Commerce Chenango recognizes community advocates

SHERBURNE – There are no failures in life, says Maria Stamatatos, only mistakes we can learn from.

Stamatatos, owner of Gus’ Steakhouse in Norwich, was honored along with three other business and community leaders at the Fox Run Event Center in Sherburne by Commerce Chenango for accomplishments in their respective fields and their local outreach efforts.

“Don’t be afraid to fail. Believe in yourself and your abilities,” said Stamatatos, who earned the “Woman/Minority Owned Business of the Year” award, as well as praise for organizing fundraisers and senior socials at her restaurant. “There are no failures. Only mistakes we learn from, and if we learn something new everyday, it’s hardly a failure.”

Stamatatos says she’s learned that if one gives, they get tenfold in return.

“It’s something you can’t understand until you’ve experienced it” she told the crowd of Commerce Chenango members gathered at the organization’s 7th Annual “Report to the Membership” luncheon and awards ceremony.

Other awards winners included:

• “Volunteer of the Year” – Deb Sylstra, Frontier Communications.

• “Agriculture Advocate of the Year” – John Mitchell, Blue Seal Feeds.

• “Non-Profit Agency of the Year” – The Chenango United Way.

Commerce Chenango President Maureen Carpenter referred to Sylstra as “a true volunteer in every sense of the word,” noting her willingness over the years to offer time and energy to hosts of community projects – clean-ups, fundraisers and education programs – large and small.