Welcome to Crossroads News! Summer is officially here and we hope you are keeping cool and savoring the season! We recap our Business Coming Out Party, invite you to get back in the swing with us for the return of the Chamber's GOLF CLASSIC coming on August 5th, and share important news and cool, local events in this issue. We will also be returning to Brimfield with our Information Booth at the July shows. If you can lend a hand welcoming folks to the fields, we would love to hear from you! Also, SAVE THE DATE (July 20) for the return of Fun at Five! We can't wait to network with you all again. You'll find more on this and much more from our Members and friends in Crossroads today.
Crossroads is our Members' platform to share their latest news with fellow Chamber Members and 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: JULY 15, 2021.
|
|
CHAMBER OFFICE INFO
The Chamber office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm
with some exceptions due to offsite meetings.
No appointment is necessary. Give us a ring at 508-247-2761 to be sure we are here.
If you have not been vaccinated, kindly wear a mask when visiting.
NOTE: THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, JULY 2 & MONDAY, JULY 5.
|
|
Local Covid Heroes Honored at Chamber’s Business Comeback Party
|
|
Photo (l): Lisa Daoust, Health Agent for the Town of Spencer, accepts her Local Covid Heroes proclamation from Rep. Peter Durant (r). Photo (r): Keep them aloft! Making up for lost time with fun networking activities.
|
|
Sturbridge, MA –The Chamber of Central Mass South hosted its first in-person event since March of 2020 on the evening of June 24 at the Publick House Historic Inn in Sturbridge. Nearly two hundred guests attended the celebration which commemorated many of the moments we missed sharing together over the last 15 months and paid special tribute to our Local Covid Heroes who stepped up to keep our neighbors and friends safe during the pandemic crisis.
Nominated by Chamber members and selected by the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the following heroes were presented proclamations from local dignitaries and honored in a short film, which was shot on location at the various local businesses and premiered at the Chamber party. All of these local heroes are described as going above and beyond during the health emergency, dedicated, selfless and community-minded.
For details on the awesome contributions made by these folks, you are invited to view the short film which can be accessed by clicking on the "H for HEROES" graphic above or by visiting the Chamber’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/cmschamber.
The Chamber of Central Mass South’s Local Covid Heroes are:
- Lisa Daoust, Town of Spencer Health Agent
- Emily Dunnack, Old Sturbridge Village and Old Sturbridge Academy
- The entire Staff of Big Bunny Supermarket & Micknuck’s Market
- The Construction & Maintenance Team at The Center of Hope
- Tom Kelleher, Old Sturbridge Village
- The entire Staff of Joshua Hyde Library, Sturbridge
- Wilson Wang and Sara Bloomfield, Baba Sushi & Hot Pot
- Kathi Grenier, Tri-Valley, Inc. Meals on Wheels, Southbridge Nutrition Site Coordinator
- Andrea Healy, North Brookfield Savings Bank
- Leslie Wong, Town of Sturbridge Senior Center
- Heather LaFlamme RN, Jason Osbourne RN, Magda Rodriguez, Harrington Hospital
- Stacy Santiago, Vocero Hispano Newspaper
- Management & Membership Front Desk Staff of the YMCA Tri-Community Family Branch
The Chamber wishes to extend its sincere thanks to our hosts at The Publick House and to the sponsors of the Business Coming Out Party including Karl Storz Endovision (Platinum sponsor), The Center of Hope (Gold sponsor), Alternatives For Health Herbal Apothecary and Your Hometown Shopper (Bronze sponsors).
Photo (below): Rachel Reyes of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission meets her dinner with a smile!
|
|
SAVE THE DATE!
FUN AT FIVE
JULY 20, 2021 FROM 5:00-7:00PM
THE NEW WINTHROP ROOM AT THE COLLECTION AT WIGHT FARM, 420 Main St., Sturbridge
Adjacent to The Barn, The Winthrop Room is a beautiful post and beam building finished with a farmhouse feel in soft whites and sandalwood tones.
