At the Jan. 29 Garden City Chamber of Commerce 2014 kick-off luncheon at the Garden City Hotel, the four extraordinary individuals to be feted at the 12th annual Pineapple Ball gala were named. To be held at the Garden City Hotel on Friday evening, May 9, the Pineapple Ball is highly regarded as Garden City’s premier business and social event. Guests will celebrate the honorees while enjoying a fabulous repast and dance to the music of the renowned Alex Doner Orchestra.
Garden City Turkey Trot Committee (Race Director Ken Aneser) has been named “Citizen(s) of the Year.” This prestigious award was established in 1970 to recognize outstanding service and efforts which have contributed to the high standards, quality of life and well-being of the Garden City community and beyond. Started in 1978, the Garden City Turkey Trot is Long Island’s largest and oldest Thanksgiving Day road race and grown to more than 5,000 runners. Race Director Ken Aneser serves along with a dedicated race committee which includes Kevin Coffey, Bob Freeman, Chris Giarraputo, Mike Kopcak, Mark Robertson, Charlie Lee, Ian Paisley, Bob Priest, Phil Puccio, Tim Tobin and Rob Votruba.
According to Aneser, “The Race Committee has raised several hundred thousand dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the American Red Cross and the INN.”
Anne Sullivan will be the recipient of the 2014 “Community Achievement Award.” This equally prestigious award commemorates outstanding professionalism and major contributions to the Village of Garden City through one’s profession. Anne Sullivan has been the Garden City High School’s girls and boys swimming and diving team coach for more than two decades. Her girls squad has won a remarkable 15 consecutive Nassau County Championships and has produced county and state individual champions as well as high school All-Americans. Her career winning percentage is an astounding 92.7 and includes an l03 meet winning streak between 2001-2012. Her boys team has produced four All-Americans and is the current defending Nassau County Champion.
Lisa Smith has been selected as Garden City’s 2014 “Business Person of the Year.” This award represents significant contributions to the local economy, and to the objectives, and aims of the chamber. Smith is the proprietor of the Coquette Boutique at 173 Seventh St. which she opened in 2007. A 1999 graduate of Garden City High School, she was always interested in fashion. After graduating from Fordham University in 2003, Smith started her career in fashion as a shoe buyer for Bloomingdales where she gained priceless experience during her four-year tenure. Then, Lisa the aspiring fashionista got the bug to make a big move and pursue her dream. With the support of her parents, she left Bloomingdales to open Coquette—a hometown boutique offering residents and surrounding fashion followers a trend driven and convenient place to shop and be styled in an inviting and chic atmosphere.
Robert (Bob) L. Schoelle, Jr., a 43-year resident of Garden City, Schoelle has served as village administrator since his appointment in February 1980. He has served as a member of both the Village Planning Commission and Board of Police Commissioners. Initiated in 2011, the chamber of commerce’s “President’s Award” recognizes ”above and beyond” volunteer spirit and contributions within the Garden City Community and beyond. Not an annual award, it is presented only occasionally. Bob Schoelle has more than earned this special recognition. A member since 1982, Bob Schoelle now serves as president of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club, the world’s largest service organization. He also serves on the RotaCare Board of Directors. RotaCare was established by the Club in 1992 to provide free health care for individuals who have the most need and the least access to medical care. Schoelle has also supervised the Rotary Club’s assistance to the Salvation Army’s Holiday Bell Ringing Project for more than 25 years. The Chamber looks forward to saluting these remarkable individuals at the Pineapple Ball on May 9. For more information, please call the chamber at 516-746-7724.
