Tavares Chamber of Commerce 300 East Main Street Tavares, FL

Tavares Chamber of Commerce
300 East Main Street
Tavares, FL 32778
Presorted – STD
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Mid-Florida, FL
Permit #57120
Christian Home & Bible School Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Science Building and Student Center on Feb 28, 2014.
March Chamber
Business Luncheon
Wednesday, March 26
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Sponsor: BMO Harris Bank
Speaker: Chris Kelly,
CareerSource
Central Florida
March 2014
Caterer: Digino's New York
Style Pizza
Tavares Civic Center
100 E. Caroline Street, Tavares
Please RSVP
Calendar of Events
Thursday, March 6
Business After Hours/
Ribbon Cutting
Insight Credit Union
15120 US Hwy 441
Eustis
5:30 - 7:30pm
Tuesday, March 11
Networking Lunch
Haystax Restaurant
15939 US Hwy 441
Eustis
Noon to 1:00pm - Please RSVP
Thursday, March 13
Business After Hours
Eustis Elks Lodge
2540 Dora Ave
Tavares
5:30 - 7:30pm
Friday, March 14
Tavares Chamber Golf Tournament
Arlington Ridge Golf Club
4463 Arlington Ridge Blvd.
Leesburg
8:30am Shotgun Start
Thursday, March 20
Business After Hours
Wallace Fitness
252 N. Donnelly Ste B
Mount Dora
5:30 - 7:30pm
Go to:
www.TavaresChamber.com
or call
352. 343. 2531
Don't Miss the March 14th Golf Tournament
Cousin Vinnie, Chair of the Chamber
Golf Tournament says, "We are going to have
even more fun this year over last year for
sure".
Please join the Tavares Chamber of
Commerce on March 14 as they swing into
action for the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament at
Chamber member Arlington Ridge Golf Club,
4463 Arlington Ridge Blvd., Leesburg.
We have room for a few more teams
of four and some hole sponsorships available.
Teams can compete for only $225. Individual
play will be only $60. Your entry fee includes
18 holes of golf with a golf cart, range balls and a lunch buffet and team prizes.
Hole Sponsors can join the fun for $50. Bring your tent, table and fun activities
to greet the golfers. Plaza Cadillac is our registration sponsor this year and a new
Chamber Trustee.
Continue on page 6
Tavares Spring Water Festivals in Wooton Park
TAVARES – Friday, March 21 launches
Tavares springtime events in Wooton Park. Starting
with the annual Classic Race Boat Association
(CRA) Regatta. The waterfront park is the venue of
back-to-back events for the following six weeks.
Classic Race Boat Regatta ............................. Mar 21-23
Sunnyland Antique & Classic Boat Festival .. Mar 28-30
Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival .................. Apr 4-5
Planes, Trains & BBQ ............................................ Apr 12
Seaplane Fly In ....................................................... Apr 26
Hydrocross Watercraft Race Tour ......... May 31 & Jun 1
The CRA is a non-profit Tavares, Florida
based vintage race boat organization. Formed to
organize, promote and operate vintage regattas on
the Florida Vintage Race Boat Circuit, the club has
been in existence since 2007.
The vintage regattas are not races but
demonstrations of vintage boats running at speed.
Heats take place every half hour combining similar
boats running together. The boats range in size from
small outboard hydroplanes to Grand Prix
Hydroplanes. Speeds for these boats can range from
35 to 125 mph.
The Sunnyland Antique Boat Festival returns
to the shores of Wooton Park the weekend of March 28 - 30. This is one of the largest
Antique and Classic Boat Shows on the East Coast. Boat enthusiast travel from all over
the United States and Canada to participate in this show. You will be able to view
antique and classic boat from all eras; historic times (1918), antiques (1919-1942), and
classic boats (1943-1975).
Continue on page 6
New Science Building and Student Center for
Christian Home & Bible School
MOUNT DORA - A Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on
February 28, 2014 at Christian Home & Bible School (CH&BS)
to welcome the new Jerome B. Thompson Science Building,
which was named after the renouned chemist and inventor who
patented numerous products. His wife, Dorothy Thompson,
recently made a gift of two million dollars for this project to
honor the memory of her late husband. The 15,000 square foot
science building will have six classrooms with cutting edge
science and laboratory equipment, as well as student lockers.
