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CHAMBER NEWSLETTERS 2002

Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce 2008 newsletters

Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 newsletters ~ Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce 2006 newsletters

Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce 2005 newsletters ~ Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce 2004 newsletters

Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce 2003 newsletters ~ Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce 2002 newsletters

The Chamber’s 2002 Legislative Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, December 10 at the Brandon Inn at noon. This is an ideal opportunity to meet legislators, voice concerns, discuss key issues, and ask questions before our legislators head to Montpelier. The cost is $8.50 per person, all inclusive. Call the Brandon Inn at 247-5766 to make a reservation. Co-sponsored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

OUR MEMORY TREE

The lovely Memory Tree gracing Central Park and the wonderful festivities and tree lighting which took place last Sunday, Dec. 1, are the result of many efforts and community support. The Chamber and the town of Brandon are fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers and neighbors. Please take a moment during this busy season to appreciate the tree and what it represents. A list of names for whom bulbs were bought will be published in the local newspapers in the next week or so.

The hard work of Charlene Bryant in putting the entire event together is key. Thanks Charlene! Also thanks to Diane Bryant for her help and support, Carr’s Florist & Gifts for accepting donations, Bernie Carr for arranging the tree donation, cutting, and transportation, Stan and Caroline English for the tree donation, Paul Gurney, Bob Read, Joel Mondlak, and Scott Rideout for cutting down the tree, Brandon Lumber for helping transport the tree, Jason Swett and his team at Professional Decorators of Vermont for coming to the rescue and stabilizing and decorating our Memory Tree.

Also thanks to Joan and Bob Thomas for Santa’s chair, Father Skip for the prayers, Dudley Berry for his HO HO HO, Gene Childers and the Festival Singers and the OVUHS Chorale for their lovely singing, Judi Thompkins and OVUHS Community Service students, Stephanie Taylor for her help in the Park, Thelma Miner for the cocoa, Brandon Inn for their porch for back-up in case of bad weather, Ken Torrey for hay rides, and Bob Kilpeck for arranging the fire truck for Santa.

Thanks to Tom Brown for organizing window displays at the old Chinese Restaurant and next to the Town Offices. Tom spent hours cleaning the windows and hanging posters. Thanks to North 7 Studios for the great-looking posters. Thanks to the McKernon Group and Linda Cummings for the use of these windows.

Thanks to the McKernon Group for hosting our last social mixer. Lots of Chamber members and their guests enjoyed the surroundings and the great food made by Shelley Brown.

Thanks to Gene Pagano for taking down signs.

Thanks to Jon Satz for bringing in the barrels!

Thanks to Bob and Sally Wood for decorating the Central Park bandstand. Thanks to Warren Kimble and Leigh Jary for decorating the pavilion at Brandon Green. Thanks to Donna Swinington for decorating Crescent Park. The Chamber of Commerce pays the bills on all these decorations but relies on the volunteer efforts of community members to put them up.

Harvey Smith

20 Farr Way (former Brandon Tile location)

PO Box 353

247-4100

email: customerservice@kokogm.com

www.kokogm.com

Ed Bratton

185 Adams Rd. (Off Arnold District Rd.)

247-5412

email: mvfalpacas@earthlink.net

Jim Barner & Robin Kent

35 Franklin St. (Route 7)

247-6637

email: artisans@sover.net

www.artisansatthebend.com

The Inn on Park Street

Tracey Heaney

69 Park St. (formerly the Moffett House)

247-3843

email: tntheaney@theinnonparkstreet.com

www.theinnonparkstreet.com

Congratulations to Mary Bowers on her retirement from the Moffett House. We wish her well as she pursues new endeavors in Maryland.

The Chamber usually elects new board members and officers in November. Due to situations beyond our control, this activity has been postponed for a couple of weeks. The Chamber Board will be holding a special meeting in the very near future to take care of this important business.

At its last meeting, Sarah Pattis, co-owner of the Brandon Inn, was elected to fill out the term of Mary White, who resigned for family reasons. Mary was on the Chamber Board for two years and was very helpful whenever called upon. We wish Mary well and welcome Sarah on the Board as her replacement.

2003 Chamber dues are pouring in and we appreciate all those who have paid already. Enclosed with this newsletter is a second invoice for those who haven’t. Please pay promptly so we can print our Membership Directory in a timely fashion.

If you support the activities we engage in, please support us with your membership.

We have received ad copy, a logo, and fee from most of you for the reprint of the Lodging Directory. If you haven’t sent it in yet and are interested in participating, please send it in immediately. We will be sending this to the printer in the very near future.

The following column was recently posted on the Motley Fool website (www.fool.com).

Sure, you save more at Wal-Mart, but have you ever thought about what your money actually buys when you plunk down your hard-earned cash at mom-and-pop stores? One Community member did.… Here are his thoughts:

I was born and raised in a small southern city in the 1950s. This was when the pharmacist who filled our prescriptions owned the drug store and the sign out front bore his name. At the grocery store, sometimes the guy who bagged our groceries was the owner. His wife, three sons, and two daughters worked there, too. There were dozens and dozens of laundries in our town, each bearing a different name, and each one was owner- operated. And if there was such a thing as a chain bookstore, we didn't have one.

