Goshen Chamber of Commerce presents honors

GOSHEN — The Goshen Chamber of Commerce honored Chris Ashman, Linda’s Office Supplies, Steve’s Deli and the Eva Fini Fund at its annual awards dinner on Friday Nov. 8, 2013 at Palacio Catering in Goshen.

Each year, the Chamber recognizes individuals and organizations for the outstanding contributions they have made to the Goshen community. Chris Ashman received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” to commemorate a public and private life which has been lived in service to others; Linda’s Office Supplies and Steve’s Deli each received the “Business of the Year” award for their many years as truly exceptional area businesses and for their commitment to the Goshen community; The Eva Fini Fund received “Service Organization of the Year” for their commitment to raising awareness of Rett Syndrome and its unprecedented local fundraising for treatment and a cure for Rett Syndrome.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Chris Ashman

Ashman is a native of Goshen and currently lives in the village with his wife, Kathleen. They are the parents of two children, Sarah and her husband James and Mark and his wife Rebecca, and have three grandchildren, Makenna, Madison, and Ryan. He graduated from John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen, has a bachelor’s degree from Iona College and a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. From 1971 to 1973, he and Kathleen were members of the United States Peace Corps Volunteers in Ghana, West Africa. Ashman then worked professionally in the mental health field for 38 years – 36 of them here in Orange County. He served as Orange County Commissioner of Mental Health from 1991 until he retired in 2012.

Throughout his career, Ashman built strong working relationships with local police departments, BOCES and local school districts, various court systems, family support and consumer advocacy groups, and local and state level elected officials and community leaders. As a part of the strong management team at the Department of Mental Health, he has also been involved in developing and supporting efforts which crossed with other services systems such as the Orange County Interagency Collaboration Team, the Orange County STOP-DWI and Traffic Safety Program, 24/7/365 Mobile Mental Health Team services; an annual Orange County Mental Health Conference and many others.

Businesses of the Year
Linda’s Office Supplies

“I got it at Linda’s” is the motto of one of the cornerstone businesses in Goshen. Linda’s Office Supplies is a hometown business supporting the local community and beyond. They provide a full complement of business services including copying, faxing, laminating and binding. If you are looking for office support services, a beautiful and unique gift, one of kind jewelry, or a box of file folders, chances are you will find it at Linda’s. You will also find a smile, personal and knowledgeable service about their many products. If an item is not stocked, owner Linda Mabie will do her best to find it at a competitive price. Whenever a donation for a tricky tray, raffle, door prize or a community initiative is needed, everyone knows they can count on Linda to help.

Mabie is an encouraging model for women in business. She sponsors lectures and meetings to foster personal and professional growth. Her dedication to relationships and personal service is well reflected in the devotion of her customers who would rather go to Linda’s than large office supply companies or even the mall for a gift. Linda’s Office Supplies has been a village mainstay supporting the local community in so many ways for over 25 years

Steve’s Deli
For the past 30 years, Steve’s Deli has been a mainstay in the heart of Goshen, providing food to all of Orange County. Owner Steve Spindler ensures that all of the hot food entrees and salads are homemade. His blue Cadillac is a common sight traveling through the village to provide off site catering. During the warm weather, Spindler travels on bicycle to deliver lunches to village businesses. He is an iconic and beloved figure himself in Goshen's downtown.

Steve’s originally opened on Nov. 1, 1983 as the “The Deli on the Square” and became an instant hit with customers, lines often extending out the front door. The deli became known as “Steve’s Deli,” testimony to the customers’ fondness for Spindler. Twenty years after opening, he closed the doors at 15 Main St. and moved his business to its present location at 87 Main St.

Over the years, Spindler has been at the forefront of giving back to the community which he calls home and which has supported Steve’s Deli. He has been acknowledged by the Goshen Central School District, the Goshen High School all night graduation party, the Scotchtown Ave. PTO, St. John’s School, Goshen Humane Society, and Cornerstone Arts Alliance, to name a few. In 2012, Steve’s Deli was awarded the “Best Chili” in the Business Division hosted by the Presbyterian Church.

Service Organization of the Year

The Eva Fini Fund
Aimee and Albert Fini and their five daughters - ages 7 to 15 - live in Campbell Hall. Eva, their youngest was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome before she turned two years old. She had lost her vocabulary and the ability to perform simple tasks like holding her cup and feeding herself.

Rett Syndrome, the most physically disabling of the autism spectrum disorders, primarily affects girls and usually strikes by 18 months of age.

Through therapies, Eva has accomplished much. She has learned new skills, can walk upstairs, run and play with friends at school. She can discriminate colors and letters, makes choices with eye pointing and uses a special switch to communicate basic needs. She touches so many lives.

After learning that a cure for Rett Syndrome is lurking, the Finis and their friends formed the Eva Fini Fund. In four years, their "Evaning of Hope Gala" has raised $450,000, all going to research that they hope will ultimately find a cure for Rett Syndrome.