Weekly Newsletter
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Chamber Member News & Events
Seminars & Trainings Presented by Clark-Mortenson Agency
State and federal regulations are part of doing business; but fines and penalties for non-compliance don't have to be. Clark-Mortenson compliance workshops cover a range of topics, from labor laws to federal mandates. Our presenters focus on specific, practical information that you can use to improve your  compliance  practices right now. Designed for company owners, managers and HR directors, our workshops are open to all local businesses and most events are free of charge.

September 25, 2019 at 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

October 16, 2019 at 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
SCORE Announces Fall 2019 Small Business Workshop Series
SCORE has announced its Fall 2019 workshop series where area residents and those seeking empowerment in business can enroll.
 
The workshops sponsored by Mascoma Bank are held at the SCORE office, 20 West Park Street, Suite 316, Lebanon, NH are offered on Thursdays (and one Wednesday) from 5-8 p.m. The workshop presenters at bring years of experience to the job. As well as being knowledgeable in the workshop subject, they have a down-to-earth approach based on their experience in counseling small businesses.
 
The fee for each workshop is $30. If you invite your spouse or business partner to attend as your guest, the fee for the two of you would be $40. Veterans are FREE.

Business Bookkeeping ,  Thursday, September 26, 2019, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
This Accounting 101 overview gets you started with understanding the basic accounting concepts. The workshop will teach you a straightforward way to keep score with respect to the financial performance and condition of your business.

Start Your Own Business ,   Thursday, October 3, 2019, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
This workshop covers the basic elements one must consider in having your own business. A primer on developing and managing any small business, this workshop provides critical materials and a step-by-step process for developing a workable approach to assessing and planning a new business.

Franchising: Employee to Entrepreneur ,  Thursday, October 10, 2019, 5:00-8:00 PM
All aspects of franchising, positive & negative, will be discussed in this workshop. Some of the topics that will be covered are: setting goals & objectives; ownership options; how to safely research and select the right franchise; ownership options; how to finance your business; and available resources and consultant services.

Funding Your Small Business , Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM
This workshop concentrates on loan programs available through the Small Business Administration and local financial institutions. A representative from the SBA, Grafton Regional Development Corp., and Mascoma Bank will take you through the process of accessing capital for your business.

Writing a Business Plan ,  Thursday, October 24, 2019 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM 
Before seeking business financing from a bank, relatives, or other sources, creating a business plan is a must. This workshop covers a step-by-step guide for putting together the seven basic sections required for a good and effective business plan. Specific time will be spent discussing what bank loan officers are looking for in a business plan.

Optimizing Internet Marketing , Wednesday, October 30, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM  
Choosing the right Internet Marketing options can be a daunting task for a small business. This workshop will start with website fundamentals and then delve into blogging, email marketing, Pay per Click, and newsletters - all intended to help you focus on producing cost-benefit marketing results.
 
Social Media Marketing , Thursday, November 7, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 PM
This workshop will provide an overview of the major social media marketing channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn. Various tools will be examined to help you not only chose the correct channel for your marketing efforts, but also reduce and streamline your workload. Social media marketing content will also be presented.
 
For more information about the workshops or to reserve a spot, visit Upper Valley Score www.uppervalley.score.org  or call (603) 448-3491.
 
ABOUT SCORE:  a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years.  Upper Valley SCORE  was founded in 1967 as Chapter 184 and currently has more than 30 volunteer mentors who are all experienced business owners and managers. SCORE offers experience and knowledge to help small business owners and potential small business owners achieve success. Services include confidential, free face to face counseling, email counseling, business workshops
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust appoints
Jennifer Seekins, SVP Treasury Services Sales Manager
Jennifer Seekins, has joined Bar Harbor Bank & Trust as Senior Vice President, Treasury Services Sales Manager. Initially working from the Bank’s Hampden, Maine office, Ms. Seekins will lead the Treasury Services Group in providing commercial banking customers with Cash Management and Merchant Services solutions to help them save time, prevent fraud, increase productivity, and maximize earnings on working capital.
 
“Jennifer is a strong choice to lead our Treasury team as she has extensive knowledge in Cash Management and Payments solutions for corporations, non-profits and municipalities,” said John Mercier, EVP, Chief Lending Officer at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Her significant experience, product knowledge, and creativity will be an asset for both our customers and the bank.”
 
