CMS Chamber logo  

 

In This Issue
Brown Bag: Free Business Software Training
April's Fun at Five
Save the Date for Golf!
M2M Discounts
2020 CMS Chamber Scholarships
Seeking Presenters, Hosts & Sponsors for 2020
E-Alert! Coronavirus Information
A Story of Survival
Exhibit at The Big E
SCU Community Shred Day
Wanted: Loan Officers
Cornerstone Bank Hires VP/Mortgage Loan Officer
March To The Future Gala
Salem Cross Inn Dining
March Events at OSV
A Little Night Music
Quinebaug Chess Club
Holland Community Center Events
Publick House Feast
Cooking With Rico: Lazio
TLGV's March Calendar
Mobile Pet Adoption
An Acoustic Tribute to The Eagles
Essential Business Skills Workshops
FREE Home Buyer's Seminar
Senior Tech Help Workshop
Klem's Fishing Expo
Second Chance 21st Annual Dinner Auction
Gateway Players Theatre
United Way Pub Quiz
50+ Networking Group
Village Toastmasters
24/7 Training
Save these Dates!
SCU Mortgage Loans
Chamber of Commerce 
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
 
Laurie Cashman 
Chair 
Yellow Iris Farm
 
Erika Travinski
1st Vice Chair 
 
Jessica Bettencourt
Immediate Past Chair
 
Bruce Watkins
Treasurer
Karl Storz Endovision
_________

Board Members


Brad Arcoite
Table 3 Restaurant Group  
 
Michael Checkosky
 
Angela Chviek
 
 
Rich Eichacker

Michelle Fanion
ERA Key Realty
 
 
Steve Gardiner

Les Gardner
Les Gardner Photography

 
Nathan Hardt
 
Leila Hurt
 
Lynn Mero
 
Rich Suitum

Michael Wales
Michael L. Wales Painting Co. 
 
Jim Donahue
Honorary Board Member
 
Counsel
Padgett D. Berthiaume
 
 __________

Chamber Staff

Alexandra McNitt
 Executive Director

Paulette Hughes
Finance & Administration

Jack Starkey
Communications Specialist 

Chamber Links

CMS Chamber logo
Stur Townships - Everything but Ordinary  

Welcome to CROSSROADS EVENTS!
 
We are midway through March and just a few days from the return of spring! You will find lots of opportunities to learn, play and celebrate in this issue. How about a walk, hike, bike or paddle? The Last Green Valley's 5th Annual Spring Outdoors program begins next week. Fantastic feasts, live music events, a free home buyers night, galas and dinner auctions, educational workshops, Klem's Annual Fishing Expo, a Community Shred Day, and many more await you in March's Crossroads EVENTS. The Chamber is offering a Brown Bag Seminar "Free Business Software Training for Your Employees" presented by Gail Farnsworth French of QVCDC on the 31st. Free for Members! Our next Fun at Five networking event takes place at Sturbridge Porterhouse with Dave's Pest Control sponsoring on April 13th. We hope to see you there!
 
WANTED: Your Spring and Summer Events!   
We rely on you to share with us and our community your news and events. Whether your business employs thousands or you are a one-person operation, Crossroads is your platform to share your latest news and happenings. 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 to share them!  
 
Extra for Experts! Connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest for more from your Chamber!  
Free Business Software Training
for Your Employees
Presented by Gail Farnsworth French
Tuesday, March 31 at Noon
Chamber Conference Room
46 Hall Road, Sturbridge
FREE for CMS Chamber Members, $15 for non-Members.
Space is Limited! Please RSVP.
Call 508-347-2761 or email info@cmschamber.org to save your spot!
Feel free to bring your lunch. Use our microwave to heat it up! Relax, learn and grow with us!
 
Companies need to be up-to-date with the business software they use (Microsoft Office, Adobe) for internal and external business activity. Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation can help!
 
Come to the CMS Brown Bag Seminar on March 31st to learn how your employees can be trained for free through our contract on the Massachusetts Training Exchange!
 
You'll learn about the eligibility requirements, business registration process and details of the computer classes that are offered in Ware.
 
Gail Farnsworth French, Training Manager for QVCDC, will present the details. You'll leave knowing what you need to know to get free training slots for your employees!
               
About Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation
Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation is a member-based, non-profit organization committed to economic development and helping small businesses grow and prosper. Serving the 15 towns of the Quaboag Region and Southern Worcester County, QVCDC and its partner organization, Quaboag Valley Business Assistance Corporation (QVBAC) offer many programs and services with a focus on community and economic development and supporting small business in our region.
NETWORK WITH YOUR CHAMBER
Fun at Five!
Monday, April 13
5:00-7:00pm
Sturbridge Porterhouse
Sturbridge Porterhouse
407 Main Street, Sturbridge, 508-347-2700

Meet us at Porterhouse for April Networking!
Sturbridge Porterhouse offers classic world cuisine using contemporary techniques and ingredients in a casual environment. Chef Ken and his staff are passionate about providing great food and an amazing atmosphere to their guests. The menu features mouthwatering steaks, chops and burgers cooked to perfection. You will also find a fantastic selection of wines and beers on tap, a decadent dessert menu, even a piano bar upstairs, along with beautiful amenities throughout and a friendly and helpful staff.  
 
Porterhouse is the brainchild of Chef Ken Yukimura, who also operates Sturbridge Seafood.
Check out Porterhouse's revamped menu with lower cost options for dinner, lunch and at the bar.  
Their outdoor patio will be open soon!
 
Register for Fun at Five by email or phone.
508-347-2761 
Cost is $12 for Members who pre-register, 
$15 at the door, or $20 for non-Members.
We look forward to seeing you!
 
Thank you to our
April Fun at Five Sponsor!
Dave_s Pest Control
Dave's Pest Control has been providing both homeowners and commercial property owners with complete pest control services throughout the Worcester County area for over 45 years. 
 
Our missions are to set the standard of superior service in the Pest Management Industry that exceeds customers' expectations, and provide an enriching, fulfilling and rewarding environment for our team members while supporting  
the community. 
 
113 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA
TOLL FREE: 1-800-400-6009
 
SAVE THE DATE!
CHAMBER of CENTRAL MASS SOUTH
GOLF CLASSIC
Golf
June 25, 2020
9:00am Shotgun Start
Heritage Country Club, Charlton, MA
To Benefit The Chamber Scholarships & Charities Fund
 
STAY TUNED...MORE INFO COMING SOON!
Remember... MEMBER TO MEMBER!
M2M logo  
 
We THANK YOU for KEEPING IT LOCAL... 

Last Chance to Apply!
2020 CMS Chamber Scholarships
Deadline for Applications is April 1.

The Chamber of Central Mass South typically awards three $1000 scholarships per year. Scholarships are disbursed directly to the student upon presentation of grades from first semester completed after the award is announced and a minimum 3.0 GPA attained.

Students must be a resident or student within the towns served by the Chamber of Central Mass South. (Southbridge, Sturbridge, Charlton, Spencer, the Brookfields, Warren, Wales, Holland and Brimfield.) For more information call 508-347-2761.

The Chamber does not discriminate against an applicant because of race, color, sex/gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or homelessness.

Please return the completed application, transcript, recommendations and student essay
by April 1, 2020 to:

Scholarship Committee
Chamber of Central Mass South
46 Hall Road
Sturbridge, MA, 01566

Present a Brown Bag Seminar,  
Host or Sponsor Fun at Five in 2020

The Chamber's Education Committee is currently planning our schedule of Brown Bag Seminars for the first half of 2020. Typically 1 hour long, these seminars are intended to attract intimate audiences of 5-30 people. Seminars are held at the Chamber office on the 4th Tuesday of the month at noon.
 
Presenting a Brown Bag Seminar is a great way to shine a spotlight on your business and the services you offer. You create the lesson plan, we do the rest including creating the invitations and promoting your seminar.
 
We are now planning for the months of May and June. If you are interested in sharing your expertise with your fellow Chamber Members while promoting yourself and your business, we would love to hear from you!
 
Just drop Alix a line with the topic you would like to present and your preferred month to get the ball rolling! Email Alix at alexandra_mcnitt@cmschamber.org 
 
Fun at Five logo
Host or Sponsor a Fun at Five
The Chamber is also planning its schedule of monthly networking events for the year. If you are interested in hosting or sponsoring a Fun at Five, contact Alix and she'll give you all the details. Our next opening is May's Fun at Five.
 
