Newsletter May 2013 www.westerlychamber.org [email protected]401.596.7761 ROB VALENTI JR. NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AND SHERRY QUINLAN KEY AWARD RECIPIENT The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of has announced that it will honor Robert Valenti Jr., a Pawcatuck resident, as the 2013 Citizen of the Year. The award was established in 1957 to recognize outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the community. Criteria considered in the selection process include leadership role in the community, specific contributions in business and civic/non-profit organizations, promoting the community image, improving the quality of life in our area, personal and professional characteristics including integrity, creativity, communication skills and broad social perspectives. Robert has served this community nobly and faithfully for many years. “He is a man of outstanding community spirit, generosity and concern for the well being of our citizens and the quality of life in our community. He is known as a savvy business man with a reputation for fairness, and a loyal volunteer.” said Chamber President Deb Turrisi. Rob has committed a tremendous amount of time, energy and donations to many different civic organizations she added. Robert Valenti Jr., President of Valenti Family of Dealerships, has helped create jobs in the Westerly community by making a large investment in our local economy. In 1998, they Valenti family purchased the Toyota dealership in Dunns Corners and then 10 years later, during one of the most difficult economic times in the nation’s history, he made a bold decision and expanded the business, adding a Subaru dealership. The Westerly location employs more than 50 people. Rob also served on numerous boards including New England Ford Dealers Advertising Association, Mystic YMCA, Ocean Community YMCA, Mystic Aquarium, and was a Corporator for the Chelsea Groton Savings Bank. As a part of his commitment to local fundraising efforts, he has generously shown support to the Bring back the Beach campaign with a $10,000 donation and then secured a matching grant of $10,000 from Toyota. He has donated to Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality, Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, Westerly Hospital, North Stonington Schools, The Mystic Aquarium Ocean Commotion event, Hurricane Sandy Animal Pet Adoption, and the Stonington Education Fund. He has sponsored many school football, baseball, soccer and track teams through the business. Some of Rob’s many local community contributions are outlined below: Outstanding Board member of more than 10 years of service and supporter of the Mystic YMCA serving on nearly every committee Concurrent Board member of the Ocean Community YMCA Through his tremendous volunteer service to the YMCA, he has raised tens of thousands of dollars annually for the organization. Reach Out to Youth Scholarship Campaigner Supplier of vehicles for the Work Vessels for Vets program, which helps our solders coming back from overseas by providing them with automobiles. His dealership has also helped the Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality by donating a vehicle to a family in need so the father could have transportation in order to keep his job. Robert Valenti Jr’s unwavering enthusiasm has propelled many local organizations to succeed, thrive, and grow to continue valued charitable work. The Key Award This award was established to honor those whose selfless actions have helped the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce achieve its mission. Sherry A. Quinlan (pictured on the left) of Stonington will be honored for donating over 125 hours of her time helping with Superstorm Sandy activities at The Chamber. Sherry responded to The Chamber’s community appeal for volunteers. She has helped with issuing resident passes, answering phones, making cold calls to secure donations, organizing volunteers, and much more. Sherry is very dedicated, has a wonderful disposition and has been a tremendous asset helping us with the tremendous extra work load The Chamber has taken on in recent months. We couldn’t have done it without her” said Chamber Executive Director Lisa Konicki. Valenti and Quinlan will receive their awards at the Annual Dinner on June 25 th at Venice Restaurant. INSIDE - New Members - Member News -Business After Hours -Hands Along the Sands
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Newsletter May 2013 www.westerlychamber.org [email protected] 401.596.7761
ROB VALENTI JR. NAMED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AND
SHERRY QUINLAN KEY AWARD RECIPIENT
The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of has announced that it will honor Robert Valenti Jr., a Pawcatuck resident, as the 2013 Citizen of the Year. The award was established in 1957 to recognize outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the community. Criteria considered in the selection process include leadership role in the community, specific contributions in business and civic/non-profit organizations, promoting the community image, improving the quality of life in our area, personal and professional characteristics including integrity, creativity, communication skills and broad social perspectives. Robert has served this community nobly and faithfully for many years. “He is a man of outstanding community spirit, generosity and concern for the well being of our citizens and the quality of life in our community. He is known as a savvy business man with a reputation for fairness, and a loyal volunteer.” said Chamber President Deb Turrisi. Rob has committed a tremendous amount of time, energy and donations to many different civic organizations she added. Robert Valenti Jr., President of Valenti Family of Dealerships, has helped create jobs in the Westerly community by making a large investment in our local economy.
In 1998, they Valenti family purchased the Toyota dealership in Dunns Corners and then 10 years later, during one of the most difficult economic times in the nation’s history, he made a bold decision and expanded the business, adding a Subaru dealership. The Westerly location employs more than 50 people.
