September 2019

~Chamber Newsletter~

Info and happenings in our 
Chamber and Town!

Go to  brandonbuilds.com  for construction info

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CHICKEN AND BISCUITS CHURCH SUPPER
Brandon Congregational Church, 
1 Carver Street

Our famous Chicken and Biscuits Church Supper on Saturday, September 28th  from 5-7:00 p.m.  
We will be serving home made Chicken and Biscuits, vegetables, cole slaw and apple crisp for dessert. 
A free will offering will be taken. 
This is a wonderful event and time to share with with friends and neighbors. 


The wildly inventive John Funkhouser Trio performs its annual show at Brandon Music 
September 28 th at 7:30pm
 
The John Funkhouser Trio returns September 28 for its annual show at Brandon Music which can now be best described as a Brandon Music tradition.
Always great favorites with Brandon Music audiences and especially those lovers of great jazz the wildly inventive trio are always great fun to watch and to listen to and their quality as individual musicians shines through every performance.  
Funkhouser's eclectic influences include music from South Africa, the Great American Songbook, Appalachia, India, New Orleans funk (Funkhouser lives up to his name!), '70s prog rock, modern jazz, Balkan folk music, and much more.
The Trio's music is full of empathy, fire, staggering technical displays, profound intimacy, joy and playfulness - all reasons why this group is best experienced live. Along with Funkhouser on piano are Greg Loughman (bass), and Mike Connors (drums) - a trio of forward-thinking jazz musicians who are "often wildly inventive and great fun to watch and listen to" but "can also play with grace and sweetness," according to Middletown Eye.
The title of the group's most recent album, Brothers, as Funkhouser explains, comes from his relationship with his fellow bandmates: "Improvised music has a curious and beautiful quality whereby you can get on stage with a musician you have never met before, play a set or two of music, and instantly develop a deep, lasting and even intimate friendship." Funkhouser has played with Loughman, and Connors for almost 20 years, so the musical friendship has grown exponentially with time. 'Brothers' is the title "because that's what we are at this point," he says. "I think the bond that has formed between us, in all humility, shows in our spontaneity, spirit of exploration, freedom to take musical chances and say something controversial or to reveal feelings and thoughts that would remain guarded in less familiar company."

Concert begins at 7:30pm. Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is available for $25.  Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 247-4295 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733 www.brandon-music.net



Line Barral receives her
$2019.07 check 
BRANDON BUZZ CARD
 Shop and SAVE!  Shop and WIN!

BUZZ CARD promotion ends 
October 31st! 

We have handed out over $10,500.00 in $20 Brandon Green Certificates plus the $2019.07 first grand prize won by Line Barral in 2018. The drawing for the second "$2019.07 grand prize", as well as $50.00 Gift Certificates from all the participating businesses, will occur on Saturday, November 16 ! Watch for more info and details!!
  This "get out to shop" program has helped to bring all our friends and neighbors into our local businesses.  We hope this incentive helped you make the extra effort to come into town and do your shopping all through the construction.

Card holders have received over $10,000.00 in $20.00 Brandon Green certificates from their Buzz card redemption PLUS the 2018 grand prize!







 New fall hours: 
 Monday and Tuesday 5-8
 Wednesday, Thursday 
 and   Sunday noon to 8
 Friday and Saturday noon to 9.
         802-465-8279
22 Park Street next to the Brandon Inn





























Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce brings you our annual "Make Your Own Leaf Person" event aa part of this great expanded Harvest Festival!
Visitors and townspeople, old and young, enjoy making "Harvest People" (a/k/a stick figures, scarecrows, leaf people...). At HarvestFest, we supply all materials, accessories, and instruction on how to make your very own "Harvest Person." This event is a great way for people to be creative and let imaginations run wild. Event-goers choose clothes, a hat, shoes, and embellishments to personalize their own "Person." Or bring your own clothes and have a personalized one of your own. We always are in need of shoes, hats and accessories, so bring 'em if you got 'em! Volunteers help with the finishing touches.
Each "Harvest Person" is only $5.00.
So much fun and all because we live in a great little town!!
For more info call 802-247-6401 or visit www.brandon.org


