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Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Jessica Bettencourt
Chair
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Board Members
Angela Chviek
Rich Eichacker
Steve Gardiner
Erica Travinski
Michael Wales
Michael L. Wales Painting Co.
Jim Donahue
Honorary Board Member
Counsel
Padgett D. Berthiaume
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Greetings from the Chamber of Central Mass South!
Welcome to CROSSROADS EVENTS!
Shake off November's chill and warm up with fun and informative events happening throughout the area!
Our table is full of satisfying options for every taste.
The Chamber invites you to our seminar on Business Planning & Structure on the 28th at the Sturbridge Host Hotel. On the 29th, we cut the ribbon at The Publick House's new Tillyer House! It's not too soon to register for Holiday Fun at Five. We hope you'll join us for a night to remember on December 20. We look forward to celebrating with you and we wish you and yours a warm, happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Got news? 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 sharing them with our readers!
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Holiday
FUN at FIVE!
Thursday, December 20
5:00-8:00pm
The Publick House Historic Inn
On the Common, 277 Main Street
Sturbridge
Join us for some holiday cheer
with our Members and Guests on the evening of Thursday, December 20th!
The final Fun at Five of the year will be
a glittering celebration at
The Publick House in Sturbridge
featuring fantastic food, a joyous atmosphere in a glowing hall, many great prizes and surprises, a 50/50 Raffle, and your chance to celebrate the season with your fellow Members!
We will be collecting for
SOUTHBRIDGE LIONS/SOUTHBRIDGE POLICE COPS N KIDS PROGRAM
at Holiday Fun at Five. If you are able to donate an unwrapped, non-violent new toy, your contribution would be most welcome and help spread holiday joy to the less fortunate right here in our community!
Please consider contributing toys for teenagers
as well as younger children.
Thank you for your generosity!
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Cost: $10 for pre-registered Members, $15 at the door, or $20 for non-Members.
Thank you
to our
Holiday Fun at Five Sponsor!
Cornerstone Bank is a local, community bank that delivers a personal touch that only a local bank can offer. We are dedicated to providing high quality, personal customer service for individuals, businesses and community organizations in Central Massachusetts. We work to connect you with opportunities through a broad range of deposit and loan products and services to meet your financial goals with the unique ability for fast, flexible service.
We strive to build lifetime relationships, and our goal is to be the Cornerstone for your success.
Cornerstone Bank rests on the foundation that relationships are built on trust.
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Sponsor a Chamber Event in 2019!
Our Promotions Committee is hard at work planning next year's schedule of Chamber events including our
Annual Meeting in January with special guest Congressman Richard Neal, the April
JOB FAIR at Bay Path RVTHS and our monthly
FUN at FIVE networking events. We are actively seeking sponsors to support these events.
Sponsorship will shine a light on your business as it includes:
- Your logo on all print and email event marketing materials
- Recognition at registration table and on event programs and agendas when applicable
- Mentions as sponsor during event
- Opportunity to provide marketing materials at a sponsor table
If you are interested or would like to hear more about sponsoring these upcoming Chamber events, please give Alix a call at 508-347-2761 or email at
alexandra_mcnitt@cmschamber.org
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Annual Membership Directory
Photo Contest
We are seeking amazing 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 2019 Membership Directory and the runners up may be used in the 2019 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 November 26, 2018.
(Note: the deadline has been moved up.)
Thank you in advance for your best shots 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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Tillyer House Grand Opening
at The Publick House Historic Inn
Thursday, November 29, 2018
3:30 PM Guest Arrival
4:00 PM Ribbon Cutting & Speeches
4:30 PM Tours, Entertainment, and Light Fare
The Publick House is excited to introduce the community to our new Tillyer House. Offering 28 rooms, extended stay suites, a salon, spa, health club and more.
Come share the excitement with us on the 29th.
On the Common, Sturbridge, MA 01566
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Business Planning & Structure Seminar
Wednesday, November 28, 6:00-8:00 pm
Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center, 366 Main Street, Sturbridge
Are you thinking about starting a new business?
Do you already have a business that is growing?
Is your business structure best positioned to protect your assets and interests?
Join us for this informative seminar.
Key take-aways include:
- Fundamentals of starting a business in MA
- The importance of a business plan
- Why businesses fail
- Access to capital and lines of credit
- Business structure options, including sole proprietorship, LLC, Limited Partnership, corporation and liability and tax risks for each one
- Separating business from personal
- Specifying ownership of assets
- Filing with the state and corporate dissolutions
- Handling payroll and retirement plans
- New tax law
- Filing requirements, vehicles, home office, sales tax and withholdings
- Business and general liability
- Cyber security
- Contractual exposure
- Employee handbooks and benefits such as IRAs, Roths, SEPs and solo 401ks
Moderated by Rita Schiano
Rita Schiano is a resilience strategist and coach, speaker, and founder of Rita Schiano ~ Live A Flourishing Life. A former corporate vice-president and small business owner, Rita's leadership knowledge, strategies, and insights draw from both sides of the aisle. Organizations use Rita to help staff build resilient leadership skills, manage stress, and improve morale. As a personal strategic coach, Rita helps clients focus specifically on their most important goals, interests, challenges, and needs. She received her Strategic Intervention Coaching Certificate from Robbins-Madanes. The author of several books, including Live A Flourishing Life, a stress management and resilience-building process workbook; the critically-acclaimed, semi-autobiographical novel Painting The Invisible Man, and Sweet Bitter Love, Rita has written numerous articles for The Huffington Post / AOL Healthy Living and is a guest blogger for Psychology Today. Rita is an adjunct professor at The American Women's College and Bay Path University and a past Professional Member of the National Speakers Association.
