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A Message from the President
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Kristie Sottile-Ogg
President/CEO |
Hello Chamber Members!
Another eventful month has passed and I am very pleased with of all our accomplishments. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting acquainted with everyone and I am eager to meet many more. I look forward to the many opportunities ahead in the months to come.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to Wauchula State Bank for being kind enough to sponsor our May luncheon and to Florida Hospital for being the special presenter at the May luncheon. I would also like to extend my appreciation to The Groves at Victoria Park for hosting our May mixer. The success of these events would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors.
The 2011 scholarship banquet was a great success. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to The Alan Jay Automotive Network, The Island View Restaurant, Dr. David Willey and Mrs. Allison Willey, and the numerous community sponsors who donated the items provided in our gift bags. Your contribution to this event is greatly appreciated. It was such an incredible experience to not only witness, but also be part of such a giving community.
Until we chat again,
Kristie |
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Monthly
Chamber
Luncheon
A special thanks to our May luncheon sponsor, Wauchula State Bank
and special presenter Florida Hospital!
Our May member luncheon was held at the beautiful Island View Restaurant in Sun 'n Lake on Thursday, May 12th. As always Megan and the staff at the Island View were incredibly accommodating to our crowd of almost 50 members who attended the luncheon providing us with superb service and a delicious meal.
If you haven't had a chance to experience all the Island View Restaurant has to offer I suggest you hop on over there, especially on a Friday night, and sample their exquisite menu...you won't be sorry you did!
This month's sponsor, Wauchula State Bank, while based in Wauchula, has been serving Florida's Heartland since 1920 as a family-owned, locally managed community bank. With locations in Wauchula, Bowling Green, Zolfo Springs, Downtown Lake Placid, in Sebring across from Lake Jackson and next to the Fairmount Plaza, Wauchula State Bank is committed to providing customers with highly personalized banking products and services. Stop by and see Andrew Hughes, Branch Manager at the Fairmount location in Sebring to learn more about Wauchula State Bank's concern with meeting all of the varied needs of their customers. You can also check out their webpage at www.wauchulastatebank.com for more details.
In honor of the month of May being National Stroke Awareness Month, our luncheon would have been complete without a special presentation from Florida Hospital. As the only certified Primary Stroke Center in the Heartland, Marketing Director Cathy Albritton and Registered Nurse Debbie educated members on the early identification and treatment of a stroke. For more information on stroke awareness, prevention and all that Florida Hospital has to offer visit their webpage at: www.FHHeartland.org.
We are grateful to all of the door prize sponsors, Chamber members, Chamber Ambassadors, the Island View Restaurant, Florida Hospital and especially Wauchula State Bank for making this such a great event!
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Monthly
Chamber Mixer
A special thanks to our May mixer sponsor, The Groves at Victoria Park!
The mixer this month was held on Thursday, May 19th at The Groves at Victoria Park.
The Groves at Victoria Park has fabulous accommodations for the senior community. This 55 and over, independent living facility was just built in 2005, and features gorgeous amenities where anyone would love it call it home. Close to shopping and hospitals, The Groves offer luxurious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens, walk-in closets and spacious master suites at an affordable price. Not to mention they have a pool! Whether you are relaxing in the TV lounge or playing a game of cards with your neighbors, living at The Groves is the way to go for senior independent living! Stop by and find out for yourself what all The Groves has to offer at 2010 Village Grove Boulevard in Sebring, or give them a call at 863-385-8181.
We appreciate all of the effort Sandra Kenney, Manager at The Groves, put in to this event and of course what would a mixer be without all of the stellar Chamber members who came out to mingle to make it a success!
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Let the Good
Times BOWL...
It's Bowling BONANZA
Time at the Chamber!
Who's ready to have some summer FUN? Dust off those bowling shoes and get that gutter ball ready for one rocking evening with the Sebring Chamber of Commerce!!!
The inaugural Bowling Bonanza will take place Friday, July 15th at the Kegel Bowling Center from 6:00-8:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets to bowl from the Chamber for only $25! Your ticket gets you 2 and a half hours of bowling (half of which will be COSMIC BOWLING with black lights J), bowling shoes, 2 slices of pizza and unlimited sodas. Also, tickets will be sold at the door for adult beverages, because what would a party be without it!
