Kelly Smith, chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that Advanced SportsPlex & Training Center (ASTC), LLC held a grand opening event on Friday, January 20 at 5:00 p.m. at its location at 1280 Newfield Street, Middletown.

This prime location on Newfield Street allows for easy access from I-91, Route 9 and I-691.

Co-owners Gary Sekorski and Glenn Rowland created ASTC to provide athletes young and old the best possible opportunity and facilities to improve their ability and overall enjoyment of their respective sport.  They designed the facility according to the model of “Advance your Sport,” no matter what each individual’s athletic skill level may be.  ASTC achieves this goal by offering features not found anywhere in Connecticut. 

Features include: 100 x 200 foot fully-netted, next generation no-rubber in-fill PureGrass® turf field that can be vacuumed and sterilized for a clean and safe playing environment;  10,000 square-foot turf training field, including two full-size retractable batting cages; speed and agility training with a 40-yard indoor track; and skills and practice areas and warm-up space.

ASTC also has a complete café and concession area with HDTV’s, two large conference/team/party rooms, Wi-Fi access, and spectator viewing areas.  The entire facility is completely climate controlled and is well lit with the latest high-efficiency, high- brightness lighting

“Our SportsPlex sets a new standard for sports facilities with features and benefits unlike any other,” Rowland said.

ASTC is currently offering: youth and adult leagues; team practice and training; clinics and showcase programs in soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball, softball, flag football and more.  The facility is also available for year-round functions such as corporate and private events, specialized classes and professionally-staffed sports development.  ASTC is located on the web at www.advancedsportsplex.com.  All registration and sign-up is available online.

For more information, please contact Glenn Rowland at 860-632-2900 or email glenn@advancedsportsplex.com.

Photo:  (Left to right)  Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew, ASTC Co-owner Glenn Rowland, Co-owner Gary Sekorski, Middlesex Chamber Chairman Kelly Smith and Chamber President Larry McHugh at ASTC’s grand opening event.

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WANG CHINESE RESTAURANT IN CROMWELL HOLDS GRAND OPENING ON
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17

Kelly Smith, chairman of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that Wang Chinese Restaurant held a grand opening event on Tuesday, January 17 at 4:00 p.m. at its location at 30 Berlin Rd., Cromwell.

The restaurant is owned by Tai Vuong and specializes in Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine.  It is open seven days a week and can accommodate large party orders.  For more information, visit www.wangct.com.

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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER KICKS OFF PLANNING OF CRUISE NIGHT ON MAIN AND MOTORCYCLE MANIA 2012 EVENTS

Rich Greco, chairman of the Motorcycle Mania Committee and Foster Charles, chairman of the Middlesex Chamber Cruise Night on Main Committee announced that the committees held a kickoff event with Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew at First and Last Tavern in Middletown on Wednesday, January 11 to begin the planning of the 2012 installments of each event.  Cruise Night on Main 2012 will be held on June 13 and Motorcycle Mania 2012 will be held on August 8, both in downtown Middletown.

The events have emerged as signature events of downtown Middletown; this will be the 15th year of Cruise Night on Main and the 7th year of Motorcycle Mania.  The events attract between 5,000 and 10,000 automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts, respectively, to the city’s downtown area each year. 

“These events have put downtown Middletown on the map as destination events for the summer season along with the Citizens Bank 5K Summer Fun Run,” said Chamber President Larry McHugh.  “They have and will continue to be free, family-oriented fun and bring the entire community together for one night in June, July and August.”

For more information, please visit Middletowncarcruise.com for Cruise Night on Main and midtownmcmania.com for Motorcycle Mania.

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Photo:  The Cruise Night on Main and Motorcycle Mania Committees along with Chamber President Larry McHugh and Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew at the kickoff luncheon at First and Last Tavern in Middletown on January 11, 2012.

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The center is led by Paula C. Hennessey, Therapist, MS, MFT, LADC and its mission is to provide an environment of safety, dignity and respect where adult individuals are able to continue their ongoing journeys.  This mission is achieved through the process of healing and/or recovery from addictions, mental health issues as well as the impact these issues may have had on the family system.  For more information, call 203-379-6403 or visit http://www.thecenterforrecoveryandspiritualhealing.com/.

PHOTO (Left to right) Middletown Mayor Daniel Drew; Paula C. Hennessey, Therapist, MS, MFT, LADC; and Chamber President Larry McHugh.

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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS’
ALLIANCE HOSTS HOLIDAY SOCIAL AND TOY DRIVE ON DECEMBER 8 IN MIDDLETOWN

(Middletown, Conn.)  Kelly Smith, chairperson of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that the Middlesex Chamber’s Young Professionals’ Alliance (YPA) held its second-annual Holiday Social at the Mattabassett Canoe Club at Harbor Park on Thursday, December 8. 

The event included networking with young professionals from across Middlesex County and featured a holiday toy drive, which netted over 30 donated toys.  The YPA will donate these toys to the City of Middletown’s Park and Recreation Department for use with various youth programs.

The YPA, an initiative of the Middlesex Chamber, is a personal and professional development committee comprised of young Chamber members looking to make a difference.  The YPA is designed to help young business people interact socially, exchange ideas and interests and gain an insider's view of the regional business landscape.

The YPA is chaired by Kelly Therrien of the law firm Farrell, Guarino and Boccalatte in Middletown and vice-chaired by Grant Messier of A&A Office Systems.  It meets on a monthly basis and hosts many special events throughout the year. 