Our expert panelists include:
Padgett D. Berthiaume
Padgett D. Berthiaume was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2006 and joined the North Brookfield firm of Berthiaume & Berthiaume to practice beside his father and brother. He then became a Worcester County Bar Advocate, serving in the East Brookfield District Court and gaining in-depth experience in a wide variety of District Court criminal cases. While the focus of his practice is criminal defense, he also handles matters in the probate court as well as representing buyers, sellers, and lenders in the purchase and sale of real estate, refinance transactions, and second mortgages or lines of credit and commercial law.
Brenda M. Bianculli
Brenda M. Bianculli is the owner of Brenda M. Bianculli, CPA, LLC, in Charlton, Mass. and has worked in the tax and accounting industry for more than 25 years. Her firm handles complex tax and business issues for a variety of clients and specializes in the real estate and service industries and also specializes in tax matters relating to individuals, trusts, and estates. She is currently on the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) and Board of Advisors for Nichols College. She is also a Corporator for Cornerstone Bank and recently retired as Treasurer of Woman in Business after 10 years of service. And, she is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. Brenda holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Nichols College, Dudley, MA and a Master of Science Degree in Taxation (M.S.T.) from Bentley College, Waltham, MA.
Richard S. Cheney
Richard S. Cheney is the Regional Director of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC) at Clark University. The MSBDC at Clark provides business development advice to clients in the Central Massachusetts region. Since 1980, the MSBDC at Clark has worked with over 25,000 entrepreneurs. During that time, the SBDC has assisted entrepreneurs in raising over $325 million in financing. Richard completed his undergraduate studies at Hobart College in Geneva, New York and earned his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut in Storrs.
Dennis McCurdy
Dennis has been providing insurance to small to mid-sized businesses, and families since 1975. In addition to his wealth of product knowledge, Dennis' vast experience as a business owner makes him a valuable resource for his clients. Whether it is Worker's Compensation, Malpractice, Business Auto, Property Coverage, or Risk Management, Dennis understands the fine points of business and asset protection. He holds an Insurance Broker license in the State of Massachusetts, Dennis is a Vietnam Veteran, author of, Find A Way, A Guide to Getting The Most From Life and 52 Ways To Find A Way and conducts motivational seminars throughout the Northeast.
Cost: $20 pp for members, including affiliates, $25 pp for non-members
Light refreshments and cash bar included
Please RSVP by noon on Monday, November 26 to reserve your seat.
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MEMBER DIRECTORY & REGIONAL GUIDE
DEADLINE TOMORROW!
As the leading advocate for local business, the Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce promotes the success of its members and enhances regional prosperity through networking, education, and promotion. With that mission in mind, the Chamber has plans to once again publish a regional guide and membership directory for 2019 designed to promote local, support tourism, and build community for homeowners, business owners, residents and tourists.
"Enjoy Central Mass South" will make it easy for locals and visitors to turn to our Chamber Members first when looking for reliable recommendations on where to go, what to do, where to dine, where to stay, where to shop, and who to call when you need business and homeowner services. In addition to a listing of all (and only) Central Mass South Chamber members,
Enjoy Central Mass South will include a handy map of our member towns, general resource and community information, and an overview of what makes living, working in, and visiting Central MA so special.
The Chamber plans to print 4,500 copies of this glossy magazine and make it available all year long at the Chamber Office and Member shops and businesses throughout the region. It is expected to be in circulation by mid-January 2019.
The Chamber has once again teamed up with Chamber member Weathervane Enterprises, Inc., publishers of
Your Hometown Shopper and the
Guide to Brimfield, to design and produce
Enjoy Central Mass South for the Chamber.
All Chamber members are welcome to support this important community resource by advertising their business or the services they provide. You will be hearing from Weathervane Enterprises shortly to discuss your interest in advertising. Please contact Alexandra McNitt, executive director of The Chamber of Central Mass South at 508-347-2761 or Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher, Weathervane Enterprises Inc. at 508-347-1960 x402, for more information.
Regional Guide Deadlines
A signed contract is required by November 16, 2018 to confirm ad space.
Payment is required by December 7, 2018 for ad to be included.
Download the 4-page Press Kit (PDF) including the Advertising Form
here.
Download the Advertising Form only (PDF)
here.
(Both of these documents include all deadlines and contact info.)
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Be Visible, Stay Visible: Marketing For Members Only Packages for 2019
The Chamber's Marketing For Members Only packages for 2019 are available to be reserved! These packages include low cost advertising opportunities using all the Chamber's channels.
Crossroads NEWS and EVENTS ads
Chamber Website Homepage banner ads
Dedicated Email blasts
Featured Member Spotlight in the Chamber Corner of Southbridge News
Purchase individual items or a comprehensive package to keep you visible all year long.
See the M4M packages and individual items and contact Jack
with questions or to get started.
