Welcome Bikers! Killington Classic & RETREADS New England Rally To Bring Hundreds of Motorcycle Enthusiasts

The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce has been working closely with the Killington Economic Development & Tourism Department to bring hundreds of motorcycles to Rutland County with the 8th Annual Killington Classic Motorcycle Touring Rally, September 9-12, 2010.

This year’s Killington Classic dubbed Thunder Through the Mountains will feature several great events including a registration mixer, the annual Grand Parade to Rutland (at 6pm) with a huge Downtown Rutland Block Party (thanks to the Downtown Rutland Partnership) beginning at 6:30pm and Big Flicks at the Paramount Theatre featuring Easy Rider (beginning at 8:30pm).  The Vermont State Fair will be free all day to bikers on Friday. The classic will also include a bike show, poker run, casino night, safety seminar, pig roast, tours and a special session “A Visit with Bill Dutcher” who runs Americade in Lake George, NY and much more. For additional information go to www.killingtonclassic.com. Programs are available at the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce office and Main St. Park Visitors Center.

The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce landed the Retreads Motorcycle Club's New England Regional Rally coinciding with the Killington Classic and bringing an additional two hundred motorcyclists to the region.  The rally will be held September 8-11, 2010.  The Retreads will be based out of Rutland at the Comfort Inn & South Station Restaurant.  The rally will include: guided tours, ice cream socials, banquet and much more.  For more information go to www.newenglandretreads.com.  

Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport Upgrades Landed
US Senator Patrick Leahy addresses the large crowd on hand celebrating the addition of the newly installed MALSR (lighting system) and a nearly $1 million in FAA funding allocation for a new ILS (Instrument Landing System) at the Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport.  The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce submitted a request for the funding in December 2008 which was secured by Congressman Peter Welch with the support in the Senate by US Senator Patrick Leahy and Senator Bernie Sanders.  These improvements add significantly to the safety and reliability to Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport.

RRCC Receives Web Site Award

The Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce website www.rutlandvermont.com received some lighthearted national recognition from the Chamber Executive Network on www.bestchambers.com in a Special Report released recently.

The Rutland Region Chamber's website was recognized as one of 15 recognition awards in various categories highlighting  “spirited, unique and effective features” according to Dick Hakes of Hakes Publications in Storm Lake, Iowa.

The Chamber's site www.rutlandvermont.com received the award entitled “Pick a Talented Local Artist and Go With It Award.”

In the CEN Newsletter email broadcast that went out nationwide Hakes wrote; “our 15 “awards” show you lively Chamber website techniques!”

In his description of the Rutland Region Chamber's award Hakes wrote; “bright watercolors of regional landmarks and daily life in the unique style of local artist Peter Huntoon flank the website page borders of Rutland Region (Vermont) Chamber.”

Tom Donahue, Executive Vice President and CEO of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce said “ We are very excited about the national recognition for our website”. “We believe in local artists and Peter Huntoon.” “We have always been proud of adorning our web pages with Huntoon's thumbnails of his unique paintings that reflect our region and Vermont in a special way” Donahue said.

Dick Hakes, a former newspaper editor, founded Hakes Publications in 1986.

Hakes serves as editor and publisher for the Chamber Executive Network newsletter and related publications on bestchambers.com.

Workers Comp Corner
Employer Seminars

The Vermont Department of Labor seminar will cover important legislative changes in the Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation Programs, as well as information on the following topics:

Fraud - understand and report it

Offering work to individuals filing for UI

Things you should know to keep UI costs down

Misclassification - Independent Contractor vs. Employee

Registration is REQUIRED for all seminars as space is limited. 

September 8, 2010 at 3:15 pm

Vermont Interactive Television broadcast in Montpelier,Bennington, Brattleboro, St. Albans, Johnson, Newport, and Middlebury.  

