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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP
On Friday, May 15, 250 attendees gathered at The Alfond Inn to celebrate 25 years of Leadership Winter Park. What began with a vision to develop leaders who would become active and informed citizens for the betterment of Winter Park has transformed into a thriving program with more than 800 graduates who are among the area's top business executives, non-profit board members and elected officials.
The evening honored Shari v. N. Hodgson with the Leadership Winter Park Lifetime Achievement Award for her devotion to the development and success of our leadership programs, including Youth Leaders.
Debra Hendrickson, vice president for the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce explained, "Shari is someone I credit with instilling in me the passion I feel for the programs of Leadership Winter Park." Many of our alumni have worked with Shari on one committee or another over the years and would agree, her enthusiasm is contagious and her dedication is unwavering. Congratulations, Shari!
Many thanks also to our gala sponsors, including Orlando Health, Mayflower Retirement Community, Rollins College, Florida Blue, Fannie Hillman + Associates, The Alfond Inn, Lowndes Drosdick Doster Kantor & Reed, P.A., HUB International Kuykendall Gardner, Leading Edge Title and Winter Park/Maitland Observer.
To learn more about Leadership Winter Park's next chapter, Class XXVI, click here.
LEADERSHIP WINTER PARK CREATES LEGACY FUND
 While the Leadership Winter Park 25th Anniversary Gala was an opportunity to reflect on the last 25 years, it was also a time to look ahead to 2040. Leadership Winter Park Alumni Council President Kyle Taylor asked the audience to look 25 years into the future as he announced the creation of the Leadership Winter Park Legacy Fund. This endowment will provide opportunities for adult and youth leader scholarships and program advancement.
Funds from the Gala as well as those collected over the course of the next year will be doubled by a generous $50,000 matching grant. If you are interested in supporting the Leadership Winter Park Legacy Fund personally or corporately, tax-deductible donations can be made to the Winter Park Improvement Foundation via a pledge form.
We look forward to sharing our success with you as we strive toward the goal of $100,000 by May 2016.
LAST CHANCE
 The City of Winter Park Economic Development Department is conducting its 2015 business survey in order to understand the business challenges within the City and develop new business assistance programs. Winter Park business owners are encouraged to share their feedback in a simple 10-question survey. Click here to take the survey online.
Survey respondents will be entered to win one of 15 gift cards for Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine or Cocina 214. Read more about the survey in an Orlando Sentinel article here.
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Our Florida Blue Centers are a part of Florida Blue's on-going journey to get even closer to the people and the communities we've lived in, worked in, and served for nearly 70 years. The Orlando area Florida Blue Center, located in Winter Park Village, is a welcoming friendly environment for you to get personal support for all your needs in the pursuit of health. We can help you find affordable plans and products with expert advice; offer personal support for the best care at the best price; and help the people in our community live a healthier life.
Come to our center for free health screenings, wellness seminars and other events. Visit www.floridablue.com for a complete list of our upcoming events or call 1-877-FL-BLUE-0 (877-352-5830). Our center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Stop by and find out how we can help you in your pursuit of health.
Chamber Trustees help provide a strong foundation for the Chamber to develop, promote and sustain a thriving business climate. Click here to learn more about our Chamber Trustees and how your company can enhance its membership through this unique program.
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Business After Hours
Thursday, May 21; 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Marlow's Tavern, 1008 S. Orlando Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Enjoy a member mixer on the all-weather patio, plus sample refreshments and appetizers from the menu. Cost: $5 Members / $15 Non-members.
Winter Park Executive Women presented by Orlando Health
Monday, June 1; 11:30 a.m.
Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, 151 W, Lyman Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
This is your chance to maximize your networking! Join us for the annual Speed Networking program and work the room as part of this fast-paced and fun networking activity. Cost: $20 members / $25 non-members. Click here to register.
Good Morning Winter Park presented by Florida Blue
Friday, June 12; 7:45 a.m. - Networking / 8:15 a.m. - Program
Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, 151 W, Lyman Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
End your week with coffee, conversation and networking with fellow Chamber members. Hear from Winter Park Mayor Steve Leary as part of the City's annual CoffeeTalk series. Cost: Free and open to the public. Includes a complimentary continental breakfast. Supported by: Barnie's CoffeeKitchen, Costco Wholesale and Winter Park/Maitland Observer.
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Leadership Winter Park identifies and promotes potential leaders who desire to become involved in making a difference in Winter Park. Programs offered for youth and adults.
