Business Notebook: Community Bank of Orange comes to Warwick

Warwick - On or about May 15, Walkill’s Community Bank of Orange, N.A. (National Association), will open a second branch at Mitchel Corners Shopping Center, 25 Elm St., Warwick. The new branch will operate as a full-service bank and offer all accounts and services including checking, savings, investments, consumer and business loans, business banking, home mortgages, ATM service and telephone banking. The Warwick branch will be open six days each week. “We are delighted to join the Warwick community and thank everyone for the warm welcome we have already received,” stated Ron Gentile, the bank’s president and CEO. “Our goal is to offer local personalized attention, customized products and local loan decisions to consumers and small businesses.” Gentile is the former President and CEO of the Warwick Savings Bank. He served as a member of its board of directors from 1990 to 2004. Lisette Cuba has been appointed manager of the Warwick branch. She has had 20 years experience in high-level management positions with the former Warwick Savings Bank. Her assistant manager will be Nancy Sobotor-Littell, who also is a former employee of Warwick Savings Bank. Community Bank of Orange, N.A., first opened its doors in October 2002. It was the first new bank to be organized in Orange County in 50 years. The grand opening of the new branch will be in early June. Call 695-7400 for additional information. Local businesses step up When the weather turns nice, local residents start thinking about spring planting, home repairs, new clothes, wedding and graduation gifts, barbecues, sports, sidewalk cafes and what-have-you. With the price of gasoline hovering around $3 per gallon, we have a good reason to support local businesses. Most of the merchants will have exactly what you need or will order special items for you. Another good reason is that money spent in this community stays here. And local business owners, known for their willingness to contribute to fund-raising events throughout the year, deserve our support. Recently, for example, almost every restaurant in the Warwick area participated in the “Great Warwick Wine & Dine,” one of a number of scheduled events for the St. Anthony Community Hospital 2006 Annual Fund Drive. The restaurants all donated a percentage of their dinner proceeds for Thursday evening, March 30, to benefit the expansion of the St. Anthony Community Hospital Emergency Department. “We had a good turn out,” said Pepe Freijo, owner of Ten Railroad Avenue, a popular restaurant in the Village of Warwick. “But more important, we participated in the Wine and Dine event because supporting our hospital is important for the community where we live and do business.” Pet Parade One of the most popular events at Warwick’s Annual Springfest has been the “Pet Parade.” This year’s “Springfest” is scheduled for Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A rain date has been set for the following day, April 30. The “Pet Parade” will start from the Railroad Green at 11 a.m. All contestants, who are encouraged to wear costumes or whatever, will be judged at 12 noon. Any and all pets, from frogs to ponies as well as cats and dogs, are welcome to parade and compete. Sign up sheets are posted outside Coat Tails, a professional pet grooming shop at 11 Main St. and Bow Wow Meow Bakery at 2 Oakland Ave. Business briefs • Applewood Winery, at Four Corners Road, will offer a wine and food workshop on Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, beginning at 2 p.m. Call 988-9292 for reservations. • A popular event at Café a la Mode, 1 Oakland Ave., has been the Friday “Open Mike.” The restaurant is now booking local talent to entertain patrons on Saturday nights. Call 986-1223 for information. • Reminder : The deadline for the Provident Bank Charitable Foundation $1,500 scholarship for local high school seniors is May 2. Students can obtain an application at any Provident Bank branch or from their high school guidance counselor. For more information, call 369 - 8040.