Workers Comp Corner is sponsored by Poulos Insurance: For more information or rates on Workers' Compensation or any other business insurance contact Chuck Rose at Poulos Insurance, 802-775-4443.

Winter In August

The 29th Annual Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Winter In August Celebration sponsored by Mac’s Market and Mac’s Flame Rite Heating Oil, was held August 10, 2010 at the Diamond Run Mall. Nearly 500 people attended the event which is held each year to recognize the positive economic impact that the ski industry has on the region.  Over 25 area restaurants and businesses provided delicious food for attendees to enjoy and market their establishments.

The coveted Best Taste and Best Display Awards were presented:  Best Taste Runner Up award went to Killington Grand Hotel and Best Taste Award was presented to South Station Restaurant; Best Display Runner Up went to Rutland Regional Medical Center and Best Display Award went to Killington Grand Hotel received the Best Display Award.

Mark Your Calendar For The RRCC Annual Meeting

Mark your calendars for the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce 112th Annual Meeting. This year’s annual meeting sponsored by General Electric will take place at noon on November 3, 2010 at the Holiday Inn, Rutland.   

Highlights of the meeting will include a presentation of the Chamber’s accomplishments over the past year, a Keynote Speaker and the much anticipated “Business Person of the Year Award”. 

We are currently soliciting nominations for Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year 2010.  If you would like to nominate a local business man, woman or couple you feel is deserving of this recognition; please click here to respond.

Watch for your invitation, but mark your calendar now.  For more information call 773-2747.

Membership Directors Report - Joan Hill

Hi Everyone,

 Thank you to Mac’s Flame Rite/Mac’s Market for sponsoring the 29th Annual Winter in August.  A special thanks to all the volunteers and businesses that provided food and prizes.     

New Perk Card Additions: Cobra Gymnastics & Dance Center is offering 10% off a 9 week session or on a 10 class punch card, Ted’s Pizza Shop is offering a 10% discount and The Gymnasium is extending a 25% discount off yearly (all inclusive) membership rate; no initiation fees and the 13th month is free.

Don’t forget to visit the Vermont State Fair from September 3rd to 12th and check out the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce Information Booth next to the entrance to the grandstand.

Kudos to Citizens Bank who recently made a $10,000 donation to the Paramount Theatre in support of its 2010 season.

Join a committee, offer perk card discounts and get involved to receive the most benefits from your Chamber. I look forward to seeing you all at the Hathaway Farm and Corn Maze mixer on September 14.

Welcome New Members

Cobra Gymnastics & Dance Center, LLC
Shelby Jones
56 Howe St. Bld H, Rutland, VT  05701
Ph: 802-772-7011  Fax: 802-772-7011
E-mail: cobravt@me.com  
www.cobravt.com
Classes in gymnastics, yoga, belly dance,
African, jazz, rhythm tap, drumming and more! 
Pre-school, recreation, advanced and adult
levels with open gym, drop in and membership
rates available.  Family orientated-
Come join the fun.

Gymnasium
Sue LaPlante
11 Cottage St., Rutland, VT 05701
Ph: 802-773-5333
E-mail: laplan82@aol.com
www.thegymnasium.net
Your all inclusive fitness center with complete Cybex circuit,
cardio equipment, free weights and 25 classes per week.
Clean, friendly and a lot of natural light.

Ted’s Pizza Shop
Anna Montanez/Anthony Romeo
91 State St., Rutland, VT  05701
Ph: 802-773-6368
www.tedspizzavt.com
Open Wednesday-Sunday at 4pm.  Closed Monday
& Tuesday.  Take out or eat in.  Cash only.  Pizza,
Spaghetti, Ziti, Grinders.

Allen Pond Dental Grand Opening

The ribbon is cut at the opening of Allen Pond Dental, located at 71 Allen Pond, off Allen St. in Rutland.  Allen Pond Dental can be reached at 802-775-0986.

