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Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Jessica Bettencourt
Chair
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Board Members
Angela Chviek
Kimberly Cobb
Rich Eichacker
Steve Gardiner
Rich Suitum
Erica Travinski
Michael Wales
Michael L. Wales Painting Co.
Jim Donahue
Honorary Board Member
Counsel
Padgett D. Berthiaume
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Welcome to August's CROSSROADS EVENTS!
You'll find this issue packed with mid-summer treats! We look back fondly at our Summer Clambake at The Publick House, a fun and absolutely adorable Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Kid Power Gymnastics and fill you in on news and happenings from many of our Members and friends. With a number of fantastic dining events, fun festivals, road races, free concerts, even a huge street party on tap, there is still a lot of summer left to enjoy! We hope your season has been unforgettable so far.
We would appreciate your opinion as the Chamber is considering offering group travel. If you have two minutes to take our 5-question survey, this will help us gauge interest in the program. The link to the Group Travel Survey is in the first article below. Thank you very much for participating!
We want to share your news and events! 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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TAKE OUR GROUP TRAVEL SURVEY
The Chamber is considering offering a new service to members and the community - group travel. Many Chambers across the country have successful, annual group travel packages. To get an idea if this is something we should explore further, we would appreciate your candid responses to the following short (5-question) survey. If you have not participated yet, you can take the survey here:
THIS SURVEY CLOSES AT 11PM ON AUGUST 28.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!
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Summer Clambake 2019 Recap
The Chamber and nearly 200 of our Members and friends enjoyed our summer outing, A New England Clambake, at The Publick House on the evening of August 1, 2019. Fantastic weather, a beautiful venue, a delicious feast, wonderful company... who could ask for more? Thank you to Country Bank and Savers Bank for sponsoring, our wonderful hosts at The Publick House, the band Worcester Jazz Collective, and all of our guests! Check out a slideshow from our website.
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Kid Power Ribbon Cutting!
We had a terrific time on Saturday, August 10 as we cut the official red ribbon at the new Kid Power Gymnastics facility on Sturbridge Road in Charlton. Congratulations to Kelly, her family and all of her staff on their fantastic new building! It was such a treat to see so many happy, active children enjoying the day with us. Thank you to all who came out to celebrate! Looking for an exciting place to play? Visit
Kid Power Gymnastics online to find out more!
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Calling All Photographers!
Show off Your Talent in TLGV's 2020 Calendar
The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) is searching for 13 photos that capture the unique spirit of the National Heritage Corridor. The selected images will appear in the 2020 TLGV Calendar and hang proudly in businesses and homes throughout the National Heritage Corridor and beyond!
Photos must convey the exceptional natural, historic and cultural resources of The Last Green Valley. We welcome photos of people caring for and enjoying the National Heritage Corridor, but we must have the subject's permission to publish the photo.
The TLGV Calendar is a full 8.5 by 11 inches, printed in color on high quality paper. The back cover includes a map of the National Heritage Corridor with additional information. The 2020 TLGV Calendar will be available through the TLGV online shop, with all proceeds supporting the programs and projects of the non-profit.
Winners who submitted the photos chosen for each month will be given 5 copies of the 2020 TLGV Calendar and their photo will be printed with their name and photo title. The photographer selected to illustrate the cover will also be featured in a press release about the calendar, in addition to receiving 10 copies of the 2020 TLGV Calendar.
Each photograph must be in color digital format, sized to 8 x 10 inches, and at least 300 dpi.
Contestants are asked to fill out one form per photo submitted and deliver them via email. There is a limit of three entries per person. Calendar Photo Contest forms are available online at
thelastgreenvalley.org. All submissions will become the property of The Last Green Valley, Inc. Submissions are due by email no later than noon on Sept. 26, 2019. Send to
LyAnn@tlgv.org, subject line "Calendar Photo Contest." For more information, please call 860-774-3300 or send questions to
LyAnn@tlgv.org, subject "Calendar Photo Contest."
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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Holland Community Center
Annual Health Fair Seeks Participants
The Holland Community Center will be holding its 3rd annual Health Fair this year on Tuesday, September 17th from 10 am - 2pm. We would be thrilled to have you host a table for us. Depending on how many we have interested in doing so, we will set up a separate room to give short presentations. Each presentation would be about 20 minutes long, with a set up and break down time of 5 minutes. Please contact the center for more info or to set up a time for that day, and to let us know you would like a table in the main hall. The center's phone number is 413-245-3163 and the email is
activities@hollandma.org.
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REGISTER FOR DAY OF CARING!
