Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

March/2011

VOLUME 47 issue 3

Chamber Header

Nicholas Schommer

Chairman

Greetings! This is my first Chairman's letter to Chamber members since following Craig Johnson as the Chamber Chairman of the Board.

I hope it finds all Chamber members doing well in this second, soon to be third month of 2011. Do you realize we are 2/12ths done with the first year of a new decade? I think it has started out awesome (stealing Greg's word) for the Chamber.
We had over 130 members in attendance at our January luncheon, over 270 in attendance at our fantastic annual banquet, and over 100 at our February luncheon. I encourage the members to come to our luncheons; they are lot of fun, entertaining and informative, and with some good door prizes, and good food. All for $10.00. What a deal!

March will be a busy month for the Chamber, especially with the 12 hours of Sebring race. You should have received Greg's emails stating our need for five more workers to run the shuttle service for the track. This is a service that has historically been provided by the Chamber, so, if you can work, contact Greg. It's fun and helps raise money for the Chamber, and gets you a ticket for the race.

Also, you should have received Greg's email regarding the Chamber's fund-raising event, Ride the Racetrack, to be held March 13th from 11 am to 3:30 pm. If you have never done this before, you need to. It is a blast! You get to take two laps around the track at 80-1-miles an hour, 3 cars at a time, sometimes inches from each other or the track wall. Well worth the money, and as I said, a fund-raiser for the Chamber. So come on out, bring your significant other, kids, friends, relatives, and acquaintances. You can ride more than once if you are brave.

The most worrisome aspect for me, serving as this year's Board Chairman, is trying to remember everyone's name. I guess part of the problem is that I see so many people as part of my profession--attorney. (Or, old age). So, please indulge me for the next year if I ever seem dumbstruck trying to acknowledge you by name. Please introduce yourself and I will do my best to remember your name thereafter.

The Chamber, through Greg's and his staff's hard efforts, has grown greatly in members this year. However, we need to continue to retain members and grow membership. So I thank you for staying a member of the Chamber in these still-difficult economic times. I further encourage you to promote membership to your fellow business friends, acquaintances, and contacts. Hopefully we can keep our Chamber thriving. A large solid membership is the heart and soul of the organization.

I hope to see you at the next Chamber luncheon, function, fund-raiser or event.

From the Desk of Greg

Greg Harris, President

Members, START YOUR ENGINES!!

March is a Great time to be a Sebring Chamber Member. We kick off race month with the Circle of Speed on Thursday, March 3rd, where there will be race cars and beer & brats on the Circle. We then continue race week with Ride the Race Track on Sunday, March 13th. Taste of the Race follows on Thursday the 17th.

We have tons of ways to get involved, so if you're looking for something to do, give me a call.

Don't forget, Highlands Young Professionals meet Friday, March 4th,
at Beef O' Brady's at noon. This is a great chance to meet with young
folks that live and work in our community.

Don't forget about two mixers this month...the 10th is a tri-chamber mixer at Highlands Little Theatre and on the 28th at the Sebring Airport Authority.

See you at the Circle, the mixers and the track!

Chamber Luncheon

The January Luncheon was held at the Island View Lakefront Restaurant & Pub; and as always, Megan and her staff did an outstanding job.
The great folks at MidFlorida Credit Union were our sponsor and they presented a program on Junior Achievement of Highlands County. We also awarded three new students as Students of the Month! Thanks MidFlorida for your continued support!

Sweet Adelines ladies enjoy each other's company

Chamber lunch pic

Chamber Mixer

The February Chamber Mixer was hosted by Bogus Printing, Dr. Rachel Cooper, and the Sebring Pain Management Clinic.

All offices were ope Sebring Pain Clinic n and staffed to give tours of the facilities and present the scope of services provided. The food and beverage was outstanding and the sounds of the Heartland Christian Steel Drum Band permeated the evening.

Fun was had by all and thanks to the member businesses for providing such an AWESOME event!

Bogus Printing did a great job

greeting everyone

Dr. Cooper was a mixer sponsor

Dr. Chan Hosts Ribbon-Cutting

Dr. Chan was well accompanied at his ribbon-cutting event

Still Chic Boutique Hosts Ribbon-Cutting

Still Chic kicked off its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting this month. What a beautiful boutique, ladies! You really have to come see this unique store.

Still Chic 1

Run Your Heart out for Junior Achievement

The second annual Junior Achievement 5K was held on February 12 and we nearly doubled the participation from last year!

With over 208 participants, we had one of the biggest fields around. The athletes were treated to great weather, good fellowship, and nice trophies.

