This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Chamber Corner with Larry McHugh

Last week was another big one in Middlesex County featuring a number of Grand Openings, Grand Re-Openings, and other business celebrations. 

Monday evening brought us to Jackson Chevrolet on South Main Street for a terrific event celebrating the completion of extensive renovations to the facility.  Middletown Mayor Dan Drew and Chamber Chairwoman Darlene Briggs joined me, and a huge crowd of over 250 for this exciting event.  Tamera “TJ” Jackson and her team have done a great job and the new Jackson Chevrolet looks terrific.  I enjoyed spending some time with representatives from the General Motors and Chevrolet corporate teams who flew in for the Jackson event.  TJ is an active member of our Chamber, serves on our Board of Directors, and is a terrific supporter.  I congratulate her on the success of the company and appreciate the opportunity to participate in Monday’s event. 

Thursday morning featured back to back events in Cromwell and Middletown.  McDonald's in Cromwell, 125 Berlin Road / 4 Industrial Park Road, hosted a Grand Re-Opening after completing extensive renovations to the restaurant.  This event featured another large crowd including State Senator Paul Doyle, State Representative Christie Carpino, and new Cromwell Mayor Enzo Faienza.  The renovations have truly modernized the facility which now includes an expanded inside seating area, and a new double drive thru.  It was a fun event and I want to again thank John and Nick Haskos for inviting me to participate.  I also enjoyed spending some time with top representatives from McDonald’s corporate who traveled to Cromwell for the celebration.

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

St. Luke’s Eldercare Services, 211 South Main Street in the Citizens Bank basement, also held a terrific Grand Opening on Thursday morning.  St. Luke’s does really important work for the elderly, and for veterans and their families.  I would like to recognize Executive Director Nancy Leonard and her team for their fine work, and for putting together another great event. Mayor Dan Drew, State Representative Joe Serra, Commissioner Linda Schwartz of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Chamber Chairwoman Darlene Briggs, and a number of other dignitaries including St. Luke’s board members also participated in the Grand Opening celebration. 

Later in the day, Ädelbrook Behavioral & Developmental Services hosted a Grand Opening for its Transitional Academy on South Main Street in Middletown.  Garry Mullaney, President & CEO, Tony Gibson, Chief Operating Officer, Amy Gates, Director of Education, and Heide Perham, Director of Marketing and Communications, along with the entire Ädelbrook team, do a terrific job providing hope and healing for young people.  I appreciate the opportunity to help them celebrate the opening of the Transitional Academy in Middletown, along with Darlene and Mayor Drew. 

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Finally, to close the day on Thursday, Mayor Drew, Darlene, and I visited The Pickle Stand Deli & Tavern on Main Street.  The Pickle Stand has a great menu and is ably led by owner Lauren Rondinone and his hard working staff.  We wish them the best of luck. 

We are very excited about tomorrow’s Members Only Business After Work Networking Event and Festival of Wreaths, at the Riverhouse at Goodspeed Station in Haddam.  The Festival of Wreaths features artificial decorated wreaths, which will be on display for a Silent Auction.  The wreaths were donated by Liberty Bank and decorated by Chamber member businesses. After viewing the wreaths, attendees may bid on their personal favorites throughout the evening, until 6:45 p.m., when the Auction closes, and the winning bids will be announced.  Winners can take their wreaths home for display during the holiday season. The funds raised will benefit Holiday on Main Street, and the Middletown Mentor Program.

I would like to thank Managing Partner Jim Bucko, General Manager Kelley Smith, and the entire Riverhouse team for hosting and sponsoring this major event, and for their outstanding support of our Chamber.

This Wednesday, Darlene and I will attend the Grand Opening for Chris Cote’s Golf Shop in Portland.  Chris and his team have done such a great job with the business, that they have outgrown their Main Street facility and have moved to a new facility on Route 66 in Portland.  This will certainly be another fun event. 

I am looking forward to attending a Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Telserv in Cromwell this Thursday, November 21st along with Mayor Enzo Faienza.  Telserv is a great company that focuses on collaboration and communications solutions for businesses.  We are happy to have Telserv in our region.  This event will include business networking, giveaways and product demonstrations.

Next Monday, November 25th, we look forward to welcoming back former United States Senator Christopher J. Dodd to a Chamber Member Breakfast Meeting.  Senator Dodd is now the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., serving as the voice and advocate of the U.S. motion picture, home video, and television industries around the world.  Senator Dodd has addressed our Chamber many times and has always given terrific remarks.  We look forward to hearing his thoughts on the motion picture industry, and a number of other important topics on November 25th.  This Member Breakfast Meeting, sponsored by The Mohegan Tribe, will begin with networking at 7:00 AM, Breakfast Buffet 7:30 AM, and Meeting Program 8:00-9:00 AM.  Chris Dodd represented Connecticut in Congress for 36 years, six as a member of the House of Representatives and 30 as a member of the United States Senate.  We look forward to welcoming him back for this Member Breakfast Meeting.  If you are interested in attending this major event with Senator Dodd, please visit www.middlesexchamber.com

Middletown’s 28th Annual Holiday on Main Street, presented by Pratt & Whitney with strong support from Mayor Drew, the Common Council, and the City of Middletown, will kick off next Friday, November 29th in downtown Middletown.  Friday night’s festivities include four tree lightings, a parade up Main Street, free pictures with Santa, free horse & carriage rides and much more.  Holiday on Main Street continues on Saturday, November 30th, Saturday, December 7th, and Saturday, December 14th.  Next week’s Chamber Column will have more information on Middletown’s 28th Annual Holiday on Main Street. 

Finally, we are looking forward to two more exciting Member Breakfast Meetings that are coming up.  Governor Dannel P. Malloy will speak to the Chamber at our Annual Holiday Member Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, December 10th.  This event is sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas, Northeast Utilities Companies.  We look forward to welcoming our Governor to Middlesex County as we do every year.  On Friday, January 3rd, the Chamber is excited to welcome as guest speaker, Sergeant First Class Joe Kapacziewski.  Known as “Joe Kap” by his comrades and friends, Joe is the only amputee in the history of the United States Army Rangers to return to combat, serving ten tours in the Middle East.  SFC Joe Kap will receive our Role Model Award at this Member Breakfast Meeting on January 3rd.  He is the author of “Back in the Fight”, a terrific book about his amazing story.  Copies of “Back in the Fight” will be available for sale, and a book signing will be a component of the Member Breakfast Meeting.  AT&T is the sponsor for this important Chamber event and we appreciate their support. 

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce is certainly on the move. 

For more information on Chamber events and activities, please contact Jeff Pugliese at jpugliese@middlesexchamber.com.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?