by Rachel Hunter
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce held its 114th Meeting and Banquet at the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 on Wednesday, May 1. The event was sponsored by Marble Member Kinney Drugs, Gold Members Bonaparte Pharmacy, Community Health Center of the North Country, Gouverneur Hospital, Lawrence Manor, and Silver Members Cives Steel Co., Community Bank N.A., Con Tech Building Systems Inc., Nicholas Gardner DDS, Gouverneur Foundation, Northern Credit Union, Northland Veterinary Hospital, RSI Roofing Inc., Team Blevins LLC, United Construction & Forestry, Weekes & Dier Agency, and Tim Wewer, EA ABA.
The Annual Chamber Banquet opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Invocation given by Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 Exalted Ruler Katherine LaMere. The Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 served a scrumptious roast beef dinner, complete with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, salad, rolls, etc., with strawberry shortcake served for dessert. Much appreciation was extended to the kitchen crew for their service.
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce’s Officers for 2023-2024 are: President Tim Reddick, Vice President Ray Babowicz, Executive Director Donna Besaw, Directors Shari Barnhart, Michelle Blackburn, Dianne Cocco, CJ Fitzgerald, Christian Gillan, Donna Lawrence, Brooke Plowman, Melissa Simione, and Connie Stowell. Also recognized were Honorary Directors Curran Wade and Carol Dier.
Connie Stowell, a Chamber Director since 1993, served as toastmaster. She welcomed all those in attendance, including local dignitaries including the following: St. Lawrence County Legislator District 5 Harry Smithers (R-Gouverneur), Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr., Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Jay Bowhall, Gouverneur Town Clerk Marion Bowhall, Town of Gouverneur Councilman Curran Wade, Village of Gouverneur Trustee Troy Besaw, Gouverneur Attorney Henry Leader of Case & Leader LLP in Gouverneur, Former Town of Fowler Supervisor Dave Spilman, Sr., among others. Also recognized was 2023 Award of Merit Recipient, Attorney Charles Gardner, and 2023 Gouverneur Business Woman of the Year Rachel Hunter of the Gouverneur Tribune Press. A special word of welcome was extended to family, friends and co-workers of 2024 Award of Merit Recipient Clark Porter.
Moment of Silence
A moment of silence was observed in memory of James E. “Jim” Bowhall, a longtime Chamber director, who passed away on December 13, 2023. “We miss him dearly,” Mrs. Stowell said. Jim Bowhall’s son, Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Jay Bowhall, and daughter-in-law, Gouverneur Town Clerk Marion Bowhall, were in attendance. “We did have some donations come in memory of Jim Bowhall and also Eldon Conklin. If you look around downtown, we used a lot of that money to purchase all of our “Shop Local” signs. We truly want all of you in town to shop local. That’s what keeps us going. It’s what puts us on the streets, and employs our people. Think about it before you drive out of town to buy whatever you have to buy. Think about whether you can buy it here. It will save you a lot of gas money too. Once the village park is finished, they are putting new benches in. The Chamber of Commerce plans to put a bronze plaque on one of the benches in memory of our past directors that have left us…”
Annual Reports
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce is now in its 116th year, and reports were given by Chamber President Tim Reddick and Executive Director Donna Besaw. The Greater Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce now has 110 businesses as Chamber members. In 2024, the Chamber welcomed two new members, The Gouverneur Foundation and Peaceful Finances With Mickael.
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors events that bring people into the area to shop, eat and stay. These events include the Annual Chamber Banquet (May 1), Farmers Market (June to October), Flag Day Parade (June 15), Pumpkinfest at Gouverneur Fairgrounds (September 21-22), December 7 (Christmas Parade & Events). Other Annual Community Events include the following: Friends of the Library Annual Geranium Sale (May 16), Garden Club Plant and Bake Sale (May 24), GHS Graduation (June 28), Community Wide Garage Sales (July 12-14), Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair (July 30-August 4), Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Walk (October 5). See more local events on the Chamber’s Calendar of Events, online at www.gouverneurchamber.net.
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce also sponsors the CTE Student of the Month Award at Southwest Tech (BOCES) in Fowler. An $100 award is given to a deserving student at the SWT Recognition Ceremony. A $100 award is also given at Moving Up Day to a deserving high school student at the Gouverneur Central School District.
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce also features “Business of Month” on the Chamber website (www.gouverneurchamber.net) and on their sign by the Lifesaver monument. The featured businesses selected for August 2024 to July 2025 are as follows: August (Mercy Point Church Gouverneur), September (Specialty Floors, LLC), October (A-Plus Auto Care Inc.), November (Peaceful Finances With Mickael), December (James Maloy American Legion Post 65), January (G&R Auto Parts), February (Northern Credit Union), March (Bob’s Market and Diner), April (Arne’s Custom Printing), May (Rent-A-Center), June (Gouverneur Foundation), and July (Richardson’s Flooring).
