RABA Newsletter - Issue IV

RABA Newsletter - Issue IV - Full Content

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

This past week, 75 "conservationists," organized by the Richmond Land Trust, descended on the Bridge Street Café for breakfast, as a way to support those of us impacted by the bridge work. Rumor has it they may be planning their next blitz for the On the Rise Bakery, on May 6th-so, stay tuned!

There are more Ben & Jerry's Free-Pint coupons still available at stores on the south side of bridge. All you have to do is spend $10 on merchandise and you get a coupon! This is a great deal! I would hurry while coupons last.

The next big event, not to be missed, is our RABA Spring Mixer Party, being held at On the Rise Bakery from 5-8pm, on Tuesday, April 28th. You and your employees should plan to come down for some live music, great food, and (for members) a pint of Switchback beer!

Thanks,
Thomas Hark- RABA President
(802) 434-3969 x100

http://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashark

click here to return to the top

EDITOR'S MESSAGE:

Well, as Tom just said, there are lots of exciting things happening in our communities. Of course, the big news around here-and not just from our local headlines but rather on a national level-was the recent high-seas drama involving Captain Richard Phillips, of Underhill, and a group of Somali pirates. Who would've thought that any Vermonter would get caught up in a situation like that, let alone someone as endearingly unassuming as Phillips? What may come as a surprise to some, perhaps, is that there are actually a good number of merchant marines who make Vermont their permanent home.

So, what does that tell us? Well, despite the obvious political ramifications of this latest piracy incident, it drives home the point that, at least in commercial terms, our world exists as one, interconnected global community. Thus, even if we cling to the notion that our quaint, little state is isolated from outside influences, that perception hardly reflects today's economic reality. Thanks to ever-advancing technology and ever-expanding international-trade markets, Vermont commerce increasingly transpires on a global scale; after all, "global is the new local", as the expression goes.

I know for me, personally, if it wasn't for today's advanced computer, communication, and ecommerce technologies, I wouldn't have been able to form my writing business, having four partners living in four, different states. Via the Internet, local businesses, like mine, are able to conduct long-distance meetings, exchange information practically instantaneously, and sell or
trade commodities. How fortunate we are to live in a time when it seems we are only limited by our imagination.

(And I think I speak for all of us when I say: how fortunate we are to have Captain Phillips back home!)

Enjoy the read!
Linda Cruise, Founder and Managing Partner
Writing Consultants Network LLP

http://writingconsultantsnetwork.com
802-922-8499

click here to return to the top

COMMUNITY NEWS:

RABA's Spring Mixer Party-RABA's annual spring celebration will be held on Tues., April 28th, at
On the Rise Bakery, from 5-8pm. All RABA members are invited to the event, which will pay tribute to all the incredible volunteers, who are working tirelessly for the OneRichmond organization. Click on this link to learn more details: Spring Mixer Invitation Details. Denise Barnard, who is organizing the event, says that this is one not to be missed. So, hope to see you all there.

RABA's "So You Think You Know Richmond?" Contest
By Larry Bohen-There's still time to submit your entry for this month's contest, sponsored by RABA and generously funded by Larry and Sally Bohen, of Audiobooks Online. Simply go to the RABA website and click on this month's photo montage, then email your entry with your 10 guesses to Larry Bohen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by April 30, 2009. The winner will be randomly selected, from among only correct entries, by the RABA Board, within 5 days of this month's contest deadline.

So, stayed tune for future updates. And if you'd like to donate/contribute funds for the upcoming May or June Contests, please contact Larry Bohen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Thanks. Good luck and enjoy the contest!

ben and jerrys ice cream logo Free Ice Cream for Richmond Shoppers - As a way to thank customers for making the trip to the south side of Richmond, Chubby Robin (gifts), Film Buzz (DVD rentals) and Unleashed (pet food and supplies) are giving away coupons for a free pint of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream with any $10 minimum purchase.* The coupons, generously donated by Ben & Jerry’s at the request of RABA, are part of a larger campaign to encourage shopping and dining downtown, thereby, helping to keep Richmond’s downtown businesses economically stable during the four-month bridge rehabilitation. *Limit one coupon per customer. Available while supplies last.

