Chenango’s finest honored at Chamber luncheon
SHERBURNE – Commerce Chenango recognized two community members, a local business owner and a non-profit organization for their contributions to Chenango County Thursday at the 9th Annual Membership Appreciation Luncheon, held at Fox Run Event Center in Sherburne.
Those recognized were this year’s recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award, Betsey Baio; Agricultural Advocate, Sheila Marshman; Woman Owned Business of the Year, Nancy Cushman of Seasons Gift Shop; and Non-Profit Agency of the Year, the Northeast Classic Car Museum.
The event was sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, GHS Federal Credit Union and Frontier.
Volunteer of the Year Award
“Spirited and talented volunteers are a community asset that must be valued. Their contributions set us apart from other communities and help to determine our future,” said Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter as she introduced this year’s award recipient, Betsey Baio of New York Pizzeria in New Berlin.
Carpenter enumerated the many groups and organizations to which Baio has dedicated her time, including the New Berlin Youth Days Committee, the Smith Foundation, the Business Recruitment Committee, St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church, the Commerce Chenango Advisory Committee. She has also served as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, and as a member of her local PTO, and is a past recipient of New Berlin’s Citizen of the Year award. She is a member of the Leadership Chenango Class of 2010.
“Betsey cares about her community and is dedicated to finding time for those causes that she feels will impact the community she lives in,” Carpenter said. “Like most that volunteer, it’s not about the recognition or the acknowledgment; it’s about making a difference in the quality of life that we all deserve.”
Baio said she was humbled by the recognition, and to be counted in the ranks of those who have received the award in previous years.
“I’ve tried to make our community a little better,” she explained, by doing small things she didn’t consider “extra ordinary or special.”
According to Baio, she had been inspired to take a more active role after meeting Pegi LoPresti, who received Commerce Chenango’s Commitment to Community Award in 2009. She said she in turn hopes her actions will inspire others.
“I will continue to do my best to make Chenango County the best place to live,” she pledged.
Agriculture Advocate
“Our Agriculture Advocate of the Year is a leader in efforts to increase awareness of the issues facing by the agriculture industry and is focused on improving the future of agriculture in this area,” said Carpenter, as she announced Sheila Marshman as this year’s award recipient.
According to Carpenter, Marshman, who is a professor of Agriculture Business at Morrisville State College, had been selected to receive the award because of her knowledge of the industry, her commitment to agriculture in Chenango County and her ability to educate and promote agriculture on both a local and global level.
“Throughout her entire career and in her personal life, Sheila has dedicated her time and efforts towards the advancement of agriculture in Chenango County and New York State,” the chamber executive said. “She has served as an excellent advocate for the area and is driven in her support and development of this sector.”
Upon receipt of her award, Marshman took the opportunity to say a word of thanks to Commerce Chenango for their recognition of the role agriculture plays in the local economy.
“(Agricultural businesses) are a major employer in the county. Our farmers spend their money locally and contribute (to the tax base),” she said.
Marshman asked that those present, and all consumers, do their part to support local agriculture.
“I’d like to ask all of you to be an advocate for agriculture ... by asking where your food comes from,” she said, addressing the business leaders in attendance. “Whenever possible, please buy local.”
Woman-Owned Business of the Year
“At the chamber, we want to recognize examples of entrepreneurial distinction and commend those who have faith in doing business in Chenango County,” explained Carpenter. “Our Woman-Owned Business of the Year award is presented annually to an active business owner with recognizable success and sustainability.”
This year Nancy Cushman, owner of Seasons Gift Shop in Norwich, received the award. Located on South Broad Street, the shop specializes in seasonal gifts, home decorating items, gourmet foods and stationery.
“Nancy ... was chosen to receive this award because of her commitment to Chenango County and her ability to provide a unique service to our area,” reported Carpenter, who commended Cushman for her 13 years of providing exceptional customer service and unique gift items to the local community.
“Everyone knows when they see a brown bag with a pretty green raffia bow on it; they’re getting something really great from Seasons,” she said.
An emotional Cushman accepted the award, thanking her customers for their loyalty and support over the years.
“I am indeed honored and humbled to receive this. It was a big surprise,” she said.
Non-Profit Agency of the Year
According to Carpenter, the involvement of local non-profit organizations are an indication of the quality of life in our communities.
“Our Non-Profit Agency of the Year is ... an organization that has had a positive impact on the community and the region for 12 years,” the chamber executive said, as she announced this year’s award recipient, the Northeast Classic Car Museum.
Founded in 1997, the Rexford Street museum currently houses more than 150 classic automobiles in its five buildings, including the world’s largest collection of Franklin Luxury Cars. Many of the vehicles on display are part of the Staley Collection, owned by George Staley of Lincklaen.
“The Northeast Classic Car Museum ... boasts a collection of some of the finest and most interesting automobiles ever produced in America,” Carpenter said. The museum, which she describes as “a treasure” attracts more than 10,000 visitors annually from not only across the country, but around the world.
“The Board of Trustees of the Northeast Classic Car Museum is pleased to be recognized by Commerce Chenango as the recipient of the annual Nonprofit of the Year award,” said Sewain Conklin, who serves as president of the non-profit’s governing body.
Conklin, who said the museum was “truly a gem,” credited its existence the work of the Chenango Foundation and the dedication of many local residents.
“We look forward to our continued growth and the opportunity to share our wonderful collection of vehicles with our rising number of visitors,” he reported.
