Valley Vibes

Avon-Canton Chamber of Commerce
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Mission Statement: We bring you entertaining conversations that enrich, educate, and inform about life in the Farmington Valley and beyond.

  1. 12/08/2025

    Why Mature Workers Are a Game-Changer for Local Businesses

    In this episode, host Michael Mezheritskiy and co-host Rachael Gnatowski sit down with Robin Clare, Executive Director of the Seniors Job Bank, to explore how this long-standing nonprofit connects experienced, reliable, and motivated mature workers with local businesses, municipalities, and volunteer opportunities. What You’ll Hear About: The origins of the Seniors Job Bank in 1974 and its evolution from household help to business and municipal placements. Expansion into Avon, Canton, and neighboring towns to increase awareness and job postings. The three age groups served — from 50-year-olds seeking full-time work to 80+ staying active through part-time roles. Why mature workers offer unmatched reliability, professionalism, and decades of experience. How the organization is tackling ageism in the workplace. Common roles filled — from receptionists and bookkeepers to handypersons and organizers. How small businesses can benefit from flexible, highly skilled workers. Why retention rates are dramatically higher for mature workers than younger hires. A call to action for businesses and nonprofits to post both paid and volunteer roles. Key Takeaway:The Seniors Job Bank is a valuable local resource for connecting seasoned talent with organizations that appreciate dedication, skill, and flexibility. Learn More: Website: seniorsjobbankct.org Phone: 860-521-3210 Email: info@seniorsjobbankct.org

    27 min

  2. 29/07/2025

    Custom CRM Solutions for Small Businesses and Nonprofits with RL Consulting

    🎙️ Valley Vibes – Episode 23Hosted by: Rachael Gnatowski (New England Ballet Theatre)Co-hosted by: Michael Mezheritskiy (Milestone Asset Management Group)Guest: Rick Buteau, Co-owner of RL Consulting 🔍 In This Episode: Rick Buteau from RL Consulting joins Rachael and Michael to discuss how his Canton-based software company is helping small businesses and nonprofits streamline their operations with custom-built CRM solutions. Topics include: ✅ What a CRM is and how it helps businesses grow ✅ RL Consulting’s custom-built CRM platform: Growth Path ✅ Unique CRM use cases for: Real estate agents Insurance professionals Nonprofits and donor management ✅ The transition from spreadsheets to automated workflows ✅ Affordable, scalable CRM pricing for small businesses ✅ Data security and RL's proprietary AI tools ✅ Real-world cost savings and efficiency examples ✅ Integration and onboarding process (up and running in ~1 week) ✅ How CRM supports marketing, outreach, and fundraising Visual dashboards Lead management & follow-ups QR-code lead capture Built-in email campaigns & automation Custom tagging system Secure, AI-enhanced platform Customized solutions tailored to your business Whether you’re a solopreneur, nonprofit, or growing enterprise, this episode highlights why having a CRM isn't just for large corporations. RL Consulting makes CRM accessible, affordable, and highly customizable to your process—no need to fit into someone else's box. 🌐 Website: https://rltechsuite.com/📧 Email: info@rlconsultingllc.com📱 Phone: (860) 921-4523 RL Consulting offers free demos and flexible pricing based on your needs. Thanks to Rick Buteau for sharing how small businesses can gain big-time efficiencies with the right CRM, and to our listeners for supporting local entrepreneurs. 🎧 Subscribe and tune in next time for more local business insights from Valley Vibes.

