Wakulla Chamber and You: Partners For Success
www.wakullacountychamber.com
Officers
May 2013
President Tammie Barfield President Elect Kevin Vaughn Vice President Alan Wise Treasurer Dustin Grubbs Secretary Mary Wallace Past President Amy Geiger
Presidents Message Presidents Message
Tammie Barfield Huge thanks to the chamber's Low Country Boil Committee for putting on another fun, flavorful event. Every year the boil just keeps getting better and better with great food, live music, and enthusiastic attendance that keeps growing. The committee was headed up by Jo Ann Palmer who deserves much appreciation for the planning of this event. There is a lot that goes into organizing an event for 250+ people who want to eat, drink and be merry. John Shuff organized the acquisition and preparation of the food and the fantastic cooks, some of whom were not chamber members and we thank them for their delicious contribution. Then after the planning is the clean-up. These same people work tirelessly volunteering their time cleaning up all the equipment and trash and tables and chairs and we cannot thank them enough for giving their time to the event and to the chamber. All for worthy causes. The proceeds from the boil provide funding for maintenance for, improvements to, and beautification of the old Wakulla County Courthouse where the chamber office resides, as well as providing at least one scholarship each year. The chamber's education committee has established an application and selection process for recipients of the scholarships and through that process has awarded a $1,000 scholarship from last year's boil proceeds. Congratulations to Raychel Gray. Raychel is graduating from Wakulla High School this month and we wish her all the best in her education pursuits. The Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce supports and encourages the public's support for the special election coming up May 14 to get citizen approval for a half-mill tax for the school system. Our school system is facing budget cuts of more than $4 million over the past five years and a declining student enrollment due to the last few years of economic challenges. The school system's current .25-mill special assessment is set to expire in June. According to Superintendent of Schools Bobby Pearce, if the .50-mill assessment is approved, it would serve well to overcome current economic challenges. The average home owner would pay approximately $2 per month more in taxes than they pay now. Wakulla County's public school system is an economic engine in itself through its own 693 employees who patronize our Wakulla County businesses and who educate our children to prepare them for entering into business and
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2012 Business Excellence Winners Start - Up Business International Gold Gymnastics Business of the Year BEST WESTERN Plus, Wakulla Inn & Suites Non - Profit Friends of the Wakulla County Public Library Environmental Stewardship Wildwood Resort Member of the Year Gail Campbell Wakulla Area Business Callaway Auto & Truck Repair
employment, and by providing job opportunities when expansions, repairs, and improvements are made to existing facilities. Our school system brings residents to Wakulla County who might otherwise live in surrounding counties. We have had the benefit of being designated an A school district by the Florida Department of Education since 2006. Wakulla's school district has one of the highest percentages of nationally board certified teachers and administrators in Florida and continues to rank in the top 10 districts in FCAT math, reading, writing and science scores.That's impressive. Access to a good education through our county's school system is the foundation of what secures Wakulla's future and the future of its livelihood. Protecting our public education and the quality of education for our students will continue to move our county forward. Please get out and vote. The students and teachers of our school system need our vote on May 14.
Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park
The Chamber held a ribbon cutting for Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park to celebrate New Friends New Boat April 10. In 1996, Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park incorporated as a Citizens Support Organization for the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. The issue at the time was whether or not the county could allow a gas station to be built over what turned out to be the largest cave that feeds right into Wakulla Spring. That gas station was defeated. The state added the land at the intersection of 61 and 267 (Bloxham Cutoff). The water quality, the state of the waterfront, and the lodge itself all became issues that have been resolved (somewhat) with the Friends help. When the classic tour boats that date to the 1960s needed a hand, Friends decided to refurbish and upgrade to electric motors, and to solar panels. The latest boat called Wood Duck was re-entered into service in April with state-of-the-art solar and battery capacities.
