Local chamber holds its annual installation dinner

February 13, 2008

The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce held its annual installation dinner at the Flanders Banquet and Conference Center last Monday night. Jennifer Freeman and Barbara Brown were at the top of the stairs in the lobby welcoming guests when they arrived. I didn’t recognize Jennifer who changed the color of her hair that is very becoming. When Shawnda Conser stopped by I complimented her on the great job she did as interim director of the chamber. When Erick McGinnis told me he was from Pitman I recalled visiting my aunt and uncle there when I was a little girl. Gail Ping had a busy Sunday making party trays at Boyar’s for Super Bowl parties. Marie and Bud Knight celebrated their second wedding anniversary at the chamber dinner and had to be up early to work at the polls on Super Tuesday. Jean Jacobson admitted she doesn’t have any trips planned this winter other than to visit her sister in Slate Run, Pa. I had to take Steve Pittenger’s picture as he looked great in his dark suit as he wears shorts year round and this was a first. Steve and wife, Julie Gunn, keep their popular boutique Gabrielle’s on Asbury Avenue open all winter. Gail Blevin just rolled her eyes when husband, Bob, spoke of his impending retirement. Bob assured me he would not be driving cars for Harry Klause after he gets everything done on his “honey-do list,” but plans to travel extensively with all his friends. I caught up with new chamber director Michele Gillian standing at the podium in the crystal ballroom going over the program with outgoing president Bob Adams. This was Michele’s first day on the job and a great way to get her feet wet in a hurry.
Jane Davis can’t run downstairs to work at Johnny B. Goode’s since they moved to Marmora to have more space for her grandson to play. Rick Travers and Lenore Brady were glad to see I was on the job and said hello as they passed by. Janie and Scott Halliday are proud grandparents as their first grandchild, Scott III, arrived several weeks early. Bill McMahon is looking forward to the arrival of their third child the end of March and Bill said his 2-year-old and 4-year-old daughters are excited about the new baby. John and Jeff Shirk joked about being bookends when I took their picture. After being away for two weeks Ron Denney stopped by on his way home from the airport before heading downstairs to the Exchange Club dinner at Emily’s. Joe Harrington promised to call me Tuesday morning about the Stainton Society. I admired Linda Serber’s new short hairstyle as we talked about vacation destinations. Bill Serber insists on biking even in bad weather and took a spill on black ice last month but was back on his bike a few days later. Betty Ray, whose three letter last name gets spelled many ways, was on hand to see her boss installed president of the chamber. I chatted with Sal Perillo, Bill Elliott, Ronnie Town and David French as we headed into the dining room for dinner. Carol Heenan reserved a table and I joined her and Kristina and Bob Doliszny, Fran and Nick Marotta, Keith Hartzell, Patrick Juliano, Walt Hohman and Susan Sheppard Faverzani for dinner. Susan is gearing up for a run for city council. While Nick heads up the board of realtors in Ocean City, wife Fran travels to Atlantic City to work at Trump Marina. Outgoing president Bob Adams served as emcee for the evening and Michele Gillian introduced the dignitaries attending the dinner.
Greg Sykora wanted his name spelled right and said, “Let me give you my card.” That’s all it said, “My Card.” Then he whipped out one of his ERCO business cards and handed it to me. John Heist’s bachelor days are winding down as he is getting married to Audrey Latsko March 15 in Paoli. After the honeymoon he and his bride will reside in Somers Point. Joann DelVescio had a picture taken with former co-workers at the chamber so I couldn’t take her with Sturdy Savings Bank cohorts, Jerry Reeves, Dave Ripici and Michael Lloyd. John Sabella enjoyed dinner with Ford Scott accountants, Kellie Macom and Sylvia Houseknecht. Sisters Giovanna and Rose Baratta started out as teenagers selling pizza and sodas working at their father’s Promenade on the Boardwalk and now they are running things while John enjoys traveling and stopping to smell the roses. Dottie McClain had to leave early to baby sit for her grandchildren. The McMahon clan is avid skiers so it was no surprise that Sandy sported a pretty snowflake sweater and matching snowflake necklace to the dinner. Pat Galelli reports the American Italian Club is alive and well despite giving up their clubhouse on Asbury Avenue. Julie Forest and Patti Wistbridge took a break from coordinating parties at the Flanders to sit down as guests at the chamber dinner. Frank LoBiondo installed the new officers of the chamber of commerce and Bob Adams received a standing ovation in appreciation of his leadership over the last two years. Bob joked with Gary Jessel as president and Scott Halliday first vice president, it’s like having Batman and Robin as these two guys are always together. Bob also thanked Carol Heenan for making phone calls to chamber board members to remind them of upcoming meetings and Carol did such a great job that attendance was up. Everyone had a good laugh when Gary put on the pharaoh’s hat presented to him by Hank Glaser. Gary removed the hat before highlighting upcoming projects planned for the chamber and admitted when he purchased Fox Real Estate in 1985 he never dreamed he would be president of the chamber of commerce. Closing out the evening Frank LoBiondo was the guest speaker. My husband Jim, Eric Wakabayashi and Bill Woods came upstairs after their Exchange Club dinner to congratulate Bob and Gary on their leadership. Bill told me about his wife’s exciting day at jury duty ultimately getting excused from service by the judge. Eric had tickets for the Ocean City Crew Booster Club’s beef and beer to be held Feb. 23 at the Greate Bay County Club. Jim and I enjoyed catching up with Frank LoBiondo to talk about Super Tuesday before heading home after a busy evening.
 

Michael Monihan, Jane Davis, Carol Heenan and Marie and Bud Knight enjoy social hour before the chamber of commerce dinner.
 

Cathy Finnegan (center) chats with Nick and Fran Marotta and Kristina and Bob Doliszny at the chamber dinner.

Gary and Denise Jessel, Frank LoBiondo, Michele Gillian and Bob an Chris Adams pose for a picture before the chamber dinner.
 

John Shirk, Steve Pittenger, Julie Gunn, Richard Hohmann and Jeff Shirk get together at the chamber dinner.
 

Linda and Bill Serber, Susan Sheppard-Faverzani and John, Karen and Tom Heist get together at the chamber dinner.
 

Greg Sykora (center) is delighted to pose for a picture with Jean Jacobson, Ronnie Town and Rose and Giovanna Baratta.

Gus Bruno, Tom and Sandy Aromando, Pat Galelli and Sandy and Bill McMahon enjoy the chamber dinner.