March 21, 2017
"Taking Care of Business!"

PRESIDENT'S CORNER: Healthy Bartow

Bartow Is A Healthy City

Many of you may already know this, but I believe it's important for us: Bartow has been assessed as one of 98 municipal or county governments deemed as a Community Champion for implementing policies shown to increase physical activity and improve nutrition.

The Florida Department of Health began the program three years ago in response to record high risk obesity and serious health conditions including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer.

Believe it or not, Florida statistics show that 35 percent of adults are obese, more than 36 percent overweight and only 26 percent maintain a healthy weight.

I am very proud that the Bartow Chamber of Commerce implemented FORTRESS FITNESS two years ago, at the urging of Marie Wilmot, a Chamber activist, and this continuing program encourages fitness through various types of exercise at Fort Blount Park, the second Saturday of each month.

Other initiatives cited in the decision to choose Bartow as a Community Champion for Health is the City of Bartow's sidewalk improvement project that encourages walking activities.

The City's Parks and Recreation Departments events and exercise programs are also listed for implementing policies shown to increase physical activity.

On April 4, the Department of Health will be at the Polk County Commission meeting to present awards to the five: Bartow, Polk County, Mulberry, Lakeland and Winter Haven. We're glad to have had a hand in promoting Bartow's health. See you then.

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 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

CHAMBER QUARTERLY HAS 40K READERSHIP

 Reserve your space now in the Summer 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.

SEE US HERE!

SUN 'n FUN Int'l Fly-In Expo April 4-9, 2017 TICKETS!

MARCH BUSINESS: J. MARIE STIDHAM, DMD, PA



Left to right: Dr. J. Marie Stidham and Chamber Membership Services Director Barbara Adamson

March Business of the Month
________________________________________
J. Marie Stidham, DMD, PA
620 East Davidson Street, Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 533-4331  www.jmariestidham.com




For more than 20 years Dr. J. Marie Stidham has dedicated her practice to providing the latest state-of-the-art dental techniques and procedures. Just as important is her commitment to a highly-trained, friendly and caring staff that always puts her patients first. That's important to Dr. Stidham, not only as a medical professional, but also as a Bartow native. With Dr. Stidham, you can be confident with experienced professionals, amazing technology, and genuine compassion and care.

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

MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST


MAYOR'S SUNRISE PRAYER BREAKFAST. Why so early?
When the Mayor’s Sunrise Prayer Breakfast was first conceived, it was agreed it would be a time of early morning prayer to begin the day.

Tickets are $12 per person
Reserved table of 8 Sponsorship are also available.
FOR TICKETS, SPONSORSHIPS.

DON'T MISS FORTRESS FITNESS FOR APRIL!

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!

MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES

50 YEARS
R.W. Summers Railroad Contractor, Inc.

35 YEARS
Billy B. Brown, Jr., DDS
Florida Truck & Trailer Company


30 YEARS
Annett Bus Lines
Phillip E. Abbott, DDS


25 YEARS
Camping World of Bartow
Clark/Nikdel/Powell, Inc.
LaVerne McCall


20 YEARS
Graphite Maintenance, Inc.

15 YEARS
Bartow Dixie Baseball, Inc.

10 YEARS
Tommie Jenkins

5 YEARS
Bohde Grove Service
Labor Solutions, Inc.
Patel, Greene & Associates, PLLC
Jean O'Doski
Senator Denise Grimsley

CHAMBER EVENTS


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

MARCH

Friday, March 24, 2:30 p.m.
LAKELAND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING DIGITAL BILLBOARD RIBBON-CUTTING
Wow! A ribbon-cutting for a billboard located at Dairy Queen Bartow, 1795 N. Broadway Ave. Don't miss it - you never know who might show up at this one!

Tuesday, March 28, 9:30 a.m.
RIBBON CUTTING FOR SONNY'S BBQ NEW RENOVATIONS
595 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow

Wednesday, March 29, 7:00 a.m.
MAYOR'S SUNRISE PRAYER BREAKFAST
Bartow Civic Center, Tickets, $12

Thursday, March 30, 6:00 p.m.
GEORGE W. HARRIS, JR. YOUTH CRISIS AND RUNAWAY SHELTER's
TASTE OF BARTOW
Allen Ranch Barn, Fort Meade
 

NEW MEMBERS

Pest Control
 Massey Services, Inc.
Mr. Wili Davi
3705 US Hwy 98 S., Suite 4
Lakeland, FL 33812
(863) 665-4137
Visit Website here.

Attorneys
Saunders Law Group, P.A.
Mr. Thomas C. Saunders
480 S. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 533-6200
Visit Website here.

Engineers- Surveyors-Planners
Sloan Engineering Group, Inc.
Mr. Alan L. Rayl, PE, PSM
150 S. Woodlawn Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 800-3046

Community Action & Human Services
Lighthouse Ministries, Inc.
Mr. Steve Turbeville
215 E. Magnolia Street
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 687-4076
Visit Website here.

Travel Agencies
Good Life USA
Mr. Charles Gaines
4334 Stephanie Way
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 633-9700
Visit Website here.

MEMBER MICRONEWS

TASTE OF BARTOW EVENT
TO BENEFIT SHELTER
SPONSORSHIPS STILL AVAILABLE!

Join the Youth and Family Alternative organization for a fun-filled night of music, dancing, drawings, and delicious local food and drink - all for a great cause!
Proceeds to benefit the George W. Harris Jr. Runaway and Youth Crisis Shelter
     Your $25 ticket includes unlimited samples of scrumptious fare from our talented local chefs plus beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Come and enjoy the soulful sounds of gifted local musician Justin Grimes while you participate in a table drawing filled with fabulous prizes. Dance the night away in the beautiful barn at the Allen Cattle Ranch. Come as you are - there’s no dress code and all are welcome!
at the ALLEN BARN, 6410 Garfield Rd.
Fort Meade, 33841
on Thursday, March 30, 2017, 5:00-9:00 p.m.
For tickets call: 863-397-7488


CLICK BELOW TO READ ABOUT THE UPCOMING
FLORIDA SHERIFF'S YOUTH VILLA CLASSIC AND MORE!

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GreenBlue - March 21, 2017