2006Community
Trustees
Amber Electric, Inc.a subsidiary of IES
BankFIRST
Castle & Cooke
DeWitt Excavating
First CommercialBank of Florida
Glatting JacksonKercher Anglin Lopez
Rinehart, Inc.
GrayRobinson, P.A.
Health Central
Lowndes DrosdickDoster Kantor & Reed,
P.A.
Manheim’sFlorida Auto
Auction of OrlandoMcCree Incorporated
The MiddlesexCompanies
Miller, South &Milhausen, P.A.
Progress Energy
Signature GMACReal Estate
Sprint
SunTrust Bank
Veranda Partners
Walt Disney WorldCompany
West Oaks Mall
March 2006
Committee Corner Stina D’Uva, President
Community Champions are all around us and in each of our communities. For the pastfour years, the West Orange Chamber of Commerce has asked our communities to look around forlocal heroes and tell us about them. This year, they did, many times over. Nearly 30 people fromMetroWest to Oakland were nominated by their peers to be a winner of the Community Championaward for 2005.
In fact, each of the nominees is a winner because they give without thought of recognitionor accolades. However, the Selection Committee, made up of volunteers, narrowed down the listto one person from each community. The winners were honored at the Community Champions’Gala sponsored by DeWitt Excavating and Progress Energy along with Ace Hardware, TreasureTitle Insurance Services and Ron W. Sikes, PPLC. With nearly 300 attendees looking on, KarenO’Brien of Dr. Phillips, Telethe Wery of Gotha, Betty Wade of Oakland, Joseph Hembrooke ofOcoee, Renee Ennis of MetroWest, Gwendolyn Parrish of Unincorporated Orange County, JesseGreen of Windermere and Betty Heidt Goodwin of Winter Garden were honored. They attendedthe event courtesy of Paul McGarigal – The Real Estate Coach, Re/Max Southwest Properties andDurek Enterprises.
The festivities did not end there. Distinguished Chamber members received special no-tice as well. Linda Pelligrini of Pelligrini Homes was honored with the Athena Award; VerandaPartners earned the Member of the Year award, Dianne Southwell of Plaudits! and Bob Hennen ofKeene’s Pointe were both recognized with the Chairman’s Award and Walter Toole of Ace Hard-ware with the Sam Hovsepian Award. The evening of recognition continued on with RichardIrwin earning the Bert Roper Award, Jack Amon and Jim Thomas walked away with the GeorgeBailey Award, and the West Orange Junior Service League received the Jerry Chicone Award.Last but not least, Pat Gleason was awarded 2005 Ambassador of the Year Award.
It is with heart felt thanks to all who attended, contributed and helped to make our Com-munity Champions’ Gala a success. You are all Champions!
Chairman’s Message
Pam Gould, 2006 Chamber ChairmanHealth Central Foundation
am·bas·sa·dorFunction: noun1 : an official envoy; especially : a diplomatic agent of the highest rank.
This definition of ambassador from the Merriam-Webster dictionary completely describes theesteemed collection of individuals fulfilling the Ambassadorial posts of the West Orange Chamber.Each and every individual has been selected because they conduct themselves in the highestprofessional manner and represent the chamber exceptionally well each and every time they puton their red jacket. We have all seen their pictures in the papers providing focus and recogniton tothe milestones of our members. Please thank them the next time you see them and remember tocall Vicki at the Chamber to schedule a ribbon cutting, grand opening, or milestone anniversary.The red jackets will appear to help highlight your business.
West OrangeChamber
Ambassadors
Joan Bailey
Kay Behrens
Bob Buchanan
Carol Cross
Dorcas Dillard
Nicole Farquharson
Ron Garrison
Pat Gleason
Ruth Grafton
Jimmie Hargrove
Chesta Hembrooke
Donna Leigaber
Anette Luck
Linda Osterberg
Rev. TomRutherford
Dianne Southwell
Lenny Stark
Lori Tyson
Jerry VanDyke
Debbi Vineyard
Marie Williams
Chamber Members Doing Businesswith Chambers Members
Last month, we focused on Chamber member physicians. This month we arecontinuing our focus on health and ways to improve our bodies.
