Grand Terrace Chamber Celebrates the Big 50

The Grand Terrace Area Chamber of Commerce held their 50th Annual Installation and General Meeting dinner on Aug. 27 at The Hotel San Bernardino, formerly known as the Hilton. Founded before Grand Terrace obtained its cityhood, former Grand Terrace Chamber officials from throughout the years joined to share their experiences of years past. Sally McGuire, Grand Terrace Chamber Executive Director welcomed attendees to the event and asked all past Chamber Presidents in attendance to speak about the Chamber in their timeline. Master of Ceremonies, Frank Tetley was a past chamber president, serving in 1982-1983. He shared some funny incidents that happened early in the chamber’s annuals. The first speaker, past chamber president William Darwin Sr. held the position in 1989-1990. Darwin said that many of the original chamber members including Tony Petta, Richard Zambesi and Mr. Obershmidt were influential in the founding of the City of Grand Terrace in 1978. Bobbie Kay Forbes, past chamber president, spoke about the different times she was president and vice president of the Grand Terrace Chamber trading off with Sid Bailey from 2003-2007. Forbes said, she was originally invited to join the chamber board by Steve Peter who said “it wouldn’t take much time, just a few hours a month.” Steve Peter, past chamber president from 1999-2000 stated that he was introduced to the organization by board member Bill Bartel at the time and who told him “it would only take a few hours each month.” The Keynote speaker of the evening, James Ramos, San Bernardino County 3rd District Supervisor discussed what is going on at the state level in reference to improvements to the local cities in the Inland Empire including the San Bernardino International Airport. Supervisor Ramos also took the lead to install the 2014-2015 Grand Terrace Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors during the installation ceremony. Certificates were given to recognize the outgoing chamber board members for their service and support to the chamber. Board Member Sue Taylor was awarded the chamber “Board Member of the Year” by her colleagues as great surprise to her. The award of the evening was presented to the chamber “Member of the Year” the Grand Terrace Lions Club and the plague award was accepted by Lions Club President Deborah Seuylemezian. This award was given to the Lions Club for their many years of service and dedication to the Grand Terrace Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Grand Terrace. Everyone enjoyed the evening reminiscing through archives of newsletters and photos of the Grand Terrace Area Chamber of Commerce from over the years.