SHERBURNE – There are no failures in life, says Maria Stamatatos, only mistakes we can learn from.
Stamatatos, owner of Gus’ Steakhouse in Norwich, was honored along with three other business and community leaders at the Fox Run Event Center in Sherburne by Commerce Chenango for accomplishments in their respective fields and their local outreach efforts.
“Don’t be afraid to fail. Believe in yourself and your abilities,” said Stamatatos, who earned the “Woman/Minority Owned Business of the Year” award, as well as praise for organizing fundraisers and senior socials at her restaurant. “There are no failures. Only mistakes we learn from, and if we learn something new everyday, it’s hardly a failure.”
Stamatatos says she’s learned that if one gives, they get tenfold in return.
“It’s something you can’t understand until you’ve experienced it” she told the crowd of Commerce Chenango members gathered at the organization’s 7th Annual “Report to the Membership” luncheon and awards ceremony.
Other awards winners included:
• “Volunteer of the Year” – Deb Sylstra, Frontier Communications.
• “Agriculture Advocate of the Year” – John Mitchell, Blue Seal Feeds.
• “Non-Profit Agency of the Year” – The Chenango United Way.
Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter referred to Sylstra as “a true volunteer in every sense of the word,” noting her willingness over the years to offer time and energy to hosts of community projects – clean-ups, fundraisers and education programs – large and small.
“Her intention has never been to earn recognition,” said Carpenter. “She only intended to make our community a better place.”
Sylstra said she’s been honored to serve Chenango County, and thanked her employer, Frontier, for taking an active role in the community.
“One thing I was always told: Time is the great equalizer,” she said. “Bill Gates has a lot of money, but he can’t buy an extra hour. He only has as much time as the rest of us. What’s important is how we spend that time.”
Mitchell, the former President and CEO of Richer Feeds (now part of Blue Seal), was recognized for his work since the 1970s as an agriculture advocate, businessman, and board member for numerous institutions, organizations and businesses. Most recently, he’s taken a lead role as a member of the Morrisville College Foundation in the school’s renewable fuels research and development efforts.
“I’ve learned that agriculture is changing very quickly,” said Mitchell, who believes there’s an opportunity for Chenango County to have real success in the changing agricultural world – with energy needs and world food markets expanding – if the investment and commitment is there. “You’ve noticed prices going up at the grocery store. We still have the safest, most plentiful, most affordable food supply in the world... we’ve got an opportunity to support the world.”
The Chenango County United Way was praised for it’s ongoing efforts identifying where the real community needs are, concentrating dollars in those areas, and holding recipients more accountable for how that money is spent. Specifically, Carpenter pointed out changes made by United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco that led have led to more donations and stronger community organizations.
“Everyday is a day of caring at the Chenango United Way,” added James Currie, Board President of the Chenango United Way, which was formed in 1948 as “The Community Chest.” “It is only through your help, the help of your families and your places of business that this is possible.”