Late June 2016
Chamber Newsletter
Info and happenings in our town!
 

BRANDON INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
Schedule of events for Friday, July 1st and Saturday, July 2nd!!

                                                                                                                                                        fireworks-summer.jpg
 
Friday, July 1

Silent Auction: Fellowship Hall
           Friday 5--10 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
           (Closed during the Parade).
 
Food Vendors and Street Dance: Central Park 5-10 p.m.
           DJ from Jam Man Entertainment - perfect for dancing
 
SATURDAY, JULY 2
 
PRE-PARADE: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30
 
Food: In Central Park, a variety of foods and hand-crafted
           items for sale.
 
Entertainment: 10:00 a.m.-noon
           Karaoke and Marko the Magician in Central Park
 
Family Fun: 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. behind the Brandon Inn
           Games and activities for all ages.
 
PARADE: 1:00 p.m.
 
Brandon 40th Anniversary Parade - From Park, High and Marble Streets, down Park Street, through downtown, to Brandon Lumber. Floats, bands, fire engines, antique tractors, antique cars and much, much more!

POST PARADE 
 
Music: The Keating Five in Central Park, following the parade,
with an eclectic mix of music for all ages. (Sponsored by the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce)
 
Ball Race: 4:00. Over the falls at Kennedy Park. (Sponsored by Lake Sunapee Bank)        
 
At Park Village- north of towncolorful-fireworks.jpg
 
5:00 p.m. Food, fun, and float winner announcements.
5:30 to dusk Music from the DJ from Jam Man
 
The Fireworks will begin at dusk. (Sponsored by the Town of Brandon)
 
Support the BIDCC. 50/50 tickets on Friday night, support The Silent Auction, look for the Donation buckets at the Fireworks, or write a check to the BIDCC and send it to Treasurer, Susan Stone at 2999 Wheeler Rd, Brandon, VT 0573.
 
 
The Independence Day Celebration would not be possible without the enormous support of the Brandon community and our neighbors, for which we are most grateful. Special thanks to Jam Man Entertainment, the Fire Department and Rescue squad who volunteer their time each year to make this event a success.
 


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

Brandon Chamber Summer Concert Series
Music in the Park- new and improved!!
Nine Concerts- every Wednesday in July & August 2016 at 7:00pm

Brandon's Central Park will be the site of a free concert for our community. We have an eclectic line-up of bands on tap, and will be hosting food vendors. Come on out and relax with some quality music and comfort food with your friends and neighbors. So much fun for all! make this part of your summer routine.
 
The Michele Fay Band
Original and Americana music - a comfortable groove of folk, swing, and bluegrass
Wednesday, July 6th   
Brandon Town Band
Wednesday, July 13th
Red Hot Juba
Blisterin' Hot Countrified Jazz and Green Mountain Swing
Wednesday, July 20th
Snake Mountain Bluegrass
A Great Mix of Traditional and More Modern Bluegrass
Wednesday, July 27th
Brandon Town Band
Wednesday, August 3rd
Bob Stannard and Those Dangerous Bluesmen
Some of the Best Blues Vermont has to Offer
Wednesday, August 10th
Moose Crossing
Classy & Energetic mix of Classic and Contemporary Jazz
Wednesday, August 17th
Phinaes Gage
Vermont's pherocious pholkgospel grassicana band
Wednesday, August 24th
Tintype Gypsies
A volatile combination of music makers offering up American folk punk
Wednesday, August 31st
 

dog_at_beach.jpg
Brandon Recreation Department
Check out their Summer offerings- Bill Moore Rec Director

Telephone:   802-247-3635 ext. 213
Cell Phone:  802-774-8135

An Artful Journey continues as members of the Brandon Artists Guild and the community offer opportunities for you to create. This year instead of creating works of art for our art education fundraiser, we are offering art classes so others can experience the joy of creating. 

Donations will be made to 9 area schools. Sponsors are welcome.

