Realty awards night held

LITCHFIELD - Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. held its annual "Awards Night" meeting on Monday, May 12, 2008 at Cornucopia Banquet Hall. The hors d’oeuvres and wine were sponsored by Litchfield Bancorp.
The following were presented at the meeting: REALTOR® of the Year 2008, 2008 LCBR Scholarship Grant and the Unsung Hero Award.
Each year the Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. selects one REALTOR® as REALTOR® of the Year based on selected criteria. The selected member represents the highest qualities and the outstanding service REALTORS® offer their local, state and national Board and their civic duty, and this year’s recipient was Ted Murphy of E J Murphy Realty in Litchfield.
Ted Murphy has been a REALTOR® member and involved in the real estate industry for almost 30 years. He is an active member of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and has served on their Board as President, President-Elect and a Director and several of their committees including, Budget, MLS, Nominating, Ad Hoc Bank Account Policy and RPAC. On the state level, he has served on the work group that helped form the Statewide MLS we have today and as a State Director for the past four years. Ted has also earned the following designations: GRI I, GRI II and GRI III.
Ted is very involved in his community. He is actively involved with the Litchfield/Morris Rotary Club. He is a strong sponsor and has helped organize the Litchfield Hills Children’s Race since 1999. He helped start and was president 3 times of the Litchfield Rowing club. He is a member of the Greenway Committee under the Plan of Conservation & Development to plan the developments of walking paths around Litchfield. He is a member of the Litchfield Business Association. He has been a director of the Litchfield/Wamogo Alumni Basketball Game that benefits scholarships for both schools since 2003.
Ted Murphy
The Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. distributes a scholarship award every year to a qualified applicant. The Board chooses the recipient based on selected criteria and issues the recipient a Scholarship Award and a check for a predetermined amount, and this year’s recipient was Stephanie Kearns, daughter of Heidi Kearns a REALTOR® with E J Murphy Realty in Litchfield.
Stephanie is currently enrolled as a senior in Housatonic Valley Regional High School and will be the Valedictorian of her class. She will attend Merrimack College located in North Andover Massachusetts in the fall. Thanks to the generosity of our members Stephanie was awarded a $2,640 scholarship.
This year’s Awards Night included the presentation of the "Unsung Hero Award" to Ziggy Keparutis of Bayberry Realty for his unselfish dedication and commitment to Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and the REALTOR® organization.
Ziggy currently serves on the Litchfield County Board of Directors and has been Chairman of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Committee from 1999 to the present.
REALTORS® who have celebrated their 20th and 25th Anniversary as members of the Board were recognized and congratulated by Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. The members received their prestigious 20 or 25 year REALTOR® pin symbolizing their long term commitment to upholding the Professional standards set forth by the REALTOR® organization.
The following members received their 20 year REALTOR® pin: Patricia Keparutis of Bayberry Realty; Jack Potter of Cohen Agency; Ellie Peterson of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 and Mary Clancey of Mary Clancey, Broker.
The following members received their 25 year REALTOR® pin: Judith Hitchiner of Hitchiner Associates; Debbie Videtto of Prudential Premier Homes; William Downes of Gooseboro Realty; Judith Hammer of Gooseboro Realty and Annesa Borla of Borla & Associates, LLC Real Estate.
New REALTOR® members were recognized and congratulated on their decision to join Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc.

