May 23, 2017
"Taking Care of Business!"

PRESIDENT'S CORNER: SUMMER

Believe it or not - it's still not Summer!
     But, it will be here Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 12:24 a.m.
     The beginning of Summer is measured in modern day as when the sun reaches its northernmost point from the equator, and it is the longest day of the year (the Summer Solstice). Following June 21, the days will begin to get shorter and shorter until Autumn.
     But, is June 21 really the first day of Summer?
      Not everyone agrees. Many people believe that the modern way of thinking that the Summer Solstice is the first day of summer is wrong. I think most Floridians would agree. Traditionally, the 1st of May was considered the first day of Summer, and was celebrated with a Maypole dance that bid farewell to the last vestiges of Winter and Spring.
     Anyone who is out working in their yard in May knows that it is HOT in Florida. And lately we've had some very good "beach" days. Have you had a chance to go yet?
     During this time of year, the Chamber's busy schedule slows a bit, and a time of planning takes place. We are working very hard to bring a schedule of events that will enable you to meet, network, and just plain have fun and find value as a member. With the help of the Bartow Economic Development Council's new strategic plan, we are looking forward to a bright future of measured and well thought out growth and improvement for our City.

Until next week,
CLINT EDWARDS

HELLO BARTOW! MEMBERS PARTICIPATE FOR FREE











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.

NEW MEMBERS

Retail Stores
Queens Fashions and Gifts
Ms. Jennifer Camp
320 E. Summerlin Street
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 245-7163

Restaurants
Marco’s Pizza
Ms. Kelly Popp
1775 N. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 457-4900

Restaurants
The BREADBOARD
Mr. Paul Diakomihalis
1037 North Broadway Avenue
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 800-3284
 
Restaurants
NiNi’s Landings
Ms. Sandy Joyner
5995 Airport Blvd./Bartow Municipal Airport
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 875-5789

Executive Office Space
RCL Property Holdings LLC
Richard Lindstrom/Carmen Lindstrom
11506 Hammock Oaks Ct.
Lithia, FL 33547
(813) 689-1663

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES

30 YEARS
Main Street Bartow, Inc.

10 YEARS
Sunshine Bank

5 YEARS
Central Florida Speech & Hearing Center
The Rohr Home

NEW SERIES: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY II

MEMBER PERK FOR YOU OR YOUR EMPLOYEES:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY
ALL NEW PROGRAM, NEW CLASSES FOR 2017.

More . . .

CHAMPIONS CUP

Congratulations to the 2016 Champions Cup Winners
 

More . . . plus photos!

JOIN ENGAGE & GET A COOL CUP!



Want this cool cup? It can be yours, simply by joining ENGAGE Young Professionals. Here's the link to learn about ENGAGE and to join. Become the Community Leader you were meant to be, sign up today!

2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Clint Edwards, President
Emily Spath Clark, Incoming President
   Spath Jewelers

Jennifer Hall, Immediate Past President
    SEMCO Construction

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LIST

SUPPORT OUR NEWSLETTER SPONSORS!














WANT YOUR COMPANY
LISTED HERE?
Contact Barbara@bartowchamber.com

SEE US HERE!

CHAMBER QUARTERLY HAS 40K READERSHIP

 Reserve your space now in the Fall Chamber Quarterly Magazine and hand your business card out to more than 40,000 readers for only $85 per issue. Call Barbara Adamson at 863-533-7125 for more information.

WANT US TO TEXT YOU ABOUT EVENTS?



Free TEXT ME!


Chamber Members:
We are offering a new feature of your membership, absolutely free to you! If you would like to get a text message about upcoming events, call or email Barbara Adamson, Chamber Membership Services Director, today! barbara@bartowchamber.com or 863-533-7125.

MAY BUSINESS: PIANO ALLEY


Left to right: Piano Alley owner, Richard Lane and Chamber Membership Services Director Barbara Adamson

May Business of the Month
________________________________________
Piano Alley
2810 S. Florida Ave., Suite A, Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 583-4320, Fax: (863) 583-4590
email: lakelandpianos@gmail.com
website: www.lakelandpiano.com


EXCLUSIVE AUTHORIZED KAWAI DEALER
     You are invited to visit the new showroom featuring a full line of KAWAI products. From Keyboards to Concert Grands, including all the new Digital Pianos. Piano Alley offers other new and pre-owned instruments as well. Trade-ins welcome.
     Piano tuning, repair, and moving services available; also, in-house digital piano and organ service. Private and group instructions with a certified teaching staff for all levels of accomplishment are offered for your convenience.

 
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

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONIES COMING UP

FUN THURSDAY AT HARMONY HAVEN

Don't miss the next Fun Thursday!
Harmony Haven, June 15, 2017, 5:00 p.m.
6320 US 98, Bartow 33830

NOMINATE SOMEONE AS EMERGING LEADER

Polk Emerging Leaders Awards
Tuesday, August 15, 2017, 6:00 PM
Bartow Civic Center
2250 Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 33830

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!
The annual Polk Emerging Leaders Awards will once again be a collaborative event of the three young professional groups in Polk County. Continuing a new era of collaboration and blurring the east/west dividing line, the awards have been established to annually recognize five young professionals between 21- 42 who have made significant contributions and commitment to the Polk County community.
Nominations are now open for 2017!
To nominate an individual for the Polk Emerging Leader Awards, simply fill out the form at this link.
http://www.winterhavenchamber.com/polk-emerging-leaders-awa…
Applications must be returned to pelaApplication@gmail.com or dropped off at 401 Ave B NW, Winter Haven by close of business June 15, 2017.