Rob also served on numerous boards including New England Ford Dealers Advertising Association, Mystic YMCA, Ocean Community YMCA, Mystic Aquarium, and was a Corporator for the Chelsea Groton Savings Bank. As a part of his commitment to local fundraising efforts, he has generously shown support to the Bring back the Beach campaign with a $10,000 donation and then secured a matching grant of $10,000 from Toyota. He has donated to Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality, Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, Westerly Hospital, North Stonington Schools, The Mystic Aquarium Ocean Commotion event, Hurricane Sandy Animal Pet Adoption, and the Stonington Education Fund. He has sponsored many school football, baseball, soccer and track teams through the business.
Some of Rob’s many local community contributions are outlined below: Outstanding Board member of more than 10 years of service and supporter of the Mystic YMCA serving on nearly every committee Concurrent Board member of the Ocean Community YMCA Through his tremendous volunteer service to the YMCA, he has raised tens of thousands of dollars annually for the organization. Reach Out to Youth Scholarship Campaigner Supplier of vehicles for the Work Vessels for Vets program, which helps our solders coming back from overseas by providing them with automobiles. His dealership has also helped the Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality by donating a vehicle to a family in need so the father
could have transportation in order to keep his job.
Robert Valenti Jr’s unwavering enthusiasm has propelled many local organizations to succeed, thrive, and grow to continue valued charitable work.
The Key Award
This award was established to honor those whose selfless actions have helped the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce achieve its mission. Sherry A. Quinlan (pictured on the left) of Stonington will be honored for donating over 125 hours of her time helping with Superstorm Sandy activities at The Chamber. Sherry responded to The Chamber’s community appeal for volunteers. She has helped with issuing resident passes, answering phones, making cold calls to secure donations, organizing volunteers, and much more. Sherry is very dedicated, has a wonderful disposition and has been a tremendous asset helping us with the tremendous extra work load The Chamber has taken on in recent months. We couldn’t have done it without her” said Chamber Executive Director Lisa Konicki.
Valenti and Quinlan will receive their awards at the Annual Dinner on June 25
th
at Venice Restaurant.
INSIDE - New Members - Member News -Business After Hours -Hands Along the Sands
Hathaway’s Guest Cottages 4470 Old Post Road Charlestown,RI 02813 401-364-6665 www.hathaway’sguestcottages.com Unique Lodging in Historic Cross Mills. Nestled behind a centuries old copper beach trees are seven guest cottages. First established to accommodate overflow guests for local residents, Hathaway’s has continued to supply lodging for summer visitors to the beautiful beaches nearby. Built in a typical New England “guest cottage” style, each unit is individual and has a full bath and/or shower. Each cottage is fitted with color TV, air-conditioning and a coffee maker. Two of the standard cottages also have refrigerators and microwaves. Our efficiency cottages have separate bedrooms and cooking facilities. Grills picnic tables and pool are available guest’s use. Kayaks are also available with launching access 500 ft. from the cottages in Ninigret Salt Pond.
Bliss Coffeehouse, LLC P.O. Box 73, 12 Stilson Road #6 Wyoming, RI 02898 Dixie Woods/Chuck Bullington 401-491-9182 Bliss Coffeehouse is a place where locals and tourists alike come to take a break from the stress of everyday life. We serve the best locally roasted coffee and locally baked pastries that we could find, and we pride ourselves in matching our quality products with the highest quality of customer service as well. With that the space itself creates a sense of peaceful solitude, whether that involves staring out the window or reading a book while sipping your favorite beverage. However, there is also the opportunity for entertaining conversations with the employees or other customers, if one chooses to participate. We have many refreshing frozen drinks, some with real fruit and some with an extra boost of caffeine. Speaking of caffeine, we also serve cold-brewed coffee which has concentrated flavor and very high caffeine--a natural and safer energy drink. As Joseph Campbell said, "Follow your bliss!"
Fusion May 10
Fusion is a funky, eclectic and tantalizing event that incorporates the arts, foods, wine, beer, music by the band Sugar and live bodypainting. This must-attend event takes place at the Velvet Mill Studios in Stonington on May 10 at 7pm. Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Buy your tickets today!
BoldrDash May 18 & 19
Volunteers are desperately needed to help us support this military 5 k obstacle course event. PLEASE consider donating your time to work a shift. This is the last local fundraiser for the Bring back the Beach campaign and we need your help! More than 100 volunteers still needed. Contact [email protected]
New Members
“Spread the Love” Event Raised $6,000
Over a dozen local salons voluntarily donated their time and funds to participate in Matrix’s Spread the Love campaign to support The Chamber’s “Bring back the Beach” program. Over $6,000 was raised as a result of their generosity and enthusiasm. This example of business competitors coming together as one industry to help make a difference for our beach community was a classic example of the class and compassion that Westerly is known for when responding to local needs. Thanks to Nancy McBride for coordinating the program and to the following salons for participating: Bella Vita Salon, Beauty Hut, Jezabelle’s Salon, Shear Bliss, Uptown Salon and Robert Anthony.
