In this issue, we preview our Annual Meeting on February 28th at Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center which will feature guest speakers from the Electric Vehicle Discovery Center currently under construction in Sturbridge. Tomorrow night, we invite you to support the United Way of South Central Mass at a Guest Bartender Night at Enrico’s Brick Oven Pizzeria. Our very own Alix will be showcasing her skills while competing for tips at this unique and lively event. You can see all the bartender pairings and more in the Events section below. You'll also find the latest news, our newest Members, and more cool upcoming local events in CROSSROADS today!

CROSSROADS is our Members' platform to share their latest news with over 1,000 fellow Chamber Members and subscribers in our community. Thank you for entering your 2023 offerings on our NEW Events calendar and emailing us your press releases, links and photos for inclusion in CROSSROADS.

NEXT ISSUE: MARCH 1, 2023

The office will be CLOSED ON PRESIDENT'S DAY, Monday, February 20.

We hope you will join us as we welcome Michael Frisbie and Dav Cvitkovic, partners in spearheading the development of the Electric Vehicle Discovery Center (EVDC) coming to Sturbridge, MA next year. READ THE FULL BIOS OF OUR GUEST SPEAKERS ON THE CHAMBER EVENT POST HERE.

11:30  Registration and Networking

Noon   Welcome & Lunch, Cindy Saucier, Chair of the Board

12:30  Chamber Update, Alexandra McNitt, Executive Director

12:45   Introduction of Michael Frisbie and Dav Cvitkovic

1:15   Q&A

1:30   Adjourn

The cost to attend is $39 per person for Chamber Members

($375 for a table of 10) or $45 per person for non-Members.

email: [email protected]

Our Promotions Committee is hard at work planning the schedule of Chamber happenings including 2023 FUN at FIVE networking events. We are actively seeking businesses that would be interested in sponsoring these events.

Our event sponsors are given positive exposure and enthusiastic crowds that are eager to share the good word about your business with their friends, neighbors and business contacts!

If your company would be interested in being a sponsor for these upcoming events, or would like more information about sponsorship, please contact Alix at 508-347-2761 or email [email protected].

Members, create your profile on the new Chamber website: www.cmschamber.org. Login to the "members only" Info Hub to create your Account. Click the Member Login button at the top of the home page to get started. Your email address must be in our new system for you to be instantly approved. If it is not, give us a ring or email and we can add your email address from our end.

Also, take a peek at www.sturbridgetownships.com, the new tourism site for visitors to our area. If you post your event to the Chamber calendar and it is tourism related, we will feature it on the Sturbridge Townships page, too!

If you run into technical issues or questions, don't hesitate to drop us an email or call 508-347-2761.

2023 Marketing For Members Only Packages 

Contact us with any questions or to get started.

email Alix at: [email protected]

 Emergency Services Available 24/7 413-315-4089

Enjoy! Central Mass South 2023

Just drop an email to Alix and we will bring copies to you at your convenience! Thank you!

From left to right: Ben Leonard, Ryan Nauman and Sam Pursey from Country Bank, Revitalize Community Development Corporation President & CEO Colleen Shanley-Loveless and Director of #GreeNFit Program Ethel Griffin, Jodie Gerulaitis and Sarah Yurkunas from Country Bank.

February 3, 2022 – Country Bank, a full-service financial institution serving Central and Western Massachusetts, proudly reported donations and sponsorships for 2022, totaling more than 1.3 million dollars. The bank's philanthropic efforts supported local non-profits throughout its communities; more than 350 organizations received grants in 2022. In addition, the bank's team members volunteered 1,091 hours of service, and 64 team members served on 33 non-profit boards and committees throughout the region.

NORTH BROOKFIELD, MA (February 3, 2023) – February is National Pet Dental Health Month and Second Chance Animal Services is reminding pet owners to check their pet’s teeth. Like in humans, dental health plays an important role in the overall health of pets. Dental issues can greatly affect a pet’s quality of life which is why Second Chance is once again offering a discount on dental procedures this month

Pet owners who schedule a dental cleaning for their pet during the month of February will receive a 10% discount off the dental procedure. Spots fill up fast, so pet owners are encouraged to make an appointment soon to get their furry friend’s teeth cleaned. Second Chance operates full-service veterinary hospitals in North Brookfield, Southbridge, Springfield, and Worcester. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit secondchanceanimals.org/national-pet-dental-health-month/

