- April 19, 2024
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Nancy Curtis snaps a photo of an owl while Jonathan Handee keeps an eye on the bird.
Charles Bryant, Susan Smith and Ron Valdez.
Evan Barniskis and 2017 chairman Michael Doll.
Attendees gathered to peer right back into the owl's huge eyes.
Al Benincasa, Jimmy Bonner and Penelope Mabrey.
1975 chairman Tim Field stands in the background as 1995-1998/2006 chairman Andrew Vac introduces the event.
President Gail Loefgren and Michael Doll.
2014 chairwoman Yvonne Schloss and incoming chairwoman Tonya Atchison.
David Pilston, Tim Field and Andrew Vac.
Tonya Atchison, Gail Loefgren and Michael Vejins.
Michael Doll and 2018 chairman Mark Meador.
Donna Blaney, Gail Loefgren and Andrew Vac hand out door prizes.
Debby McClung comes up to claim her prize.
Gail Loefgren, Andrew Vac and Tonya Atchison prepare to pick the winner of Each One Reach One.
The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce celebrated several of its past chairpersons, new members and those who helped grow the Chamber over the past year.
On Nov. 7, a few dozen Chamber members gathered at Save Our Seabirds to eat, drink and toast to the approaching new year. Chairpersons from the Chamber’s inception (Tim Field from 1975) to current day (Tonya Atchison, incoming chairperson) were in attendance to be appreciated alongside the Chamber’s loyal members.
“We could not do what we do without you,” said President Gail Loefgren. “You move the goals of the Chamber forward. In our hearts we’re always saying, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’”
After introducing past chairpersons, Save Our Seabirds CEO David Pilston came up to speak about the goals of the institution, including their plans for building an education center, front office and “bird playground” to get people to “linger longer and learn more.”
Before the night ended, Loefgren drew from a pot to determine the winner of Each One Reach One, the Chamber’s program to bring new members into the group. Each member who brought in a new member throughout the past year got their business card in the pot. Peg Pluto, manager of the Wicker Inn Beach Resort, won the Grand Prize, a staycation on Longboat Key including three nights at Casa Del Mar, a basket from Publix and two massages from Longboat Massage.
