NEWPORT — Vermont’s North Country Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Bruce James is stepping down as chamber president, and Dianne Laplante has replaced him.
Laplante has been running the Welcome Center in downtown Newport for almost four years along with other multiple duties.
She has a BA from Northern Vermont University, is a founding member of the Memphremagog Arts Collaborative, and a Director for NEREN.
Laplante is also a Realtor with Keller Williams Vermont, Stowe Area Team.
She resides in Westfield and is an avid gardener, bird watcher, poet, and avid fan of the Green Mountains where she resides.
Laplante says she likes to think global but with small projects that are easier to put together in today’s complex ruled world.
“Working with the City of Newport to coordinate our interests and mutual goals is so important to us,” Laplante said. “Business is important for our part of the state due to its rural environment, but culture is just as important to tie communities together.
She says her hopes for the 2022 season are:
Annual Chili Fest (the chamber’s yearly fundraiser)
Vintage Tractor Show located where the farmers market is downtown
“Chamber Gazebo Jam Series”
Ice Cream Socials
Fourth annual “Donna’s Christmas Village.”
Legislative Breakfasts
On-site spring garden event
Laplante says many people from all over Canada, the US, Vermont, and other countries come into the Welcome Center looking for information about our area, maps, where to eat, what to do.
“It is nice to be able to go over to our chamber members brochures and business cards we carry in the Welcome Center and hand them the information they might want,” Laplante said. “As locals, we get to give pointed comments on the area no one else could do online.”
She says the Welcome Center is still looking for more volunteers on four-hour shifts to promote our unique community.
