Membership Fair at The Hermitage Inn Tuesday October 19, 2010, 5-7PM.

The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a Membership Fair at The Hermitage Inn Tuesday October 19, 2010, 5-7PM. current members and those that would like to explore what membership can offer are welcome. Entertainment will be provided by Peter Miles and Chamber benefit representatives will be present to answer questions. New members who join at the Fair will receive a free ticket to the Chamber Annual Dinner to be held at the Old Red Mill. Members who bring a guest will be entered into a raffle for a $100 chamber gift certificate (good at local businesses). Come discover all that the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce has to offer. For more information contact Patrice Schneider at the Mount Snow Valley chamber of Commerce at 802-464-8092

Mount Snow Valley Chamber seeks nominees for 2010 Community Service and Chamber Awards

Contact: Laura Sibilia – Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce
1-802-464-8092 or laura@visitvermont.com

For Immediate Release:

Chamber seeks nominees for 2010 Community Service and Chamber Awards

The Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce is soliciting nominations for the 2010 Chamber Person of the Year and the 2010 Ralph and Verne Howe Community Service Person of the Year. These awards will be given out at our Annual Dinner on November 4th at The Old Red Mill, and usually the recipients are very surprised at the honor!

2009 Recipients: Magnus Thorsson and Bob Edwards
Life Time Achievement: Kelly Pawlak

2008 Recipients: Janet Boyd and Bruce Mullen
Life Time Achievement: none

2007 Recipients: Bears Committee and Matt Cole
Life Time Achievement: Inge "Chickie" Rao

2006 Recipients: Lee Schindel and Ann Herrman
Life Time Achievement: Don Albano

2005 Recipients: Carolyn Lucas and Sue Spengler
Life Time Achievement: none

When making your nominations for 2010 Chamber Person of the year, please consider the following: Nominees must be Chamber Members and should stand out for all of their hard work with, at, and for the Chamber and all of its 300+ Members! Please briefly explain the rationale behind your nomination.

When making your nominations for 2010 Ralph and Verne Howe Community Service Person of the Year, please consider the following: Nominees should be notable for their Commendable Community Service in our Valley and do not have to be members of the Chamber. Please briefly explain the rationale behind your nomination.

Nominations must be in by October 15th, and can be emailed to laura@visitvermont.com, dropped off at the Chamber offices at 21 West Main Street in Wilmington, or mailed to PO Box 3 Wilmington, VT 05363. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will make their selections for the 2010 award recipients at their October board meeting.

Best Seat in Vermont kickoff artists named

Contact Info:
Laura Sibilia 802-464-8092
laura@visitvermont.com

For Immediate Release:
Best Seat in Vermont artists named

On Saturday May 29th, the Mount Snow Valley Chamber’s Best Seat in Vermont public arts event will kick off at the Sitzmark in Wilmington from 3-7 pm for art, entertainment and food.

Locally crafted wooden Adirondack loveseats have been sponsored by patrons of the arts, the Chamber, local businesses, organizations and families. These benches will be on display in Wilmington, Jacksonville, and Dover along routes 9 and 100 and in Bennington and at the Guilford Welcome Center throughout the coming summer and foliage seasons, culminating in an October 9th Auction Event at The Grand Summit Resort and Conference Center at Mount Snow.

Saturday May 29th of Memorial Day Weekend, the first 10 of the twenty five total sponsored loveseats and 4 children’s Adirondacks will be unveiled. A family style BBQ at the Sitzmark will include children’s activities and performances by Colby Dix. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children and includes dinner. Beginning on Jun1st, all Adirondack benches will begin making their way to their summertime homes.

The following sponsored proposals will be unveiled on May 29th.