The remarkable contemporary folk singer-songwriter Lara Herscovitch 

Brandon Music Saturday 
September 21 st at 7:30pm

Brandon Music is delighted to welcome Lara Herscovitch, a modern American songwriter-poet-performer, creating masterful contemporary folk with blues, pop and jazz influences. Former State Troubadour of Connecticut, she writes, sings and leads with authenticity, integrity, humor and heart, delivering performances that inspire, inform, uplift and entertain.
Sound Waves Magazine described her music as "expertly written prose... songwriting at its best... good for your ears AND your soul." Delivered with a voice Performer Magazine called "clear and smooth like expensive liquor," Acoustic Live in New York City added, "She possesses not only a huge reservoir of musical talent and a voice with a bell-like clarity, but a keen sense of global concern and a fierce intellect... It might seem too good to be true, but true it is."
Herscovitch is "a remarkable performer" (WSHU Public Radio), "sharp as a tack (and wickedly funny)... polished, confident, talented" (Scenic Root). She has appeared as a guest on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor and tours from Maine to Miami.

Concert begins at 7:30pm. Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is available for $25.  Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 247-4295 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733 www.brandon-music.net


Brandon Farmer's Market NEWS
Summer/fall  2019

Come support your local Market at Estabrook Park.  

You asked for it, you got it!  
Regular hours 8am-2pm, BUT,  every first Friday of July, August & September our hours will be 2 to 6pm.  We're testing the waters to see how the later hours work out for folks. 
Questions?  Contact Wendy Cijka at 273-2655 or cijka4@gmail.com


Town Hall 2019 events
Another exciting season of entertainment!!

Sunday, October 6  Bill Powers Presentation...6:30 pm
"The Fisk Family Of Stephen Douglas". Another incredible presentation by local author and historian Bill Powers. Edward Fisk of Brandon was the uncle of Stephen Douglas and helped raise him after his father died in 1813. Douglas left Vermont for Illinois about 1833. Fisk and his immediate family remained in Brandon's Arnold District. One of Fisk's sons was Stephen Douglas' private secretary and another was murdered in Michigan. This is the Fisk Family story. This is a Free Will Donation Event.
Sponsored by Amy Menard and Steve Dombrowski.
 
Saturday, October 12    6th Annual "Brandon Has Talent Show"...7:00 pm
Our 6 th Annual Talent Show has everything you love and continues to showcase the multi-talented community members from Brandon and the surrounding area. This is a fun event for participants as well as the audience. Come see your neighbors, friends and family as they sing, dance and entertain you. Tickets, Adults...$8. Seniors & Students...$6. Children 5 & under accompanied by an adult...Free
Sponsored by Rowe Real Estate, Inc., Virgil & Constance"...Tim & Mary Shields, Hayes Recycled Pallets, Inc., Phyllis & Ken Torrey, Warren & Lorraine Kimble, National Bank Of Middlebury. Marc & Arlyn Brierre.

Friday, October 18... "Carpenters Tribute Concert"...7:30 PM.
Direct from Las Vegas, "Carpenters Tribute Concert stars Sally Olson, as Karen Carpenter and pianist Ned Mills as Richard Carpenter. It is the definitive show celebrating the music and legacy of the famed brother-sister duo. Carpenters Tribute Concert was honored to be the featured entertainment at the Carpenters 
50 th  Anniversary Celebration in Thousand Oaks, CA.. Sally is also performing with the "Legends In Concert" tour.   Tickets, Adults...$12. Seniors/Students...$10. Sponsored by Pat Hanson, Fred & Terry Zimmer.
 
Saturday, October 19... "2nd Annual Masquerade Ball"...7:00 - 10:00 PM
This fund raiser is a benefit for the Brandon Library and Friends of the Brandon Town Hall. All proceeds going to these great organizations will help support their ongoing projects. Come in costume as we set up the hall in a cabaret style, with prizes for the best costumes, a cash bar, snacks and some great DJ music by the Jam Man.
Tickets, Adults...$12. If in Costume...$10. Couples...$20. Both in costume...$18. 16 & under, in costume... Free Sponsored by Nifty Thrifty Thrift Shop... A Great Place To Find A Costume.
 
