Chamber hosts 70th dinner-dance
CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels business men and women will keep a 70-year-old tradition alive when they hit the dance floor at the end of the month.
The Carmichaels Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its 70th annual Chamber Dinner-Dance on April 30 at the American Legion, Cumberland Post 400.
“It’s a community thing,” said John Brodak, president of the chamber for the past 50 years. “It’s free booze and dancing. We all get to see each other and it’s always a great time.”
Brodak, who’s served 13 terms as president of the chamber since 1966, said this will be the chamber’s 70th dinner-dance in a row.
This year, the evening will begin with 5 p.m. cocktails and dinner at 6 p.m., followed by dancing until 11 p.m.
Music will be provided by DJ Dave Plavi and the 2015 Coal Queen, Katlyn Allison from Carmichaels Area High School, will be the guest of honor.
Brodak said the formal dance is open to the public and raises money for the chamber.
“We use the money for Christmas and Halloween banquets and children’s programs,” he said.
Brodak said the chamber, which began in 1935, reached a high point of about 300 members in the 1980s, but is now under 100 members.
John and Ruth Enci, of Carmichaels, have been Chamber members and participated in the dance each year for decades, but they’ve also seen a decline in membership and attendance.
“The chamber can be an asset to any business and I would like to see more members join,” Ruth Enci said. “People don’t participate in organizations and events like they used to, but this is a really nice affair.”
She said that at each annual dinner, a speaker will usually talk about business opportunities in the county and county officials and commissioners usually participate.
“The dinner itself is like the social event of the year,” she said.
Tickets for the event are $25 per person and are available at Brodak’s Shop ‘n Save, Yingling Insurance Agency or from any officer or director of the chamber.