    25 min

  3. 22/07/2025

    Beyond the Buzz: Real Wellness with SunMed

    In this episode, host Rachael Gnatowski of New England Ballet Theatre sits down with Patricia Miller from SunMed Modern Wellness in Avon, CT. Formerly known as Your CBD Store, SunMed is at the forefront of hemp-derived wellness products and education. Patricia shares the story behind the brand, its growth to over 400 locations nationwide, and the services and products they offer—from CBD for sleep and pain to new offerings like kava, red light therapy, and wellness events. Whether you're a first-time CBD user, a wellness enthusiast, or seeking natural alternatives for sleep, anxiety, or joint pain, this episode has something for you. The origin story of SunMed and its founder, Rachel Quinn Differences between high-quality CBD and cheaper, potentially harmful alternatives Popular product lines: CBN for sleep, topicals for pain, mushrooms, kava, and pet-friendly CBD How CBD supports the endocannabinoid system and overall balance Customer Appreciation events, Senior Mondays, and free Wellness Kit promotions Future offerings: Red light therapy and expanded physical wellness services 📍 380 W Main Street, Avon, CT (Marketplace Plaza — former Yankee Candle location) 📞 Phone: 860-255-7101 🌐 Website: www.getsunmed.com 📸 Instagram: @SunMedAvon 📘 Facebook: SunMed Avon (search "SunMed Avon" for the latest events) Customer Appreciation Weekend: Every 3rd weekend of the month Next Wellness Kit Giveaway: Starts ~October 16, 2025 New Kava Line Launch: July 18–20 Back-to-School Teacher Specials: Late August SunMed is more than a CBD shop—it's a wellness boutique focused on education, safety, and healing. From personalized consultations to high-quality, lab-tested products, they’re committed to helping customers feel better—naturally.

    20 min

  4. 11/12/2024

    Terri Wilson, Avon Historical Society

    In this episode of Valley Vibes, hosts Rachel Gnatowski of New England Ballet Theatre and Michael Mezheritskiy of Milestone Asset Management Group welcome Terri Wilson, President of the Avon Historical Society, to discuss the rich history and upcoming events in Avon, Connecticut. Terri shares insights into the town’s origins, the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Avon Historical Society, and a new museum opening that will showcase over 400 years of local history. Highlights: • [00:01:00] Terri’s Background: Terri shares her journey from Cleveland to Connecticut and her longstanding involvement with the Avon Historical Society. • [00:03:00] Avon’s Origins: Discover Avon’s transformation from indigenous lands to becoming an official town in 1830, including the area’s connection to Farmington. • [00:07:00] Avon Historical Society’s 50th Anniversary & New Museum: Terri discusses the society’s efforts, funding, and preparations for the grand opening on July 4, 2025. • [00:08:00] The Paleo-Indian Site: Learn about the 12,500-year-old archaeological site found along the Farmington River, now the oldest known human occupation site in southern New England. • [00:10:00] Unique Artifacts: Terri highlights the preservation of a 1794 wedding dress and other notable artifacts that will be featured in the museum. • [00:14:00] Historical Sites to Visit: Recommendations for must-see historical sites in Avon, including the Farmington River and Avon Old Farms School. • [00:19:00] Digital Access to Historical Archives: Terri explains the society’s efforts in digitizing over 20,000 local historical documents and artifacts, accessible through the Connecticut Digital Archive. • [00:21:00] Upcoming Events: • New Museum Preview: November 17, 2024 • Grand Opening: July 4, 2025 • National Museum of Natural History Exhibit: December 1, 2024 - January 15, 2025, at the Avon Library Get Involved: • Support and Fundraisers: The society is actively fundraising with initiatives like a brick patio project where supporters can engrave their names on a brick. • Volunteer Opportunities: From greeters to helping with landscaping, the Historical Society welcomes volunteers for various roles. How to Contact: • Website: AvonHistoricalSociety.org • Email: info@avonhistoricalsociety.org  • Phone: 860-678-3333 Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a local resident, this episode offers an in-depth look at Avon’s past and present, celebrating the community’s heritage.

    27 min

  5. 25/07/2023

    Salute to the National EGGfest!

