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May 28, 2020
News from the Chamber
Hello,

The 4th of July Planning Committee has been working since early March to plan the Williamstown July 4th Celebration.  It is no surprise that July 4th in Williamstown will not be our traditional celebration (there will be no large gathering on Spring Street) ... BUT we can still celebrate...with changes to the activities.

Attached is a brief, 7-question, survey to get a feeling of what you and your quaran-team might be interested in doing on July 4, 2020 and how comfortable you would feel participating in various activities.

There is also space to add your own July 4 activity ideas!!
Take this Google Form Survey by 5pm on Thursday, June 4th, to help us formulate a plan!  

AND please, forward this Survey around to your staff, family, friends...the more input we can gather, the better we can plan!

Stay Strong, Stay Safe, Stay Engaged.

Susan Briggs
Executive Director
info@williamstownchamber.com
413.458.9077
Paycheck Protection Program Update: 
PPP borrowers must apply for loan forgiveness with the lender that processed the loan.  Click here for the SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Application.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation: 
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits to an individual who has exhausted all rights to any regular unemployment compensation and who meets other eligibility requirements of the CARES Act.  Claimants may be eligible for these federal benefits and these benefits are now available through UI Online.
 
Please visit the following link for more information:
www.mass.gov/peuc
State & Local Government Update: 

The Baker-Polito Administration announced a comprehensive plan to safely reopen the Commonwealth's economy. Watch the full update here. (The press conferences begin with Governor Baker's opening at the 5:15 mark on the video.)

Regardless of which phase your business falls in, before opening each business must:

There are some great charts available on the Phases here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-four-phase-approach

If you are curious about which phase certain business segments are in, here is a list: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-when-can-my-business-reopen#detailed-industry-reopening-plan-

Overall, Governor Baker does recommend, whenever possible, for people to continue to work from home, and that they only venture out when they need to frequent a certain business.  Face coverings are required, if you are unable to maintain six feet of physical distancing.
Williamstown Planning Board Candidate Forum.  Meet the candidates, Peter Beck & Alex Carlisle, and learn how they stand on the issues.  Get engaged, watch it on WilliNet NOW.
Williamstown’s annual town election has been rescheduled to Tuesday, June 23rd. Mail-In/Early Voting is open for ALL voters in the upcoming local elections. Voters must submit an application with their signature requesting a mail-in ballot no later than June 15. The applications are available in boxes outside Town Hall and the Harper Center senior center on Church Street and on the town's website.  Completed applications can be returned by mail, dropped off or emailed to Npedercini@williamstownma.gov. Watch Nicole (Town Clerk) and Jason (Town Manager) on WilliNet.org for a fun "How-To...Vote Early By Mail".
Virtual Town Halls, Summer in the Berkshires - Happening! But How?
Friday, May 29, 10AM

Gain deeper insight from the people taking steps that will both impact their organizations and the broader economy of the region in the short and long term. Learn what creative approaches they are applying, and how they are envisioning the coming months as we begin to reopen our economy, and walk away with an enhanced awareness of the opportunities that we have this coming summer season.

Panelists:
Brian Cruey, Director of Southern Berkshires for the Trustees of Reservations
Laurie Norton Moffat, Director & CEO of Norman Rockwell Museum
Mindi Morin, Managing Director at Canyon Ranch
Lindsey Schmid, VP of Tourism and Marketing at 1Berkshire

Free and Open to the Public, but pre-registration is required.
Register at here.
Register Here
Local Announcements:
Historic Site Marker Scavenger Hunt

When you find this marker and historic site, snap a picture of you standing next to it, and send it to info@williamstownhistoricalmuseum.org. 
This week's historical marker is much harder to locate than some of the others. Do you know where the First Meeting House was located in Williamstown and its importance in our town's history?
Woodchuck Wednesdays Wherever
Nature-Based Education Ideas

Create your own nests. Since birds are adapted to use their beaks to collect materials and build nests, you are not, so hands are allowed!  Try using only natural materials to hold your nest together, such as mud and clay!
Here are more nature-based education ideas. 
REOPENING:  Goodwill Vermont Stores OPEN NOW (Bennington & Rutland)

Massachusetts Stores:  Beginning on Monday June 1, 2020 donation centers in Great Barrington, Pittsfield and North Adams will accept donations.  Our retail operations will remain closed. Stay tuned for in-store shopping updates.
Jane & Antonello are back this Friday with a new edition of Window On The Weekend, a weekly update of Chamber of Commerce events & local happenings. Watch it on WilliNet TV and anytime on willinet.org.  
How to Rank Higher on Google:  Quick Wins & Big Wins,
June 3 & 10

If you missed Roger's presentations on How to Rank Higher on Google, he will be presenting again, in conjunction with the Downtown Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce.
Free and open to all, registration required.
This Week In Williamstown:
Dinners-To-Go-TONIGHT

Chicken OR Shrimp Veggie Stir Fry, Jasmine Rice, Pickled Cucumber Salad and a Carmelita for dessert...(Thursday 5/28).

Call ahead 458-6192 OR stop in!
Taconic Golf Clubhouse:  Pickup and Delivery Menu
Thursday – Monday, May 28 – June 1
Call  413-458-5211

Family Dinners (4:00-8:00)
All Dinners Include Caesar or Garden Salad (Ranch or House Balsamic) & fresh bread and butter.