Cosmetic Procedures – Laser TreatmentBreeze Laser Center, Inc.Inaara Medspa of Orlando
Laser Skin Rejuvenation of Orlando
Day SpaAcqua – A unique day spaThe Lakota Medical Spa
DentistBR Dental
Carlos R. Colon-Bengoa, D.D.S., P.A.Creative Dental
Dr. Javier Martinez, DDS MSLisa M. Peters, DMD, - Family and Cosmetic
MetroWest Family DentistryPranati S. Chockshi DMD, P.A.
Robert H. Foster, D.D.S., M.A.G.D.
Dentist – OrthodontistW. K. Fravel, D.M.D., P.A.
Robert T. Ogden, D.D.S.Robert S. Goldie, DMD, PA
Dentist – Cosmetic and FamilyRay O. Ball, Jr., DDS
Starbase Dental
Fitness CenterContours Express MetroWest
Curves – OcoeeCurves – Summerport
Curves- Winter GardenLadies Workout Express of Central Florida
The Fitness Studio of OrlandoZero Gravity
Health & Nutrition ProductsNature Works
Health and WellnessRELIV International
Health Care Home ServicesThe Ultimate In-Home Care Services Inc.
Health Care RehabilitationEleos
Home Health CareAbsolute Home Healthcare
Care America, HHC
Karate Fitness CenterAll American Karate Academy
Medical Imaging – MRIWestcoast Open MRI
Organizations – Health (Non-Profit)American Cancer Society
Florida’s Blood Centers, Inc.Health Alliance Family Care Center
Heath Central Foundation
PharmaciesAxium Healthcare Pharmacy, Inc.
The Medicine Shoppe
Physicians Oral SurgeonsHector L. Briceno, D. M.D.
Skin Care ProductsKara Vita
Skin Care SalonSkin and Body Solutions
Tanning Salon/Massage TherapyContemporary Tanning & Massage
Health Central FoundationOne of the signature programs the Health Central Foundation supports is the
School Nurse Program. The program places Registered Nurses in 32 schools withinthe Orange County Public School (OCPS) West Learning community. Nurses see onaverage 3.66 children per minute during the school day. Clinic visits are for the scrapes,tummy aches, fevers, splinters; but many are children with chronic problems such asheart conditions, diabetes, asthma and Cystic Fibrosis. These children would not beable to attend school without the nurse’s care or parents would spend their day goingback and forth to provide medicine and on-going care.
The success of Health Central’s School Nurse program, one of the program’s of the Foundation,is the partnership between Health Central, OCPS, Parents, Corporations and Organizations that recognizethe absolute need of having a full time Registered Nurse on the school campuses. OCPS paysapproximately 47% of the $28,000 per school required to pay for this service. Each year Health CentralFoundation, with its partners, operates a community-wide campaign to cover the $15,000 per school thatis required to come from fundraising efforts.
If you or your business is interested in helping to fund your local school, please contact PaulinaWolfe, Annual Fund Manager at 407-296-1837
AMBASSADOR ACCOLADES & ANTICS
The Ambassadors have recently participated in thefollowing events:
Ribbon CuttingsTino’s Cuban Food
1021 S. Dillard Street, Winter Garden
Bay Hill Area Law Group6100 – 3 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando
Labor Finders129 W. McKey Street, Ocoee
Luck Realty13360 W. Colonial Drive, Suite 470, Winter Garden
Fast Signs7154 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Anniversary Celebrations CastleStone (15th)
1611 Alden Road, Orlando
Total Woman Healthcare (1st)885 Sedalia Street, Suite 100, Ocoee
NEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSNEW MEMBERSARTISTSue Thompson(407) 538-2931
CELLULAR TELEPHONESYakety Yak WirelessMark Nonsant(407) 574-5735www.yaketyyakocoee.com
COMMERCIAL FUNDINGZions Small Business FinanceVince LoPresti(407) 667-3515
CONSTRUCTION - DRYWALLCONTRACTOR - COMMERCIALAllstar Drywall & TexturingTimothy Hembrooke(407) 297-9190
CREDIT UNIONCentral Florida Educators FederalCredit UnionTerry Brinkman(407) 896-9411www.mycfe.com
FINANCIAL ADVISORSJenem Associates, Inc.Jennifer Pola(321) 293-0650
HVAC/REFRIGERATION SERVICECold-Zone RefrigerationSebastian Moore(407) 654-9010
INSURANCEKraft InsuranceAllen Trammell(407) 647-7901www.kraftinsurance.com
Mishler Insurance & FinancialServices, LLCMatt Mishler(407) 895-2707www.allstate.com/075445
JANITORIAL SERVICESTad Services, Inc.Ramona Davanzo(407) 862-1406www.tadsvces.com
JUNK REMOVAL1-800-GOT-JUNKBrian Fultz(407) 248-9444www.1800gotjunk.com
MORTGAGE LOANSResource MortgageWesley Bal(407) 694-9803www.stonewoodmortgage.com
PERSONAL CHEFLet’s Eat!Deborah Westbrook(407) 345-0645
REAL ESTATEBella CollinaSteve McHenry(407) 731-7777
Reeta Casey & AssociatesDebbie Staley(407) 352-7774www.reetacasey.com
Stirling - Sotheby’s Int’l RealtyLaura Angelone(407) 256-3208
RESTAURANTSPenguin’s Paradise Dessert BarArthur Padoan(352) 243-7399
Congratulations Members of the Month!!
