NewHartfordPlus.com

By: Maria Moore

The Business Council has scheduled a triple-play of events for its growing membership ~ at last count 85 businesses! ~ that will be sure to meet their diverse needs. So pack your briefcase and follow this “road map” to embark on a fun and informative trip.

Tuesday, May 18, 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.: Morning Mingler at Passiflora’s, 526 Main Street in New Hartford

Make your first stop on Tuesday morning at Passiflora’s on Main Street in New Hartford center. This is a great opportunity to introduce your business to other business owners and find out more about their businesses, too. Bring plenty of business cards and be ready to give a capsule introduction of your business in one minute or less, but don’t worry: there’ll be plenty of complimentary tea and coffee to get you energized, thanks to our hostess, Karen Tyson.

This Morning Mingler is open to all business owners and professionals. RSVP’s required, deadline is today, May 15.  Email nhbusinesscouncil@yahoo.com or call 860-238-7142.

Tuesday, May 18, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: Zoning Informational Meeting, Sessions Conference Room at Town Hall, 530 Main Street in New Hartford

Immediately following the Morning Mingler walk next door to the Town Hall for an informational meeting on the draft zoning regulations. Rista Malanca, the town’s Interim Zoning Officer has kindly agreed to meet with members of the Business Council to answer their questions regarding the new zoning regulations that are nearing completion and will soon be adopted by New Hartford. If you have input or requests on any of the regulations, please be sure to bring them to the meeting in writing and submit them into Rista.

Please be sure to review the draft zoning regulations before the meeting so that you may familiarize yourself with the new regulations and bring your specific questions for Rista to answer. The draft regulations are available online on the Planning and Zoning section of the town website; they are posted in their entirety and also individually by article. You may also obtain a paper copy of the draft zoning regulations by contacting Rista Malanca in the Land Use office at 860-379-7677. There is a $10 charge for the paper copy.

This meeting with Rista is specifically for business owners and professionals who may have questions about how the new zoning regulations may impact their business operation. The Planning and Zoning Commission is in the process of scheduling a Public Input Forum on May 26 for all residents to give their input on the draft zoning regulations; please see our May 14 article Zoning Regulations: Public Input Forum Planned For May 26.

Wednesday, June 2, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Jungle Safari Year-End Gathering at Ski Sundown on Ratlum Road in New Hartford

The traditional Year-End Banquet held by the Business Council every June has been replaced this year by a Jungle Safari Year-End Gathering at Ski Sundown. So on Wednesday, June 2, forget about your ties and high-heeled shoes and reach for your khakis and pith helmets (aka “safari hats”) to dress for the occasion ~ “but only if you’re game” as the jungle safari flyer says.

The Safari Gathering will have music, door prizes and, of course, food. There will also be a mini expo. of local businesses. The New Hartford Business Council Scholarship will also be awarded to this year’s scholarship recipient who is not being required to attend in safari gear!

Please RSVP before May 22 via email at nhbusinesscouncil@yahoo.com. If you are not a member of the New Hartford Business Council, for a small donation you too can attend and have a “roaring” time!

If you would like to participate in the mini business expo. at the Safari Gathering,  please contact Ron Miller of Ace Marketing at ronm331@yahoo.com.

Many Thanks: To Deb Kuszaj of Blue Sky Foods and Susan Wacht of GeminEye Images for planning this Safari right here in New Hartford!

Check Out: the New Hartford Business Council’s Facebook page for the updates on the Business Council.

The new owners, Theresa Stark and Deano Mazza: “It’s all about having a work ethic”

“I always knew I was an entrepreneur. I just needed the right thing to come along,” Deano Mazza told our reporter. “And that opportunity came when my friend Brian Hogie asked me if I wanted to take over this location.” Deano made one call to his partner, Theresa Stark to make sure she was on board with it and then, he said: “I went for it!” The pair signed the lease on April 1 for the former location of Hogie’s Sweet Shop in Pine Meadow and by April 10 they were ready to open. In only 10 days they had transformed the space into a bright and cheerful setting for their new business, Rocky River Sweets.

“Really what you need is drive and determination. If you don’t have a work ethic, you couldn’t do this.” Deano said and Theresa agreed, adding: “It’s mind-boggling how much we’ve done.”

