Business notebook: Merchant Guild hosts Springfest 2007 on April 28

WARWICK - There’s a new twist to Warwick’s annual celebration of Springfest this year. It will actually celebrate spring. “As Applefest is an autumn celebration of the culmination of the growing season and a toast to the harvest,” said Mary Beth Schlicting, president of the Warwick Merchant Guild, “Springfest should be a celebration of new beginnings of the eventual harvest.” Springfest 2007 is scheduled for Saturday, April 28. The rain date is the following day, April 29. According to Schlicting, the intent of the celebration is to generate excitement and vitality in the Village of Warwick. “We want to foster the image of our Village as a source of information and needed goods and services,” she said. This year, the Merchant Guild is planning Springfest 2007 as a “Home and Garden”-styled event that will attract appropriate vendors and businesses. Local vendors that offer relevant and appropriate products for the theme of the celebration include the Farmer’s Market, local orchards, garden centers, lawn care professionals, Koi Pond professionals and pool suppliers among others. There will also be non-profit organizations present such as the Warwick Valley Humane Society and other organizations promoting upcoming events such as St. Stephen’s “Taste of the Town” and “Warwick in Bloom.” As in previous Springfest celebrations, the Warwick merchants will also create in-store events and use their outside vendor space to merchandise and market “spring” products. “Our thinking,” said Schlicting, “was to retain revenue in the Village rather than bring in outside vendors to compete with or duplicate products and services offered by businesses. Schlicting encourages all businesses to become part of Springfest 2007. For additional information call Mary Beth Schlicting at her Main Street shop, Frazzleberies: 988 -5080. More to follow. Tea party This Saturday, March 31, Victorian Treasures, 21 Main St., Warwick, will host its fourth annual “Tea Party” from 1-4 p.m. The event is open to the public and visitors will be treated to tea and sweets along with a complimentary hand massage. You are also invited to bring a favorite photo and turn it into an heirloom by placing your “Woven Moments” order that day at a 10 per cent discount. Victorian Treasures is also offering 25 per cent off on selected tea accessories plus drawings and other specials. Belly dancing “Finally, spring is in the air with Lots of sunshine and that’s great weather for Belly Dance classes,” said dance director and instructor Sarah Bell. Her Belly Dance classes will resume Tuesday, April 3, at Black Dirt Studio, 196 Glenwood Road, Pine Island. For information call Sarah Bell at 914-874-4541 or visit www.dancingwithsarah.com. A journey to Brazil Throughout March, Jubilee Multi-Cultural Arts has been presenting “Jubilee’s Cultural Journey” dance, music and arts series. The sponsors are Jubilee Multi-Cultural Arts, the Orange County Citizens Foundation and the WTBQ (1110 AM) Latin Jubilee Radio Show. The series has been a cultural journey to seven countries ranging from Argentina to India to Mexico. Guests had an opportunity to meet the native artists, learn about their customs, participate in dance, sample foods and enjoy a cultural experience at the Seligmann Homestead, 23 White Oak Drive in Sugar Loaf. This Saturday, March 31, Jubilee will sponsor, “Journey to Brazil,” a celebration of Afro-Brazil culture. Reservations are required. Contact Judy Battista at 987- 4207 or 489-7402. You can also visit www.jubileepresents.com. Web marketing seminar The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an educational evening seminar on Thursday, April 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Warwick Valley Winery, 114 Little York Road, Warwick. Ruth Siegel, president of Bozarts, Inc., will present the latest information on Web sites for business. Topics will cover eCommerce sites - the cost, definitions, the latest developments to know about before launching, and much more. This is a twist on the usual educational session, as it will include networking while enjoying wine and cheese. Chamber member donation is $9; $12 for non-members. RSVP at 986-2720. Correct date In the March 16 business column, there was a typographical error that incorrectly stated that Dawson Motors, 45 Oakland Ave., Warwick, would celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday, March 21. The correct date is Saturday, March 31, which also happens to be tomorrow. We apologize for the error and any inconvenience it may have caused. The highlight of tomorrow’s all day event will be the presence of a Jasper Engine NASCAR show car, the Alltel race car driven by Ryan Newman. The NASCAR show car driver will fire it up and visitors can sit in the car and pose for a photograph. Members of the Warwick Police Department will be on hand to offer free fingerprinting of children and there also will be refreshments and gifts for all visitors. A small donation will be collected for the Warwick Valley Humane Society.