Friday, October 25...Silent Movie, "Faust" (1926)...7:00 PM
A visual tour de force, full of creepy characters and frightening images. Not for the young or squeamish, dealings with the devil abound as Faust tries to redeem his soul before it is too late. Our Annual "Chiller Theater" presentation just in time for Halloween.
This is a Free Will Donation event. Sponsored by Jan Coolidge, Nancy & Gary Meffe.
Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
 
Saturday, October 26.. "Phil Henry And The Newsfeed" Band in concert...7:30 PM. T
his newest band led by singer-songwriter Phil Henry, brings his big acoustic sound along with Brendan Coyle on drums, Mitch Barron on upright and fretless bass and Jeff Kimble on a kitchen sink level variety of instruments such as piano, accordion, acoustic and electric mandolins, synthesizer, toy piano and glockenspiel.
Tickets, Adults...$8. Seniors/Students....$6.
Sponsored by Ferne & Lou Faivre, New England Woodcraft, Fyles Bros.,Inc., Jon & Courtney Satz, American Legion Post 55.



US born singer-songwriter Kyle Carey performs 'Gaelic Americana' at Brandon Music 
Friday October 4 th at 7:30pm

Brandon Music is delighted to welcome for the first time celebrated singer-songwriter Kyle Carey on Friday September 4 at 7:30pm.  Kyle Carey's music is unique.  Her novel sound is an unusual trans-Atlantic fusion that includes influences of the American Folk Anthology, the traditional music of Cape Breton, Ireland and Scotland, and the Appalachian poetry of Louise McNeill. Carey has a soft but sandy voice that Mike Harding describes as "A voice to die for" and is a most impressive storyteller, musician and song writer.  
Born in New Hampshire and now based in Brooklyn, New York, until the age of seven Carey lived in the Alaskan Bush where she learned the Yup'ik language and its songs.  She studied literature in college, and then travelled to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia on a Fullbright Scholarship to begin her study of the Gaelic language and its music. Afterwards, she spent two years  on the Isle of Skye in Scotland-honing her skills in the Gaelic language and studying traditional singing techniques with Scottish singer Christine Primrose ( of the Isle of Lewis) one of Scotland's most revered traditional singers.  During this time Carey learned the secrets of pronunciation and tone of traditional Gaelic song. Consequently she is a fluent Scottish Gaelic speaker. She has been touring both nationally and internationally for the past 7 years retelling the history of American folk on both sides of the Atlantic and performing her unique style of American folk.
To date Carey has released three albums-Monongah, North Star. and The Art of Forgetting -  all critically acclaimed, and all a direct and compelling expression of her distinctive 'Gaelic Americana' sound.  Don't miss this great opportunity to hear one of the most celebrated performers live.

Concert begins at 7:30pm. Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is available for $25.  Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 247-4295 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733 w ww.brandon-music.net

Red Clover Ale Co.
Beautiful downtown Brandon

Red Clover Ale Company is a small 3 BBL brewery and taproom in Brandon, VT.  We believe that beer is the most complex and wonderful beverage in the world and we want to highlight that complexity.  Our goal is to brew an array of delicious beers and to have an ever changing tap list to allow for new beer drinking experiences.  Our work is inspired by our backgrounds in farming, the changing seasons, and the natural beauty of Vermont. Also, our tastebuds.
We are a "bring your own food" taproom and there are several options within walking distance. We strive to be very kid and family friendly. Come hang out, play some games, and have some beer!



Everyone loves Mexican food & Red Clover's beers!!
Every Thursday you can find authentic Baja style Mexican food served up fresh  by Mari Luisa Verduzco  Murguia, of La Catrina fame! Delicious with all of Red Clover's great beers. 
 Check her out on Facebook to see each week's scrumptious offerings and tasty desserts.