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Friends of Wakulla Springs is a membership organization (wakullasprings.org) and holds several events to raise money for the ongoing projects at the 6,000-acre park. The ribbon cutting symbolizes our growth in the community as new members of the Wakulla Chamber of Commerce, and our dedication to the publics continued access and enjoyment of this park. Total Friends funds raised for the refurbishing of four boats to date is $129,000. Support of two May events (a Springs Serenade called Sinkhole di Mayo May 4, and the 5K run through the Sanctuary May 18), and joining the Friends is a great way to have fun. A member-only waterfront social gathering at the end of September allows all members to learn about projects, but more importantly about each other. Tour boats were retrofitted to be ADA accessible, with TREX seating replacing the former wooden benches. All-in-all, encountering nature on the Wakulla River is now a fume- and noise-free experience.
In April 1976 a mother and son team opened T~n~T Hide -a-way, a canoe rental on the Wakulla river, in 2005 a mother and son team took over the operation as 2 nd and 3rd generation Gretchen Evans family, then in March 2013 the family expanded to include the purchase of The Wilderness Way and add another 3rd generation in the equation. Jacki Evans Youngstrand, Robert Baker and Elizabeth Hyatt-Deason are proud to announce their acquisition of the Big Bend Outfitter The Wilderness Way, Inc, previously owned by Georgia Ackerman. It will be a perfect blend of the 2 businesses, and all will stay pretty close to the same as before including the great staff we acquired, Jesse Frank and Dawn Peffer. We will be moving our retail brand from TnT to TWW which will be Native Watercraft and Jackson Kayaks to add to the Hobie, and Wilderness System already there. We will be adding more fishing accessories and kayaks for the kayak anglers. Robert Baker will be operating his Kayak Fishing tours Reel -Fin-Addict from TWW. Our tours for TnT and TWW will continue, along with our rental of canoes and kayaks, TnT for short term paddling on the Wakulla River and TWW for self-shuttling to other rivers and we have added a few more bikes for rental. Please visit our new location at 3152 Shadeville Rd. Crawfordville, just west of Wakulla Station, 850-877-7200 and if you have never visited T~n~T Hideaway, we are located at the Wakulla River on Hwy. 98, 6527 Coastal Hwy. Crawfordville, 850.925.6412 We still uphold the foundation we inherited and are dedicated to your enjoyment and service.
Gerard and Sherri Merkle, owners of Stow Away Marine & More, Inc., are pleased to announce the addition of all new inventory items! We now carry a full line of Motor Parts, Mercury Oils, Fishing Gear and Tackle, Snorkels and Masks, Sunglasses and Skin Protectants and so much more! Our Outboard Specialist is on duty and ready to repair or service your boat Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 until 5pm (with or without an appointment in some cases!). We can diagnose your engine problems; change your oil; rebuild your carburetor; detail your boat; bottom paint; upholstery repair or whatever you need to get you back in the water! Give us a call at 850-926-BOAT Stow Away Marine opened originally in 2008 at 4815 Coastal Hwy, just east of Spring Creek Hwy and started in boats sales only. Last year we expanded our facility, both inside and out, to include a repair and maintenance shop and retail store. We carry an abundance of new and used marine supplies; EZ Loader Trailers, Interstate Batteries; Amsoil Oils; Prop Service Center; Big Rock Sports Dealer, Stryker Tops Dealer and much more! Stow Away Center, located behind the marine store on Spring Creek Hwy, has storage for your treasures! Self-storage units ranging in size from 5 x 10 to 20 x 20 for commercial or residential use; a controlled access boat/RV lot with both open and covered storage; moving and packing supplies sold; office services such as copy, fax and notary service available. Buy, sell, trade or service your boats, motors and trailers or just stop in to browse. Whether you are looking for a new fishing pole, a hard to find part for your motor, a new battery, or a new boatwe are your one stop shop for anything Marine! Visit us at www.stowawaymarine.net to check out our boats for sale and please Shop Local Wakullawe do!
