Page 9 - Martin Downs Bulletin - June '23

Martin Downs, Page 9

bUSiNESS

JUNE 2023 Palm City CommUNity CENtEr, 2701 S.W. CorNEll avE., Palm City
PhoNE: (772) 286-8121 Fax: (772) 286-3331
WWW.PalmCityChambEr.Com

President’s message

As the school year has come to an end, and for some of us important tips to make sure we are all prepared for this season, including making
us, our fiscal year as well, it is a great time to reflect. It sure you have enough supplies for at least 3 days in the aftermath of a storm. It is
has been such an honor to watch this Palm City Chamber also important to make sure you have the correct mortgage information listed on your
grow by leaps and bounds. Our membership is continually homeowner’s policy before a storm to guarantee a smooth claim process following a
rising, and we are truly seeing the connections that the storm, if necessary. Their hurricane supply kits reminded us of the essentials we need
Chamber fosters. At our new member reception, our board for a storm, and I urge all of us to make sure we double check those supplies before
members, ambassadors, and staff shared stories about how we need them.
the Palm City Chamber has helped our businesses grow We have an exciting breakfast this month in collaboration with the Hobe Sound
and learned about what the new members bring to our & Indiantown Chambers of Commerce to share a Legislative Update with our
already robust portfolio. Palm City is booming with new community. On Tuesday, June 27 from 7:30 - 9 a.m., we will have Senator Gayle
and innovative businesses and having them join us for a Harrell, Representative Toby Oberdorf, and Representative John Snyder at New Hope
warm welcome was such a pleasure. In perfect timing with Fellowship in Palm City to update us on recent changes in the legislature that affect
summer at our doorstep, Carolyn and Les Leibowitz of Cruise Planners sponsored the our area. The Palm City Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to this informative
event, sharing travel tips, answering frequently asked questions, and making sure we breakfast and I hope to see many of you there!
all went home with bright luggage tags to spot our bags on summer vacations! Don Pipes
For most Floridians, when we think of summer (and those aforementioned vacations),
the word “storms” is not far behind. June 1 is the start of hurricane season, and as much
as I enjoy seeing my name at the top of lists, I am hoping to not see Hurricane Don
make an appearance this year! Tami Karol of Tami Karol Insurance and Bob Thornton of
O’Donnell Impact Windows & Storm Protection cautioned us at our monthly breakfast
that hoping for no hurricanes is NOT a solid hurricane preparedness plan. They gave
Executive Director’s Corner

The phrases “some gave all” and the “ultimate family time to protect ours. Take the time to thank a veteran. Visit the grave of a passed
sacrifice” are very impactful. This is what we should focus veteran. Be a guardian for Southeast Florida Honor Flight and enjoy a day that will
on when we celebrate Memorial Day, Independence Day, change your life.
and Veterans Day. Our Veterans are to be honored and Our United States Veterans deserve our respect, support, and appreciation every day.
treasured each day by the citizens of the United States of Missi Campbell
America. Executive Director
I had the pleasure of knowing Frances Langford and Palm City Chamber of Commerce
she helped foster patriotism in me. I greatly appreciate all
she did for our servicemen and women, and I have vowed
to do my part. 2023 Palm City Chamber of
As a Kindergarten teacher for 34 years, my students adopted service members every
year. We would send CARE packages throughout the school year. We were fortunate
to have many of these active-duty service members visit my classes through the years. Commerce board of Directors
Sometimes they were members of a student’s family and other times they were local
former students. This was a fabulous experience for the children and the families in
my classes. I would take a big box covered in drawings by 5-year-olds and stickers to
the post office to mail. Many times, a stranger would ask about the box and then pay President Don Pipes APP Jet Center
for the postage. A wonderful unspoken acknowledgement to our soldiers. Vice-President Peter Sicoli Sailfish Insurance
As an adult, I have had the opportunity to participate in Southeast Florida Honor
Flight three times. If you haven’t had the chance to do this, I highly recommend it. Treasurer David Bradford Edward Jones
This is a lifechanging experience for you and your veteran. I feel as though I welcomed
three additional grandfathers to my life. Secretary Meghan Shirey Boys & Girls Club of Martin County
My first veteran, Seymour Hoffman, served in World War II and is currently living Past President Christina Franco Hampton by Hilton
in Boynton Beach. We celebrated his 100th birthday at the Palm City Chamber of
Commerce Gala in February 2022. He turned 101 this past January 17th. Director Tyson Waters Fox McCluskey Bush & Robison
The second veteran I was blessed to meet was Charlie McCarthy. Charlie served in Director Gigi Suntum Caring Children Clothing Children
the Korean War and was a kind-hearted man once you got through his tough exterior.
Sadly, Charlie passed away in 2021. I still stay in contact with his wife, Sally. Director Cheree Ramirez Children’s Services Council of MC
I had the chance to go on Honor Flight again with Guy Macchia in 2019. Guy and
his wife, Anne, live out on Hutchison Island. They are a lovely couple, and I was glad Director Carolyn Leibowitz Cruise Planners
to spend time with them. Director Robin Hall Out2News
I share these experiences because it is very easy to make the life of our service
members special. After all, they are defending us and giving up their freedom and Director Tara Biek-Robison Tara Biek Creative
Director Shaun Plymale Treasure Coast Legal
President’s Council Director Mike Gonzalez Blue Stream Fiber

Director
Rob McLaughlin
Access 365 Urgent Care
member Director Patrick Gleason State Insurance
Director Steve Klaassen Colorado Pawn & Jewelry
We would like to highlight our President’s Director Rebecca Beckett HJ Sims
Council Member CBS 12 News. We all love to
watch “The One To Turn To” for our local news, Ex-Officio Toby Overdorf State Representative
weather, and traffic. If you have any questions Ex-Officio Ed Ciampi Martin County Commission
regarding CBS 12, please contact Josh Brown at
njbrown@sbgtv.com or (561) 346-2541. Ex-Officio Michael DiTerlizzi Martin County School Board