People who know me, and know how frugal I am, are often surprised when they find out I buy books at The Happy Bookseller, an independent bookstore. "But they charge full price!" my friends say. "And I thought you never paid full price! You could get that same book from Books-a-Million or Barnes & Noble for 20-40% less. And don't you use the computer a lot? Why don't you buy your stuff from Amazon?"

And this is what I tell them: The Happy Bookseller sponsors Dick Estelle's Radio Reader on my state's educational radio network. They donate books to local schools. They give graciously to local charities. The money they make stays in the community. The people they hire actually read the books they sell. So while I will sometimes buy used books online or in other stores, and I am a great patron of the library, if I am purchasing a new book, I'm going to buy it from The Happy Bookseller.

The most important financial consideration I have is spending less than I earn. And I do. How I spend that money is what determines my quality of life. Perhaps I can only afford 11 books a year from The Happy Bookseller instead of 12 books from a national chain, but that is a trade-off I willing to make. When I support local businesses, I feel like I am supporting my community, and I gotta tell you, that makes me feel good.

Crossroads website has new features — The newest feature is 360 Imaging, which allows a 360° view of a linked image. Crossroads members are invited to participate in this program. To see samples of this technology, visit the Crossroads website at www.vermontcrossroads.com. Contact Joe Cerreta if you are interested in adding a dynamic viewpoint of your business or to find out more about cost or to schedule a photo shoot.

Magazine nearly ready for press — The Crossroads Travel Planner is nearly ready to go to press. The focus will be on making it more of a lure piece for businesses. The new magazine will have improved distribution and there will be a second piece published this year, a self-mailer.

Vermont.com — Mark Koffman of vermont.com recently visited Crossroads to discuss recent updates at his site and offer specials for our members. From now until December 14, 2002, Crossroads members can sign up to advertise with VERMONT.COM and receive a 20% discount on all annual advertising packages (above/after $600 of the now participating businesses). Identify yourself as a Crossroads member (All Brandon Chamber members are automatically Crossroads member).

Update your events listings — to be sure your event is visible all year round (note: anything not dated 2003 will be dropped from all sites). If you have special events planned for 2003, get the information to Crossroads ASAP so we can update all regional web websites.

You can reach Crossroads by calling Joe Cerreta at 775-5608.

mortgage loan limit to $322,700 effective January 1, 2003. "This is wonderful news for America’s families," said Leland C. Brendsel, Chairman and CEO. "The increase in Freddie Mac’s loan limit makes it possible for Freddie Mac and our lender customers to help more families across America obtain low-cost mortgage financing." For more information, contact First Brandon at 247-5771.

While most health insurance plans raise their rates at the beginning of each year, you will be happy to know that the most popular CIGNA plan has decreased in cost for 2003! They actually lowered their rates! For more information on this Chamber benefit, contact Paul Gladding at Holden Financial Agency, 247-5761.

Low-Income and Elderly/Disabled housing is available in Brandon at Conant Square or Neshobe House. For more information, call the Vermont State Housing Authority at 388-1005.

The Chamber usually meets the last Monday of the month. To avoid the holidays, the Chamber will combine December and January meetings and next meet on Monday, January 13 at 7 pm, tentatively scheduled to be held at Miss B’s Kitchen. As always, all Chamber members and the public are invited.

OCTOBER 2002 CHAMBER NEWS

CHAMBER DUES

Enclosed with this mailing is your dues invoice for 2003 Chamber dues. Here is a summary of our dues history.

Before 2000, Chamber dues had not been increased since 1987. In 2000, the Chamber Board authorized small incremental dues increases for the following four years and the first increase was applicable for 2001 dues.

In August 2001, one year into the new schedule, the Board decided to postpone the dues structure for a year since the economy was weakening and the Chamber’s profit and loss statement was healthy.

At this time, the Board has decided to revert to the new dues structure and dues are being increased to the second (out of four) level. Increases range from 9 - 14%, depending on the category your business belongs in (categories are designated by number of employees, number of lodging rooms, or for lodging/dining combinations).

Brandon Chamber dues are incredibly moderate compared to other Chambers, services provided, and benefits available. Please pay promptly to avoid added administrative expense and delays in printing the Membership Directory. If you have questions about your dues statement, please feel free to call us.

The Brandon Chamber offers excellent member benefits.

Cigna Health Insurance offers comprehensive coverage for you, your family, or your employees.

Delta Dental is another strong benefit available to you.

Cellular One Long Distance offers competitive in-state and out-of-state domestic phone rates.

Long term health insurance available from a major underwriter.

For more information about the insurance plans, contact Paul Gladding at Holden Financial Agency (247-5761). For information on our other benefits, please contact the Chamber.

December 1 from 1 - 4 pm

~ Santa ~ Festival Singers ~ OV Chorale ~

~ Hayrides ~ Refreshments ~ Tree Lighting ~

(Inclement Weather — Brandon Inn porch)

December 4 from 4 - 9 pm

Start Your Holiday Shopping in Brandon!

