HURRICANE MATTHEW
      Hurricane Matthew skirted right along the Florida East Coast last week. Thankfully, Polk County did not receive the full force of this Category 3 storm. However, throughout the week last week, it was easy to see the different ways folks prepared (or didn’t prepare) for this potentially catastrophic event.

     Some people stocked up on bread, water, batteries, and other supplies. Some made sure their gas tanks were full. Others contacted friends and family on the east coast to invite them to stay further inland. And, while the media and State officials, may have overstressed the danger, the fact that Florida was spared a direct hit (landfall) was purely a blessing.
 
     Polk County was able to provide shelters, hotels, and supplies for folks who had to evacuate their homes in our eastern counties. As I drove to work Friday afternoon, I saw many cars with license plates from Volusia, Brevard, and other eastern counties, heading back to their homes to assess the damage. While it appears that most areas received minimal damage, there were many areas that lost power, and it may be several days before power is restored to all areas.
 
     I want to thank all of our folks who work in the Public Service arena, from National Guard members, power company Linemen, Emergency Responders, Shelter workers and volunteers, and all other government and emergency agencies that have been or may be called upon to work long hours helping others rebuild from this storm.
 
     Have a great week! Don’t forget about our Chamber Golf Tournament this Friday, presented by Bartow Ford!
 
 Until next week,
Jennifer Hall

Your Chamber President, 2016

ROI ALERT TO ALL MEMBERS!
We've established a new perk to your membership. Now, as a member of the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce, you may include a promotional item for your business in the HELLO BARTOW! welcome baskets for new residents. PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE! If you are interested, contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Director, (863) 533-7125, or reply to this email.

     The next Committee of 100 meeting is set for Friday, October 14,  2016, at 8:00 a.m.
      Committee of 100 meetings are held at the Health and Life Center (old hospital), 1239 E. Main Street. If you are interested in becoming a member of this prestigious group, contact Chairman Brian Hinton at 863-533-4196.

Click here for a complete listing of Committee of 100 members.

Entertainment/Educational Services/Video Production
The Edge Theatre Company, Inc.
Mr. Marcus Wehby, Executive Director
1367 Laurel Glen Dr., Bartow
(205) 243-0194, (863) 640-1029
www.edgetheatreco.org

Individual Members
Ms. Roberta Massey
1165 Lee Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
 

Want to find a retail or service business? Click here.

Carla Meeks serves all of Central Florida, but is proud to call Bartow her home! Left to right: Lenton Meeks; Madison Meeks; Katelyn Meeks; Barbara Adamson, Chamber Members Services Director; Carla Meeks; and Mark Meeks.

October Business of the Month
________________________________________

Carla J. Meeks
Realtor, Web Pro Realty, LLC
863-604-9287
homesbycarla.com

You don’t get to be one of Central Florida’s top Realtors by chance. It takes experience, knowledge and a track record of satisfied clients that help tell your story. With Carla Meeks, you get a seasoned professional who takes a personal approach to helping her clients realize their real estate goals. From the sale of a current home, the purchase of a new home, to REO/foreclosures and short sales, to vacant land sales and purchases, Carla knows her business, and welcomes any questions you might have. However, it’s the personal approach and her passion that makes the difference, and has made Carla one of the area’s top Realtors.

Not just a Realtor... she is your Realtor!
    

WANT TO FIND OUT HOW TO BECOME
THE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH?
Contact Barbara Adamson, Membership Services,
863-533-7125 or email
barbara@bartowchamber.com
 

CHAMPIONS CUP
COMING UP: OCTOBER 20, 2016
NOMINATE FOR CHAMPIONS CUP AWARD HERE.
GUEST SPEAKER: Congressman Tom Rooney
Champions Cup was created to recognize and honor businesses and organizations that have championed exemplary best practices, and have had a positive influence on the economic well being of the area's business environment. Congratulations to the 2015 Champions Cup Winners! Here they are:

BARTOW FORD PRESENTS THE
CHAMBER GOLF SCRAMBLE:

WE WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING US AGAIN THIS YEAR DURING THE BARTOW CHAMBER GOLF SCRAMBLE. . .

SPONSORS TO DATE:
PRESENTING SPONSOR: BARTOW FORD COMPANY
GOLD SPONSORS: A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure, Evolve Contracting Service, Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
SILVER SPONSORS: Mosaic, Polk State College Foundation
BRONZE SPONSORS: Bank of Central Florida, BayCare Bartow Regional Medical Center, KC Bouchillon PA, Bul-Hed Corp., CenterState Bank, City of Bartow, MidFLORIDA Credit Union, Cathy Parker, EA Bookkeeping & Tax Service, PalletOne Inc., Polk Power, Polk State College, Pyramid Fasteners, Spherion Staffing, State Farm Insurance Michell Githens, Stingray Chevrolet, Sunbelt Forest Products, Terracon
PRIZE SPONSOR: ASHLAND
BIG PRIZE DRAWING SPONSORS: Yeti Coolers, Sunbelt Forest Products and Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Basket of Libations: Board of Directors for the Chamber; Bass Pro Shops Gift Cards, Tim Jones Barbershop
ON COURSE FOOD SPONSORS: CenterState Bank, Susan and Mike DeNeve
CONTRIBUTORS: Affordable Appliances, Beef O' Brady's, Ruth Anderson of Cruise Planners of Lakeland, Hampton Inn, Spherion Staffing, Stay Inn & Suites, The Villages at Laurel Meadows, Watson Clinic, The Wine Stable
HOLE COURTESY TENT: The Villages at Laurel Meadows
 

