Mission Statement:
The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the prosperity and general welfare of its business members and the community they serve.
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~ 98th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, October 23, 2023 ~
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2023-2024 Sustaining Partners
Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.
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Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) | |
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Our 2024 Community Guides and Business Directories are here!
Our Community Guides are “everything you need to know about Charlotte County”. These beautiful publications are available at the chamber office and we encourage any member who would like a supply for their lobby or customers to stop in and pick some up. One of the exciting features of the 2024 Community Guide is that the online version contains links to the websites for many of the events, services, advertisers, and members. We encourage you to preview the publication online here
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Support the children at the Boys & Girls Club this holiday season
The Charlotte County Chamber is teaming with the Boys & Girls Club of Charlotte County to spread the spirit of giving in our community. Every year, the Boys & Girls Club of Charlotte County hosts a heartwarming holiday party for the children and their families from both clubs in Port Charlotte and Englewood. In these challenging times, many families are facing difficulties, and your support can make a significant difference. Items can be delivered unwrapped to the chamber during business hours of M-F 8am – 4pm otherwise please have them delivered to your home and bring to the chamber. All gifts must be delivered by December 8, 2023. Here is the amazon wish list for items needed to be purchased. https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/34A3OHYV8EG0B
For more information please reach out to Jami Joannes JJoannes@CharlotteCountyChamber.org
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Individuals and households in Charlotte County and Sarasota County are now eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance due to Hurricane Idalia impacts. Individual Assistance is available to individuals and households in need of financial and direct services who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. The deadline to apply is October 30, 2023. Ways to Apply:
WEB: Apply for disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov
APP: Download the FEMA mobile app
PHONE: Call 800-621-3362 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time
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Inaugural United at Work Summit
Business Owners, Directors, and CEO's! Join the United Way of Charlotte County for a complimentary breakfast. You will not be asked to sponsor or donate. This is our gift to you for keeping Charlotte County's workforce running. You are invited to a morning of Inspiring Leadership, and Effective Communication with employees. The United Way of Charlotte County was and is still able to either assist your organization or employees who work within your organization. Event Sponsor: Suncoast One Title & Closings. Keynote Motivational Speaker: Troy C. Smith. United At Work Sponsor: Elsa & Peter Soderberg. Thursday , Oct 26, 2023, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda, Florida, US, 33950
Event Link
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Thursday, October 26, 2023 Business Card Exchange/Halloween Bash will be at ActivAge Daytime Senior Care, 3626 Tamiami Trial, Port Charlotte - from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP in the Member Portal for planning purposes.
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 Networking at Noon Village Brewhouse (in Fishermen's Village), 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. Meal Choices: (2) Cod beach taco’s power slaw, Pico, & remoulade sauce with French fries or Cobb Salad – chicken, egg, tomato, blue cheese, bacon & avocado with ranch or blue cheese dressing or Sweet chicken wrap – chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese & honey mustard with French fries. Please choose your meal when you RSVP in the Member Portal.
Wednesday, November 15 2023 Third Wednesday Coffee at 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. Our Sponsor is Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic. Our Program will be Mark Vianello, Superintendent of Schools ... Directly Following our Coffee will be a Ribbon Cutting for TrueFence to celebrate their one year anniversary, and all members are invited to remain after the event for a New Member Orientation. Please RSVP in the Member Portal.
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Put your "thinking cap" on and decide how your Parade Entry will look on December 9th.
Our Theme: Tropical Christmas
Register in the Member Portal. For Profit Entry $50 or Non Profit Entry $35. Add $5.00 for each horse. All the details are on the linked flyer.
When you sign up, provide a brief bio for the MC to read, tell us the entire length of your entry, and in which category you plan to participate.
Remember, the only Santa permitted in the parade will be the official Santa Clause designated by the Charlotte County Chamber. The parade will step off at Noon.