(flier to register to participate enclosed)

Date TBA (Nov. or Dec.)

Thanks to everyone who came out and made their own Leaf People on October 5. The hurricane cleared out in the wee hours of the morning leaving us with nothing but sun and warm air. We are grateful to so many people for all their assistance in making the event so successful: Ed Thomas for all his great working pre-cutting and pre-screwing hundreds of frames, Bruce and Nancy Ness for their unwavering support and all-day help, Kevin Thornton, and Bob Schmidt for braving the "chicken coop" early in the morning, Tom Bahre and Bart Lund for frame-making, and Stephanie Jerome, Joan Rowe, Stephanie Taylor, Nancy Leary, Sally Wood, Sue Dier, and Lois Jackson for head and body work! Also thanks to Kelsey and Linda Hunt, Sarah and Jen Leary, and Jessa Mondlak for clothes-sorting. Thanks to Laura Peterson for sending two sons to help as she was taking the third to the E/R. Thanks to Ann Young and the Harvest Program for the donation of hay bales. Thanks to so many community members who cleaned closets and donated old clothes, hats, shoes, etc. Thanks to Anita at Blue Seal for always remembering to order our burlap in time and to Bruce Rounds, Superintendent of Public Works, for being cooperative with our leftover garbage!

The Chamber also thanks and recognizes the many people for their great work with the Leaf People beautifully gracing our downtown: Sally Wood for her expertise, supplies, use of barn, and making accessories and sewing clothes all winter. We couldn’t do it without her! Also thanks to Quinn Tinkoff, Diane Bryant, Stephanie Jerome, and Barbara Ebling for helping with re-dressing, re-screwing, and re-stuffing. Thanks to our "hangers" Matthew Gibbs, Jim Jasmin, Sally Wood, Bernie Carr, Joan Rowe, Brian Jerome, Lyn & Scott Cooper for hanging the People all over Brandon’s streets and parks.

Brandon’s town office saga continues. Make sure you exercise your right to vote on Tuesday, November 5 at Neshobe School. Polls are open from 7 am - 7 pm.

MEMBER NOTES

Welcome to new individual member Gene Pagano. Gene has been helping us lately with bandstand painting, flower barrels, and hanging signs. Thanks Gene. He can be reached at 247-6033.

The new Program Coordinator at Brandon InterAge Adult Day Program is Stephanie Taylor. The phone number remains the same at 247-2832.

Inn the Attic, a new B & B at 10 Franklin St., is on the web at www.inntheattic.com. Email them at: inntheattic@earthlink.net or phone them at 247-5359.

The next Chamber Board meeting will take place on October 28 at 7 pm at FBNB (side door). As always, all Chamber members and the public are invited.

NEWS FROM THE OUTSIDE

If you would like to participate in the Vermont Maple Open House Weekend scheduled for March 21, 22, and 23, 2003, contact Bruce Martell at the Vermont Department of Agriculture at 802-828-3461.

The Vermont Travel Industry Conference is scheduled for December 4 - 5 at the Equinox in Manchester. The conference features general sessions, special events, and workshops, geared for all sized businesses. Register online at www.vtic.org or call 802-655-7769.

Vermont World Trade Day is October 16, 2002 at the Sheraton in Burlington. Call 802-655-6098 for more info.

The Women Business Owners Network annual fall conference is scheduled for November 8 - 9 at the Cortina Inn. Write to the WBON at PO Box 8503, Essex VT 05451 for more info. (Sorry, no phone given)

The Vermont Lodging & Restaurant Association’s annual Showcase is on Nov. 4 at the Sheraton in Burlington. Contact the VLRA at 800-366-8572 for more info.

 

The Chamber is gearing up to advertise in tourism publications for 2003. We will be placing the same full-color co-op ad in each of two magazines:

Vermont Traveler’s Guidebook, published by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce will be printing 200,000 of copies. This will be the only state-wide magazine produced in 2003. The State of Vermont will no longer be publishing Vermont Life Explorer.

Our Regional Marketing Organization, Crossroads of Vermont, is publishing a magazine guidebook and travel planner with a circulation of 75,000 copies.

Advertising dollars are probably the hardest to measure. Many of the businesses which have advertised for years with the Chamber report satisfactory results. The more businesses we have participating, the stronger we look.

We invite you to participate. The cost for each business will be $375, payable to the Chamber. This is for both magazines. In addition to this fee, each business MUST purchase a business listing in the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Traveler’s Guidebook at a cost of $120. This is one of their mandates for all businesses advertising on co-op pages.

This is very affordable advertising. Both magazines are distributed to target populations — people who have already expressed an interest in coming to Vermont and are deciding which part of the state they would like to visit.

Enclosed, please find a b & w photocopy of last year’s ad which appeared in the Explorer, to give you an idea of the type of ad we will be producing.

The deadline for participation is right around the corner. Please contact the Chamber by September 12 to say "yes" and immediately begin working on your text and photo. If you have any questions, feel free to give a call or send an email.

