The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 72nd Annual Meeting and Dinner Dance on Saturday, May 2 at the Cherry Valley Club in Garden City. The program includes the election and installation of the Chamber's candidates for its board of directors as well as the annual presentation of their Community Achievement Award and their Citizen of the Year Award. This year Anthony A. Albanese, chairman of the Albanese Development Corporation and a general partner of Garden City Center Associates, will receive the Community Achievement Award. Roger Eltringham will be awarded the Citizen of the Year Award. As is tradition, the musical entertainment will be provided by The Tom Wagner Orchestra with dancing until midnight. The cocktail reception will begin at 7 p.m. and dinner will be at 8 p.m.

This annual event also includes raffles with prizes donated by Garden City businesses. The proceeds from the event will benefit The Toll Lodge Preservation Association and the Chamber of Commerce. (Reservations are due Friday, April 24 and are strongly recommended.)

The Community Achievement Award was established by the Chamber of Commerce in 1974. Past Chamber President and Chairperson of the Chamber Search Committee Agnes DiChiara, who will also serve as the presenter of the awards, said of Anthony A. Albanese, "the word gentleman best describes the recipient of the Chamber's Community Achievement Award. The generosity Anthony Albanese has shown to the Village is equal to his dedication and commitment to his many projects here in Garden City. Through the years, he has demonstrated his consideration of the community in many ways, but none so obvious as his concern over what the Garden City residents originally considered an eyesore -- The Wyndham. After his successful bid for the 316-unit, his first concern was to make the design changes necessary to accomplish the standard of quality and excellence for which Garden City is renowned. A great leader molds public opinion; a wise leader listens to it. Anthony A. Albanese has always been a wise leader."

The Albanese Development Corporation was founded in 1949 by Anthony Albanese and his brother, Vincent, and it represents owners, investors, and joint venture partners in developing and managing real estate projects. During the '70s the company acquired two vacant lots which are now 1010 and 1050 Franklin Avenue. Albanese is a general partner in the United Nations Plaza Tower Associates and was integral in the creation of 100 United Nations Plaza (the condominium at 48th St., across from the UN). He is currently working on an office building for the Federal Republic of Germany at the UN PLaza location.

Albanese has donated resources for the Christmas tree lightings, he contributed platform tennis courts and clubhouse facilities for Garden City's Community Park, and is now working to aid the revitalization of Franklin Avenue. Albanese has formed a joint venture, Renaissance Development LLC, with Frank Castagna, owner of the Americana at Manhasset and Wheatley Plaza. Renaissance Development is in the process of purchasing the former A&S building and is working to develop plans for renovation of the building. They have already acquired the 880-888 Franklin Avenue site and are also working to renovate this site and find a desirable tenant for the building.

Immediate Past Chamber President Maureen Clancy commented, "I have the greatest admiration for Anthony Albanese. While a successful businessman, he is a most concerned and generous member of the Garden City community --a true gentleman with great charm."

Anthony Albanese and his wife, Annette, currently reside at The Wyndham in Garden City. They have four children: Deborah, Toni, Russell, and Elena. They also have 12 grandchildren.

The Citizen of the Year Award has been awarded annually since 1970 which makes Roger Eltringham the 28th recipient of the Chamber's presitigious award. The 1997 winner, former Mayor Brian Deveney, will pass the title on to Roger Eltringham as the presenter. Deveney said of Eltringham, "Whether raising $500,000 for leukemia, running food and clothing drives for Kiwanis, helping residents through the EPOA, nominating candidates for Village and School District trustee posts, assisting the Village's business community, or chairing Village anniversary celebrations-- Roger's continual volunteer efforts and good works have spanned some 20 years. Ask him about those activities and you'll get an 'it's fun' response! Ask all those who have worked with him, however, and you'll hear tremendous respect. To be selected as Citizen of the Year is such a well-deserved tribute to such a humble, sacrificing, and 'good-soul' man!" Chamber Executive Vice President Bert Donley commented, "In my book, Roger should be named Citizen of the Decade!"

Roger Eltringham has lived in Garden City for 15 years with his wife, Jacqueline Burdi Eltringham (principal of St. Ignatious Loyola School in Hicksville) and has worked here in the Village for 28 years. He is currently the vice president of sales and marketing of Allianceplus Insurance located at 1050 Franklin Avenue. He directed the Annual Turkey Trot Race held every Thanksgiving from 1979 through 1997. The race has raised over $550,000 of net proceeds for the Leukemia Society and Eltringham is also the director of the Leukemia Society of America and is a past president.

The Kiwanis Club of Garden City was on the verge of being dissolved in 1991, but thanks to Eltringham's leadership as president from 1991-93, the group was revived and is now an active group in the Village. He is currently Lieutenant Governor Elect of the Long Island South Central Division of Kiwanis. He was an active member of the Garden City Jaycees and was its president from 1979-80.

He currently serves as a director of the EPOA and was the president from 1992-94 and has been an integral part in their current healthy membership numbers and financial situation. He was the Joint Conference chairman of all the POAs and led the EPOA's 10 member Nominating Committee. He was the treasurer of the Garden City 125th Anniversary Celebration and was the chairperson for the 70th Anniversary.

The dinner dance to honor both Eltringham and Albanese is chaired by Carmen Armstrong and Jerry Unger will act as master of ceremonies. Beachtree Press, Garden City Printers & Mailers, Printing X-Press, Feldis Florist, Garden City Florist, and Hengstenberg's Florist are all thanked by the Chamber of Commerce for their generous contributions to the event. Eileen Murphy is thanked in advance for the photography she will provide for the event.

Anyone wishing to make a reservation should call the Chamber at 746-7724.