If you or your business would like to sponsor the event we'd love to have you! Event sponsors are available at the Platinum Level ($500 - includes 3 bowling tickets), Gold Level ($300 - includes 2 bowling tickets) and Silver Level ($200 - includes 1 bowling ticket). How about sponsoring one of the bowling lanes? For only $100 you can have your company name on the LANE! A portion of the proceeds from the event will be going to the United Way.
We'd like to see all of you come out and bowl, but act fast to reserve your spot! We will have room for 96 bowlers and each team will have 6 bowlers. Your business can sponsor a full team of 6, a few players or individuals can purchase tickets to bowl separately. We only need 16 businesses to sposnsor a team for only $125 and we will have a packed house! If you are putting together a whole team be sure and let us know so we can keep you all together. Have no fear if you purchase a ticket just for yourself! We will put you on a team with some fabulous other members (we just can't vouch for their bowling abilities J). If you don't want to bowl we still want you to come enjoy the time to carouse with your fellow members and have a blast! Come dressed to represent your business, and don't forget your business cards! Drop your card off at the door, and you will have a chance to win some awesome door prizes.
Bring you 'A' game, and come join us for a night filled with food, prizes and bad bowling techniques! To reserve your tickets and get ready to BOWL contact me via email or call the Chamber at 385-8448.
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And the Winners are...
If you weren't able to attend our annual Scholarship Banquet you missed a great event! We were able to award not one, but TWO, $3,000 scholarships to two very deserving students. The winners chosen were Derek Drummond and Lauren Welborn, both of Sebring High School. A picture of the two seniors along with Alan Wildstein, owner of the Alan Jay Automotive Network, and myself is attached. Congratulations again to Derek and Lauren on their accomplishments and for being the 2011 scholarship recipients!
I wanted to extend, once more, my heartfelt and sincere appreciation for all who had a part in this year's Scholarship Banquet. Thank you to the Alan Jay Automotive Network for their continued support of this great cause, and matching of all pledges made to the fund! You heard right...all of the donations pledged to the scholarship account are MATCHED by Alan Wildstein! In total the funds pledged to the scholarship account amounted to $7,710! That means with the match we were able to increase the scholarship account by $15,420!!! I am amazed at the outpouring of support from our community for these seniors. Thanks to each and every one of you they will be able to realize their goals and make us proud in their future endeavors.
A special thank you to David E. Willey, DMD and Allison Willey of Nextage-Floridian Living Realty for sponsoring the delicious lunch, Taylor Oil Company, the Island View Restaurant at Sun 'n Lake, Sun 'n Lake Golf Club, McDonald's, Kegel Bowling Center, Carmike Lakeshore Cinema, La Quinta, Fast Lane Promotions, Highlands Little Theatre, Glades Electric, Center for Great Apes, Highlands County Health Department, and Christi Gose. |
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Call Office Furniture Depot at
866-816-3450 or 863-682-3450 |
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FLORIDA LIVING
REALTY MERGES
WITH
NEXTAGE REALTY
INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Previously known as Florida Living Realty is now operating as Nextage Floridian Living Realty. Owned by Jeff & Terri Futch, who made a brilliant decision to help foster a revolution in the Real Estate Paradigm and BOLDLY stepped into the 21st Century with a NEW BRAND and a NEW ATTITIDE towards doing real estate business.
NEXTAGE is about rebuilding the real estate sales industry by empowering brokers and agents with the most innovative compensation model in the industry and the training and coaching to help them Build a Business... Not Just Do Business.
A thorough investigation of the company's leadership, philosophy, objectives, vision, mission and financial strength was conducted and there was no denying the opportunity this model would provide for our real estate agents and customers.
While many very well known real estate franchisees are closing doors all across the country, Nextage Realty International LLC is one of the fastest growing franchise in the United States with already over 72 new offices in 22 states in less than 2 years and has application in 39 countries.
