Our Chamber's History

The Kerhonkson/Accord Chamber of Commerce, Inc. started in 1993, under the name of Town of Rochester Chamber of Commerce. The name change came in April 1996 because members wanted to encompass both Accord and Kerhonkson, feeling that the old name left Kerhonkson out. The members voted, and the change passed overwhelmingly, as most businesses were located in the Kerhonkson area.

The Chamber forged a good working relatonship with the Town of Rochester Youth Department. In 1996, the Chamber helped to purchase playground equipment for the town park, still being enjoyed by many happy children today. Same year, the Chamber co-sponsored the First Annual "Peace And Harmony" Street Festival on Main Street, Accord. In 2003, after seven successful "Peace And Harmony" festivals, we co-sponsored the the Tercentennial — the town's 300th birthday celebration. A town-wide event, it started with a parade, and ended with fireworks in the park.

On Saturday, April 17, 1999, we had our First Annual Faux Academy Awards Dinner Dance. Each annual event granted a $500 scholarship to a Rondout Valley High School senior pursuing a career in performing arts, and a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for excelling in both business and community. For fun, mini Faux Academy Awards were given to surprised event goers. The popular event made guests feel like movie stars for an evening. Each event was held successfully at the Hudson Valley Resort or Twin Lakes, with DJ Adam Paddock providing the music.

$500 Scholarship Winners

2000
Darryl Schoonmaker for excellence in playing the saxophone.

2001
Mark Walsh for excellence in playing the base trombone.

2002
Lea Bertucci for excellence in playing the saxophone.

2003
Matthew Cunningham for playing the drums.

2004
Jeffrey Brown for playing the piano.


Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

1999
Ron Marquette (Ulster Performing Arts)
and, posthumously, entertainer Peg "Leg" Bates.

2000
Pinegrove Ranch Family: Dick & Deborah Tarantino
and David & Donna O'Halloran.

2001
Vincent Dunn — County Legislator, former Town Supervisor.

2002
Jack & Alice Schoonmaker and Franklin & Janella Kelder
and, posthumously, Rabbi Alice Stein.

2003
The Previll Family (Lee, Nick, Harry and Eileen),
Ed & Doris Lamon, and Buddy Hornbeck.

2004
Harold Lipton — former Town Supervisor
and Max Finestone — the Democratic Committee chairman.

The Town of Rochester and the Town of Wawarsing include us in their annual budgets. Thanks to the generosity of our members, the town has in the past enjoyed snowflake lights and Holiday banners. We have provided "welcome" tote bags to new residents. Boxes — crafted and donated by Howie Pomerantz — filled with flowers from Saunderskill Farm were given to our members.

We provided low-cost advertising on our billboard on Route 209 in Wawarsing, and now offer — to all our interested members — affordable advertising opportunities on this website.

We worked with the Town when they offered revolving loans to local businesses, and with Ulster Transportation to provide low cost busing to Minnewaska Park.

In 1996, we implemented an "adopt a road" campaign, with an "Earth Day" kickoff and tree planting in the park. The Town of Rochester Youth Department continues the tradition.

We proudly promote tourism, and maintain a booth — on Kelder's Farm on Route 209 in Accord — providing information to both travelers and community members alike.

The Chamber offers health insurance at group rates through our membership in the United States Federation of Small Businesses, Inc.

We are a member of Ulster County Chamber of Commerce. Members receive a newsletter throughout the year with listing updates and coming events.

Since December 2007, we have had at the Rondout County Club our Annual Membership Dinner at which we honored Chris and Jackie Kelder of Kelder's Farm, a fundraiser benefitting a local teen, and recently, our Spring Networking Breakfast at the Pinegrove Ranch, sponsored by Rondout Savings Bank.

In 2008 we will be having our Fourth Annual Jennie Bell Pie Festival at Kelder's Farm in Accord. The pie contest, a youth talent contest, car show, good food, arts & crafts vendors, and live music are topped off by spectacular fireworks provided by the generosity of local merchants, are just a few of its attractions.

We continue to sponsor networking events during the year. Every December we have the Holiday tree lighting at the Town's Community Center — with caroling and hot chocolate, and a gingerbread house contest with the enties displayed at Key Bank for patrons to vote on.