 

"BRANDON GREEN" CELEBRATION

 

Brandon will be celebrating the opening of "Brandon Green" our newest Green Space, located at the banks of the lower falls, on September 26. We are very fortunate for the community spirit, participation, and giving, which created this lovely new space. A Town Party to celebrate the opening will be held on Thursday afternoon, September 26 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.

The Chamber’s popular Make-Your-Own-Leaf-Person event will take place this year on Saturday, October 5 beginning at 10 am in Central Park. In case of rain, we will announce a poor-weather location. As always, there is no fee for the first Leaf Person per family ($5 each after the first).

Take a hayride ~ Buy a pumpkin ~

Browse St. Mary’s Church fall bazaar ~

Enjoy delicious apple pies

If you would like to help out with the event — we would love to have you join us. No experience necessary - we will do all the training. Please contact us to say you’ll help. Lots of Fun!

Still needed: Shoes, Hats, Jewelry, Socks, Belts, Clothes (please no shorts or short sleeve shirts.)

The Chamber wraps up its 2002 Summer Concert Series on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 2 pm in Central Park in a concert featuring the OVUHS Jazz Band. This band performs at festivals throughout the region, earning high praise wherever they go. These twenty highly motivated students meet before school three days per week. Come hear this extraordinary group and these talented students.

Brandon’s curbs, streets, and sidewalks are looking very littered these days. We encourage everyone to spend a few moments cleaning up their properties before the first snow covers it all!

Scott & Jeannine Lagasse

1246 Franklin St., Brandon

247-6644 (phone and fax)

800-759-6537

lagasse.html

Congratulations to Bill and Jeannine Braun, long time owners of the Adams Motel and Restaurant, on their retirement. Best wishes to Scott and Jeannine Lagasse on their new venture.

 

... are urged to vote on September 10 at Neshobe School from 7 am - 7 pm. Voters are being asked to vote on the Town’s latest town office proposal.

The next Chamber Board meeting will take place on September 30 at 7 pm. Read the local papers for exact location. As always, all Chamber members and the public are invited.

NEWS FROM THE OUTSIDE

The Vermont Downtown Program (of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development) is hosting the Vermont Downtown Conference 2002 on Wednesday, September 25 at the Radisson Hotel in Burlington. For more information, contact the Brandon Chamber.

The Vermont Small Business Environmental Primer is a booklet designed to tell businesses what they need to know to navigate through Vermont’s environmental permitting process as well as what other environmental regulations might affect their business. The Chamber office has some copies or call the Small Business Development Center at 802-728-1423.

The Vermont Chamber’s International Business Council is organizing a full-day seminar titled, "Expansion Through International Trade" on Sept. 10 at St. Michael’s College in Colchester. The keynote speaker is Pulitzer Prize winner, Thomas Friedman. For more information, contact the VT Chamber at 223-3443.

Are you interested in participating in the Vermont Mentoring Partnership? Contact the Vermont Chamber of Commerce Business-Education Partnership at 802-223-0603 for more information.

The VT Secretary of State and the VT Department of Veterans Affairs are honoring vets on Election Day, November 5, this year. To participate and receive a personalized button, contact the Secretary of State’s office at 802-828-2363 or the Office of Veteran’s Affairs at 802-828-3379.

The U.S. Dept. of Labor and VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Sec. and Health Care Admin. are teaming up to present a one day seminar in Rutland on September 19. The subject is HIPAA and Other Health Benefits Laws: Compliance and Assistance. Contact Deborah Milne at 315-762-4665 for more information.

JULY 2002 CHAMBER NEWS

GOLF MIXER

The Chamber’s annual Golf Mixer will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 14 at Neshobe Golf Club. Registration forms are enclosed. Golfers, non-golfers, and golfer-wannabees are all invited! Join the fun and bring along a friend. Great door prizes. In order to have an accurate count for dinner, please return the form with fee by August 8. Thanks to Nexus Custom Electronics, Inc. for sponsoring the Golf Mixer.

Mixer Door Prizes will be greatly appreciated. If you have anything you would like to donate, please contact Charlene Bryant, Joan Rowe, or the Chamber.

AUCTION 2002

The 2002 Chamber Auction was another huge success. Thanks so much to the hundreds of people who helped work the event, who donated items or gift certificates, or who bought and bid. This event is an incredible fundraiser year after year.

Special thanks this year goes to the "Bucket Brigade" kids and adults who helped clear water out of the park just as fast as it was coming in, to Tom Millington for the great tents and as always, to Tom Whittaker, Barb Watters, Bernie Carr, and Joel Mondlak for their Auction Magic. A full list of volunteers will appear in the local newspapers.

Town Wide Yard Sales are scheduled for Saturday, August 10. The fee is $5 to get your name and address on the map. We do all the advertising to bring the shoppers to you. Sign up at Carr’s Florist or call the Chamber.

The deadline for buying a brick at 24 Center St. is August 1. By the middle of August, the bricks will be laid. Brandon’s newest Green Space should be completed by the end of the summer. Call Joan and Bob Thomas at 247-6893 for details or download a Buy A Brick form from the Chamber website.

