YOUR CHAMBER NEWS
SRI CHAMBER’S NEWSLETTER
WINTER l SPRING 2017
FEBRUARY EVENTS
FEBRUARY 3RD
FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE
Hosted by Light House Real Estate Group
40 Main Street, Wakefield, RI
8:00am - 9:00am
$5 per person
FEBRUARY 8TH
SOUTHERN RI YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Hosted by Rock Spot Climbing
1174 Kingstown Road, Peace Dale, RI
5:00pm - 7:00pm
$5 per person
Join us on the red carpet
FEBRUARY 15TH
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
Hosted by Amalfi’s Catering
Narragansett Theater, 11 Pier Market Place,
Narragansett, RI
5:00pm - 7:00pm
$5 per person
For the 2017 Chamber Choice Awards Ceremony
Friday, March 10th 6:30 p.m.
The Towers - 35 Ocean Road, Narragansett
Cocktail Attire
Catered By: Matunuck Oyster Bar
FEBRUARY 21ST
NETWORK AT NOON
Hosted by The Bed & Bistro
83 Narragansett Ave., Narragansett, RI
8:00am - 9:00am
$15 per person
Ticket Details
MARCH EVENTS
MARCH 3RD
FIRST FRIDAY COFFEE
Hosted by Benny & Jack
577 Kingstown Rd, Wakefield, RI
8:00am - 9:00am
$5 per person
MARCH 8TH
SOUTHERN RI YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Hosted by South County Art Association
2587 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI
5:00pm - 7:00pm
$5 per person
For more events and to register, visit
www.srichamber.com
VIP Tickets - $100
Limited number available.
Includes raffle ticket, swag bag, dedicated cocktail server, priority bar
access, award ceremony
General Tickets - $60
To get your tickets contact the Southern RI Chamber of Commerce at
401-783-2801 or visit our website at www.srichamber.com
Sponsorship opportunities are still
available. Visit www.srichamber.com for
details, or call our office at 401-783-2801.
Welcome to The SRI Chamber | New Member Profiles
Lee Torres is a retired US Army Colonel and has long and distinguished career that
took him to Africa, Asia, Europe, and South and Central America. He is also a
certified public school educator who specializes in public policy and US government
affairs. He loves the outdoors, hiking, biking and running. Lee also speaks Spanish
fluently. The Blue Oaks Bed and Breakfast is his lifetime pursuit of offering a warm
place where guests can relax in a calm environment. His partner, Robert, is a
principal at an international school in Manhattan, New York.
Blue Oaks Bed and Breakfast
Lee Torres
North Kingstown, RI
401-268-3902
www.blueoaksbedandbreakfast.com
Colin is a professional Landscape Architect as well as an ISA Certified & RI
Licensed Arborist with over 23 years of experience in the landscape industry. He
previously served on the Zoning Board for the Town of Narragansett from October,
2015 until July, 2016 and on the Conservation Commission/Tree Board for the Town
of Narragansett from May, 2014 until October, 2015. In 2010, he obtained his Green
Business Management Certificate from the Rhode Island College Outreach Program
and continues to support as well as practice resource conservation and sustainability. He's a graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a degree
in Landscape Architecture and minor in Community Planning.
Prior to founding Elemental Designs, Colin worked for Sudbury Lawn and Landscape Design, a design/build company in Sudbury, MA, for over 8 years
as its lead designer and project manager. During that time, he had the opportunity to design and supervise projects in the high-end residential,
commercial, and public sectors.
During his younger years, he was head of Grounds and Maintenance for a fire district in southern Rhode Island where he maintained the community's
roadsides, memorials, community center, and beaches. He eventually moved on to assist in the creation of Little Feet Landscaping, a landscape
maintenance company in Rhode Island, and became its Vice President.
