The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Travelers Championship planning underway
Will be held at TPC Highlands in Cromwell
MIDDLETOWN
— The first full week of May is another busy one for the chamber team.
Before we begin, I would like to provide a wrap-up of the Narcan training that took place last Tuesday. The Middlesex County Substance Abuse Action Council, along with Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the chamber’s Recovery Employment Program, Durham Middlefield Youth and Family Services, and the Alliance for Prevention and Wellness hosted this lifesaving training for over 75 businesses and organizations.
I thank Andrew Penna, overdose response coordinator, and social worker Nicole Mason, prevention specialist, both of the Alliance for Prevention & Wellness Program of BHcare; and all of the terrific organizations that made this training possible. I would also like to give a shout out to Charles Mitchell in our office, for continuing to be on the forefront of these issues, and coordinating trainings and workshops to help this population.
I would also like to thank Middletown’s Acting Public Health Director Kevin Elak and his entire team for hosting another COVID-19 vaccine booster clinic this past Friday at the chamber office. With the ever-changing COVID-19 climate, we appreciate their commitment to our community.
The first major meeting of the month takes place on
Monday with a hybrid gathering of our Executive Committee, led by Chairwoman Maureen Westbrook. The group features a variety of business and community leaders from a number of industry sectors.
Also Monday, the Central Regional Tourism District, made up of the Greater New Haven Valley and Greater Hartford regions, will hold a brochure swap at the Courtyard by Marriott Hartford in Cromwell from 2 to 4 p.m. Help visitors and residents explore what Connecticut has to offer by sharing your town or company’s brochures. This brochure swap is open to the public.
For information, please visit middlesexchamber.com.
On Tuesday morning, the chamber’s Business & Education Partnership Advisory Council will meet through hybrid means at 8 a.m. This group continues to serve as a link between member businesses and educational leaders from Middlesex County schools.
Wednesday morning is set to feature a meeting of the Portland and East Hampton Division and the Environment and Infrastructure Committee, both at 8 a.m. The Portland and East Hampton Division, led by co-chairs Dan Strong and Cathy Egan will take place at East Hampton High School and feature updates by local departments, businesses and the chamber.
Also on Wednesday, I will attend a meeting of Middletown’s Master Plan Steering Committee with Cooper Robinson. This meeting, led by Mayor Ben Florsheim, will focus on the riverfront redevelopment, which will be a huge win for the economic development in downtown Middletown.
The Chamber’s Central Business Bureau will hold its May meeting on Thursday morning at the chamber office and via virtual platforms. Under the leadership of Chairwoman Pam Steele, CBB continues to bring together key leaders in the city of Middletown for important conversations about supporting the critical central business district.
Also taking place on Thursday morning will be a meeting of our Real Estate Council at 11 a.m.
Later in the day, I will meet with Nathan Grube and Jason Soucy of the Travelers Championship to discuss their 2022 event, which is coming up quickly. For information on events taking place from June 20 to 26, please visit travelerschampionship.com .
Finally, on Thursday evening, staff member Cathy Duncan and I will attend the “Cheers to Adelbrook” event at Lyman Orchards, where Sal Nesci will receive the Adelbrook Humanitarian of the Year Award for his years of dedicated service to Adelbrook and the individuals they serve. I would like to congratulate Sal Nesci on receiving this award and look forward to celebrating him.
Rounding out the week will be a meeting of our Chester, Deep River and Essex Division on Friday at 8 a.m. This meeting, led by co-chair peoples Geoff Jacobson and Sharon Lewis, will take place at The Hive in Chester, a co-working and community space that creates programs and activities to keep the community connected, healthy and successful.
Next week, the latest installment of our KeyBank Workshop Series, “Best HR Practices in Hiring, Disciplining and Firing Employees,” will take place May 10 at 9 a.m. through virtual means. In this seminar, Attorney Valerie Ferdon of Updike, Kelly & Spellacy will give attendees a guided tour of the employment law landscape and discuss best practices in hiring, disciplining and firing employees to comply with the law and avoid potential liability. To register, visit the website.
Looking ahead, excitement continues to grow for our 39th annual Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce golf tournament, which is sold out once again. This year’s event, sponsored by Liberty Bank, is set for May 26 at Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield, will feature a full field of 144 golfers.
Our Golf Committee has done a terrific job once again, and I am so appreciative of all of our sponsors, players, those who donated gifts, purchased tee signs, and many other chamber members who offered their support in a number of different ways. We look forward to a great day on the course.
Have a great week!