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Happy New Year!
This past holiday season brought a number of shoppers to the Patchogue area, many of them first time visitors to our community! I spoke to one man who came all the way from Long Beach to patronize 89 North on a Saturday night and returned to Patchogue the next day to do ALL of his shopping. While this is just one example, it shows me a promising future for our businesses.
The Emporium was the venue for our Holiday Networking event; a relaxed evening of drinks, good food and merriment. The staff at the Emporium was terrific and the chef did a superb job with the hors d'oeuvres. If you did not get a chance to try his macaroni and cheese bites, they were delicious! Those attending this year's party were entertained by Country line dancers as well as each other's company. Also in December was the annual Breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Claus hosted by the Business Promotion Committee. Thank you to Lorice Belmonte and the committee, volunteers and businesses that helped to make this event possible.
I would like to thank Jessica Esposito McAvoy for her years of serving as the Grants Committee Chairperson; she dedicated much of her time and effort to this committee during her tenure. Jessica has resigned as committee chairperson to focus on her career. We wish her much success in her new endeavors. This worthwhile position as Committee Chairperson remains open. It is critical that we continue with these efforts to secure public funding for the growth and betterment of our community.
Our chamber celebrates 90 years of helping promote and grow the Greater Patchogue business community! We will honor this milestone in March and will send out an announcement as the plans unfold.
The Alive After FiveŽ festival continues into 2013 in its 12th consecutive year. This event draws hundreds into our community enabling them to experience our restaurants and stores and presents us the opportunity to promote our businesses. Along with Alive After FiveŽ, we have Sidewalk Sale Days in July and August. Even if you do not have a business in the Downtown area, you can still participate! If you would like more information about taking part in these and other events, please call the Chamber office.
We also welcome member participation in our Chamber committees. A full list and description is here. Volunteers can participate on many levels. From the brainstorming process to taking on larger roles within a committee, there are a number of ways you can contribute. Consider increasing your involvement with the Chamber this year and help make a difference in your community!
Since it is the New Year and many of us have resolutions to uphold, I encourage you to make another resolution, to get involved. Help our chamber and assist us in bringing our organization to the next level. In this month's newsletter you will find a list of committees that need some helping hands. We need your support...NOW MORE THAN EVER!
I wish you and your families a happy, healthy and successful New Year!
-Jacqueline Hensley
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Foundation sponsored Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will be at the Patchogue Theatre at 8:00 PM, Feb. 23. 
