CAZENOVIA — On Nov. 10, the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce (GCACC) held its Annual Membership Dinner Meeting at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Cazenovia.
The evening featured cocktails, dinner and dessert, an award ceremony, and a special presentation by Dewayne Hill (dewaynehill.com), a comedy magician who has performed on “America’s Got Talent” and for many chambers and businesses across the country.
Following the meal and entertainment, Community Bank District Manager Barbara Houghton, GCACC President Meghan Kelly (Cazenovia Community Fitness), and GCACC Vice President Fred Agerter (Berkshire Bank) presented the awards for Individual Member of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, and Business of the Year.
Houghton presented Cazenovia Public Library Director Betsy Kennedy with the 2021 Individual Member of the Year award “in recognition of invaluable contributions and donations to the community.”
Kennedy served on the GCACC Board of Directors from 2016-2020. She has been with the Cazenovia Public Library (100 Albany St.) for over 40 years and served as its executive director since 1983.
“The library has been a member of the chamber for many years,” said Kennedy. “[We] are always striving to collaborate with other entities in the community.”
Kennedy was also active in the Cazenovia Fire Department and the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps for many years.
Next, Kelly presented the Non-Profit of the Year award to Ellen Beckerman, executive director of The Haven at Skanda.
“During COVID-19, this organization provided emergency childcare and special programs for kids and families to make sure everyone had a safe outdoor place to connect to community, decompress, be physically active, and still feel a part of a community doing good, and, of course, [spend time with] some amazing animals and receive love in return,” said Kelly.
Located at 4000 Mosley Road, Skanda is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to caring for rescued and endangered farm animals, and to offering educational, supportive and preventative programs to the public. To learn more or donate to Skanda, visit thehavenatskanda.org.
Agerter presented the final award, Business of the Year, to Marissa Basla, manager and part owner of Madison County Distillery (2412 Rt. 20 East).
In his introduction, Agerter noted that during the pandemic, the distillery donated 300 gallons of hand sanitizer to hospitals and other organizations.
“During COVID, a lot of places were unfortunately going out of business or removing staff, but they actually went from four part-time [employees] in January 2020 to 20 people by the end of the year,” Agerter added. “They expanded their outdoor seating and actually won ‘Taco of the Year,’ I believe, which is impressive because they are not a taco place.”
Established in 2017, Madison County Distillery is a family-owned artisan distillery and taproom located on an 80-acre farm known as “The Maples.” Learn more at madisoncountydistillery.com.
The mission of the GCACC is to benefit the local economy and improve the community’s quality of life by enhancing the growth and success of local businesses and offering programs and activities that connect the businesses to the Cazenovia area community.
In addition to promoting its members and providing information to the public online and at its office, the GCACC presents several popular community events, including the annual Christmas Walk, which will be held this year on Dec. 3.
The GCACC Office moved to its new location at 95 Albany St., Suite C, on Oct. 1, 2020.
The organization is currently accepting new members for 2022. To learn about becoming a member or to sign up for the monthly newsletter, visit cazenovia.com.
For more information on the GCACC, call 315-655-9243, email [email protected], or follow cazchamber on Instagram.
