May is half in the books! We hope to catch up with you at tonight’s Fun at Five at Oakholm Brewing Company. It looks like a fine evening to network and enjoy refreshing libations at a lovely brewery and farm estate! Give us a ring to register for tonight. This issue of CROSSROADS also has details on the Chamber’s GOLF CLASSIC and our spectacular summer Clambake, both coming up in June! The latest news and upcoming events from our Members for you to enjoy are included as well.

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 latest offerings on our Events calendar and emailing us your press releases, links and photos for inclusion in CROSSROADS. NEXT ISSUE: JUNE 1, 2023

80 Lake Road, Brookfield, MA

413-272-9620

The taproom at Oakholm Brewing Company is a beautiful mortise and tenon timber framed hay barn constructed in the early 1900s. This historic barn has been completely renovated and a new timber framed addition has been added to maintain the classic look and create a large production area for the brewery. The team at Oakholm is excited to share their delicious beer, malted seltzers and sours with you, and show you the beauty of their stunning property!

Learn more about Oakholm Brewing Co. below and join your fellow Chamber Members for networking, cold drinks and FUN on May 15th!

After purchasing Oakholm Farm in February 2018, Chris “Babe” Predella asked his long-time employee Andrew Woodward for advice on utilizing an old barn as a tap room for Christmas Tree Sales in the winter. Andrew had been home brewing for over 7 years and his response was “you should put a brewery here.”

They both soon started making plans on renovating the hay barn to create a beautiful brewery. They knew they needed one more person to create a great partnership, and that person was Rick Predella, Babe’s Father. Rick’s background in engineering and operations management was the perfect addition to the partnership. After a two year journey, we were able to open in May 2020 to the public for can sales during the height of the pandemic. Since then, the taproom has been opened for indoor and outdoor seating with firepits and outside draft pours on warmer days.

Oakholm Brewing Company is situated on Oakholm Farm Estate’s land whose mission is to be a place of love, respect, fun, celebration, peace, & relaxation, nourishment for the soul, and a place where families come together. A place where people enter as strangers and leave as friends.

Register for Fun at Five by email or phone.

Cost is $12 for Members who register, $15 at the door, or $20 for non-Members.

A handle. A Blade. And 200 years of experience. Dexter-Russell is a leading manufacturer of high-quality professional cutlery, with a history dating back to 1818. The company was founded in Southbridge, Massachusetts and began crafting knives and tools for local farmers and tradespeople. Today, Dexter-Russell is recognized as a top choice among chefs and foodservice professionals worldwide, offering durable, reliable, and expertly crafted knives that are designed to meet the needs of the modern kitchen.

CMS Chamber’s GOLF CLASSIC is a day of fun and friendly competition on the links at our local 18 hole championship golf course, Heritage Country Club in Charlton. Presented in a scramble format, the event features a continental breakfast, contests and spectacular raffle prizes, a cookout lunch and refreshments on the course, and a reception and dinner after play. We hope you will come and spend a fun day on the links with us this year! Your participation supports the Chamber’s Charities and Scholarship Fund.

8:00 am   Registration

9:00 am   Shot Gun Start

2:30 pm   Dinner Reception

•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: $540, Individual: $140, Dinner Only: $40

$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.

DOWNLOAD the GOLF CLASSIC brochure here.

Phone: 508-764-0012, Fax: 508-765-1187

Cornerstone Bank

c/o Mike Checkosky

253-257 Main Street

Southbridge, MA 01550

1 1/4 lb. Lobster, 12 oz. Steak or Vegetarian Entree

Chef's Potato, Corn on the Cob, Chef's Vegetable, Salads, and Chef's Choice Dessert.

LIVE MUSIC: BAND TO BE ANNOUNCED

RESERVE NOW BY PHONE 508-347-2761 OR EMAIL [email protected]

Get noticed! Sponsoring a Chamber event or program can give you exposure to the people that you want to do business with. Our affiliation with the Worcester Regional Chamber means exposure to 2,300 member businesses and an e-mail list of more than 10,000 professionals.

June 15 Chamber 2023 GOLF CLASSIC at Heritage Country Club Corporate Sponsorship includes a foursome, tee sponsorship, name on promotional materials.

July 15 Drivin’ It Ho(l)me for Health & Education Car Show at Oakholm Brewery Classic Sponsor gets their name on all promotional materials, event day call-outs, a 10x10 vendor space and one complimentary car show registration and more.

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].

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) will host a Pioneer Valley regional listening session as part of its economic development planning process on Friday, May 19, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Springfield College in Springfield.

Business and community leaders, elected officials, stakeholders, and members of the public are invited to join and contribute input about economic needs and opportunities for growth within the region. The planning session will allow for two 45-minute breakout sessions in order to collect feedback and input from participants.

EOHED and the state's Economic Development Planning Council will be holding a series of these sessions on behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration across the state this spring and summer to gather public input about the state’s economic development economic needs. The council will then craft a strategic plan to guide Massachusetts economic development policy over the next four years.

North Brookfield, MA – In partnership with PROSHRED Security, North Brookfield Savings Bank is excited to announce its 2023 Free Community Shred Days.

