Chamber News & Meetings & Minutes

A Message to the Community, Harvest Festival 2025

Message to the community as it relates to the Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 27, 2025

Dear Friends,

We at the Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce are grateful for all the organizations, businesses and people who have participated in the Delhi Harvest Festival, which we organize every year to support growers and makers. 

At our October 8, 2024 meeting, the Chamber Board voted (unanimously) in favor of adopting a policy that prohibits us from renting space to political organizations. This action was taken to bring consistency with the existing policy already applied at our weekly Farmer's Market and to uphold the intent of our annual event. 

We recognize that the Harvest Festival has become an important day for public engagement. We encourage interested groups to continue to take advantage of the day's foot traffic by setting up in adjacent areas. 

Thank you very much for your past participation and for understanding our policy.

Sincerely, 

Lisa Wisely
President
Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce

If you are not a politically affiliated organization and are interested in becoming a vendor for this year's Harvest Festival, please click here to register. 

Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting Minutes 04/08/2024

Greater Delhi Chamber of Commerce Agenda
Meeting Notes—Tuesday, April 8, 2025

  • Pellegrino Grant

    • Applications Closed

    • Discussion on Membership Questions

      • The board members can see the full list of applications. Please do not share with anyone else beside the board and those who are judging.

      • Lisa will look to see if we can find a list of previous winners but I don’t think any of these applicants have won in the last three years. 

  • Request for Judges

    • Lisa will reach out to the beautification committee to ask if they can be the judging body for the grant.

  • Farmers’ Market

    • Conversation with Meg

      • Matt met with Meg and discussed what she likes to do as Market Manager and how another role could be introduced to support her.

      • New Committee: Matt K, Jerry and Abby will meet and present the board with a job description, hourly rate suggestion and anything else they would like to propose for this role. 

      • This role would have to oversee the tent set up/strike each week. 

      • Meg would keep her free vendor space. 

      • This committee should also examine the farmers’ market vendor fees and see if there is a way to be more consistent with our revenue, provide accurate incentives for paying in advance and review how to make non-farm/non-local product vendors provide more revenue. Jerry mentioned the Baltimore Farmers Market system of charging different vendor fees for local vs. non-local example. The committee handling the job description will create options for new revenue models. 

      • This is very time sensitive because the market moves outdoors soon. 

      • It may be that this is not something that makes sense economically once we have all the factors. Will discuss as a board asap. 

      • Dave said to make sure our market staff are ‘independent contractors’ (not employees)  

      • Lisa to provide the committee with an annual revenue and expense breakdown. 

      • Jerry proposed idea of Summer intern to help with market in Summer

      • Jerry also mentioned if we can commit to enough hours, it could qualify for a scholarship (3 different sources, Doug and Jerry know). 

  • Tent Set Up 

    • We need to find a solution for the tent set up, whether this role comes online or not. 

    • Lisa will reach out to Griffin at Bloomville Tent to see if they might be interested in quoting us on putting up and taking down the tents every week. 

    • Lisa and Dave R. to try to meet/discuss with tent company. 

      • Update: Tent company can’t help. Matt K. is checking on another option and will report back. 

  • Benefit Program for Market 

    • Meg did not have any more information. 

    • Matt K. was going to go talk to Cornell Cooperative Extension. 

    • This may be a bit more administratively taxing than we had discussed, which is a great reason to consider this coordinator’s role.

  • Kiosk Update

    • Jim had discussed perhaps making the design a bit simpler. 

    • If going with the gazebo concept, suggesting bringing the Evening Standard print into the design

    • Matt M. said he spoke to Josh Morgan and there would be no problem. 

    • We should share a final design with DTC, Code Enforcement and the village so we have no issues down the road.

  • 2025 Events-Spring/Summer

    • St. Patrick’s Day Parade-Anything to adjust for future? 

      • Everyone said the event was great this year. Matt K. mentioned that people assume we run the event which is in part due to the wording on the ads. If anyone asks, point them Glenn Nealis at Delaware County Economic Development who does in fact oversee the event. 