Realty awards night held

LITCHFIELD - Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. held its annual "Awards Night" meeting on Monday, May 12, 2008 at Cornucopia Banquet Hall. The hors d’oeuvres and wine were sponsored by Litchfield Bancorp.
The following were presented at the meeting: REALTOR® of the Year 2008, 2008 LCBR Scholarship Grant and the Unsung Hero Award.
Each year the Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. selects one REALTOR® as REALTOR® of the Year based on selected criteria. The selected member represents the highest qualities and the outstanding service REALTORS® offer their local, state and national Board and their civic duty, and this year’s recipient was Ted Murphy of E J Murphy Realty in Litchfield.
Ted Murphy has been a REALTOR® member and involved in the real estate industry for almost 30 years. He is an active member of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and has served on their Board as President, President-Elect and a Director and several of their committees including, Budget, MLS, Nominating, Ad Hoc Bank Account Policy and RPAC. On the state level, he has served on the work group that helped form the Statewide MLS we have today and as a State Director for the past four years. Ted has also earned the following designations: GRI I, GRI II and GRI III.
Ted is very involved in his community. He is actively involved with the Litchfield/Morris Rotary Club. He is a strong sponsor and has helped organize the Litchfield Hills Children’s Race since 1999. He helped start and was president 3 times of the Litchfield Rowing club. He is a member of the Greenway Committee under the Plan of Conservation & Development to plan the developments of walking paths around Litchfield. He is a member of the Litchfield Business Association. He has been a director of the Litchfield/Wamogo Alumni Basketball Game that benefits scholarships for both schools since 2003.
Ted Murphy
The Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. distributes a scholarship award every year to a qualified applicant. The Board chooses the recipient based on selected criteria and issues the recipient a Scholarship Award and a check for a predetermined amount, and this year’s recipient was Stephanie Kearns, daughter of Heidi Kearns a REALTOR® with E J Murphy Realty in Litchfield.
Stephanie is currently enrolled as a senior in Housatonic Valley Regional High School and will be the Valedictorian of her class. She will attend Merrimack College located in North Andover Massachusetts in the fall. Thanks to the generosity of our members Stephanie was awarded a $2,640 scholarship.
This year’s Awards Night included the presentation of the "Unsung Hero Award" to Ziggy Keparutis of Bayberry Realty for his unselfish dedication and commitment to Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and the REALTOR® organization.
Ziggy currently serves on the Litchfield County Board of Directors and has been Chairman of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Committee from 1999 to the present.
REALTORS® who have celebrated their 20th and 25th Anniversary as members of the Board were recognized and congratulated by Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. The members received their prestigious 20 or 25 year REALTOR® pin symbolizing their long term commitment to upholding the Professional standards set forth by the REALTOR® organization.
The following members received their 20 year REALTOR® pin: Patricia Keparutis of Bayberry Realty; Jack Potter of Cohen Agency; Ellie Peterson of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 and Mary Clancey of Mary Clancey, Broker.
The following members received their 25 year REALTOR® pin: Judith Hitchiner of Hitchiner Associates; Debbie Videtto of Prudential Premier Homes; William Downes of Gooseboro Realty; Judith Hammer of Gooseboro Realty and Annesa Borla of Borla & Associates, LLC Real Estate.
New REALTOR® members were recognized and congratulated on their decision to join Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc.

