February Newsletter

Dear ABA Members and Community,

Can you believe that January is behind us? This month, we have exciting community marketing and sponsorship opportunities to share with you, more events, new businesses, and our official launch of the 2024 ABA Scholarship!

Please help us welcome our newest ABA Board and Membership Committee Member, Sandra “Sandy” Montesino. Sandy is an Executive Team Member at Daniel’s Table. Daniel’s Table’s mission is to create food security through nutrition and education as the catalyst to empower individuals and families to reach their full potential. Daniel’s Table achieves this mission through continuous innovation of programming and outreach, service provision conducted with compassion and dignity, and education that is respectful of culture and diversity. 

Also, welcome new Members, Journey Environmental Consulting LLC, Ashland Driving School, BAM Films LLC, Pareene Group Realtors, and SGL Solutions!

The ABA Board continues to evaluate the ways to provide value to its members. Here is a list of the upcoming opportunities to utilize your exclusive membership:

• NEW Membership option featuring a recurring monthly payment system! Enroll Now
• Outreach to our members, encouraging member spotlights, and more
• Ribbon-cutting events to share your new business with the community (see the details for this month's Ribbon Cutting with SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream)!
• Monthly events such as last month's Virtual Lunch and Learn- Learning about Trademarks from our knowledgeable ABA Vice President, David Rucando, with a quick show-and-tell with a few fantastic trademark examples. The recording of this presentation will soon be available online. In the meantime, send us an email, and we will send you the link for the recording.
• Informative events with our local government:
• Back from last year's popular demand, we are hosting another Town Update where business owners and the community learn about the community, and have questions answered by the Town's leaders at Town Hall on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 (see details below). DON'T forget to submit your questions to our Marketing Director by WEDNESDAY 2/7 at publicity@ashlandbusinessassociation.com
• In an effort to make sure our members are informed, we are hosting a Tree Bylaw Discussion on February 27th at noon. Consider watching the Town's public discussion from January 11th in preparation. This potential legislation may have an impact on the community and hope you will be able to participate in this event (see details below).
• The ABA is also looking to put forth information and/or a discussion pertaining to the impact of the Local Historic District Bylaw, which was discussed by our local Select Board during their meeting on January 17th. Stay tuned for more details.

Thank you for your membership to the ABA and encourage you to share your feedback. Send us a reply email to our Marketing Director. We enjoy hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Adam Sachs

President of the ABA

Donate to this year's scholarship or invite your Ashland High School Senior to apply!

As part of our efforts to give back to our wonderful community, each year we, the ABA, award scholarships to high school seniors residing in Ashland who exemplify community and business spirit, work ethic, and creativity. This year, we will award two- $1,500.00 scholarships.

Donate- Please consider contributing to this worthy program. We will recognize your generosity by listing your business name on our print and online marketing. 

Apply- Please tell your High school Senior who fits our criteria to submit an application.

For more information, contact ABA Scholarship Committee Chair Chrissy Reynolds by email, scholarship@ashlandbusinessassociation.com.  

Download the following images and help us share this information with your network!

Our local Director of Economic Development and Community Outreach, Beth Reynolds, also has a newsletter. We hope you'll join us in the excitement as we prepare to welcome some new businesses this year! In the email sent back on January 18th, Beth shares we will soon welcome Clocktown Pickleball at Homer Avenue, CL Beauty & Spa on Eliot Street! She also provides updates to Clover Road Brewing on Main Street and Starbucks on Union Street.

Additionally, SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream on Main Street opened this past December during the Holiday Stroll, and we are eager to officially welcome them with a Ribbon Cutting on February 16th (details below).

Take a look at the Economic Development newsletter here.

Ashland Library Mini Ren Faire 2024

The Ashland Public Library is planning their first ever Mini Ren (Renaissance) Faire at the Ashland Library! Learn more about Ren Faires here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_fair.

Would you like to be a vendor at this event? Read below for some information on what it entails and click the link below for more information and to sign up for a table!

The Faire will be on Saturday, May 4th from 10 am- 4 pm (or thereabouts). 

• It will be located at the Farmer's Market Field on Front St (across from the library) and, if the weather is bad, we'll be moving aspects into the library for the most part. 
• Space is limited and we have certain parameters we'll be looking for (we do not know the limit yet as we'll be bringing in Ren Faire "pros" as well). 
• We'll be choosing vendors with an eye to offer the widest range of experiences for our patrons. 
• This is an event for all ages, so we'll be looking for family-friendly vendors. 
• We do ask that you bring your own 6 ft tables and, in case of inclement weather, a tent (you can bring more tables to make a square, though). 
• There is no fee for you to join us. 
• And, your company/organization name will be included in the promotional materials that we create for this event (depending on the size of the material), including social media graphics. We will share all graphics with you to share to your fans, as well. 

The Library Board of Trustees has agreed to allow vendors to sell their wares at this specific event.

Applications for the Faire are due by February 16th and we'll be notifying people if they've been accepted by Friday, March 1st. 

CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up to be a vendor!!