November 8, 2017
Over 50 people gathered at the Enfield Community Building on Wednesday, November 8, to meet, greet and eat.
This Multi-town Business After Hours was co-hosted by the Enfield Village Association (EVA) and the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC). The goal was to invite business people from the towns of Enfield, Canaan, Lebanon, West Lebanon and Plainfield, so they could expand their normal contacts.
This unique multi-town Business After Hours was more than the “norm”, in that there were many features that added to the festiveness of the party.
Betsey Child, Chair, and Jim Shibles set up tables and decorated the room with corn stalks and pumpkins donated by Pleasant Valley Produce at Campbell Farm of Enfield. Mini lights were intertwined in the stalks.
The table for door prizes was also decorated with garlands of colored leaves and mini lights. Four door prizes were awarded: a gift basket filled with a variety of products by Love Nest Farm Stand owned by Amy Hall and Matt Conrad; two audio CDs from Alaview Music Company of Enfield telling the story of how the Mt. Washington Cog Railroad came to be, written and produced by Jim Shibles and Betsey Child; and a heavy duty shower head donated by Frank Webb Home, Jane Maxham, Showroom Manager.
Three large tables set in the middle of the room were decorated with two large bouquets of colorful fall flowers and garlands of colorful leaves, and were laden with platters of a variety of finger foods donated by area restaurants. Delicious platters were generously donated by 56 Main Street Bar & Grill, Canaan Village Pizza, Jake’s Market & Deli, Mickey’s, Papa Zs, Marsh Bros Deli, River View Farm and Taylor Brothers Creamery. Janet Lovely made her unique shrimp dish.
Smuttynose Brewing Company showcased a variety of its brews, with Todd Balise, National Accounts Manager, catering to the individual tastes of the crowd and explaining the different offerings.
Two boxes of coffee and supplies were donated by Enfield’s Dunkin’ Donuts.
Janet Lovely also donated two “cases” of bottled water.
And, not least, was dessert! – a huge box of Lindt Chocolates, donated by Kristina Cole, Manager, Lindt Chocolate Shop of West Lebanon.
Big thanks go to the Lions Club who originally built this beautiful building for use by the community. And thanks to Beth Lewis, for putting our event on the large sign in front.
This event would not have happened without the dedicated contributions of time and energy by many volunteers. Thanks go to Bridgett Taylor, Administration Assistant of LACC, who works with Rob Taylor (no relation) and who was there for support and questions and mailings and many other “official” duties, and Rob Taylor, Executive Director of LACC, for his enthusiastic support, and for soliciting food and drink from his members.
Thanks go to Kim Quirk, President of EVA, for her support and saving us with last-minute runs home to gather those forgotten items; to Ryan Aylesworth, new Town Manager of Enfield, for greeting the attending business people, and bringing them up-to-date on local goings-on.
Thanks also to Olga Farrell and Joe Scearbo of Mascoma Savings Bank for picking up food and acting as Ambassadors throughout the evening, seeing that people were happy and meeting others; to Gordon Boddington, Manager of the Holiday Inn of White River Junction, for being an Ambassador and bringing supplies and food from the LACC; Betsy and Maynard Southard of Enfield, who greeted people and hosted throughout the evening; to Meredith Smith for her presentation on having Rt. 4A designated as a Scenic Road; thanks to Jim Shibles for his support, strength to carry, set up and provide music by Bose radio; and, finally, thanks to all who came and enjoyed the evening.
Respectfully submitted,
Betsey Child, Chair
Monday, November 13, 2017