Chamber starts 2017 in style

The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores held its annual installation dinner at the Woodbury County Club on Jan. 21, looking back on a year of accomplishments and honoring members who have spent years going above and beyond.

In addition to sharing food, drink, conversation and laughs, the chamber installed its officers and board members.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Emilio Manzo, who has lived in Bellmore for 57 years, has been on the chamber’s board of directors for 21 years and sits on the Community Wellness Council. Manzo helped collect and deliver food and supplies to emergency centers after Hurricane Sandy, and has worked to make Bellmore one of the top toy collectors for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

The dinner’s program described Manzo, who spends much of his time checking in with Bellmore businesses to make sure all is well, as “one of the driving forces” in the chamber’s success.

Nina Lanci, of the Bellmore Lions Club, was honored as Outstanding Member of the Community. Lanci was the first woman inducted into the club, in 2002, and has held positions ranging from “lion tamer” to president. She has served as District 20K2 zone chair since 2013, and chairs the Holiday Express party for over 400 children.

Lanci is also a Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education trustee, president of the North Bellmore School District board and president of the Community Parent Center. She has received numerous leadership awards from the Town of Hempstead, the Bellmore-Merrick Teachers Association and other organizations. She and her husband, Richard, have been married for 29 years.

“Lion Nina is passionate, enthusiastic and an advocate for serving the needs of her community and children,” the program read.

The Board Member of the Year award went to Jim Spohrer, owner of Bellmore Automotive. Spohrer, who has lived in Bellmore for more than 30 years, started servicing cars at age 14 at a local gas station. He opened Bellmore Automotive in 2004.

He has served as cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 577 for five years, and is an assistant scoutmaster with Troop 577. He has been a member of the chamber for five years, and chairs the Friday Night Car Show.

“Jim is always happy to give a helping hand,” the program read.

Steve Chernoff, owner of Bedford Stationery and a Bellmore resident for 35 years, was named Chamber Member of the Year. Chernoff’s business has been on Bedford Avenue for 30 years, making it one of the street’s oldest, which the program described as “a truly amazing feat and a tribute to the passion and fortitude that Steve possesses.”

Chernoff regularly offers his supplies and services to the chamber, and has been a part of the annual Street Festival for many years, as well as many of the events previously run by the Merchants Association.

According to the program, “Steve was a past board member and continues to be a valuable member of the Chamber, an asset to the community and a well-respected person deserving of this award. As Steve has always supported the Chamber, the Chamber looks to congratulate Steve on his stability, longevity and dedication.”