End of April 2016
Chamber Newsletter
 

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CHAMBER SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE
OVUHS students

The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce it is now accepting scholarship application forms from graduating OVUHS students pursuing a course of study in business or business-related major. The $500.00 Chamber Scholarship will be presented to a student who is well-rounded, has participated in school and outside activities, who is pursuing higher education, and is planning on a career in business or aspires to be entrepreneurial. Interested students should contact the Guidance Office for applications.
The deadline for applying is Friday, May 6, 2016.
For more information, you may also call the Chamber at 247-6401.


 
 
 
It's time again to show your support for our libraries and have a great time !!
 
Your Brandon and Pittsford Libraries are once again hosting a fun night of cocktails, tasty treats and music
at the Brandon Inn!!
Put Thursday, April 28th on your calendar!
See you there.

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IT'S TIME AGAIN FOR THE SUMMER EVENTS FLIER!!
Chamber members and area non-profits

Chamber members and Area Non-Profits -- we would like to publish your summer events in our Summer Events Flier which will be mailed in June to all mailboxes in the 05733, 05745 and 05778 zip codes.
This is a great opportunity to get the word out at no cost to you! We have many events already, so please send details as soon as possible to the Chamber at: info@brandon.org   Last date for addition to the flier is Friday, May 20th.
 

Acclaimed songwriter, Rupert Wates, performs at Brandon Music
 
April 23 at 7:30pm.

Since coming to the US in 2006, Rupert Wates has won more than 30 songwriting awards. AMP The Magazine says he is "morecompelling, more sympathetic and more emotionally accessible than many other modern performers." Since the late 90s Wates has been a professional songwriter, writing a diverse mix of styles and genres for Eaton Music Limited and then for himself and his bands. Wates will be performing his eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret at Brandon Music on April 23 at 7:30pm.
 He has released seven solo CDs, all having been very well received by the online press, with tracks played on radio stations all over the world. Wates' will perform several songs from his next album, 'Colorado Mornings', which was just recorded in February and will feature twelve acoustic love songs. He explains that "it's probably the most integrated and organic album I've ever written."
 Audiences everywhere respond to Wates' brand of melodic art/folk-haunting songs that ring true. He writes with "great emotional depth" (Times Square Chronicles); putting out music that often gets covered by other artists all over North America and the UK.
 Rupert Wates averages 120 live shows every year, in acoustic venues in every state in America, in Canada and in Europe. He was voted an Artist of the Year 2013 by the international house concert network Concerts In Your Home, and in 2015 he was recognized as their most booked performer, having secured well over 100 dates through their website.
 Despite Wates' British background, and underpinning the universality of his music's appeal, Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange called him "a prime figure in American music". They said "I'm not sure which to praise more: Rupert Wates' marvellous lyrics, the spotless music, or that streetside cabaret folk voice of his, a crafted instrument which seduces as it gently reproves... This is one gifted S.O.B., throwing off song after affecting song with what appears to be complete ease... If you're not hip to this guy, you're missing a lot."
 
This event is a part of Vermont Arts 2016, celebrating public funding for the arts.
 
Concert tickets are $20.  A pre-concert dinner is also available for $20 (view the menu online).  Reservations are recommended for the show and required for dinner.Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 247-4295 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or for more information.  Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733 www.brandon-music.net | http://www.rupertwatesmusic.com


Judith Reilly to give a Gallery Talk for her
"The Girl with the Purple Hair" retrospective exhibit
May 1 at 3:00pm

Judith Reilly and the Compass Music and Arts Center invite you to a Gallery Talk of Judith's current retrospective exhibit, The Girl with the Purple Hair, on May 1 at 3:00pm. Judith will guide guests through the exhibitwhile sheshares the history, insights and lessons that influenced her life and brought about the work she creates today. The exhibit, which opened on April 1, will run through May 30, and presents 50 years of Judith's fiber work as she has seen it develop through each chapter and side road, and as it relates to the 'Twelve Life Lessons for Creativity' she crafted herself upon reflecting on her own artistic journey.
 
It has been said that the child artist is the only true artist because they have an uncluttered path to their own intuitions (literally meaning 'inner tutor'). This perfect intuitive mind of a child has been a model that Judith has tried to follow, especially since transitioning away from traditional quilt making. Since moving to Vermont in 2004, she reconnected with her inner child and let this intuitive child come out to play. She explored, doodled, experimented, and made mistakes. She created what she was inspired to create for herself, not for anyone else and channeled her inner child by being enthusiastic, silly, timeless, fearless and passionately curious.
 