Elemental Designs
Colin Hynes
Saunderstown, RI
401-363-9610
www.ElementalD.com
Pear Ink Design
Martha D. Langer
East Greenwich, RI
401-258-6085
www.pearinkdesign.com
Martha D. Langer is a graphic designer with over 20 years of experience,
working for the past 15 years as a freelancer under the company name of Pear
Ink Design. Born and raised in South County, she now lives in East Greenwich,
but retains many clients all over the state, throughout Boston and New York, with
a few international clients as well. Her work focuses on both print and web
design, and includes branding, advertisements, brochures, websites, and just
about anything you could print or place in digital format. You can see more of
her work at www.pearinkdesign.com.
John Henderson Construction is an owner operated, full service,
building & remodeling company that has been in business for over 20
years. They have a shop located right in Westerly, RI. In addition to
their construction team, they also specialize in installing residential and
commercial roofs. They are a Certified GAF Master Elite Roofing
Contractor. Only 2% of roofing contractors have this certification. This
means they can offer true lifetime warranties to all their customers and
install the best roofing system you can have. Whether it's a new home, a renovation, a roof, new siding, or new windows they would love for you to
become another one of their satisfied Rhode Island or Connecticut customers!
John Henderson Construction, LLC
John Henderson
Westerly, RI
860-376-6396
www.johnhendersonconstruction.com
AAU – Atlantic Coast Wrestling Festival
Jay Jones
Kingston, RI
401-419-8567
www.aau-atlanticcoastwrestling.com/
John C. Morrell Painter
John C. Morrell
Wakefield, RI
401-783-0380
metroPCS—Ultimate Mobile Wireless
Jeffrey Olson
South Kingstown, RI
401-862-9923
Roch’s Fresh Foods
Tony Senra
Narragansett, RI
401-284-2900
www.rochs.com
Servpro of Washington, Newport & Bristol
Counties
Mike Urgo
Westerly, RI
401-315-2337
www.servpro.com
Skills for Rhode Island’s Future
Nina Pande
Providence, RI
401-663-2502
www.skillsforri.com
Sophie’s Brewhouse
Pamela Machon
Exeter, RI
401-295-4273
Tutor Doctor of South County RI
Cameron J. Lewis
North Kingstown, RI
401-267-2222
www.tutordoctor.com/south-county-ri
Waidler Law
Bruce Waidler
West Kingston, RI
401-787-7788
Welcome to The SRI Chamber | New Member Profiles
Sears Hometown Store – Wakefield
Lenny Traficante
Wakefield, RI
401-782-0009
www.searshometownstores.com/Wakefield
Sears Hometown Store is now under the new ownership of Ed Gregory. The
store is managed by Lenny Traficante and they have a brand new staff. They are
the local destination for all your appliance, home goods including vacuums,
hardware, and electronic needs, as well as a great selection of lawn & garden
products including tractors, snow-blowers and mowers. Sears Hometown Store
also offers a great selection of kitchen appliances including ovens, stoves,
ranges, dishwashers and microwaves.
Ramaker Communications
Laurie Ramaker
West Kingston, RI
401-742-0121
www.ramakercommunications.com
Laurie founded Ramaker Communications, a marketing, advertising
and public relations company, so clients can focus on what they do
best: running their business.
“My company helps clients get that ‘blend’ right,” Laurie says. “Picture
a three-legged stool. One leg represents existing clients, who must be
nurtured and retained. Another leg is new customers and the third leg
is your ‘brand’ or your image in the community. Business owners are incredibly busy doing it all, so one part can get neglected, which makes the stool
really wobbly.”
Laurie excels at helping her clients keep it all in balance by serving as a satellite marketing department for their businesses. A problem-solver and
collaborator by nature, Laurie works with clients to plan, create and implement a marketing plan targeted to their customer base. “I listen to what the
clients want and help them get there, no matter how conservative their marketing budget may be.”
For years, Laurie has worked with high-profile events like the Rhythm & Roots Festival and South County Hot Air Balloon Festival, as well as
non-profits like the South County Museum. She knows what works and what doesn’t, and she gets results.