Acrylic & Collage Class   Mary Fran Lloyd, Instructor
July 17, 2016 (Sunday), 1 - 3:30pm   $45
  
Enjoy a fun class! Wear your "painting clothes", a smile, and a heart full of creative excitement. Become a child with a new toy & enjoy! Everything else will be there for you to relax, create and just have fun.   
Mary Fran loves designing & brilliant colors! By "abstracting" realism, she focuses more on the design process. The colors just seem to come about! By adding collage, a whole new world opens up! With the tearing of paper, rough edges represent the imperfections of life that contribute to "normalcy", creating an element of surprise and freedom of expression. What is particularly important & of most interest to her is sharing the simple everyday life experiences and feelings about such things, through art. For questions contact Mary Fran at maryfranart@aol.com      Adults age 18 and over. Class size: 14 Maximum. Register at the BAG or phone in with a credit card.
 
More workshops are listed on the BAG web site!
  
All classes will be held at the Granary, 29 Union St., Brandon, VT   
Call the BAG at 802-247-4956
Visit the BAG at 7 Center St. Brandon, VT

Town Hall- Brandon
 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. 

July 2016 
Saturday, July 2, Independence Day Open House at the Town Hall...10:00 am-3:00 pm. Watch the parade, enjoy a hot dog, snacks or a cool drink. Tour the facility and learn about the history of this National Historic site.
 
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, July 7-8-9 @ 7:30 pm and Saturday, July 9 & Sunday, July 10 @ 2:00 pm. The Vermont Theater Lab Presents the musical, "Sunset Boulevard" by Andrew Lloyd Webber, complete with set, costumes and full orchestra. Tickets...Adults, $25. Seniors, Students, Military, $20. This production will be a large community collaboration in memory of Bette Moffett. We are excited to see this incredible production on the stage of the Brandon Town Hall especially making this a fabulous dedication to one of Brandon's greatest stars. Join us as the Vermont Theater Lab tackle this gorgeous musical based on the acclaimed 1950's film starring Gloria Swanson! The musical is a large canvas of ensemble characters coming together to tell the story of fallen silent-film star Norma Desmond. Sponsors...Rowe Real Estate, Kathryn & Robert Clark
 
Friday, July 15, Concert by Students of Camp Point Counterpoint...7:00 pm. Free Will Donation. A concert by the very talented students from the Advanced Chamber Music Program is a performance not to be missed. Located on the shores of Lake Dunmore, Point Counterpoint combines a serious chamber music program with a traditional camp experience. Students range in age from 11-18 and come to Point Counterpoint from all over the country. This is a benefit for the Brandon Town Hall. Sponsored by, Ben & Claudette Lawton, Warren & Lorraine Kimble, Judith & George Reilly
Saturday, July 16, Silent Movie...Harold Lloyd in "A Sailor Made Man" (1921)...7:00 pm. Free Will Donation. An evening of uproarious comedies with the feature film starring bespectacled Harold Lloyd, the silent era's most popular box office star. Join Harold as he mistakenly joins the U.S.Navy, then ships out to foreign lands just in time to rescue his vacationing girlfriend from the clutches of an evil potentate. Get ready for the whole family to have a great time. Sponsored by, Pam & Steve Douglass.
Wednesday, July 20, Rutland's Encore Theater Presents "Look Out Olympics, Here Comes Zeus"
6:30 pm. Tickets, Adults...$3, Seniors, Students, Military...$2. Students in grades 7-12 develop plays which involve the audience in assisting the characters in finding a happy ending. The story will revolve around the Olympics and Greek gods who become involved in the Olympics. The audience participation will include games the audience can play and receive Olympic style awards. Sponsored by, Chris Russ
Saturday, July 23, L.C. Jazz Dance Band....8:00 pm. Tickets, Adults...$8, Couples...$14, Seniors, Students, Military...$7. L.C.Jazz is a 17 piece volunteer Big Band with a mission, have a great time, play fantastic music and support continuing music education of area students through scholarships. Come dance or just listen as this classic big band brings on the "swing". This is a benefit performance for the Town Hall and the L.C. Jazz Scholarship Fund. Sponsored by, Nancy & Walter Salzman, Andrew & Bethany Menkart, Marine Engines, Inc., Jim & Lyn DesMarias, Fred & Louise Zimmer
Friday, July 29th & Saturday, July 30th...7:30 pm. Sunday, July 31st...2:00 pm.  Shakespeare On Main St. presents "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" By Tom Stoppard... Shakespeare on Main Street will present 3 performances of "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead" by Tom Stoppard, on Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, July 31 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are Adults...$18, Youth (18 & Under)..$12, and can be purchased at Carr's Florist & Gifts or at the door. How do you combine Laurel & Hardy, "Who's on First," and Shakespeare? Tom Stoppard did it brilliantly with his 1966 play "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead." This is one of the themes of the play: if life were a play, most of us would be minor characters in it. While we may call ourselves "masters of our domains" when we think about how many things in our lives over which we actually have control, it is not a long list, especially when it comes to our imminent death. Join us for a frolicking romp where reality and illusion intermix, and word play abounds.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. 

