Lunch with Governor Baker

March 23, 2017 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center

14 Mechanics Street, Southbridge MA, 01550

 

The Chamber is very excited to welcome His Excellency Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker who will share the latest news from Beacon Hill and answer your questions. We are pleased to offer this invitation to the Members of the Chamber of Central Mass South as well as our affiliates with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and hope you will join us for an informative and delicious luncheon at the Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center.

 

Please call or email us for more information or to reserve your space.

 
Governor Baker's Bio 

Governor Charlie Baker was inaugurated as the 72nd Governor of Massachusetts on January 8th, 2015. Since taking office, he has been making Massachusetts a great place to live, work and raise a family while delivering a customer-service oriented state government that is as hard working as the people of the Commonwealth.

 

Upon taking office, Governor Baker worked to close two budget gaps worth more than $2 billion without raising taxes, while bolstering local aid for our schools and communities, investing in a more reliable public transportation system and prioritizing funds to fight the opioid and heroin epidemic.

 

Governor Baker has supported robust business sectors by reforming the Commonwealth's regulatory environment, holding the line on taxes, and advancing efforts to rein in energy costs.

 

Ensuring Massachusetts continues to be a national leader in education, Governor Baker has invested over $4.6 billion in Chapter 70 education funding -- the highest level of local education aid in state history.

 

Confronted with a devastating opioid and heroin epidemic, Governor Baker's administration has implemented a plan focused on prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support, including partnering with the legislature on passage of landmark legislation.

 

Met with a historic snowfall during his first winter in office that halted our beleaguered mass transit system, Governor Baker undertook a major overhaul to fix the MBTA by appointing a Fiscal and Management Control Board to oversee the system's operations and finances, and prioritize investments in the core system that over one million daily riders depend upon.

 

Prior to his election, Governor Baker was a highly successful leader of complex business and government organizations, serving as a cabinet secretary to both Governor William Weld and Paul Cellucci, and leading Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, as CEO, from the brink of bankruptcy to one of the nation's highest ranked health care providers.

 

Raised in Needham, Governor Baker and his wife Lauren reside in Swampscott, and are the proud parents of their three children, Charlie, AJ, and Caroline.

 

The Luncheon Menu

 

Spring Salad

Field greens, candied walnuts, raspberries, and goat cheese

 

Surf & Turf

Coffee crusted filet with baked stuffed shrimp

 

Bananas Foster

Caramelized bananas, griddled pound cake and vanilla ice cream

 

To Attend:

Please RSVP to 508-347-2761 or info@cmschamber.org.

The cost is $39 per person with tables of 10 for $375 for Members and affiliates.

The cost for non-members is $50 per person with tables of 10 for $500.

 

The Deadline to RSVP is March 16.

There's much to celebrate with the New Year underway, especially for one lucky local resident. Russel Boling, resident of Ware, MA was awarded a $100 gift certificate for being the December 2016 North Brookfield Savings Bank Hat Contest winner.

Each month, anyone spotted wearing a NBSB hat by a Bank representative is entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift certificate to a local establishment. Boling was spotted wearing his North Brookfield Savings Bank hat by Universal Teller Wendy Swallow. Boling won a $100 gift certificate to the Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, MA.

To learn more about North Brookfield Savings Bank and the Hat Contest, visit www.NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com.

About North Brookfield Savings Bank:

 

 

Small Office Space For Rent

212 Main Street, Sturbridge

  

Need to get things done in Sturbridge? Les Gardner has a small office available to rent within his space in the McCurdy Insurance Building at 212 Main Street, Sturbridge. The space measures approximately 12' x 12' or 150 square feet. This convenient work space includes internet access and a desk. If you are interested or have more questions, contact Les directly at 508-347-7177.

SpencerBANK Donates $1,500 to Hearts for Heat

SpencerBANK recently donated $1,500 to Hearts for Heat, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides heating assistance to qualified individuals and families living in Worcester County. This donation will benefit the Spencer and Leicester chapters of the organization and will help keep local residents warm and safe during these cold winter months.

"Hearts for Heat works with those in need of fuel assistance within our community," said K. Michael Robbins, SpencerBANK president and CEO. "We are very pleased to support this organization."