The 13th Annual Day of Caring registration is open! We hope you are able to join! The day will be slightly different than in past years. The day begins with all the volunteers gathering at the Sturbridge Host Hotel starting at 7:30am for registration check-in, receive your T-Shirt and snack bag and start the morning with a hearty breakfast buffet. Everyone then leaves by 8:45am to arrive at their project sites, which you get to select during the online registration process! There is only ONE shift, 9am-1pm. So work with your co-workers, friends and family on a project
that interests you and enjoy the day!
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QCC Offers Free Training in Vital Business Skills
Free Upcoming Information Sessions being held in August
Massachusetts businesses can learn how to utilize free business training and learn vital business skills by attending one of Quinsigamond Community College's free upcoming information sessions being held on August 20, 21 and 22.
Companies that are eligible for these free training workshop opportunities must be located in Massachusetts, pay into the MA Unemployment Fund, which allocates money into the Workforce Training Fund, and hold a Certificate of Good Standing with the MA Department of Revenue.
Upcoming information sessions are located at three central locations:
Tuesday, August 20, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, 11 Florence Street, Marlborough
Wednesday, August 21, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., QCC Southbridge, 5 Optical Drive, Southbridge
Thursday, August 22, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., QCC's Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, 25 Federal Street, Worcester
Earlier this year QCC was awarded a $143,000 Direct Access Grant from the Workforce Training Fund to be used to train both employers and employees in essential business skills needed to remain competitive in today's global marketplace. This is the first time QCC has been awarded a Direct Access Grant, which is part of $2.98 million in Small Business Direct Access Program grants awarded to qualified training organizations.
"This the perfect way for businesses to work 'smarter not harder' by taking advantage of this state-wide program," said QCC President Dr. Luis G. Pedraja.
QCC chose to offer soft skills workshops due to the overwhelming need that was expressed by businesses in the region. The six workshops being offered this fall by QCC include:
- Essential Business Skills
- Time Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Presenting with Impact
- Communicating with Clarity and Impact
- Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making
"Soft skills are not only highly valued in today's marketplace, they are necessary if the business and the individual are to succeed," said Dean of the Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education, Kathleen Manning. "Strong soft skills ensure a productive, collaborative, healthy and effective work environment, key attributes for organizations in an increasingly competitive, global world."
For more information or to register for an information session, contact Business Services Specialist Christine McNally 508.751.7900 or Business Services Specialist Eileen Morgan at 508.751.7929.
For more information about QCC, contact Josh Martin, Director of Institutional Communications at 508.854.7513 or
jmartin@qcc.mass.edu
Quinsigamond Community College provides the community with high quality, affordable higher education in Worcester County. As a regional leader in education and workforce development, QCC serves the diverse educational needs of Central Massachusetts by providing affordable, accessible, and high quality programming leading to transfer, career, and lifelong learning.
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Southbridge Credit Union Promotes Thomasina (Nina) Caplette
Please join us in congratulating Thomasina ("Nina") Caplette on her promotion to Mortgage Loan Originator! Nina is now part of our Lending Center Team in Southbridge. Although with Southbridge Credit Union for only almost one year, Nina brings 17 years of experience in the banking industry and 7 years of lending experience.
"As a long time local resident, I'm looking forward to creating strong bonds with our members and community in order to guide them through the process of their financial needs and goals," said Nina. She continued to say, "I'm also excited about enhancing my skills and becoming even more knowledgeable in this area. I'm excited to put my many years of banking experience to use in my new role as Mortgage Loan Originator."
Nina can be reached at 508-909-7184 or via email:
CapletteT@sbgecu.org. She looks forward to serving you soon! Congratulations Nina!
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Book your next Private Function at Baba Sushi Sturbridge!
Baba Sushi Sturbridge has amazing function rooms that can accommodate any kind of event.
Baba Sushi has been voted Worcester's Best Sushi Restaurant nine consecutive years in a row and a 5-time winner of the prestigious Worcester's Best Chef award. Chef Wilson Wang is pleased to bring the freshest, most original sushi creations to the newer Sturbridge, MA location.
Baba Sushi Sturbridge
453 Main Street Fiskdale, MA 01518
774.304.1068
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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)
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Cornerstone Bank Makes Donation to Tri-Valley, Inc.
Pictured here, L to R: Cornerstone Bank Business Development Sales Manager and Tri-Valley, Inc. Money Management Program volunteer Colleen K. Lord; Bank Chairman & CEO K. Michael Robbins; Tri-Valley, Inc. Protective Services Program Director Patricia Berthiaume; and Bank VP/Compliance, BSA and Security and Tri-Valley, Inc. Money Management Program volunteer Pamela L. LeBlanc
Cornerstone Bank recently donated $2,000 to Tri-Valley, Inc., an organization whose mission is to help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes.
This donation will go toward the organization's Money Management Program. This program is a free service that assists low-income elders who are at risk of losing their independence due to an inability to manage their own finances. Volunteers are matched with elders who need help paying bills and other routine financial tasks.