1) Slide into a Vermont Sunset
artist: Jesse Morgan sponsors: Bartleby’s Books, Tom and Dana Consolino

2) Snowmobile Crossing
artist: Denise Piccolo sponsors: The Yopp, LaFiura, and Lopez families

3) Friends and Lovers
artist: Sue Spengler sponsor: Roseate Creations

4) Flower Power
artist: Sarah Shippee sponsor: Bartleby’s Books

5) Sweet Summer
artist: Judy LaFiura sponsor: Cheryl Rothman

6) Sunshine Daydream
artist: Sieglinde Joyce sponsor: The Lodge at Mount Snow

7) Daydreams
artist: Mark Lowe sponsor: Wahoo’s

8) Crossed Branches
artist: Kim Grall sponsor: Mark & Kristen Wallace

9) Sweet Seat
artist: Judy LaFiura sponsors: Beth Greene, Cheryl Rothman

10) Love in Vermont
artist: Janet Picard sponsors: The Greene and Arnold families

Candidates for Governor attending Deerfield Valley Tri Town public forums

Matt Dunne kicks off forums on Thursday May 6th

Wilmington - All six 2010 main party candidates for Vermont Governor have agreed to attend public forums hosted by the Tri Town Economic Development Committee to discuss economic development.

Each forum starts at 8 am and will last for one hour. The format will be a roundtable discussion between the committee and the candidate with prepared questions, not shared in advance, asked of the candidates. Members of the public are encouraged to attend - this is a terrific opportunity to become informed about the large number of candidates.

All meetings will take place in the Wilmington Town Meeting Room.
The Tri Town Economic Development Committee was established in 2007 by cooperative action of the Selectboards in Wilmington, Whitingham and Dover and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce to address short and long term economic development in the Dover, Wilmington and Whitingham area.

The schedule:
Thursday May 6th Matt Dunne
Thursday May 20th Susan Bartlett

Wednesday June 2nd Doug Racine
Wednesday June 9th Deb Markowitz
Wednesday July 8th Peter Shumlin
Wednesday Sep 8th Brian Dubie

For more information contact: Bob Rusten, Wilmington Town Manager, at 464-8591 or Laura Sibilia, Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce, at 464-8092

Mount Snow teams up with State of Vermont for $17 Lift Tickets, Green Eggs & Beer

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Vinnie Lewis
802-464-4013
vlewis@mountsnow.com

WEST DOVER (March 22, 2010) - Mount Snow celebrated St. Patrick’s Day a little differently this year than with a lift ticket promotion and a huge party on Cuzzin’s Deck.

Senior management all week discussed how many people would show up for the $17 lift ticket promotion but they all guessed short as over 8,000 guests showed up to enjoy the great spring skiing conditions, the green eggs and beer at 8am, live radio remotes, and “The Joshua Tree” a U2 tribute band on Cuzzin’s Deck.

Kelly Pawlak, Mount Snow General Manager said, “We did a similar promotion in 2005 with $1 lift tickets on Friday, April 1 and about 6000 people showed up. Given this was a Wednesday I was expecting around 4000 people. I was astounded with the amount of guests who came out. Many who hadn’t been to Mount Snow in a long time or even first timers. Our entire staff had a blast with this promotion.”

Mount Snow’s marketing department teamed up with the State of Vermont’s Department of Tourism in a grassroots marketing campaign that included posting over 2000 posters at 32 different universities, local radio buys, and electronic billboards along Connecticut’s I-91 & I-95 interstates.

Greg Fisher, Mount Snow Marketing & Event Director, stated, “We are usually winding down our marketing in March but with the help from the State of Vermont, we were able to add another month to our outdoor buy and continue some of our radio buys. The turnout for St. Pats was amazing and I don’t think anyone walked away unhappy.”

At 9am it was apparent that the marketing campaign was successful as phone calls from the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce and other Wilmington businesses came in to Mount Snow to let the staff know that traffic was backed up for miles at the center of town. Wilmington Police had to be called in to direct traffic.

By 10am it was like President’s weekend all over again, except with temps in the 50s, green beer, and smiles from ear to ear.

Mount Snow continues spring events with the Bud Light ReggaeFest March 26 – 28, 2010 and The Gladiator & Winter Brewers Festival, April 3, 2010.