Cobra Gymnastics & Dance Center Grand Opening

The ribbon is cut at the opening of Cobra Gymnastics & Dance center located at 56 Howe St., Bld H, in Rutland.  Cobra Gymnastics can be reached at 802-772-7011.

News From Our Members

Annie's Book Group holds author discussion and book signing on September 15th for New York author David Pitkin in celebration of his new book, New England Ghosts, 6:30 p.m., Annie's Book Stop, 170 South Main Street, free and open to the public, 802 775-6993.

Annie's Book Stop will welcome Vermont historian and author William L. McKone in celebration of his newly published book Vermont's Irish Rebel Capt. John Longergan on September 19th at 6:30pm.  Free. For more information call 802-775-6993.

The Third Annual Alzheimer's Memory Walk will be held on September 18th at 9 a.m. at Main Street Park - participate by walking, volunteer for the day, sponsorship or donating a prize for raffle, for more information call Mary Lou at At Home Senior Care 747-3426.

The American Legion Post 31 9/11 Remembrance Golf Tournament at Proctor Pittsford Country Club on September 11th, 1:00pm registration, 1:30 shotgun start.  5 Person Captain and Crew.  Entry fee: $300 per team, includes greens fees, carts, banquet dinner, prizes and silent auction.  Hole In One contest featuring Trip for Two to Hawaii, Visa Card for $500 and Nike Golf Clubs.  Full payment is required at the time you sign up your team.  Send your team members names and payment to: American Legion Post 31 Golf Tourney, Attention Scott Laviana, 33 Washington St., Rutland, VT  05701.  For more information call 802-773-9777 or 802-417-4970.

Chaffee Art Center will hold Chairs for the Chaffee a “Chair-ity” event to benefit the Chaffee Art Center.  The event will take place on October 24th at the Holiday Inn in Rutland.  A silent auction will be held 4pm-6pm and a live auction and dinner from 6pm to 8pm.  For more information or to make a donation call 802-775-0356.

Coleman Brook Tavern at Okemo Mountain Resort has been honored with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.  Coleman Brook Tavern features 542 fine wines from around the world.  For more information call 802-228-1947.

College of St. Joseph is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan E. Young as its new Dean of Admissions and Deidre Snee as their new bookstore manager.  For more information call 802-776-5290.

Paramount Theatre announces the addition of Kansas to their 2010-2011 Season.  Kansas will play on October 22nd at 8pm.  Tickets and information on all Paramount Shows can be found at www.paramountvt.org.

Rutland County Housing Coalition has a Canon IR2200 Black & White copier for sale.  The copier has approximately 211,500 of copy usage.  Other items may also be available for sale.  For more information or to make an offer call Deborah Hall at 802-775-9286 ext. 202.

Rutland Youth Theatre will present The Hobbitt, October 15-17 in conjunction with the Rutland Recreation and Parks Department.  For more information go to www.rutlandrec.com.

Tattersall’s Clothing Emporium will be celebrating 15 years of providing clothing and accessories in Downtown Rutland from September 16-30.  Tattersall’s has evolved into a fun, funky, affordably priced boutique focusing on natural fiber, smart casual clothing and accessories for both women and men.  Check out www.tattersallsclothing.com for a taste of the Tattersall’s experience.

United Way of Rutland County announces the 15th Annual Really Big Show at the Paramount Theatre on Saturday, November 6th at 7pm.  The show is being sponsored by People’s United Bank.  Audition applications are available at the United Way of Rutland County office (6 Church St) or People’s United Bank (87 West St.). Participants must be at least 10 years old and not a professional entertainer.  The cost to audition is $5.00 for single acts and $10.00 for groups of two or more. Application deadline is October 7th. Auditions will be held October 8th and 12th at Rutland Intermediate School.  Tickets go on sale October 1st at the Paramount Theatre Box Office, 802-775-0903.  For more information or to have an application mailed to you call 802-773-7477 or e-mail uwrc@aol.com.