Chamber News

The Cohase Winter Decorating Contest is in full swing! Visit cohase.org/winter-lights for the list of entries and to vote for your favorites by December 29th. Be sure to stop at the shops and restaurants along the way to make a night of it and SUPPORT LOCAL this holiday season!

CONGRATULATIONS to 2022 Cohase Winter Decorating Contest!! 

Residential Division

1st Place -  Ryan Pebbles

2nd Place - Lorie Walters- Walters Winter Wonderland
3rd Place - David Luther

Commercial Division

1st Place - Young's Photography
2nd Place - Curt 'n Rod Centre
3rd Place - Housewright Construction 

Congratulations 2021 Winners!

Residential Division

1st Place - Walters Winter Wonderland
2nd Place - Wynters Wonderland
3rd Place - Festival of Lights

Commercial Division

1st Place - Housewright Construction, Inc.
2nd Place - Curt 'n Rod Centre
3rd Place - Young's Farm House Christmas

The winners of the first annual Cohase Winter Decorating Contest have been announced. In the residential division, Lorie Walters of Bradford, Vt., won for Walters Winter Wonderland light display. Dylan McMichael of Woodsville, N.H., took second place for Wynters Wonderland. Coming in third place were Cynthia Goslant and Richard Munis of Woodsville for their Festival of Lights. The winner of the commercial division was Housewright Construction, Inc., in Newbury, Vt. Second place went to Curt ‘n Rod Centre in Woodsville. Young’s Farm House Christmas in Newbury won third place. All winners will receive a trophy celebrating their achievement, and residential winners will receive an additional cash prize.

The contest was a bright spot in the region this winter and inspired over 150 people to enjoy the self-directed tour and vote for their favorites.

“We were excited to offer a socially distanced celebration and encourage people to go out and visit local businesses during the holiday season. The response has been overwhelming, and we look forward to continuing this new tradition next year,” commented Ruth Ann Hacking, Executive Director of the Cohase Chamber of Commerce.

The contest was run by the Cohase Chamber of Commerce with the support of founding sponsor Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank, with additional sponsorship from Stifel Investment Services and Wells River Savings Bank.

The Cohase Chamber's Annual Meeting is scheduled for January 18, 2022 at 6:30PM. The membership will meet via Zoom to elect new directors, honor Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year winners, and enjoy updates from Chamber leadership and a keynote address.

Members who would like to attend the meeting are invited to login to the website and register here to receive the agenda and Zoom information ahead the event. If you are a member who has trouble registering online, please email us at chamber@cohase.org for assistance.

Portions of the meeting will be recorded and made available to the public after the meeting.

Are you looking for a way to make an impact in the community? Are you interested in learning what
being part of a Board is like? Are you interested in volunteering your time for the benefit of others in our
community? If you answered, “yes” to those questions, The Cohase Chamber of Commerce may be just
the right fit for you. We are seeking a high school student in the 11 th grade who wants to serve on our
Board as a Junior Member. This would be a one year, non-voting term with the possibility to extend the
term to a full Board member with voting rights. The term of service would begin on January 1, 2022.

The right candidate will:
- Be willing to sharing their ideas respectfully while listening to other’s ideas with an open mind.
- Have the availability to join Board meetings from 5:30-7 the 2nd Tues of every month.
- Be willing to volunteer time outside of Board Meetings for events and activities.

Interested Candidates Should:
1) Respond by emailing their cover letter, resume, and 3 letters of recommendation to
chamber@cohase.org no later than December 1, 2021.
2) Please respond to our mission statement, “We are committed to fostering a vibrant economic
climate by encouraging cooperation and communication among the region’s communities, while
ensuring a high quality of life.” In your own words, what does that mean?
3) In one page or less after reviewing our website (cohase.org) please tell our Board, why you
should be chosen to join our Board of Directors. What special talents, unique perspectives, or
original ideas will you bring with you?
4) Letters of recommendations should include 2 school staff members and 1 non-family member.

We look forward to hearing from you!
The Cohase Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2021 BUSINESS AND CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

15th Annual Community Awards to be Presented January 18, 2022

WELLS RIVER, VT -- The Cohase Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations from the public for its 2021 Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year awards. The deadline for nominations is December 1, 2021.

The awards are presented annually to a business and an individual who have had a significant impact on the community in the past year. Winners will be celebrated at the Cohase Chamber Annual Meeting on January 18, 2022.

Last year, Hatchland Farm received the Business of the Year award, and Carolyn and Larry Coffin of Bradford, Vt., shared the Citizen of the Year award. Nominees for both awards must meet certain requirements, including leadership, innovation, and charitable work in the community.

This month, we are celebrating our SERVICES members here at the Chamber! Check out our Local Business Directory at cohase.org/other-services to find more information on these and many other local businesses, and keep an eye out for posts highlighting each member this month.

This month, we are celebrating our REAL ESTATE members here at the Chamber! Check out our Local Business Directory at cohase.org/real-estate to find more information about our members who offer real estate services, and keep an eye out for posts highlighting each member this month.

Join us in celebrating Robie Farm's 150th Anniversary!