Local Chambers Convene to Network

ByBarbaraLaMonica

Bellport Country Club was the setting where merchants and business owners from five local chambers of commerce met for a working breakfast to share, promote and network activities within their communities. June 14 was the first time since the pandemic in 2020 that the annual breakfast networking event reconvened, according to event organizer Paul Quinn, vice president of the Federal Savings Bank of Melville.

An estimated 70 merchants were joined by the Chamber of Commerce of Mastic and Shirley President Frank Montanez; Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce President David Kennedy; Bellport Chamber of

Commerce Co-Presidents Terry Tuthill and LuAnn Thompson; Greater Gordon Heights Chamber of Commerce President Edna White; and Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches Treasurer Gerry Sapanaro.

Each president or chamber representative outlined an overview of highlights within their communities. Dave Kennedy, President of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce noted that his Chamber will be celebrating its centennial celebration in the year ahead with an array of events that are in the planning stages. Kennedy encourages residents to "stay tuned" as plans evolve and more information becomes available.

Patchogue is also the home the famed Patchogue Theater and dozens of local restaurants that feature cuisine from ethnicities around the globe. Kennedy encourages people from inside and outside Patchogue Village to save the dates from July 20 to July 23 when thousands will converge down to Shorefront Park for the 14th Anniversary of the Great South Bay Music Festival.

And, Alive After Five on Friday evenings continues its longstanding tradition of neighbors gathering in the heart of the village for food, fun and company.

Ava Torres, President of the Greater Mastic Beach Chamber of Commerce, which was a sponsor of the chamber networking event, noted that a variety of projects are on tap for the Mastic Beach community-at-large. First up, Torres noted the community's newest business to set up shop in the community: "Sabor Latino, (a new deli on Commack and Neighborhood roads), is absolutely incredible! They did a wonderful job setting up the place and the food is amazing." Torres noted a larger scale effort that has tightly knitted the already close community together: "We're all consolidated and working together on the Beechwood Project, making sure everyone (merchants and residents), get their fair share, and working with businesses looking for new locations," Torres said. "We're also working with all of our civics groups to coordinate fundraising efforts together.

"We're part of another significant effort in working together on the revitalization of Violets Cove," Torres said. Torres, who represents the Greater Mastic Beach Chamber of Commerce on the Board, said that the revitalization is in its beginning stages but that things are evolving. "We have the Chamber of Commerce and civics working together to develop projects that will bring in development and we can utilize this beautiful area," she said. "We've also been incorporating the Civics to work together with the American Legion. The Chamber," Torres said, is very involved with American Legion setting up for parades and activities together," she said.

An array of activities and events are being planned for busy Bellport where a full holiday weekend of events are scheduled, including the Antique Fair, sponsored by the Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society, and an Antiques and Collectibles Fair at Mary Immaculate Church. The popular Bellport Bay 5K tradition is set to step off, raise or shine, at 5 p.m., at Bellport Bay. July 29th is reserved for the ever popular Bellport Day. Finally, the Village is home to another famed stage venue, The Gateway Playhouse. For a schedule of the season's performances and activities, patrons and guests can call 631-286-1133.

Residents are asked to contact their respective chambers of commerce for more details on upcoming events.

BY KARL GROSSMAN