Four Chambers in Southern Rhode Island
were stunned and deeply offended when the
South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce
announced a new name “Southern Rhode
Island Chamber of Commerce”. The new
name deceivingly gives the impression that
the group represents the businesses
throughout that region, is a gross
misrepresentation of that group’s service
area and present programs. By purposely
choosing to not communicate with the other
southern RI Chambers before this aggressive
re-branding tactic was undertaken, the South
Kingstown Chamber showed a callous
disregard for the other organizations
affected. It is the first time in history that
the collaborative efforts of the regions
chambers have come to a halt. Comments
made stating that Richmond and Hopkinton
did not have a chamber, and implying that
the SK Chamber would now be the voice for
that community were particularly offensive
to our Board. Having had a direct past
involvement with our Chamber, the South
Kingstown Executive Director was well
aware that our Chamber serves that
community and has for years.
Opposition letter poured in to the South
Kingstown Chamber Board from Town
Councils in 3 communities, from business
owners in Richmond and Hopkinton, from
past Presidents of this chamber, and more.
The four chambers asked the South
Kingstown Board to revisit their name
Last month, the State of RI EDC abruptly
closed the official welcome center building
at exit 3 in Rhode Island, much to the
surprise and disappointment of businesses
and tourism officials. The reason was
simple: state funding challenges have made
it impossible to maintain the $400,000 a
year facility that includes restrooms,
brochure distribution and staffing to assist
visitors. Many are upset that this center no
longer exists and that strict federal
regulations would prohibit a private
enterprise from utilizing the building.
Connecticut has very successful rest stops
Chamber News & Views November 2011 www.westerlychamber.org [email protected] 401.596.7761
INSIDE - Business After Hours
- New Members
- ATHENA Honorees
- Italy Trip a Success
- Brews & Blues
- Destination Downtown
change decision. They did so, and
reaffirmed that they will keep the new name
despite the overwhelming regional
opposition and the many broken
relationships that have ensued. The 4
chambers, now formally collaborating as the
United Chambers of Southern Rhode Island
that incorporate gasoline stations, restaurant
services and retail operations. This concept
is not an option in RI however.
From our perspective, the closing of the
facility could potentially be a blessing in
disguise. Our Chamber of Commerce has
long advocated that the placement of the
state’s welcome center, 6 miles after the
state border, is actually a disservice to
Westerly businesses. By the time a traveler
stops to get information and pick up a Go
Westerly Magazine, they have long passed
our community. How likely are they to
double back and do a u-turn to visit our
with 1900 members, will continue to work
together on joint programming, leaving the
new “Southern Rhode Island Chamber of
Commerce”, with its 500 members alienated
from that partnership.
See unitedchambersri.org for more info.
beautiful beaches, charming village of
Watch Hill and historic downtown?
see “Welcome Center” page 2)
Widespread Opposition To South Kingstown Chamber’s
New Name, “Southern RI Chamber of Commerce”
State Welcome Center Closing Poses Opportunity
Buckley Heating & Cooling and
Belmont Market Announce “Heat
and Eat” Campaign to Benefit the
Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale.
Federal research shows that while all
families increase their expenditures on home
heating fuel during the winter, low-income
families offset this cost by decreasing food
purchases. In response, Buckley Heating &
Cooling and Belmont Market are partnering
in a new “Heat and Eat” Campaign to
benefit the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale
and increase awareness of its efforts to
create hunger-free communities. The
campaign will award a minimum of 25 new
automatic delivery fuel customers a $25
Belmont Market Gift Card. A matching gift
card will be donated to the Jonnycake
Center of Peace Dale. Buckley Heating &
Cooling Fuel Sales Representative Steve
Maciel, who also runs the non-profit End
Congratulations to Casa Della Luce for
winning the Chowder Cook Off for the
Rotary Club of Westerly. Their chowder
was sampled by hundreds of guests who
voted them tops among 20 local restaurants.
Stop by the restaurant today and sample
some for yourself!