In addition to the Spencer and Leicester chapters, Hearts for Heat also has chapters in North Brookfield and Princeton. For more information about this organization or to seek heating assistance, please visit www.heartsforheat.org.  

About SpencerBANK:

Founded in 1871, SpencerBANK is an independent, mutual savings bank serving the residents, businesses, and communities of central Massachusetts from offices in Spencer, Leicester, Rutland, Warren, and Worcester. Deposits are insured in full by a combination of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Depositors Insurance Fund. The Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Equal Housing Lender, and SBA Preferred Lender. SpencerBANK and Southbridge Savings Bank are both wholly owned subsidiaries of SSB Community Bancorp, MHC. For more information, visit online, on Facebook or call 800-547-2885.

Country Bank Receives Award From Worcester Common Ground

Recently members of Country Bank were presented with an award from Worcester Common Ground, in appreciation for their donation of $2,000 earlier in 2016, as well as the many hours of volunteer time from their staff at various events throughout the city of Worcester.

"I was so proud to volunteer to help out at the Worcester Common Ground events this past year. I especially remember priming tires for the "Play Everywhere Challenge" with students from the Jacob Hiatt Magnet School," stated Peter Rovezzi, Vice President, Business Development at Country Bank. "I'm looking forward to the warm weather when Yvette & Charise can put me and others from our team back to work in the Worcester community."

 

About Country Bank

Country Bank is a full-service mutual community bank serving central and western Massachusetts with 14 offices in Ware, Palmer, West Brookfield, Brimfield, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Leicester, Paxton, Charlton and Worcester. Country Bank is a member of FDIC, DIF and the SUM network. Country Bank can be reached at 800-322-8233 or online at countrybank.com .

Congratulations to the Best of Greater Sturbridge!

  
Volunteers sighted 12 bald eagles, with 6 sighted on rivers and 6 on lakes. Most of the eagles arrived in the region during the past month or two from northern states where the cold weather has frozen over rivers and lakes.  Bald eagles are primarily fish eaters, though they have been reported to eat ducks and other prey as well as carrion. They are here because the habitat can support them with excellent food sources, and because most of our rivers don't freeze completely during the winter months.  

This year's count was lower than previous years and was most likely due to the warmer weather at the time of the count and open water on lakes and ponds that dispersed the eagles throughout the region. The warmer weather in northern New England may also have kept the eagles in their home range longer than in previous years.

Some of the eagles that were sighted are "native." The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor is home to an ever-increasing population of year-round resident bald eagles. We know of 6 successful bald eagle nesting pairs that have raised and fledged eaglets in the Corridor over the last several years.

The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will crunch all of the information gathered by volunteers to determine the number of individual birds in the area. The detailed data reported by volunteers, such as exact time, location, and movement patterns are all vital pieces of the puzzle.  

Brian Hess, CT DEEP Wildlife Biologist and Midwinter Eagle Survey Coordinator, noted, "We see quite a bit of interest and participation in this year's survey with hundreds of volunteers across the state. Initial responses indicate that the counts are down a bit this year from highs in 2013 and 2014, likely due to warmer weather in December and early January. I'm extremely grateful to TLGV and Bill Reid for all of their help covering big swaths of water in Eastern Connecticut. We couldn't do this without them, or the help of the hundreds of volunteers statewide."

Nationally, the program is a project of the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division. Teams across the country observe on the same date and during the same hours to make the Midwinter Eagle Survey a national, state and regional snapshot of the health of the eagle population. Some states, such as Massachusetts, do not participate in the Midwinter Eagle Survey but conduct their own nest surveys in the spring.

1. It starts with self-reflection . . . It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. What does your self-portrait say about you?

2. Happiness is as much about what you don't want as what you do want. What's on your "I Don't Want . . ." List?

3. Once you free yourself of the illusion of who you want to be, the truth of who you are is crystal clear.

4. There is joy to be found in most any moment. You simply need to be willing to expand your vision and see it.

5. Insight fuels foresight. Open your mind to all the possibilities.

6. To learn something new today, reflect on what you did and what you thought about yesterday.

7. Direct Your Thinking . . . Set a goal today that is realistic. Focus your attention on the actions necessary to attain that goal.

