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March 2014 Vol 23, No 4

Monthly Meetings

Monthly BusinessLuncheon

April 3, 2013 noonTamara's Tapa's Bar

73 Market StreetApalachicola

Business After HoursApril 10, 20135:30-7:00 pm

TBA

Monthly BusinessLuncheon

May 7, 2014 noonBlue Parrot

68 West Gorrie DriveSt George Island

Visitor Statics

February

Feb 2001 1,414Feb 2002 1,150Feb 2003 694Feb 2004 950Feb 2005 1,538Feb 2006 1,430Feb 2007 2,309Feb 2008 3,330Feb 2009 1,972Feb 2010 2,444Feb 2011 2,193Feb 2012 1,999Feb 2013 2,052Feb 2014 2,684

Director's Column

What an amazing winter and springseasons we have had. Recordbreaking I'd say. Phone calls andemail requests for information rolled inas winter storms across the country Our website receives 12,000-20,000unique visitors each month. Would youlike to reach these potential visitors,renters, brides to be, or people seekingto relocate to the area? Advertise onthe Apalachicola Bay Chamberwebsite and reach thousands of peopleeach month. We have banner adsavailable from $10.00 to $45.00 permonth. Email us for detailsanita@apalachicolabay.org.

SBDC Business Counseling Keith Bowers from the Small BusinessDevelopment Center at FAMU will becoming to the Apalachicola Bay Chamberof Commerce on April 8th. He will beavailable by appointment for one-on-onebusiness counseling from noon-4:00 pm.Keith is very knowledgeable and can helpyou with your business in a variety ofareas. Call us at (850) 653-9419 if youwould like to set up an appointment.

New Members

Up the StairsWelcome Keri Hall with her new restaurantUp The Stairs located at 76 Market Street

Our Sponsors

Events

Antique & Classic Boat Show 16th annual Apalachicola Antique &Classic Boat Show will be on Saturday,

February 2013 Website

Stats Visits 15,331

Unique Visitors 12,054Pageviews 55,579Pages / Visit 3.63Avg. Visit 3:40

Bounce Rate 42.84%% New Visits 70.60%

Board of DirectorsPRESIDENT

Donna Duncan 653-8976

VICE-PRESIDENT

Bud Hayes 927-3305

TREASURER

Jerry Hall 653-9510

SECRETARY

Kristin Anderson 653-

2249

BOARD MEMBERSBrenda 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

John Solomon 323-1330

Ouida Tartt 653-4687

Jean Ulrich 653-2900

suite F (in the old Verandas location). UpThe Stairs is an upscale dining locationfor the 21 & over crowd (that's right, noone under 21, even if they are with aparent). It is a quiet dining spot wherepatrons can get away from the bustlingcrowds, noise and even relatives. Up TheStairs has signature cocktails, anextensive martini list and an evolving winelist. They also have a nice selection ofbottled craft beers. Richard Elliott is thechef. He and Keri developed with a menuthat is somewhat retro in its offerings-steaks, salmon, duck, scampi, but with anew spin. They have small plate dining inthe lounge and a full menu in the diningroom. Up The Stairs is open Wednesday-Saturday from 4:00 -10:00 pm, and brunchon Sunday from noon -6:00pm. They canbe reached by calling (850) 653-4888. Thewebsite is coming soon.

Coastline ElectronicsWelcome Chad Clough with his businessCoastline Electronics. Founded in 1996,Coastline provides security systems andsurveillance systems, both monitored andself-monitored, network wiring forbusinesses and homes for computers,telephone and cable. Chad has been inApalachicola since 1986. He and his wifeHeather live in Apalachicola. To reachCoastline Electronics call (850) 899-0035.

Gulf Unmanned Systems CenterBruce McCormack joined the chamberwith his business Gulf Unmanned SystemsCenter (GUSC). GUSC is a facility thattests, provides training, produces andprovides support for aerial and subseaunmanned vehicles for government,industry and academia. Bruce has been inthe Defense Department business since1988. Through analysts he found awidening gap between unmanned systemsinfrastructure development in training,testing, evaluation, support, maintenance,and data management. This gap createdopportunities for GUSCto provide supportfor government laboratories, defensecontractors, universities and technologycompanies. They will also be introducingunmanned systems into commercialapplications supporting agriculture, aquaculture, hydrology studies and environ-mental sciences. GUSC has purchased theold Gulf State Bank building in Carrabelle

April 19th. Special highlights include toursaboard the Apalachicola MaritimeMuseum's vessel the Heritage, a 58-footwooden Herreshoff-designed ketch. Thewill also be demonstrations of steamengines on AMM's beautiful antiquesteam powered vessels. The ApalachicolaNational Estuarine Research Reserve willhave displays along with boothsfeaturing: the Coast Guard Auxiliary, kidsmodel boat building, the National WeatherService and boat building demonstrationsthroughout the day. The restored 1877gaff-rigged schooner the Governor Stonewill also be in attendance.