Dover, Vermont—200 Years and Moving Forward

DOVER, VEMONT

Contact: Lynn Barrett, prime@svcable.net, 802-258-3992

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dover, Vermont—200 Years and Moving Forward

DOVER, VT—Dover, Vermont, located in the heart of the Deerfield Valley in Southern Vermont’s Green Mountains, is celebrating its 200^th Birthday with a plethora of spring, summer and fall events. There’s everything from motorcycle events to blueberry fests and blues fests, to wine & food festivals, historical parades, Timeline events, arts and crafts festivals and more. Dover is the perfect place to experience a real Vermont getaway. From gourmet wine and food tasting to hiking and biking to world-class live music, a Vermont vacation starts in Dover.

The quaint, yet lively, village of Dover is filled with natural beauty and is a great starting point for activities like golfing, kayaking, visiting farmers’ markets, or just strolling through the many art galleries, quaint shops and restaurants in the area.

Vermont comes alive in the summer and fall, and many of the village’s inns offer lodging packages for the discerning or the budget conscious. For more information about planning a vacation to the beautiful Deerfield Valley, visit www.doververmont.com, www.visitvermont.com or www.mountsnow.com. Information on lodging, dining, shopping, transportation, area attractions and much more can also be found there.

The following are major events and festivals happening this spring, summer and fall in the Deerfield Valley. Hope to see you in the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont this year. Celebrate 200 years with us!

Spring Events – May

3^rd Annual Mothers For Daughters Motorcycle Weekend to Benefit Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research, Friday–Sunday, May 14-16

The event was founded in the fall of 2007 when Sharon Alves, a breast cancer survivor and Magnus Thorsson, innkeeper, The Gray Ghost Inn, discussed an event to bring caring motorcyclists together to raise funds for breast cancer and ovarian cancer research. The first annual event was held in West Dover in May 2008 at which the participating bikers raised $7,000 for breast and ovarian cancer research. In 2009, the proceeds doubled! With the help of motorcyclists, motorcycle groups and local businesses, the word is spreading and the 2010 event promises to be bigger and better than ever! The 2010 MFD Weekend event is sponsored by The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Dover Businesses and the Dover Economic Development Committee. (For more information about Mother's for Daughters', please visit www.mothers-for-daughters.com.

Celebrate the Valley’s The Grand Race 4, Saturday, May 29

Competing for the Grand Prize of $1,000, teammates will travel by foot and by car in this fierce and exciting road rally. The race will take teams throughout the Town of Dover and areas north, south, east and west in Southern Vermont. As with the popular TV show, teams will compete in fun, thrilling but mentally and physically challenging events along the way. Entry fee is $100.00 per team ($80 if you sign up before April 1st) which must consist of 4 people. $100 fee includes BBQ for four at Finish Line BBQ. This race is limited to 50 teams. Friday Night, 5pm-9pm, registration and kick off party. Cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. Matterhorn Inn (directions). Saturday, Mount Snow Base Area, 8:30am - Late registration, 9:30am - Line up, 10:00am - Race starts! Saturday Evening, The race will end at the Finish Line BBQ. The BBQ is open to the public! All are invited to watch the teams cross the finish line after a long and fun day. The Grand Prize of $1,000 as well as runner up prizes and raffle prizes will be given away! Sunday, 12pm, Make-a-wish Great Duck Race in downtown Wilmington. Information at www.celebratethevalley.com.

Summer Events – July - August

Named a Top Ten Summer Event for 2009 -- Vermont’s 3^rd Annual Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival, Friday, July 30^th – Saturday, August 7

Berries, vintage cars, music, food and tarp displays; if it’s blue, it’s probably happening in the Mount Snow area towns of Wilmington, Whitingham and Dover in late July and early August. Visitors to the Valley will find children’s activities, jam making, blueberry themed specials in the local eateries, blue music events, a blue car auto show, blueberry bake sales, blue beer, special “Blues fees” at Mount Snow’s Golf Course as well as pick your own blueberry opportunities of the event. Visitors can pick up “Passport to Blue Adventures" at the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce. More information at www.visitvermont.com.