Spotlight on Wetlands in Vermont's Otter Creek Watershed
The Des Marais Farm in Brandon, Vermont

 
Farm to Plate
 
Twenty years ago, Lyn Des Marais fell in love with the farm that is now their home. Jim Des Marais grew up in Vermont and attended Woodstock Union High School and the University of Vermont. He moved away, but would visit home regularly to see his parents in Vermont. During these visits, Lyn says she would get in the car and drive, looking at the rolling green hills of Vermont. She fell in love with this particular farm and set her mind to one day living there. When the property was finally put on the market in 2013, they made an offer, packed up their belongings, and left London to make their home in Vermont.

Click here for the complete story!  Des Marais Farm Wetlands Protection

Swing Dancing Classes in Brandon
 
Wednesdays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27

Join the popular swing dancing scene in Vermont! Swing dance instructor David Allan will teach beginner and intermediate level courses at Brandon Music, in association with the Compass Music and Arts Center.
 Classes will be held on Wednesdays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27. The beginner class runs from 6:30-7:30pm, with the intermediate class from 8:00-9:00pm.
 The beginner class will learn six-count step patterns, proper posturing and lead and follow connections. It is recommended that participants repeat this class before moving on to the intermediate level. In the intermediate class, participants will review the basics and progress to more advanced six-count moves. Intermediate class participants will need to have taken the beginner class or have equivalent experience.
 David Allan learned to swing dance from the top dance instructors in the country while living in San Francisco in the 1990s. He runs Green Mountain Stomp Swing Dancing,teaching and organizing swing dances and has taught for eight years in communities and colleges throughout the Champlain Valley.
 No partner is necessary. $45 for one 4-week series; $75 per couple per series; $75 for an individual to take both series. Pre-registration is requested but not required. Contact 802-247-4295 or info@cmacvt.org to register or with questions.
  
Brandon Music is a sister venue to the Compass Music and Arts Center and is located across from the Neshobe Golf Course at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733. www.cmacvt.org

View a fun piece filmed at our own Brandon Music by WCAX TV- click on the link below-

The Sky's the Limit': A Vermont Pastel Society exhibit at the Compass Music and Arts Center
 
The exhibit will run June 3 through July 29.

