Welcome New Members:

Communicate Excellence

C.O. Sports Academy, Inc.

Faithful Essence Home Care, LLC

Grand Street Tavern

New Foundations, Inc.

Purple Elephant Car Wash

Regional Hospice

ServiceMaster Albino

Vicinanza Studios & Gallery

*Joined 02/09/2024 to 03/05/2024

Member Marketplace

To advertise your business or organization in the April member marketplace and get premier placement for your company, contact David Huck at dhuck@waterburychamber.com or call 203-757-0701. Space is limited! $100 per ad.

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

  • Thursday, March 7 at 4 p.m. - Haven Wellness Center - 305 Church Street, Suite 2 - Naugatuck
  • Friday, March 8 at noon - Ashley Outlet - 575 Union Street, Waterbury
  • Thursday, March 21 at 3 p.m. - Bluebird Counseling - 900 Straits Turnpike, Suite C 106, Middlebury
  • Thursday, April 25 at 1:30 p.m. - Braxton Manufacturing 60th Anniversary Celebration - 858 Echo Lake Road, Watertown


Come out and help your fellow Chamber members come celebrate their special occasion!

Recent Ribbon Cuttings

February 9: Piper & Dune - 134 Main Street South, Southbury

February 15: Easterseals Employment & Community Services Program - 1700 Watertown Avenue, Waterbury

February 28: Grand Street Tavern, 142 Grand Street, Waterbury

March 1: Vicinanza Studios & Gallery - 493 Heritage Road, Suite 4C, Southbury

Member News & Events

March 15: Waterbury Promise and Waterbury Regional Chamber Team Up for Job and Internship Fair

Learn more

Member Profile

Upcoming Events for Women from Park Central

Member Profile

March 13: Celebration of Women at Raymour & Flanigan Waterbury

Member Profile

Upcoming Events at the Mattatuck Museum

More Events

Member Profile

March 9: Author Talk Series featuring Margaret Anne Mary Moore; March 26: Rich Beebe at the Palace Theater

On Saturday, March 9th at 2:00 pm the Palace Theater in Waterbury welcomes author and life-long Middlebury resident Margaret Anne Mary Moore, nicknamed Meg, to the “I Wrote That!” Author Talk series stage. After a special introduction by best-selling author and humorist Dr. Gina Barreca, Moore will share her memoir Bold, Brave, and Breathless: Reveling in Childhood's Splendiferous Glories While Facing Disability and Loss, narrating her life in pursuit of a regular education and activities such as Girl Scouts, soccer, ice-skating, and snow tubing despite the physical limitations of Cerebral Palsy. Her story delves into challenges that often come with seeking inclusion and acceptance, but also highlights the joyous — and often hilarious — adventures of her childhood. Tickets to this engagement are offered on a first come, first served basis and seating is limited. This event is made possible through the ongoing support of Rourke Insurance Agency, and Timothy W. & Mary Ellen Rourke. 


Meg Moore’s story invites audiences to ponder how they can achieve their own wildest ambitions and how inner strength is one of the greatest factors that enables them to do so. 


When Meg was born, a prolapsed umbilical cord left her unable to breathe on her own. She was not expected to live through the night but by some miraculous recovery, she began to breathe on her own the next day. Ultimately, Meg was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a physical disability that required permanent dependence on others for daily tasks. A speech impediment forced her to rely on a communication device to speak to others. Meg’s disability only added to the already chaotic Moore household. Her father was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer, which later took his life just before Meg’s second birthday. Her mother, Anne, was left to raise their three children (Meg and her older brothers, Sean and Brian) on her own, determined to teach them to persevere through even the toughest of circumstances. 


Tickets to this event are $20 and may be purchased at the Palace Theater Box Office: 203-346-2000 or palacetheaterct.org. 

On Tuesday, March 26th at 7:00 pm, the Palace Theater presents an inspirational journey from unimaginable loss and grief to healing and hope with Rich Beebe. In May 2007, Beebe lost his wife Eileen after her three-year battle against colon cancer, leaving him the single parent of their only child, 14-year-old, Meghan. Six years later in December 2013, Meghan was killed in a hit-and-run accident. In the years since, he has had to come to terms with the loss of his family and is finding a new path forward. This event is made possible through the ongoing support of Rourke Insurance Agency, Timothy W. & Mary Ellen Rourke, and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UConn Waterbury.


During this process, Beebe has been very open about his personal experiences. Writing about the challenges of grief, he said, “It is never easy…never easy, this balancing of loss with healing, of grief with acceptance, of pain with endurance, of memories with hope. Then carrying them all forward as lessons shared; and perhaps, in the process, seeking and finding — both with one another and within ourselves — a measure of peace.”