A space set up with their customers in mind

The couple has divided the interior of the store into two distinct parts: on one side is the kids’ play area, with a wonderful, wooden playhouse in it and small, child-sized tables and chairs, as well as seating for adults; and on the other side is a seating area with a half-dozen tables where guests can enjoy a quiet meal or they catch a favorite show on the wall-mounted flat-screen TV.  So far, the Discovery Channel has been the favorite with patrons, young and old.

“A place where you can get good food at an honest price”

“We want this to be the kind of place where grandparents will want to bring their grandkids for a treat.” Deano said. The main treat, of course, is ice cream in its many different flavors, as well as sorbets and shakes. The couple has also added a deli section, with sandwiches made with fresh, bakery bread ~ yes, from the Collinsville Baking Company ~ and with Boar’s Head meats. Coming soon, as their sign says, they’ll be serving fried foods (“people have asked us to”) and that New York delicacy, Sabrett hot dogs (“the famous New York City pushcart hot dogs that snap or “pop” when you bite into them!”). The couple plans to keep Rocky River open year-round and come winter, Theresa will be adding home-made soups to their menu. And for those looking for a comfortable venue for a birthday party, Rocky River will be available for private birthday parties; contact Theresa or Deano for more information.

With all of their plans for the future, the couple has a very clear goal for their business:

“We want to be the mom and pop store; we want people to feel they got a good meal for a fair price, and we want everyone to leave here feeling happy and that they enjoyed what they ate.”

And with that they brought our reporter a small dish (“A very small dish, please”) of lemon sorbet and she left with a promise to return very soon, as other fellow customers are already beginning to do. Because good food, served by good people, is something we all want more of.

“And next time, guys, make that a large lemon sorbet, please!”

Sign Up For Earth Weekend Cleanup And Get a Free Ice Cream Scoop

Theresa and Deano have generously donated 30 coupons (actually, 32 printed out altogether) to the organizers of the Earth Weekend Cleanup on Sunday, April 25. Register for the cleanup at the event and the first 32 volunteers will each receive a coupon for a free, one-scoop cone or cup of ice cream.  “Sweet!”

Rocky River Sweets: Is located in the Silo Building between Prestige Cleaners and Michel Angelo’s Restaurant on Main Street in the Pine Meadow section of New Hartford. Rocky River is open 7 days a week, from 11 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

The attractive view as you enter Rocky River Sweets. Photo: Maria Moore

The Goddu family visits with another family at Rocky River Sweets. Photo: Deano Mazza

The attractive Silo Building where Rocky River Sweets is located. Photo: Maria Moore

Collinsville Baking Company Hosts First Morning Mingler

Local business owners came together this Wednesday morning, April 21, for an hour of camaraderie and an opportunity to highlight their business offerings all in the friendly setting of the Collinsville Baking Company. Bakery owner Greg Histed and his mom Vicki Swartwood had set out a large selection of baked goods and coffee and they graciously visited with their business guests as, helped by their staff, they also tended to the steady stream of customers making a morning stop at their local bakery.

In a quiet moment, our reporter asked Greg how he was feeling about his bakery’s move from Collinsville to Pine Meadow. “Everyone’s been just great!” He said. “They’ve all been so welcoming.” Asked about his customers, he said he’s added new customers from the area and most of his old customers don’t seem to mind driving out to his new location. Good bread, really good bread is worth going the extra mile or two, our reporter agreed.

The one hour allocated to the Mingler flew by as new business owners introduced themselves to those with longer established businesses in town, and those who hadn’t seen each other in a while caught up on the intervening months. And at the end, as all good networking occasions should provide, everyone stood in a friendly circle and had an opportunity to showcase their business offerings to others at the gathering. And then it was time to leave, most with a loaf of fresh bread, or baked goods, and a promise to return to Greg’s Collinsville Baking Company, that has fast become a favorite among those who appreciate great bread made by kind-hearted man.

This First New Hartford Business Council Morning Mingler was held at the Collinsville Baking Company in the Jeannine Building, Wickett Street in the Pine Meadow section of New Hartford.