THANK YOU TO OUR JULY FUN AT FIVE SPONSOR: HARRINGTON HOSPITAL
More details are coming soon!
|
|
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plan to Invest $2.8 Billion in Federal COVID-19 Funding to Support Economic Recovery, Communities Hit Hardest by Pandemic
HAVERHILL (June 17, 2021) – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a plan to immediately put to use approximately $2.815 billion of the Commonwealth’s direct federal aid to support key priorities including housing and homeownership, economic development and local downtowns, job training and workforce development, health care, and infrastructure. The Administration’s plan aims to jump-start the Commonwealth’s economic recovery by investing in urgent priorities, with a particular focus on supporting populations hardest-hit by COVID-19, such as lower-wage workers and communities of color.
The plan is being filed as an amendment to “An Act Relative to Transferring Federal Funds to the Federal COVID-19 Response Fund,” which was on the Governor’s desk and is being returned to the Legislature.
“Our proposal will immediately invest $2.8 billion toward key priorities that will help jump-start our economic recovery, with a particular focus on those hit hardest by COVID-19, such as communities of color,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “With over four million people fully vaccinated, Massachusetts is getting back to normal and back to work, but it is critical that we act now to make these critical investments to keep our recovery moving. Our Administration appreciates the collaboration of the Legislature and local government in responding to the pandemic, and we all must work together to distribute funding quickly and efficiently to ensure those hard-hit by the virus receive relief as quickly as possible.”
“It is critically important that this $2.8 billion be put to use immediately to address issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the competitive advantages which have allowed Massachusetts to grow and thrive,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Supporting priorities such as housing, economic development, job training, and infrastructure will help power the Commonwealth into the post-COVID world and ensure Massachusetts remains a great place to live, work, and raise family.”
The plan was announced today at an event held at the Mount Washington Homes in Haverhill, a project supported by MassHousing’s CommonWealth Builder program, a program that promotes homeownership in low- and moderate-income communities, particularly communities of color. The Administration’s plan includes $200 million for CommonWealth Builder and similar programs that aim to close the wealth gap faced by communities of color by connecting first-time homebuyers with homeownership opportunities.
In total, the plan devotes $1 billion to funding homeownership and housing priorities, a significant investment to help increase housing production and reduce barriers to owning a home as part of the ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort. These new housing resources build upon over $1.6 billion in separate federal funding that has already been allocated to entities throughout the Commonwealth for housing purposes since the start of the pandemic.
The $2.815 billion is part of a total of approximately $5.3 billion in direct aid to the Commonwealth from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. These discretionary funds are intended to support urgent COVID-19 response efforts, replace lost revenue, support immediate economic stabilization for households and businesses, and address unequal public health and economic challenges in Massachusetts cities and towns throughout the pandemic. ARPA is also providing a total of $3.4 billion in direct aid for municipalities throughout Massachusetts, as well as substantial funding for key priorities including a total of $1.1 billion for transit. With a focus on increasing capacity for child care and supporting parents as they return to work, the Administration is also proposing to distribute approximately $760 million in additional federal funding to child care providers in Massachusetts over the coming years, and looks forward to working with key stakeholders on the usages of these funds.
The remaining $2.3 billion in direct federal aid would stay in the Federal COVID-19 Response Fund, and the Administration looks forward to working closely with the Legislature to allocate these resources in a fiscally responsible and compliant manner.
“These substantial resources build upon the separate federal resources the Commonwealth has received throughout the course of the pandemic and strengthen our efforts to promote economic growth and vitality, aid disproportionately impacted communities, and get people back to work,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “We look forward to working with the Massachusetts Legislature to ensure this federal funding is effectively used in fiscally responsible ways to support Massachusetts communities, while complying with all relevant federal guidance.”
In addition to this discretionary funding, an additional $35.2 billion in other ARPA funding has been directed to the Commonwealth to support additional areas of recovery including direct aid to municipalities, transportation, and child care. This includes approximately $3.4 billion in direct aid to cities, towns, and counties throughout Massachusetts. The plan therefore includes language allowing a local match for numerous programs to better leverage municipal support, optimize the usage of all available revenue, and maximize the impact of this one-time federal funding.
Highlights of the plan include:
Housing
- $300 million to support expanded homeownership opportunities, focused on first-time homebuyers who are residents of disproportionately impacted municipalities;
- $200 million to support housing production through MassHousing’s CommonWealth Builder Program and similar efforts, which aim to help communities of color build wealth by promoting home ownership among residents of disproportionately impacted municipalities;
- $200 million to fund rental housing production and provide increased housing options to workers and residents of disproportionately impacted municipalities;
- $300 million to finance the statewide production of senior and veteran housing. These new housing options would contain a supportive services component, and would be combined with other resources including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, rental payments, and, in the case of veteran housing, VA health care.
