Check your listings for the channel of your cable service – Amherst Comcast is channel 6.

We think the show came out really well and promotes the Souhegan Valley Chamber and the community. The next show will feature another of our towns. There’s still time to book a slot on the next show.

And the winners are:

Chowder
Professional – Chrysanthi’s, Brookline
Amateur – Sally Long, Amherst

Chili
Professional – The Barn at Hitchiner
Amateur – Tom & Kem Vassello

Peoples’ Choice Overall Winner
Hillbilly Stampede, Lori Skinner

A special thanks to Marlena Phillips for entertaining us? Also to our beverage sponsors Labelle Winery, Bellavance Beverages, Smuttynose Brewery, Woodstock Inn Brewery, Moonlight Meadery, and Vitone Family Wines. We thank H20 Waste Disposal Services at www.byebyedump.com for their assistance and Mareld Co., Inc. for giving us the great location and facility for the Cook Off. And finally, we thank all of the professional and amateur chefs for their great food.

After this year’s success, the Chili Chowder Cook Off is sure to be an annual event for the SVCC and Opportunity Networks.

The committee is looking to members and friends for their assistance by donating items, gift certificates, services and get-a-ways. Both fun and practical contributions are welcomed. This is the fifth year of auctions in support of our service men and women.

Donations may be made through Harbor Homes or by contacting the Chamber. Sponsorships are still available at levels beginning at $100.

• Learn strategies for securing business financing and accessing alternative lending programs
• Find out all you need to know about doing business with the state
• Hear from the state’s top elected leaders about key small business issues in 2012
• Learn about New Hampshire’s innovative and successful NH Working programs and how they can help small businesses find the right applicants

Sponsored by Bank of America / Merrill Lynch and the New Hampshire Business Review.

Visit the BIA website or call 603.224.5388 x116 to register or learn more.

Get the New Year off to a great start and join members, friend and guests at the Souhegan Valley Boys & Girls Club, Mont Vernon St., Milford. Come see the wonderful facility and programs provided by the Club staff and Board for our young people throughout the area towns. Make your first resolution to meet and connect with lots of new business members. Special feature just for us – a private production of “Beyond the Sea” performed by the Riverbend Youth Theater group at 7:30!

Remember, if you bring a door prize to this event you will have the opportunity to address the group with important news about your business. Bring plenty of business cards for networking and to enter to win one of the door prizes. Who knows what excellent connections you will make at the event? Perhaps your best business resource yet will be there just waiting to meet you!

Session 1: Building Your Sales Techniques
Wednesday, February 8
7:15 to 8:45 AM
Chamber Offices
Sponsored by Centrix Bank

Mark your calendars for the first of a series of informational workshops presented for you to offer cutting edge professionals on the topics that can help you build your business! You told us what issues and subject areas would help you hone your skills and develop a cadre of resources that are practical and useful to you.

To kick off the monthly sessions, we are very fortunate to have Kevin Hallenbeck join us. The Sandler Training Center in NH founded by Kevin Hallenbeck is an award winning sales training and business development organization that has been helping corporations and individuals achieve new levels of personal and professional success for more than 16 years. They provide client companies a personalized development experience in private training centers located in Manchester and Portsmouth NH as well as corporate onsite training at their business locations. The programs are professional level, focusing on knowledge and awareness, and continuing with ongoing reinforcement to achieve a higher level of success.

We are pleased to offer this opportunity to members and local businesses at a nominal cost thanks to the support of Centrix Bank. Seating will be limited for the session so make your reservation today! Member $25 / Not Yet Members $35. Call or email the office to register, or register and pay right now on our Major Events and Programs page.

All donations of any size are appreciated and should be made out to Special Olympics New Hampshire with Milford Area in the memo line of the check. Mail your contributions to Lisa Bianchi, Special Olympics Coordinator, C/O Milford Middle School, 33 Osgood Road, Milford 03055.

The Souhegan Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce 4 new Sustaining Partners for 2012:  St. Mary’s Bank, Wendi’s Cleaning Service, Holt Proctor McBriarty Insurance Agency, and Contemporary Chrysler Dodge Jeep. In addition, several of our 2011 Sustaining Partners have extended their support of the chamber through 2012: Hitchiner Manufacturing, TDS Telecom, PSNH, and the Hampshire Dome.

Sustaining Partnerships not only underwrite Chamber events but also allow local nonprofits and schools to share in the proceeds. These special sponsorships are limited to 10 businesses, with only one business allowed per industry. We invite you to consider joining our exclusive executive tier of Sustaining Partners.