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Save the Date for a Grand Opening!
Saturday, December 8, 2018, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Join us as we welcome the brand new luxury pet resort offering dog daycare, boarding, grooming and training to their 1 River Road, Sturbridge home (the former Hebert's Candy building). Be there for the Ribbon Cutting and afternoon celebration!
Visit online at PawPlaza.com and stay tuned for more details on this fun event!
Paw Plaza, 1 River Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566, (508) 347-7777
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'Tis the Season: Member2Member Discounts!
Click the M2M logo to view all current discounts!
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Cornerstone Bank Donates to Worcester Interfaith
Pictured L to R: Cornerstone Bank's President and Treasurer Todd M. Tallman, Worcester Interfaith's Director Frank Kartheiser, and Cornerstone Bank's Chairman and CEO K. Michael Robbins.
Cornerstone Bank's Charitable Donations Committee (CDC) is proud to announce its recent donation of $1,000 to Worcester Interfaith in support of its Youth Job Initiative. This initiative provides summer jobs to as many as 400 low-income, minority, and newcomer youth each summer. Each participant receives ten hours of pre-employment training, ongoing supervision, and mentorship, as well as further training at their workplace.
Worcester Interfaith is a multi-use, broad-based community organization that builds connections between congregational and community leaders across religious, socio-economic, racial, and ethnic boundaries. They currently work on four major initiatives: youth jobs, living-wage jobs for adults, affordable housing, and refugee/immigrant resettlement.
"Worcester Interfaith works to improve and strengthen the community," stated Chairman and CEO of Cornerstone Bank K. Michael Robbins. "We're honored to be able to support one of their many initiatives."
About Cornerstone Bank:
Cornerstone Bank is an independent, mutual savings bank serving the residents, businesses, and
communities throughout Central Massachusetts from offices in Charlton, Holden, Leicester, N. Oxford, Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Warren, Webster 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. For more information, visit online at cornerstonebank.com, on Facebook or call 800-939-9103.
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Santa Claus Returns to North Brookfield Savings Bank's Belchertown Branch
FREE photos with Santa Claus, refreshments and games!
Last year, Joey Minnon was excited to meet and have his photo taken
with Santa Claus at North Brookfield Savings Bank's Santa Day.
North Brookfield Savings Bank is getting ready for the holidays and for a special visit from Santa himself! The Bank cordially invites all community members to join in the fun at
Santa Day, an annual festive holiday celebration. The event is taking place on
Saturday, November 24th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the Belchertown Branch, 4 Daniel Shays Highway, Route 9 and 202.
Santa Claus will be at the Belchertown Branch to take FREE photos with children and pets. Plus, a visit to the branch will give guests a chance to enjoy complimentary cider and cookies, and NBSB's popular Reindeer Search game, where Santa's reindeer will be hidden around the branch for children to find. Each time they find one reindeer they will receive a stamp, with a total of six stickers earning them a special prize.
As part of its Annual Toy Drive, NBSB will be accepting new, unopened toys for children ages infant to 12 years old, in support of the Belchertown Firefighters' Association's Adopt-a-Family toy program. All donations, whether toy donations or monetary donations are welcome, but not required. The bank will match every dollar donated and contribute $1 for every toy collected, up to $250 per branch.
"North Brookfield Savings Bank and our Belchertown Branch team are excited to once again kick off the holiday season with this fun-filled event including a very special visit from Santa Claus," said North Brookfield Savings Bank Senior Vice President Patty Ostrout. "We welcome all of our customers, neighbors and community members to join us, take a photo with Santa, enjoy some refreshments, and create memories you can cherish for years to come."
An additional North Brookfield Savings Bank holiday tradition, the West Brookfield White Christmas Open House with Mrs. Claus on Sunday, December 2nd, also has great opportunities to visit and contribute to the Annual Toy Drive, all while getting a FREE photo with some admired holiday guests.
To learn more about North Brookfield Savings Bank's community giving efforts and all of the convenient banking products and services offered, visit www.NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com.
ABOUT NORTH BROOKFIELD SAVINGS BANK
North Brookfield Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank with full-service branches in North Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, Palmer, and Three Rivers Village of Palmer. NBSB offers a wide variety of deposit and loan products for individuals and businesses throughout Central and Western Massachusetts and has been a steadfast supporter of the communities in which it serves since 1854. North Brookfield Savings Bank is a 2018 Banking Choice 1st place award recipient in all categories including Overall Quality, Customer Service, Technology and Tools, and Community Contribution. All deposits are insured by the FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund. For additional information, please call 1-866-711-6272 or visit us online at
www.NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com
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Big Y Foods and COCC Receive "2018 Employer of Choice" Recognition;
Winners Offer Creative, Formal Engagement Programs Crafted With C-Suite
Pictured here (l-r) COCC Winners: Meredith Wise, President of EANE, and representatives from COCC ...
Kim Carlone, Siobahn Kinney, Lisa Jacobi, Richard Leone (CEO in foreground), Steve Guglietti,
Isabela Velasquez, Christina Zajac.
Pictured here (l-r) Big Y Winners: Meredith Wise, President of EANE, with representatives from Big Y ... Michael Galat, Nicole Schneider, Jonathan Wilson, Charlie D'Amour (President & CEO in foreground),
Rick Bossic, Pat Shewchuk, Aimee Dilberto.
