Crossroads News banner
In This Issue
The REAL DEAL Christmas
Holiday Fun at Five
Welcome New Member!
NBSB October Hat Contest Winner
NBSB Goes Under the Sea
Mrs. Claus Returns to West Brookfield
SSB Donates to Literacy Volunteers
Sturbridge Rotary: Making Thanksgiving Happy
Pics with Santa at Klem's
Christmas By Candlelight at OSV
Pics with Santa at Klem's
Holiday Events at Salem Cross Inn
Publick House Events
Santa Claus Pancake Breakfast
24/7 Online Training
New Member Baskets
Save These Dates!
SSB ad May 2013
Center of Hope

Advertise in CROSSROADS!

Contact  Jack  for details

Chamber of Commerce 

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

  
Michael Checkosky
Chairman

 

Brian Treitman

First Vice Chair 

B.T.'s Smokehouse

 

Cindy Howard

Second Vice Chair

Center of Hope

 

Melissa White
Immediate Past Chair 

Rehabilitative Resources, Inc.


John Lafleche
Bay Path Voc. Tech. High School
Treasurer 
__________ 

Board Members
 
Cheryl Barber
Country Bank

Jessica Bettencourt
Klem's

Jocelyn Callis

OFS

 

Chris Canniff

Harrington HealthCare System 


Bob Datz 
datzmedia 

Alycia Dzik
Webster First Federal Credit Union

Jordan Hoy

Savers Bank 


Jonathan Krach

The Vienna 

 

Rita Schiano 

Live a Flourishing Life

 
Jean Sullivan
Sullivan & Company Real Estate

Barbara Vacarr
Encore.org 

Michael Wales
Michael L. Wales Painting Co.

Bruce Watkins 

Jim Donahue
Honorary Board Member
Old Sturbridge Village

George I. Hammond

Attorney at Law 

Legal Counsel


 

Chamber Staff

 

Alexandra McNitt

Executive Director

 

Paulette Hughes

Finance & Administration

 

Jack Starkey

Communications Specialist

 

Chamber Links

Cms Chamber

Stur Townships - Everything but Ordinary

SEASON'S GREETINGS and welcome to December's
Crossroads NEWS!

You'll find the latest news from the Chamber and our Members as well as some terrific events happening in our area. Read on for info on our Holiday Fun at Five, a bash you won't want miss, and find out how you can get some great deals at many local venues during our brand new REAL DEAL CHRISTMAS promotion! 

The Chamber is pleased to share our Members' latest news and events with our readers. Have news you want to share?  Email us your press releases, links and photos for inclusion in the next issue of Crossroads! Help us promote your upcoming events! Post them to our online events calendar.

 

Follow us on Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest for more from the Chamber and our Members!   

The  

Real Deal

Christmas

 

In conjunction with  

Christmas by Candlelight

at Old Sturbridge Village

 

December 5-7

December 12-14

December 19-21 

 

Start a New Holiday Tradition!

 

Get your FREE  

Real Deal Christmas Pass!

   

Show it and SAVE at local

Restaurants, Hotels, Activities,

and over 20 Shops

on the days of  

Christmas By Candlelight!

 

Visit  

www.sturbridgetownships.com

to see all the deals & download your

 

FREE Real Deal Christmas Pass & Offer Booklet!

 

Presented by the Chamber of Central Mass South

Sponsored by Sturbridge Tourist Association

 

Chamber Cheer!

Fun at Five logo
Holiday 

FUN at FIVE!

Thursday, December 11 

5:00-8:00pm

Publick House
277 Main Street, Sturbridge
www.publickhouse.com 

 

Join us for some holiday cheer with our Members and Guests! Our last Fun at Five
of the year will be a historic bash at
The Publick House in Sturbridge
featuring amazing food, great prizes and your chance to revel with a festive crowd!

HOLIDAY CHEER & SURPRISES!
Please bring plenty of business cards
and one of each of any small promotional items from your business. We have a fun-filled scavenger hunt among other surprises in store for you this evening!

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

 

RSVP by phone at 508-347-2761 or email [email protected].

   

Cost: $10 for pre-registered Members, $15 at the door, or $20 for non-Members.  

 

Thank you
to our Holiday Fun at Five Sponsor!
Garieri Jewelers
Garieri Jewelers 
  139 Main Street, Sturbridge 
508-347-9934 

chamber logo

Welcome
New
Chamber Member!

 

 

Please join us in welcoming our newest Member!