    Where is the best place to meet, greet, and eat, all for a good cause? At the Big Green EGGfest of course, hosted by Carr Hardware in Avon. The Big Green EGGfest is part grilling competition, part food fest, and part fundraiser, all rolled into one. It all started back in 1998, the brainchild of the Atlanta-based Big Green Egg Company, as a way to bring communities together and to say 'thank you' to the people that had come to appreciate the versatility of this ceramic charcoal cooker, and who are affectionately known as 'EGGheads'. Join Tom Yankura, store manager of Carr Hardware in Avon, as he chats with hosts Dan Callahan from Acadia ActionCOACH and Gena Hamilton of Exact Media Services about their upcoming Farmington Valley EGGfest/CarrBQ -- where there will be cooking demonstrations using the Big Green Egg, swag bags, tastings and samples, and the chance to rub elbows with other barbecue enthusiasts. 100% of the proceeds from tickets sold benefit Avon/Canton Chamber member Gifts of Love and the Avon Volunteer Fire Department. More Information/Advance Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/carr-bq-eggfest-2023-tickets-519015839347 Carr Hardware/Avon

    19 min

  6. 19/06/2023

    Things You 'Auto' Know About Cars

    For many, cars are not a luxury but a necessity. They are the means by which you get to work, go to the doctor, run errands, or take a trip. Over the past few years, however, the costs of buying, owning, repairing and maintaining a car have all gone up. People are hanging onto their cars for much longer. And when you finally do go to check out a replacement ride, supply chain shortages have led to tightening inventory for dealers resulting in fewer cars on the lot. To top it off, how do all the new tech and safety features available, along with options and alternatives for fuel efficiency, affect maintenance of your vehicle? Join Guests Jim McCard, Service Manager at Canton Midas, and Eric Reese, General Sales Manager at O'Neill's Chevrolet in Avon as they break down some of the latest trends happening with autos today with hosts Christine Buhler of the Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy and Adam Horelik. Listen as they chat about the challenges of purchasing a car today from years past; changes in inventory levels; the differences between gas-powered, hybrid (gas engine with battery power), and fully electric vehicles and their current demand; what repairs are common with certain types of vehicles and the cost to maintain them; and how best to prepare your vehicle for New England's unpredictable weather conditions. ________________________________________________ From its beginnings long ago as a blacksmith shop, O'Neill's Chevrolet has grown to one of the oldest Chevrolet dealers in the state. In business since 1920, it is the oldest continuously-operating business in the Farmington Valley. O'Neill's is a full-service dealership and is the flagship of what is known now as Sullivan Automotive Group; part of a larger family of dealerships including Sullivan Honda and Northwest Hills Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, all in Torrington. They offer a complete line of Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, Jeep Chrysler, Dodge Ram, and Honda. The Sullivan family is keenly aware that a successful business begins with a rock solid reputation. They believe that trust and honesty are the keys to having a good reputation -- it’s not something you can create, it has to be earned. https://www.oneillschevrolet.com/ Canton Midas is your one-stop shop for brakes, oil changes, tires and all your auto repair needs. Canton Midas is locally owned and operated by Brian O'Donnell. He and his staff are dedicated to providing high quality auto repair service at a fair price; and their work is backed by the famous Midas guarantee*. Whether you need an oil change or tires, factory recommended maintenance, or brake repair, your local Midas has you covered. https://www.midas.com/store/ct/canton/66-albany-turnpike-06019?shopnum=4289

