Weekly Newsletter - Aug 5, 2020
When I was asked to compile the weekly Chamber newsletters for the next few weeks, I gladly jumped at the opportunity. I love to write and share relevant news with others, and there's a lot going on. Of course, in the midst of working on this week's newsletter, I lost Internet due to Isaias. A bit delayed, but luckily, I am back up and running.

While yesterday's tropical storm brought rain and wind, most of us were spared the brunt of the damage that other areas saw. It was Sunday's tornadoes that hit our area the hardest. Among the damage, greenhouses at Paley's Farm Market in Sharon were shredded. However, the market's public areas were mostly undisturbed and opened up the next day. Their resiliency is impressive and I plan on stopping by to show this member business our support. I hope you can do the same.

While many of us are striving to be resilient, the pandemic continues to strain our way of life. Absolutely, we're lucky that our area is fairing better than other regions. But, it's no time to relax. After a recent outbreak in Coronavirus cases on the other side of Connecticut, the state's "quiet" Northeast corner, we're reminded that no place is immune.

Continue to be vigilant, protect yourself and others, and remember that together, we are #TriStateStrong.

Take Care,

Marlane, Tri-State Chamber Board of Directors
Please stay informed:




Please send your news and updates and photos to [email protected] to announce your safety measures, new hours, services or products!
RENEW or BECOME a Member:

The Tri-State region is on a path to fully reopening and the Chamber is here to better connect our commerce and our community. Together, we can show our strength!
#TriStateStrong

Thank you to our amazing SPONSORS!


To become a SPONSOR please contact Jean Saliter at [email protected]

Nuvance Health Names 2 New Hospital Presidents
Veteran health system leaders Peter Kelly and Dr. Mark Hirko (pictured right) have taken on new roles in Nuvance Health.
 
Kelly is the new president of Vassar Brothers Medical Center in the City of Poughkeepsie. Hirko will serve in an expanded leadership capacity as president of both Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Conn., and Putnam Hospital in Carmel, NY.

Hirko has built strong working relationships in the Sharon Hospital community since he was appointed president there. He brings significant experience to this expanded role, having served in multiple senior positions with Health Quest Medical Practice (HQMP). Prior to joining HQMP, Hirko was chairman for the Department of Surgery and the General Surgery Residency Program director at Monmouth Medical Center-RWJ Barnabas Health in Long Branch, NJ. He also served as chief of vascular surgery at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. He completed his general surgery internship and residency at Akron City Hospital. He earned his medical degree at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. Prior to medical school, Hirko earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from the University of Akron.
White Hart Provisions Reopens
On July 31, The White Hart reopened Provisions, stating that their team's "Covid test results are in, and they are thankfully all negative. During our hiatus, our kitchens and public spaces were deep cleaned, and we re-evaluated our safety precautions— your health, and the health of our team, is always the most important thing to us. We feel confident welcoming you back!"
Chief Lending Officer, Robert Teittinen Retires from Litchfield Bancorp
On March 31, 2020, Robert Teittinen (pictured right) was due to retire from Litchfield Bancorp, but stayed on board to work with the rest of the Commercial Team to help process the Payroll Protection Program loans during the last few months surrounding the Covid-19 Pandemic. Now it has come time for the Litchfield Bancorp family to say those farewells after an unforgettable 9 years. 

“This is bittersweet and celebratory at the same time, however after 9 years of sharing his wit and wisdom, Bob Teittinen is retiring from Litchfield Bancorp. Bob has been influential to our bank, the Holding Company and to me personally,” the bank's Tom Villanova said. “With his retirement, I’m proud to congratulate Christine in her promotion to Chief Lending Officer. In her short time with the bank, Christine has proven herself worthy of this promotion and I am personally thankful to have someone of this caliber to replace Bob.”
LIME ROCK PARK: IMSA Northeast Grand Prix Canceled

On July 31, Lime Rock Park notified the public that the‌ ‌International‌ ‌Motor‌ ‌Sports‌ ‌Association‌ ‌(IMSA)‌ ‌‌was once again making a‌ ‌realignment‌ ‌to‌ ‌upcoming‌ ‌dates‌ ‌and‌ ‌venues‌ ‌on‌ ‌its‌ ‌2020‌ ‌schedule. This ‌includes‌ ‌shifting‌ ‌the‌ ‌Northeast‌ ‌Grand‌ ‌Prix‌ ‌at‌ ‌Lime‌ ‌Rock‌ ‌Park‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌Charlotte‌ ‌Motor‌ ‌Speedway‌ ‌ROVAL‌ ‌as‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌NASCAR‌ ‌event‌ weekend,‌ ‌Oct.‌ ‌9-10.‌

