North Fork business and community leaders came together last night to salute the Eastern Long Island Hospital Auxiliary and retired jeweler Bob Scott at the North Fork Chamber of Commerce’s sixth annual Snowflake Gala held at Raphael Winery in Peconic.
The ELIH Auxiliary were honored with the chamber’s community service award for its volunteer work to support the Greenport hospital. In 2016, the organization raised a record-setting more than $400,000 for ELIH through the Opportunity Shop, the Corner Shop and fundraisers. Over the last 30 years the auxiliary has raised an estimated more than $6 million.
And they’ve done it through the hard work and dedication of a cadre of volunteers who contribute more than 20,000 hours of their time every year to the community hospital. Some individuals, like longtime volunteers Toni DeMeo and Nora Bush have logged more than 20,000 hours each over the years.
“The auxiliary is the backbone of the community,” North Fork Chamber of Commerce president Tom Scalia said as he presented the auxiliary members with the award.
Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski and Southold Town Councilman Bob Ghosio each presented the group with proclamations calling out its distinguished achievements.
“Volunteerism is the heart of our community,” Ghosio said.
Auxiliary president Helene Fall did not let pass the opportunity to make a pitch to the crowded room for new members as she thanked the chamber for the award.
“So if you want to join a vibrant group of dedicated people,” she said with a broad smile, “come talk to me. We’re here.”
The chamber recognized Bob Scott, a chamber director and the recently retired proprietor of Robert’s Jewelers in Southold, as businessperson of the year. Scott first opened his jewelry store in 1985 and continued in business for more than 31 years before closing his doors in retirement earlier this month.
A longtime member and ex-captain of the Cutchogue Fire Department, who was honored as fireman of the year in 1999 for saving the lives of two people, Scott was the grand marshal of the North Fork Chamber of Commerce’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2010.
Scott’s wife of nearly 46 years Louise, their sons Bob and Joe, and the staff of Robert’s Jewelers were on hand for the event.
Scalia, Krupski and Ghosio wasted no time ribbing Scott.
“Now here’s a dumb question — you want to say a few words?” Scalia teased him about being long-winded and set a timer when he handed Scott the microphone.
Krupski told him the proclamation spoke of his “excellent golf game” and “the most excellent moustache of any recipient” — referencing Scott’s trademark handlebar moustache.
Ghosio, who sports his own trademark ‘stache, said his award was “from one moustache to another.”
“Yours was one of my — I mean my wife’s — favorite businesses,” Ghosio jibed. “My wallet thanks you” for retiring.
Ghosio said over the years he found himself in Scott’s showroom “more for the banter than the jewelry.”
Scott said he was deeply honored to share the evening with the auxiliary.
“It’s been my pleasure to be a businessman in Southold Town for 31-and-a-half years,” he said. “I loved every minute of it.”
Past recipients of the North Fork Chamber of Commerce awards:
2012: Bridgehampton National Bank, Cross Sound Ferry
2013: Sound View Restaurant and Hotel, Mullen Motors
2014: Southold Pharmacy, the Krupski family
2015: Gail Horton, Southold Fish Market/Charlie Manwaring
2016: WLNG, Wiliam J. Mills & Co.
SoutholdLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl and Denise Civiletti
