Photos ByJohn Ellis Kordes

The Societe Suite of the Garden City Hotel was filled to capacity for the Chamber's 2007 kick-off luncheon featuring Mineola Mayor Jack Martins. The Garden City Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 2007 luncheon series with a presentation by Mineola Mayor Jack Martins on January 31 at the Garden City Hotel. Mayor Martins offered an overview of Mineola's beautification project and projected village growth. He spoke about taxes, the proposal for a Long Island Rail Road third track and the Nassau County Hub - all issues that will impact both Garden City and Mineola.

The mayors (from left): Mayor Gene Scarpato, Village of Lynbrook; Mayor Jack Martins, Village of Mineola; Mayor Dick Goodwin, Village of Brookville; and Mayor-elect Peter Bee, Village of Garden City. The Chamber Executive Committee with Mayor Martins. From left: Paul Cronen, secretary/treasurer; Russell Matthews, vice president; Dr. Anthony Libertella, immediate past president; Mayor Jack Martins; Roger Eltringham, president; and Althea Robinson, executive director.Liz Denby, Chamber assistant, with Jim Heavy, controller.The Child Life Program of Winthrop University Hospital participated in the Business Showcase before the luncheon. Pictured are Ann Marie DeFrancesca, Jennifer Miller and Suzanne Eigl.Jennifer Grenard and Linda West exhibited at the Business Showcase before the luncheon.Chamber member John Spellman, Mineola village attorney, offered a warm introduction for Mayor Martins.Laney Liner and mom, Cathy, exhibited their Poeticpetals line of personalized stationery and invitations. Personalized note cards from Poeticpetals signature collection were won by Jennifer Grenard (Meadowbrook Pointe) and Marie Harman (Lord &Taylor).Chamber director Kathleen Petronis with Scott Horowitz.Dr. Anthony Libertella, immediate past president of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, with Russell matthews, vice president.Jim Bellotti, CMIT showcased his projects.Luisa DiNenno, Hillary Needle, Roger Eltringham, president and Tracy Gittere.Representatives from the New York Sports Club exhibited at the Business Showcase before the luncheon.Chamber assistant director Kharla Daly with Jennifer Poupis, director.Maureen and Cummin Clancy never miss a Chamber luncheon. Maureen is a past president.The representatives from Best Buy for Business exhibited at the Business Showcase.Althea Robinson (left) and Roger Eltringham welcomed Lord &Taylor to Chamber membership. Representing Garden City's anchor store are Marie Harman and Melanie Theodoridis.Kharla Daly, Chamber assistant director, with Althea Robinson, executive director.On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, Roger Eltringham, president, presented 30 roses to Althea Robinson to commemorate her 30th year as executive director.Russell Matthews, Chamber vice president, presented a framed certificate of appreciation of Mayor Martins.Attending from Coach Realthy were Karen Guendjoian and Bradley Wells with Stephanie Cullum, 207 Business Person of the Year.Bert Donley, director and past Chamber president (3RD from left), with representatives from Astoria Federal Savings.