PHOTO: Dental surgery suite at Second Chance's Southbridge Community Veterinary Hospital 

Second Chance Animal Services is a nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in 1999. Second Chance began as an animal shelter and grew to help more pets in need. Today Second Chance operates Community Veterinary Hospitals in North Brookfield, Southbridge, Springfield, and Worcester providing access to the highest-quality veterinary care for all. Subsidized rates are provided to underserved communities to ensure access to care for all pets in need. Second Chance helps over 40,000 pets a year through full-service veterinary care, spay/neuter services, adoption services, community & educational outreach programs, training, and a pet food pantry. For more information, visit Second Chance’s website at www.secondchanceanimals.org.

Follow Second Chance on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/secondchanceanimals

Follow Second Chance on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/secondchanceas

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission is updating the Southern Worcester County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS is a document that will guide the region's economic development strategy for the next five years. Please take a few moments to complete the CEDS survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85DKPBN

Your input through this survey is critical for creating an effective CEDS. You will be asked to reflect on multiple topics related to economic development, including education, workforce development, employment, municipal capacity and support, agriculture, transportation, and tourism and recreation. This CEDS is an important opportunity to enhance economic development capacity, strengthen economic resiliency, and make our region a better place to live and work for all. Thank you for your participation.

Learn more and enter to win a pair of free tickets now: https://to.pbs.org/3Z8EJqF.

(Must enter by March 13, 2023 at 11:59pm PT; must be 18; void where prohibited. See full rules: https://to.pbs.org/3ibJVtj)

For more information or to request a Board Member Job Description, please contact our Executive Director Emily Farrell at [email protected] or by phone at (508) 765-3880.

OXFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, February 14, 2023 – bankHometown and its employees recently made donations totaling more than $22,000 to three United Way organizations in Central Massachusetts.

Employees pledged more than $19,000 of their own funds in support of the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s direct contribution, the campaign total of $22,485 will be divided among the United Way organizations of Central, North Central, and South Central Massachusetts as determined by the employees. The campaign provides employees with the opportunity to donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them.

As a long-time contributor to the United Way, the bank and its employees have donated nearly $150,000 to United Way organizations in Central Massachusetts through the workplace campaign and donations to other United Way-related campaigns, events, and initiatives.

The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves residents through its own programs and services as well as those of its partner agencies. The organization works to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life – education, financial stability, health, and basic needs.

“United Way provides much-needed support to our friends and neighbors throughout Central Massachusetts,” said bankHometown President and CEO Robert J. Morton. “bankHometown and our employees are proud to support the organization in its mission to unlock the full potential of our communities.”

Founded in 1889, bankHometown is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts and has $1.3 billion in assets and 16 branches located throughout Central Massachusetts and northeast Connecticut. Through its sponsorship and charitable giving program, The Giving Tree, bankHometown and the Hometown Bank Community Foundation support non-profit organizations and causes throughout Worcester and Windham Counties. In 2021, The Giving Tree donated nearly $288,000 and over the last decade has donated more than $2.3 million. For more information, visit bankhometown.com.

When I was young, I was fond of saying, "If someone hurts me, I can forgive, but I'll never forget. "And I'd speak those words with a certain air of hubris, and an implied forewarning: "Don't mess with me. Revenge is a dish best served cold."

When I was young, I had no idea what forgiveness was truly about. Truth be told, I didn't have any real clue about true forgiveness until I was in my early 50s, when I began writing the story about my father.

Until that time, I didn't understand that my issues around trust, and intimacy, and honesty had little to do with the actions of the people in my life, and everything to do with my thoughts, beliefs and judgments about them, about myself, and about me in relation to them.

In the forgiveness work I have done, which began when writing the story about my father, to the practice of forgiveness I continue to do, what I have learned, what I know, is that forgiveness has brought me inner peace, has given me a broader perspective on life, and has made me a person capable of giving and receiving genuine love.

Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves. And now, in this 90-minute LIVE! online program via Zoom, I will share all that I've learned with you, and offer strategies that will guide to you towards the healing power of forgiveness.

Investment: $59.95

REGISTER for The Healing Power of Forgiveness today!

Limited seating. Pre-register and pre-pay for your spot!

Contact Deb at [email protected]

Location: 212 Main Street, Sturbridge, MA

$47

Join Rapscallion Pub for a French Canadian Weekend celebration! We will have French Canadian food specials, live music, Caribou Juice, a special French Canadian-style beer release, and lots of fun for the whole family! Photo opps with Bonhomme the Snowman!