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The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on November 2nd. (Digital flyers are due by October 31) Email your ad to advertiser@charlottecountychamber.org and include the web address we should link it to, or call us 941-627-2222 for more information. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. . Learn More
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Members, the Charlotte County Chamber Newsletter Business Perspective is a DIGITAL Quarterly publishing January/April/July/October. Members who want to include a Digital page to ride with the newsletter should complete and return the agreement and provide their digital page by the 20th of the month before publication. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. Send your digital flyer to Newsletter@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for information, or click here to learn more.
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Did you know you may set up automatic payments! Never forget another membership payment! Save on stamps, checks and time. To do so, login to the Member Portal. In the shortcut menu, choose Company Information, at the bottom of the list choose Billing, choose Payment Profiles and enter your credit card. Then from that same Billing area choose Autopay & Billing to select your payment profile. That's it! | |
13th Annual Business Expo | |
Thank You Expo2024 Sponsors: | |
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Print Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix
Newspaper Sponsor: The Daily Sun
Radio Sponsor: iHeart Media, Inc.
Platinum Title Sponsor: Swiftwater at West Port/Kittle Property Gp
Silver Sponsor: Southwest Florida Insurance Associates, Inc.
Silver Sponsor: Life Care Center of Punta Gorda
Silver Sponsor: True Fence, LLC
Silver Sponsor: Chapman Insurance Group
Bronze Sponsor: MD Pressure Cleaning and Softwash
Bronze Sponsor: Better Business Bureau of West Florida, Inc.
Bronze Sponsor: J & J One Stop Gun Shop, Inc.
Main Stage Sponsor:
After Hours Party Sponsor: Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions
Bag Sponsor:
Refreshment Station Sponsor:
Kick off Party Sponsor: Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center
Lanyard Sponsor: Chapman Insurance Group
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"The Hottest Business Day in Paradise!" Over 1,000
attendees expected.
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Make sure to Save the Date - February 8, 2024
For this all day event!
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Top Clean Pros
Call or email for information
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Thomas Linzenmeyer
Invesna Ramirez
(239) 410-0395
topcleanpros@outlook.com
SimpliFi Home Loans
425 Cross St., Suite 116
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Haley Pietraniec, Rodney Massie
(941) 258-1408
haley@simplifi-homeloans.com
http://simplifi-homeloans.com/hpietraniec
Gulfcoast Engineering, Inc.
18099 Bredette Ave.
Port Charlotte, FL 33954
Erik Colleen, John Dobson
(941) 624-6425
info@gulfcoastengineering.com
http://www.gulfcoastengineering.com
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~ Join us for a Ribbon Cutting ~ | |
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Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 5:30 - 7:30pm. Renovated Lobby Ribbon Cutting
ShorePoint Health Punta Gorda
809 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda
This will be a dual Ribbon Cutting with the Punta Gorda Chamber. We'll cut the ribbon at 5:30pm. Please RSVP in the Member Portal
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Everyone is invited to attend Chamber ribbon cutting events. Come out and support your fellow members in a casual, fun, atmosphere! Networking opportunity. | |
#ConnectingBusinessesTogether | |
Members Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.) | |
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Here are our October specials at Go4Golf: Tuesday- 10% off - Wednesday-buy one get second hour half off - Thursday- $1 off all beers all day - Friday-$35 sim play all day - Saturday & Sunday-Golf, Football and Beer - 5 lesson package $120. Have a Great Round, Go4Golf LLC go4golfllc@gmail.com (407) 201-0522
Our monthly special, $30 Thursday is coming up Thursday, October 26th! Place your order online beginning Monday, October 23rd for free local delivery the 26th and 27th. This month’s special will be a spooky, Halloween themed arrangement complete with spooky spiderwebs, ghosts and creepy crawlies!!! This arrangement will be sure to put you or a loved one in the Halloween spirit! To order, go online >>> www.portcharlotteflorist.net or give us a call at (941) 627-2236.
