Events for Independence Day

The following list of Independence Day events is from Norwood Patch.

Sunday, July 1

7:00 p.m., Norwood Concert on the Common:This performance, featuring the Sharon Concert Band, will thrill you with patriotic songs and show tunes. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy a summer evening on the Town Common.

Monday, July 2

7:00 p.m., Independence Day Carillon Concert: The one-hour concert, played from the Town Hall’s Memorial Tower, will be followed by a tour of the 50-bell Tilton Memorial Carillon. Our guest Carillonneur is Norwood’s own Lee. B. Leach.

Wednesday, July 4

1:00 p.m., The Children’s Bicycle, Tricycle, Doll Carriage and Historical Character Parade: This event has become a favorite for children and their families. Over 300 children decorate their tricycles, bicycles or doll carriages or come dressed as a historical character, such as Betsy Ross, Abraham Lincoln, etc. The parade, led by The Colonial Boys, begins at the First Congregational Church at the corner of Walpole and Winter Streets and proceeds through town ending at the Town Common. The fee is $1 and every child receives a festive tee shirt and participation ribbon. The winners are welcomed to ride in the main parade on a float.

3:30–4:30 p.m., Carillon Concert and Tour of the Tilton Memorial Carillon: Featuring Norwood’s own Lee B. Leach, Carillonneur and guests.

5:00 p.m., Norwood’s Firecracker 5K Road Race: Run or watch this unique, fun-filled event prior to the Norwood Parade. You can pick up applications at the Town Hall, the Civic Center, the Library or by calling 781-762-3054. Whether you are a spectator or a runner, this is a race you will not forget.

5:30 p.m., Eastern Mass Fire Truck Procession, Antique and Classic Cars and Historic Military Reenactment.

5:45 p.m., Norwood’s Fourth of July Parade Spectacular: The famous Norwood Fourth of July Parade kicks off at 5:45 with national and international marching bands. In addition, the parade has entertaining acts, floats and community groups. Don’t miss out on this spectacular event.

Altered retail

This post is from Christine Moynihan of Retail Visioning.

Interesting idea.

It'd be great to have someone do something like this locally.

Any takers?

Re-Inventing Retail in Beverly MA!

2012 June 20

by ChristineMoynihan

A wonderful new shop opened up… and closed… last week in Beverly, MA.  But don’t worry… it will be opening and closing… again in the same place next month and for many months to come!   Pam Jaynes new business, Indigo Blu Trading Company, is creating excitement, drama and a real sense of competitive shopping urgency with her new retail concept.   Every month she and some local friends /artisans bring a 100% fresh, home-décor, pop-up store into their permanent address — for 5 fantastic days!

Pam, the owner of a boutique called Zinnia in this same location for 11 years, wanted to try something totally new.  She wanted a change in her own day to day work-life.  She wanted to create a dynamic shopping opportunity for her customers. And, she wanted to exercise some creativity!   By George, I think she did it.
 
This month’s focus for her pop-up was on Coastal Living.  Perfect for the North Shore of Massachusetts… perfect for the start of summer.   Pam knows her customers!   There is a theme-schedule that takes this new business model right through December starting with next month’s Outdoor Retreat, then Country Living, Cozy Cabins and Cottages, Harvest and Home, Gatherings and of course, Holiday Spirit.

Pam works hard to create and curate a fabulous environment.  She sources unique items and accessories and tells a great story throughout her entire store.   She begins with a concept board which was on display for everyone to appreciate.   On this board she posted images torn from magazines, paint and fabric swatches and inspirational words in a large frame to help visually, tangibly set her vision.  This is a great idea and for those of you who are technically inclined or want to share ideas virtually with others, you could do this on Pinterest.com, too!   From there, Pam carefully selected (or personally created) special items and purchased inventory that ONLY complemented her theme.   Some were new, some old… some serious, some whimsical… some large pieces of furniture, some small accessories.  All were compelling in their own right and true to the Coastal Living concept.

I loved this idea.  I give Pam and her team all kinds of credit for giving it a go.  I wish her every success for stepping out and re-inventing retail HER way.   And I will be back every month!

NOTE  — Next month’s Indigo Blu Trading Company will be featuring  “Outdoor Retreat” from July 19 through July 23 at their store, 2 Enon Street North Beverly.  See you there!  For more information visit them on Facebook (just search the entire name) where by the way, they will soon have “sneak peeks” of their next pop-up store!

Working on your business :: Creating a marketing plan

This post is part of the FNC series on working on your business. 


Merchants spend a lot of time at their businesses and those 'mom and pop's demand a lot of time, energy, and attention to keep customers interested and coming back. 


