The true meaning of community was evident at the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce’s Honors & Hors d’oeuvres event in Dimmick Park Tuesday, where five local businesses were recognized for their remarkable commitment to the people of Saucon Valley.
Aloha Jay’s Malasadas and Hellertown Veterinary Center were recognized as Businesses to Watch; Main Street Gym was presented with the chamber’s Small Business Leadership Award; Truist was given the chamber’s Community Partner Award; and Hellertown McDonald’s owner-operator James ‘Jim’ McIntyre received the HLSCC’s Positive Impact Award.
Award recipients pose for a photograph with local elected officials and Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber board members following the Honors and Hors d’oeuvres event at Hellertown’s Dimmick Park Tuesday. Pictured above, from left, are Lower Saucon Township Council President Laura Ray, Gary Bauer (Hellertown Veterinary Center), HLSCC board member/Main Street Lehigh Valley board member Ricky Gower (Truist), Dr. Amber Bauer (Hellertown Veterinary Center), HLSCC board member Chris Taylor (Hanover Engineering), HLSCC board member Kimberlee Rosario (Truist-Hellertown), Jim McIntyre (McDonald’s of Hellertown), Kelly Tomaszewski (Main Street Gym), Karen McIntyre (McDonald’s of Hellertown), Hellertown Borough council member Lynley Solt, Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman, HLSCC board member Kendra Snyder (Quest Termite & Pest) and HLSCC board 2nd vice chair James Pepe (Cancer Support Community of the Lehigh Valley).
McIntyre said that after 17 years of ownership, “it’s our pleasure to give back to the community” via initiatives such as youth program sponsorships and fundraisers by nonprofit organizations that are regularly held at the Hellertown McDonald’s.
Gary Bauer said the two years since he and his wife–veterinarian Dr. Amber Bauer–opened Hellertown Veterinary Center have “been an awesome journey.”
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“We have an awesome staff and some of them are here,” he told attendees at the event, which was held at the park pavilion. “We plan on staying here forever.”
Bauer is also an independent business owner in Hellertown, where he operates Gary’s Custom Cuts.
Although Main Street Gym owner and HLSCC board vice chair Kevin Branco was unable to be at the ceremony, trainer Kelly Tomaszewski accepted the award on his behalf. She also read remarks Branco had prepared.
“Small businesses are the heartbeat of towns like ours,” he said. “Let’s continue to support each other so our community can grow and thrive together.”
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Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman echoed that sentiment in brief remarks he made at the ceremony, which is held every other year.
“We are one community,” he said. “We’re going to work together. Together, there’s no stopping us.”
In addition to the awards, the Honors and Hors d’oeuvres event featured a catered buffet and cash bars hosted by Lost Tavern Brewing and Black River Farms/War Dog Spirits, both of which are based in Saucon Valley. Raffles and a 5/50 drawing were also part of the fun, with proceeds to benefit the HLSCC’s new small business grant program. Music was provided by DJ Rob Reilly and Reilly Entertainment Group.
Tuesday’s event was originally to be held in late May, but was postponed due to bad weather. The next Honors and Hors d’oeuvres awards will be presented in 2027.
Guests mingle in the Dimmick Park pavilion, enjoying food and drink while catching up with friends or networking.
The Honors and Hors d’oeuvres event was held in the Dimmick Park Pavilion in Hellertown. Music and sound were provided by DJ Rob Reilly of Reilly Entertainment Group.
Guests mingle prior to the start of the awards ceremony.
Guests purchase drinks from Black River Farms and Wardog Spirits.
Raffles and a 50/50 drawing were a highlight of the evening.
Guests had a chance to purchase raffle tickets while enjoying drinks and hors d’oeuvres before the awards ceremony began.
Raffle prizes were donated by a number of local businesses.
Caitlin Hamlin, AVP, Affiliated Chambers, GLVCC, welcomes guests to the 2025 Honors and Hors d’oeuvres event in Dimmick Park.
The five awards presented to local businesses were displayed on a table under the pavilion, where the ceremony was held.
Jessica O’Donnell-Gower, EVP of Affiliated Chambers, GLVCC, makes introductory remarks during the awards ceremony.
Hellertown Mayor David Heintzelman praised the camaraderie within the local Saucon Valley business community in remarks at the Honors and Hors d’oeuvres event. Heintzelman is also a business owner in the community.
Hellertown Borough Council member Lynley Solt presented the Business to Watch award to Aloha Jay’s Malasadas.
Main Street Gym’s Kelly Tomaszewski accepted the HLSCC’s 2025 Small Business Leadership Award on behalf of owner Kevin Branco, who is also HLSCC board vice chair and was unable to attend the rescheduled event.
Hellertown Veterinary Center’s Dr. Amber Bauer was presented with the chamber’s 2025 Business to Watch award by HLSCC board and GLVCC Main Street Lehigh Valley board member Ricky Gower of Truist.
Hellertown Veterinary Center staff including Dr. Amber Bauer listen as their award is about to be presented.
Gary Bauer and veterinarian Dr. Amber Bauer accept Hellertown Veterinary Center’s Business to Watch award.
HLSCC board member Chris Taylor of Hanover Engineering presented the 2025 Positive Impact Award to Hellertown McDonald’s owner Jim McIntyre.
Hellertown McDonald’s owner Jim McIntyre accepts the Positive Impact Award from the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber.
HLSCC board immediate past chair Kimberlee Rosario of Truist bank in Hellertown speaks during the Honors and Hors d’oeuvres award ceremony. Truist was the recipient of the 2025 Community Partner Award.
HLSCC board 2nd vice chair James Pepe (Cancer Support Community of the Lehigh Valley) speaks during the awards ceremony.
Josh Popichak is a veteran local journalist with an extensive background in print and digital news. A Bethlehem native, he has a Bachelor’s degree in history and has maintained a lifelong affinity for the subject. He founded Saucon Source to fill a need for independent local journalism, which has thrived with the support of an engaged, enthusiastic readership. He thanks the community, whose continued support makes this site possible.
