Just before the holidays, the "Men of the Branford Chamber Calendar" gathered at Nellie Green's Restaurant for libations and a reunion.

As swill was sipped and glasses were clanked, Neil Sedaka's "Calendar Girl" played throughout the bar setting the tone for a whimsical evening.

About six of the calendar models, all fully clothed on this evening, were in attendance as well as calendar mastermind Diane Zorich and her daughter Jessica Smith, who photographed and designed the 2010-11 calendar.

About one year prior, Branford Chamber President Edward Lazarus brought the idea for the calendar to Zorich from a chamber in Westerly, R.I.

The calendar, which when conceptualized featured John Sousoulas of the Parthenon Diner in nothing but a chef's apron (August), was created to be a "spoof of one self," said Lazarus.

"For the Chamber, it was a demonstration that while we are business-driven, it was important to note that we are an organization with a sense of humor."

And good thing the organizers and models all felt the same way.

Zorich, who has been a chamber member for six years and is a realtor with Weichert Realtors in Branford, said, "It was exciting. I got to work with people who didn't take themselves too seriously and wanted to expose themselves and their business in a fresh, new and exciting way."

Smith, who you can find as the centerfold with her boyfriend Chris Brigham and Weichert Realtors' Chuck Conti (June), took full artistic direction for the calendar.

She organized each photo shoot ­– 15 total if you include the cover ­­– and worked with each client or group of clients to achieve their desired goals.

Smith, also a member of the Chamber, is presently the chief of photography and multimedia at Shore Publishing Newspapers and has a bachelor of fine arts in photography from SUNY New Paltz.

As a photojournalist, Smith documents the happenings of the shoreline and has found a niche in portraying moments that oftentimes go unnoticed. "I love what I do," she said. "I always knew I wanted to be a photographer and express that in the community where I live."

When she's not working – for a paycheck that is – Smith enjoys people watching and taking photos. You can view her work, which she calls a "visual smorgasbord," at www.photojess.com. The calendar, she said, was more portraiture work ­– something she hasn't always had the chance to do.

"I was able to encapsulate a business in a photo in a way that was funny and ultimately profitable for them," commented Smith.

Some of her favorite calendar photos were the haunting shoot of Dr. John Beres and dog Pippin of East Shore Veterinary Hospital (January) as well as Dr. Norman Dahl and daughter Sydney Dahl of Dr. Norman Dahl, DDS (December, 2010).

Of the shoot with Dahl, in which he is clad in a pink leotard as a tooth fairy, Smith said the final photo was an accident. "I had packed up my equipment and the photo was spontaneous but extremely successful."

Chris Dogolo, also a Chamber member, owns Chris' Indoor Shooting Range in Guilford. He posed bare-chested in a double gun holster, two pistols pointed in the air (April).  Not a man of many words, Dogolo said with cheeks blushing, "I've been around guns a long time but the experience of having no shirt on …  it was different. I never thought I'd do it but it was for a good cause."

The end of the evening at Nellie Green's was capped when Chris Hauman of Webbersaur.us (October) hoisted Smith high in the air for a group photo with the calendar guys.

The calendar, which required hours of work, was a success for the Chamber. It was unveiled on Sept. 21 at the Owenego Inn. However, there are still plenty of calendars left for purchase and with 2011 around the corner, it's the perfect opportunity to buy one.

Next year, Lazarus said the Chamber will be producing a cookbook instead of a calendar so be sure to get them while they're hot.

Purchase the Calendar

The 2010-11 Men of Branford Chamber Calendar features 14 chamber members in comical motifs (see list below). Additionally, the community was invited to purchase save the date(s) throughout the year so you'll find some fun facts throughout the calendar. Fifty percent of proceeds will be donated to the Soundview Family YMCA and the James Blackstone Memorial Library.

The calendar is $10 when purchased at the Soundview Family YMCA, James Blackstone Memorial Library or the Branford Chamber of Commerce. The calendar is $12 when purchased online and includes shipping.

Calendar Boys

Ken Soudan, The Lock Up

Dr. Norman Dahl, Dr. Norman Dahl DDs

Dr. John Beres, East Shore Veterinary Hospital

Edward Lazarus, Branford Chamber

Chris Dogolo, Chris' Indoor Shooting Range

Mike Savenelli, Nellie Green's Restaurant

Chuck Conti, Weichert Realtors

Ed Bartlett, CT Out and About

John Sousoulus, The Parthenon Diner

Billy DeLegge, Pasta Cosi

Chris Hauman, Webbersaur.us

James Warner, IDTV Interactive Digital

Tony Suppa, Woodwinds/ Café Allegre

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