The Compass Music and Arts Center presents 'The Sky's the Limit', a juried exhibit of work by members of the Vermont Pastel Society (VPS). Two nationally respected pastel painters, Alan Flattmann and Karen Israel, juried the many entries from the VPS members, selecting 44 paintings for the exhibit. Christine Ivers, Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, will bring her discerning eye to the venue as the exhibition's judge, presenting awards to three winners and three honorable mentions. An opening reception with the awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 5 from 1-3pm. The exhibit will run June 3 through July 29.
 Capitalizing on the many meanings of the double entendre of 'The Sky's the Limit', the exhibit showcases the wide range of work from 26 of the 100 society member artists. Painting the New England landscape "en plein air" is one common theme, while others, like member and VPS Exhibitions Committee Co-Chair Matthew J. Peake's subject matter is bit different: "My fascination with movement has led me to paint the human figure in abstract ways from unusual perspectives, showing how movement assumes the nature of dance, and how the color and the orientation can immensely change the mood or meaning of a painting."
 For Joyce Kahn, painting "en plein air" is her passion. "All my senses become heightened when I work outside", she says. "The scents of early morning, the rapidly changing and expressive skies, the songs of the birds, and the ever-changing landscape due to time of day or season all feed my spirit and nurture my soul."
 The Vermont Pastel Society was established by a group of artists in 1999 to build and strengthen connections among pastel painters, to foster their artistic development, and to provide links to resources. To help reach those goals, the VPS sponsors an annual juried exhibition for its member artists.
 Awards were generously donated for the judge's selections by Zephyr Designs of Brattleboro, Otter Creek Frame Shop of Middlebury, and Phoenix Bookstore of Burlington.
 
The Compass Music and Arts Center is located in Park Village at 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.).

 

 

 

 Brandon Artists Guild summer show, "Solids and Surfaces"
Opening reception for Solids and Surfaces is Friday, July 1, 5 to 7pm, and will be on exhibit through August 30th.

The Brandon Artists Guild summer show, "Solids and Surfaces", celebrates the natural environment with a presentation of handcrafted furniture by Richard Haver and painted landscapes by Grace Mellow. In two and three-dimensions, these artists combine dynamic form with rich surfaces, each in their own way.
Richard's furniture makes the most of beautiful woods, imaginative layouts, and curves and angles. A merger of Nigerian satinwood burl with yellow heart and a touch of sapele make for a one-of-a-kind table. The use of veneers and solid woods allow for spectacular layouts: book-matches, reverse diamonds, and sunbursts are possible with veneer but would warp and split with solid lumber. Tired of right angles? You'll be hard pressed to find many here. Legs that sweep, aprons that arch, and tabletop edges that put you ahead of the curve abound.
Furniture like you've not seen before!

One of the newest members of the Brandon Artist Guild, Grace Mellow paints landscape and still life from observation. Grace has rediscovered the love of painting after a career of graphic design, and puts her whole heart and energy into this fresh work. Her paintings combine lively brushstrokes and rich color to depict scenes from the garden and forest. The result is an active painterly surface that celebrates the tangle of the natural environment with verve and exuberance.
Live at Brandon Music: Bow Thayer  
Brandon Music on July 9 at 7:30pm

Bow Thayer's Americana music features his tales, truths and fantasies about the human condition. He has gained a "reputation as a sublimely gifted artist" by pursuing a creative vision that seeks to lead Americana music into the future. Thayer has gained national recognition, with American Songwriter saying this "onetime Levon Helm compatriot is the best artist to come from New England in recent years." See Bow Thayer live at Brandon Music on July 9 at 7:30pm.
 Thayer made a name for himself in Boston with 7 League Boots, a rock/reggae band that shared the stage with the likes of Fugazi, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Pearl Jam. Then fifteen years ago he made a life-altering decision to leave the city for the Green Mountains of Vermont. It was here that he explored the Delta blues playing slide guitar for the original Elbow and began a relationship with the banjo-both in the bluegrass group, The Benders, and on his own-that continues to this day.
 Thayer's music is always evolving-from luscious backwoods folk rock to the progressive explorations of his last album, Eden. His newest record, Sundowser, is a return to a more gritty, earthy sound while still continuing the atmospheric sonic exploration that is the hallmark of his recent work. Sundowser was co-produced and engineered by three-time Grammy winner Justin Guip (Levon Helm) and features special guest performances by Marco Benevento and Tracy Bonham. Crafting the album on an instrument he created-the Bojotar-in a studio he built with his own hands, these songs feel as personal and organic as the rural Vermont environs he wrote and recorded them in. As No Depression puts it, "You want inventiveness... I offer Bow Thayer." The Bojotar is an amplified stringed instrument that incorporates elements of banjo, resonator guitar, and electric guitar which has been manufactured by the Eastwood/Airline Guitar Company.
 Thayer has performed with such music luminaries as Levon Helm, John Hiatt, Booker T, and Ringo Starr. He tours the world but is also known for throwing one heck of a party. Maybe you have heard of Tweed River Music Festival? Thayer and his band of brothers devote their lives to spreading music wherever they go and hope you have the chance to catch an earful.
 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.  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

