Of the 39 Pineapple Ball Committee members, 20 attended the February 6 meeting in the offices of Meyer Suozzi English & Klein, P.C. Present were (L-R seated): Joanne Adams, Super Raffle chairperson (New York Racing Asociation, Inc.); Roger Eltringham, president, Garden City Chamber of Commerce (Allianceplus); Russell Ciolli, Business Person of the Year: Dr. Robert Feirsen, Communiiy Achievement Award (Superintendent, Garden City Public Schools); Scott Masterson, Citizen of the of the Year (Forbes, Inc.) and Althea Robinson, executive director, Garden City Chamber of Commerce. Standing (L-R): Jennifer Scognamiglio (Citibank); Tom McCambridge (Albanese Organization, Inc); Grace Loughran (BNY Mellon Wealth Management); Frank Livoti (Schwartz & Livoti, LLP); Ryan Donnelly (Coach Realty); Stephanie Cullum, event chairperson (Coach Realty); Liz Denby, assistant director, Chamber of Commerce; Arthur Anderson, president, Kiwanis Club of Garden City; Richard Fromewick (Meyer Suozzi English & Klein, P.C.); Dave Allen (Mainly Marketing Enterprizes, Inc.) Tracey Gittere (Legendary Events, event producers); John Appelt (Senior Network Solutions); Alba Spinelli (Community National Bank) and Maria Grassi (Armao, Costa & Riccardi CPA's). Not pictured were Cheryl McAuliffe, Jim Hoolahan, Arlene Conigliaro, Jan DiGeronimo, Suzanne Eigl, ToniMarie Feldis, Marie Grant, Marie Katrakazos, Marie Marcellino, Russell Matthews, Andrew Nigohosian, Kathryn Reed, Peter Tomao, Michael Ventre, Mary Weille, Sameera Yousuf, Hillary Needle and Caitlin Finn. Members of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce's Pineapple Ball Committee have scheduled a series of planning meetings to arrange for the Chamber's seventh annual Pineapple Ball gala to be held Friday evening, May 1 at the Garden City Hotel.

Acknowledged as Garden City's quintessential event, the highlight of the evening will be the presentation of awards to three extraordinary individuals. The honorees for 2009 include Scott Masterson, Citizen of the Year (Senior Vice President and General Manager, Forbes Inc.); Dr. Robert Feirsen, recipient of the Community Achievement Award (Superintendent, Garden City Public Schools); and Russell Ciolli, Businessperson of the Year (Grimaldi's Pizzeria. The Chamber Foundation will also present the Excellence in Business Education Scholarship Award to a deserving Garden City High School student.

To date, sponsors of the 2009 Pineapple Ball include Community National Bank and the New York Racing Association, Inc., Leadership sponsors ($1,500); Bee, Ready Fishbein Hatter & Donovan LLP, and Pittoni, Bonchonski and Zaino LLP, Friend of the Chamber sponsors ($6,00). Other sponsorships include: Excelsior ($10,000); Gold ($5,000), and Silver ($3,000).

Once again, an added attraction will be the Super Raffle to benefit Chamber community programs and the Chamber Foundation. Tickets are available to the first 250 purchasers. at $100 each. 1st prize: $5,000; 2nd prize; 2 VIP tickets to the 2009 Belmont Stakes; 3rd prize: Garden City Hotel Getaway Package. While the winning ticket will be drawn at the Pineapple Ball, the winner need not be present to attend...For tickets, please call (515) 222-0550.

The Pineapple Ball Committee welcomes raffle and auction prices and recognizes donors to date: an elegant print from Sunflower Fine Arts & Framing; Eli Manning Football, courtesy of NFL/New York Giants; and a flat screen TV, courtesy of Citibank.

For an invitation to the Pineapple Ball, for sponsorship information, or to donate a prize, please call Tracey Gittere at (516) 222-0550. (Photo by John Ellis Kordes)