Big Y Foods, Inc. of Springfield, MA and COCC of Southington, CT have been selected by the Employers Association of the NorthEast (EANE) as the Employer of Choice Award recipients for 2018. The awards were given at EANE's Annual Employment Law and HR Practices Conference luncheon at the Sheraton Monarch Place in Springfield, MA on November 1.
Employer of Choice awards recognize companies and organizations for developing workplaces that value employees, foster engagement, invest in employee development and reward performance. Past winners view the award as a cornerstone of their company credentials and often highlight the award in recruiting and retention, grants and funding applications, and business development.
This year's winners excelled in many areas, most notably:
- Highly-detailed and well-thought-out engagement programs that tied results directly to the customer experience.
- Active involvement from top management in creating meaningful engagement programs and an understanding by the C-suite of the programs' importance.
"We are always delighted to see the innovative programs used by our applicants to retain talent and engage employees. Our winners this year had some exceptional initiatives and formal measurement processes," said Meredith Wise, President of EANE. "Salary increases may be more stable, but work-life balance and company culture are still seriously valued."
Doing business for over 80 years,
Big Y Foods is a family-owned, supermarket chain with over 11,000 employees throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut who prides itself on its "Culture of Caring." That caring manifests itself in the form of workplace "huddles" to celebrate employees who have gone above and beyond, and through the organization's strong commitment to retain employees.
Big Y stands out for its overall benefits, employee satisfaction, training and development, and recognition and rewards. One novel program called "Building Firm Foundations" is a collaboration where employees help other employees with home repair needs by utilizing their skills, expertise and time. Projects have included building ramps, fixing decks and windows, landscaping and more. Another initiative called "The 10 Foot Rule" combines a user-friendly customer service model with a fun graphic reinforcing how to treat customers. The "Big Y University" and "Big Y LIFE," an internal communication portal, are among the other employee-centric engagement offerings.
COCC is a client-owned technology company serving more than 200 financial institutions for over 50 years. With more than 500 employees, the company offers profit sharing when objectives are met, a rich total rewards package and an extremely generous PTO plan. In fact, new employees begin with four weeks of PTO.
Employees receive continuous feedback from multiple channels, including a peer-driven acknowledgement program and regular check-ins from the management team. One of the cornerstones of its successful culture is the "Peer2Peer" program, which recognizes when coworkers go above and beyond and celebrates winners quarterly with recognition, gifts, and food. COCC uses regular benchmarking to assess compensation, and overall satisfaction is 89 percent.
Employers from the Northeast who have been in business for at least three years and have a minimum of 25 employees are eligible to apply for EANE's annual Employer of Choice award; both the company size and its resources are considered in the screening and selection process. Entrants are judged in areas that include: company culture, training and development, communication, and recognition and reward.
Serving employers in the Northeast for over 100 years, EANE provides resources for organizations to maximize employee engagement and retention while minimizing risk. More than 900 members utilize the human resource information/hotline, learning and development and specialized human resource services.
www.eane.org
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TLGV and Partners Launch Next Phase of $6.1 Million
Southern New England Heritage Forest Grant Program
Attention woodland landowners: Funding is available to improve woodland habitat for important bird species and to manage your woods for wildlife and people. The Last Green Valley (TLGV), the MassConn Sustainable Forest Partnership (MassConn) and the Northern Rhode Island Conservation District (NRICD) are pleased to offer a new opportunity for woodland landowners to obtain forest management plans with bird habitat assessments.
The program is phase two of the $6.1 million Southern New England Heritage Forest conservation effort, an unprecedented three-state collaboration made possible through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS funding is being matched, bringing the economic infusion into the region to $12.2 million.
A professional forester will walk your property and coordinate with the Audubon society in your state to produce a high-quality forest management plan with a bird habitat assessment of your woods. The plan will contain recommendations for management measures aligning with the landowner's goals for the property. The plans will meet federal and state requirements and may be used to apply for property tax reductions at the local level (where applicable).
Grant funds are available to pay for most of the forester's costs and to completely fund the bird habitat assessments. Landowners will be responsible for choosing a forester from an approved list and paying for a percentage of the total cost of the forest management plan. This program is ideally suited for landowners who have never had a forest management plan and own more than 10 acres of woodlands.
Program requirements vary by state. To get started, contact the lead partner for the state the land is in. The partners can assist in the application process. The application deadline is Jan. 18, but it is recommended the process begin by early December to ensure the application is complete before the deadline.
Visit www.thelastgreenvalley.org for links to the application materials, including a list of communities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that are included in this program.
Contacts: For Connecticut Projects - Bill Reid, 860-774-3300; bill@tlgv.org For Massachusetts Projects - Kate Hauske, 413-687-9381; katehauske@outlook.com For Rhode Island Projects - Kate Sayles, 401-934-0840; ksayles.nricd@gmail.com
Supporting partners for this project include: MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Providence Water, Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Hull Forest Products, Thames River Basin Partnership, New England Forestry Foundation, Eastern CT Conservation District, Norcross Wildlife Foundation, RI Division of Forest Management, RI Woodland Partnership, Harvard Forest, Yale Sustaining Family Forests Institute, Audubon Connecticut, Mass Audubon and Audubon Rhode Island.