Economic Development
- $100 million for Downtown Development to concentrate economic growth activities, resources, and investments within local neighborhood areas in municipalities disproportionally impacted by COVID;
- $250 million to support investments and regional collaboration aimed at invigorating downtowns throughout Massachusetts. These resources would provide grant funds to municipalities and other eligible public entities for a range of projects;
- $100 million to support cultural facilities and tourism assets throughout Massachusetts;
Workforce Development
- $240 million to fund a suite of job training programs and address skills gaps, to better position residents who want to be hired into jobs that businesses need filled. Areas of investment include:
- $150 million for workforce credentials for entry and mid-level wages;
- $35 million to fund English for Speakers of Other Languages programs and Adult Basic Education;
- $25 million for work readiness and essential skills programs.
Health Care
- $50 million for fiscally stressed hospitals in disproportionately impacted municipalities as these hospitals have supported their communities significantly during the pandemic despite interruptions to their revenue streams;
- $175 million for addiction treatment and related behavioral health services.
Infrastructure Investment
- $400 million to fund grants for water and sewer infrastructure;
- $300 million to improve culverts, dams, and other environmental infrastructure;
- $100 million to enhance and modernize state park facilities;
- $100 million to close the digital divide and increase broadband internet access, helping to promote workforce development and economic growth.
|
|
Let's get back in the swing!
Chamber of Central Mass South
GOLF CLASSIC 2021
Heritage Country Club, Charlton
AUGUST 5, 2021
Join us for a fun-filled day of golf and camaraderie on the course at our annual Golf Classic.
All to benefit the Chamber Charities and Scholarship Fund.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8:00 am Registration
9:00 am Shot Gun Start
2:30 pm Dinner Reception
YOUR DAY INCLUDES:
•Continental breakfast
•Greens and cart fees
Heritage Country Club in Charlton, MA
•Cookout lunch on the course
•Spectacular raffle prizes!
•Contests
•Refreshments on the course
•Reception and dinner after play
SCRAMBLE FORMAT:
All players hit from the best lie
COST: Foursome: $500, Individual: $135, Dinner Only: $40
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE.
$100 Tee Box Sponsor: Includes a sign with your business name and logo at the tee box or green.
$750 Corporate Sponsor: Includes 1 Foursome, Tee Box Sponsor, 4 additional meal tickets for guests, featured in all promotional materials at event.
CONTACT MICHAEL CHECKOSKY FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Phone: 508-764-0012
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR!
|
|
THANK YOU TO OUR LUNCH SPONSOR!
|
|
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.
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
|
FEATURED MEMBER2MEMBER DISCOUNT!
508-764-7250
Chamber Members,
Take $50 off your purchase of $500 or more.
Take $25 off your purchase of $250 or more.
Interest-free financing available. Ask for details.
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.
|
|
|
Harrington HealthCare Reaches Two Significant COVID-19 Milestones:
50,000 Vaccinations and 60,000 Tests Administered
SOUTHBRIDGE, MA, June 16, 2021 – Harrington HealthCare System reached two significant milestones in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic today: the healthcare system administered its 50,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine this morning and also administered its 60,000th COVID-19 test.
Eight-teen year old, Haven Hubacz received the 50,000th dose of the COVID-19 vaccination from Harrington HealthCare. As a recent graduate of Tantasqua High School in Fiskdale, Massachusetts, she says she got vaccinated in order to keep herself and her fellow students safe when she begins her first semester of college this fall.
“This really is a significant milestone in the sixteen-month ordeal of this pandemic for our region,” said Harrington HealthCare President and CEO Ed Moore. “We are thrilled to have provided 50,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to our community so that we can all begin to move past the pandemic and safely return to working, gathering, and living life the way we all want to once again.”
“However it seems fitting that at the same time, we’ve also reached a milestone marker for COVID tests administered as well – 60,000 tests as of today,” Moore continued. “That serves as an important reminder that although we’ve made incredible progress in beating back the pandemic, we are not out of the woods yet, particularly as variants of the virus continue to emerge. I would urge anyone who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine but has not done so yet to get vaccinated as soon as possible so we can keep this positive momentum moving forward.”