Serving from 4:00-9:00 pm


Netting of Fire - Lowell Klock -- Photograph
Art of Fire: Brandon Artists Guild's New Exhibit Sparks Creativity
The Art of Fire The show will run from August 30 through November 5.

As the weather starts to cool, the Brandon Artists Guild is getting all fired up. This fall, the gallery continues its Earth-themed 20th anniversary celebration with a new exhibit, The Art of Fire. 
The show will run from August 30 through November 5. 

The all-member, all-media show features pieces linked by the common theme of fire, and includes ceramics, collage, watercolor, oil, photography, glass and more.
Give Me S'More-Joan Drew-Watercolor

"Some of these pieces, in glass, ceramics, and metalwork, are born in fire," says watercolorist Joan Drew, "but regardless of our medium we're all excited about picking up the thematic torch and running with it."


The Art of Fire is the fourth and final exhibit in a series of themed shows honoring our planet. This 20th-anniversary year for the BAG is also the Chinese Year of the Pig, which recognizes nature's elements, Earth, Wood, Water, and Fire.
The Brandon Artists Guild is an artist-run gallery with approximately 40 exhibiting artists and additional supporting members. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural organization, the BAG supports the visual arts through exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and educational programs.


The BAG, at 7 Center Street in Brandon, is open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 5PM, and Sunday from 10AM to 4PM. Information: 802 247-4956. www.BrandonArtistsGuild.org


Brandon's own NIFTY THRIFTY 
has found a new home!
Next to the Episcopal Church-nice new digs, 
same nice folks, same nice prices!!

Their new address is: 19 Conant Square, Brandon VT. That is the
painted-brick, Federal style house, the rectory for the Episcopal Church, 
at the corner of Rt 7 and Prospect  Street. Great parking in the back.

  Our hours are: 
Monday - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Tuesday - 10:00am to 6:00pm
Wednesday - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Thursday - 10:00am to 6:00pm
Friday - 10:00am to 2:00pm
Saturday - 10:00am to 2:00pm
In short, we stay open late two evenings a week.

Our Mission- Nifty Thrifty's Mission is to help our community as it cultivates its image as a cultural, spiritual, commercial, recreational and educational center. 
We do this by giving to local programs, projects, events,  activities, organizations and  ideas.

We have a Facebook page too.  NIFTY Thrifty Thrift SHOP   
Come visit us and check out our neat new location!

Jeremy Mohney brings lively Swing Music to Brandon Music
Saturday October 19 th at 7:30pm

It was five years ago that Jeremy Mohney and his Swing Band first performed at Brandon Music and wowed the audience with his catchy rhythms, floating melodies and expressive musicianship.  Brandon Music now welcomes back this exceptional  band on Saturday 19 th October at 7:30pm.
  With infectious energy, Jeremy Mohney and His Band, based out of Colorado, capture the sounds of swing with a feel that can't be reproduced by many alive. Always rooted and honoring the greats like Armstrong, Ellington and Waller, who set the groundwork for the music, he plays with his own faithful, yet unique take. His band plays the old favorites as well as originals written by Mohney himself that capture the feel of the classics seamlessly, showing how fresh it's always been. Keeping crowds smiling and dancing all over the US in speakeasies, swing dances and festival stages alike, Jeremy Mohney shows no sign of stopping.
 Jeremy Mohney works with top Colorado musicians like Greg Schochet (Halden Wofford and the Hi*Beams, Katie Glassman and Snapshot), Matt Cantor (Gipsy Moon), Alex Heffron, Chris Carland (Bill McKay Band), Kyle Ussery (Bill McKay Band) to give you the genuine sounds of swing with glaring personality. Sharing stages with Colorado greats Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon), members of Elephant Revival and Swing sensations Solomon Douglas and Jake Sanders add to his salt as a performer. Jeremy is always writing and recording new music for the tradition. His EP called "Solving The World's Problems" was released in February 2017 and he's got his fifth release coming soon, an EP called "Burning In Me". With many original releases, more on the way, and a busy schedule, don't miss this chance and   experience for yourself Jeremy Mohney and his music.   You will see how genuine his enthusiasm is for  this incredible and joyous musical art form.
 
