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From the Desk of Greg
 
 | | Greg Harris, President |
We started the New Year with a bang...literally!
The Ambassadors meet the third day of the new year with several new and excited members; we had an outstanding program from Florida Hospital on Heart Disease and Heart Awareness; we had a Great Mixer at the Highlands County Convention Center; we had a ribbon-cutting at the Bud & Donna Hospice House as well as the Bella Vista
Restaurant (thanks to all the Ambassadors and members that came out in support of those events); and we held our annual meeting and had a little banquet!
The Annual Meeting confirmed the selection of the new Board of Directors for your Chamber and they are: Rob Reed, Janie Hancock. Chet Brojek, Sophia Peavy, Steve Nyhan, Isaac Palmer and Liz Barber. Thanks so much for the desire to serve.
Our Annual Banquet was A W E S O M E ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I am continually amazed at the talent that shines through at the table decorating!
We saw close to 30 tables decorated, over 270 attended, the silent auction items were VERY nice and I'm pretty sure fun was had by all.
I am so grateful for your support, generosity and time commitment that made this Banquet special. More importantly, thanks for making this Chamber GREAT!
See you soon,
Greg
The Annual Banquet at Sun 'n Lake
 
 | | Our fearless leader plundered by silly string! |
Ribbon-cutting for Bella Vista
The Monthly Mixer at Highlands County Fair & Convention Center
This month's Chamber mixer was held at the Highlands County Fair Convention Center by Tenille Drury. What a place!!! Have you been there yet?! We enjoyed the tours, the food by Chef Mac and hearing about the endless uses for the Center! If you are looking for a special events venue, give Tenille Drury a call at 382-2255
 
The Chamber Luncheon at Sun 'n Lake
Wow!!!! Over 130 attended the Chamber Luncheon today! We haven't seen a crowd like that since John Shoop's Money Jar. I want to thank Florida Hospital for sponsoring our luncheon and presenting the program, thank you and Welcome to our newest Board Members, thanks to Craig Johnson for the leadership this past year, thanks to Island View Lakeside Restaurant & Pub for the food and additional table & chairs, thanks to the door prize sponsors (Sun ' Lake, Florida 
Hospital , Griffin 's Cleaners, Highlands Office Supply, Charlie's Steak & Seafood, Highlands Ridge Golf Club, Cohan Radio Group, AAA Southern Cleaning, Market Place Central Publications and The Palms), thanks to
school administrators for supporting our Students of the Month Program, thanks to Sebring International Raceway for the student race tickets, thanks to Casey Wohl and Dr. Keiber for keeping their announcements under an hour and....... Mostly, THANKS TO YOU, our members for allowing us to do what we do!
Ribbon-cutting at Good Shephard Hospice
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Announcements
Link from the Chamber website to your website! Do you have a web site? Are you linked from the Chamber site to your site? If not follow the simple steps to be linked. Have the designated voting member of your organization send an e-mail to information@sebring.org with the following information: · Your full and correct company name · Your full and correct web site address · Your name and full e-mail address We look forward to putting the name of your company as well all of its attributes in front of the 100,000 people that "hit" our web site each month. It's time to Showcase your Business or Service.....Ad sales for The Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce 2011-2012 Community Profile & Membership Directory are now underway. Advertising in this "Commemorative 100th Anniversary Edition" has great advantages. Village Profile representatives, Mary & Neil Walker are now in the area and will be contacting you soon. For more information, please give Mary & Neil a call at the Chamber 385-8448.
Join the fight against heart disease by kicking up your (high) heels at the Inaugural Heartland High Heel-A-Thon on Friday, February 11 from 5-7 pm. This event will take place at the Downtown Sebring on the Circle. Click here! for more information. Elvis is at the Senior Center! Highlands Senior Center Presents Elvis Wade in concert on Saturday, February 5th 2011 from 7 to 10 pm. The Highlands Senior Center is located at 3400 Sebring Parkway. Tickets are $15.00 (Light snacks included). BYOB. For reservations call 863-386-0752 Webber International University invites all those wishing to obtain a business degree to join them at their Open House on February 19 from 10 am to 1 pm. In addition to learning about their great programs, plan to participate in the day's actvitities that include a double-header baseball game, men's and women's basketball games, open soccer tryouts, open band auditions, and a beach volleyball competition. RSVP online at www.webber.edu or call the Admissions Office at 863-638-2910! Click here! for more information.
