Winthrop Chamber of Commerce

    Winthrop’s fifth annual Town-Wide Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 8. Participants may sign up now at the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce and be added to the official Google Map!
   By coordinating with fellow residents to hold yard sales at the same time, a larger event is created that will draw in large numbers of shoppers. Over 50 homes are expected to participate in this year’s Town-Wide Yard Sale which is sure to attract lots of deal-seekers from all over the region to Winthrop.
   Winthrop residents are encouraged to clean out the attic, basement or garage and turn their used items into dollars. The fee to participate is just $25 which includes a spot on the official map, advertising, internet listing, and balloons delivered to the home that morning.
   The deadline to sign-up is May 31, with the Town-Wide Yard Sale taking place June 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine. For more information call 617-846-9898 or see the Yard Sale Registration Form.

$10,000 Raffle a Big Success

Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket for the Chamber's major fundraiser, the annual $10,000 Raffle - your support is very much appreciated. Congratulations to the winners: Pamela Jaques, The Meat Market, Mike Goll, and the Lemonie Fresh "Coffee Girls".

A special thanks to all the generous businesses who donated a prize for the Silent Auction:
Suffolk Downs, Caesar's Entertainment, Boyd Insurance, East Boston Savings Bank, Hilton Logan, Hyatt Harborside, Hong Kong Dragon, A & V Nails, The Winthrop Book Depot, Michael's Hallmark, Dr. Deepa Jhaveri Podiatry, The Winthrop Pro Shop, Tutti Fruitti, Blackstrap BBQ, Swetts Liquors, Richard Honan Sign Company, Special F/X, Winthrop Playmakers, Elite Embroidery, Center Cafe, The Meat Market, The Winthrop Sun Transcript, McCormick's Flowers, Winthrop School of Performing Arts, Bolster's Auto Service, Oceanside Pilates & Yoga, Salon Luxo, Christopher's Flowers, D'Parma, Woodside Ace Hardware, Dr. Matthew Kaim O.D., Winthrop MarketPlace, Cafe Rossetti's, Paesans, Level Line, The House of Seven Gables, Improv Asylum, Bob's Bait Shack, Webster First Federal Credit Union, Comfort Inn Revere, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, Six Flags, The Land of Witches & Pirates, Peabody Esex Museum, Canobie Lake Park, Plimoth Plantation, Essex River Cruises & Charters, 5Wits, Water Wizz, Sterling Golf Management, SpeakEasy Stage Co., Stoneham Theatre, Hy-Line Cruises, F-1 Boston, The Sports Museum, Petrie's Flower & Plant Shoppe, The Inn at Longwood Medical Center, Kelley Greens Golf Course, Revere Showcase Cinemas, The Lyric Stage Company, and more!

Congratulations Award Recipients

    Congratulations to the 2013 Winthrop Chamber of Commerce award recipients! The gala on February 1 at the Hyatt Harborside was a special evening - thank you to all those who joined in honoring those making a difference.
   Maria Flanagan received the 2013 Educational Excellence award. She is a history teacher at Winthrop High School and advisor for the mock trial team.
   Students Jordan Corbett-Frank and Kelly Russo received the Youth Leadership award. Both are juniors at Winthrop High School.
   Judie VanKooiman received the 2013 Chamber Member of the Year award for her active participation in many events throughout the year.
   MSA Mortgage received the Visual Achievement award for their work in renovating the Wadsworth Building. Both inside and out, the building has received much needed TLC.
   Celebrating their 75th anniversary in 2013, the Winthrop Rotary Club received the Community Service award. This honor recognizes the organization’s impact both locally and globally.
   The Town Service award went to Steven Calla, director of the Department of Public Works, for his fine job.
Receiving the 2013 Coach of the Year Award was Jack Trainor, who has been involved with many youth sports for a number of years.
   A longtime member of the Winthrop Cultural Council, Joanne Hillman received the Excellence in the Arts award.
   Receiving the Lifetime Achievement award was Diane Davis, owner of the Diane Davis Dance Studio, “where dancing feet meet”.
   This year’s Patriot Award recipient is Richard Duval in recognition of his service to town and country.
   Paesan’s received the 2013 Business of the Year award. Owner Robert Pisani and the restaurant at Michael’s Mall were recognized for all their many contributions to the community.
   Thank you to Speaker Bob DeLeo, Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Town Council President Peter Gill, Congressman Ed Markey, Governor Deval Patrick, and MC John Macero for their participation.

