The Chamber Chatter

At the annual River Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner in April (date TBD), we will present plaques to four award winners. We are seeking nominations for those awards. The four categories are: Business Person/Business of the year (must be a RVCC member), Volunteer of the year, Customer Service Award (once again must be RVCC member) and Non-Profit/Community Service Leadership Award.

Please call or email me and I will share with you the criteria needed to qualify for each award (example; Customer Service nominee for a business whose employees have gone beyond the call of duty to provide outstanding customer service in the River Valley area).

I attended the Black Mountain Ski Resort Business After Hours event (sponsored by the River Valley Chamber of Commerce) and was quite impressed by the improvements to the mountain and all the facilities.

Andy Shepard, president of the Maine Winter Sports Center spoke about their efforts to make it more affordable for families to ski Black Mountain and therefore the new lower lift and season pass prices. There is a new trail for intermediate skiers that will be ready for opening day and new state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment that make the skiing experience even greater. Black Mountain Ski Resort is seeking volunteers to help at the mountain, according to Mr. Shepard and that Jim Carter and his crew will find something resourceful and helpful for the volunteers to do.

Starting school vacation off on the right foot! On December 21, 49 Franklin is sponsoring a benefit dance to help Kayla Provencher raise funds to attend the World Karate Championships in Cancun, Mexico. Kayla would like to go there and represent Team USA in January 2013.

All area high school students grades 9-12 are welcome (and friends). There will be music provided by 49 Franklin’s DJ from 7 to 11 p.m. It is only a $5 donation for the dance and there will be a pub menu and drinks available for purchase as well as raffles and a donation jar! Support Kayla, our local, state and national karate champ!

Congratulations to the winners of the Christmas in the Valley Parade held on December 7. First place in the business category was awarded to Franklin Savings Bank (as usual). First place in the non-profit category went to Holy Savior, second place to the Hope Association and third place was awarded to Girl Scout Troop #115 of Dixfield. Congratulations to all the participants and thank you to all the volunteers and the three judges who help make the parade a wonderful success once again.

If you would like more information on any of the Chamber’s events, please call the office at 364-3241 or email info@rivervalleychamber.com checkout our website www.rivervalleychamber.com.