Diverse businesses showcased at East Haddam Business Association expo

HTNP.com Publisher Jean Maheu interviews Susan Pagnano (seated) who heads the East Haddam Business Association, at the group's expo at the Gelston House on March 19, 2011. Video copyright 2011 HTNP.com

Join HTNP.com publisher Jean Maheu as he visits the first business expo hosted by the newly-formed East Haddam Business Association, held Saturday, March 19 at the Gelston House.

Since its first organizational meeting in January of this year the group, headed by President Susan Pagnano, has grown to more than 25 member businesses.

Pagnano is owner of Susan’s Fine Salon & Gathering at 338 Town Street. The EHBA meets here from 7 to 9 p.m. on a monthly basis. The next meeting is scheduled for April 16.

The EHBA will foster networking between East Haddam businesses and serve as a link with the East Haddam Economic Development Commission, as well as help keep local businesses informed about important issues that come before the town.

In this video, we interview about a dozen business owners, some of whom you may be learning about for the first time.

Some of the services offered by these diverse businesses include

Bookkeeping

Screen printing, embroidery and banners

Daycare

Restoration and power-washing

Pet boarding, groom and training

Creating logos

Boarding horses, horse-riding lessons

Children’s dance and music lessons

Adult daycare

Home renovations and paintings of local scenes

Fitness, nutrition counseling and massage therapy

By supporting local businesses – including HTNP.com – you help yourself by taking advantage of quality services with a personal touch, as well as helping to nurture the roots of East Haddam’s local economy – creating jobs and putting your hard-earned money back into the community.

Posted March 22, 2011

If you’d like your business featured in the Local Bizz, contact Jean Maheu at 1-800-207-9701.

Tickets on sale now for Ladies’ Night Out

Staehly Farms will be among businesses offering samples and demostrations at Ladies Night Out. Photo from Staehly Farms Web site.

Fine food, some pampering and a chance to find out more about a variety of home-based and local businesses are all part of “Ladies Night Out,” sponsored by the East Haddam Community Lions.

Tickets ($15 each) are on sale now for the event, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7 at the American Legion Hall, 34 Neptune Ave. in Moodus.

The evening includes food tasting, a raffle and a cash bar.

Food-tasting tables will be hosted by various local restaurants including two new ones, the Hilltop BBQ and the Corner Restaurant, plus:

• Riverhouse
• La Vita Gustosa
• Grist Mill Market
• Gelston House
• Village Pizza
• Pizzeria Da Vinci
• Fox Hopyard’s On the Rocks Restaurant

Among the local businesses – some offering free demonstrations – there will be:

• Susan’s Fine Salon & Gathering
• Tarot card readings
• Avon Silpada Jewelry
• Jockey Person to Person
• Mary Kay
• Pampered Chef
• Tastefully Simple
• Dena’s Material
• BeautiControl
• Partylite
• Jazzercise
• Tupperware
• Staehly Farms
• Reiki
• Natural Elegance Stones

Tickets are available from EHCL members, at Susan’s Fine Salon & Gathering or by contacting Dena Liedke at 869-891-8096 or DenaL22@comcast.net

Visit the Lions’ Web site at www.EastHaddamCommunityLions.com

Posted March 9, 2010 as edited by Brenda Sullivan, Editor HTNP.com

Do you know this local, family-owned business? Dutch Oil

Deanna Dutch Nason, general manager of Dutch Oil. Photo by Charles Farrow for HTNP.com

Among Dutch Oil’s 16 employees are a father, five children, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.

This family business serves residential and commercial energy demands across a 30-mile radius from its new, 9800-square-foot facility in Moodus, next to Liberty Bank.

Whether you live in Moodus, East Haddam, Westbrook, Killingworth, Middlefield, Amston or East Lyme, you can satisfy all your fuel oil, propane, heating, A/C or metal fabrication needs by calling 860-873-3876 or visiting the Web site at www.dutchoil.com.

“In particular, we’d like the local residents to think locally first,” said company President Bruce Dutch.

Dutch Oil's new facility, home base for 16 employees and 14 trucks. Photo by Charles Farrow for HTNP.com

“Our prices are fair – neither the highest nor lowest – and we pour tens of thousands of dollars into the economy, thus reducing the homeowners’ tax bills,” he added.

Bruce, after 20 years of working for someone else, started Dutch Oil in 1997.

“This is a rewarding business,” he said.  “We have many satisfied customers and would love to have more.  Add that this is a family business, and we’re building something for the next generation.  I feel we’re moving forward,” he said.

Posted Feb. 23, 2010

New year, New you

Evan Tosi, from Moodus and a freshman at Florida State University, doing biceps curls in Banner Total Fitness's free weight room. Photo by Charles Farrow for HTNP.com

A sensible, structured exercise program can begin whenever the spirit moves you – on a birthday, after an indulgent weekend, before an anniversary, in anticipation of swimsuit season or after an injury.  Linda Stanford, manager of Banner Total Fitness, will welcome you anytime.

But don’t procrastinate.

Here’s what’s happening right now at BTF – a bright, modern health club at the end of Banner Road in Moodus.

Weigh-ins for the 8-week “Kick Start Weight Loss Challenge” will be held from Feb. 1 through Feb. 5.  Participants will receive weekly information on nutrition, exercise, and motivation.

In the last “Challenge,” 38 people lost more than 200 total pounds; 15 achieved a 5 percent weight loss goal; and BTF gave away more than $750.

And there are ongoing Yoga and Pilates classes.  The first one is complimentary.

Every day, almost 30 exercise machines are available – treadmills, bikes, elliptical trainers, and fixed weights—as well as a full room of free weights.

Want to know more? You can call 860-615-4050 or visit the Web site at www.bannertotalfitness.com/home.html to change your life.

Posted Jan. 24, 2010