On May 17 The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Group was recognized for its dedication to the community. The YPG received the Salvation Army’s “Distinguished Service Award” for their efforts during the 2004 Hurricane Season.

Aimee Chouinard, YPG Volunteer Chair, and Dusty Swartz, YPG member, created a one-stop list of community needs and contacts, and recruited volunteers. YPG members Aida Robbins and Marci Weibel along with other Boars Head employees, and YPG members organized several trucks of sandwiches and volunteers to serve the community.

Michelle Halt, Managing Partner of Anexio and a member of YPG, worked with the Salvation Army to assess the needs of the community, create web graphics and broadcast emails, and drop-spots for supplies. The emails created by Halt were disseminated by Ron Turner, Vice President of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce to the YPG database of over 600 young professionals.

Blake Medical Center’s Auxiliary held its annual Volunteer Award Presentation and luncheon. The Dolphin Pelican room was filled with those receiving awards and others who attended to honor their service over the past year. The group was introduced to their new Board, a new Chaplain, Marilyn Lewis, and Wendy Rodgers, the new Director of Volunteers. Award pins were presented for 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service to the hospital. A 30 year pin will be sent to Pauline Pabst who was unable to attend.

Two charter members, Faith Handbill and Charlotte Grant were also present and were acknowledged for their work in founding the Auxiliary.
Newly elected members were installed and current members of the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. were rededicated at its annual meeting. The officers of the Board of Directors are: President, Jenny L. Ronk, Sarasota; First Vice President, Linda Getzen, Sarasota; Second Vice President, Ann Carrasquillo, North Fort Myers; Treasurer, Susan Welch, Sarasota; Secretary, Frances Robine, Cape Coral.

The Arts Council announces the appointment of Patricia Courtois and Sophia LaRusso to their Board of Directors. Both officers were presented by Jean Trammell, Chair of the Nominating Committee and confirmed by the Board at the Annual Meeting at Glenridge Center for the Performing Arts on April 25. Patricia Courtois, Chief Operating Office/Principal of Clarke Advertising, has 25 years experience in public relations. Sophia LaRusso, owns and operates her own consulting business, which focuses health and well-being from a total wellness approach. She is incoming President, Board of Directors of Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Forty Carrots Family Center announced the following new members Minta Getzen is board chair, Meg Wittmer is secretary and Terri Vitale and Tom McGregor are new new members. Remaining trustees of the board include: Taber Chadwick III; Melissa deLisser; Kim Githler; Nora Johnson; Stanley Kane; Betsy Kane-Hartnett (ex-officio); Mimi Klein; Nancy Liss; Graci McGillicuddy; Lynn Morris; Mark Perlman; Jan Pitchford; Keily Salser; Diane Weiss (ex-officio) and Richard Williams III (Treasurer).

The Meals on Wheels PLUS Board of Directors has elected its 2005-2006 Executive Committee, as follows: Vernon DeSear - President, Dave LaBell - Vice President, Terry Pomfret - Secretary, Virginia Orenstein - Treasurer, Darrell Turner - Member At Large.

The Sarasota Reading Festival announced the appointment of three new members of the Board of Directors. Noted author Leslie Glass, former Sarasota Mayor Richard Martin, and Realtor Chad Roffers have joined the 14-member board for two-year terms.
The board of directors of the Sarasota Reading Festival has created two new positions to guide the organization. Su Byron and Sonia Velasco, both well known in Sarasota’s arts and literary circles, will serve as festival director and festival producer, respectively, of the annual event. Byron has worked within the Sarasota arts world for the past 16 years. She was the co-publisher and editor of the Sarasota Arts Review for 12 years. For the past two years, Velasco has been a writer and associate editor at Sarasota Downtown & Beyond, where she continues as a freelance writer. The 2005 Sarasota Reading Festival will be held November 5. Call 941-906-1733.

20 Minutes to Fitness has announced the team members who have been hired to supervise and direct its strength-training program. Each of the Personal Fitness Coaches has unique qualifications and years of experience in personal training, teaching and/or body building. In addition, each has been awarded the 20 Minutes to Fitness Certification, a special category of training required for all training personnel.

The 20 Minutes To Fitness Team are: Lisa Duvin has been committed to health and fitness for over 20 years. In addition to her own personal fitness experience, she has been a competitive body builder, participating in Natural Physique Committee (NPC) and United States National Fitness Association (USNFA) events.

Teri Graham has over 15 years experience in the fitness and wellness industries. She is an Aerobics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA) nationally-certified personal trainer and has worked with all age groups and fitness levels. She has experience as both an owner and manager of health and fitness businesses, including starting her fitness career at
Gold’s Gym.

Melanie Kasper has been an American Council on Exercise (ACE) nationally-certified personal trainer since 1996. In addition, she is a certified yoga instructor, fitness instructor, and Level 1 Pilates instructor.

Dale Kuehne has been a personal fitness and wellness trainer for over twelve years, including employment at Gold’s Gym and General Nutrition Center. His experience includes club management, athlete coaching, weight loss counseling, core conditioning, and fitness evaluation.

Sharon McCampbell has been in the fitness business for over ten years, with experience in strength, flexibility and endurance training. She is an experienced business manager and operator, and has owned her own fitness company, Body and Soul by Sharon.

20 Minutes To Fitness is a new strength-training studio located in Lakewood Ranch. Its slow cadence program provides safe, supervised, one-on-one training using specially designed and calibrated equipment. The regimen requires only one 20-minute session a week and the benefits have been proven to be far more effective than other more traditional strength training programs. Call 941-309-8989.

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