Community Corner

Chamber Award Winners Help Better Rocky Hill

Lou Romeo, Denovellis and Dr. Robert Aube honored by the Chamber of Commerce at annual dinner.

 

An annual awards dinner and ceremony is a chance for the  to not only honor the people who have helped bring commerce to Rocky Hill, but better the community through their generosity. 

More than 150 people attended the chamber’s 23rd Annual Business Meeting and  at the  Wednesday night, which was the .

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“It is stunning to me. It is very exciting,” said Rocky Hill Chamber of Commerce President Ric Valliere. “I couldn’t ask for a better turnout.

Three members of the community received . owner is the winner of the Dana Whitman Service Award for his work with the youth and business community as well as his support of the and the Special Olympics.

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“Thanks to Lou’s support of these community organizations, Rocky Hill is a better place to live and work,” the pamphlet stated.

Romeo is a member and treasurer of the Connecticut Food Association and was named businessperson of the year for Rocky Hill in 1995 and 1999.

“Lou is Mr. Rocky Hill is far as I am considered,” Valliere said.

West Place Marketplace, which Romeo has owned for 32 years, was voted best grocery store by Hartford Magazine in 2007 and has won the same award in the chamber’s annual contest five years in a row.

“It has been a pleasure doing business with you,” Romeo told the cahmber members in attendance.

 was honored with the business member of the year because of their consistent support of the chamber, and Rocky Hill athletics.

“DeNovellis has always been supportive of everything that we (Chamber of Commerce) have ever done,” Valliere said. Restaurant owner  would later accept his citation surrounded by his whole family.

Dr. Robert W. Aube Jr. received the chamber member of the year. He was on the Board of Directors for the Tri-Town YMCA for three years and the Connecticut Association of Optometry for seven years. Aube has also sponsored several chamber events and youth soccer and little league since 1998.

“Dr. Aube continues to be an active contributor of the business and family life of Rocky Hill,” Valliere said. “Dr. Aube has been a great sponsor and proponent of everything that the chamber does.”

All three winners were presented with citations by state Rep. Tony Guerrera. State Sen. Paul Doyle was unable to attend because the capital was in session and he was arguing for a bill. Mayor Anthony LaRosa and other current and former elected town officials attended the event.

“I think the committee did a great job picking them out,” Valliere said about the winners. “I think the committee did wonders. I could not be happier.”  

Each year, chamber asks members to for such categories as the best breakfast, auto care and florist. Here are the winners in the 30 categories.

  • Accountant - 
  • Auto Care - Silas Deane Auto
  • Bank/Credit Union - 
  • Breakfast - Bob's Coffee Shop 
  • Burgers - 
  • Chiropractor - All Health Chiropratic
  • Coffee - 
  • Contractor - Lawlor Builders Inc.
  • Dental Office - Michael R. Gabor and Gail E. Bodzioch 
  • Dry Cleaners - 
  • Eye Care - 
  • Florist - 
  • Grinder/Sandwich - 
  • Grocery Store - 
  • Happy Hour/Bar - 
  • Health and Fitness - 
  • Hotel/Motel - 
  • Ice Cream - 
  • Insurance Agency - 
  • Law Firm -
  • Non-Profit - 
  • Pet Care - 
  • Pizza - 
  • Primary Care Physician - Dr. Jacques Mendelsohn
  • Real Estate Agency - 
  • Restaurant - 
  • Salon - Gugliotti Salon Spa
  • Tanning Salon - 
  • Travel Agency - 

According to Chamber of Commerce Vice President Kevin Kober, over 4,700 ballots were counted for the awards.

Wednesday night's meeting and dinner is one of the chamber’s “big three events” along with the and the with all the proceeds going toward multiple scholarships. The 2011 scholarship recipients were Renee Lawlor, who is attending Bryant University, and Alexa Steinman, who is attending Marist College.

One of the interesting features of the event is the stage, which is provided by chamber member  that gave the evening more of an award show feel.

This year's event will certainly be far different than any before as I have planned for a spectacular night of lights and production, kind of a miniature Academy Awards night,” Kober previously said. “A night not to miss.”

 is one of the premiere sponsors along with  and .

For more information about the chamber, please contact its Office at 860-258-7633 or by email at execdir@rhchamber.org.

 

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