CONGRATULATIONS, CLASS XXV
Please join us in a round of applause for Class XXV and in sharing sincere gratitude to Kevin Barry for his leadership as chair of this group of freshly minted Leadership Winter Park alumni.
CLASS XXVI
Leadership Winter Park is actively seeking candidates for its next class beginning in September 2015. Are you looking to build new leadership skills, build long-lasting professional relationships and get an insiders' look at what makes our community tick? Consider joining over 700 Leadership Winter Park graduates as a member of Class XXVI. Download a copy of the application here. The application deadline for the early-bird tuition rate is June 26. For more information contact Debra Hendrickson at 407-644-8281 x1698.
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Park Avenue Merchants Association
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The Park Avenue Merchants Association consists of Central Business District merchants and non-retail members committed to the betterment of the Park Avenue area.
SunRail Summer Promotion
Members of the Park Avenue Merchants Association are welcome to participate in a special promotion aimed at bringing SunRail riders to the downtown area this summer. Deadline to participate is Friday, May 22. Download more information here.
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 Work Well Winter Park is a movement spearheaded by the Chamber to improve the health and well-being of the workforce in our community by creating lasting cultural change.
Healthy Central Florida Health Innovation Grants Workshop
Improving community health through "mini-grants" in Healthy Central Florida's four focus areas:
- Eat Healthy - Ron Finley, AKA "Guerilla Gardener" of East L.A.
- Get Active - Mark Fenton, National Walking Expert, Healthy Communities Consultant
- Breathe Free - Peter Mitchell, Behavior-change Marketing Specialist, Chairman & Chief Creative Officer of Salter Mitchell, "Truth Campaign"
- Be Happy - Mark Freid, President, ThinkCreative, Triathlete, working to make workplaces happier
Ten organizations will receive $2,500 for projects & initiatives that promote physical activity, healthy food access, happiness/social connections, or smokefree public spaces - in Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park.
Attend this entertaining, enlightening workshop to be eligible to apply for mini-grants of $25,000 total. The grant process is streamlined and simple, but you must attend the workshop to be eligible to apply.
Healthy Central Florida - Health Innovation Grant Workshop
Date: Thursday, May 28, 2015
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Where: Enzian Theater ▪ 1300 South Orlando Avenue ▪ Maitland, FL 32751
Grants will focus on Healthy Central Florida's four focus areas: Get active, Eat healthy, Be happy, and Breathe free. All grant applications must target one of these focus areas. Individuals are welcome to attend but grants will be made to recognized 501(c)(3) organizations for implementation. Collaborations are encouraged. Registration and seating is limited to two per organization. The workshop is free and a light breakfast will be provided. Sign up early to ensure your place - seating is limited. To register or for more information, please visit www.healthycentralflorida.org.
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NEW MEMBERS
The Chamber continues to add new members to its roster each week. The following have joined since May 6:
Barbara Coffee, PH.D., ABD; Droneography LLC; Kids Urgent Care - Florida Hospital for Children; One Stop Cooling and Heating, LLC; Rieker Shoes;Troy University; and Ramona Weisent. Learn more about our new members in our online membership directory.
REFER A POTENTIAL MEMBER, GET REWARDS
Do you have a client, friend or family member whose business or organization could benefit from membership in our organization? Our Referral Awards Program (RAP) will reward you for sending us a qualified lead. Download a referral form to earn a complimentary pass to an upcoming Business After Hours event.
MEMBER ORIENTATION
All new Chamber members or new staff members of existing members are invited to attend our monthly Member Orientation. This is a great way to connect with fellow members and Chamber staff, learn more about the organization and identify opportunities to maximize your membership. The next orientation is Wednesday, June 17, at 8:15 a.m. at the Winter Park Welcome Center. A complimentary professional headshot is offered by Brion Price Photography and a continental breakfast is provided by AAA. RSVP to jrupert@winterpark.org.
RIBBON CUTTINGS
Ribbon cutting photos are provided courtesy of Rick Zimmer from Absolute Photography, unless otherwise noted. You can view past ribbon cutting photos on our Facebook page. To schedule a ribbon cutting to celebrate your grand opening, contact Jay Rupert at jrupert@winterpark.org.
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Share your news with your fellow members! Submit information about new employees, awards and recognition, new products and services, special promotions and discounts for fellow members for inclusion. Submissions for the next edition of What's Up Wednesday are due by Monday, June 1. Send information to Erika Spence.
ACi Architects: Doug Storer recently joined the firm as Director of Business Strategies. Doug brings 30 years of veteran experience in the design and construction industry and is a former Vice Mayor and Winter Park City Commissioner. Doug brings national experience in finance, development, design and construction, and understands the complexities of public private partnerships.
