Kathleen Petronis, representing the Chamber of Commerce Foundation, presented a "check" for $1,000 to Alexander Bacon, recipient of the Excellence in Business Education Scholarship Award On the evening of Friday, April 7, in a packed ballroom at the Garden City Hotel, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 80 th anniversary and 4 th annual Pineapple Ball. The gala, acknowledged as Garden City's quintessential event, and the largest ever, focused on the spirit of goodwill, friendship and good business.

The grand ballroom was filled with some 350 Chamber members and guests who came to honor three extraordinary and distinguished gentlemen: Robert B. Catell, Citizen of the Year ; George L. Engelke, Jr., recipient of the Community Achievement Award , and Russell G. Matthews, Business Person of the Year . Also recognized was Alexander Bacon, a Garden City High school senior who received the Excellence in Business Education Scholarship Award from the Chamber's charitable foundation.

Dr. Anthony Libertella, Chamber president; Russell Matthews, Business Person of the Year; Robert Catell, Citizen of the Year; Alexander Bacon, Excellence in Business Education Scholarship Award; and George Engelke, recipient of the Community Achievement Award Photos by John Ellis Kordes

Dennis Donley, Ball chairman; Russell Matthews, honoree; Dr. Anthony Libertella, Chamber president; and Althea Robinson, executive director Mr. and Mrs. Robert Catell, honoree (center) and family Alex Bacon responds after receiving the Excellence in Business Education Award Chris and Patty Murray enjoyed the reception hour Mayor Gerard Lundquist with scholarship award winner, Alex Bacon Vincent and Joseph Albanese; Russell Matthews, honoree; and Anthony Albanese Mayor Gerard Lundquist with Susan, Alexander and Philip Bacon Dr. Robert Scott and Mayor Gerard Lundquist with Bob Catell, honoree Brian Edwards, presenter, with George Engelke, Community Achievement Award recipient Dr. Robert Scott with Bob Catell, Citizen of the Year Russell Albanese (center), Christelle Amendola and the Matthews family Dr. Anthony Libertella, Chamber president, with honoree George Engelke and the Honorable Tim McKevit, New York State Assemblyman Kathryn Reed with Peter Tomao and Virginia and Paul Cronin, Chamber secretary treasurer Jacqueline and Roger Eltringham, Chamber vice president Mrs. Robert Scott with Dr. Robert Scott, president of Adelphi University Russell Matthews, Business Person of the year; Robert Catell, Citizen of the Year; and George Engelke, Community Achievement Award recipient Dennis Donnelly, event chairman; Althea Robinson, Chamber executive director; and Russell Matthews, Business Person of the Year Dr. Anthony Libertella, Chamber president with Patrick Smalley, executive vice president of the Garden City Hotel Village Trustee Tom Lamberti with Maureen Clancy, past Citizen of the Year and past Business Person of the Year Robert and Betty Kloepfer with Maureen and Wayne Ulrich Maryann and Village Trustee Peter Bees with Village Trustee John Mauk and Ellen Mauk Kathy Nelkin, president of the Garden City Hotel, with Russell Matthews, honoree Nasser Samman, general manager, Garden City Hotel; Karime Buraye; Kathy Nelkin, president of the Garden City Hotel; Patrick Smalley, executive vice president