  Concert begins at 7:30pm. Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is available for $25.  Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show. Venue is BYOB. Call (802) 247-4295 or e-mail info@brandon-music.net for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Rd. Brandon, VT 05733 www.brandon-music.net
 

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Brandon Free Public Library Used Book Sale Season still going STRONG!!!
Stock up for the cooler (and COLD) weather we all know will be here before we know it!
Annual Bag Sale  starts  Sept 15th and ends Oct 19th. Fill a  plastic grocery bag for $10.00!! And have your buzz card punched!
 
The Friends of the Brandon Free Public Library used book sale opens for the season on Wednesday, May 15 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., every Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. until mid-October. This is probably the best organized and longest running used book sale in Vermont. In the basement of the Library you will find an amazing selection of fiction and non-fiction books for all ages at very low prices. 
 
Books are arranged by type and subject. There is both hard-cover and paperback fiction, non-fiction of every description, and books for children, toddlers, and young adults. There are special sections devoted to gardening, cooking, how-to and do-it-yourself projects. 

All of the income from this sale is given to the library by the Friends for the purchase of books and other materials and to help underwrite special projects for the Library, like the Summer Children's Program in July. The Book Sale and the Holiday Auction are the primary sources for funding for these programs. The construction has impacted our sales and we depend on our neighbors and friends for their support for all the wonderful things that happen at our Library.
 
We can use more volunteers to fully staff this important fundraising project. If you have time Wednesday evenings or on Friday or Saturday, sign up to work. No experience is necessary and you may volunteer for as many or as few days as you'd like or you may sign up as a substitute. Training will be provided. Volunteer and find out what the 'oldest, continuing, permanent, used book sale in Vermont' is all about. Call the Library at 247-8230 for more information or to volunteer. Bring a friend if you'd like to work with a 'buddy'.
Brandon Library happenings!    
Join in for an enjoyable evening 
discussing  each of these books. 







Check out these great new offerings and 
some  "after hours" tasty adventures.   



Apartment to sub-let
New Smith block apartments!!

Apartment #26, a beautiful second floor corner apartment with a marble fireplace, in the newly renovated Smith Block, right in the heart of Brandon. 
Contact Jeff at 570-337-8910 for more info


Brandon Dog Park at 
Estabrook Park
Fundraising effort

Location: Estabrook Park, Route 7 South, Brandon
Goal: Half to one Acre 6' chain-link fenced dog park with double entry gate and mowing entrance, small and large dog area, rule sign, dog waste trash bin with bag dispenser, large donor name listing.
Estimated cost for fence, installation, signs: $15,000-$20,000

Project Organized and Supported By Volunteers, Brandon Recreation and Town of Brandon- Questions: brandonvtdogpark@gmail.com






Miller Hill Farm, Nursery 
& Gardens  
2127 Rte 73 E.  Sudbury 623-7373

A Showcase on Summer !!
"Nurture your imagination in alluring surroundings"

Come for vibrant plants~expert advice~prices you'll love!  Veggie starts-annuals-perennials-shrubs-trees-native species-house plants!

Twilight Golf- Weekdays and Weekends after 3pm 18 Holes With Cart For Only $40
Weekends: Noon - 3pm    $55 with cart


SERVICE DAY
Military, Veterans, Police, Fire and EMT
Every Monday $40 with cart. Must show service ID.
TWO FORE TUESDAYS
Two Greens Fees $67 with Cart.

SENIOR DAY      
Every Wednesday $42 with Cart.
VERMONT DAY
Every Friday $49 with cart.
Must be a VT resident and show valid ID.
  Tee Times Required

Stop in and enjoy the Neshobe's own Long Iron Restaurant & Pub
Serving Lunch Daily 11am - 4pm   All Summer Long~~Rain or Shine
Continuing its Friday Night sit-down dining affair offering a varying menu to the delight of appetites both big and small. Check our Facebook page on Wednesday afternoons to see the Friday menu or subscribe to our email notifications on our homepage,  neshobe.com. All are welcome! We hope to see you soon.   
                 
