Economic Development Council Luncheon 
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce is inviting community leaders, Chamber members, and general public to attend an Economic Development Luncheon on Tuesday, April 22, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at Daphne United Methodist Church Community Life Center, 2401 Main Street, Daphne, Ala.
The topic of the luncheon will be an update of The Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization and Growth in the area. The keynote speakers will be Dr. Alan Lee, Superintendent of Baldwin County Board of Education; William McLaughlin, Executive Vice President of Infirmary Health/Thomas Hospital; and Matthew S. Brown, Coordinator of the Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning Organization
The fee to attend is $15 for Blueprint for a Better Tomorrow Investors and Board of Advisors; $20 for Chamber members and $30 for potential members. The fee will include a hot lunch.
To sign up for the event call the Eastern Shore Chamber at 928-6387 or 621-8222. Attendees may pay in advance with a check or credit card or pay at the door. RSVPs are a must. |
30th Annual Mayors' Prayer Breakfast
With Wallace Davis
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 30th Annual Mayors' Prayer Breakfast, which will be held on the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 am at Daphne Civic Center, 2603 Highway 98, Daphne, Ala. The Mayors' Prayer Breakfast brings communities together for an inspirational and uplifting breakfast with special guests of Mayor Dane Haygood of Daphne, Mayor Tim Kant of Fairhope and Mayor Mike McMillan of Spanish Fort.
The keynote speaker for this year's event is Wallace T. Davis, president/CEO of Volunteers of America Southeast, Inc., a position he has held for 33 years. Davis is a graduate of Samford University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, with a Bachelor of Science in Education, a Master of Theology and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Psychology and Counseling.
Davis has served as pastor, teacher, counselor, and administrator for over 40 years. He has been with Volunteers of America Southeast since its beginning in 1980 in Mobile. Through his leadership, the organization has expanded to serve Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, with an annual budget in excess of $70 million. Volunteers of America Southeast has grown from serving 18 people in 1980 to serving over 2,000 people every day in predominately residential settings with a staff of over 1,000.
This organization works toward resolving the needs of veterans, the homeless, people with disabilities, the elderly, children, those with substance abuse, and families purchasing homes as well as providing assistance during times of disasters.
Davis' "Up Lifting Moment" can be heard on three local radio stations during morning drive time, with the tag, "There are no limits to caring."
Davis and his wife, Barbara have four adult children and seven grandchildren.
Sponsors for the 2014 Mayors' Prayer Breakfast are: Platinum - BancorpSouth; Gold - Safe Harbor Financial Services, Urgent Care by the Bay, Hargrove Engineers & Constructors, Baldwin EMC, Mobile Gas, A Sempra Company, Thomas Hospital and Bryant Bank; Silver - St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church, Volkert, Inc.; Head Table Centerpiece - American Autism Center; Table Top - Citizens Bank, Stone, Grande & Crosby, Aging in Alabama, BBVA Compass Bank, Bryant Bank, Adam & Reese Law Firm, Hampton Inn, Fairhope-Mobile Bay and Centennial Bank.
"The Mayors' Prayer Breakfast is a time for our business community to pause, be thankful for what we have and recognize the strength of working together," said Darrelyn Bender, president/CEO of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
The cost for attending the event is $40 per person or a table of 10 for $350. The general public is invited to attend. Reservations must be made and paid. Call 621-8222 to get tickets information.
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Golf Tournament May 16

The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce has scheduled the 14th Annual Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament for Friday, May 16. This tournament will be held at the beautiful Lakewood Golf Club in Point Clear. The course, a Robert Trent Golf Trail course, is owned by the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club and Spa. Registration is at 11:00 am with deli style lunch served and a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.
A four- man team is available for $700, which includes four packages. Individuals may sign up for $175. The Eastern Shore Chamber Golf Tournament is based on a 4-person scramble, playing off the best ball. Diamond Sponsor is Terry Thompson Chevrolet; Platinum Sponsors is Segers; Gold Sponsor is TrustMark Bank; Awards Sponsor is Zaxby's; Lunch Sponsor is EastPointe Hospital; Tee Sponsors are Daphne Utilities, Mobile Gas, Premier Landscape & Stone, Citizens Bank, Jim Goleman Agency "State Farm" and United Bank.
