Valley Business Journal Archive
Vermont’s Green Hotels program ramps up
November 2009
Concerns about sound environmental practices in the Green Mountain State make it no wonder that many motels and hotels here are going green to attract potential clients.
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Coalition aims to aid chronic-care patients
November 2009
A five-year-old program to help improve the health of chronic-care sufferers, particularly those with diabetes, in Windsor and Windham counties is proving to be successful.
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Sunny outlook for Farm-Way
Retailer goes solar to save energy, money
November 2009
Farm-Way, a well-known retailer of many products in Bradford, VT, has made a substantial investment in transitioning to solar power.
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Construction industry labors to reduce landfill debris
November 2009
Awareness has grown rapidly about green construction practices and projects certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, but less publicity has been given to the construction waste that is generated by demolition, new construction and renovation.
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Banks think green: Trend includes e-statements, paperless transactions, teleconferencing
November 2009
As opportunities grow for offices to become more environmentally efficient, financial institutions are making progress of their own.
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Home design: what’s hot, what’s not
November 2009
Given the economy and New England’s Yankee conservatism, the latest home decorating trends here in the Upper Valley seem to reflect a sense of tradition, a tendency to recycle and “repurpose” items and a movement toward green and eco-friendly materials.
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Engineering company celebrates 40th anniversary
November 2009
SVE Associates, a professional consulting, design and engineering firm founded in 1969, continues to serve clients throughout northern New England in its 40th year of business.
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Online scams on the rise in Vermont
November 2009
While fraud can be committed through any means, including mail and telephone, most authorities are convinced that Internet and electronic fraud are the fastest growing areas.
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Endyne finds a home in Lebanon
November 2009
Endyne Inc., a business that provides analytical and environmental laboratory services to Vermont, New York and New Hampshire, has plans to relocate one of its three laboratories to Lebanon, NH this year.
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Satellite to aid emergency response
November 2009
Vermont has the honor of testing new satellite technology using the world’s largest commercial satellite to route emergency calls.
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Serving up ambiance: Restaurants set sights on holiday season
November 2009
The final few weeks of the year is a time when more people are likely to make a special occasion of dining out with family and friends. Upper Valley restaurateurs are hoping this year’s traditional holiday period won’t be an exception, despite the slow economy.
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Spotlight on new business
November 2009
Papa Wheelies
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Heating costs
November 2009
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Wood, pellet stoves take aim at heating costs
November 2009
Driven by an increasing public awareness of the environmental downside to consuming large amounts of oil, many homeowners and business operators in northern New England are taking a hard look at increasing the efficiency of oil heating boilers and supplementing them with wood or pellet-burning heat stoves.
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Intimate inn to open in Windsor
October 2009
The Larson family is planning to open the new Snapdragon Inn in Windsor, VT this fall.
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Attorneys lauded at Vermont’s largest law firm
October 2009
When one is good at one’s job, recognition usually follows. In fact, Joe Choquette, external affairs manager at Downs Rachlin Martin (DRM), the largest law firm in Vermont, credits the firm’s recent listing in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers 2009 to the quality of its attorneys and product.
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Financial finagling: New economic development advisor assists businesses
October 2009
Rick Walter, a former SCORE advisor in the Upper Valley, saw an ad in a local newspaper and decided he might as well go for a position that would pay him for what he was already doing.
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Wedding planning a booming business
October 2009
Before one can even begin thinking about wedding planning as a career, it is important to define exactly what a wedding planner is.
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Marketing Vermont’s birthplace
October 2009
The signs that read, “Town of Windsor: Birthplace of Vermont” have long been in place, but a rising tide of events and interest in promoting the town as a destination for both recreational and business travelers is also helping to elevate Windsor’s visibility outside of the Upper Valley.
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Attorneys navigate land-use maze
October 2009
Getting business permits approved by municipal boards can be challenging in light of environmental and land-use regulations, and such approvals often require an attorney’s research and experience.
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Business bankers busy despite downturn
October 2009
Business lending by financial institutions is a key component of the region’s economy. Whether the size of the loan is large or small, it can often make the difference between being able to take a company to the next level or remaining hamstrung by limitations in staffing, inventory, location or equipment.