NEW MEMBERS
Behan Family Farm
59 Maxson Hill Road, Ashaway, RI
401-741-7031
Contact: Matt Behan We are a family owned and run business
established in May 2011. Matt graduated
from URI in 2008 with a degree in
Aquaculture. Once all meetings and
licenses were acquired, we broke ground on
April 30th with 57,000 oysters. We are
considered a small farm at present but we
are filling up our 3-acre lease fast. Our
business is 100% organic and very
environmentally friendly. An adult oyster
can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day
removing nitrogen from the coastal salt
ponds. This helps to stop harmful algae
blooms which can lead to fish kills and poor
pond health. Oysters are grown in a
controlled method known as “rack and bag”
aquaculture. Because they are farmed, not
harvested from the wild, they are considered
very sustainable. Oyster farming is great for
the environment, economy and your health!
Deb Nigrelli (above right), Founder and
Executive Director of Rhode Island
Community Assisting Those In Need, was
named the ATHENA Honoree at this year’s
celebration at Lake of Isles. Over 200
people gathered to celebrate the
achievements and volunteer contributions of
7 outstanding women. They were: Carol
Amedeo, Virginia Brown, Karin Schwer
Gatch, Barbara Perino, Alexandra Stoddard,
June Strunk, and Deb Nigrelli. All were
lauded for their incredible impact on
business, their outstanding community
service, and their efforts to help other
women achieve leadership roles. Gerry
Cunningham of Geraldine Cunningham
Associates Financial Advisor (above left),
the event sponsor, said “it was a stellar
Global Inspirations
78 High Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Contact: Ted Pappagallo
860-705-1882 We are a family owned business established
in support of the artisans in underdeveloped
countries. We work with both Fair Trade
Organizations and Faith Based Initiatives in
an effort to promote Fair Trade and to help
raise the living standards of the artisans,
their families and their community. Our
mission is to offer distinctive handcrafted
products made from recycled, natural and
organic material at fair prices from over two
dozen developing countries in Latin
America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East,
Oceania and the Caribbean. We offer a
wide variety of crafts: hand carved wood
and stone figures, oil drum wall art, toys and
games, jewelry and accessories, collectibles
crafted from recycled metal and wire,
gourds and telephone wire, musical
instruments including d’jembe drums, home
decor, coffee, tea, a selection of volcanic
ash, vegetable ivory and sawdust crafts and
a unique collection of ornaments and
nativities, and olive wood figurines. Come
visit us in historic downtown. We are open
Tues, Wed, and Friday 2-8pm, Thurs 2-7pm
and Saturday 10am-5pm.
group of ladies this year. It’s just incredible
to think that we have this caliber of citizens
who are devoted to giving back and
inspiring others.”
Zoe & Co. was the sponsor of the ATHENA
Scholarship Program. They generously
provided 3 high school seniors with $500
each. Selections were made based upon
outstanding scholastic achievement,
community service and demonstrated acts
that help women. All 3 were also long time
Chamber volunteers. They included: Amy
Benevides of Westerly High, Alexandra
Konicki of Stonington High and Mary-
Catherine Stockman of The Prout School
(pictured below). To view the many more
images from the event, donated by Fordan
Bonardi, visit The Chamber on Facebook.
Welcome Center (contd. from page 1) Our Chamber is actively seeking an
alternative solution that would better serve
our community. We hope to identify land
off exit 93, allowing us to create a new
Welcome Center that would be supported by
the United Chambers of Southern Rhode
Island - Charlestown, Narragansett, North
Kingstown and the Greater Westerly-
Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce.
We are looking into trailers, converted
container office space, attractive stand alone
sheds, and other options. The new site
would be just off the exit, not on I-95 itself,
but would provide promotional literature for
our area, giving motorists the chance to
learn about Westerly and explore this
community BEFORE they have already
driven well past it. We would seek
corporate support through ads and a modest
brochure distribution fee.
Stay tuned for more information.
Barbara Perino of Washington Trust Co.
receives standing ovation.
Carol Amedeo of Westerly Airport
Association with Michelle Pendola,
Chamber President.
