President’s Message - Wakulla County...
Transcript of President’s Message - Wakulla County...
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Dear Valued Members:
Our Annual Business Excellence Awards are just around the
corner. This will be the 13th year the Chamber has been hosting
this outstanding event to show recognition to the businesses nominated and select-
ed by you, our membership. I know how much work goes into this event to make it
such a success and how important it is for business members to know they are ap-
preciated. Our membership works hard throughout the year to achieve greatness
and we look forward to celebrating that. We appreciate our Title Sponsor, Ameris
Bank who helps make this event possible.
On August 28th, members received an email from the Chamber announcing the
nomination process is open and encouraging each member to make sure the notice
gets out to business staff, organization members and all employees.
The nominations are how we learn about exceptional organizations, businesses,
professionals, retailers, tourism advocates, government, schools and volunteers.
You may make as many nominations as you want and you may nominate your own
business. There are lots of great businesses to choose from.
Keep in mind, nominations for the awards are limited to Chamber members in good
standing as of June 1, 2017. This year we are only accepting nominations submitted
electronically through the links included in the email mentioned above and again, we
encourage you to share that email so everyone under your membership has an
opportunity to participate in this process. Links can also be found on the chamber
website home page. It’s a privilege of membership to participate.
In addition to the recognition of current members, we also do a special recognition
of a Wakulla Area Business nominated by the public (any business in Wakulla), and
we also recognize some of the oldest businesses still in operation in Wakulla County.
We’re very proud of all our businesses and having an opportunity to look back at
who has had the longest lasting impact on Wakulla County is a great reminder that
this is an awesome community and it’s important to work together to continue to
make each business successful.
We hope you will come out on November 14 at Wakulla Springs Lodge when we
announce and celebrate the winners of the 2017 Business Excellence Awards.
Now, go nominate!
Wakul la Chamber and You: Partners For Success September 2017
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
OUR
PREMIER MEMBERS
President’s Message
https://www.ccbg.com/https://mb.my100bank.com/https://www.amerisbank.com/https://www.duke-energy.com/https://www.tcc.fl.edu/http://livelytech.com/https://www.tmh.org/http://www.esginc.net/https://www.tlfcu.org/https://www.gogulfwinds.com/?gclid=CPO72sW5g74CFewDOgodCRIAgghttps://www.primemeridianbank.com/http://www.centurylink.com/
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Introducing New Center Manager for
TCC Wakulla Center
The TCC Wakulla Center is excited to announce the hiring of a
new Center Manager and Staff Assistant to provide training,
education and career guidance referral services needed in
Wakulla County. Desiree Gorman, Center Manager, is a
Wakulla County native who graduated from Wakulla High and
has spent over 20 years in the workforce arena.
Atari Timmons-Ross, Staff Assistant, is also a Wakulla
native and graduate who left to pursue her academic
endeavors before returning to work in education first at
Florida State University and now with Tallahassee Community
College. The entire TCC Wakulla Center staff encourage anyone with questions related to
education, training either personal or for your business, to contact them at
(850) 558-3525 or via email at [email protected].
SAVE THE DATE FOR
NOVEMBER 14 AT
WAKULLA SPRINGS LODGE
mailto:[email protected]
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Networking Luncheon @ Wakulla Springs Lodge
Our August networking luncheon menu was advertised by Chef Reshard Plummer as a
something we do not want to miss and the secret menu
“Surprise Buffet Extraordinaire” was exactly that! We knew we
would not be disappointed but Chef Reshard totally hit it out of
the park, and chef, along with staff received a huge round of
applause! A double sided buffet of Prime Rib, Grilled Cajun
Lemon Shrimp, Butter Beans, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Rice Pilaf,
Steamed Vegetable Medley, Rolls, Pasta Salad, and Spring
Greens Salad definitely was more than any of us expected, and
did not leave any space on our plates for the scrumptious Key
Lime Pie, Cheese Cake and Pecan Pie desserts. Thank you to
Wakulla Springs Lodge and Staff for the hospitality and
wonderful service to our record breaking crowd of 116!
Leann Sbordone, event coordinator share a few details with us
and let us know that the
locally owned group, Wakulla Hospitality, will be
changing schedule for the fall, and offer the dining
room for rent Monday through Wednesday
beginning in November. If you are not familiar with
the lodge, several rooms of different sizes are
available for weddings, showers, or holiday parties.
If you celebrate at home, you may want to take
advantage of ordering cakes or pies for take- out.
New members for July and August were Taco Bell, Burlington Marketing & Services,
Southeastern Dermatology, Wakulla Investment Properties, and Patricia Akins – Aflac
Independent Representative.
Jim Lowe, founder of Hamaknockers BBQ, introduced himself as owner of Burlington
Marketing & Services, a local consulting group with decades of experience in the
hospitality industry. If you are in this industry, you may want to talk to him about his
“Six Steps to Guaranteed Success”. Patricia Akins shared that Aflac has some new value
added services, telephone medicine among them. Maria Lentz with Wakulla Investment
Properties shared that the building on Crawfordville Hwy is your one stop shop for real
estate, financial planning, marketing and technical support.
