Chamber salutes working women at luncheon

It was a beautiful sunny spring day for the 10th annual Salute to Working Women luncheon sponsored by the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce held in the Garden Room at the Flanders Hotel. I arrived early and caught the chamber staff hard at work. Barbara Brown placed “reserved” signs and flower centerpieces on tables while Shawnda Conser and Jennifer Freeman placed gift bags filled with scented soaps, herbal teas and body lotions from Gabrielle’s and a pen from Commerce Bank at each place setting. Shawnda has been busy with plans for her wedding on March 14 and after holding a survey of 30 flower girl dresses Mike Dattilo had the deciding vote and they went the one with matching doll dresses. Jennifer’s daughters are two of the flower girls. Shawnda also chose her bridal gown, an Oleg Cassini creation. Julie Gunn brought fabulous fashions from her boutique on Asbury Avenue, Gabrielle & Co., and sported a stunning orange paisley print satin sundress from her shop as she rushed around getting ready for the show and helped models into their first outfits. Julie’s husband, Steve Pittenger, sported his trademark shorts as he handled the heavy chores moving tables and such for his wife. Superintendent of schools, Kathy Taylor, also arrived early carrying a box filled with potted plants with pretty colored flowers from Spinning Wheel for her guests, Chris Lentz, Joanne Walls, Susanne Tarasevich, Sister de Paul Juliano, Laura Thomas, Michele Rungren and Chris Geseking.
Joann DelVescio looked great in a purple boucle suit and was delighted to be a guest at the luncheon after being in charge of the last nine as director of the chamber. Joann introduced me to Cathy Pagano, who recently joined Sturdy Savings Bank as a commercial loan officer. Cathy joked about having a sticker name tag as her new gold plated Sturdy name pin is still being made. Lisa Klassman from Kidz Creations gave son, Carter, instructions before he modeled in the fashion show. I chatted with Maribeth Neall while she looked for her table with the First Night committee. When Ann Richardson walked in she assured me she was doing a feature on the honoree and not the social aspect of the luncheon. New chamber director Michele Gillian looked professional in a black and white print dress and matching jacket and was excited about the chamber’s new website they launched the day before. Jean Jacobson has been wanting to cut her hair and when she admired my new “do,” she said I gave her courage to do the same. Thanks to Scott Williams who gathered some of the McMahon staff on the steps for a picture and when I asked Carmel Hines who was minding the agency, she admitted it was closed as everyone came to the luncheon honoring Maura.
I enjoyed lunch chatting with Alexandra Ford, Susan Miller, Carol Heenan, Marjorie Brown and Karen Morella. Karen moved from North Jersey to Ocean City in 2006 when she purchased the Serendipity B&B that is open year round and she loves making breakfast for her guests. Marjorie and husband, Harmon, enjoy operating Brown’s Nostalgia B&B while their son manages Brown’s on the Boardwalk at St. Charles. Alexandra reports the museum luncheon is Sept. 10 with Bill Hughes as the guest speaker. Susan’s second book is due out any day featuring postcards from Brigantine to Cape May Point. When Carol and I asked Dottie McClain how she liked the Bruce Springsteen concerts she flew to Florida to attend, she told us Bruce cancelled both to attend one of his former band member’s funeral. Dottie was not a happy camper. During lunch models showed fashions from Gabrielle’s and when Mary Ellen Pierce walked by our table sporting a sharp newspaper print jacket she told me I should buy it. After lunch Michele Gillian introduced guest speaker Jen Miller, a freelance writer, editor and author followed by keynote speaker Diane Wieland, director of the Cape May County Dept. of Tourism. Michele presented a bouquet of flowers to Sister dePaul Juliano who has headed up St. Augustine’s School for the past 11 years.
The McMahon clan headed up by Bill and Sandy McMahon were on hand to celebrate their daughter, Maura McMahon Primus, being named business woman of the year. Husband, Bob Primus, brother, Michael McMahon, sister, Bridget McMahon, who drove up from Baltimore, and brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Anita McMahon, who left their 3-week-old daughter home were on hand for the luncheon. Assemblyman Matthew Milam, city council president, Keith Hartzell, and chamber of commerce vice president, Scott Halliday made special presentations to Maura. Everyone had a good laugh when Jean Jacobson won the gift bag donated by Sturdy Savings Bank. I’m sure Joanne Walls shared the large container of Johnson’s Popcorn she won with her students at the primary school. After the luncheon I caught up with Laurie Howie, Kristina and Bob Doliszny, John Stauffer and Jay Gillian who arrived in his work clothes as he didn’t have time to go home and change.
Colony Club welcomed Jeri Alvarez from Urban Promise started in 1988 and interns, Janelle Billig, Tinashea Saka, from Africa, and Karen Heath, who gave a power point presentation and spoke about activities and schooling they provide for Camden young people. Jeri presented Urban Promise T-shirts to Jo Costanza and this columnist as we had closest birthdays while Joanne Joyce and Carol Evans got books for correct answers to questions and Gerri Cusato was given a lovely color picture for her home. Karen Morelli is busy shopping for pink baby clothes as she awaits the arrival of her first grandchild when her daughter, Danielle, gives birth to a little girl due July 10. Diane Rossi collected dues and Andrea Bell sold tickets for the luncheon and fashion show while Nicollette Mirra, Elaine Novello and Gini Trotman set out refreshments and Marion McCaughey ran to Super Fresh for soda and tea. Barbara Weber and Mary Lee Shanahan have been soliciting gifts from Asbury Avenue merchants for the luncheon and fashion show and asked if Harry Klause would donate a car. I enjoyed chatting with new members, Patricia Smith, Carolyn Lothian and Ginny Fishburn, after the meeting.

 

Michele Gillian welcomes Diane Wieland, Deborah Bass and Sister dePaul Juliano to the chamber of commerce luncheon.

Susan Miller, Maribeth Neall, Cathy Finnegan and Ann Richardson smile for the camera at the chamber luncheon.

Chamber honoree, Maura McMahon Primus (front center) is surrounded by her family, Anita McMahon, Bob Primun, Sandy and Bill McMahon and second row, Bill, Bridget and Michael McMahon.

Scott Williams, Lisa Meola, Susan Paisley and Andy Halliday (front row) enjoy the chamber luncheon with Barb Hansen and Roselle Cummings.


Ocean City Home Bank reps (front row) Debbie Clark, Edina Custovic, Kim Davidson (middle row) Kathy Rubba, Jean Jacobson, Janet Bossi join, top row, Shelly Opferman and Toni Coe, for a picture at the chamber luncheon.

Alexandra Ford, Joanne DelVescio, Lisa Klassman and Cathy Pagano get together at the chamber luncheon.

President ette Mirra and vice president, Gerri Cusato, welcome Janelle Billig, Jeri Alvarez, Tinshea Saka and Karen Heath from Urban Promise to Colony Club.