The Southern New England Heritage Forest is a 1.49 million-acre unfragmented forest corridor stretching along the Connecticut and Rhode Island border to the Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts. Bounded by more heavily urbanized areas, with more than one million nearby residents, the SNEHF has an astonishing 76 percent forest cover and offers one of the last viable wildlife corridors from southern to northern New England.
The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor is the heart of the Southern New England Heritage Forest and is the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C. The Last Green Valley, Inc. works for you in the National Heritage Corridor. Together we can care for it, enjoy it and pass it on!
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QCC's Food Pantry Needs Your Help!
Did you know that over half of Quinsigamond Community College students have reported that they do not have enough food to last a week, and over half have cut down or skipped meals because they can't afford to eat?
QCC has launched its new Food Pantry with the goal of fighting food insecurity and nourishing our students' bodies, as well as their minds. Our pantry is run completely on donations, so to keep it going and support our students, WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Our goal is to raise $10,000 by Giving Tuesday, November 27. We can only achieve this with your help! Please, take a moment and help us stock the shelves, fill the fridge, and feed the students who need it most.
And please spread the word. If 10 people give $10 and ask 10 people to give as well, we'll have those shelves stocked in no time! Share as much as you can through e-mail, text, and social media. The links on the giving page make it easy. It's time to #GrowlBack to hunger!
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Mrs. Santa Claus Returns to North Brookfield Savings Bank
December 2nd, enjoy free photo opportunities, refreshments and a drawing for a winter basket!
Levi Brown, along with his mother Rachael Slozak, visited the North Brookfield Savings Bank White Christmas Open House last year to have a photo with Mrs. Santa Claus. The West Brookfield Branch also featured a fun craft station, delicious holiday treats, goodie bags, a drawing and Santa's elves!
Mrs. Santa Claus is once again traveling from the North Pole to North Brookfield Savings Bank's West Brookfield branch on Route 9 for the annual White Christmas Open House event, to be held on Sunday, December 2nd from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
Guests can enjoy free cookies and cider, a fun winter craft project, enter a drawing for an amazing winter themed basket and take free photos with Mrs. Claus, who will pose with both children and pets. Like last year, Mrs. Claus will be accompanied by some of Santa's elves, who will spread holiday cheer with yummy treats throughout the town common area.
As a part of its Annual Toy Drive, NBSB will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for children ages infant to 12 years old, in support of the West Brookfield Police Association's Holiday Toy Program. All donations, whether toy donations or monetary donations are welcome, but not required. The bank will match every dollar donated and contribute $1 for every toy collected, up to $250 per branch.
"Each year, North Brookfield Savings Bank happily prepares the West Brookfield branch for the arrival of Mrs. Santa Claus, the elves from the North Pole, and children and pets who come to visit during West Brookfield White Christmas celebration," said North Brookfield Savings Bank Senior Vice President of Retail Banking Patty Ostrout. "We look forward to spreading holiday cheer through this event and collecting toys to help local children have a happy holiday!"
White Christmas in West Brookfield is an annual town-wide celebration, highlighted by wagon rides, puppet shows, open houses, roasting chestnuts, an elf hunt for kids, and Christmas concert all culminating in the tree lighting on the town common.
You can also see North Brookfield Savings Bank spreading holiday cheer at the Ware Flair Parade on Friday, November 23rd, Belchertown Santa Day on Saturday, November 24th, The PHCC Tree and Wreath Festival December 1, 2, 8 and 9 and the Ware Tree and Wreath Stroll on December 8 and 9.
To learn more about North Brookfield Savings Bank's community giving efforts and all of the convenient banking products and services offered, visit www.NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com.
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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.
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"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest."
- William Blake
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Bounty: Thanksgiving
Wednesday-Sunday, November 1-22
Times: The Village is open from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Experience the traditions of an early 19th-century New England Thanksgiving. Learn about 1830s dining etiquette and watch the men of the Village compete in a post-dinner target shoot. Smell the scents of roasted turkey and pies warming by the fire. Hear the minister talk about the true meaning of Thanksgiving in the Village's historic Center Meetinghouse. Learn how preparations were made for this holiday meal.
Did you know?
In early New England, Thanksgiving was the biggest holiday of the year, far surpassing Christmas, which wasn't celebrated in the tradition of the Puritans who settled the region.
Turkeys in the early 19th century were much smaller than today's "butterballs," and turkey wasn't always on the Thanksgiving menu, because they were a lot of work to prepare for not much meat.
In the early 1800s, turkey "drovers" herded and marched turkeys on foot from central and western Massachusetts to the huge Brighton market just outside of Boston, Mass. to sell the birds to wealthy city dwellers.
Many vegetables weren't peeled for everyday cooking, but they were for holidays like Thanksgiving to show the elevated status of the day.
Pies were baked weeks ahead of time and stored in unheated attics and bedrooms where they would freeze and keep for months. Pies not consumed at Thanksgiving would sometimes last until April.
The cranberry is one of three fruits native to North America, and was used by Native Americans to make pemmican - a survival food made of mashed cranberries mixed with deer meat. They also used cranberries in poultices to draw poison from wounds.
