The future of one of Bennington, Vt.’s most longstanding and loyal businesses is up in the air, as Terry Ehrich, publisher of Hemmings Motor News, announced in late October that he is working on a plan to sell the company. Suffering from a long battle with cancer, Ehrich told employees the time is now to plan for Hemmings’ future, while he has time to make the best decision for a suitable buyer that will continue Hemmings’ tradition of community dedication, socially responsible business practices, and environmental activism.
No one knows how the sale might take shape, or if another decision will be reached. The potential sale, which is being overseen by Veronis Suhler and Associates of Manhattan — an investment bank that specializes in the sale and management of publishing companies — will be, according to Terry’s brother Perez Ehrich, a “long, difficult and complicated process,†as the Hemmings business includes such diverse holdings as an old-fashioned full service gas station, three separate office buildings, a brigade of antique and classic cars, as well as a storehouse full of memorabilia.
In an interview with the Rutland Herald, Terry Ehrich said keeping the publishing company in Bennington will be the highest priority.
Often referred to as “the bible of the collector car hobby†by enthusiasts, Hemmings Motor News was founded in 1954 by Ernest Hemmings as a resource for collectors seeking hard-to-find auto parts to restore their vintage vehicles. Ehrich, an Arlington, Vt. native who graduated from Harvard in 1964, purchased Hemmings in December 1968 and moved it to Bennington in 1970. Since then, the publication has swelled to nearly 900 pages of classified ads, articles and information about hobby events, with a paid print circulation of more than 250,000. It also has several offshoot products, such as its popular classic car calendars, a bimonthly magazine covering the street rod and muscle car circuit, and an extensive web site (hemmings.com) that was voted “Best of the Web†by Forbes in the Antiques & Collectibles category.
Ehrich sent a memo Oct. 26 to the approximately 130 employees, explaining that in his failing health has led him to seek more time with his family. He said now is the time to be proactive about Hemmings’ future, so the best solution can be found and he can have control over the terms of the sale.
Hemmings has been one of Bennington’s most stable employers, and a model for responsible growth. Operations include Hemmings east on Main Street, Hemmings west on West Road, and the Holden-Leonard Mill on Benmont Avenue, which is used as a warehouse for memorabilia. Several years ago, Hemmings purchased and rehabilitated a vacant downtown building, which was converted into an old-fashioned Sunoco filling station.
In an interview last July at Hemmings’ annual media event, Ehrich was more interested in discussing social change than he was classic cars. He said he tries to set an example for other businesses that the community is just as important to them as they are to it. “We try to encourage and inspire other businesses to look beyond the bottom line and pay attention to where they live,†he said. “If you don’t take care of your neighbors, no one will take care of you.â€
He is particularly committed to environmental causes and to children. Ehrich was responsible for launching the First Day Holiday in 1997, in which employers give parents a day off so they can spend the opening day of school with their children and meet the teacher. “It always seemed odd to me that, as parents, we tell our kids not to talk to strangers. And then what do we do when school starts — we send them to a place full of strangers. It’s very reassuring to a child when he sees mom and dad actually meet the teacher on the first day of school. It’s become sort of a tradition.†The holiday has become so popular that it is celebrated in schools throughout the nation, as well as all schools in Vermont. Hemmings received a President’s Service Award for spearheading the foundation, which is located adjacent to its West Main Street offices.
He has been a proponent of the Corporate Green Up campaign, saying that “I see our involvement as an opportunity to use the hobby as a vehicle for social good.†He has always been a proponent of alternative fuels and proudly includes a hybrid vehicle in his car collection.
Ehrich has donated to numerous charities and school organizations and served on countless boards. On Oct. 21, the Bennington community held a parade to honor him and recognize his efforts.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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