Warwick Business notebook: Applewood Winery lets the sunshine in

WARWICK - After completing some cosmetic changes and other improvements, Applewood Winery, 82 Four Corners Road, Warwick, officially reopened for the season on Saturday, April 5, and it will be open every weekend until fall from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to enlarging the wine-tasting bar and creating more room and light for patrons, local artist Teresa Robertson created several hand painted murals and a new interior sign. The picturesque winery and adjacent apple orchards, which are owned by David “Apple Dave” Hull, are part of the oldest working farm in Orange County. In 1993, David Hull’s son, Jonathan, and his wife, Michele, opened Applewood Winery where they pioneered the planting of Vinifera grape varieties in this section of the Hudson Valley, as well as producing apple wine and hard cider. The wine is fermented, bottled and sold at the winery and is valued for its rich bouquet, full body and fragrant aroma. There are 14 selections of wine today, including popular favorites such as Seyval Chardonnay Reserve, aged in American oak; an award-winning Stone Fence Hard Cider; a merlot; and a blackberry that can also be a key ingredient in a blackberry martini. Applewood’s pavilion, wild flower garden and grape arbor with its view of the Warwick Valley in the distance is home to numerous events on weekends, including “Music in the Courtyard Café,” wine and food pairing classes with Chef Jody Weatherstone and cheese and wine classes with Susan Donovan among others. One interesting event, somewhat out of the ordinary for Applewood, is the annual “Who Let the Dogs Out.” The dog show, scheduled for June 22, is a fund raiser for the Warwick Valley Humane Society. Contests include best tail-wagger, best kisser, best trick, largest-smallest, best costume and more. Prizes for dogs and owners include bottles of Applewood wine. For additional information, call 988-9292 or visit www.applewoodwinery.com. Warwick Chamber group benefits It’s the second event for the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce Group Benefit Solutions Center. Next Thursday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the center will sponsor a “Meet the National Healthcare Carriers” event at the Warwick Valley Country Club. Representatives from Aetna, Empire, GHI, MVP and Oxford will be present. Benefit consultants Tom Ammons and Andy Schwartz will also be available to answer questions. Business owners who are members and non-members are encouraged to attend and bring along current renewal papers, a plan design or current invoice. There will also be a complimentary on site quoting. A light fare will be served and there is no cost or pre-registration. According to the center, health care costs have more than doubled in the past five years. As costs continue to rise, small businesses are looking for new and better ways to manage rising premiums. High Deductible Health Plans coupled with Health Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts are saving employers and employees current premium dollars and helping save dollars for the future cost of health care. The key to realizing the savings from these programs, the Benefit Solutions Center argues, is to analyze how a particular work force uses the healthcare system. Many employers are paying premium dollars for employees who may be better served by funding an HRA or HSA. With these programs, employees take a more active role in how their health care dollars are spent. HRAs and HSAs can also be integrated with a smart debit card to allow employers and employees to fund their accounts as they incur healthcare expenses. “I encourage every business owner to attend this event next Thursday, April 24,” said Michael Johndrow, executive director of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Since our first meeting at Dautaj Restaurant in March, I know one business in particular that has reported an extraordinary savings in health insurance as a result of the information provided by Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce Group Benefit Solutions Center.” Come to the party The Toy Chest, 62 Main St., Warwick, will be party central on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 25, 26 and 27. It’s the Webkinz Day Extravaganza leading up to the celebration of Webkinz Day in Webkinz World on April 29. “Webkinz,” said Toy Chest owner Sue Loughren, “combines the timeless fun of plush pets with the interactivity of the Internet, to give kids a virtual world where they can play, build, nurture, collect and even safely ‘chat’ using constructed messaging.” The Toy Chest is planning lots of events, games and prizes for Webkinz fans of all ages. As added excitement, Webkinz pets will be given out to the first 500 customers who make a minimum $10 purchase of any item from the store. For additional information, call 987-1133. Chamber news The annual celebration of Springfest 2008 is scheduled for next Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The “heavy” rain date is the following day, Sunday, April 29. To learn how to participate in Springfest, call Mary Beth Schlichting at 988-5080. The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce is still taking last-minute registrations for the upcoming Warwick Business Expo on Saturday, May 3. Contact Johndrow at 845-986-2720 or Expo Chair Diane Massey at 845-325-2247. You can also register on line at www.warwickcc.org.