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The mother of all gowns: dresses for mothers of the bride
October 2009
The mother of the bride plays an integral part at both the wedding and the reception.
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Spotlight on new business
October 2009
Heaven Sent Home Décor & Gifts
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Lawyers tread fine promotional line
October 2009
“Have you hugged your attorney today?” While advertisements like this aren’t commonplace in the field of law, there is no denying that marketing for attorneys has changed in recent years.
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Getting on track: Vermont seeks rail funds
October 2009
Vermont is awaiting word on its application for $125 million in federal stimulus grant funds to rebuild its eastern and western corridor railroad network.
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From sap to spirits
Maple vodka brewery to move headquarters to Windsor
October 2009
The Northeast Kingdom's loss is Windsor's gain as Vermont Spirits prepares to break ground for a building that will soon house a unique micro-distillery to produce its line of artisanal vodkas.
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Claremont blessed with business growth
October 2009
The city of Claremont continues to be a magnet for a growing number of businesses of many types to its downtown area.
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National Apple Month
October 2009
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Autumn fun and fairs
September 2009
Fall may very well be Vermont’s most popular season with vacationers. Its famed colorful foliage, most prominent in October, has helped to earn that distinction, but there are many events accompanied by great weather that also enhance the state’s appeal.
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Temping for dollars tempting for workers, employers
September 2009
While some companies struggle to keep staff employed during this economic downturn, firms that screen and offer employee candidates for temporary work or engagements of longer duration are experiencing their own need to stay flexible.
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Weather the cold with winterization
September 2009
Winter is fast approaching and with the high cost of heating bills plaguing homeowners, there continues to be a need for energy efficiency and cost-effective winterization techniques in Vermont.
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Wellness at work: a good business investment
September 2009
During a slumped economy when many people are primarily concerned with finding or holding onto jobs, it may seem strange to talk about employee perks like gym memberships and weight-loss programs.
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Competing for cash
Pub strategy wins business plan competition
September 2009
To paraphrase the old television show, The A-Team, “everyone loves it when a plan comes together.” However, Deborah and Alan Brown almost missed an opportunity to reap honors for their business plan when Deborah Brown got cold feet about submitting their entry in a regional business contest.
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Construction company is all in the family
September 2009
Based in Lyme, Estes & Gallup (E & G) Construction Company has been actively involved in both commercial and residential construction projects of all sizes in recent years.
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Hanover holds its own despite economy
September 2009
While the current recession hasn’t gone unnoticed in Hanover, NH, positive signs indicate the long-term view is optimistic. Planning and development in residential and commercial districts is moving ahead, although at a somewhat slower pace during the last 12 months than in recent years.
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Innovative InnoVision moving along
September 2009
Preliminary work on the installation of utilities and site preparation at the InnoVision Business Campus is expected to move ahead this fall.
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Montshire Museum wins competitive NASA grant
September 2009
Aficionados of outer space will be able to take in new exhibits at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, VT, thanks to a grant from the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA).
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Renewable Energy Conference in Burlington
September 2009
The 8th annual Vermont Renewable Energy Conference and Expo titled “Vermont’s Energy Future” will be held October 28 and 29 at the Sheraton Burlington Conference Center at 870 Williston Road in South Burlington.
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Open for business
September 2009
Thai Silk & Company
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Fabulous fall foliage lures tourists to Granite State
September 2009
Of all the seasons, fall attracts the second-largest number of tourists to New Hampshire.
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Fly fishing casts spell over tourists
September 2009
Make hay when the sun shines, and cast when it rains: this summer's wet weather may have hurt farmers, but it's been a boon to fishermen and to the businesses that keep them angling.
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Flextime: an attractive alternative for workers
September 2009
Gone are the days when the workplace was dictated by a nine-to-five schedule. Today, employers and employees alike are embracing arrangements that improve efficiency, add convenience and yield to more demanding personal schedules.
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Woodstock Named To Prestigious Travel List
July 2009
Woodstock, VT has once again been honored as one of three towns in the Green Mountain State to be named among the top 100 towns for vacationers in the U.S. in the new edition of The Great Towns of America.