Brandon’s Free Summer Concert Series continues with two August concerts. Omphalos, a percussion ensemble, will play on Thursday, August 8 at 6:30 pm. Gene Childers & the Jubilee Jazz Band will take to the bandstand on Wednesday, August 21 at 6:30. The Jazz Band concert is co-sponsored with First Brandon National Bank. Come on down with a picnic, blanket, and the family.

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

The Chamber wrapped up the Community Center Grant last month with a final presentation to the Brandon Selectboard in early June. There were several important findings from the work. Recommendations include the need for improved community event planning, better utilizing the gym at OV North, the potential of the Brandon Town Hall with encouragement to continue the renovations in order to have the building open for regular use, and paving the front of the Senior Citizens Center and making a new parking area to accommodate approximately 50 cars. Another recommendation was for Brandon residents to pursue a privately owned, non-profit, recreation center. You may find a copy of the report on-line at www.town.brandon.vt.us.

Thanks to Nancy and Bruce Ness and their grilling crew, who all cooked a lot of hot dogs during the Independence Day Parade and Celebrations. The Chamber worked cooperatively with the Brandon Rotary Club, who stayed busy flipping hamburgers.

Thanks to the Brandon Rotary Club for their part in getting the bandstand painted in time for the Parade. As soon as Bart Lund completed the woodwork, the Rotary Club kicked in to start painting. Special thanks to Brian Jerome of Visual Learning Company, who worked overtime on this project.

Keep your radio tuned to WJJR, 93.7, for radio spots featuring Brandon’s events and businesses. These well-produced ads are intended to help bring people to our summer events and into our retail businesses.

The next Chamber Board meeting will take place on July 29 at 7 pm at Miss B’s Kitchen. As always, all Chamber members and the public are invited.

The Chamber of Commerce sells Brandon Green through First Brandon National Bank. Brandon Green are gift certificates to shop at any Chamber member’s business. An envelope of "Green" sells for $25 and contains five $5 certificates. Included in the envelope is a Chamber Membership Directory. The certificates may be treated like any ordinary check — just deposit in your regular account. The Chamber’s commitment in selling Brandon Green is a free benefit to your business — there is no cost to you. Please readily accept these certificates when customers shop with them. Below, please see a sample certificate. The actual certificate is light green in color and slightly larger. For more info or questions, please call the Chamber.

Brandon’s Free Summer Concert Series kicks-off in a couple of weeks. Ten Rod Road will take to the Central Park Bandstand on Friday, June 21 starting at 6:30 pm. This local band plays a diverse collection of musical styles. Come and dance to a variety of tunes — from ballads to rockers. Concert co-sponsored with Naylor and Breen Builders, Inc.

The Neshobe Sportsman Club is hosting a free Old Time Country Concert on Thursday, July 11 at 7 pm at the Bluegrass Festival grounds, Wyman’s Pond, end of Basin Rd.

The Chamber Board is pleased to announce that funds raised from this year’s auction, scheduled for July 23, will be used for flower plantings in downtown, two custom-made signs to be placed on either end of downtown alerting travelers that "Brandon is Under Construction," and to continue our free summer concerts series. In addition, a donation will be made for landscaping the green space at the Green Block, aka 24 Center St., a project which will be taking place later this summer. You don’t have to wait for a phone call to make a donation. Call or e-mail the Chamber and we will arrange a pick-up.

Several years ago, the Chamber raised funds at auction to be donated to the Town Hall restoration project. The funds were held until a specific project could be targeted. The Friends of the Brandon Town Hall, Inc. have raised donations for very large improvements such as repointing, painting, roof work, step work, and drainage. The Friends recently had an exciting meeting with the State Department of Labor & Industry, which turned over a shorter-than-expected list of improvements needed for the building, in order to be given approval for its use for seasonal fundraising events. The Chamber is excited to turn over the allocated $5,000 this summer to help the Friends accomplish those projects. We have also facilitated the writing of a business plan for the building’s use, once fully functional. It is exciting that the building could be open for limited use by the end of this summer.

GARDEN CLUB NEWS

The Brandon Garden Club has announced that they will disband in the fall of 2002. For years the club has been responsible for much of the plantings which have appeared in town every spring. For the 2002 season, the club is planting and maintaining at limited locations. The Chamber of Commerce and downtown merchants, with the help of Gene Pagano, Jon Satz, Brandon Lions Club, and Brandon Rotary Club, are helping with additional plantings and upkeep of barrels along Center St., Kennedy Park, and in front of the Civil War Monument. The Garden Club kept Brandon beautiful for years and we thank them for that. It is hopeful that another organization or group will be interested in continuing the practice of keeping Brandon blooming in future years.

Jackee Foley has recently resigned from the Chamber Board. Jackee served the Chamber well for many years and decided to resign as her professional life has taken her away from Center Street. Thanks Jackee for all your work over the years.

The Board welcomes Scott Cooper of First Brandon National Bank, who has agreed to take Jackee’s spot. Scott’s experience and energy will be a big asset to the Chamber Board and we are pleased he has agreed to serve.

