The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce held its annual member appreciation picnic last week, thanking the volunteers and businesses that have been tirelessly promoting business development in the area.

"The member appreciation picnic is a way to say thank you to our volunteers, and everyone that comes out and gets involved throughout the year," Alice Wanamaker, assistant vice president for the northern region, said.Volunteers, business owners, and chamber members congregated at the Walnutport Canal Association Pavilion to celebrate their extraordinary efforts with plenty of food, lively music and great company. Following the picnic, the chamber held a recognition ceremony for every business of the month for the previous year."We'll also recognize Northern Valley Emergency Medical Services and the Slatington library, two organizations that we have worked very closely with," Wanamaker said.John Bechtel, board treasurer for the Slatington library, also runs Bechtel's Pharmacy, which works with the chamber. He said that the chamber's support has allowed the library to flourish beyond what it could accomplish on its own."It feels good to be part of the chamber," Bechtel said. "Tonight, they're recognizing us because of the event the library and the chamber put on to raise money for the library, Spirits with Spirits. It was a great event. Eight Oaks came out to give out samples, and we had a ghost hunt at the library. Everyone had a great time. The chamber has a larger audience than the small Slatington library, and they help us reach the whole valley."Kristie Wilk, administrative director of NOVA, could not be more thankful for the group's support, especially in regard to fundraising efforts."We're fortunate that a lot of individuals who work with the chamber are also on our board, so it's mutually beneficial," she said."The donations are extremely important. The cost of EMS, even with reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid, don't actually cover the cost of sending an ambulance out on a call. We need donations to bridge that gap, to keep us going so that we can serve the community. The chamber helps us do that."Afterward, chamber President and CEO Tony Iannelli swore in the new members of the board of directors, including Chairman Jack Bechtel, Vice Chairman Andy Gildner, second Vice Chair Cindy Miller, immediate past Chair Nancy Treskot, Treasurer Drew Maron, and Directors Kevin Schmidt, Gary Fedorcha, Craig Brady, Bob Kempf, Keith Strohl, Jeff Bartlett, Monica Sellers, Debbie Miller, Vickie Beller, Walter Niedermeyer, Kim Peischler and Jason Breidinger."There is so much happening in the Greater Northern Lehigh Valley area. We are seeing so much development right now. The picnic is a great way to say thanks to everyone who helps the effort, piece by piece, from the town hardware store celebrating 150 years of service, to the local diner down the street."