Beebe hopes that his experiences, though admittedly painful, will offer the audience a chance to gain insight into how one can face grief and loss and still live a full life, honoring those we have loved and lost.

Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the Box Office: 203-346-2000 or palacetheaterct.org. 

More Events

Member Profile

Naugatuck YMCA Events: Pool of Gold March 17; Splash & Hunt March 30

Grab your suit and join us for an St. Patrick's Day celebration in the pool!

After helping us collect all the gold that was left, pick up a prize.

This event is FREE and is limited to the first 30 children register per group (2 groups available)

Swim Note: Pool rules apply, if your child can not swim, they must wear a life vest and 1 parent must go into the pool and stay with in arms reach.

Ages: 1-12

Groups times:

10:30-11:15am

11:30-12:15pm

Splash & Hunt at the Pool (March 30)

Grab your suit and join us for an egg hunt in the pool!

After the hunt turn in the Easter eggs and pick up a prize.

This event is FREE and is limited to the first 30 children register per group (2 groups available).

Swim Note: Pool rules apply, if your child can not swim they must wear a life vest and 1 parent must go into the pool and stay with in arms reach.

Ages: 1-12

Groups times:

1-1:45pm

2-2:45pm 

Member Profile

On March 27, 2024, the Exchange Club of Waterbury will be hosting the annual Dr. Larry Shea Memorial Awards Dinner at the LaBella Vista Catering facility in Waterbury. The cost of the evening is $50.00 per person. Cash Bar Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 PM and Dinner Program begins at 6:00 PM. Alexa Farrell, Morning News Anchor will be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening.

 

At this event, high school seniors will be awarded scholarships as well as members of our Police and Fire Departments will be honored for their bravery and commitment to our local communities.

 

Each year this event takes place in memory of Dr. Larry Shea, our first club President for the Waterbury Exchange Club in 1948. He was a member of this club for more than 50 years and was on the scholarship committee for more than twenty-five of those years.

 

This year’s recipients are:

·        Hauwa Mukhtar with the Youth of the Year – 1st Place Award. Hauwa came to the US four years ago from Nigeria. Currently a senior at Crosby High School and planning to pursue a degree in nursing at Quinnipiac University in the fall.

·        Grace Henderson – Youth of the Year – Honorable Mention – currently a senior at Waterbury Arts Magnet School.

·        Arianna Ceballos-Pena- A.C.E. (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) from Waterbury Career Academy. Her guidance counselor that nominated her states “her journey at WCA has been marked with dedication and growth.”

·        Officer Frank W. Lee, V – Police Officer of the Year – he began his career at the Waterbury Police Academy in 2006 working patrol for 12 years while earning.

·        Battalion Chief Steven Noreika – Waterbury Fire Department – He began his career at Engine Company #7 in 1995 and is currently assigned as the Director of Training for the Waterbury Fire Department since 2020. 

·        Chase Beck – The Marathan Man Memorial Scholar Award in memory of the late Atty. Eugene DeFronzo. Chase attends Crosby High School and his nomination was submitted by his running coach. Atty. DeFronzo was well known for his love of people and his love for marathon running.

·        Josephine DiSantis – The Book of Golden Deeds Award – this award is given to someone of an “unsung hero” in their community always giving back and never seeking anything in return.

·        Detective Andrea Deyo – The Blue-Ribbon Award – this award is given to an individual in the social work or child abuse prevention area, and we could not be prouder this year to present Andrea with this award.

For more information or event sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website https://www.waterburyexchangeclub.org or call the Event Program Chairs: Justin Golden, Club

President (972) 679-9738 or Justin.golden@gtscloud.com, Kathy Craig (203) 558-1467 or kcraig55@gmail.com.

Member Profile

April 4: Acts 4 Ministry Fundraiser at the Ponte Club at La Bella Vista

Support Acts 4 Ministry at a Fundraising Dinner at the Ponte Club at La Bella Vista Banquet venue at 380 Farmwood Road in Waterbury, on Thursday, April 4 at 6:30 p.m. The family-style sit-down dinner will include a four-course meal of Pasta Fagioli, Italian Antipasti, Pasta with Meatballs and Soffritto, and Porketta. Bottles of red wine will be placed on each table; white wine upon request. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for a cash bar. The cost for dinner is $40/person, a portion of which will be donated to the non-profit, non-denominational Acts 4 Ministry. Purchase tickets before March 15 through the Acts 4 Ministry Events page. To learn more about Acts 4 Ministry, Inc., visit www.acts4.org. All donations are tax-deductible.