Ms. Seekins has worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years. Her first job out of college was with Fleet Bank in Waterville, Maine where she was promoted from Teller Operations Supervisor to Senior Business Specialist during her ten years there. For the next 12 years Ms. Seekins worked at Bangor Savings Bank in Augusta, starting as Cash Management Sales Services Officer and concluding her time there as SVP, Team Leader & Senior Treasury & Payment Services Officer. Most recently, Ms. Seekins was Chief Treasury Services & Business Development Officer at Androscoggin Bank in Lewiston. 
 
Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Machias. She is a Certified Treasury Professional and a graduate of Leadership Maine. In the community Jennifer volunteers with the Olympia Snow Women’s Leadership Institute, United Way, and Tree Street Youth. She has participated previously with Jobs for Maine Graduates, Big Brother Big Sisters and American Heart Association. Jennifer currently resides in Oakland, Maine.
Claremont Opera House Announces 2019 Season
The 2019 Claremont Opera House season opens on October 19 with the  ForeignersJourney  tribute band playing the greatest hits from both Foreigner and Journey. 

On November 2 nd,  Takin it to the Streets, a Doobie Brothers Experience,  covers all of The Doobie's great hits and an occasional deep track or two with stunning accuracy. CBS, NY stated, “It was one of the best tribute concerts we've seen."

Comedian  Bob Marley  returns for his annual visit, this time on a Thursday, November 14 th with an all new show sure to have friends laughing with tears rolling down their faces.

Wanting something a little heavier?  Dirty Deeds-an ACDC Experience  on November 30, is a great holiday gift for anyone that's in to heavy metal!  

Rocky Mountain High returns with  Ted Vigil’s John Denver Tribute which will include all of John Denver’s classics and a few holiday songs, too, on   December 6.

Comedian Paul D’Angelo and Nashville recording artist Lexi James will be co headlining a “ Yee Haws and Ha Has” event for a night of hilarious stand-up comedy and sensational country music on January 25 th .

“ The World’s Greatest Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!” according to Katie Daryl, Mark Cuban and Ryan Seacrest of AXS-TV, will rock the stage on February 15th.

RentaComic brings 2 nights of comedy to chase away the winter blues to the Opera House stage on February 29 th and April 25. Scheduled comedians can be found on the COH website. 

On March 14th, for the Irish in all of us, Wood’s Tea Company performs bluegrass, Celtic tunes, folk songs, and sea chanties.

After standing ovations, back by popular demand , Tusk, "The World's #1 Fleetwood Mac Tribute" , returns on April 3 rd .  

Moondance, the ultimate Van Morrison Tribute Concert, captures the Van Morrison concert experience like no other on May 2nd.

Don't forget to check out  www.claremontoperahouse.org  for more information! For your convenience, a link is there to sign up for email notices to get breaking news on shows that have been added at the last minute as well as the chance to be in a drawing for free tickets.

Tickets make great gifts. With print at home option, tickets can be purchased online at www.claremontoperhouse.org , by phone at 603-542-4433 or in person at the Opera House Box office in City Hall Complex at 58 Opera House Square.

We look forward to seeing you soon at the Claremont Opera House! 
Places we LOVE in
Sullivan County
Choose your favorite outdoor place, building, restaurant, business or historical site. Any place where others can visit is perfect to share. Use your smart phone to snap a photo, then visit bit.ly/LoveSullivan to upload and describe what makes it special to you!
Two Join Vital Communities Board of Directors
Two new members joined the  Vital Communities  Board of Directors this month: Edward Fox, a Montpelier resident and general manager of the Hanover Co-op Food Stores & Auto Service Centers; and Monique Priestley, a resident of Bradford, Vermont, and president and founder of The Space on Main. Jena Goettisheim of Hanover also joined as Revers Board Fellow from the Tuck School of Business.
 
Ed Fox is a member of Vital Communities’ Corporate Council and Housing Advisory Committee and has served on numerous boards and groups, including for LISTEN Community Services, the Vermont Governor’s Task Force on Hunger and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility.
 
