Chamber Pres Lauds Middnight on Main

I am glad to see that this new year is off to a good start as we are coming off of a very successful Middnight on Main 2012 event in Middletown. The event was a great way to ring in 2012 in a family-friendly environment and revelers came in from across the state to celebrate in Middletown. 

I am proud that this community is beginning 2012 exactly as it has ended 2011: as a destination location in Connecticut.

There truly was something for everyone with 100 different shows in specific venues spread across four blocks in downtown Middletown. To top that off, the fireworks display at the corner of Main and Washington streets was impressive.  The display was held at 6 p.m. to accommodate families with young children, who are just about impossible to keep awake until the stroke of midnight.

This was the first event of its kind in Middletown and I would like to praise Mark Masselli, president of Community Health Center, who worked hard to turn his vision for a family-oriented New Year’s celebration into a reality, along with Jennifer Alexander of Kidcity Childrens’ Museum.

I would also like to thank the 270 volunteers as well as Middnight on Main Event Coordinator Lucy McMillan, who all gave their time on one of the busiest nights of the year. It is because of the efforts of each of these individuals that this event was as successful as it was. 

Also, the new year is off to a good start because of some business-friendly activity in our county.

Last week, Brian Chaffee, who owns E-Muscle, LLC, was approved by Middlefield’s Planning and Zoning Commission to relocate his business to a new location at 31 Orchard Lane in Middlefield. 

This has been a long process for Brian and I am happy that the commission did the right thing by granting him this opportunity.

I would also like to praise Jan Wojas of Wojas Architects, LLC for attending the Planning and Zoning meeting and speaking on Brian’s behalf. Not only did he support a fellow Chamber member and member of his community, but Jan also brought an important point to the table. 

He said that many small businesses such as E-Muscle would have been unable to sustain themselves through such a long process, and the permitting process at the municipal level is one that can—at times—be more efficient.  I am proud that Jan presented his candid and very realistic remarks at the meeting.

The fact that we had a member of our Chamber community step up to the plate to support another Chamber member is a common occurrence at the Middlesex Chamber. In fact, this support is one component that sets our Chamber apart from others.

The culture here at the Chamber is one of teamwork.  All of our members know that when one person or business wins, everyone does.

Another group that is a great example of this culture at the Chamber is the Middlesex County Young Professionals' Alliance. This group is a personal and professional development committee comprised of young Chamber members looking to make a difference.  The groupd helps young business people to interact socially, exchange ideas and interests, and gain an insider's view of the business climate in the county and the state.

Kelly Therrien of Farrell, Guarino and Boccalatte Law Office in Middletown chairs this group and YPA meets on a monthly basis and hosts many special events throughout the year. 

On Oct. 18, YPA held a speed networking event at TD Bank in Middletown, which was a great success and featured over 40 Middlesex County young professionals.  YPA also held an informal networking session at the TPC at River Highlands in September,  its first ever zip line and barbeque event in July 2011 at Empower Leadership Sports and Adventure in Middletown and its first-ever beer tasting in May of 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Cromwell. 

The group most recently organized a successful holiday toy drive at the Mattabassett Canoe Club at Harbor Park in Middletown in early December. The group will continue its activity into the winter with a winter networking reception on Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Inn at Middletown. 

The Chamber’s Young Professionals’ Alliance is the premier young professionals organization in Middlesex County and its members are truly the future of our Chamber.

Finally, a reminder that the Chamber will offer its annual Sexual Harrassment Prevention Training seminar on Jan. 10. There will be two sessions: one at 8 a.m. and another at 10:15 a.m. This session meets the state of Connecticut’s requirement for two hours of sexual harassment training for supervisors and managers and it is best to get these requirements taken care of early in the calendar year.

For information, contact Matt Fraulino at matthew@middlesexchamber.com or call 860-347-6924.