Business Event Celebrates Large And Small Insurance Firms

By John Voket

As sure as the appearance of Peeps and cream eggs on store shelves, late March heralds the Newtown Rotary and Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year celebration. Held this year at The Inn of Newtown, the annual event celebrated six finalists, and awarded both small business and large business recognition to locally based insurance firms.

Following a dinner and brief remarks from Rotary President Bill Calderara and Chamber President Pat Linnell, Mr Calderara began announcing finalists in the small business category. Those finalists, employing less than 25 persons, included Jim Gulalo of Preferred Insurance, Angelo Marini, proprietor of Sal e Pepe Restaurant, and local All State Insurance broker/owner Mike Snyder.

Mr Calderara began his introductions in the small business finalists by congratulating Mr Snyder, who also has served the community as a Selectman and Legislative Councilman.

“He has operated his All State Insurance agency for more than three decades,” Mr Calderara said. “During that time he has served with the Family Counseling Center as director and president; he was the president of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce and served on the board for several years.”

He also noted Mr Snyder’s lengthy membership with the Newtown Rotary Club.

“He has served there as president, and is now sergeant-at-arms and an active fundraiser,” Mr Calderara concluded. “Mike has quietly provided help and support wherever needed over the years and we recognize him as a worthy contender for this recognition.”

Next, Sharon Maynard of the Savings Bank of Danbury introduced Mr Marini.

“Sal e Pepe donates lunches for teachers and staff at Head O’ Meadow, Reed Intermediate and the Middle School — usually feeding about 70 people at these events,” Ms Maynard said, reading from the nomination form.

She also recognized Mr Marini’s support of St Rose Parish, Canine Advocates, Newtown’s Relay for Life, the Chamber’s Taste of Newtown, and McLaughlin Wine Tasting, as well as his initiation of the Newtown Gift Certificate program for the chamber.

“Angelo is also a director on the board of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce and in 2009 handled the programs for the chamber,” Ms Maynard said.

The final small business introduction was handled by Pat Kelly of Newtown Savings Bank, who welcomed Mr Gulalo, “an avid Rotarian (and) a past president of the Rotary.”

Mr Kelly then ticked off a list of charities that have benefited from Mr Gulalo’s Rotary participation. Those efforts included: Polio Plus — an ongoing Rotary international project to eradicate polio all over the world; directing the construction of the Fun Space at Dickenson Park; installing large flower planter boxes in front of Newtown Senior Center; an annual Christmas food drive; volunteering as a Salvation Army bell ringer; and particularly his work at the Dorothy Day Hospitality House soup kitchen.

“Dorothy Day is Jim’s major commitment, serving on the Kitchen Committee and on the Board of Directors,” Mr Kelly said. “Jim is also the membership chairperson for the Chamber of Commerce of Newtown, and a Corporator of Newtown Savings Bank. He has been recognized as a Paul Harris fellow through the Rotary and has received the Frank Miles award as a member of the Rotary who exemplifies service above self.”

The Winner Is...

After a moment’s pause, Ms Linnell announced Mr Gulalo as the 2010 small Business of the Year winner. Then the program continued with the introduction of the large business finalists: T.R. Paul, Caldwell & Walsh Building Construction, and Union Savings Bank.

Mr Calderara reminded attendees that T.R. Paul has been an active member of the Newtown business community for the past 63 years.

“Many of their employees live in Newtown and are actively involved in various charitable functions,” he continued. “They have participated in the walks for the March of Dimes, Walk Against Domestic Violence, Relay for Life and MS. Additionally, they have assisted Reed School’s Interact Club with their Blood Drives.”

Through sponsorship or monetary donation, Mr Calderara said T.R. Paul also supports more than 15 local entities, including American Legion Baseball League, Habitat for Humanity, Knights of Columbus, Jewish Home for the Elderly, Lupus Research, Mad Hatters, Newtown Chamber of Commerce, Newtown High School Book Covers, Newtown Hook and Ladder, Newtown Labor Day Parade, Newtown Scholarship Fund, Red Cross Blood Drive, Regional Hospice, Relay for Life, and Visiting Nurses Association, Mr Calderara concluded.

Ms Maynard then welcomed finalist Union Savings Bank of Newtown, represented by Branch Manager Peggy Velthuizen.

“Union Savings Bank has been involved with the Newtown Chamber of Commerce at the board level and currently Peggy serves as the Treasurer,” Ms Maynard began. “The bank supports and participates in chamber events, including the Business After Hours, Destination Newtown, Christmas Tree Lighting — last year distributing cookies — and other programs.”

She said the bank and its employees additionally support the Newtown Women’s Club Tag-a-Tree program at Christmas, Regional Hospice breakfast with a table, Junior Achievement, Kevin’s Community Center, United Way Day of Caring, Chamber Golf Tournament Sponsor, Newtown Youth & Family Road Race, and the Newtown Rotary Golf Tournament.

Also the Newtown Youth and Family Holiday Festival and Concert, Relay for Life, Newtown Housing for the Elderly, Newtown High School Drama Club, SCAN, Newtown Congregational preschool, Newtown High School Marching Band, St Rose Carnival, St Rose Walkathon, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Newtown, Newtown Ice Hockey, Dog Park fundraiser, and Labor Day Parade.

“Peggy is also a member of Women Involved in Newtown and St Rose Parish, volunteering as currency engineer,” Ms Maynard concluded.

Mr Kelly then called Mark Principi, president of finalist Caldwell and Walsh to the podium.

“Caldwell and Walsh came to Newtown in 2002, and has been committed to giving back to the community over the last several years,” Mr Kelly began. “Along with volunteered time to committees and events, (the company has) contributed monetarily to the Jim Osborne Memorial Golf Classic supporting Newtown Youth and Family Services, the Newtown Scholarship Association, Canine Advocates of Newtown, Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue, Ability Beyond Disability, the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, and providing United Way Day of Caring Advisory Board volunteers.

Ms Linnell returned to the microphone to congratulate T.R. Paul, who was represented by company principal Mary Griffin.

Following the awards ceremony, Ms Linnell told The Newtown Bee that besides Mr Kelly and Ms Maynard, Larry Gardner of The Alternative Board served on the judging committee.

According to the chamber president, “the committee received many more nominations this year than in years past which is an indication that, despite the economy, Newtown businesses maintain their commitment to the town.

In appreciation for local individuals who took the time to nominate a business, a drawing was held for a bottle of wine which was donated by Mike Kerler at Sandy Hook Wine and Liquor, Ms Linnell said. The winner was Tom Gutner, president of Masonicare of Newtown.