Citizenship for dinner

We're having a full-course meal of Chamber of Commerce events this week -- and if Monday morning's meeting was the appetizer, then Wednesday's Annual Awards Dinner was the main course. Each year, the Chamber honors members who have used their business success to give back to the community, naming them the "Distinguished Citizens of the Year." Last night, more than 500 people gathered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cromwell as Emcee Bill Howard led the announcements of this year's scholarships and awards, and especially to celebrate three men who each have a long history of community work.

Marc Levin (pictured above) received his honor first - and movingly used his remarks to pass the credit on to his wife, his staff and his parents. Marc has been the owner of Mallove's Jewelers on Main Street since he took over the jewelry store from his father in 1992. There were probably some difficult years when simply running a family business on Main Street seemed like an act of community service, but Marc has made the store thrive, and has become known for his generosity. Local charities, from school groups to social service organizations, come to Mallove's for support for their fundraising activities, and rarely go away empty-handed. Beyond the store, Marc volunteers with a number of business and non-profit groups in town, including co-chairing the Interfaith Golf Tournament, and the Downtown Business District (disclosure: Marc and I have served together since 2001 as commissioners for the DBD, which is a special-taxing district that covers part of downtown).

Robert "Red" McKinney had the biggest fan club with him, judging by the cheers, hoots and hollers that accompanied his announcement (some of his loudest fans looked quite a bit like him, so I'm guessing that he brought the family). Aside from his political and community work in his hometown of East Hampton, Red is known for lending his charisma as an auctioneer for local causes such as the Gilead House, where he has helped raise funds during their annual Quiz Night each Fall. Red's family owns and manages a number of properties in the county, including retail property on Main Street in Middletown.

Norm Needleman is a Brooklyn transplant who has made Essex his hometown. His company, Tower Laboratories has Connecticut plants in Essex and Clinton, and he's been active in a wide range of community and political activities in Essex, most notably in his leadership role at the Ivoryton Playhouse.

The Chamber's annual scholarship winners were announced at Wednesday night's dinner, including:
•Evelyn Benvie (Judge Raymond E. Baldwin Scholarship)
•Nicholas John Stanford (Harry H.S. Phillips, Jr. Scholarship)
•Rachel Nowakowski (Lorraine C. McHugh Scholarship)

The Chief Michael L. Green Award, which goes to a local "first responder" each year, was given to Judi Reynolds of the Essex Emergency Services.

In addition to the official business, the annual dinner is a chance for Chamber members to socialize and reflect on the year's work. I enjoyed the chance to catch up with old friends (several were busy congratulating Barbara Arafeh on receiving the Gov. William O'Neill Public Service Award) and make some new connections, as I chatted with women who graduated from the Side Street to Main Street program about their business plans. I also got to chat with real estate developer Bob Fusari about green building projects. Bill Howard even gave the Middletown Eye a plug from the podium, and if any new readers have joined us: welcome!

The evening was the final responsibility for outgoing Chamber chairman Ken MacCormac, who was recognized for his year of service. Anthony Assante was welcomed as the new chair.