With QSPATM (Quality Service by Professional Agents) as our core Value and Nextage Performance Institute TM as our mechanism for helping agents continually grow in their ability to provide service that is recognized and appreciated by the consumer, Nextage is poised to Lead the industry in Quality Service.
It is Nextage Floridian Living Realty's mission to continue to AMAZE their customers and agents in customer service and results.
Please stop by the office:
2031 HWY US 27 SOUTH
SEBRING, FL 33870
(863) 658-1737
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Announcements
Mixer and Luncheon days have changed!
We don't want you to miss out on any of the festivities here at the chamber, so you need to know of a minor change in the schedule of things to come. In the future all of our mixers and luncheons will be occurring at a different time and date than in the past. Be sure and note in your calendars the change we've made to the schedule. In the future this will be the schedule of events during the month:
- Mixers will be the 2nd TUESDAY of the month
- Luncheons will be the 4th TUESDAY of the month
Due to the fact that this is a recent adjustment, there are a few mixer and luncheon occurrences already scheduled throughout the rest of this year that will not follow this new schedule. We will be sure and keep you informed of the dates and times of all of these events. Continue to watch your emails for notifications and reminders of when our next fantastic chamber event will occur! We want you to get the most of our your membership and this includes our monthly gatherings.
I am thrilled to say that the schedule of events through the end of the year is completely booked! However, if you'd like to showcase your business at a luncheon or mixer contact us, and we will keep you in mind if anything should come available!
Update your contact information with us!
To make sure that your are getting all you deserve as an esteemed member of the Sebring Chamber we are asking that you update your contact information. You can call or email us with your contact information to make sure we have the right contact person, phone number, address, etc. This will ensure that we can continue to notify you of all the wonderful things going on at the chamber, but it also provides us with the necessary information the public needs to patron your business! Don't delay, call 385-8448 or email information@sebring.org to update your information.
Are you utilizing the Chamber website? Well you should!
One of the most underutilized assets of being a chamber member is your access to the chamber website. It is here that you as business members can post events, post job opportunities, let the community know of hot deals you are offering, pull reports to see how many people have accessed your website via the chamber website, and tell others about your company. If you haven't' been using the chamber website to aid your business it's time to change that! Set up an appointment with us and we will give you a tutorial on using the website to get the most out of this chamber benefit. We can walk you through the different aspects of the website over the phone or in person in as little as 30 minutes. Call today to schedule your informational session!
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.
Habitat for Humanity is hosting an opportunity for the public to learn about its mission.
Participants are invited to tour homes, meet the resident families, and see homes under current construction. It's a great way to learn more about this fantastic organization and find out how to get involved. For more information, Click here!
Check out the Heartland Young Professionals Heartland YP is a premier organization cultivating the existence of young leaders in the community. This upstanding organization is geared towards promoting and advancing the professional and social development of the young professionals within out community. Click here! for more information or to join.
Faith Child Development Center Ministry of Faith Lutheran Church announces Summer Session enrollment for its preschool and daycare programs.
The hours of operation are from 7:15 am - 5:30 pm. Programs begin June 13 - August 19. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided. Fall Session term is from August 22, 2011- June 8, 2012. VPK and School Readiness Subsides through the Early Learning Coalition are accepted. Call 385-3232 for more information. Faith Child Development Center seeks to provide a faith-based loving environment for children to grow physically, intellectually, socially and spiritually.
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.
For their schedule Click here!
Leadership Highlands Class of 2012 Now Accepting Applications.
Have you ever wondered exactly what you need to do to become a better leader and learn more about your county at the same time? Then look no further than the Leadership Highlands program!
Since it's inception in 2000, the Leadership Highlands program has been committed to developing our local leaders by educating them on the strong sense of commitment to the Highlands County community. We are so lucky to have a hometown program dedicated to the cultivation and growth of our community's leaders.
You can also find a link on the Chamber's website at www.sebring.org to download the application or find one at www.southflroida.edu/leadershiphighlands/, which also has a schedule of events posted. You can also contact Kris Schmidt at South Florida Community College at 863-784-7189 with questions, but be sure to get your application in soon as the July 21st deadline is quickly approaching!
Teach a Junior Achievement course next School Year!