The next NHBC Morning Mingler will be held at Passiflora Tea Room and Cafe, 526 Main Street on Tuesday, May 18 from 7:45 a.m. throuugh 9:00 a.m. All business owners and professionals are welcome to attend. RSVP by May 15 to nhbusinesscouncil@yahoo.com or by calling 860-238-7142.

Photos of Wednesday’s Morning Mingler courtesy of Phil Worley, Susan Wacht and Maria Moore (as attributed in the captions):

Greg Histed and his mom Vicki Swartwood visit with the Bakkers at the Morning Mingler which Greg and Vicki hosted at their Collinsville Baking Company in the Jeannine Building in the Pine Meadow section of New Hartford. Photo: Susan Wacht of GeminEye Images

Dawn Whalen of COMPUTER EXPLORERS and Co-President of the New Hartford Business Council gives a few updates to those present of upcoming Business Council events while Ron Miller of Ace Marketing looks on. Photo: Phil Worley

Susan Wacht (GeminEye Images) and Mary Ann Gunning (Chapin Park B&B) share a light moment together at the Morning Mingler on April 21. Photo: Phil Worley

(More photos ~ page 2)

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Annie’s, Little Women’s Sponsor New Reading Group

Take a good book, add some home-style baking and you’ve got the ingredients for a great  discussion group. And that’s exactly what Annie’s Book Stop and Little Women’s Kitchen have cooked up: a Reading Group that will meet in the cozy setting of Little Women’s Kitchen.

The first gathering of the Reading Group will be this Thursday, April 22 at 6;45 p.m. at Little Women’s Kitchen across the street from the Town Hall. The book that Kathleen of Annie’s Book Stop has chosen is A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick, which has been described as a story with echoes of Wuthering Heights and Rebecca, “a story of love and madness, longing and murder, played out in a world that seems to have gone temporarily off its axis.”

Participants in the Reading Group are asked to read the book and then meet together to discuss and exchange thoughts and ideas on the book. Complimentary tea and muffins will be served, courtesy of Robyn of Little Women’s.

Copies of the book are available at Annie’s Book Stop located at 141 Main Street, in the Marandino’s Plaza in Pine Meadow.

For more information about the Reading Group: Please visit the Book Discussion section of Annie’s Book Stop website, or call Kathleen at 860-693-3253.

For more information about Little Women’s Kitchen: Please call Robyn at 860-738-9523. Robyn is now serving Reservation Lunches Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

First Morning Mingler: Networking With The Business Council

Gail at Collinsville Baking

The New Hartford Business Council is sponsoring the First Morning Mingler at the Collinsville Baking Company tomorrow morning, Wednesday, April 21 from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. This is a great networking opportunity for business owners; all are invited to stop by for coffee, some baked treats and lots of good company.  And make sure to bring lots of business cards ~ there’ll be plenty of opportunity to hand them out.

The Collinsville Baking Company: Is located at 18 Wickett Street in the Pine Meadow section of New Hartford.  For more information about the bakery, please visit the Collinsville Baking Company’s website.

For more information about the Morning Mingler: Please visit the New Hartford Business Council’s Facebook page, with its online RSVP section.

For more information about the New Hartford Business Council: Please email nhbusinesscouncil@yahoo.com.

By: Maria Moore

Business Council Scholarship Available

The New Hartford Business Council is now accepting applications for its $1,000 annual scholarship, Attorney Norman “Skip” Rogers, a Business Council member and head of the Scholarship Committee, has announced. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a New Hartford resident who is graduating this year from high school and who has excelled in academics, athletics, and in community activities. “We like to see that the student has a strong record of community service.” Attorney Rogers emphasized.

The application deadline is Monday, May 3. Students interested in applying may download a copy of the application using the link below. They may also contact their school administrator, or they may call Attorney Rogers at 860-379-9600.

The scholarship is awarded at the Business Council’s Annual Year-End Banquet. Last year, the scholarship was awarded to Jack Traub during the Annual Banquet held at Chapin Park Bed & Breakfast. This year, the scholarship will be presented to the recipient at the Annual Banquet which will be held on June 2 at Ski Sundown.

