Member News! - Fort Myers Beach

Volume 27, Number 8
FortMyersBeachChamber.org
239-454-7500
SEPTEMBER 2012
News
&
Views
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT MYERS BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
Jennifer Seaborn, Chair – Sunstream Hotels & Resorts
Norma Pevey, Chair Elect – Associate Member
John Gavin, Vice Chair – Gavins Ace Hardware
David Anderson, Treasurer – Krusty Pete's
Bud Nocera, President – FMB Chamber
Fran Myers, Foundation – Red Coconut RV Park
RETIRING 31 DECEMBER 2012
Jeff Pultorak – Alpha Networks
Chris Heidrick – Heidrick & Co
Eric Tibbs – Edward Jones
Rob DeGennaro – Nervous Nellies
Nichole Bennett – Bennett Chiropractic
Curt Brenner – Gullwing Beach Resort
RETIRING 31 DECEMBER 2013
Jim Lambeth – A Better Bugman
Roxie Smith – Pink Shell Development
Dan Eaton – Us Coast Guard Auxillary
Mark Chidley – Mark Chidley Lmhc
John Armitstead – Lee Memorial Health Systems
Celeste Hug – VIP Realty
RETIRING 31 DECEMBER 2014
Steve DeAngelis – Nervous Nellie’s
Brooke Klay – Associate Member
Terry Luster – Kiwanis Ft. Myers Gateway to Islands
Ann Alsop – C21 Tripower
Robb Capps – Premier Sandals Realty
SPECIAL DIRECTORS
Tom Hart – Humphrey Knott et al
Fran Myers – Red Coconut RV Park
FOUNDATION BOARD DIRECTORS:
John Albion
Ann Alsop – C21 Tripower
Rob Fowler – Fowler Company
Maryanne Baker – Sunstream Realty Inc
FOUNDATION BOARD OFFICERS:
Fran Myers, President – Red Coconut RV Resort
Roxie Smith, Vice President – Pink Shell Development
Meet Sawyer Smith at the
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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
You are needed! Looking for volunteers for our 26th American Sandsculpting
which will be November 16 through the 25th. Need 10 to 20 volunteers for
each day. You will receive a free T shirt and a complimentary pass to share
with family or friends to the event. Also you will be provided a free lunch for
each day you work.
Call me please at 454-7500 or email me at [email protected]
Thanks in advance for your help.
Jane Ross, Member Services/Volunteer Coordinator
Committee Meetings & Events
September 4 8:00 am
Marketing Committee meeting Chamber Office
September 6 7:30 am
Business Card Exchange Superior Residences
at 9461 Healthpark Circle, Fort Myers.
9:00 am
Ambassador meeting Chamber Office
September 11 9:30 am
Foundation Board meeting Century21 Tripower
September 12 8:00 am
Executive Board meeting Chamber Office
ByLaws Committee meeting
Chamber Office
9:00 am
September 13 11:30 am
Membership Luncheon Shell Point Retirement Community
15101 Shell Point Blvd, Fort Myers.
Board Highlights
From the August Board Meeting
September 18 5:00 pm
Tapa Hop starting from Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
 13 new members were reviewed
 The Buy A Bambi campaign is moving along. The Marketing
Committee has been asked for some fundraising ideas.
September 19 8:00 am
Board meeting Chamber Office
 A volunteer day will be organized to help paint and landscape the
Chamber building which is in much need of repair.
September 20 10:00 am
Traffic Committee meeting Chamber Office
 The Ambassadors are working on a membership campaign. Their
goal is 60 new members in 60 days.
 Tapa Hop posters will be disturbed to local businesses along with
post cards. Sponsorships and tickets are still available.
September 24 4:30 pm
Boat Parade Committee meeting Chamber Office
 Volunteers are needed for the American Sandsculpting
Championship in November.
If you would like to join any of these committees,
contact Jane Ross at 454-7500.
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SEPTEMBER 2012
 The Christmas Boat Parade committee has begun meeting. The
event will be December 1st.
fortmyersbeachchamber.org
By Bud Nocera
Learning from Isaac
John Lennon wrote “ Life is what happens
while you’re busy making other plans.”
When he wrote this he probably was not
thinking about the need to have made a
business disaster plan.
Our chamber is built upon small businesses, mostly owner-operators, who are indeed
busy working at their businesses and making plans for the future of those businesses. Our members invest a great amount of
time, capital and labor to make their businesses successful. Then along comes life
in the form of a tropical storm or hurricane
that can change everything and reshuffle
the deck.
Most of our businesses have been through
the storm drill before. The owners know
what it takes to secure their retail stores,
real estate offices, or accommodations
rooms. Many survived Charley and have seen
firsthand what a hurricane can do. Yet Small
Business Administration (SBA) research  Checklists of important steps to take
shows that 40% of all small businesses fail
before, during, and after a disaster
to come back after a disaster. A well thought
out disaster plan can make the difference Both the State of Florida and the SBA have
web sites to assist small business owners
between survival and bankruptcy.
in creating a customized plan using those
In this age of instant information on all top- elements. The Florida Division of Emergency
ics, there is no reason for any business not Management has a quick and easy on-line
to have its own customized, written disaster program that can build your customized
plan. There are several elements to a good plan in about 20 minutes. Find it at http://
disaster plan. They include:
www.floridadisaster.org/business. Take a
few minutes, get a written plan and review
 Steps you can take to save time and it with your employees. A good disaster plan
money in preparing your business for a should be updated annually and understood
disaster.
by everyone in the business.

Important contacts and information in
your area for use in a disaster.
Member News!
Chamber Members Win “Best Of Southwest Florida“ Awards
The election is over, the votes have been counted
and the results are in. Several Fort Myers Beach
businesses were voted top honors for being the
best in their category in Southwest Florida. On
Sunday, August 26, the News-Press announced
its “Best of Southwest Florida” awards. This is
a News-Press readers’ poll of retail and service
businesses in the area. Over 110,000 votes were
cast in 85 categories. Our Fort Myers Beach
Chamber members who won are:
Marinas
1. Salty Sam’s
2. Fish Tale Marina
Marine Towing & Assistance
1. Tow Boat USA
2. Sea Tow
E-MAIL: [email protected]
www.FortMyersBeachChamber.org
Factory Outlet Mall
1. Miromar Outlets
2. Tanger Outlets
Furniture
1. FOS Furniture
Retirement Community
1.
Shell Point Retirement Community
Sunset Dining
1. Big Game Waterfront Bar and Grill
Hardware Store
1. Gavin’s Ace Hardware
Waterfront Dining
1. Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
2. Doc Ford’s
Waterfront Attraction
1. Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise
Casual Fine Dining
1. Brattas Ristorante
Waterpark
1. Sun Splash
Wings
1.Hooters
Event Management/Party Rental Company
1. Caloosa Tent & Rentals
Congratulations to all of our members who did
so very well in this year’s voting!
17200 San Carlos Boulevard/Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931
239-454-7500 / FAX: 239-454-7910
fortmyersbeachchamber.org
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Renewing
Members
 Apple Airport Transportation
 Florida Advertising Services
 Manatee Sightseeing Tours
 Marina Village At Snug Harbor
 Naffziger, Paula
 Neptune Inn Inc
 Paradise Parasail, Inc.
 Marine Towing & Salvage of SWFL Inc
 Whitaker, W.D.
 Welcome Home Builders Inc
 Fresh Catch Bistro
 Parrot Key Caribbean Grill
 Suncoast Beverage Sales
 Ft. Myers Beach Insurance Brokerage
 Indian Creek Park
 Randy's Island Glass
 Candlewood Stes-FM/Sanibel Gateway
 Panther Printing
 Simple Weddings
 Seawatch On The Beach
 Rib City Grill
 Nervous Nellie's Inc
 Royal Beach Club
Dr. Nicole Bennett – Bennett Chiropractic
and Wellness Center
Dr. Nicole Bennett holds multiple
degrees through extensive studies in the natural sciences. She
received her Doctor of Chiropractic
degree from Logan College of Chiropractic, a Master’s of Science degree
in Holistic Nutrition, and a Bachelor
of Science degree in human biology.
Dr. Bennett believes in educating
and empowering patients to take responsibility
for their health. Each patient receives resource
information and personalized counseling in
chiropractic healthcare, nutrition and exercise.
This type of individualized attention is rare in
today's healthcare system, but necessary for
the patient's successful recovery and continued good health. Regardless of age or present
health condition, Dr. Bennett believes everyone can benefit from a healthy spine, superior
nutrition and regular exercise. Her goal is to
inform the beach community of the value of a
"healthy lifestyle" and does so with an energy
and enthusiasm that motivates patients to
make the changes required to promote optimal
health and long term quality of life.
At Bennett Chiropractic and Wellness Center, Dr. Bennett provides
a wonderful healing environment
with numerous tools for patients
to achieve optimal health, such as
Acupuncture, weight loss, smoking
cessation, low level laser treatments, orthotics, orthopedic supports, cervical pillows, nutritional
supplements, and physical therapy
products. A lending library of health related articles, books and newsletters is available for
her patients.
Dr. Bennett currently serves on the Board of