Bay Leaf Market celebrated its ribbon cutting last week offering Wakulla County direct access to natural and organic foods, organic coffee, tea and fresh juices, freshly prepared grab and go foods, and used books. The store opened March 18 after several months of planning and the renovation of an existing building that previously served as a home medical equipment company in Crawfordville. Owners/operators Tammie Barfield and Mary Katherine Westmark wanted to bring to Crawfordville a third place for gathering, eating and drinking, and shopping for food, food for the body and the mind. The idea to open the store developed from Westmark's desire to own a coffee shop and book store and Barfield's dream of owning a health food store. Bay Leaf Market is really like three stores in one. The grocery store stocks a steadily growing inventory of fresh, refrigerated, frozen, packaged, and bulk natural and organic foods. There is also a growing selection of bath and body products, household cleaning products, single and blended herbal medicinal preparations and teas, and supplements. The coffee shop creates the buzz of the place offering organic fair trade dark and medium roast coffee, espresso, cappucino, lattes, a variety of organic teas all to be enjoyed with delicious fresh baked pastries. For a healthy twist, juice shots as well as grab and go salads, soups, and light sandwiches and wraps are made fresh daily. The book store is comfortably mellow housing a wide variety of genres in paper and hard back books that are reasonably priced. Bay Leaf Market is family owned and operated by the Westmark and Barfield-Harrington families. Emily Westmark has mastered the coffee drinks as well as any good barista would, and Jason Westmark and Shea Harrington have already mastered the point of sale system in the check out line. Jay Westmark (Mary Katherine's husband) is Bay Leaf's IT/everything computer guy while Tom Harrington (Tammie's husband) pours over the bookkeeping. Westmark and Barfield have also been fortunate to have peaked the interest of three very experienced, talented women to help them with all aspects of the business; Audrey Alessi and Theresa (Tracey) Johaninnson of Crawfordville, and Debbie Dix (formerly of POSH Java) of Sopchoppy. Bay Leaf Market's goal is to reduce as many trips to Tallahassee as possible with the availability of local, organic and natural foods while creating an atmosphere of health and well being. The walking experience in downtown Crawfordville is taking shape already. The owners keep a list on the front counter for customers to offer input on items they would like to see offered in the store with the idea that it will reflect the community it serves. Bay Leaf Market is located at 19 Shadeville Road in Crawfordville. The store can be reached at (850) 926-WELL (9355), or at Facebook.com/Bay Leaf Market. The store's website www.bayleafmarket.com is under construction at this time to be launched in the very near future.
Networking Luncheon Hosted by Deals Famous Oyster House
Regular business hours for Deals Famous Oyster House are Thursday through Sunday, so we really appreciate Martha Swindles hospitality and welcoming our 50 members and friends for our monthly networking luncheon on a closed day. The menu included choice of shrimp and crab bites, ponga dinner, shrimp , oysters , or chicken strips, with choice of fries, baked potato, grits or cheese grits, baked beans or green beans, salad or slaw and drink, or salad and soup bar. Mary went straight into the program, thanking everyone for joining us in St. Marks, and also thanked sponsors and attendees of our annual low country boil, the best one yet from what we have been told. Mary pointed out that the chamber sets aside funds for a scholarship from the proceeds each year, and our education committee will attend the award ceremony at the High School May 17, presenting a $1,000 check to Ms. Raychel Gray, this years chamber recipient. Our April members were announced as Bills Signs and Service, Callaway Auto & Truck Repair, and Root 319 Cuts & Color. Alicia and Missy with Root 319 shared that the salon is a full service hair and nail Salon, offering Redken and OPI products, and also specialize in airbrush make up. By the way, Alicia is a new stylist at the salon, and the Chamber has 20% off coupons for any service with Alicia as a new client (excluding specials). Jeff Johnson was introduced as the