Harrington HealthCare offers COVID-19 vaccination by appointment as well as during designated walk-in hours. The healthcare system also offers COVID-19 testing by appointment only. For the most up-to-date information on vaccination and testing appointments, hours and locations, visit harringtonhospital.org/coronavirus.
Harrington HealthCare System is a comprehensive regional healthcare system serving more than 25 communities across south central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. The system includes Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, Harrington HealthCare at Webster and three additional major medical office buildings: Harrington HealthCare at Charlton, Harrington HealthCare at 169, also in Charlton, and Harrington HealthCare at Sturbridge; Harrington Physician Services, our primary care and multi-specialty physician group; UrgentCare Express at Harrington in Oxford; The Cancer Center at Harrington in Southbridge, and the region’s largest Behavioral Health programs for mental health and substance use. www.harringtonhospital.org
|
|
Cornerstone Bank Donates $25,000 to YMCA of Central Massachusetts
Donation will support youth development programs and LIVESTRONG® program
“The core values of the YMCA align with those of our own organization,” said Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman. “Their commitment to the community, especially children and teenagers, is inspiring. We hope this donation will allow them to continue their youth programs as well as the LIVESTRONG® program, providing wellness support for so many who are recovering from serious illnesses.”
LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA is a free 12-week small-group fitness program designed for adult cancer survivors seeking to regain health following treatment. The YMCA of Central Massachusetts serves youth through childcare programs, education and leadership opportunities, physical activities and summer camp. Their six full-service branches serve 35,000 members across 70 cities and towns, providing more than $1 million in scholarship assistance and program subsidy to participants over the past seven years alone.
“Even with the COVID-19 pandemic making outreach more difficult, the Y has continued to serve Central Massachusetts in a big way,” added Tallman. “Our goal with this donation is to be a part of their success as they make lives better in our own backyard.”
About Cornerstone Bank
Cornerstone Bank is an independent, mutual savings bank serving residents, businesses and communities throughout Central Massachusetts. Our customer promise, Built on Trust, is not just a brand, but also a corporate focus. Whether a business or personal partnership, Cornerstone Bank rests on the foundation that relationships are built on trust. 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. To learn about Cornerstone Bank’s personal and business banking offerings, please visit cornerstonebank.com or call 800-939-9103.
|
|
HFA Brings On Events Hotter Than, Well, July
Hitchcock Free Academy makes July sizzle with music, with mindfulness, with art, with yoga, and with insight on an edge-of-your-seat whodunit set at the Brimfield Flea Market. July kicks off with Art is for Everyone, an exploratory art experience geared for kindergarteners to fifth graders, and their parent or caregiver, which begins July 1 and runs every Thursday through the month from 9:00am to 10:15. Students will work with a variety of mediums in order to learn to be creative by experimenting and by learning different artistic techniques. The class culminates with an Art Show on the final Thursday of the month so that family and friends can admire students’ imaginative work.
Mystery lovers can meet author and antique dealer Carol Freeman, who opens her latest book with a shocking murder at the Brimfield Flea Market. The Baron of Brimfield: Murder at Midnight puts her 72 year old amateur sleuths, Ellen and Charlie, on the trail of a murderer, who seeks to evade detection under the cover of the May flea market. Readers are sure to enjoy following the chase through many area localities. Freeman will be at Hitchcock Academy on July 14 at 6 pm. During this free event she plans to discuss both her current work and to share the unconventional path which led her to writing. Refreshments will be served.
Hitchcock Academy’s upcoming roster of classes take full advantage of the warm weather and spacious lawn. A new Fencing class begins outdoors, weather permitting, on July 1 and a new session of outdoor Yoga, for all levels of practitioners, starts on July 12. Bring your own mat, blanket/sheet (one for under your mat, and one for relaxation if you choose) and any other props you might want to use such as block, straps, or cushions and prepare to breathe in and relax.
This July 21, the Hitchcock Summer Concert Series kicks off on the Brimfield Common at 6 pm with Island Castaways. Put on your flip flops and Hawaiian shirts; pack a summertime supper and prepare to enjoy this Jimmy Buffet tribute band. The following week it’s everything from poodle skirts to tie dye to big hair and shoulder pads as the Time Stretchers bring you your favorites from the 1950s to today.