So how do we clear the path and regain the magic of our genuine intuitive self? Judith will share the insights she has gained during her artistic career, along with her 'Twelve Life Lessons for Creativity' and how they relate to her work. These twelve lessons were realized twenty years ago while preparing for a talk she had been asked to give describing her work. She was astounded at what she realized while reviewing images of all her past work. She quickly began to recall all that she learned while creating each piece and discovered the lessons learned were actually the lessons of life. The lessons proclaim, most importantly, that we are all unique and gifted! They tell us that you should keep "what you think they think" out of your creative process and continue to advise that if "we are not having fun, we're not doing it right"; that we may need to "kiss a lot of frogs"; and that we should determine what is traditional, accepted and expected, and not do it! We may do foolish things, but we must do them with enthusiasm!
 
 
Compass Music and Arts Center is
 located at Park Village, 333 Jones Dr. Brandon VT, 05733 (Park Village used to be the Brandon Training School, located 1.5 miles north of downtown Brandon off of Arnold District Rd.). www.cmacvt.org

Brandon  Artists Guild Member Show:Out on a Limb

The show will hang through May 3rd.

There is nothing that compares with the unique spirit and sculptural form of a tree. The members of the Brandon Artists Guild are proud to present "Out on a Limb", reflecting the personal style and media of each artist.
 
"The moon was so  bright, and there were many bands of varying shades of yellow all around it, glowing thru the trees", said artist Joan Drew about her watercolor painting, "Moon Glow".
 
Judith Reilly, known for her intricate stitched fine art, has created an optically illusionary piece called "Limbs", with "multi-colored threads sown in a tight, squiggly manner...when you step back, you see that what remains black are human figures pressed together and reaching out to form a tree, a tree created by 'limbs' ".
 
Robin Kent, in creating her large large assemblage, "Tree of Life", said, "I was trying to mimic what nature suggests, through trial and error". It tells the story of a lumber jack who changed his mind when "after close inspection, saw its beauty and thought
differently. Such is life."
 
Warren Kimble has created a large sculptural wall piece, "Tree", measuring 4 feet high. It is a debut of a new contemporary style, with a free form shape and textured acrylic.
 
 


ART IN BRANDON SPRINGS ALIVE !


With spring under way, artists in Brandon are already at work behind the scenes preparing for an invigorating season. Working up to Open Studio Weekend (OSW, May 28-29), two popular artists - Robin Kent and Warren Kimble - are sharing a studio and ideas as they create oversized paintings on canvas, intended for exhibit during Memorial Day weekend.
 
Engendering the excitement is the news that eighteen OSW sites, including individual artist studios, are located within Brandon this year - more participants than ever before. As usual, the Vermont Crafts Council (VCC) will publish statewide maps showing the sites open for art lovers.
 
The current Kent/Kimble workspace is the Bagette, where during OSW four other artists will present their art as well, explaining their work processes to visitors, perhaps demonstrating techniques. The Bagette, an annex of the Brandon Artists Guild (the BAG), is at the Granary Building on Union Street.
 
The BAG is always the designated "hub" for distribution of statewide OSW maps, so the lucky visitor to town on Memorial Day weekend starts by viewing the art of 45 to 50 artist members of this nonprofit organization. More specific local maps are distributed as well at the BAG, 7 Center Street, next to Café Provence restaurant. The artwork of 12 other OSW artists will be within walking distance of the Center Street BAG venue, along with three other venues within a few miles from town center, namely Fran Bull's Gallery in-the-Field, Jill Listzwan's studio, and the Compass Music and Arts Center.
 
At Compass, Judith Reilly's retrospective, "The Girl with the Purple Hair" opening April 1st (5 to 7:30 p.m.), extends through May 30th - on view for Open Studio Weekend. During her Gallery Talk, Sunday May 1st, 3 p.m., Reilly will discuss her life, "a fiber artist's creative journey in stories, lessons and side roads."
 

Great Brandon Auction-July 19th
Donations needed- contact us today!