  

For over 30 years, businesses and consumers have put their trust in PROSHRED® to maintain information security, legislative compliance, and personal privacy. PROSHRED® is a service-driven document destruction company dedicated to on-site paper shredding: one of the most secure, convenient, and cost-effective methods for destroying and recycling confidential documents and materials. Learn more about PROSHRED Security here: https://www.proshred.com/

ABOUT NORTH BROOKFIELD SAVINGS BANK

North Brookfield Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank with full-service branches in North Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, and the Three Rivers Village of Palmer. NBSB offers a wide variety of deposit and loan products for individuals and businesses throughout Central and Western Massachusetts and has been a steadfast supporter of the communities it serves since 1854. All deposits are insured by the FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund. North Brookfield Savings Bank was voted Best Bank in Central Massachusetts for 2021 and was named “Community Icon” Among the Top Extraordinary Banks in the Nation in 2022. For more information, please call 1-866-711-6272 or visit us online at www.NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com.

Country Bank grants $20,000 to Main South Community Development Corporation

May 5, 2023 – Country Bank, a full-service financial institution serving Central and Western Massachusetts, proudly supports Main South CDC in Worcester. The Mission of the Main South CDC is to improve the quality of life for the community by working together on projects and issues that will maintain and create safe, affordable housing for low-to-moderate income individuals, support economic opportunities for businesses and residents of Main South, enhance the physical image of the area, and instill a sense of neighborhood pride and commitment.

PHOTO: From left to right: Angela Barahona, VP Cash Management and Business Development Officer from Country Bank, Main South Community Development Corporation Director of Property Management Yary Jaen and Executive Director J. Stephen Teasdale, Jodie Gerulaitis, VP Community Relations and Patrick O’Hara, VP Commercial Lender from Country Bank.

Country Bank is one of the most highly capitalized mutual savings banks (17%) in the Commonwealth offering full-service consumer and commercial banking services. Country Bank serves Central and Western Massachusetts with 14 offices in Ware, Palmer, West Brookfield, Brimfield, Belchertown, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Leicester, Paxton, Charlton, Springfield and Worcester. Country Bank is a member of FDIC, DIF Insurances – 100% deposits are insured in full. A member of the SUM network. Country Bank can be reached at 800-322-8233 or online at countrybank.com.

We are pleased to be hosting our 25th annual event and we hope you can join us at one of the best charity golf tournaments of the year! Proceeds from the day will support people with developmental disabilities in our community and our new program for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)  

Also includes: Venture logo portable charger & wrap koozie, boxed lunch on the course, one free drink, cookout following golf

EAST BROOKFIELD, MA (May 10, 2023) – Second Chance Animal Services 11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Cold Spring Country Club in Belchertown on Monday, July 24th. The event offers golfers a great golf outing on a world-class course and will benefit programs assisting the underserved at Second Chance Community Veterinary Hospitals in Springfield, Worcester, Southbridge, and North Brookfield.

Second Chance is inviting local businesses to partner with them in the fight to end pet homelessness through access to veterinary care. The nonprofit is welcoming sponsors for the Second Chance Golf Tournament and is accepting donations for the tournament silent auction and raffle. Information on sponsorships and item donations can be found at secondchanceanimals.org/events/golf/.  

Those interested in golfing can purchase tickets online at secondchanceanimals.org/events/golf/. Individuals and foursomes are welcome. Second Chance encourages golfers to purchase tickets early. Check in will be 9 am and the tournament will commence with a shotgun start at 10 am.

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. Last year Second Chance helped over 44,000 pets live better lives 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:  facebook.com/secondchanceanimals

Follow Second Chance on Instagram: @secondchanceas/

Follow Second Chance on Twitter:  @secondchanceas

SPONSORSHIPS AND BOOTH SPACES AVAILABLE! (Contact Alix)

Purchase your tickets online at this link: fevogm.com/event/cmschamber

For parking passes, please visit: www.woosox.com/parking for more information.

Please contact Alexandra McNitt, [email protected] with general questions.

The latest digital issue of Vocero Hispano is available on their website.

View the Latest Issue in Digital Online - Free to Members

Reach the Hispanic Market directly with the #1 Statewide Hispanic Newspaper in Massachusetts. Email [email protected] to get started.

Learn how to perform CPR and use an AED for Adults, Children and Infants. This in an HSI program, which was formerly known as ASHI. Optional certification cards are valid for 2 years.

Note: This class is on the 2nd floor, access by stairs only.

Learn how to relieve choking using realistic choke manikins, and learn the basics of Adult CPR/AED. The CPR portion is in an HSI program, which was formerly known as ASHI. Optional certification is valid for 2 years.

Note: This class is on the 2nd floor, access by stairs only.

This is the American Heart Association (AHA) renewal version of BLS (Basic Life Saving) for Healthcare Providers for anyone with a current or recently expired AHA BLS card. Certification cards valid for 2 years.

Note: This class is on the 2nd floor, access by stairs only.

Sturbridge: Calling all gardeners, plant enthusiasts and nature lovers! The Southbridge Garden Club invites the general public to a Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 9 am to noon on the Sturbridge Town Common. The sale takes place rain or shine.