On July 20, instructor Annette Farrington introduces students to the benefits of Mindfulness Meditation using techniques from different traditions over the four week course. The class will also be held outside, weather permitting, and students are encouraged to bring a note pad for journaling and a sitting cushion or folding camp chair for comfort. In addition to decreasing stress and increasing relaxation, this class looks to help students use meditation in everyday life for general well-being and happiness.
Make it a magical summer! Save the date of Monday, July 26 to join us for the Tommy James Magic Show at 4 pm. Tommy brings wonder and smiles to children of all ages as he presents a rollercoaster ride of comedy and magic. He has been voted Boston’s funniest magician and in 2010 was the International Family Performer of the Year.
Throughout the summer Hitchcock continues to offer longstanding favorite classes in piano, violin and Judo and is working diligently to add additional programs. Watch for the announcement of our Movie Nights on the lawn. Those seeking more information about any of these classes, or to register, will find it on the HFA website: www.hitchcockacademy.org
|
|
Sarah J. Daigle, DPM Named Medical Director of the Wound Care Center at Harrington
CHARLTON, MA, June 23, 2020 – Harrington HealthCare System has named Dr. Sarah J. Daigle, as Medical Director of the Wound Care Center at Harrington in Charlton.
Located at 10 North Main Street, the Wound Care Center at Harrington provides state-of-the-art treatment for non-healing and chronic wounds resulting from a variety of conditions such as diabetes, circulatory issues, surgery, or trauma.
Dr. Sarah J. Daigle joined Harrington Physicians Services Orthopedic practice in 2018, and specializes in foot and ankle medicine and surgery. She has completed research for the American Podiatric Medical Association and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, both organizations of which she is a member.
“I am happy to be able to have the opportunity to serve my community in a new capacity. The wound care center is a great resource for this area,” said Dr. Daigle. “Not only are we healing wounds, but by doing so, we are preventing infection and amputation.”
The Wound Care Center at Harrington providers a comprehensive care plan with supportive services for patients including, diabetic education, nutritional management, specific individualized dressing selections, hyperbaric therapy, and more. Patients who have a wound that has not begun to heal in two weeks or is not completely healed in six weeks are encouraged to contact the Wound Care Center at Harrington for an appointment.
|
|
The Last Green Valley is Offering a TerraCorps (AmeriCorps) Position
The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) has been selected by TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps affiliated environmental non-profit, to be a Service Site for the 2021-22 TerraCorps program year. This partnership will allow TLGV to host a Youth Education Coordinator in a full-time, 11-month service position from August 2021 to July 2022.
As part of TerraCorps, TLGV’s Youth Education Coordinator will spend their service term supporting the local community by developing partnerships, leading programming and engaging with volunteers. The coordinator will collaborate with TLGV’s Board of Directors and staff to create new inclusive programming and evolve current programming to engage new audiences, such as youth, young families and racially and economically diverse communities.
As a TerraCorps Member, the Youth Education Coordinator will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience serving with a local non-profit and will receive professional development, training and mentorship. As part of TerraCorps, Members will also receive a living allowance, and will be eligible for healthcare coverage, childcare coverage, loan forbearance and an education award through AmeriCorps.
TerraCorps is currently accepting applications. If you are interested in learning more about how serving with TerraCorps will offer you professional experience and opportunity in the conservation sector by service with The Last Green Valley, please visit Terracorps.org. For questions about serving with TerraCorps, please contact Lianna Lee, Chief Program Officer at llee@terracorps.org.
For additional information about the opportunity to serve with The Last Green Valley, please visit Thelastgreenvalley.org or contact Lois Bruinooge at 860 774-3300 or lois@tlgv.org.
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!
|
|
Jeff D. Helgerson Excavating & Septic Services is HIRING
Class A & B Drivers, Laborers
Helgerson’s is taking applications for the following positions:
- Class A CDL Driver
- Class B CDL Driver
- Laborer
Benefits Include:
- 100% paid Medical Insurance premiums
- STD & Life Insurance
- Simple IRA, with matched contribution
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Uniforms
- On Call Incentive Pay
- Annual Bonus (based on Company performance)
Interested applicants may direct questions and application requests to Jessica Pinto-Boniface via email at info@helgersonexcavating.com. You may also call 508.248.7242.
|
|
The spirit of the United Way of South Central Massachusetts ANNUAL DAY OF CARING helps to promote the value of volunteerism, increase the awareness of local non-profit agencies, churches, schools and towns and demonstrates what people can accomplish when joining forces for the good of our community. The Day of Caring is an incredible opportunity to tackle large and small projects at your agency, non-profit site, school or church grounds or even a town park or road. You might need a volunteer team to paint, clean, do repair work or landscape. The United Way will review your application and conduct a site visit to determine if your project is feasible and, if so, how many volunteers will be needed on the Day of Caring.