Don't miss some of the best chili this side of the Rio Grande! A-C-T's 7th Annual Chili Cookoff is November 4, 2016 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Chili Entries FREE! $10 AYCE Chili Lunch. Mark your calendars and we'll see you then! Sponsored by A-C-T Environmental and Infrastructure, 1875 W. Main Street, Bartow. 100 percent of collected funds go directly to: UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA. #ACTChili

Call Mainstreet Bartow, Inc. to save your spot now! 519-0508


RED, WHITE AND COMPASSION HONORING SHERIFF JUDD
 Red, White & Compassion ~
An Americana Evening honoring Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd
Thursday, October 13, 2016
For more information contact:
Susan Sartain
Regional Development Director
Cornerstone Hospice Foundation
863-291-5562
ssartain@cshospice.org
You are invited to an evening beneath the stars as Cornerstone Hospice celebrates the spirit of America. Red, White & Compassion ~ An Americana Evening, will take place on Thursday, October 13, 2016 and all proceeds will benefit Cornerstone Hospice. The evening will be filled with live music, food, fun and a special tribute to Sheriff Grady Judd. To purchase your tickets contact Susan Sartain at ssartain@cshospice.org or 863-291-5560. For more information on Cornerstone Hospice and the services they provide in our community visit CSHOSPICE.org

Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 7:30 a.m., Chamber Boardroom
BUSINESS TO BUSINESS
MORNING BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE
Plenty of coffee and fellowship with your fellow member business owners. Bring lots of business cards and give everyone two - one for them and one for a friend. Hope to see you there! NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY.

(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)

OCTOBER
Tuesday, October 11, 6:00 p.m.
MAIN STREET BARTOW ANNUAL MEETING:
THE ROASTING OF SL FRISBIE
Bartow Civic Center

Thursday, October 13
LEADERSHIP CULTURAL ARTS DAY

Thursday, October 13, 5:00 p.m.
KELLEY BUICK GMC FUN THURSDAY
255 W. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow

Friday, October 14, 1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start
CHAMBER GOLF SCRAMBLE
Bartow Golf Course

Tuesday, October 18, 3:45 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
BOARD / EXEC MEETING

Thursday, October 20, 6:00 p.m.
CHAMPIONS CUP AWARDS
Bartow Civic Center

Wednesday, October 26, noon
DIPLOMATS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Happy Birthday to: Ortelle, Carolyn, Tommie, Marietta, Sherry, Sally and Dianne!

Thursday, October 27, 4:00 p.m.
CRICKETTE CLUB PARADE & CARNIVAL

Wednesday, November 2, 9:30 a.m.
RK&K NEW LOCATION RIBBON-CUTTING
Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP
402 S. Kentucky Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33801

FRIDAY, November 4, Noon
A-C-T's CHILI COOKOFF
1875 W. Main Street, Bartow

Wednesday, November 9
HAPPY BIRTHDAY A-C-T, 30th YEAR!

Thursday, November 10
LEADERSHIP XVII EDUCATION DAY

Friday, November 11, 11:00 a.m.
HOMETOWN HEROES
Bartow Civic Center

Saturday, November 12
HONEY BEE FESTIVAL & FALL CRAFT FAIR

FOR A LIST OF COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE, CLICK HERE AND THEN CHOOSE "EVENTS"!

BARTOW
WALKING TOUR
Fort Blount Park
Bartow
Friday, October 28
10:00 a.m.
You are invited to join the Polk County History Center, the Polk County Historical Association, the Florida Humanities Council and the City of Bartow for the official launch of the newest tool for enjoying the Polk County Heritage Trail, the Florida Stories Bartow Walking Tour.
Developed through a generous grant from the Florida Humanities Council, the Florida Stories Walking Tour is a free application designed for a smart phone or tablet that takes you on a narrated, self-guided tour of historic sites across the state of Florida. Visitors and residents of Polk County will have the opportunity to explore not only Bartow, but Lake Wales as well. The Lake Wales Walking Tour will be available Oct. 29.
Enjoy music from the Sweet Teas, join us for the ceremonial download and then explore one of the sites a short distance from the park.
Parking is available at the Polk County History Center and in the
Oaks parking lot at the corner of E. Parker St. and S. Central Ave.

ROTARY TOAST OF THE ARTS COMING UP!