Camelot Community Care - Join us for a FREE night of Trunk or Treat on October 26th from 6pm-8pm. Help us raise awareness for the need for Foster Homes in Charlotte County. Camelot Community Care is a non-profit that licenses Foster Homes so the children in Charlotte County can have a temporary, safe, and loving, environment while we work with the families to get their kids home safely. The event will be held at 19621 Cochran Blvd in Port Charlotte. Bring your families and enjoy the fun or even decorate your car to support your business and hand out candy to the children in the community. To register your trunks please email Misty.Sweden@cnswfl.org
Celebration of Life for our beloved Dr. David Klein, Co-Founder of Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic will be held on October 27, 2023 from 5:00pm-7:00pm in the Gulf Theater at the Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Ave. Punta Gorda. RSVP required call Barbara Wastart 941-368-8863 or bwastart@gmail.com
Our Pajama Drive is happening RIGHT NOW at Soul Dental throughout the entire month of November! We are so thankful to support 4 KIDS of Southwest Florida right here in the Port Charlotte community. Would you come alongside us in this season of giving? We're helping children in foster care with comfort through a gift of BRAND NEW pajamas. We're collecting pajama donations in sizes from infants 6mos through children's size 16. Please drop off or ship your donation to our office by November 27th,2023: Soul Dental, 941 Tamiami Trail Suite F, Port Charlotte FL 33953. www.SoulDentalPC.com
Charlotte Players- Join us for the third play of our 63rd season, The Foreigner playing Nov 2-12. What does a shy Englishman in search of rest do when he visits a fishing lodge in Georgia? Charlie Baker, a proof reader by day and a boring husband by night, adopts the persona of a foreigner who doesn't understand English. For more information go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022.
Annual SWFL Animal Fair is open to public - Saturday, 11/11/2023 from 10 am – 2 pm at Charlotte County Fairgrounds. Sponsored by Southern Technical College Veterinary Assisting program and Advanced Canine Development. Over 40 vendors will showcase products and services available in our area. Join the fun, friendly pets permitted. K9 demonstrations, petting zoo, pet adoptions, food trucks, bounce house, raffles. Free gift to our veterans and Color Guard will present in honor of Veteran’s Day. Free admission, $2 parking. Questions? Call (941) 391-8888.
Join Fishermen’s Village for the most anticipated night of the year! The annual “Lighting of the Village” Saturday, November 18th kicks off at 5 pm featuring the Shane Duncan Band on the dry beach! Santa arrives at 5:45 pm, ribbon cutting begins at 6:00 pm and the entire Village will be illuminated at 6:20 pm! Your Admission: bring toiletries, canned goods to restock the St. Vincent de Paul pantry. Visit www.fishermensvillage.com for full details!
Join Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity for our 25th Annual Turkey Trot! The 5k Run/Fun Walk will take place on Thursday, November 23rd, at FSW Punta Gorda Campus. Register before October 15th for just $35 and receive an exclusive Turkey Trot t-shirt. All funds raised benefit our Homeownership Program to help local families achieve the dream of affordable homeownership. For additional information and to sign up visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/CCHabitatTurkeyTrot
It's Official! Randy Ball and the MIG 17-F Returns to the Florida International Air Show November 4th & 5th PGD Airport. Also watch for the REDLINE Airshows, a close, 2-man formation aerobatic performance team. Florida International Air Show, Punta Gorda, FL Airport (PGD), November 4th & 5th, 2023. Tickets On Sale Now! http://www.floridaairshow.com Air Show Hotline: 1.833.743-3247
Da Bears are coming - We have confirmed that Mike Singletary will be our Gala speaker on November 11th. It is truly an honor to have him share his story. Table Sponsorships will start being received next week, for the Gala, starting at $500 and event sponsors starting at $1000. if you are interested, contact Tom Parker, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Charlotte County to become a sponsor. tparker@fca.org Are you ready for an extraordinary evening that combines faith, football, and the power of community? The banquet will be held at the Sky Academy at 871 South River Road in Englewood from 6:30-8:15 p.m.. Nov. 11.
