The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
CHAMBER AWARDS
Local businesses and residents honored and celebrated
The Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce shined a spotlight on the local businesses and people for their hard work, accomplishments, and commitment in the community.
The public was invited to the Kallet Civic Center on Friday, Nov. 1 to enjoy a night of dinner and cocktails to celebrate at the 2019 Chamber Annual Dinner. There, Primal Tee Shop, Ralph’s Collision and Leo Matzke were recognized for their work.
Primal Tee was awarded the New Business Award, given to an outstanding business open less than three years, for its accomplishments and positive impact on the community.
Primal Tee Shop is owned and operated by Steve and Denise Mangini. Their business was created in late September of 2018 offering screen printed apparel and embroidery.
“Steve and Denise are the examples of what it means tobe hardworking,” Chamber Board Member Monique Smith said.
Steve and Denise said they were blown away to be selected for the award, especially considering how they only started a year ago.
“We’re beyond grateful,”
Denise said. “We’re continuing to work hard and build what we have. Hopefully, we can work in the future with people in this room for years to come.”
Denise said there have been a lot of businesses that have started up in the greater Oneida area in the last three years and to be recognized within the first year left her and Steve stunned.
Steve said when the business was formed; the couple set a goal for what they’d be able to do and be happy with. “We’ve blown that out of the water about six months ago,” he said.
“I’m a former small business owner, so I know how tough it is to get a business going,” Assemblyman John Salka said. “I can tell [Steve and Denise] have the energy to produce good goods and good business.”
In the next five to 10 years, Denise said she hopes to see Primal Tee grown to the point it has its own shop and both she and Steve can work there full time.
For now, they said they’d like to keep the shop local and support the local communities.
Ralph’s Collision, Inc. was awarded the Longevity Award for its dedication to the greater Oneida area for more than 54 years. Ralph Holmes said he rented the
building he works out of back in 1965 and became incorporated a year later.
He added his secret to success is hard work, dedication, anda love for his job.
“I take so much pride in having a car come in that’s all smashed to heck and leaving looking brand new,” Holmes said. “There’s a lot of satisfaction in that. I’m one of the few people that love their work. I get up every morning looking forward to going to work.
“I could have retired years ago, but I never want to retire.”
Even on days off, Holmes said he makes the effort to find a reason to go to work. At 77 years old, Holmes plans to work for as long as he can.
“I started doing this when I was 14,” he said. “I used to walk up fromthe junior high school to work at Marv’s Bodyshop on Route 5.”
At the dinner, Holmes admitted he didn’t believe he’d ever been awarded anything like the Longevity Award and felt honored to be recognized.
“I’ve been awarded a few citations by the police department, but this is far better than that,” Holmes said. “I’m going to be here for many more years to come. I have no plans of quitting.”
The Distinguished Service Award was given to Matzke for demonstrating service and commitment to improving the local community andmaking the greater Oneida area a better, more vibrant place to live.
“No one is more deserving than LeoMatzke,” Ward 5 Councilor Jim Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain saidMatzke has lived a rich life, having been married to the love of his life for 50 years and having a family of three children and 10 grandchildren.
“Leo loves children, as shown by his dedication to teaching for 35 years, a soccer coachfor 10 years, foster father to many young people over the years and even a Girl Scout leader,” Chamberlain said.
Matzke has been both the director and executive director of the Madison County Children’s Camp since 1975, building the camp from 40 children a week to 700 a summer.
Chamberla i n sa i d Matzke has been a council member, deputymayor, and mayor over his political career with a goal to revitalize downtown Oneida and be more open to the public.
Ward 1 Councilor Al Cohen, representing the Oneida City and Madison County Democratic Committees, credited Matzke’s work to advance good government initiatives and his dedication to the next generation and his country.
“Mayor Matzke has been a strong advocate for his beloved city of Oneida for many years,” Cohen said. “He’s always been ready with a smile and kind word. Leo’s open-door policy welcomed new ideas and approaches for fair, effective governance.”
“Leo’s life has always been bursting with the need,” Chamberlain said. “He was a MASH medic as part of his stint in the military. The need to serve his fellow man has always been what he was and what he was born to do.”
Matzke said he feels there’s a lot of things he gets credit for that he doesn’t think he deserves.
“The city is doing well and the credit for that should go to the fine group of department heads running the city,” Matzke said. “The Children Camp, when Cher and I started with 40 children a week is now 700 a summer. The credit for that should go to the director and cabin counselors. But I also look around and see somany people supporting others in our city and making our city stronger.”
From the volunteers at the hospital, Jamie Alvarez running the marathon under Corporal Jeremy Lasher’s name, Jessica’s Heroes and Relay for life and all those who work on events like the City Center Market andMakin’ Bakin— Matzke feels all those people are the ones who deserve the credit much more than he does for making the greater Oneida area a better place.
“All those who make meals for someone who’s hurting, sick or lost — they deserve the credit,” Matzke said. “All those who, day-today, just simply and quietly lend a helping hand to support someone — they deserve the credit.”
Matzke expressed his gratitude for being chosen for the award and thanked his family for all their support and help over the years.
After the dinner, Matzke admitted he didn’t know what he planned to do next in his life.
“I don’t know, really,” Matzke said. “I’m waiting for whatever new adventure happens in my life. I know one will, but I don’t know when. I usually know what I’m going to do next, but this time I don’t.
“I’m going to trust the Good Lord to bring something my way that’s challenging and I look forward to it.”