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Woodstock Inn & Resort Offers New Recreational Membership Package
July 2009
For the first time this year, the Woodstock Inn & Resort is offering a premier membership that entitles members to unlimited use of its all-season recreational facilities.
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Arts Council Boosts Woodstock’s Economy
July 2009
The economic impacts of cultural and performing arts on a community aren’t easily quantified, but they are real, and the Woodstock-based Pentangle Arts Council continues to do its part in helping to boost the economy.
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FLOCK Dance Troupe Plans Summer Shows
July 2009
This summer, the FLOCK dance troupe will offer six performances of ELEMENTAL, an exploration of the natural world using dance, theater, mime, ritual and music.
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Boston Biofuel Firm To Move To Lebanon, NH
July 2009
Mascoma Corporation, a producer of advanced bio-fuels that has been headquartered in Boston, is moving its center of operations to the Gateway Office Center in Lebanon, NH in September.
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GW Plastics Completes Year-Long Face Lift To Its Headquarters In Bethel, VT
July 2009
GW Plastics, a high-precision injection molder, mold builder and contract manufacturer, recently underwent a major renovation at its headquarters in Bethel, VT.
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Founder of Dealer.com In Burlington Is Vermont’s 2009 Small Business Person
July 2009
If you ask Mark Bonfigli why he thinks he was named the 2009 Vermont Small Business Person of the Year, he might say it was a team effort that earned him that honor.
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Horse Club Activities Boost Local Economy
July 2009
Horseback riding through the picturesque countryside is one of many activities that attract visitors to Woodstock. Each year, many people come to South Woodstock to attend events staged by the Green Mountain Horse Association, an 83-year-old group with a full calendar of events in 2009.
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Vermont Technical College Campuses To Buzz With Summertime Construction
July 2009
The summer promises to be a busy time for construction projects at Vermont Technical College’s campuses at Randolph Center and Williston.
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Hot Tubs Increase In Popularity For All Ages
July 2009
It is hard to find a sector of the marketplace unaffected by today’s economy, and the spa and hot tub market is no exception. Yet, area dealers report there are still consumers who are investing in what is considered by many as a luxury item and by others a necessity for relaxation.
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Many Master The Art Of Making Music, Thanks To The Upper Valley Music Center
July 2009
“People keep telling us that we are the best kept secret in the Upper Valley, but we don’t want to be a secret,” said Krista Lampe, managing director of the Upper Valley Music Center.
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Kilton Public Library To Open Next Spring
July 2009
Construction has started on the 15,000-square-foot Kilton Public Library in West Lebanon, NH.
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New Web-Based Vermont Innovation Marketplace Is Lauded As A Success
July 2009
Vermont Innovation Marketplace, designed to connect innovations and inventions by Vermont entrepreneurs and businesses with potential investors, distributors and manufacturers, has officially launched with great success.
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Strapped For Storage Space? Sheds And Outbuildings Come In All Shapes And Sizes
July 2009
Spring and fall are the peak seasons for consumer interest in sheds and outbuildings of all sorts: garden sheds, woodsheds, storage sheds, potting sheds, chicken coops, gazebos, horse sheds, sugar shacks, horse run-ins and pergolas. There are also playhouses and playground equipment for the kids.
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Noushka Moves Into New Woodstock Home
July 2009
Noushka, a specialty store that caters to children, recently relocated to the village of Woodstock from its former home along Route 4 in the Quechee/Taftsville area.
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Springfield Fence Company Revamps Display Area To Exhibit More Products
July 2009
The owners of Springfield Fence Company, Inc., undertook a substantial reconfiguration of their spacious display area adjacent to the facility on Route 106 in North Springfield this spring.
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Spotlight On New Business: July 2009
July 2009
F.A.C.S.
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New Chamber Event Will Showcase Firms In The Okemo Valley
July 2009
The tent at the Echo Lake Inn in Plymouth has hosted a variety of celebrations, including weddings. On July 8, it will host a different event: the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce’s first annual Business to Business Showcase.
