Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce Honors Four Business Leaders

Glen Cove's business community donned its most festive attire for Celebrate Glen Cove, the Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner-dance. Chamber President Mary Stanco explained that this gala evening has grown so much in its six years that there is no venue within the City of Glen Cove able to accommodate the 250 or more people who now regularly attend. So this year and last, the event has been held at the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville.

Four local business leaders were honored at 2010 Celebrate Glen Cove: chiropractor Maxine Cappel Mayreis, DC, DACS; Lisa Cohn of Lifeline Communications; Frank Mastrovito of Hassel Volvo; and Anthony J. Tripp, chief of the Glen Cove Fire Department.

Cohn and Mayreis both lauded the role that the Chamber has played in building their businesses.

"My mission as a chiropractor is to help as many people as possible; the Chamber helps me achieve that goal," Mayreis said. She credited excellent leadership, committed board members and a talented director in having brought the Chamber and its programs "light years beyond [where it was] 20 years ago."

Members clearly agree with her assessment. Toya Davis of the School for Language and Communication Development said that few people knew what the school did when it moved to Glen Cove ten years ago. The Chamber, she said, "helped us create a community presence."

According to Phyllis Gorham, the Chamber's executive director, funds raised at this annual dinner-dance provide critical support for the Chamber: "We no longer get government grants so we have to sustain ourselves," she said, adding that fundraising through Celebrate Glen Cove also supports the Chamber's annual $2,5000 scholarship for a graduating senior at Glen Cove High School. The winner is determined through the quality of a written essay on a business topic that is determined by the Chamber. This year's winner is Carly Alyssa Baron; she also holds the distinction of being salutatorian for the Class of 2011.

For the first time, said Gorham, Celebrate Glen Cove offered sponsorship opportunities to local businesses. The cocktail hour was sponsored by Glengariff Health Care Center, music by Hassel Volvo, and floral centerpieces by Whitting Funeral Home. Laffey Fine Homes, Quality Recreation Solutions, Lifeline Communications, The Wharf at Steamboat Landing, Soundview Restaurant, Deutsch Photographics, Olivia's Pink Door, and A+ Graphics Signs, Awards and Trophies were the evening's other sponsors.

The next big event for the Chamber is the annual Shop Glen Cove Showcase for retailers and other local businesses. It will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m. at the Glen Cove Mansion and Conference Center.