Poultney Area Chamber Names 2022 Poultney Sweetheart!

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Poultney’s Sweetheart will retain the title for a whole year!  Poultney area resident, former residents, and those who want to remember someone from Poultney submitted nominations at local businesses and through email, with a large number of people taking just a few minutes to bring notice to someone special to them.  

After all, being nominated for the title is a tribute in itself:   it says to the nominee “someone cares about me”.  Sure, we should let our special someone know all year long that we care.  But is there any harm in taking one day out of the year to do a little bit more? 

Remember for next year:  you can do that, too.  Whether you’re in a committed relationship, or looking for one; whether you’re paying tribute to a favorite relative or teacher or mentor; whether you  just want to let someone know you appreciate them – nominate someone for Poultney’s Sweetheart.  And on Valentine’s Day, let them know you did. 

This year’s winner gets the honorary title, a lovely bouquet of flowers from Everyday Flowers and a Sweetheart Keepsake Plaque from Milowen Designs.  She also receives a basket of prizes donated by The Original Vermont Store, Williams Hardware, and the East Poultney General Store among others.  And she’ll have the chance to ride in the Fourth of July Parade and receive a special photo from the Chamber.  Our Poultney Sweetheart for 2022 is Donna Simons! Donna’s name was drawn at random from all those submitted at local sponsors or by email.   

The Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce congratulates Donna and the person or people who  nominated her for the honor.  We’d also like to thank Nicole Austin-Arbuckle of The Original Vermont Store for coming up with the idea, organizing the details, and handling the award.  

Nominations will be accepted next year starting January 15th, 2023, and the PACC invites individuals, organizations, and businesses to get involved, both as nominators and as donors.  

The Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to guide, inspire and promote the best interests of the business and professional members of the Poultney area, and to enhance the economic, cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities of its citizens.

Poultney’s Sweetheart will be honored by a procession down Main Street, a lovely bouquet of flowers from Everyday Flowers, and a basket of prizes donated by local businesses, organizations, and artists.  He or she will also receive a special Sweetheart Keepsake Plaque from Milowen Designs.  The Chamber will provide a special photo to remember this special day.  

So who are you going to nominate?  (Of course, most people will be thrilled that someone nominated them for the role, so even if your nominee doesn’t win, knowing that you think they should be Poultney’s Sweetheart is a gift in itself.) 

You can enter your nomination by dropping it off at participating local businesses.  While you’re there, take a look at what they have to offer for Valentine’s Day, and remember that shopping small, and buying local keeps our community alive.  If you absolutely can’t get there to drop off your nomination, you can also email the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce at poultneyvtchamber@gmail.com.  

Anyone can make a nomination, as long as it’s for a current Poultney resident.  Tell us the nominee’s name, and  give us some contact information either for yourself, or for the nominee  (or both).   Nominations are due by Saturday, February 12th, at noon, and the PACC will contact the winner on Sunday, February 13th.  

Here’s your opportunity to chase away the mid-winter blues, and bring a big smile to someone’s life on Valentine’s Day.  Nominate someone for POULTNEY’S SWEETHEART!


Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to forming partnerships that will move Poultney forward. We’re pleased to partner with NYVT Media and Lakeside News & the Rutland Sun to help spread the word on what’s happening as our town adapts and grows