Download the Scholarship Application: New Hartford Business Council Scholarship Application (199)

Last year's scholarship recipient, Jack Traub is seen here receiving the scholarship from Dawn Whalen and Bart Baxter, Co-Presidents of the Business Council, at the Year-End Annual Banquet held at Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast on June 10, 2009. Photo: Phil Worley

Tourism Brochure In The Works

Members of the Business Council’s Communications Committee have been hard at work on developing a tourism brochure which will market New Hartford and its businesses to other communities around the state and beyond.

Brochures and postcards from which various ideas for the New Hartford brochure are drawn. Photo: Susan Wacht

The idea for a tourism brochure is not new: Norma Richmond brought the brochure idea to Community Connections 5 years ago and then saw it put it aside as those members became more and more busy with producing the telephone directory.  Our reporter, a member of the Business Council brought the idea of a brochure up before the Economic Development Commission (EDC) last year; the EDC pursued it for a while and then also put it aside.  But when our reporter brought the idea up again at a recent Business Council meeting with the First Selectman, the idea seemed to gain traction.

The Business Council’s Communications Committee  has been meeting regularly with the goal of bringing the brochure to fruition.  The Committee that has been meeting at Town Hall  is made up of the following Business Council members: Gardner Graves of Realty Works, Deb Kuzjac of Blue Sky Foods, Susan Wacht of GeminEye Images, and our reporter, Maria Moore of NewHartfordPlus.  Other Committee members include: Norma Richmond of the EDC and Community Connections, Joan Auclair of Community Connections and Christine Hayward from the First Selectman’s Office.   Most recently, Phil Worley of the Canton Chamber of Commerce who is also a Community Connections member, attended a meeting.  Phil shared his experiences working with similar publications in Canton.

After meeting for one month the Committee members have already decided on a large, double-fold style brochure, a hand-drawn map of the town by a local artist, all within a retro, postcard theme.   On the agenda for their next meeting will be the content for the brochure and the space to be devoted to advertising.

There are plans to print approximately 20,000 copies of this tourism brochure and to distribute it around the state and beyond.  We will provide updates on the development of the brochure as more information becomes available.    In the meantime, if you have ideas or comments regarding the brochure, please contact any of the members of the Communications Committee.

Deb Kuszaj presents her concept for the brochure at the meeting of the Business Council's Communications Committee on Wednesday, March 31. Committee Chairman Gardner Graves listens attentively to Deb's presentation. Photo: Susan Wacht of GeminEye Images

Friend The Business Council on facebook.

The New Hartford Business Council now has a facebook page, thanks to Susan Wacht of GeminiEye Images. Susan, who is a member of the Business Council’s Board of Directors (previously the Steering Committee) recently set up the Business Council’s facebook page. The page contains photographs and meeting information, as well as providing a friendly place to spend a little time, whether you are a business owner or not.

Check out: The Business Council’s facebook page on the web and catch up with the New Hartford area business community.

Businesses Reap Tangible Rewards From Business Council

Membership in the Business Council now brings with it tangible rewards, as members found out when they opened their welcome letter that just arrived through the mail.  For tucked inside each letter, the Business Council had placed the following “goodies”:

• a membership sticker which the Business Council hopes members will display on the door or window of their place of business; membership stickers courtesy of Realty Works;
• a Member to Member Discount card which members can use to get discounts at 15 local businesses; M2M program thanks to the hard work of Ron Miller of Ace Marketing;  M2M listing printed courtesy of Dawn Whalen of COMPUTER EXPLORERS;
• a flyer from the Canton Chamber of Commerce which NHBC members can join at a discount and access the Chamber’s educational and training seminars, member-only health insurance, and many more member benefits;
• a web presence through a listing on the NHBC Members’ Directory on NewHartfordPlus.

As well as those tangible “goodies,” Mary Ann Gunning, Membership Chair welcomed members who, she said, had joined with 76 other businesses in the New Hartford area.  Mary Ann ran through a half-dozen opportunities during the year when Business Council members can participate in community events and showcase their businesses.  And, she ended the letter the way she had begun it:  ”I cannot emphasize enough how much we would like to hear your opinions, thoughts and ideas.”

