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Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Erika Travinski
1st Vice Chair
Jessica Bettencourt
Immediate Past Chair
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Board Members
Angela Chviek
Kimberly Cobb
Rich Eichacker
Steve Gardiner
Rich Suitum
Michael Wales
Michael L. Wales Painting Co.
Jim Donahue
Honorary Board Member
Counsel
Padgett D. Berthiaume
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Welcome to CROSSROADS EVENTS!
It's almost time to get down to the serious business of celebrating the holidays. Crossroads is here to keep you informed and up to speed on the latest from the Chamber and our Members. We are very pleased to welcome the President of the Worcester Red Sox, Dr. Charles Steinberg, as our guest speaker at The Chamber's Annual Meeting in January. You'll find the details on this, a recap of our latest ribbon cutting and the Holiday Fun at Five, plus great events and important news in this issue. The final Crossroads of 2019 will come out on December 31. Your news and events are most welcome!
WANTED: Your 2020 Events!
We rely on you to share with us and our community your news and events. Whether your business employs thousands or you are a one-person operation, Crossroads is your platform to share your latest news and happenings. Thank you for emailing us your press releases, links and photos for inclusion in
Crossroads!
Keep posting your events to our online events calendar! We love to share them!
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CMS CHAMBER HOLIDAY HOURS
CLOSED
DECEMBER 24-29 and JANUARY 1 & 3
OPEN
FROM NOON TO 5:00PM ON
DECEMBER 30 & 31 (until 2pm), JANUARY 2
DUE TO STAFF VACATIONS & HOLIDAYS
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CHAMBER OF CENTRAL MASS SOUTH
ANNUAL MEETING
JANUARY 22, 2020
11:30am-1:00pm
THE BARN AT WIGHT FARM
420 MAIN ST, STURBRIDGE
GUEST SPEAKER:
DR. CHARLES STEINBERG
PRESIDENT OF THE WORCESTER RED SOX
AGENDA
11:00-11:30 REGISTRATION & MINGLING
11:30 WELCOME
12:15 DR. CHARLES STEINBERG
12:45 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1:00 ADJOURN
MENU
GARDEN SALAD SERVED WITH
ROLLS & BUTTER
NOT YOUR AVERAGE CHICKEN CORDON BLEU with SUPREME SAUCE
SEASONAL RAVIOLI (VEGETARIAN OPTION)
MASHED POTATOES
BROCCOLINI
APPLE CRANBERRY CRISP
COST
$30 PER PERSON FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS (TABLES OF 8 FOR $225)
$40 FOR NON-MEMBERS
(TABLE OF 8 FOR $320)
PLEASE RSVP BY NOON ON
JANUARY 15, 2020.
BY CALLING 508-347-2761
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR:
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Mass. Office of Business Development: Office Hours at the Chamber
Meet with State Officials to Discuss How to Grow Your Business
We are very pleased to announce that on
Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 10:00AM-1:00PM we have state leaders available at the Chamber of Central Mass South to meet with you to discuss your specific business needs as well as state-provided resources that may be available to meet those needs.
Meet with the following State Officials to Discuss How to Grow Your Business:
Kevin Kuros, Business Development Massachusetts Office of Business Development
- Overview of State's Economic Development Incentive Program
- Information regarding other State programs to benefit businesses, such as: Mass Life Sciences Center, Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, Workforce Training Fund, MassEcon, MassCEC
Kelly Arvidson, VP, Business Development MassDevelopment
- Overview of financing programs available through MassDevelopment for manufacturers, non-profit organizations and developers of rental housing
Appointments available are first come, first served by calling Alexandra McNitt at 508-347-2761 or emailing:
[email protected]
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3rd Annual Membership Directory
Photo Contest
LAST CALL for your best photos to showcase
our region in all 4 glorious seasons!
The Chamber of Central Mass South is calling on all photographers, amateur and professional, to submit images which represent the four seasons in our area.
The photos cannot contain any distinguishable advertising or business entities and they must be easily identifiable with one of the four seasons.
Submit one or all four seasons!
