Celebrating Our Members
March 2018
In This Issue:
1) New Members 2 ) Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings 
3) Member Upcoming Events
4) Member News & Updates  5 ) Recent Ribbon Cutting Photos
Welcome New Members
Welcome to all of our new members* who have joined over the past month.
We encourage you to connect with them soon and see where your next partnership can be!

Alliance Bail Bonds
Grinding Controls Technologies
Ambit Energy-Patricia Rodgers Mandy Allen, CPA
Art of Yum Nicholas Tobin Insurance
Cakes & Sweets by Emanuela Northwest CT Public Safety Communication Center
Clam Digger Sheep to Sharks
Clipper Magazine Socks & Tops
D. Myles Chef & Catering Washington Agency-The Bella Group
Edward Jones Wild Birds Unlimited
Great Heritage Investments, LLC Ziegenbalg Agency-Allstate


 *January 31- March 2
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings 
Join us at any of these upcoming ribbon cuttings to help celebrate your fellow members - All are welcome!
For photos of our recently passed ribbon cuttings, keep scrolling!

Franciscan Ever There Care
Wednesday, March 7
11:00 AM
New Location!
411 Highland Avenue, Suite 1N, Waterbury
Ruan Marinho LLC
Tuesday, March 13
1:00 PM
New Office Location!
7 North Main Street, Southington
Route 63 Automotive
Wednesday, March 21
10:00 AM
Grand Opening!
1029 Main Street, Watertown
Wild Birds Unlimited
Friday, April 6
11:00 AM
Grand Opening!
1156 Main Street, Unit B, Watertown
*To schedule an upcoming ribbon cutting for your business with the Chamber, contact Membership Services & Communications Director Julie Donato at jdonato@waterburychamber.com or  at (203) 757-0701 ext. 311.
Member Upcoming Events
Easterseals 25th Annual Chocolate and Food Festival (March 10)
Easterseals 25th annual Chocolate and Food Festival is coming to the Naugatuck Event Center on March 10th! At this popular event participants will be able to sample an overflowing assortment of chocolate, gourmet foods, as well as beer and wine. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and more! To order tickets please visit www.eastersealschocolateevent.eventbrite.com  or find us on Facebook (Easterseals of Greater Waterbury) Tickets are $20 for adults, and $5 for children ages 5-11. View Member Profile.

Woodbury Restaurant Week (March 19-25)
Waterbury Regional Chamber member Just Woodbury has taken over as the presenting sponsor of Woodbury Restaurant Week, which will be held from March 19-25.  Just Woodbury has taken an innovative approach to Restaurant Week. Instead of setting up the town for a "dine and dash," Just Woodbury owner Tim Parry is also targeting out-of-towners to come visit Woodbury.  In addition to having 14 restaurants on board, Just Woodbury has partnered with 9 antiques dealers, 6 regional hotels and inns, and several Woodbury shops who will be offering discounts and deals during Woodbury Restaurant Week. In addition, Woodbury Brewing Company is hosting two special events, and Middle Quarter Mall will host a sip-n-stroll Happy Hour to coincide with Woodbury Restaurant Week.  For more information, check out WoodburyRestaurantWeek.com  View Member Profile

Shakesperience Productions 'Sweets to the Sweet' (March 22)
Join Shakesperience Productions for their Annual Sweets to the Sweet fundraiser for desserts, auction and live performances! Guest stars will try their hand at Shakespeare skits while guests enjoy delicious treats from local eateries. The 2018 guest stars are: Jack Baker (Crystal Rock & Litchfield Distillery), Martha Bernstein (Past Board Chair, CT Community Foundation), Carolyn Cicchetti (Palace Theater Board of Advisors), Julie Donato (Waterbury Regional Chamber), James Higgins (FD Community Federal Credit Union), Kristin Kunhardt & Jampa Stewart (Valley Health & Wellness Co-Op), Ald. Ron Napoli, Jr. & Lysa Margiotta (Waterbury & Trumbull Schools), and Humphry Rolleston (Western CT Leadership). Watch as these community leaders take the stage on March 22nd at the Palace Theater Poli Club beginning at 7:00 PM! Tickets available at https://shakesperience.org/sweets   View Member Profile.