 Please think of us as you clean out, perk up and sort out. We'll pick up good quality items and store them till the BIG day- July 19th!! You'll feel great and we'll continue to promote our great little village and help all our friends and neighbors!!    
We appreciate all the support that our community has provided with their donations over the years. Call and let us know what you have for us to pick up.
It is respectfully requested that donations NOT be: clothes, electronics/appliances, mattresses, metal desks, encyclopedias, entertainment centers, exercise equipment (unless it is an elliptical or powered treadmill), or items that are not in good condition (these items haven't sold over the years and it increases costs of the fundraiser for trash removal)
* Pick ups can be arranged by contacting Brian Coolidge at 345-8961 Bernie at 247-3744 or email info@brandon.org

Vermont Retail & Grocers Association 2016 Convention & Expo
The Expo will be on Saturday April 30th

Vermont Retail & Grocers Association (VRGA) is hosting a 2-day
event from Friday April 29th to Saturday, April 30th called the
The Expo will be on Saturday April 30th from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the Hilton Burlington on Battery Street in Burlington, VT. The Expo is FREE to attend by industry professionals which many of your members might be.
 
We encourage employers and employees working in clothing stores, sports stores, supermarkets, food coops, beverage stores, convenience stores, general and country stores, as well as many other merchant stores. Additionally this event is open to manufacturers, wholesalers, brokers and relevant service providers and other businesses.
This event brings Vermonters together for a business-to-business show loaded with collegial networking, outstanding educational seminars, quality goods at every price point and important business services for businesses of any size. In addition to the Expo we have a variety of FREE and some ticketed events happening Friday 4/29 & Saturday 4/30.

Murder Mystery Dinner at Brandon Music
May 13 at 6:00pm

Brandon Music is holding a mysterious event - a murder mystery dinner - on May 13 at 6:00pm. Guests will partake in the fun by all becoming characters within the mystery and receiving a role to play.
 
The theme is 1920's Gatsby so come dressed to impress. Vicky Regia will serve a dinner menu of hors d'oeuvres, Waldorf salad, roast pork with apple and sage stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, buttered peas, and lemon cake for dessert. Complementary wine is provided.
 
$40 per person, with a minimum of 25 guests to run the event. RSVP by April 29. Details regarding characters and roles will be given after registration. Call (802) 247-4295 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or for more information.  Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733 www.brandon-music.net


Brandon Vermont
Your center for exciting entertainment and events in 2016! Take a peek at what's coming up this summer and fall and start to mark your calendar so you don't miss a thing!!
See the attached pdf listing and print it to refer to
throughout the season.  2016 Town Hall Events

Compass Treasure Chest
Open every day!!

We're delighted to announce the Compass Treasure Chest! Run by a group of local residents, the store is a unique co-op consignment shop. They sell and consign collectables, antiques, dishes, tools, furniture, jewelry, stamps, puzzles, books, toys, art items and much more! They will always be looking for more items and of course, always receiving new items, so stop in frequently to see what is new.

For more information or to inquire about consigning with them, contact Annie at 802-558-2663 or email compasstreasurechestconsign@gmail.com and follow them on Facebook.

Compass Music and Arts Center has more to offer!
There is always something going on at Compass- stop in and explore!!

You've probably seen events, classes and exhibits mentioned here for the Compass Music and Arts Center in Park Village, but do you know what else Compass has to offer?

The Compass Café is open daily from 10:00am - 5:00pm (with the exception of most Saturdays when they close at 2:30 due to concert events at Brandon Music) with daily specials, soups, salads, wraps, Donna's award-winning chili, delicious home-made desserts and more. Stop in for a bite while you explore the rest of Compass.

The Phonograph Rooms is a permanent exhibit at Compass. It offers fascinating insight into the history of recorded music in the home. The exhibit features vintage "talking machines" from 1890 to the 1970s, with the opportunity to listen to great recordings of the past - both classical and popular. A display of antique radios and TVs is also included. There is a small entrance fee to help with maintenance of the machines.

Compass is also the home of the international record company Divine Art Records. You can browse their 400+ CD titles and CDs by local musicians, as well as art and music books, general interest books both new and collectible, and a wide range of gift items at the Compass shops.

Looking for a studio to rent or office or retail space? Compass has rooms available to rent by the month or by the hour. There are currently several artists working out of Compass and by now you may have heard about the Compass Treasure Chest, a consignment shop located in the Compass building.

 There is always something going on at Compass- stop in and explore!

