Tavares Chamber of Commerce 300 East Main Street Tavares, FL

Tavares Chamber of Commerce
300 East Main Street
Tavares, FL 32778
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Trinity Spa Business After Hours and 1 year anniversary on September 26, 2013
October Chamber
Business Luncheon
Wednesday, October 23
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Sponsor: Lake-Sumter MPO
Speaker: T.J. Fish
Caterer: Pastore's Downtown
Pizzeria
Tavares Civic Center
100 E. Caroline Street, Tavares
Please RSVP
Calendar of Events
Thursday, October 3
Business After Hours
Pastore's Downtown Pizzeria
124 S. Joanna Ave. Tavares
5:30 to 7:00 pm - Please RSVP
October 2013
Business of the Year “Runway of Stars” Gala Revealed
the Tavares Businesses of the Year
Howey-in-the-Hills – “And the winner is ….” were the words of the night everyone
was anticipating to hear, preceding the name of their business or organization Thursday
night, September 19, during the seventh annual Business of the Year Gala, held at Mission
Inn Resort & Club.
Saturday, October 5
Fashion Designer Showcase
7:00 to 11:00pm - Wooton Park
Tuesday, October 8
Networking Lunch
The Cuban Place
1 N. Eustis Street Eustis
Noon to 1:00pm - Please RSVP
Thursday, October 10
Business After Hours
The Center for Digestive Health
3345 Waterman Way
4:30 to 7:00pm - Please RSVP
Thursday, October 17
Business After Hours
Jones Brothers Air & Seaplane
Adventures
150 E. Ruby Street Tavares
5:30 to 7:30pm - Please RSVP
Thursday, October 24
Business After Hours
The Cuban Place
1 N. Eustis Street Eustis
5:30 to7:00pm - Please RSVP
HOWL-O-FEST
Fri-Sat, Oct 25 - 26
Haunted Hayride
Trunk or Treat
Scarecrow Contest
Costume Contest - Kids & Pets
Go to:
www.TavaresChamber.com
or call
352. 343. 2531
Tavares Chamber Business of the Year Spotlights previous Gala
winners as the "Go To" Leaders in the Community.
The Signature event of the year for Tavares Chamber of Commerce, the Gala, was
a huge success in celebrating the continued growth and achievements of the Tavares
Business community during these challenging times. Beautiful Mission Inn, located in
Howey-in-the Hills was the setting for this sold out event.
Continue on page 6
Fashion Designers Showcase and Competition
Purchase your ticket now for this "Not to Miss" event
TAVARES – The 2013 Fashion Designers Showcase
and Competition presented by Bella Faire and the Tavares
Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to be the best ever. This
tented event in Wooton Park, Downtown Tavares overlooking
Lake Dora will be on Saturday, October 5, 2013.
Designers from St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Ft.
Lauderdale will be presenting their creations on the runway
along with a model competition. Two Lake County designers will be featured and Lake
Tech's Cosmetology students will have a Hair Show.
Continue on page 6
Howl-O-Fest – Family Friendly Fun in Downtown Tavares
TAVARES
–
Ghouls,
goblins,
princesses and superheroes will be taking over
the streets of Downtown Tavares, Friday and
Saturday, October 25 and 26 as the Tavares
Chamber turns Downtown Tavares into a HowlO-Fest. This is one of the most anticipated
events of the year, by young and old alike.
The
celebration
begins
Friday
evening, October 25, with the haunted hayride from 7 to 11pm. Tickets for just $5 will be on
sale.
America’s Seaplane City will kick off the activities Saturday morning, October 26, at
9am with a “Monster Splash" at beautiful Wooton Park. Pilots will demonstrate their flying
abilities in competitions such as the Fastest "S-take" Off, Smashing Pumpkin Drop and
Franken-Spot Landing Contest.
Please turn to Page 6
LakeXpress Offers Free Bus Rides for
Students
Tavares Communications Department
Wins National Awards
TAVARES — The Lake County Board of County
Commissioners recently approved a measure to allow the Public
Transportation Division to
waive student fares, with
valid
student
ID,
on
LakeXpress.
The purpose of
offering free fares to
students is to help educate
them about the benefits of
using public transportation.