  • Bridge Run

    • First Saturday in June. 

    • We are not the sponsors or hosts; we are the administrative group supporting the Run. 

    • Lisa Henderson is on the event and things are going well. 

    • We have been marketing the event, recruiting sponsors, vendors, and runners. 

  • Rock and Roll Racing for Fair in the Square

    • We have paid for this to be at the Delhi Fair on the Square for the last three years. 

    • The cost is $2,300 per year. 

    • While we did not vote on this, the take away was that we would do it again for 2025. 

    • A new committee formed with Doug and Matt M. to put together how to get more exposure as the Chamber including getting businesses to sponsor cars, better signs, and a car designated for just The Chamber. 

    • This committee will get more information from Chrstina who is in touch with the racetrack company and find out what is possible. The committee will come back to the board with a plan.

    • This committee also reviews how the chamber may get more involved in the soap box derby if possible and the board approves.

  • Ribbon Cutting

    • Hair of the Catskills has asked for a ribbon cutting

      • Lisa will check in with them to see when they want this. 

      • We need at least three board members to attend when the date is chosen. 

      • We will take photos and send them to local papers.

  • Next Mixer

    • We should have another mixer between now and Fall. 

    • Fall mixer to be at Strickland Hollow Farm Tuesday 9/16. 

    • Mixer committee to come back with suggestions on the mixer between now and fall.

  • Advocacy Updates 

    • None

  • New Business 

    • Member Lost Bookshop let us know they will be doing Where’s Waldo again in Delhi. This will be a July event. 

    • Lost Bookshop will also have an antique pop-up shop this summer on the second floor of their building. 

    • This and That is partnering with the Delaware County Historical Association for a large event at This and That on Saturday, August 16th. More details to follow but should be a big draw for lovers of antiques and history with proceeds going to the DCHA building. 

    • West Kortright Centre is hosting their 50th season with lots of events that we will promote. They offered tickets to the 4/19 show featuring Sesa and the Chamber will do a ticket giveaway next week on their behalf. 

    • Jerry asked about getting people to help clean up litter in the areas in and around (and outside of the village). He will tap into the resources of the college’s planned clean up day. 

    • Dave asked if we could consider helping with the sound system in town when there is an event, specifically the Memorial Day event. Matt M said he would investigate options for this event. 

    • Barb Jones has sent in suggestions for a Star Award. We are still working through the ones we’ve already approved and purchased plaques for but Lisa will bring a list for the next nomination process. 

    • Ribbon cutting for Fire Tower organized by the State on 5/2. A Chamber member should attend. 

Pellegrino Grant Winners 2025

Our goal at the Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce is to make Delhi, NY, a great place to live, work, and play by helping area businesses flourish. One way we support local businesses is by offering two grants aimed at enhancing the appearance and overall beautification of their businesses. The two recipients of this year's Pellegrino Grant are The Lost Bookshop and Ninth of June!

The Lost Bookshop will restore its original exterior door, repair the stairs, add lighting, and incorporate historically appropriate hardware and architectural details to the building’s exterior. These updates will make the second floor accessible to the public for use as a space for pop-up shops and educational events.

Ninth of June will add awnings to their storefront to enhance the facade and visually distinguish the shop from neighboring buildings along Court Street. The awnings will not only add aesthetic appeal but also create a more inviting and recognizable storefront for passersby.

Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting Minutes 2/11/2024

February 2025 Board Meeting Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce
 Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - 10:00am

Meeting called to order at 10:00am
Lisa Wisely, President, presiding
Board members present: Valerie Nichols, Dave Rama, Matt Marchese, Matt Krzyston, Doug Perrett, Jerry Pellegrino, Abbey Wilson, Jim Smart

  • Mixers/Events

  • Next mixer is on February 18th at Picc’s Pub from 5-7pm.  Star award recipients are Jim and Cindy Smart, Community Volunteer Star

  • St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Saturday, March 22nd at noon.  The Chamber is a sponsor at $500

  • Farmers’ Market – there is an opportunity to add EBT as an acceptable form of payment at the market.  More details are needed before the board votes on this but the cost of the equipment to process the payment is approximately $2,000.  The board sees no issues with paying for the hardware but again needs more information on the logistics prior to approval.  Meg, our liaison for the market, will also need to be included in the discussions.