100,000 Opportunities to Be Discovered-Early-Bird Pricing Special Expires May 1, 2009
By Larry Bohen

Orders are now being accepted for the "The Best of Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington & Richmond" Resort Maps, 2009-2010 Edition. Do you want your business or organization printed on 100,000 maps at less than $0.004 per map? Visitors and residents use Resort Maps to find interesting places to stay, shop, dine and enjoy. 100,000 maps gets distributed each year at major venues such as Ben & Jerry's Factory, Cabot Cheese Annex, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Lake Champlain Chocolates, Vermont Teddy Bear, Waterbury Train Station, Trapp Family Lodge, Vermont I-89 Welcome Centers and more than 150 other locations in our region, including many locations in Bolton, Huntington & Richmond. The fun, whimsical, and informative design of Resort Maps are internationally recognized by vacationers.

Resort Maps advertisers get a link on the Web from "The Best of Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington & Richmond" map to your Web site or your RABA online member listing. Contact Kathy Murphy, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Grand Opening of Canton Delights-New Chinese Take-out Restaurant in Huntington
By George Lam

At various times during my 15 years here in Vermont, I've briefly entertained the idea of starting my own restaurant; but I quickly came to my senses. So why now?

As many of you know, I've been cooking Chinese New Year lunch at Brewster-Pierce Memorial School for the past seven years and have really enjoyed sharing my culture with the kids. I see this as an opportunity to share the food of my culture with a wider audience while offering a service to the community (especially during the bridge-reconstruction period). This, along with the need to navigate through these tough economic times and the fortuitous presence of a delivery service in town, has seemingly converged to make this the RIGHT time to do this.

Click here to read the FULL story

More Help for Richmond Businesses
By Anne O'Brien, State Representative

As some of you may have heard, the town of Richmond applied for a USDA Business Enterprise grant in March to invest in the effort to keep the businesses of downtown Richmond stable during the bridge closure. At this time, we do not know if we will receive the grant nor do we know exactly when we will find out.

Since there is no guarantee that the grant will come through, I want to say how grateful I am that we have the wonderful efforts of OneRichmond and the Richmond Area Business Association (RABA), which have been doing terrific work promoting the town and businesses with minimal resources. Thanks to the organizations and individuals who have made financial and in-kind donations as well as provided volunteer support to date; but there is still a lot to be done and fundraising is a critical need at this time, in order to keep the effort going.

Visit http://www.onerichmond.org for a list of current needs and contact info.

Of course, in the meantime, the very best way to support our economy is to shop/dine locally. Head around the detour to shop at the Chubby Robin and Unleashed!

As soon as any word is received by the town about the grant funding, we will let everyone know.

Better days ahead!

Win $100 Gas Card in the "Stamp Card" Raffle-Collect 6 stamps by spending a minimum of $5 at 6 participating "downtown Richmond" businesses and be entered to win $100 of FREE gas. Completed cards must have at least 2 stamps from south-side businesses and can be turned in at any participating business by the last day of each month. Drawings will take place on the 5th of each month. Winners will be subsequently notified. Click the image to the right to download and print the card.

"Don't Detour Your Dollars" Coupons Expire Soon-Don't forget to use your "Don't Detour Your Dollars" coupons, which appeared on the orange insert, in the last issue of The Times Ink!. The coupons expire on 4/30/2009.

OneRichmond Fundraiser-In an effort to finance current and future Richmond promotional efforts, OneRichmond is selling beautiful hand-made mugs by local artist Jen Kenny, for $25 and hand-printed T-shirts, in all shapes and colors, for $10.

More info and photos of mugs and tees are at http://onerichmond.org/promotions.php

Be sure to check RABA’s website, frequently. It’s always being updated and is where you’ll find tons of useful information and community resources, like our community news’ page and events’ calendar, member directory, RABA Scholarship applications, merchants’ and volunteers’ profiles, e-commerce, special member-to-member discounts, and more.

