Businesses, community members shine at Chamber 25th gala

Spirits were high and the positive energy was contagious at the recent Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala. More than 170 guests attended the gala, which marked its 25th year. It was a celebratory evening recognizing the Chamber’s past year of successes and honoring an outstanding Chamber member-business and an outstanding community member. Two awards are presented annually, but this year the Chamber also presented a special award, the Silver Resilience Award, given to volunteer first responders in New Milford, Bridgewater, Roxbury, Sherman, Kent, Warren, and Washington. In addition to the awards and dinner, gala offerings included a silent auction, a raffle, a balloon pop, a wine pull, and a bourbon pull. 

Agriventures Agway was presented the Distinguished Chamber Member Award for a business for 2024, while Ivan Shiffman was presented the Distinguished Community Member Award for 2024. Representatives from Water Witch Hose Co. #2, Northville Volunteer Fire Department, Gaylordsville Volunteer Fire Department, Sherman Volunteer Fire Department, Bridgewater Fire Department, Kent Volunteer Fire Department, Warren Fire Company, Washington Volunteer Fire Department, Washington Ambulance, New Milford Ambulance Corps and New Milford CERT was in attendance.

Deborah Rose/Tables were decorated with colorful accents.

Deborah Rose/A Silver Resilience Award, left, was presented to volunteer first responders - and will be passed around from company to company throughout the year - and an award for a distinguished Chamber member-business and community member were given to Agriventures Agway and Ivan Shiffman, respectively.

Deborah Rose/There were two winners, each of whom won a cash prize, of the Balloon Pop.

Deborah Rose/Webster Bank, a platinum sponsor of the gala, was well represented at the event. Among the bank employees who attended are, from left to right, Kelly Lindner, Marcia Haddad, Samantha Mownn, and Madelyn Horowitz.

Deborah Rose/Employees and friends of Agriventures Agway, the recipient of the Chamber’s Distinguished Member Award for a business for 2024, were excited to attend the gala. Among those who gathered for a snapshot early in the evening are, from left to right, JD Flaskamper, store assistant manager Olivia Dages, owner Brian Leonard, sales and marketing manager Jenna Sadecki, senior marketing and purchasing manager Colleen Grady, former department manager Shana Meglio, and former department manager/driver Danny Flynn, and in back, Mike Grady.

Deborah Rose/Floating candles added a warm glow to the venue.

Deborah Rose/A multi-course meal was served at the awards gala.

Deborah Rose/For many guests, it was the first time catching up in some time.

Deborah Rose/Among the offerings at the gala was a silent auction, which attracted the attention of many guests, including Donna Hespe, left, and the Lindners.

Deborah Rose/ Among the offerings at the gala was a silent auction, which attracted the attention of many guests, including Laura Olson.

Deborah Rose/Among the guests were Kim and Jon Cross. Kim is the owner of KTC Marketing, a Chamber member.

Deborah Rose/The gala attracted more than 170 guests.

Deborah Rose/The 25th awards gala was attended by members of business and the community.

Deborah Rose/Greater New Milford Chamber of Commerce’s Jennifer Birdseye, left, who just completed her fourth year as president of the Chamber board, is shown with new Chamber President Patti Oberg, during the festivities.

Deborah Rose/Chamber directors, from left to right, Dianne Littlefield, Kristin Gizzi, Tammy Reardon, partially hidden, 2nd Vice President Rich Vallinaggi, Yana Amato, and Wayne Locke, partially hidden, applaud as guests are welcomed to the event.

Deborah Rose/Volunteer first responders, who were recognized this year with a special Silver Resilience Award, were presented door prizes, all of them donated by local businesses and some donated by emergency response vendors.

Deborah Rose/Jenna Sadecki, sales & marketing manager, listens with pride as her employer, Agriventures Agway, and her boss, Brian Leonard, right, are introduced to the public during the award ceremony. Agriventures is the recipient of the Chamber’s Distinguished Chamber Member Award for 2024.

Deborah Rose/Chamber President Patti Oberg and Executive Director Bob Reiling flash smiles as they congratulate Ivan Shiffman as he makes his way up to receive the Chamber’s Distinguished Community Member Award for 2024.

Deborah Rose/In his acceptance speech, Ivan Shiffman cites the individuals in his life who have strongly impacted him and helped him become the man he is today.

Deborah Rose/Executive Director Bob Reiling shares a heartfelt introduction as to why volunteer first responders were selected to receive a special award for this, the 25th Chamber gala.

Deborah Rose/From left, Water Witch Hose Co. #2’s 1st Assistant Chief Jeffery Emmons and Chief Sean Delaney, and Washington Volunteer Fire Department Chief Craig Wilber listen as they and other volunteer first responders are described as the “backbone” of emergency services in the community.

Deborah Rose/From left, Washington Volunteer Fire Department Chief Craig Wilber, Washington EMT Shari Barron, Warren Fire Company member Kate Chernak and her husband, Chief Rob Chernak, and Sherman Volunteer Fire Department Past Chief Robert Accosta listen as they and other volunteer first responders are described as the “backbone” of emergency services in the community.

Deborah Rose/From left, Warren Fire Company Chief Rob Chernak, Sherman Volunteer Fire Department Past Chief Robert Accosta, Northville Volunteer Fire Department 3rd Lt. Matthew Dzamko, New Milford Community Ambulance President Donna Hespe, and Kent Ambulance Chief MaryAnn Vanvalkenburg listen as they and other volunteer first responders are described as the “backbone” of emergency services in the community.

Deborah Rose/From left, Kent Volunteer Fire Department President Caralee Rochovansky, Gaylordsville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tyler Bergemann, and Bridgewater Fire Department Chief John Stietzel listen as they and other volunteer first responders are described as the “backbone” of emergency services in the community.

Deborah Rose/From left, Bridgewater Fire Department Chief John Stietzel and New Milford CERT Chief Al Tani listen as they and other volunteer first responders are described as the “backbone” of emergency services in the community.

Deborah Rose/Chamber Executive Director Bob Reiling congratulates Kent Ambulance Chief MaryAnn Vanvalkenburg, left, and Kent Volunteer Fire Department President Caralee Rochovansky for their company being recognized for their dedication and service at the Chamber’s 25th Awards Gala.

Deborah Rose/Brian Leonard, owner of Agriventures Agway in New Milford, left, is congratulated by Chamber Executive Director Bob Reiling on the store being honored as the Distinguished Chamber Member for 2024.