Hearing, Balance and Speech Center Celebrates 30 Years  (March 23)
Hearing, Balance and Speech Center is proud to celebrate 30 years of excellence in hearing healthcare under the leadership of Dr. Natan Bauman. Dr. Natan Bauman graduated from Columbia University with doctorate degree in Audiology. Dr. Bauman established his own practice, Hearing, Balance and Speech Center, in 1988, where he performs audiological testing and fitting patients with hearing aids. Since 1988, Hearing, Balance and Speech Center continued to expand with the addition of new office locations. In total, there are six locations, including the main office in Hamden, and Branford, Norwalk, Bristol, Wallingford and Waterbury. Hearing, Balance and Speech Center will be celebrating their 30th anniversary on Friday, March 23rd , at Best Western Plus with a patient appreciation luncheon. To learn more about healthy hearing, tinnitus or sound sensitivity disorders or to schedule an appointment, please contact their office at (203) 287-9915. For more information, visit www.hearingbalance.com  View Member Profile.
 
Children's Community School Annual Awards Dinner (March 27)
The Children's Community School will host their Annual Awards Dinner, 'Building Better Futures,' at La Bella Vista March 27th. This year, the school looks forward to honoring Mayor Neil O'Leary with The Father Dwyer Humanitarian Award; State Representative Stephanie Cummings with the Atty. Robert E. Mellon Service Award; Tony D'Elia, La Bella Vista - The Ponte Club with the Partner Award; and Maude Pendarvis, CCS Chef with the CCS Alumni & Family Award. The evening will include entertainment from Bravo Waterbury!, a fabulous silent auction, and more. R.S.V.P. by March 19 to Lynn at 203-575-0659 ext. 212 or development@ccswaterbury.org View Member Profile.
 
DiVirgilio Charity Gala to Support US Veterans (April 7)
You're invited to the DiVirgilio Charity Gala, where all profits go to support our U.S. veterans. Enjoy a night of fun and fine dining right at Double Tree in Bristol beginning at 5:30. This is a charitable event open to the general public for the benefit of our U.S. veterans. The event is being hosted by the Dan DiVirgilio Agency, LLC Farmers Insurance. The event includes: Live Dinner Theater Show by AspenDreamProductions, the invitation to Come Dressed up Like Your Favorite Mobster, fine dining by Double Tree Hotel, Silent Auction featuring items donated by local organizations & Raffle Tickets for anyone who attends, a Photo Wall commemorating local veterans and a Special Guest Celebrity look-a-like! Tickets are available online at danforvets.eventbrite.com  View Member Profile.

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Member News and Updates
Barbara Branagan-Mitchell, owner of Branagan Communications Consultants LLC (BCC) in New Milford, announced that in 2018 she is celebrating 25 years of success as a sole proprietor public relations, publicity placement, marketing communications and writing/editing consulting agency. In 2004, BCC moved her services from Westchester County, NY and has been successfully providing awareness-building PR and marketing campaigns for small to medium-sized businesses across Connecticut. BCC's services include writing and editing of content for websites, branding and sales materials, newsletters, brochures, and presentations. Long-standing BCC clients include the Waterbury Regional Chamber, the Business Women's Forum (BWF), and Acts 4 Ministries LLC. In 2010, Branagan-Mitchell received the Chamber's highly-prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award and the Ambassador of the Year Award in 2016. For more information, visit  www.branagancommunications.com  , email to barbara@branagancommunications.com or call Branagan-Mitchell at 860-210-0149. View Member Profile.
 
Nutritionist Carolyn Finch Hosted "Be Electrific Mini-Health & Wellness Fair" In Middlebury
Carolyn Finch, certified nutritionist, speech therapist, body language expert, applied kinesiologist and owner of Electrific Solutions Inc. health and wellness consulting agency in Danbury and Middlebury, hosted her free 19th annual "Be Electrific Mini-Health & Wellness Fair". Photographed with Ms. Finch was health and weight management coach Sara Bye, owner of Smarter With Sara LLC in Southbury. Fair exhibitors included Sykes Chiropractic LLC, Corebella Health LLC, TLC Homecare, and Noteworthy Chocolates. Fair booths offered information on weight loss, posture checks, allergy testing, inner cell stimulations through Vibroacoustics, and allergy-free chocolates. Ms. Finch provided information on ways to naturally prevent Dementia and Alzheimer's, the power of electricity in the body for optimal health and wellness, and ways to naturally prevent stress and illness. For information, visit www.carolynfinch.com , call 203-405-3972, text to 203-512-4798 or email to carolyn@carolynfinch.com. View Member Profile.