Monique Priestley is a graduate of the Leadership Upper Valley Class of 2019 and was honored at Vital Communities’ 2019 Heroes & Leaders Celebration for her role in creating a vital Upper Valley. In addition to her work with The Space on Main, Monique is director of digital for CampusCE Corporation and serves in a number of volunteer and community-leadership roles.
 
Other Vital Communities board members include chair Ron Shaiko of Hanover, Barbara Barry of Taftsville, Elyse Crossman of Claremont, Bill Geraghty of Hanover, Sally Kraft of Hanover, Jenny Levy of Hanover, Nancy Merrill of Lebanon, Rick Mills of South Strafford, Markell Ripps of Thetford, Ken Wells of West Lebanon and Sally Wilson of Ryegate. For more information on the entire Vital Communities Board of Directors, visit  vitalcommunities.org/board .
Taverne on the Square is now offering a 15% discount for lunch to all business members of the Claremont Chamber of Commerce. Lunch is served from 11:00am to 4:00pm

For your convenience you may consider calling an hour ahead of your desired pick up time. Then simply pick up your lunch order to go. If you prefer, we will be happy to have it ready to serve to you!

Simply mention promo code: Jasper56
Community News & Events
Food Service Update
ServSafe ®  is a nationally recognized food safety certification program of the National Restaurant Association. Participants passing the exam given at the end of the class, with a score of 75% or higher, will receive ServSafe ®  Food Protection Manager Certification. Certification is valid for five years.
 
The cost of the training is $140 which includes the ServSafe ®  Manager Book, 7th Edition & Exam. For persons with disabilities, dietary, language or financial difficulties requiring special accommodations, please contact us prior to the event. Given ample time, we will make any reasonable effort to arrange accommodations. Books and exams are available in several languages, please check with our office for availability before registering.

Upcoming ServSafe ®  classes:  All classes are from 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Cheshire Medical Center - 580 Court St. - Keene, NH
Must register by 9/15/19.  Register Here
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Sullivan County Health Care - 5 Nursing Home Dr. - Unity, NH
(95 County Farm Rd. on GPS) 
Must register by 9/22/19.  Register Here
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Mt. Eustis Commons - 260 Cottage St. - Littleton, NH
Must register by 10/23/19.  Register Here


S.A.F.E. - Safety Awareness in the Food Environment
S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness in the Food Environment) is a free 2-hour training that covers personal hygiene; cross-contamination; controlling time and temperature; and safe food handling. It’s a comprehensive introduction for new or seasonal employees and a valuable refresher for longtime staff! Trainings can be done right at your facility.
Upcoming S.A.F.E. Classes:    Classes are offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day.

Keene Public Library - 60 Winter St. - Keene, NH
Must register HERE  by noon on 9/19/19
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Claremont Savings Bank - 145 Broad St. - Claremont, NH
Must register  HERE  by noon on 10/10/19
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UNH Cooperative Extension Grafton County Office
3855 Dartmouth College Hwy. - North Haverhill, NH
Must register HERE  by noon on 11/7/19
Upper Valley Land Trust - Corporate Volunteer Program
The Upper Valley Land Trust has an exciting opportunity to offer Upper Valley businesses and employees! Now in its second year of operation, the Corporate Volunteer Program puts your employees to work in the community, volunteering with our local environmental nonprofit to make a difference socially and ecologically. This offering is designed to provide an opportunity for your Upper Valley business to spend time volunteering in the outdoors and strengthen bonds between your team members. This program will benefit your business in many ways:
 
·         Engaging employees in team building activities in a beautiful environment outside of the typical workplace
·         Involving your group with our local social and natural communities
·         Providing a philanthropy opportunity for a business and its employees
·         Reenergizing and resetting a team dynamic before diving back into work projects
 
We are ready to create a volunteer experience tailored to the needs of your company! Contact Paul Blazevich ( (603) 643-6626 x 201) for program offerings, more information on CVP, or to begin customizing your own volunteer experience. UVLT’s current project offerings for CVP are attached below, which also includes program logistics and a recommended packing list for participants.
 
The Upper Valley Land Trust is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, committed to preserving natural areas, working farmlands, and priority habitat so residents and visitors alike can enjoy the scenic landscapes that make the Upper Valley so special.
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