Member Profile

Tickets

April 25: Naugatuck Valley Community College Foundation Leadership Breakfast

More information

Member Profile

Volunteer with the American Red Cross

Member Profile

Quilts that Care Upcoming Meetings

Quilts that Care will meet from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, April 2 and 16; from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18 and 25 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, April 6, 13, 20 and 17 at Quilts that Care headquarters, 130 Scott Road, Waterbury.


The group will also meet from 12:30 to 2 p.m. April 3 and 17 at the Litchfield Community Center, Route 202. Litchfield

 

Quilts that Care, Inc., a nonprofit organization, makes and donates quilts to cancer patients at 20 Connecticut facilities. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome. Non-sewers are welcome. Volunteers to assist with fundraising, grant writing and corporate sponsorships are also welcome. Fabric, sewing notion and monetary donations are also welcome.


The facilities are The Cancer Care Center at Griffin Hospital, Derby; The Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, Dr. Nicole Sookhan of Trinity Health of New England and Saint Mary’s VITAS in Waterbury; Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington; Connecticut Childrens’ Medical Center and St Francis Hospital in Hartford. Also, Norwalk Hospital; The Yale/Smilow Cancer Center in New Haven; Bristol Hospital; The Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain; Hartford HealthCare at Home, Watertown and Southington; Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, Winsted; AccentCare, Middlebury; Midstate Medical Center, Meriden; University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington and Veteran’s Hospital, Newington. QTC recently began to donate to the Diebold Family Cancer Center in New Milford and to Danbury Hospital, making for a total of 20 Connecticut facilities.

 

The Quilts that Care mission is to “wrap cancer patients and their families in comfort and hope, one quilt at a time.”

 

For information, call Deb at 860-782-1043.

Member Profile

March 14 & March 21: Free Presentation on Tech Support Scams presented by Bsquared Intel

Tech support/call center scams cost victims nearly $1 Billion dollars in losses, according to the FBI’s 2022 Internet Crime Report.

 

“Tech Support Scams: An Inside Look” is a free presentation that gives you an inside look to how tech support scams play out, the costs to you, and some tips to help protect you from this costly scam.

 

This talk is being offered on two different dates over Zoom. Please register for the one that works best for you below.

 

March 14th 2024

Time: 12-1PM EST

Location: Zoom

Registration Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpfu2vqz8sH9DKt0EN05wupEIXZhPZfD1y

 


March 21st 2024

Time: 5:30-6:30PM EST

Location: Zoom

Registration Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpc-upqT8jGdJxN7XfUBPslzE_-Qgq2FSY

 

Contact me at bill@bsquaredintel.com or 203.828.0012 to learn more.

 

Bill Becker

President Bsquared Intel

Member Profile

Becoming a Human Firewall

“Passive security practices like setting and maintaining defensive security perimeters simply don’t work against highly aggressive and adaptable threat sources, including criminal organizations and rogue states.” – Charles King, Analyst – Pund-It


Every individual, business, organization and association needs at a minimum the use of anti-virus software and a firewall to keep the bad actors out. Either locally, or internationally.


In addition to these tools, you need to educate yourself on the current threat landscape. If you click on a link, download an attachment, provide sensitive data before verifying its legitimacy you may be enabling a hack of our computer and network. You need to become a human firewall.


Golden Technology Services Inc. offers the most comprehensive, scalable Cyber Awareness training available today.


We will assist you in reducing your risk while online.


Contact: Justin Golden

justin.golden@gtscloud.com

1(972)679-9738 (m)

Member Profile

Watertown Foundation Update

Since its inception nearly one hundred years ago, the Watertown Foundation has provided support to resident high school seniors who wanted to pursue a college education. At first, this took the form of college loans. In September 1926, the Foundation made loans totaling $2,300 to seven "worthy young men and women desiring to secure an education." The loans were to be repaid with 4% annual interest. The students were attending Brown, Middlebury, Clark, and Boston University. In the late 1980's the Foundation transitioned from loans to scholarships. Hundreds of local students have received more than $900,000 in awards since then.

 

This year the Watertown Foundation, along with its partners, the Watertown/Oakville Chamber of Commerce and Northwest Community Bank, will be making 28 grants totaling $90,000. Most of the scholarships are for one year, but several are renewable, dependent on satisfactory academic performance, for all four years. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who have resided in Watertown/Oakville for at least the last three years. The grants range in size from $1,500 to $5,000.

 

Applications for Watertown Foundation scholarships are due by March 20. The application form and instructions can be downloaded from the Foundation's website (watertownfoundation.com). 

 

As we make plans to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our founding in 2025, we welcome you to join us in continuing the vision of David Woodward and our founders as we "Connect our Community Through Giving".

 

Email: wtnfoundationct@gmail.com  Website: www.watertownfoundation.com

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