Current Chamber Events

THE ALDEN CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO VISIT CHINA
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON COMING IN OCTOBER
7th ANNUAL MEMBER APPRECIATION HOT DOG ROAST OCTOBER 2

Events From the Past Year

12th “TASTE OF ALDEN” A BIG SUCCESS
CHAMBER HOLDS SPRING MEMBERSHIP DINNER
BUSINESS BINGO BEGINS FEBRUARY 4 - 13 PLUS THE WINNERS
HUGE CROWD ATTENDS CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK 2009
ALDEN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOLIDAY LIGHTING CONTEST WINNERS
7TH NETWORKING MIXER TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 10
WHISTLE STOP INN NAMED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2009
MEMBER APPRECIATION HOT DOG ROAST

Current Chamber Events

Explore the exciting wonders of China during this incredible tour being offered by the Alden Chamber and CITSLINC International, Inc.  Visit Beijung, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai to see how China’s economic reforms continue to transform this ancient land into an unforgettable fusion of the exotic and modern.

This 9 day tour includes air fare (from JFK), 4 and 5 star hotel stays, three meals each day, Chinese banquets, deluxe bus tours, English speaking tour guides, admission tickets to all tourist spots and airport taxes throughout the trip. 

The cost is only $1999 (per person, based on double-occupancy) departing JFK, and a bus from the Buffalo area to JFK will be available at no cost or you can make your own travel arrangements to JFK.  There will be a one time fee ($25 per person) collected on day one of your visit to cover all gratuities throughout the trip.

There are optional itineraries to visit Xian (Terra Cotta Warriors) for an additional $450 or
Guilin (Dramatic Landscapes) for $550.  A minimum of 10 persons per trip is needed.

Single occupancy is an additional $450 and an upgrade to business class on the round trip JFK/Beijung flight is $6,000.

A refundable registration fee of $200 per person is required and due at the time you register.  This will be deducted from our total tour fare, the balance will be due before July 1, 2010.  After June 1, the fee is non-refundable.

A valid passport is necessary and is your responsibility.  A travel visa is also required.

This will be one of the most unique trips you will have the opportunity to make.  Please do not wait too long to decide as space is limited. 

For more information and the required applications, please contact the Chamber office at 716-937-6177.

Back to top of page

The 9th annual Business of the Year Luncheon will be held in celebration of Bosses Day this October. Do you have a business you would like to honor? Nomination forms will be available in early fall and the winner will be announced along with time, date, place and program at a later date. Watch for details.

Back to top of page

Come and join us at the Farmers Market at the Alden Village Plaza (beside Tractor Supply Co.), 13119 Broadway, Alden from 11 am – 1 pm Saturday,  October 2, 2010 when the Alden Chamber of Commerce will host their 7th annual Member Appreciation Hot Dog Roast.  
Members will be offered hot dogs, chips and a drink when presenting a coupon found elsewhere in the September newsletter.  The coupon is limited to four of each combo. 
A costume and pet parade will be at the Farmers’ Market for your enjoyment and the Polish Heritage Dancers will be performing also.  PLUS a winner will be drawn for the second Chamber raffle basket. 
Come and enjoy this fun filled event and take advantage of another Chamber member benefit. 
The Alden Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank its valued members for their continuing support. Our Chamber members working together help make a strong business community.  See you there!

Back to top of page

 

Cloudy skies cleared just in time to bring a beautiful evening and a large crowd to attend the 12th annual “Taste of Alden” on Thursday, June 24. Sponsored by the Alden Chamber of Commerce, this event kicked off Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company’s Heritage and Reunion Carnival and was another great success. A huge variety of foods were offered - from pizza to lasagna, Belgian waffles to pulled pork, a large variety of desserts, and much more by seventeen participants.

Volunteers manned the Chamber booth where tickets were sold to the hungry attendees, as well as tickets for the Chamber’s July 24th Farmers’ Market basket raffle and tickets for a 50/50 raffle. 

Vendors for this event were A.J. & Son’s Catering, Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company and Ladies’ Auxiliary, Alden Meals on Wheels, Alden Presbyterian Church, Alden Village Market, D & L Bakery, Darrow’s Restaurant, Elma Town Grille, Geoffano’s Pizzeria, John & Mary’s Restaurant, Kodiak Jack’s, MaGavin’s Restaurant & Pub, Millgrove Ladies Auxiliary, Outback Kettle Korn, Sweet Melody’s and Tops Market of Alden.  The Chamber would like to thank each vendor for participating.

The Taste of Alden would never happen without the cooperation of the Alden Hook & Ladder Fire Company and the efforts of Taste chairman Gary Wagner and the many volunteers.  For more information on the Alden Chamber of Commerce and its activities, see the Chamber’s web site at aldenny.org or its Facebook page a facebook.com/aldenchambert .

Back to top of page

Chamber Director Sue Galbraith presenting the Distinguished Citizen Award to Michele and Keith Hoffman

After a delicious dinner and the award presentation, during which Michele and Keith gave heartfelt thank yous to the Chamber for the honor and to everyone who made the evening possible, the crowd attentively listened to Alden Village Mayor Richard Kegler, as he spoke on the possible effects to the Village and Towns of Alden if a vote on dissolution of the Village was forced by a petition.  While such a petition has not been filed, the Village anticipates receiving such a petition in the future.  The Mayor outlined some of the difficulties that the Village would face, based on how the State’s new dissolution law is written.  The Mayor also discussed details of some of the effects on taxpayers if the Village is dissolved into the Town.  However, some of those details are based on a study performed during the late 1990’s.  The Mayor also took a few questions from the audience.  It was suggested that only when a new study is performed by an outside firm, will a more accurate idea on the effects be known.

