Hello All,
Welcome to May! This month the Chamber is in high-gear preparing for our busiest season of the year. Plans for our summer events and festivals, including an exciting new Alive After Five® celebrating the Arts and Music of Patchogue, are well underway. We welcome any member interested to join these event committees. It's a great way to get more involved with your Chamber, get to know fellow members, and have some fun. Contact me anytime to find out more.
One of our hardest working committees is our Foundation's Beautification Committee. On April 23, they held another fantastic and successful Eloise Staudinger Beautification Fundraiser. Both the lunch and dinner provided by the Harbor Crab was outstanding and a great time was had by all who attended. Thanks to Chair Paula Murphy, Karen Ferb and everyone from the Committee who made it a very special day.
Next on our agenda is the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Pet Parade this Saturday, May 3. It's not too late to enter your pet in the parade or help volunteer with this event. Included in the newsletter is a flyer with all the information. The Coalition is one of our members and they provide vital services assisting battered and abused individuals throughout the County. All proceeds raised go directly to the Coalition to support their efforts. Please help us support this worthy cause and entertaining event.
Come get in the groove, mon! This month includes our annual Reggae in May Music Fest organized by our Foundation's Cultural Heritage Committee. We will have two great days of Reggae music to help usher in the Summer season. On Saturday, May 17, come down to the Patchogue Riverfront where all our great waterfront establishments will host five different Reggae bands with great drink and dining specials. The following Saturday, May 24, the Reggae music moves to Main Street at many of our fine downtown Restaurants.
Speaking of our Riverfront, this month also features the official season opening of the Patchogue River with the Annual Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, May 18. Our Riverfront Committee is creating a full day of great music, food, drinks and of course, a chance to get your vessel "blessed" for a safe season. Please review the flyer included in the newsletter for more information. The Riverfront Committee is also planning their most active season yet, with many more special events to come, including a weekly "High Tea on the Patchogue River" every Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day at 2p.m. The Riverfront is the place to be all summer long!
Of course May brings another day important for us all, Mother's Day (May 11). To celebrate Mother's Day our Business Promotion Committee will hold our annual Mother's Day Flower Giveaway. Anyone making a purchase at a participating store will be presented a free flower throughout Mother's Day weekend, while supplies last. Make Patchogue your first and last stop for your Mother's Day gifts.
This month also features some membership gatherings I hope you all attend. On Thursday, May 15 we will be holding our next Networking Event. Taking place at the offices of fellow member LUDA (Latinos Unidos De America), we will be celebrating the launching of our Chamber Hispanic Business Leaders Organization. We are also proud to welcome our newest Hispanic Business leader, Miguel Baez, to our Chamber with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Village Cigar Headquarters on Saturday, May 31.
Let's not forget that our General Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 27 (6p.m.) at the Patchogue-Medford Library. This month our guest speakers will be David Carballeria and Jim Thompson of Astoria Bank who will be discussing new commercial lending rules and regulations and how Astoria can help. We will also have a presentation from Elisabeth Fiteni of NYS Energy Research and Development Authority who will explain how a small business can get a free energy efficiency assessment. Please make every effort to attend.
On a final note, the Chamber is finalizing our yearly Member Directory. Please take the time to visit our website and review your member listing. Contact us if there has been any change to your contact information. Also, as was previously announced, we are creating a joint Discount Card program with the Bellport Chamber. Please follow this link - chamber discounts - and sign your business up today!
So as you can see, the month of May is full of great opportunities to make the best of your Chamber Membership. The rest is up to you.
Sincerely,