Deb Nigrelli Named ATHENA Recipient/Zoe & Co. Presents Scholarships
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A new initiative, spearheaded by Chamber
Director Lisa Konicki, supported by sponsor
Chelsea Groton Bank and facilitated by its
CEO Michael Rauh, is off and running. The
group met initially in September for 3 hours
with the purpose of bringing together the
key players in historic and distinctive
downtowns in the region. Participants
discussed the assets and the strongest
programs and events that drive business to
their downtown and the challenges facing
their business district today. They shared
case studies and took comfort in knowing
that those gathered around the room shared
similar problems and some could even offer
valuable suggestions or possible solutions.
Common challenges included:
Bringing multiple groups together
around a common goal
Not enough volunteers to run events
Getting people to think bigger
Developing/uncovering new leadership
(beyond the existing core)
Involving different geographic parts of
town in Downtown
Slow foot traffic/overall economy
Perceptions of safety in Downtown
Parking (both quantity and management)
Data collection for proving success of
events
Cost of public safety and permitting for
events.
It was a high energy meeting with active
participation from reps in New London,
Mystic, Norwich, Westerly and Wickford.
Other communities such as Old Saybrook
and Niantic were unable to attend the first
meeting but have pledged interest and
Niantic was actively engaged in the second
meeting. It was quickly determined that
there is benefit to creating a network to
share resources, cross promote, pool
volunteers, and even engage in a unified
regional promotion or event. The second
Meeting was dedicated to formalizing the
partnership and setting goals. They decided
A beautiful family- Whitney Krueger, Donna
Simmons and Grant Simmons, III
to use social media to a private forum where
they could communicate on a variety of
issues privately. They decided to create a
joint website that contains information and
logos and links to all of the Destination
Downtown partners. It would highlight
specific common denominators such as
“arts, culinary events, holiday happenings,
volunteer opportunities, recreation” and
more. They decided to seek professional
support for the web site and to seek grant
support for the cost of this undertaking. The
meeting locations rotate to each historic
downtown, and the goals of a Spring launch
for the website and summer event will
remain at the top of the list.
First-Time Chamber
Group Enjoyed Italy
Eighteen people from our community
enjoyed an 8 day adventure in Italy that
included Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. The
group spent time touring Montecatini, Pisa,
Lucca, Sorrento, Capri, Florence, Chinkah
Terre, and Pompei. It was wonderful
experience and as a result, The Chamber
will coordinate 3 group tours in 2012- a
repeat of this tour, a new region of Italy and
China in October. To see pictures of the
beautiful scenery, visit our Facebook Page.
MEMBER NEWS
Guytanno’s Café is under new
management. Guy’s brother Kris Gingerella
who has been there since the opening of the
restaurant in 2004 is now co-owner with
Bryan Giordano who has worked at the
restaurant for a year and a half. Patrons can
expect the same great service and quality
cuisine!
Antonio J. Mattero, D.D.S. is proud to
announce the transition of his dental practice
to Diana Radulescu, D.D.S., M.D. of DMR
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Inc. Dr.
Radulescu is a member of the American
Dental Association, Connecticut State
Dental Association, Rhode Island Dental
Association, American Dental Implant
Association and Academy of General
Dentistry. Dr. Diana Radulescu graduated
within the top 5% of her dental class at
Columbia University, NY. Dr. Radulescu
also completed her medical degree at Carol
Davila Medical School, Bucharest,
Romania. DMR Family & Cosmetic
Dentistry, Inc. offers patients access to the
latest techniques and treatments for all areas
of dental care from routine hygiene
appointments to full mouth reconstruction in
a gentle, compassionate setting. Dr.
Radulescu is committed to continuing to
offer the highest quality dental care to the
Westerly community that has been offered
by Antonio J. Mattero, D.D.S. for the past
forty years.
DMR Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Inc.
31 Crestview Drive
Westerly, RI 02891
401-596-7734
www.westerlydentist.net
Has Momentum
Scenes from Business After Hours
at WB Cody’s
CCI Computer Centers
On-site Computer Support
38 West Broad Street
Pawcatuck, CT 06379
860-599-1947
Waste
Management of
Rhode Island
Commercial Trash Services
(800) 955-0518
Benevides &
Turano LLC,
CPAs and Business
Advisors
85 Beach Street
Westerly, RI
401-596-9797
Brews & Blues
Scenes from Business After Hours
at Jonny Cake Center of Westerly