CHAMBER OLD SAYBROOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
June 2015
WE’RE RESPONSIVE! OUR WEBSITE THAT IS! JUNE EVENTS June 2. 12 - 1:30pm Lunch & Learn @ Saybrook Pavilion LinkedIn with Julia Balfour June 10. 5:30—7pm Business With A Twist @ Mercy By The Sea, Madison June 17. 8 - 9am Business Connections Hour @ Apple Rehab
The Chamber website has a new look, and new capabilities. It’s now a responsive website, one that’s optimized to function well and display great on all devices—desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. And with more and more people integrating mobile devices into their daily life, we think you’ll agree, being ‘responsive’ is a an“smart” move. Today, smartphones are widely used for G o o g l e staying informed, whether its researching a medical condi- nounced it would using tion (how many of us have searched more than once on s t a r t WebMd.com), searching for employment, planning a vaca- “mobile friendlition or birthday celebration, or looking up real estate list- ness” as a rankings. ing signal in search
results,
rewarding websites that are fully optimized
June 25. 5:30pm - 7pm Chamber Connections @ High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme
Visit our website: www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
860 388-3266 One Main Street P.O. Box 625 Old Saybrook, CT 06475
for
mobile platforms.
What does this mean for business owners? If you have something to sell, information to impart, a service to offer, or an event to promote, having a responsive web site will ensure your audience can view your site no matter what device they’re on. Furthermore, having a responsive web site will improve “searchability” on Google, because as of April, Google announced it would be using “mobile friendliness” as a ranking signal in search results, rewarding websites that are fully optimized for mobile platforms. If you’ve been thinking about “going responsive” now just may be the right time! Members have you checked www.oldsaybrookchamber.com recently to see how your member listing looks? If you want to make updates, but aren’t sure how to do that, call Meryl @ 860 388-3266 or email
[email protected].
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NOW AVAILABLE!
SAVE THE DATE
52nd Annual Arts & Crafts Festival July 25th & 26th Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4
The 2015-16 Business Directory & Community Guide is here. Stop by the office to pick up a copy!
Board of Directors, Staff and Mission Statement Officers
President: Lori Woll, Octagon @ Mystic Marriott Vice President: Ed Lombardi, Maximus Antiques Treasurer: Jay Mills, Oakley Wing Group Secretary: Elaine Beame, Beame Realty Past President: Kristen Roberts, Comcast
Directors
Angus McDonald, Angus McDonald/Gary Sharpe & Assoc Bill McMinn, Essex Printing/Events Magazine Shannon Timme, Harbor News/Shore Publishing Bob Bradley, Guaranteed Rate Ken Gribbon, Saybrook Point Inn & Spa
Linda Brophy, Edward Jones Mark Appellof, Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley and Lower Valley Care Advocates Leigh-Bette Maynard, Liberty Bank Leland McKenna, Middlesex Hospital Primary Care
Staff
Judy Sullivan, Executive Director Karen Pinette, Member Services Manager Meryl Moskowitz, Marketing Coordinator
Contact
www.oldsaybookchamber.com Phone: 860 388-3266 Fax: 860 388-9433
Mission Statement The Chamber advances economic vitality and quality of life in the Old Saybrook region through programs and services for its members and community. Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Vintage Home Decor
Are you getting the most out of your LinkedIn account? How to use LinkedIn for networking, job search, marketing and more. With Julia Balfour LLC. Register online. Special lunch offer from Cloud Nine Catering, see web site for details.
821 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook 860 391-8541 vintagehomedecorstore.com Retailing and consigning a diverse collection of fine home furnishings, antiques, art, and accessories at all price points
United Builders Supply
31 Industrial Park Road, Niantic 860 739-3993 unitedbuilderssupply.com Specializing in quality building products such as lumber, windows, doors, masonry, cabinets, flooring and more
MEMBER NEWS: ROBYN COLLINS NAMED PUBLISHER OF SHORE PUBLISHING
Robyn Collins, a 15year veteran with Shore Publishing Newspapers, has been named publisher of the media group. The media group’s longtime former advertising director, Collins will take the post vacated by former publisher Lisa Miksis. Collins has been a part of the Shore staff since the early days of the company. She started in the news department in 2000 as an associate editor, then moved to advertising as a sales rep
a year later and in 2008, she became the ad director. “She knows the market and all its movers and shakers,” said Gary Farrugia, publisher of The Day Publishing Company which owns Shore Publishing. “Robyn also has a high profile in the Shore Publishing community as a volunteer and board member of a number of public service groups. She was a clear choice to continue the growth and excellent leadership of Lisa Miksis.” “Shore Publishing and its employees are my family. Leading this group is a dream come true. I am excited for the days, weeks, months, and years to come,” Collins said. (Excerpted from Harbor News, April 30, 2015)
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Letter from the C.Wilfred Hunter Scholarship Committee Well there are certainly a lot of talented and highly accomplished young people in this area. The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce and C. Wilfred Hunter Memorial Scholarship Committee received sixteen applications. Each and every applicant is demonstrating qualities, skills, community involvement, entrepreneurial accomplishments, character, drive and commitment. This is, of course, what makes the job of the Scholarship Committee so difficult with only four available scholarships.