December 2005 – Rob Maphis, James A. CummingsGeneral Contractors - for PowerPoint presentationand assisting with Jewels of Our Schools program.
January 2006 – Nick D’Uva, High Line, Inc. – forhelping setup and breakdown at all major Chamberevents.
Best Fest has a New Home at Veranda Park,MetroWest
Don’t be left out of the party. West Orange County’s mostanticipated Food Tasting and Business Expo is returning and at anew location. Best Fest will be held on Thursday, May 11, 5:30-8:30 pm under tents, on the brick paved streets of Veranda Park,rain or shine.
Best Fest will feature the top restaurants and businesses form the West Orange area. Don’t miss the opportunityto have your business and or culinary delights showcased to the community. Over 400 prospective guests andclients are expected to attend. Reserve your booth now and be included in what has proven to be an incredibleadvertising vehicle.
Package includes one (two for Food and Beverage Exhibitor) 8’ x 8’ space with a table, (two tables for food/beverage exhibitors) two chairs and an ID sign. Table includes black linen.
Member Rates:Food and Beverage exhibitor No Cost(Must provide food/beverage samples)Non food/beverage exhibitor $300.00Non-profit Organization $175.00
For more information on what it takes to participate in West Orange County’s Best Fest,Please call the the Chamber or e-mail [email protected]
American Cancer Society – Relay for Life
Once again the Chamber is putting together a teamfor Relay for Life. This year, we are participatingin the Dr. Phillips High Relay on Friday andSaturday, April 7th and 8th. We need teammatesand donations. Call the Chamber to help with thisgreat community effort.
Small Business Loans Available
The Alliance Business Resource Center recentlyannounced the launch of the Walt Disney Micro LoanProgram which will provide micro loans ranging from$15,000 to $50,000 to local small businesses which arecertified by a local or state authority as being majorityowned and operated by a minority or womanentrepreneur(s). For more information contact theAlliance at 407-428-5860 or visit their web site atwww.allianceflorida.com.
RENEWED MEMBERSRENEWED MEMBERSRENEWED MEMBERSRENEWED MEMBERSRENEWED MEMBERS
ADVERTISINGTen United
APARTMENTSCountry Gardens
ASSOCIATEBetty Ervine
BOTTLED WATER SUPPLIERCrystal Springs
BUILDERS/CONTRACTORS/DEVELOPERSM I Homes of Orlando, LLC
CHIROPRACTORSRose Healthcare Center
CITIES & TOWNSCity of Orlando
DENTISTLisa M. Peters, DMD,
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
Robert H. Foster, D.D.S., M.A.G.D.
ELECTED OFFICIALSOrange County Comptroller
FENCE CONSTRUCTIONIron Gate Fence
FINANCIAL PLANNINGMorgan Stanley
FINANCIAL SERVICESEdward Jones Investments
LANDSCAPEU.S. Lawns of Orlando
LAWN CARERiddick’s Lawn Service
MORTGAGE LOANSProfessional Team, Inc./Realty Executives
NEWSPAPERSOrlando Business Journal
ORGANIZATIONS - NON-PROFITHenry Nehrling Society
Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, Inc.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING DISTRIBUTORFlorida Outdoor Lighting Distributors
PEST CONTROLHome Team Pest Defense
PHOTOGRAPHYPortraits by LaVerne
REAL ESTATE - ASSOCIATESRosalie Mocsary - Main Street Realtors
RESTAURANTSSubway - W. Colonial
SCHOOLSCitrus Elementary
Eagle’s Nest Elementary
Ocoee Middle School
Westridge Middle School
Windermere Elementary School
SHOPPING CENTER DEVELOPER -COMMERCIAL
Grand Oaks Village, LLC
TELEPHONE COMPANIESBellSouth
TRAVEL AGENCIES-CRUISESCruise Planners
TROPHIES AND AWARDSTrophies Unlimited
UTILITIES - ELECTRICProgress Energy
WRECKER SERVICESly’s Towing & Recovery
A special thank you to LaVerne Whiteof Portraits by LaVerne, for takingphotos at the 2006 CommunityChampion’s Gala.
