CANTON – The Canton Chamber of Commerce has chosen the Grasse River Heritage Area Development Corporation as its member of the year.

The award will be presented at the chamber’s annual dinner Feb. 9 at St. Lawrence University’s Eben Holden Hall.

Grasse River Heritage originally focused on development in the western part of the village, according to the corporation’s board president Peter Wyckoff. Willow, Coakley and Falls Islands are being developed into parks and heritage sites emphasizing the history of the village along the Grasse River.

The group was also instrumental in the redevelopment of the bowling alley Gray Lanes into Rushton Place, a downtown business and residential space.

Wyckoff said the group’s effort has all been through volunteers since Peter Van de Water led the effort following on Canton’s 1998 Community Action Plan.

The group’s current leadership includes Vice-President Jane Semple, Secretary Elaine White, Treasurer Ken Hebb, along with John Clark, Cathleen O’Horo, Varick Chittenden, Linda Fay, Kate Newell, Ann Sullivan, Tom Cutter, Matilda Larson, Brian Coakley, and Bob Raymo.

The annual dinner begins with a social hour at 6 p.m. and a buffet beginning at 7. There is also a silent auction from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

For tickets, at $35 per person, and information, call the chamber office at 386-8255. reservations are due by Feb. 3.