September ended on a high note as we helped to welcome Lake Nona’s newest supermarket, Earth Fare, to the community as we celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 29. The community welcomed this new chamber Stakeholder Partner to the area at 6:45 a.m. on a Saturday morning, and there were almost 800 people there. A spokesperson for Earth Fare said it was the second largest attendance for a grand opening in the company’s history. Way to go, Lake Nona!!

October was a very busy month for Lake Nona’s chamber. Of course, the highlight of the month was our sixth annual Taste of Nona signature event. But, that is not all. The month also included three ribbon cuttings for chamber members. Our staff and ambassadors, along with members of the board of directors and excited members, welcomed Chill Pop Lounge, Crunch Fitness (Belle Isle), and Laureate Insurance Partners as we cut the ribbon for these exciting new additions to our region and the chamber. In addition, chamber members and guests enjoyed a classy First Tuesdays hosted by the Hemisphere Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport.

6th Annual Taste of Nona
As mentioned above, October’s schedule also included our fall signature event, Taste of Nona, held at the Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott in Lake Nona Town Center. This red-carpet event featured culinary treats from nearly 30 local restaurants and other culinary providers. The 400 attendees partook of sample portions of signature entree menu items, desserts, and cocktails, including wine and champagne. Entertainment was enjoyed from Jared Violin and DJ Chocolate Rain while a silent auction benefiting Friends of Fisher House was also a feature.

Celebrity Appearance
Speaking of entertainment, I had the pleasure of introducing recording artist Robert (Kool and the Gang) Bell (remember the disco hit, Celebrate?) to those attending the Taste of Nona event. Kool said hello to everyone from the stage and introduced one of his new ventures, Just Kool Cologne, to the crowd. Kool also autographed a cologne package and offered it as an auction item for the silent auction at the Taste. I want to thank Brian Bacchus of Luxury Rides, Inc. for coordinating Kool’s visit.

Silent Auction for Friends of Fisher House
Your chamber wants to thank everyone for the excited response to our silent auction. Your generosity and participation resulted in more than $3,600 in proceeds to support our local Fisher House at the Orlando VA Medical Center.

Thanks Are in Order
The success of the Taste of Nona event could not have happened without the more than 30 chamber volunteers who worked while others enjoyed the venue and, of course, the outstanding staff, led be Connie Steinwart of the Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott. I want to extend our appreciation as well to Saul Markowitz for orchestration that resulted in on-air time at WKMG Channel 6 and FOX 35 to promote the event.

The following are lists of the hard-working committee members who made Taste of Nona 2018 happen, as well as the vendors who participated and/or contributed gift cards for the “Bag of Gift Cards” drawing. Gift card contributors are designated by *.

Taste of Nona 2018 Committee
Chair: Cari Rubin, Cari Rubin Photography. GREAT JOB, CARI!!!
Lydia Gongage, Spring Realty Orlando
Omar Hickman, Lake Nona Social
Kathrin Knowles, Bos/Janus et Cie
Angie Amate, Luxury Realty
Josh Moore, Marketing Nutz
Bridgette Porto, Academy Bus
Jeffrey Roche, Innovative Network Solutions, Inc.
Sophia Rogers, Sophia Rogers Real Estate
Andy Sellers, Andy Sellers Real Estate, EquityPro Realty
Claudia Swonger, Lotus Blossom Counseling, LLC
Tyler Washington, Lost Society Media & Marketing
Saul Markowitz, Markowitz Communications

Taste of Nona 2018 Vendors & Contributors
310 Nona*
Bolay Lake Nona LLC*
Bonefish Grill*
Canvas Restaurant & Market*
Cap’s Kitchen Creations
Chicken Salad Chick*
Chill Pop Lounge*
Christy’s Creations, LLC*
Drive Shack
Eagle Creek Golf Club & Belfry Restaurant*
Fresh Healthy Meals
Green Juice USA*
Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport*
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice*
Marlow’s Tavern*
Mobile Greens Wellness
Ohm Woke
Orlando Food Department Co.*
Pig Floyds Urban Barbakoa*
Rock and Brews*
Rubio’s Coastal Grill*
Sus Hi Eatstation
The Naked Cupcake*
Tijuana Flats*

Be sure to watch your emails and visit this page next month for exciting news about a great holiday chamber party coming in December. You will not want to miss this one.

 

Event Gallery Cutlines

Sept. 19 Ribbon Cutting for Bolay Lake Nona, LLC

Andy Sansone (center left), Angela Gutierrez (center), Arbra Calvert (center), and Fern Powell (center right) join Bolay staff and chamber members to cut the ribbon at Bolay’s new location at 12711 Narcoossee Rd., Suite 120, Orlando, FL 32832. (Photo by Bethany Osborne)

 

Sept. 28 Business Luncheon at Ronald McDonald House

Speakers Emily Brown (left) and Mary Brooks (right) with Central Florida Expressway Authority join Don Long (center) for the Chamber’s September Business Luncheon to discuss Paving the Future of Transportation. (Photo by Madelyn Long)

 

Sept. 29 Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening for Earth Fare

LNRCC Board of Directors and staff join Devon Natario (center) and Frank Scorpiniti (center right) of Earth Fare for the Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening at 13024 Narcoossee Rd., Orlando, FL 32832. (Photo by Madelyn Long)

 

Oct. 2 First Tuesdays Exclusive Members-Only After-Hours Event at Hemisphere Restaurant, Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport

Chamber members, guests, and event sponsor Nona Mortgage, LLC, gather as membership director Arbra Calvert welcomes our newest members. (Photo by Bethany Osborne)  

 

Oct. 3 Ribbon Cutting for Chill Pop Lounge

Owner Lathesia Hardy (center) and manager Reggie Adams (center right) join membership director Arbra Calvert (center left) and director of economic development Paty Wright (right) as they cut the ribbon at 2483 N. Narcoossee Rd., St. Cloud, FL 34771. (Photo by Bethany Osborne)

 

Oct. 13 Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening for Crunch Fitness, Belle Isle

Membership director Arbra Calvert (right) joins the ownership, executive team, and staff/members of Belle Isle for the Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening at 4400 Hoffner Ave., Orlando, FL 32812. (Photo by Nicole Perez)

 

Oct. 13 6th Annual Taste of Nona

The LNRCC’s signature event at the Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott Orlando Lake Nona featured 30 regional restaurants, wine and beer, dessert chefs, and catering services.