The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Support small local businesses with holiday shopping
MIDDLETOWN — It is hard to believe, but we have reached Christmas week in Middlesex County and throughout our great nation.
Holiday on Main a success
Before sharing some personal thoughts and some thoughts from the chamber about the holidays, I want to take a moment to provide a wrap up of another very successful Holiday on Main Street presents the Magic of Middletown.
Thanks to the efforts of a great committee, our dedicated chamber staff, and a whole lot of holiday spirit, the Magic of Middletown inspired our community while providing family friendly fun for all.
I would like to offer a sincere thank you on behalf of the chamber to our 2021 sponsors: the City of Middletown and Pratt & Whitney, Frontier Communications, Downtown Business District, Community Health Center, Orthopedic Associates of Middletown, Root Center for Advanced Recovery, Bank of America, Dunkin Batista Cos., Malloves Jewelers, Middlesex Eye Physicians, Seasons Federal Credit Union, Xavier High School, Apple Rehab of Middletown, Brown and Wimler Construction and Cavanaugh & Co.
Others were the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Fox Pest Control, Jersey Mikes of Middletown, Rotary Club of Middletown, Russell Library, St. Vincent de Paul Middletown, Saint John Paul II Regional Catholic School, Heritage Commons Retirement Community, Kidcity Children’s Museum, Kronenberger & Sons Restoration, Middlesex Music Academy, Middlesex YMCA and Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore.
As always, the city went above and beyond in support of the event. Mayor Ben Florsheim, the Common Council, and many different city departments supported the event in a variety of important ways. From the police and fire departments, to recreation and community services, public works, and more, the city team stepped up once again.
The Holiday on Main Street Committee, under the leadership of Al Santostefano, put in many volunteer hours over the past several weeks. Finally, chamber Vice President Johanna Bond, as well as Haley Stafford, Danielle Aletta and Sierra Lopez from the chamber team, did a great job as usual with this large and important series of events.
I thank them all for their support, and I am so proud of Middletown yet again. The Magic of Middletown is in the books, and we are already looking ahead to next year.
Shop local
I would like to send out one final plea that we all consider supporting the local business community for our holiday shopping needs this year. These small business owners are our friends, colleagues, and neighbors, and they deserve our support and patronage.
Please support local, and let’s continue to make strides towards a stronger Middlesex County in 2022 and beyond.
Lamont visit
The chamber is fortunate to have two other timehonored traditions during the holiday season.
The first is to welcome our state’s sitting governor as keynote speaker at our December member breakfast meeting. This tradition goes back to the days of Gov. William A. O’Neill in the 1980s. Gov. Ned Lamont did a great job at last Tuesday’s event, which was sponsored by Eversource.
A large crowd of business people, public officials, and other supporters joined us at the Sheraton Hartford South in Rocky Hill for the event.
The governor provided us an update on the state’s fight against the pandemic, an update on Connecticut’s fiscal health, and a look ahead to 2022. He was introduced by Eversource CEO Joe Nolan, who also did a terrific job with his uplifting remarks.
Finally, the event featured a surprise appearance by new University of Connecticut football head coach Jim Mora.
Optimism won the day, and I know I for one, am very bullish about the future of Middlesex County and the great state of Connecticut.
Economic development
The month of December also annually features our Board of Directors meeting at the Gelston House in East Haddam. Last Thursday’s meeting featured an update on important economic development projects in the area around the Swing Bridge, terrific reports from the chamber staff, and an update from our county-based divisions and industry specific committees.
I would like to thank past chamber chairman and longtime supporter Anthony Assante for sponsoring this important and productive meeting.
Vaccination clinics
Switching gears to the pandemic, I want to take a moment to thank Kevin Elak and his team at the Middletown Department of Health for holding the third COVID-19 vaccine clinic of 2021 for the business community. This event was held at the chamber building last Friday afternoon.
Kevin has done amazing work throughout this crisis, and he has reached out to and worked with the chamber every step of the way. He has our gratitude, and the gratitude of this entire community. We also appreciate the work of the outstanding Middletown Medical Reserve Corps.
We appreciate and value these partnerships very much.
I wish everyone in our region a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a safe and joyous holiday season. I also ask that as we celebrate the holidays, we keep in mind the men and women of our armed forces who are serving at home, and around the world, to keep us safe and free.
Please also keep in mind those who are less fortunate. May they experience joy and happiness during this holiday season.
Looking ahead, 2022 is on the horizon, and the sun continues to shine in Middlesex County.