Southern Baked Haddock; Cajun Cornbread-Pecan topping, Creole Rice, Sautéed Green Beans. For 2 – $42 For 4 – $84

Grilled Boneless Pork Chops; Homemade Apple Sauce, Crispy Herbed Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli.  For 2 – $38 For 4 – $76

Chicken Taco Kit; Marinated and grilled chicken, Traditional and Roasted Pineapple Salsas, Sour Cream, Shredded Lettuce, Cheddar Jack, Jalapenos, Flour Tortillas and Corn and Black Bean Salad.  For 2 – $34 For 4 – $68

Meatball Stroganoff; Beef meatballs in a Sherry-cream mushroom sauce, Buttered Egg Noodles, Steamed Broccoli.  For 2 – $38 For 4 – $76

Lunch Menu Available Daily; 11am – 4pm

Grocery Items 
One dozen fresh eggs $4
Quart of Half and Half $7
Quart of Cream $9
Half Gallon Milk $6
Half dozen Fresh baked Blueberry or Corn Muffins $12

Porch Pick-Up (order NOW)

THURSDAY ONLY
 Casual Fare: Okie Burgers, Smash Burgers and Cheeseburgers plus Chicken Katsu Sandwich with Kewpie Mayo and Bulldog Sauce 
FRIDAY + SATURDAY ONLY  
TUSCAN ROAST CITRUS-BRINED CHICKEN DINNER FOR TWO  $48
Herb-roasted, Citrus-brined Half-chicken served with Salsa Verde, Roasted Vegetables (Fingerling Potatoes, Hen-of-the-Woods Mushrooms + Broccoli Rabe), Berry Patch Farm Lettuces with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette on the side plus Focaccia. 
OR 
CRISPY POLENTA CAKE DINNER FOR TWO  $42 
Crispy Polenta Cake served with Green Garlic, Roasted Vegetables (Fingerling Potatoes, Hen-of-the-Woods Mushrooms + Broccoli Rabe), Berry Patch Farm Lettuces with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette on the side plus Focaccia.  

Berkshire COVID-19 Fund Help-A-Thon
Thursday, May 28 from 5-7 pm; re-air Sunday, May 31 from 6-8 pm.
WilliNet channel 1303

Tune in to WilliNet Channel 1303 for the Berkshire COVID-19 Help-A-Thon to raise awareness and funding for the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County.  This fund has awarded over $1.4 million in grants to nonprofits working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus.

More than 30 artists connected to Berkshire County are joining forces to raise awareness about the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County, including legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff and local musicians Randy Cormier, Matt Cusson, Jonathan Denmark, Mike Duffy, Jeff Hunt, Steve Sears, Bobby Sweet and Jack Waldheim; comedian Kevin Bartini; local award-winning children’s book author Ty Allan Jackson; and more.

Elected officials U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, former Massachusetts Lt. Governor Jane Swift, state Sen. Adam Hinds, state representatives Tricia Farley-Bouvier and John Barrett, Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington and Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer, will be participating.

To learn more about the Berkshire COVID-19 Fund Help-a-Thon, visit https://www.berkshireunitedway.org/helpathon.
Donate Here.
Images Online

Images Online is a virtual effort by Images Cinema to continue to introduce the best new films to our community while we are temporarily closed. Films can be watched online on your at-home screens. The cost of each online “ticket” sold will be split between the film distributor and Images Cinema, so each rental will directly help the theater weather these challenging times. 
Blackfish
Friday, 5/29 – Thursday, 6/4
While in captivity, Tilikum, a performing killer whale, has been responsible for the deaths of three people, including a top orca trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of capturing and confining such intelligent and sentient creatures.
The Wolf House
Friday, 5/29 – Thursday, 6/4
Maria, a young woman finds refuge in a house in the south of Chile after escaping from a sect of German religious fanatics. She is welcomed into the home by two pigs, the only inhabitants of the place. Like in a dream, the universe of the house reacts to Maria’s feelings. The animals transform slowly into humans and the house becomes a nightmarish world. Inspired on the actual case of Colonia Dignidad, The Wolf House masquerades as an animated fairy tale produced by the leader of the sect in order to indoctrinate its followers.
New French Shorts
Friday, 5/29 – Thursday, 6/4
Seven grand films with petite running times. A single feature-length program of delightful, funny, charming, provocative festival favorite Gallic shorts.
Williamstown Farmers Market - Essentials
Order:  Monday 10am - Wednesday 7pm
Pick-Up:  Saturday 11:00am - 1:00pm
Williamstown Elementary School Parking Lot

Find available items from a dozen local farms and food producers, place orders, and submit payments. Order online by Wednesday at 7pm for Saturday pick up.
There will be NO on-site ordering.  
No-contact pickup.
All seedlings are free--you don’t need to bring some to swap to take some home. 
Any questions contact Kathy Keeser at kathykkeeser@gmail.com or 413-664-4006.
Looking Ahead:
Williamstown Theatre Festive Community Works
FREE ONLINE THEATRE WORKSHOP
via Facebook Live
Wednesday, June 17, 5 pm

No prior experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. Full household participation is encouraged! Email Hayley at community@wtfestival.org if you have any questions. We hope you can join us!
Resources:
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