A Healing Field of Honor is hosted by the Punta Gorda Rotary Club Foundation, November 10-12, at Laishley Park! Picture 1,000 American flags flying in ceremonial formation. An individual or an organization sponsors each flag in this Memorial Day weekend display at Laishley Park in honor of a fallen hero, veteran, active-duty military member, first responder, doctor, nurse, teacher, or any other hero. It’s an awe-inspiring panorama. Purchase and dedicate a flag (or more) or become a sponsor at https://www.healingfield.org/event/puntagordafl23. For more information, contact Alyson Burch by calling or texting 941-875-3829 or emailing Jaburch12@verizon.net.
Free Estate-Planning Seminars in November – Christine Hause, Vice President and Senior Wealth Strategist, and Kerry Hunter, Wealth Strategist, have scheduled estate-planning seminars in several Crews Bank & Trust locations this fall. Registration at any Crews Bank & Trust branch office, online at www.crews.bank, via email at trust@crews.bank or by calling Trust Operations Associate Linda Ferrara at 941-624-1943. All seminars run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The topics for the seminars are: Wills and Trusts: Creation and Funding* Selecting a Successor Trustee to Minimize Stress on Family* Out-of-State Wills & Trusts and the Benefits of Florida Residency*
Jimmy Wayne is coming to Punta Gorda! A BENEFIT for Crossroads Hope Academy will be held November 17 at 7 p.m. at Burnt Store Presbyterian Church. Jimmy, a former foster kid turned Award Winning Nashville Recording Artist, author, and much more will sing and tell stories to highlight his mission to raise awareness for children in foster care. Check him out at www.jimmywayne.com . Crossroads has more info at https://www.crossroadspg.org/events . Tickets are $40, Purchase at Burnt Store Church or by contacting Kathy at kbrownmayes@gmail.com. Do not miss this!
Join us in celebrating the Animal Welfare League's momentous 60th anniversary with "Paws for a Cause" on December 3, 2023! This grand event promises a day of fun and compassion for animals in need. We invite vendors and sponsors to be a part of this special occasion, making a positive impact on the lives of our furry friends. For more details, visit AWLshelter.org/Paws-for-a-cause or reach out to events@awlshelter.org. Let's come together to support a brighter future for animals.
Tickets go on sale October 31 for the Bingo Blowout being held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Event Center on Saturday, January 13, 2024 to benefit Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic. $50 includes 10 Game Bingo Card & dauber, lunch from FM Don's. There will be a Chance Auction, 50/50, lottery tree and cash bar. Visit www.volunteercare.org or call Barbara Wastart 941-368-8863.
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Help "A" Teacher Today by Donating to Charlotte Harbor Center School. Click on the link below to go to the Charlotte Harbor Teacher's wish list. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1QEKVH29Z2MRF?ref_=wl_share
We appreciate your consideration - Hugh Quigley, Life Skill Teacher hugh.quigley@yourcharlotteschools.net
The Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is changing its name to the Florida APEX Accelerator, but its mission to help businesses research and bid on federal, state, and local government contracts remains the same. The Florida APEX Accelerator helps Florida-based businesses compete for and win federal, state, and local government contracts. Through the program, the Florida APEX Accelerator matches businesses with contract opportunities, helps them prepare bids and navigate requirements, and assists them after winning contracts. Learn more about this and other programs Florida SBDC at FGCU sbdc@fgcu.edu 239-745-3700
You know it’s fall when the colors change. Just look at the license plates! Snowbirds can forget how hot it is here, compared with their northern homes. If you know someone who needs assistance unloading their truck, unpacking boxes, and placing furniture, call Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage, Kenny Gardiner, at 941-423-5311.
Happy Halloween from Complete Auto Repair! We help you avoid frightening events such as the truck fire we saw Saturday on I-75. If you need to pull over, DO NOT pull onto grass. Your engine is hot enough to ignite that brush and it will quickly set your whole vehicle on fire. To verify your truck won’t leave you on the side of I-75, call Mary Holstein at (941) 623-2926.
Small changes can bring big results for your employees! Gulfcoast South AHEC offers FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges at no cost for qualifying participants. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today.