For more information about this event or the Young Professionals’ Alliance, please contact Jeff Pugliese at the Chamber at (860) 347-6924 or by email at Jeffrey@middlesexchamber.com

Photo:  (Left to right) YPA Vice-Chair Grant Messier, Chairperson Kelly Therrien and YPA Executive Committee member Dan Jaskot of Empower Leadership Sports and Adventure Center at the group’s second-annual holiday social.

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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER’S SIDE STREET TO MAIN STREET BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM RECEIVES AWARD AT CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC AND RESOURCE CENTER’S (CERC) CELEBRATE CONNECTICUT EVENT ON DECEMBER 7

Kelly Smith, chairperson of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce announced that the Connecticut Economic Resource Center (CERC) recognized the Chamber’s Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program on

December 7 at The Bushnell in Hartford at CERC’s second annual Celebrate Connecticut event.

This event is held to acknowledge the many local, regional and state economic development efforts along with the contributions of the many companies, programs and people to Connecticut’s economic growth.

Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Catherine Smith was the keynote speaker at the event.

The Side Street to Main Street program has been in operation for 15 years and is a business and entrepreneurial development program that is aimed at those in the minority community who have not had formal business training.  The mission of the program is to provide knowledge as a tool for these individuals to bring their own business ideas into reality.  Ultimately, these small businesses serve as the foundation of the local business community.

CERC President Bob Santy highlighted how the program has been a successful and effective way in which the Chamber has encouraged the development and growth of small, minority-owned businesses in Middlesex County. 

Jim Jackson of the Essex Group and Jennifer De Kine lead this program, which has graduated 170 students to date.  The Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program is made possible by a grant from Aetna, Inc.

For more information on the Middlesex Chamber and its Side Street to Main Street Business & Leadership Development Program, please contact Jennifer De Kine at Jennifer@middlesexchamber.com or call 860-347-6924.

Photo:  (Left to Right)  Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh, Jennifer De Kine, Side Street to Main Street graduate Johnathan Hamlin, Liberty Bank President Chandler Howard, Side Street to Main Street Coordinator Jim Jackson, Jeff Pugliese and Middletown Small Business Development Center Coordinator Paul Hughes.

MIDDLESEX CHAMBER WESTBROOK DIVISION WELCOMES
MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL PRESIDENT AND CEO VINCENT CAPECE AT ITS
NOVEMBER MEETING

(Middletown, Conn.)  Darlene Briggs, chairperson of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s Westbrook Division, announced that the division welcomed Middlesex Hospital President and CEO Vincent Capece, along with Vice President of Clinical Affairs Arthur V. “Buddy” McDowell, III, MD and Vice President of Operations Harry Evert at its monthly meeting on November 22 at Oxford Academy in Westbrook.

Capece and his team outlined the hospital’s proposed relocation of its Shoreline Medical Center, recent implementation of daVinci robotic surgery procedures, its new Critical Care Unit and current trends in the healthcare industry.

He intends to schedule a visit with each of the Chamber’s nine separate divisions to apprise the county’s business community of Middlesex Hospital’s current state of operations. 

For more information on Middlesex Chamber division meetings, please contact Matt Fraulino at matthew@middlesexchamber.com or call 860-347-6924.

Photo:  (left to right)  Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh; Middlesex Hospital Vice President of Clinical Affairs Arthur V. “Buddy” McDowell, III, MD; Vice President of Operations Harry Evert; President and CEO Vincent G. Capece, Jr.; Phil Cocchiola of Oxford Academy and Middlesex Chamber Westbrook Division Chairperson Darlene Briggs.
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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER ANNOUNCES GRAND RE-OPENING OF
RAEGAN’S LLC AT NEW LOCATION IN MIDDLETOWN

Kelly Smith, chairperson of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that Raegan’s LLC celebrated a grand re-opening event at its new location at 349 South Main Street, Middletown on Tuesday, October 18.

Raegan's was founded by the Chamber’s Side Street to Main Street graduate Sandra Steele and Geoffrey Byrd and has distributed high- quality fashions for years in the Connecticut area.  It specializes in fashions for men and women at an affordable price and is positioned to offer special-order men’s suits and women’s sizes from 4 to 26.

Business hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and customers may shop online at http://www.raegans.com/.

For more information, please contact Sandra Steele (860) 344-9640 or by email  at raegansllc@yahoo.com.


PHOTO (L to R): Jennifer DeKine of the Middlesex Chamber, Side Street to Main Street coordinator Jim Jackson, Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, Mary Marshall, founder Sandra Steele, Kathryn Mancarella, and Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh at the grand re-opening on October 18.

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MIDDLESEX CHAMBER HOLDS GRAND RE-OPENING EVENT FOR STYLZ BY Q HAIR SALON AT ITS NEW LOCATION AT 143 WILLIAM STREET, MIDDLETOWN

Kelly Smith, chairperson of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, announced that Stylz by Q hair salon held a grand re-opening event on Thursday, September 29 at its new location on 143 William Street in Middletown.

The hair salon is owned by Quana Aikens, who has led the business in serving the Middletown community since 2002 by creating a family-friendly hair salon for everyone; the original location for the business was on Grand Street.

For more information please email stylzbyq@gmail.com or call 860-347-0475.

PHOTO: (Left to right) Middlesex Chamber President Larry McHugh, Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano; stylist Dametros Allen, owner and stylist Quana Aikens, stylist Sarah Miller; Jennifer DeKine of the Middlesex Chamber and Jim Jackson, Side Street to Main Street coordinator.

Not pictured:  Stylists Katriesh Holloman and Marcella Waters.
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