A percentage of the net, will be given to the Eastern Shore Chambers' Youth Leadership Program.
The Award Presentation will take place following the tournament.
Corporate sponsorships are available. For more information on how you can be a player, sponsor or just get involved, please call Amy Dial at 928-6387. |
Environmental Winner Award Winner
Honored with Tree Planting

The Eastern Shore Chamber Environmental Committee honored the 2013 Environmental Award Winner, Original Oyster House, with a tree planting at Christ the King School recently.
The tree is a 15-foot Nuttall Oak, from Fre d Corte Tree Farm. On hand for the event were: (from left): Kindergarten Teacher Tierney Moore, Principal Max Crane, Daphne Mayor Dane Haygood, Restaurant Owner Joe Roszkowski, ESCoC President/CEO Darrelyn Bender and Assistant Teacher Bea Hernandez. They were joined by Christ the King School kindergarten students.
Each year the Chamber selects a member that is proactive in taking steps, above and beyond what is required by policy or law, to protect the environment as well as the quality of life along the Eastern Shore. The Eastern Shore Chamber is one of only a handful of chambers in the United States that presents an environmental award and probably the only one that recognizes them by planting a 15-foot live oak tree in honor of their contribution. The Chamber has planted 16 trees along the Eastern Shore.
This year's winner has been leading the restaurant industry in becoming a green business. In 2010 this 30-year-old business started recycling all cooking oil and refining it into bio diesel fuel that is now used in their company trucks. In December of 2012 a wind turbine was installed at their Causeway restaurant that offsets energy costs. The wind turbine sits on a 55-foot-high tower and works 24 hours a day generating power whenever winds reach eight miles per hour or greater. The power generated lights the restaurant's playground and outdoor lights. Any surplus energy goes back on the grid. In addition, solar water heaters were installed this year at both restaurants. And there's more. They are partnering with the Gulf Coast Emporium to help educate children about the positive effects of Green Energy through the STEAM movement.
For more information contact Pat Hawthorne at 928-6387.
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Eggs N' Issues
Preparing for the NEXT BIG BLOW

Sponsors for the Business Academy Eggs N' Issues are: Hartmann, Blackmon & Kilgore, PC; Baldwin EMC and Daphne Utilities.
The fee to attend the event is $10 which includes a hot breakfast. To sign up call 928-6387. RSVPs are a must. |
Youth Leadership Program
Applications Available
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership program applications are now available. Forty students who are currently freshmen, sophomores or juniors from Eastern Shore public and private high schools and home-schooled settings will be selected to participate in the seven-month program, which begins this year in August. The deadline to apply is April 21.
The students will work on a wide variety of projects that are developed to help them learn leadership skills and broaden their individual talents. Included are seminars, volunteer activities and small group projects that integrate involvement in civic and business issues with life skills that empower them as leaders.
Christina Hellmich, coordinator of the youth leadership program, describes the program as fun, interactive and a way for students to learn valuable life skills. "It's different from any other experience offered to students," she said. "These young people get an opportunity to interact with leaders from the Eastern Shore area and with students from other schools. They learn to make decisions that affect not only themselves but their communities."
The students have an opportunity to identify needs and concerns in the area. They then create a Plan of Action working within a small group to address the needs and implement it, using the knowledge and skills they gained during the program activities.
The Eastern Shore Chamber Youth Leadership program is currently funded through special donations and grants obtained by the Eastern Shore Chamber Foundation, a 501(C)(3) entity. Individuals, foundations, corporations and small businesses have also made contributions. Chamber President Darrelyn Bender said financial donations and in-kind goods and services are always needed to help the program, now starting its fourteenth year.
"Being involved in this annual youth leadership program is an excellent way the business community can become well-known and make a difference in the community," said Bender. "After all, our youth are our future."