Brandon Music presents the Peter and Will Anderson Trio
Brandon Music on July 16 at 7:30pm

"Virtuosos on both clarinet and saxophone" (New York Times), Peter and Will Anderson are one of the most extraordinary set of brothers performing music today. They are known for their exciting arrangements of jazz classics and fresh original music. Since being recognized internationally as teenagers, the twins have attended New York's Julliard and have headlined at The Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, New Orleans Jazz Festival, and Sarasota Florida Jazz Festival, among others.Along with guitarist Alex Wintz, the trio performs at Brandon Music on July 16 at 7:30pm.
 The New York Post says the Andersons perform "toe-tapping, heart-lifting jazz" and even the renowned Quincy Jones has praise for the brothers: "You dudes are the future! You all have made my soul smile, and you made a 78 year-old ex-be-bopper smile like a fox eatin' sauerkraut."
 Peter and Will's 2012 release, 'Correspondence'features Kenny Barron and was listed in Vanity Fair magazine alongside Miles Davis in "Four New Releases to Make You Love Jazz."  Most recently, Peter and Will were featured on JAZZIZ Magazine's Winter 2014 CD Soundtrack. Their recent release, 'Reed Reflections', was called by the WashingtonPost, "imaginatively unfolding in ways that consistently bring a fresh perspective to classic pop and jazz tunes." Their newest album, 'Déjà vu', features Albert "Tootie" Heath, and was called "a burner that reveals the band's cohesiveness and spirit" by Mike Joyce inJazzTimes. 
 The bothers have appeared with the Jimmy Heath Big Band, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and Wycliffe Gordon Septet. Their ensemble has performed in over 35 U.S. States, toured Japan, and were featured four times in NYC's famed "Highlights in Jazz" series, alongside legends Lou Donaldson, Paquito D'Rivera, and the Heath Brothers.  As guest clinicians, Peter and Will have visited Temple University, Xavier University, University of Central Oklahoma, Florida State University, Ohio State University, Michigan State University and others.
 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.  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

Writers Read: Remembering Old Vermont: Kathleen McKinley Harris, Roma Mortensen, David Quesnel
  and Open MIC for poets and prose writers
Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 7:00 PM  
 
Book & Leaf Bookstore is presenting three authors, Kathleen McKinley Harris, Roma Mortensen and David Quesnel for its July 21st Writers Read series. All three are life-long residents of Vermont with great memories and stories to share in both poetry and prose. There will also be an Open MIC for poets and prose writers (five minute maximum). Come and enjoy great presentations and conversation, and of course, complimentary tea, coffee and sweets!
 Kathleen McKinley Harris is a poet and historian who is currently editor of the Chittenden County Historical Society Bulletin and copy editor for the Vermont Farm Bureau quarterly. Her love of Vermont infuses her life and interests. McKinley Harris' children's book, The Wonderful Hay Tumblewas published by William Morrow, Jr., reviewed by Publishers Weekly, and took her to presentations all over Vermont. Her poem, "Bear Fear," won the 1999 Ralph Nading Hill, Jr. Literary Award. Her family hailed from Stowe and she has dedicated her life to teaching, writing, acting and directing and enriching the cultural life of Vermont in countless ways. She is one of the original members of Otter Creek Poets. Her writing has been widely published and she will be reading from her collection of Vermont poems.
 Roma Mortensen was raised on a farm in Cornwall, Vermont, and began keeping a diary in fifth grade, which over the years, developed into verse. In addition to a career in nursing and massage, she has raised three boys with her husband of fifty years. They started the Shader Croft Band seven years ago. Mortensen has published her poetry in Reflections, Touchstones, and Insight, among others. She is a member of Otter Creek Poets and is currently working on a manuscript of poetry exploring childhood adventures with parents and new perspectives gained as each parent ages and passes on. Her reading will be drawn from this collection of insightful poems entitled The Unclear Pool of Remember.
 