93^rd Annual Deerfield Valley Farmers’ Day Fair, August 19-22

The Deerfield Valley Farmers' Day Fair, supported by the Dover Economic Development Committee, is a long standing local tradition which inspires neighborly competition, education in agriculture, wholesome entertainment, exhibits of area residents, and most importantly good clean fun! Events for 2010 include a Children's Lawnmower Pull, Truck Pull, Ox Pull, Horse Draw/Horse Pull, Horse Show, Classic Car Show, Children's Games including a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Scavenger Hunt, Country Jam Session, Cattle Show, Children's Barnyard/Petting Farm, Farmer for A Day, Pee Wee Midway, Pie Eating Contest, Youth and Adult Exhibits, Agricultural Demonstrations, and so much more! More information at www.dvfair.com.

2^nd Annual Mount Snow Blues Festival August, Mount Snow – Friday-Sunday, August 27- 29

The Green Mountains will turn blue this August when the 2^nd Annual Vermont Blues Festival rolls into Mount Snow for three days of world-class blues and soul music. It's never too early to start thinking about the blues! This year features three days of music on two stages, and over 13 national acts representing the full spectrum of the blues. The festival kicks off Friday night with Harrison Kennedy and Julian Fauth followed by James Armstrong and then Alex P. Suter. The festival continues throughout the weekend with Andrew R. Boy Jones, Ryan Shaw, Ruthie Foster, Trombone Shorty and Johnny Winter. Sunday acts include Big James Montgomery, Teeny Tucker, Joe Louis Walker, Marcia Ball and Kenny Neal.

This unique and exciting event will feature two stages – a Main Stage that utilizes a natural amphitheater for amazing acoustics, and an intimate venue at the base of the mountain under a huge 100-foot tent. Throughout the weekend many New England artisans and craft vendors will be on hand, along with BBQ's, beer and much more.

Located at Mount Snow in the beautiful and vibrant Green Mountains in Dover, the Vermont Blues Festival promises to be fun-filled weekend for the whole family with amazing panoramic views and plenty of aural pleasures. Advanced tickets are available now by calling the events hotline at 802-464-4191 or by visiting www.mountsnow.com/calendar.html. Special vacation packages are available from $70 per person and include lodging and event tickets. For more information, call a Mount Snow vacation specialist at 800-498-0479.

Fall Events – September - October

16^th Annual Mount Snow Brewers Fest Labor Day Weekend, Saturday – Sunday, September 4–5

Mount Snow will pay a tribute to summer’s finest elixir during the 16^th annual Mount Snow Brewers Festival. More than 20 breweries will be selling their finest brews, along with great music and good times. All paid (21 and over) entries will receive a souvenir glass, along with a free beer. Tokens may be purchased after that for $2. More than 60 beers will be for sale, including hefeweizens, porters and even ciders. Breweries in attendance have included: Magic Hat, Long Trail, Harpoon, Allagash, North Coast, Berkshire Brewing Company, Smuttynose, Rock Art, Trout River, Stone, Madison Brewing Company, McNeils, Pittsfield Brewing, Elm City, Red Hook, Anheuser-Busch, Sam Adams and many more. For more information, visit www.mountsnow.com/calendar.html.

Celebrate The Valley Inc.’s 5^th Annual Taste of The Deerfield Valley, Saturday, September 11

Southern Vermont’s Deerfield Valley is home to many fine eating establishments, ranging from gourmet cuisine to local flavors and beyond. For the fifth year in a row, more than a dozen of the area’s finest restaurants will come together for the “Taste of Deerfield Valley.” This year organizers are focusing on children’s education from both a culinary perspective and an industry one. Plans are underway to work with the Junior Iron Chef program, as well as name chefs. More than a dozen delicious restaurants will gather at the base of Mount Snow to allow participants to “taste” certain items from their menu. Organizers say the restaurants always put their best foot forward at this event and participants are sure to have their taste buds tingling.

Included this year will be restaurants serving barbecued country ribs, Polish fare, New England Clam Chowder, smoked seafood, soups, crab cakes, Vermont wines and much more. Along with tasting the food, the afternoon will include live music, local artisans and some events to keep the children busy, like a bouncy house and face painting.