Let’s Eat, a new Chamber member,was featured on the cover of theOrlando Sentinel’s Good Living sectionon February 1, 2006. The topic wasFast Foods – Imagine cooking in astore that provides the recipes andingredients, does all the prep work andcleans-up after you’re done!
Lorena Haynes, a Massage TherapyInstructor at Westside TechnicalCenter, has been appointed to theState Massage Therapy Board byGovernor Bush.
Body & Soul, a fitness center locatedat 2584 S. Maguire Road in Ocoee, haschanged its name to Zero Gravity.
Winter Garden Pizza Company onDillard Street has expanded their diningroom to a seating capacity of 96.
The Subway restaurant chain recentlyopened its 25,000th location worldwide.The milestone was reached with theopening of 17 new locations including2468 S. Maguire Road in Ocoee.Congratulations to owners John andGayle Pryor!
Discover Magazine – Keep an eye outfor “DISCOVER, the Chamber’s 2006Community Profile & BusinessDirectory:” They should be sent out toyou by the beginning of April.
Olympia HS PTSA students will beworking with Paint Rally for NewOrleans Public Schools to paint manyof the schools damaged by HurricaneKatrina. The students need donationsto make the March 10th trip possible.Email Takumi Sato at OHS to [email protected]
Chip Weddington of First PaymentSystems was named Allied Member ofthe Month by the Central Florida Hotel& Lodging Association.
CHAMBER CHATTER
CAPITOL CONNECTION
Our Governmental Affairs committee has been planningour annual 5 Chamber trip to Tallahassee. This is a greatway to see our capitol and visit with our elected repre-sentatives, one on one. The trip is sponsored by UCF,
Sprint, Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Universal Orlando, and WasteManagement. For details on this inexpensive, 2 day trip, on March 28 &29, contact us at 407-656-1304.
Presorted StandardU.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 257
Winter Garden, FL
2006Supporting
Trustees
Alarie DesignAssociates
AmSouth Bank
Durek Enterprises
Dyer, Riddle, Mills& Precourt, Inc.
Johnson-LauxConstruction, LLC
Park Square Homes
Shutts & Bowen LLP
Step2Techknowledgies
The Robins &Morton Group
The SemblerCompany
Universal Orlando
Waste Management,Inc. of Florida
West Orange Chamber of Commerce12184 W. Colonial DriveWinter Garden, FL 34787Ph: (407) 656-1304 Fax: (407) 656-0224Web site: www.wochamber.com
MARCH
8th, WednesdayHot Topic Session
“Using Quickbooks to Makeyour Business Work for You”
Chamber Office8:00am – 9:00am
Cost: Free
9th, Thursday Business After Hours
Location: Steak and Ale5:30pm – 7:00pm
Cost: Free
24th, FridayNew Member Orientation
Sponsored by Legacy Financial AdvisorsChamber Office
8:00am – 9:00am or12:00pm – 1:00pm
Cost: Free
28th/29th Tues/WedCapitol Connection –Trip to Tallahassee
Sponsored by: Dyer, Riddle,Mills & Precourt & Universal Orlando
Call Chamber for Details
APRIL
12th, WednesdayHot Topic Session
Chamber Office8:00am – 9:00am
Cost: Free
21st, FridayOBJ Growth Report Luncheon
Doubletree Hotel 11:30am – 1:30pm
Cost: TBA
26th, WednesdayAdministrative Professional’s Day
Luncheon & Fashion ShowSponsored by: AmSouth Bank,
Fashions by Dillard’s of West Oaks MallStonewood Tavern & Grill
11:30am-1:30pmCost TBA
27th, Thursday Business After Hours
Location: Keene’s Pointe5:30pm – 7:00pm
Cost: Free
28th, FridayNew Member Orientation
Chamber Office8:00am – 9:00am or12:00pm – 1:00pm
Cost: Free