Meeting Notices
Monthly Luncheon
March 5, 2014, noon
Bayside Seafood Restaurant
500 U S Highway 98
Eastpoint
Business After Hours
March 13, 5:30-7:00 pm
Market Street Antiques
115 Market Street
Apalachicola
Monthly Luncheon
April 2, 2014 noon
TBA
Visitor Statistics
Jan 2001 1,204
Jan 2002 917 Jan 2003 868
Jan 2004 890
Jan 2005 1,268
Jan 2006 1,325
Jan 2007 1,863
Jan 2008 2,318
Jan 2009 1,286
Jan 2010 1,920
Jan 2011 1,352
Jan 2012 1,732
Jan 2013 1,276
Jan 2014 1,539
Website stats Jan 2014
Visits 17,386
Unique Visitors 13,518
Pageviews 60,045
Pages / Visit 3.45
Avg Visit Duration3:38
Bounce Rate 43.87%
% New Visits 71.28%
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Board of Directors
PRESIDENT Donna Duncan 653-8976 VICE-PRESIDENT Bud Hayes 927-3305 TREASURER Jerry Hall 653-9510 SECRETARY Kristin Anderson 653- 2249
BOARD MEMBERS
Brenda Ash 653-8805 Ginny Griner 653-8853 Beverly Hewitt 653-9510 Mike Koun 653-2191 Lynn Martina 670-8796 Tom Morgan 653-3474 Michael Shuler 653-1757 Ouida Tartt 653-4687 Jean Ulrich 653-2900 Kevin Ward 899-0669 |
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The 18th Annual Forgotten Coast Chef Sampler was a fabulous success. We'd like to thank all of the talented chefs, and their staff, who participated. They really out did themselves this year:Apalachicola Seafood Grill, Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café, The Bridge at Bay St Joe, Café con Lèche, Caroline's Dining on the River, Crooked River Grill, Eddy Teach's Raw Bar, Ira's at the Gibson Inn, The Owl Café, Oyster City Brewing Company, Tamara's Café, Sunset Coastal Grill, and Tamara's Tapas Bar, Up The Creek, Southern Wine & Spirits, Republic National Distributing Company, and the Lewis Bear Company.
We would also like to thank Andrea Duval for her help in coordinating the event décor and the very talented table designers who designed and set up 19 stunning guest tables: Apalachicola Municipal Library- Caty Greene, Karen Andrews & Lois Huff, Mandy Andrews, Bayside Gallery & Florist-Amy Price, Bonnie Fulmer, Centennial Bank- BJ Kent, Petunia's-Dixie Partington, Butch Rowell, Butler Insurance-Denise Butler, Franklin County Schools- Nina Marks, Party Rental Company-Shelly James, Panache Tent & Event-Elizabeth & Rich Wynn, Back Street Trading Company & Up the Stairs-Judi Stokowski, Florida Seafood Festival- FSF Board, Sacred Heart Hospital- Paulina Pendarvis, Studio B-Barb Ward, and Jan Hauser & Dot Wilcox
Thanks also to our dedicated, hardworking volunteers who helped us stage the event: P J and Jeff Trowell, Wayne Thomas, Donnie Gay, Debbie Flowers, Carolyn White, Bud Hayes, Roxanne, Marc Grove, Kristin Anderson, Lois Swoboda, Susan Richardson, Denise Callahan, James Marsh Forgotten Coast Cleaners, Susan Richardson, Jackie Lucy, Christine Collins and David Butler. A very special thanks to Debbie Fletcher her students Sierra Shattuck and Aaliyah West. Last but not least, we'd like to thank James Marsh with Forgotten Coast Cleaners who pressed all of those table cloths!
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The 18th Annual Forgotten Coast Chef Sampler was a fabulous success. We'd like to thank all of the talented chefs, and their staff, who participated. They really out did themselves this year:Apalachicola Seafood Grill, Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café, The Bridge at Bay St Joe, Café con Lèche, Caroline's Dining on the River, Crooked River Grill, Eddy Teach's Raw Bar, Ira's at the Gibson Inn, The Owl Café, Oyster City Brewing Company, Tamara's Café, Sunset Coastal Grill, and Tamara's Tapas Bar, Up The Creek, Southern Wine & Spirits, Republic National Distributing Company, and the Lewis Bear Company.