We always welcome our members bringing guests to these popular luncheons, which
gives us a chance to meet other business owners, and today was no exception.
Jeremy Anderson with Anderson & Givens P.A. introduced Phillip Browing with North
Florida Payroll; Samantha Morse brought Jessica Duncan- owner of Fun 4 Tally Kids, a
Tallahassee and surrounding area online calendar and directory; Rachel Pienta introduced
Kris Hebert with Kris T Designs - Marine & Home Upholstery Sewing & Quilting;
continued
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Mark Mitchell introduced Audrey Alessi , owner of A Weed Lady , who sells native plants,
vegetables & herbs in Panacea; Sheriff Miller introduced Jan Sanders – Financial Officer at
the Sheriff Department; RH Carter introduced new administrative assistant at the senior
center, Diane Rhodeback; and Paul Morgan was joined by Billy Grimes- fleet manager at
Superlube; and Macey Kirk with MyEyeDr introduced Mark Brown, District
Manager. Michelle Hayes with WTXL TV introduced Jason Shervey, who shared that
WTXL - TV not only reports news, but it also a source for website creation and digital mar-
keting. First time attendees were Chester Butler – President of Florida Green guide Asso-
ciation, Summer Hindle – Seminole Carpet Cleaning & Restoration, Susan Murphy and
Chelsey Hill - Community Training Works, Inc.
Our luncheons are also a good time to find out
about upcoming events, and Jo Ann Palmer en-
couraged everyone to sign up online for the
Coastal Cleanup. Mark Mitchell with Panacea
Waterfronts shared a new event for Panacea –
The 1st Panacea Oyster Shuck from 2-7 pm,
Saturday, October 8. As always St. Marks City
manager gave us plenty of notice for the annual St. Marks Stone Crab festival to be held
October 28th.
The monthly spotlight on Eden Spring Nursing & Rehab Facility
was delivered by Charlean Lanier: Eden Springs is a 114 bed
facility for long or short term care, rehabilitation and recovery
contracting with different insurance providers like Medicare,
Medicaid and CHP, along with other out of network providers. Eden
Springs offers three disciplines of therapy, including Physical,
Occupational and Speech Therapy. Eden Springs also offers
electrical stimulation, ultra sound, and diathermy, and deals with
stroke and cardiac patients, as well as knee, hip replacement,
shoulder, and lumbar rehabilitation.
The cash drawing was won by Fran Pybus, who will donate her
winnings of $116 to Big Bend Hospice.
Another highlight is the gift drawing, and we thank the following members for their
donations: Cook Insurance/Olympus Insurance Company, Petra Shuff, The Clothesline,
Keep Wakulla County Beautiful, Super-Lube, Wakulla Insurance Agency, Smith, Thomp-
son, Shaw, and Minacci& Colón, P.A., Prime Meridian bank, Eden Spring Nursing &
Rehabilitation facility, Morse Construction and Restoration Services, Magnuson Hotel,
The Wakulla News, Shepard Accounting & Tax Services, WTXL – TV, Capital Health Plan,
Wakulla Medical Center, Traci Cash, CPA, Ed Gardner, O.D., and Community Training
Works, Inc.
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2016 Business Excellence Awards Winner Spotlight
Sponsored by
Over this year, the chamber articles will be dedicated to the winners of our business excellence
awards. We’re taking advantage of showcasing this businesses and organizations to honor
their incredible dedication and commitment to our community. It’s difficult for me to condense
the outstanding work, accomplishments and information in a way to truly express the dedica-
tion and commitment by these winners, it is amazing what we may take for granted about
some of these outstanding businesses and they are all truly deserving of these awards.
When you look for the definition of a volunteer – they are short –as a noun: a person who
freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task –as a verb: freely offer to do
something - as my husband will tell you, all his volunteerism is voluntold. I tell people that
had such a demanding career I honestly never had or took time to volunteer. I’ve since
learned that it’s an awesome way to give back, stay involved and gain life experiences that
otherwise would have passed me by. Volunteers bring a wealth of skills, knowledge and
experience that cannot have a value placed on it. Volunteers make a tremendous difference in
the lives of so many people. They bring value to many businesses and organizations – so
much so that the us government says a volunteer is worth $23.07. Thank you to everyone
who volunteers.
I don’t believe the winner this year thinks of herself as a volunteer. I believe she just does
everything she does out of a passion for her community. Sherrie Posey Miller is involved in all
aspects of volunteer life in her home community as well as all of Wakulla county through her
involvement in the Wakulla County Chamber; Panacea Waterfronts Florida Partnership;
Tourism Development Council; Coastal Optimist Club and the Wakulla Welcome Center.
