Awards and dancing highlight 11th annual banquet
By Steve Lee
Staff Writer
WESLEY CHAPEL — Talk about a time warp, a Saddlebrook Resort banquet room on Sept. 25 was filled with women in min-dresses and knee-high boots while men sported open shirts and tight pants.
Not to mention a couple of hippies, alias the Callarmans of Crown Trophy.
Those fashion statements — with some making louder and more colorful impressions than others — highlighted the 1970’s Disco Flashback theme for the 11th annual Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony and Installation of Officers.
“It was a blast,” said Sheri Goldberg, the chamber’s executive director.
While several members actually have first-hand knowledge of that era, others in attendance were born after those days had gone by. Perhaps that is why many in the crowd danced the night away long after awards were doled out and directors were recognized.
“The demographics of the community and the chamber is for young professionals,” Goldberg said. “I guess they like to get up and dance. We saw a lot of energy at that banquet. The dance floor was packed.”
Before the dancers got in full swing, members applauded numerous award winners for their contributions to the chamber and community throughout the past year. Highlighting that list, along with their awards, were: David West, President’s; Anna Grover, Honorary Mayor’s; Cindy Fleming, Chamber Champion; Laura Miller, (2) Board Member and Volunteer of the Year; Jeff Miller, Ambassador of the Year.
A special award was presented to Jerry Sterner, who recently retired after 19 years in public relations for Florida Hospital Zephyrhills (formerly East Pasco Medical Center) and a week earlier had been recognized by the Zephyrhills chamber and given a key to that city.
“He’s an icon,” Goldberg said of Sterner, who plans to move to Tennesee. “We’re going to miss him.”
As for the top business awards of the year, that list featured: Cobb Theater and Hyundai-Mazda of Wesley Chapel, Large Business; Ierna’s Heating and Cooling, Small Business; Bay Insurors, and Jeff and Laura Miller of Charles Rutenberg Realtors, Best Supporting; Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Non-profit Organization; The Shops at Wiregrass, Rookie.
In addition to the award winners, the chamber announced its 2009-10 board of directors: Fleming, president; Debra Kaplan, vice president; Devin Collins, treasurer; pastor Jeff Olsen, secretary; Laura Miller, president-elect.
Remaining directors include: West, Michael Audino, John Negley, Richard Wendlek, Angela Bosler, Stephanie Watts, Mary Adele Cluck, Rob Kellog, Pat Ciaccio, Randy Stovall and Michael DeLessio.
Goldberg said the chamber lists a record-high 506 members.