As part of the review process, all identifying information is removed from the application to maintain complete anonymity. After a long and extensive review of the applications, the committee narrowed down the field and chose the four finalists. They are Ashley Savino, Danielle LaMay, Trent Duffy and William Burton. Congratulations! Jay Mills, Bob Bradley, Ken Gribbon and Angus McDonald
Join us for a very special business after-hours at Mercy By The Sea, our hosts at this lovely shoreline retreat overlooking Long Island Sound. Meet neighboring Chamber members from the Madison, Clinton, and Shoreline Chambers of Commerce while enjoying the hospitality of the Mercy Center. Mercy by the Sea, a retreat and conference center, is located on 33 acres on the waterfront of Long Island Sound in Madison. Learn about the history of the Mercy Center, tour the gardens and buildings, and experience this unique and sacred space. $10 Pre-registered Members - $15 Members at the door - $20 Non-Members Register online @ www.oldsaybrookchamber.com or email
[email protected] Mercy by the Sea, 167 Neck Road, Madison, CT 06443 Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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From the Desk of the Executive Director The Old Saybrook Memorial Day ceremonies and parade were a wonderful tribute to our fallen military heroes. Many organizations from the community came out to support our veterans and recognize their service. As we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy today, let us also remember those currently serving. We are very grateful. Our 2015-16 Business Directory and Community Guides are here! All current members are listed in the directory both alphabetically and by category. 25,000 copies will be in circulation throughout the next several months. In June it will be delivered to every home in Old Saybrook and surrounding towns. Thank you to the many members who took advantage of the advertising opportunities within the guide. We appreciate your support! Do you use LinkedIn? Are you getting the most out of your LinkedIn account? Would you like to use it more effectively for networking, job search, marketing and more? We have a solution for you! Register today for our June Lunch and Learn event, “LinkedIn” presented by Julia Balfour, Julia Balfour, LLC – Tuesday June 2nd Noon-1:30pm at the Saybrook Point Pavilion. I hope to see you there! Mark your calendars! We are busy getting ready for our signature summer event, the 52nd Arts & Crafts Festival on the Old Saybrook Town Green, July 25 and 26. A special thanks to sponsors, Liberty Bank and Middlesex Hospital, for their generous support. Volunteers are needed! If you can spare a few hours on Saturday or Sunday we welcome your help! Call the office or visit our website for more information.
Kindness Matters. Recently I had one of those experiences that called to mind Robert Fulghum’s best seller, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” It was an incident in which kindness was greatly lacking and I'd wished I'd had a copy of the book to hand to this particular person. Fulghum reminds us to “play fair, don’t hit people, say you’re sorry when you hurt someone, flush” and my personal favorite, “warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.” As you read through the complete list of items you realize that everything you need to know is in this wise book. The Golden Rule, equality, politics, kindness, basic sanitation and sane living. Take any of these items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life, your work or your business and it holds true and clear and firm. As Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Kindness truly goes a long way.
All the best, Judy
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING Michael Perry Publisher, Best Version Media Old Saybrook Neighbors Magazine
“I already have earned back the fee I paid to be a member of the Old Saybrook Chamber…”
In my 25+ years in business I’ve been associated with many Chambers… I just want to say how much I enjoyed the event this morning and that I really appreciate your getting out these business cards... I already have earned back the fee I paid to be a member of the Old Saybrook Chamber… the hard work that you all do has made that possible. Thank you all for being so good at what you do and for helping me grow my business!
Michael Perry
[email protected]
Member Spotlight: AnnMarie Cienava Rocco, Esq. AnnMarie is an injury lawyer with the firm Dzialo, Pickett & Allen, P.C “ I help people who have been seriously injured due to the negligence, recklessness or intentional acts of someone else. I represent people who have been badly hurt in motor vehicle collisions, construction liability cases, slip and fall cases, defective premises cases, animal attacks and other types of cases. I protect my clients' rights and ensure that insurance companies, who are usually responsible for payment of claims arising from their insureds' negligent acts, pay full and fair settlements. I prepare my clients' cases for settlement
negotiations, mediations, arbitrations and trial, if necessary, and in the clients' best interest. “ Favorite Chamber Program: I enjoy the social aspects of the Business Connections Hour, and the Women in Business luncheons. Favorite Interests or Hobbies: When I'm not practicing law, I love to garden, read, and travel with my family. We've been to Europe, Southeast Asia, and all around the U.S. We will be visiting some of our National parks this summer. Personal Philosophy on how to be Successful: Always keep my clients' interests at the forefront of my mind and maintain a high ethical standard. This approach makes it easy to sleep at night!
The Chamber member featured in our Member spotlight is randomly selected at our Business Connections Hour. Our next meeting is June 17, 8am at Apple Rehab Saybrook! Register online or call 860 388-3266.
Chamber News Editor Judy Sullivan © June 2015, Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Newsletter Business Card Sponsors Lee Bridgewater Lighthouse Home Care
Essex Savings Bank AWESOME LOAN RATES @ essexsavings.com
MEMBER FDIC
860-767-4414 • Toll Free 877-377-3922
Chamber Connections High Hopes Therapeutic Riding invites you to their riding center at 36 Town Wood Road, Old Lyme. Thurs, June 25: 5:30 - 7pm $10 Pre-registered Members - $15 Members at the door - $20 Non-Members Register online @ www.oldsaybrookchamber.com or email
[email protected]
Eclectiques Unique
SWAG: 2nd location!
1029 Boston Post Road — April 27
RIB B ON C UTT INGS
144 Main Street — May 22
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
JUNE 2015
Phone 860-388-3266 • www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS •Tues June 2 - Lunch & Learn, 12 noon •Wed June 10 - Joint Business with a Twist (Chamber Connections), 5:30-7pm •Wed June 17 - Business Connections Hour, 8-9am •Thur June 25 - Chamber Connections, 5:30-7pm Visit website for details: www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
Thank You to our 2015 Business Connections Hour Hosts
January — June
July — December
Business Connections Hour meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Join us June 17th at 8am at Apple Rehab Saybrook.