By encouraging students to
try LakeXpress, County staff
hopes they will find that it is a cost effective means of travel, it is
safe and it has significant benefits by reducing traffic congestion
on the roads.
“By offering free rides to Lake County students, we hope
to bring awareness of LakeXpress and the advantages of public
transit,” said Ken Harley, manager of the Lake County Public
Transportation Division. “We are getting more students who rely
on the buses to get to school, and we want to motivate and
encourage them to become loyal users of the service.”
LakeXpress operates Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8
p.m. The LakeXpress service includes four routes. Route 1 runs
from The Villages to Eustis, primarily on U.S. Highway 441. Route
2 circulates in downtown Leesburg. Route 3 circulates in
downtown Mount Dora. Route 4 runs from the Altoona Post Office
on State Road 19 to the community of Zellwood on U.S. Highway
441 where passengers can transfer to LYNX route 44.
Fares for LakeXpress are $1 for all trips. Half-fares are
available for riders 60 years or older and individuals with
disabilities (buses are equipped with lifts). Free fares are available
for children under five years of age, who are accompanied by a
fare-paying chaperone.
For more information about LakeXpress or for questions
about
bus
schedules,
call
352-326-8637
or
visit
www.RideLakeXpress.com.
The City of Tavares is very pleased
to announce that the City’s Public
Communications Department has been
recognized as a leader in government
communications and is the recipient of two
3CMA Savvy awards, which were announced
at the 3CMA annual conference in Scottsdale,
Arizona last week. 3CMA is a national
professional organization that recognizes
excellence in government communications and marketing.
Joyce Ross, Director of Tavares Public Communications
Department, was awarded a first place trophy during 3CMA’s
annual nation-wide completion for her fundraising campaign for the
Freedom Flag project. The specific category was “Most Creative
Activity with Least Dollars Spent”. Ms Ross says, “This has
always been my signature category, as it demonstrates that a
significant impact can be made with a minimum amount of money.”
Clearly, the Freedom Flag project was a perfect example, as the
fundraising efforts exceeded the original goal and resulted in the
City being able to also establish a maintenance fund that will
support the Freedom Flag for generations to come, all at no cost to
City residents. The 3CMA judges said that, “This is a fantastic
example of doing more with less! The use of promotional
materials was obviously part of the fundraising success for the
flag, as was the branding of the project as the ‘Freedom Flag’.”
Ms Ross was also awarded a second place trophy for her
photography of Tavares wildlife that was used in the Wooton Park
Expansion referendum materials. Again, the 3CMA judges
complemented her work by stating, “The simple but attractive
photos created a brand that was expertly used with all
communications to help residents identify and make the
connection with a land acquisition….and ultimately approve the
purchase.”
Joyce Ross has had an extensive career in government
communications and has received over 70 awards at past
competitions. She is very pleased to bring the first communications
awards to Tavares, America’s Seaplane City!
Tavares Chamber of Commerce does not necessarily endorse or support advertising materials distributed through the Chamber newsletter
Page 2 Tavares Business Journal
Member Spotlight
Member Spotlight
Forever Ballroom Celebrates 6-Year Anniversary
Steam locomotive # 2, a wood burning 2-6-0, is back in
service. The locomotive recently finished its rebuild and inspection
at the Reader Railroad shops in Prescott, Arkansas.
The locomotive was built by the Baldwin Locomotive
Works in January 1907 and placed into service by the Lufkin Land
& Lumber Company. The locomotive was also used over the years
on the Shreveport, Houston & Gulf Railroad, the Carter-Kelley
Lumber Company, the W.T. Carter & Brother Lumber Company,
the Scott & Bearskin Lake Railroad, the Reader Railroad, and now
the Tavares, Eustis & Gulf Railroad in Florida. It has been
operating in Florida since October 2011.
The locomotive was used in the feature films “True Grit,”
“Appaloosa,” “There Will Be Blood,” and “3:10 to Yuma.”
Upon Steam locomotive # 2's return to Tavares it pulled
its first trains during the Rifles, Rails, & History event on
September 27 – 29 in Tavares.
On October 1, 2013, Forever
Ballroom
celebrated
a
6-year
anniversary!
With 23 years of dance
experience, owners and instructors
Charlie & Joanne Bolly offer a full
social dance program which includes
private and group lessons, wedding
dance instruction and choreography,
party entertainment, workshops and
practice dances.