In addition to the state of the art science center, a
$350,000 gift was given by Mr. Sam & Helen Samuels to build
the Samuels Student Center complete with cafe and Dog
House where spirit wear and merchandise will be available. A
majority of the funds for the construction of the renovation and
addition were raised through the CH&BS Imagine Campaign.
This is the largest groundbreaking on the campus
since the construction of the elementary building in 2000.
Page 2 Tavares Business Journal
Why attend a Business After Hours?
Recall how excited (and nervous) you were when you
first opened your business, joined the Tavares Chamber of
Commerce and hosted your first Business After Hours (BAHs)?
You wondered “will anyone attend”, “have I prepared properly”,
“will I make a positive and lasting impression” along with a
dozen other concerns.
BAHs can be one of your greatest means of
networking, if properly prepared for; not only for the host, but
the attendees also. This article will address why you should
attend and how to get the most out of attending BAHs.
The most obvious reason for you to attend as many
Chamber BAHs is to show your support for other members of
the Chamber. A relatively new term being used throughout the
business world is net weaving – paying it forward. It's more
about building strong, mutually beneficial relationships while
realizing that we all have something to offer each other.
Attending BAHs does just this and shows your support for the
business hosting the event.
Net weaving is when like-minded people share
expertise, encouragement, exchange contacts and valuable
information when crossing paths through shared passions,
authentic encounters and multiple technologies. Net weaving is
the effortless use of unique skill sets, knowledge and quality
personal interactions to build relationships that result in positive
results for everyone involved. BAHs offer are a perfect venue
to net weave.
A second and possibly more motivating reason to
attend BAHs is to build your business through networking. This
is especially true if the business hosting the evening is not in
your field of business. The goal of attending networking events
is to expand your circle of contacts and that equates to
increased customers, leading to increased business.
When attending a BAH, be prepared. Brings lots of
business cards and be ready to give your “two minute elevator”
speech on who you are and what you have to offer. When you
make that new contact, discover what you can do for the other
person; networking is about creating relationships, not making
the sale. Wear your nametag on your right side. This is to
provide an easy sight-line to your name when shaking hands.
Set a goal of meeting at least one (or more) new person.
Some “icebreaking” questions to ask include, "what do
you do?" Take a concerted interest in them. "How long have
you worked in that field?" Allow them to talk about themselves.
"What is it that you enjoy the most about what you do?" Permit
them the opportunity to be proud of their accomplishments.
"What type of companies or individuals do you typically work
with?" See if you might share customers. "What other Chamber
events have you been to recently?" This allows them to share
their involvement with the Chamber.
Business After Hours do not only benefit the host;
attending as many as you can will help you increase your
network and thereby increase your business. Tavares
Chamber of Commerce BAHs are scheduled on the third
Thursday of each month, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Please RSVP
with the Chamber, as the host needs to know how many
guests to prepare for. Even if you cannot stay the entire time,
stop by on your way home from work. You never know, your
next big sale may just be waiting for you.
Tavares Chamber Representing our Business Members at the State Capital
TALLAHASSEE – Lake County dominated the halls of
the Florida House and Senate as business and community
leaders filled the state capital to participate in Lake Legislative
Days February 18 and 19.
Five teams were organized during the two-day event
to discuss the issues supported by the businesses of the
Chambers and Lake County Chamber Alliance.
The five groups and respective discussion topics were
Economic Development led by County Commissioner Leslie
Campione and Lake County Economic Development and
Tourism Director Robert Chandler who spoke to
Representatives Matt Caldwell and Tom Goodson along with
Senators Detert, Margolis and Hays on Economic Growth. With
89 percent of all business in Florida having 12 or fewer
employees they requested support that dedicates state
economic development resources to small businesses with an
emphasis on technical assistance, access to capital, public
infrastructure and urban infill. The economic development
group also requested support funding for the new Wellness
Way corridor from US 27 to SR 429 and funding of the Lake
Tech Center for Advanced Manufacturing.
Trustee Members
Signature Trustee:
(352) 253-3333
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Exclusive Trustee:
(352) 324-3900
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Premiere Trustee:
Belton Bail Bonds
Fred Belton - (352) 343-7775
Belton Insurance Agency
Tia Belton - (352) 343-6555
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Social Services Group was led by B.E.
Thompson from LifeStream Behavioral Center in Leesburg and
Dottie Keedy, Director of Community Services at Lake County.
