Chicopee honors its shining stars

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The shining stars were out in Chicopee Friday night as the Chicopee chamber of commerce payed tribute to outstanding members of the community; their "shining stars."
    
Earl LaFlamme is the Chamber's "Volunteer of the year;" family-owned Birch Manor nursing home is the Business of the year.  And Citizen of the year Lorraine Houle is handing over control of "Lorraine’s Kitchen," which has fed and served needy people over the last 23 years.

"It was always a challenge.  You never knew when you came in if it was going to be a good day or a bad day.  But you enjoyed them all.  I'm going to miss it. But it's time for me to retire,” Houle told 22News.

Earl LaFlamme said, "My parents live in Florida.  They've been down there since 1998.  They've never been up here in the winter time since they've been living there.  And they're here tonight.  It's a nice surprise.”

"I would not be standing here if it weren't for the staff who works so hard.  There are130 of them, and they do their job very well,” said Kate Parker.

150 people attended the event at the Castle of Knights.
   
The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce has been paying tribute to the community's "shining stars" since 1993.