| Published:
Jan 12, 2006 - 07:16:15 pm EST
Healthy
landscapes discussed at meeting
By D.
Hamilton, Okeechobee News
 |
| Okeechobee
Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director Brenda
O’Connor (left) introduced
guest speakers from the
Okeechobee County Extension
Office, Dan Culbert (right)
and Ed Ayen (center) at
Wednesday’s general
membership meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce. Okeechobee
News/D. Hamilton
|
The Okeechobee
Chamber of Commerce held its first
general membership meeting of 2006
Wednesday and recognized several
community businesses for their
support.
Chamber of Commerce Executive
Director Brenda O’Connor and
Chamber President Darrell Donnelly
used the first portion of the
meeting to acknowledge local
businesses, and presented them with
plaques of appreciation for their
continued support and cooperation
with the Chamber.
Among those present for the
presentations were Vicki Holland
from Ferrell Gas, George Dukes of
Vinyl Signs and Images, Jenny
Stewart from Waste Management, Bob
Zhawred of WOKC Radio, Nancy
Gagliari of Rustic Ranch Furniture,
Michael Bannwarth of Wal-Mart,
Katrina Elsken of The Okeechobee
News, Theresa Burns from KOA, Joe
Henderson of First Bank of
Indiantown and Charles Hukriede of
Golden Corral Restaurant.
A number of other local businesses
who were not represented were also
mentioned for their efforts and
contributions to the chamber as
well. Those businesses not
represented at the meeting included
Everglades Farm Equipment, Walpole,
Inc., Okeechobee County Sheriff’s
Office, M & M Self-Storage,
Corporate sponsors, Coca-Cola and
Okeechobee City Police Department.
The general membership meeting also
included guest speakers from the
Okeechobee County Extension Service
to talk to the group about
‘Florida Friendly Landscapes.’
The guests,
horticulturalists Dan Culbert and Ed
Ayen, presented the group with
information emphasizing nine
principles needed to sustain a
natural, more environmentally
healthy landscape.
Mr. Ayen told members that first and
foremost in having a healthy
landscape was to use the “right
plant in the right place.”
“Plants that are selected to suit
a specific area will require less
water, fertilizer and pesticides,”
he said.
He went on to note the other eight
points in environmentally sound
landscaping included watering
efficiently, fertilizing responsibly
with proper amounts, using mulch,
attracting wildlife, managing yard
pests, using yard clippings to
provide nutrients to the soil and
reduce waste, reducing stormwater
runoff and protecting the
waterfront.
Mr. Ayen discussed the Florida Yards
and Neighborhoods program with the
county extension service and stated
that the program is an educational
outreach to protect Florida’s
natural resources. He told the group
that the program is funded by
federal dollars from the Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP),
which is then funneled through the
University of Florida and through to
the county extension service.
Mr. Culbert told
local business members about several
programs available to assist
residents with their lawn and garden
questions, conservation and
environmental concerns. Anyone
interested in obtaining more
information about programs through
the extension service can contact
Mr. Culbert at (863) 763-6469.
In other Chamber of Commerce
business:
The KOA will host a free bridal expo
at the campground on Jan. 15.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce for
more information on the event.
Brenda O’Connor announced the next
Chamber of Commerce ‘Coffee
Klatch’ will be held Jan. 19 at 8
a.m. at R.J. Gators Restaurant, 102
S.W. 14th St.
A blood drive will take place on
Saturday, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m.
until 4 p.m. at Flagler Park. The
Chamber of Commerce will be hosting
a barbeque from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
in conjunction with the blood drive.
For information on area Chamber
events, contact the Chamber of
Commerce at (863) 763-6464. |
