The Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Meeting virtually on February 4th, 2021. We were not able to hold the event as we normally would however one of the benefits of this past year is how tech-savvy we have all become so virtual was the way to go. The agenda included accomplishments from 2020, goals for 2021 and of course the presentation of our five community awards. The chamber received a record number of nominations for these awards. 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for everyone and every nominee contributed to making the best of the year in the Lake Sunapee Region.
Congratulations to our Annual Community Award Winners
Rookie Business of the Year – Sweet Beginnings Daycare
Located in Wilmot, NH Shandi Elliott has done a tremendous job reaching many families with young children (especially essential workers) to offer her home daycare services. She goes above and beyond to be sure each child that she cares for is treated like her own. The activities she provides are authentic, fun and age-appropriate. She opens her home to the children she cares for and creates a warm, loving, safe and healthy environment for them to grow.
Young Professional of the Year – Ashlee Rowley
Ashlee is the Director for the LSRCC and the owner of Dance Arts Academy in Sunapee, NH – she strives to be a role model and ambassador for local businesses. She is a dependable asset to our community and does a great job with social media and marketing. Ashlee works well with others to create new partnerships and resources for member businesses. She appears to have tireless energy and a drive to succeed in her role for the Chamber and for its members and the Lake Sunapee Region. Ashlee has pushed us through an incredibly difficult time and proven to be resourceful, successful and a bright light in our communities.
Non-Profit of the Year – Center for the Arts
A regional arts organization dedicated to reaching as many communities as possible through all means available. The pandemic made this past year an incredible struggle for so many but the board of the Center for the Arts really stepped up to ensure that their calendar of events was still available to all albeit virtual. The CFA always has a packed calendar of events for the performing arts, literary arts, visual arts and so much more. They provide scholarships to students in the Lake Sunapee Region to continue their arts education, they also provide mini-grants to teachers in the area to enhance what programs they can offer their students like the Shakespeare program at KRES-NL. They have reached over 1200 people safely and virtually over the course of this past year. They have brought writing, poetry, photo contests to people of all ages, zoom meet and greets with local artists, virtual First Friday events and galleries, collaborations like the “Lake Sunapee Music Fest – from our Home to Yours! They are actively working with a sub-committee - the Arts & Business Alliance to produce an Arts Destination Map with a launch for the Summer of 2021. Jean Connolly and the board of directors for the Center for the Arts have done a tremendous job keeping us engaged and active artistically throughout this exceedingly difficult and trying time.
Community Member of the Year – Angela Tarleton
Angela is the Co-founder, Director of Dance and current Vice-President at Kearsarge Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Warner, NH. She has dedicated over 40 years of her life to providing arts opportunities to kids and adults of all ages. KCPA continues to offer scholarships to students so no child needs to worry about financing an arts education. Angela writes, directs and choreographs numerous works to bring creative experiences to her communities. She volunteers at many organizations including our Non-profit of the Year – Center for the Arts – she has been paramount to helping CFA continue their events virtually. When the pandemic hit Angela immediately went to work making masks for the community; assisted living homes, NLH, local organizations and masks with clear fronts to see her students’ smiles and for the hard of hearing so they could continue to read lips. She also did virtual cooking classes to raise funds for a local initiative. Angela is always ready and willing to volunteer for local events, fundraisers, and organizations. From Spring into Warner, Warner Holiday of Trees, Warner Fall Foliage Festival and many more! Angela is a true asset to the Lake Sunapee Region community.
Business of the Year – The Valley News
Throughout the pandemic news sources were absolutely essential in making sure the greater community was kept in the loop about what was happening locally, at the state level, the regional level and even at the national level. In an increasingly virtual world the Valley News stands strong with their printed paper in addition to their virtual offerings. They ensure our local communities get the information they need when they need it. A published and delivered newspaper seven days a week is hard to find but the Valley News manages to keep it active and alive. They reach numerous towns in the Upper Valley and Lake Sunapee Region. During the pandemic the Valley News team offered free information and updates regarding COVID to the public. Knowing the struggle area restaurants were facing they also offered free listings of restaurants offering take-out. In an ever-changing world it’s imperative to have a place to go for local, regional news that focuses on community first.
Watch the full Annual Meeting presentation here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2CMFs8QsSM
Read the Annual Meeting Program here - https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/65274977/lsrcc-annual-meeting-202...