January 11, 2022
Dear Merchants, Business Owners, and Fellow Members:
I certainly hope that all had a great Christmas and Hanukkah season. The year 2022 seems to be starting off the way 2021 did – with this Omicron variant getting us all down and feeling that things may never get better. One thing that I ask of all our members is to please exercise extreme caution and care when gathering with people. Stay safe and healthy, as we all want to hear that the ones that we care about are in good stead as we get through this again.
Our Holiday Fair went great thanks to Robin Hepworth, Janice Talento, and their committee. They all did a wonderful job and the event proved to be a financial success for our Chamber. I must thank our sponsors, especially Main Event Sponsor Dairy Queen Grill and Chill, as well as Platinum Sponsor TLC Companions Home Healthcare Services. We appreciate them stepping up and being our major sponsors. We also appreciate all of the other sponsors that chipped in and did a great job with assisting us. We look forward to next year’s event!
My thanks to Friends for Life Homecare, and especially Amy Recco for chairing and sponsoring our Christmas Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration at Klestinec Park on December 4th. Big thanks also to Melanie Duffy and Broadway Gourmet Bagel Café and Caterers for donating the hot chocolate for this event. The celebration took place without a glitch, and all had a great time, especially the kids with Santa. I look forward to this next year also. Special thanks to all those that decorated the park and then took down the decorations at the completion of the holiday season.
Our Christmas and Hanukkah Party at Zona was great. Our Meeting Planning Committee, Robin Hepworth and Karen Gawrych, did a splendid job setting this up. We also celebrated my birthday that night with a delicious cake at the party. It was great to see all in attendance that evening.
Our stalwarts Patty Orzano, Phyllis Doria, Robert R. Barrett, and Karen Gawrych outdid themselves with our Food Drive and Toys for Tots program again this year. They are to be commended for their dedication and commitment to these projects through the years.
At this time, I must give special congratulations to Past President Denis Monette on his appointment as the Commissioner of the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management. This is well-deserved, and he will do a great job. Kudos also to Past President Gary Slavin as he becomes the President of his Statewide Insurance Group. I am most proud of both of these men for these accomplishments. This is what makes our Chamber…Massapequa Strong!
We just held our January Board Meeting, and I announced that Past President Patty Orzano will be chairing the Nominating Committee. We will elect the rest of the committee at the March Board Meeting, so they will have a month to put a list of nominees together. A slate will then be presented at the April General Meeting for all to consider for the next administration of the Chamber.
I am also glad to tell all that the Board increased the scholarships this year from $250.00 to $400.00 for each award given. More will come out about that as we begin the process. The committee will be chaired by 2nd Vice President Karen Gawrych.
The January Luncheon is scheduled for Mario’s on Broadway on Thursday, January 27th. Watch your e-mails for the details on the luncheon. At the February meeting, we will honor Volunteer Firefighters from Massapequa and North Massapequa – more details will be coming on this as well.
Finally, I ask all to keep our loved ones in their prayers during this difficult time. We have had some close to our Chamber that need prayers, like my good pal Sal Polito’s wife Marie, and Denis Monette’s wife, Carol – that’s what we are all about, caring for each other. Please pray that this pandemic ends soon and we can all get back to our own normal, not the new normal. I look forward to speaking with you, if need be – you may contact me at (516) 633 – 1435 for any inquiries.
Keith Wilson, President
Massapequa Chamber of Commerce