EASTHAMPTON - The Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce honored myriad local businesses and residents at its annual meeting Jan. 26 at the Southampton Country Club.

In addition to electing officers and directors for 2012, chamber representatives handed out awards for business of the year, community service of the year and other achievements.

Newly elected Board of Directors President Patrick Brough gave the second annual "president's award" to Fire Chief David Mottor. "With the kind of year we had, with the hurricane, tornado and the October blizzard, I felt that he was really tested this year in his role as emergency management director. He did a great job," Brough said. "Even when we were spared from the worst of the tornado damage, he and his team mobilized and helped out other communities."

The business of the year award went to Mantis Graphics, a design and printing business owned by Clay Crow that celebrated its 15th year in business. "Mantis not only does a lot in the community, like donating to Little League and things like that, but does things around the region, too," Brough said. "And they've been green since before it was the thing to be, and being environmentally sound is part of the criteria."

Susan Lapointe of Turning Leaf Design was named business person of the year. "Susan's business has really grown and she's celebrating her 10th year as sole proprieter," he said. "She also does a lot of charity work that might go unnoticed."

Brough called the community service of the year award a "no-brainer."

"The Community Center does so much for the people who might not be able to do it for themselves," he said. "The award is for the business or group that goes above and beyond in giving back, and they do."

For the first time this year, the Chamber also recognized its member businesses that are celebrating anniversaries.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette, which celebrated its 225 birthday last year, was the longest-running business. The Williston Northampton School was recognized for 170 years, the Emily Williston Memorial Library celebrated 130 years, O'Brien Funeral Home was honored for 115 years and Manchester Hardware reached its 100th anniversary.

Former chamber president Nancy Lapointe was also honored for her 10 years of service on the Board of Directors, Brough said.

Bird shop finds new perch

The Crystal Parrot celebrated its 20th year of business with a move to a new location in Southampton. The exotic bird specialty shop is now located at 220 College Highway in the storefront that formerly housed Sage Books.

Owner Edna Bresnahan, of Easthampton, had operated the Crystal Parrot at the Red Rock Shops on College Highway since 1991. In 2011, her landlord opted not to renew her lease after the two were involved in litigation, Bresnahan said.

She looked for a suitable place to move the store for six months before finding the location in downtown Southampton.

"We've had to be pretty creative," she said of efforts to renovate the former book store to be appropriate for exotic birds. She has more than 20 birds. "The birds are doing fine here. They enjoy the natural sunlight from the windows."

Bresnahan bought both the commercial space and the 1927 Colonial-style house it is attached to. She lives on Line Street in Easthampton and said she has not decided yet if she will rent the space or find another use for it.

Bresnahan, 75, has bred and raised exotic birds for close to 30 years. The Crystal Parrot sells the birds Bresnahan raises - hand-feeding them formula when they are chicks - as well as bird food, toys, cages, carriers and other supplies.

Rebecca Everett can be reached at reverett@gazettenet.com.