This group's priorities were the Homeless Programs, Housing
Trust Fund Monies, the Medicaid Waiver Program and
Managed Care Program, Community Contribution Tax Credit
and funding for the Statewide Senior Legal Helpline. The group
met with Senator Grimsley's aide on February 18. The
following day, the group met with Senators Hukill and Sobel
and Representatives Ahern, O'Toole and Hudson. House
Representative Mat Hudson said, "Lake County is fortunate to
have Representative O'Toole and Metz, their hardworking and
really care about their constituents issues".
The Education Group led by Bill Mathias with Lake
County School Board and Lake Sumter State College
President Dr. Charles Mojock met with legislators to request
they restore the capital outlay tax to 2007 level and pass
legislation that would allow Florida counties more funding
options. Several Funding Considerations were presented along
with accountability and instruction considerations and request
for support for the Science Laboratory at Lake Sumter State
College.
Eustis City Commissioner Michael Holland worked
with the Local Government group in presenting Water
Quality and Quantity Issues, Communication Services and
Local Business Tax Protection, Fuel Spill Remediation,
Funding for South Lake Water Initiative and Municipal
Pensions Plans to Representatives O'Toole, Nelson, Ingram,
Harrell and Senator Hays.
The Transportation Group led by County
Commissioner Tim Sullivan focused on legislation that
preserves local control of transportation planning and
provides opportunities for additional revenue options to fund
municipal transportation infrastructure projects. They also
met with Senate and House representatives to discussed
funding support of the Wekiva Trail and the expansion of CR
48/470.
"I was really impressed that all who attended were
really engaged in the process" remarked Lake County
Commissioner Welton Cadwell. "It was a busy two days, but
very productive."
“Lake Legislative Days was well organized,”
remarked Colleen McGinley, Executive Director of the
Tavares Chamber of Commerce. “The trip was not only a
great opportunity to lobby our legislators, but also to network
with fellow attendees."
The Chamber would like to thank Mark DuShane,
President of the Lake County Chamber Alliance and his team
for scheduling and organizing this annual event.
Trustee:
Ameriprise Financial Services
Linda J. Bennett - (352) 742-3331
Plaza Cadillac
Greg Yeager - (352) 787-1323
The Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, PA
Brent Miller - (352) 343-7400
Tavares Business Journal Page 3
Feb Business Luncheon with (l to r) Chamber Director Cheryl Rumbly Cornerstone Hospice, Board Secretary Deborah Cahill - Home Instead Senior
Care, Past Board President Jacquelyn Coval - BankFirst, Chamber Director
Steve Jennelle - BMJ CPA, Caterer Olivia Spilotros of Olivia's Coffeehouse &
Bistro, Chamber Director Debbie Behlmann - Southern Palms RV Resort,
Sponsor/Speaker Jerry Miller - Duke Energy, Chamber Membership Director
Jeff Smith, Chamber Directors Lou Buigas - Hoity Toity Merchantile, Davis
Talmage - Pruitt Williams Insurance, Chamber Vice President Janet Noack and
Chamber Executive Director Colleen McGinley.
The Cuban Place awarded the 1st Quarter 2014
Tavares Chamber of Commerce Beautification
Award
Hwy 441 Diner Ribbon Cutting on February 13, 2014
Mark's Floors, 3985 Hwy 19A, Mt. Dora Ribbon Cutting on February 20
Page 4 Tavares Business Journal
Just a glimpse at the fun from the 2013 Golf
Tournament. Don't miss the March 14 Tavares
Chamber Golf Tournament. Hole Sponsors and
Team sign ups are still available. Check the insert
in this Newsletter.
Lake County Chamber Alliance President Mark DuShane with
daughter Hannah who volunteered administratively to assist
with Lake Legislative Days.
Social Services Committee met with Representative Matt
Hudson, Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Chair.
Meeting with Representative Marlene O'Toole, Education
Committee Chair.
Lake Legislative Days Sponsors at Sunset Reception in the
Old Capitol Building on February 18, 2014.
Meeting with Representative Eleanor Sobel, Children,
Families, and Elder Affairs, Chair
Advocacy Briefing Session with Lake County representatives.
Tavares Business Journal Page 5
Spring Festivals _________________________________________________
from page 1
The 12th Annual Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival will begin on April 4.
