CHAMBER OLD SAYBROOK CHAMBER OF COMMER
UPCOMING EVENTS: Feb. 8, 10am Ribbon Cutting
F E B R U A R Y
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18th Annual ChiliChili-Fest Saturday, March 1st, 2014 Noon— Noon—3:00pm
@ Tractor Supply Feb. 12, 11:30 –1pm Women in Business Council Luncheon @ Saybrook Point Inn Feb. 19, 6:30-8pm Young Professionals Group, location TBD Feb. 20, 8am Ambassador Team Mtg @ Chamber Feb. 26, 8am Board Meeting @ Chamber Feb. 27, 5:30-7pm Chamber Connections @ Chamard Vineyards
The 18th Annual Chili-Fest comes to Main Street, Old Saybrook on March 1. This community - wide event is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and is presented by Guilford Savings Bank. More than thirty chefs will once again participate in this friendly competition for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, to earn a donation to the charity of their choice, and for bragging rights for the entire year for “Best Chili!” Proceeds from this event help fund the C.W. Hunter Scholarship for local graduating high school students..
Calling All Chefs To enter your chili recipe, complete the Chef application included with this newsletter, or download an application from our website. Deadline for Chef entries is February 14.
Be a Chili-Fest Sponsor Various levels of sponsorships are still available, starting at $100. Call the office to learn more or complete the enclosed Sponsor application. Deadline for sponsorships is February 3.
local graduating high
For Brian Toolan of Saybrook Hardware (center), “the Chili - Fest is the best part of March!”
March 1, 12-3pm 18th Annual Chili-Fest Main Street
WOULD YOU LIKE TO VOLUNTEER AT THE 18TH ANNUAL CHILI-FEST? September 27 75th Anniversary Cruise
You could be part of this elite group by helping to set up, sell ballots, deliver supplies to the Chili tasting stations, being the 2014 Chili mascot (costume provided), collecting the ballot entries or helping with clean up. Many hands do make light work and we have a job for you...just ask! Contact Karen at 860 388-3266 or
[email protected]
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Board of Directors
2014 Ambassador Team
President: Lori Woll, Octagon @ Mystic Marriott Vice President: Linda Brophy, Edward Jones Treasurer: Jay Mills, Oakley Wing Group Secretary: Elaine Beame, Beame Realty Past President: Kristen Roberts, Comcast
Directors
Heather Gagnon, Heritage Properties Ed Lombardi, Lighthouse Home Care Bence Strickland, The Day Angus McDonald Jr. Angus McDonald / Gary Sharpe & Associates Bill McMinn, Essex Printing / Events Magazine Tom Salvo, Barnum Financial Bob Bradley, New England Alliance Mortgage Peter Callahan, Fresh Perspectives Jessica DeRing, Apple Rehab Saybrook
Please welcome our 2014 Ambassador Team! These team members (plus others who could not make the meeting) will be calling members to see how the Chamber is doing and if we can better serve your business needs. Pictured here left-right front row: Joan Michaud, Thompson & Peck; Shannon Timme, Harbor News; Gail Barber, The Lighting Edge; Dianne Hunt-Mason, A.P.R.N.; Diana Melville, Barnum Financial. Left-right back row: Chris Dubord, One Look Sign Company, Joe Wollack, Lewitz, Balosie, Wollack, Rayner and Giroux, CPAs; Bill Childress, Willbrook Properties; Ken Gribbon, Saybrook Point Inn; Rich Bachand, Tarlov Financial; Judy Sullivan, Executive Director; Tim Londregan, Londregan Commercial Real Estate; Mike Duffy, Ecosteam; Pete Callahan, Fresh Perspectives and Bob Bradley, New England Alliance Mortgage. Photo courtesy of Chamber staff
Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley Named a Top Agency of the 2013 HomeCare Elite
Judy Sullivan, Executive Director Karen Pinette, Member Services Manager Meryl Tsagronis, Marketing Coordinator
Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley today announced that it has been named a Top Agency of the 2013 HomeCare Elite™, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. Now in its eighth year, the HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies and highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall.
www.oldsaybookchamber.com 860 388-3266
Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, Inc., Executive Director Susan Maxwell credits the agencies dedicated staff with receiving this honor-
Staff
able recognition. “Consistent with our century-old tradition of high-quality care, the mission of the Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, Inc. is to provide comprehensive, personalized services that foster health, independence, dignity and comfort through home-based healing, education, and healthoriented community outreach initiatives,” said Ms. Maxwell. Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, Inc. is a not-for-profit, Medicare and Medicaid certified home health care organization serving Essex, Chester, Deep River and the Lower Valley region. Visit www.visitingnurses.org or call (860) 767-0186 for service information.