Has anyone noticed the work going on lately at the Bandstand in Central Park? Bart Lund of L & M Log Homes has volunteered to take on the task of replacing rotten posts and trim and fixing the areas in need. The improvement is already visible and we are highly appreciative of Bart’s work. Thanks to Brandon Rotarians for volunteering to paint the bandstand after Bart’s work is finished!

Thanks to Bruce Brown of Moosalamoo Partnership who happened to stop by the Information Booth with a drill one day while your executive director was wrestling with problem shelves and windows. Bruce helped spruce up the building and it is now looking clean and airy and ready for summer traffic. Thanks also to Cindy and Ed Thomas of Old Mill Inn who helped clean and refresh the plaza sign just outside the Booth.

Thanks to First Brandon National Bank for hosting a Wine and Cheese Mixer last month. We had a great turnout and many folks enjoyed a tour of the Bank’s fabulous new renovations. Our next mixer will be at Neshobe Golf Club on Tuesday, August 13.

InterAge Adult Day Program

Sabby Reid, Coordinator

18 Franklin St. Brandon

247-2832 fax: 247-3372

Support your Chamber and Brandon Rotary by purchasing your Parade food and drink from our stand. As we have for years, both organizations will be teamed up together under one tent offering the best dogs and burgers and the coldest soft drinks in the Park! The Parade begins at 1 pm on July 6th.

Congratulations to Richard and Linda Daybell and to Jon Satz for their recent press coverage. Richard and Linda’s businesses, Country Inns Along the Trail and Churchill House Inn, are featured in Yankee Magazine’s 2002 Travel Guide to New England in an article on Vermont and inn-to-inn odysseys. Jon is profiled in Vermont Life Summer 2002 in an article on Vermont’s Land Trusts and young farmers. We love to see Brandon’s businesses in the news. Let us know when you make the news and we will help publicize it.

Congratulations are in order to Brandon resident Matthew Mallory, graduating senior at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, who is planning on attending Vermont Technical College in the Fall, and who was the recipient of the Chamber’s 2002 Scholarship. While originally intended for OVUHS students, the Chamber Board ruled last year to accept applications for its scholarship from OVUHS-eligible students who are tuitioned to other schools or who have chosen to attend another school under the Choice program. Again, congratulations to Matthew and his family on his accomplishments and his award.

The Chamber’s display at the Guilford Welcome Center came down at the end of May but you have an opportunity to watch the accompanying "postcard" video, which spent a month luring tourists at the state’s busiest welcome center. The five-minute video, courtesy of Adam Tinkoff of Tinkoff Digital Media and Brian Jerome of Visual Learning Company, is now playing at First Brandon National Bank for a limited time. Guilford welcomed 10,000 visitors in a single day — the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. We hope some came through Brandon as a result of our efforts!

A special Brandon town meeting has been called for Tuesday, June 18, 2002 for the purpose of voting for two articles regarding town office and police station proposals. Exercise your right — VOTE.

NEXT C of C MEETING

MAY 2002 CHAMBER NEWS

 EXCITING PROSPECTS FOR HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS IN BRANDON

WIDESPREAD PARTICIPATION IS ENCOURAGED

 The Chamber of Commerce has been communicating recently with SoVerNet on ways to provide fast, reliable, ‘always on’ Business High Speed Access (BHSA) SDSL services in Brandon. The following information is a very simplified summary of the company’s proposal for aggregating. This is the term used to describe a group of businesses coming together to reach a cumulative monthly fee for service, in exchange for the company investing in the technology infrastructure needed for the type of service. For a complete proposal, technical terminology, and more information, please contact the Chamber.

• SoVerNet will consider the possibility of deploying BHSA SDSL services in Brandon once there is a minimum cumulative of $2,000.00/month in contracts.

• The service area is approximately a 2-3 mile outer radius around the Verizon Central Office on Case St. on Seminary Hill. SoVerNet will determine eligibility.

• The contract threshold is a starting point, with the opportunity to grow SoVerNet BHSA SDSL services well beyond this level.

• Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) functions perfectly to meet the needs of business customers and can replace the more expensive, traditional Frame Relay and Point-to-Point T1s currently in use.

• Download and upload speeds are the same, starting at 160k and continuing up to 1040k.

• Accounts will be coupled with a multi-user dial-up account and is on "24/7."

• A deposit of the first month & setup will be required with the Service Agreement. There will be one-time-only SoVerNet and Verizon set up fees as well as DSL equipment fees.

• Monthly fees for 160k service begin at $135.00/month.

• The Verizon account is ordered and paid for by the customer. Their fees are estimated at $51/month. Verizon does not charge usage fees above this amount.

LOW INTEREST MINI-LOANS NOW AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH SET-UP FEES

The Chamber is excited to announce the availability of a mini-loan, intended to help businesses pay for SDSL set up fees. There are up to five loans available, each in the amount of $800. A condition of the loan is that the monthly loan payment must be repaid via direct charge from an FBNB account. Interest on this loan is at current prime, 4¾%, with a 12 month payback. This means that if you borrow $800, your monthly payment will be $68.39. Total interest after one year will be $20.68. This is a great opportunity.

