OWEGO, N.Y. — The Tioga County Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of its Spirit of Tioga Community Awards presented Feb. 5 at its annual dinner at Tioga Downs Casino & Racing.
Florence and Nick Rossi received the Individuals Award. Florence Rossi is the branch manager for Community Bank in Owego. She serves on the executive boards of both the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce and the Tioga County Rural Ministry. Her husband, Nick Rossi, owns Nick’s Garage in Apalachin. “They are both selfless in helping many organizations,” the chamber says. Nick has been a sponsor of local youth sports teams for over 20 years. Together they are avid motorcyclists and ride for many local charities.
The Business Award was presented to Tioga Gardens, Inc. and Tioga Gardens Florist, located at 2217 State Route 17C in Owego. Otto and Gladys Kuhlman purchased Tioga Gardens in 1966. Otto, the local highway superintendent at the time, had never even been in a greenhouse, but believed the business and the location would be good for his whole family. He realized one of his dreams in the creation of the tropical conservatory, the first of its kind in the Triple Cities, according to the Tioga County Chamber.
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The award for a New Business went to Curtis Custom Woodworking, located at 57 North Ave. in Owego. Owned by Donald Curtis, the business does custom building of outdoor decks, patios, and garages, as well as indoor projects such as kitchen cabinetry to total room renovations. The firm recently opened a new custom kitchen and bath gallery, called Lookin’ Sharp, located at 59 North Ave.