Zoe & Co., Professional Bra Fitters welcomes a new addition to their team, Miss Kelsey Ferleman. Kelsey has completed the extensive training program to provide the perfect fit on which Zoe & Co. has built its reputation. Having correctly fit one-hundred women she is now prepared to join the select team of professional bra fitters at Zoe & Co. that have been helping women throughout New England since 1998 get the support they need. For a professional bra fitting call (401) 596-8050. Located at 69 High Street in downtown Westerly, Zoe & Co., Professional Bra Fitters is open daily until 9pm, Sundays until 5pm.
Charter Oak Federal Credit Union will donate $50,000 to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital’s Centennial Campaign over the next five years. The Centennial Campaign will fund a new, state-of-the-art Cancer Center in Waterford, in partnership with the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for medical oncology and with Yale-New Haven Hospital for radiation oncology. The 50,000-square-foot Cancer Center will offer patients a variety of oncology services, access to cancer care professionals and board certified medical oncologists. Dime Bank has named Arthur “Chuck” Barton its new vice president, senior commercial loan officer and Denise T. K. Ogden is a new corporate officer.
On Sunday, May 19, Andrew Howell leads The Chorus of Westerly and Festival Orchestra in two performances of Mozart’s Requiem, the classical master’s famous final work. Featured with the Chorus will be professional soloists Sonja Tengblad, soprano, Emily Marvosh, alto, Brian Cheney, tenor, and Kevin Short, bass. In addition to the Requiem, the Chorus will also perform Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus and Laudate Dominum from his larger work, Vesperae Solennes de Confessore. The program takes place in the George Kent Performance Hall, 119 High Street, Westerly. Tickets are $21-$65 and are available by calling 401.596.8663, or on line at chorusofwesterly.org.
The Westerly Hospital’s Mark E. Rogers, PharmD, CDOE, CVDOE is the recipient of the Advanced Pharmacy Practice Preceptor of the Year by the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy. Steve Cofone, RPh from L+M Hospital was awarded the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Preceptor of the Year.
The Westerly Hospital will be offering a comprehensive, five-week course May 20 – June 24 from 6-8 to help patients gain practical knowledge and skills needed to manage diabetes successfully. The course will cover the fundamentals of nutritional management, label reading, meal planning options, guidelines for eating out and special occasions, glucose monitoring, medication management, insulin treatment and administration, sick-day care, foot care, exercise, stress management, and preventing complications. For more information, call 401-348-3533 or email: [email protected]. Charter Oak Federal Credit Union has named Robert P. Beeckman as its new Vice President of Business Lending.
Dressbarn, the women's specialty apparel retailer, celebrates its 10th year as an American Cancer Society Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program member. Dressbarn, located at Franklin Shopping Center, will feature the 2013 version of their signature Hope Bracelet. Beginning May 1, all dressbarn stores and dressbarn.com will sell the exclusive 2013 Hope Bracelet for $10, through May 31st, while supplies last. dressbarn will contribute the entire net profit of $5 to the American Cancer Society. Added to this contribution will be the dollars raised through dressbarn's associate and community involvement in Relay For Life events.
The Westerly Community Credit Union has been approved to participate in the Federal Home Loan Bank Equity Builder Program, and will receive up to $150,000 in grant money to be used by the Credit Union to help secure first time home ownership for low to moderate income households. Awards of up to $15,000 per eligible family will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Westerly Community Credit Union is also offering $575 off closing costs, as well as low fixed interest rates for first time borrowers. For information, please contact Jeanne Abate, Senior Mortgage Originator at 401.374.1232 or [email protected]
Coobies bras are sold nationwide. The company held a window contest and Woodees, a division of Woodmansee’s won second place and was picked out of all the windows to be used in their ad! Congratulations to Joyce Ruisi and window designer Anna! Woodmansee's Boutique is located at 27 Broad Street in Westerly. (401)596-2310
Member News
Ed Smith from Chariho Furniture, Jeanne Abate from Westerly Community Credit Union, Nick Utter from Cogshall Group
and Nick Stahl from Westerly Hospital.
Angie Smith from Westerly Medical Center, Bruce Cummings L&M President, Pete Trapani from Trapani Enterprises and
Patricia Hartford from Washington Trust.
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Thank you to Theresa Cavalier of Thorp and Trainer for 2 dedicated years of service on the chamber board. Theresa helped with many committees and events and was an enthusiastic and productive participant. She is relocating to California and we wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors. Chamber president Deb Turrisi at right.
A beautiful day for another successful Duck Race! Over 15,000 Ducks were sponsored this year. Thank you to all the sponsors, prize donors and volunteers for your support.
