Welcome to October's Crossroads Events!
Here comes Harvest Festival weekend, two days of fall fun on the Sturbridge Common and the grounds of the Publick House! Truly a labor of love for the Chamber, the festival is back with crafters galore, live music and magic, specialty foods and much more, all surrounded by the bright colors of the season. Don’t miss it! Have you heard? Second Chance Animal Services is opening a Veterinary Hospital in Southbridge. You’re invited to the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting on November 4th. Get the details on these events and more autumnal offerings in our community.
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 upcoming offerings on our Events calendar and emailing us your press releases, links and photos for inclusion in Crossroads.
NEXT ISSUE: NOVEMBER 1, 2021.
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CHAMBER OFFICE INFO
OPEN Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
No appointment is necessary. Give us a ring at 508-247-2761 to be sure we are here.
To keep everyone safe, we ask that you kindly wear a mask when visiting. Thank you!
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THIS WEEKEND!
The 31st Annual Harvest Festival
On the Sturbridge Town Common & The Publick House
October 16 & 17, 2021
Crafters, Specialty Food Trucks, Scarecrows, Live Music & Magic!
Days & Times:
October 16, Saturday: 10:00AM-5:00PM
October 17, Sunday: 11:00AM-4:00PM
VOLUNTEER?
If you can lend a hand from 4:00pm to around 5:30pm for tent and table breakdown when it's over on Sunday,
The need is great this year with Alix recovering from her recent knee replacement surgery and just 3 or 4 people will be a huge help and make the breakdown go fast! Thank you!
FREE PARKING & ADMISSION
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Second Chance Animal Services
Invites you to attend the Grand Opening of
Second Chance’s
Southbridge Community Veterinary
Hospital & Bay Path Veterinary
Educational Center at Second Chance
November 4, 2021 from 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Official ribbon cutting presented by
the Chamber of Central Mass South at 11:30 am
700 Worcester Street, Southbridge MA
Please join us for this special occasion.
Read the article below for more details on the new location.
NO RSVP NEEDED! JUST COME BY!
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FEATURED MEMBER2MEMBER DISCOUNT!
508-764-4085 ext. 641
“From the Business Card to the Billboard” Vivid Print offers a 10% discount on specialty graphic printing services for CMS Chamber Members.
Click on the M2M logo to see this and many more great offers from Members... for Members!
New Hires? Give us a ring if you need more M2M Cards to share this Chamber benefit with all of your employees.
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NEW BENEFIT: GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE
What do you need to know? We're taking questions!
The CHAMBER OF CENTRAL MASS SOUTH is pleased to bring you a new member benefit putting you in the driver’s seat when it comes to your health insurance plan costs. You can find out more at our website, or contact us directly with questions by replying to this email.
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Brown Bag Seminars will return in 2021
Do you have a topic to present?
The Chamber's Education Committee is entertaining the idea of getting our Brown Bag Seminars going again. Typically 1-hour long, these seminars are intended to attract intimate audiences of 5-30 people.
Members, do you have a subject you would like to pose for an upcoming seminar? 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 anticipate offering the Brown Bag Seminars in-person by Fall 2021 but we would also be interested in offering seminars prior to the Fall in a virtual format. If you are interested in sharing your expertise with your fellow Chamber Members, in-person or virtually, 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!
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Central Mass South Referral Group: Networking & Referrals
Chamber Members can now join for FREE!
The Central MA South Referral Group is the official networking and referrals group of CMS Chamber.
JOIN FOR FREE! Previously, Membership to the referral group was an additional fee on top of Chamber dues of $45 per quarter. We are pleased to announce that you can now join the group for FREE! Learn more by emailing CMS Referral Group member Rich Eichacker.
ABOUT CMSRG
The CMS Referral Group currently meets each Friday morning virtually. Meetings are designed to provide a venue for networking, enhance your public speaking skills, exchange of business referrals and marketing ideas, and guest speakers who share their knowledge of the latest developments in business. Comprised of local business owners and professionals, CMS Referral Group is committed to establishing and strengthening relationships with companies and community organizations in the Chamber’s service area through networking, education and trust.
