Teaneck Chamber Holds 11th Annual Awards Dinner

The following news release was submitted by the Teaneck Chamber of Commerce: 

With over 160 persons in attendance, the 11th Annual Teaneck Chamber of Commerce Community Awards Dinner again proved to be quite a success. With string music provided by the Bergen County Philharmonic Orchestra, hot hors d’oevres, display tables from a variety of local organizations and businesses, a silent auction and cash bar providing the setting to meet and greet old friends as well as making new acquaintances, the opportunity to show visitors, guests and new business the cohesiveness and friendship that Teaneck offers.

The program continued in the banquet hall with an invocation presented by Rev. Clemens Reinke, member of the Teaneck Inter-Clergy Council. Due to illness, Rabbi Zierler was unable join Rev. Reinke. This was followed by a wonderful display of the presentation of the flag by the Civil Air Patrol, based at the Teaneck Armory, leading up to the Pledge of Allegiance led by Yolanda Andrews, Chamber Secretary.

Chamber President Larry Bauer then opened the formal portion of the evening with introductions of dignitaries and Chamber board members followed by some of the projects, accomplishments and involvements of the Teaneck Chamber, citing the importance that the business community has in Teaneck and the need for the community, business and government to all work together. In his opening comments, Mr. Bauer addressed some concerns that the list of honorees was too long and that it detracts from an awards dinner. According to Mr. Bauer, “Some have expressed that our list of honorees was too long – and I agree with those sentiments, the list is too long, but truthfully, I’m quite pleased especially knowing that the individuals we have honored in the past and will shortly honor this evening and hope to honor in the future will continue to make the choices difficult for our selection committee. These are your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers. Even though today is their day, we can all take pride that in some way we played a part in where they are today.”

Ms. Andrews continued by recognizing those that have helped make the event the success that it was from Five Star Premier Residences of Teaneck as sponsors, the Civil Air Patrol, Flowers by Lynn, the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Kunath Signs and of course the Chamber’s official photographer extraordinaire, Ray Turkin.

Following the dinner, the honorees were each recognized, had the opportunity to address the audience and receive their various awards.

Closing remarks were made by Chamber Vice-President Jennifer Glass including a paraphrased quote by Prince Harry “I now declare this dinner over”   just in time for those interested in listening to the Vice Presidental debate.

Honored this evening were: Public Service - Dorothea Costello, Police Dept; Batallion Chief Joseph Berchtold, Fire Dept.; Kevin McCall, DPW and Ariel E. Douek, TVAC. Community Service Award – the Rotary Club of Teaneck (Gloria Andrade accepting the awards) and TOPSoccer (Ken Hoffman & Jim Dunleavy). Educator – the Teaneck Public Library (Michael McCue accepting the awards); Youth Achievement Award - Uzair Syed; Cultural Arts -Bob McGrath; Woman of the Year - Judy Distler; Business of the Year - The Teaneck General Store (Bruce Prince) and Media Honorees - Teaneck Suburbanite, Jewish Standard and Teaneck Patch.

 Beginning the year early, the Chamber started accepting nominees for 2013. The application form was handed out at the dinner and can shortly be found on-line at the Chamber’s website, www.teaneckchamber.org.

Bauer noted some of the challenges undertaken by the Chamber, one of which included the creation of a cultural arts center in Teaneck. For the sake of time, it was not mentioned that one of the sites that the chamber had its eyes on was the old Givaudan building, but he noted with pride and welcomed the new business that ultimately took over the facility and is soon to open to the public, World of Wings. This facility is a one-of-a-kind family fun education center and will consist of a butterfly atrium filled with a variety of butterflies including an insect museum featuring unique species from around the world. As Bauer noted “This facility will certainly be an asset to the community and will in a way, fulfill part of the dream of the cultural arts center, Teaneck, the Bergen County center for the arts and education”. Not even open, it is a major sponsor of the Teaneck International Film Festival along with The Puffin Foundation, Benzel Bush Motor Car Corp., Davis Saperstein & Salomon, Pancetta, Teaneck Suburbanite, Kismet Limousine and Marriott Teaneck at Glenpointe.

 As a reminder, the Teaneck International Film Festival is November 9th thru 11th. For further details, visit www.teaneckfilmfestival.org.

The Teaneck Chamber of Commerce will be partnering with the Rotary Club of Teaneck in a Holiday Dinner at the Marriotte-Genpointe on Wednesday evening, December 5th. Cost will be $50pp and will include a buffet dinner, dancing, entertainment and more. Instead of having individual events, it was felt that by groups getting together for a common party, more could be done to all get better acquainted and have a much nicer celebration. All are welcome, business, community, visitors. A diverse community deserves another diverse event. Additional details to follow. Reserve now by contacting the Chamber office at info@teaneckchamber.org or at 201.801.0012.

Mr. Bauer’s favorite line is that “there is never competition, always opportunities”. And a line from Henry Ford that the Chamber has adopted says it all “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

To receive additional information on the Teaneck Chamber of Commerce, its activities, programs, membership or to get on their e-mail list, please visit the Chamber’s website at http://www.teaneckchamber.org; contact the Chamber office at 201-801-0012 or e-mail at info@teaneckchamber.org. The Chamber is looking to be liked… find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeaneckCoC. 

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