Call or email Alix for more info. 508-347-2761  
EANE
E-Alert!: Coronavirus Information that Employers Need Now

In an effort to gather the necessary resources for employers in a single location, EANE has added a Coronavirus Resource for Employers to our Emergency Response Preparedness Toolkit.  

Additional resources that we've added to the toolkit include:
Business Pandemic Checklist
Communicable Disease Policy

Information about the virus continues to update hourly, and so does the impact on businesses and employers. As developments unfold, EANE will continue to keep you posted. Please continue to look for updates on the Emergency Response Preparedness Toolkit.

If you have further questions, contact EANE's hotline toll-free at 877.662.6444.
Harrington Auxiliary Presents "A Story of Survival"

Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis as a child, Lynne Grden was unable to participate in normal childhood activities and had to rely on oxygen for life-giving sustenance. (Photos courtesy Lynne Grden)

The Harrington Auxiliary is pleased to announce a special event on April 22, 2020 at Cohasse Country Club featuring Lynne Grden, who will speak about her lifelong struggle with Cystic Fibrosis and arduous journey leading to a lifesaving double lung transplant.

Grden was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the age of five and faced many medical complications and physical challenges throughout her life. As her medical condition deteriorated, she lost her ability to speak and function independently and subsequently was placed on the donor list for a double lung transplant. Several attempts throughout the years to secure an appropriate match were thwarted and Grden eventually entered hospice care.

However, in 2015 a suitable donor was found and Grden was urgently flown to Cleveland Clinic where she underwent lengthy, but successful, lung transplantation surgery. "I got to start my life over," said Grden. "Before I was so focused on just trying to breathe."

During the last five years, Grden has engaged in physical activities once unimaginable. She hikes, swims, travels and fulfilled a dream to visit Italy where she climbed Mount Etna.

Grateful for the expansive community support she and her family received throughout her life and especially during her many hospitalizations, Grden now devotes much of her time as a volunteer and spokesperson for New England Donor Services (NEDS). She regularly shares her story of perseverance, resilience, faith, love of family and community, and hope for the future. Grden has inspired audiences at various community events, in hospitals, at medical conferences, high schools, church groups and professional organizations.

"A Story of Survival" recounts the obstacles Grden faced and overcame, thanks to an organ donor and a supportive medical team. In addition to relating her personal story, she will present alarming statistics that clearly indicate the importance of organ donation and dispel long-held myths and misconceptions about the process. The Auxiliary will make a donation to NEDS.

The Harrington Auxiliary invites the general public to attend Grden's presentation "A Story of Survival" on April 22, 2020 at Cohasse Country Club in Southbridge. Admission is $25 and includes light dining options. A cash bar is also available.

The event begins at 5:00 p.m.; the presentation starts at 6:00 p.m. Registration is required; walk-ins will not be accepted. The deadline to purchase tickets is April 13. For tickets or more information, please call Harrington Hospital Volunteer Services at 508-765-6472 or email Auxiliary@harringtonhospital.org with Story of Survival in the subject line.

Harrington Auxiliary, established in 1932, is a non-profit organization of dedicated and impassioned volunteers whose mission is to support and enhance the excellent services provided by the Harrington HealthCare System.
2020 Exhibitor Application for Massachusetts Building at The Big E
 
Big E Mass Department of Agricultural Resources invites Massachusetts businesses and organizations to apply for the opportunity to exhibit in the Massachusetts State Exposition Building at The Big E, September 18 - October 4, 2020. The mission of the Massachusetts State Exposition Building is to showcase Massachusetts agriculture, culture, commerce and tourism through informational, educational, promotional and retail exhibits. It is an opportunity to showcase and sell to over a million attendees that come through the Massachusetts Building. 
 
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the exhibitor guidelines and application, and submit a completed application by 4 pm on Friday, March 13, 2020 .
 
 
For more information, please contact Fran Pearson, Building Manager at Frances.Pearson@mass.gov at 617-655-3511 (cell) or 617-626-1748 (Boston Office).
SAVE THE DATE TO SHRED!

COMMUNITY SHRED IT DAY
SATURDAY, APRIL 4 | 9AM - 12PM
SOUTHBRIDGE CREDIT UNION
@ OUR LENDING CENTER (155 MAIN STREET, SOUTHBRIDGE)
AND HOBBS BROOK BRANCH (STURBRIDGE)

Shredding is a quick and convenient way to dispose of your information in a manner that provides added security against IDENTITY THEFT - and it's great for the environment as they are recycled. Stop by with your documents and have them shredded on site.
Norcom  
WANTED 
Norcom Mortgage is on the hunt for licensed and experienced Loan Officers.