The studio for private
classes is on West Main Street
Downtown Tavares. Group classes
are scheduled at various locations
throughout the county. Practice
Dances are held at the beautiful ROOM: Valencia in the Citrus
Tower, Clermont.
Both Latin and smooth dances are taught at very
reasonable rates with no contracts.
So, "If you've ever wanted to dance . . . " please call
Charlie & Joanne at 352-742-9461 or visit the Forever Ballroom
website at www.foreverballroom.com.
Nominations Sought for the 2014 Tavares Chamber of Commerce Board
In accordance with the Chamber's Bylaws, the 2013
President and Board of Directors has approved the members of
the Nominating Committee. This committee is charged with
nominating Chamber members to fill vacancies on the 2014
Board of Directors. Nominating Committee members are:
Lou Buigas - (352) 205-5992
Dee Johns - (352) 508-9257
Cheryl Rumbly - (352) 343-1341
The Nominating Committee Seeks your Input:
Nominations will be presented to the Board of
Directors at the October Board meeting (10/8/2013) and
nominees will be introduced in an email blast following that
meeting. Elections will be held from December 9 through
December 12, 2013.
Do you know a member in good standing who is
interested in serving on the Tavares Chamber of Commerce
Board? If you have suggestions or questions about service as a
Board member, contact a Nominating Committee member prior
to October 8, 2013.
If you have questions about the election process,
contact the Chamber at 352-343-2531 or email Colleen
McGinley at director@tavareschamber.com.
Signature Trustee:
2013 Tavares Chamber of Commerce Board
Officers
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Past President
Orin Owen
Janet Noack
Kelly Pisciotta
Deborah Cahill
Jacquelyn Coval
G & T Conveyor
United Southern Bank
Habitat for Humanity
Ameriprise Financial
BankFirst
(352) 742-3770
(352) 589-4663
(352) 267-2118
(352) 742-3331
(352) 483-3999
Directors
Debbie Behlmann Southern Palms RV Resort
Lou Buigas
West Construction
T.J. Fish
Lake~Sumter MPO
Beth Ann Gause Gause & Hargrove, PLLC
Heather Graham Focus Magazine
Rick Golab
Florida Hospital Waterman
Steve Jennelle
BMJ CPA
Dee Johns
Directories Ink
Mary Johnson
Grand Rental Station Party Plus
Brent Miller
Law Offices of Brent C. Miller, P.A.
Andrew O'Keefe O’Keefe’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Cheryl Rumbley Cornerstone Hospice
to Chamber Board
TrusteeLiaison
Member
Bill Neron
City of Tavares Economic Development
Exclusive Trustee:
(352) 357-8882
(352) 205-5992
(352) 315-0170
(352) 343-7424
(352) 377-8953
(352) 253-3381
(407) 748-6187
(352) 508-9257
(352) 357-9242
(352) 343-7400
(352) 343-2157
(352) 343-1341
(352) 742-6209
Staff
Colleen McGinley Executive Director
Jeff Smith
Membership Director
(352) 343-2531
(352) 343-2531
Tavares Business Journal Page 3
Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle's Board Director
Colleen McGinley presents the Measel Cup Award for "best"
local team in the 2013 Dragon Boat Festival to City of Tavares
Team captain Phil Clark.
September Business Luncheon with (l to r) Board Director Dee
Johns - Directories Ink, Florida Hospital Waterman sponsor and
representative Dr. Radnothy, Board Director Cheryl Rumbly Cornerstone Hospice, Board Secretary Deborah Cahill Ameriprise Financial Services, Board Directors Mary Johnson Grand Rental Station Party Plus, Steve Jennelle - BM CPA, Debbie
Behlmann - Southern Palms RV Resort and speaker Lake County
Property Appraiser Carey Baker.
Mayor Robert Wolfe receives Dragon Boat Festival Paddle Plaque
presented by Rotary Club of Lake County Golden Triangle's
President Chuck Hiott.
At the September 4th City Council meeting, Police Chief Lubins
awarded the Medal of Valor to Mike Woods for his life saving
actions during the Blue Rhino Event on July 29. This is Tavares
Police Dept's highest award recognizing police officers who
exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and
presence of mind and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of
his or her personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect
human life. Mike thank you so much for your service and thanks
to all our police, fire and medical services that supported the
incident at Blue Rhino.
