Business digest

Chester builder named trade association president Chester - Jim Brooks of Chester, president and CEO of Brooks Home and Brooks Land Development, has been elected president of the New York State Builders Association for 2011. The state-wide trade association, along with its 16 local affiliates and partnership with the National Association of Home Builders, works to create a favorable business environment through legislative participation, as well as enhance its members’ ability to provide quality housing for all New Yorkers through its educational programs and community partnerships. Hayworth announces appointments to her congressional staff Bedford — Don Scott of Bedford will join U.S. Representative-elect Nan Hayworth’s staff as district director and Nathaniel Sillin as communications director. Scott currently serves as a fire commissioner, wetlands board member, and is chair of his local Republican committee. Sillin is a third generation Hudson Valley native, and he most recently served as communications director for U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, the Republican from Colorado. Previously, Sillin worked for former U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), and served on the 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission. For more information, call 520-3194 or e-mail at contact@nanhayworth.com. Sacred Heart Church hosts blood drive on Jan. 23 Monroe — Sacred Heart Church, at 26 Still Road in Monroe, in conjunction with the Hudson Valley Blood Service, will host their Annual winter blood drive on Jan. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the School Gym. A year ago to the day, the Sacred Heart blood drive yielded 174 units of blood. The Hudson Valley Blood Service has depended on this drive to help fill its critical need for blood at this time of year. Call the Hudson Valley Blood Service at 1-800-688-0900; a medical professional will address questions or concerns. Sixteen-year-olds, with Hudson Valley Blood Service parental permission form, may donate. For information and/or appointments call Ann at783-4045. Free cancer screenings for eligible women Harris — Catskill Regional Medical Center will offer free cancer screenings for eligible women, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Monday, Jan. 10 and Monday, Jan. 24. Free breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings will be available to eligible uninsured and underinsured women over the age of 40 at the center’s Women’s Health Center at 60 Jefferson St. in Monticello. Eligible women can receive a breast exam, mammogram and a pelvic exam with a PAP test. Women over 50 may be eligible for a take-home colorectal cancer screening kit. Appointments are limited and pre-registration is required. Uninsured/underinsured women over the age of 40 who are interested in these free screenings should contact LaToya Lawrence at 794-3300 ext. 2115 to see if they are eligible and to schedule an appointment. The screenings are offered in conjunction with the Sullivan County Cancer Services Program. For more information, call 794-3300 or visit www.crmcny.org. Chamber to host networking breakfast Montgomery — The Orange County Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business Networking Blast on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 7:30 to 9 a.m in the Larkin Room at the Chamber Business Center, located at 30 Scott’s Corners Drive in Montgomery. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. Those who attend will have the opportunity to sit with 16 to 24 non-competing businesses and present a short presentation on their business. Anyone who is looking for more contacts and referrals should plan to attend this session. The event is sponsored by Goldstein, Karlewicz and Goldstein, L.L.P. Reservations are $5 and include a continental breakfast. Advance reservations and payment are required. Walk-ins will be admitted only if space permits. For more information or to make a reservation, call Roseann at the Chamber at 457-9700, visit www.orangeny.com or e-mail roseannb@orangeny.com. State legislators at chamber breakfast Middletown — The three Senators and four Assembly members representing Orange County in the New York State Legislature are the invited speakers for the Orange County Chamber of Commerce’s Thursday, Jan. 20, General Membership Breakfast. The breakfast will begin at 7:27 a.m. at Kuhl’s Highland House in Middletown and will be sponsored by Southwinds Retirement Home. This “Legislative Briefing” will feature Senators Bill Larkin (39th District), John Bonacic (42nd District) and David Carlucci (38th District), as well as Assembly members Nancy Calhoun (96th District), Aileen Gunther (98th District) and Annie Rabbitt (97th District). Reservations are $25 for members (in advance) and $50 for non-members. They can be made by calling the Chamber office at 457-9700, visiting www.orangeny.com or by e-mailing roseannb@orangeny.com.