Mary Ann, together with Co-Presidents Bart Baxter and Dawn Whalen all welcome contact from Business Council members and business owners who are considering membership.  Please contact Bart Baxter at 860-921-7149 or by email wbaxter1@metlife.com; Dawn Whalen at 860-238-7142 or by email dawn_ctce@charter.net; and Mary Ann Gunning at 860-379-1075 or by email chapinpark@sbcglobal.net

Many Thanks: To the Members of the Steering Committee who have been meeting regularly at Mary Ann’s Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast and through whose efforts the New Hartford Business Council is again becoming a driving force in the business community.

First Selectman To Speak On Business Climate In New Hartford At Steering Committee Meeting Tomorrow

First Selectman Dan Jerram will be the guest speaker at the New Hartford Business Council Steering Committee meeting tomorrow morning, Wednesday March 3. Dan has accepted the Business Council’s invitation to speak on ‘The Current Business Climate New Hartford.’ After an overview of the current business environment in New Hartford and the opportunities for economic development that the construction of the wastewater treatment plant will bring to New Hartford, Dan will answer questions from business owners at the meeting.

This meeting of the Steering Committee is open to all Business Council members. The meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, Wednesday, March 3 at Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast on the Green in Pine Meadow.

For more information: On this meeting please contact Bart Baxter, Co-President at 860-921-7149 or by email: wbaxter1@metlife.com.

By: Maria Moore

Business Council Sponsors Booth at Frozen Farmers’ Market

Hot chocolate and marshmallows were the business of the day at the New Hartford Business Council (NHBC) Steering Committee meeting this past Wednesday.  No, members were not deciding on which beverage to enjoy during the meeting, but rather they were finalizing the details of what they would be providing at their booth this coming Sunday at the Farmers’ Market.  The Business Council had sponsored a weekly booth at the Farmers’ Market this past summer and the Steering Committee approved sponsoring a booth at this Sunday’s event, the Frozen Farmers’ Skating Party and Farmers’ Market. Mindful of the weather at this point of winter the Business Council members decided to serve hot chocolate at their booth.  Deb Kuszaj of Blue Sky Foods had already purchased supplies, but on being told by Anita Barden, one of the organizers of the Farmers’ Market, that last year ~ the first Frozen Farmers event ~ there had been about 200 people who had attended, Deb thought it best to pick up more chocolate.  Steering Committee members also discussed whether or not to charge for the hot chocolate as a means to build up funds for future community projects, but guided by Gardner Graves of Realty Works who volunteered to cover the cost of the chocolate, those present decided to ask for a donation for the hot drinks.

The Business Council booth will have information available from its member businesses.  If you are a member of the Business Council and you would like to add your materials to the booth, please stop by and drop them off at the booth on Sunday from 11:30 on.  The Business Council booth will be manned by Dawn Whalen of COMPUTER EXPLORERS, Gardner Graves and Kim Trumbull, both of Realty Works, and other Business Council members.   The booth is being sponsored by Realty Works, Blue Sky Foods, GeminEye Images, Peggy’s Personalized Promos, and the Economic Development Commission.

First Selectman To Speak At March 3 Business Council Meeting

First Selectman Dan Jerram will be attending the next meeting of the Business Council Steering Committee on March 3.  Steering Committee members decided to ask Dan to address the topic of ‘The Current Business Climate in New Hartford’.  They also agreed to devote the whole meeting to Dan’s presentation and to give members the opportunity to ask questions on this topic of the First Selectman.

If you are a member of the Business Council and you would like to attend the March 3 Steering Committee meeting with the First Selectman please let Dawn Whalen, NHBC co-president know for planning purposes; email Dawn at ctce200@ctce.us.  The meeting will be held at Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast on the Green at Pine Meadow.

Business Council Website Update

Steering Committee members decided not to pursue setting up a Business Council website at this time, but rather to revisit the subject at a future meeting.  The Business Council Members’ Directory will continue to be hosted on NewHartfordPlus as members agreed that it added value to their membership.

Membership Update

Mary Ann Gunning, Membership Chair for the Business Council, reported that the Business Council now has 77 members, 24 of whom are new members.  Phil Worley, Executive Director of the Canton Chamber of Commerce, added that there are 29 joint members of the two organizations.

