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Roundup At The Roundtuit Ranch Roger Dinsmore, president of the Connecticut Renegades, takes part in the 1st round of the Cowboy Mounted Shooting event March 15 at the Roundtuit Ranch in Somers. Riders from around New England participate in shooting balloons with Colt .45 hand guns and blank rounds set up in patterns with participants timed for speed. Photo by David Butler II
Economy Forces Businesses To Take Creative Approaches By Linda Tishler Levinson No one denies this is a tough economy to do business in. But for some North Central Connecticut companies, the recession is more of a challenge than a tragedy. Owners of longtime businesses such as Kloter Farms in Ellington and the Somers
In This Issue • PEOPLE: Area resident honored with MS volunteer award .............p. 3 • ELLINGTON: Selectmen, finance board wrestle with budget increase issue..p. 4 • FOODSTUFFS: Frankie’s Firehouse specializes in hearty Italian fare..p. 8 • SOMERS: Easter egg exhilharation at the Knights of Columbus..........p. 9 • STAFFORD: Selectmen cut budget, can’t avoid higher debt costs......p. 16 • STAFFORD: SMS honor roll .........p. 17
Inn in Somers have been through recessions before. Each has a strategy to survive and even thrive in these tough times. Others, like Meg Munson of Somers, who operates a relatively new business, are finding this is a actually good time for her venture.
• SOMERS PARKS & REC......pgs. 21-28 • HOME: Sprinkler season smarts..p. 29 • AUTO: Ford Edge crossover delivers more than just fuel economy ........p. 31 •SPORTS: Athlete honored with Special Olympics award ............p. 32 • CLASSIFIEDS: ....................p. 34-35
* NEXT ISSUE • Editorial/Advertising Deadline: April 23 (860) 698-9328
Munson said business has even improved in the past few months. “We’re actually doing very well. We’re better than last year,” she said. She has found owning her own business comes with great peace of mind as others fear for their jobs. In her home-based business as a distributor for Scent-Sations, she sells Mia Bella candles and other gourmet products. She started the business four and a half years ago when her youngest child was a baby. Munson purchases the products from the wholesaler and sells items through home parties and at craft fairs. “Our candles are all natural,” she said, adding that people with allergies seem to have an easier time with them. Her market, she said, is people who enjoy gourmet candles. Part of her business involves recruiting others to sell for Scent-Sations. “I do find that there are a lot of people looking for a home-based business,” she said. “I find a lot of people researching different options.” Jason Kloter, of Kloter Farms, said while his company is not setting any sales
records right now, they are still doing well. “We have an awful lot to be thankful for. We’re astounded at how busy we are,” he said. Kloter said he attributes that success to the way people view Kloter Farms. “We have a good reputation. We’ve always taken care of our customers,” he said. Kloter added that customers are more careful shoppers in a down economy, and that has proved beneficial for his business. In end, people come looking for a quality product. “I see it as a tremendous opportunity to get better,” he said. Since business is a bit slow, he said they are taking advantage of the time to discuss things and provide better training than they otherwise might when it is busy. “I think we can become a better company because of this,” he said. In past recessions the company also has been fortunate. “I can remember being worried, but in the end talk was much worse than reality,” he said. While the economic pain is real, the
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