Do you have 2+ years of MORTGAGE EXPERIENCE?

Do you have a solid knowledge of FHA, CONVENTIONAL & VA LOANS?

*WE ARE NOW OFFERING REVERSE MORTGAGE LENDING*

INTERESTED?
CONTACT KRISTEN WALTHER
774.241.0770
LEARN MORE BY VISITING US AT

Please share this information with your friends and colleagues
who may have an interest!
Thank you!

This is not an offer to make a loan or to make a loan or any particular terms. All loan applicants must qualify under underwriting requirements and satisfy all contingencies of loan approval. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. NMLS ID #71655 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
Cornerstone Bank Hires VP/Mortgage Loan Officer

Bob Peritz Cornerstone Bank is pleased to announce that Robert Peritz, NMLS # 697311, has been appointed the new VP, Mortgage Loan Officer of its new Loan Center located at 45 Lyman Street, Suite 20, Westborough.

Mr. Peritz joins Cornerstone Bank with over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, most recently serving as VP, Sales Manager for the Central and Western Massachusetts markets at United Bank. Prior to that, Mr. Peritz spent 15 years with Citizens Bank in positions of increasing responsibility, holding the titles of Senior Loan Officer, Sales Manager and CRA Loan Officer.

A graduate of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut, where he earned a BA in Finance, Mr. Peritz has strong personal and community ties to the Central Massachusetts area. A sports enthusiast and hockey coach, he particularly enjoys taking family vacations with his wife and three children.

"Bob has a solid background in mortgages; it's an area he's focused on for much of his career," said Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer Todd M. Tallman. "We look forward to having him as part of our team in helping customers choose the mortgage that best meets their homebuying needs and financial situation."

"I'm extremely excited about joining the team at Cornerstone Bank," said Mr. Peritz. "I consider it a great opportunity to help members of the community achieve their homeownership dreams in ways that are most beneficial to them."
"In like a lion, out like a lamb"
-Proverb on March 
PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING THE VENUES BELOW A RING
BEFORE ATTENDING TO BE SURE EVENTS HAVE NOT BEEN CANCELLED
OR POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19. THANK YOU!
 
You're Invited!
Our Bright Future Inc. is excited to announce our first annual "March To The Future Gala" event on March 14, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.

This event will be hosted at The Knights of Columbus, 1017 Riverside Drive, North Grosvenor Dale, CT. Dinner will be served to all guests along with a cash bar and great music. Come participate in our silent auctions, raffle baskets, and more!

Guest Speaker: NBA Hall of Famer
Tom "Satch" Sanders!

Learn more, get tickets, donate or sponsor:
www.ourbrightfutureinc.org/gala-night
Salem Cross Inn logo
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.  
 
 
A Wedding Wire Couples' Choice Award
and The Knot Best of Weddings Award recipient for 2020.
 
Fireplace Feasts! March 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 & 28 
Take a trip back in time and enjoy our 1700's colonial inspired feasts,  
prepared on the open hearth of a great fieldstone fireplace.
Make your reservations online or call Salem Cross Inn at (508) 867-2345.
Fireplace Feasts run through April! 
 
Easter Dinner at Salem Cross Inn
Sunday, April 12, 2020
Easter is a great time to get together with family or friends and enjoy a home-cooked feast, and what better place to spend it than here at Salem Cross Inn!  
Tables fill up quickly so please make your reservations early.
 
Visit our Facebook page
for updates (including weather), event photos and future menu postings!
   
HOURS  
March
Thursday & Friday (Lunch & Dinner) - 11:30am to 9:00pm 
Saturday (Dinner) - 5:00pm to 9:00pm 
Sunday (Dinner) - 12 Noon to 8:00pm 
Closed for vacation March 29 at 3:00 through April 9th
 
Hexmark Tavern:
MARCH
Thursday & Friday - 4:00pm to 9:00pm
 
Events at Old Sturbridge Village  
Maple Days
Maple Days at Old Sturbridge Village
March 14, 15, 21, and 22
The Village is open from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.
 