 

Dave's Pest Control

139 Walker Pond Road, Sturbridge

508-347-2687  

www.davespestcontrol.net     

 

 

 

LOOKING FOR A CHAMBER MEMBER?  
Joseph Miarecki of Palmer, MA Wins
North Brookfield Savings Bank's October Hat Contest
NBSB Hat Contest

Palmer Branch Assistant Branch Manager Kathy Higgins (left) and Palmer Branch Manager Dave Golden (right) with October hat contest winner Joseph Miarecki.

 

This fall, one Palmer resident fell into a nice little gift simply for being seen wearing his blue NBSB hat.

Joseph Miarecki is the lucky October winner of North Brookfield Savings Bank's "Where It's At" Hat Contest. Miarecki was spotted wearing an NBSB hat by Palmer Assistant Branch Manager Kathy Higgins.

Each month, anyone seen wearing an NBSB hat by a bank representative is entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to a local establishment. As the October winner, Miarecki received a gift certificate for the Steaming Tender Restaurant in Palmer.

To learn more about North Brookfield Savings Bank and the "Where It's At" Hat Contest, visit www.NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com.

 

About North Brookfield Savings Bank:

North Brookfield Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank with full-service branches in North Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, Palmer, and Three Rivers Village of Palmer and has been "Where It's At" for specially-tailored products and great customer service since 1854. NBSB offers a wide variety of deposit and loan products for individuals and businesses throughout Central and Western Massachusetts and continually supports the communities in which it serves. All deposits are insured by the FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund. For additional information, please call 1-866-711-6272 or visit NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com.

NBSB logo
North Brookfield Savings Bank Goes "Under the Sea"
with Brookfield Elementary School Students

NBSB Halloween

North Brookfield Savings Bank employees of the North Brookfield, Gilbert Street branch are shown dressed for Halloween as undersea creatures, in front of a portion of Brookfield Elementary School's "Recycled Aquarium" installation. Left to right, front row: Wendy Swallow ("Under the Sea"), Eileen Graham (fish), Tonya Laird (octopus), Caitlin O'Connor (jellyfish), Patty Ostrout (shark) and Rose Bruso (fish). Back row: Tammy Gustafson (lobster), Derek Grueter (fisherman) and Renee Jurczyk (fish). 

With the help of some talented local artists, North Brookfield Savings Bank's Gilbert Street branch transformed the branch into an under-the-sea adventure and won the bank's 2014 Halloween decorating contest.  

 

Who were these talented local artists? Students at Brookfield Elementary School.

 

Each year, North Brookfield Savings Bank holds a Halloween contest, with one branch being awarded the best decorated. This year, the Gilbert Street branch created an "Under the Sea" theme, which was inspired by and included artwork from Brookfield Elementary School's "Recycled Aquarium" exhibit.

 

Not only was the artwork beautiful; it was environmentally friendly. All the sea creatures were made from recycled items. For example, Kindergarteners and first graders created clown fish, red fish and blue fish from small clear water bottles. Plus, larger animals such as angel fish, jelly fish, octopus, sea anemones, crabs, lobsters and even sea turtles were made from clear plastic salad containers, which formed the bodies, and pieces of soda bottles, which became the feet.

 

Local companies also donated materials. FLEXcon in Spencer, MA contributed specialty papers and Dave's Appliance in Brookfield, MA donated large pieces of cardboard.

 

The artwork, which had previously been shown at Brookfield Elementary School and Tantasqua Regional High School during the school's "All Arts Day," was generously loaned to the Gilbert Street branch and prominently displayed.

 

"Students did a wonderful job of putting recycled materials to use," said Brookfield Elementary School Art Teacher Ashley Simonds. "They were free to take chances and have fun. They really enjoyed themselves and were excited to learn that the work would be shown at North Brookfield Savings Bank during Halloween."

 

To complement the artwork, bank staff dressed up as a variety of sea creatures, as well as a fisherman, for Halloween. It was the perfect match-good enough to win NBSB's contest-but the Gilbert Street branch was quick to credit the artists who inspired them and contributed artwork.

 

"Although we're very excited to have won, we know that it wouldn't have been possible without the outstanding artwork made by Brookfield Elementary School students," said Gilbert Street Branch Manager Tonya Laird. "We were beyond proud to exhibit their installation in our branch and honored that they trusted us with their work."


NBSB logo
Mrs. Claus Returns to NBSB's West Brookfield Branch December 7 

Enjoy free photo opportunities, refreshments and a drawing for the "Everything Basket"

Mrs. Clause

Siobhan Killian with Mrs. Santa Claus at North Brookfield Savings Bank's 2013 West Brookfield White Christmas Open House.

 

Mrs. Santa Claus is returning to West Brookfield, and she's posing for photos and bringing refreshments and gifts.