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Patios, Paths Prove Pretty And Practical
July 2009
Patios and decorative walkways are among the features many Upper Valley homeowners enjoy most during the May through October period, especially when the sun is out and guests are visiting.
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New London Park And Ride To Triple In Size
July 2009
The New London Park and Ride lot will receive a substantial expansion early this summer, according to Jim Marshall, project manager for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT). The work, which began May 1, is slated for completion in early July.
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General Manager Of Porter Music Box Is Honored By The SBA
July 2009
Jim Sault's work at spreading the joy of music across the globe has earned him the 2009 Vermont Exporter of the Year award from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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Award Shines Light On Mack Molding’s Efficient Illumination
May 2009
This spring, Mack Molding Co. won the Managing Automation Media’s 2009 Progressive Manufacturing 100 Award for completion of an energy-efficient lighting technology project in its Vermont plants.
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Small Commercial Centers And Offices Provide Alternatives To Large Strip Malls
May 2009
While shopping centers along Lebanon’s Miracle Mile and West Lebanon’s Route 12-A and office complexes in Centerra Resource Park have high visibility, smaller office centers and retail spaces aren’t any less important to the business fabric of the Upper Valley.
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Spotlight On New Business
May 2009
Casa Del Sol
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Looking For Business Space? Try A Condo
May 2009
An alternate strategy being offered for some Upper Valley commercial properties may help fill spaces with businesses that would prefer to own rather than simply rent a business location.
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New And Ongoing Construction Projects Provide An Economic Boost to Newport
May 2009
The town of Newport has much to offer residents and businesses in the years ahead, according to Town Manager Dan O’Neill.
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Mill District Shows Off Face Lift
Grand Opening For Revamped Claremont Mills Slated For June
May 2009
The official grand opening celebrating the major renovation and redevelopment in Claremont’s Mill District is scheduled for June 19.
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Businesses Rally For The Watson Dog Park
May 2009
Thanks to avid support from area businesses and volunteers, canines in the Upper Valley have a place to romp at the Watson Dog Park in Hartford, VT.
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Mountain Valley Sports And Drummond Custom Cycles Open In Shaker Village
May 2009
Two area businesses that cater to endurance athletes have combined their services into one convenient location. Drummond Custom Cycles and Mountain Valley Sports have opened their doors in a shared location at 24 Caleb Dyer Lane in the heart of the Shaker Village in Enfield, NH.
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Newport’s Sturm, Ruger Firearms Plant Continues To Grow Work Force, Revenues
May 2009
Sturm, Ruger & Company, a leading American producer of firearms, has had a manufacturing plant in Newport, NH for decades. In a town once dominated by mills, the Ruger facility has remained one of the region’s most important industrial sites, thanks in part to its focus on efficient production.
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Recreational Vehicle Industry Ramps Up
May 2009
The sale of recreational vehicles (RVs) is big business in the U.S., generating annual revenues of more than $37.5 billion and employing more than 250,000 people, according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA).
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Renovations Underway At Dreamland Building
May 2009
The Dreamland Building at 58 North Street in White River Junction, VT is undergoing significant renovations.
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Visitors From Other States Ring Up $1.6 Billion For Vermont
May 2009
More than half of all tourists who visit Vermont hail from other states. But, when it comes to Vermonters, there’s no place like home.
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Apparel Anniversary
The Fat Hat in Quechee Celebrates 30 Years
May 2009
To view consummate businesswoman Joan Ecker behind her desk at the F.H. Clothing Company, it’s hard to imagine she began her career naively selling her “Fat Hat” creations at local craft fairs with her mother.
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Tourism Spending
May 2009
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Safety First: A Global Niche For Lebanon Firm
Geokon Devices Support Structural Security
February 2009
When bridges, dams and tunnels need to be scrutinized for safety, there’s a good chance the technology used to monitor such structures comes from an Upper Valley company.
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Scrapping Sprawl: Building Affordable Houses Downtown
February 2009
Vermont faces a pair of closely related conundrums when it comes to new housing:
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Health Care Provides Needed Boost To Ailing Construction Industry
February 2009
Health care-related construction and development is a bright spot amid the national slowdown in commercial development.