    30 min

  7. 30/03/2023

    Talking Business With Your State Legislators

    Being in business means you wear many hats. Your days are filled with the needs of your employees, customers, along with marketing and maintaining the products or services you provide. Another element that's equally as critical to thriving businesses but which many overlook, is building a good working relationship with your local legislators. If you have thought about taking action on a bill that may impact your business but have struggled making time to get your thoughts heard, then we have some great tips for you. Guest Eric Gjede, Vice President of Government Affairs at CBIA, chats with Avon/Canton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Lisa Bohman, about the easiest and best methods for connecting with your state legislators. Eric shares simple ways to learn about and track proposed bills, how to automate following a committee or individual legislator's bills, easy ways to craft and provide testimony in-person or virtually, along with general do's and don'ts to effectively communicate and build a relationship with local lawmakers. _____________________________________________________ Eric Gjede is vice president for public policy with CBIA, Connecticut’s leading business organization. He represents the views of Connecticut businesses on labor, employment, and transportation issues. He serves as CBIA’s state ethics compliance counsel. He also directs CBIA’s Labor and Employment Law Council and helps support the organization’s Taxation and Finance Committee. Gjede serves as an appointed member of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Employment Security Advisory Board. He also serves on the Second Injury Fund Advisory Board. He is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the Association of Connecticut Lobbyists. Prior to CBIA, Gjede was an associate legislative attorney with the Legislative Commissioners’ Office, the nonpartisan legal office of the Connecticut General Assembly. In that position, he provided legal counsel to the members of the General Assembly’s committees on Commerce and Labor and Public Employees. He also drafted all the legislation and amendments considered by those committees. Gjede earned his J.D. at the University of Connecticut School of Law and also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut. Eric’s handles: Twitter - https://twitter.com/egjede LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-gjede-b4ba0b138/ Website: https://www.cbia.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/cbianews/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/cbia/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CBIAfb Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@CBIAvideos Additional Resources: CBIA Membership benefits: https://www.cbia.com/benefits/ CBIA Events: https://www.cbia.com/events/ CBIA Action Center: https://cbia.com/action-center/

    26 min

  8. 02/02/2023

    It's A Dog's Life

    Thinking about getting a dog?  Have a dog?  Love all things dog?  Whatever the case you will want to 'come', 'sit', and 'stay' for this episode which is 'packed' full of information about dogs.  It's the perfect blend of 'pup' talk and expert advice.   Listen to this lively conversation as Dr. Arnie Goldman from the Canton Animal Hospital talks with Christine Buhler from the Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy and Lisa Bohman, Executive Director of the Avon/Canton Chamber of Commerce about:  The stages of a dog's life;  Choosing the right breed for your family & lifestyle; The importance of training for a well-mannered, happier household member;  Feeding and nutrition recommendations; Tips on vaccinations, general health & overall canine well-being.  ______________________________________________________   Dr. Goldman, a Canton veterinarian, is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Dr. Goldman founded Canton Animal Hospital at 198 Albany Turnpike, Canton in 1995. In addition, he has led Connecticut's disaster response planning for domestic animals for >15 years. In that realm he founded the Connecticut State Animal Response Team program under the auspices of the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Foundation, and was founding president of the National Alliance of State Animal & Agricultural Emergency Programs (NASAAEP) which shares information and best practices across all the states. He successfully advocated for passage of Connecticut Public Act 07-11, mandating safe management of household pets with their owners during disasters. For this he was honored as the 2008 Connecticut-Veterinarian-of-the-Year. Dr. Goldman currently serves as treasurer of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the nation's largest professional society for veterinarians, with over 100,000 members. Canton Animal Hospital treats cats, dogs, birds, reptiles and other pet species. It is equipped for both outpatient and inpatient care giving and internal medicine, surgery and animal dentistry are routinely offered. In the surgical realm, Dr. Goldman is often sought out for some less common reproductive surgeries such as vasectomy and hysterectomy, as alternatives to the more common and traditional castration ("neuter") and ovariohysterectomy ("spay") procedures that pets often have. A growing body of literature has questioned the timing for sterilization surgeries for many breeds, and therefore more nuanced options are now offered to animal owners who come to us with reproductively intact animals. This is a growing interest area among some animal owners. www.cantonanimalhospital.com ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Resources for Animal Owners:  https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners VETERINARY PARTNER, for Accurate Animal Illness Information:  https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=

    42 min
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About

Mission Statement: We bring you entertaining conversations that enrich, educate, and inform about life in the Farmington Valley and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    Avon-Canton Chamber of Commerce
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Avon-Canton Chamber of Commerce
  • Show Website
    Valley Vibes