A great big Thanks to MidFlorida Credit Union, our title sponsor; as well as all of the remaining sponsors and volunteers for helping to make Junior Achievement in our county so Wonderful!

Strawberry Festival

All three Chambers attended a luncheon in Plant City that kicks off their Strawberry Festival. Chamber executives from all over Central Florida enjoyed a presentation about this year's festival including the star-studded entertainment line-up, the newest rides and of course some of the best Berries in the world!

Office Depot Ad

Call Office Furniture Depot at

866-816-3450 or 863-682-3450

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.

Ride the Race Track is on at the Sebring International Raceway on Sunday, March 13 from 11 am to 3 pm! This is a big event for the Chamber as it helps to fund Chamber expenses and also kicks off Race Week in Sebring. The good folks at Skip Barber Racing School donate the cars and drivers and you get to experience what a race feels like from a driver's perspective! The cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Please get your tickets now at the Chamber! Click here! for more information.

Don't miss the Sebring Airport Authority's 1st monthly Pancake Breakfast on March 12 from 7:30 am to 11 am. The cost is a donation request of $5 per person and entitles you to receive $5 off your fuel bill. Proceeds are to benefit the Young Eagles. For more information, contact the Sebring Airport Authority at 863-655-6444.

Get your sneakers laced up to participate in the Sebring Hall of Fame Run the Track at the Sebring International Raceway on Saturday, March 12. This event is being sponsored by Golds Gym and featurse a 3.7 mile course for participants to complete. Registration is at 6:30 am at the front gate of the raceway, and the green flag drops at 7:45 am. For more information, Click here!

Join Chris McCormack at the Heartland Triathlon on June 18 & 19. Events begin at 7:30 am. Free daily activities include: a race clinic hosted by Macca, a pasta dinner hosted by the Olive Garden, a keynote presentation by Macca, post-race BBQ, and more! Don't miss this great event. Click here! for more details.

Please join us for a wonderful evening at the Grand Prix Race Ball scheduled for March 12 at the Four Points by Sheraton Chateau Élan. The schedule is as follows: 6:30 to 7:30pm, cocktail hour; 7:30, dinner; 9 pm to 1am, dancing to "Shakedown." The cost is $125.00 per person. A four-hour open bar is included in the ticket price. Call Sharon Keiber 863-381-3369 or email sgkeiber@earthlink.net; or, contact Ken Harris 863-655-1442 or email ticketsales@sebringraceway.com

Habitat for Humanity needs your help! Sarah (a.k.a. Princess) is in need of door prizes for the Habitat Volunteer Appreciation Day. It's a very good way to get your name in front of a lot of folks. Click here! for more info.

The Chamber is still looking for food vendors for the Taste of the Race scheduled for Thursday, March 17th from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. If you would like to be a food vendor, please let Greg at the Chamber know (863-385-8448). There are limited spaces so don't delay. This a great way to show off your products and services!

Heartland Young Professionals is pleased to announce its Second Annual Fun Day on Saturday, April 2 from 1 to 4 pm behind the Lakeshore Mall. The cost per child is $3. Click here! for more information.

HALLO (Handicapped Americans Love of Life Organization) is seeking sponsors for its next event, Poker Run 2011. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 and will commence at Alan Jay Ford at 9 am and move to the Sebring Elks Lodge where a spaghetti lunch will be served.  You don't have to have a bike to participate! (any vehicle qualifies) For more information including the cost for registration, couples, and extra hands Click here!  For more information, call Deanna, Director, at 863-385-1196.

The Heartland Cultural Alliance will be opening its March show at the HCA Art & Music Gallery in the Kenilworth Lodge, Saturday March 5, at 5 pm. Highland County artists in a variety of medium will be showing new and classic works. The Artists Reception will be followed by the music of Don & Allen. The reception is from 5 to 8 pm, March 5 in the Grand Ballroom in the Kenilworth Lodge. Wine and snacks provided. Classical guitar by Kenny Summers. Open to the public. free.  At 8 pm the dance floor is open to the multi-generational music of local musicians Don & Allen.   After 8 pm there will be a $5 cover charge. Drinks available for purchase. This event is a fund-raiser for the Heartland Cultural Alliance. For more information contact: Fred Leavitt 863-402-8238, email: info@heartlandculturalalliance.org. For more information on the Heartland Cultural Alliance visit www.heartlandculturalalliance.org. Click here! for more information.