We would also like to thank Andrea Duval for her help in coordinating the event décor and the very talented table designers who designed and set up 19 stunning guest tables: Apalachicola Municipal Library- Caty Greene, Karen Andrews & Lois Huff, Mandy Andrews, Bayside Gallery & Florist-Amy Price, Bonnie Fulmer, Centennial Bank- BJ Kent, Petunia's-Dixie Partington, Butch Rowell, Butler Insurance-Denise Butler, Franklin County Schools- Nina Marks, Party Rental Company-Shelly James, Panache Tent & Event-Elizabeth & Rich Wynn, Back Street Trading Company & Up the Stairs-Judi Stokowski, Florida Seafood Festival- FSF Board, Sacred Heart Hospital- Paulina Pendarvis, Studio B-Barb Ward, and Jan Hauser & Dot Wilcox
Thanks also to our dedicated, hardworking volunteers who helped us stage the event: P J and Jeff Trowell, Wayne Thomas, Donnie Gay, Debbie Flowers, Carolyn White, Bud Hayes, Roxanne, Marc Grove, Kristin Anderson, Lois Swoboda, Susan Richardson, Denise Callahan, James Marsh Forgotten Coast Cleaners, Susan Richardson, Jackie Lucy, Christine Collins and David Butler. A very special thanks to Debbie Fletcher her students Sierra Shattuck and Aaliyah West. Last but not least, we'd like to thank James Marsh with Forgotten Coast Cleaners who pressed all of those table cloths!
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New Members
Florida Green Guide Association
The Florida Green Guide Association (FGGA) is a statewide non-profit trade association created for graduates of TCC's Wakulla Environmental Institute. Certified Green Guides are eligible to join after graduation in order to assist in the promotion and marketing of their businesses. Members must adhere to a code of ethics and the "Leave No Trace" principles, which serve to advance personal and professional integrity standards in activities related to ecotourism. The Green Guide Association exists to maintain and monitor those standards as set forth by members. FGGA also provides continuing education opportunities as well as a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among the membership. Lesley Cox is the current president, Serge Latour is the vice president Karen Parsons is Secretary, and Robin Rickel Vroegop is their treasurer. For more details see their website at www.floridagreenguide.org
Gordon Adkins
Welcome Gordon Adkins a real estate agent with Suncoast Realty. Gordon retired from Cargill, Inc, in 1999, and moved to Apalachicola. He is married to Sandra Adkins and they jointly have 5 children. Gordon began buying property in the Panhandle area in 1978, and has a great love for the area. He started selling real estate in 2004, and has been with Suncoast since 2012. Visit his website at gordonadkins.com. Gordon can be reached by calling (850) 899-1456.
Rep Halsey Beshears
Florida Representative Halsey Beshears joined the chamber last month. Rep Beshears is from Monticello and he graduated from Florida State University with a BS and has an MS in Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida. He represents District 7 which includes Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Jefferson, Lafayette, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla and part of Leon counties. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2012, and serves on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, the Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee, the Energy & Utilities Subcommittee, the Finance & Tax Subcommittee and the Regulatory Affairs Committee. Rep Beshears also runs Simpson Nurseries and Total Landscape Supply, a container growing operation and re-wholesaler servicing the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions. To reach Rep Beshears call (850) 251-1929, email halsey@halseybehears.com or his website. Rep Beshears also has an office in Apalachicola, 78 11th Street, (850) 653-1213
Kim Davis, CPA
Welcome Kim Davis to the chamber. She is a Certified Public Accountant and over has twenty-five years' experience. She graduated from Louisiana State University and a Masters in Business Administration from Georgia State University. She relocated to the area ten years ago. Kim has broad experience in many areas of tax preparation, accounting and book keeping. Her office hours are 9:00am-5:00 pm, and by appointment. Her office is on 11th Street and U S Highway 98, in the Realtors Association Building and she also travels to client's offices. Kim can be reached by calling (850) 653-6875 or by email at kim32328@gmail.com.office,
Melissa Bloodworth Chandler
Welcome Melissa Bloodworth Chandler to the chamber. Melissa is a real estate agent with Suncoast Realty. She has lived much of her life in Franklin County. She is actually one of the few children who grew up on the Island! She and her family were one of 16 people living there. Melissa has many fond members. She also remembers there was not even telephone service when she moved to St George. She lived for a while in northeast Georgia and work in insurance. She has a daughter and a son and is happy to be living in Franklin County again. She can be reached by calling (850) 653-7893 or by email melissachandler68@gmail.com
Bowery Station
Matt & Lisa Gardi opened the Bowery Station recently in Apalachicola. It is an eclectic beer and wine bar in the Bowery district of Apalachicola. They are located in a section of the old Wefing's Marine store on Avenue F. The Bowery Station is open Monday- Saturday from noon until 8:00 pm, and closed on Sundays. Matt is an excellent guitar player and singer. Drop by, share a drink and enjoy Matt's music. Lisa and Matt can be reached at (850) 653-2211 or bs@bowerystation.us or visit their website at bowerystation.us