Application Guidelines:
• You must be a non-profit 501(c)3 or government agency located in Charlton, Dudley, Southbridge, Sturbridge or Webster.
• Have a project that meets a real need and is meaningful for the volunteers
• Submit a project that can be completed in 4 hours and is outside. No indoor projects allowed.
• Supply materials for the project (paint supplies, tools, rakes). Gloves and some yard tools can be supplied by United Way.
• Have a responsible and trusted person to plan the project and to be on hand to oversee the volunteers on the actual day.
The following day, September 25th is a Food Drive held at local grocery stores benefiting food pantries in Charlton, Southbridge and Webster.
Application due by July 16, 2021
|
|
Federated Church of Sturbridge & Fiskdale
71st and Final Annual Auction
Will Feature Two of Each Collectible Decorated Chair
STURBRIDGE, MA - The Federated Church of Sturbridge and Fiskdale will hold its 71st and final Annual Antique Auction on Saturday, August 14, 2021, on the beautiful Sturbridge Common across from the landmark Publick House Historic Inn. The auction will be held, rain or shine, under tent, with a preview of items to be sold beginning at 9:00 a.m. and bidding starting promptly at 10:00 a.m.
A highlight of the auction is the sale of two featured decorated chairs. These highly prized items, which always command a lot of attention, are decorated in bronze powder stenciling with a lovely Sturbridge or Publick House scene. The chairs 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.
As a special feature of this year’s auction, though, the Church will be auctioning off two of each chair - the Sturbridge Chair (#27 and #28 in the series) and The Publick House Chair (#49 and #50 in the series) –because last year’s auction had to be canceled.
A real old fashioned country auction, this event is known as the longest annually held church auction in the nation, according to auction committee chair, Tim Bardsley. Items up for bid include an assortment of antique items and collectibles donated by church and community members, many in original condition and some lovingly restored by local artisans.
As in prior years, any bidder whose purchases total $500 or more will receive dinner for two, courtesy of The Publick House Historic Inn and Restaurant. Bidders whose purchases total $1,000 or more, will receive one night of lodging and dinner for two.
The event also includes a silent auction featuring gift baskets, handmade crafts, gift certificates from local vendors, a bake sale and food booth. The auction is handicapped accessible and open to the general public free of charge with ample free parking around the Common and the Church.
The auction is being conducted for the 47 th year in a row by the highly professional and entertaining Robert Glass Jr. and Gwen Glass Carbone of the Robert H. Glass family of auctioneers. For more information, please call the Church office at (508) 347-3915 or email churchoffice@sturfed.org.
PHOTO: A few of the items to be up for bid in the 2021 Sturbridge Federated Church Auction include this unusual inlaid tri-corner, drop-leaf table, an oversized Flexible Flyer sled, an antique country firkin, and a decorated Boston rocker.
|
|
Nueva edición!
Reach the Hispanic Market directly with the #1 Statewide Hispanic Newspaper in Massachusetts. Email advertising@vocerohispano.com to get started.
|
|
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
2021 Green Hill - Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing
Monday Aug 2, 2021, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join Worcester Regional Chamber for a day of golf, fun, and great prizes. Funds generated from this charitable tournament are applied to college scholarships for Worcester area high school senior students. As in prior years, this is a great opportunity to network with fellow business Associates, have fun and support the financial needs of pending college students that reside within in our community. LEARN MORE AND 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.
Sell Online with E-Commerce Tools
Mon, Jul 12, 2021 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Join Bryan Caplan, Speaker for Grow with Google, as he walks you through how to sell your products online. REGISTER
Make Your Website Work For You
Tue, Jul 20, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Join Bryan Caplan, Speaker for Grow with Google, for an info-packed webinar dedicated to growing your business online. REGISTER
Learn Organic Ways to Build Your Brand Message
July 29, 2021, 12:00pm
Explore the diverse mediums of Video, Blogs, Webinars and more to grow your business organically. REGISTER
View Previously Recorded SCORE Webinars Here.