David Quesnel is a true Vermonter and storyteller who spent his early childhood living on a dirt road in Whiting, Vermont. He has hiked the length of Vermont, biked the length of Vermont and has visited every town in Vermont while doing the 251 Club with his grandsons. David has spent much of his life in the Vermont woods - hiking, hunting, fishing, trapping, snow shoeing and his attempts at golf had him in the woods more than the fairways. It was while growing up on a dirt road and spending his days in the nearby woods that he developed his appreciation for our Vermont Landscape and its people, and it is these experiences that inspired GrandPaw's Memoirs: Growing Up on a Dirt Road, a thoroughly entertaining collection which immortalizes "Old Vermont."
 
Please join us for a reading and tea at the Book & Leaf. Bring your prose or poems to the Open MIC. Support your local talent and keep expanding our community of lovers of the written word.
 
 BIOS:
 Kathleen McKinley Harris is a graduate of Middlebury College and has a master's in English from Case Western Reserve University. She has attended the Breadloaf Writers' Conference and the Vermont Studio Center. William Morrow, Jr. published her children's book, The Wonderful Hay Tumble, in 1988. Her poem, "Bear Fear," won the 1999 Ralph Nading Hill, Jr. Literary Award. Her poems have been published in Vermont Ink, Snowy Egret, Potato Eyes, Willard & Maple VIII, The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators' Bulletin, Vermont Life, Blueline; she is the 1999 third place winner in The Comstock Review poetry contest and was a finalist in the 2001 Sow's Ear Poetry Review's Contest. She is the editor of Craig Burt's memoir, We Lived in Stowe (2003). She is presently the editor of the Chittenden County Historical Society Bulletin, a quarterly, and copy editor of the Vermont Farm Bureau quarterly, Fences.
 Roma Mortensen was born and raised on a farm in Cornwall, Vermont. Despite a busy life in nursing, massage therapy and parenting, she has always found time to write. She has collaborated and presented in the Vermont Poet Artist Collaboration of the Women's Caucus for Art, and has written poems inspired by watching the Ketch Dance Company of Main Street Dance Theatre  of Burlington, VT. She presented the poems to choreographers, dancers and Judith Dunn Lackowski, the artistic director of Summerdance. She has published in Reflections, Touchstones, A Sampling, and Firehouse 29, among others. She is currently a member of the Shader Croft Band, which she started with her husband, and is preparing to publish her first book of poetry, The Unclear Pool of Remember.
 David Quesnel was born at Porter Hospital in Middlebury and grew up in Whiting, VT. As typical of Vermonters he has made a living performing a variety of jobs. He has been a baker, a builder and a bartender, he has made maple syrup, milked cows and put up hay, plowed and shoveled snow, mowed lawns, caddied for golfers, delivered newspapers and delivered appliances. He has managed and maintained weather based advertising kiosks at ski areas throughout the USA, he has provided property management and maintenance for second home-owners, along with project management and construction consulting. As a natural storyteller, he has gathered many of his childhood memories in the book, GrandPAW'S Memoirs: Growing up on a Dirt Road, which he has been presenting at readings throughout the state.
 