Eden Casteel Music Studio
Eden Casteel
Wakefield, RI
401-932-5589
www.edencasteel.com
Eden Casteel is a Rhode Island based voice and piano teacher who pairs up-to-date
technology with down-to-earth teaching. Students of all ages and abilities
take private and group lessons in her Wakefield studio, and online. Eden also
designs and leads voice and audition workshops and choral training seminars.
An active performer, Eden is a member of The Contemporary Theater Company in
Wakefield RI, and performs regularly in their Micetro Improv shows as both an actor
and pianist. "A stunning coloratura soprano" with "a great sense of comic timing," Eden's favorite roles include Mrs.
Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Yum-Yum in The Mikado, and an unusual pairing of Susanna and The Queen Of The
Night in a production of Peter Shaffer's Amadeus. Every summer Eden writes, directs, and accompanies Quonnie: The Musical, an original
children’s show about the history of the Quononchontaug area of southwest Rhode Island. This summer, Eden will write and dire ct Quonnie:
The Movie.
Eden is the current president of the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Association Of Teachers of Singing, the world's larges t
organization devoted to supporting singing instructors and their students. She is also a founding member of Collegium Ancora, a Providence
-based professional vocal ensemble, and is an itinerant organist and cantor.
South County Survey Company
Jim Caldarone
Charlestown, RI
401-364-9405
www.southcountysurvey.com
South Kingstown Partnership for Prevention
Mary-Kathleen Whitten
South Kingstown, RI
401-360-1800
skprevention.org
South County Survey Company is a Charlestown based land surveying
company specializing in boundary, topographic, as-built, construction
layout and ALTA/NSPS Land Title surveys, as well as OWTS (septic
system) designs, FEMA Elevation Certificates, site plans, subdivisions
and wetland mapping.
SKPP is a coalition that gathers all sectors of the community to work
collaboratively on substance abuse prevention within the district. They work
on policy, education, communication and help with enforcement. In the
schools, they run groups and after school activities, and provide support to
faculty and administration on substance abuse issues and trends. Their work
is funded by a Drug Free Community grant and they are constantly working to
provide new programs and resources to our community and schools.
Ribbon Cuttings
GrandScapes Nursery
Picture: Friends and family of Grandscapes, Pete Grandin (center), and Southern RI Chamber of Commerce board members and ambassadors.
On Tuesday, November 1st, the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce held an official ribbon cutting ceremony for GrandScapes Nursery,
located at 61 Tuckertown Road, Wakefield, RI.
Their new facility houses an array of plants available for purchase. They are also creating a garden specifically for growing vegetables that they will be
donating to the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale and Welcome House in order to give back to the community.
They are open daily from 8:00am - 4:00pm.
Sophie’s Brewhouse
Photo: Pam Machon, owner of Sophie’s Brewhouse, (center) cutting the grand opening ribbon with Southern RI and North Kingstown Chambers of
Commerce board members.
On Thursday, November 3rd, the Southern RI Chamber of Commerce and North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce held an official ribbon cutting
ceremony for Sophie’s Brewhouse, located at 699 South County Trail, Exeter, RI.
Sophie’s prides itself on using nearly all local companies (Bagels, Allie’s Donuts on the weekends, Mill’s Coffee Roasting Company, and Virginia &
Spanish Peanut Company). The brewhouse offers 8 flavors of iced coffee and 7 flavors of hot coffee daily, with flavors changing every few days. A
variety of other specialty drinks like lattes, matcha, and tea are also available. All of their sandwiches are made with Boar’s Head meats. They make all
of their own bread, muffins, scones, croissant, turnovers, quiche and bars in house. Pumpkin rolls are also in season and available now.
The future looks bright for the newly reopened coffee shop. When their liquor license takes effect on December 1 st, they will begin to sell all local beers
inside of their dining area. There are also plans for fire pits, horse shoe, corn hole, and a volleyball net to be installed.
