Bellmore Chamber celebrates at Woodbury Country Club

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores celebrated in style on Saturday night at the Woodbury Country Club, with more than 100 chamber members dancing to the sounds of the ’60s, as the Era of Peace, Love and Friendship was the theme for the affair.

The 2010 Chamber Board of Directors was installed by Town of Hempstead Clerk Mark Bonilla, himself a Bellmore resident. Among the officers are: Ron Mare, president; Bob Vecchi, vice president; Karen Meyerowitz, treasurer; Sheryl Perry, recording secretary; and Sandra Johnson and Joseph Verdi, immediate past presidents.

Directors are: Greg Conneely, Marge Elias, Robert Fein, Debby Izzo, Suzanne Johnson, Gene Judd, Virginia McClean, Brian McMillan, Mark Meyerowitz, Diane Severino, Monica Tarantino and William Wilgus.

Membership director is Martha Verdi, and the chamber’s executive director is Joni Caputo.

Also on Saturday, the chamber honored three locals. Michelle Gagnon, currently employed by the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, was named Community Person of the Year. She is a longtime PTA and National Cancer Society volunteer, who has also represented the Kiwanis Club of the Bellmores at the annual Strawberry Festival in June.

Fran Licausi, executive director of the Community Wellness Council of the Bellmores and Merricks, was named Chamber Member of the Year. Licausi was the chamber’s membership representative for two years before moving to the Wellness Council, where she has played a central role in organizing the Central High School District’s highly successful Post-Prom Party. More than 250 seniors attended last year’s drug- and alcohol-free event.

Richner Communications, Inc., parent company of the Bellmore Herald, sponsors the awards for Community Person of the Year and Chamber Member of the Year annually.

Ginny McClean, owner of Have You Heard? Inc., was named the chamber’s Board Member of the Year. McClean opened her invitation business with her husband in 1997 on Merrick Road in Bellmore, and in September 2009, she expanded the firm at a new location three doors down. She has been an active chamber member for 12 years, and is a past president of the organization.

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