Many Thanks: To Mary Ann Gunning of Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast for hosting the Business Council Steering Committee meetings at her bed and breakfast.

George Tolhurst Named PECOE Employee Of The Month

George Tolhurst

George Tolhurst of New Hartford was one of three employees who were named Employee of the Month for January by their employer QuEST ~ Project Engineering Center of Excellence (PECOE) in East Hartford.  George is a graduate of Regional #7 and the University of Hartford.  Following is the announcement by Christopher Wisse, PECOE Director, of George’s recognition:

George joined PECOE in June 2009, and is currently supporting the Compression Systems Module Center.

During a recent Tollgate 3, George received glowing feedback from his customer, who mentioned they were able to start him off gradually with his work, but he has “gone from walking to running.” He has “exceeded expectations” and “shows leadership qualities.” Additionally, the customer gives George and “A” for the work he has performed. They think he has a “good attitude”, “has progressed well” and they are “glad he is back” in 2010. He has certainly left a good impression on his customer. Because of the confidence they have in him, he has also been given the opportunity to learn some design programming. He has shown a lot of growth over the past few months and has impressed his customer thoroughly.

As Employees of the Month Janina, George and Ana receive not only our gratitude but a monetary award, just a token of QuEST’s appreciation for their efforts.

A Note About the QuEST Employee of the Month Program: QuEST Project Engineering Center of Excellence (PECOE) based out of the East Hartford office and Windsor Locks campus has implemented an Employee of the Month recognition program. The program is intended to increase communication and provide a vehicle for recognition of good performance. Lack of communication can lead to a disconnected feeling, especially for those working outside of our offices. Additionally, management too often fails to take the time to say “Thank you”, whether directly or indirectly, for the exceptional efforts of its employees.

Congratulations: To George Tolhurst on his achievement after only 6 months with his company.  We look forward to hearing much more about this bright young man.

Skates And Shopping Bags Ready For Sunday?…

Just in case you haven’t heard: The Second  Annual Frozen Farmers Skating Party and Farmers’ Market will be held tomorrow, Sunday, February 21 from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m. on the (white) Green at Chapin Park in Pine Meadow.  Be sure to come along to do some skating, or watch others skate, catch up with neighbors and of course, shop with our local farmers.

NewHartfordPlus will also have a small booth, where we will have our sweatshirts and our NEW bumper stickers available.  Hope to see you all there!

The Frozen Farmers’ Skating Party and Farmers’ Market is being sponsored this year by the New Hartford Farmers’ Market and the New Hartford Rec Department.

Joanne Dahill of Marwin Farm shows Bob Moore a list of her farm's offerings at the First Frozen Farmers' Market in February of 2009 on Chapin Park.

Business Council report has been corrected to reflect the fact that Realty Works is expanding by opening an additional office in the Chatterley’s Building in New Hartford; Saturday, February 6.

By: Maria Moore

Steering Committee members of the New Hartford Business Council (NHBC) have had so much Council business to handle recently that they have been meeting not only once, but twice a month and will likely continue to do so for a while.

Meeting in the beautiful dining room of Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast and led by co-presidents Bart Baxter and Dawn Whalen, Steering Committee members have focused on a number of agenda items which are priorities for the Council.  Following is a report on a few of those items:

1.  Redefining the mission of the NHBC: With the help of Ron Miller of Ace Marketing, the Business Council adopted a new mission statement that members felt better reflects the role of the Business Council in the community.   The new mission statement reads:

“To create and promote a professional and productive partnership among area businesses, through community functions and social networking, in ways that will foster a positive business environment, thereby creating opportunities for area commerce.”

2.  Highlighting the value of NHBC membership: As Ron Miller put it: “Businesses want to know: “What’s in it for me?” ”  The Business Council recently partnered up with the Canton Chamber of Commerce and both organizations are offering a reduced membership fee to join each other’s organization.  This has given New Hartford businesses access to the events and educational opportunities offered by the larger Canton organization.