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road
Sturbridge MA 01566
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Cooking with Rico & Dan: Tuscan Steak House
Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:30pm
Tuscan food is based on the Italian idea of cucina povera or "poor cooking." It's about simple meals that are inexpensive and can easily be made in large quantities. Tuscan cooking doesn't use complicated seasonings or elaborate creations because they're not needed. It's all about using fresh high-quality ingredients. Tuscan's are also as crazy about their beef as Americans and the Bistecca Fiorentina is an absolute staple in Tuscany. This large T-bone steak, traditionally from the Chiana valley, is so thick that it must be cooked on its front, back, and side. The Bistecca Fiorentina is just one example of the love Tuscan's have for what we know of as steak in their region.
Come along and experience Chef Dan and Chef Rico's take on the Tuscan steak house combined with inventive side dishes and new flavors with an old favorite. Find out why our Cooking with the Chef dinners receive such rave reviews. As always, these events often sell out so make your reservation early. This event is $55 per person with wine pairings, or $39 without. Tax and gratuity are not included. Make your reservations now by calling
Avellino at 508-347-2321.
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Second Chance Animal Shelter Pet Adoptions
November 16, 2:00-4:00pm
Thankful for a Home!
MOBILE ADOPTION UNIT is coming to Klem's! On the road to saving more lives!
Be sure to stop by and say hi to some of the sweet dogs and cats looking for a new home!
Let adoption help you find your next best friend.
Klem's 117 West Main Street, Spencer 508-885-2708
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260 West Main Street, Route 9, West Brookfield, MA
Rich with history, the
Salem Cross Inn
is a restored 18th century farmhouse
nestled on 600 acres of New England countryside.
DID YOU KNOW... Yankee Magazine has chosen SALEM CROSS INN
as the "Best New England Cuisine" in Massachusetts!
The First Fireplace Feast of the Season!
November 16
Join us for a special dining event as the Innkeepers at the Salem Cross Inn announce their series of 1700's style feasts, prepared on the open hearth of a great fieldstone fireplace. Relax by the fire or lend a hand as dinner is prepared for you in colonial style. Stir the chowder as it bubbles in our cast iron cauldron. See your prime rib, roasted 'to a turn,' as the only known authentic Roasting Jack still operating in America rotates slowly over a crackling fire of wild cherry logs. Beware the brimming bowl of freshly whipped cream - the perfect complement to New England's best apple pie.
While your dinner is cooking to perfection, enjoy a horse drawn wagon or sleigh ride through the valley on the Inn's pristine 600 acres. Shake off the chill with warm mulled wine or cider upon your return. Browse our extensive collection of colonial and federal period American antiques. The Fireplace Feast makes a thoughtful and unique gift for special friends or deserving associates.
The Fireplace Feast is just one of our many dining events that provides an authentic colonial experience. At Salem Cross Inn, we capture the history and culture of 1700's America. Salem Cross Inn's dining events, excellent cuisine, and atmosphere have been featured on Food Network's "The Best Of," WCVB TV5 Boston's "Chronicle" and chosen as the "Hidden Jewel" by Boston's Phantom Gourmet and WGBY.
Last one of the season! November 18th
Join us for an exciting interactive dinner theater,
These Jokes Are Killing Me...
Lots of laughs, a delicious meal, and a mystery we need your help solving.
December 1, 2, 8, 9 & 15
(Two shows on the 2nd, 9th and 15th)
Eat, drink and be merry! Enjoy a play based on Dylan Thomas' "A Child's Christmas in Wales," performed by an animated and lively cast, dressed in 19th century costumes. Then, a traditional New England turkey dinner takes center stage with caroling and sparkling toasts to the season!
Main Dining Room:
Tuesday-Friday- 11:30 AM-9:00 PM Saturday- 5:00 PM-9:00 PM Sunday- 12:00 PM-8:00 PM Hexmark Tavern: Tuesday-Friday- 4:00 PM-9:00 PM Live music every Friday starting at 6:30 PM
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TLGV November Calendar of Events
Acorn Adventure - Geocaching 101: 11 am to 12:30 pm, Nov. 17, Air Line Trail at the intersection of East Thompson Road and New Road in Thompson, CT. Become a high-tech detective of the outdoors as Ranger John Kochinskas teaches us how to geocache. Participants should create a free account at www.geocaching.com to get the clues needed to find the geocaches (there is also a free smartphone app). A portable gps or a smartphone can be used to track the clues. Email
Fran@tlgv.org or call her at 860-774-3300 for more information. Acorn Adventures are sponsored by Putnam Bank.
Behind-the-Scenes of Gray Ledge Tree Farm: 10 am to Noon, Nov. 18, Gray Ledge Tree Farm, 210 Lathrop Rd., Plainfield, CT. Join Chief Ranger Bill Reid and the owners of Gray Ledge Tree Farm for a behind-the-scenes tour of a working Christmas Tree operation. Learn what it takes to grow a great Christmas tree and possibly spot the perfect one for you before the crowds rush in. Please register by calling 860-774-3300 or email
Bill@tlgv.org.
