There is a positive momentum to what is happening at the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce. Diane Grochocki, State Bank of Long Island VP and Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce treasurer said, "It's become very pro-active with the business community in organizing events and inviting guest speakers who are helping the community. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback about the chamber and the meeting held on March 9. People were happy to hear exactly what Island Properties is doing in the hamlet - that things are happening now. It's nice to know the play of things."

"Watch the chamber grow," said W. Adam Mandelbaum, Esq., "We have extra money to spend on good things."

"We are in unbelievably good shape, said Chamber President Bryan Morrison of Trading Places. "Membership is up; corporate sponsorships are up; the member-to-member discount is a home run. People are using it already. Remember, employees are members and they are getting involved. I am so surprised at how well things are going. People are going out of their way to participate. And with the Health Fair, more and more people are volunteering to help. Some of the seniors at Harbor House are volunteering at the Health Fair!"

Mr. Morrison said Bob Martin brought fliers about the Health Fair to the Glen Cove and Syosset Chambers of Commerce and invited them to participate. "We are open to everyone in the health business within the Township of Oyster Bay. Any chamber member will pay the same reduced rate as an Oyster Bay chamber member," he said.

Ms. Grochocki said, "The Health Fair is going to be big. We are members of the Nassau County Council of Chambers of Commerce and we would like to pair up with Glen Cove and Syosset and see what the other chambers are doing. It's nice to cooperate and we want to share ideas for businesses with them."

Paige Dawson of Century 21 Laffey Real Estate added that "There will be a raffle drawing held at the end of the day at the Health Fair. Tickets will soon be available. The grand prize will be a catered evening cruise for 25 onboard the Christeen. There will be hors d'oeuvres and cocktails during the three-hour cruise. Additionally, Appliance World donated a 15" flat screen TV; Canterbury Ales is donating $200 worth of gift certificates; Laffey Associates is donating a personal DVD player."

Steve Gourlay of Evolution Fitness is chairing the May 20 health fair. He said they have a lot of vendors interested in the event and are signing up sponsors. There will be a 5K run and a one-mile Brooke Jackman Health Walk in honor of the 23-year-old Oyster Bay High School graduate who lost her life in the World Trade Towers attack. The Brooke Jackman Foundation provides bookpacks for homeless children in her memory. Brooke was never without a book.

The Health Fair Walk and Run pamphlets have already gone out to retail chamber members so they can put them out in their stores. "We are also contacting schools and inviting them to participate," Mr. Gourlay said. The walk is getting sponsors including Island Properties. When Michael Picker of Charles Wang Sports Activities was introduced to speak at the March 9 meeting, he pledged the first $1,000 to the Brooke Jackman walk. (An article about his talk appeared in the March 16 issue of The Enterprise Pilot.)

Mr. Gourlay said there will be T-shirts for the walkers and massages for them when they complete their walk. He is organizing local chiropractors to do the work.

The Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce members met in East Norwich, at Angelina's restaurant, for the first time on Thursday, March 9. They were demonstrating the concept of being a bigger and better chamber as they enlarge their coverage area and were visiting where some of their members are now located. Chamber members are now welcomed from East Norwich and Pine Hollow.

At one time the chamber's attitude had been that each area had different priorities and problems, now they see the entire local area as benefiting from working together.

The meeting was hosted by Joseph Morello, owner of Angelina's restaurant, his family's 25-year old business with his partner Gary Trovado. Mr. Morello said he bought out his father three years ago. "My father was selling the business the family ran for so long. Selling it to a stranger would almost hurt. I fixed it up and expanded here into an adjoining space and opened Angelina's II in Syosset." He and his wife Camile, of 20 years, have two sons, Richard, 18, a student at Suffolk Community College and Louis, 13, in the Bay Shore Middle School.

Bryan Morrison of Trading Places, the chamber president, said scheduled for their March 28 Business After Hours at State Bank of Long Island meeting was a demonstration of the chamber's new website. "It's really neat - a great website," he said. It will have a "members only" feature with coupons and information for members.

There are more benefits planned for the chamber. They are looking into health coverage for members and are talking to carriers to see if it can be arranged. Board member Alex Gallego is on the committee to see if they can get a reduced rate for members for Visa/MasterCard machines. There is a charge for merchants to use them and they hope to get a reduced rate. "It will add value to membership in the chamber," said Mr. Morrison.

Paige Dawson is co-chairing the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce 75th Anniversary Gala Celebration with Jean Mangiaracina of General Utilities. Ms. Dawson said they will have a DJ at the anniversary celebration to be held on Friday, April 28 at the Maine Maid Inn. The evening runs from 7 to 11 p.m. Invitations have been mailed out with RSVPs expected by April 17. Tickets are $55 each and include food and beverages. "We are inviting as many former presidents of the chamber as we can locate," she said.

When Michael Picker, CEO of Renaissance Properties, told the story of what his company is presently doing (at the March 9 meeting) there was more of the story to tell. Part of the prequel to the Island Property story involves the businesses that left their Oyster Bay locations as their businesses were bought. That happened when Island Properties bought Scott & Hanko which for many years was located on South Street below Audrey Avenue. Paige Dawson said her sister Alberta Dawson Hanko is doing very well at the new Scott & Hanko, now located in Huntington Station. Paige said, "They now have a bigger body shop. They had to work very hard to get it going and they still do a lot of work in Oyster Bay and East Norwich. Alberta comes to you and gives estimates. She comes with her computer and does the estimates. Alberta, Joe and Billy are doing well," said Ms. Dawson.

Ms. Grochocki, is arranging the speaker for the April 20 chamber meeting. Donald Meilhing of Conservation Group Services will speak on how businesses can help improve their lighting for a lower cost. They can help save up to 40 percent of your costs. Mr. Meilhing of CSI explained, "Local businesses are the key to Long Island's economy. At LIPA, we want businesses and families to keep their investment in our community. That's why LIPA's Retrofit Energy and Capacity Program (RECAP) is designed to help you lower operating costs and energy bills. It's part of LIPA's Clean Energy Initiative to help Long Islanders control their costs through the wise use of energy."

Mr. Morrison said, "CSI will pay for the dinner, buffet style, and the chamber will supply the beverages, at a location to be announced." Just remember to save the date, he said.

Mr. Morrison said the chamber is getting ready for their spring cleanup. "It will be in the beginning of May. We haven't set an exact date as yet. We will as soon as the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Association gets together with us to discuss it. We will clean the streets, and put in plants. It's a nice way to get the hamlet cleaned up."