Cost: Included with standard daytime admission or Village membership. SAVE $2.50 per Adult, Senior, or Youth standard daytime admission ticket by purchasing your tickets online instead of at the door! Cannot be combined with other discounts. 
 
For many at Old Sturbridge Village, the first whiff of spring isn't the aroma of spring flowers - it's the smell of wood smoke and maple syrup, a sure sign that the sap is rising and spring is on the way.  Join us for "Maple Days" select dates in March, when the Village's working sugar camp demonstrates maple sugaring as it was done in early 19th-century New England.

See the entire sugar-making process, from tapping the trees to "sugaring off," and learn why maple sugar was more commonly used than maple syrup in early New England.

Costumed historians will also cook period foods made with maple products and the potter and cooper will make maple related items.
 
 
Womens History Weekend  
Womens' History Weekend at Old Sturbridge Village
March 28, 2020 - March 29, 2020
The Village is open from 9:30 am-4:00 pm. 
 
Join Old Sturbridge Village as we acknowledge and celebrate extraordinary and everyday women in the early 19th century. Our costumed historians will explore the diverse and unique roles of women through storytelling and performance. Come and learn about 19th-century midwifery, the life of an Irish immigrant, and listen to letters from the abolitionist Grimke Sisters. Visit the historic houses of OSV to learn more about how women ran their households and managed the essential work of childrearing, gardening, cooking, laundry, sewing, and more. Join us in the gardens for talks on Indigenous plants and the role played by women in medicine, and for gardening demonstrations showing how the work of food production was carried by women of the past. Beyond the domestic sphere, we will explore the issues surrounding gender, freedom, and rights all occurring during the 1830s.
 
 
 
STAGELOFT PRESENTS 
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
March 13 & 14 at 8:00 PM; March 15 at 2:00 PM
Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM  
Book by HUGH WHEELER  
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick  
Suggested by a Film by Ingmar Bergman  
Produced and Directed on Broadway by Harold Prince
Stage Director: Richard Monroe  
Music Director: Aldo Fabrizi 
 
This Sondheim classic tells explores the tangled web of affairs centered around
an actress and the men who love her. Winner of four Tony Awards.
Presented in collaboration with Greater Worcester Opera.
 
Stageloft Repertory Theater, 450A Main Street, Sturbridge, MA
Chess
Quinebaug Chess Club
Saturdays at 9:30 am at Jacob Edwards Library

The Quinebaug Chess Club meets on Saturday mornings, at the Jacob Edwards Library, Southbridge. This drop-in club is held in the reference area of the Library, and has lessons tailored for children and adults.  All are welcome to attend!

Instructor Ben Marinelli will lead attendees through chess strategy, and guests will be able to test their skills using available game boards.  For those who wish to time their play, four newly acquired clocks are also on hand.
 
Holland Community Center Events
 
March 16, 11:30am-5:30pm: All Day Craft Day 
We had so much fun the last time, we decided to do it again. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Holland Community Center we're able to bring to you another all-day craft day. This time around you'll have the chance to make a small side table, votive lanterns, a clothespin cross, and a 3-tiered table stand. You can make just one, or make all 4, depending on how much time you have. With so much to choose from and to do, we are asking for donations to help recoup the costs of supplies. If you would like to join us for lunch, please sign up for both events.  
 
March 18, 1:00-2:00pm: Alzheimers - The 10 Signs
If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or behavioral changes, it's time to learn the facts. Early detection of Alzheimer's disease gives you a chance to begin drug therapy, enroll in clinical studies and plan for the future. This interactive workshop features video clips of people with Alzheimer's disease.  
 
March 23, 1:00-2:00pm: Duane Carlson
Duane is formerly a DJ, and with his smooth voice and over 260 songs in his repertoire, he is sure to make you feel like dancing while he sings hits from the 50s and 60s.  
 
March 25, 1:00-3:00pm: The Lion King
The Lion King Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny on the plains of Africa. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother -- and former heir to the throne -- has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is soon ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. Now, with help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba must figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. 
 
Holland Community Center, 40 Brimfield Rd, Holland, 413-245-3163
The Publick House  
Publick House Cooks for Community Organizations 
Help us give back to the community by joining us for our monthly feasts to raise money for local organizations. Sponsored organizations will split a minimum of $4.00 from every dinner served!
 
