The Plainview Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce held their summer barbecue meeting at Castle Senior Living in Plainview on Tuesday, June 25. The event gave current chamber members a chance to enjoy the day and potential members the opportunity to network and learn more about the chamber.

Almost 100 people attended the event, with the crowd consisting mostly of Plainview business owners. Castle Senior Living provided an extensive buffet and grilling station. Prizes were awarded to those in attendance with gifts being donated by Chestnut Grove, The Sweet Spot Shop, North Fork Bank, Chamber President John Casal, Trio Hardware, and Fairway. Each guest was also given a new-age calculator as a gift from the chamber.

Casal spoke to present and potential members regarding initiatives the chamber has taken and his hopes for the future.

"The chamber started a 'Chamber concierge,' which was born from the need to direct US Open attendees to member companies," said Casal. He plans to continue this program in the future as he hopes there will be other venues when attendees can be directed to chamber member's companies.

Casal also said that the chamber is currently working on a newsletter that will be distributed to all Plainview and Old Bethpage businesses to inform them about the chamber. Casal anticipates this newsletter being completed and sent in the fall.

Other plans in the works are raising funds for a welcome sign, three pole banners to be situated throughout the community, and updating and revising the chamber's website. Also Casal would like to create an affinity program to give member discounts to chamber members.

"We had the benefit of a beautiful sunshine-filled day and we had a beautiful lunch outside," said Casal. "We need more businesses like Castle Senior Living to help make the chamber successful."

Among the almost 100 attendees were Old Bethpage Village Restoration's Ken Balcom, Linda Eisenberg, Joyce Glick, Sue Tregerman, Rhoda Orenstein, Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Mary McCaffery, Sheila Crane representing Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Bonnie Eisler, and Town of Oyster Bay Clerk Martha Offerman. North Shore University Hospital is the newest chamber member.

The upcoming events schedule for the Plainview Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce is as follows: July 17 a Chamber Cafe at Chestnut Grove at 8 a.m.; August 21 a Chamber Cafe at Chestnut Grove at 8 a.m.; September 24 a luncheon at Castle Senior Living at noon; October 16 a Chamber Cafe at Chestnut Grove at 8 a.m.; November 26 a luncheon at Castle Senior Living at noon; December 11 a holiday party at Astoria Federal Savings at 6 p.m. and December 18 a Chamber Cafe at Chestnut Grove at 8 a.m.

Please call 932-3779 for more information about the Plainview Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce.