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 Welcome to the August 2007 issue of the
Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce
Newsletter.
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In this Issue Did You Know?
July 2007 Business After Hours
Many thanks to Mesa in New London for hosting the last Business After hours on July 19th, 2007!
 Margaret Morris-on right (The Blue Goose Inn)
chats with Ted and Carole Lockhart (Moving Matters, LLC)
 Marsha Single (The Cake Lady of Delicious Desserts Delivered), Bruce Collamore (Beyond Design) and
Debbie Campbell (Beyond Design)
Photos courtesy of Laura Guion, InterTown RECORD
Next Business After HoursMonday, August 27, 2007
BAHH Hosted by the Appleseed Restaurant on
the MV Kearsarge in Sunapee Harbor
Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres provided. Cash bar.
5:30 PM -7:30 PM
Please be at the boat prior to 5:15 PM,
the boat will be leaving promptly at 5:30
Please RSVP to Rob Bryant at
603-526-6575
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
BAH at The Inn at Danbury
5:30 PM -7:30 PM
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Ribbon Cutting at 5:30 at 23 Main St.,
immediately followed by a Joint Business After Hours
at the Newport Opera House with the Newport, Grantham
and Claremont Chambers to celebrate the
relocation of the Sullivan County United Way.
Please RSVP to Rob Bryant at
603-526-6575
WHAT SB 197 MEANS
TO YOUR BUSINESS
SB 197, commonly referred to as the Divorce Access Bill, protects the health care benefits of men and women in a divorce situation by keeping and protecting their group insurance benefits over a specific period of time until one of the following occurs:
(1) The 3-year anniversary of the final decree of divorce or legal separation;
(2) The remarriage of the former spouse;
(3) The remarriage of the insured member;
(4) The death of the insured member; or
(5) Such earlier time as provided by the final decree of divorce or legal separation.
The key words here are "keeping and protecting" and "group insurance." The common misperception is that business insurance costs will increase if businesses continue the services which they already provide they would be doing so indefinitely.
This is not the case. Unlike COBRA, which can be much more expensive, this plan keeps the same costs to the family and business as before the divorce or separation and only for up to three years. There are no increased costs to the employer.
Although NH provides for children without health insurance, we do not do so for the parents who are their caregivers. This bill helps provide health insurance coverage for those parents already insured by their spouses during the interim until they are able to insure themselves. For more information please peruse the bill at: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/
What's happening in ConcordNHLRA would like to remind everyone that the Federal Minimum wage went up July 24, from $5.15/hour to $5.85/hour. This increase also affects the minimum
wage for tipped employees as well. The new minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.63/hour, up from $2.38/hour. Another increase is slated for September 1, 2007, when the State of New Hampshire minimum wage will increase to $6.50/hour, and the minimum for tipped employees will increase to $2.93/hour.
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Top Photos courtesy of Paul Howe Photography
Don't forget to come visit us at the
Chamber Booth at the Craftsmen's Fair
August 4th, Saturday through August 12th, Sunday
74th Annual League of
New Hampshire Craftsmen's Fair
10 am-5 pm daily at Mount Sunapee Resort.
Hundreds of juried artists and thousands of pieces; demonstrations; workshops (for fee) for children, adults and teens; sculpture garden, food vendors. Free parking. Admission $10 adults;
$8 students/seniors; 12 & under free. Discount tickets available in advance through the
Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce
at the New London Information Booth,
328 Main St., New London.
Go to www.nhcrafts.org for complete schedule of events as date nears. (Newbury) 224-3375
Executive Director's Update Ingrid Braulini (LSRCC Board Member and former president), Deb Sias (LSRCC Board Member ), Marc Violette (TDS Telecom), Rob Bryant (LSRCC Executive Director),
Marybeth Angeli (LSRCC Board Member and Booth Chair),
Heather Turner (LSRCC Board Member)
Rob Bryant of the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber accepts a $516 donation from Marc Violette of TDS Telecom to be put towards the replacement of the Chamber of Commerce's New London chamber booth, which was built in 1927. The TDS campaign puts $516 back into consumer's wallets-money. TDS Telecom hopes consumers will consider doing good things with, including giving to local charities. To get the gift-giving started, TDS is donating $516 to charities around the country, including our chamber and more than $33,000 to non-profit organizations in 28 states as part of the campaign. It's part of TDS' biggest promotion ever - free DISH Network for a year.
