Like fine wine, the North Central Chamber of Commerce’s networking nights get better with age.
However, this time around, the evening’s offerings consisted of blue-ribbon scotch, an assortment of fine cigars and what Executive Director Jamie Dufresne called “scrumptious samples of the new menu” at Tavern on the Water.
“Tonight was perfect,” Darrin Ruzzano of Sierra Pacific Mortgage said. “What a great venue, what a great event. It really doesn’t get any better than this.”
Dufresne and others like Gretchen Sechio and Jenney Couture, who represented Heritage Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation – was well as their husbands Robert Sechio and David Couture – concurred.
Whether they were sampling scotch provided free for the night by MS Walker Distributors of Warren, or selecting one of the cigars in an elaborate display set up Mr. Cigar of Cranston and North Providence, the night was filled with rave reviews.
Moreover, as Dufresne added: “This event worked because business owners from different industries came together to showcase their services in a unique way.”
Perhaps the most important display during Tuesday night’s networking – what lasted well past the scheduled 7 p.m. closing time – was what Rob Santoro of Solar City called “extraordinary hospitality” provided by Linda Marchioni, who only opened the well-appointed Tavern on the Water in December.
What Marchioni did was raise the bar quite a few notches, welcoming Chamber members into her establishment and demonstrating what such events are designed to accomplish.
Marchioni and her partner Chef Jeff – who worked in some of New England’s finest eateries before coming to their new home at 743 Putnam Pike in Smithfield – set out a superb sampling of the high-quality appetizers.
And as Dufresne – who made up a special “thank you” pamphlet that included everything from information about the night’s raffle to upcoming events – announced during her traditional welcome address: “We were also supported tonight by local businesses The Bread Boss, B&C Liquors and Sak’s Liquors, that all donated prizes for the raffle.”
Even the raffle was unique, as Peter Rivelli of Darlington Memory Lanes in North Providence took home a framed wall hanging of the spectacular view of downtown Providence and Waterplace Park.
Dufresne, meanwhile, issued a reminder to Chamber members that the annual Apple Fest is set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20, and will be held inside Johnston War Memorial Park. Admission is free, and there will be a number of food vendors offering everything from sausage and pepper sandwiches to apple pie.
For more information, call the Chamber at 404-4279.
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