end of February. Follow his progress.
Join us in taking a chance at $1.00 each and figure out what DATE and TIME the ice will go out. Print the entry form and mail it with your check.
DUNMORE DIP
P. O. BOX 14
SALISBURY, VT 05769
Pass this message along to your family and friends. The more entries, the bigger the reward. Entry forms must be postmarked by March 15, 2014.
Last year's pay out was over $1000.00
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Vermont.com
www.Vermont.com is a privately-owned web portal, providing information about Vermont. In an effort to include information about everything in the State of Vermont, we are trying to spread the word to make sure Vermont businesses are aware of the marketing tools we have to offer - some are FREE!
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FREE MEMBERSHIPS:
All businesses in the State of Vermont are invited to enter their information in our online searchable database for free. We create a business page for them, for example: http://www.vermont.com/businesses/free-membership/
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PAID ADVERTISING:
Of course, upgrading the Free Membership to become a Paid Advertiser is available. Upgrading the account includes links to your website and more, for example: http://www.vermont.com/businesses/see-your-business-here.
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For information about paid advertising options, please contact Sandra at: 802-362-2000 x102.
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FREE CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
In addition, anyone can enter an Event into our Calendar database, any time! Just click on the big red "Suggest an Event" button on our main Calendar Page http://www.vermont.com/calendar_index.cfm and fill-out the online form.
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 Brandon Chamber's Super Intern says goodbye.
The Chamber was very lucky to have an ambitious, personable intern from OVUHS working with us this past semester. Michelle Maseroni was a big help to Janet and they really enjoyed working together. Good luck in the future Michelle and thanks for your hard work.
A note from Michele-
Unfortunately my semester has ended; which means that I will no longer have the immense pleasure of interning with the Brandon Chamber of Commerce. Over the last five months, I have learned a great deal about the business world. I had the chance of doing a little bit of everything, which I loved. I would like to give a colossal 'thank you' to Janet Mondlak who was willing to work with me bright and early every week. She not only taught me about the business but also patiently taught me many things that would help me succeed, such as HTML, a computing skill that I would have never known how to do without her instruction. Along with Janet, I would also like to thank all of the members of the chamber for always welcoming me to their events and meetings. It was a pleasure to meet so many of you. My internship with the Brandon Chamber of Commerce was a valuable experience, a stepping stone for my future business endeavors. Thank you for this educational opportunity!
Michelle
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ServSafe® or HACCP Certification Sessions
Food Safety and Food Defense best practices for industry Professionals
Sessions held monthly at Café Provence Culinary Theater or Public Library located in
Brandon, Vermont.
Easy twist! Classes conveniently arranged and tailored to accommodate associate schedules at clients preferred business location
Now offering two exciting class options
Regular eight hour day session with exam only, no snacks or meal provided
or better yet
New all-inclusive full day relaxed retreat venue as follows:
Enjoy arrival and break treats with beverages, fresh baked pastries from Gourmet Provence, enjoy exciting lunch off menu at Café Provence, gift certificate for use at Vermont Kitchen Store or future dining experience at Café Provence, welcome note from Chef/Proprietor Robert Barral dependent on his schedule, tour of facility and historic Brandon village.
Special overnight lodging available at Rosebelle's Inn www.rosebelles.com
Classes and Lodging Reservations call 802.247.0098
Class schedules www.trainingtoexcel.com
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Front Porch Forum Now Active in Brandon
Brandon's Front Porch Forum is now active with over 100 people signed on as local members. Neighbor s have already posted about a missing dog on Florence Road, a grill for sale on Sunset Drive, and town recreation department news. This modern-day cross between community bulletin boards and virtual town greens is making it easy for neighbors to connect. It's free. It's local. And it's friendly.
Visit FrontPorchForum.com to join in.
Because the service is moderated and real names accompany postings, the discussions remain civil, engaging, and relevant. In times of need, such as during and following natural disasters, a Front Porch Forum becomes even more powerful.
More than 60,000 households across Vermont already use their neighborhood FPFs to find roofers, give away strollers, rally volunteers for pie suppers, trade equipment, and describe wildlife sightings. Common topics also include school budgets, town office candidates, local events or starting a food shelf.
FPF and the Vermont Council on Rural Development's Vermont Digital Economy Project are teaming up to bring this service to all Vermonters for free. Vermont's Congressional delegation played a crucial role in getting this project funded and off the ground in our state.
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INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO SIGN UP FOR GMP TEXT ALERTS
· Easy to register
· Report outages and get updates about your outage right from your cell phone
Good afternoon!
Thanks to more than 100 GMP employees who have already registered for our new GMP Text Alerts during the past two weeks, we've been able to identify and fix some glitches.
Now we'd like to expand the pool of testers. If you haven't already registered, we encourage you to do so. Your involvement will be key to helping us better prepare before the next big storm hits. We'd also like you to invite your family and friends to register for Text Alerts.
To let your family and friends in the GMP service territory know about this opportunity, please forward this email:
In January 2014, Green Mountain Power will be launching a new service that will allow customers to report outages and get updates about their outages on their cell phones.
Before we announce the service statewide, we're inviting employees, their families and friends to test drive the system. It will be a great service for you and your family, and you can help us find and fix any bugs before thousands of our customers sign up.
If you are a GMP customer there are two ways you can sign up for alerts. First, grab your bill, which has your account number and the associated phone number, and then do one of the following:
· Use your cell phone to text the word REG to 46788 (GMPVT) and follow the prompts. You do not need a smart phone to sign up for text alerts. All you need is a cell phone with the ability to send and receive text messages. Note that standard text and messaging rates will apply.
· If you already have an online account with GMP, you can log in and click "Manage notification preferences"
Once you're using the service, we'd like to hear about your experience. This will help us fix any problems, and add information to our FAQs. Please contact a GMP call center representative at 1-888-835-4672 with your questions, suggestions and comments.
Thanks!
Dorothy Schnure
Corporate Spokesperson
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Bethel Mills February Bargain Flyer
Bethel Mills, Britton's Lumber, Hancock Building Supply, and Brandon Lumber are having a paint sale. From February 1st through February 28th
Click on this link to see our flyer: Bethel Mills February Specials
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NEXT CHAMBER MEETING
February 2014
The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will meet on Monday, Feb. 17, 2014 at 6:30 pm in the Cliver Room at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace. Chamber membership and the general public are invited to attend. |
CHAMBER MEMBERS:
ARE YOU USING YOUR BIZ CARD YET? THERE ARE GREAT DISCOUNTS OUT THERE scroll down to the bottom of this email and check them out! NEW OPPORTUNITIES BEING ADDED ALL THE TIME
NEED A BIZ CARD? FOR YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES.
CONTACT THE CHAMBER AND TELL US HOW MANY YOU NEED!
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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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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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Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 267, Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-6401 ~ info@brandon.org ~ www.brandon.org
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