Lower Chamber Holds Annual Dinner

RIO GRANDE — The Lower Township Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner and installation of officers at Menz’s Restaurant on Thursday, Oct. 9.
It was announced at the opening of the ceremony that the chamber had inducted it’s 161st member, the Forgotten Warriors Museum in Erma.
Captain Brian Marker, of the Lower Township Police Department, received the “Citizen of the Year” award.
A letter from Chief Edward Donahue, who could not attend the event, was read on his behalf.
“The Chamber could not have chosen a finer man to accept this award,” Donahue wrote. “He has been active in our community since he was a teenager, working at the North Cape May Acme.”
Senator Jeff Van Drew also attended this event, and spoke of the difficult times our country is facing.
“Because of human beings like the ones in this room, at the end of the day, we will prevail,” Van Drew said.
Greg Guyon, the chamber’s treasurer, was praised for his commitment for the Chamber. He received the Business Person of the Year award a few years ago by “gaining more and more members of the Chamber and not allowing it to be in the red.”
The following businesses and individuals won awards at the function:
• Best New Construction: CJ’s American Grill, Jim Hanson and Cecil Bryan
• Renovations: Jakes Bar & Grill, James and Nancy Kershaw
• Renovations: Uncle Bill’s Pancake House and Family Restaurant, Beth O Harra
• Signage: Chalki’s Pancake House and Ice Cream Parlor, Adam Vlassopoulos
• Business of the Year: Sturdy Savings Bank, Gerald L. Reeves
• Citizen of the Year: Brian Marker, presented by Chief Ed Donahue and Sheri Hemingway – LTCC President
In addition to these awards, there were many door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Beth O Harra won the raffle and donated the money back to the chamber for their upcoming Hospitality Night, held in early December.