Thank You Holiday Lighting Sponsors

Thank you to the following sponsors for lighting up Winthrop and making the season bright!

GRAND SPONSOR
Massport

PLATINUM
Dunkin Donuts at the Bridge

GOLD
The 11 Foundation
Collision Headquarters
Paul W. Marks Company
Webster First Federal Credit Union
Terri’s Little Pumpkins
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center

SILVER
A-1 Lighting
Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo
Tokyo Hair & Nails

BRONZE
Cottage Hill Real Estate
East Boston Savings Bank
Elliot Whittier Insurance
First Church of Winthrop UM
Gagin Insurance Agency
Jo-Anne’s Barber-Styling Shop
Kirby Funeral Home
Macfarland Insurance Agency
Mally’s Hair Expressions
Winthrop Rotary Club

PATRON
Fab’s Liquors
Friends of Council on Aging
Helco Safety Equipment Corp.
Salon Luxo
Silver Shells Boutique
Terry Vazquez, Public Insurance Adjuster
June Wadkins

Holiday Festival Rings in the Season

The 21st annual Holiday Lighting Festival on the day after Thanksgiving ushered in the season with fun for hundreds of families. Special thanks to DJs Chris and Bob Summa of Sound-Waves Productions; Sound Engineer John Wadkins; Roseann Tavares of Pleasant Times Learning Center; Michael & Christine Bernstein of Balloon City of Boston for the costume characters and hundreds of balloons; Webster First Federal Credit Union for the photos with Santa; Winthrop Rotary Club for the popcorn; and the 11 Foundation for sponsoring street performer “Lucky Bob”. Thank you to the businesses and organizations who participated and Highland Real Estate for the Lego raffle. Thank you to the Fire Dept, Police Dept, DPW, Town Manager Jim McKenna and Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo for their tremendous support.
Download your photos with Santa, courtesy of Webster First Federal Credit Union: BeaconPhotos.com/WinthropSanta2012.

A Delicious "Taste of Winthrop"

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 7th annual “Taste of Winthrop". Check out the photos on facebook!

Proceeds from a “Taste of Winthrop" benefit the Chamber’s beautification program, working to make business districts cleaner and greener. This year's lineup included Alia Ristorante, Antonia’s at the Beach, Belle Isle Seafood, Bistro-At-Home, Blackstrap BBQ, Café Delite, Café Rossetti's, Central Seafood, Companions, Confections by Conch, Costco, Crusty Crumpet, D’Amelio’s Off the Boat, Dough, Ecco, Hong Kong Dragon, Hot Diggitty, J. Kendall's, Kasbah, Kelly's Roast Beef, La Siesta Restaurante, Margarita’s, Millie's Kitchen Catering, Nick's Place, Osaka Lucky Garden, Pesce Pazzo, Paellas at Your Place by Antonio, Paul W. Marks Co., Russo Imports, Rustic Table, Spinelli’s Catering, Torretta’s Bakery, Tutti Fruitti, Twist & Shake, Winthrop MarketPlace, and Winthrop Yacht Club. Special thanks to our wonderful sponsors:

SILVER SPOON
Paul W. Marks Co.
The Winthrop Playmakers
Ideal Electric
Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center
Massport
BRONZE BOWL
First Priority Credit Union
COPPER KETTLE
Senator Anthony Petruccelli
MBA Mortgage-Ron Milton
East Boston Savings Bank
Championship PT
Paul Caruccio
Welsh & Parker Insurance
The 11 Foundation

Thank you $10,000 Raffle supporters

Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket to this year's $10,000 Raffle; your support is very much appreciated. This year was another sellout. Congratulations to the winners, who split the $10,000 grand prize four ways: Paul Travaglini, Richard Honan, Ernie Caggiano, and Richard Gay.

