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Dunnellon Chamber Members Celebrate at Banquet |
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 The 74th Annual Awards Banquet of the Dunnellon Area Chamber of Commerce was held January 16th at the Rainbow Rivers Club in Dunnellon. Chamber members participated in making the evening a success. Nathan Whitt of Rainbow River Canoe & Kayak provided the music for the evening and Bently's Restaurant donated the appetizers. Dinner was catered by The Levee Restaurant of Dunnellon.
A highlight of the evening was this year's Making a Difference Award presentation. Charlene Williams of Superior Bank presented the award to Dunnellon's Police Chief, Joanne Black. Chief Black has been an active chamber member and director in 2009 and will continue in 2010. Williams expressed to the crowd how Chief Black was instrumental in the success of the Dunnellon Christmas Parade the past two years. Chief Black has also volunteered her time for other Chamber events such as Boomtown Days and Jazz Up. She is also a volunteer for the Annie Johnson Senior & Family Center where she is not only an active board member, but she also volunteers with food delivery and distribution. She also took an active role in this year's school supply drive. Chief Black leads by example and her officers proudly serve the community alongside her.
Mayor Fred Ward inducted the 2010 Board of Directors into office. They included Vernon Martin Smith, President; Annabelle Dobbs, Vice President; Lisa Sheffield, Secretary; Viola Soffe, Treasurer; Mathew Baillargeon, President-Elect; Joe Smyth; Avonelle Mackerel; Dana Roberts; Dennis Evans; Janice Fifield; Chief Joanne Black; Mike Wilson; Nancy Myers; Sharon Dixon; and Norm Lambert.
 The evening continued with award presentations.
The Community Service Award was presented to The Community Thrift Shop. Over $10,000 in shop proceeds is awarded annually to the community. Annabelle Dobbs, a dedicated shop volunteer accepted the award.
The Business Beautification award was presented to Victoria's School of Dance. Victoria Melfi and her daughter, Shalyn Barker accepted the award.
The Community Youth Service Award was presented to Boy Scout Troup # 452. Their troop currently has 17 active scouts. This troop has produced 6 Eagle Scouts over the past 5 years.
The Community Involvement Award was presented to the Relay 4 Life of Dunnellon. The 2009 Dunnellon Relay consisted of 18 teams which raised a total of $54,000. Tiffany Lee, the 2010 Chairperson accepted the award.
The Service Above Self Award was presented to Charlene Williams. Williams consistently supports Chamber events such as the Christmas Parade and Boomtown Days, including raising money by running for and winning the Boomtown Mayor Race. She is also an active supporter of the Boys and Girls Club and the Annie Johnson Senior & Family Center.
The Business Leader Award was presented to Lanse Fero. Fero contributed to the success of Chocolate Extravaganza, a fundraiser for the Chamber.
The Chamber Booster was presented to Aaron's Sales & Leasing.
Lanse Fero presented the Director of the Year Award to Mathew Baillargeon of Boomtown Media. Baillargeon was an integral part of Teen Movie Night over the summer, puts out the Chambers email news blasts, and was also involved in Boomtown Days, Jazz Up, and Chocolate Extravaganza.
Lisa Sheffield presented The President's Award to Steve Tyree of Shirt Solutions. Lisa Sheffield acknowledged Tyree for his hard work, intelligence and willingness to always lend a hand when needed.
Vernon Martin Smith presented the Past President’s Award to Lisa Sheffield and thanked her for her past two years of service to the chamber. Smith also thanked Executive Director, Beverly Leisure, for her continued service to the Chamber.
For more information on the Dunnellon Area Chamber of Commerce visit their website at www.dunnellonchamber.org.
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Fero & Sons Insurance Awarded for Excellence |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 03 February 2010 19:00 |
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The Agency Excellence Award for 2009 was presented to Fero & Sons Insurance last week at Allstate’s Agents Kick-Off Meeting held in Orlando, Florida. The meeting was attended by Independent Agents throughout the State of Florida.
 Just prior to the award ceremony, Tracy Fero, a fourth generation “Fero” in the family business, participated in a “peer” panel presentation to all of the attendees. Tracy’s presentation consisted of recommendations to other Independent Agents of proficient work flow procedures.
Louis I. Fero started the Fero family in the Insurance business in 1919 in Brooklyn, New York. His son, Dan Fero, moved to Dunnellon in 1954 and started a small agency. Now celebrating 56 years of personal service, Fero & Sons Insurance has grown to offer personal and commercial lines through approximately 100 companies at three locations including Dunnellon, Ocala and Beverly Hills.
If you would like additional information on the Award or how to obtain a complimentary quote for insurance coverage, please contact Tracy Fero (352) 489-2412 or via email at
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Ocala Leads in Home Sales |
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Florida's existing home sales rose in December, marking 16 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Ocala has the highest increase in the state, with a 79% increase in existing home sales.
Existing home sales rose 33 percent last month with a total of 14,630 homes sold statewide compared to 11,013 homes sold in December 2008, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide existing home sales last month increased 4.3 percent over statewide sales activity in November.
Florida Realtors also reported a 91 percent increase in statewide sales of existing condos in December compared to the previous year's sales figure; statewide existing condo sales last month rose 22 percent over the total units sold in November.
Seventeen of Florida's metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing home sales and higher condo sales in December. A majority of the state's MSAs have reported increased sales for 18 consecutive months.
Florida's median sales price for existing homes last month was $140,400; a year ago, it was $155,300 for a 10 percent decrease. Housing industry analysts with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.
According to NAR's latest outlook, home sales are seeing a boost from the federal homebuyer tax credit. "There are many more potential buyers who can enter the market in the months ahead," said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. "Activity should ramp up for another surge in the spring when buyers take advantage of the expanded tax credit, which hopefully will take us into a self-sustaining market in the second half of 2010. In all, 4.4 million households are expected to claim the tax credit before it expires, and balance should be restored to the housing sector with inventories continuing to decline.”
Source: National Association of Realtors |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 19:00 |
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