MEMBER MICRONEWS

      Prior to his tenure at Community Southern Bank, Mr. Loftin held positions as area executive for Polk County at BB&T and Colonial Bank, chief operating officer at Citrus and Chemical Bank, senior VP for commercial lending at Platinum Bank as well as stints at Bay Area Capital of Florida and Barnett Bank. He brings more than 35 years of banking and management experience to Citizens Bank & Trust.
      Mr. Loftin has also served on the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and Polk Vision Board of Directors, as well as being affiliated with other important civic organizations such as the Salvation Army.
      Citizens Bank and Trust, founded in 1920 in Frostproof, Florida, is a full service financial institution providing personal and commercial banking deposit and loan products, along with Trust and Investment services. Branches are located in Auburndale, Bartow, Dundee, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Wales, Lakeland and Winter Haven. For more information on Citizens Bank and Trust visit www.citizens-bank.com.

SUPER-LUBE DISCOUNT
SUPER-LUBE is offering great discount: $7.00 off any full service oil change. Not valid with other oil change offers, expires 2-16-15. Find out more at www.superlube.com or check out Super-Lube's facebook page.

Bartow Garden Club's Flower & Plant
Extravaganza At Bloomin' Arts Mar. 7, 8
     The Bartow Garden Club is presenting a Flower & Plant Extravaganza in conjunction with the Bartow Bloomin' Arts Show at 180 South Central Avenue at the Main Street Bartow, Inc. office, it was announced.
Dates and Times:
Saturday, March 7th 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, March 8th 10:00am-4:00pm
      Winners of the flower and plant show will be selected by popular vote from the public. The Garden Club will be selling Caladium Bulbs and a chance to win a special potted plant. The Union Academy Intermediate youth Garden Club will have a table of sale items made by the students, available.

COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE perfect for small business client consultation and/or satellite office space in Polk County's county seat. Minutes from the courthouse and county administration buildings. The 40-600 square foot move in ready space is located at 1480 N. Broadway Ave., Suite C in Bartow. Rental rates $450-$650 per month. Interested parties should call (863) 559-3180 or (863) 559-0101.

SERVING UP SUCCESS – 10 HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL RESTAURANTS
The seminar will be held on February 27th, from 8AM to 9:30AM, and is completely a complimentary training; however, an RSVP is required to reserve your seat. The event will be hosted at the Main Street Bartow, Inc. office at 180 Central Avenue. Check-in will begin at 7:30AM. This session is open to owners or managers in the Bartow area. All participating restaurants will receive a complimentary site visit and one-on-one coaching session, courtesy of Main Street Bartow, Inc. and Service With Style Hospitality Group. To RSVP, contact the Main Street Office at 863-519-0508 or lsimpson@mainstreetbartowfl.com.
POST OFFICE BOX 1351 ● BARTOW, FLORIDA 33831-1351 ●PHONE: 863-519-0508 ● FAX: 863-519-0509.

Bloomin' Arts Quilt Show Accepting Entries
The Bloomin’ Arts Quilt Show, sponsored by CenterState Bank, is a non-juried display open to all levels of quilter expertise. The Committee is always pleased to show new quilts or family heirlooms and welcome your entries. Entries are due by March 1st. This year the Committee will have a drawing for a quilt created by the Arts Ensemble Eloise Quilting Ladies. To request an application or for more information, please contact Kat Chinault at BBAQuilts@Gmail.com or 863-535-5088.

2015 Carillon Classic 5K Run and Walk
     Laying out a new 5K course and bringing additional corporate sponsors on board are among the top priorities of the committee in charge of the 2015 Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk, a charity fundraiser of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA).
     Now in its fourth year, the Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk is set for Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. All proceeds will go to the George W. Harris, Jr. Runaway & Youth Crisis Shelter in Bartow and the FPRA chapter’s scholarship and professional development activities.www.fprapolk.org/calendar-page/carillon-classic-5k-runwalk/
     Information on the 2015 Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk, including corporate sponsorships, is available by calling Soderstrom at 863-838-9762 (cell) or by sending an e-mail to her at marybeth.soderstrom@careersourcepolk.com.
     The Dick Pope/Polk County chapter meets at 8:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at the Cleveland Heights Golf & Country Club. Meetings are open to the public with advance reservations and a breakfast fee required. For meeting reservations, visit the website at www.fprapolk.org/home or contact Jessica Lawson by calling 863-577-4607 or sending an e-mail to jlawson@spcaflorida.org.