There will be one winning photo chosen for each season, selected by the Chamber's Promotions Committee. The 4 winning seasonal photos will be used on the cover of the 2020 Membership Directory and the runners up may be used in the 2020 Annual Report and other Chamber publications with a photo credit to the photographers where possible. All submitted photos become property of the Chamber of Central Mass South.
The photos must be high resolution
(300 d.p.i. or greater)
and submitted digitally by email to Alix.
by December 15, 2019.
Thank you in advance for your best photographs of our towns!
Southbridge, Sturbridge, Charlton, Brimfield,
The Brookfields, Holland, Spencer, Wales, Warren, Northern CT
Chamber of Central Mass South
Questions? 508-347-2761
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Ribbon Cutting Recap: Ary Belen Agency
On the afternoon of December 6, 2019, The Chamber welcomed the new office of Allstate Insurance to Sturbridge with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and reception. The weather put a slight damper on attendance but not on the spirits of our guests. Ary Belen, Jr. is a licensed insurance agent with Allstate Insurance, operating exclusively as the Ary Belen Agency located at 71 Main Street, Suite 10 in Sturbridge. We are so happy to have Ary, his team and family aboard.
Visit Ary on Facebook and give him a call to protect the things that are important to you.
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Thanks for the memories! Holiday Fun at Five
What a party! On the eve of December 11, we celebrated with over 160 of our friends at
Holiday Fun at Five at The Publick House Historic Inn. Paige Hall was a glowing wonderland of treats and good cheer. This year's theme was Christmas movies and we indulged in taste sensations related to A Christmas Carol, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, The Nutcracker, and A Christmas Story (note the leg lamp which was won by a lucky guest!)
We are so grateful to our hosts, the amazing staff at The Publick House, our generous sponsor Cornerstone Bank, Woman in Business for combining their party with ours, everyone who donated a prize for the raffle and toys for the Center of Hope collection, and of course, all of our terrific guests. Thank you for sharing the spirit of the season with us! You made the night magical!
See more photos here.
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Spotlight on Tuscany
September 30 - October 8, 2020
9 Days, 10 Meals
Get away with your Chamber as we offer this 9-day trip
to Tuscany in Fall of 2020!
The trip includes a single hotel stay (Hotel Ercolini) from which you will visit Montecatini Terme, Florence, Lucca, the World War II Gothic Line, Pisa, take a cooking class, Siena (choose to visit a gothic cathedral or take a guided tour through a Siena neighborhood), take a Winery Tour, visit a Cheese Farm
and San Gimignano.
You can also find pricing and more details.
For more information or to book, please contact
Patti Wilmot or Joe Fitzgerald at
(800) 267-1858 or (413) 668-6202
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Remember... MEMBER TO MEMBER!
New M2M Offer: Crystalline Awaken offers 10% off a single service!
All of these Chamber Members offer M2M Discounts to their fellow Members!
Visit the link above to see all current discounts and contact us if you would like to add an offer or change your current discount!
ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES
OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE, THE LAST GREEN VALLEY, BRUSH-IT-OFF PAINT & SIP BAR,
PARTY TIME CARICATURES
PROFESSIONS & SERVICES
BRENDA BIANCULLI, CPA, THE CENTER OF HOPE: JUST THE DETAILS,
CRYSTALLINE AWAKEN, EDWARD JONES, ERA KEY REALTY,
FOCUS FITNESS CENTER AT SOUTHBRIDGE HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER,
JEES, LES GARDNER PHOTOGRAPHY, LIVE A FLOURISHING LIFE,
NICHOLS COLLEGE GRADUATE & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, NORCOM MORTGAGE,
PIONEER OIL AND PROPANE, POWER COMPUTERS,
TRI-COMMUNITY YMCA, UNIVERSAL TAG, VENTURE COMMUNITY SERVICES
RESTAURANTS
AVELLINO, B.T.'S SMOKEHOUSE, CEDAR STREET GRILLE, THE DUCK, FINS AND TALES,
OXHEAD TAVERN, SALEM CROSS INN, STURBRIDGE COFFEE ROASTERS
RETAIL
ALTERNATIVES FOR HEALTH HERBAL APOTHECARY, MORIN JEWELERS,
SADIE GREEN'S CURIOSITY SHOP, STURBRIDGE POTTERY
We THANK YOU for KEEPING IT LOCAL...