Four Leaf Clover
March 16
EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED; TO BE RESCHEDULED  
Harrington Hospital Auxiliary 
Federated Church of Sturbridge
IRISH FEAST
 
CASH DONATION 
Adults $15 / Children $5
(4-12 yrs.) 
BUFFET STYLE  
Held in Paige Hall or under the Tent!

Two Seating Times 
SEATING ONE: 4:15pm-5:45pm
SEATING TWO: 6:30pm-7:30pm

Open Seating    No Reservations    
All Feasts include... 
Tossed Salad with Maple Vinaigrette, Dinner Rolls & Dessert
 
We ask guests to enjoy their dinner but not to linger at your seat, the more guests that are seated the more money raised for the groups. 
 
Thank you for your support!
Avellino 
Cooking with Rico: Lazio (Central Region-Rome)
Avellino, Thursday, March 19 at 6:30pm
 
Italy's most famous pasta dishes come from Lazio, with the four pasta sauces of Rome-carbonara, cacio e pepe, Amatriciana and Gricia-as well as arrabbiata, full of fiery chili. Throughout the Lazio Region one can find robust stews, rich, slow-cooked ragùs and large cuts of roasted lamb, pork, chicken or veal. Fresh vegetables are prevalent but the artichokes-either marinated in olive oil or deep-fried whole-are most famous. The Lazio region is more focused on curing whole cuts of meat and the most famous is guanciale, which is an integral part of many famous Lazian pasta dishes.
 
That is quite a list of gastronomical resources to create with. Join Chef Rico as he shows you how to make these inspired dishes at home, with the finest ingredients from the region. Wine parings complete your meal. This event is $55 per person with wine pairings, or $41 without. These events sell out quickly so make your reservation now by calling Avellino at 508-347-2321.
 
Easter Bunny
SAVE THE DATE...RESERVE EARLY FOR EASTER!
APRIL 12, 10:00AM-6:00PM: EASTER AT TABLE 3 RESTAURANTS
APRIL 12: 10:00AM-4:00PM: EASTER JAZZ BRUNCH AT THE BARN 
 
TLGV's March Calendar: Spring Outdoors! 
 
Spring Outdoors: March 19 to June 20, Throughout The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. The fifth annual Spring Outdoors will feature walks, hikes, bikes, paddles, events and tours that will help you enjoy the stunning changes of season from beginning to end in The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. A downloadable online guide will be available at TheLastGreenValley.org soon. Visit our website regularly as we are always adding new adventures to the Spring Outdoors lineup. Call 860-774-3300 for more information.
 
TLGV's Spring Outdoors Kick-off Hike: 10 a.m. to Noon, March 19, Old Furnace State Park, Killingly CT. Welcome the first day of spring and the Vernal Equinox with The Last Green Valley's Chief Ranger Bill Reid on a hike at Old Furnace State Park in Killingly. The park has excellent hiking trails and exceptional views from the top of Half Hill (locally known as Ross Cliffs). We'll hike the loop orange trail to the top of the cliffs for a brief rest to enjoy the spectacular views to the east, then follow the trail down the hill and around Furnace Pond. Along the way we'll look for animal signs, learn more about the trees and habitat of the park, and welcome in the first day of spring. RSVP is required as space is limited. Please contact Bill Reid at bill@tlgv.org to sign-up or call 860-774-3300 for more information.  
 
TLGV Acorn Adventure - Letterboxing: March 21, 10 a.m. to Noon, Camp Laurel, 175 Clubhouse Road, Lebanon CT. Do you like to be outside? Do you like to search for treasure? Letterboxing is a family-friendly hobby that gets you outside to follow the clues and find the treasure, a hand-carved stamp you can add to your personal logbook. Acorns will get an introduction to letterboxing and their own letterboxing kits, which will include a starter logbook, an inkpad and the chance to make a personal stamp. The group will then hike the trails of Camp Laurel, following the clues to find a series of four letterboxes. The program is open to all kids and their families. For more information call 860-774-3300. Acorn Adventures are held monthly and every child participant receives an Acorn journal to keep a record of their adventures. This program is made possible through a partnership with Girl Scouts of Connecticut. Acorn Adventures are sponsored by Putnam Bank. 
 
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!
Second Chance Mobile Unit Pet Adoption | March 20
Klem's 
Cat
Make an Animal Lucky and Adopt! from 2pm-4pm

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!