 

North Brookfield Savings Bank is excited to announce that Mrs. Claus will make her yearly visit to the bank's West Brookfield branch on Route 9 during White Christmas in West Brookfield on Sunday, December 7 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The event will feature free cookies and cider, a drawing for the amazing "Everything Basket", and free photo opportunities with Mrs. Claus for children and pets.

 

As part of its Annual Toy Drive, NBSB will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for children ages infant to 12 years old, in support of the West Brookfield Police Association's Holiday Toy Program. All donations, whether toy donations or monetary donations are welcome, but not required. The bank will match every dollar donated and contribute $1 for every toy collected, up to $250 per branch.

 

"White Christmas in West Brookfield is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with our friends and neighbors, spread holiday cheer and support the community," said NBSB West Brookfield Branch Manager Andrew Leighton. "We're very excited to welcome Mrs. Claus back and to assist local families in need with toy donations."

 

White Christmas in West Brookfield is an annual town-wide celebration, highlighted by hayrides, open houses, a gingerbread contest, an elf hunt for kids, culminating in the tree lighting on the town common with the holiday concert at the Great Hall. For more information, visit www.wbrookfield.com.

NBSB logo

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester Receives Donation from Southbridge Savings Bank

 SSB Donation

Todd Tallman, President & CFO, Southbridge Savings Bank, Emma Britton, Director of Education, Literacy Volunteers, Ellen Benz, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers, Ron Cooper VP, Chairman of the Charitable Donations Committee

 

Can you imagine living day to day, trying to make a better life for you and your family, yet not understanding the language spoken by those around you? This is reality for many immigrants that come to the United States in search of a better life. Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester comes to the aid of these people and provides them the skills they need to be successful citizens. Southbridge Savings Bank's Charitable Donations Committee is proud to donate $2,500 to help in providing the important services they need.

 

Literacy Volunteers provides one on one tutoring, ESL classes, ESL conversation circles as well as introducing them to the Rosetta Stone software. "We are proud to support such an important organization like Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester. These skills are invaluable and they are providing such great services to help those individuals who would like to learn English become productive and literate members of society." Ron Cooper, Chairman of the Charitable Donations Committee stated.

 

If you are interested in making a donation, learning more or want to become a volunteer, check them out at: www.lvgw.org or call them at 508-754-8056.

 

For more information about Southbridge Savings Bank, call 800-939-9103 or visit them on the web at www.southbridgesavingsbank.com.

 

Southbridge Savings Bank

Making Thanksgiving Happy  

 

Rotary Donates Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on how fortunate many of us are.  Most people are thankful for having a caring family, for being warm when it's cold, for having a job to provide support for the necessities of everyday living, for food, clothing and medical care.  But for some people, the necessities aren't always available when they are needed and for many different reasons.  Because of this misfortune, many individuals, businesses and organizations try to help out.  Among those helping is the Sturbridge Rotary Club.  The Club has provided funding for the last seven years to the Catholic Charities Food Share Program of Southbridge. 

To date over 115 families in Sturbridge and Charlton have received a turkey from Sturbridge Rotary and a grocery certificate to purchase the trimmings for their Thanksgiving dinner.  Catalino Alicea, a volunteer coordinator at the Food Bank for the last 26 years, is shown accepting a check from Sturbridge Rotarian Dorothy Wright.

Inspecting Carol
Show dates are December 4, 5, & 6 at 7:30pm, and December 7 at 2pm. 
Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for seniors and youth under age 18.
There is a $2 discount for advance sales purchased through the box office by December 3rd.
 
Tickets can be reserved by calling 508-764-4531 
Directed by Patricia Haddock, and Produced by Barbara Day. Written by Daniel Sullivan. Presented by permission through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Synopsis: 
A Christmas Carol meets The Government Inspector meets Noises Off in this hilarious hit from Seattle. A man who asks to audition at a small theatre is mistaken for an informer for the National Endowment for the Arts. Everyone caters to the bewildered wannabe actor and he is given a role in the current production, A Christmas Carol. Everything goes wrong and hilarity is piled upon hilarity. Perfect anytime, this delight is particularly appropriate at Christmas.

Holiday Traditions Come to Life at Christmas By Candlelight  

Old Sturbridge Village's annual holiday celebration features festive musical performances, family activities and food - Evenings December 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21

   

Christmas by Candlelight Like a Christmas card come to life, holiday decorations and twinkling lights will transform the recreated 19th-century New England village into a winter wonderland for Old Sturbridge Village's highly anticipated Christmas by Candlelight.  Now in its 12th year, Christmas by Candlelight has become a tradition for thousands of families and couples from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and even New York.