“We‌ ‌deeply‌ ‌regret‌ ‌not‌ ‌hosting‌ ‌the‌ ‌IMSA‌ ‌Northeast‌ ‌Grand‌ ‌Prix‌ ‌this‌ ‌year,‌ ‌but‌ ‌clearly‌ ‌understand‌ ‌the‌ ‌obstacles‌ ‌IMSA‌ ‌was‌ ‌presented‌ ‌with,”‌ ‌said‌ ‌Lime‌ ‌Rock‌ ‌Park‌ ‌President‌ ‌Skip‌ ‌Barber.‌ ‌“The‌ ‌good‌ ‌news‌ ‌is‌ ‌that‌ ‌IMSA‌ ‌remains‌ ‌unwavering‌ ‌in‌ ‌their‌ ‌commitment‌ ‌to‌ ‌return‌ ‌in‌ ‌2021‌ ‌and‌ ‌beyond.”‌ ‌

Barber‌ ‌reiterated‌ ‌Lime‌ ‌Rock’s‌ ‌ongoing‌ ‌commitment‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌health‌ ‌and‌ ‌safety‌ ‌of‌ ‌fans,‌ ‌participants,‌ ‌and‌ ‌staff, further noting that The‌ ‌38th‌ ‌annual‌ ‌Historic‌ ‌Festival‌ is scheduled for ‌Sept.‌ ‌3-7,‌ ‌and‌ ‌‌the‌ ‌Trans‌ ‌Am‌ ‌SpeedTour‌ ‌Classic‌ is set for ‌Oct.‌ ‌16-18,‌ ‌2020.‌ ‌ ‌
WETHERSFIELD GARDENS
by KATHRYN BOUGHTON
COVID is a crisis of spirit for many who have experienced the fear of an unseen enemy, the loss of livelihood, or, at worst, the loss of a loved one. But, in this particularly lovely section of the world, a spectacularly beautiful garden and estate has been opened as a refuge for those seeking serenity and surcease from the strife.

Wethersfield, the home of the late Chauncey Devereux Stillman (1907-1989), sits atop the highest point in Dutchess County, and reflects the lifestyle of a wealthy—very wealthy—gentleman farmer of the mid-20th century. Stillman’s grandfather, James Stillman founded what is now Citigroup, and Chauncey Stillman, himself, was a director of an oil and mining enterprise. An avid horseman, he first experienced the rural beauty of Dutchess County while riding with the Millbrook Hunt and eventually realized the potential of the land. In 1937 he bought two old dairy farms and began to flesh out to his vision of a country estate.
A Thousand Cuts
1:38hrs
Produced, written and directed by Ramona S. Diaz (ImeldaMotherland).
Nowhere is the worldwide erosion of democracy, fueled by social media disinformation campaigns, more starkly evident than in the authoritarian regime of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Journalist Maria Ressa places the tools of the free press—and her freedom—on the line in defense of truth and democracy.

Join The Moviehouse for a livestream Q&A
Sunday, August 9
11 am ET
with filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz and Maria Ressa in conversation with Christiane Amanpour (CNN/PBS).

Even though many summer camps are closed this year, curious young minds still have an opportunity to learn about and experience nature. Audubon is offering five weeks of Virtual Summer Camp, from July 21 through August 20. Discover the fascinating world of everything from birds to butterflies to beavers in this engaging online program, led and designed by expert Audubon educators. Details for this exciting program include:
  • Ages: For children in kindergarten through sixth grade
  • Schedule: Three 90-minute sessions per week (from 10 - 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
  • Flexible Options: Register by the week or for individual specific days
  • Fees: $40 per week or $15 per session
  • Technology Requirements: Mac, Windows PC, or a mobile device with a webcam, stable internet connection, and access to Zoom video conferencing
The Library Is Open by Appointment

Salisbury Farmers Market
Saturdays
10:00 -1:00
Lots of vegetables at the market. Fresh baked bread, hand made organic health and beauty aids, stellar cut flowers, real tasty heirloom beef, pork, maple syrup and more. Get some of the amazing mostly organic health and beauty aids from FranknNance. This week begins corn season with Bruce Howden's delicious sweet corn available at the corner of Library Street.

Zoom Series
The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination Book Study Group facilitated by Dr Kelly Kandra Hughes on Zoom
Saturdays August 8 and August 22nd
10:00 
Participants will come away with a better understanding of why we procrastinate and how we can work within our own personalities for a stress-free and more productive way to get things done.
Worship Services at Trinity Lime Rock

The main Sunday service begins at 10:25 AM via their Facebook page, and will do so for the foreseeable future -- very likely through year-end. (Look in the "Videos" section.)

They also currently offer a small outdoors in-person service, weather permitting. The service begins at 9 AM Sunday mornings. Social distancing and masks are required for all attending. Pastor Heidi will assign reader roles for the outdoor service as participants arrive. Trinity will provide cleaned chairs, or bring your own. Spiritual Communion at both services.
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