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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DUB4U
194 Fitchville Road, Suite 2 Bozrah, CT 06334 860 383-2290 http://www.dub4u.com Non-profit offering disposable undergarments to the disabled and elderly
Outfit My Team
Old Saybrook, CT 06475 571 277-5322 http://www.outfitmyteam.com Custom team sports jerseys: rec leagues, school team uniforms, adults, kids
Shoreline PC
1649 Boston Post Road Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860 577-8330 http://www.shorelinepc.net Technology products and services for residential and business clients
Service Master of Old Saybrook, Middletown, and Guilford 36-D Plains Road Essex, CT 06426 860 388-0440
[email protected] Residential and commercial cleaning company specializing in carpet and upholstery cleaning, fire/water/smoke/mold restoration, and more
Devin Carney—Associate Westbrook, CT 860 388-7612
Do you know a new business, a new business owner, or a new resident that might be interested in joining the Chamber? Let us know & we’ll give them a call or stop in for a visit.
Diane Brown—Associate Lyme, CT 860 434-7555
QC HomeCare Opens Non-Profit: DUB4U Christine Baker, Director of QC HomeCare has formed DUB4U, a non-profit that collects incontinence undergarments for seniors. Incontinence is a reason many seniors don't go out to events or interact socially. The cost is over $100 a month which with a fixed income is out of reach for many. DUB4U supports elderly with products needed to stay healthy, assists families who have financial constraints, helps disabled clients in need, and helps to keep our seniors from being homebound. To learn more call 860-383-2290 or visit www.dub4u.com
Welcome to Paul Doyle
ChamberMail is a unique marketing opportunity for consumer-driven members to reach new homeowners and renters in the local area every month. ChamberMail delivers your business product or service to new residents in your area shortly after their move. For more information contact
[email protected], or 1-800-267-9139.
We wish you great success as the newly appointed Executive Director of the Estuary Council of Seniors, Old Saybrook.
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Lori Woll, Chamber President
Letter From Our Chamber President Happy 2014 to all of you! It is hard to believe it is already February. I am so excited for all of our upcoming events, especially our 75th Anniversary Cruise in September. Remember, we are giving away one complimentary ticket to the cruise at each of the Chamber Connections, so make sure you try to join us for this great chance. I would like to extend a big thank you to the Board of Directors, Judy and Karen for participating in our first mini Board retreat a couple of weeks ago. We are so fortunate to have such a talented, hardworking and caring team. One of the goals we discussed is employee engagement. What we are hoping to work on this year is helping you to engage your employees to become more involved in the Chamber. We are hoping to provide you with information, assistance and show you the value in having your employees engaged in the Chamber and we will have much more to come…. With this in mind, I came across this article and thought it might be interesting and helpful for you. I did not include it in its entirety, but selected the tips that seemed pertinent. I hope you enjoy it and find it useful.