Tavares-Safe Harbor Kiwanis
st
meets at 7:30 a.m. on the 1
rd
and 3 Friday of each week at
the First United Methodist
Church, 600 West Ianthe
Street, Tavares.
Fisherman Cove's Rusty Hinkle receives Clean Marina and
Boatyard designation by the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection Agency on Saturday, September 7, 2013.
The Rotary Club of Lake County Golden
Triangle meets every Tuesday at noon
at Lake Receptions, 4425 Highway 19A,
Mount Dora. Be our guest and find out
more about "Service Above Self"
Page 4 Tavares Business Journal
Tavares
Chamber
Membership Director
Jeff Smith tries to
escape jail while still
collecting his bail for
the American Cancer
Society. Thanks to
O'Keefe's Irish Pub &
Restaurant for hosting
the event on Friday,
September 13, 2013
Business of the Year Gala Winners
Tavares Business Journal Page 5
Business of the Year Gala _________________________________________
from page 1
Presenting sponsors were Directories Ink and United Southern Bank. Directories Ink is Central Florida's best choice
for creating, publishing and distributing private community residential and chamber directories. United Southern Bank has
continuously served the community since their founding in 1937. Today, with eleven offices in the Lake County area and over
70 years of community banking, United Southern Bank still puts a premium on building strong customer relationships.
Glitz & Glitter Sponsors were: Ameriprise Financial Services, Booth, Ern, Straughan & Hiott, Inc., Florida Hospital
Waterman - Center for Medical Imaging, Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization and Ruby Street Grille.
Champagne Sponsors included: BAAC, Inc., BMJ CPA, City of Tavares, Comcast Communications, Gause &
Hargrove, PLLC, Learning Leaps Behavioral Services, Inc., Olivia's Coffeehouse & Bistro, Osprey Lodge, LLC, Plaza
Cadillac, Prime Plumbing Inc., Shanti Niketan Developers 2, Southern Palms RV Resort and The Mortgage Firm, Inc.
The Tavares Chamber of Commerce thanks all its sponsors that made this year’s event a resounding success. And
the award goes to …
Volunteer of the Year, Joe Gillespie.
Ambassador of the Year, Judy Stewart, Law Office of Judy Stewart.
Entrepreneur of the Year, Tom Hofmeister, Osprey Lodge .
Community Organization of the Year, Cornerstone Hospice.
Small Business of the Year, Directories Ink.
Medium Business of the Year, Cousin Vinnie's Family Sports Restaurant.
Large Business of the Year, Booth, Ern, Straughan and Hiott, Inc.
Julie J. Hall Service to the Community Award, Kelly Pisciotta of Habitat for Humanity.
Historical Preservation Award, O'Keefe's Irish Pub & Restaurant.
The Tavares Chamber of Commerce conducted an "All Aboard" Membership Campaign during the month of
September. Chamber members formed four teams to compete in recruiting new members. Chamber president, Orin Owen,
presented the coveted 2013 President's Elite award to the winning team of: Ron Oimoen - BAAC, Inc., Deborah Cahill Ameriprise Financial Services, Eric Filkin -Bridges Covenant Church, Debbie Behlmann - Southern Palms RV Resort and
Rick Carlson - R Car Automotive.
Board of Director member, T.J. Fish masterfully performed his duties of Emcee as he performed interviews with
members of the chamber as they arrived.
Sue Cameron with LakeETV videoed the interviews and will be available for viewing on the chamber's website:
www.TavaresChamber.com.
Bonnie Whicher Photography, last year's Entrepreneur of the Year, was on hand to commemorate the entire evening
in photos.
For more information on this event or any other happenings in Tavares, contact the Tavares Chamber of Commerce,
352 343-2531 or visit www.TavaresChamber.com.
Designers Showcase and Competition _______________________________
from page 1
The VIP "Invitation Only" Soiree will begin at 7pm with the Runway presentations beginning at 8:30pm. This will be
an affair to attend and remember! The Fashion Designers Showcase and Competition receives press coverage in media
outlets such as The Daily Commercial, The Orlando Sentinel, Lake Magazines, Social Media, as well as on Fashion Blogs.