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Second Chance Announces Grand Opening of New Veterinary Hospital in Southbridge
New Location is Also Home to the Bay Path Veterinary Education Center
SOUTHBRIDGE, MA (October 13, 2021) – Second Chance Animal Services will be hosting a grand opening for their Southbridge Community Veterinary Hospital on Thursday, November 4th from 11 am to 2 pm. The nonprofit is inviting all to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and tour the new veterinary hospital, the location of the Bay Path Veterinary Education Center at Second Chance and the new Second Chance Community Engagement Center.
Chief Development Officer Lindsay Doray says Second Chance chose Southbridge for their newest location for a variety of reasons. “Our hospitals are in the communities where pets and pet owners need the most help. This hospital will bring full service veterinary care to a very underserved area. It will also be our first educational hospital in partnership with Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School. Together we’ll be educating the future of animal welfare.”
For Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato, bringing affordable veterinary care to Southbridge holds special meaning. Blancato grew up in Southbridge. “For years, people from the Southbridge area have been asking for one of our hospitals to be located closer to them. Our other hospitals located in North Brookfield, Springfield and Worcester are not easy to get to from Southbridge for those facing transportation challenges. Now we can help pets right in their community, providing access to the highest quality veterinary care to all. Subsidized rates ensure all pets can get the care they need.”
The hospital will provide year-round access to care for pets and will be home to the Bay Path Veterinary Science Center at Second Chance. Blancato says this is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity to impact change for pets in Massachusetts and beyond.
Bay Path students in the veterinary science program will get real-life experience working alongside dedicated, trained staff, learning about working in the veterinary field. They will see what it’s like to be a receptionist, a vet assistant, a groomer and more, graduating with a certificate in veterinary assistance. Graduates can go directly into the workforce or pursue a veterinary technician or veterinarian degree.
The educational hospital is Second Chance’s largest project to date. If that wasn’t challenging enough, Covid drove cost increases as material costs soared and it derailed plans for Bay Path students to complete some of the construction. According to Blancato, “the Bay Path programs did their best, but their time on the project was cut in half by the Covid-related school schedule over the past year. Local contractors really stepped up to help to keep the project on track. Some even donated their services, like Tony Toscano of AF Toscano Electric. There were so many hands helping and Bay Path came back full force in the fall to help complete the project.”
The addition of the Second Chance Community Engagement Center on the site will serve many purposes, according to Doray. “It will expand our educational outreach and training programs and allow us to offer education for area veterinary and animal welfare professionals. Second Chance volunteers are already using the space for a variety of projects to benefit the animals we serve.”
Second Chance is grateful to all the wonderful supporters who made this groundbreaking project possible. Without so many generous donors this would not be possible. We are grateful to everyone, including our major project funders – a very generous anonymous donor as well as PetSmart Charities and Arctic Fox who have long been important partners in the mission of helping pets in need in the underserved communities in Massachusetts.
A limited number of room sponsorships are still available, and the nonprofit will be launching a brick walkway fundraiser to help defray the Covid-related cost increase. For more information contact development@secondchanceanimals.org.
The public is welcome to attend the grand opening. Light refreshments will be provided by Bay Path Culinary Arts students.
PHOTOS: Second Chance Southbridge Community Veterinary Hospital in progress.
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Local Resident to Lead QCC at Southbridge
WORCESTER, MA - Quinsigamond Community College at Southbridge has named local resident Geraldo Maldonado as its new Site Leader. Mr. Maldonado is a longtime QCC adjunct faculty member, alumnus, and is one of 50 QCC Guardians. Guardians are alumni of the college who have made significant strides in their personal life and in their community.
“I’m excited to welcome students to our Southbridge location this fall. It’s truly incredible to have QCC in Southbridge. It’s a needed element for the community,” Mr. Maldonado said. “While people sometimes still think of QCC as the campus in Worcester, we have full services right in Southbridge at QCC’s new location in the Southbridge High School.”
For the past 15 years, QCC has had a presence in the Southbridge community. In the summer of 2020, QCC’s Southbridge location moved from 5 Optical Drive as a way to offer greater access to higher education not only to Southbridge, but also to all communities in the South County area. Additionally, Southbridge High School students now have easy access to QCC’s Early College Program and their family members can also take advantage of the college’s academic and workforce development offerings.