City of Winter Park: The CRA recently approved applications for the business façade program. The program provides a financial incentive of up to 50 percent of a qualifying project cost, or $20,000 (whichever is less), for both property and business owners to re-invest in their buildings. For details and an application click here.
It's A Trap!: Come see us at the Orlando International Fringe Festival with a demo booth featuring starship officers and a 3-minute puzzle just for $1! While drinking between shows in the Courtyard, be sure to give the demo a try and learn just what makes our room escape adventure different from all the others!
Kids Urgent Care - Florida Hospital for Children: Now open on Fairbanks Avenue just east of I-4, on weekdays from 4 p.m. - midnight and weekends noon - midnight. Online no-wait reservations available at www.mykidsurgentcare.com.
Morse Museum of American Art: Reservations are now open for free summer family programs designed for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, accompanied by their parents or guardians. Sign up for either a 40-minute family tour on five Tuesdays beginning June 30 or one of five 90-minute family film programs on Fridays beginning July 3. Space in these free summer programs is limited, and reservations are required with a $5 refundable deposit per person. For reservations, please call (407) 645-5311, extension 136.
Orange County Clerk of Courts: The 2015 Report to the Citizens of Orange County
is now available. The report includes important information on the financial health of this office, trends in case filings, expansion of services, our commitment to quality customer service and our successful efforts to stay ahead of the rapid technology transformation of the court system.
Rollins College: The Rollins College Center for Health Innovation at the Hamilton Holt School has been awarded a $30,116 grant from the Winter Park Health Foundation to fund a regional conference entitled, Creating More Age Friendly Businesses and Communities. The conference, to be held in the Central Florida area in November 2015, will educate local businesses and communities on how they can better serve their older adult customers and residents.
Ruggiero, Martinez & Norton, PA: The firm is proud to announce the recent promotion of Amy Raasch, CPA to Principal.
SEE: Here's to a great looking future! Recent graduates can enjoy 20% off a SEE prescription eyewear purchase through May 23. Call 407-599-5455 for details.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Winter Park Chamber of Commerce members have access to purchase group tickets at up to 21% savings for 2015 Buccaneers home games! Take advantage of these savings with promo code WPC15 at http://www.buccaneers.com/krewe. Questions? Contact Ben Ward at 813-870-2700 x 2577.
The Alfond Inn: The Conde Naste Traveler's survey is out and we would love your vote! Complete the survey by June 1 to be in a drawing to win one of two Conde Nast dream vacations. Follow this link to fill out the survey and win!
Winter Park Memorial Hospital: Maintaining your health is the key to getting the most out of life. Now there's an exclusive opportunity to optimize your health with in-depth screenings that are tailored to your personal needs and goals - all in one day. Winter Park Memorial Hospital has developed a full array of health assessment packages designed to help you gain energy, defy the aging process and restore balance to optimize your health. To schedule your complimentary information session at the Winter Park Health Assessment, call (407) 303-4461 or visit www.WinterParkHealthAssessment.com.
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Share information about your upcoming events with your fellow members! Grand openings, seminars, gallery openings, performances, charitable fundraisers and community events are welcome. Submissions for the next edition of What's Up Wednesday are due by Monday, June 1. Send information to Erika Spence.
Shapely Vessels: Gourds From Around the World
May 5 - August 9, 2015
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, 633 Osceola Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Prized for their infinite uses and immediately recognizable by their voluptuous form, gourds are one of mankind's earliest domesticated type of plants. Embellished and utilized by humans for centuries, this staggering collection of gourds from cultures throughout the world are truly nature's works of art. Explore their ancient roots and fascinating links to early civilization. This extensive collection is on loan courtesy of Orlando resident and self-proclaimed "Gourd Guru" or "Calabashologist," Mr. Raymond Konann. In conjunction with this exhibit, gourd specimens will be displayed in the gardens for visitors to see these natural wonders growing.
Memorial Weekend Pops Concert
Friday, May 22; 7:00 p.m.
Winter Park High School Ann Derflinge Auditorium, 2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL 32792
This performance will conclude the Winter Park High School band program's 75th anniversary season. This event will include works by Frank Ticheli, Chuck Mangione, and John Philip Sousa. It will feature our second senior concerto winner, Matthew Mignardi, on the famous Carnival of Venice. The concert will conclude with a salute to our nation with performances of the Armed Forces Salute, America the Beautiful, and Stars and Stripes Forever! Admission is free, and the public is warmly invited to attend.