Help Junior Achievement continue to promote their program of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy to the youth in our community! All we need is an hour and a half of your time to teach four classes in the Spring or Fall...or BOTH! Contact the Chamber at 863-385-8448 to become a volunteer and teach a Junior Achievement course in the next school year.
Become a Volunteer Through the RSVP Program!
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is a non-profit agency that promotes volunteering by offering citizens the opportunity to meet a variety of community needs through volunteer service. RSVP is funded by a federal grant from the Corporation of National and Community Service and is sponsored locally by South Florida Community College.
Volunteers serve in nonprofit and community agencies, governmental agencies, and health care facilities and provide help to individuals in need. This includes volunteering at the Chamber! To become a volunteer through the RSVP program contact South Florida Community College at 863-784-7189. |
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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 Food Reservoir, Inc.
Contact: Bill Stephenson, President
Address: P.O. Box 7815, Sebring, FL 33870
Phone: 863-385-7885
Email:info@hfrinc.net
Heartland Food Reservoir, Inc. is located behind the Sebring Lakeview Plaza, and serves area food pantries. Food is picked up by a food reservoir employee and then sold to food pantries at 19 cents per pound to cover the food reservoir's costs, which the pantries then redistribute to the needy.
Best Protection
Contact: William Abbatoy, Owner
Address: 3627 Silver Oak, Ct., Lake Wales, FL 33898 Phone: 863-514-3708
Email:wabbatoy@comcast.net
Best Protection is dedicated to helping you keep all that you value in life safe and secure. They specialize in personal security equipment and security and surveillance camera systems. Whatever your security needs they are they are here to help keep you safe! |
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Go 'LIKE' the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page to stay up to date on all the great things going on at the Chamber! |
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Calendar of Events
JUNE
1-19 Highlands Little Theater's "Little Women", Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. Tickets $20. Contact: 863-382-2525
4 Avon Park Air Force Range Fish & Wildlife Outdoor Recreation Program's Fishing Derby. Registration begins at 7am. Contact: 863-452-4254
10 Gallery and Downtown Walk - 2nd Friday night of the month - 5pm - 8pm, 863-446-3874
11 Saturday Night Cruise Car Show - 2nd Saturday of the month 5pm - 8pm, Bud @ 863-471-1900
18 Car Show @ Home Depot - 3rd Saturday of the month - 5pm - 8pm, Contact: Tim 863-414-5413
24 Hotel California "A Salute to the Eagles" - SFCC 7:30pm- $25-$35 - 863-784-7178
25 The Amazing Race for the Children's Museum - Contact: Linda Crowder 863-385-5437
JULY
8 Gallery and Downtown Walk - 2nd Friday night of the month - 5pm - 8pm, 863-446-3874
9 Lake Placid Farmers Market - 2nd Saturday of the month - 8am - 1pm, 863-465-4331
9 Saturday Night Cruise Car Show - 2nd Saturday of the month 5pm - 8pm, Bud @ 863-471-1900
16 Car Show @ Home Depot - 3rd Saturday of the month - 5pm - 8pm, Contact: Tim 863-414-5413
21 Monthly Mixer - Tri-Chamber
26 Monthly Luncheon
AUGUST
12 Gallery and Downtown Walk - 2nd Friday night of the month - 5pm - 8pm, 863-446-3874
13 Lake Placid Farmers Market - 2nd Saturday of the month - 8am - 1pm, 863-465-4331
13 Saturday Night Cruise Car Show - 2nd Saturday of the month 5pm - 8pm, Bud @ 863-471-1900
20 Car Show @ Home Depot - 3rd Saturday of the month - 5pm - 8pm, Contact: Tim 863-414-5413
21 21st Annual Caladium Festival - Contact: Lake Placid Chamber 863-465-4331
SEPTEMBER
9 Gallery and Downtown Walk - 2nd Friday night of the month - 5pm - 8pm, 863-446-3874
10 Lake Placid Farmers Market - 2nd Saturday of the month - 8am - 1pm, 863-465-4331
16-18 Sebring Thunder
17 Car Show @ Home Depot - 3rd Saturday of the month - 5pm - 8pm, Contact: Tim 863-414-5413
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, would like to communicate news about your organization, or if you are intersted in advertising in this newsletter please call Kristie at 385-8448. |
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Are you Looking for Office Space?
