CHAMBER NEWS

Wakulla Springs Lodge hosts Chamber luncheon

Chamber members in the food line at the luncheon at Wakulla Springs Lodge.

We always enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and staff at The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, and today was no exception. We packed the house with 93 guests enjoying baked ziti, salad, rolls and banana pudding.

Mary Wallace started the program by announcing our new members for June, July, and August: D’s Tile & Design, Coastal Gems Real Estate, Sea Tow Big Bend, St. Joe Natural Gas Company, Wakulla Storage, LLC, Cleaning Ovations, LLC, Labig’s Hardwood Flooring, NAI Talcor, Oyster Radio, Gypsy Rose Beach Boutique, SunBlest Gardens, White Rose Construction, LLC, Sleepy Bear Design Co., Forward Wellness, Medical AR Revenue Solutions, LLC, and 319 Nutrition.

Attending new members: Ron Copeland with Oyster Radio shared the station is now broadcasting at 100,000 watts, with coverage from Panama City throughout the Big Bend Region. Oyster Radio has some attractive advertising packages, so contact Ron for more information (850) 323-1391.

Melanie Van Wingerden, owner of SunBlest Gardens along with her husband Caleb, introduced her right hand, Kelsie Pace. Melanie shared their special event, High Tea Sept. 11th, presenting Seasonal Sensations of flowers, plants, teas, light foods & wonderful music that can be enjoyed on your stroll around the greenhouses after social fun games and high teatime.

Tickets are limited and available through their Facebook page. SunBlest Gardens will also have a Public Open House Oct. 1 and 2, so don’t miss out on strolling through the greenhouses for some fall plants at amazing prices.

Check their Facebook page for details.

Courtney Davis - Forward Wellness is a Nurse Practitioner owned and operated medical clinic specializing in direct primary care, medical weight loss, IV infusion therapy, and health coaching. Courtney will open her practice in early September, so please like her Facebook page for updates.

Announcements and introductions: We had the pleasure of introducing Samantha Kennedy, M.S.- County Extension Director - Family & Consumer Sciences Agent at UF/IFAS Extension Wakulla County. Samantha in turn introduced Khadejah Scott, Horticulture, Agriculture & Natural Resource agent for the extension office. Khadejah shared the Master Gardener 2022 Seed Library Kickoff 10 am -1 pm, Thursday, Aug. 25th at the extension office and our public library.

Rich Abrams -Sherlock Springs announced doubling his staff and introduced Kathy Walker, who will be doing additional marketing and interacting with the public. Sherlock Springs will be hosting a craft fair 10 am-3pm, Sept. 3, and is still looking for local craft vendors.

Margo Armistead – Salvation Army Tallahassee Corp, introduced the new Service Coordinator for the region, Kiara Randolph.

Elva Peppers – Florida Environmental and Land Services introduced Tim High, who owns a mobile audio and video recording business and can take care of your needs just about anywhere.

Michelle Braswell with One Blood, a blood and plasma center is looking forward to joining the Chamber and setting up blood drives in our community.

Sue Scott introduced Pastor Brian Bair with RCC Wakulla, a non-denominational church holding services at the Wakulla Community Center.

Jeanette Burdette, clinic manager at Shepherd Springs Animal Hospital visited us for the first time and introduced one of the technicians Megan Lefstead. Jeanette shared news about a Fall Festival Oct. 15th, organized by Cauzican Rescue, benefiting the homeless animals at Wakulla Animal Services, and the need for raffle items which can be dropped off at the animal shelter.

Petra Shuff added that Jeanette serves on the Paws of Wakulla Board of Directors with her, and the organization has sponsored the adoptions for 79 animals at Wakulla Animal Services in June and July and all adoptions through August. Paws of Wakulla also participated in a massive TNR for coastal community cats a couple of weekends ago, spaying, neutering, and vaccinating 147 free roaming cats.

Dr. Rachel Pienta reminded everyone of the Chamber’s Cyber Security workshop scheduled for Sept. 14, sponsored by Duke Energy. Reservations are taken by the chamber office. Lunch will be served. Rachel also shared the Wakulla 4-H open house on August 27.

Dolores King with CareerSource Capital Region attended for the first time. Dolores’ industries include IT, Professional Services, Government, Non-Profits, and education.

Nancy Floyd Richardson with The Wakulla News introduced new photographer Gerald Brown. Bibi Ramos with NWF Health Network shared news about a Christmas fundraiser for young adults who have lived in foster care and often live on their own while working and/or going to school. For more information on sponsoring the Independent Living Program’s Christmas drive, contact Bibi Ramos 850-631-1761, or the Chamber office.

As always, we appreciate the many donations to our drawing and thank the following businesses and individuals for their contribution: Guardian Public Adjusting; American Inspections; Golden Properties; Shepherd Spring Animal Hospital; Shepard Accounting & Tax Service; Revell Tractor Worx; Forward Wellness; Capital City Bank; Sand & Soul Designs; UF/IFAS Wakulla Extension; The Clothesline; House Savers; The Wakulla Sun; Barn’s Spirits; Oyster Radio; Smith Thompson, PA; Wakulla 4-H; English Financial; Florida Wild Mammal Association; Wakulla Feeding Wakulla; Puppy Purrs Dog Grooming; Logan Roofing; Urban Catalyst Consulting, Inc.; Sue’s Art Workshop; Rhonda Gantt – Coastwise Realty; Sherlock Springs; Mary Wallace – Capital City Home Loans, Petra Shuff.