On January 30th, members of IREM joined The New England Real Estate Journal (NEREJ) at Cocktails and Conversations at the Hyatt Regency in Boston. This was a well attended event with many of the top real estate organization represented. Live radio interviews for NEREJ Radio were held and Creative Resources Group (CRG) was also on hand to film interviews with industry leaders. There were great food and cocktails, and even a cartoon artist. Wait is that a caricature of me?? (Not very flattering.) I must have been having a bad face day.
On February 2nd, Pennsylvania's famed groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his lair and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of frosty winter weather. So far 2014's winter has brought freezing temperatures and an active snow season to New England. These conditions keep those who are engaged in property management busy with snow removal, heating issues, ice dams and broken pipes. While we begin to dream about spring time, warmer temperatures and kicking off a number of springtime projects around our properties' we found time to enjoy the snow at our annual Loon Mountain Ski Trip.
On February 17th, a group of IREM members and friends gathered at Loon Mountain for skiing, food and cocktails. It was a brisk but sunny day, perfect for skiing and socializing with good company. Starting with a continental breakfast including a yogurt station, the day kicked off to great start in our private lodge. Lunch was served mid day and in the afternoon there were hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment. Passes included skiing, day tubing, and wall climbing. The town of Lincoln also offered great outlet shopping. Additionally, Loon Mountain introduced its Ice Castle. This Ice Castle was built to resemble the Ice Castle in the Disney movie Frozen and has become a major attraction for the mountain this season.
On February 20th the board held its board meeting at Legal Seafood in Braintree followed by a social networking event at the restaurant. Members enjoyed sea food and cocktails.
Up Coming Events
Join us March 20th for a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimac N.H. For those who know me well, know I am a fan of Anheuser-Busch products. Ben Franklin once said "We know god loves us because he gave us beer." It is a historical fact that beer helped mankind migrate from the Middle East to other areas due to the fact that beer had nutritional value and could be preserved for longer periods of time than other sources of nutrition at the time. Did you know that one of every two beers consumed in America is made by Anheuser-Busch?
The Merrimac N.H. brewery services all of New England. Of Anheuser-Busch's 12 U.S. breweries, this brewery is in the prettiest setting, located in the picturesque Merrimack Valley. Built in 1970, 8 million 12-ounce servings of beer can be packaged in 24 hours. .
On April 3rd we will be touring the Massachusetts State House followed by a Networking Event at Cheers Restaurant on Beacon Hill. Built in 1798, the "new" State House is located across from the Boston Common on the top of Beacon Hill. The land was once owned by Massachusetts first elected governor, John Hancock. Charles Bulfinch, the leading architect of the day, designed the building. The dome, originally made out of wood shingles, is now sheathed in copper and covered by 23 karat gold, which was added to prevent leaks into the State House. In the House of Representatives chambers hangs a wooden codfish which is called the Sacred Cod. The Sacred Cod signifies the importance of the fishing industry to the Commonwealth.
May 8th we will be touring the New Hampshire State House and Networking Event at Tandy's Top Shelf Restaurant, Concord, N.H. The current statehouse was designed in 1814. The building was constructed between 1816-1819 by architect Stuart Park for a cost of $82,000. The first session of the General Court began in 1819. The State House is the oldest state capitol in which the legislature meets in its original chambers.
David Barrett is director of operations at Crowninshield Management Corp., and the 2014 president of IREM Boston.