Also, whether you’ve been a RABA member in the past and you’ve let your membership lapse—or maybe as a local business owner, from Bolton, Huntington, or Richmond, you’re considering joining RABA for the first time. At the website, there’s plenty of information about all our member benefits and activities. See what RABA can do for you. You can easily join or renew online by paying through PayPal and completing our application or printing our application and mailing it.

"Give Five to Show You Care"
by Peter and Marie Thomas
Our Community Cares Camp, Inc. is a locally-operated summer food and fun camp, in need of your financial help to fund this summer's program for Richmond, Huntington and Bolton children, who might not otherwise be able to afford a day-camp experience. Help us prove that our community really does care about children and wants to give them good food and good fun for the month of July. Please send $5.00 today to Our Community Cares Camp, Inc (a non-profit corporation) P.O. Box 503, Richmond, Vermont 05477. We are trying to collect donations from 200 families and businesses by May 1. Donations may also be dropped off at the Richmond Town Clerk's office during regular office hours or in the Town Clerk drop box at the Richmond Town Center. Thank you. For more information, please call Peter or Marie at 434-5375.

RABA’S FREE PROMOTION FOR BOLTON, HUNTINGTON, & RICHMOND—Let RABA help promote your business, organization, or community event, either at its website posting or in this eNewsletter. Just email RABA’s Secretary, Larry Bohen, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

click here to return to the top

FEATURED BIZ:

Welcome to Sleepy Hollow, a Vermont Country Inn and seventeen-sided Round Barn Event Center featuring acclaimed nordic skiing and mountain biking in a beautiful setting. We are located in the scenic town of Huntington, Vermont. Come and enjoy miles of running, hiking, mountain biking, or well-groomed cross-country skiing trails. We are a family-friendly inn, with our large trail network starting right at our doorstep. We are tucked away in the foothills of the Green Mountains, fully 1/2 mile from our nearest neighbor. Moose, deer, wild turkey, and other wildlife abound. Sleepy Hollow Inn, Ski and Bike Center is only 30 minutes from Burlington, and 40 minutes to Stowe, making Sleepy Hollow a great central location to experience all Northern Vermont has to offer. VISIT THE WEBSITE

click here to return to the top

SPECIAL SAVINGS/OFFERS:

50% discount on any web design services over $500.00 to Richmond businesses affected by the bridge closure. Limited time offer! Contact Will Keyworth at 802-434-3516, to qualify.

$2 for Tomato 6-pack (with printable coupon only).

Local Organizations receive 25% off Meeting Room rentals. All RABA members receive 50% off Meeting Room rentals.

20% discount to any downtown merchant; good toward all marketing/advertising/ promotional-related material. All RABA members, adversely-affected by the bridge closure, receive an additional 10% off on these related products. Limited time offer! Call Linda Cruise at 802-922-8499.

click here to return to the top

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Answer to Issue #3:
Question:
What year was RABA established?

Answer:
The Richmond Business Association (RBA) was founded in 1989. In the early 2000s, the RBA realized that the towns of Bolton and Huntington offer resources, such as skiing, biking, hiking, and lodging, which are for the most part complimentary to Richmond. Consequently, the RABA became the Richmond Area Business Association, resulting in RABA "territory" being able to offer a diversity of resources, venues, events, and activities that rival competing towns and cities outside our region. The Association's purpose is to provide support, structure, and a unified voice for the area businesses, with a focus on making a positive contribution to the local community. While our membership has grown, our focus has remained largely unchanged.

Issue #4 Question:
Name eight businesses and organizations with headquarters or regional offices in downtown Richmond in the following industries: farming, sustainable agriculture, organic farming, renewable resources and/or energy conservation. For answers, click here.

click here to return to the top

To Unsubscribe:

If you feel this message was sent to you by mistake or is unwelcome, please pardon the intrusion and let us know you’d like to unsubscribe from our mailing list, by clicking on the link at the bottom of this message.

Richmond Area Business Association

Next Meeting

Hosting Provided By:

Submit Information