Click here to RSVP on our FB Page!
The Barn 
An Acoustic Tribute to The Eagles 
7 Bridges Road Band at The Barn 
Sunday, March 22, Dinner 5:30pm, Show 7:00pm
 
New England's own 7 Bridges Road Band returns to The Barn at Wight Farm to perform an acoustic tribute to the one and only Eagles. If you are even a little bit of an Eagles fan this show is not to be missed. The last few times 7 Bridges Road came to The Barn it was sold out... so make sure you purchase your tickets early. All shows are accompanied by a complete buffet meal including salad. House made desserts are available for an extra charge. Ticket prices range from $45-55 and can only be purchased at Eventbrite.com (ticket prices do not include tax, gratuity, or Eventbrite ticket fees). There are always several options to choose from. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available with advanced notice to our staff. Doors open at 5:00pm, buffet at 5:30pm, music starts at 7:00pm.
QCC 
Essential Business Skills Workshops
March 24 to April 2, 8:00am-12:00pm
Quinsigamond Community College, 5 Optical Drive, Southbridge
  qcc.edu/wd    
 
This series of workshops will enhance anyone's workplace etiquette by exploring the social and emotional competencies needed as a valuable team member.  Skills such as flexibility, critical thinking and resourcefulness are practiced through interactive activities. In addition, both written and verbal communication will be practiced. Contact: 508-751-7929 
 
These workshops are free through the Direct Access Grant for Small Business.
Cornerstone Bank  
Shopping for a Home?
Join us for a FREE Home Buyer's Seminar!
March 24, 5:30-7:30pm
Cornerstone Bank, 230 Park Avenue, Worcester 
 
Learn about the application and closing process. Take this FREE opportunity to get your questions answered. This seminar will feature a local realtor, attorney, and home inspector. Cornerstone Bank mortgage lenders will also be available to answer questions. There will be door prizes and light refreshments will be served.
 
Please R.S.V.P. to Lynne Esposito by Friday, March 20th at 774.745.8685.
Senior Tech Help Workshop
March 27, 2020 from 12:30pm to 2:00pm 
Wales Senior Center, Old Stafford Rd, Wales MA 
 
A free event where Fisher Tech Solutions LLC will provide senior citizens with free technology help. We will be repairing and optimizing laptops/phones and other electronic devices, providing educational materials and one on one guidance for seniors to learn more about how to use their devices. www.fishertechsolutions.com 
Fishing Expo
Klem's Fishing Expo
March 28, 9:00am-3:00pm 
Attention Anglers - Save the date! 
Catch even more fish with the latest gear for 2020! 
Free Admission and Family Fun! 
  • Klem's Prize Patrol Wheel and Punch Card Contest - Including a chance to win a $500.00 KLEM'S GIFT CARD! 
  • Amazing Savings & Deals at our retail location 
  • Raffles & Giveaways all day long! 
  • Reel in Savings with the Lowest prices of the year on Fishing Merchandise! 
  • Bring the kids - NEW Activities & Game Area! 
  • Gourmet Food Tasting: Molly & You Beer Bread -and- Hunter's Reserve Meat Snacks! 
  • Dan Kenney from Go Fish will be signing autographs! 
  • Fly Tying Demonstrations with The Greene Outdoors! 
  • Meet & Greet Coast Guard Seaport Flotilla! 
  • Visit with the Spencer Fish & Game Club & Quabbin Fishing Association! 
  • Individually Handmade Strike Zone Mouth Calls by Calling Champion Randy Panek! 
  • Enter to Win a 1/2 Day Fishing Trip by Jackhammer Charters! Charters leave from Point Judith, Rhode Island (Snug Harbor Marina).
Let's go fishing! 
Featuring these BRANDS: Al's Goldfish Berkley, Penn, Yo-zuri, Gamakatsu, Booyah, Arbogast, Calcutta, Yum, Spro, Spiderwire, Seaguar, Eagle Claw, Live Target, Abu Garcia, Mooselook, Loaded for Bass, Mitchell, Pflueger, Dexter, B&D Enterprises, Rebel, Grizz Baits, FX Extreme Rods, Leadfree Jigs, SeaChoice, West System, Jackson Cardinal and Fishin' Magician Skid Stik Lures!

