Guest speaker describes Warwick chamber members as 'trend-setters'

Membership reaches all-time high at 535 Warwick — The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce held its 72nd annual membership dinner, on Saturday evening, Nov. 12, at the Warwick Valley Country Club. The theme of the 2011 annual membership dinner was “A Stroll Through the Warwick Valley” and each table as well as the speaker’s podium had its own “street” sign. Michael Johndrow, executive director of the Warwick Valley Chamber, welcomed the guests, thanked sponsors and other contributors, introduced dignitaries and gave a brief report on the “State of the Chamber.” Among the highlights of that report were membership had reached an all time high of 535 members and that the Warwick Chamber was planning a new tourism initiative. “We want to bring people here,” said Johndrow. Later in the evening he also thanked The Beck Group, Inc. for the table signs; Corwin Florist for decorations and Pennings Farm Market for the apple desert topped off with ice cream donated by the Bellvale Creamery. Immediately after dinner and before the dancing Garrett Durland, president of the chamber, introduced new nominations and second term nominations to the Board of Directors. The keynote speaker for the evening was Maureen Halahan, president and CEO of the Orange Country Partnership. The Partnership, one of the premier economic development agencies in the state, works to advance the economic vitality of Orange County. Halahan praised the Warwick Chamber for its vitality and accomplishments. “You’re recognized as trend setters,” she said. Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michael Johndrow then presented awards for Volunteer of the Year, Janine Dethmers; Best Building Renovation, Eddie’s Road House; and Green Business, Greenway Technologies. Dinner sponsors: Gold sponsors: St. Anthony Community Hospital and WVT Communications Silver sponsors: Key Bank and Paul Rafanello, CPA, PLLC Bronze sponsors: Bonni Masi Oswald of State Farm Insurance and Community Vision, Inc. Membership reaches all-time high at 535 Board of Directors New nominations to the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors: Caryn Burke of Newtek Business Partners Janine Dethmers of Corporate Impressions Viki Garby of Zero G Deals Nominations for a second term to the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors: Sherry Bukovean of Mary Kay Cosmetics Sandy Glazman of Better Homes and Gardens Realty Mechelle Casciotta of Kitchen & Bathworks of Warwick Mary McClurg of Provident Bank Souzie Miller of WTBQ Radio