 Compass Music and Arts Center  333 Jones Drive, Brandon, VT 05733  802-247-4295 www.cmacvt.org

 

Come check out Upscale Resale, one of Brandon's newest retail venues.
2580 Franklin St., Brandon Across and a bit north from Otter Valley High School

Come check out Upscale Resale, one of Brandon's newest retail venues.  Owned and
operated by 3 local couples, Leo and Penny Larocque, Jill and Tim Comes, and Tim and Mary Shields, you will be amazed at the collection of unique items available for purchase. We specialize in antiques, collectibles, oddities, and new and used items of all kinds. Since opening in November 2015, many happy customers have found just what they want such as furniture, lamps, or pictures for their home.  Whether you are looking to decorate your home, needing a gift, or just want to come explore our store and meet our friendly staff, stop in to say hello. You'll be glad that you did. Upscale Resale is the store that has a lot of class for little cash.
We buy: 1 item or complete estates
2580 Franklin St., Brandon Across and a bit north from Otter Valley High School Store:
802-465-8161  Leo: 802-355-3310   Hours: Wed., Thurs., and Sat. 9-5 Fri. 9-6  






 
Neshobe Golf Club OPEN for the season!
Rated the #1 value in Vermont by the New England Golf Guide

Neshobe Golf Club has also been included in the Top 100 of the Best Public Golf Values in New England. Neshobe provides an enjoyable experience for both expert golfers and those with higher handicaps. Our par-72 Championship course affords beautiful mountain views in all directions. Come and see why players rave about the conditions and our 18 distinctive holes providing a variety of challenges to all facets of the game.

Neshobe Golf Club also features a full-service restaurant and bar. Guests may enjoy chef-prepared food and beverages on our covered porch overlooking six of our holes.
The large dining room can accommodate parties, meetings, weddings and golf outings for large groups.

The full service pro shop features the latest in apparel and equipment. Our PGA Professional and 2011 Vermont PGA Player of the Year, Rodney Bicknell, offers lessons either on-course or on our full-size range-all open to the public. Our staff truly goes "the extra mile" to make your Neshobe experience a memorable one Call for a tee time now. 
 
     http://neshobe.com/               802-247-3611      neshobegolf@comcast.net

  
43 Center Street- Highly visible on route 7, prime downtown Brandon retail space. 1,500 sq. ft. restored historical storefront with maple floors, high tin ceiling and windows over the Neshobe River. A couple of storage spaces and plenty of parking. Located next to Gourmet Provence Bakery.
Available immediately. Call Jim Leary @ 802-247-9595 or Nancy Leary @ 802-558-1444.
The OFFICES at 25 Union Street

Furnished, private professional offices with shared conference room, full kitchen, comfortable customer waiting area, and parking. $350 - 3750 per month (all utilities included). Co-office environment. Walking distance to village center. Community includes educational publisher and accountant. Large unfinished space also available.

The GRANARY at 29 Union Street, Brandon VT

This beautifully renovated, historic building contains 14 artist studios. The spacious studios have lots of natural light, great lighting, handicapped ramp and parking. The community includes milliner, jeweler, graphic designer, painters, sculptors, photographer and Brandon Artist Guild. The GRANARY is located in the village of Brandon, walking distance to shops, restaurants and galleries. Rents range from $325 - $485 per month ( all utilities included).

Please forward to anyone who may be looking for space in Brandon. I look forward to discussing the available options and showing you the spaces. 
Please contact me at sjerome@visuallearningsys.com or 247-3214 or 683-8209.

 Brandon to be profiled in Vermont Magazine's July/August issue- "Vermont Towns" department!
Special advertising opportunity for Brandon area Chamber businesses!

Vermont Magazine is pleased to announce that it will profile the town of Brandon in its July/August issue's Vermont Towns department. Vermont Magazine, published five times each year and first published in 1989, is a source of both information and entertainment for anyone who loves Vermont, and is happy to provide a special advertising opportunity for Brandon area Chamber businesses. This issue of the magazine is expected to reach between 8,000 and 9,000 paid subscribers (60% live out of state, principally in NY, NJ, CT, MA, PA and visit frequently--the average is three times per year) and between 2,000 and 3,000 newsstand readers in the northeast.
Chamber members will receive the following rates in a special page (or pages, depending upon participation):
All ads are color and prices are based upon ads being received 'ready to run' in digital format. The magazine can design an ad if you do not have one ready, for an additional, minimal fee.
1/12th page: $155
1/8 page:        235
1/6 page:        259
¼ page:          419
1/3 page:        519
½ page:          729
Please contact Vermont Magazine for more information and to place your ad.
Ad reservations are due no later than May 23, 2016; Ad materials deadline is June 3, 2016
 advertising@vermontmagazine.com   (802) 375-1366

Village Spa
We have a new stylist joining our team!