Polk County Nonprofits and Small Businesses Invited to
 Apply for Free PR Expertise Under FPRA’s “ER for PR”
     Polk County-based nonprofits and small businesses now have the opportunity to apply for free professional public relations  expertise under a new community service project of the Dick Pope/Polk County chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) called “ER for PR.”
     Owners of independently owned small businesses with 25 or fewer employees and nonprofit organizations can start the process by visiting and filling out an application listing their specific PR needs. All applications must be submitted  online by 12:00 noon on March 11, 2015.
     “ER for PR” will give applicants an opportunity to tap the expertise of public  relations professionals, who are members of the FPRA chapter, in these areas:
Public awareness (educate the public or solve a problem of public concern)
Crisis communications planning
     Public information (inform or influence target audiences through the media)
Promotional (promote, publicize, introduce or create identity for a product,  service or idea)
Internal (communicate internally, i.e.: employees, volunteers or members)
Other public relations needs
     “Our FPRA chapter believes in giving back to the communities where our  members live, work and play. ‘ER for PR’ gives our members the opportunity to use their skills to teach nonprofits and small businesses how to professionally create and  implement public relations programs to generate more awareness and solve particular problems,” said Brad Ruhmann, program chair.
      Ruhmann said all applications submitted by the March 11 deadline will be  reviewed and evaluated by a panel of FPRA members with proven track records of  success in applying their PR skills to every sector of the economy, including small  businesses, nonprofits, corporations, financial, retail, advertising/PR agencies, healthcare, education, tourism and government.
     “Our goal is to help as many organizations as possible. However, depending on the number of applications we receive, it is possible that we may not be able to provide one-on-one service for every applicant,” Ruhmann said.
Named in honor of Cypress Gardens' founder Dick Pope, Sr., the 60-member Dick Pope/Polk County chapter is one of 15 chapters of Sarasota-based FPRA, the nation’s oldest public relations professional organization. Statewide, FPRA provides professional  development, networking and recognition opportunities for more than 1,500 public  relations practitioners. For information on the state organization, go to www.fpra.org on the web.
    The Dick Pope/Polk County FPRA chapter offers professional development  meetings that are open to the public on the third Wednesday of every month. For meeting and other information, visit the chapter website at www.fprapolk.org/home or contact Merissa Green at 863-837-5101 or mgreen@auburndalefl.com.

Watson Clinic Foundation's
Colon Cancer Awareness Luncheon
Venue Peggy Brown Building in Downtown Lakeland
Address 215 South Lake Ave. Lakeland, Florida 33801
Date 3/6/2015
Time 11:30 am
Join the Watson Clinic Foundation for a special lunch and learn program designed for both men and women to learn more:
    Colon Cancer Overview
    Recommended Screenings
    Genetics & Risk Factors
    Latest Treatment Options
    Minimally invasive Surgery
    Interactive Q & A Session with Medical Experts from Watson Clinic
The luncheon is free but seating is limited, guests must RSVP as lunch is provided. Please RSVP by Friday, February 27, 2015 to 863-802-6220.


