The Chamber of Commerce of the Massapequas is embracing the holiday season by spearheading several community events, including the group's first annual tree and menorah lighting ceremony.

The 1st Annual Tree and Menorah Lighting will be next Friday, Dec. 8. The festivities will begin at 7 p.m. at Sunrise Highway and Killian's Road near the Massapequa Post Office. The event will feature performances by the Plainedge High School chorus, jazz band, and kickline, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The chamber has extended an invitation to all in the Massapequa community to participate in the festivities.

According to Anthony Ventiera, who was installed as president of the chamber this June, much enthusiasm has surrounded the plans for the group's first ever tree and menorah lighting ceremony, as the chamber seeks greater exposure in the community. "We've always had a presence," said Ventiera, adding however, that one of his goals as the new president is to "get it more well-known." While the Village of Massapequa Park also hosts an annual tree and menorah lighting, Ventiera hopes that having one hosted by the chamber as well will increase community spirit.

"My vision is to have it year after year, and really get it to be a nice community event," said Ventiera.

Other chamber activities for the holiday season include holiday caroling, the Annual Toy Drive, which is now under way, and the Annual Chamber Holiday Party at Il Buon Giorno Restaurant, on Broadway in Massapequa on Dec. 21.

Holiday music will abound the week of Dec. 10, and will include caroling at various locations by local grade school children. For example, the Lockhart Elementary School Chorus will sing at Sunrise Mall on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m., and on Friday, Dec.15, Birch Lane students will perform at the Harbor Lane Library at 10:15 a.m. In addition, the Massapequa High School Chamber Orchestra will perform at Sunrise Mall on Dec. 14 at 3:30 p.m. Members of St. David's Church are also expected to sing at local nursing homes that week.

The chamber also just wrapped up its annual Food Drive, which, the group reports, was the most successful ever. Chamber volunteers picked up food from drop-off points at several local businesses, and delivered 27 boxes of food to the St. Rose of Lima Church Outreach Center. This is a marked increase over last year's drive, which reaped 15 boxes of food.

St. Rose of Lima's Outreach Program is non-sectarian and provides food to the needy of all communities. The chamber picks up the food for the church a few weeks in advance of Thanksgiving Day, with the early collection designed to ensure that the poor have the food in time to celebrate the holiday.

The chamber wishes to thank everyone in the community who participated in the food drive. The group extends particular thanks to those chamber members who provided a food drop-off area in their place of business, and to those who helped with the pickups.

The chamber is currently conducting its annual Toy Drive, which was launched on Nov. 20. To participate, one may contact the chamber office at (516) 541-1443.

In addition to the special holiday events, the chamber, which has about 150 members, conducts community projects throughout the year. Recent accomplishments include the 1999-2000 revitalization of the Broadway shopping area. Using Nassau County Operation Downtown funding obtained by Legislator Peter Schmitt, the chamber installed new sidewalks and 19th century lamp lighting, and planted new trees, on Broadway and Central Avenue.

Currently, the group has under way the revitalization of the Merrick Road business district in Massapequa, which is being funded by state grants obtained by Senator Charles Fuschillo and donations by businesses on Merrick Road. The chamber has put up "Welcome to Massapequa" banners, and plans to place new benches and trash receptacles along the business corridor.

Another major project recently completed by the chamber is the installation of "Welcome to Massapequa" signs throughout town. These were placed in five locations - at Sunrise Highway and Killian's Road near the Massapequa Post Office; on Sunrise Highway in front of the Roslyn Savings Bank, in front of the Nautilus Diner; at the Massapequa Train Station, near the taxi stand; and at the Astoria Savings Bank on the corner of Hicksville Road and Jerusalem Avenue. The community has also gotten involved in the effort; the student council of Charles E. Schwarting Elementary School recently helped decorate the sign placed in front of the Astoria Savings Bank.

As the chamber continues with such local projects, and special holiday events, Ventiera is hopeful that these will benefit the community, and that the effect will be "to get the businesses and the residents closer together," and "to get them in the holiday spirit."

(Note: The Chamber of Commerce of the Massapequas welcomes new members on an ongoing basis. For further information about the organization, one may call 541-1443.)