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Brown Bag Seminars Seek Presenters for 2020
The Chamber's Education Committee is currently planning our schedule of Brown Bag Seminars for the first half of 2020. Typically 1 hour long, these seminars are intended to attract intimate audiences of 5-30 people. Seminars are held at the Chamber office on the 4th Tuesday of the month at noon.
Presenting a Brown Bag Seminar is a great way to shine a spotlight on your business and the services you offer. You create the lesson plan, we do the rest including creating the invitations and promoting your seminar.
We are now planning for the months of
February, March, April, May and June. If you are interested in sharing your expertise with your fellow Chamber Members while promoting yourself and your business, we would love to hear from you!
Just drop Alix a line with the topic you would like to present and your preferred month to get the ball rolling!
Email Alix at [email protected]
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Why Salt Therapy?
Contributed by Tina Brigitini of Crystalline Awaken
In July of 2018, I was in crisis with pneumonia, most likely as a result of a secondary infection of Lyme, babesia. Many trips to the ER over the course of 15 months, sometimes every two weeks, with extreme difficulty breathing.
It was frustrating and yet I was determined to get this under control. Back in August 2019, I decided to introduce Salt Therapy to our Boylston location. Of course, I was the most frequent client.
In September, I added a salt room to our newest location in Sturbridge as I believed salt therapy would help me tremendously. I had no idea how much.
On October 4th, I was once again heading to the ER, this time they extended my stay for a couple days. Antibiotics, nebulizers, and released.
I continued the salt room everyday, completed my round of antibiotics and I am elated to say that since October 4th I have used my inhaler only four times. This is incredible since I had been needing it several times a day along with the nebulizer every four hours for 16 months.
The gratitude I have today is not only for this therapy but also for the awesome friend that believed this therapy would benefit me greatly. She was right.
Breathing freely....... finally!
 Crystalline Awaken has offices in Sturbridge (214 Charlton Street) and Boylston. See the services offered online or on facebook. You can also follow Tina and learn more on YouTube and iTunes.
Crystalline Awaken offers a Member2Member Discount for CMS Chamber Members: 10% off of any single service. Contact Tina by phone at 508-414-8770 to schedule an appointment or for more information.
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Escape the Pike Gift Certificates!
Escape the Pike Gift Certificates are the perfect gift for teens, college students, and all fun-loving individuals. Treat the ones you love to an hour of fun and challenge!
Looking for something to do with the family during school vacation? Wondering what to do for your next family outing? Surprise the kids with a live-action game that they not only get to play, but be a part of. The family can learn to problem-solve and work together while participating in a rewarding and imaginative experience.
Escape the Pike is located at 179 Main St. in Sturbridge, MA - in the rear of the same building as Teddy G's. You can save 10% when you eat and play - see the website for details.
Please call us at (774) 241- 0508 to book events.
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Help Wanted: Hitchcock Free Academy Executive Director
Hitchcock Academy is a nonprofit community center with a mission of enriching the lives of area residents by providing educational, recreational and cultural programming. Hitchcock seeks an Executive Director who will engage and serve the community; maintain a beloved historic building and develop fundraising and programming initiatives to ensure the organization thrives for decades to come.
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North Brookfield Savings Bank to Host Free
"Medicare - Countdown to 65" Seminar on January 9th
NBSB's second Medicare information event returns due to popularity
North Brookfield Savings Bank "Medicare - Countdown to 65" seminar attendees Diane and Roy Chaplin, Betsy Cuddy Martinelli, speaker Sue Flanagan and North Brookfield Savings Bank Senior Vice President of Human Resources Andrea Healy are shown in front of the crowd of attendees before the start of the event June's event.