new Comcast representative for Wakulla County. Mary then announced the Rock the Dock Captains meeting featuring a seafood dinner for $10 per plate, and Tom and the Cats as live entertainment this Friday. Doug Gove introduced his guest Matt Miley, with PayOutUSA, a Tallahassee based company specializing in payroll services. Brian English and Bill Versiga were drawn to do our spotlight this month. Brian and Bill were excited to open their Crawfordville branch for North Florida Financial last year. The new office is right next door to The Wakulla News. Uncertainty growing from our aging demographics and national debt brings personal responsibility to the forefront. Retirement plan trends are shifting more and more responsibility from the employer to the employee. All the increasing economic pressures on each of us require that we take a much deeper look at our retirement plans. Give Brian and Bill a call for a free review of your insurance and investments. Brian and Bill would love to help you plan for the best possible retirement you can have. They can be reached at 926.7487. Brian drew our next spotlight, June Vause with Centennial Bank. Other announcements: Andrea Parker introduced herself as the new Business Consultant handling Wakulla County and reminded employers that WORKFORCE plus has many services for employers that are available at no cost, giving a few examples. One of the main services Andrea pointed out was posting open positions on their job board free of charge, effectively attracting job seekers; Fred Beckham is the new Local Veterans Employment Specialist at WORKFORCEplus;
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Katelyn with Simply Done Marketing announced that if you are considering advertising on Google, and you place your advertising with Simply Done Marketing as a first time customer, with your 1st $25 Google adwords purchase you will receive $100 in free Google advertising; Lorra Phillips was proud to announce that her daughter Jessica Revell, who has been working with her for 7 years now, officially has her CPA license and is now a partner with Shepard Accounting and Tax Service. Additionally, Shepard Accounting has purchased the needed software and can file BP claims for individuals and companies. Lorra made everyone aware that individuals working for a company that received BP funds, are eligible to file a personal claim also. Judy Hampton invited everyone to the Triple Derby hosted by NAMI Wakulla this Saturday. Mary thanked Martha Swindle, manager of Deals Famous Oyster House for hosting our luncheon. Martha shared that she is happy to be in St. Marks, and new business hours are Thursday Sunday. Martha was very pleased to incorporate her gift shop into the restaurant, which she agreed to manage as a favor to her best friend, owner of Deals in Perry. As always, the drawings at our luncheons are popular. Deidre Farrington was the proud winner the $50 cash pot. We would like to thank the following for contributing gifts to the drawing: Cook Insurance Hummingbird feeder, Petra Shuff etched martini glasses, Deana Walker/Krave Salon Gift certificate for a free styling, Kim Campbell earrings, Marianne and Lionell Dazevedo decorative fish, Ed Gardner O.D. Gift bag with sun glasses & accessories, Susan Schatzman home- made pepper jelly, Jessica Revell trio of succulent plants, Lorra Sheppard plant, The Wakulla News free 1/8 page ad, Deals gift certificate. Our next luncheon will be held at Outzs Too on Wednesday, May 22.
In the News: Zaxbys is coming to Crawfordville. Josh Brown of Ochlockonee Bay Realty recently closed on a transaction, transferring two lots located in Century Park in Crawfordville to a Florida Corp. with plans to build a Zaxbys restaurant on the site. Zaxbys plans on employing 30 to 40 full or part-time employees. Ground breaking should begin immediately and plans are to be open in August.
Welcome New Chamber Members
Bills Signs & Service, Inc. Specializing in logo design, surveys, sign design, construction, permitting, installation, maintenance 5765 Mandy Lane, Tallahassee Welcome Bruce Screws, Sr. Callahan Auto & Truck Repair specializing in automotive repair 1502 Shadeville Road, Crawfordville Welcome Mark Callaway (850) 926.1039 (850) 576.6847
Root 319 Cuts & Color specializing in full service hair and nail care and Redken and OPI products 2809 Crawfordville Hwy, Crawfordville Welcome Melissa Millender (850) 926.8319