They are open on weekdays 6am-6pm, Saturdays 7am- 6pm, and Sundays 7am-4pm. For more information, visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/sophiesbrewhouse
Member News
SOUTH COUNTY HEALTH NURSE RECEIVES DAISY AWARD
South County Health’s Kim Rielly, RN,
Wound Care Center, received the DAISY
Award, an award that is part of an
international program that rewards and
celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and
compassionate care given by nurses every
day. Kim was nominated by her patient
Maryanne Weinreich of Wakefield, pictured
at right.
Maryanne had spent 17 months as a patient
of the South County Health Wound Care Center, and credits Kim for “saving my
life.” Medical Director of the Wound Care Center, Eric Buchbaum, DPM, can be
seen on the left.
Four nurses per year at South County Hospital are selected as DAISY award
winners. To nominate a nurse, visit www.southcountyhealth.org, Awards and
Recognitions.
WAKEFIELD IDOL IS BACK!
Wakefield Idol is back in 2017!
The event will feature 64 local
singers competing in 4 preliminary
nights (16 singers each night), 2
second round nights (16 singers
each night), 1 Sweet 16 night (16 singers), 1 quarterfinal (12 singers), 1
semifinal (8 singers), and a final sing-off (4 singers), adding up to one amazing
season! Cash prizes will be awarded. Wakefield Idol is a karaoke-style singing
competition, taking place at the Contemporary Theater Company, located at
327 Main Street in Wakefield. Tickets are available at the theater’s box office or
on their website http://contemporarytheatercompany.com/wakefieldidol/.
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR SOUTH COUNTY MUSEUM
South County Museum is looking for individuals
interested in becoming part of the fabric and
family of their organization. An enthusiastic
invitation is extended for volunteers interested in
helping interpret, preserve, and present local
history and to assist in various capacities in 2017.
Positions are available for year-round, seasonal
and special event volunteers. While the regular
schedule of exhibits do not open until May,
there is a lot to be done between now and then,
and the Museum could certainly use the help from interested individuals.
Opportunities exist for ages ranging from youth through retirement years.
For more information, contact the Museum at 401-783-5400 or
[email protected]
BLAKELY INTERIOR DESIGN MOVING TO A NEW LOCATION
Blakely Interior Design will be moving from
Main Street in Wakefield to a new space at
the historic Lafayette Mill on Ten Rod
Road in North Kingstown. Visit their
website for more information:
www.blakelyinteriordesign.com
BENNY AND JACK MOVING TO A NEW LOCATION!
Benny and Jack will be moving to a brand new
location on February 1st! Their new store will be
located at 577 Kingstown Road in Wakefield
(next to the Wakefield post office). Their new
building will feature a retail store, a “self wash”
station, grooming salon, and training center. For
more information, visit www.bennyandjack.com
FINISHING TOUCHES CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING PARTNERS
WITH CHARTER OAK SCANNING
Charter Oak Scanning has partnered with Finishing Touches Custom
Picture Framing to make their personalized digitization service available
to more Rhode Island customers. Customers can now hand deliver their
photos, slides, video tapes, film reels and more to a trusted family owned
and operated local business for processing at Charter Oak located in
Stonington, Connecticut, right on the Rhode Island border. Thousands of
families have already used Charter Oak to preserve their families'
memories. Using the latest, high quality equipment, Charter Oak offers
affordable digitization services to families both locally and nationwide.
“I love that we’re able to touch the lives of others by bringing back
otherwise lost memories” says Candice Webb, who co-owns Charter
Oak Scanning with her father, Robert
Webb. “It’s important to us that our
customers can talk through their project
from the day they drop it off to the day
its delivered. Partnering with Finishing
Touches felt so comfortable because
they have developed a trusted
relationship with the local community
and the fact that they are a mother and
son owned business speaks volumes to
their understanding of the importance of family and family moments.”
Robert Webb stresses “We want our customers to feel comfortable using
our services by providing a welcoming space, without the anxiety,
inconvenience or feeling of the ‘unknown’ of shipping their memories out
of New England, or even out of the country. That is why we chose
Finishing Touches.”
