Pine Island Chamber names Groenendaal its 2006 Citizen of the Year

Pine Island - The Pine Island Chamber of Commerce has chosen Peter Groenendaal, its former president, a chamber director for almost ten years and a community activist to be the 2006 Citizen of the Year. A builder-developer, Groenendaal promoted many improvements in Pine Island during his years as chamber president (1998-2001), including beautification projects, a new scholarship fund and the Pine Island Newsletter. His approaches to Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc., reduced the number of power outages that had afflicted Pine Island. During his tenure as president, chamber membership doubled. Groenendaal’s other work in the community includes three years on the Board of Directors of the Farm Bureau, past chairman of the Town of Warwick’s Purchase of Development Rights By-Laws Committee and as a member of the Warwick Partnership for a Quality Community Committee. He is vice president of Winslow Therapeutic Riding and former vice president of the Orange County Horse Council. The Citizen of the Year Award will be presented at the Pine Island Chamber’s Annual Installation of Officers and Social, to be held Sunday, Oct. 29, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ye Jolly Onion Inn. Other awards: • Youth Achievement Awards will also be presented to Pine Island citizens Robert Blanco and Steven DeBuck. The two Warwick Valley High School students have achieved high academic grades while excelling in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and other community activities. • Certificates of Appreciation for extraordinary effort also will be given to two Pine Island sisters, Helen Feagles and Theresa Paddock, who kept Pine Island beautified and in bloom all summer by watering the potted flowers installed throughout the center of the hamlet by the Chamber. Tickets, at $35 per person, are available from Leonard DeBuck at 258-4139. Advance tickets are recommended. There will be hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.