The Hanover Chamber Committee bids farewell to Rick Klisiewicz. Pictured are, from left, Chair Aimee Rogers, Imagine Forestville; outgoing Chair Rick Klisiewicz; Chamber Coordinator Dave Kleparek; and in back, from left, Dawn Esperson, Christmas Central; Jennifer Jones, M&T Bank; and Nicki Nearhoof, Hae Jude.

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Committee in Hanover recently held its first meeting of the year at the Tavern on the Mall in Forestville to plan for 2024 events. The group, chaired by Aimee Rogers, also paid tribute to its outgoing committee chair, Rick Klisiewicz and thanked him for his years of service to the Chamber of Commerce.

“Rick has been a driving force for the Chamber for over 30 years in northern Chautauqua County,” Ms. Rogers noted. “He was active as a business manager for several local businesses including Day’s Inn, Holiday Inn in the Town of Dunkirk, and was a salesman for a large regional distributing company. He also has his own business, a horse ranch.”

Klisiewicz served as the Hanover Committee Chair and in that capacity was a member of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He represented the Dunkirk, Fredonia, and Silver Creek areas with the Chamber, bringing a passion to promote and create opportunity for local businesses. He worked to raise scholarship funds for local students and helped to bring in sponsorships for community events. Last October he received the Hanover Community Impact Award from the Chamber. Klisiewicz is also active in other local organizations including the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, the Chautauqua County Conservation Club in Dunkirk, the VFW and Amvets in Silver Creek, and 4-H.

“We thank him for his service to the region,” Rogers noted, “and wish him well in the future.”

The new committee leadership consists of Chair Aimee Rogers, Vice Chair Kelly Borrello of Cabana Sam’s; Secretary Nicki Nearhoof of Hae Jude; Treasurer Jennifer Jones of M&T Bank in Silver Creek; and Dawn Esperson, Christmas Central.

The Hanover Community Committee will hold a Winter Appreciation Sip & Snack at Merritt Estate Winery, 2264 King Road, Forestville, on Thursday, March 14 from 5-6:30pm. There will be good food, delicious wine, and great company! This event is free to attend. Pre-registration is requested for planning purposes. Attendees can register online through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.