CENTER FOR WOMEN AND ENTERPRISE - CENTRAL MA
Presents a Secret Sauce Series for All Restaurant Owners and Caterers. Presented online. FREE.
Click the course title for details and registration.
July 12, 3:00-4:00pm
July 19, 3:00-4:00pm
BUSINESS WORKSHOPS OFFERED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER NETWORK
Statewide Training & Event Calendar
July 1 Basics of Starting Your Business
Visit the online calendar for more info and to register for this session and more.
COGGNO is the Chamber's 24/7 Training platform. Low cost and even free online courses are available for CMS Chamber Members.
|
|
Independence: 4th of July at Old Sturbridge Village
July 2-4, 2021
On Independence Day Weekend, visitors will have the chance to take part in a socially distanced citizens’ parade, watch cannon and musket demonstrations, and more at Old Sturbridge Village. Summer food and drink will be available for purchase. Learn more about some of the highlights below.
Welcoming New Citizens
On July 2nd only, watch and be inspired by a citizen naturalization ceremony on the Village common. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will present candidates to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and they will pledge their Oath of Allegiance to the United States for the very first time.
Firing the Cannon
An exciting feature of the Independence Day festivities is the firing of our reproduction cannon. There were 46 militia units armed with cannons in Massachusetts in the 1830s and one of them was located in here in Sturbridge. These units fired their cannons on militia training days and during celebrations, like the 4th of July. Our cannon has a cast iron barrel and is mounted on a carriage made by Village artisans.
“Declaring Independence” Returns
Two times during the day, six costumed interpreters will render the words of the Declaration line by line, assisted by a narrator who sets these words in their rich historical context. Some lines will be familiar to all; others – especially the many grievances that justified altering an ancient government – will receive background and commentary. As the re-enactors dramatize these 18th-century words and ideas, the narrator will draw out their meaning and challenge the audience to consider their relevance and power for today.
“Declaring Independence” is part of a multi-year joint initiative of Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area and the American Antiquarian Society to engage citizens in the ideas and transformative potential of the Declaration of Independence. This initiative includes researching the ways in which independence was conceived and debated within colonial communities in the years leading up to 1776; tracing how the Declaration’s role evolved in American communities; and considering the challenges and potential of this living document for Americans today.
|
|
Concerts on the Commons
Sturbridge Recreation Committee announces Concerts on the Common 2021. A Summer Concert Series!
Sturbridge Town Common, Thursday evenings, 6:00-8:00 PM from June 10th - Aug 19th
Weather Dependent. Masks required. Don't forget your lawn chairs and blankets!
July 1- Uncle Sam's Jazz Band (Patriotic) Sponsored by G&F Precision Molding
July 8- Holdin' Back Band (Rock, Oldies) Sponsored by Sturbridge Cultural Council
July 15- Jumpin' Juba (Blues, Folk) Sponsored by Betterment Committee
July 22- Music Matters Band (Top Hits) Sponsored by Sturbridge Cultural Council
July 29- Dan Gabel and The Abletones (Glenn Miller Tribute) Sponsored by Lions & Rotary Clubs
Sturbridge Farmers Market: Sundays from 9am-1pm on the Town Common. June 7th-October 11th
West Brookfield Concerts on the Common 2021. The 48th Season!
West Brookfield Town Common, Rtes 9 & 67, Wednesday Nights from 7-9pm
July 7- Taste of Honey
July 14- The Kings
July 21- Wheelsmith
July 28- Dan Gabel and the Abletones
Brimfield - The Hitchcock Summer Concert Series
Bring a blanket or a chair and pack a picnic dinner. Concerts begin at 6 pm on the Brimfield Town Common.
These free concerts are thanks to the generosity of our Maestro Sponsors: First American Insurance, Country Bank, the Brimfield Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
July 21: Island Castaways
July 28: Time Stretchers
August 4: Radio Ranch
August 18: The Pikeys (Celtic group)
August 25: The James Paul Band
Brimfield Farmers Market: Saturdays 9 AM -2 PM. April 17 – October 30.
at Hitchcock Academy’s parking lot
[No Farmers’ Market during the Brimfield Shows (July 17 or September 11)]
|
|
Gates open at 6PM. Movie will start at dusk (after 7PM). Limited capacity, advance purchase suggested. No refunds.
