Member Spotlight: Clay Crow
In January, the Chamber recognized Clay Crow with our annual Business Person of the Year Award. Clay is co-owner with Brad Robbins of Mantis Graphics, Easthampton, which has been in its current location since 2005.
The award, based on nominations by the Chamber and voting by its members, is given to one person each year who is a respected business leader, provides exemplary community service, displays vision and is public spirited.
Clay has been a Chamber member since 2003 and a Chamber Board member for six years, taking the lead in its legislative efforts and as a volunteer for countless community projects and events. His hand-made signs and logos appear on businesses throughout the Greater Easthampton area. In 2011, Mantis Graphics was also honored as Business of the Year by the Chamber.
View this Member Spotlight video to meet Clay Crow.
Mantis Graphics provides screenprinting, embroidery, graphic design and signs. Mantis Graphics is located at One Adams Street, Easthampton, 413-527-8716. Visit their website at mantisgraphics.com or on Facebook (where you can see also photos of Clay in his ubiquitous Mantis costume).
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We would like to help you get followers, likes or subscribers. The Chamber website allows for links to your YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter pages. Give the office a call or shoot us an email and we can add the links to your Directory page.
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2014-2015 Directory Deadline Sept. 9--Don't Miss Your Chance!
I f you are a Chamber member, you have a unique opportunity to market your business to over 18,000 readers of the Daily Hampshire Gazette, by purchasing an ad of your choice.
Don't miss the opportunity to reach this broad audience at reasonable advertising rates. See our flyer for details; deadline for ads is Sept. 9.
And--if you are willing to offer Member2Member benefits through a discount on products or services, we'll include your logo and a description of your offer FREE, if you let us know by October 1. Not a member yet? Join by Oct. 1 and you can still take advantage of this opportunity. Contact Denise Gross at 413-527-9414 or info@easthamptonchamber.org about membership.
Save the Date for Next Speaker Event, Oct. 23
Make your taxes work for you! The next event in our 2014 Speaker series will be a breakfast on Thursday, October 23, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
at the Southampton Country Club. Franklin-Hampshire Career Center is presenting Johanna Hall, who will discuss Workforce Training Fund Programs, a way for employers of any size to qualify for funding for employee training or hiring the long-term unemployed. Tickets are $15 for members, $20 for nonmembers; watch for registration information to come next week.
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Member News: Readers Choice Winners 2014
 In July, the Daily Hampshire Gazette began an annual effort to recognize local businesses through its Readers Choice Awards. The Chamber congratulates the following members who won the first place spot in various categories.
We're sorry we don't have enough space to publish the hundreds of members who were finalists, but you can see them all online at www.gazettenet.com--go to the "Don't Miss This" section near the bottom of the Home page and click "2014 Readers Choice Awards."
Member Category(ies)
A-Z Storage & Properties Storage Facility
Big Red Frame Picture Framing
Cooley Dickinson Hospital Hospital; Physical Therapy
Duseau Trucking LLC Local Recycling
ESB Financial Services Financial Planning
Finck & Perras Insurance Agency, Inc. Local Insurance Agency
Florence Savings Bank Local Bank; Local Bank for
Online Services; Place to
Get a Loan
Harley-Davidson of Southampton Motorcycles
Health New England Health Coverage/Insurance
Lathrop Retirement Communities Assisted Living Facility;
Retirement Community
Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House Banquet Facility/
Reception Hall
Look Memorial Park & Garden House Wedding Site Location
Nicky D's Used Cars Used Cars
Pioneer Landscapes, Inc. Landscaping Services
Richard's Fuel & Heating Inc. Heating or Air Conditioning
Contractor
Rigali and Walder Orthodontics Orthodontics
Tandem Bagel Company Bagels
Taylor Real Estate Real Estate Agency
VNA and Hospice of Cooley Dickinson Home Healthcare
The Williston Northampton School Private School
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Member News: ECA+ Sept. 13 Art Walk to Feature Buskers
 Art Walk Easthampton will feature busking on Union Street and beyond by Pioneer Valley performers in coordination with Busking Central, a music-themed Art Walk on Saturday, September 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to walk the streets, listen to music and watch performers.
The day will feature a diverse selection of music from over 20 performers, such as improvised electric violin and accordion, solo indie/folk performers, bluegrass bands, and more.
In addition to the busking performances, Art Walk Easthampton venues will host a wide range of events, workshops, and exhibition openings, including Victoria Chapman's "Pollinate", a collection of watercolors and artist reception at the Chamber office; the Plein Air Paint Out at the Nash Gallery; and an outdoor movie at Millside Park featuring short films and "Ghostbusters" at 8 p.m.
And, If you are in the mood for an ice cream that night, visit Mt. Tom's on Cottage Street for an exhibit of photographs by a well-known Chamber Board Member and former president.
Check out the Art Walk schedule and maps for more details at www.artwalkeasthampton.org.
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Member News: William O'Grady Appointed District Court Judge
 The Chamber sends congratulations to Chamber member William J. O'Grady of Westhampton, who was sworn in as Associate Justice of the Chicopee District Court in August, replacing retired Judge Mary Hurley.
O'Grady has practiced civil and criminal law with his wife, Cheryl Parker, at Parker & O'Grady in Southampton and Springfield since 1985. He has also served as a special prosecutor for the Northampton District Attorney's office.
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Board Member Profile: Meet Ed Batchelder
 NAME: Ed Batchelder
JOB TITLE, COMPANY: Owner, Batchelder Associates Financial Group
YEARS WITH CHAMBER AND POSITIONS/OFFICES HELD:10 years with Chamber, 6 years as Board Member.
YEAR YOUR BUSINESS STARTED: 1980
WHAT YOU DO: Provide income protection, wealth management (generating and protecting wealth), and employee benefits (recruiting, retaining and rewarding key employees). I work for the client, not for the carrier, and my key goal is to focus on offering high-value benefits at a low cost.
EXPERIENCE OR BACKGROUND: Licensed Independent Broker since 1980 with over 95 insurance companies to choose from. To keep up to date on the latest in my field, I attend an annual 5-day Mastermind Study Group on advanced planning.
SOMETHING THAT OTHERS MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU: I am a former selectman, financial committee member and moderator for the town of Southampton; an active Shriner; and a member of the Easthampton/Southampton/Westhampton Kiwanis. When I first started out my career, I was an assistant to Silvio Conte in Washington, DC, and had the opportunity to coach the Republican Congressional baseball team there. Many friendships developed out of that experience, including Senator Cullen from Maine, the former Secretary of Defense, who played second base and became a close friend.
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September 11
Garden House, Look Park
Recycling Days
September 12 &13
Bowl a Thon
Save The Date
November 1
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These member benefits are in addition to those Member to Member benefits already detailed online and in our MembershipDirectory.
LEARN MORE
If your business would like to offer a new Member to Member benefit, contact the Chamber. Your business will appear in this newsletter and, if your offer renews each year, it will appear in the Membership Directory.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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NEW Free Speaker Series for Hampshire County Businesses Sept. - Oct. TechCavalry / Innovative Business Systems Fee Waiver
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EYE ON POLICY & POLICY MAKERS
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Visiting the Area?
Greater Easthampton offers a wide range of activities - arts, food, shopping, the outdoors - for you and your family. To find out more of what is happening in the valley go to visithampshirecounty.com!
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