 

This year guests can stroll through the decorated, historic village; listen to carolers and local choirs sing Christmas classics; take a horse-drawn winter sleigh ride (weather permitting); enjoy the warmth from a crackling bonfire and fireplaces; and even visit with Old Saint Nick.  On Friday and Saturday nights, guests are invited to make reservations and enjoy a holiday dinner in the Oliver Wight Tavern (additional cost).

 

Christmas by Candlelight - sponsored this year by Fallon Health - will take place from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21. The Museum Gift Shop and Oliver Wight Tavern will be open for holiday shopping and dining during Christmas by Candlelight. Admission to Christmas by Candlelight is $15 for adults and children and $13 for Old Sturbridge Village members. For details, advance tickets and dinner reservations, visit www.osv.org.

 

Download your Real Deal Christmas Pass for discounted admission to this program and many other discounts happening throughout the Sturbridge Townships on the days of Christmas By Candlelight! (see the top article) 

 

"Old Sturbridge Village continues to bring people together for unique, hands-on experiences that enrich our perspectives on life and holiday tradition," said Patrick Hughes, President and CEO of Fallon Health. "As a community-focused organization, the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful, family-fun tradition is particularly meaningful to us, and just one small way that we can show our gratitude for the outstanding support we've received over the years from the community."

Christmas by Candlelight is an escape from the frenzy of the modern Christmas season, giving guests a chance to enjoy the old-fashioned spirit of the holidays and learn just how today's favorite traditions first began. Young and old will learn the origins of the Christmas tree, mistletoe, Yule logs and poinsettias from the Village's costumed historians. Guests can also make Christmas keepsakes while learning about the history of Christmas cards, and craft a tin ornament while learning how Christmas tree decorations came to be.

 

Christmas by Candlelight musical performances will include a wide range of professional, student and community musicians including Full Gael Celtic Christmas, Worcester Men of Song, Quintebrass, Boston Jazz Voices, Geoff Brown and Tev Stevig Acoustic Christmas, Northampton Woodwind Quartet, Jacques Ave Five, Vocal Revolution, Treblesome, Eva and Dave Brown, Broadmoor Chamber Singers, Elm Street Handbells, the Old Sturbridge Village Singers, and a number of town bands and regional fife and drum corps. Student musicians from Worcester State University and a number of area high schools will also perform. A schedule of guest performers is below, but for up-to-date information go to www.osv.org.

 

Christmas by Candlelight activities for kids include Punch and Judy puppet shows; holiday readings from Christmas classics including 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and How the Grinch Stole Christmas; the Bob Olson's Holiday Magic Show; and of course, sharing holiday wish lists with Santa Claus.

 

Returning this year is the annual Gingerbread House Contest - where visitors can vote for their favorites among dozens of hand-crafted entries - a model train display, a miniature New England Christmas village, and a must-see nativity.

 

See the full Christmas by Candlelight schedule here

 

Christmas Pictures with Santa
at Klem's

December 6, 10am to 3pm 

Ho, Ho, Ho - Santa is meeting and greeting!

Spread the Cheer!

Children & Pets are welcome!

$5.00 Donation - Sponsored by the Spencer Lion's Club


Klem's           117 West Main Street          Spencer
SCI logo
Christmas Memories at Salem Cross Inn
December 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14

Enjoy a play based on Dylan Thomas's "A Child's Christmas in Wales".  Listen to performers dressed in 19th century costumes sing over 20 beloved Christmas carols - better yet, sing along with them and rekindle memories of Christmases past while making memories of the Christmas present.

 

Dine on a traditional turkey dinner with all of the trimmings...a tossed garden salad, freshly made muffins and dinner rolls, fresh moist turkey with Grandmother's traditional bread stuffing and giblet gravy, real whipped potatoes, and fresh butternut squash seasoned to perfection. Complete the meal with a scoop of peppermint stick ice cream rolled in chocolate cake crumbs and topped with Salem Cross Inn's famous hot fudge, fresh whipped cream and a candy cane.  Glasses are filled with farm fresh apple cider...ready to be lifted to commemorate the holiday season.  Everyone feels like part of the celebration! Visit this link or reservations and more. 


Fireplace Feast Season is Here!
Upcoming Fireplace Feasts: December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14
Lend a hand as dinner is prepared for you in colonial style or just relax by the fire with a hot glass of mulled cider or wine. Stir the chowder as it bubbles in our cast iron cauldron.  See your prime rib roasted "to a turn" on the only known authentic Roasting Jack still operating in America, rotating slowly over a crackling fire of wild cherry logs.  Beware of the brimming bowl of freshly whipped cream, the perfect complement to New England's Best Apple Pie.