Realty awards night held

LITCHFIELD - Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. held its annual "Awards Night" meeting on Monday, May 12, 2008 at Cornucopia Banquet Hall. The hors d’oeuvres and wine were sponsored by Litchfield Bancorp.
The following were presented at the meeting: REALTOR® of the Year 2008, 2008 LCBR Scholarship Grant and the Unsung Hero Award.
Each year the Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. selects one REALTOR® as REALTOR® of the Year based on selected criteria. The selected member represents the highest qualities and the outstanding service REALTORS® offer their local, state and national Board and their civic duty, and this year’s recipient was Ted Murphy of E J Murphy Realty in Litchfield.
Ted Murphy has been a REALTOR® member and involved in the real estate industry for almost 30 years. He is an active member of Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and has served on their Board as President, President-Elect and a Director and several of their committees including, Budget, MLS, Nominating, Ad Hoc Bank Account Policy and RPAC. On the state level, he has served on the work group that helped form the Statewide MLS we have today and as a State Director for the past four years. Ted has also earned the following designations: GRI I, GRI II and GRI III.
Ted is very involved in his community. He is actively involved with the Litchfield/Morris Rotary Club. He is a strong sponsor and has helped organize the Litchfield Hills Children’s Race since 1999. He helped start and was president 3 times of the Litchfield Rowing club. He is a member of the Greenway Committee under the Plan of Conservation & Development to plan the developments of walking paths around Litchfield. He is a member of the Litchfield Business Association. He has been a director of the Litchfield/Wamogo Alumni Basketball Game that benefits scholarships for both schools since 2003.
Ted Murphy
The Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. distributes a scholarship award every year to a qualified applicant. The Board chooses the recipient based on selected criteria and issues the recipient a Scholarship Award and a check for a predetermined amount, and this year’s recipient was Stephanie Kearns, daughter of Heidi Kearns a REALTOR® with E J Murphy Realty in Litchfield.
Stephanie is currently enrolled as a senior in Housatonic Valley Regional High School and will be the Valedictorian of her class. She will attend Merrimack College located in North Andover Massachusetts in the fall. Thanks to the generosity of our members Stephanie was awarded a $2,640 scholarship.
This year’s Awards Night included the presentation of the "Unsung Hero Award" to Ziggy Keparutis of Bayberry Realty for his unselfish dedication and commitment to Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. and the REALTOR® organization.
Ziggy currently serves on the Litchfield County Board of Directors and has been Chairman of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) Committee from 1999 to the present.
REALTORS® who have celebrated their 20th and 25th Anniversary as members of the Board were recognized and congratulated by Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc. The members received their prestigious 20 or 25 year REALTOR® pin symbolizing their long term commitment to upholding the Professional standards set forth by the REALTOR® organization.
The following members received their 20 year REALTOR® pin: Patricia Keparutis of Bayberry Realty; Jack Potter of Cohen Agency; Ellie Peterson of Coldwell Banker Realty 2000 and Mary Clancey of Mary Clancey, Broker.
The following members received their 25 year REALTOR® pin: Judith Hitchiner of Hitchiner Associates; Debbie Videtto of Prudential Premier Homes; William Downes of Gooseboro Realty; Judith Hammer of Gooseboro Realty and Annesa Borla of Borla & Associates, LLC Real Estate.
New REALTOR® members were recognized and congratulated on their decision to join Litchfield County Board of REALTORS®, Inc.

Better Barns opens new sales office to accommodate expansion.

BETHLEHEM - Better Barns has recently opened a new 800 sq. ft. office at 22 East Street (Rt. 132), in Bethlehem. The company operates a barn and shed woodworking and manufacturing facility in Bethlehem with an outdoor model center that displays full size barns and sheds at 69 East Street. "We needed a separate office to meet people when they visit. In the past we would meet at the model center or one of our garden center locations. The new office provides a comfortable environment to sit, have a coffee and discuss designs and options," said Bill Hurley, Better Barns owner. The new sales office is located in the Bethlehem Square next to Little Town Deli and is only a few hundred feet away from its model display center and wood shop facility. "It’s a great area to visit and the town has just put in new sidewalks so people can walk by the pond and experience the great atmosphere of a tradition small, country town," said Mr. Hurley. He also noted that the new office was needed due to the expansion taking place in their manufacturing facility. The company builds custom barns and sheds throughout New England and areas in New York. Their barns and sheds are custom built on-site from the ground up. For more information contact Bill Hurley at 203-405-1555 or visit their site: www.BarnsBuilt.com

Goshen vineyard wins medals at International Eastern Wine Competition

GOSHEN - Sunset Meadow Vineyards, a family-owned and operated Litchfield County vineyard and winery, was awarded silver and bronze medals in the 2008 International Eastern Wine Competition.

One of the oldest and largest competitions in the United States, the International Eastern Wine Competition is held each May in the Finger Lakes region of New York, topping over 2,100 entries in recent years with wines from 16 countries and 34 states. The IEWC has earned a well-justified reputation for the quality of its organization, judgments and awards. Wines in any given flight may be entered from around the world. Judges are wine-knowledgeable professionals, media specialists, and winemakers who represent major east coast markets from Miami to Toronto. Bronze medals require a unanimous panel vote for bronze, so any winning medals in the IEWC are worthy of merit.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards (SMV), which is now celebrating its grand opening, was awarded a silver medal and two bronze medals in this event. SMV’s 2007 Sunset Blush won the silver medal in the Hybrid Blush/Blanc de Noir category. SMV’s 2007 Cayuga White received a bronze medal in the Cayuga category and a bronze medal for their 2007 Vidal Blanc in the Vidal Blanc category.