"Tri-Valley, Inc. provides exceptional quality care management for our elders and those who are disabled," stated Cornerstone Bank Chairman & CEO K. Michael Robbins. "We are pleased to assist the Money Management Program and help seniors manage their finances and keep their independence."
For more information about the Money Management Program or if you would like to become a volunteer, please visit
www.trivalleyinc.org, or call 1-800-286-6640.
A
bout 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, 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, on Facebook or call 800-939-9103.
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Federated Church of Sturbridge & Fiskdale Auction Sets New Record
Bidding was hot and heavy at this year's 70th Annual Federated Church of Sturbridge and Fiskdale Antique Auction on the Sturbridge Common with the Sturbridge Chair
(#25 in the series) and The Publick House Chair
(#48 in the series) commanding new record prices.
The enthusiastic audience hollered and cheered as auctioneer Gwen Carbone, of Robert E. Glass Auctioneers, deftly negotiated the price on both chairs to new heights, and gave each of the winners a standing ovation at the end of their hard-fought competition. When the dust settled, the Sturbridge chair sold for a new record for this series of $1,900 and the Publick House Chair sold for another new record price of $2,500.
These highly prized chairs, decorated in bronze powder stenciling with a lovely Sturbridge or Publick House scene by auction committee members Tim Bardsley and Brian Rhea, are part of a limited series with only one of each produced each year and they are only available at the Federated Church annual auction.
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National Night Out: Towns of Sturbridge & Southbridge
On Tuesday, August 6th, the Southbridge and Sturbridge Police Departments celebrated National Night Out on The Common in each town. This was the second year that Sturbridge P.D. took part and the first year for Southbridge P.D. Both towns had successful and well-attended events!
Southbridge Credit Union was thrilled to join both towns and host some activities for the kids while also getting to know our community better and providing families with information about our institution.
National Night Out is a community-building campaign which takes place once a year. This event promotes police-community partnerships and it also gives everyone the opportunity to meet and see the faces of our police officers, firefighters and other key emergency responders while also taking part in a variety of activities for all kids and their families to enjoy. If you missed this year, please be sure to check it out next year!
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REGISTER TODAY!
Harrington 2019
Fun Run/Walk For Behavioral Health
Saturday, September 21, 2019 9:30am
Wear your brightest, craziest NEON colors for a 1.5 mile single loop or 5K double loop starting and ending on the Southbridge Common at Southbridge AutumnFest 2019!
Adults:
$30
Students/Seniors:
$15
Children under 10:
Free
(Early Birds save $5 - just register before 9/1/19)
Awards:
- Best NEON Spirit Outfit - Individual
- Best NEON Spirit - Team
- Largest Participating Team
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UPDATE - TLGV Moving Back to its Office Space
The Last Green Valley, Inc. is returning to its offices at 203B Main St., Danielson, CT. We will be moving Tuesday, August 13 and the office will not be open until noon. We will welcome visitors and calls Tuesday afternoon.
TLGV had to vacate its offices in downtown Danielson as the landlord remediated asbestos and mold issues on the second floor of the building. TLGV has been located in temporary space at Quinebaug Valley Community College since early June.
"QVCC has been incredibly accommodating to us and turned a difficult situation for our organization into a far more manageable one," said Lois Bruinooge, TLGV's executive director.
TLGV also wants to thank ServiceMaster by Mason for its expertise and guidance during the remediation process.
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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Hometown Financial Group Promotes Karen Yancik to
Senior Vice President, Senior Compliance and Risk Management Officer
Matthew S. Sosik, CEO of Hometown Financial Group, Inc., announced that Karen Yancik has been promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, Senior Compliance and Risk Management Officer. Yancik has responsibility for internal audit, compliance and risk management for the subsidiary banks of Hometown Financial Group; bankESB, bankHometown and Abington Bank.
Yancik joined the company in 1987 and has held significant positions in the areas of internal audit, compliance and risk management, and most recently, Vice President of Compliance and Risk Management.
Yancik received her Bachelor's Degree from Nichols College. She is also a member of the Massachusetts Bankers' Association Legal and Regulatory Compliance Committee, the Eastern Massachusetts Compliance Network and the Western Massachusetts Compliance Association.
Yancik resides in Dudley, Massachusetts with her twin sons.
About Hometown Financial Group, Inc.
Hometown Financial Group, Inc. is a $2.7 billion mutual multi-bank holding company headquartered in Easthampton, Massachusetts and is the parent company of bankESB, bankHometown and Abington Bank. These separate and distinct banking franchises offer a complete line of consumer and business deposit and lending products through its 30 branch offices located throughout Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. For additional information about Hometown Financial Group, please visit
www.bankhfg.com
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"The function of freedom is to free someone else."
-Toni Morrison
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