  • Marketing

  • Membership push: emails went out on 1/15/25 with the next correspondence being a direct mailer with a focus on membership renewals

  • Pellegrino Grant – Lisa will circulate current criteria/application to all board members for review.  Once the board agrees on the terms, the grant application/opportunity will be advertised.

  • Doug suggested a change to the panel that reviews the applications.  His goal is to diversify the review panel.  He will recruit and present a list of potential judges to the rest of the board. The board unanimously approved this motion.

  • It was noted that Jim Smart should be noted as a valuable resource for those businesses looking to apply but unsure of the approach

  • New Business

  • Trailer sale – The Chamber’s trailer that had been utilized in the past for parades is being sold.  Matt M. will be spearheading this effort.

  • The Beautification Committee is currently restructuring members.  Andrea has provided the Chamber with a list of projects and associated costs for 2025.  The board unanimously approved to support half of the costs in the amount of $4,100

  • Discussion was held on a possible grant opportunity in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Delaware Opportunities.  This grant opportunity could provide funding to promote local food and products and enhance advertising efforts for the Farmers’ Market.

  • Advocacy

  • Matt K discussed several items happening at the Town and County level

  • Making local government more user friendly by allowing some applications and licenses to be available online

  • Tax sharing discussions continue to take place

  • Design criteria for the Village of Delhi – Matt would like to readdress this topic (previously presented to the Village in 2023).  Matt and Jim will draft a design document to present to the Chamber Board before it moves on to the Village Board for review

  • The Village of Delhi has new parking signs for Hoyt Park.

  • Board Member Updates

  • Welcome newest board member Jim Smart!

  • The Board voted to make the following changes to bank account signatories:

  • Delaware National Bank of Delhi

    Add: Lisa Wisely, Gerald Pellegrino

Remove: Hope Knapp, Laura Stewart, Gennaro Pellegrino, Tanya Fedo

  • Community Bank

Add: Gerald Pellegrino

Remove: Celine DeCarlo

  • Member Updates

  • Abbey discussed several events taking place at SUNY Delhi or in partnership with SUNY Delhi.  

  • Regional Economic Council meeting on February 13th at 3:00pm held at Bluestone

  • Inauguration for SUNY Delhi President on April 3rd

  • Nini of Tay Tea discussed an event at her new location 84 Main Street

  • Red Party from 4-7 on Saturday, February 15th

Meeting adjourned at 11am.  Next month’s board meeting will be on Tuesday, March 11th at 10am and membership meeting at 11am

Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting Minutes 1/14/2025

January 2025 Board Meeting Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, January 14, 2025 - 10:00am 

Meeting called to order at 10:00am  

Lisa Wisely, President, presiding 

Board members present: Valerie Nichols, Dave Rama, Matt Marchese, Matt  Krzyston, Amanda Faulk-Ghidinelli, Doug Perrett, Jerry Pellegrino 

• Mixers/Events 

— Next mixer will be held at Tay Tea on Tuesday, February 18th from 5pm – 7pm. Let’s help celebrate Tay Tea’s new location at 84 Main Street, Delhi
— St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be on Saturday, March 22nd. The Chamber will  once again sponsor the event with a $500 donation  

▪ A discussion was held regarding the Chamber’s trailer that  has been used for previous parades. A motion was  presented and unanimously passed to sell the trailer as it did not represent GDACC in a positive way. 