FD Community Federal Credit Union announces James Higgins as COO
FD Community Federal Credit Union announced that James Higgins has been named as its new Chief Operating Officer. Coming from Webster Bank, James was most recently a Vice President and Banking Center Manager.  His previous experience includes sales with First Data, Indeed, and running a call center operation for 3PL Worldwide. In his new position as COO of FD Community FCU, James will have direct responsibility for the strategic development and management of branch operations, member relations, information technology and security, compliance and human resources. He will also be responsible for continuing and building on the credit union's reputation for delivering excellence in customer service and satisfaction. A high-profile member of the community, James is very active with local community organizations. This includes the Exchange Club of Waterbury, the Waterbury Regional Chamber, Habitat for Humanity and the United Way. Founded in 1934, FD Community Federal Credit Union is the oldest financial institution home- based in Waterbury. FD Community is committed to providing the highest level of personal service and the most affordable financial services and is open to anyone living or working in the Greater Waterbury area. FD Community's mission is to enhance the financial well-being of its members. View Member Profile.
 
Franciscan Ever There Care receives Best of Home Care - Leader in Excellence Award
Franciscan Ever There Care received the Best of Home Care - Leader in Excellence Award from Home Care Pulse, the leading firm in quality assurance for home care. This award is given to select home care businesses who consistently rank among the highest level in caregiver training, compassion of caregivers, communication, scheduling, and client/caregiver compatibility. Each month, home care pulse randomly surveys a percentage of FETC's client and caregiver base to ascertain their satisfaction in a wide array of areas". This accomplishment demonstrates Franciscan Ever There Care's long-term dedication to excellent care and quality improvement. To qualify for this award, 10% of Franciscan Ever There Care's clients and caregivers were interviewed each month for 12 months by Home Care Pulse. Using feedback from clients and employees, as well as quality benchmarks from Home Care Pulse, the management team of Franciscan Ever There Care set goals in order to reach the highest possible level of excellence. Christopher LaRiviere, Executive Director, believes "this quality assurance award reflects the agency's faith-based mission and brings to the forefront how the services of Franciscan Ever There Care not only meet the client's daily needs but also touch their hearts. The dedicated caregivers are the true human extension of the mission." View Member Profile.
 
Ion Bank names Sorrina Salvatore as Vice President, Business Development Officer
Ion Bank is pleased to announce Sorrina Salvatore has been promoted to Vice President, Business Development Officer. This newly created position is part of their focus to increase Ion's presence and enhance their commitment to the business communities they serve. In her new role, Sorrina will assist in defining Ion's long-term strategic goals of achieving financial growth by building key customer relationships through new customer acquisition and retention. Ms. Salvatore began her career with Ion Bank in 2000 as Head Teller in our Watertown branch, and then became Assistant Branch Manager in 2001 and in 2008, she was named the Branch Manager. In 2015, Sorrina was promoted to VP, Dual Branch Manager in the Naugatuck market. Previously she held positions as a Personal Relationship Banker at Litchfield Bancorp in Oakville, CT and Teller Supervisor for Centerbank/First Union Bank in Waterbury. Sorrina currently serves as the Leadership of Greater Waterbury Secretary, sits on the Board of Directors for Family Intervention Center and Young Professionals of the Waterbury region. She previously was the Chairman of the Watertown Fall Festival and Family Intervention Center Board of Directors. Sorrina was the 2013 recipient of the Watertown/Oakville Chamber of Commerce Unsung Hero Award and the award winner of the 2012 Annual Ion Bank Employee Recognition Program. She is a Wolcott native and currently lives in Watertown with her husband Robert. View Member Profile.