Chamber Director Steven Weber presenting outgoing President Nancy Hughes with the President's Award

Back to top of page

The weather was perfect this year, with just a touch of snow to set off the beautiful lighting display entries. Judging was a challenge, as always. Choosing winners is very difficult when so much effort and time has been put to use in creating the brightly lit displays. There were ten residential and three business contestants in this year’s contest, sponsored by the Alden Chamber of Commerce. The judges wish to thank all those who entered their own or another’s display to be judged. All prizes are awarded in Alden Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificates. First place winner of the Holiday Spirit Award was Ulbrich’s Garden Center, 11500 Broadway for the business entry. First place winner for the residential entry was Sue Lamb, 1870 Sandridge Road. Second place awards were won by H & R Block, 13186 Broadway for the business entry and Tom and Sue Roetzer, 1068 Three Rod Road for the residential entry. Third place winners were Naybor Land Surveying, 1490 Church Street for the business entry and Beth Quenzler, 1337 Town Line Road for the residential entry. Plan an evening to drive around the village and town to see all the beautiful lighting displays of the winners and contestants, along with the displays that were not entered. Be sure to include a ride by the beautiful lights lining the Village streets and in Firemen’s Park. The Chamber thanks everyone who participated and appreciates everyone’s efforts to help make our community beautiful during the holiday season. The residential entries were: Mark Bushen, 13252 Mt. Vernon Drive; Sebastian Cavalieri, 12958 Broadway; John Cieszki, 1395 Exchange St.; Meghan & Dennis Demblewski, 12844 Genesee St.; David Duszkiewicz, 3542 North Millgrove Road; James Kropidlowski, 2257 County Line Rd.; Sue Lamb, 1870 Sandridge Road; Beth Quenzler, 1337 Town Line Road; Thomas Roetzer, 1068 Three Rod Rd; and Mark Skimmer, 2299 County Line Road; Business entries were: H & R Block, 13186 Broadway; Naybor Land Surveying, 1490 Church St.; and Ulbrich’s Garden Center, 11500 Broadway.

Back to top of page

L-R Chamber President Nancy Hughes, Chamber Director Brooks Bowman, Whistle Stop Inn owners Doug and Terry Becker, and Assemblywoman Jane Corwin.

Members and guests of the Alden Chamber of Commerce enjoyed a delicious buffet at the Whistle Stop Inn on Tuesday, October 13, for the Chamber’s annual “Business of the Year” Luncheon.  Among the guests were family and friends of Doug and Terry Becker, celebrating the Whistle Stop’s selection as the 2009 Alden Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.  A beautiful plaque, from Laser Ace Custom Engraving, was presented to Doug and Terry by Chamber Director Brooks Bowman.  A Proclamation from New York State Senator Dale Volker was presented.  State Assemblywoman Jane Corwin personally congratulated the Beckers at the luncheon.

The Whistle Stop Inn has been a fixture on the south side of the Exchange Street railroad crossing for many years.  Known for having the best banquet facilities in the Village of Alden, the Whistle Stop hosts many meetings and special events.  They are known for 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.  Doug thanked everyone for attending and thanked the staff for helping make the business succeed.
 
Karen Muchow, curator of the Alden Historical Society, gave a fascinating in-depth history of the black water bath hotel and other businesses previously located on the Whistle Stop property as well as those across the tracks and across Exchange Street.  She also brought photographs of several long-forgotten Alden businesses.  Brooks Bowman presented a brief history of the Chamber of Commerce, including its role in bringing medical professionals to Alden and the creation of the Industrial Park, along with providing the lighting for the sports courts and sponsoring the Taste of Alden, Christmas in the Park and the Farmers Market.

Chamber President Nancy Hughes opened the luncheon by reviewing recent and future Chamber activities, including the announcement that Christmas in the Park will be held on Saturday, December 5.

The Chamber would like to thank sponsors Alden Pharmacy, Alden State Bank, Carbone’s Pizzeria, Elwood- Jordans Agency, and Greatbatch Medical for helping to make the luncheon possible.  For information on the Alden Chamber of Commerce and its activities, see its web site at www.aldenny.org.

Back to top of page

It’s time to come and join us again at the Market!  The Alden Chamber of Commerce will host their 6th annual Member Appreciation Hot Dog Roast on Saturday, October 3, 2009, during the Farmers Market at the Alden Village Plaza (beside Tractor Supply Co.), Broadway, Alden from 11 am – 1 pm.   
Members will be offered hot dogs, chips and a drink when presenting a coupon found in the July/September newsletter.  The coupon is limited to four of each combo. 
A costume and pet parade will be at the Farmers’ Market for your enjoyment.  Craig Wilkins will also be singing your country favorites.  PLUS a winner will be drawn for the second Chamber raffle basket, valued at over $850. The second chance basket of sports items (think autographed football) and other great items will also be raffled off to a lucky winner!   Come and enjoy this fun filled event and take advantage of another Chamber member benefit. 
The Alden Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank its valued members for their continuing support. Our Chamber members working together help make a strong business community.  See you there!

Back to top of page