Tourney, Tour & Taste: BBA Year Is Off to a Great Start

written by Pamela Johnson, Bulletin Publisher

The Bellingham Business Association (BBA) has been busy, kicking off the new membership year with its annual golf tournament in September, followed by a tour of the police station during the October meeting, and planning for its most popular event of the year, the upcoming Taste of Bellingham. Planning for the group’s Holiday Party, which is slated for Dec. 7 at Coachmen’s Lodge, is also in full swing.

 Taste of Bellingham

The BBA will hold its always well-attended Taste of Bellingham, where, for a small fee, local business owners and their employees are invited to sample some of the best food and drink Bellingham eateries have to offer. This way, they will have an idea of whom to call when they need to provide refreshments for their own meetings or other functions. This year, the 9th annual event will take place on Nov. 9, 6-8 pm, hosted by Frank Webb’s Bath Center, 37 So. Maple Street. Participants will include Lowell’s Restaurant, Uno Pizzeria and Grill, Egan’s Pub, A Slice of Heaven, Gateway Liquors, Dairy Queen, Simply Sweet, The Father’s Table, and more; Valley DJ Service will emcee, and Brian’s Country Greenery will design centerpieces.  The BBA purchases a gift certificate from each participating business and raffles them off at the event.
“Businesses do not need to be members of the BBA to attend. In fact, we encourage non-member businesses to attend, to check out both the local restaurants and the business organization itself,” explained BBA President John Orthman. “Capacity at this venue is limited, however, and tickets [which are just $10/pp] will only be sold in advance, so please RSVP by emailing [email protected] no later than Nov. 4.”

Tour of Police Station

The organization’s October meeting offered members a tour of the newly built Bellingham police station, along with an update from both the fire- and police-department chiefs (pictured above). After enjoying a great meal in the police station’s meeting room that featured tuna sashimi, Caesar salad, and an entree of steak and mashed potatoes, followed by chocolate fudge cake for dessert, members received updates from Fire Chief Steven Gentile and Police Chief Gerard Daigle Jr. (pictured above; photo by P. Johnson).
   
According to Fire Chief Gentile, the fire department has streamlined the fire alarm inspection process, to the delight of many business owners. He spoke of opening the south fire station and the need for additional equipment there, as well as traffic problems at rush hour that prevent firefighters from getting the engine out of the bay.
  
Both the fire and police departments mentioned dealing with opioid addiction. There have been 25 overdoses in Bellingham since June, and that’s just the number of Bellingham residents—that does not include those from elsewhere who have OD’d at public places in town.

Chief Gentile spoke about the number of lives that have been saved because they can now administer the drug Naloxone (better known as Narcan), which counters the effects of a heroin overdose. He noted, however, that it is a “double-edged sword.” “They [addicts] know we have it and they know we’ll use it to bring them back, so there’s not much incentive for them to stop using. The problem is, it [Naloxone] doesn’t always work—it depends on the situation, so you’re still playing Russian roulette.”
   
Chief Daigle noted that, with so many state hospitals having been closed, there are not many resources for the police to utilize when they are dealing with people who have mental health issues.
    Chief Daigle then escorted the group through the state-of-the-art police station, which was completed approximately a year ago, noting that it took 16 years to finally get the 13,750 sq. ft. station built. He said he felt fortunate to have seen the project through to completion and spoke with obvious pride as he escorted us around the building, explaining the purpose of different rooms and equipment.

Another Successful Golf Tourney

 The Bellingham Business Association held its 9th Annual Golf Tournament on September 12 at New England Country Club. Golfers enjoyed a 3:30 pm, 9-hole, shotgun tournament followed by a barbecue, prizes and a raffle. First prize for the lowest score was awarded to the team of Denis Fraine, Mike Soter, Mike Connor, and Chris Remillard; first place women’s team prize went to Karen Dutil, Pam Brodeur, Dot Murray and Pat James. The men’s and women’s longest drive prizes were won by Andy DeVita and Cindy McNulty, respectively. The closest-to-the-pin contest was won by Ned Emerson and Cathy Collins. All golfers who landed on the green on hole #6 received a scratch ticket. A special raffle was held for (300) $1 lottery tickets, donated by Larry’s Liquors and won by Pam Brodeur.

 (submitted photo below) Men's 1st-place team (l-r): Mike Soter, Denis Fraine, Chris Remillard & Mike Connor 

The BBA extends a big thank-you to the following: gold sponsor—Asphalt Engineering; silver sponsors—Mass Renewables and Chamberlain Pines Indoor Golf & Sports Club; and bronze sponsors—Charles River Bank, Whole Foods Market and Larry’s Liquors. Thanks also to the following businesses and individuals for sponsoring holes or donating prizes and gift certificates for the raffle: Alexander’s Auto Repair; App Time; Artworks Studio; Atty. Michael Heaney, Law Office of Heaney and Small; Bamboo Express; Bellingham Bulletin; Bellingham Dairy Queen; Bellingham Electric; Bellingham House of Pizza; Brian’s Country Greenery; Bungay Brook Golf Course; Charlie’s Tire & Service Center; Chevy’s Ice Cream; Circle CG Farm Campground; Coachmen’s Lodge; Cornerstone Family Chiropractic; Crystal Pool and Spa; Daddario Hardware; Dean Bank; Dunkin’ Donuts Bellingham; Edge Barber Shop & Hair Salon; Egan’s Pub; Famous House of Pizza; Attys. Jason Carrozza and Amy Antonellis, Family Legal Partners; Future Bearings, Inc.; F.W. Webb Plumbing Supply; Gateway Liquors; Golfsmith; Grumpy’s Restaurant; Hockomock Area YMCA; Joe DeWolfe, Valley DJ Services; John Orthman, The Moody Street Group; Keefe Insurance; Kelley Byrnes-Benkart, Realty Executives Tri County; Khoury Plaza; L’il General; Lowell’s Restaurant; Lynn Scornavacca, Silver Lake Productions; Massachusetts Real Estate Group; Middlesex Savings Bank; Milford National Bank & Trust; Mr. Fence; New England Country Club; Outback Steakhouse; Paul Nilson, Urban West Insurance Group; PJ’s Bar and Grill; Pool Pro & Spa; Rick Kaplan, The Plaza at Bellingham Commons; Ro Caddick-Kilduff, Realty Executives Tri-County; Rock ’n Coal; Simply Sweet Bakery; Stojanowski Plumbing and Heating; Sue Ranieri, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; T&J Heating, AC & Plumbing; UNO’s Pizzeria & Grill; and Ve’Lace Bridal.

   
Proceeds are used to fund $1500 scholarships to two graduating Bellingham seniors and other contributions made to worthwhile local causes. Thanks again for your continued generosity and support.