Business notebook: Win a giant chocolate Easter egg

Warwick - Stephanie Faerman, owner of Warwick’s well-known chocolate shop, Sweetbriar’s, located at 26 Railroad Ave., has a soft spot in her heart for the Warwick Valley Humane Society and its animal shelter. “They do such wonderful work for our community,” she said, “and I always try to help them in anyway I can.” Faerman is asking people to stop by her shop and take a chance on a five-pound Belgian Chocolate Hand Crafted Easter Egg. The donation for each chance is $1 and the winner will be selected next Saturday, March 22, at 3 p.m. Sweetbriar’s is donating the giant chocolate egg and so all of the proceeds will go directly to the Humane Society. You can also increase your odds of winning by purchasing seven chances for $5 or 20 chances for $10. “We’re grateful to Sweetbriar’s for sponsoring this wonderful fund raiser for our shelter,” said Lee Peterson, corresponding secretary for the Warwick Valley Humane Society. “This is a good example of all the support we receive throughout the year from the Warwick business community.” By the way, Easter Sunday arrives early this year and anyone wishing to purchase quality chocolate treats should try to avoid the last minute rush. “Easter is sweeter at Sweetbriars’s” smiled Faerman. “We have more than 30 different types and styles of chocolate bunnies in milk, dark and white chocolate.” She added that the most popular are molded nostalgic Belgian chocolate bunnies ranging in size from four ounces to five pounds. The popular shop also carries a full compliment of Easter Baskets and lots of goodies to custom fill them. Suggested items include novelty chocolates, colorful candies, gourmet jellybeans, hand decorated Easter cookies and more. In addition to normal store hours, Sweetbriar’s will be open Monday and Tuesday, March 17 - 18, and the shop will also have extended evening hours. Call 986-5700. Cakes by the Lake For Barbara Steckler, owner of Cakes by the Lake, 88 Windermere Ave., Greenwood Lake, there’s more to business than just selling fresh baked goods. “Stop by and chat,” she smiled. “We make everyone laugh.” Besides having a pleasant and friendly personality, Steckler has been baking since she was 10 years old. “My first teacher was my grandmother and I’ve been baking professionally all my adult life,” she said. Last Spring Steckler opened her own bakery shop, Cakes by the Lake, in Greenwood Lake. All baking is done on the premises and customer favorites include turnovers, crumb cakes, cookies and Old World style apple strudel. For smaller families or people on diets, the shop also offers miniature pies and popular “cakes for two.” Steckler is also an expert at creating custom birthday and wedding cakes including the 3-D variety. Patrons can also sit at tables and enjoy fresh coffee and bagels or other baked goods each morning. A Sunday breakfast special features homemade crepes. Cakes by the Lake is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 477-2080. Protect your computer files WVT Communications recently announced the arrival of DataProtect, a data backup system for both consumers and businesses. This secure back-up system uses a remote server to protect your selected files such as financial records; presentations; spreadsheets; word documents; archived e-mail; videos; photos and graphics; music libraries and other important files. The way it works is WVT’s DataProtect transmits an encrypted copy of your files over the Internet and stores it in the company’s data centers, which are equipped with redundant power, heating and cooling systems, fire suppression and biometric access control. If some disaster should strike at the customer’s home or business location, their backup files can be accessed from their computer desktop or online from any computer via a secure Web site. Single and multiple user plans are available starting at $6.95 a month. Chamber news This Tuesday, March 18, the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a “Networking Luncheon” at Halligan’s Public House, 22 West St., Warwick, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event, open to all businesses in the area, is designed to provide a unique forum to up-sell individual businesses. The luncheon is hosted by the program committee of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce. Each participant will be invited to speak about his or her business and what products and services each offer.s This event is part of a monthly series of structured networking activities inclusive of breakfasts, lunches and after hour mixers. Current Chamber members are invited to attend at a cost of $25. Non-members are also welcome at a cost of $35. Advance reservations are required. For more information about the networking events, to make a reservation or to assist the program committee with future events, call Michael Johndrow at the chamber office 986-2720 or e-mail him at info@warwickcc.org. You also may e-mail Paul Rafanello at Paul@prcpa.biz.