Applications are available online at http://www.eschamber.com/page/YouthLeadership.
The deadline to apply is Monday, April 21. For more information, to sponsor or help with the program call Christina Hellmich at the Eastern Shore Chamber at 621-8222.
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Amb assador of the Month
Congratulations to Millie Sue Hawk for being selected Ambassador of the Month for February. Millie earned the honor for welcoming new members, attending a variety of Chamber events and serving as liaison for the Chamber.
After owning Welcome Friends for 19 years, Millie Sue turned the business over to Annette Sebastian January 1, 2014.
Millie Sue has served as a member of the Easter Shore Chamber for eight years. She jumped into Ambassador duties almost as soon as she became a member.
Throughout the years Millie Sue was awarded Ambassador of the Month numerous times.
Now that she is retired she continues to volunteer for the Chamber as well as doing her "Y" work out and a weekly Bible Study. She enjoys playing golf with husband Charlie, going to the beaches in the area, travelling to foreign countries, and going to see the grand children. The couple has five children and thirteen grand children.
"The Ambassador program has helped me with my business, gain more knowledge of the Eastern Shore area and meet people," said Millie Sue. "Living in Satsuma made it a challenge to do business in Eastern Shore, but my Chamber membership gave me many opportunities to network and learn about the Eastern Shore area." |
 Let's Go Italian 
The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Collette Vacations to offer a fantastic deal on a whirlwind trip to Italy. And what's great about it is you have nearly an entire year to save up!
The trip is November 10 - 18, 2014. If you book now the cost for a double is $2,999 per person, single $3,349 and triple is $2,969. The regular rates are double $3,249, single $3,599 and triple $3,219. Included in the price is round trip air from Mobile Airport, air taxes and fees/surcharges, hotel stays and hotel transfers. Not included is a cancellation waiver and insurance of $230 per person.
You have the opportunity to explore the magic of Rome, Florence and Venice, which are filled with rich history, culture, art and romance. Rome, the "Eternal City" will be first, with three days of touring and experiencing the culture. Florence will be next, also with three days of group tours and time on your own. Venice will be next with a ride on a train, viewing 117 tiny islands, canals and 400 bridges. A boat trip will also be included and a walking tour with a guide explaining the many features of the area. The tour ends in the Milan Malpensa area on day nine, November 18.
Call the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce at (251) 621-8222 or 928-6387 to find out how to join us on this group tour.
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Rose Hall Retires
Mark your calendar and plan to attend Rose Hall's retirement party, Thursday, April 10, 4 - 6 pm at Tamara's Downtown on North Section St., Fairhope. If you have any quesitons call us at 928-6387. |
The Eastern Shore Chamber is seeking nominations for Community Leader of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Environmental Award.
Call Kathie at 928-6387 to get the nomination forms. Awards will be presented at the Annual Meeting June 26 at Oak Hollow Farm. |
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Calendar |
April 2014
3 Business After Hours & Environmental Expo, 5 - 7 pm, Fairhope Yacht Club, 101 Volanta Ave., Fairhope, 621-8222. An Eastern Shore Chamber event.
4&5 Mobile Bottle Collectors Club Show & Trade, Daphne Civic Center, time TBA, 928-5383
8 Eggs N' Issues, 8:30 am, Daphne United Methodist Church Community Life Center, 401 Main St., Daphne, 621-8222. An Eastern Shore Chamber event.
8 Taste of Rotary Benefit at Fairhope Civice Center, 6-9 pm, 928-5383.
10 Rose Hall's retirement party, Tamara's Downtown, 104 N. Section St., Fairhope, 928-6387. Free hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. An Eastern Shore Chamber event.
11 Denim Diamonds at Oak Hollow Farm, 626-5255.
12 Eastern Egg Hunt, Lott Park, Daphne, 621-9000.
12-20 Baldwin County Schools Spring Break.