Sherrie strives to ensure the health and wellbeing of her community through helping to
organize the annual Rock-the-Dock fishing tournament which is the major fundraising effort for
which all proceeds go directly back into the community. Those funds have been used to match
the recent purchase and installation of new playground equipment at Woolley park, restoration
of the famous Panacea mural wall, a popular stopping point visitors, donations to various
non-profits and scholarships for local youth to participate in the Big Bend Maritime Center –
wooden boat building summer camp. She coordinates local restaurants to donate lunches
during the week of the camp. She advocated and has successfully secured through Duke
Energy the upcoming installation of much needed street lighting in Panacea. Through Panacea
Waterfronts she organizes the Christmas in Panacea festival and parade, which is open to
everyone and offers free hotdogs and fun activities. The parade is outstanding and crowds
enjoy lining the streets to watch for Santa and Mrs. Clause. Sherrie is dedicated to her
community and gives tirelessly to everything she is involved in – always thinking of news ways
to make life better. Sherrie and her family are long time business owners in Wakulla county.
Her family heritage in Wakulla county goes back many generations and this family has been
By JoAnn Palmer Volunteer of the Year
https://www.amerisbank.com/
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committed to the economic growth of Wakulla county with a passion that has seen them
through good times and not so good times.
Sherrie works the family catering business and serves this community in helping other
organizations such as NJROTC raise funds for their organization. She is also committed to
ensuring that the waterfronts history is preserved and that the welcome center volunteers
are trained and engaging with the thousands of visitors who travel through Wakulla coun-
ty. She coordinates the volunteer schedule and ensures the facility has interesting and
informative displays to show the visitors the many talents of local artists and as an exam-
ple, the Working Waterfronts Historic Photo Project showcasing local fisherman. You will
not find a more committed volunteer for citizens for Wakulla county. Sherrie is also very
humble and does these and many more things solely for the greater good of the commu-
nity.
Congratulations Sherrie Miller – our 2016 Volunteer of The Year.
Welcome New Members
Welcome Jim Lowe - Burlington Marketing & Services, specializing in marketing &
services focused on the hospitality industry
850.544.0994 [email protected]
Welcome David F Harvey - Wakulla Investment Properties, specializing in Real
Estate
2931 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville 850.926.9090
Welcome Karen Corbin - Southeastern Dermatology, specializing in full service
surgical, medical, and cosmetic dermatology
2887 Crawfordville Hwy., # 4, Crawfordville 850.422.3376
http://www.sederm.us/
Welcome Patricia Akins - Aflac Independent Representative, specializing in
supplemental insurance
850.320.1417 [email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.sederm.us/mailto:[email protected]
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2016
Business Excellence
Award Winners
Sponsored by
Retail
The Little Black Dress
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Professional Service
Hydra Engineering & Construction LLC
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Service Business
Talquin Electric Cooperative
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Hospitality & Tourism
Shields Marina, Inc.
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Non - Profit
Florida Wild Mammal Assoc.
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Green Business
Bay Leaf Market
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Government & Schools
City of St. Marks
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President’s Choice
Walter (Wally) Dodson
Presented Posthumously
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Volunteer
Sherrie Miller
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Wakulla Area Business
Kent’s Property Preservation, LLC
Ribbon Cuttings
Born to Sparkle, LLC
Born to Sparkle Pageants & Parties opened in April 2017 as a Consignment and
Resale shop for Prom, Pageant, Wedding, and Dance Competition Wear. The owner,
Wendy Brown, saw a need in the
community for formal dress and
glam wear, but the vision goes
beyond that. The ribbon-cutting
ceremony was held on August
15th to introduce the community to
a beautifully redone party and pag-
eant themed store destined to be
the new party destination for prin-
cesses of all ages.
In the past year, Wendy has
planned and directed six beauty
pageants in the community and
three of those were benefit pageants. The first pageant benefitted Operation Santa
and crowned nine beautiful girls. The girls who participated also raised over $1300 for
local children living in poverty. The second pageant was even more successful raising
a total of $3900 for Paws of Wakulla.
The girls learn necessary life skills such as public speaking, self-confidence, interview
skills, self-awareness, volunteerism, and what true friendship looks like. Wendy and
her daughter Mackenzie are both coaching and directing each pageant with the help of
friends who also enjoy what pageants can offer young ladies. Wendy coaches the
inner girl with her experience from years as a pageant girl, soccer coach, and social
worker. Inner beauty is just as important as outer beauty. Mackenzie teaches the girls
how to walk on stage in beauty and sportswear competition. Both mother and
daughter are interview coaches and teach important public speaking skills.
Born To Sparkle is not only a pageant and party shop but a safe-haven for girls who
want to become all they were born to be.
Please consider signing up for the next benefit pageant to be held on October 7,
2017. All proceeds will benefit Chloe Brooke Shields, 12 years old, who was diagnosed
with a debilitating childhood illness called Sanfilippo disease. Her mother works very
hard to care for her and Wakulla County has been their home all her life. We are
shooting for a goal of $4000 to buy her family of four annual passes to Disney World.
Chloe’s mom wants to make as memories with her daughter in the time she has.
Please visit Born To Sparkle at 1616 Crawfordville Highway Suite B. The store is
currently offering 25% off all new gowns and will have layaway at 30% down for up to
90 days. Schedule your next princess birthday, baby shower, or tea party by
calling (850) 228-8305. Ask for Wendy
https://www.amerisbank.com/tel:(850)%20228-8305