Chamber Honors Bill Cater, Former President

At this year's 30th annual Chamber Golf Tournament on July 25, the Chamber will honor its former president Bill Cater of Easthampton, who passed away February 8. He was president of the Chamber from 1985 through 1989.

Bill was born in Rhode Island in 1926. After moving to Easthampton, he met his wife Dorothy Molitoris, who survives him. Upon his return as a veteran of World War II, he attended school and opened Razor's Edge Barber Shop in Easthampton in 1950, where he served his customers and friends well until he retired in 1987. The barber shop still operates successfully in Easthampton.

Bill was a member of the American Legion Dalton LaVallee Post 224 and a faithful member and leader of his church.

Bill was also a longtime member of the Chamber of Commerce and served as Chamber president for five years. He could be seen year after year, putting up town Christmas decorations, smiling, whistling and talking to everyone he passed. He also founded the Chamber's annual golf tournament in 1984, and a portion of the tournament raffle winnings this year will be donated to a local charity in Bill's name.

Kim Hackworth, former president of the Chamber and Bill's neighbor, recalls working with Bill on the 20th anniversary of the tournament. "He played golf with the same team right up until a few years ago. He said their average age was 83."

According to his obituary, his favorite motto was, "Good, better, best. Never let it rest, until your good is better, and your better is best." Bill Cater lived his life fulfilling this motto. We all look forward to celebrating Bill's memory on July 25. 

 

Chamber Update: Joint June Networking with Holyoke Was a Great Success

On June 16, the Greater Easthampton and Holyoke Chambers of Commerce held a joint networking event called "Moving the Mountain," on the scenic deck of the recently renovated Holyoke Country Club.

This combined event was a rousing success. Over 100 people attended, including both mayors, Karen Cadieux and Alex Morse, other dignitaries from both cities, State Representative John Scibak, and State Senator Don Humason. Easthampton's sponsors were Canon Real Estate, Easthampton Savings Bank and United Personnel.

Perfect weather, great food and drink, numerous door prizes and a 50/50 raffle all contributed to a successful evening.Says Vicky Puza-Allen, Easthampton's Chamber president, "What a fabulous opportunity it was to have both Greater Easthampton and Greater Holyoke Chamber members collaborating in one location, allowing businesses to expand their networking opportunities."  

Plans are being made for a similar networking event with the Northampton Chamber in the next year..

 

Area News: Easthampton Farmers Market Well Into Its Summer Season

The Easthampton Farmers Market has been running successfully since May 23. It operates every Friday from 2:00 to 6:00, May to October, in the Municipal Building parking lot at 50 Payson Avenue. In 2012, a winter farm market was added to the program as well, located in the Eastworks building. Vendors offer produce, plants, meat, baked goods, syrup and more, encouraging people to buy local.

A producer who regularly sells goods at the market is Chamber member Riverside Industries. Also included are Twin Maples Farm, Mycoterra Farm, Just Jane's Jams, Sawmill Farm, Turkish Kitchen, Frosted Swirl, King Cow Jerky, Capa di Roma's tomato sauce, and Mary Russell's hanging baskets.