Incubator Ribbon Cutting Picture Says a Thousands Words
The ribbon cutting picture above tells much, namely, this event was very well attended. Over 140 people joined the ceremony as Chad Pert, entrepreneur, who shepherded the Incubator from conception to completion, cuts the ribbon supported by Gordon Hogan, Chief Operating Officer of UCF Incubator Programs. Other dignitaries included County Commission Chairman Fred Hawkins, St. Cloud Mayor Donna Hart, UCF Incubator Vice President Tom O’Neal, as well as County Commissioner Mike Harford, City Council members Mickey Hopper, Jay Polachek, Jarem Fertic and Kissimmee Commissioner Cheryl Greib, County Economic Development Director Maria Grulich and St. Cloud Economic Development Consultant Ernie Gearhart.
The Incubator is a handsome facility, the nicest of all seven operated by UCF and is ready to receive its first 5 tenants. Approximately 15 or 16 tenants are expected to fill the facility. Jim Martin of Crabby Bill’s Seafood, catered the event – the shrimp, oysters, gator tail, meat balls, crab cakes and martini bar were all very popular.
Kudos & Congratulations
Chamber Volunteer Mary Castro (pictured in blue), who has donated many administrative hours each week for the past several years, was selected Best Supporting “Female” at Community Visions recent Academy Awards Luncheon for Community Volunteers.
The event, themed as a Hollywood Academy Awards, was beautifully decorated and attended by 600 volunteers. Shown here making the presentation is Dorie Croissant, Osceola County Council on Aging Board President.Congratulations, Mary, and thank you for all you do for the Chamber Ribbon Cutting
Friday April 9th's Ribbon Cutting at Hair It Is in St. Cloud, was a happening experience.
It was reported that 90 people gathered to wish Myra C. Hernandez well with the opening of her new beauty salon and support her as she cut the ribbon. The salon is very tastefully appointed, wood finishes, classic colors of black, gray, maroon.
The layout makes good use of the space and encourages an open free flow. The turnout was a great start for this new business venture, a personal reflection of the enthusiastic owner.
New Members Visit Sacred Pathways
Sacred Pathways hosted new members last week for a New Member Reception. The store offers a unique selection of spiritual books, representing a large selection of cultures, philosophies and movements. The Native American Indian section of stories, histories and lore is particularly strong.
Art work and posters, an interesting variety of mood and progressive thought candles, incense and artifacts are just part of the inventory carried. Several groups meet regularly at the store’s meeting room. In fact, after networking time, new members met in the largest room and received an overview of the Chamber structure, committees, events, who to contact, benefits and services available to members. New members introduced themselves with short statements of who they are.
New members attending included: Kent Wooten, Sacred Pathways; Belinda Johnson-Cornett, Osceola County Health Department/Primary Care Services; Carla T. Poirier, Carla's Creations & Occasions LLC; Edgardo Ramos, Dog's A LaCarte; Linda Balash & Patrice DeNike, Lake Nona Harmony Homes LLC; Lynn Ingersoll, Roy’s Safe & Lock, Inc.; Dan Hougaard & Greg Combs, Servpro of Osceola County, Inc.; Don & Fran Smith, Veterans Tribute & Museum of Osceola County Inc.; Naomi F. Norris, Waddell & Reed Financial Advisors; Donnita Dampier, Osceola County Historical Society; Jana Woods, Red Eye Media, Inc.; Marie Eatman, Liquid Blue Travel; Trish Giacin, GF Wedding Concepts; Debbie Johnson, Johnson Financial; Cheryl Williams, Herbalicious; and Bradley Kibbe & Diana Martinez, Adult Learning Center Osceola (ALCO).
St. Cloud Life 2010 Expo
Mardi Gras was certainly in the air for St. Cloud Life 2010 as attested to in these to photos. This year’s event was a great success.
We will have a special publication recapping all the Expo’s happenings coming to you soon. Congratulations to all the winners and a huge thank you to all the volunteers.
Youth Basketball Program Honors Founder Ron Riley
A ceremony honoring longtime City of St. Cloud Parks & Recreation employee Ron Riley, renamed the youth basketball program he started the “Ron Riley Youth Basketball League.” Ron, who is recreation supervisor, has impacted thousands if St. Cloud youth, teaching them skills and values that go beyond the basketball court. Ron Riley played college ball for USC, where he remains the school’s all-time leader in rebounds.
His court skills have earned him honors at USC and the PAC-10 Conference, and as a Hall-of-Famer inductee. After college, Ron played professional ball for two teams, his last three years with the Houston Rockets. The ceremony was followed by the first-ever “Youth Basketball All-Star Games”, with the players wearing their Ron Riley Youth Basketball League T-shirts.