“We’re pleased and honored to be recognized among such an established filed of entries,” said George Motel, vineyard owner and winemaker at Sunset Meadow Vineyards. “This achievement is a compliment to our hard working family and staff.”

Sunset Meadow Vineyards is located atop the Litchfield Hills, overlooking the picturesque sunsets and extravagant scenery of the beautiful Western Connecticut highlands.

All of Sunset Meadow Vineyards vines are hand pruned and harvested, and are spread over 40 acres of sloping westerly exposed fields, creating an ideal setting for prime sunlight and continuous airflow. This allows SMV to maintain and operate the vineyards using sustainable farming methods, minimizing the use of systemic chemicals and producing wines that are pure, full bodies and natural.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards is located at 599 Old Middle Street, Route 63, Goshen, Conn. 06756. The tasting room is open on Fridays from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Vineyard and winemaking facility tours are available.

Salisbury Bank re-opens branch; makes donation

Lakeville -- Salisbury Bank held its official ribbon-cutting ceremony June 2 to celebrate the re-opening of its renovated branch office at 18 Main Street, Salisbury, Connecticut.

In attendance from Salisbury Bank were John F. Perotti, chairman and CEO; Rick Cantele, president and COO; Alice Kent, branch manager; and Amy Raymond, vice president mortgage originations. Also joining the celebration were Salisbury First Selectman Curtis Rand; Selectman Robert Riva; Kim Fiertz and Mary Harvey, co-presidents of Salisbury Family Services; and Patrice McGrath, Salisbury Family Services director.

Instead of the traditional red ribbon for the ceremony, Salisbury Bank used ribbon fashioned from $20 bills. Once the ribbon was cut, Alice Kent donated the money to Salisbury Family Services on behalf of the Bank.

“Salisbury Family Services is honored to accept this donation from Salisbury Bank, which will help us in our mission to help those people in our community by fostering the development of a healthy life style, and providing financial aid for needy individuals and families,” stated Mary Harvey and Kim Fiertz, co-presidents of Salisbury Family Services.

Salisbury Family Services was founded in 1930 to serve all of the communities of Salisbury including Salisbury, Lakeville, Amesville, Lime Rock, and Taconic. The organization provides a social worker for direct case management for individuals and families, and provision is made for crisis intervention, home visits, and information and referral to various state and local service organizations. In addition to day-to-day assistance, SFS offers transportation assistance, housing and fuel assistance, day care and related programs, educational assistance, summertime camp scholarships, and the distribution of holiday food and gifts.

Rick Cantele, Salisbury Bank President and COO commented, “We are very pleased to support Salisbury Family Services and the good work they do for our neighbors in need.”
Salisbury First Selectman, Curtis Rand commented, “We are very happy to see the branch reopened today. It looks great. Many of our local residents appreciate the fact that they can walk to the bank, which is located right in the center of town. I offer my sincere congratulations to Salisbury Bank on a wonderful renovation.”

Salisbury Bank has taken its concept of customer enrichment to a new level, by completely redesigning the interior of its Salisbury branch to provide an environment of comfort and professionalism for its personal, mortgage and business banking customers.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John F. Perotti commented, "We are very excited about this design, which is a new concept in branch banking. Instead of the all-too-common experience of rushing in and out as quickly as possible, we are creating a bright, warm and welcoming atmosphere that will allow customers to slow down and relax for a few minutes.”

Beyond the new furniture and layout, innovations include modern, energy-efficient lighting and a colorful, fresh palette of paint and carpeting. The new design is also carefully planned to improve the ability of the Salisbury staff to provide the superior service the community has come to expect from the bank. In addition, Mortgage Advisor Mona Staaf-Hoffman‘s office is now connected to the branch so customers will have easy access to all of the Bank’s services in one place.

The office also features a 24-hour ATM and night depository. The branch offers the bank’s full-line of retail and business deposit, loan and convenience services. Branch hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.