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Welcome to our July 2011 Chamber ENews.  This issue marks the first anniversary of your Chamber "going green" to bring you member news and information about the activities of your Greater Easthampton Chamber.

Your Board of Directors is concerned about our enviroment and is making every effort to reduce the amount of printed materials generated by the Chamber.  This is being achieved not only through our ENews, but also through announcements and event notices being sent out to you via email "blasts".  A welcome side effect of our efforts is reducing mailing expenses which in turn allows us to channel funds into more beneficial member programs.

The switch to the Chamber ENews has afforded us the opportunity to highlight one of members each month through our Member Spotlight.  If you wish to be interviewed by our staff for an upcoming issue, please feel free to email the Chamber and we will add you to our list.  Each issue also affords you an effective and inexpensive opportunity to spread the word about your enterprise through our Member Insert program, so contact us for all the details.

The Chamber staff always welcomes your suggestions and comments to help us improve, not only our monthly ENews, but other communications to you our valued members.

Eric Snyder, Executive Director  

Tavern on the Hill, situated on Mountain Road in Easthampton, has been in business since 2005. It is owned and operated by local long-time restaurateurs Jim Cooper and son-in-law Larry Guyette, and managed by Amy Guyette. The Tavern offers a full gourmet restaurant and bar service, handles parties of any size, and features a wood-burning fireplace and a deck with a western view of the valley.

The location has a long history of service to the local community. The Tavern's website displays a postcard of the original Green Candle Inn that stood in the same spot in 1928. "People seem to be under the impression that this location was ill-fated with many owners over the years, but that's not true," said Amy Guyette. "In fact, the family that owned Harvest Valley operated it as a successful business for over 20 years before we acquired it from them."

Tavern on the Hill started serving lunch about a year ago, but has not changed much since it began as a business. "We feel, if it isn't broken, don't fix it. We offer consistently good food at a good price. Some people may think they have to dress up to come here, but they don't-they can come in jeans, and probably pay no more than they would at a chain restaurant, but get a better meal. We know our customers well and cater to their needs." The Tavern has done well, receiving an array of Best of the Valley Readers' Poll awards from the Valley Advocate in 2006 and 2008.

Amy feels that the best thing about doing business in the area is the people. "I'm from the area and I've seen Easthampton change a lot over the years, become a close-knit community with a focus on the arts. I volunteered with the Easthampton Spirit Committee this year and was so pleased with the number of people who came and who helped with the event."

Tavern on the Hill has been a member of the Chamber since 2005 when it opened. They like that the Chamber has been shifting its focus from entertainment to promoting business growth in the area, and Chamber members have also provided an excellent source of support for charitable efforts that the Tavern is involved with.

Contact Amy at Tavern on the Hill at 413-493-1700, and check the Tavern website at www.tavernonline.com .  Also, see their Facebook page  for a beautiful selection of sunset photos from their deck.

Would you like your business to be featured in a future Member Spotlight? Contact the Chamber office and we will put you on the list.

Member News: Friends Celebrate Linking of Manhan and Norwottuck Rail Trails

On May 22, the ribbon was cut at a ceremony on the new bridge extension over Route 10 in Easthampton, which now links the Manhan and Norwottuck rail trails.

Close to $5 million in federal stimulus money was used to complete the challenging multi-year project to connect Easthampton to Northampton by bike. The land was owned by National Grid and the city had to obtain an easement to use it; some of the land was also donated by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The construction has been supported all along by two groups, Chamber member  Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail and Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways.

The celebration, attended by hundreds, began at Millside Park and traveled to the new bridge for the ribbon cutting, where presentations were made by local, state and federal officials.

Barbara LaBombard, Treasurer  of the Friends of the Manhan Rail Trail, said, "We are thrilled to have the two cities finally linked by the rail trail and are grateful to everyone who worked so hard to get it done."

The last link of the Manhan trail in Easthampton, from South Street to Coleman Road in Southampton, has been started and is planned to be completed by the fall. More information about the Manhan Rail Trail can be found at manhanrailtrail.org 

Member News: RSI Receives OK for New Greenhouse 

Riverside Industries Inc. has just received approval from the Easthampton Conservation Commission to locate their new greenhouse on Liberty Street, adjacent to their Cottage Street facility. They have hired Five Star Building Corp. of Easthampton to do their construction and are planning a formal groundbreaking event this summer.

RSI, Inc. exists to empower individuals with disabilities to become participating members of their communities, and working in the greenhouse is one way in which clients can acquire critical life skills.  Some of the funding for the greenhouse was raised from RSI's successful April auction, some from matching support from state funds, and the remainder of the cost will be covered through on-going fundraising efforts.

Questions about RSI can be directed to Char Gentes at 527-2711, ext. 155 and online donations can be made at RSI's website.

Area News:  Three Local Women Win Unsung Heroines Award

This year, women in Easthampton, Southampton and Westhampton won the Unsung Heroines award given by the state's Commission on the Status of Women. A total of 100 recipients were honored at the State House event on May 18.

The Chamber congratulates Nicole LaChapelle of Easthampton, Lisa Felty of Southampton, and Laurie Sanders of Westhampton for receiving this distinguished award and for their contributions to their communities.

Nicole is committed to education and mentoring through her work with Project-13, the Center for School Crisis, Emerge Massachusetts, and the Women's Fund. Nicole also served as the volunteer Get-Out-The-Vote Congressional District 1 Director for the 2010 Campaign for the Mass. Democratic Party, and she has mentored many women who want to serve in public office.

Lisa has worked as Director of Leased Housing and VASH Programs at the Northampton Housing Authority for 9 years, helping more than 600 low-income families and homeless veterans find permanent housing. Among many other activities, she volunteers for the Northampton Council on Aging.

Laurie serves as director of the board of the Westhampton Public Library, where she worked on the library's successful expansion project from 2005 to 2010, coordinates public fund-raising events, and participates in the legislative process.

The Mass. Commission on the Status of Women was formed in 1998 to advance women to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. More information can be found on their website at http://www.mass.gov/women/