The location of the Chamber of Commerce as part of the Business Welcome Center allows for professional office suites for rent. If you are looking for a place for your business to call home come check out the beautiful accommodations at the Chamber.
All of the office spaces available are furnished and include: utilities, wireless Internet access, copy machine use, fax machine use and a reception desk. So what's stopping you from starting your business or expanding into the Sebring area?
The Chamber has everything you need to get your business going including a centrally located office in the heart of Highlands County. If you'd like more information about the office spaces available or for rental rates call the Chamber at 863-385-8448.
We'd love to house your business at the Chamber!
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Kegel Lines Up Fun,New
Activities
Kegel Bowling Center announces new activities for almost every day of the week!
The public can now enjoy:
Wacky Wednesdays:
from noon to 4pm. Put some fun in your day... Even Whiners Win on Wacky Wednesdays!.... $1.50 Games ~ $1.50 Shoes ~ $1.50 Drafts ~ $1.50 Screwdrivers ~ Free Game Cards
Thursday Nite Dollar Mania:
from 9 to 11pm. $1 games, $1 shoes, $1 hot dogs, $1 sodas, $1 drafts
Flippin' Fantastic Fridays:
from 9pm to midnight. All-you-can-bowl. $13.00 per person, rental shoes included.
Saturday Nite Rock N Bowl: from 7pm to Midnight. 1.5 hours of bowling with rental shoes $10.00 Adults, $8.00 Under 12 yrs old., Black lights, Music, MC, Lights and tons of fun! Come on in, bowl with friends and check out our new carpet.. it glows during Rock N Bowl!!
Spring & Summer leagues: are starting soon.
Learn To Bowl & Have More Fun Program:
starts Monday, April 4 at 6 pm or Tuesday, April 5 at 1 pm It's only $19.95 for the four sessions and includes shoe rental.
Have a Ball League:
starts Monday, May 2 at 6:30pm. The league term is 12 weeks with four-person teams at $12 per person per week. Receive a bowling ball at the end of the league session. Amenities also include: standing sheets to track your average, discounted rental shoes, and VIP Cards for discounted practice games valid during league weeks.
Taking Care of Business League: starts March 30 and will continue each Wednesday at 9:15 pm.
We want to help you promote your business while having fun bowling!
Be the "Business Of The Week!" |
Public Service Message from the Sheriff
Requests for Personal Information
Over the past week the Highlands County Sheriff's Office has been made aware of several new tactics to solicit personal information from unsuspecting victims. We have been made aware of callers pretending to be representatives from local social service organizations and businesses requesting credit card information, Social Security Numbers and other forms of identification. Please be advised that legitimate social service organizations, businesses, physicians and the like will not call you to get or verify your personal information. Thieves are relying on your trust of these companies to over-ride your good judgment. Don't let them do it! Unless you initiated the call, make it a practice not to give out any personal information such as date of birth, Social Security Number or credit card numbers over the phone. If you are contacted by someone representing a company you do business with and you are concerned about your account, call the company back at a phone number that you have on file. DO NOT call the number the caller provides as they may have set up an accomplice to field those calls as well.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check out any urgent request (usually received by e-mail) from a relative or friend who is in trouble and needs cash. Most of these are scams. Call the relative directly and verify before sending any financial assistance.
- When ordering a product or service over the phone, be sure you initiated the call and that you got the phone number from a legitimate source.
- If making an internet purchase, be sure you have verified the website and are using a secure connection. Secure connections are indicated by a locked padlock symbol usually in the lower right task bar. Hold the cursor over this icon and the name of the company providing the security will be revealed. If nothing comes up, it could be a fake icon and the site may not actually be secure.
- To determine if the website itself is secure look for https: in the web address. The addition of the "s" indicates a secure website.
Remember, if it's too good (or bad) to be true; if there's a sense of urgency and/or secrecy, it's probably a scam! Follow your instincts and stay safe! |
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