Director's Column » Archives - April 2009
Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce

Column for November 2, 2009

Good News:
Vermont scored high in worldwide stewardship ranking. We have been named one of the best places in the world for stewardship and authenticity by the National Geographic Society. Vermont placed fifth in the world and first in the United States. The rankings have been published in the November/December issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine. Congratulations to us all!!!

Gay Baker wrote a lovely piece for our monthly newsletter about the Moosefest. I am inserting a short excerpt here for you to enjoy:

A favorite story for PJ that I heard her share just this week, once again, while assisting a lovely couple from Australia is the one about the four year old twin brothers who came to the Chamber with their Mom to deliver their completed scavenger hunt form. They noticed the Moose poster behind PJ and started naming the moose, where they are located and the artists. To PJ's amazement they did this for all 51 moose. She was speechless! I can do that only because I have been building, using and seeing all the spreadsheets of this information for the past year and a half through this project and sometimes in my sleep. We never tire of listening to this story as folks come through the door and ask their many questions of what all these moose were doing on our streets. PJ's quote - "That experience is a Moosefest highlight for me."

Japanese Culture and Animation Club at Southern Vermont College Hosts Vermont Reads Event
(BENNINGTON, Vt.)-The Japanese Culture and Animation Club at Southern Vermont College will host a Vermont Reads Event, sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council, on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. in the Everett Theatre on campus. The student-led club will host a discussion on this year's Vermont Reads book pick, "When the Emperor was Divine," by Julie Otsuka, which chronicles the heartbreaking evacuation experience of an unnamed Japanese-American family during World War II. The student club will also discuss certain cultural taboos the book reflected of the times, such as why the Japanese could not speak the emperor's name out loud or use their own names.

The Membership Committee is crafting a Membership Campaign. It is actually quite simple:
"Friends of the Chamber" is a special membership for individuals without a business affiliation who want to be a part of the community. If you are retired or don't need a business membership because you are employed by someone else don't worry we have a membership for you. Individual Memberships take part in all events and programs except for health insurance. You can be on committees, volunteer, receive newsletters, invitations, and emails. Be a piece of the action here in Bennington. Are you interested in economic development and legislative issues? Do you want to help with Dollars for Scholars? For under $100 you can join and become as active as you like. Call Joann at 447-3311.

We will help you join and become involved. What do we offer? Payment Plans, Member Benefits, Community Activities, Committees, Economic Development Programs, Mentoring, Legislative Breakfasts and the March Trip to Montpelier, Annual Dinner Meeting in January, Car Show, Garlic Fest, Night at Old Castle Theatre, Mixers, Ribbon Cuttings, Winter Festival/Penguin Plunge, Co-ops with other Organizations, Marketing Opportunities, Education Projects, Link to web site, Networking, Helping Community Projects, Promoting our Town and Region, Cultural Events and so much more. Being part of a vital organization makes everyone stronger.

The November Mixer must be cancelled. Our very good member, Curves, has been looking forward to hosting this at their facility on Northside Drive. Due to health issues they will be re-scheduling. We wish Judy Brownell a speedy recovery. She is an inspiration to all of us who should spend more time exercising!!!!!

St. Peter's Episcopal Church at 200 Pleasant Street in Bennington will be hosting the St. Petersburg Russian Men's Ensemble Concert on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Please call 802-442-2911 for more information

From one of our members in Williamstown, MA:
Explore the paradoxes of ancient and modern Rome's place in the nineteenth century with assistant deputy director Tom Loughman at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Loughman's lecture, "Picturesque and Heroic: Nineteenth-Century Painters Imagining the Eternal City," on Sunday, November 15, at 3 pm, complements the Steps off the Beaten Path: Nineteenth-Century Photographs of Rome and its Environs exhibition currently on view. Admission is free.

Speaking of Williamstown, the Books Across the Borders public library joint venture was a huge success. Winners from Williamstown received gift certificates from several Moose Sponsor businesses here in the Bennington Area. Our winners received gifts from Williamstown. The libraries circulated a ton of books and sent hundreds of postcards across the border with Moose & Cow illustrations advising fellow readers of which books are great to read.

The Bennington Museum presents their Annual Festival of Trees from November 27 and December 18. Live and Silent Auction Gala on December 18. November 28 features the very popular Children's Holiday Shopping Day for kids from 4 - 12. Prices range from $1 - $7 and include gift wrapping. This is very special. Look for more holiday festivities in our Chamber Newsletter this week from the Bennington Museum.

A big "Thank You" goes out to Nemer Automotive for the October Mixer. After hosting the very successful community tag sale they couldn't stop themselves and hosted our Mixer. We love coming over to see all the Chevrolets, Buicks, Pontiacs, Cadillacs, and Nissans. I had to miss it because of attending the Vermont Tourism Network Annual Meeting in Montpelier. Why do good things happen on the same days?

Gift Alert:
The Shires of Vermont Poster by Will Moses is on sale through the Chamber of Commerce at the suggested retail price of $24.99. These make lovely gifts. Wholesale orders are available to our retailers. The income from the sale of these posters will help the regional marketing group promote Bennington County, AKA The Shires of Vermont. Since the state of Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing has replaced the Regional Marketing groups as their partners with the Vermont Ski Association and other big players we are forced to find alternative sources of funding. Dick Sears with the help of our other legislators was able to designate some funds within T&M for our region for the 2009 fiscal year. We can't expect to be able to accomplish that every year. So, if you have an inn or retail shop please consider ordering a supply to resell at your facility. The money goes straight into marketing efforts to bring people to our region and into your businesses.

Please contact me at 447-3311 if you have issues or questions of FairPoint. I am going to a meeting in Woodstock in two weeks to learn more about how their financial and technical activities will affect us in Bennington. I plan to carry up a notebook of questions and concerns.

Please see the photo of the Ribbon Cutting at the new Maurices Shop at 95 Bennington Square. Marie Andrews, manager with Joann Erenhouse, Chamber Director, help the sales staff officially open the store. Located next to Staples it has already broken all regional and opening day records for the corporation. We welcome them as one of our new Chamber Members and wish them a lot of success.

Enjoy the week.

Joann Erenhouse
Bennington Area Chamber Of Commerce
(802) 447-3311