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Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrate 79th anniversary

| 22 Nov 2018 | 10:28
    Photos by Roger Gavan Board President John Redman then named the new nominations for the Warwick Valley Chamber’s Board of Directors along with those continuing their respective terms.
    Photos by Roger Gavan Board President John Redman then named the new nominations for the Warwick Valley Chamber’s Board of Directors along with those continuing their respective terms.
    Each year at the event, the chamber also presented awards to its most outstanding members for their ccomplishments. This year’s award recipients for building renovations included Grappa Ristorante.Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the Building Renovation Award to Grappa Ristorante owner Tony Sylaj.
    Each year at the event, the chamber also presented awards to its most outstanding members for their ccomplishments. This year’s award recipients for building renovations included Grappa Ristorante.Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the Building Renovation Award to Grappa Ristorante owner Tony Sylaj.
    Chamber Executive Director Michael Johndrow introduced Ken Durland, a well respected past President of the Chamber seated in the audience, who was about to celebrate his 90th birthday.
    Chamber Executive Director Michael Johndrow introduced Ken Durland, a well respected past President of the Chamber seated in the audience, who was about to celebrate his 90th birthday.

By Roger Gavan
WARWICK — The Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce marked its 79th anniversary this year with a membership celebration themed "The Magic of Warwick'
The annual event, held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Hickory Hill Golf Course, began with a cocktail hour and appetizers followed by a buffet.
The celebration featured world re-known magician Rocco Silano who shared his unique brand of original and award-winning magic.
Silano is the recipient of the Merlin and Golden Lion Awards, a two-time winner of the coveted Manhattan Association of Cabarets Award, and has been nominated nine times as Magician of the Year by the Academy of Magical Arts in four different categories.
Shortly after the cocktail hour Warwick Chamber Executive Director Michael Johndrow offered opening remarks and presented the annual awards.
Board President John Redman then named the new nominations for the Warwick Valley Chamber's Board of Directors along with those continuing their respective terms.
"The Magic of Warwick is a very appropriate theme," said Johndrow, "considering all that's happening in our Valley year round."
He pointed out, for example, that this past year, and with the chamber's help, the community was prominently featured in The Wall Street Journal magazine insert, Horizon.
SponsorsJohndrow also thanked and introduced all the event sponsors.
Gold level Sponsors this year were St. Anthony Community Hospital, Myles Wealth Management and WTBQ Radio.
Seely & Durland along with Warwick ShopRite and Union Square Group were Silver level Sponsors and Edward Jones Investments, Riehle Opticians and Warwick Valley Telephone supported the event as Bronze level Sponsors.
New members, ribbon-cuttingsHe reported that the chamber has 526 members, of which 81 joined in 2018.
In addition Johndrow also stated that this year the Chamber held 55 ribbon cuttings for grand openings and anniversaries and that its Website had received up to 8,000 hits per month.
During his remarks, Johndrow described his staff members, Sarah Armand and Bea Arner, as his "Dream Team."
He also introduced Ken Durland, a well-respected past president of the Chamber seated in the audience, who was about to celebrate his 90th birthday.
AwardsEach year at the event, the chamber also presents awards to its most outstanding members for their accomplishments.
This year's award recipients were Valerie Zammitti of Tuckfelt & Zammitti, PLLC for Volunteer of the Year; Baird's Tavern for Creative Repurposing and Trattoria Viviano, Tuckfelt & Zammitti, PLLC, Bertoni Gallery, Flirt Boutique, Sugar Loaf Taphouse, Grappa Ristorante and Shannon's Eyes on the Pies for outstanding Renovations.