Contact: B. Amore (amoreb@earthlink.net)    Joanne Errick (joanneerrick@optonline.net)
 

Snake Mountain Bluegrass at Brandon Music
 July 23 at 7:30pm

Brandon Music welcomes back Snake Mountain Bluegrass on July 23 at 7:30pm. This fun and energetic group is extremely popular and always sells out in Brandon. Snake Mountain's "toe-tapping tunes combine the best of modern and traditional bluegrass", according to Seven Days, with harmonies and songs that vary in tempo from "breakdown" to ballad. They are known for theirvocal, instrumental, and original songwriting talents, plus a great sense of humor and onstage banter.
 
Retired Middlebury College Professor, Gregg Humphrey, and Middlebury construction company owner, Mike Connor, formed Snake Mountain Bluegrass about thirty years ago. At the time, both Humphrey (guitar and vocals) and Connor (banjo and vocals) were living near Snake Mountain and someone asked them what style of bluegrass they played. "Snake Mountain Bluegrass," was their immediate response and the name has been theirs ever since. They are joined by Earle Provin (mandolin and resophonic guitar) and Mike Boise (bass). Boise is a house painter and owns and operates Union Street Audio Studio in Brandon, while Provin is a graphic artist living in Poultney.
 
Mike Connor will be playing guitar on several songs with Mike Boise singing lead vocals for songs such as "Green, Green Grass of Home" and "Mr. Spaceman." Gregg Humphrey leads on some of the more traditional tunes such as "Fox on the Run."
  
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.  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
My 2016 Woodstock Rug Collection 
 is Now Available at the
Judith Reilly Gallery
24 Conant Square (Rte. 7), Brandon

My latest designs for the Woodstock Rug Collection, hooked rugs
I design for Chandler 4 Corners, are now available at my Gallery
and in retail outlets nationwide.
Chandler 4 Corners is a family-owned home accessories company in Manchester, Vermont. The entire Woodstock Collection can be seen at chandler4corners.com. On the home page choose the "Shop Collections" Category, then select "Woodstock".
Here are three of over a dozen new rugs I designed this year...
In addition to the rugs my fiber artwork originals, prints, cards, and accessories can be purchased in my gallery. My artwork is also available at the Brandon Artists Guild in the center of town.
The July/August issue of Victoria Magazine, a women's lifestyle publication, is on the newsstand now and available in my Gallery. I'm featured in an article and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. It's an honor to be in this beautiful magazine.
The Judith Reilly Gallery is now open for the season which continues until Christmas.
Our normally scheduledhoursare12-5 pm Fridays and Saturdays, but please call or email to visit other times. We're happy to welcome you whenever we can.
                                    802) 247-8421      Judith@JudithReilly.com      www.Judithreilly.com

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.

Summer is here!
Celebrate the good life with Brandon's own award-winning beer and wine.

Foley Brothers Brewing and Neshobe River Winery's tasting barn is open Wednesday through Saturday 11 to 5. Tasting flights, growler fills, bottles, and a country setting await you. Bring your friends or make some new ones here!

Enjoy the beer that others drive hundreds of miles for.
And don't forget, you can rent our tasting barn for private parties and special events.
 Follow us on Facebook and don't miss our latest release.
 Now open Sundays 11-4:00 !!
 
 Foley Brothers Brewing
Neshobe River Winery
Inn At Neshobe River
79 Stone Mill Dam Rd.   247-8002  
oldmillbnb@yahoo.com







 
Neshobe Golf Club-course in superb condition!
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

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.

VILLAGE SPA- A PETITE WELLNESS STUDIO
June Specials at Village Spa 
  • $10 off Airbrush Tans
  • Pedicures for 2---$89
  • $20 off for New Color Clients--includes Shampoo, Cut and Styling
Village Spa
32 Marble St Brandon, VT Brandon Vermont, 05733
802-465-8255.
To unsubscribe please click Here


Brandon wins Preservation Trust award!!
Town Office project recognized!

