Spencerport Chamber of Commerce
announces award recipients

The Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2004 awards, which will be presented at its awards dinner on Friday, January 28 at the Plantation Party House, 1875 North Union Street, Spencerport. Social time will commence at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

For the first time, there will be two recipients of the Clyde W. Carter Citizen of the Year Award: Patty Uttaro, of the Ogden Farmers' Library, was nominated for this award by Ed Nau, representing the Spencerport Lions Club. In his nomination Nau said, "Patty Uttaro came up with a program which we feel has enhanced the life not only of the Spencerport area but made for an enjoyable trip through Spencerport for visitors. The Pathways to the Past tour, which is along Union Street, provides pictures into the past history of Spencerport and surrounding area." Nau mentioned that the many programs and events held at the library, "enhance the lives of our children and adults in our community."

Receiving the Citizen of the Year Award posthumously will be Dennis Pelletier. Pelletier passed away only days after the chamber's last awards dinner where he had served as the master of ceremonies for the dinner. Pelletier served in many capacities in the Town of Ogden, including membership on its town board, prior to taking a position on the Monroe County Legislature. He left the legislature as its president at the end of 2003 prior to taking a new position in the county. Over the years he was involved with Spencerport Junior Baseball and Saint John the Evangelist Church, in Spencerport. Family friend Lynn Bianchi said, "Dennis was a man who cared for his family, his friends and his community. He spent his life serving others."

Tim and Joann Carr, owners of Cardinal Lawn & Landscape Inc., will receive the Business Persons of the Year Award. In the nomination they submitted for this award, Harry Ewell and wife, Carol Nellis-Ewell, indicated that, "Residents and businesses in, and visitors to, our community have all enjoyed and benefited from enhancements made by Cardinal Lawn & Landscape." According to the nomination, the list of projects benefiting the community include the planting and maintenance of greenery near the Town of Ogden/Village of Spencerport Route 531 expressway sign, setting buy-a-bricks near the Clyde Carter Memorial Gazebo and consultation about improving green space. The Carrs have been involved with numerous local organizations including Boy Scouts, Spencerport Junior Baseball and Saint John the Evangelist Church and School.

The Civic Beautification Award will go to Dr. Mary Vadas, owner of Towne & Country Eyecare, for the new office that was established for Towne & Country Eyecare at 2277 South Union Street. "After many months of dedicated effort, including remodeling by Vadas' husband, Paul, stylish decorating by her mom and even temporary hand-painted signs by her children, the attractive renovation of Towne & Country Eyecare's new location near the southwest corner of Routes 259 and 31 opened," read the nomination for this award, also submitted by Harry Ewell and Carol Nellis-Ewell. They added that, "the result is an upscale, state-of-the-art business with compliant lighting and signage, pretty landscaping and maintenance of existing green space that welcomes people to our community."

Also being recognized at the dinner will be a number of local organizations that have achieved a milestone. They include: Sail-on-Carpets, 20 years; D'Angelo's Plumbing & Heating Corp., 35 years; Schultz & Associates, 45 years; Resch Auto, 45 years; Brodner Equipment, 45 years, Spencerport Assembly of God, 75 years and Etolian Chapter No. 308 Order of the Eastern Star, 100 years.

The awards dinner will feature entertainment by the music department from Spencerport High School.

Tickets are available, at $22 per person, at the following locations: receptionist desk at the Ogden Community Center, Cardinal Lawn & Landscape, The Unique Shop, Village of Spencerport offices, The Ogden Farmers' Library and Westside News.

For information call Keith Ryan at 352-3411 ext. 125.