Finishing Touches is a family owned and operated framing business,
founded in 1981. Jan Bertwell and her son, Evan, moved their business
to their current location in the heart of Historic Wakefield three and a half
years ago. “From day one we have felt right at home here in Wakefield”
says Jan. “Wakefield is a wonderfully busy community with strong artistic
characteristics, ranging from theater to art galleries, to fine craftspeople,
all kinds of creative classes and of course fantastic restaurants”. Jan and
Evan know that the images and items that their clients choose to frame
are an important part of their clients’ stories; who they are, who they
have been and are a reflection of the lifestyle that they embrace. These
things are treasures to be respected and preserved with absolute care.
“We are excited to partner with Charter Oak Scanning”, says Jan. “They
share our own attention to detail and care of the media that holds so
many memories for others.”
Want us to feature your news in one of our upcoming
newsletters? Send it directly to Katie at
[email protected]
Upcoming Events
For more information about listed events and additional events, please visit www.srichamber.com
If you would like your event listed on our calendar of events, please add the event to the calendar on our website, or
send the event information directly to Katie at [email protected]
February 2017
2/2 - Wakefield Idol 2017
March 2017
3/2 - Wakefield Idol 2017
2/2 - Photographic Expressions: Four Views of the 3/3 - First Friday Coffee @ Benny & Jack
World
3/3 - Willie J Laws Band
2/3 - Tribute to Bob Dylan & The Band
3/3 - 2017 Black Tie & Blue Jeans Fundraiser
2/3 - First Friday Coffee @ Lighthouse Real Estate
3/4 - URI Men’s Basketball Home Game
Group
3/4 - Dan Moretti & The Hammond Boys
2/4 - Rex and The Rockabilly Kings
3/5 - Newport Seal and Lighthouse Tour with Save
2/8 - SRIYP @ Rock Spot Climbing
the Bay
2/9 - Wakefield Idol 2017
3/8 - Southern RI Young Professionals @ South
2/9 - Art After Dark: Exhibiting Artist Talk
County Art Association
3/9 - Wakefield Idol 2017
2/11 - Newport Seal Tour with Save the Bay
3/10 - Chamber Choice Awards @ The Towers
2/11 - Save The Bay Splash
3/11 - Beatles for Sale: Beatles Tribute
2/11 - Poppy's Master Class Comedy
3/15 - Business After Hours @ TBA
2/11 - Mat Franco
3/16 - Wakefield Idol 2017
2/12 - Rock & Roar!
3/17 - Not Fade Away: Buddy Holly Tribute
2/15 - Business After Hours @ Amalfi Catering
3/18 - Newport Seal & Lighthouse Tour with Save
The Bay
2/16 - Wakefield Idol 2017
2/18 - Eric Clapton Tribute: Bellbottom Blues
2/20 - Pinbox 3000 Camp: February Vacation
2/21 - Network at Noon @ the Bed & Bistro
2/23 - Wakefield Idol 2017
2/24 - Dead of Winter Ball: Dead Blues Society
2/26 - Newport Seal Tour with Save The Bay
2/27 - Small Business Assistance Program Info
Session
4/1 - Fall River Nature and Seal Tours with Save
The Bay
4/1 - John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band
4/1 - Newport Seal and Lighthouse Tour with Save
the Bay
4/2 - Chamber Singers Spring Fling
4/7 - Every Brilliant Thing
4/7 - First Friday Coffee @ Easter Seals Rhode
Island
4/8 - Newport Seal Tour with Save the Bay
4/8 - Debra Mann Jazz Quartet
2/10 - DD Bastos & The Sons of Providence
2/15 - URI Men’s Basketball Home Game
April 2017
3/18 - Enrique Garzille: Shadow of the Wall
3/18 - Fall River Nature and Seal Tours with Save
The Bay
3/19 - Peppino D'Agastino Guitarist Extraordinaire
3/23 - Wakefield Idol 2017
4/12 - Southern RI Young Professionals @ TBA
4/13 - Every Brilliant Thing
4/14 - Newport Seal Tour with Save the Bay
4/15 - Ann Sweeten
4/16 - Easter Brunch
4/17 - Pinbox 3000 Camp: April Vacation
4/18 - Newport Seal and Lighthouse tour with
Save the Bay
4/19 - Business After Hours @ Brightview
Commons
4/21 - Newport Seal Tour with Save the Bay
4/21 - WRIU Fundraiser @ CCA
4/25 - Network at Noon @ TBA
3/24 - Neal & the Vipers
3/25 - Jimmy “2 Suits” Capone
3/28 - Statewide Business After Hours
4/26 - Annual Legislative Reception
4/29 - An Evening with Cher, Elton, Midler &
Streisand starring the Edwards Twins
3/31 - Chamber Singers Spring Fling
After 25 years on the Southern Rhode Island Chamber
of Commerce Board of Directors, Richard Pike is
stepping down. Thank you for your service and
dedication to our Chamber. We will be forever grateful
for your loyalty, motivation and guidance.