For more information email info@klemsonline.com or call us (508) 885-2708.
Second Chance 
Second Chance 21st Annual Dinner Auction
March 28, 2020 from 4pm to 9pm
POSTPONED TO MAY 9 
Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center
14 Mechanic Street, Southbridge
 
Join us for a gala fundraising event featuring hundreds of silent and live auction items for bid, along with pet themed raffles, a delectable buffet and a short video highlighting the past year's accomplishments.
 
4 PM: Cocktails
6 PM: Dinner & Auction
 
Tickets are $42 pp & must be purchased in advance:  
Gateway Players Theatre
The Cemetery Club
The Cemetery Club

Gateway Players Theatre of Southbridge presents "The Cemetery Club", by Ivan Menchell. Performance dates are April 3, 4, 17, 18 at 7:30pm and April 19 at 2pm. All performances will be held at the Fellowship Hall of Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm Street in Southbridge. Parking is available on Elm Street, or in the parking deck behind the Southbridge Town Hall. 
This production will be directed by Lou-Ellen Corkum, and produced by Kathi Grenier. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for seniors and youth under 18. Tickets may be reserved by calling Gateway at 508-764-4531. Online credit card ticket sales are available at www.brownpapertickets.com.  
 
Presented by permission through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. 
 
Synopsis: Three Jewish widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husbands' graves. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life; Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun; and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene. He meets the widows while visiting his wife's grave. Doris and Lucille squash the budding romance between Sam and Ida. They are guilt-stricken when this nearly breaks Ida's heart. 

UNITED WAY ANNUAL PUB QUIZ 
Sponsored by Dexter-Russell 
Old Sturbridge Village - Oliver Wight Tavern, Sturbridge, MA
Friday, May 1, 2020
Check in: 6:00pm, Game: 7:00pm 
 
Test your knowledge against the best trivia buffs in the area.
Compete for the coveted SHARPEST KNIVES IN THE BLOCK trophy and jackets.
 
Teams of 4 - $100 per Team 
Individual and Team Registration available.
 
Optional Dinner Buffet available for purchase 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - $25 per person.  
Dinner Buffet Reservation and payment due prior to event  
Cash Bar 
 
Registration is available at www.unitedwayssc.org. Space is limited. 
First come - first served. 
Payment must be received by April 24, 2020 to reserve spot.  
Call (508) 765-5491 for more information.
 
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 central mass 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: Our First meetings began in September and typically we will be meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Doors open at 9:00 am for registration and casual networking so come early! And often! 

 

WHERE:  

  • Worcester Senior Center located at 128 Providence St. Worcester (508-799-1232)  
  • Auburn Public Library at 369 Southbridge St, Auburn  (508) 832-7790)
  • Northampton Senior Center located at 67 Conz Street Northampton (413)587-1228
Did you know: 85% of all jobs are found through NETWORKING!! REALLY!!
Our First Session Topic: Self-Assessment/Transferable Skills:
"What Do I Really Want to Do Now that I'm Grown Up?!" Life After 50+!
 
For more Information and Pre-Registration (required), please feel free to contact:   
The Worcester COA at 508-799-1232.
Village Toastmasters Weekly Meetings
Thursday Evenings, 7:00-8:15pm
CHAMBER OF CENTRAL MASS SOUTH CONFERENCE ROOM
46 Hall Road, Sturbridge
Village Toastmasters
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.
Thank you to the Chamber of Central Mass South for serving as the new meeting location!
We are grateful to our community partners!

Guests are always welcome!!  
Please arrive 15 minutes early (6:45pm) as meetings start promptly.  
 
Coggno Training
Click on the image to browse our catalog of training courses! 
Save these Dates!
March 14: March to the Future Gala
March 17: Saint Patrick's Day 
March 20: Spring Arrives!  
March 22: An Acoustic Tribute to the Eagles at The Barn  
March 24-April 2: Essential Business Skills Workshops at QCC
March 27: Senior Tech Help Workshop at Ware Community Center  
March 28-29: Womens' History Weekend at OSV
March 28: Klem's Fishing Expo
March 28: Second Chance 21st Annual Dinner Auction
March 31: Brown Bag Seminar: Free Business Software Training 
April 4: SCU's Community Shred It Day
April 13: Fun at Five at Sturbridge Porterhouse with Dave's Pest Control
June 25: CMS Chamber GOLF CLASSIC 

Thank you for posting your events to our Events Calendar!

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