Mr. Maldonado and his family have a long and storied history with QCC and Southbridge. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, he and his family moved to Lowell when he was six before moving to Worcester three years later. In the 70’s, his mother began attending QCC, where she took English classes and earned her GED. This began a family legacy with the college, and when Mr. Maldonado was in his late 20’s and a parent, he too began taking classes at QCC.
“It was a little scary coming back to school as an adult with children. I was working a full-time job, a part-time job, and taking two to three classes per semester,” he said. “I needed the flexibility QCC offered.”
In 1995, he graduated with an Associate Degree in Business Administration Transfer, going on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Worcester State University and a Master of Business Administration from Anna Maria College.
His daughters also are QCC alumnae. His older daughter Kristina decided to do the paramedic program at QCC, while his younger daughter Aimee took a longer journey to QCC. She began at UMass Lowell as an Engineering major; however, it was not a good fit and she struggled.
“She took a couple of Business classes at Lowell and seemed to do OK,” Mr. Maldonado said. “She came home, still not sure what she was going to do and I suggested she take classes at QCC in Southbridge due to its very convenient location.”
His daughter Aimee took classes for a year at QCC’s Southbridge location where she excelled. She graduated with her Associate Degree in Business and went on to Nichols College where she received scholarships based on her high grades. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and her Masters in Accounting, before attending Penn State Dickinson Law. In 2020, she graduated with her law degree, passed the Bar Exam on her first attempt by scoring in the 99th percentile, and today works in the Appeals Unit of the District Attorney’s Office in Hampden County.
“Definitely a very good Quinsigamond success story,” he said.
Having the Southbridge location at Southbridge High School opens many doors for students and the community, according to Mr. Maldonado.
“This benefits high school students who can see firsthand how accessible college can be and they can take advantage of the Early College Program. Instead of taking college equivalent classes students can actually take college classes for college credit,” he said. ”I hope that people will see QCC at Southbridge as the college of choice for the Southwest corner of Worcester County.”
For more information on 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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Retired Veterinarians Making a Difference on their Own Terms
Second Chance Welcomes Veterinarians Looking to Share their Experience in Post-Retirement
NORTH BROOKFIELD, MA (October 4, 2021) – The veterinary field is demanding on both the body and soul. Professionals face long hours, tending to the animals that need help and squeezing in ‘just one more’ who needs to be seen right away. When they go home at night, they continue to think about the pets they’ve seen that day. Pets facing a grim prognosis tug at their heartstrings. How can they help more?
It’s no wonder so many look forward to retirement. After many years of service, they need their much-deserved rest. They don’t miss the stress of running a practice or keeping a grueling schedule, but after a while, many begin to miss helping animals.
Second Chance Animal Services recognizes that retired veterinarians have a wealth of animal care experience, and they want to continue to make a difference. Earlier this year, they launched an initiative to welcome retired veterinarians on their own terms.
CEO Sheryl Blancato said, “Second Chance has a long history of working with retired veterinarians who have shared their experience and talent. Some have mentored the next generation, sharing skillful surgical techniques or consulting on difficult cases. Others help with our community vaccine clinics, allowing us to bring lifesaving vaccines to pets across the state.”
Blancato created the Post-Retirement Veterinarian Program to let retired veterinarians know they are welcome at Second Chance, and to give them all the options they need to make it a fulfilling experience. She personally works with each veterinarian to help them explore the right balance.
“I invite them to tell me what they miss, what they might like to do and how often they want to help. We discuss which locations are most convenient, too. We currently have hospitals in North Brookfield, Springfield and Worcester and we’re opening a new hospital in Southbridge very soon. The program is flexible so they can set their schedule. It can be one day a week, seasonal, etc. Whatever fits in their schedule so they can still help pets and enjoy their retirement.” Blancato adds that veterinarians can choose to be paid or volunteer, depending upon their preferences.
PHOTO: Cat visiting a Second Chance veterinary hospital for lifesaving vaccines.
About Second Chance Animal Services:
Second Chance is a nonprofit 501c3 tax exempt organization that began in 1999 in East Brookfield and relies solely on donations from grants to operate. The organization operates an adoption center in East Brookfield and Community Veterinary Hospitals in North Brookfield, Springfield, and Worcester. Second Chance helps over 40,000 pets a year through adoption, spay/neuter, veterinary care, community outreach, educational outreach programs, training, and a pet food pantry. For more information, visit Second Chance’s website at www.secondchanceanimals.org.