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce also presents a harness racing trophy at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair.
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce also participates in the Annual Seaway Valley Prevention Council and Community Health Center of the North Country’s Annual Trunk or Treat in Gouverneur. The Chamber also co-sponsors the Pumpkin Fest in Gouverneur.
Executive Director Donna Besaw reported that 1,000 membership directories were printed in time for the Annual Banquet, and that the Chamber members are listed on the Chamber website, which has seen 29,854 visitors. The local businesses were also encouraged to receive the Chamber’s monthly newsletters via email. Businesses who want to join the Chamber can do so online, at www.gouverneurchamber.net.
Guest Speakers
The guest speakers were from a division of KPH Healthcare Services, Inc., ProAct, Inc., a pharmacy benefit management company with sales offices throughout the country and a mail order pharmacy. Representatives Mike Howard and Trudy Davis told the crowd that ProAct is celebrating its 25th anniversary. “ProAct is a PBM. It's a long way to say that when people call us with prescription benefit questions, we have people there to answer those questions. Whether it is co-pay information or coverage information. We also have a mail-order pharmacy where we physically ship drugs out. That is supplied by the Central Fill facility that we have right here in Gouverneur. There’s a lot going on in those back-end operations. We provide the services to identify the different programs and opportunities to reduce the cost of prescription medications to those we serve, those who we partner with. I think that gives me and my team a lot to focus on and be proud of when we think why we come to work each and every single day. Not only are we doing something that helps employers save money in terms of how they want to provide benefits to their employees, but also the fact that we are giving good information and education to members who call in and want more information, so that we know that we are doing something good – both for our customers and for our community.
“We’ve been around for 25 years. They started in the basement of a few buildings here in the Gouverneur area, and now we are across from the DMV. You can see the big ProAct sign. We have about seven people in that facility at any given time taking calls, billing scripts, and supporting people in that regard. The way those people care about this community is fierce and passionate… ProAct folks are always out and about doing something to contribute to the community. This year, the 25th year, we are looking for 25 acts of kindness or volunteer activities in our local communities. That is pretty exciting stuff for us…” The ProAct representatives also talked about career opportunities, business growth, and more.
Thunderous applause sounded in appreciation of the guest speakers’ addresses. The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce gifted locally produced maple syrup from Spilman’s Sugar Shack in Gouverneur in appreciation of their time.
Award of Merit
The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce presented its 2024 Award of Merit to local businessman and entrepreneur Clark Porter.
“Clark Porter’s dedication to Gouverneur started when Clark was a teenager in Gouverneur. He started his entrepreneurial spirit by owning a sports card business at the ripe age of 17. From that small start, Clark got a taste of business that has been unquenched as of yet,” the Chamber said.
“In Gouverneur, Clark purchased 23 West Main Street, the former Seaker Graves Car Dealership (more recently the DJ Walters Chevrolet) and transformed it into an Ace Hardware store known as Small Town Supply. The building required much renovation and today stands as a landmark in the center of Gouverneur. Clark also purchased Jumbo’s Diner at 1 East Main Street in 2019 and re-opened it after a few years of it sitting vacant. The exterior of the building was painted and renovated with new windows and signs and sits proudly on the adjacent corner of Ace Hardware Small Town Supply.
“Clark also owns and runs Small Town Appliance at 47 East Main Street in Gouverneur, a much-needed appliance store for our small village. He employs a number of residents from Gouverneur and surrounding areas. He has also purchased and renovated several dilapidated properties in the area and brought them back to life as rental homes.
“Gouverneur is not the only village that has benefited from Clark’s business ventures. He also owns Ace Hardware Stores in Watertown, Canton, Potsdam, and DeKalb Junction as well as several rental properties in these towns. Clark has positively impacted the lives of numerous individuals and families fostering a sense of belonging and community.
“Clark resides at Sylvia Lake with his wife, Jordan, and two children. He is a deserving candidate due to his unwavering dedication to the betterment of our community and we would like to recognize Clark with the Award of Merit for his remarkable achievements.
Deafening applause sounded as Clark Porter accepted the 2024 Award of Merit honors, and offered a humble “thank you” in response.
Clark Porter’s father, 1992 Award of Merit Recipient Robert A. Porter, in part said the following: “I’d like to take you on a short trip down memory lane. My wife, Carrie, who is the rock of our family, she and I are very proud of all four of our boys and their spouses, and we feel very blessed that they have provided us with seven beautiful, intelligent grandchildren. I am surprised it took Clark 31 years to catch up with the old man. But I am so proud that he did… Clark mentioned to me one time. He said, “You know, Dad, I’d like to put Gouverneur back together one place at a time.” That’s true… I am so proud of my son. I know how great it felt when my name was called, and I’ll never forget that. And to see my son receive it, makes me even prouder. Mr. Porter also shared memories from Clark Porter’s life, and detailed Clark’s passion for building restoration and rehabilitation, entrepreneurship, and more.