North Brookfield Savings Bank will be hosting their second FREE Medicare i
nformation seminar "Medicare - Countdown to 65" on Thursday, January 9th, 2020, 4pm at Hanna Devine's, 91 Main Street in Ware. If you are over 60, this informative seminar will help you as you approach Medicare eligibility. Whether you are planning to retire or not, it is important to understand your health insurance options outside of your employer-sponsored coverage.
"North Brookfield Savings Bank is happy to be a resource for our community members when they are making important life decisions," said NBSB Senior Vice President/Director of Human Resources, Andrea Healy. "Whether someone is searching for the perfect financial product to fit their needs or seeking information about healthcare options, we can help them to find the answers they are looking for."
Due the popularity of this event, pre-registration is required with limited space available. It is highly recommended to reserve your place at this important learning seminar by calling or emailing Andrea Healy at 508-637-7423 or
[email protected]
. Light complimentary refreshments will be served.
The presentation and discussion will cover Medicare and Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare enrollment timeline, Medigap plans that help supplement Medicare coverage, Medicare Advantage plans, such as HMOs and PROs, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, and plans and programs available to early retirees, such as COBRA.
"As a local community bank, North Brookfield Savings Bank is fully committed to serving our community members in any way possible, not just as your local banker," said NBSB Senior Vice President/Director of Human Resources, Andrea Healy. "We are here to provide support, guidance and learning opportunities to help community members feel confident and at ease when they are making important Medicare healthcare decisions."
North Brookfield Savings Bank offers educational resources and opportunities to customers, community members and employees as a way to empower them and help them to feel assured in their financial and life decisions. This aligns with the Bank's established core value "Commit to Excellence" which concentrates on elevating and lifting others up through growth and learning for success. In addition, the core value of "Support our Community" encompasses the Bank's goal to engage in meaningful partnerships and put people first. These two practiced values that the Bank strives to embody everyday are why they are committed to providing the community with educational support.
Healy continues, "We are proud to offer various learning opportunities for our customers. We know that if our community members are equipped with knowledge, whether financial or any other topic, then this ultimately helps them to have overall better lives."
Medicare - Countdown to 65
Date & Time: January 9, 2020, 4pm (Snow date: January 16, 2020, 4pm)
Location: Hanna Devine's, 91 Main Street, Ware MA 01082
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Norcom Mortgage is on the hunt for licensed and experienced Loan Officers.
Do you have 2+ years of MORTGAGE EXPERIENCE?
Do you have a solid knowledge of FHA, CONVENTIONAL & VA LOANS?
*WE ARE NOW OFFERING REVERSE MORTGAGE LENDING*
INTERESTED?
CONTACT KRISTEN WALTHER
774.241.0770
LEARN MORE BY VISITING US AT
Please share this information with your friends and colleagues
who may have an interest!
Thank you!
This is not an offer to make a loan or to make a loan or any particular terms. All loan applicants must qualify under underwriting requirements and satisfy all contingencies of loan approval. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. NMLS ID #71655 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
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Nichols College Graduate School of Professional Studies
Grad Students are looking for challenging business projects.
Do you need help at your business? Nichols College Graduate students are looking for challenging business projects to further their studies. See the guidelines and contact Glenn at Nichols College for more information.
Request for clients to work with Graduate students to help solve a business problem or opportunity.
1. Client project must be focused on addressing a business problem or consulting opportunity requiring analysis, market research and recommendations.
2. A challenging project that draws on the skills and knowledge of graduate students in the areas of communication, market research, public administration, nonprofit management, social media, information technology, innovation and leadership.
3. Projects can be realistically completed within 7 weeks.
4. Client is able to act as a point of contact for the Project Team and has the bandwidth to be available for meetings and responsive to Project Team inquiries.
5. Client is willing to share information that may be needed to complete the project. (Non-disclosure agreements can be set up).
6. Client attends the team presentation onsite at Nichols College at the end of the project.
Please Contact Adjunct Faculty Member Glenn Juchno to discuss potential projects at:
[email protected]
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"Remember this December, that love weighs more than gold!"
-Josephine Daskam Bacon
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