Welcome! The Beautiful and Talented Allison Straley is now at Village Spa. She comes to us from Addison Vermont. She is a graduate of the Aveda Institute and has been working in Burlington. She provides hair and nail services for men, women and children and has a passion for prom, wedding and special occasion hair and make-up.
 
Let's show her a great big Brandon Welcome and
get her books full. Schedule a service with her and get a complimentary shellac manicure with Heather!

Stephen A Douglas Birthplace
Volunteers needed
The Brandon Museum at the Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace

 The Brandon Museum is ready to start another season. The museum will be opening in mid May and running 7 days a week until mid October. The museum makes history and information available to locals and visitors alike.
 
If you have an interest in the town and its roots keep us in mind and why not donate a couple of hours per week. We have two daily shifts of 2.5 hours from 11:00am-4:00pm. If you don't like being alone and want company feel free to pair up and volunteer with a friend! Contact Museum Steward Dan Celik at 247-3888 to join the Brandon history team at the Brandon Museum for a fun summer season.
 
The museum keeps Brandon's history alive by sharing and promoting our town and surrounding areas with the many visitors. We have hundreds of visitors come through our door asking for directions, looking for a place to stay and eat and enjoying the museum! Our museum and community room is a special place and is a great local resource.
 
Please Practice Polite Parking :)
Be aware of your fellow businesses and their needs.

We all have to be aware of parking by our employees in the downtown. Try to park off the main streets when possible, and if you park out front before other businesses open, try to move your vehicle after regular hours kick in.
 There's lots of off-street parking so take advantage of it when you can.
Remember we're here for hours working, but our customers are only popping in for a short time, so let's make it easy and convenient for them to shop and support all of our businesses.

Thanks for making it easier for all of our customers.
  

Vermont Association of Chamber Executives
Insurance program offerings for Chamber members.
  
Although the VACE health insurance program, that many of took advantage of for years, is no longer available, other products still offered through VACE include, Dental, Vision & Life packages.
More information on all of these products can be found at www.vaceinsurance.com
Or contact Holden Financial Services (802) 775-2503 
 
Meet our newest 
Chamber business!
Our latest addition to the Chamber family.

Margaret Donahue Fine Needlework
Peg Donahue
8 Carver St.
Brandon, VT
802-247-5953
mbdon19@gmail.com

Tom Ransom Plumbing & Heating
P.O. Box 34
Pittsford, VT 05763
802-483-2934

Welcome !!
2016 New Members- go to Brandon.org for more info on our newest members

NEW BUSINESS MEMBERS 2016
-Tom Ransom Plumbing & Heating-483-2934
-Margaret Donahue Fine Needlework- Peg Donahue-247-5953
-Good Earth Farm- Hannah Davidson- 310-8534
-Simple Systems of Vermont- Greg Smela- 458-0620
-Common Ground Restaurant & Pub-Erynn & Andy Doaner- 464-8010
-Upscale Resale-Leo and Penny Larocque, Jill and Tim Comes, Mary & Tim Shields- 324-0613
-The Little House-A Vacation Home- Kerrie Quinn & Russ McColman- 247-2770

Own a business?? Join us and connect with other dynamic businesses in the Brandon area and gain great exposure for you business!
Just click here for an application and rates.  
  
We also have many Individual Members -- what a great way to support a local non-profit and all the great things we do in our town. (Individual/couples memberships are only $50/year)


NEW INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS 2016- who will be our first in 2016?   Maybe you ??

 
Check out Little Pressroom's
latest newsletter!

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Computer-EZ

Newsletter  view here

Our mission is to provide the best in computer and network related products and support to the local region. Networking, security, point-of-sale systems, and everything that goes with it, is what we provide for you with over 15 years experience in the computer industry.

Website- http://computer-ez.net/     802.773.6065      sellvt@gmail.com
 

Next Chamber Meeting
Monday, May 16th, 2016 at 6:30
 
The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will meet at 6:30pm in the Cliver Room at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace. Chamber membership and the general public are invited to attend.
 
Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 267, Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-6401 ~  info@brandon.org   www.brandon.org

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.