• Marketing 

— One of the Farmer’s Market signs has gone missing. Lisa has additional  signs so it will be replaced at the Robert O Mable location. 
— Correspondence is being sent out for membership renewal. Valerie will   reach out to the Delaware County Chamber for a list of dual memberships.
— Fire & EMS Campaign – Lisa presented an idea to draft a campaign to  encourage local support of emergency services both monetarily and for  volunteers/members. 

• Budget Considerations 2025 

— The kiosk located on Main Street is in need of some repair and upgrades.  Matt M is going to take the lead on this project. Valerie has offered to assist. 

• Advocacy Updates 

— Matt K provided an update on sales tax sharing. The County Board  continues to receive letters of support for tax sharing. Matt also mentioned  that the Town of Delhi is seeking money as the host township (Delhi is the  County seat).


• Membership Updates 

— Tay Tea has moved to 84 Main Street in Delhi 

— Jonah Shaw provided an update on his building in Treadwell. He is  currently waiting on permitting from both the Town and the Office of  Cannabis Management 

— Doug has partnered with the senior class of Delaware Academy in a  fundraising effort - classic DA apparel sale. 

• Board Member Updates 

— Julian Peploe has resigned from the board 

— Matt M presented a motion to invite Jim Short to join the board. The motion  was seconded by Matt K with the stipulation of Jim becoming a member. 

Meeting adjourned at 11am. Next month’s board meeting will be on Tuesday, February 11th at 10am and membership meeting at 11am.

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Emergency Response Services

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As residents and business owners who make up the board of the Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce, we wanted to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for all the first responders in our area and let the community and visitors know the various ways you can support and contribute to the fire and EMS departments that do everything possible to ensure the safety of you, your home, and your business.

Who Are Our First Responders?

They are all volunteers. They are our neighbors, our co-workers, and our friends. These are individuals who are always on standby, ready to drop whatever they are doing to race to a call.

A recent study by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) concluded that volunteers save the taxpayers of Delaware County around $68 million in property taxes as opposed to having paid firefighters.

How Are They Funded?

While fire and emergency services in Delaware County are volunteer-based, there is a definite need for funding to ensure they have everything required to respond to the needs of our area. That funding comes from a combination of local taxes, government grants, and fundraising efforts.

What You Can Do to Help

Volunteerism

  • Volunteering: Many fire departments, especially in areas like Delaware County, rely almost exclusively on volunteers. Individuals can volunteer their time to assist in various roles, such as firefighting, emergency medical services, administration, or fundraising.

  • Corporate Volunteering: Businesses can encourage their employees to volunteer for fire and EMS services by providing flexible hours, organizing team volunteer events, or offering paid time off for volunteering.

Donate

  • Monetary Donations: Individuals and businesses can contribute financial support to local fire and EMS departments. These donations help fund equipment purchases, training, facility maintenance, and operating expenses.

  • In-kind Donations: Local businesses may donate goods or services that help fire and EMS departments, such as office supplies, food and beverages for volunteers, or even equipment.

Fundraising

  • Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses can become sponsors for fire and EMS-related events or specific projects, such as the purchase of new fire trucks or medical equipment.

  • Community Fundraisers: Our local fire and EMS services often hold or collaborate on fundraising events, such as dinners, raffles, auctions, car washes, and benefit events. Individuals and businesses can volunteer to help organize, sponsor, and support these events.

Equipment Donations

  • Direct Equipment Purchases: Individuals or businesses can make large contributions toward purchasing specific tools or apparatus, such as defibrillators, firefighting hoses, or personal protective equipment.

  • Used Equipment: Businesses that are upgrading their equipment might donate their older items to fire and EMS services, such as computers, medical supplies, or even vehicles.

These are just a few of the ways that individuals and businesses can support our local fire and EMS services. We as a Chamber of Commerce will look for ways to support and advocate for those who serve us anywhere we can. 

Where can I learn more? 

Delaware County Emergency Services is an office in Delaware County that coordinates a variety of tasks regarding emergency management in the county. They coordinate emergency responders, EMS and fire training, 911 oversight, and manage elements of the Delaware County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. You can visit their website to learn about upcoming training sessions and read about the best ways to prepare for an emergency.