Directors for the Logan College of Chiropractic Alumni Association and is a member of the
Florida Chiropractic Association. Dr. Bennett
enjoys being involved in her community by
participating in local events and discussing
a variety of healthcare topics. Currently, she
serves as President on the board of the Fort
Myers Beach Community Foundation and participates on the board of the Fort Myers Beach
Chamber of Commerce.
Glee Ann Agius  Salty Sam's Marina
Eryka Aptake-Wagner  East Commerce
Solutions
Dwayne Bowes  Residence Inn Fort Myers /
Sanibel
Robb Capps  Premier Sandals Realty
Steve DeAngelis  Nervous Nellie’s
Barbara Farrell  IBERBANK
Pat Ferguson  Accountable & Professional
Home Watch Services
Denice Knudsen  Premier Sandals Realty
Terry Luster  Kiwanis Club of Fort Myers
Gateway to the Islands
Jennifer Seaborn  SunStream Property Mgmt
Eric Tibbs  Edward Jones & Co.
Gary Donabed  Synovus Bank
Sandy Lepley  Century 21 Tripower Realty
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SEPTEMBER 2012
Eric L. Tibbs – Edward Jones
Financial Advisor
Eric is our local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. He grew up in Pueblo, Colorado where he
attended Pueblo Central High School, earned
his Eagle Scout Award and was recruited to
play Division I football at the US Air Force
Academy. While at the Academy Eric not only
played football, he earned his parachute jump
wings by jumping out of a perfectly good airplane 5 times. He graduated from the Academy in May 1998 with a degree in Structural
fortmyersbeachchamber.org
Civil Engineering
and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US
Air Force.
During Eric's 7 years in the Air Force as a Civil
Engineer he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan
and Gwan Ju, Korea for 3 years before being
stationed for 4 year at Eglin Air Force Base in
Harry Chapin Food Bank
Excited to be a new member of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Harry Chapin
Food Bank has never faltered in helping those in need in Southwest Florida. In 2011 it distributed
13.7 million pounds of food through 150 service agencies and is on track to deliver even more in
2012. And did you know that the Food Bank also “makes magic”? For every $1 donation, the Food
Bank can source and distribute $6 worth of food!
The Food Bank has three events on Fort Myers Beach — the Chili Cook-off at the Pink Shell, a
Pig Roast on October 28 also at the Pink Shell, and a Poker Run slated for January 19, 2013,
at Santini Plaza. The Chili Cook Off and Pig Roast are organized by Chef Craig Panneton at the
Pink Shell, assisted by the resort staff, the Southwest Florida chapter of the American Culinary
Federation, and Food Bank volunteers. The Poker Run is being organized by Bonnie Roberts at
Fish Tale Marina and a Poker Run committee.
The Food Bank looks forward to working with new Chamber of Commerce President Bud Nocera
and his entire team!
Chamber Board
Helps Turn a
Bambi into a COW!
At the August meeting of the Chamber
Board of Directors, the board voted to
ask each board member to donate at
least $100 to the Bambi fundraiser.
The board asked that their $2500 contribution be used as a matching funds
challenge to our chamber membership.
The anticipated $5000 this will raise
will put us very close to being able to
purchase our first Airstream Bambi
travel trailer. Once the Bambi is purchased it will be converted into a COW
(Chamber on Wheels…thank you to
Dan Eaton for that acronym) and used
to provide visitor information about our
member businesses to visitors on Estero Island. To make a donation, just
log on to www.buyabambi.com.
August Bambi Donors:
Total collected as of
August 31, 2012: $2,827.72
Chamber Champions $500+
Airstream Aristocrat $100+ :