Back in Touch Wellness Spa, Inc. is offering a great Valentine's Day special. Enjoy a one-hour couple's massage for $130 that includes sparkling cider and chocolates. Give a gift certificate and that special someone will receive 10% off any retail item when it is redeemed. Also, back by popular demand...the Diamond Microderm Abrasion with a custom facial for $90 (Please allow 1-1/4 Hours for this Service). Call Us Today at 863-402-0711 or visit them at www.backintouchdayspa.com Fitness Together is offering Chamber Members a Special Discount! Don't abandon your goals to get fit this year. Check out the special offer Fitness Together has for Chamber Members that includes a free FIT Resolution Consultation/Training and two free private training sessions. They are also offering a $300 discount. Click here! for more information. Look at what William Medina from Verizon Wireless has to offer! Click here! for a great Verizon Offer. Reserve your spot now for the Highlands Today Taste of Home Cooking School to be held Thursday, March 3rd at the SFCC Auditorium. Advance tickets for this event will be available from January 24 to February 4 beginning at 8am. This event is being sponsored by Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center. Click here! for more information. Heartland Cultural Alliance is opening an art and music gallery in the Kenilworth Lodge. There will be an inaugural celebration Saturday, February 5th. from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring. The opening exhibit will present original art from Highlands County artists working in a variety of medium. Invocation by Pastor George Miller. Classical Guitar by Kenny Summers. The event is open to the public. Wine and snacks, free. At 8 pm The Golden Era Big Band will perform and the gallery dance floor opened. Drinks available for purchase. A cover charge of $5 per person will apply after 8 pm. This is a fund raising event for the Heartland Cultural Alliance. The HCA gallery at the Kenilworth Lodge will feature new local artists and musicians every first Saturday of the month. For more information contact Fred Leavitt (863) 402-8238, E-mail info@heartlandculturalalliance.org Click here! for details.
The Woman's Club of Sebring, Inc. is pleased to announce their 4-Person Golf Scramble (for men and women) scheduled for Saturday February 19th. Check-in is at 7 am and there will be an 8 am shotgun start. Click here! for more information
Register for the SFCC Panther 5K Run/Walk. The second annual South Florida Community College Panther 5K Run/Walk will be held Saturday, Feb. 26 at the SFCC Highland Campus, Avon Park. The SFCC Foundation, Inc. and Bill Jarrett Ford Mercury are sponsoring the event, and proceeds benefit the college's intercollegiate athletics programs. The Panther 5K Run/Walk will take participants on a path through the beautiful SFCC Highlands Campus and along College Drive. The entry fee for the SFCC Panther 5K Run/Walk is $20 through Feb. 16 and $25 from Feb. 17 through the day of the race. Students with a current I.D. may register for $15. Every participant receives a Dri-Fit long-sleeve shirt. Sizes cannot be guaranteed for those who enter after Feb. 17. Registration is 7-7:45 a.m. on race day in the SFCC Panther Gym. The race begins at 8 a.m. Entry forms are available online at www.southflorida.edu/panther5k. For more information about the SFCC Panther 5K or for directions to SFCC, call the SFCC Foundation at 863-453-3133. Click here! for details. MidFlorida Credit Union is pleased to present The Junior Achievement of Highlands County 2nd annual Valentines Run Your Heart Out Family 5K Run/Walk. The event will be held on Saturday, February 12th at Highlands Hammock State Park. Registration will be from 7 to 7:45 am and the race will begin at 8 am. Click here! for details. Come stomp your feet at the Highlands Hometown Hoedown. Sponsored by the Leadership Highlands Class of 2010, this festivity will take place on February 5th from 4 to 9 pm at the Downtown Sebring Circle. Barbecued pork, swamp cabbage, live music and dancing, a pie-eating contest, and face-painting and activities for the kids are only some of the fun to be experienced! Free admission. Click here! for more information. Come celebrate Valentine's Day at Chateau Elan! Show your loved one how much you care on February 12th by treating them to this wonderful Silver VIP dining experience. Click here! for more information.
Habitat for Humanity needs you! Are you a member of a group? Are you part of a service-oriented church? Get a group together to make a real difference in your very own backyard. There is no way to end substandard living conditions unless we work together to end them. Don't be fooled into thinking everyone else is volunteering, so you don't need to. One person on a Habitat worksite makes a huge impact. Come out to Mason's Ridge-just once this fall. Make the commitment! Give your time-it's as valuable to us as it is to you. Share the wealth! Volunteer days are Monday through Saturday. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call 863.402.2915 to sign up or e-mail at jmcgee@habitathighlands.org. Get your groove on at Bella Vista Restaurant & Lounge where there is live entertainment and dancing daily. Click here! for the schedule and more information.