8. Direct Your Thinking . . . Negative thoughts can be changed. Positive thoughts can be maintained.

9. Wake up every morning and begin each day with the desire and the decision to live joyfully.

10. And remember . . . While another's belief in you may sustain you for a while, lasting strength comes only when you choose to believe in yourself.

The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) needs you! With hundreds of miles of rivers and streams, including more than 80 miles of National Recreation Water trails for paddling, our waters are a priceless asset for all to enjoy. 

Volunteers are needed this spring and summer for an expanded water quality monitoring program. Training and equipment are provided, and TLGV will match your interests and availability with one of the monitoring programs. Learn about trolls and hobos, catch squirmy bugs, become a storm trooper, probe a lake, and make a long-lasting and positive impact in our National Heritage Corridor. The waters are ours and we all live downstream.

For more information or to sign up, contact Jean Pillo at 860-928-4948 x 605 or email Jean.Pillo@Comcast.net.

The volunteer water quality monitoring program is a partnership between TLGV, Eastern Connecticut Conservation District, Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Pomfret, and many other nonprofit organizations, businesses, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Learn more about water quality monitoring at The Last Green Valley's website, www.thelastgreenvalley.org, which also offers information about programs, Rangers, business partners, contests, an events calendar and more.  Keep up to date on TLGV's Facebook page, too. 

The Last Green Valley is a National Heritage Corridor - the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C.  The Last Green Valley works for you in the National Heritage Corridor. We help you to care for it, enjoy it and pass it on!  

Cool Winter Events!

TLGV Ranger Marcy's Acorn Adventure  

Choo-Choo-Choose the Brimfield Trolley Trail  

Sunday, February 19th, 2017, 1:00 - 2:30 pm    

Meet at the Brimfield Trail Association trail head, parking lot on Route 20., Brimfield, MA 

Explore Brimfield's Trolley Trail in The Last Green Valley! This section of the Titanic Rail Trail is a scenic old rail bed. Enjoy nature & hear about flood control as we walk this former trolley line that ran from Springfield to Sturbridge!

Snacks, Acorn Adventure stickers and lots of FUN always included!  

Dress for the weather, and bring a friend!  

FREE! All ages welcome.
     

Learn more about Brimfield Trail Association by viewing their brochure/map-> Brimfield-Trail-Map

Explore, visit, engage & connect with the things that make our National Heritage Corridor special, like our trails, wildlife & fresh air!

Questions? marcy@tlgv.org  

The Last Green Valley --> http://thelastgreenvalley.org/  

Acorn Club --> http://www.thelastgreenvalleyacorns.org/  

Acorn Adventures are sponsored byPutnam Bank

Cooking with Table 3: Mardi Gras, A Taste of New Orleans
February 23, 6:30pm

Channel your inner Cajun and get a taste of Mardi Gras. New Orleans' unique cuisine is known for po'boys, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp étouffée, beignets, and so much more. Join the Table 3 Chefs as they show us how to warm up our winter with a Mardi Gras party using straightforward, easy to prepare recipes. As always, these events sell out quickly so make your reservation early. This event is $55 per person with wine pairings, or $42 without. Tax and gratuity are not included. Make your reservations now by calling Avellino at 508-347-2321.

Live Music at The Cannery Music Hall! 

Visit online for more. 

Get your tickets now!

An Elegant Evening of Laughter with
Legendary Comedian Paula Poundstone
April 1, Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center 

An Elegant Evening of Laughter with Legendary Comedian Paula Poundstone hosted by Harrington HealthCare, will be held Saturday, April 1 at the Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center. Performance time is 8 p.m.

 

Proceeds from this event will benefit Harrington Recovery Services as well as the Southbridge Emergency Department renovation project.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Show Only:

Show Plus:

All Access:

Seating is limited in each section. All seats are assigned. You can purchase your tickets by visiting: hhpaulapoundstone.eventbrite.com
 

Here is a flyer and a link that anyone looking for overnight rooms may use. They may also call the front desk to reserve. This rate is $109 with breakfast included.

bookings.ihotelier.com/bookings.jsp?groupID=1767639&hotelID=13066

For questions contact John Grondalski at 508-765-3146 or Karen Spiewak at 508-765-8191.