Business Notebook: The Inkwell celebrates graduation with a who's who of local grads

Warwick - It’s graduation time and Carol Bartnowski, owner of The Inkwell office supply store, 46 Main St., Warwick, has come up with a terrific idea to celebrate the season and pay tribute to the movers and shakers in the Warwick business community. Bartnowski is currently collecting graduation photos of business and other leaders in Warwick. These are the people, she believes, that most people would recognize today because they own a business, are in public office or, for some other reason, are high-profile citizens. Bartnowski plans to display the “mystery” photographs in the Inkwell’s storefront window during the graduation season and for a short period beyond. At this time, she hasn’t decided how to run it but there will be a contest, open to the public, involving guessing the name of the person whose photograph is displayed. The prizes will most likely involve Merchant Guild Gift Certificates. The early photograph, a formal pose or one taken at home or even at a party, might be from an elementary, high school or college graduation. One thing is certain. The boy or girl in the photo is not likely to look the same today. And many of us are bound to be surprised. “The people in these photographs,” said Bartnowski, “are all part of the fabric that keeps the Warwick downtown and business community alive and one that continues to be caring and giving. We support our graduates today while keeping in mind that we were also graduates at one time.” Anyone interested in submitting a graduation photograph or learning more about the upcoming contest can call The Inkwell at 986-6100. Get on board The Warwick Merchant’s Guild has decided to revitalize its business directory attached to the WVT Communications building on Main Street. “We started this when Moshe Schwartzberg, owner of Forever Jewelers, was President of the Merchant’s Guild,” said Sue Loughren, who is in charge of the project, “and it was a great directory, especially for visitors and newcomers.” Loughren, owner of The Toy Chest, explained that the business directory lists businesses, professional offices, medical services and public parks along with any other interesting sites that might be of interest to a visitor. It is not limited to retail establishments or to businesses within the Village of Warwick. The businesses and other services are listed by category such as real estate, law offices, gift shops, banks and so forth. Each tag includes the name and address of the participant and a number, which identifies the location of the business, professional office or public facility on a map of the area displayed in the center of the directory. Although the directory has been kept up to date from time to time, the members of the Merchant’s Guild realized that some of the names and addresses had changed or were no longer valid and that there was also plenty of room for new businesses and services. Another bit of good news is that the fees haven’t changed in nine years. Applications for a listing on the directory are available at The Toy Chest, Peck’s Wines & Spirits and Frazzleberries. For information on updating or including your business or service on the Directory call Sue Loughren at 987-1133. Ballroom dancing La Montiel Dance Studio, 17 Main St., Warwick, is conducting an eight-week workshop in ballroom dancing. The evening classes began Wednesday, June 6. Professional instructors and performers Norty and Agi Hyman will be teaching foxtrot, waltz, hustle, swing, cha-cha, rumba, salsa, meringue and more. Call 987-1770 or visit www.dancemontiel.com Free music and poetry The Bertoni Gallery in Sugar Loaf, 1392 Kings Highway, will conduct its third annual free music and poetry series next month. Dorian DeHaan Rossi of Dezign Concepts, DDR, Inc. sponsors the annual free music and poetry series. The project is made possible, in part, with funds from the Orange County Tourism/Orange Arts and the County of Orange. Everyone is invited to come out and support local talent, and enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the peaceful Bertoni Gallery Sculpture Garden every Sunday in July. The family event is held between noon and 6 p.m. Call 469-0993 or visit www.bertonigallery.com RIP Bill Raynor, 86, the owner of Raynor’s Market on Main St. and part owner of Raynor Realty, passed away on May 29. Raynor was also a well-known local musician, music teacher and local historian. He will be sorely missed.