Avon Park High School Project Graduation is underway! Bill Jarrett Ford is sponsoring a steak dinner on Saturday, March 5th from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Cost is $7 for dine in or carry out. All proceeds go to APHS Project Graduation. Tickets can be obtained at Heartland National Bank in Avon Park - see Jerry Whidden. Also, there are about 30 Ridge Florist Flower Cards left. The cost is $20 but get you a bouquet of flowers each month for 12 months and can get them from Avon Park, Sebring, or Lake Placid Ridge Florist. This also benefits Project Graduation.  For more information about the above, contact Sherri Whidden at 257-0200 or Jerry Whidden at 453-6000 or e-mail Jerry at whiddens@highlands.k12.fl.us

South Florida Community College wants to remind you that it has several outstanding performances scheduled during the month of March. Click here! for more information, or call the Box Office at 863-784-7178.

It's National Pancake Day at IHOP! Free shortstack of buttermilk pancakes and no purchase necessary on March 1 from 7 am to 10 pm.

Asking for Donations only. All proceeds go the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. While you are there, say hello to General Manager Cindy Marvin.

Join the SBDC for its seminar "Operating Sustainable Health Care Practices:the Business Side of Medicine." This event is scheduled for Thursday, March 24, from 8 am to 3:30 pm at the USF Embassy Suites, 3705 Spectrum Blvd. Tampa, 33612. This seminar is geared toward healthcare professionals, consultants, office managers, lenders and individuals doing business in the health industry. The cost is $195 per person and includes lunch. Among the experts scheduled to speak is Dr. Stephen K. Klasko, CEO of USF Health, dean of USF College of Medicine and leader in the healthcare technology revolution. Space is very limited! Register today at www.sbdctampabay.com or call 813-905-5800. Click here! for more information.

Sunshine Staffing is looking for a few good people to join their team! Call Yessenia (Jessy) Irizarry at 863-382-4994 to find out about the job availabilities and skills necessary to assume these positions.

The Sheriff's Office is pleased to release this quarter's edition of the Quarterly Report, a newsletter designed to highlight some of the major news within the agency over the past three months. Click here! to view.

The Sebring Airport Authority is pleased to release its Executive Director's Report. Click here! to view.

The Avon Park Noon Rotary club will host its Second Annual David "Doc Owen" Golf tournament on Saturday, April 16 at Highlands Ridge North. The two-person scramble-format entry fee is $60 per person with prizes in flight groups, lunch, goodie bag, and refreshments on the course. Registration starts at 7:30 with an 8:30 shotgun tee time. Entry information and a check payable to Avon Park Noon Rotary should be mailed to Chet Brojek, 3310 Par Road, Sebring, Florida 33872. Golfers should include their names and handicaps along with their check. Those needing a form may email tourney director cbrojek@comcast.net or call him at 385-4736. Business entry of two-persons plus a hole sign for a total of $200 is available for the first time this year. All Rotary club members are urged to support participate in the event that benefits local Rotary charity projects. Business hole signs for $100 are also available by contacting Chet via email or phone.

Be a part of the Second Annual Igy Soler Memorial Golf Scramble on March 12, 2011. The benefits go to the Humane Society and Freedom Excursions (which benefit crippled veterans). The event will take place at the Country Club of Sebring with lunch provided at the Sebring Eagles Club on Hwy. 98. The cost of participation is $55 per person, and includes golf, one mulligan, door prizes, closest to pin for men and women, and three flights. Hole sponsors are $50 per hole. For more information, contact Pam at Signs Now at 471-1166 or cell 446-7239.

Lakeside Dermatology is offering members of the Chamber the following special discounts during the month of March:

$12 a unit on Botox
10% off fillers
Free PAINLESS Laser hair removal consult
Buy 1 get 1 free Latisse

Call today to schedule an appt! 863-385-7183. To receive discount, use the code "CHAMBER MEMBER" when speaking with the staff.

The Sebring Aglow is holding a Sebring Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, March 24th at 7:30am. Click here! for the sponsor letter and the flyer for this breakfast in 2 different formats and all the information regarding this event. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Helen Bingenheimer, president, at 863-449-1985.

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.

Race fans, the 6th Annual Hairpin Spin is Wednesday, March 16 from 12-2 pm at the Chateau Elan. Individual tickets are now on sale. Purchase and reserve your tickets now as there are limited quantities of tickets and chips. No guarantee at the door!!! Click here for your order form. Simply print and send or fax in your order. For more information, contact Lisa Celentano at 863-655-1442 (office) or 863-202-1919 (cell/text).

Stop Smoking for the New Year! Free Smoking Cessation classes are available. Click here! for more details.

The American Red Cross Announces it 2011 Schedule for Health and Safety Courses. Click here! for the schedule.

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!