Building Bridges: First Joint Mixer Draws a Crowd—and Calls for More

They said it would never happen – but judging by the turn-out, we should have done this eons ago. More than 50 people gathered at Moose Meadow Lodge & Treehouse in Duxbury on October 21 for the first-ever joint mixer hosted by the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Discover Waterbury. With both communities well represented, it was one of our most well-attended—and most enjoyable—mixers yet.

Our hosts, Willie and Greg, were the heart of the evening. Their warm hospitality and spectacular setting made everyone feel welcome and gave old friends and new acquaintances plenty of reasons to linger. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to bring our communities together.

The gathering even landed on the front page of the Times Argus, with a beautiful photograph showcasing Moose Meadow Lodge and the impressive crowd shot by Jeb Wallace-Brodeur. It was wonderful recognition of an evening devoted to strengthening local connections.

Throughout the night, conversations reinforced just how much our communities have in common. We share more than Route 100: our businesses, employees, customers, outdoor spaces and visitor experiences connect us every day. Getting together helps us see those connections more clearly—and discover opportunities to support one another.

That is why mixers matter. A conversation over an appetizer can introduce a future collaborator, spark a referral or put a familiar face to a business just down the road. For two neighboring communities with so much to share, those relationships are especially valuable.

The response was enthusiastic, and the message was clear: let’s make this a regular thing. Attendees from both communities expressed a strong interest in more joint events, and we look forward to working with Discover Waterbury to keep the momentum going.

Thank you to Willie and Greg, our partners at Discover Waterbury and everyone who came out to make this first gathering such a success. Here’s to good neighbors, new friendships and more bridge-building ahead!