baby registry: Business Notebook: Celebrating the first 20 years in business

By Roger Gavan



Warwick - If being almost impossible to find a parking spot along Hidden Meadow Road in Warwick on Saturday, July 15, was any indication that the patients love and admire their chiropractor, there could be little doubt that they do.

Dr. Margaret Verhagen, who opened her practice on Kings Highway in Warwick in 1986, the year that she graduated from New York Chiropractic College, was celebrating her twentieth anniversary with a backyard party and barbecue. And all of her patients were invited.

The party was held at 11 Hidden Meadow Road, her home and office for the past eight years.

“This is not just a celebration of my first 20 years,” Verhagen said. “It’s a party for my patients and my staff and a way to show how much I appreciate them.”

During Verhagen’s distinguished career she served a term as president of the New York State Board for Chiropractic. And recently, the Sarah Wells Girl Scout Council and the YWCA Orange County announced its 2006 list of women in Orange County who have made a difference to the community in their professional lives. One of those distinguished honorees, named for health care, was Dr. Margaret E. Verhagen.

‘The Ultimate


French Baby Shower’

Celebrations Extraordinaire owner and event planner Jane Gyulavary recently teamed up with BiNK Essential Baby Gear owner Maura Peddle to host “The Ultimate French Baby Shower” at the La Petite Cuisine restaurant on Railroad Avenue in Warwick. The event, held on Thursday evening, June 22, highlighted BiNK’s Baby Registry and launched its affiliation with Celebrations Extraordinaire to offer exclusive custom-theme baby showers complete with specially designed cakes from Cakes by Nicole in Greenwood Lake. Celebrations Extraordinaire provides innovative special event planning and consulting services in the Warwick Valley. Call 988-0580.

Affordable vacations

Once a pastime for the rich, cruising is now considered to be an affordable and practical way to enjoy a vacation.

“When you take into consideration the cabin cost, all the meals and food you could want, entertainment and quality service,” said Warwick resident Roseann Lander, “you will find that in most cases, cruising is a better value than a land based vacation.”

Lander and her husband, Gary, are both certified cruise specialists and members of the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA). They are also independent agents for Cruises Inc., one of the largest retailers of cruise vacation packages in America.

“Because of its size,” said Lander, “Cruises Inc. has tremendous buying power in the industry. And by working with their affiliated Cruise Lines, I can pass along great pricing and still provide full service in all areas of cruising.”

Lander explained that through Cruises Inc., she also is able to offer special programs for groups including family reunions, organizations and businesses. And, although they are cruise specialists, their agency can also handle land-based vacations.

Lander is also willing to appear as a guest speaker for any club meeting.

“I am very knowledgeable in this field and familiar with many destinations, especially Alaska,” she said. “I would be happy to share this experience and educate people about the differences between various cruise lines and cruise packages.”

For more information call 651-1555 or visit www.CruisesInc.com/rlander.

Changing goals

After more than 10 years, Melinda Burgard, of Melinda’s Music, will continue to pursue sharing music with the Warwick community, but in a different way.

“After sharing my passion of music with hundreds of parents, infants and preschool children,” she said. “I’ve accomplished my main goal. They love music.”

Burgard, a Certified Music Therapist who earned her Master’s Degree at New York University, is now pursuing her current passion, Music Therapy.

As a New York State Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Burgard explained that she assesses emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses. She currently specializes in dementia (including Alzheimer’s), Palliative Care and Children with Special Needs.

P.S. If you are still yearning for more early childhood music from Melinda, her CDs are for sale locally at the Toy Chest and BiNK’s. For more information, call 477-0451 or contact Melinda M. Burgard at www.melindasmusic.com.