March - Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce

Wakulla Chamber and You: Partners For Success
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
March 2016
Wakulla County Chamber
OUR
PREMIER MEMBERS
Preserving the Past…….Planning for the Future
www.wakullacountychamber.com
President’s Message
The New Year certainly is off to a fast start. As the year
begins to unfold I’d like to reflect some on how far we
have come over the past few years and evaluate where
we are at today. Looking back to 2010 we were coming
out
of
a
financial
crisis
as
“credit crisis” was made known.
the
extent
of
the
As credit dried up,
foreclosures ran rampant, businesses closed. Our nation, state, and local community were truly in a state of economic decline. In addition to this downturn,
we were also subject to dealing with the affects of the BP oil spill. Looking back
we were dealt a hard hand to play. Despite the expressed challenges the
outlook of our community was clear; we will be resilient and work hard to
rebuild what has been lost.
I’m happy to report that the economic climate for the state of Florida appears to
be improving. Looking back on 2015 we saw private sector job growth that was
ahead of the national average, a rebounding housing market which reached post
recession highs, unemployment rates at their lowest levels since 2008, and the
state recorded more visitors in 2015 than ever before. This economic
momentum not only sets the stage for Florida to thrive throughout 2016 but for
our local economy as well. As we embark on this New Year, my hope is that we
can focus on the opportunities that lie ahead and acknowledge the fact that our
hard work and perseverance will continue to positively affect our economic
future.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment and encourage everyone to shop
local! Small business is of the utmost importance to our local community. Every
dollar that gets spent here is a resource; it becomes a dollar that can be
reinvested here. It’s been since 2009 that the Wakulla County Chamber of
Commerce had an official shop local campaign, but I believe the more we can
support each other the stronger we can make our community.
Having said that, this is a good segue to let you know that the Wakulla County
Chamber of Commerce is here for you. We are your partner. Your membership
affords you many opportunities and we invite you to take advantage of them.
I would like to thank our members for their continued support; we strive to
promote, enhance, and improve our local business community and could not do
it without your support. We look forward to making Wakulla an even better
place to live, work and play! If you would like more information please feel free to contact
our office.
Our 6th annual Low County Boil Fundraiser will be here before we know it. The event will
be held Saturday April 2nd at 3Y Ranch. We are pleased to announce our title sponsor for
this event - Capital City Bank. The event will feature a Low Country Boil dinner and live
music by “Locomotive”. Continuing with our pledge to support education, part of the
proceeds from the event is again earmarked to support Wakulla County students through
scholarships. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will enable us to continue the
restoration and furnishing of the historic Wakulla County Courthouse. Last year’s event
sold out with an overwhelming response and we anticipate this year’s event will as well.
If you haven’t done so already please contact our office and reserve your tickets. I look
forward to seeing you there!
Yours in Service,
Dustin Grubbs
After Hours Networking at
Thank you to Sagar Amin, O.D.
and staff for a warm welcome
and fun evening of mingling
with fellow
members, and a
couple of our new members
present, Clothesline and Great
Southern
Demolition.
Thank
you for door prize drawings and
a lovely spread of hors
d'oeu-
vres. We got to meet the staff
and had a private trunk show of
Costa
eyewear. Thank you MyEyeDr for hosting this
after-hours event!
MyEyeDr. practices not only have a selection of great
frames and prescription contact lenses, but also have a
variety of eye care services. To make your appointment
call your local office today (850) 926-9213.
2
3
Networking Luncheon @
Wakulla Environmental Institute,
catered by Hamaknockers
We were shooting to break our attendance record for the February networking luncheon,
and packed the house at the new and beautiful building that houses Wakulla
Environmental Institute, with 95 attending this event. Executive Director Bob Ballard
welcomed us and jokingly told two of his attending Board of Trustees members that he
was already outgrowing the building.
Thank you to Hamaknockers BBQ for catering the event, and even though it was a little
windy, the screened in veranda was perfect for setting up our buffet of chicken, pulled
pork, beans, slaw and mac & cheese. Hamaknockers has been in business for 10 years
thanks to loyal customers, and is still growing. Currently
Aaron Baker is teaming up with Red Hills Broadcasting,
hosting backyard BBQ concerts in Tallahassee searching
for new Country music talent in March, April and May, food
prepared by none other than Hamaknockers.