224 Town Farm Road. Brandon, VT 05733 * 802-247-3611 * www.neshobe.com


Five Meadows Farm
Open for the season from May 18 to 
mid November

Horseback riding lessons, English & Western! Fun, supportive programs ages 4 and up.

Lessons and time with horses can be tailored to your needs.  Experienced and kind youth horses.  Lessons typically are 1.5 hours including riding and grooming time.  
Lessons are given on Saturdays and several weekday evenings.  
We look forward to sharing our horses and farm with you!  

900 Pearl St, Brandon, VT 05733- 802-247-8300 fivemeadowsfarmsllc.com 


The Brandon Museum 
at the Stephen A. Douglas Birthplace 
Another benefit for Chamber members-

The Brandon museum offers advertising space for chamber members in the visitor center which is open every day of the year. Visitors to the area stop in regularly to get information about things to do. If you have a rack card which advertises your business, drop some off at the museum between 11:00 and 4:00 weekdays or at Carr's Gift Shop downtown.


Brandon's Energy Committee-
Quick recommendation if you're looking to 
save some money!

1) lighting, 2) heating, cooling and ventilation, 3) insulation, windows and doors, 4) refrigeration and commercial kitchens, 5) renewable energy, 6) appliances, 7) electronics, 8) transportation, 9) agricultural equipment, and 10) industrial and special equipment costs.
Efficiency Vermont has all of the products available here:
And all of the rebates available here:
(Background on Efficiency Vermont: Founded in 2000 as the nation's first energy efficiency utility, they are Vermont's objective adviser on saving energy through efficiency, which is the most affordable, local fuel source. In every county, they provide Vermonters with technical services and financial support to improve their homes, businesses, and communities. They also train and partner with local providers of efficient goods and services so all Vermonters can easily find the efficiency resources they need.)
Here's a quick list of all that's covered on their site:



  For more info click here-  https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/rutland


"Brandon Chamber Members receive 10% off"




Sprinkler System installations 
Significant tax savings available!

Dunmore Hose Company safety officer Dennis Reisenweaver brings to our attention the following information on sprinkler system tax savings applicable to many of our businesses!

In August 2018 Congress passed federal tax reform legislation (P.L.115-97) that contains significant federal tax incentives for business owners to install fire sprinkler systems in existing buildings. This could save you a lot of money!
Qualified commercial buildings located in state designated downtowns or village centers may be eligible for additional state tax incentives for sprinklers and other code and building improvements. For more information contact: Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development: https://accd.Vermont.gov/historic-preservation/funding/tax-credits.
 
For a more detailed explanation of this money saving offer click here




BARN OPERA Transitions to prepare for the first production of 2020 at the NEW BARN!


BARN OPERA
Announces a change in location and programming affecting the following productions:
TOSCA by G. Puccini (Sung in Italian with English Supertitles)
(Brandon, VT)- With the exciting news of the purchase of the new barn and renovations to prepare for the first production of 2020 in the new space,
BARN OPERA has decided to make some adjustments to the completion of the 2019 season.
Please click here for complete information on these exciting happenings with Barn Opera


OPERA at-a-glance: the latest exhibit at the Compass Music and Arts Center
  Did you know that opera singers are basically Olympic athletes?
An opera singer has to be able to sustain high notes over a long period of time while using their body to amplify a sound so that it can be heard over a full orchestra and do so without any microphones. Opera singers show us the loudest sounds and the highest pitches the human body can produce. It takes many years before someone can audition to be cast in a professional company. This is one of the facts you can discover by visiting the 'Opera at-a-glance' exhibit in the Compass Music and Arts Center.
 
The Center is also providing a listening room where visitors can relax and sample different operas and hear the astounding voices of such great opera singers as Luciano Pavarotti and Renée Fleming.
 