Click on the link and scroll through the videos till you reach Brandon's.     Brandon Town Office award!!    

New small business solar plan from SunCommon
Zero down - 2.99% financing

The sun is out and I've got good news to share...
 We are rolling out a new small business solar program that we are really excited about. Since SunCommon launched we've struggled with being able to help small business owners who are interested in solar. In large part that was driven by the need for good solar finance solutions. We've solved that, and now we can help businesses contribute to a healthy environment and safer world through solar. 
If you want to help your business or place of work go solar and save money you can get started here.
 As you know, SunCommon has thousands of small solar installations across Vermont, more than any other Vermont company. Now we want to use that expertise to help more small businesses, the heart of the Vermont economy, go solar. Our new, zero down - 2.99% financing will help do just that, saving businesses 10-30% on their electric bill and helping our environment. 
We will only be able to complete a limited number of these projects before the incentives drop next year. Please help your business or your friend's business sign up this year while we have this great new financing and incentives are strong!

Cheers!   James Moore-Co Founder     jmoore@suncommon.com

Want to quit smoking, but nothing works?
American Cancer Society Freshstart Program can help!!

Classes are free- Free nicotine gum, patches and lozenges.
Where: Brandon Stephen A. Douglas House
(Route 7, next to the Baptist Church at the corner of Routes 7 and 73 West)
When: Wednesdays July 6, 13 , 20 & 27th   5:00-6:00pm
Call 747-3768 to Register
Co-Sponsored by Brandon Chamber of Commerce and Brandon Recreational Dept.
 

NOTICE TO BRANDON VOTERS
CHANGE OF VENUE FOR VOTING
 
 The Board of Civil Authority of the Town of Brandon has moved the polling place from Neshobe School to the Brandon Town Hall, 1 Conant Square.
Elections (Australian ballot) will take place in the basement of the Brandon Town Hall, entered on the north (left facing) side of the building.
The Vermont Primary Election on August 9, 2016 and the General Election on November 8, 2016 will take place at the new location Brandon Town Hall, 1 Conant Square
 
Future Town Meetings (March) will occur upstairs in the Brandon Town Hall on Monday evenings, with Australian balloting in the basement on Tuesdays.

  
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.

Volunteers needed- only a couple shifts still open, call if you can help.
The Brandon Museum at the Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace

 The Brandon Museum has started another season. The museum is open from mid May and runs 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.
 

 
Check out Little Pressroom's latest newsletter!

computer_sky.jpg
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
 
Get on board the successful Gateways
to Adventure promotion!
You can sponsor a page at any time,
for one full year, for only $25.00
Sponsor ALL eleven pages
for only $200.00  
 
 
 Click here for a printable PDF  Sponsorship form


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 businesses!
Our latest addition to the Chamber family.

A Little Twisted Gallery
Jamie Ruggerio & Lisa Fennimore
7 Carver St.
Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-2731  cell- 802-289-4315
alittletwistedgallery@gmail.com
www.alittletwistedgallery.com
 
New 2 You Consignment Shop
Heather McDonough
47 Center St.
Brandon, VT 05733
802-247-9255
new2youconsignments88@gmail.com

DuBois & King Inc.  (Engineering Services)
Jon Ashley, PE
25 Union St.
Brandon, VT 05733
802-431-1422
jashley@dubois-king.com
www.dubois-king.com 
Welcome !!
2016 New Members- go to Brandon.org for more info on our newest members

NEW BUSINESS MEMBERS 2016
-A Little Twisted Gallery- John Ruggerio & Lisa Fennimore- 289-4315
-Dubois & King-Jon Ashley-802-431-1422
-New 2 You Consignment Shop- Heather McDonough-247-9255
-Awesome Graphics-Michael & Tami Napolitano-773-6143
-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 ??

Next Chamber Meeting
Monday, June 20th, 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.