While your dinner is cooking to perfection, enjoy a horse drawn wagon or sleigh ride through the valley on the Inn's pristine 600 acres. After your ride, shake off the chill with warm mulled wine or cider at our dining event. Browse our extensive collection of Colonial and Federal period American antiques.  

The event includes:

Delicious Early American Fare for your consumption... you can even enjoy seconds!
Pie making, mulling and chowder demonstrations
Horsedrawn wagon or sleigh ride, weather permitting
Casual dress is a must for this event

Visit the link for more dates, tickets and more information.

 

Visit Salem Cross Inn online for more
seasonal dining events.
 

Holiday Events at The Publick House
Breakfast with Santa
Saturdays, December 6 & 13, 2014
Sundays, December 7 & 14, 2014
Served from 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Children $11.95 inclusive (3-10), Adults $18.95 inclusive, Children under 3 are free

YANKEE BREAKFAST BUFFET*
Belgian Waffles with Fresh Whipped Cream and Assorted Toppings
French Toast Sticks, Bacon and Sausage, Turkey Hash
Eggs Benedict Bread Pudding, Home-Fried Breakfast Potatoes, Scrambled Eggs with Cheese
Breakfast Pastries, Fruit Salad, Individual Fruit Yogurts and Granola, Assorted Cold Cereals
Milk & Assorted Juices, Warm Deep Dish Apple Pie, Warm Chocolate Fudge Upside-Down Cake
with Fresh Whipped Cream

*Menu subject to change.

277 Main Street, Sturbridge MA 01566, www.publickhouse.com, Contact: 508-347-3313

Gingerbread House Decorating
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Seatings at 9:00AM, 11:00AM & 1:00PM

Decorate your own 10-inch tall gingerbread house!
Visit our magnificent 10 foot Gingerbread House.
While the decorations are setting, we'll have delicious cookies & cider for all.

Price is $35.00 per house.   Limited Availability.    Reservations Required.   Contact: 508-347-3313

Please Join us this Holiday Season!
Santa Claus Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, December 13, 2014
7:30 - 10:30 a.m.
santa-kiss2.jpg
Silent Auction & Free Photograph With Santa
By: Casson Foster Photographers

Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School

57 Muggett Hill Road, Charlton


BAY PATH Education Foundation

Tickets $5 ~ Children Under 5 Free
Cash or Checks accepted

Checks Payable to : Bay Path Education Foundation


PLEASE BE IN LINE BY 9:45 AM

TO ENSURE AMPLE TIME FOR PICTURES WITH SANTA

≈ Complimentary 5x7 picture taken with Santa Claus by Cass on and Foster Photographers ≈

 

You will receive an e-mail approximately one week after the event, notifying you  

that your photo is ready to be picked up in the main office at Bay Path.


Bay Path Regional Voc. Tech. High School      57 Muggett Hill Road       Charlton MA 01507

Coggno Training Click on the image to browse our catalog of training courses!
Your Goodies Needed to Fill our New Member Baskets

 

New member Baskets The Chamber has teamed up with the Center of Hope to create gift baskets to welcome new members to the Chamber of Central Mass South. We will be creating gift baskets that will not only have a monetary value but also to give the recipient an opportunity to learn more about other Chamber members and their services. These baskets make a terrific first impression on our new members and are a great way to introduce your business to new prospects. Can you help us fill these baskets with interesting goodies? 

 

Items to be included can be modest gift certificates, discount coupons, items with your company's logo, free trial items, small items your company manufactures or whatever else might promote your company and be a value to our new members. We are looking to assemble about a dozen baskets at a time so that time sensitive material will not be out of date when received. If you would like to donate items for this program, please drop them off at the Chamber office or the Center of Hope. You can also give the Center of Hope a call and they will pick up your donated items. Contact Cindy at 508-764-4085 or e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions or to arrange a pickup. Thank you!

 

Important Dates to Save!

December 5-7, 12-14, 19-21: Christmas By Candlelight & The REAL DEAL Christmas
December 6: Gingerbread House Decorating at Publick House 
December 6:
Pictures with Santa at Klem's
December 11: HOLIDAY FUN AT FIVE at Publick House
December 13: Santa Claus Pancake Breakfast at Bay Path High School
  
FIND THESE EVENTS AND MORE ON OUR CALENDAR
VISIT US ONLINE FOR LOCAL EVENTS AND MORE
new business chamber logo 
  www.cmschamber.org