#OptOutside Hike: 10 am to Noon, Nov. 23 Air Line Trail. Parking can be found at 660 East Thompson Road, Thompson, CT (gps 42.008885, -71.809076). TLGV is joining the #OptOutside Movement. Join us for a family-friendly hike on the Air Line Trail in East Thompson to visit the Tri-State Marker - the exact location where Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island meet. The group will meet at the trail head on East Thompson Road and hike the trail north towards Massachusetts, then take the spur trail east up a wooded hill to the marker. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking, bring water, a snack and dress for late November weather conditions. The distance is approximately 1.5 miles round-trip. Contact Chief Ranger Bill Reid to RSVP by emailing him at
Bill@tlgv.org or call the TLGV office at 860-774-3300.
The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor is the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C. The Last Green Valley, Inc. works for you in the National Heritage Corridor. Together we can care for it, enjoy it and pass it on!
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Gobble Gobble Road Race
November 18, 7:30am to 12:30pm
The Center of Hope, 1 North Street, Southbridge
Join us for our annual Gobble Gobble Road Race.
First 100 registered runners receive a Race Shirt.
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Tyler from Senator Anne Gobi's Office
November 19, 11am to 12pm
Sturbridge Senior Center, 480 Main Street, Sturbridge
Tyler Wolanin from Senator Anne Gobi's Office is at the Sturbridge Senior Center the third Monday of each month from 11am-12pm to answer your questions or bring your questions back to Senator Gobi for an answer.
No appointment is necessary, feel free to stop in or call to confirm Tyler is here. 508-347-7575
(The senior center nor the staff at the senior center endorses any one political person or party, we offer this service as a courtesy and it does not represent any staff member's personal beliefs or choices.)
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Cedar Street Grille's Chef's Series Dinners: Chef's Inspirations
Monday, November 19, 2018, 6:30pm
Throughout our chef's small plate dinner series, Chef Nick Faucher and the Cedar Street Grille team have taken us on quite a diverse culinary ride this year. Chef Nick has also been on his own culinary journey since joining Table 3 Restaurant Group more than 5 years ago. Chef Nick has been learning and mastering his craft while delighting thousands of customers with inspired small plates and special entrees at both The Duck and Cedar Street Grille. This is going to be a special dinner where Chef Nick prepares the dishes that he has found to be both inspirational and, of course, noteworthy for the combination of flavors they present.
Come along and experience Chef Nick's diverse culinary interests through Cedar-style tapas plates and find out why our chef's tapas dinners have earned such rave reviews. Make your reservations early because we expect this dinner to sell out quickly. Pricing for this dinner is $55.00 per person and includes a special regional cocktail, wine, or beer. The price does not include tax or gratuity. Please call the restaurant directly at 508-347-5800 for reservations. Doors open at 5:30pm and dinner begins promptly at 6:30pm.
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Burn The Bird
November 22, 6:30am to 10:00am
Tri-Community YMCA
, 43 Everett Street, Southbridge
ANNUAL THANKSGIVING MORNING PRE-FEAST WORKOUT!
Get those calories burning before the big meal! Stop by the Y to enjoy a great workout with friends or a family member!
Come try one of our pool activities - Lap Swim and a Water Exercise Class. For the cardio enthusiast, choose from three (45-minute) total body workouts using balance, core and body strength. Child Watch will be closed that day.
Entrance fee for everyone is a bag of non-perishable food items, or a monetary donation of $10.00 per person to benefit the Southbridge Food Share Program.
So bring a friend or family member to join you in a pre-THANKSGIVING feast workout.
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Keep it Local for Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Leave the cooking to our talented local chefs and try one of these wonderful venues for your Thanksgiving feast!
Thanksgiving Feast at The Publick House Historic Inn
Seatings from 11:00am-7:30pm, Adults $49.95, Children $22.00 (3-12)
Inclusive of Tax and Gratuity, 4-Course Plated Dinner
Advanced Payment Required.
See the menu here.
Call between 8am and 9pm to schedule your reservation 508-347-7323 ext. 400.
Thanksgiving Buffet at The Barn at Wight Farm
Join us from 11am-4pm for our third annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the Barn at Wight Farm.
The Barn's buffet will be brimming with all you favorites and some of Chef Tony's inspirations. $37.95 per guest (plus tax & gratuity).
View the complete menu here.
Make your reservation now by calling 774-241-8450.
Thanksgiving at Salem Cross Inn
What better way to celebrate a historical moment of thanks then by participating in a traditional Thanksgiving meal with Salem Cross Inn!
Our Dining Room is open at 11:30am with reservations on the half hour.
Make your reservations online or call Salem Cross Inn at (508) 867-2345.
Traditional Thanksgiving Day Feast at The Duck
Join us for a bountiful and festive dinner prepared by Head Chef Daniel Finger with all your favorites-and some of ours too! There will also be a great selection of scrumptious desserts.
HAPPY TURKEY DAY!
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Stageloft Theater Presents
A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE
by James Hindman & Ray Roderick
November 24 - December 9
This intimate revue takes a wry and knowing look at the stressful holiday season. Armed with a copy of A Christmas Survival Guide and an optimistic attitude, the characters charge into an urban holiday landscape searching for the true essence of Christmas. In songs and vignettes, they learn to cope with the season in ways that are both hilarious and heartwarming.
"Ho Ho Hilarious! The funniest Christmas revue around!"
