By Kathy Converse Charbonneau
Orange Chamber of Commerce
Kathy Converse Charbonneau
“A community that is engaged and working together can be a powerful force.” – Idowu Koyenikan
Spring arrives on March 20, and with it comes optimism and excitement about the Orange Bicentennial Summer of Celebration. Many dedicated individuals and organizations are giving their talents and time to create fun and memorable activities for residents to enjoy because they love our community and want to celebrate its history. Be sure to visit orange-ct.gov for details so you can make plans to participate in our town’s 200th anniversary.
The Orange Chamber of Commerce will have a St. Patty’s Business After Hours on Wednesday, March 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. hosted by the Orange Ale House. Ale House owner Jim Hassenmayer and his son Dan are inspiring examples of people who are constantly giving back to the greater Orange community, and the chamber sincerely appreciates their generosity. This is a joint event of the Orange and Milford chambers. Come connect with local area businesses and residents while enjoying corned beef and cabbage, and other Irish delicacies for just $20. This price is for pre-registered chamber and Shop Local Club members and includes two beer or wine tickets. Contact the Orange Chamber of Commerce to register.
The day Orange was founded will be recognized in a ceremony on Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. in a Founding Day ceremony and groundbreaking of the Bicentennial Brick project at High Plains Community Center. The event will host local and state dignitaries, and the chamber will celebrate some of our prominent citizens we lost this past year with a brick in their honor presented to their families. I encourage you to attend this historical and touching event. Bricks will be available for sale all summer long and installed in the fall. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of history by purchasing an engraved, commemorative brick through the chamber.
The Orange Economic Development Corporation and the Orange Chamber of Commerce will promote restaurants and businesses that offer “bicentennial specials” from May 28 through June 10 for Bicentennial Restaurant and Business Week via flyers, social media, newsletters, eblasts, our websites and press releases at no cost. The goal is to have the entire community get caught up in the spirit of this historical summer.
The chamber will be selling beautiful keepsake holiday ornaments to commemorate this milestone anniversary, as well as banners so that businesses and residents can proudly display their town pride. Items will be priced affordably and available to order in early April through an online shop currently in development.
We continue to grow chamber membership with a combination of businesses and nonprofit organizations in our efforts to bring people together to strengthen the fabric of our community. Please support them because they are what help to make Orange a special place to live.
Welcome to Art People, LLC; Community Champions Network; Crafters Care Events; Launch Communications; the Milford-Orange Times; Peony Spa; SARAH, Inc.; Stillwater Wellness; Sysnerd Tech Services; and Whitten, Horton + Gibney, LLP.
We are grateful for our business and nonprofit members, along with the community’s support of our events and fundraisers. You are the key to making it possible for the chamber to be an important part of preserving our town character. Email director@orangectchamber.com to learn more about chamber activities and programs.
Kathy Converse Charbonneau is the executive director of the Orange Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at director@orangectchamber.com or 203-795-3328.