The December meeting of the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce was a great time for networking about what is happening in the hamlet. Chamber officers told of their plans for the chamber's 75th anniversary celebration and members gave information on what merchants are doing for the holiday season.

The Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce will be celebrating 75 years of serving the business community with a dinner dance on Thursday, Jan. 12 at Il Piatto Restaurant. Toni Junjulas, executive director said, "We'll have live music, raffles and a silent auction. Paige Dawson and Jean Mangiaracina have been getting auction items from the business community. They are our auction co-chairs."

Chamber Vice President Vangie Kohn of Second Impressions 'N' Tiques is the gala chair. On the committee are Paige Dawson of Century 21 Laffey Real Estate; Jean Mangiaracina, General Utilities program coordinator; Chamber President Brian Morrison of Trading Places and Ms. Junjulas.

Four people will be honored at the event. They are still to be announced. The chamber is preparing a journal for their anniversary celebration. Letters will be going out to offer businesses an opportunity to congratulate the honorees, said Ms. Junjulas. For more information or if you would like to join the anniversary celebration committee please call her at 922-6464. Leave a message with your name and number and she will get back to you.

Bob Liebold of Gooseberry Grove is chairing the chamber's part of the Holiday's in Oyster Bay. Last year they took approximately 70 Christmas lighting pole decorations the chamber owns and began renovating them. Mr. Liebold, working with Doug Smith of Smith Jewelers, George Mellilo of the Clam Bar, Greg Van Dyke of VanDyke Construction, Chris Briggs of Outlaw Motors and John Specce of the John Specce Agency, Inc. renovated 40 of the lights completely. Those lights and possibly more will soon be up on the poles. The chamber is funding this part of the holiday lighting project. "It took about 80 to 90 hours to do but it was a fun project. We worked in John Specce's garage, where they are stored," said Mr. Liebold.

There was one glitch this year, the bucket truck they used last year to put the lights up belongs to Chris Briggs and he recently sold the truck. The chamber is working with the Town of Oyster Bay to have them install the lights. "It will be great if we can get the town to do it. Having outside people do it costs a great deal of money," he said.

The Main Street Association used the money received from the Oyster Festival Charitable Foundation to fund the lighted wreaths they had put up by the town on the street lamps along Audrey Avenue.

Mr. Liebold said they are working with the Oyster Bay Civic Association and Main Street to do the parade, which starts at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11.

"Supervisor John Venditto will light up the Christmas tree," said Ms. Junjulas.

Chamber Vice President Vangie Kohn announced that she has a holiday event. Adding to the fun on Sunday, Dec. 11, the day the Holidays in Oyster Bay tree lighting will take place, Vangie Kohn is holding a fashion show at Il Piatto from 1 to 4 p.m. Local women will model her store's fashions which include furs, wedding gowns, designer fashions and more. You can purchase what you see on the runway. The afternoon refreshments include wine and cheese.

It's a perfect location to join in with Santa as he rides in the parade to the Derby-Hall Bandstand.

"On Dec. 17 Muir is holding a special holiday party. Come in your pajamas and you will get 15 percent off your purchase," said Eileen O'Leary who was wearing a filmy embroidered scarf that she bought at Muir. "Check with Muir for the details," she added.

Muir deGuzman said in a telephone interview, "I do a pajama party every year. This year it's on Dec. 17, Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and if you wear your PJ's you get 15 percent off your purchase. Last year I gave out cookbooks but this year I am giving out shop locally goodie bags with cards from local merchants. As long as they are in town they might as well visit other shops," she said.

"Last year Marie's toy store got a great response. People came in her store in their pajamas and she asked them what was going on," said Muir adding that Santa will be at her store again this year and she will take pictures of kids, "If they come in their pajamas!"

Muir, the store, is located at 2 South Street. She is serving a mini-breakfast of coffee, juice and treats to be sure you will come early. Muir said, "Sneak out and have some private shopping time or bring the whole family!" You can reach Muir at 922-7843.

Eileen O'Leary of Fiddleheads announced she was holding a Holiday Jazz dinner on Sunday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $100 each and only 30 tickets are available for each of the two seatings, at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Matt Marshak, named the Best New Artist of 2005 by CD 101.9 is the featured artist. "His quartet will play that night," said Ms. O'Leary. Call Fiddleheads at 922-2999 for reservations.

Pamela Pfeiffer, president of the Empowerment Society told members about her successful celebration of Veteran's Day. She brought 30 women veterans to the event in front of Town Hall West on Nov. 11. The Empowerment Society is recognized by the Department of Defense for its role of helping women in the military. Ms. Pfeiffer travels across the country speaking to women at bases across the nation, she said.

At the Veteran's Day ceremony, Ms. Pfeiffer asked for the oldest male veteran, 83, and the youngest woman veteran, 21, to stand by her. She said, "Patriotism has no age or gender and no common face." Ms. Pfeiffer, a Rotarian, took part in the Oyster Festival with her nonprofit group and ran a Miss Oyster Festival Contest. She took photos of contestants who paid $10 to enter and Rotary picked the winners the Wednesday after the Oyster Festival. She is planning on having a float in the annual Memorial Day parade that features those winners.

Heather Morehouse, marketing and outreach representative for UnitedHealthcare, spoke to chamber members on Child Health Plus, the New York State's health insurance plan for children under age 19. The plan is available from dozens of insurers throughout the state including from UnitedHealthcare.

The health insurance is for all young people under the age of 19 regardless of their immigration status. Another program, Family Health Plus, is available for children when they reach the age of 20.

The cost depends on the gross family income. You may have to pay a monthly contribution to enroll in Child Health Plus. Families that insure a child through the Child Health Plus program do not have to pay copayments to receive services.

For instance, a family of two with an income of less than $1,703 a month pays nothing. A family of two with an income between $1,704-$2,365 pays $9 per child. A family of two with a monthly income of $2,366 to $2,663 pays $15 per month per child.

There is a toll-free number to call to check your eligibility and to enroll: 1-800-698-KIDS and ask for an enrollment facilitator.

Ms. Morehouse can be reached at UnitedHealthcare at 631-348-5815.