(promotional paragraph provided by TDS Telecom)
Spotlight on New MembersWelcome to some of our new members!
Bartlett's Blueberry Farm, Newport, NH
Pick Your Own Blueberries, Within view of Mount
Sunapee and just a couple of miles from Lake Sunapee State Park, the Bartlett Blueberry Farm has become a traditional stop for folks enjoying the outdoor leisure activities the Sunapee area has to offer.
Grafton Pond Campground, LLC, Enfield, NH
603-632-7824
Only 1 mile from Grafton Pond, tents only,
campfires allowed, privees available
Great for kayakers and canoers who want to stay i
n a natural setting bordering on 25,000 plus
acres of conservation land.
 Member FocusInn at Pleasant Lake
Imagine yourself lounging in an adirondack chair, your body relaxing as your eyes soak in the sumptuous views of pristine Pleasant Lake and the magnificent Mount Kearsarge. Your mouth waters as you think of the delicious five-course gourmet dinner that awaits between now and the time you return here to bask in the glow of a fabulous sunset. Owners Brian and Linda MacKenzie invite you to indulge yourself at their historic lakefront Inn in New London, New Hampshire where you can enjoy the private beach, boating, sailing, and fishing. Or if you prefer, enjoy such amenities as their workout facility (located behind the Inn) and high-speed internet in air-conditioned comfort.
Award-winning chef Brian and his wife Linda made their dreams come true when they purchased this 1790 Inn a decade ago. Judging from the guest reviews and the comments of publications like the states major newspaper, the Manchester Union Leader, who raved that they enjoyed "five courses of some of the most elegantly prepared and complex-flavored food around. A true delight"-it would seem that this area gem is attracting fans from near and far!
With the Inn's ability to accommodate up to 90 guests indoors, meeting rooms, audio/visual equipment, and a full liquor license, this is a fantastic spot for weddings, meetings or business retreats as well as a fine place for that romantic getaway you've been planning.
Please feel free to contact Brian and Linda www.innatpleasantlake.com where you can learn lots more about the inn and it's newest innkeepers, or give them a call at 603-526-6271 or 1-800-626-4907.
 Business Joke of the MonthAll Is Fair In Business
A shopkeeper was dismayed when a brand new business much like his own opened up next door and erected a huge sign which read 'BEST DEALS.'
He was horrified when another competitor opened up on his right, and announced its arrival with an even larger sign, reading 'LOWEST PRICES.'
The shopkeeper panicked, until he got an idea. He put the biggest sign of all over his own shop. It read:
MAIN ENTRANCE'
Tell Us how we are doing! Have a comment, An idea?
or something you would like to share with us?
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 Other Chamber News |
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Workshops and other Business Events Read the SBDC e-news for workshops at
 WE MEAN BUSINESS
Starting and operating your own business can be exciting and invigorating, but it can also be overwhelming.
A representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the Secretary of State Corporate Division Office (25 Capitol Street, 3rd floor Concord, NH) to address your concerns, direct you to the appropriate resources and help get you started in the right direction.
Listed below is the August schedule.
 August 1, 2007 ~ 1:30pm-3:30pmAugust 8, 2007 ~ 1:30pm-3:30pmAugust 15, 2007 ~ 1:30pm-3:30pmAugust 22, 2007 ~ 1:30pm-3:30pmAugust 29, 2007 ~ 1:30pm-3:30pmThe U.S. Small Business Administration and its resource partners in New Hampshire-the NH Small Business Development Center; SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business", and the Women's Business Center are here to help you. In addition, there are numerous state offices and local organizations that deliver business assistance.
Learn about SBA's *NEW* Patriot Express Loan Initiative-Helping the military community with business
For information on the full array of SBA programs, services and training calendar, visit our Internet site at www.sba.gov/nh or contact: Alice Zachos at 603 225-1607 or Miguel Moralez at 603 225-1601
Pass the WordSpotlight on things to do and see in the area.