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Comfort Inn & Suites
83 Hall Road, Sturbridge, MA
Looking to grow our team…
Front Office Manager - Looking for a dedicated energetic individual who has attention to detail and hospitality experience. Must have customer service experience. Previous hotel experience preferred. Must be able to manage a team and be a leader. Weekends required. Looking for team-players. Please come in and fill out an application.
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Nueva edición!
Reach the Hispanic Market directly with the #1 Statewide Hispanic Newspaper in Massachusetts. Email advertising@vocerohispano.com to get started.
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Learning & Networking Opportunities
You'll also find webinars, online workshops and courses from Worcester Chamber, SCORE and MSBDC. Most are FREE! Got something going on? Please add your happenings, online or in-person, indoors or out, to our calendar or email Jack the pertinent info and we will share in the next CROSSROADS!
WORCESTER REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Offshore Wind Discussion
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021, 10:00 AM - 11:00 on ZOOM
Join the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Alliance for Business Leadership, and MassCEC to discuss the economic benefits across all of Massachusetts with the increase of Offshore Wind. We will host a panel of experts to delve into both supply chain and workforce development and focus on central and western opportunities such as component manufacturing, workforce training, and diversity inclusion. FREE for Chamber members. REGISTER
FREE ONLINE BUSINESS WORKSHOPS OFFERED BY SCORE
SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, SCORE has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs.
The Foundation of a Successful Business Series consists of 10 webinars that will identify all of the key areas that startups and existing businesses should understand and address to have the best chance of achieving a successful and profitable business.
10/21/21 @ 12 pm
10/28/21 @ 12pm
Watch for the rest of the series to continue in Nov and Dec.
MORE FROM SCORE
The Effective Elevator Pitch
Oct 18 | 2:00 pm
This is an interactive session. You will be on camera and mic. Work with a group of SCORE mentors and peerS to create your perfect pitch. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
Effective Websites Get Desired Results
Oct 19 | 9:00 am
In this webinar, we will explore a step-by-step process for creating an effective web site. REGISTER
Excel: Organize Data for Analysis
Oct 19 | 10:00 am
Often the problem is that the data are not organized in a way that can produce the desired information. This webinar will show you how to set things up so you can get from where you are to where you want to be. REGISTER
Reach Customers Online with Google
Oct 26 | 10 am
Create or claim your Business Profile on Google. Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps. Use Google My Business to connect with potential customers. REGISTER
View Previously Recorded SCORE Webinars Here.
BUSINESS WORKSHOPS OFFERED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER NETWORK
Statewide Training & Event Calendar
Oct 20 Intellectual Property 101
Oct 20 Export Control Update globe
Oct 20 Why Your Local Chamber is Important for Your Business
Oct 26 Começando um negócio - O que você precisa saber
Oct 27 Cybersecurity: What You Need to Know
Oct 28 Global Business Development in a Pandemic globe
Oct 28 Transforming Your Product Idea Into A Successful Venture
Oct 28 Retirement Planning for Small Business Owners
Visit the online calendar for more info and to register for these sessions and more.
COGGNO is the Chamber's 24/7 Training platform. Low cost and even free online courses are available for CMS Chamber Members.
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Happy Walktober 2021!
on The Last Green Valley's website!
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Phantoms and Fire at Old Sturbridge Village
Wednesday-Sunday, October 13 - 31
Times: Phantoms and Fire runs 5:00 - 8:30 pm
Dates are selling out! Get your tickets now!
Explore the museum after hours where you will find spooky delights, from bats and bonfires to cauldrons and candy, from ghosts and guitars to horror and spooky drama! Take your entire family, as there is something for every age around every corner. Pre-registration is required. Tickets are still available but dates are selling out. Learn more and get tickets purchase tickets here.
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Gateway Players: The Cemetery Club
Gateway Players Theatre of Southbridge presents "The Cemetery Club” by Ivan Menchell. Performance dates are October 8, 9, 15 & 16 at 7:30pm and October 17 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 comedy will be directed by Lou-Ellen Corkum, and produced by Kathi Grenier. The cast features Jim Douglas, Chris McTigue, Joan Stewart, Carol Allard Vancil, and Gail White. 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 shortly at www.brownpapertickets.com. Presented by permission through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Audience size for the performances will be limited in order to maintain social distancing. All audience members at all performances will be required to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status.
