Alden Chamber of Commerce

Alden Chamber's Signature Events

Business of the Year Luncheon

Chamber Holds Fall Luncheon

Drogi & Sons Automotive Named Business of the Year

Members and guests of the Alden Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Whistle Stop Inn on Tuesday, October 18, for the Chamber’s 10^th annual “Business of the Year” Luncheon. Among the guests were family, friends, and staff of Drogi & Sons Automotive, the recipient of the 2011 Alden Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award. A beautiful plaque, from Laser Ace Custom Engraving, was presented to John Drogi by Chamber Vice President Brooks Bowman.

Vice President Brooks Bowman presenting the award to John Drogi

Drogi & Sons Automotive has been a familiar sight at 12182 Walden Avenue in Alden and certainly filled the stringent criteria for being named the area’s most outstanding business of 2011, including promoting community involvement, being a good business role model, establishing good working conditions and involvement of employees, good quality service and product reputation in the area, and being recognized for consistent, fair, and honest business practices. John Drogi thanked everyone for attending and gave a special thanks to his staff for helping make the business succeed and to his parents, who allowed John to tinker with cars at an early age.

The featured speakers of the luncheon, introduced by Chamber President Christopher Gust, were Andrea Kersten, Art Teacher at Alden Central School, Fred Heinle, Director of the Alden Economic Development Committee, and Karen Muchow, Curator of the Alden Historical Society. Mrs. Kersten and two of her students spoke of a new book, “Reflections of Alden”, which features illustrations and history on Alden’s business district. The book is a joint project between the students, the Alden Art Club, and the Historical Society. The book is due to be completed and ready for sale in December. Mr. Heinle gave an update on recent and future economic development activities within the Town and Village, including some discussion on the future of the Erie County Home. Lastly, Curator Muchow gave a fascinating look back at the history of the Millgrove Hamlet, located in the northern part of Alden, with amusing anecdotes about some of the early settlers, including the Wende family. She brought a display of photos depicting earlier times.

Andrea Kersten Fred Heinle Karen Muchow

President Gust concluded the luncheon by reviewing recent and future Chamber activities, announcing that Christmas in the Park will be held on Saturday, December 3 and a Chamber-sponsored wine and food tasting will be held at Darrow’s Restaurant on Saturday, November 19, with a portion of all ticket sales being donated to the Alden-Marilla Food Pantry.

The Chamber would like to thank sponsors Alden State Bank, Carbone’s Pizzeria, Doritex Corporation, Elwood-Jordans Agency, Greatbatch Medical, and MaGavin’s Restaurant & Pub for helping to make the luncheon possible. For information on the Alden Chamber of Commerce and its activities, visit them at www.facebook.com/aldenchamber for up-to-date announcements of local activities.