Merchants honor those who make a difference

Bay Ridge businesspeople gathered on Monday, October 24, tocelebrate fellow merchants whose efforts have benefited ThirdAvenue, as well as local activists whose dedication has made adifference in the neighborhood.

Honorees at the Merchants of Third Avenues’ (MTA) 18th AnnualPioneers event were Pioneers Salvatore Forte, of HoM; StevenMarchetti, of Steven Marchetti & Associates; and Rhea McCone,of Harbour Abstract – the three businesspeople named pioneers-andColleen Golden, president of Ragamuffin, and Arlene Keating, a pastpresident of both Ragamuffin and the Bay Ridge Community Council,were the group’s Civic Award winners for 2011.

In addition, Diana Howe, the wife of MTA President Robert Howe,was named the surprise Pioneer, with State Senator Marty Goldenproclaiming her, A loving example who inspires us to embrace life,family and even more.

Third Avenue’s importance in Brooklyn was noted by BoroughPresident Marty Markowitz, who stopped by with proclamations forthe honorees, and who pronounced the strip, The restaurant andentertainment capital of Brooklyn, U.S.A.

The event, noted President Howe, Recognizes the strength of thecommunity, both the merchants and the people who live in thecommunity who go above and beyond and accomplish extraordinaryfeats and really look for no recognition except the knowledge thatthey have accomplished something for the good of other people.