Ion Insurance hires Chief Operating Officer, Acquires independent Cheshire agency
Ion Insurance Corporation, a full-service independent insurance brokerage affiliated with Ion Bank, has made two major strides recently, hiring Lisa SanAngelo as Vice President, Chief Operations Officer and acquiring an independent Cheshire insurance agency that will nearly double their size. In her newly created position, Lisa will oversee and manage all areas of the insurance agency to ensure continuation of employee and customer satisfaction and facilitate annual growth and strategic objectives. Lisa was previously employed at H.D. Segur Insurance in Cheshire, CT as Operations Manager and Tracy-Driscoll Insurance in Bristol, CT as Vice President, Operations Manager. Ion Insurance has also acquired CPM Insurance in Cheshire, in a deal that became effective in January 2018, announced David Drescher, President of Ion Insurance. In addition to the wide variety of current insurance product offerings, the deal will give customers access to a greater number of insurance carriers and specialized insurance coverage for towing operations, sand and gravel hauling, automobile recycling and dismantling as well as one of a kind tool and equipment coverage offered through CPM's exclusive program, Pro-Tec. Ion Insurance will keep their headquarters at 24 Cherry Street in Naugatuck and add an office location at 1520 Highland Avenue in Cheshire which will house a majority of their employees. View Member Profile.

Minuteman Press Offers March Discount for Chamber Members
  Chamber member Minuteman Press is offering lucky fellow members some great discounts in March! All month long, receive 5% off orders of $200 or more, 10% off orders of $500 or more, and 15% off orders $1000 or more! One discount is permitted per customer, and the order must be placed and paid for in full during the month of March for the discount to qualify. For more information, contact Minuteman Press at (203) 573-0100 or contact waterbury@minutemanpress.com  View Member Profile

O&G Kicks Off Renovation at Nonnewaug High School, Wins Paving Award for New Haven Highway Project
O&G Industries recently kicked off the renovation of Nonnewaug High School (Region 14) in Woodbury at a traditional groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday afternoon. Members of the student body, parents, staff, administration, building committee members, construction personnel and elected officials attended the event. The $63.8 million dollar project involves a 145,000 square foot renovation of the school facility. Key features will include construction of modern science labs, a full auditorium with performance stage, visual arts rooms, technology and liberal arts areas and athletic fitness facilities. The project is expected to be completed in the spring of 2020. In addition, the team of O&G Industries and Tutor Perini Corporation was recently awarded the National Asphalt Pavement Association's (NAPA) Quality in Construction Award for the reconstruction of I-95 / I-91 / Route 34 Interchange, known as Contract E. The six-year, $365 million project was completed in the fall of 2017 and involved the demolition of 19 bridges over the 7.2 mile span of highway, including one that took place overnight in sub-freezing temperatures. The project was one of the several projects that comprised the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge replacement project.   View Member Profile.
 
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Recent Ribbon Cuttings
Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers
Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers marked the grand opening of its Waterbury office at 30 North Main St., overlooking The Green downtown. Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony are, from left: Waterbury Regional Chamber Chairman William J. Pizzuto, Ph.D., Campus Director of UConn Waterbury; Rep. Geraldo Reyes Jr., D-75th District; attorney Jonathan Perkins; Chamber President & CEO Lynn Ward; Waterbury Economic Development Director Joseph McGrath, and Main Street Waterbury CEO Carl Rosa. For information, visit www.800perkins.com.
 
Muni Insurance & Tax Inc.

Muni Insurance & Tax Inc. marked the grand opening of its second location on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. Muni Tax Inc. is located at 770 Highland Ave. in Waterbury, while Muni Insurance Inc. is located at 211 Chase Ave. Participating in the ribbon-cutting are, from left: Alderman Christian D'Orso; Waterbury Economic Development Director Joseph McGrath; Rosario D. Batista; owner Frances M. Batista; Waterbury Regional Chamber Ambassador Janice Mitchell-Smith of Aflac Insurance, and Chris Conway, Waterbury Regional Chamber membership director. For information, call 203-527-3669 or visit facebook.com/munitaxservice.

Dom & Emilio's Delicatessen

Dom & Emilio's Delicatessen, an authentic Italian deli located at 835 Wolcott Street, celebrated its arrival in the Waterbury community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 13. Participating in the ceremony were, from left: Economic Development Director for the City of Waterbury Joe McGrath, Waterbury Alderman George Noujaim, Waterbury City Clerk Michael J. Dalton, Emilio and Dom Mesiti with their parents and business owners Gladys and Anthony Mesiti, and President & CEO for the Waterbury Regional Chamber Lynn Ward. Dom & Emilios offers an array of classic Italian specialties including salads, sandwiches, stuffed breads, soups, desserts, and more. To learn more about Dom & Emilio's, visit them online, in store, or call them at (203) 528-3280.

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