Mary introduced our four new members for February as
Purple Martin Nursery, Great Southern Demolition, Florida
Light Tackle Sport Fishing, and Clothesline. Shena with
Clothesline shared the company specialties – screen printing, embroidery and advertising
specialties. Shena lives in Crawfordville and will make personal deliveries.
Chuck Cascio with Eden Springs Nursing Home and Rehab Facility introduced Rhonda Miller, director of nursing. Susan Payne Turner introduced
Prime Meridian Bank president and CEO Sandie Dixon
and his daughter Sadie Blue who was pleased to share
that Prime Meridian will start their permanent building
construction in April. Longtime member Curt and
Wanda Daniels with Wakulla Carpet brokers enjoyed
their first time at one of our luncheons. Curt has been
in the flooring business for 50 years, and have been in
their store location on Feli Way for 15 years. Also
joining today were Deputy Mike Crum – Youth and Community Services, Megan
Leatherman with local salon Root 319, and Fran Pybus. Fran just joined the Big Bend
Hospice team, and makes a wonderful addition to the organization. Susan Schatzman
shared Habitat for Humanity Golf tournament to take place at Wildwood Golf Course April
1. For sponsorship and team information contact Gary Edington at 850.556.4736. Mary
also recognize chamber directors and officers present, and thanked them for volunteering
their time working on behalf of Wakulla businesses and our community.
4
Our spotlight was on Ameris Bank presented by Amanda Wright. Amanda introduced her
co- workers - Tyler Oden, mortgage banker and Kelsee Taylor, teller II at Ameris. Other
employees at the bank are Shana Langston who has been with the bank for 23 years,
personal banker Tracy Duncan,
head teller Kim Ryals, and tellers Brenda Posey and
Shannon Chisler. Amanda gave the history of Ameris Bank founded in 1971 by Eugene
Verene, Jr. who built a new kind of bank focused on high performance solutions, character
and community.
The cash drawing was won by Lynda Kinsey. As always we thank our members for their
contributions to our drawing: Cook Insurance Agency, Petra Shuff, Bay Leaf Market, Ed
Gardner, O.D., Prime Meridian Bank, Keith Key Heating and Air, Capital City Bank, Farm
Bureau Insurance, Catherine Cameron, Magnuson Hotel, Ameris Bank, Wakulla Sheriff’s
Office, The Wakulla News & Wakulla Neighbor, Wakulla Insurance Agency, Hydra
Engineering and Construction, Susan Jones, Wakulla Medical Center, Super – Lube,
Wetherton Promotional Advertising, Charlean Lanier, and Gulfstream.
5
Welcome New Chamber Members
2015
Business
Excellence Winners
Purple Martin Nursery - Glen Campbell, specializing in high quality plants
Retail
that thrive in our climate, diverse selection of trees, shrubs, bedding plants, tropical indoor plants, native plants, fruit, veggies, herbs and more
Bay Leaf Market
●
Professional Service
1554 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville - 850.926.8335 and
Outpost 777 Miccosukee Road Tallahassee - 850.577.1003
http://www.purplemartinnurseries.com/nurseries/
VCA Wakulla Animal
Hospital
●
Service Business
Capital City Bank
Florida Light Tackle and Sport Fishing - Captain Jody Campbell,
specializing in Inshore Fishing
850.528.3203 [email protected]
●
Hospitality & Tourism
Flying Papi
●
Non - Profit
Clothesline - Shena Lefeavers, specializing in screen printing,
embroidery and advertising specialties
1369 E Lafayette Street, Tallahassee
850.877.9171
http://clothesline.net/
Big Bend Hospice, Inc.
●
Green Business
ESG Operations, Inc.
●
Government & Schools
Great Southern Demolition - Emile “Red” Barnes III, specializing in
Complete or selective demolition, concrete scanning and cutting, asphalt
cutting & repair, core drilling and more
PO Box 5985, Tallahassee, FL 32314
850.422.3366
http://greatsoutherndemo.com/
Wakulla Environmental
Institute
●
UPCOMING
President’s Choice
John W. Shuff
●
March Networking Luncheon – At Magnuson Hotel, catered by Posey’s,
Noon, Wednesday, March 23
Volunteer
Kathie Ann Brown
●
Wakulla Area Business
Rockulla Music Emporium
6