The Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce is coming up with some new ideas for promoting the business atmosphere in the hamlet. At their April 4 meeting, at the Homestead Restaurant, President Karen DeVine-Minicozzi read off a list of activities happening in the hamlet, including their downtown "Clean Sweep Morning," on April 13; an upcoming Business After Hours; an Art Walk on July 20; and their golf outing on July 29.

Ms. DeVine-Minicozzi, owner director of Francis P. DeVine Funeral Home, Inc., also showed them a special edition Teddy Bear commemorating the 100th anniversary of the toy. They are purchasing 25 of them to use as prizes for their upcoming events.

They may use them as gifts to present when they do their annual "Shop Downtown" event which thanks people for shopping in the hamlet.

Board members Bob Martin of KJOY radio and Eileen O'Leary of Fiddleheads have been working on chamber membership. Mr. Martin said he has been visiting former members of the chamber and that some prefer to complain about old stories about why they are not members. He said simply that he had no patience for those discussions and said they are concentrating on new members. Ms. O'Leary said they sent out 100 reminder notices and 62 people have rejoined and 11 new businesses have become members. "That's a 76 percent return," she said. "You did a good job," said Chamber President Karen DeVine-Minicozzi.

Mr. Martin asked if dues could be pro-rated for anyone who joined now and the chamber members said new people joining in June could pay a six-month rate, but for older businesses it was not a viable solution. It was almost making it a benefit not to pay your dues on time.

John Specce, of John Specce State Farm Insurance, a member of the Main Street Association Board and the chamber vice president, said the golf outing is progressing well. People have already been calling. They mailed a teaser to members suggesting they "Save the Day, July 29." They are going to send out a mailing to members and golfers. The committee is going to ask local merchants for door prizes. Letters have gone out to major donors/sponsors for such things as the dinner, golf carts and brunch.

"Tom Reardon being honored by the golf outing, adds a special touch to the event. He is a man who has contributed so much to the community, both as an individual and as a leader," said Mr. Specce.

He said those chamber members who don't plan to play golf are still needed to help run the event. Volunteers are needed to greet guests, work the holes and help at the Hole in One. Robbie Hallock of Hallock Chevrolet said he would provide a car for the Hole-In-One contest, maybe a Trail Blazer.

Mr. Specce said the dinner will be a buffet with chafing dishes, carving stations, etc. Depending on the number of guests, they will use the informal bar room or for a large group, the dining room. "It's a great golf course, the Woodcrest Club in Muttontown, and our fee is going to be reasonable," he said.

"I've received invitations for golf events in April, May and June and they cost more then ours. Of course theirs are fundraisers and ours is actually an outing, a social event. We plan to raise some money, but the aim is to have fun. After a hiatus of two years, this will be the 6th annual Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing. - If it doesn't rain," he said. Tickets cost $250 and a foursome goes for $900. He suggested everyone start setting up foursomes, finding golfers who are interested in playing. Monday is the day golf clubs are closed to work on their lawns and traditionally allow groups to rent the facility as fundraisers.

Eileen O'Leary reported on the Art Walk, scheduled for July 20. She and Daria Lamb (of the Book Mark and Page Two Bakery) sent out letters to the 20 artists who participated last year and 11 responded. They are waiting for a price from Sagamore Graphics on the cost of binding a coupon booklet to give out at the Art Walk. Local businesses could offer a special discount or item for the day or for a future date.

Ms. Lamb is sending out sponsorship letters and contacting the town for approval to use the sidewalks and to have the showmobile that day.

Ms. O'Leary said the arts include culinary arts and they are approaching local restaurants to see if they want to have a cooking demonstration or class that day. They are also looking for musicians. Many give lessons locally, she said and maybe they would consider offering a discounted lesson.

John Specce said the chamber will run a booth selling keepsakes and souvenirs at the Oyster Festival. They have arranged with Rotary, that is running the annual event, to allow them to have the exclusive right to sell the items. Les Marbles gave Mr. Specce a contact person and he had a list of items and prices for the members to consider ordering to sell.

They are already planning to get coffee mugs that they can sell year-round. They are also planning to get a T-shirt to be sold before and during the festival and voted to include the date of Oyster Festival 2002. It will take place the weekend after Columbus Day.

The mugs will have a picture of Raynham Hall Museum and Theodore Roosevelt's face on them.

Jonathan Gargiulo, the new owner of the Woodstock Spa in East Norwich, said he is interested in being a sponsor of the T-shirt. Last year Dave Relyea and Fritz Coudert of the Waterfront Center had their names on the items to help defray the cost to the chamber.

They are again holding a T-shirt design contest. The details will be announced shortly.

Most importantly, Ms. DeVine-Minicozzi said the Oyster Festival phone number is 628-1625. People are still calling the chamber of commerce, but there is actually an Oyster Festival number. "It is located at The Waterfront Center," she said. Rob Crafa, executive director of The Waterfront Center is active in the Oyster Festival planning again.

"There are big sponsors being lined up, and the Waterfront area will be bigger and better than ever," said Tom Reardon, last year's Oyster Festival chairman.

Mr. Martin proposed a radio advertising campaign to the chamber. Tony Verrelli showed the members a calendar he suggested would be a good way to advertise. Robbie Hallock reminded members that they could also take part in the Doubleday Babcock Senior Center calendar.

Cliff Bould, manager of Stop & Shop, showed members a Triple Winner campaign to raise funds for Sloane Kettering Cancer Society. Last year his corporation donated $250,000 to fight cancer and this year they hope to raise $350,000. "The cashiers at the store will ask customers if they want to donate $1 for a coupon. It is a scratch-off coupon that gives the customer a prize. The entire $1 goes to the cancer project."

It begins on Sept. 12 and runs for eight weeks, he said. They plan to have a car wash, sell hot dogs and hamburgers as a way of raising additional funds to fight cancer, he said. Mr. Bould asked if merchants would like to sell the coupons in their stores.

Jonathan Gargiulo, of Woodstock Spa told chamber member he was brought up in Miller Place, went to Adelphi, earned his MA, and was a full-time teacher, and worked for several years at the Woodstock Spa. "Paul wanted to sell and I wanted to buy. He bought the business on May 7, 2001. He has one full-time employee and eight part-time specialists. They do such things as body wraps, massage, Botox facials and hair removal by machine. One of his staff members is a plastic surgeon who comes in one day a month. Located in Tower Square in East Norwich, they are closed on Sundays.

For more information about the chamber, please call their secretary, Toni Junjulas, at 516-922-6464. They are located in the Town of Oyster Bay Landmark building at 53 East Main Street.