SALEM AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 4/16/26 at On A Limb Baking Company MEETING 9-10am
PRESENT: Laura Dunham, Katie Braymer-Hayes, Matt Braymer-Hayes, Chris Hubbard, Marissa Perkins, Dawn Adams-Rea, Charlie Duveen, Mary Ellen Bayliss, Chris Levy
Treasurer’s report presented
Laura reminded there is now a link on the website under volunteer/donate tab to help out at the Chamber office. 2- or 4-hours shifts are available if you would like to enjoy some time on our bustling Main Street. May is very short of help! Approximately $150 worth of member products have been sold and the new I Love Salem NY mugs are now available – t-shirts will arrive soon.
Welcoming our newest members – Matt Braymer-Hayes and Matelli’s Taverna! Matt is also with the Cambridge Chamber and shared several great ideas for collaboration. Matelli’s Taverna will host a ribbon cutting soon – watch for details!
We have great FREE advertising opportunities we encourage all to take advantage of:
Members are invited to drop off business information and/or products at the Chamber office
Chris Levy of Green Art Supply is gathering business briefs to be listed FREE in The Greenwich Journal/Salem Press thanks to a generous offer by Darren Johnson. New hours, new services, locations, sales, events etc. Add : Chris@GreenArtSupply.com to your email list!
Kate Morse, Executive Director of Hudson Crossing Park is happy to share information and advertising from local businesses and organizations at the Gateway Visitor Center at no charge. See attached information for creating an image that can be shared on the digital slideshow, and if anyone is interested in sharing flyers, brochures, or rack cards they can be dropped off during regular business hours, which are currently 11am – 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Contact kmorse@hudsoncrossingpark.org for information
List your events for free on the Chamber event calendar-send them to salemnychamber@gmail.com or via fb message
Katie and Matt wondered how businesses who don’t have a physical product to sell in the office could collaborate with the Chamber – coupons, discounts etc. We’d love to hear your ideas!
Student Service Day is happening May 21 (22nd rain date). Grades 9-12 students and staff will be working through the Town of Salem to plant, clean, paint and repair multiple locations including the Courthouse Community Center, Main Street, the Town Park, The Georgi and more – providing hundreds of hours of energetic labor and showing pride in their town!
Marissa Perkins spoke about the 4th of July Parade that the Historic Salem Courthouse is hosting, there was much discussion about capitalizing on the 250th anniversary and our rich history. We encourage all businesses to decorate your businesses in Red White and Blue this 4th of July! If you would like to join the 4th of July Parade Committee, contact Marissa at office@salemcourthouse.org.Charlie says the Hebron Washtub Band is looking for new members! The group practices every Thursday, 7:15 pm at the Courthouse Community Center and will be in the 4th of July parade.
Dawn reminded everyone of the importance of protecting your finances. Salem has seen an increase in check fraud (checks being stolen etc) and recommends we take any checks to be mailed directly to the post office rather than leaving them in your home mail box.
Dawn asked everyone to start gathering goods for the Paint the Town Purple garage sale – in support of Alzheimer’s Research.
Salem BSA Troop 61 is hosting a trip to Yankee Stadium Sunday May 3rd – Contact them ASAP for details!
Mary Ellen talked about the recent RAM (Remote Area Medicine) event held in Schuylerville. Hudson Headwaters providers participated with hundreds of others to provide medical, vision and dental services at no cost to over 350 residents. Some who slept in their cars overnight in order to receive care they cannot afford. Such an extraordinary program! She also spoke about the great healthy food prep classes happening at the Salem Family Health Center Stewart’s Kitchen. View the upcoming schedule https://www.hhhn.org/news/kitchen-rx-returns-salem/
Chris Hubbard was congratulated on her recent featured article in The Greenwich Journal/Salem Press – pick up a copy and check it out!
Have you heard of Mud U-Cambridge? Matt and Marissa talked about this amazing program out of Cambridge and how Salem could work with Cambridge in the future on the Community Pop-Up University. Visit https://muducambridge.org for more information
The Chamber will be hosting an evening Meet & Greet with Board of Education Candidates at theoffice@207 Main after the April 20th candidate filing deadline. Tom McMorris has offered to video and post the meeting for those who can’t attend. Watch for date and time TBA
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Dunham