Proceeds from this event will benefit The Deerfield Valley Food Pantry. The Pantry will also be on-hand accepting food donations. Organizers say to show up early because tickets go fast and are only available at the door. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children age 7-12, and free for children 6 and under. For more information, visit www.celebratethevalley.com.

Named a Top Ten Fall Event for 2010- 3^rd Annual Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival Friday–Sunday, September 24–26

From gourmet cheese and wine to specialty items crafted by local artisans, come celebrate the rich uniqueness, quality and ingenuity of Vermont producers at the third annual Vermont Life Wine and Harvest Festival in the Mount Snow Valley.

The Festival, held during the last weekend of September (Sept. 24-26), showcases Vermont wineries & cheese makers, food vendors, local crafters & artists, and features a number of wine pairing events. It is one of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce’s picks as a Top 10 Fall Event for 2010.

The 2010 weekend long festival will feature additional authentic Vermont experiences including a historic downtown Wilmington welcome reception, Indigenous Vermonter breakfasts, a series of wine pairing dinners at the finest eateries in the area and a series of Vermont chef demonstrations. Set in the backdrop of the world renowned Vermont fall foliage; attendees will discover, savor and enjoy Vermont vintners, small specialty food producers, painters, publishers, cheese makers, potters, jewelers, chefs, photographers and farmers. For more information, please go to: www.theVermontFestival.com.

Celebrating 200 Years and Moving Forward! Dover Bicentennial, Friday–Sunday, October 1-3

This fall Dover in Southern Vermont is preparing for a major celebration from October 1 through 3, with its once in a lifetime Bicentennial Celebration – a 200-year birthday extravaganza. The town was originally a part of the South District of Wardsboro, per the Vermont Republic Grant of November 7, 1780. In 1788, Dover residents began petitioning the legislature to create a new town by the name of Palmyra, and in 1810 the General Assembly saw fit to grant their wish but under the name of Dover. 100 years ago, Dover’s Centennial came and went without any fan fare at all – and this time local citizens are determined to make sure that another century does not go by unnoticed.

A preliminary preview of the weekends’ festivities follows: Friday, October 1^st will include a school play about the history of the town. This will be followed by music at Mount Snow and a fireworks display to commemorate the opening of the festivities. Saturday is Dover’s big event day. A large parade with the theme, “Our Heritage, Our County Today, is planned with a great deal of local participation in the form of fire companies, local floats, antique cars, re-enactors, and an extensive variety of bands. There will also be a street fair, concerts, food vendors, and artisans. The Matterhorn Inn, along with Celebrate the Valley will be hosting the Living History Association’s 24^th Annual International Time Line Event – which is a walk through several centuries of history performed by re-enactors. On Saturday night folks will be able to attend a square dance at the Dover Town Hall. Sunday morning there will be a breakfast at the Dover Town Hall, followed by a church service. For more information go to www.visitvermont.com.

Mount Snow’s 13^th Annual Oktoberfest & Harvest Art & Craft Show, Friday-Sunday, October 8–10

German music, beer, food and games will be celebrated Oct. 8-10 at Mount Snow’s 13^h annual Oktoberfest. This fun family event features children’s activities like face painting, pumpkin painting, arts and crafts, a hay pile and the infamous "schnitzel toss." Adult games include the keg toss, horseshoe tournament, stein holding, the one-man saw and the apple sling shot. New England Breweries will be back with their fall line ups to accompany the German Style beers. All adult over age 21 with paid admission will receive a souvenir pint glass and a free drink on Mount Snow. For more information, visit www.mountsnow.com/calendar.html.

For more information about planning a summer or fall vacation to beautiful Dover, visit www.doververmont.com or www.visitvermont.com. Many area inns offer fall package discounts, which are available by visiting www.visitvermont.com, or by calling the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce at (877) 887-6884. Information on lodging, dining, shopping, transportation, area attractions and much more can also be found there.