Small Business Tips:
Excerpted from: From Bud to Boss – Secrets to a Successful Transition to Remarkable Leadership, by Kevin Eikenberry, and Guy Harris. New Year Resolutions to Improve Leadership “The New Year brings promise, excitement and New Year’s Resolutions. But this article isn’t about losing weight, starting your exercise plan or one of the other common personal resolutions people make. Rather, this is a practical and timeless list of resolutions you can make as a small business owner to create more confidence for yourself, more engaged and happier employees and a more successful business. Involve others in goal setting and planning. Yes, it is your business. Yes, it is your financial stake and you are the one taking the risk. And yet. . . your team members are invested in the business too. They spend their time,
effort, and energy. Wouldn’t you like them to be more personally invested in the success of the business? Let’s put it this way: would you like your employees to think more like owners? If so, you have to involve them in the goals and planning for the business -- i.e, you have to drive employee engagement. You may set the overall direction, but let them be involved in the creation of the outcomes. Keep goals in front of yourself and everyone one else. Once goals are created, everyone needs to be reminded of them regularly. This isn’t an exercise in micro-management or nagging. Rather, as a leader, you must help people keep their goal in mind and remind them of what success looks like -- which means employee motivation is key. There are dozens of ways to do this -- from using bulletin boards to regular conversations in team meetings. Communicate more and in more ways. I wish I had a dollar for every leader who has said to me in an exasperated tone, “I don’t understand, I sent them an email.” As a leader, you must communicate key messages frequently. Doing so, especially as your team grows, requires communicating more frequently and in different modes, so your message is heard and drives action. All of these small business tips, when put into practice, will make you a more effective leader and a more successful business owner too. Like many New Year’s resolutions, this list may seem a bit daunting. Remember that they don’t necessarily require any special skills. They may require a change in mindset and most likely a change in habits. The effort involved is worth it -- for you, your team and ultimately your results”. I look forward to seeing you all at the next Chamber Connections or the incredible ChiliFest!!
All the best, Lori
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
One of the best parts of my job is the new beginnings every year with the Board. Thanks to Lori Woll, President, and the entire executive committee, Linda Brophy, Jay Mills, Elaine Beame and Kristen Roberts – we have started the year off with a very energetic kick-off meeting – identifying goals for the year derived from our focus groups and member survey. One of the buzz words you’ll hear this year is engagement. The Board is going to work hard to engage more of our members on a variety of levels. If you’d like to get more involved we’re here! I’m happy to stop by your business and meet with you to talk about the many opportunities available to you. Just whistle!
If you weren’t with us at our first Chamber Connections of 2014 – you missed a terrific opportunity to meet nearly 70 other business people as well as enjoy delicious food and drink hosted by Len DiBella and staff at Luigi’s Restaurant. Thank you, Len, for a tremendous kick-off to 2014. We will be offering a Chamber Connections ‘Passport’ of sorts for anyone who’d like to pay for Chamber Connections in advance. Simply call the office and we’ll get you set up. Pay one price once and you don’t need to think about it again until 2015. One member shared with me that he has gained a new customer at every Chamber Connections event he has attended. That’s what it’s all about. Join us! You won’t regret it! Our next event is at Chamard Vineyards, 115 Cow Hill Road, Clinton – Thursday February 27th 5:30pm – 7:00pm.
Look for our new Member Rewards Program coming to you via email every other week – starting February 10th! Members often tell us that they are happy to share a special offer with fellow chamber members. If you’d like to share a special offer with other members, just let us know! Would you please consider sending us a one-two sentence testimonial? We are collecting testimonials to use on our website, e-news, newsletter, membership application, etc. Who better to talk ‘chamber’ than our members and it would be a subtle way to get exposure for your business as well. Thanks so much. I want to ask one more question… if the Chamber could do one thing for your business, what would it be? How can we help you? Please email your response to
[email protected] – I’m eager to hear from you!
“If the Chamber could do one thing for you what would Enjoy the month of February – and it be?” don’t forget to share a little love with your valentine!
See you soon, Judy
Another way for staff and Board to get information to and from our members is through our Ambassador program. I’m so pleased to share with you that we have added 9 new ambassadors to our team! You may be getting a call from an ambassador to check in and see how the chamber is doing and how we can better serve your business needs. Special thanks to Rich Bachand, Tarlov Financial, who continues to chair the Ambassador team and brings lots of energy and ideas to the program.
Peter Callahan, owner, Fresh Perspectives:
Our Women in Business Group will learn makeup tips designed for the busy career woman presented by Sanno Spa at Saybrook Point Inn. The group will meet for lunch, Wednesday February 12, 2014 – 11:30am – 1:00pm. One lucky attendee will be chosen for a makeover! Cost is $21/pp and registration is available on our website or by calling the office. Don’t delay as space is limited.
our area. With so many
I look forward to getting Chamber News every month—it is very well done and keeps me connected to the people, businesses and events in emails today it is great to have something to read that is not on a screen.
Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 625, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 860-388-3266 www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Ribbon Cutting, finally! The third time was the charm for BELLA CAPELLI! After two snowstorms caused the postponement of their ribbon cutting, finally on January 6th, Kim Tompkins and staff were able to cut the ribbon at their new hair salon at 105 Elm Street in the Old Saybrook Shopping Plaza.
Cutting the Ribbon from left to right: John Piontek, Jessica Quartiano, Kim Tompkins, owner; Lisa Shropshire, and Dianne HuntMason, A.P.R.N. Chamber Ambassador
To make an appointment, call 860 388-9471.
Women in Business Council Presents:
Makeup in Minutes Wed, Feb 12 11:30am—1pm Saybrook Point Inn 2 Bridge St. Old Saybrook Cost: $21 Reservations required. Call
utes" Service at a 25% off Women in BusiSANNO Spa at Saybrook Point Inn hosts the ness courtesy rate until February 28th. February luncheon meeting of the Chamber’s The Women in Business Council is dediWomen in Business Council. Make-Up Artist cated to helping women thrive profession& Esthetician, Tara Raschello, will demon- ally and personally. Through monthly meetstrate a makeover designed for the busy ca- ings, guest speakers, and seminars, memreer woman, and one lucky attendee will be bers receive support, professional developchosen from the audience to receive a make- ment, and skill-building opportunities on over. Attendees will then have the opportu- topics related to women in business. nity to book a 25 minute "Makeup in Min- Space is limited to 30.
In Memoriam Chris Gildersleeve of New England Alliance Mortgage passed away on January 4, 2014. Many of you remember Chris manning the grill station at New England Alliance’s “Kick off to Summer Barbeque.” He was able to see his Boston Red Sox win another World Series, but retired in late 2013 due to illness. Donations in his memory can be sent to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (TheMMRF.org) or to Dana-Farber.org. Louis Tagliatela Jr. passed away on January 16, 2014. Our condolences to his wife “Mrs. Tag” who has greeted many of us as we entered the Saybrook Point Inn and of course, Stephen, Innkeeper of the Saybrook Point Inn. The family requests donations in memory be made to the Father McGivney Center at YNHH c/o YNHH Development Dept, PO Box 1849 New Haven CT 06508 Attn: Lucy Sirico, or Multiple Sclerosis 705 No.Mountain Rd, Newington, CT 06111. 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 Kathy Callinan
ANNIE GARLAND UPDATE HER CARD
Consider one of these great values: Newsletter Back Page Color Sponsor: $200 Business Card Insert: $90 for 3 months Newsletter Insert: $100 ($50 nonprofits) Call today: 860 388-3266
Promoted? Moved? Retired? Newly hired? Send us your news—you know you’ve got something to
share! Maybe you’ve moved to a new location, hired a new employee, or you need to increase staff, maybe you or one of your employees received a commendation. Whatever it
is, send us an email and, space permitting, we’ll get it in the next newsletter.
The Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce is a member driven organization dedicated to enhancing the economic vitality and quality of life of Old Saybrook and its surrounding communities. Chamber News Editor Judy Sullivan © February 2014, 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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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 19 OLD SAYBROOK, CT
February 2014 Phone 860-388-3266 • www.oldsaybrookchamber.com
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Mon Feb 8— Ribbon Cutting @ Tractor Supply, 10am
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Wed Feb 12—Women in Business Luncheon @ Sanno Spa, Saybrook Point Inn, 11:30—1pm
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Wed Feb 19—Young Professionals Mtg 6:30-8pm
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Thur Feb 20—Ambassador Meeting @ Chamber, 8am
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Wed Feb 26—Board Meeting @ Chamber, 8am
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Thur Feb 27– Chamber Connections @ Chamard Vineyards, Clinton 5:30 –7pm
Thank you to our February 2014 newsletter sponsor: New England Alliance Mortgage
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