CHAMBER EVENTS

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

Wednesday, May 24, noon
YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC LUNCHEON

Bartow Civic Center

Thursday, May 25, 2:30 p.m.
The BREADBOARD RIBBON-CUTTING

1037 North Broadway Ave., Bartow

May 24-29, 2017
YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC

featuring Women's Tourney, Men's Classic & Lots of Fun Activities
Bartow Golf Course


JUNE
Wednesday, June 7, noon
AMBASSADORS / DELEGATES LUNCHEON

The BREADBOARD

Friday, June 9, 9:30 a.m.
NINI'S LANDINGS RIBBON-CUTTING

5995 Airport Blvd, Bartow Municipal Airport

Monday, June 12, 9:30 a.m.
MARCO'S PIZZA RIBBON-CUTTING

1775 N. Broadway Ave.

Thursday, June 15, 5:00 p.m.
HARMONY HAVEN FUN THURSDAY

"Summer Nights!" Where Rustic Meets Elegance
6320 US 98, Bartow 33830

Friday, June 16, noon
ENGAGE LUNCH & LEARN: FINANCE - Register Today!

Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute
1855 W. Main Street, Bartow 33830

Wednesday, June 21, 9:30 a.m.
QUEENS FASHIONS & GIFTS RIBBON-CUTTING

320 East Summerlin St., Bartow 33830

SEE OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS LISTED ON YOUR CHAMBER WEBSITE HERE.

DON'T MISS FORTRESS FITNESS FOR JUNE!

This is a great time of exercise for the whole family! Marie Wilmot, local fitness guru, has designed a program for the Chamber to help the community get fit! Find out what types of exercise suit your needs by coming out to Fort Blount Park on the second Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. You can experience a different kind of exercise in each class. It's a blast!

YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC

54th Annual Youth Villa Classic
May 26-29, 2017
Call Chris Banks at (863) 533-9183 for more information on any
Youth Villa Classic Tournament.
Headquarters: Bartow Golf Course

 THE FLORIDA SHERIFFS YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT
is an event to benefit the FLORIDA SHERIFFS YOUTH VILLA IN BARTOW
Preventing Delinquency Since 1957®
Call (800) 765-3797 for
more information on any
Youth Villa Classic activity.
S C H E D U L E  O F  E V E N T S
May 23-29, 2017
Since 1963
An event to benefit the Florida Sheriffs Youth Villa
Florida Sheriffs Youth Villa Classic Golf Tournament
May 27-29, 2017
Bartow Golf Course
Sponsor, Contributor and Patron Golf Scramble
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Bartow Golf Course
Sponsor, Contributor and Patron Reception
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 – 5:30 p.m.
Bartow Golf Course

Community Civic Luncheon
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Bartow Civic Center

Women’s Team Championship
May 24, 2017
Bartow Golf Course
Sponsor, Contributor, Patron and Golfer Kickoff
Low Country Boil
Friday, May 26, 2017 – 6:30 p.m.
Bartow Golf Course
Call (800) 765-3797 for more information on any Youth Villa Classic activity.

MEMBER MICRONEWS

BARTOW REGIONAL OFFERS GETTING FIT PROGRAM
GETTING FIT AT ANY AGE

Free Seminar about the tools you can use to develop a fitness plan at any age and reach your health and wellness potential.
Speakers: Jim Goodwin, OT / Thomas Bell, DPT / Tyler Love, DPT
Tuesday, May 30, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Bartow Regional Medical Center Classroom 1
2200 Osprey Blvd, Bartow
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED.
Space is limited, register today: 1-800-BayCare / Live 24/7
BayCareEvents.org


WATSON CLINIC ANNOUNCES JUNE LECTURES & SPECIAL EVENTS

     Watson Clinic is pleased to announce the following upcoming informative lectures and special events. These events are free of charge, but seating is limited. Light refreshments will be provided. Please reserve your spot in advance by using the RSVP as noted below or by visiting www.WatsonClinic.com/Events.
 
Date: Thursday, June 1 at 6 pm
Speaker: Jack Ryals, PT, OCS, CCI & Michael Ward, PT, DPT
Topic: Physical Therapy & the Knee: Before and After Surgery. During this informative presentation, two highly trained physical therapists present the current strategy for restoring function before and after knee surgery. 
Location: Watson Clinic Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, 2190 E. County Rd. 540A in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-607-3739
 
Date: Friday, June 30 from 3 to 5 pm               
Topic: Tools to Quit. Take the next step to a healthier lifestyle and join us for a special class designed to provide an overview of available options for smokers who want to quit. The class includes information on various types of nicotine replacements, product samples and much more. This class is taught by a certified tobacco education specialist and is sponsored by the Watson Clinic Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting community wellness through education, research and service.    
Location: Watson Clinic Cancer & Research Center, Boardroom, 1730 Lakeland Hills Blvd. in Lakeland
RSVP: 863-802-6220

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GreenBlue2 - May 23, 2017