The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Business community wraps up successful year
MIDDLETOWN — We have reached the holidays in Middlesex County and throughout our great nation. The holiday season is a time to reflect on the past year, express appreciation for those most important to us, and look ahead with a positive attitude to the year ahead.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce for their terrific support in 2017. Our chamber is truly lucky to have a dedicated Board of Directors led by our outstanding Chairman, Rick Morin of Guilmartin, DiPiro & Sokolowski.
Rick, and all of our past chairs, exemplify what this chamber is all about, working together every day to make sure Middlesex County is a great place to live, work and play. I continue to be proud of my dedicated staff that works hard every day for the business community in Middlesex County. I also continue to appreciate the unwavering support of our entire membership. From the members of our Executive Committee and Board of Directors, to our division and committee chairs, to our many supporters throughout Middlesex County, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I would like to wish everyone in our region, and throughout the state of Connecticut, a very merry Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, and a safe and joyous holiday season. I also ask that, as we celebrate the holidays, we keep in mind the men and women of our armed forces who are serving at home, and around the world, to keep us safe and free. Please also keep in mind those who are less fortunate. May they experience joy and happiness during this holiday season and beyond.
Last week was a sprint from start to finish for me and the entire chamber team. Wednesday morning, we continued a longtime Middlesex County tradition as we welcomed Connecticut’s sitting governor to our December member breakfast meeting in Cromwell. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy spoke to a sold-out crowd at the Radisson in Cromwell and did a great job as he struck a positive and optimistic tone. In addition to Gov. Malloy, we were honored to welcome Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, State Comptroller Kevin Lembo, various state commissioners, college presidents, state legislators and many more state and local officials.
Eversource Regional Electric Operations President for Connecticut and Massachusetts Craig Hallstrom did an excellent job introducing the governor and offering remarks on behalf of the company. We continue to appreciate the strong support of Craig and the entire Eversource team, and are happy to put another successful governor’s breakfast in the books.
Last week, three members of the chamber team attended the client appreciation party at Courtyard by Marriott in Cromwell. It is a pleasure to work with the Courtyard team throughout the year and I thank them for their strong support of the chamber. We look forward to working with General Manager Anthony Covino, Sales Director Dan Miller, and their entire team as we look ahead to a productive and mutually beneficial 2018.
Also last week, the chamber’s Board of Directors held its December meeting at The Gelston House in East Haddam. The Gelston House looked terrific as always, and the lunch that their staff served was delicious. In addition to committee reports and remarks from chamber staff, Department of Transportation Commissioner Jim Redeker spoke to our board about the key transportation challenges facing our state in the New Year, and provided a progress report of some the key Middlesex County infrastructure projects that are under development.
Anthony Assante, a past chairman of our chamber and longtime supporter of the organization, sponsored the meeting as he does on an annual basis. I thank Anthony and his company, Egidio Assante Wealth Management, and Iso Dedushaj and his team at The Gelston House for another great meeting.
Looking ahead to January, I am happy to announce that the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce will continue the very successful KeyBank Workshop Series in the New Year. Our first session, Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, is Jan. 9 at the chamber office. The definition of sexual harassment, liability, and the prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace will be discussed.
Attorneys from the law firm Jackson Lewis, LLP will demonstrate how to limit your company’s exposure to charges of sexual harassment. This session meets the state of Connecticut’s requirement for two hours of sexual harassment prevention training for supervisors and managers. Please contact the chamber for registration information. This important chamber workshop series is sponsored by KeyBank, and I want to again thank Market President Jeff Hubbard and his entire team for their support.
On Jan. 10, the chamber’s first Business After Work networking reception of the new year will be held at Powder Ridge Mountain Park and Resort in Middlefield. In addition to the best networking around, this event will feature free beer, wine, nonalcoholic drinks, and a great spread of food courtesy of Sean Hayes and his team. I thank Sean not only for hosting this event for our chamber, but for his commitment to this project, which is creating jobs and additional tourism buzz for our region.
This exciting Business After Work event will also serve as the official kick off of the third annual Taste of Middlesex County Restaurant Week, brought to you by Comcast Business, which is back by popular demand in 2018. Taste of Middlesex County is Jan. 15 to 21 at delicious dining locations throughout our region. The goal of this initiative is to highlight the numerous and diverse dining experiences within the greater Middlesex region.
From the beautiful shores of Westbrook to the home of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, there is something for everyone. Restaurants offer a pre-fixed menu to give diners the opportunity to experience the area’s fine dining landscape without breaking the bank. This year, there will be two dining options both with a prix fixe three-course meal, one for $20.18, and the other for $30.18 (does not include beverages, tax or gratuity).
I want to once again thank Comcast Business for its strong support of Taste of Middlesex County, an exciting week for our chamber and for our region. Save your appetite for the week of Jan. 15 and 21, and please visit one or more of our many wonderful participating restaurants.
The current list of participating restaurants is: Angelico’s Lake House Restaurant in East Hampton, Baci Grill in Cromwell, Eli Cannon’s Tap Room in Middletown, Esca Restaurant and Wine Bar in Middletown, Fire at the Ridge Restaurant & Lodge in Middlefield, First and Last Tavern in Middletown, Griswold Inn in Essex, Grown in Middletown, Herd Restaurant in Middletown, Lan Chi’s Vietnamese Restaurant in Middletown, On the Rocks at Fox Hopyard in East Haddam, Red House in Deep River, Sheffield’s Restaurant and Lounge at Radisson Hotel in Cromwell, Taino Smokehouse in Middletown, Tavern at the Armory at the Inn at Middletown, Tea Roses Tea Room in Cromwell, Tuscany Grill in Middletown, and WAVES in East Hampton.
Please visit the Taste of Middlesex County tab on the chamber’s website and keep an eye out for additional participating restaurants as we get closer to Jan. 15. We will be sure to keep everyone updated in the chamber column and through other promotional means. Bon appetit!
Before closing, I ask that all chamber members and other interested parties save Jan. 23, our first chamber member breakfast meeting of the new year at the Radisson Hotel in Cromwell. Our keynote speaker for the event is Jim Penders, University of Connecticut Head Baseball Coach. Jim Penders has worked with UConn’s baseball program in 26 of the last 28 years, being associated with the Huskies as a student athlete, an assistant coach and now head coach.
He completed his 14th season at the helm of the program in 2017. A four-time conference Coach of the Year, Penders has overseen one of the most successful stretches in the 120-year history of UConn baseball. We look forward to welcoming Jim to his first member breakfast meeting, and thank our friends at Webster Bank for sponsoring this event.
I will close this week’s column by once again wishing everyone a joyous and safe holiday season with family and friends. The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce continues to be on the move, and we look forward to another great year in 2018. Happy holidays! For information on chamber events and activities, visit middlesexchamber.com.