At 5:30 pm BackPorch Revival, an Old-Time String Band will play near RiverfrontPark. Grab a comfortable chair and join usfor this special concert. Playing fiddletunes, vocals of folk songs traditional andcontemporary, they'll have your toestapping and put a smile on your face. TheApalachicola Maritime Museum will host aspecial open house Friday evening with areception from 6:00-8:00 pm, and Sundaythere will be a cruise up the ApalachicolaRiver. Questions? Please call (850) 653-9419 or email usat info@apalachicolabay.org orvisit http://www.antiqueboatshow.org

Golf Tournament Fundraiser ForSchoolFranklin County School is holding itssecond Golf Tournament Fundraiser onApril 5, 2014 to benefit programs in theschool such as art, music, field trips andmore. All profit will go directly into theinternal account that finances theseprograms. You may participate byregistering to play, sponsoring one ormore players or donating one or moreprizes to be given to players. Prizes suchas fishing trips, meals, lodging,entertainment, or whatever your businessspecializes in would be greatlyappreciated. An advertisement of yourdonation will displayed throughout thetournament activities. If you wish todonate a prize, pleaseemailjmalone@franklin.k12.fl.us or callJeanette at 850-670-2810 x 4108.

Ilse Newell Concert SeriesBay Area Choral Society will perform theEaster Messiah Sunday, April 13, 4:00pm

as their headquarters which will be calledthe Gulf Unmanned Operations Center andthey will expand into the former GreenSteel Home building. Bruce says they willemploy ten people full time jobs withbenefits within thirty days of opening.

Jean Ulrich, Jeff Galloway Real EstateJean Ulrich, current member with GaryUlrich Construction, Inc. has joined with asecond membership as a Broker Associatewith Jeff Galloway Real Estate. Jeanreceived her license in 1987 and has beenactively selling real estate in our area forthe past six years. She is a BrokerAssociate, a Certified Resort and SecondHome Specialist, and works throughoutthe area including St. George Island,Apalachicola, and Eastpoint. Jean hasbeen a chamber board member for twoyears. She and her husband Gary areoriginally from S. Petersburg, Florida, butlived in Tallahassee for thirty plus years.They relocated to St. George Island in2005. Gary is a local builder in FranklinCounty. Jean can be reached by calling(850) 566-2171 or by emailjean@beachesbyjeff.com

The Marketing StoreDan Anderson owner ofMustSee magazine has joined he chamberwith The Marketing Store, a marketing firmoffering a full line of services includingmarketing consulting, graphic design,creative services, internet marketing andsocial media, printing -from rack cards tosigns, large format printing includingbanners. They can help you with all of thestuff you need to do for your business butdon't have time to do.The MarketingStore can support, refine, enhance,expand, or even spearhead, yourmarketing efforts. They provide theservices of an advertising agency, publicrelations firm, graphic design studio, printshop, web developer and sign factory...allunder one roof. They can also help withsocial media management. Call Dan for afree marketing consultation to help yourbusiness define its marketing goals andfind affordable ways to deliver yourmessage. Contact The Marketing Store at(850) 227-6986 or by email atdan@mustseemagazine.com. Visit theirwebsite athttp:www.msmarketingstore.com

at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Full Moon Climb St. GeorgeLighthouseThe April Full Moon Climb at the Cape St.George Lighthouse on St. George Islandwill be held on April 14th. The Sunset/FullMoon Climb will take place from 7:30 p.m.to 9:00 p.m. and will include light horsd'oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast tothe full moon. Cost is $15.00 for thegeneral public and $10.00 for members ofthe St. George Lighthouse Association.After sunset, people are invited to climb tothe top of the lighthouse for abreathtaking view of the full moon, asspace and time permit. Cost is $10.00 forthe general public and $5.00 for SGLAmembers. For reservations or moreinformation call (850) 927-7745.