The history of recorded sound is a further strength of the Compass Center as it hosts the Phonograph Rooms. Part of the exhibit will be devoted to how recording helped to popularize opera for all to enjoy.  

The Compass Center is celebrating the world of opera with this exhibit to launch the  collaboration between the Compass Music and Arts Foundation and BARN OPERA and its founder and artistic director Josh Collier who is an internationally acclaimed opera singer. 
The Foundation, through the new BARN OPERA venture, is organizing performances of loved operas through 2018 and beyond.

The Compass Music and Arts Center is located in Park Village at 333 Jones Dr. Brandon VT, 05733 (Park Village used to be the Brandon Training School, located 1.5 miles north of   downtown Brandon off Arnold District Rd.). 

Free online tech support!

This is why we love the Brandon area, and the folks who make up our Chamber of Commerce!
Many thanks to Greg Smela of 
" Simple Systems of Vermont", a locally owned tech company. Greg will provide free online tech support for BACC members via an online support forum.

How does it work?

Easy! Current BACC members can sign up at www.ssvt.net/bacc. You'll be prompted to create an account by entering your name, email address, company/organization name and phone number. Your account will be activated within a few hours and you'll receive instructions at the email address you provide. 

What do you get? Simple... free support. That means, if you have a computer or other tech-related question you can post it in the forum and expect to receive an answer generally within 24 hours (but most likely much sooner). What kind of support is provided? We'll assist with hardware and software support and advice. Are you having a problem deciding on what hardware might work for your business or what software application will do the job? Post away and we'll help you.
What isn't covered: Telephone or email support. We can't answer your individual questions by email or phone as we are a business too and need to earn our keep! We also can't help your Aunt Ida or your friends, kids, pets, etc., but we hope this free service will help you deal with the small problems you may face from day to day.

We ask that you limit participation to one account per BACC membership. We are providing this for current BACC members as a way to help support our wonderful Brandon community.
                    Many thanks Greg!!
Celebrate the good life with Brandon's own award-winning beer and wine.
Brandon's home grown beers and wines!

Foley Brothers Brewing and Neshobe River Winery's tasting barn is open Wednesday through Saturday 11 to 5. Tasting flights, growler fills, bottles, and a country setting await you. Bring your friends or make some new ones here!

Others drive hundreds of miles to enjoy the beer that's right in your back yard! Come visit us today.
And don't forget, you can rent our tasting barn for private parties and special events.
 Follow us on Facebook and don't miss our latest release.
 Now open Sundays 11-4:00 !!
 
Read a great little review from a Woodstock B&B blog here!
  Foley Brothers Brewing
Neshobe River Winery
Inn At Neshobe River
79 Stone Mill Dam Rd.   247-8002   oldmillbnb@yahoo.com

COWORKING Space at The GRANARY
29 Union Street, Brandon

-Coworking Space is the solution to slow internet speeds or social isolation that freelancers, entrepreneurs, writers, independent contractors and remote workers may experience while working at home. It allows you to escape the distractions of home, while combining the structure and community of a shared professional office.
-What is Offered?
We provide an attractive, fully furnished, shared professional office space. The extra large room
(1000 sq. ft.) includes: four desks and chairs, conference table, comfortable couch and seating,
privacy screens, lighting, high speed internet and miscellaneous office supplies.
Who Needs a Coworking Space?
Do you work from home?
Do you need a professional office setting?
Do you need high speed internet access?
Do you use video conferencing?
Do you need a work space to be more efficient and productive?
-Costs
$150 per month per person -- all utilities and high speed internet included.
-The Granary
This beautifully renovated, historic building with thirteen artist studios and small businesses and
new coworking space. The building offers lots of natural light, great lighting, handicapped ramp,
and parking. The creative business community includes milliners, jeweler, graphic designer,
writer, painters, sculptors, insurance office, medium and hair salon. The GRANARY is located in
the village of Brandon, walking distance to shops, restaurants and galleries.