Whoops, Murdock Stones's supplier made a big mistake...they sent us White Salt & Pepper Rip Rap....in our opinion it looks A LOT BETTER than Florida Rip Rap....this material should go for $325 per cubic yard...we're selling it for $50 per yard. Material is located at our South Gulf Cove location: 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd) 941-629-6651 www.murdockstonesetc.com
Dellutri Law Group - Weekly Trivia Challenge:
In St. Petersburg, you can visit the Hall of Fame of this sport.
Florida was the ____ state to enter the union.
What does the word "Florida" mean?
Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fort in St. Augustine, is one of the few structures in the world built from what semi-rare type of limestone?
Elizabeth Etnoyer eetnoyer@dellutrilawgroup.com www.dellutrilawgroup.com
Check out our Fall Massage Special! You asked! We answered! We've had some requests for massage packages, so we put one together just for you! Now through the month of November, buy a package of 5 massages and get a 6th one for free!
Package will never expire, so take advantage of this great offer and let the pampering begin! You deserve it! Korman Relief & Wellness Center, 16954 Toledo Blade Blvd., Port Charlotte. 941-629-6700, www.drlaurakorman.com
The Gift of Your Presence is Requested Volunteers Needed for Tax Season- For over ten years, the UWCC has hosted the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), a true mobilizing tool to assist ALICE households. This nationwide program offers free tax preparation services whereby IRS-trained volunteers help households earning less than $66,000 per year prepare their income tax returns and access credits they qualify for free of charge. This is your opportunity! Would you consider becoming a VITA volunteer? Contact info@unitedwayccfl.org, Click here to read the full column from the Daily Sun.
Hello October! Shop Port Charlotte Florist for upcoming holidays and events including Boss’s Day (10/16), Sweetest Day (10/21), National Mother-in-LawDay (10/23) and Halloween (10/31)!!! Visit our website @ www.portcharlotteflorist.net, give us a call at (941) 627-2236 or stop in our shop at 900 Tamiami trail in Port Charlotte to see our wide selection of fresh and silk arrangements, plants, gift items and more!
Have you thought about what will happen to your business if something happens to you? Who will be legally authorized to run things when you are down? Who will inherit your business if you or a partner passes? Do you want to be partners with your business partner’s spouse? If you haven’t thought about these questions, give Mark Martella, Esq., of the Martella Law Firm, PLLC a call at 941-867-6865 (or e-mail him at mark@martellalaw.com) to schedule a complimentary, confidential, one hour consultation to discuss your options to be prepared for when “life happens.”
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Gilstad Literacy Foundation, Inc. recently received a $7,500 grant to support the Charlotte County Imagination Library program. This grant was made possible through the Miriam P. Raines Charitable Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast). CCIL is the local affiliate of The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. The CCIL benefits preschool children living in Charlotte County, raises the funds to pay the annual cost of $25.00 per child which provides each child with 12 free books a year. CCIL is managed by Gilstad Literacy Foundation, Inc., a 501©(3) non-profit organization. All donations are fully tax deductible www.charlottecountyimaginationlibrary.org | |
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The Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association is seeking a part-time (approximately 20-30 hours per week) administrative assistant to help handle daily office operations. This position requires office setting experience, outstanding customer service communication, organizational detail, and strong Microsoft Office skills. Duties may include: Answering phones; assisting visitors; handling payment transactions; answering general inquiries; conducting facility tours; advertising sales, assisting with The Commentator monthly magazine; creating fliers and advertisements as needed; adding/editing classes and events to calendar app; and assisting with events. Part-time- $16 per hours.
If interested, please send a cover letter and resume to teriashley@pgica.org.
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Here is a great way to Use Your Membership. The option to post Deals, Jobs and News Releases is a FREE benefit! Do it yourself through the Member Portal. | |
“Some people want it to happen, some people wish it to happen, some people make it happen” – Michael Jordan | |
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While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs.
One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass.
As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, ‘The tooth fairy will never believe this!'
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Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
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