MBA President Enza Dandeneau of Prudential CT Realty and Marianne Herold of Marlborough Health Care Center

On Thursday, February 16, 2012, Marianne Herold, MBA Board member and Administrator of the Marlborough Health Care Center, hosted over 25 members and guests of the the Marlborough Business Association (MBA) for its monthly Third Thursday. The evening began with refreshments and networking.  State Representative Pam Sawyer was in attendance and provided an update on the CT Legislature for this session.  She was excited to announce that several businesses in Marlborough have taken advantage of the new State’s Business Express Program, offering grants and loans to small businesses.  Wooden-it-be-Nice, Inc. is a recipient of grant money, and Rep. Sawyer urged any other businesses interested in this program to contact her office with any questions. Board of Selectman member Dick Shea was also on hand, as well as several guests.  Also in attendance, were MBA new members, Joey-Lynn Darius and Jason Couture of Marlborough Consignment Shoppe.  Enza Dandeneau, MBA President also recognized new member Kathy Allen of Thrivent Financial.

The featured speaker of the evening was Jenilee Wirtz of New York Life Insurance.  Jennilee is a social media expert, and offered tips, suggestions, and advice on making social media work for your business.  She explained the pros and cons, the dos and don’ts of putting your business online through FaceBook or Twitter.  Although it may be overwhelming at first, it will provide a cost effective way to market your small business.

MBA President Enza Dandeneau of Prudential CT Realty and State Representative Pamela Z. Sawyer

The evening ended with a business spotlight on Heartwood Cabinetry with Owner Laura Hart providing a 30 second “commercial” of the business.  Heartwood Cabinetry, located at 345 North Main Street, offers full design service for kitchens and baths, as well as custom woodworking projects.  They have been in business for over 15 years.  Door prizes, donated by Sadler’s Ordinary, Its So Ranunculus Flower Shoppe and Marlborough Health Care Center were handed out as well.

The Marlborough Business Association (MBA) is a non-profit organization comprised of businessmen and women representing home based & retail businesses in the Marlborough region. The MBA’s mission is to promote business growth, foster the overall economic climate in the community, and work toward an enhanced quality of life in Marlborough. The Marlborough Business Association works closely with town government, town boards and commissions to present the issues and concerns of the business community.

MBA President Enza Dandeneau of Prudential CT Realty & Marlborough First Selectman Cathi Gaudinski

On Thursday, January 19 the Marlborough Business Association held its Third Thursday meeting at Heartwood Cabinetry in Marlborough. The meeting was hosted by Laura and Patrick Hart of Heartwood Cabinetry.  There were thirty attendees, both members and guests, who got an update on the activities of the association, delicious food and drink, as well as a tour of the facility.  First Selectman Cathi Gaudinski and Board of Selectman member Dick Shea were on hand to speak to the group about their efforts at Town Hall.  Cathi appreciates the support of the MBA, and is looking forward to working on common causes and concerns.  Dick noted that it was great to be around such a “dynamic and thoughtful group of small business owners.”  All in attendance spoke about their businesses, upcoming events, and current offerings.  For more information, or to post your event, please contact Jessica Olander at jolander7@gmail.com

Patrick and Laura Hart design and build custom cabinetry, libraries, offices, wine cellars, and anything you may need for your home or office.  Patrick has a degree in architecture and brings that knowledge to the jobs Heartwood Cabinetry does with their skilled craftsmen.  Laura enjoys getting creative with her work on the cabinets, and works with several manufacturers to provide exactly what the customer needs and wants.  Patrick says, “If you can’t find it, we can design and build it.”  After touring the facility, and viewing the extensive array of different woods Patrick has on hand, this truly is a unique business Marlborough offers.

The February Third Thursday meeting will be held on Thursday, February 16 at 5:30 p.m. hosted by MBA Board member, Marianne Herold of the Marlborough Health Care Center.  The meeting will be held at the Marlborough Health Care Center, 85 Stage Harbor Road.  The meeting’s featured guest speaker will  be Jenilee Wirth, an expert on

Girl Scout Sophie & MBA President Enza Dandeneau of Prudential CT Realty

social media.  Topics will include promoting your business through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  New members are welcome and Marlborough area businesses are invited to join the Marlborough Business Association. This is an excellent venue to present yourself to the community at large, fellow business owners, to add your voice to community organizations and to our local government. Visit the MBA web site at www.mba-ct.org for more information.