13 Sunday Sunset Concert Series, Bayfront Park, Daphne, 5:30 pm, Baldwin Pops, 583-1963.
17 Morning Marketing Meeting, Scenic Overlook Office, 29750 Larry Dee Cawyer Dr., Daphne, 8 am, 621-8222. An Eastern Shore Chamber event.
17 Young Professional's Social, location to be announced, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, 928-6387. An Eastern Shore Chamber event.
18 10th Annual Balroom Dance, Daphne Civic Center, 626-5300.
18 Good Friday. Chamber offices closed.
19 Earth Day, 10 am - 6 pm, Fairhope Municipal Park, 990-0218.
22 Economic Development Council Luncheon, Daphne United Methodist Church, 2401 N. Main St., with Dr. Alan Lee Superintendent of Baldwin Schools, William McLaughlin, Exec. VP Infirmary Health/Thomas Hospital, Matthew S. Brown, Coordinator of Eastern Shore Metropolitian Planning Organization, 11:3 0 am, 928-6387. An Eastern Shore Chamber event.
24-26 Delta Woods & Water Expo, 5 Rivers Delta Resourcve Center, Spanish Fort, 626-4884.
24 Regional Business After Hours at Mobile Bay Bears Stadium, 5:30-7:00 pm, 755 Bolling Brothers Blvd., Mobile. Free hors' d'oeuvres and cash bar and free ticket to the game with Jacksonville Sun.
25 Hoot Scoot 5K Run & 1 mile walk with the Owl for the Fairhope Library, 6:30 pm, 928-7483.
26 Bald Eagle Bash, 3-7 pm, Arthur C. Skipper Tonsmeire, III Weeks Bay Resource Center on Weeks Bay, 990-5004.
26&27 Baldwin County Home Builders Spring Tours of Homes,www.bchba.com, 928-9927.
27 Eastern Shore Choral Society, Grand & Glorius Concert, 3 pm, Eastern Shore Baptist Church, 6847 Park Dr., Daphne, $15, info.esca.org.
27 Concert by Baldwin Pops at Henry George Park on the Bluff, Fairhope, 6 pm, 232-1013.
29 Future Founders Spring Event, Thomas Hospital Foundation, American Legion, 990-1512.
May 1 Mayors' Prayer Breakfast with Wallace Davis, David Civic Center, 2603 Highway 98, Daphne, 7:30 am, $40 per person (public welcome). An Eastern Shore Chamber event.
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Baldwin County
Housing Statistics
February 2013 |
Houses Sold
181
Average Selling Price
$217,198
Average Days on Market
171
Units on the Market
1,827
Condos Sold
128
Average Selling Price
$355,228
Average Days on Market
168
Units on the Market
1,019
Unemployment Stats
2/2014 2/2013
AL 7.3% 6.6%
BC 6.9% 7.1%
US 7.0% 8.1%
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New
Members
As of 3/31/14
Scully & Scully, PC
Liam Scully
816A Manci Ave.
Daphne
626-5052
Edward Jones Investments-Paul Stanley
1746 Main St., Ste. A
Daphne
621-1309
Island Air Conditioning & Heating, Incorporated
Ginny Barnes
4309 Lindsey Lane
Orange Beach
943-4709
Glass Doctor of Baldwin County
Corey Martin
26064 Capital Dr.
Daphne
725-5515
Infotec, Inc.
Meaux Tarabein
25369 US Highway 98
Daphne
616-2121
Flowers Consulting Group
Kerry Flowers
11 North Ingleside St.
Fairhope
404-4883
Rouses Market
John Fallo
6729 Spanish Fort Blvd.
Spanish Fort
621-0552
AARP Alabama
Lisa Billingsley
201 Monroe St., RSA Tower, Ste. 1880
Montgomery
(334) 542-8167
SOHO Events and Rentals
Amy Kohn
25825 Keldon Ct.
Daphne
209-9379
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March Renewed Members
Bay Flooring & Design, Incorporated
Floor Covering
Member 20 Years
Holiday Inn Express-Fairhope
Hotel
Member 18 Years
Homestead Village of Fairhope
Retirement & Assisted Living Facility
Member 22 Years
Key West Inn
Motel
Member 16 Years
Women's Business Center, Incorporated
Business Consulting
Member 13 Years
Alan B. Melton, DMD
Dentist
Member 15 Years
Beef O'Brady's
Restaurant
Member 8 Years
Champion Cleaners
Cleaner-Clothing
Member 12 Years
Edible Arrangements
Gift Shop
Member 6 Years
Ole Bay Mercantile Co., Inc.