MEMBER MICRONEWS Prior to his tenure at Community Southern Bank, Mr. Loftin held positions as area executive for Polk County at BB&T and Colonial Bank, chief operating officer at Citrus and Chemical Bank, senior VP for commercial lending at Platinum Bank as well as stints at Bay Area Capital of Florida and Barnett Bank. He brings more than 35 years of banking and management experience to Citizens Bank & Trust. Mr. Loftin has also served on the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce and Polk Vision Board of Directors, as well as being affiliated with other important civic organizations such as the Salvation Army. Citizens Bank and Trust, founded in 1920 in Frostproof, Florida, is a full service financial institution providing personal and commercial banking deposit and loan products, along with Trust and Investment services. Branches are located in Auburndale, Bartow, Dundee, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Wales, Lakeland and Winter Haven. For more information on Citizens Bank and Trust visit www.citizens-bank.com. SUPER-LUBE DISCOUNT SUPER-LUBE is offering great discount: $7.00 off any full service oil change. Not valid with other oil change offers, expires 2-16-15. Find out more at www.superlube.com or check out Super-Lube's facebook page. Bartow Garden Club's Flower & Plant Extravaganza At Bloomin' Arts Mar. 7, 8 The Bartow Garden Club is presenting a Flower & Plant Extravaganza in conjunction with the Bartow Bloomin' Arts Show at 180 South Central Avenue at the Main Street Bartow, Inc. office, it was announced. Dates and Times: Saturday, March 7th 9:00am-5:00pm Sunday, March 8th 10:00am-4:00pm Winners of the flower and plant show will be selected by popular vote from the public. The Garden Club will be selling Caladium Bulbs and a chance to win a special potted plant. The Union Academy Intermediate youth Garden Club will have a table of sale items made by the students, available. COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE perfect for small business client consultation and/or satellite office space in Polk County's county seat. Minutes from the courthouse and county administration buildings. The 40-600 square foot move in ready space is located at 1480 N. Broadway Ave., Suite C in Bartow. Rental rates $450-$650 per month. Interested parties should call (863) 559-3180 or (863) 559-0101. SERVING UP SUCCESS – 10 HABITS OF SUCCESSFUL RESTAURANTS The seminar will be held on February 27th, from 8AM to 9:30AM, and is completely a complimentary training; however, an RSVP is required to reserve your seat. The event will be hosted at the Main Street Bartow, Inc. office at 180 Central Avenue. Check-in will begin at 7:30AM. This session is open to owners or managers in the Bartow area. All participating restaurants will receive a complimentary site visit and one-on-one coaching session, courtesy of Main Street Bartow, Inc. and Service With Style Hospitality Group. To RSVP, contact the Main Street Office at 863-519-0508 or lsimpson@mainstreetbartowfl.com. POST OFFICE BOX 1351 ● BARTOW, FLORIDA 33831-1351 ●PHONE: 863-519-0508 ● FAX: 863-519-0509. Bloomin' Arts Quilt Show Accepting Entries The Bloomin’ Arts Quilt Show, sponsored by CenterState Bank, is a non-juried display open to all levels of quilter expertise. The Committee is always pleased to show new quilts or family heirlooms and welcome your entries. Entries are due by March 1st. This year the Committee will have a drawing for a quilt created by the Arts Ensemble Eloise Quilting Ladies. To request an application or for more information, please contact Kat Chinault at BBAQuilts@Gmail.com or 863-535-5088. 2015 Carillon Classic 5K Run and Walk Laying out a new 5K course and bringing additional corporate sponsors on board are among the top priorities of the committee in charge of the 2015 Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk, a charity fundraiser of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). Now in its fourth year, the Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk is set for Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. All proceeds will go to the George W. Harris, Jr. Runaway & Youth Crisis Shelter in Bartow and the FPRA chapter’s scholarship and professional development activities.www.fprapolk.org/calendar-page/carillon-classic-5k-runwalk/ Information on the 2015 Carillon Classic 5K Run & Walk, including corporate sponsorships, is available by calling Soderstrom at 863-838-9762 (cell) or by sending an e-mail to her at marybeth.soderstrom@careersourcepolk.com. The Dick Pope/Polk County chapter meets at 8:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at the Cleveland Heights Golf & Country Club. Meetings are open to the public with advance reservations and a breakfast fee required. For meeting reservations, visit the website at www.fprapolk.org/home or contact Jessica Lawson by calling 863-577-4607 or sending an e-mail to jlawson@spcaflorida.org. Polk County Nonprofits and Small Businesses Invited to  Apply for Free PR Expertise Under FPRA’s “ER for PR” Polk County-based nonprofits and small businesses now have the opportunity to apply for free professional public relations  expertise under a new community service project of the Dick Pope/Polk County chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) called “ER for PR.” Owners of independently owned small businesses with 25 or fewer employees and nonprofit organizations can start the process by visiting and filling out an application listing their specific PR needs. All applications must be submitted  online by 12:00 noon on March 11, 2015. “ER for PR” will give applicants an opportunity to tap the expertise of public  relations professionals, who are members of the FPRA chapter, in these areas: Public awareness (educate the public or solve a problem of public concern) Crisis communications planning Public information (inform or influence target audiences through the media) Promotional (promote, publicize, introduce or create identity for a product,  service or idea) Internal (communicate internally, i.e.: employees, volunteers or members) Other public relations needs “Our FPRA chapter believes in giving back to the communities where our  members live, work and play. ‘ER for PR’ gives our members the opportunity to use their skills to teach nonprofits and small businesses how to professionally create and  implement public relations programs to generate more awareness and solve particular problems,” said Brad Ruhmann, program chair. Ruhmann said all applications submitted by the March 11 deadline will be  reviewed and evaluated by a panel of FPRA members with proven track records of  success in applying their PR skills to every sector of the economy, including small  businesses, nonprofits, corporations, financial, retail, advertising/PR agencies, healthcare, education, tourism and government. “Our goal is to help as many organizations as possible. However, depending on the number of applications we receive, it is possible that we may not be able to provide one-on-one service for every applicant,” Ruhmann said. Named in honor of Cypress Gardens' founder Dick Pope, Sr., the 60-member Dick Pope/Polk County chapter is one of 15 chapters of Sarasota-based FPRA, the nation’s oldest public relations professional organization. Statewide, FPRA provides professional  development, networking and recognition opportunities for more than 1,500 public  relations practitioners. For information on the state organization, go to www.fpra.org on the web. The Dick Pope/Polk County FPRA chapter offers professional development  meetings that are open to the public on the third Wednesday of every month. For meeting and other information, visit the chapter website at www.fprapolk.org/home or contact Merissa Green at 863-837-5101 or mgreen@auburndalefl.com. Watson Clinic Foundation's Colon Cancer Awareness Luncheon Venue Peggy Brown Building in Downtown Lakeland Address 215 South Lake Ave. Lakeland, Florida 33801 Date 3/6/2015 Time 11:30 am Join the Watson Clinic Foundation for a special lunch and learn program designed for both men and women to learn more: Colon Cancer Overview Recommended Screenings Genetics & Risk Factors Latest Treatment Options Minimally invasive Surgery Interactive Q & A Session with Medical Experts from Watson Clinic The luncheon is free but seating is limited, guests must RSVP as lunch is provided. Please RSVP by Friday, February 27, 2015 to 863-802-6220.
Newsletter1 - February 16, 2015