Gulf Coast Extreme Adventures
Doug Scarabin with Gulf Coast Extreme Adventures joined the chamber. Gulf Coast Extreme Adventures offers unique, family-friendly adventures that include bay fishing, offshore fishing, sightseeing, floundering, Scuba diving, and even frog gigging from Apalachicola to Panama City. Doug and his brother Richard have fished all over the bays, rivers and the Gulf. Doug is a Coast Guard Certified OUPV and PADI certified Dive master and a CPR/First Aid emergency responder and has 18 years of law enforcement experience. Richard is a master at inshore fisherman and with 25 years' experience. Their dad is Richard Scarabin from Apalachicola and their uncle is Lawrence Scarabin our local barber. They can be reached by calling (850) 227-6551, email doug.scarabin@gmail.com or visit their website at www.gulfcoastextremeadventures.com
Member News
Mark Freidman is pleased to announce that Maegen Jones Conners has joined Friedman Financial Advisors as a Financial Advisor. After working at Cadence Bank in Port St. Joe for six years and completing her Bachelor's degree in Finance, Maegen decided that helping people achieve a secure financial future is what she wanted as her career. To achieve this goal, she left banking and worked hard over the past several months to pass her Series 7 and 66 securities exams, as well as the life, health, and variable annuity licensing. Maegen is a lifelong resident of Franklin and Gulf counties and looks forward to working with citizens of her community to achieve their financial goals. She will be working out of our office in Eastpoint in the areas of investments, retirement planning and wealth management. I am very excited about the opportunity to assist her with her new career. If you would like to contact Maegen, she can be reached at (850) 670-1253, (850) 653-5989 or Maegen@Friedman-Financial.com |
Events
The Dixie Theatre has booked an exciting lineup of performances that will run from January through the end of March. For more information on performance times and tickets visit
www.dixietheatre.com. Most shows are Friday 8 pm, Saturday 3 pm & 8 pm
-Mrs.Mannerly Feb 12- March 8
-Almost, Maine February 14, to March 3
-Elvis & Friends Do The Dixie
March 8, 2014 8:00 - 10:00 pm
32nd Annual Chili Cook off March 1st
The St George Island Regional Chili Cook off will take place Saturday, March 1st. Friday Feb 28th , the Auction Art Preview is in the evening from 5pm - 7pm at the island's firehouse, 324 E. Pine Avenue.Saturday, includes the 5K Red Pepper Run at 8:00 am, Crock Pot Judging10:00-11:00 am, the auction begins at11:00am, booth showmanship judging is at 11:30am - 12:15pm Miss Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Sauce judging at12:15pm, taste awards 3:30pm. This year's auction has a special raffle item @ $100 per ticket (with only 250 tickets to be sold) 1995 Glacier Bay 2260 Boat with Twin 2005 90hp Johnson Motors and trailer. There is a $5 entry fee. Proceeds benefit the St. George Island Volunteer Fire Department and First Responders (850) 927-2753.
18th Annual Camp Gordon Johnston Days March 7-9thThe Camp Gordon Johnston Association and the CGJ WWII Museum invites everyone to come to Carrabelle on March 7-9 for the 18th annual CGJ Days reunion. Attendees will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with tours of WWII Army vehicles that have seen combat. Audiences will also get the privilege of touring the "New Orleans" Landing Craft ( LCU 2034) and the United States Coast Guard Cutter, "Seahawk" if these vessels are in port. Tours of each craft will be conducted by vessel crew members. The Camp Gordon Johnston Association, The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum and the citizens of Franklin County, Florida are proud to show our gratitude and support for the service and sacrifice of all veterans. For a full schedule go to www.campgordonjohnston.com or call 850-697-8575. ANERR ExhibitPhotographs by preeminent Florida photographer Clyde Butcher, will be on exhibit from February through July at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve's nature center, 108 Island Drive in Eastpoint. An open house event on March 7th, from 5:00-8:00 pm, will showcase the exhibit, an accompanying documentary, as well as a new outdoor classroom and boardwalk at the Reserve headquarters. Call (850) 670-7700 for information. 13th Annual Eastpoint Fire Dept Charity Rib CookoffCome on out and support your local fire department on Saturday March 15th, at the fire house in Eastpoint, Florida in Vroom Park... This years' event promises to be the biggest ever with our competitors cooking more ribs than ever. There will be a carnival for kids and adults. The carnival will start Friday and go through Saturdayafternoon. As usual there will be lots of great ribs and pulled pork with all the trimmings, and Oma's Apple Dumplings are always a big hit. If you would like to enter the rib competition or just volunteer some time to help, contact any fire department member or contact George Pruett at pru911@fairpoint.net or call 850-670-9000. Free admission and the gates open at 9:00 am. BBQ dinners will be served from 11:00 am till it's all gone. The event is located at the corner of 6th St and CC Land Rd in Eastpoint, one block north of US Hwy 98.