This year we anticipate 300-400 guests. Sponsorships are available; VIP Tickets are $50, Floor Seating $35 and General
Admission $25.
Another important component to this event is the charitable aspect. Bella Faire will give back to the community, a
portion of funds raised will be donated to a not- for- profit organization which will assist with Senior Housing repairs.
Please review the sponsorship opportunities insert in this newsletter edition. We look forward to working with you to
ensure a mutually beneficial strategic partnership with your company. Contact Vonda R. Parker 352.254.0281
bellafaire@ymail.com or Colleen McGinley 352.343.2531 director@tavareschamber.com for more information.
Howlofest _______________________________________________________
from page 1
The ghoulish shenanigans continue at 4:30pm, Saturday, October 26 with Trunk or Treat from 4:30 to 7pm in
Downtown Tavares. Main Street will be converted into a gauntlet of hauntingly decorated vehicles with goodies for those
brave young souls who make the trip down the street.
Dress to impress, during Trunk or Treat, there will be a Costume Contest for the little ghosts, goblins, princesses and
superheroes. This year’s costume contest will be held in Wooton Park from 5 to 6pm. There will also be a Pet Costume
Contest for the furry K-9 critters of the area from 6 to 7pm.
The Haunted Hayride will operate Friday and Saturday from 7 to 11pm. Many more activities will be going on
throughout the Downtown Tavares area during the two-day festival, including the Scarecrow Creation Contest, Weiners on
the Waterfront and the selections of the best Halloween costumes.
For more information contact the Tavares Chamber of Commerce, 352 343-2531.
Page 6 Tavares Business Journal
Welcome New Members
Membership Renewals
CBA Associates. LLC
Jean Clarke
352-508-5733
BAAC, Inc.
Ron Oimoen
352-508-4770
Emmett Sapp Builders Inc.
Susan Sapp
352-748-1949
Billy and Yvonne Spikes
55+ Property Managers
352-383-2917
Learning Leaps Behavioral Services
Brooke Manion
352-508-5243
Blount Honda
Scott Stubbs
352-326-2688
Mark's Floors, LLC
Garla Compston
352-385-0303
Edward Jones
Rebecca Sargent
352-357-2282
PSI Composites
Philip Shearer
407-697-4787
HoneyBaked Ham
Donnie & Aubrey Covey
352-483-1776
St. Lukes Medical & Dental Clinic
Laurel Climo
352-602-4640
Lifestream Behavioral Center
Sherry Olszanski
352-315-7527
The Center for Digestive Care
Dorothy Smith
352-742-2050
Tiki Bar Crawler
Ryan Veraghen
352-636-0742
My Kids Stuff, LLC
Patricia Lybrand
407-782-4119
Sally Brackett Construction
Company
Gerald (Jerry) Brackett
352-343-5592
State Farm-Kim Varnadore
Kim Varnadore
352-343-5181
Steverson, Hamlin, and Hilbish
Matt Pierson
352-343-4444
Vann Gannaway Chevrolet
Chip Gannaway
352-343-2400
Waterman Village of Mount Dora
Chris Goudin
352-385-1126
Waterman Village of Mount Dora
Chris Goudin
352-385-1126
Central Florida Lake County Focus
with Ralph Smith
Wallace Fitness
Sine Wallace
352-537-9988
WLBE AM 790
Wednesdays 11 a.m. to Noon
Save the Date for the Taste of Tavares
TAVARES – Mark your calendars for
Tavares Chamber annual Taste of Tavares
scheduled for Thursday, November 14, 2013.
Tickets on sale now at the Chamber. The event
will include a competition for Best Appetizer, Best
Entrée, and Best Dessert, by Food Judges and
People’s Choice with prizes to be awarded in
each category.
2012 Taste of Tavares Winners:
Judges Choice:
People's Choice:
Best Appetizer
Tavares Middle School
Culinary Department
Best Appetizer
Tavares Middle School
Culinary Department
Best Entree'
Bob Evans
Best Entree'
Al's Dockside
Best Dessert
AnnaLee's Fudge
Best Dessert
AnnaLee's Fudge
Chamber Choice Award: Tasso "Cajun Kitchen"
Tavares Business Journal Page 7