Gifts & Accessories
Member 9 Years
Charles Associates International, Inc.
Consulting-Nuclear
Member 11 Years
McKeel & Associates
Logistics Consulting
Member 4 Years
Pro Cycle and Triathlon
Bicycle Shop
Member 3 Years
Adams and Reese Law Firm
Attorneys
Member 20 Years
Adrenaline Surf and Skate
Sports - Recreation
Member 7 Years
Bug Master Exterminator, Inc.
Pest Termite Control
Member 13 Years
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Non-Profit
Member 1 Year
Sterne Agee Financial Services
Investment Broker
Member 4 Years
A Precision Auto Glass, Incorporated
Glass-Auto
Member 15 Years
Lopez Family Chiropractic
Physicians-Chiropractic
Member 14 Years
EAP Lifestyle Management, LLC
Employee Assistance Program
Member 5 Years
Goforth Media, Inc.
Radio Station/Broadcasting
Member 7 Years
Hilton Garden Inn-Mobile East Bay/Daphne
Hotel
Member 10 Years
Pro Equities
Financial Planning-Consultant
Member 5 Years
All South Subcontractors
Roofing Contractors
Member 4 Years
Bay Medical Family Practice, PC
Physicians & Surgeons/Family Practice
Member 3 Years
Bayside Chiropractic, LLC
Physicians-Chiropractic
Member 6 Years
Diegmann OB/GYN, PC
Physicians & Surgeons-OBGYN
Member 7 Years
Diversified Health Care
Health Care Service
Member 2 Years
Eastern Shore Urgent Care
Medical Clinic
Member 6 Years
James V. Roberts, PC
Attorneys
Member 10 Years
South Alabama Regional Planning Commission
Governmental Agency
Member 2 Years
Stone, Granade & Crosby, PC
Attorneys
Member 20 Years
Trustmark-Fairhope
Bank
Member 6 Years
Hampton Flooring & Design
Floor Covering
Member 4 Years
Rosie's Grill
Restaurant
Member 4 Years
Ashley Gates Apartments
Apartments
Member 5 Years
Available Heating and Air, Inc.
Air Conditioning Contractor/Systems
Member 6 Years
Baldwin County Association of Realtors
Real Estate
Member 8 Years
Coldwell Banker Reehl Properties-Rance Reehl
Real Estate
Member 22 Years
Conde' Charlotte Museum House
Museum
Member 5 Years
Isagenix
Health Food
Member 1 Year
Volkert, Inc.
Engineers
Member 6 Years
Cardiology Associates
Physicians & Surgeons-Cardiology
Member 18 Years
The Courier
Newspaper
Member 32 Years
Browning, Mecke and O'Neal, LLC
Business Consulting
Member 6 Years
Keller Williams Realty, Alabama Gulf Coast-Cathy Taylor
Real Estate
Member 7 Years
Life South Community Blood Centers, Inc.
Civic or Fraternal Organization
Member 6 Years
Re/Max By The Bay-Geneva Shouldis
Real Estate
Member 1 Year
Walcott Adams Verneuille Architects
Architects
Member 25 Years
Wind Creek Hotel & Casino
Hotel
Member 1 Year
Parvin Animal Clinic
Animal Clinic
Member 1 Year
McMurphy Orthodontics, Incorporated
Orthodontics
Member 7 Years
JBT Power Outdoor Power Equipment
Lawn & Garden Equipment/Parts
Member 3 Years
Wolfe Bayview Funeral Homes, Inc. Daphne
Funeral Home and Cemetery
Member 32 Years
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