Another way of promoting the value in an NHBC membership is for members to display their membership in their business locations. Gardner Graves of Realty Works, whose company is in the process of expanding by opening an additional office in Chatterley’s building in New Hartford, is providing the Business Council with decals  of the Council’s logo to be distributed to members.

An M2M program has also been instituted.  Ron Miller is collecting a list of Business Council members who are making a special offer available to other NHBC members.  In the case of NewHartfordPlus, the M2M offer is 10% OFF all advertising on NewHartfordPlus to NHBC members.  This M2M list will be made available to NHBC members when completed.  If you are a Business Council member and would like to be added to the M2M list, please contact Ron Miller at ronm331@yahoo.com.

New Hartford Business Council members also have their business information included in the NHBC Members’ Directory section on NewHartfordPlus: a free “yellow page” ad on NewHartfordPlus as part of their NHBC membership fee.

3.  Support for Community Events sponsored by Business Council members: This is an area that Steering Committee members feel is an essential part of the Business Council’s role in the community.   During the last several months, Business Council members have supported the Holiday Marketplace at the Beekley Library and Light New Hartford.  This month, on February 21, the Farmers’ Market ~ a member of the Business Council ~ will be holding its 2nd Frozen Farmers Market and Skating Party on the Green at Chapin Park in Pine Meadow.  Steering Committee members are planning to have a stand at the Frozen Farmers’ Market.  We will provide more details on this event as soon as more information becomes available, or you may contact Anita Barden at Barden Farm: bardenfarm@aol.com; or Joanne Dahill at MarWin Farm: joanne@marwinfarm.com.

4. Steering Committee future plans: Other agenda items Steering Committee members are pursuing include setting up an NHBC website for its members.  NewHartfordPlus has discontinued maintaining a separate NHBC Business Notes section which we had made available free of charge to the Business Council for the past six months; we will add a link to the Business Council website as soon as it is available.  As always, we will continue to provide news coverage of the business community and the Business Council in our Business News Updates.

New Hartford Business Council members will also be attending Economic Development Commission (EDC) meetings to work together with that Commission on their common goals of promoting business in New Hartford.  NHBC Co-president Dawn Whalen and Gardner Graves will be attending future EDC meetings; EDC Chairman David Childs, who is also a member of the NHBC, has been attending all of the Steering Committee meetings.

The next meeting of the NHBC Steering Committee: is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3 at 8:30 a.m. at Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast, Church Street, in the Pine Meadow section of New Hartford.

For more information on the NHBC Steering Committee: please contact Co-Presidents Bart Baxter: 860-921-7149; or Dawn Whalen: ctce200@ctce.us.

Many Thanks: to Mary Ann Gunning for graciously hosting the NHBC Steering Committee meetings at her Chapin Park Bed and Breakfast.

Business Council Steering Committee members at their January 20 meeting (from right to left) Dawn Whalen, Bart Baxter, David Childs, Mary Ann Gunning, Dotty Craig and Carol Monroe. Photo: Maria Moore

Business Council Steering Committee members (from left to right) Ron Miller, Deb Kuszaj, Gardner Graves, Carol Monroe and Kim Trumbull. Photo: Maria Moore

$weetheart Deal$ Available on NewHartfordPlus

Looking forward to Valentine’s Day, we’ll be making available $weetheart Deal$ to all our readers ~ but we need the help of area business owners to make it happen!  Here’s how it works:

1. Business owners: Place a coupon with your business special offer or discount for Valentine’s Day and we’ll include it as one of the downloadable coupons in our $weetheart Deal$ promotion which will run between February 4 and February 14 on NewHartfordPlus.  What’s our  Sweetheart Deal for you, you’re wondering?  At $5 per day for a 10-day run, we think that’s a real sweetheart of a deal!  Click here to learn more, let us know what you want to offer on your business Sweetheart Deal coupon, and we’ll do the rest for you!  Call Maria at 860-309-7526 or email her at  newhartfordplus@gmail.com to place your order.  New Deadline: for placing your ad is 12:00 noon on Wednesday, snow or shine!
2. Readers: Beginning Thursday, February 4 click on our large $weetheart Deal$ ad on our front page and download your $weetheart Deal$ coupons.  Enjoy using your coupons with our area businesses: A $weetheart Deal for us all!