Senior Health in Our Community Panel
Tuesday, May 26; 12:00 p.m.
Crosby YMCA
Senior health can be complicated. Join Winter Park Memorial Hospital and senior health experts for an engaging discussion on maintaining your health, support for caregivers and available resources in our community. RSVP by calling 407-303-1700. For more information visit www.WinterParkSeniorER.com.
Government Contracting Strategies
Wednesday, May 27; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
National Entrepreneur Center, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803 (inside Florida Mall)
Join Florida SBDC at UCF and increase your revenue by diversifying your market! At this government contracting workshop, experts will provide business owners with the knowledge and tools to pursue business opportunities with local, state and federal government agencies as well as prime contractors. For more information and to register visit www.sbdcorlando.com/matchmaking.
Harriett's Closet Warehouse Sale: Second Cut
May 28 - June 11; 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., closed Sundays
Harriett's Warehouse, 902 Waterway Place, Longwood, FL 32750
Back by popular demand, Tuni presents Harriett's Closet, the sale of Harriett Lake's private collection to benefit the trauma center at Orlando Health. Prices up to 95% off!
ABC's & XYZ's of Caregiving: A 5-Part Series
May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19 & June 26; 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Eastmonte Civic Center, 830 Magnolia Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
The series of five classes provides caregivers with information to enrich and enhance the lives of both the caregiver and their loved one or patient. The series is free of charge and light refreshments will be served. Respite care is available with advance notice. To register contact Sandy Lipten at 407-843-1910 x 312.
Culture Pop! Participation: Classes of 2013-2015
Friday, May 29; 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
A&H Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751
More than a typical art opening, Culture Pop! allows guests to interact with the artists and the artwork. Be among the first to see two new exhibitions including, Participation: Classes of 2013-2015 in the A&H's Maitland Art Center and Cabinet of Curiosities in the A&H's Maitland Historical Museum. Guests also enjoy a one-night only, pop-up installation by one of A&H's Artists-in-Action, Martha Lent; plus music by Radio Free, food provided by John Michaels Catering and cash bar with fine wines and craft brews. Cost: $5 per person; FREE for A&H Members.
Sample Sale
May 30, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. & May 31, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
The Collection Bridal, 301 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Calling all brides wanting a bargain! Designer wedding gowns will be available from 30-80% off. First ten brides in line both days will receive a coupon for an additional 10% off. For more information call the salon at 407-740-6003.
Hats Off to Success
Saturday, May 30; 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, 411 Mercy Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
Hats Off to Success is the premier fundraiser for Dress for Success of Greater Orlando. The event includes a fantastic raffle, full brunch buffet, motivational talk and inspiring awards. Hear from Dawn Raquel Jensen, social media speaker and marketing coach, who will inspire you to succeed when faced with any challenge. Support the women in our community and feel free to wear a stylish hat. Tickets: http://hatsofftosuccess.brownpapertickets.com/
Grand Opening Party
Saturday, May 30; 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Scout & Molly's, 346 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Join us for festivities including 10% off everything in the store, themed cocktails, bubbly and hors d'oeuvres. RSVP to 321-209-2215 or email parkave@scoutandmollys.com. Learn more at parkave.scoutandmollys.com.
Play Bingo Ladies Luncheon
Saturday, June 6; 11:00 a.m.
Hilton Hotel
Hosted by Amy Kaufeldt and John Brown from Fox35, Play Bingo is a unique event raising money for the Orlando City Soccer Foundation, as well as offering a chance to compete in a contest near and dear to all: bingo! Theme yourselves and your table for a chance to win the 'best dressed' table award. Tickets available at www.orlandocitysc.com/playbingo.
Harnessing Happy
Friday, June 12; 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Citrus Club,
At this half-day workshop presented by Mark Freid, founder of Happiness Counts, you will learn how to make happiness a part of your corporate culture, live more meaningfully in the office and create a roadmap for feeling more fulfilled. Breakfast will be served. Cost: $500 individuals or $800 per pair. Chamber members receive a 30% discount with promo code: WPCC. Register here.
Hunter Vision Watermelon 5k
Saturday, July 4; 7:00 a.m.
Central Park, 251 Park Avenue South, Winter Park, FL 32789
This family-friend run/walk 5k includes a free kids run, watermelon eating contest and military appreciation. Registration discounts available for youth, seniors and military personnel. For more information call Track Shack at 407-896-1160 or run to www.trackshack.com.
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