New website to be launched later this year
By Michael Turton
It was a night of celebration as the Cold Spring Area Chamber of Commerce honored local businesses, volunteers, not-for-profits and scholars at its annual awards dinner at Dutchess Manor on Thursday, April 23.
The 2015 award winners include:
People’s Choice Award
The Garrison Café
Retailer of the Year
The Cold Spring General Store
Sustainable Business of the Year
River Architects
Nonprofits of the Year
Scenic Hudson and Collaborative Concepts
Volunteers
Sue Crofoot and Harry Fadde
James G. Lovell Award
Philipstown Food Pantry
Philip and Esther Baumgarten Scholarship
Haldane senior Henry Dul
Before the awards, Chamber President Alison Anthoine said that her primary goal during the past year had been to promote collaboration within the Philipstown community to help “develop a sustainable economy that isn’t entirely dependent on tourism.”
Anthoine listed a number of highlights from the year, ranging from a ribbon-cutting celebrating new Main Street businesses and the annual Summer Sunset Music Series to a second town-wide tag sale and annual Halloween parade.
The chamber also supported several community events including Art Along the Hudson, Cold Spring by Candlelight and Fashion as Art. Anthoine also underlined the chamber’s efforts along with Philipstown Recreation and the Hudson Highland Land Trust in hosting the Winter Carnival as part of February’s “First Friday.”
Looking ahead, Anthoine said that the top priority in 2015 will be to launch the organization’s new website while also seeking grant funding using new data that will be collected. She presented statistics showing that inquiries at the chamber information booth had increased from 3,870 in 2010 to 9,739 in 2015. Anthoine said the chamber will “pursue strategic partnerships with [organizations] whose mission aligns with ours” during the upcoming year.
Photos by M. Turton