GUILFORD WELCOME CENTER

BRANDON HAS EXCITING DISPLAY

Brandon is featured for the month of May at the State’s Guilford Welcome Center on I-91 (near Brattleboro). Not only do we have a great looking display in a large case, we also have an awesome five minute "video postcard of Brandon" which continuously plays. This Welcome Center is the state’s busiest and is state-of-the art. If you are driving south during the month, make sure to stop by and check it out.

 

Sincere thanks to the following individuals who worked tirelessly on the display: Tom Brown of Brown’s of Brandon, Dave Laubscher of Nutting House Antiques, and Edward Loedding of North 7 Studios. Special thanks to Adam Tinkoff of Tinkoff Digital Media for the superb video. Also thanks to Brian Jerome of Visual Learning Company for supplying film footage, Quinn Tinkoff of Quinn’s Custom Framing for framing photos, Frank Farnsworth of Otter Print & Copy for his photo collection, Patti LaDuke at Kimble House for helping with supplies and materials, and Warren and Lorraine Kimble for generously lending us an original painting.

 

MIXER NEWS

Enclosed, please find a flier on our next Wine & Cheese Mixer. Sponsored by First Brandon National Bank, the mixer will take place on Wed., May 29 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at 2 Park St.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK SESSION

A group of dedicated Brandon business people and residents met last week for a strategic planning work session, which was designed to brainstorm planning strategies for our economic development efforts. More on this subject will be forthcoming as the committee reviews the work session’s notes.

 

NEXT C of C MEETING

The next Chamber Board meeting will take place on May 27 at 7 pm at Miss B’s Kitchen. As always, all Chamber members and the public are invited.

 

FREE SUMMER CONCERTS

We are pleased to announce the following concerts scheduled this summer (times will be forthcoming).

 

Ten Rod Road ~ Friday, June 21

Co-sponsored with Naylor & Breen Builders, Inc.

 

Old Time Country Concert ~ Thurs. July 11

Sponsored by the Neshobe Sportsman Club

 

Catamount Brass Quintet ~ Wed., July 17

 

Omphalos ~ Thursday, August 8

 

Gene Childers and the Jubilee Jazz Band

Wed., August 21

Co-sponsored with First Brandon National Bank

 

September 15 (Sun)

OVUHS Jazz Band ~ Sunday, September 15

 

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Jinny & Ross Worn

17 E Prospect St.

Brandon VT 05733

247-8191

 

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY CHANGE

Please add the Birdcage B & B web address and toll-free number to your Directory.

www.birdcagevermont.com

toll-free: 866-866-247-4634

 

AUCTION DONATIONS SOUGHT

Members should be receiving a call from a Chamber Board member soliciting for Auction Donations. If you don’t hear from a Board member, or want to get to us before we get to you, please feel free to call. The Auction will be held on Tuesday, July 23.

FROM OUT OF TOWN:

MARCH 2002 CHAMBER NEWS

RUTLAND B-2-B TRADE SHOW

As reported in the news, the bond vote to keep Brandon town offices in downtown did not pass a majority vote at Town Meeting last month. The issue is now before the Selectboard to decide if they will warn a special vote for an out-of-town location. The Chamber supported the bond vote and was disappointed at the outcome. However, we are satisfied that we put the effort into supporting downtown and feel fortunate that the voters were given the opportunity to make this decision.

Edward Jones Investments

Chris McKhann & Kathy Tarbell

26 Court St.

Middlebury 05753

388-1170

fax: 888-646-6713

toll-free: 888-388-1334

www.edwardjones.com

Mallory’s Automotive, Inc.

Eric Mallory

PO Box 132 Forestdale 05745

at 1851 Forestdale Rd.

247-3618

Congratulations to Vermont Made Furniture Inc., on the opening of their third store in Ludlow at the Okemo Marketplace, Route 103.

The next Chamber Board meeting will take place on March 25 at 7 pm at Miss B’s Kitchen. On the agenda will be a discussion of the future of the Information Booth in light of the proposed Route 7 realignment. As always, all Chamber members and the public are invited.

Please contact Crossroads at 773-2747 for details on the following:

• Mailings — Mailed to 4000 state names to date. Looking forward to future co-op opportunity

• On a trial basis for this year, Ultimate Golf Vacations. Off and running at golf shows

• Three month trial run on www. vermont.com. Starts this March

• Federal opportunity being looked into for marketing Rutland Airport. Application for a major grant is underway along with a sales mission

• Amtrak brochure initiatives: Penn station and on the commuter rails and stations, along with a sales mission

• Historical packages in process; historical trail in the region

• Linking again with Killington and KLB

• Preseason free advertising DEALS through Mt Times

• Adelphia Cable advertising: a co-op opportunity for television summer advertising

• S. Central Co-op initiatives with other RMOs

• New availability for state leads.

• Vermont Convention Bureau: expansion coming for this web site section

• International advertising opportunities with Discover New England, a partnership especially appropriate for those interested in international marketing and those who were part of the Pow Wow (CD last year).