See it on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/553619029798935/

Discovery Adventures are immersive day programs that give kids a chance to step back in time and experience life in the 1830s at Old Sturbridge Village. Every session offers kids the opportunity to explore an aspect of 19th-century history and daily life. All programs include an afternoon snack, hands-on crafts, and the chance to learn something new while making lasting friends and memories.

3-Day and 5-Day programs are available. Pre-registration is required for Discovery Adventure Programs. Learn more online at the OSV website.

COMING ON MARCH 3 & 10: EVENING OF ILLUMINATION (MEMBERS ONLY)

Gateway Players Theatre is offering a variety of workshops for youths ages 8-16 featuring theater skills for up-and-coming actors. These workshops will introduce the concepts of improv, the art of physical comedy, character development, audition skills, memorization strategies and other general acting techniques.

Cost per workshop is $10 when paid in advance by mailing a check to Gateway Players PO Box 171 Southbridge or by Venmo to @lou-ellen-corkum. If paying at the door (space available) the cost will be $15.

Workshops will be held at: Elm Street Church 61 Elm St. Southbridge, Ma 01550

If you have any questions contact us at (508)764-4531 or [email protected]

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/.../1yg0jGYbwflbywJ6ub.../edit

People are funny because of how they ACT. Make-up and costuming can enhance that, but some of the funniest people of the stage and screen never relied on that. In this class we will learn ways we can use our bodies to perform slapstick humor and do it safely! It's all about timing, reaction and selling it! Much of what you learn in this class can be used for dramatic roles as well! Wear comfortable clothes!

FOR ADVANCE TICKETS AND MORE INFO: EMAIL [email protected]

SEE MORE AND REGISTER HERE.

Gateway Players Theatre of Southbridge presents “The Monkeybar Mafia” written by Ed Humphries. Performance dates are March 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 7:30pm and March 12 at 2:00pm.

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 John Kennedy, and produced by Ed Humphries. The cast includes Kyle Hargrove, Megan Mayfield, Erin Simpson, Samantha Reynoso, Joliene Deskus, Ariana Kennedy, Stephen Jean, Jacob Senick, Patrick Bracken, and Mike Dupuis.

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 will be available at a NEW online ticketing https://gateway-players.ticketleap.com

Ryan Coulton spent his adult life as a corporate drone; a career that took him far away from his true passion; writing. When he finds himself ‘displaced’ – another victim of a crumbling economy – Ryan’s wife encourages him to clear his mind of the arduous daily job search by reconnecting with his kids. His daily trips to the playground bring him into the orbit of ‘The Monkeybar Mafia’ – a collection of Stay-at-Home Moms bound together by their shared love of friends, family and a good Cosmo. Ryan soon develops a close friendship with one Mom in particular; a woman who shares his ‘regret’ at having left true talent behind for other pastures. As the two inspire each other to rekindle sparks of their own creative passions; a scandal forms that threatens to derail Ryan’s journey. The Monkeybar Mafia is a humorous and poignant look at joblessness, restlessness and the paths we choose and those we leave behind as we travel this road of life.

Please visit the link to RSVP, BUY TICKETS, SPONSOR AND DONATE to our Gala Night!

Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis

State Representative Joseph D. McKenna

Volunteerism Award

WPI Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) Students

Community Service Award

Inventive Award

Anthony Galgano (CEO of True Robotics, inc.)

Spotlight Award

Cornerstone Bank (Todd Tallman, Nicole Digregorio, Sarah Beachman,

Dexter-Russell, Inc. (Andrew Peppel and Alexandria Ming)

Community Impact Award

United Way of South Central MA (Mary O'Coin)

Dr. Debora Jackson (Dean of WPI Business School)

On Thursday, March 16, 2023, Village Toastmasters will host an Open House from 6:30-8:15pm at the Chamber of Central Mass South office at 46 Hall Road in Sturbridge. We encourage guests to visit and learn how to improve their public speaking skills. Please join us at 6:30pm for refreshments and meet and greet followed by a Toastmasters meeting which will end at 8:15pm.

You may also visit us at www.villagetoastmasters.org

VIEW THE BROCHURE HERE.

SEE THE DETAILS, OPEN DATES AND RESERVE YOUR FIREPLACE FEAST TICKETS ONLINE HERE.

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