Networking Events
Four Events Each Month: First Friday Coffee, Southern RI Young Professionals, Business After Hours, & Network at Noon
BAH @ George’s of Galilee
FFC @ Markarian & Meehan
FFC @ Monsignor Clarke School
BAH @ Liberty Rentals
FFC @ Welcome House of South County
BAH @ George’s of Galilee
FFC @ Monsignor Clarke School
SRIYP @ Old Mountain Lanes
FFC @ Monsignor Clarke School
Interested in hosting a
networking event or ribbon cutting?
SRIYP @ Whaler’s Brewing Company
Contact Elizabeth Berman
Executive Director
401-783-2801
[email protected]
Billboard Power!!
Attract the eyes of commuters, locals, and visitors every day!
Your Chamber Board & Staff
Executive Board 2017
Jeremy Walsh, Chair ………………………..…………The Right Click
Nina Luchka, Chair Elect…………………………..……Bank Newport
Pete DiStefano, First Chair Elect……..DiStefano Brothers Construction
Kim Stack, Second Chair Elect……...……..University of Rhode Island
Kathy Schmitt, Secretary…………….….………Experience Real Estate
Joe Viele, Treasurer.………………….. …………….….Liberty Rentals
Joshua Sroka, Past Chair…...….……….Law Office of Joshua A. Sroka
Elizabeth Berman, Director………………..SRI Chamber of Commerce
Take advantage of the Chamber’s unique new
advertising opportunity: Your business message will
stand alone and your brand will attract the eyes of
thousands of commuters, locals and visitors every
day. The one and only sign for miles, the billboard
stands 12ft wide by 8ft high and is located on Route
1 South, just past the Hannah Robinson Tower in
South Kingstown.
To reserve your billboard or for inquires, contact SRI
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Elizabeth
Berman at (401) 783-2801
Board of Directors
David Tetreault……………….………...…..…Citizens Bank Mortgage
Brenda Owren………………………………………....Centreville Bank
Michelle Bailey……….…….…………………..South County Hospital
Brian Fish……………….………………………………...Pier Cleaners
Matt Moeller…………….…………The Ryan Center & Boss Ice Arena
Brie Wetherell………………..…………….…Southern RI Newspapers
Jan Bertwell……………….Finishing Touches Custom Picture Framing
George McAuliffe………………………………….……..Mews Tavern
Perry Raso.……………...………………………..Matunuck Oyster Bar
Roland Fiore……………………………..South County Sand & Gravel
Larry McHugh……………….…………………….Westwind Financial
Michelle Masse………………………………………….…..Paul Masse
Carla Crowshaw……….……………………………..Schneider Electric
Chamber Staff
Elizabeth Berman…………………………………....Executive Director
Joanne Viele…………………………………………....Office Manager
Katie LaCroix…..………………….…….Communications Coordinator
Thank You to Our Corporate Sponsors
SOUTHERN RHODE ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
230 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879
T (401) 783-2801 F (401) 789-3120
www.srichamber.com
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