Lee Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 100 Years
LEE, Mass. — For 100 years, the Lee Chamber of Commerce has promoted business in the small, quaint town right off the Massachusetts Turnpike.
In the last year, the chamber's membership grew from 65 to more than 105 — surpassing its centennial goal of 100 members. This and other feats were celebrated during its annual meeting on Monday at Greenock Country Club.
"It feels wonderful just to see the town of Lee thriving and the Chamber doing so well and having so many people involved," Executive Director Kathy DeVarennes said.
"In just the attendance tonight, you'll see that support by the community. It's a wonderful little town that really supports its businesses and its community members and that's great. It's good to be 100 years old."
Membership growth was identified as a key focus at last year's annual meeting. Board President Doug Bagnasco was pleased to announce the increase in membership.
"We do have some lofty goals to try and increase the membership more so we can provide even more services to the town and do more to help promote Lee," he said.
Dresser Hull Lumber and Building Supply is a century-long member. The company was the parade grand marshal during Founders Day Weekend in September, one of the chamber's most popular events.
Bagnasco pointed to several other 2024 triumphs, including a successful annual golf outing that raised more than $10,000 and $4,000 awarded to four Lee High School students in scholarships.
The chamber also brought people to the town center with an All Hollows Eve Spooktacular Halloween event and was approved for a Destination Development Grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to spruce up the Lee Welcome Center and gardens.
"As we continue to work to grow our membership, it allows us to expand our programs and in turn, will bring more people to our lovely town of Lee," he said.
"None of this could happen without the support of all our members, present and in the future, and the continuing commitment of support from the town of Lee's Select Board members."
Susan Gore was given the Volunteer of the Year Award for more than 30 years of service through the Lee Food Pantry. Opened in 1991 as the Community Emergency Needs Resource Center, the pantry served more than 6,300 people last year.
Gore has been the director since 1994. Board Vice President Erik Williams said Lee is lucky to have her and the 50-plus volunteers who give their time and energy to ensure that food is available for the town's and surrounding communities' food insecure.
"It takes a village and I can thank all of you here because you have some way, in some part, helped out with the Lee Food Pantry over the last 33 years. Can't do it without a community," she said, adding "We're a great town."
Karen Keenan was given the Distinguished Service Award for 18 years of operating Karen Keenan Gifts & Home in the downtown.
"It was a sad day on Main Street this fall when Karen Keenan Gifts & Home closed up," Williams said.
"Karen Keenan opened up her award-winning shop in 2006. Eighteen years later, Karen had decided that she is ready for retirement and much deserved. Karen Keenan Gifts & Home was an anchor on Main Street for years and Main Street will simply not be the same without her and her go-to gift shop."
Keenan looked back on her business with fond memories.
"It really was a great 18 years," she said. "I'll always look back on it during my retirement years."
High Lawn Farm was given the Corporate Citizen of the Year Award. It has been a fully functional dairy farm since 1932 and today is a destination for locals and visitors. In addition, its dairy products are enjoyed all over the Northeast.
The Lee Library and Terrace Hair Studio were given Lifetime Achievement Awards. The town's library is the only Carnegie library left in Berkshire County, constructed of marble from Lee Marble Works atop the site of the first town meeting in 1777.
The library is a community gathering space where people can find children's activities, sewing groups, author talks, art shows, community presentations, library tours, and more, and has been working to organize and digitize its impressive historical collection.
Anne Renaud has operated her hair salon on Housatonic Street since 1986 after receiving an education from McCann Technical School in North Adams.
"She's sitting at her table this evening, and everyone asks the question, 'How do you stay in business for 40 years?" and it was truly enlightening, the answers that you gave and so thank you for those 40 years of service and the advice you just gave," Williams said to Renaud.
"Forty years in business is truly a historic and amazing feat in today's world. Forty years of keeping the residents of Lee and its surrounding communities looking their best."
Williams has been a member of the chamber for five years and has seen it grow "tremendously" in that short time.
"We had some really ambitious goals this last year when we were here," he said. "And we really flew through them in such amazing ways and had such tremendous gatherings and new things happening throughout Lee, which is tremendously exciting."
During the event, Sandra Sawyer of Neighborhood Ninjas spoke about an upcoming playground coming to town next year. According to the organization's website, the NinjaFit Playground is the first adult fitness playground designed by athletes and coaches who have competed on the hit NBC show "American Ninja Warrior."
"Our big goal here is to foster community and connection here in the town of Lee," Sawyer said.
She explained that people can get involved by sponsoring an obstacle, joining fundraising efforts, helping build the playground, or loaning heavy machinery.
"This is a free public playground," she said. "And our long-term goal is to continue to fund raise as well as write grants so we can continue with the free programming for youth, for adults, and for the community."
Tags: annual meeting, chamber of commerce, recognition event,
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