They arrived here with a police escort and quite a roar yesterday (see video/audio tribute in the right sidebar), and are now among us. Thousands of HOGs (Harley Owners Group), have descended upon Sturbridge and have brought a great sense of vibrancy and activity to our community. A quick drive or walk through town reveals "bikes" everywhere; in our shops, our restaurants, our hotels, and certainly all along our streets.
Sturbridge was most fortunate this year to play host to this elite group of riders who have literally invested thousands upon thousands of dollars into their "rides" and are now pumping the same into our local economy. And, at a time in our history when people are spending less, traveling less, and doing less; we are in the midst of a weekend in which absolutely the opposite is happening.
To be clear, what we are witnessing this weekend will surely not result in any less empty storefronts (at least in the short term), nor will it result in the salvation of any business on the cusp of closing. It will however, provide a little breathing room for some and more importantly it will help send a message that is long overdue. That message being, that Sturbridge is "THE" place to hold a conference, "THE" place to plan your next event. This message has been getting out there a little more often and a little bit louder each time we have had an event come into town these past few months since the birth of the Merchants of Sturbridge (M.O.S.).
Each event results in days of preparation by the Merchants of Sturbridge, as residents, shopkeepers, government officials, and professional service providers plan and execute welcoming ceremonies which include welcome packages, official greetings, and ongoing direct interaction with visitors during their stay by members of M.O.S. Thus far, the results have been most positive as indicated by many of the event organizers who shared the high spirits of those visiting our community, with many re-booking future events here in town.
For the last several weeks M.O.S. members and supporters have undertaken a great effort in helping to choreograph the welcome and stay of our honored guests. As well, one should not overlook the months of advance work done by representatives of the South Central Chamber of Commerce and the Central MA Convention & Visitors Bureau. Certainly, they all deserve our thanks: To that end, we offer our gratitude to the following:
Jeannine Creamer
Leslie Wong
Autumn Wong
Sylvia Wong
Maryann Thopre
Mike Thorpe
Emma Thorpe
Julie Schutz - Sturbridge Scrapping Corner
Jasmine Bell - Sadie Green's
Chris Rovezzi - Rovezzi's Ristorante
Bob Carroll - The Brier Patch
Lisa Kosinski - Park Place Salon
Helen Duda - Mt. Laurel Yarn Boutique
Andrew Duda - Mt. Laurel Yarn Boutique
Annie Chojnicki
Steve Chojnicki
Scott Garieri - Sturbridge Selectman
Tom Wright - Best Bib & Tucker
Adam Wright - Best Bib & Tucker
Salli Greene - Velvet Greene Nursery
Dick Vaughan - The Spirit 970 Radio
Jenn Harwich
Alix McNitt - Southcentral Chamber of Commerce
Rose Beam - Sturbridge Candy Company
Brian Amedy - Sturbridge Host Hotel
Jim Donahue, Ann Lindblad & Aaron McGarry - Old Sturbridge Village
The Sturbridge Police Department
The Sturbridge Parks and Recreation Department
The Sturbridge Board of Health
The Central MA Convention and Visitor's Bureau
In closing, perhaps the best and most important commentary on our efforts comes from those upon which our efforts were focused - the HOGs themselves - as conveyed via correspondence by Brian Amedy of the Host Hotel:
"...Once again the MOS group was a big hit. Numerous comments from the Hog Guests as to how welcomed they felt here in Sturbridge. THIS WAS THE BEST RECEPTION THEY'VE EVER HAD. Next year, when they go to Mystic they will have a hard act to follow...".
Once again a FANTASTIC JOB BY MOS.
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