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Lewes Chamber of Commerce celebrates 50 years

New board of directors installed at annual dinner
The Lewes Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 50th anniversary of incorporation in Delaware at its annual installation dinner Sept. 23 at Lewes Yacht Club. The current board of directors who were installed include (l-r) Travis Olszewski, director; Jim Smith, director; Jen Mason, director; Ray Book, past president; Nikky Fisher, president; Jeff Fried, treasurer; Heath Gerke, vice president; Lisa McDonald, director; Maggie Lingo, recording secretary; Ken Norman, director; Mark Carter, corporate secretary; and Betsy Reamer, executive director. ANN RHOADS PHOTOS
Bill Shull
October 11, 2025

The Lewes Chamber of Commerce celebrated a major milestone during its annual installation dinner at Lewes Yacht Club Sept. 23.

This year, the organization marked the 50th anniversary of its official incorporation in the state of Delaware.

Betsy Reamer, the chamber’s executive director, said there had been a business organization in the city before that dating back to the 1920s.

The chamber installed its current board of directors at the dinner: Nikky Fisher, president; Heath Gehrke, vice president; Jeff Fried, treasurer; Mark Carter, corporate secretary; Maggie Lingo, recording secretary; and directors Jen Mason, Lisa McDonald, Ken Norman, Travis Olszewski and Jim Smith.

“It was nice to be able to have a number of past presidents mix with current members to showcase the continuity of this robust business organization,” said Reamer.

Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, presented a proclamation from the Senate recognizing the anniversary. Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach, and Rep. Alonna Berry, D-Milton, presented a House proclamation.

Everybody at the dinner got commemorative cookies, made in the shape of the Fisher-Martin House with 50 in the center. They were baked by Teresa Sage of Sage House Style.

The chamber’s visitor center is located in the historic Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park. 

Reamer marked her 29th year as executive director Oct. 7. She told the Cape Gazette she has no plans to retire.

“As I was carrying stuff around for Boast the Coast, I thought, as long as I’m still able to do this, I’ll be here,” Reamer said.

 

Ray Book, left, was recognized by Betsy Reamer for the completion of his term as president with a framed photograph by Brook Hedge of the Fisher-Martin House, the location of the chamber’s visitors center.
State legislators honored the Lewes Chamber of Commerce with proclamations at the installation dinner. Shown are (l-r) Betsy Reamer, executive director; Ray Book, past president; Rep. Alonna Berry, D-Milton; Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach; and Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes.
The keynote speaker was Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay. Shown are (l-r) Ray Book, past president; Rep. Alonna Berry, D-Milton; Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach; Evans Gay; and Betsy Reamer, executive director.
Past Lewes Chamber board presidents attending the event include (l-r) Jim Smith, Kathy Davison, Nikky Fisher, Ray Book, Jeff Fried, Dennis Forney, Cliff Diver, Barbara Warnell and Tony Boyd-Heron.
Lewes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betsy Reamer holds commemorative cookies made in the shape of the Fisher-Martin House with 50 in the center. They were baked by Teresa Sage of Sage House Style.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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