CHAMBER CHATBOOK
FROM THE INCOMING GOSC BOARD PRESIDENT
CHRIS BIRD
General Manager
Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
2026 Greater Old Saybrook Chamber President
Dear Members and Friends,
As we begin a new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what a wonderful way it was to kick off 2026 with our Annual Gala on January 21. It was truly a pleasure to see so many familiar faces together and to celebrate the people and organizations that make Old Saybrook such a special community.
Congratulations to Myrcene Ale Co., 2025 Business of the Year, Chip Adams of Seabird Cruises, honored as Volunteer of the Year, and the Old Saybrook Lions Club with the community impact award. Each of these recipients exemplifies the dedication, generosity, and community spirit that define our region. Thanks to the generous donation of raffle prizes, and event sponsors, we also raised $6,000 in support of our mission, a true reflection of the generosity of our members and partners.
We were also honored to be joined by First Selectman Carl Fortuna and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal at our Annual Awards Night. Thank you both for taking the time to be with us and for the continued support you provide to our community. It was truly an honor to have you.
As we move through the winter months, this is an ideal time to reflect, plan, and look ahead to a busy and exciting year.
Priority number one is hiring an Executive Director to continue the leadership that Judy has provided for so many years. Thank you for your continued involvement and commitment to keeping Greater Old Saybrook a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
Wishing you a healthy, successful, and inspiring start to the year.
Warm regards, Chris
Bird
President, Greater Old Saybrook Chamber
General Manager, Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
2025 Annual Awards Night Committee Members: Sally Ann Lee, Jill Peterson, Chris Bird, Heather Milardo and Jen Waldron (missing from the photo: Kara Pachniuk)
PRESIDENT CIRCLE OF 2026
LE BO BEC SI CIR
EVENT INFO EVENT INFO
05 FEB
Members have an opportunity to introduce themselves and their business/organization.
By reservation, 3 members may have a 3minute spotlight to share their business!
@ Vicky G. Duffy Pavilion 155 College St. Old Saybrook
Join us for a celebratory ribbon cutting! Support the Grand Opening of Essence Center for Beauty & Wellness, meet the team, and enjoy a raffle with donations from downtown.
@ 121 Main Street, Old Saybrook
Registration Required View Information
12 FEB
Interested in traveling to Portugal Oct 2026?
Join us and CI Destinations for this virtual information session and get ALL your questions answered!
Digitally via Zoom
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
13 FEB
Feeling curious about AI but overwhelmed by all the tech talk? Join us!
This friendly, down-to-earth session is designed just for women who want to explore how AI can support their business, without the stress or jargon.
@ Saybrook Point Resort & Marina 2 Bridge St., Old Saybrook
11 FEB Ribbon Cutting @ Essence Center for Beauty & Wellness First Thursday Business Connections Third Thursday Business Connections
Members have an opportunity to introduce themselves and their business/organization.
By reservation, 3 members may have a 3minute spotlight to share their business!
25 chefs will compete for your vote of "Best Chili"! 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
@ Water’s Edge Resort 1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook
19 FEB Registration Required Registration Required WIB Luncheon Linda Albright 2026 Portugal Virtual Information Session 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM 28 FEB 29 Annual th Chili Fest Registration Required
The 29th Annual Old Saybrook Chili Fest is an outdoor event, taking place along Main Street, Old Saybrook.
@ Main Street, Old Saybrook
BECOME A MEMBER!
Looking to grow your business and network?
The Greater Old Saybrook Chamber provides countless opportunities to individuals, businesses, and organizations to do just that! With meetings, events, digital and physical marketing opportunities, and more, members of our Chamber have a greater chance to thrive!
Is your renewal due? Navigate to your membership portal on our website to view details and membership status/dues.
$ayBucks Community eGift Cards can be easily purchased online and given as gifts to family, friends, employees, teachers, coaches, you name it!
All your favorite local places on one digital card! The card is emailed to the recipient, who can present it to merchants on their smartphone or print it out. Easy!
ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT
CELEBRATING OUR LEGACY, SHAPING OUR FUTURE
The Greater Old Saybrook Chamber’s Annual Awards Night for 2025 took place recently on January 21 - and it was a wonderful success! With nearly 100 attendees, this event celebrated our diverse body of membership and recognized the people and organizations that work year-round to build, grow, and support our community! Congratulations to our award recipients for 2025: st
Business of the Year: Myrcene Ale Co.
Volunteer of the Year: Chip Adams, Seabird Cruises
Community Impact Award: Old Saybrook Lions Club
Myrcene Ale Co (L-R): Lindsey Goergen, Mike Goergen, Jessica Morison | Also Pictured Kelley Bird
Old Saybrook Lions Club (L-R): David Tiezzi, Sharon Tiezzi, Bonnie Amenta, Karin Nelson, Debra Wilkie, Renee Shippee, Jessica Hanover, Kate Delaney, plus additional members.
Seabird Cruises: Chip Adams
Fortuna, Debra Wilke, Richard Blumenthal, Chip Adams, Lindsey Goergen,
We would also like to extend our gratitude to those outside of our membership body who attended in support of our community. Old Saybrook’s First Selectman, Carl Fortuna, as well as Connecticut’s senior U.S. Senator, Richard Blumenthal, both made a welcome appearance!
Carl
Mike Goergen
2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Front Row (L-R): Lindsey Goergen, Sally Ann Lee, Heather Milardo, Tony Marino, Missy Lamont, Jill Peterson, Marnie, Serksnas, Sarah Bird | Back Row (L-R): Alex Foulkes, Chip Adams, Chris Bird, Jen Waldron, Rob Lloyd, Kevin Kennedy, Brendan Redfield | Missing from the Photo: Dave Putnam
PRESIDENT - Chris Bird, Saybrook Point Resort & Marina
VICE PRESIDENT - Tony Marino, The Rockfall Foundation
VICE PRESIDENT - Heather Milardo, The Estuary
SECRETARY - Sally Ann Lee, Middlesex Health
TREASURER - Brendan Redfield, WollackLewitz
PAST PRESIDENT - Kara Pachniuk, Nourish + Nosh Nutrition
Chip Adams, Seabird Cruises
Sarah Bird, Middlesex Habitat for Humanity of CT
Alex Foulkes, CoLabs
Lindsey Goergen, Myrcene Ale Co.
Missy Lamont, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding
Rob Lloyd, TechNet Computing
Kevin Kennedy, Kennedy Real Estate Solutions
Jill Peterson, Pursuit of Pastry
Dave Putnam, Valley Shore YMCA
Marnie Serksnas, Miranda Creative, Inc
Jennifer Waldron, PizzaWorks
UPCOMING WOMEN IN BUSINESS EVENTS!
Linda Albright, Albright AI Agency February 13th @ Saybrook Point
“AI Without the Hype: How Women Business Owners Are Using AI to Grow Their Companies & Free Up Time”
Gail Petrowsky, Wellness Options March 13th @ Saybrook Point
“The Mindset of Business”
Interested in traveling to Portugal in October 2026? Two informational sessions will be held in collaboration with our program partner, CI Destinations, to answer ALL of your questions so you can book & travel with confidence! (Via Zoom)
HOW TO ADVERTISE
Email alex@oldsaybrookchamber.com to secure your spot. The Chamber is always looking for graphic advertisements, articles, topics, and ideas. The Chamber Chatbook was created to provide readers with helpful Chamber and community information. Chapters are issued every other month. Deadline to submit advertisements or articles is the first of the issued month. Next Chapter releases in March 2026!
Advertisement Pricing:
Business Card - $40
Banner - $75
Half Page - $100
Event Listing - $40