And the scepter was passed.

Well, in most years, it would have been the gavel. But, in concluding her year as chair of the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce last week, Cynthia Parola declared that the outgoing “queen” would welcome incoming queen Lea Benson with some special trinkets. Out of her bag came a tiara, a scepter, and a ring – “for your subjects to kiss.”

The Chamber membership applauded and Benson, senior loan officer at First Eastern Mortgage Corp., gamely donned the crown and ring and grasped the scepter.

Members of the Wareham-Bourne-Sandwich chamber, gathered for their annual meeting at Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, had much more than the comedy act to applaud.

Treasurer Scott Facchetti reported that three days of top-notch weather for the organization’s annual Scallop Fest had helped put the Chamber’s 2010 operations firmly in the black.

President and CEO Maria Oliva expressed similar enthusiasm for the Fest, listing the number of tourists and dollars the event draws to the region.

Scott Zeien, owner of Kingman Yacht Center in Cataumet, received the Business of the Year Award – and explained to Chamber members how his many “green” projects were good for both business and the environment.

His was the first marina in the Northeast to dispense only biodiesel at its fuel dock, was years ahead of regulations to treat and recycle pressure-wash water, installed rain gardens throughout his property to minimize storm water pollution, and recently completed installation of the largest commercial solar power project on Cape Cod.

Zeien noted that there is lots of grant money available to assist with such projects and that many customers want to do business with someone who is “doing the right thing.”

In addition to Benson, incoming Chamber officers include First Vice Chair Tracy L. McCarthy of Tracy McCarthy Insurance solutions, Vice Chair Richard M. Hollis of C.L. Hollis Insurance Agency, Treasurer Scott Facchetti of Facchetti & Facchetti, Secretary Kevin C. Farr of Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, and Immediate Past Chair Cynthia Parola of Decas Real Estate Trust.