Information-Contact Stephanie 802-683-8209 or Brian 802-683-4126.
We would be happy to give you a tour of the space!


Call for Exhibit Proposals at the Compass Music and Arts Center
Compass is seeking innovative work for solo and/or group exhibits from artists working in a variety of media.

Curators and both emerging and established artists are encouraged to apply. Site-specific work/installations will also be considered. This is a rolling open call for exhibits.
  A variety of exhibit spaces are available, giving flexibility to artists for the scope of their vision and needs.
  Further information, including a sample exhibit contract and submission guidelines, can be found at www.cmacvt.org.
  Compass is a multi-faceted arts center with many components drawing visitors through its doors, including artist studios, gift shops, a consignment shop, music, a café, and a variety of events. Located in Brandon, Vermont it is also in the heart of a pulsing arts community.
  The Compass Music and Arts Center is located in Park Village at 333 Jones Drive, Brandon VT, 05733 (Park Village used to be the Brandon Training School, located 1.5 miles north of downtown Brandon off Arnold District Rd.).


The Divine Art Recordings Group at Compass
Many people still don't realize that Brandon is home to one of the busiest and critically praised classical music record companies. 

 We moved our headquarters from England in 2009 and  now have our offices and a dedicated CD store at the Compass Music & Arts Center, in Park Village.  We specialize in contemporary music and rediscovered  masterpieces - not the same old pieces that everyone else records..... we have just completed a massive ten -CD  series for  Russia's greatest living composer  Artyomov, a similar series for Cambridge MA organ composer Carson Cooman and are signing superb artists from around the world Including (this year already) USA, UK, France, Australia, Malta and Iran.  Our recordings are available at all CD and digital /streaming sites but you can come to our store, discuss and sample over 500 titles of music from the 15 th to 21 st century.  

We are open Monday-Saturday 10-5 at 333 Jones Drive, Brandon. 247-4295. 
Please note we do NOT have a local recording studio.


Retail/Office Space for Rent.
Call 802-345-5100 for further details.

 Approximately 600 sq.ft. within the Downtown Commercial District of Brandon at 22 park Street (formerly NFP Insurance), next to the Brandon Inn. 
Be part of Brandon's new streetscape right across from the newly configured Central Park and Monument Park.


Studio and Gallery Spaces available to rent now at the Compass Center

WORK * ART * PASSION
  

 
Calling all artists in all disciplines! Have you ever dreamed of creating and working in a supportive environment with other artists? A place where there is space for artists to create, display and sell their work, provide classes, meet with colleagues and have access to a café and other amenities.  Compass Music and Arts Center is such a place. For more information and to schedule a visit, call Edna Sutton at 802-247-4295.  Very reasonable rates starting from $170 per month inclusive of all utilities.  Short leases available.
Compass Music and Arts Center 333 Jones Drive, Park Village, Brandon, VT.



Get on board the successful Gateways
to Adventure promotion!
You can sponsor a page at any time,
for one full year, for only $25.00
Sponsor ALL eleven pages
for only $200.00  
 
Gateways to Adventure        Click here for a printable PDF   Sponsorship form


 

BRANDON GREEN
Chamber "dollars"- a refresher course!

Every now and then I think it's important to
remind those of us who have been taking Brandon Green for years, and new businesses that have joined the Chamber, about the process for handling the certificates.
The $5.00, $20.00 and $25.00 certificates are legal tender and handled just like a check. You take the Brandon Green and give your customer change back, just like cash or a check. Then you deposit the Brandon Green into your account, just like a check. Simple and supportive of all our members.
 
Click here for more info on our popular Brandon Green


Vermont Association of Chamber Executives
Insurance program offerings for Chamber members.
 
Products offered through VACE include, Dental and Vision packages.
M ore information on all of these products can be found at www.vaceinsurance.com
Or contact the Richards Group (802) 775-2503 

Next Chamber Meeting-
Monday, October 21st, 2019 will be our next meeting!  6:30pm


The Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will meet at 6:30pm in the Cliver Room at the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace. Chamber membership
and the general public are invited to attend.