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Date: 11/26/2021
CHESTER – About 40 members and guests of the Jacob’s Ladder Business Association (JLBA) gathered at the Chester Railway Station Museum on Nov. 18 to network and share good food prepared by chef John Slattery.
After introductions all around the room, a new slate of officers for 2022 was elected.
The business group’s new president is Russ Lapierre, a veterinarian with the Blandford Animal Hospital at 406 Woronoco Rd., Blandford. Lapierre said he hopes to help the business association readjust after the COVID-19 pandemic, to bring more people into the organization and to promote the area as a recreation destination.
Retaining their positions were Laurie Mikalunas as vice president, Elizabeth Massa as treasurer, Michele Kenney as secretary and membership director, Linda Greenia in charge of events, and Brandon Broga as media director.
A new position of social media director was created for Marissa Longley from the Retreat at Norwich Lake, who volunteered to take on the challenge of publicizing JLBA events on the web.
Kenney reported that JLBA currently has 72 members, having lost some to retirement in the past couple of years. She also awarded the JLBA prize to the member bringing in the most new members to Brandon Broga, which was blueberry jam from Lois Sturm of the Drowsy Dragon Kitchen in Chester.
Kenney said Broga has entirely revamped the JLBA website, which she called “self-service,” including the ability for members to sign up online. She encouraged all members to check out their listings online at jlba.org and renew their membership, or join for the first time, if they haven’t already.
Massa gave a treasurer’s report, noting that the new Hilltown Destinations Map, which lists members, is at the printer’s. She said JLBA received a $5,000 grant to print the map this year, leaving more than $11,000 in the bank. She said they didn’t spend their budget this year, due to the cancelation of events that would have taken place over the summer.
Among other events in 2022, JLBA is proposing a Hilltown Home Show during Chester on Track on May 23, at which all members would be invited to host a booth. More information will be forthcoming as planning gets underway.