• New Poultney website: poultney-vermont.com

• New budget for 2002/2003 with a new state funding formula which guarantees, with growth, more and more state funds will be put into VDTM's budget annually.

The Chamber had its largest crowd ever last week at our Annual Dinner. 95 Chamber members and their guests spent a warm evening indoors at the Brandon Inn, enjoying a good ol= fashioned American dinner and lots of good cheer. President Matthew Gibbs= State of the Chamber address acknowledged the achievements and accomplishments of the organization over the past year. Louis and Sarah Pattis of the Brandon Inn outdid themselves with delicious food. Bernie Carr was the lucky winner of the 50-50 raffle C money raised for the Chamber=s OVUHS Scholarship. Cindi McTaggart took home a beautiful red, white, and blue centerpiece as a door prize and Dave Howells played the piano for a lingering crowd and started an impromptu sing-along!

Two specialty group meetings have been scheduled to work on marketing and advertising ideas. This year=s Chamber budget includes increases in the tourism marketing and merchants marketing line items.

K Merchants will meet on Wednesday, March 6 at 8 am at Miss B=s Kitchen.

K Tourism/Lodging businesses will meet on Thurs., March 7 at 10 am at the Lilac Inn.

Sovernet, Verizon, and Adelphia Business Solutions representatives spoke to residents regarding opportunities for bringing DSL to Brandon using a model referred to as Aaggregation.@ This will require interested Brandon businesses (and residences) to group together. Once interest and commitment is shown by a certain number of properties, the provider will make necessary infrastructure improvements in our town. It was noted that this has been successfully accomplished in Middlebury, Rochester, and Putney. Also of note was a discussion regarding internet security and the importance of Afirewalls.@ Check with your virus protection provider for details (cost noted was $29.95/year). For more information about the forum, aggregation, or high speed internet access, please contact the Chamber.

On February 25, Brandon voters are encouraged to attend an informational meeting which will be held at 7 pm at Neshobe School for the purpose of hearing about the public improvements bond vote which will be on the ballot at Town Meeting. The article asks voters to approve spending an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 (one million dollars) to acquire space at the building proposed for 9-17 Center St. (the Howe Scale Block) for town offices and to acquire space for the Police Department headquarters at the Park Village Administration Building. At the meeting, voters will learn about the financing and design details of the project.

This weekend Brandon will host a number of NYC firefighters and their families. The project was the idea of Brandon resident, Patty Noonan, who has taken it upon herself to organize rooms, meals, entertainment, gift baskets, and activities. Many Chamber members and Brandon area individuals have contributed to the effort C the town is now ready for the 12 rooms of guests arriving this weekend. The Lilac Inn and Old Mill Inn are providing rooms to the guests and the Brandon Inn is hosting a breakfast as well as a dance Saturday night featuring the live music of local band, The Sleeping Dogs (8 pm at the Brandon Inn; $5 cover charge). Visitors will be treated to a massage from Charlotte Kerr, reflexology (foot massage) from Steve White, books from Briggs Carriage Bookstore, haircuts at Delilah=s, flowers from Carr=s, farm visits at the Hanfields and the Kirbys, cross-country skiing at Blueberry Hill, and downhill skiing at Killington.

While there are many people to thank, the following organizations and businesses have gone over and beyond for the effort: Boy Scout Troop #111, Volunteer Firemen from Dunmore Hose Co., Carr=s Florist & Gifts, Edson League of the Marine Corps., Dunmore Hose Co. Ladies Auxiliary, Fred & Dawn Decker, Charlotte Kerr, Visual Learning Company, Steve White, The Harvest Program, Neshobe School 5^th & 6^th grade students, Union Street Grocery, Brandon Area Rescue Squad, the Sleeping Dogs, Innkeepers Doug & Shelly Sawyer and the staff at the Lilac Inn, Dick Kirby, Kimble House, Innkeepers Ed & Cindy Thomas at the Old Mill Inn, Innkeepers Sarah & Louis Pattis and the staff at the Brandon Inn, Killington Resort, and Joe Cerreta of Crossroads Regional Marketing Organization.

The Chamber is pleased to sponsor AThe Harmonica Man,@ Mark LaVoie, at Brandon=s Winter Carnival on February 9 at the Neshobe Golf Course clubhouse. The event will run from 12:30 - 1:30 pm. Call the Brandon Recreation Department at 247-0228 for more info.

The Chamber=s economic development subcommittee recently met with a consultant who has worked with many Vermont towns on community development issues. We hope to continue a relationship with him and find ways that his expertise can assist with our plans.

Park plans are being drawn and excitement is in the air. Behind the great looking fence in front of what was once 24 Center Street lies the setting for Brandon=s next new park! Help fund improvements while making your mark forever. ABuy a Brick@ forms are enclosed.

The second public forum for Brandon=s Community Center Grant project will be held on March 6 at 7 pm in the Senior Citizen=s Center. The forum will detail work accomplished to date and explore possible solutions for meeting the @public space@ needs of community members. For more information on the project, please contact the Chamber.