The sale will feature a wide selection of perennials, vegetables, floral door decorations, unique potted plants, and herb and flower baskets. The “Garden Treasures” table will offer shoppers a variety of garden-related items, such as small tools, flowerpots, gloves, decorative garden items, some surprises, and other goodies.

A representative from the Massachusetts Master Gardeners Association will conduct free soil testing. The Yankee Dahlia Society will be selling tubers and other items. Shoppers will be able to browse and purchase one or more books on gardening, ecology, cooking, and landscaping from the Joshua Hyde Public Library in Sturbridge.

The Spring Plant Sale will also raffle off a garden trug filled with a treasure trove of garden-related items, including seeds, bulbs, gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, garden shears and much more.

Proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale support the programs, scholarships, and beautification projects that the Southbridge Garden Club sponsors. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Visit our Facebook page for updates, www.facebook.com/SouthbridgeGardenClub

For more information, please contact Sally at 508-207-6882.

Auditions for “The Enchanted Bookshop Musical”, written by Todd Wallinger, music and lyrics by Stephen Murray, will be held on Monday, May 22nd and Tuesday, May 23rd at 6pm in Fellowship Hall of Elm Street Congregational Church, 61 Elm Street in Southbridge, MA. Entrance is on Park Street (around corner).

The cast includes 18 youth roles and 5 adult roles. Performance dates are August 4th, 5th & 6th. Auditions to include cold readings from the script and a song of your choice. Presented by permission through special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. Lou-Ellen Corkum is the Director, Kathi Grenier is the Producer, and James Joinville is the Musical Director. Rehearsals will be on Sunday and Thursday nights. For questions about auditions call 508-764-4531 or contact Lou-Ellen Corkum at [email protected].

An ordinary used book shop by day, A Likely Story becomes a magical place each night. Thanks to a spell from the Book Fairy, the characters inside the books come alive each and every night. Six of those characters — Dorothy Gale, Robin Hood, Pollyanna, Sherlock Holmes, Heidi, and Tom Sawyer — long to help Margie, the scatterbrained owner, save her struggling store. But they’re not allowed to leave the building or be seen by human eyes. So, when a pair of bungling smugglers comes looking for a stolen necklace hidden inside one of the books, the characters are torn. Should they warn Margie and risk disappearing forever? Or can they find a way to defeat the crooks without being seen? Including appearances by other literary characters such as the Queen of Hearts, Long John Silver, and Doctor Doolittle, and with a toe-tapping score from Stephen Murray featuring jazz, march, and pop tunes, this charming musical will enchant audiences young and old.

SOZ. - If you don't know them yet, you'll want to know them now! A group of friends from Sturbridge who share the desire to rock out to great classic music of the 70s 80s and 90s. They've been having a blast creating this band and now want to share it with people who want to sing along, dance and rock out with us.... Band members: Pete Jarzabski on Drums, Dave Pentilla on Bass, Lana Pieczynski Keyboards, Dave Wright on Guitar, Suzanne Wright lead singer. Roosters Roaming Cantina will be onsite or bring your own snackies.

SEE MORE ON FACEBOOK.

Join us for the first in a series of four patio dinners this summer. Chef Rico’s Italian picnic will be a multi-course patio dinner highlighting a favorite summer pastime in all regions of Italy.

Just the words "Italian picnic" conjure up images of Sophia Loren and a handful of great-looking friends frolicking under the Tuscan sun enjoying some great food and wine. While we won’t have Sophia Loren, we will have plenty of spectacular food.

Italian picnics are blessed with fresh summer salads, Italian meats and cheeses, and some fantastic grilled chicken, pork and lamb dishes. Select beer and wine options will be available at an additional cost. 

This special event will be hosted on the beautiful patio at The Barn at Wight Farm. The price is $65 per person. Seating is limited so call The Barn at 774-241-8450 and make your reservations now!

Reservations are required. In the event of rain, the dinners will he held indoors at the Barn or Café. Per person price does not include tax or gratuity.

Come try the local wines of the wineries and Food trucks from the Pioneer Valley & beyond!

In addition, there will be live music all day long! Enjoy local farmers market & artisans for a fantastic Day!

Admission tickets for Wine Tasting Passport and entry ($30) will be sold via facebook page (Pioneer Valley Wine and Food Festival). Onsite purchases will be available at gate ($35) while tickets last. We highly suggest purchasing online.

For Non-wine sampling folks' admission is only $5! Free Live Music & Access to Food & Farmers Market.*

*Absolutely no coolers or outside food or drinks permitted...this is a Food event!

Please follow us on Facebook for future updates.

Date: June 24, 2023

Time: 1:30pm.

Location: Raceway Golf Club - 205 E Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT

$120 per golfer (price includes dinner)

$480 per team (price includes dinner)

The purpose of STEMing into Sports Program is to provide Robotics, 3D printing, and Sports for youth ages 7 years old to 15 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.

It also means we have a new menu of seasonal dishes available for you!

Visit the Facebook page for the latest updates.

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