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Spotlight On New Business
February 2009
Surface Solutions
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Spotlight on Financial and Estate Planning
Selecting A Financial Advisor Takes Research
February 2009
Having a long-term financial plan is as important, if not more important, in today’s market as it is at any other time.
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Protecting Your Estate: Professionals Offer Valuable Assistance For Wealth Management
February 2009
Concerns about retirement can envelop an entire family, and every family must one day face these concerns.
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Vermont Agencies Offer Retirement Aid
February 2009
The inevitability of growing older and all its associated concerns isn’t a topic people always like to consider or discuss: Do we have enough money to retire? Will my health stay strong? What will happen if I become ill?
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Revamped Web Site Offers More Features
February 2009
The Web site for the Rutland Herald has been revamped to take advantage of new features meant to serve readers and advertisers alike.
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Clipping Coupons On The Web: Grafton, NH Resident Starts My Local Coupons Online
February 2009
Downloading coupons from the Internet is nothing new. A search under the key words “coupons online” generates a list of at least 3 million Web sites offering free printable coupons for countless brand name products and national chain stores. Coupon Surfer at www.couponsurfer.
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Hanover Chamber Establishes Web Site
February 2009
The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce (HACC) is launching a new Web site in February to offer more opportunities to the region’s visitors and chamber members.
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Bridal Registries See Rise In Affordable Gifts
February 2009
Gift stores that support bridal registries report the economy may be influencing recent trends in the way couples register for wedding gifts, leading more couples to consider price points and return wedding gifts in favor of larger ticket items.
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Food, Serving Choices For Wedding Events Have Become Less Traditional, Caterers Say
February 2009
Patterns are gradually changing in terms of dining options for weddings in the Upper Valley, according to area caterers. Food choices and serving styles have evolved in the last few years, reflecting both changing guest preferences and cost efficiency on the part of hosts.
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Gifts For Bridal Parties Run Gamut
February 2009
During a wedding last year, one couple gave poker sets to the groomsmen and wool berets to the bridesmaids presented in green organic fabric totes, a local wedding planner recalled.
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Several Development Projects Underway as Lebanon, NH Continues Growing
February 2009
While the nation’s construction activity has clearly been impacted by the widespread economic slowdown, Lebanon, NH is enjoying a healthy construction pace from projects kicked off last year as well as those slated to begin in 2009.
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Planned Residential Developments To Help Decrease Upper Valley Housing Shortage
February 2009
At a time when Wall Street is taking a nosedive and international banks are begging for a government bailout, Michael Shuman offers a solution most Vermonters are very well acquainted with: support the local economy.
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Airport Business Starts to Soar
Lebanon, NH Airport Improvements Aim To Attract More Travelers
February 2009
Plenty of improvements are happening at Lebanon Airport, New Hampshire’s second-largest commercial service airport. While the facility isn’t yet operating at a net profit, its value to the region cannot be quickly dismissed.
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Magazine Rates White River Junction As One Of Top Ten Cool Towns
December 2008
White River Junction has been named one of the country’s 10 coolest small towns by Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine.
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Tree Farms In Bloom For Holidays
More Than 31 Million Trees To Be Sold Across The Country This Year
December 2008
The Christmas tree industry is alive and well in Vermont and New Hampshire, where area growers anticipate a strong season despite a shaky economy and higher costs for gasoline and fertilizer.
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Business, Corporate Support Help Keep Arts Groups Afloat
December 2008
At a time when more communities are recognizing the importance of nurturing their relationships with local arts and cultural groups, there’s a question of how the economic downturn will impact the arts.
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Volunteers From Ledyard National Bank Work To Assist Nonprofit Organizations
December 2008
Seven area nonprofit organizations recently received a helping hand from Ledyard National Bank in conjunction with a nationwide volunteer event.
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Sanctuary A Retreat For Neglected Horses
December 2008
Humane societies are known for taking in dogs and cats, but it’s not so easy finding shelter for large creatures like horses that have been neglected or abused.
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Spotlight On New Business
December 2008
Intuitive Ink
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