This list is only five items long but contains BIG to-do items for working on a business marketing plan.

Why Create a Marketing Calendar? 

"1. We must be pro-active in attracting customers to our store. We can no longer wait until customers walk in the front door.2. There are many types of promotions today. There are a lot more options than just price or the “let’s have a sale” mentality.3. If we prepare and do things in advance we take away the pressure that comes from trying to scramble around looking for an idea. LESS STRESS.4. “When cooler heads prevail.” There is an old expression about working in, or working on, our businesses. Planning a six month or a 12 month calendar is working on our business. This is something we just don’t do enough.5. An opportunity to try new promotions. Do you have a list of GREAT PROMOTIONAL IDEAS? If not, start one. Every time you hear a great idea, write it down or put it into a file of great ideas that you think about when you are planning your promotions. This is the time to discuss, include, wait for another time, or reject ideas."


The above list was written by Rick Segel. 
For further reading, please refer to his post which expands upon this plan for marketing your business further. 

Together Yes Request

From Susan Clare of TOGETHER YES:

I'm trying to plan ahead here. Next late fall/early winter, Together Yes plans to offer a free series of sewing workshops, and will have sewing machines available for the workshops. Probably 4-5 of them, all told. It is hoped that smaller groups of people interested in a particular pursuit will continue meeting and talking with one another. It's all about community, as always.

 

These workshops will show how to do basic sewing: using a machine, necessary hand sewing, repairs, mending, altering, etc. Just "how to." But they will also show ideas and techniques for turning clothing and other household fabrics (curtains, sheets, towels, etc.) into usable items.We are trying to avoid discarding and buying new as much as possible. Sustainable from an economic perspective, of course, but also sustainable in that we won't be buying so much that's been outsourced overseas and transported back to us at great cost (monetary & environmental). This aims also to show how fabrics can often replace plastics in many items of use.

 

Just by word of mouth, I am aware of people who'd like to take these workshops, including some men and high school students. This is not only sustainable for most people, but financially important for those who have trouble buying new when something no longer fits, needs mending, or goes just "out of style."

 

We will naturally have one of the workshops focus on the use of smaller scraps that can be saved to quilt or applique.

 

THE FIRST CHALLENGE: Help me come up with a title for these workshops. I need a catchy title I can use over and over in the planning.

 

THE SECOND CHALLENGE: We have already secured the assistance of a professional seamstress in conducting and planning these workshops, but she and I both agree, not everything needs to come from a professional. If you can sew, have ideas or want to begin thinking of some, can quilt, let me know that you'd be willing to help with the planning of these workshops. And if you have no experience at all, but are interested, let me know that as well. You could be learning as you help us plan!

 

Thanks,

Susan

MEAL MOB :: Fri, June 8, 12:30pm!

Spread the word!

FNC is holding its second MEAL MOB!

FRIDAY, June 8th at 12:30pm SHARP
Giorgio's Pizzeria
641 Washington Street, Downtown Norwood
(near the corner of Washington and Cottage)

Giorgio's Pizza has an app! Find it with your smartphone. Order quickly and conveniently with their app,  but please don't use it on Friday, June 8th. We'd love you to come in and be part of our mob!

After lunch, join us at FreshFroYo for dessert!
FreshFroYo
642 Washington Street, across the street from Giorgio's.

Looking forward to having you join us in supporting your downtown establishments!

Please email this link to anyone local.
Thanks for your support.
~Kim Weineck, Downtown Manager, FNC

MEAL MOB!

A quick post to ask you to dine locally this Friday, June 8th at 12:30pm.
The location will be announced Wednesday, June 6th.

Please help Friends of Norwood Center get the word out to everyone and let's have a crowd support our local businesses!

Thanks for reading
~Kim Weineck, Downtown Manager

Concerts on the Common SCHEDULE

FNC photo of the Norwood town Common

The schedule for the Summer 2012 Concerts on the Common has been released.

All concerts will be held Sunday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Walter J. Dempsey Memorial Bandstand on the Town Common, rain or shine. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, etc.

The 2012 concert schedule is as follows:

June 24 - The S.O.S. Big Band

July 1 - Sharon Concert Band

July 8 - Westwood Swing Band

July 15 - Roy Scott Big Band

July 22 - Tom Nutile Big Band

July 29 - Pops Night with the Milestones Big Band

August 5 - Compaq Big Band

August 12 - The Olde Kids on the Block

August 19 - The Bridgewater Antiphonal Brass Society

August 26 - Oberlander Hofbrau Band

September 2 - The Suburbinaires Big Band

Thanks to Norwood Patch for this listing.