Thank you to all our Silent Auction donors: Yankee Fleet, Winthrop Sun-Transcript, Bistro-At-Home, Boston Harbor Cruises, Plimoth Plantation, Stoneham Theatre, Kelly's, Suffolk Downs, 5 Wits, F1 Boston, Peabody Essex Museum, Winthrop School of Performing Arts, East Boston Savings Bank, Winthrop Playmakers, Blackstrap BBQ, Hilton Logan, Hyatt Harborside, The Governor's Garden, Five Petals Flower Shop, Cafe Rossetti's, D'Parma, La Siesta, Paesans, MOVE Fitness, Oceanside Pilates & Yoga, Boyd & Turner Insurance, Twist & Shake, Richard Honan Sign Co., Swett's Liquors, Thompson's Liquors, Shirley Hardware, Woodside Ace Hardware, Special F/X, Salon Luxo, Tides, Diana Aliberti - Mary Kay, Buy The Hour, Winthrop Parks & Recreation, Terry Vazquez Public Insurance Adjuster, Michael's Hallmark, Bolster's, Diamond Auto Detailing, Jillians, Sain Visage, RealityCheck Media Consulting, Dawn Mahoney, Dr. Deepa Jhaveri, The Eye Center of Winthrop, Dr. Matthew Kaim Optometrist, Surf Cleaners, Tutti Fruitti, and Winthrop Pro Shop.

Modeled after the popular mall gift cards, the "Winthrop Gift Certificate" is good at a wide variety of over 50 local businesses. It's the perfect gift for anyone as well as a great way to buy local & support the small businesses that support our community. For a list of participating establishments and to purchase online click here: Gift Certificates.

Winthrop featured in AAA Horizons

The AAA of Southern New England newsletter, Horizons, has a great story: "Winthrop, Mass. is peace and quiet so close to Boston". Check it out here: AAA Horizons.

Winthrop One of Best Places to Live

According to Boston magazine, Winthrop is a hidden gem, a great deal for real estate, and one of the best places to live.

From the article: "What makes for a great place to live, anyway? For some, it’s a prestige ZIP code or top schools. For others, it’s a sense of community or abundant green space. Whatever you’re looking for, 'now is a good time to take a calculated risk and make a move,' says Warren Group CEO Timothy Warren Jr. Want in on the attractive mortgage rates and low prices? We consulted real estate agents, residents, and town officials to find the most interesting opportunities within the I-495 loop, logging close to 600 miles along the way. Here are 14 towns, cities, and neighborhoods, some up-and-comers, some already-theres, you’ll love to call home." Read the story here.

Winthrop High School Ranked #17 in Mass.

The Washington Post annual High School Challenge Index places Winthrop High School #17 in the state. Congratulations to the WHS faculty on this impressive feat: Massachusetts Schools Ranking.

A Video Look at Winthrop

Please check out this wonderful video created 100% by Winthrop High School students: "Welcome to Winthrop". Be sure to share it or post to facebook!

-Do you use a cell phone as your main phone contact number?
-Do you use an internet based phone service such as Vonage?
-Is your number not listed in the Winthrop phone book?
-Do you want to make it easy for friends and acquaintances to get in touch with you?
You now have the choice to opt-in and be published in the Winthrop phone book if you have a phone number (cell phone, internet line, etc.) that is not listed!
Click here to fill out our authorization form online. There is no fee for Winthrop residents.

Winthrop in Boston Globe

Our beautiful and quaint town was recently profiled in the Boston Globe Travel section. Check out the article which explores Winthrop.

Winthrop Watercolor by William Beyer

Winthrop By The Sea is an original watercolor by renowned artist William Beyer. This colorful artwork depicts such landmarks as the Deane Winthrop House, Town Hall, E.B. Newton School, Winthrop Playhouse, Winthrop Yacht Club, Five Sisters, French Square, Lewis Lake, Cottage Hill, Belle Isle Bridge, Doughboy statue, and more.
Limited edition prints are available exclusively through the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce for $100. Dimensions are 22"W x 16"H. Order online!

The Boston Business Journal list of top Chambers of Commerce once again included the Winthrop Chamber - ranked in the Top 20! The high level of activity, low membership dues, and excellent benefits all contribute to make the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce one of the largest in the Commonwealth.

Check out the new "What to Do" section. Click here for info on attractions and recreation in Winthrop and the area or click here for the community events calendar.