Friends of the Northern Rail Trail.
Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County To Reach East Andover in August 2007.
One of the prettiest rail trails in New Hampshire will be extended this summer from Andover to East Andover village. The Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County now runs 3.4 miles from the quaint and historic Victorian rail road station and museum in Potter Place to Switch Road in Andover. It criss-crosses the meanders of the Blackwater River through cornfields and wetlands with views of Mount Kearsage to the south. By the end of August two more miles should be added, taking the rail trail to East Andover. Along the way one passes by, through or over a classic wooden covered bridge, two old railroad trestle bridges, a swimming hole, a playground, ball field, Horseshoe Pond and the shores of Highland Lake.
For more information on the Northern Rail Trail in Merrimack County and updates on the East Andover construction visit their web site: www.fnrt.org.
Contact: Myra Mayman [myra.mayman@comcast.net]
Contributions to the rail trail may be sent to
FNRT, PO Box 154, Andover NH 03216.
 Photo by Peter Southworth
Don't Forget!The Chamber provides Information Booth Coordination between Newbury, Sunapee & New London
The seasonally-manned booths provide a FREE venue
for members to leave brochures and business cards
for public acquisition.
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Retail/Customer Service Marketing Tips Continually ask yourself how you can improve and add value. If you don't keep asking and pushing yourself, you'll start to slip behind the competition. Customers have more than one choice and your competition is aggressively marketing to them. They know what is being offered by others. Be ahead of the curve by asking what you can do to add value to your customer’s experience with you.
Internet Business Marketing TipsSome up and coming new, free and highly ranked directories to list your business on:
http://www.yelp.com/ (Be sure to join yelp as opposed to paying to be listed.)This service started out in San Francisco and has been a rapidly growing directory, a good article about it can be found at: http://www.searchengineguide.com/laycock/010361.html
Internet Business ScamsThere's a frightening new batch of scams going around now that can damage your reputation as domain "squatters" steal your domain name. There are a number of ways the "game" is played. The first is entirely legal, if more than a little questionable. In this version, the name of a city or geographic area is grabbed by a domain squatter and pointed to... "sites that you wouldn't want your children visiting."
Please visit http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2007/jul/27.html
for more information and how to protect yourself from domain hijacking.
Newsletter DeadlinesDeadline for submitting things for the chamber newsletter is the 22nd of every month. If you are a chamber member and you have news for the newsletter or you would to write an article or submit a photo,
please EMAIL US!
Chamber Board Meeting ScheduleThe next chamber board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 8:00 am at Sunapee Cove in Georges Mills. Chamber members are encouraged and invited to attend.
Motivational Quote of the MonthAn optimist is someone who goes after Moby Dick in a rowboat and takes the tartar sauce with him.
-Zig Ziglar
Ad RatesOnly chamber members may advertise in the
chamber newsletter.
Business Card ad (31/2" w X 2" h) $35.00
Quarter Page ad (31/2" w X 41/4" h) $60.00
Online ads can link to the person's website if they have one, Please provide your website address.Advertising ads run for a month in the main monthly newsletter then run online in the
newsletter archives.
Ads will have underneath (this is a paid ad).Ads need to be print and digital ready and submitted by Email or on Disk in JPEG format in at least 300 DPI.
Deadline for submitting ads for the chamber newsletter is the 22nd of every month.EMAIL US! or please bring your ad on CD to the Chamber Booth and give to Executive Director Rob Bryant
Please make checks out to
Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce
Help your website and the
chambers get more traffic:
Reciprocal relevant links help your website rankings.
add a link and/or logo back to:
Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce
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Newsletter articles contributed by Bernie Wesoja (Huberts), Ingrid Braulini (ISee Consulting)
and Heather Turner (Forfeng Designs)
Many thanks to Aryn Hoke from Echo Communications for providing print issues of this newsletter to the chamber booth.
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Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 532, New London, NH 03257
877-526-6575 • 603-526-6575
e-mail: chamberinfo@nhvt.net
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