Earth Day- Arbor Day CelebrationThe annual Earth Day-Arbor Daycelebration will take place Sunday, April22 at 5:00 pm at City Square CommunityGarden located at the intersection of 8thStreet and Avenue F. Everyone is invitedto join gardeners, neighbors, and friendsas we enjoy food and music, renew ourcommitment to healthful, sustainableliving.

Panhandle PlayersThe Panhandle Players will present OnGolden Pond, April 25-27. This is a heart-warming love story of Ethel and NormanThayer who are returning to their summerhome for the forty-eighth year. As thesummer wanes, so does their brief idyll,and in the final, deeply moving momentsof the play, they are brought even closertogether. Time, they know, is now againstthem, but the years have been good and,perhaps, another summer on Golden Pondstill awaits. Friday and Saturdayperformances at 7:30 pm and a Sundaymatinee at 3 pm. Tickets are available atDowntown Books and The Butler Agencyand the Carrabelle Junction or call (404)326-7791 for reservations.

Got Ideas? Suggestions?How can the Apalachicola BayChamber better serve you? Isthere something that we can do betterto help your business? Is there something

Seymour Realty of St George IslandMary Seymour joined the chamber withher business Seymour Realty of St GeorgeIsland. Mary received her license in 2002and has been active since 2007. Shereceived her brokers licenses this year.Mary, her husband Kenny and son Kylealso own Alternative Electric. Marybelieves a real estate transaction shouldbe all about the customer and it is her goalto make every transaction as easyas possible. Seymour Realty of St GeorgeIsland is located at 35 Island Drive unit 3in Eastpoint. Mary can be reached bycalling (850) 728-8578, by email atmary@seymourrealtysgi.com or visit herwebsite athttp://www.seymourrealtysgi.com

Member NewsSt. Vincent Island National WildlifeRefuge is in danger of losing even itscurrent, minimal staffing. The USFWSis considering relegating St. Vincent to"custodial" status. This means it maynot be open to the public and will mostlikely have only one or no staffassigned to it. There will be veryminimal or no active management and

no proactive work in general. What

can you do? Contact the USFWSadministrators and let them know thatmany of us care deeply about theisland and that it plays an importantrole in bringing tourist to our area. Youcan make a difference in whether St.Vincent is stripped of its staff andmanagement. Please write brief letteror email to the US Fish and Wildlife

Service BEFORE April 15th. Besure to state that you oppose anyfurther cuts to staff or programs andthat you are very concerned aboutfuture management and protection ofthe island. Regional Director of theSoutheast RegionCindy_Dohner@fws.gov. RegionalChief of the National Wildlife Refugesystem David_Viker@fws.gov andJamBurnett@fws.gov at St. Marks.

you would like to see us add or change onthe website, at the visitor's center or in thevisitor's guide? Ideas are alwayswelcome. Feel free to call or email us withyour ideas at info@apalachicolabay.org .

Volunteers Always WelcomeThe Apalachicola Bay ChamberVisitor Center seeks volunteers to help atthe visitors center and with specialprojects. Duties include giving our visitorinformation,answering questions aboutplaces to stay, restaurants and things todo. If you would like to help, we'd loveto have you. It can be a funand rewarding. Contact us for details (850)653-9419 or email usat info@apalachicolabay.org

Weems Medical Center opened a newfacility in Apalachicola, WeemsMedical Center West, in the old healthdepartment location, just south of theWeems Emergency room entrance,137-12th Street. The days and hoursof operation are Monday throughFriday 8:00am - 5:00pm. Providers atthe center are : Monday - Roy 'Skip'Parker, PA-C, DFAAPA, Tuesday &Wednesday - Dr. EugeneCharbonneau and Thursday & Friday- Dana Whaley, ARNP WeemsMedical Center East (Carrabelle) isopen Monday through Saturday8:00am - 5:00pm. Both facilities takewalk-ins as appointment times willpermit; however, scheduledappointments are recommended. Youcan call (850) 653-1525 to schedule anappointment.

Apalachicola Bay Chamber | | anita@apalachicolabay.org | http://w w w .apalachicolabay.org

122 Commerce Street

Apalachicola, FL 32320

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