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.
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Tastes of the Valley at Brimfield Winery and Cidery
Celebrate local tastes and sips with a THIRSTdays Harvest Tour of The Last Green Valley.
The fifth event in our series will be next Thursday in Brimfield.
Thursday, October 21, 4:30-7:30pm
Brimfield Winery and Cidery (35 Main Street, Brimfield)
With Maddie’s Dogs
Tickets are $45 for non-members or $40 for members of TLGV and must be purchased in advance – visit www.thelastgreenvalley.org for details under “Shop” and “What’s Going On” or call us at 860-774-3300. Sales for this date end Tuesday morning 10/19. Email kyle@tlgv.org with questions.
Tastes offered: Beef Chili, a Pulled Chicken Sandwich with Slaw and a Pumpkin Whoopie Pie.
Sips offered: One glass from a selection of wine, cider and beer.
All proceeds benefit The Last Green Valley, Inc.
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THE CENTER OF HOPE
CAR SHOW
Pre-registration is required for all cars. General admission will be available at the door. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee understands the importance of creating a vision where equality, diversity and inclusion are valued by all. The role of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is to ensure that this vision is realized through implementing effective strategies, policies and activities.
Click the graphic to register now!
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Cedar Street Grille’s Global Tapas Dinners:
Southeast Asian Cuisine
Tuesday, October 26, 2021 • 5:30pm
Join the Cedar Street team and Chef Rico for a multi-course tapas dinner highlighting the Southeast Asian cuisine including Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese focused specialties. Southeast Asian cuisine includes a strong emphasis on prepared dishes with strong aromatic components that features such flavors as citrus and herbs such as lime, coriander, cilantro, and basil. Other ingredients in the region include using fish sauces and the inclusion of ingredients such as tamarind and lemongrass. Cooking methods also include a balance of stir-frying, boiling, and steaming.
Make your reservations early because we expect this dinner to sell out quickly. Pricing for this dinner is $65* per person and includes a special regional cocktail, wine, or beer. The price does not include tax or gratuity. Please call the restaurant directly at 508-347-5800 for reservations. Doors open at 5:30pm and dinner begins promptly at 6:30pm.
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Salem Cross Inn is OPEN Thursday through Sunday!
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FIREPLACE FEASTS RETURN STARTING NOVEMBER 14TH!
Main Dining Room Hours:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 4 – 8pm
Sunday Noon – 5pm
We are currently looking to fill Server, Bartender, Bussers & Dishwasher positions. Click here to apply.
for the latest updates.
508-867-2345
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SAVE THE DATES: Country Folk Art Craft Show is BACK!
Come celebrate the season with us at the COUNTRY FOLK ART CRAFT SHOW, returning
Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 26-27-28
to the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center.
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Looking for more local events? Check out our Facebook Events page for even more from our neighbors and friends! Click here to visit!
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Executive Committee
Erika Travinski, Chair
The Center of Hope
Laurie Cashman, Immediate Past Chair
Yellow Iris Farm
Bruce Watkins, Treasurer
Karl Storz Endovision, Inc.
Board of Directors
Brad Arcoite
Table 3 Restaurant Group
Michael Checkosky
Cornerstone Bank
Nicole Courtemanche
Connectivity Point
Alycia Dzik
Webster First Federal Credit Union
Rich Eichacker
Vibrance Technology Corp
Michelle Fanion
ERA Key Realty
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Steve Gardiner
Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center
Christina Hadis-Blackwell
Tri-Community YMCA
Nathan Hardt
Old Sturbridge Village
Kelly Hibbard
Harrington Hospital
Anthony Marini
BankHometown
Trevor Nielsen
Edward Jones
Rich Suitum
Exsel Advertising Group
Michael Wales
Michael L. Wales Painting Company
James Donahue
Old Sturbridge Village
Honorary Board Member
Counsel
Padgett Berthiaume
Berthiaume & Berthiaume
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46 Hall Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
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Alexandra McNitt
Executive Director
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Jack Starkey
Communications & Media
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