Southern Vermont Food Summit

Southern Vermont Food Summit

Businesses and individuals with an interest in Vermont food and the promotion of culinary tourism, particularly in southern Vermont are invited and encouraged to attend the Southern Vermont Food Summit sponsored in part by the Windham Foundation, Honora Winery the Hermitage and Southern Vermont RMP

This summit will occur at The Hermitage Inn in West Dover on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and will explore culinary tourism as a "Catalyst for Community Identity & Economic Development".

Vermont has emerged as a leader in America's new food culture and is at the forefront of offering wholesome, fresh, safe food. Culinary education and culinary travel is a four-season activity. The increasing dollars being spent on culinary education and culinary travel, including cooking demonstrations and classes, creative dining experiences, food festivals, winery visits and food quests for regional specialties is an exciting and largely untapped opportunity for tourism in Vermont.

This Summit is the first in a series to discuss culinary tourism issues and the benefits and challenges it offers. The goal will be to help define Southern Vermont's Culinary Tourism potential and to develop successful initiatives based on best practices in the industry.

Topics/Speakers include: Roger Allbee, Secretary of Agriculture, Vermont Food: What Vermont Has to Offer; Katrina White, Board Member of The International Culinary Tourism Association: What is Culinary Tourism and what are the benefits; Jim Trezise, President, NY Grape & Wine Foundation, Best Practices Presentation of UnCork NY!; Lynn Barrett, President, Primetime Concepts, Inc., Marketing Concept for Southern Vermont Culinary Tourism

Southern Vermont’s chambers of commerce have been working collaboratively to explore this topic and develop this summit.

The cost of attendance is $25 which includes a specially prepared lunch by The Hermitage and will be followed by a social hour gathering. RSVP to Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce 464-8092

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce – Laura Sibilia

Phone: 1-802-464-8092

Email: info@visitvermont.com

Dover to host first Blueberry Parade Saturday August 8

DOVER - The second weekend of this years 2nd Annual Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival will culminate with the first ever “All things Blue and Agricultural” Blueberry Themed Parade. Sponsored in part by the Dover Economic Development Committee and the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Parade will take place on Saturday August 8th on Route 100 in Dover and begin at 11 am.
Starting at the intersection of Door Fitch Road and Route 100 and ending at Country Club Road, spectators of the parade will view a number of floats and marching groups including the Brattleboro Keene area American Legion Marching Band, Adams Farm, the Mount Snow Bobettes, The Deerfield Valley Rotary, Deerfield Valley News, Valley Dolls, Boyd Family Farm, Celebrate the Valley, Deerfield Valley Healthcare Volunteers, Deerfield Valley Rescue, Honora Winery, Mount Snow Bobettes, MOOver, River Valley Market, Summertime Beach Blue (equine), Wardsboro Fire Department, Wilmington Fire Department.
The Valley’s Wisdom Keepers and backbone of Vermont’s agriculture heritage are invited to either ride in the parade or view the parade from the historic West Dover Inn. Phil Gilpin from the West Dover Inn has graciously offered to host our wisdom keepers with some special seating. (Seating is limited please call the Chamber for more information 464-8092)
Participants who plan to walk in the parade should meet at the Tollgate Village no later then 10:30. Motorized units should arrive at the Sitzmark no later then 10:15.
The route 100 parade route will be shut down from approximately 10:45am to noon and drivers on route 100 between Wilmington and Dover should plan accordingly. The suggested alternate route from Wilmington to Dover is Cold Brook Road to Two Tannery Road and back out onto Route 100 North.
Immediately following the parade, the American Legion will be providing a free concert on the Paw House Inn lawn. BBQ lunch and beverages will be available for purchase by the Mount Snow Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Additional parade sponsors include Boyd Family Farm, Merchants Bank, Bartleby’s, Mount Snow Resort, The Hermitage Inn, C&S Beverage & Dairy, Chapman’s Antique Barn, Nelson E. Pickwell Post American Legion, Deerfield Valley Real Estate, and The Richards Group Insurance.
For more information on the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival or the Blueberry Parade, contact the mount Snow Valley chamber ay 802-464-8092 or info@visitvermont.com