Teams from all over the southeast command 43-foot long boats decorated with dragonheads to the beat of a drummer. Teams
consist of 20 paddlers, a drummer, and a steersperson for 22 teammates in the boat. There are mixed teams of men and women,
women and breast cancer survivor teams and senior teams that are groups over 55 years of age.
Teams gather the night of April 4, 2014 for the pre-race "Awakening of the Dragon" ceremony and a performance by the
Orlando Taiko Drummers followed by spectacular fireworks over Lake Dora. Dinner tickets are $12 online, while supplies last. The
challenging competition begins at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Wooton Park in Tavares, FL. The schedule for the day is
filled with all types of entertainment including, the Dragon/Line Dance, Martial Arts demonstrations, Chinese acrobats, the Taiko
Drummers, and other live entertainment. Lunchtime will feature the annual Lucy Ho egg roll eating contest, the award ceremonies
occur at 5:15 p.m. Families will find a lot of action, and sun filled sights throughout the park and lake. Detailed information,
accommodation availability, and team registration packets are at www.CFDragonBoat.org
The Seventh Annual Planes, Trains and Barbecue Event will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014, 10:00am to 5:00pm, at
Wooton Park on Lake Dora in Downtown Tavares. The event features two air shows on Saturday, live jazz & blues band in the park,
robbery train ride on the famous Orange Blossom Cannonball, seaplane tours, classic cars on Main Street with music
entertainment, vendors and an estimated 30 barbecue teams competing in a Florida Barbecue Association sanctioned event.
Tavares, America's Seaplane City, is hosting their Annual Spring Fly-In on April 26, 2014 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. This
year, as a special addition to the Fly-In, Tavares will celebrate "100 Years of Seaplanes". This event promises to wow the
spectators and participants alike. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26 for this exciting event.
The Tavares Chamber of Commerce will be teaming up with the Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle to raise funds
at these events and need volunteers to help. Please contact the Tavares Chamber of Commerce (352) 343-2531 to volunteer.
Golf Tournament _________________________________________________
from page 1
Special events at the Golf Tournament will include:
 Putting Contest
 Pro Help on par 3 hole
 Picture Time on a par 5 hole
 Pick a Flag hole and a 50/50 drawing
Please contact the Chamber to sign up for a team and/or a sponsorship at this fun event.
Contact: Vinnie Vittoria (352) 446-1343 or the Tavares Chamber 352-343-2531 to sign up. Or
check out the insert in this newsletter. Don't miss the fun this year at Arlington Ridge Golf Club. We are
arranging for transportation, so stay tuned to the Chamber as this event grows.
Save the date for the Central Florida Landscape & Garden Fair, May 3-4
TAVARES –
Save the date for Lake County’s 3rd Annual
Central Florida Landscape & Garden Fair, to be held May 3 - 4 at
Discovery Gardens, located at the Lake County Agricultural Center, 1951
Woodlea Road, Tavares. The fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on
Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The free event will provide visitors an opportunity to browse and
purchase goods from dozens of exhibitors specializing in landscaping,
gardening, irrigation, horticulture, fertilizer, composting, hardscapes and
more.
“For the past two years, this family-friendly event has been a
big hit with gardeners, offering hands-on workshops and talks from
expert speakers” said Brooke Moffis, residential horticulture agent with
the UF/IFAS Extension in Lake County. “We are especially looking
forward to having the event again at the Discovery Gardens, which
provides the perfect backdrop for this botanical-themed fair.”
Discovery Gardens is nestled on over four acres behind the Lake County Agricultural Center and features 20 themed
gardens, including a string of lush courtyards and six specially designed children’s gardens.
Special opportunities are being offered for companies to support this event and increase their visibility in the community
through sponsorship.
Vendors and sponsors may register online at www.lakecountyfl.gov/gardenfair. The deadline to register is Friday, April 4.
For more information, call Tina Chavez at 352-343-9647 or email [email protected].
Tavares Chamber of Commerce does not necessarily endorse or support advertising materials distributed through the newsletter.