Below are Fire & EMS Departments that serve the Greater Delhi Area:

Bloomville Fire Department & EMS
Bovina Fire Department & EMS
Delhi Fire Department & EMS, also has a station in Hamden, NY
East Meredith Fire & EMS Department
Meridale Fire & EMS Department
Treadwell Fire & EMS
Delaware County Firefighters Association

How to Promote your Events!

We wanted to take a minute to let our members know how to go about promoting an event that you are hosting. As board members and those active in the Chamber, we currently get phone calls, text messages, messages through Facebook, messages through Instagram, people stopping us on the street. We are not able to keep track of the volume of requests and information you are sharing so we’d love to tell you how we can best help you.

Please note, we share events that your business hosts. We do not share every businesses regular hours or when they are regularly open. This would be too much for us to keep track of. If you have special hours for a specific weekend or are making a major change to your regular hours, we can absolutely promote that.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO GET YOUR EVENT ON OUR RADAR:

Option #1— Submit your event to our EVENTS calendar.

Our calendar can be updated by you directly. We are alerted when an event is submitted. This allows us to approve your event and then promote it through our social media and/or wherever appropriate.

Click here to find our EVENTS listing page. At the top of the page you will find information about how to submit an event to our calendar.

We suggest you also do the same for the County tourism site which can be found here.

Option #2— Tag us in your Instagram Post

If you are an Instagram user, the easiest way for us to share information about your event is for you to create an Instagram POST that we can easily share. Include us by using @visitdelhiNY or tag us #visitdelhiny. We search both often, we will find your post and we will share it if appropriate. For tips on how to create a successful event post on your social media, read our article here. We prefer to promote static posts in your Instagram or Facebook feed that does not contain music. Providing a static posts (not animated or video without sound) allows us for a greater capability to share. 

Option #3— Send an email

Provide all the details that we will need including an image or graphic to hello@visitdelhiny.org. Sending us just the name and the date of the event is not enough. Full details are required in order for us to promote properly.

Following these methods over text or messages on other platforms will allow us to do a better job promoting. As always, the more time you give us to promote the event, the better.

Invoices to your Inbox - Renew Membership

In the next two weeks, Chamber Members with expired memberships will receive an invoice with the option to renew. We have been organizing our membership database, which has taken time, so some memberships expired months ago. Regardless of when your membership has expired, once you renew, your membership will begin again at that time. 

While managing memberships on the backend, we continued to treat expired accounts as active members. After invoices are sent, each expired membership must be renewed to access the benefits of Chamber membership. Read about membership benefits here.

Keep an eye on your inbox for your membership invoice, and consider renewing your membership with us. If you have any questions about your membership, do not hesitate to email us at hello@visitdelhiny.org.

Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting Minutes 12/10/2024

December 2024 Board Meeting Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 - 10:00am

Meeting called to order at 10:00am
Lisa Wisely, President, presiding
Board members present: Valerie Nichols, Dave Rama, Matt Marchese, Matt Krzyston, Amanda Faulk-Ghidinelli, Doug Perrett, Christina Viafore

  • Mixers/Events

    • Next mixer proposed to be held at the American Legion in February 2025.

    • Holiday Parade Recap – great turn out for both spectators and participants.  Suggestions made:

  • Holiday Parade committee to meet in August

  • Adding a speaker midway down the street to increase the audio of the MC and music for those spectators past This & That

  • Tree lighting event to be more structured with the addition of a countdown with Santa and Mrs. Claus

  • Judges for this year’s floats were Polly Dellacrosse, Mayor Gearhart, and Delhi Town Supervisor Maya Boukai.  The theme for this year’s parade was Holiday on the Farm.  The winners are Delhi Telephone Company, SUNY Delhi Vet Science, and Delaware Academy’s marching band.