The SFCC Theatre for the Performing Arts is featuring some top notch entertainment in the coming weeks including:
- Five time Guinness World Juggling record holders who juggle flaming torches, knives, chainsaws, and even audience members. They were finalists on the popular television program NBC's " America 's Got Talent" with the help of their comedy skills.
- A 70-piece orchestra from South Africa
- A jazz prodigy on the clarinet
- A program for Civil War Buffs
Click here! for more information. SunTrust wants to be the best choice or they'll pay you $500! Click here! to learn of the details.
Ready for the Senior Prom? Yes, we're talking to YOU! The Sebring Elks are pleased to announce their annual Senior Prom Charity Event on Saturday, February. Dinner will be served at 6 pm and dancing will following from 7 to 10 pm. Click here! for more details. Stop Smoking for the New Year! Free Smoking Cessation classes are available. Click here! for more details. Attention Seniors! See the attached for info on the next S.A.L.T. meeting to learn about scams & fraud, personal identity protection, etc. This event is scheduled for Click here! for more information.
Heartland Cultural Alliance is opening a new gallery and music venue in the Kenilworth Lodge. There will be an inaugural exhibit and celebration Saturday, February 5th. The opening exhibit will show work from all member art organizations and members of HCA. The show will open to the public and remain in place for 30 days. This will be an ongoing event with a new exhibit of local art opening the first Saturday of the month. Exhibit openings will be followed by entertainment by local musicians. This monthly event is a benefit for Heartland Cultural Alliance. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information contact Fred Leavitt (863) 402-8238, email info@heartlandculturalalliance.org
The American Red Cross Announces it 2011 Schedule for Health and Safety Courses. Click here! for the schedule.
Ever Thought About Starting Your Own Business? Have a Downtown Sebring Business You'd Like to Improve? Plan to Attend the
Destination Centennial: Downtown Sebring Business Opportunity Seminar Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 5:00-9:00 PM at the Kenilworth Lodge. The seminar will be conducted by Casey Wohl. Click here! for more details.
MidFlorida Credit Union is hosting the "Run your Heart Out" 5K run at Highlands Hammock State Park. The run will benefit Junior Achievement. Click here for details.
Highlands Art League is proud to announce its first Annual Golf Classic on Saturday, February 5th at the Pinecrest Golf Club. Registration begins at 7:30 am, and the shot gun start is at 8:30 am. Click here! for more information. |
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Welcome New Members!
Welcome to our newest members of the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to visit their establishments, welcome them, and give them a taste of our great Sebring hospitality!
Heartland Real Estate Corp/DBA Dell Realty Team at 3200 US 27 S #201, Sebring, FL 33870. Phone: 863-381-0400. Contact: Dawn Dell, realtor. Email: dellrealtyteam@gmail.com
Miller's Central Air, Inc. would welcome the opportunity to service you.
Established in 1995 by Rick Miller, its president and working owner. The company is a local, family-owned and operated business specializing in the sales, service and installation of commercial & residential air conditioning/heating equipment and duct cleaning. As a licensed and authorized Trane Dealer, Miller's specializes in top-of-the-line, energy efficient equipment, and is qualified to service all brands. Miller's Central Air is proud to have earned the People's Choice and the Reader's Choice awards of Highlands County. Give Miller's a call today and experience our #1 customer satisfaction for yourself and join our family of satisfied customers. Call us at 863-382-8488
Oak Park Inn ( Craven Enterprises LLC) at 2 West Oak Street, Arcadia, FL 34266. Phone: 863-494-9500. Contact: Martha Craven. Email: oakparkinn@embarqmail.com. The Oak Park Inn is one of only three buildings to have survived The Thanksgiving Day Fire of 1905. Beautifully restored, our twelve room (1 suite) inn is furnished and styled in themes. Choose from Victorian, Oriental, Art Deco, French, Italian, Spanish, and 50's style, Caribbean or a Bunk House styled room for your stay. We have an easy access handicap accessible room on the main level that opens to the lobby or to the outside and the Tree of Knowledge Park. You may choose the location for breakfast between our Last Chapter Coffee House or our own local diner, Wheelers. The Oak Park Inn is located in the historic downtown area of Arcadia and sits at the head of three blocks of antique shops, restaurants and specialty stores. Come visit for a day or two and stay as long as you like! You will fall in love with the charm of our little town! Specializing in upscale ladies' consignment.
