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Hometown

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 28, 2007

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High Fives

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce recently held its Annual Awards and Installation of Officers Banquet at the Lange Farm. The theme of the evening was "Goin' Country."

Chamber president Devin Collins kicked off the event with a welcome to the more than 200 people at the event. He then introduced Jason Wilson, chamber executive director.

"We are very excited about the growth of our chamber and community, and our board is working very hard to bring more value to your memberships," Collins stated.

Giving an overview of the past year's activities, Wilson said, "This is a very exciting time for our chamber. We were able to increase membership by over 200 members in the past year, which brings us to the 500 mark and we plan and hope to grow our chamber with another 200 members in 2008. We are also proud to announce that all of our monthly meetings have doubled in attendance and plans for our signature event are underway. We are in the beginning stages but a committee has formed and is working on organizing a concert and art show in the new Wesley Chapel District Park."

Wilson acknowledged the two dignitaries present, State Rep. Will Weatherford and Sheriff Bob White. He also noted the sponsors for the evening: Adventist Health Systems and University Community Hospital; Heritage Bank of Wesley Chapel; St. Petersburg Times; Ierna's Heating and Cooling; Mustang Fastener and Specialty; and In Focus Design.

Wilson also thanked the Banquet Committee including Cindy Fleming, Mary Adele Cluck, Angela Bosler, Brittany Capelle, Patricia Carroll, Devin Collins, Alison FitzGerald, Mary Glassman, Nancy Janosz, Jerry Sterner and Bryan Young.

Chairman of the Chamber Board, Randy Stovall, was introduced and got right down to business asking for a motion to approve new by-laws. Stovall introduced Sheriff White, who installed the new officers: Stovall, chairman; Collins, president; Carroll, vice president; Cluck, secretary; Fleming, treasurer; Ray Bonti, Angela Bosler, Martine Duncan, Peter Hanzel, Larry Parker, Michael Shaver, David West, Weatherford, FitzGerald, Glassman, Janocsz and Sterner.

The Award Ceremony took place following the Installation of Officers. Award winners were: Thread Art, Home Based Business of the Year; Cork and Olive, Small Business of the Year; Wesley Chapel Toyota, Large Business of the Year; Wiregrass Ranch High School, School Partner of the Year; Wesley Chapel News Leader, Media Partner of the Year; Cindy Fleming, Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Board Member of the Year; Stacie Dalton, Ambassador of the Year; Darlene Reed, Honorary Mayor's Award; Alison BerkeMurano, Years of Service Award; Janet Watson, President's Award; and Jim Zehnder, Executive Director's Award.

Upcoming events for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce include the Annual Tripp Trademark Homes Golf Classic presented by SKANSKA slated for a shotgun start at noon Friday at Lexington Oaks Golf Club. Sponsorships and teams are still available. For information call the Chamber office at 813 994-8534, or e-mail office@wesleychapelchamber.com

What's Happening

The new Double Branch Elementary School in Meadow Pointe was host to the first PTA General Assembly and Bingo Night on Sept. 21. Over 250 people filled the school cafeteria to capacity.

Kathleen Powers, PTA treasurer, called the meeting to order and thanked the sponsors: Kids R Kids at Meadow Pointe; Paul Duga, Pediatric Dentistry; Gregory Stepanski, Farina Orthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry; Anna Seo, Children's Dentistry; and Wesley Chapel Toyota.

A discussion was held regarding the need for playground equipment, and a budget for the year was approved.

Then Judith Johnson, Bingo Night Chairwoman and PTA Vice President of Events, took over. Special thanks went to Peggy Lewis, principal, and teachers Heather Wade and Juana James for calling bingo numbers.

Bingo fever was in full swing with 19 games played. Prizes were donated by several local businesses including Morning Glory, Edible Arrangements; You Do The Dishes; Publix Supermarkets; Brusters; Flowers to Eat; Caf Cones; The Beauty Center and Salon at Seven Oaks; Escapades; First Watch; Target; and Cost Cutters.

Ron Sell's martial arts students presented a karate demonstration.

The biggest ticket items of the night were Jonas Brothers concert tickets courtesy of PTA PresidentMichelle Schemery; Devil Rays vs. Yankees baseball tickets courtesy of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce; a Family Portrait Package courtesy of Cloud 9 Studios; and an impromptu donation of six months free karate instruction donated by Ron Sell's Martial Arts. These items were auctioned. There were also several raffle prizes featuring lunch with Principal Lewis and Assistant Principal Scott Atkins.

Upcoming Events

Land O'Lakes High School Gator Alumni Cheerleaders are invited for the annual alumni cheerleading night, Nov. 9, at Land O'Lakes High School when the Gators take on the Wiregrass Ranch Bulls. All alumni cheerleaders who plan to participate are asked to contact head coach Celisa Cook by Thursday with the size needed for an alumni shirt to be worn on alumni cheer night. Cook can be reached at (813)794-9400 or ccook@pasco.k12.fl.us.

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[Last modified October 27, 2007, 20:45:08]