Authors In ApalachMarch 15, 2014 10:00 am - 6:30 pmAuthors in Apalach, in its third year, will gathers authors, photographers, historians and others who live in or otherwise represent this wonderful "Forgotten Coast" area. As a uniquely historical "Old Florida" town, Apalachicola and its surrounding natural environs, inspires many creative people, and those attending will be sure to be inspired too. This year's event will honor the works of two retired professors whose writings about Apalachicola are the basis of much that we know about our history. Numerous other authors will represent fictional and non-fiction works based North Florida. The Fort Coombs Armory will be open with authors and booksellers from 10:00 am-5:00pm, with a reception to follow. Forums on history, writing and publishing, children's books and environment writing will occur throughout the day. The event is free to the public. For more information call Catherine Greene at (850) 653-8436. Southeast Regional PigfestThe Southeast Regional Pigfest will be held on March 15th, at the North Florida Fairgrounds again this year. It is a fundraiser for the Capital Area Community Action Agency. They are actively seeking cook teams for the $6,000 in cash prizes and qualifying to cook in the Jack Daniels World Championship and the Kansas City American Royal. There are opportunities for marketplace vendors and food vendors as well. There will be bands all day long, a midway of rides and games for the kids, shopping at the Marketplace, and a car and bike show. If you would like more information contact Diane Haggerty at (850) 222-2043 x101. Apalachicola ArtWalkFine art in all forms will be woven in and around picturesque downtown Apalachicola where artists will be showing, selling and demonstrating their talents from 11:00-6:00 pm. Festivities continue into the afternoon with a progressive wine tasting and hors d' oeuvre from 3:00-5:00 pm. Later in the evening local chefs will prepare special dishes at their restaurants highlighting our fresh local ingredients. At 8:00 pm head on over to the Dixie for Saltwater music of Del Suggs and Friends. For more information call (850) 653-9419 www.apalachicolabay.org. St Vincent Island Open HouseSaturday, March 22, the Supporters of St Vincent Island will once again host the Open House for people to enjoy a free full day of nature-related activities. Free transport to/from the Island will be provided departing from the Indian Pass public boat ramp. Guided tours and exhibits will allow people to learn about the Island's protected wildlife, diverse ecosystems, and history as well as enjoy the unspoiled beauty of this unique, pristine, uninhabited refuge. These services, including educational talks/discussions, will be provided by numerous volunteers from the Supporters and various community organizations. The guided tours will be both walking and vehicular. Go to for full details http://www.stvincentfriends.com/index.cfm/pageid/5/fuseaction/calendar.includedListEventDetail/dsn/ssicmt178/eventId/76
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Our Sponsors
Press
-Sara Clemence was given information for an article that appeared in the February 22-23, Saturday- Sunday issue of the Wall Street Journal. In her article, Where To Find Old, Classic Florida, she details how Apalachicola, Anna Maria, Gasparilla Island and Sanibel Island still have their authenticity. Here is a linkhttp://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304914204579393311960548906 and we have an original in the office. -Susan Katzman was given extensive information for a travel and food article she is writing for Sweet leisure blog. She is a food and travel writer for the St Louis Dispatch.
Got Ideas? Suggestions?
How can the Apalachicola Bay
Chamber better serve you? Is there something that we can do better to help your business? Is there something you would like to see us add or change on the website, at the visitor's center or in the visitor's guide? Ideas are always welcome. Feel free to call or email us with your ideas atinfo@apalachicolabay.org .
Volunteers Always Welcome
The Apalachicola Bay Chamber
Visitor Center seeks volunteers to help at the visitors center and with special projects. Duties include giving our visitor information,answering questions about places to stay, restaurants and things to do. If you would like to help, we'd love to have you. It can be a fun and rewarding. Contact us for details (850) 653-9419 or email us at info@apalachicolabay.org
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