Many words of congratulations were extended to 2024 Award of Merit Recipient Clark Porter following the award presentation.
Business Woman of the Year
The Gouverneur Business Women’s Club named Nancy (Lynde) Holdstock as the 2024 Gouverneur Business Woman of the Year.
The award was announced by Natalie Spilman as follows: “Every year, the Gouverneur Business Women’s Club presents a Business Woman of the Year Award. This year, we are presenting it to someone who makes Gouverneur beautiful – Nancy Holdstock. If you look around town, you’ll see many flowers everywhere. The Lynde family had a love for flowers and vegetables, beginning with Lynde’s Greenhouse that ran as a family business that was behind the Dairy Bar near the family farm. I remember going there to eat, and I am sure that everybody else remembers going there. There was a large vegetable garden beside the greenhouse that the Lynde kids all helped with. Nancy and her sisters worked at the family business, the Lynde’s Dairy Bar in their teen years. She ran the greenhouse while working at the Dairy Bar in the mid-80s. In August 1981, along with her sister, Carol, and brother, Gary, they operated the Dairy Bar and Restaurant until 1988 when it transitioned into a flower shop that she and Carol owned and worked hard at together. They incorporated a greenhouse and nursery with that business. Nancy would be hired for gardening jobs in the community in the Gouverneur area. She worked for many businesses as well as residential homes, which she still does. After the flower shop was closed, she continued to do gardening jobs. Not only does she keep her own gardens looking beautiful, she keeps her customers happy. At the age of 80, she is still in demand with a green thumb touch. We thank Nancy for all she does for this community. She volunteers her time with the fair every year. She makes the community beautiful, and we thank her very much.”
Thunderous applause sounded as Nancy Holdstock was presented with the honor.
Service Recognition
The Gouverneur Business Women’s Club also honored one of its own.
“I’ll make this short and sweet, just like the recipient of the award,” Natalie Spilman said. “Our recipient graduated with the Class of 1956 at Gouverneur High School, and celebrated her 86th birthday in March. In 1957, she began her career at Case & Leader Law Firm. On April 29, 1994, exactly 30 years ago, at the Annual Chamber Banquet, our recipient was presented this presented the Secretary of the Year Award by the Gouverneur Business Women. If you do the math, our recipient has been employed at the same law firm for 67 years and still works there. In 1995, Mary Benware was elected President of the Gouverneur Business Women and has held various official duties over the past 40+ years as a member of our club. In 2002, the Gouverneur Business Women held their first and last annual Breast Cancer Walk. The first annual Breast Cancer Walk was successful and raised $19,500. Afterwards, it was decided that the Walk needed to be under a not-for-profit agency. It was created and is now known as the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund. Mary is a survivor, and has participated and helped with the Cancer Walk since its inception. I’ve been told you can find Mary at the baked goods table at every walk. In 2003, the Gouverneur Business Women celebrated their 75th year of membership, and with her dedication and commitment, our club is still active and thriving. Mary has been an active member of the Methodist Church in Gouverneur for over 60 years. There have been many challenges throughout the years and Mary has been a voice of reason, a wealth of knowledge, a respected leader, and the glue that keeps everyone together… We are truly blessed to have her in our lives. She is a wonderful friend, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and a true public servant. Mary has always supported her community, shopped locally, and shows up to help in any way possible. I have known Mary my entire life… Mary, Dad and Great-Aunt Mary are neighbors, and there sure must be something in the well water on the Country Club Road as the three of them have a combined age of 280 years… They are active in the community. They keep their brains sharp, and that’s the key to longevity… Mary used to ride her bike daily, and now you can find her walking daily. Mary always finds someone to socialize with along the way. And if we are on the back porch at Dad’s, she stops by to visit. It is an honor and privilege to honor Mary and thank her for her many years of service and dedication to our club and community.
“If you are a golfer, you know that men receive green Masters jackets. Tonight, we are honoring Mary with a pink Masters jacket, because she is a champion as she betters the people in our community with her presence. Mary Benware, we thank you, and we love you.”
Thunderous applause sounded as she accepted the honor. Mary Benware extended gratitude to the Gouverneur Business Women, Case & Leader Law Firm, as well as her neighbors, friends and family in attendance.
Much gratitude was extended to all those who attended the Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce’s 114th Meeting and Banquet. The Banquet Committee extended appreciation to the local merchants who provided favors and door prizes and helped in making this year’s banquet a success. For more information about the Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce, visit the Chamber website, www.gouverneurchamber.net. The Chamber Office is now located at Donna Besaw’s Tax Office at 53 Herm Towne Road, Gouverneur. For more info, call 315-287-0331.