Townspeople coming to the Stone Barn Tuesday sampled eggplant parmesan, Tortellini Alfredo, stuffed mushrooms and pasta with broccoli rabe, and children posed for caricatures doodled by artist Bill Hernandez during the Monroe Chamber of Commerce's annual Meet Monroe event.
Tables had displays showing the best Monroe's business community has to offer with everything from Irene's Flower Shop and Creative Music to Sippin Energy. The evening's title sponsor was Newtown Savings Bank.
"It's wonderful," said Debra Greenwood, director of the Center for Women & Families, which had a table. "We're reconnecting with a lot of people."
In fact, Greenwood said the center, which helps victims of domestic violence and abuse, is looking into offering pet therapy and the Bargas family, which owns the Stone Barn, runs a therapeutic business involving horses in Trumbull.
"Teri Rotella told me about it," Greenwood said. "That's huge."
'It's a Family Event'
Aside from posing for caricatures by Bill Hernandez of PartyCartoons.com, there was a play area for children and photos with Storm, the big blue Bridgeport Sound Tigers' mascot.
"The amount of vendors is great and I saw a lot of families," First Selectman Steve Vavrek said of this year's Meet Monroe. "It's a family event."
Italian food was prepared by local vendors Tina's Pizza, Jennie's Pizzeria and Bella Rosa Pizza.
Neil Holme, president of Impact Business Technology in Newtown, was the event's keynote speaker. His company assists businesses in planning to protect its client lists, files and other vital data in the event of power outages or other obstacles brought on by major storms.
"It was on business continuity, which is more than back up and disaster recovery," Holme said of his presentation. "We're not going to prevent the natural disaster, but we won't let it destroy your business either."
Charter Business was the reception sponsor, Edgerton, Inc. the event sponsor, Monroe Courier the media sponsor and Minuteman Press the print sponsor.
New Kids On the Block
Gwen Gangi owns Fur to Feathers Pet Sitting Service LLC.
"This is my first one," she said of participating in Meet Monroe. "I think it's great. It's really my coming out party. I'm a new business."
Molly Basak-Smith, co-owns Cycle in Place with Mitzi Hayes. It's a business that's also in its first year.
"We've been here since January," Basak-Smith said. "We're on Route 25, near the Monroe and Newtown border. I'm getting the word out."
Household Names
An assortment of plastic insects were on display at the Orkin Pest Control table.
"Do you want one?" Nick Mancini, an inspector for Orkin, asked with a grin.
The pest control company has had a location in Monroe for the past two years.
"It's fun," Mancini said of Meet Monroe. "They have to see the name — Orkin is well-marketed."
Other household names with tables Tuesday included People's United Bank, Union Savings Bank, Benedict's Home & Garden and Spadaccino & Gallagher Funeral Home.
Achyuta Nidadavolu, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 Company, also had a table.
"It's the only company that's growing," Nidadavolu said. "Since 2008, its doubled in size. Edward Jones is a conservative company with a focus on the goals of individuals."
Fitness, Beauty, Law ...
Other local businesses participating in Monroe Means Business included: GlenRo Spirit Shoppe, Maltose Express, Bearingstar Insurance, Anytime Fitness, Dental Associates, Rodan + Fields, Patience Pediatrics, New England Kitchen, Honey Tree Preschool, Jantris Marketing, Koko FitClub, Main Street Chiropractor, Masonicare, Always Best Care, Bellenot & Boufford and Dental Associates.
The Connecticut Department of Health and the Monroe Economic Development Commission were also represented.
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