Chamber to Fete Pear Tree Partners as Business Persons of the Year

At the celebration of its 11th annual Pineapple Ball on April 19 at the Garden City Hotel, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce will proudly honor Dale Brokaw, Lois Tighe and Jan McDonough, partners of the Pear Tree Shoppe, as “Business Persons of the Year" for 2013.

This award represents significant contributions to the local economy, to the advancement of aims and objectives of the Chamber of Commerce and to the welfare of the Garden City Community – criteria set by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, creators of the award.

Under the stewardship of these three Pear Tree partners, and others before them, the Pear Tree thrives as a shop providing an array of boutique and specialized gift items. It serves as a major Seventh Street anchor in the heart of the Garden City business district.

The Pear Tree Shoppe opened its first door on Nassau Boulevard in Garden City South in 1973 as the brain child of Kris Harder, Karen Hasemann, Diane Volmer and Bev Murphy. Initially the store sold needlepoint wool, small antiques and consignment items.

Anxious to get a foothold in downtown Garden City, the Pear Tree moved to a small shop at the rear of Seventh Street, behind the current Chase Bank. Partners at this location were founder Kris Harder, Gloria Vanasco, Cappy Forshay and Sally Haeffner. Gloria began classes in needlepoint and hand painting canvases.

The year 1979 brought another Pear Tree move next to Hengstenberg’s Florist on Franklin Avenue. The store boasted more retail gifts, but remained primarily a needlepoint shop with Carol Gammage and Nancy Poole joining as partners.

In 1985, the Pear Tree moved to its present home on Seventh Street and the partnership added Ingrid Carroll and Peggy Dillmeier. In 1995, still another change in ownership now included Ingrid, Peggy, Cissy Ryan and Jan McDonough. Several years later Cissy and Jan welcomed partners Lois Tighe and Dale Brokaw.

The Pear Tree family was heartbroken by the untimely death of Cissy Ryan in 2001. Never wanting or able to replace Cissy’s talent and charm, the partners remained Dale, Jan and Lois. Over the past 40 years, Dale, Jan and Lois and all of these Pear Tree women have resided in Garden City. All have raised their families in the village, with some fortunate to have their children raising their families here. All have felt privileged to be part of this unique and special community and all have been most appreciative of the patronage they have received in every location the Pear Tree has called home.

Dale Brokaw, Jan McDonough and Lois Tighe will share honors at the Pineapple Ball with Dr. Anthony P. Randi, “Citizen of the Year;” and Diane Chapman, “Community Achievement Award” recipient.

The chamber recognizes the record number of 42 sponsors supporting the Pineapple Ball and its charitable Foundation. They are Gold ($5,000): Albanese Organization, Inc., Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty, The New York Racing Association, Inc. and SMPL Technologies; Silver ($2,500): Adelphi University, Armao, Costa & Ricciardi, CPAs P.C., Coach Realtors Garden City, First Trade Union Bank, Jane & Kevin Kilcullen, MAPFRE Insurance Company of New York; Leadership ($1,500): Empire Bank, Dr. Anthony P. Randi & Dr. Ruth Chesney-Randi, The Bristal Assisted Living; Patron ($750): Astoria Federal Savings, Becker & Poliakoff, LLP, Bee Ready Fishbein Hatter & Donovan, LLP, Clancy & Clancy Brokerage, Ltd., Complete Women's Imaging, Cullen and Dykman, LLP, Charma & Tony DiSanto, Kaufman Rossin Fund Services, Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction Group, LLC, Morgan Stanley, Jan & Mike Pecorino, Friends of Ed Ra, Securities Consultants, LLC and Patricia & John Wilton; Friend ($600): Patricia & Louis Cappelli, John F. Craven, CPA, LLC, Jacqueline & Roger Eltringham, Garden City Turkey Trot Committee, Jones and Jones, Attorneys-at-Law, Meyer Suozzi English & Klein P.C., Mollie Biggane Melanoma Foundation, RTS Print Services, LLC, Senior Network Solutions, Ltd., Morgan Stanley, TD Bank, The Pear Tree and Windsor Commercial Real Estate.

To receive an invitation to the Pineapple Ball, for full event information including sponsorship opportunities, Journal ads or to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets at $20 each, call Tracey Gittere at Legendary Events 222-0550 or visit www.gardencitychamber.org.

Submitted by the Garden City Chamber of Commerce

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Diane 'Chappy' Chapman to Receive Chamber's Community Achievement Award
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