- The New York Press
Presented by Special Arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
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Needle Felted Santas
November 27, 10:30am to 12:00pm
Holland Community Center, 40 Brimfield Road, Holland
Cindy Clark and Marcia Beal will be here to teach how to make this adorable needle felted Santa. Please pre-register for this class by calling 413-245-3163 or emailing at hccevenings@gmail.com
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Worcester 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group
NETWORKING WORKS!! Your AGE really is your EDGE!!
Fall has Arrived! A Perfect Time to Turn Over a New Leaf!
Funded by AARP and Managed by MCOA, we have expanded our 50+ Job Seekers Regional Networking Group program to support and assist people in the 50+ demographic living in the greater Worcester area and looking for a new job, a totally new career direction, re-entering the workforce after an employment gap or looking for a Second Act career.
Meet and network with fellow job seekers at our bi-weekly networking group meetings.
Learn how to Network!
New Topic at each Meeting! Come join Melody Beach, an experienced Human Resource professional who is the Facilitator for this collaborative Networking Group.
Start your journey towards self-realization, re-invention and transformation!
WHO: Mature Job Seekers! That's YOU! (50 years of age +)
WHEN: The 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 2pm - 4pm. Doors open at 1:30pm for registration and casual networking so come early! And often!
WHERE: Worcester Senior Center located at 128 Providence St., Worcester, MA (508-799-1232)
Did you know: 85% of all jobs are found through NETWORKING!! REALLY!!
For more Information and Pre-Registration (required), please feel free to contact:
The Worcester COA at 508-799-1232.
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Christmas by Candlelight
Old Sturbridge Village
Nov 30-Dec 2, Dec 7-9, 14-16, 20-23
3:00pm to 8:00pm
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village is an evening filled with New England holiday traditions, live musical performances, storytelling, sleigh rides, festive foods, a roaring bonfire, and strolls around the decorated Village Common. Do not miss the nightly tree lighting and the ever-popular gingerbread house contest!
See more info and purchase tickets online.
Christmas by Candlelight runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings November 30 - December 23, with a bonus night on Thursday, December 20!
Times: Open 3:00 - 8:00 pm. In order to focus on the evening holiday events, Old Sturbridge Village will be closed during the day from November 30 - December 23, 2018.
Cost: Full price is $28 for adults and $14 for youth ages 4-17 (children 3 and under are free). Purchase standard tickets before Thanksgiving and SAVE 15-50% - see details online.
1 Old Sturbridge Village Road
Sturbridge MA 01566
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The Publick House Historic Inn
Holiday Events
277 Main Street, On the Common
Sturbridge, MA
Round up the kids! Load up the wagon! Santa is coming to town, to The Publick House, of course.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturdays, December 1 & 8
Sundays, December 2 & 9
Seatings from 8:30AM - 10:45AM
Ages 3 to 10yrs: $12.95 (2yrs & under free)
Ages 11yrs and Up: $19.95
prices inclusive of taxes and gratuities
Gingerbread House Decorating
Saturday, December 2 & 9
Seatings at 9:00AM, 11:00AM & 1:00PM
Decorate your own 10-inch tall gingerbread house!
Visit our magnificent 10-foot Gingerbread House!
While the decorations are setting, we'll have delicious cookies & cider for all. Price is $35.00 per house.
Limited Availability. Reservations Required. Call 508-347-7323 ext. 400 or visit the link below for menus and more.
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Ho, Ho, Ho - Santa is Coming!
Saturday, December 1st from 10am-3pm
$5.00 Donation to the Spencer American Legion
Spread the Cheer! Children & Pets Welcome!
Santa will be meeting and greeting, take Christmas Pictures together!
Klem's 117 West Main Street, Spencer 508-885-2708
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Holly Berry Christmas Fair
Sunday, December 1, 2018, 9am to 3pm at Fellowship Hall
Federated Church of Sturbridge & Fiskdale
Many vendors under one roof for all your holiday shopping!
Unique gifts, Christmas ornaments, Handmade Greeting Cards, Folk Art, Photography, Jewelry, Quilts & Hand-knits, Doll clothes, Pottery items, much, much more!
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Village Toastmasters Weekly Meetings
Thursday Evenings, 7:00-8:15pm
CHAMBER OF CENTRAL MASS SOUTH CONFERENCE ROOM
46 Hall Road, Sturbridge
Village Toastmasters is a local group focused on helping its members improve their public speaking and leadership skill while building confidence in their abilities.
The club has recently moved its meeting location.
As of Thursday, April 27, 2017, Village Toastmasters will meet every Thursday from 7:00-8:15 pm at the offices of the Chamber of Central Mass South, located at 46 Hall Road, Sturbridge.
We are grateful to our community partners!
Guests are always welcome!!
Please arrive 15 minutes early (6:45pm) as meetings start promptly.
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Click on the image to browse our catalog of training courses!
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Save these Dates!
November 16: First Fireplace Feast of the Season at Salem Cross Inn
November 18: Gobble Gobble Road Race
November 22: Burn the Bird at the YMCA
November 22: Happy Thanksgiving!
November 23-25: Country Folk Art Craft Show
November 28: Business Planning & Structure Seminar
November 29: Tillyer House Grand Opening at The Publick House
December 1: Christmas By Candlelight Begins at Old Sturbridge Village
December 2: White Christmas in West Brookfield
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Thank you for posting your events to our Events Calendar! |
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