Universal Vacations

Norma Jean Pevey

Nicole Bennett – Bennett
Chiropractic

Robb Capps – Premier
Sandals Realty
Eric L. Tibbs – Edward Jones Financial Advisor
Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Eric was trained
by the Air Force in Chemical Weapons, Explosives and new equipment evaluation.
After leaving the Air Force in June 2005, Eric
worked for a couple small companies in Washington D.C. developing, marketing and selling
chemical and explosive detection equipment,
before moving to Fort Myers Beach in June
2008 when he took the job with Edward Jones.
Eric started his career with Edward Jones as
a new financial advisor in July 2008 knocking doors here on Fort Myers Beach. Eric expanded his business at a rapid pace and was
able to open his own office in Santini Plaza,
with the help of Al Durrett, in May 2009. Since
then Eric's business here on the island and
around the country has exploded. At Edward
Jones, Eric not only deals with stocks, bonds,
mutual funds and retirement accounts, but
also trusts, life insurance, long term care and
estate planning. Eric is passionate about
teaching people about investments and how
they help you get to your goals in life. He
met and married his wife Melody here on the
beach. He is also an active member of the
Fort Myers Beach Kiwanis club and Relay for
Life organizations.
fortmyersbeachchamber.org

Ann Alsop – Century 21
Tripower Realty

Chris Heidrick – Heidrick &
Company Insurance

Fran Myers – Red Coconut RV
Resort

Terry Luster – Kiwanis Club
of Fort Myers Gateway to the
Islands
Tin Can Tourist $50:

Magic Wind Adventure Sailing
Bambi Buddy $25:

Doug McElheny
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New Member Luncheon
New members at August's Luncheon at DiamondHead.
Starting with the front row on the floor left to right Ivan Arbogast and Jonathan Gentle of NBS Technology Serv.
2nd row left to right: Bill Fagan of SPD Solutions - Deborah Regnone of Resort Sports Back Row left to right Chair Elect Norma Jean
Pevey - Maria and Michael Carlini of The Island Jewel - Bob Moore of Woodwind Contracting - John and Sally Scanlon of Rudy's
Treasure Chest and Doug Stirling of FortMyersBeachRadio.
Welcome!
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FortMyersBeachRadio.com
855-361-6162
Doug Stirling
706 Meredith Street
Kennett Square, PA 19348
Patterson, Peggy
(239) 481-7616
Peggy Patterson
8041 South Wood Cir #15
Fort Myers, FL 33919
SPD Solutions
(352) 799-7088
D.W. ''Bill'' Fagan
2381 Circuit Way
Brooksville, FL 34604
Kings of Merch
(313) 686-8775
Mike Bint
9070 LeBarron Ct.
Saline, MI 48176
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery
(239) 466-2800
Kitty Yacks
11410 Summerlin Square Dr.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
The Sand Lovers, LLC
(239) 634-4564
Marianne Knight
6077 Montego Bay Loop
Fort Myers, FL 33908
NBS Technology Services
(239) 217-4911
Jonathan Gentle
17274 San Carlos Blvd #205
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Resort Sports Inc.
(239) 936-0233
Debbie Regnone
6240 Topaz Court
Fort Myers, FL 33966
SEPTEMBER 2012
fortmyersbeachchamber.org
Business After Hours
Thank You...
Thank you to Chuck's Last Stop for
hosting our August Business After
Hours and the following individuals/
business members who contributed
door prizes for the event.
Krusty Pete's
Jungle Golf
A Better Bugman
Salty Sam's Marina
Pieces of Eight
Our hosts Chuck the bartender & Chuck Bryan, owner
Mango Street Inn
Matanzas Inn
Brian Greene of
StoreSmart
Joanne Russ of VIP Realty
Bud helps with raffle prizes
fortmyersbeachchamber.org
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Ribbon Cuttings
BBeach Pottery located at 17980 San
Carlos Blvd. celebrated with a Ribbon
Cutting and open house on August 22 at
4:30 PM The Ribbon Cutting followed a
tour of their beautiful showroom of pottery
and wood carvings. Shown at the Ribbon
Cutting is Ambassador Robb Capps holding
the ribbon on the left of Premier Sandals
Realty along with Chamber member Jim
Rickards, Ambassador Sandy Lepley of
Century 21 Tri Power, Ambassador Terry
Luster of Kiwanis Club of Fort Myers Gateway
to the Island, Beach Pottery Owners Linda
and Jay Wozniak, Jonathan Gentle of NBS
Technology Services and holding the ribbon
on the right is Ambassador Pat Ferguson of
Keller Williams Elite Realty. On the ground
is Chamber President Bud Nocera with
friends Sue Jamison and mascot Buddy.
Light refreshments were served following the
ribbon cutting.
Dr. John D. Strausbaugh celebrated the opening of his new Urgent Care Mini-Emergency Walk In Clinic located at 9671 Gladiolus
Dr. #109-110 on August 21st. with a Ribbon Cutting and Open House. With Dr. Strausbaugh cutting the ribbon is Linda Downes
Practice Manager and their staff.
Joining from the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce holding the ribbon on the Left Ambassador Eric Tibbs of Edward Jones
Co and holding the ribbon on the right is Ambassador Terry Luster of Kiwanis Club of Fort Myers Gateway to the Island. Other
Ambassadors present were Denice Knudson of Premier Sandals Realty, Dwayne Bowes of Residence Inn Fort Myers/Sanibel and
Eryka Aptaker-Wagner of East Commerce Solutions Inc. Mr. Bud Nocera President of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce
was also in attendance.
Next Ribbon Cutting:
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SEPTEMBER 2012
September 19th at 1:00pm for Rudy’s Treasure Chest located on the Fort
Myers Beach Pier.
fortmyersbeachchamber.org
Scholarship Winners
From left to right: Robert Swanbeck – Lindsey Barter – Charity Kiesel – Karen Swanbeck – Mallory Schindler – Katie Bonkowski –
Samantha Klare – Jaclyn Diaz – Jacob Albion – Maxwell Albion – Louis Monaco – Anthony Monaco – Collette Kiesel – Bobby Kiesel
Saturday, October 13
is Tom Sawyer Day at the Chamber
Mark Twain’s literary hero, Tom Sawyer, had all his pals help him whitewash a
fence for his Aunt Polly. What began as a chore turned into a fun event. On Saturday, October 13 the Chamber will be following in Tom’s footsteps. We are asking
for 10 chambers members to help Bud paint the Chamber building. The building
will be pressure washed and ready to go, and paint will be on hand. Bring a roller
and a paint tray, and possibly an extension for your roller. Gavin’s Ace Hardware
will be assisting the Chamber in the building re-painting, including a grill for
making hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch. To volunteer, please give Jane a call
at the Chamber, 454-7500. And no, the newly painted building will NOT be pink!
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SEPTEMBER 2012
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