Busy year ahead for the Island Park Business and Residential Chamber

The Island Park Business and Residential Chamber of Commerce introduce its new slate of officers at its first meeting of the New Year on Jan. 14. Terry Burton Reichel remains as president, Glenn Bert is first vice president, Tommy Asher takes over as second vice president, Larry Chrome continues as treasurer, Caroline Bert is media secretary, Barbra Rubin-Perry is the new secretary, Kathy Casella-Allocca moves to trustee along with Steve Ruscio and Erik Reilly.

The Chamber is beginning its 2016 membership drive, and kicking off the year with a Community Connect at Hope’s Land of Candy in Island Park. Reichel explained a ‘Connect’ provides an opportunity for community members to meet local business owners, and socialize together. “Our first one was held at Pancho’s, about 50 people attended. They had the chance to meet people they did not know, and support local business. We hope to have a ‘Connect’ once a month,” Reichel said.

Media Secretary Caroline Bert is continuing a project she began as a hobby, continued at school and now brings to the Island Park Library; “The Princesses of the Park.” Bert will showcase a series of photos she took of girls nine years of age and under dressed as princesses. Saying “Every girl should feel like a princess at all stages of their lives,” Bert is inviting all girls to dress in their best princess attire, and come to the exhibit and have their picture taken. The show will be held at the library Jan. 23, from 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Reichel recapped the Chamber holiday events, including the tree and menorah lighting, the movie “Elf,” shown at the Greek Panaghia Church in Island Park, and the toy drive at the Local Ale House.

Asher and Reichel touched upon the Community Reconstruction Program (CRP), a part of New York Rising that codified recommendations for repairing and rebuilding Island Park. They noted NY Rising had published a book based on their work, but to date no funds for actual work had been received.