“We’re all very excited to receive this award,” added NECCM Executive Director Doreen Bates, who thanked the chamber for the recognition on behalf of the board, the organization’s paid staff and its close to 100 volunteers.
Those recognized were this year’s recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award, Betsey Baio; Agricultural Advocate, Sheila Marshman; Woman Owned Business of the Year, Nancy Cushman of Seasons Gift Shop; and Non-Profit Agency of the Year, the Northeast Classic Car Museum.
The event was sponsored by Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, GHS Federal Credit Union and Frontier.
Volunteer of the Year Award
“Spirited and talented volunteers are a community asset that must be valued. Their contributions set us apart from other communities and help to determine our future,” said Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter as she introduced this year’s award recipient, Betsey Baio of New York Pizzeria in New Berlin.
Carpenter enumerated the many groups and organizations to which Baio has dedicated her time, including the New Berlin Youth Days Committee, the Smith Foundation, the Business Recruitment Committee, St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church, the Commerce Chenango Advisory Committee. She has also served as a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader, and as a member of her local PTO, and is a past recipient of New Berlin’s Citizen of the Year award. She is a member of the Leadership Chenango Class of 2010.
“Betsey cares about her community and is dedicated to finding time for those causes that she feels will impact the community she lives in,” Carpenter said. “Like most that volunteer, it’s not about the recognition or the acknowledgment; it’s about making a difference in the quality of life that we all deserve.”
Baio said she was humbled by the recognition, and to be counted in the ranks of those who have received the award in previous years.
“I’ve tried to make our community a little better,” she explained, by doing small things she didn’t consider “extra ordinary or special.”
According to Baio, she had been inspired to take a more active role after meeting Pegi LoPresti, who received Commerce Chenango’s Commitment to Community Award in 2009. She said she in turn hopes her actions will inspire others.
“I will continue to do my best to make Chenango County the best place to live,” she pledged.
Agriculture Advocate
“Our Agriculture Advocate of the Year is a leader in efforts to increase awareness of the issues facing by the agriculture industry and is focused on improving the future of agriculture in this area,” said Carpenter, as she announced Sheila Marshman as this year’s award recipient.
According to Carpenter, Marshman, who is a professor of Agriculture Business at Morrisville State College, had been selected to receive the award because of her knowledge of the industry, her commitment to agriculture in Chenango County and her ability to educate and promote agriculture on both a local and global level.
“Throughout her entire career and in her personal life, Sheila has dedicated her time and efforts towards the advancement of agriculture in Chenango County and New York State,” the chamber executive said. “She has served as an excellent advocate for the area and is driven in her support and development of this sector.”
Upon receipt of her award, Marshman took the opportunity to say a word of thanks to Commerce Chenango for their recognition of the role agriculture plays in the local economy.
“(Agricultural businesses) are a major employer in the county. Our farmers spend their money locally and contribute (to the tax base),” she said.
Marshman asked that those present, and all consumers, do their part to support local agriculture.
“I’d like to ask all of you to be an advocate for agriculture ... by asking where your food comes from,” she said, addressing the business leaders in attendance. “Whenever possible, please buy local.”
Woman-Owned Business of the Year
“At the chamber, we want to recognize examples of entrepreneurial distinction and commend those who have faith in doing business in Chenango County,” explained Carpenter. “Our Woman-Owned Business of the Year award is presented annually to an active business owner with recognizable success and sustainability.”
This year Nancy Cushman, owner of Seasons Gift Shop in Norwich, received the award. Located on South Broad Street, the shop specializes in seasonal gifts, home decorating items, gourmet foods and stationery.
“Nancy ... was chosen to receive this award because of her commitment to Chenango County and her ability to provide a unique service to our area,” reported Carpenter, who commended Cushman for her 13 years of providing exceptional customer service and unique gift items to the local community.
“Everyone knows when they see a brown bag with a pretty green raffia bow on it; they’re getting something really great from Seasons,” she said.
An emotional Cushman accepted the award, thanking her customers for their loyalty and support over the years.
“I am indeed honored and humbled to receive this. It was a big surprise,” she said.
Non-Profit Agency of the Year
According to Carpenter, the involvement of local non-profit organizations are an indication of the quality of life in our communities.
“Our Non-Profit Agency of the Year is ... an organization that has had a positive impact on the community and the region for 12 years,” the chamber executive said, as she announced this year’s award recipient, the Northeast Classic Car Museum.
Founded in 1997, the Rexford Street museum currently houses more than 150 classic automobiles in its five buildings, including the world’s largest collection of Franklin Luxury Cars. Many of the vehicles on display are part of the Staley Collection, owned by George Staley of Lincklaen.
“The Northeast Classic Car Museum ... boasts a collection of some of the finest and most interesting automobiles ever produced in America,” Carpenter said. The museum, which she describes as “a treasure” attracts more than 10,000 visitors annually from not only across the country, but around the world.
“The Board of Trustees of the Northeast Classic Car Museum is pleased to be recognized by Commerce Chenango as the recipient of the annual Nonprofit of the Year award,” said Sewain Conklin, who serves as president of the non-profit’s governing body.
Conklin, who said the museum was “truly a gem,” credited its existence the work of the Chenango Foundation and the dedication of many local residents.
“We look forward to our continued growth and the opportunity to share our wonderful collection of vehicles with our rising number of visitors,” he reported.
“We’re all very excited to receive this award,” added NECCM Executive Director Doreen Bates, who thanked the chamber for the recognition on behalf of the board, the organization’s paid staff and its close to 100 volunteers.
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