We are trying something new at Parents’ Night Out! We will be replacing our usual movie time with story time and relaxation yoga.
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Date: 2012-01-13
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Greg Murphy, outgoing President, presided over the evening, giving a wrap up of the last two years.  First he thanked Kevin and Nancy Haggerty of Sadlers for hosting the meeting once again.  He noted the many successful Third Thursdays, a monthly networking opportunity, that were held at the Marlborough Tavern.  The most recent Third Thursday was the well attended Meet the Candidates.  He mentioned the community give back of Marlborough Day, as well as the continued relationship of the MBA and the Marlborough Food Bank.  Greg thanked Rachel Pianka of Salmon River Consulting, and Chris Graves of Avoca Designs for their help in creating and implementing the new MBA website, which continues to get over 4,000 unique hits each month and serves as an important source of information for the community.  He also applauded the efforts of the two interns who have helped with this endeavor.  Greg noted that the MBA continues its support of education through its scholarship program, handing out three this past May.  MBA committees, including membership, outreach and technology, continue to be a strong presence in the business community and Greg looks forward to his role on the Board as past president.  He welcomed new MBA President, Enza Dandeneau of Prudential CT Realty.

Enza has been a member of the MBA for several years, and a Board member for over four.  Enza spoke to the group, saying, “This is a pivotal time in the business climate of Marlborough.  The MBA will work hard with the Board of Selectmen, local businesses and its membership to make Marlborough a great place to live, work and do business.”  Enza invited the newly elected officials to address the audience.

Newly elected First Selectwoman Cathi Gaudinski thanked the MBA for its continued efforts and assured the group that her door “will always be open.”  Board of Selectman members Dick Shea and Mike Gut were also in attendance.  Mr. Shea noted that he is “anxious to begin his work and looks forward to working with the members of the business community”, and Mike Gut said “ the lines of communication are open, and we are listening.”  State Representative Pam Sawyer was also there, thanking the MBA for its efforts, and applauding Kevin Haggerty on his 17 years in business.  She thanked the group for their attendance, and was delighted to see so man…

The guest speaker of the evening was Sheila Hummel of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.  She spoke to the group about the exciting new  programs, grants and monies available to small businesses in Connecticut.  There is an application process, and Sheila noted that if the business has any questions or concerns, they can contact the DECD, and request the help of an agent.  Pam Sawyer noted that this was a bi-partisan effort, and is excited to see the momentum this is taking on.  She encouraged all businesses in the room to take a look and see if they qualify.

The evening continued with announcements and introduction of new members, as well as door prizes.  Lastly, the business portion of the meeting commenced.  Greg Murphy thanked the 2009-2011 Board for all their hard work and effort, saying he “could not have done it without them.”  Donna Finocchiaro, past president announced the slate, and asked for a vote to swear in the new Officers and Board of Directors.  The motion passed unanimously.  The 2011-2012 Board of Directors includes:

-Enza Dandeneau, President – Prudential CT Realty

-Scott Welch, Vice President – S.M. Welch Remodeling

-Chris Costa, Treasurer – Liberty Bank

-Greg Murphy, Past President – Lombardo Insurance

- Donna Finocchiaro – Organized East of the River & Wooden-it-be-Nice, Inc.

-Pamela Frank-Hall – The Traveling Vineyard

-Diane Gallo – Bite Me Catering, LLC

-Laura Hart – Heartwood Cabinetry

-Marianne Herold – Marlborough Health Care Center

-Brad Korth – Korth Engineering

-Brendon Montstream – Streamline Electric

-Rachel Pianka – Salmon River Consulting

-Craig Robinson – It’s So Ranunculus Flower Shoppe

-Sharon Reiner – Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

The meeting adjourned, and some final networking took place.

The MBA will be co-hosting the Annual Holiday Sing Along with the Marlborough Congregational Church on Sunday, December 4^th at 5:00 p.m.  To bring a baked good or item to share, please contact Jessica Olander at 860.978.2918, or find further information at www.mba-ct.org.

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Date: 2011-12-04

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/sports/Week-10-High-School-Football-Game-of-the-Week-133775188.html

You can vote up until this Wednesday at 9pm.

To educate the business community, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Smith is holding a series of meetings across Connecticut. The first meeting will be held in your district and the Commissioner would like to extend an invitation to you to attend. It will be held this Wednesday, November 9 from 8:30 am to 10 a.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Please join us and be a part of this effort to strengthen the competitiveness of Connecticut companies.

Registration is not necessary.

6:00 to 6:15 Registration/Check-in
6:15 to 6:30 Networking (Door prizes on display)
Cash Bar
6:30 to 6:45 Welcome and Annual Review by President Greg Murphy & Dinner
6:45 to 7:00 Guest Speaker
7:00 to 7:15 Announcements & Door Prizes with Dessert
7:15 to 7:30 Business Meeting & Election of Officers
7:30 to 8:00 Final Chance to Network
Adjourn
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Please complete the registration by Nov. 13th with payment to MBA by mail to: MBA PO Box 193 Marlborough, CT 06447 or by email to jolander7@gmail.com .

Pay with PayPal (additional $2 covers PayPal fee):

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Date: 2011-11-15
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