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Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY
5-6 Lake Placid County Fair - Devane Park
11 Gallery Walk (5-8pm)
12 Saturday Nite Cruise - Roaring 20's -
Downtown Circle (5-8pm)
11-
12 Highlands County Quilt Show - Ag-
Center - 471.1935 (9am-4pm)
11-
19 Highlands County Fair - 382.2255
23 Rotary Spaghetti Supper - Highlands
County Fairgrounds
23-
26 Flywheelers 19th Annual Antique
Engine & Tractor Show
MARCH
1 Kiwanis Club Presents: Travelogue
Adventure Film Series - "America's
Amazing Places" $7 at the door or $30
for all six showings 2-6 Pioneer Park Days - Zolfo Springs -
863.735.0330
3 Circle of Speed - Downtown Circle
(time tba)
11 Gallery & Downtown Walk (5-8pm)
12 Saturday Nite Cruise - Bud Whitlock -
471.1900
13 Ride the Racetrack - 385.8448 (time
tba)
3-
14 Strawberry Festival - Plant City, FL
15 Kiwanis Club Presents: Travelogue
Adventure Film Series - "Northern
Europe" $7 at the door or $30 for
all six showings 15 Taste of the Race - Downtown Circle
(time tba)
16-
19 Twelve Hours of Sebring -
1.800.635.RACE
24 Highlands County Concert Band- SFCC
(7:30pm) $6 25-
26 Springtime on the Mall - Avon Park -
453.3350
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27 Orchid Society Show - Ag-Center -
465.2830
For up-to-the-minute, real-time information about upcoming events; or to submit an event, please Click here!
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This is Your Newsletter
We encourage all Chamber members to participate in this newsletter by submitting articles, press releases, upcoming events, and announcements.
If you have an idea for an article or would like to communicate news about your organization, please call Jennifer Mattison at 863-202-6558.
Anyone interested in advertising, should call the Chamber at 385-8448. |
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Great Commission Bible Institute Hosts Chili Cookoff
The young adults of the Great Commission Bible Institute need your help to make it to Israel!
They are hosting a Chili Cookoff and dessert auction on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Grace Church of Sebring (the first church on Thunderbird Road ) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
This is a fundraiser for the school. The proceeds will help the students pay the associated costs to travel to Israel. This is an exciting opportunity for them as their trip will allow them to walk the steps that Jesus walked for 13 days in May.
This is a once in a lifetime trip for some of these kids. There are 12 students in this year's class and about half of the class is from Highland County .
We need to support these kids as they are our future. Click here! to see and print the flyer. Put it on your refrigerators and pass out or forward to your friends, family and co-workers. If you are a business owner or manager and you can post the flyer in your store window please do so. Thanks for all of your help with this. If you have any questions, please call Vicki Jarvis at 863-382-3434.
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Public Service Message from the Sheriff
Do you accept credit and debit cards at your business? I can't think of many businesses that don't accept this form of payment especially with consumers taking advantage of bonus points and the convenience of "plastic."
While I'm sure your computer experts have taken steps to protect you, there are still dangers that need to be considered when accepting electronic payments. One of the biggest concerns is the security of the systems used to transmit data. If your system is compromised, the credit or debit card information of your customers are also compromised. This can have devastating consequences for your customers and ultimately your business as well.
So what can be done to protect you and your clients from this fraud? First, please take advantage of every security level possible that is offered from your internet service provider and your credit card processing center. These experts are up to date on what the hackers are using and how to keep your information private yet still get your payments to the bank. In the long run, it just doesn't pay to take short cuts.
Second, be wary of any - yes, ANY- email that you receive from a sender you do not recognize. Computer viruses are often contained in very innocent looking emails. Once these are opened the viruses take up residence on your computer. They can act just like a skimming device recording credit card information and sending it on command to illegitimate user sites. From this information fraudulent credit and debit cards can be created and used. In our technology there doesn't even need to be a "card" produced. These numbers along with other pertinent information that can be skimmed can be used directly on the internet for fraudulent means.
Does this mean you stop accepting credit and debit cards? Absolutely not. Most of our businesses today could not survive without credit and debit cards as a form of payment for services or products. Instead work with your credit card processing companies to use the most secure methods of collecting and transmitting data. Sometimes that may mean installing new telephone lines with updated technology capabilities. This must be a business decision on your part, however please keep in mind that your customers are counting on you to protect their information when they use a credit or debit card.
Thank you in advance for your diligence in this important matter!
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