Page 6 Tavares Business Journal
Welcome New Members
Membership Renewals
AAA - Auto Club Group
Susan Lynn
352-787-8800
A Sign Company
Sandy Baraglia
352-343-3338
Nine31 Creative
Cristina Miller
352-217-3712
AFLAC
Linda King
352-250-1141
Akers Media Group
352-787-4112
Doug Akers
O'Keefe's Irish Pub & Restaurant
Andrew O'Keefe
352-343-2157
Bolero's Cigar and Wine Bar
Heather Graham
352-377-8953
Best Western Lake Co. Inn & Suites
Harish Patel
352-253-2378
Plaza Cadillac
Gregory Yager
352-787-1323
Business Technology Partners
Brian Mounts
352-874-6845
Central Florida Health Alliance
Kathy Houser
352-323-5013
Clear-Bore USA
Geoff and Joyce Norcross
352-455-1159
Dreamland Productions
Connie Gay
352-617-8808
Quality Indoor Environmental
Solutions
John and Rachel Graves
352-223-0759
Home Instead Senior Care
Deborah Cahill
352-323-6100
Eustis Elks Lodge #1578
John Collier
352-343-5000
J's Pizzeria
Jay Erkert
352-508-9077
Ford Press
John White
352-787-4650
Owen Associates
Orin Owen
352-516-3072
Henn-House Printing & Graphics
Linda Henn
352-357-4781
Real Estate Savvy
Jennifer Bengtson
352-267-2392
Insight Credit Union
Tricia Guido
407-426-6000
Silverline Graphics Design
Gary Blakely
352-227-1728
Lake Receptions, Inc.
Arin Wales
352-357-8223
Tavares Theater Inc.
Harold Miner
(352) 989-6175
Lake Sumter State College
Rosanne Brandeburg
352-365-3518
Townsend Insurance Group
Rhonda Townsend
352-308-8617
Lake Technical College
Diane Culpepper
352-589-2250
United Way of Lake & Sumter
Counties, Inc.
Sue Cordova
352-787-7530
Liberty Christian Prep School
Greg Watts
352-343-0061
Waste Management Inc of FL
Janie D. Coleman
352-473-5704
Lugo Auto Service, Inc.
David Trubey
352-343-6510
We Care of Lake County
Carol Millwater
352-742-0051
Tavares Chamber
Ambassadors
Co-Chair, Deborah Cahill
Home Instead Senior Care
Co-Chair, Cheryl Rumbley
Cornerstone Hospice
Betty Ainslie
Rodan & Fields Dermatologists
Indep. Consultant
Debbie Behlmann
Southern Palms RV Resort
Connie Gay
Dreamland Productions
Rachel Graves
Quality Indoor
Environmental Solutions
Lisa Johnson
E-Z Nutrition 101
Sharon Keith
Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.
Mary Rhodes
The Mortgage Firm, Inc
Judy Stewart
Law Office of Judy A Stewart, PA
Sunnyland Antique & Classic
Boat Society
Larry Maloomian
352-343-7414
Tavares Animal Hospital
Richard and Celia Thompson
352-343-7793
Firehouse Subs
Trace Latimer
352-508-9496
The Arc Sunrise of Central
Florida
Kathy Parrish
352-787-3079
The Groves at Baytree
Michael Holland
352-343-7228
Town of Astatula
Kitty Cooper
352-742-1100
2014 Tavares Chamber of Commerce Board
Executive Committee:
Orin Owen ........................... Owen Associates ............................................................................. President
Janet Noack ........................ United Southern Bank ..................................................................... Vice President
Kelly Pisciotta ...................... Habitat for Humanity ........................................................................ Treasurer
Deborah Cahill..................... Home Instead Senior Care .............................................................. Secretary
Jacquelyn Coval .................. BankFirst.......................................................................................... Past President
Directors:
Debbie Behlmann ................ Southern Palms RV Resort ............................................................. Director
Lou Buigas .......................... Hoity Toity Merchantile .................................................................... Director
T.J. Fish............................... Lake~Sumter MPO .......................................................................... Director
Beth Ann Gause .................. Gause and Hargrove ....................................................................... Director
Rick Golab ........................... Florida Hospital Waterman .............................................................. Director
Heather Graham ................. Focus Magazine .............................................................................. Director
Steve Jennelle ..................... BMJ CPA ......................................................................................... Director
Dee Johns ........................... Directories Ink .................................................................................. Director
Mary Johnson ...................... Grand Rental Station ....................................................................... Director
Brent Miller .......................... Law Offices of Brent C. Miller .......................................................... Director
Dr. Joe Morreale ................. The Chiropractic Center .................................................................. Director
Cheryl Rumbly ..................... Cornerstone Hospice ....................................................................... Director
Davis Talmage .................... Pruett-Williams Insurance................................................................ Director
Tavares Business Journal Page 7