  • Event Committee’s need more people to assist so it does not fall on one person

  • Marketing

    • Continue to share local events with the chamber

    • Yearend email – Correspondence will be drafted to highlight 2024, create excitement for 2025, and generate new membership.

    • Additional marketing piece for mixers will be created and posted on the boards at The Hollow and Dubbens to invite people to attend and join the Chamber.

  • Policies & Procedures

    • Non-disclosure agreements were distributed and signed by all board members present.

  • Advocacy Updates

    • Matt K provided an update on sales tax sharing.  The County Board will be discussing this topic in January for 2026 fiscal year.

    • Discussion was held on the price of gas in Delhi compared to surrounding townships.   

  • Membership Updates

    • December 20th Main Street Holiday Event.  Main Street businesses will be organizing an event for December 20th to drive foot traffic to local shops during the holiday season.  More details to come…

    • Increase awareness that the Chamber is always looking for new board members via newsletters, mixers and website

  • Board Member Elections/Nominations

    • Executive positions were discussed.  The following were presented and voted on without objection:

      • President – Lisa Wisely

      • Vice President – Jerry Pellegrino

      • Treasurer – Lisa Wisely

      • Secretary – Valerie Nichols

Meeting adjourned at 11am. Next month’s board meeting will be on Tuesday, January 14th at 10am and membership meeting at 11am.

How to Promote Your Event

We wanted to take a minute to let our members know how to go about promoting an event that you are hosting. As board members and those active in the Chamber, we currently get phone calls, text messages, messages through Facebook, messages through Instagram, people stopping us on the street. We are not able to keep track of the volume of requests and information you are sharing so we’d love to tell you how we can best help you.

Please note, we share events that your business hosts. We do not share every businesses regular hours or when they are regularly open. This would be too much for us to keep track of. If you have special hours for a specific weekend or are making a major change to your regular hours, we can absolutely promote that.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO GET YOUR EVENT ON OUR RADAR:

Option #1— Submit your event to our EVENTS calendar.

Our calendar can be updated by you directly. We are alerted when an event is submitted. This allows us to approve your event and then promote it through our social media and/or wherever appropriate.

Click here to find our EVENTS listing page. At the top of the page you will find information about how to submit an event to our calendar.

We suggest you also do the same for the County tourism site which can be found here.

Option #2— Tag us in your Instagram Post

If you are an Instagram user, the easiest way for us to share information about your event is for you to create an Instagram POST that we can easily share. Include us by using @visitdelhiNY or tag us #visitdelhiny. We search both often, we will find your post and we will share it if appropriate. For tips on how to create a successful event post on your social media, read our article here. We prefer to promote static posts in your Instagram or Facebook feed that does not contain music. Providing a static posts (not animated or video without sound) allows us for a greater capability to share. 

Option #3— Send an email

Provide all the details that we will need including an image or graphic to hello@visitdelhiny.org. Sending us just the name and the date of the event is not enough. Full details are required in order for us to promote properly.

Following these methods over text or messages on other platforms will allow us to do a better job promoting. As always, the more time you give us to promote the event, the better.

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Success for the Business Community

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Where’s Waldo in Delhi, NY, was a massive success for the village of Delhi. The scavenger hunt-style event hosted by The Lost Bookshop in partnership with Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association garnered over 250 participants. A cardboard cut out of the children’s book character, Waldo, was hidden in 25 local shops around Delhi. Participants went from shop to shop looking for Waldo and in exchange, received a stamp in their Where’s Waldo passport book. Those who spotted at least 20 Waldo’s were entered in a raffle to win prizes this past Wednesday, July 31st. Over 30 participants won prizes that were donated by local businesses. There was even a real life Waldo in the crowd! 

This event was a huge success for the business community as each of the 250+ participants went into local shops, many for the first time, exposing them to the wonderful items and beautiful stores that make Delhi a great place to shop.

Congratulations to all of the participants and a huge thank you to The Lost Bookshop for their organizing efforts and to the 25 other businesses that hid Waldo and welcomed participants for the month of July!




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