$15 per car Advance Payment (Eventbrite) and $20 at the gate....
Advance payment guarantees a spot!
Online ticket sales: COMING SOON FOR THE KARATE KID ON JULY 10!
CLICK the banner to visit the SOUTHBRIDGE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP page on Facebook!
|
|
Brimfield is Back! July 13-18
The Brimfield Antiques & Collectibles Shows: "The Queen of the outdoor shows" and a Smithsonian Treasure. A New England tradition, the extravaganza represents the largest outdoor gathering of antique and collectibles dealers in the country.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! And we are back, too with our Info Booth at the shows!
VOLUNTEER SHIFTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY:
The Info Booth shifts at Brimfield are from 8a-11a, 11a-2p and 2p-5p and we will need a presence there Tuesday through Saturday. If you can volunteer for a 3-hour shift, please give us a ring at 508-347-2761 or email Alix!
|
|
Cooking with Rico: Italy's Puglia Region
Thursday, July 15| 6:30pm
Some of the best traditional foods in Italy come from Puglia, the region in the heel of Italy’s “boot.” Puglia and capital Bari both have lots of fantastic ingredients to choose from—like chickpeas, homegrown herbs and spices, olive and olive oil, tomatoes, and, of course, fresh seafood. In this Cooking with Rico series, Chef Rico will demonstrate the deeply-rooted cucina povera tradition where cuisine tends to be simple and delicious, always relying on fresh ingredients.
As always, each course is accompanied by a specially chosen wine pairing. This event is $57 per person with wine pairings, or $47 without, tax and gratuity are not included. Make your reservations now by calling Avellino at 508-347-2321.
|
|
Novena to Saint Anne
July 18-26
Pilgrims of all faiths, generations and cultures are invited to join our Celebration of the 134th Novena to
St. Anne beginning Sunday, July 18, 2021 culminating on Monday, July 26, 2021.
A variety of speakers and music ministries will enhance our liturgies.
St. Anne Shrine, Sturbridge (Fiskdale), MA 01518
The Gift Shop will be open extended hours for your convenience.
|
|
Can Your Business Help Sponsor a Local Youth?
Our Bright Future is looking for 100 Sponsorships!!
For a small investment of $450 you/your company will be helping a local child experience a week of robotics and sports, character and leadership building in a safe and supportive environment.
Can your business sponsor a child to attend our Summer Day Program? If so, please click the button below.
|
|
STEMing into Sports Program
In-Person Offered Weekly July - August 2021
Nichols College, 121 Center Rd., Dudley MA, Davis Hall
The purpose of Our Bright Future STEMing into Sports Program is to provide Robotics and Sports for youth ages 9 years old to 17 years old in a safe, caring, and supportive environment at Nichols College Campus in Dudley, MA. Our Bright Future is structured to develop and implement programs and activities that prepare youth for success. Members are encouraged to participate in all 5 core areas of programming: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts, Sports & Fitness, and Recreation. Children within Our Bright Future STEMing into Sports Program receive the benefits of a structured child care program within a full-functioning safe environment.
To sponsor a child.
Click on the link below and scroll down to SIGN UP NOW.
Click the circle next to: SPONSOR A CHILD
In the drop down under WEEK ATTENDING choose SPONSORING A CHILD.
Under CHILD 1 NAME type "Sponsor"
Click NEXT and follow the prompts.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
For more information and registration, please visit:
|
|
Salem Cross Inn is OPEN Thursday through Sunday!
We will be closed for vacation from July 1st through July 4th. Enjoy your holiday weekend!
Main Dining Room Hours:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 4 – 8pm
Sunday Noon – 5pm
for the latest updates.
508-867-2345
|
|
Looking for more local summertime events? Check out our Facebook Events page for even more from our neighbors and friends! Click here to visit!
|
|
|
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
Steve Gardiner
Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center
|
|
|
|
Les Gardner
Les Gardner Photography
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
|
|
|
|
46 Hall Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
|
|
Alexandra McNitt
Executive Director
|
|
Jack Starkey
Communications & Media
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|