On Saturday, March 20, the Hernando County Chamber of Commerce held its third annual Home and Garden Show. It would have been its fourth had the show not been canceled last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
This year’s event took place at American Aviation adjacent to the Hernando County Airport with more than fifty vendors and exhibitors participating. Most were chamber members, but non-members also participated.
The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Mounted and Civilian Mounted Unit was at the entrance to the expo assisting in parking and traffic control. Deputy Bob Cloversettle on his Percheron “Triton” headed up the unit. Deb Shaughnessy on her Tennessee Walker, “Jedi Warrior” and Leilani Toto on her Quarter Horse “Stella,” rounded out the trio.
The horses are privately owned so the taxpayers do not pay for their upkeep. However, the mounted unit does accept donations. Besides participating in parades, ceremonial occasions, and community events, the unit also aids in search and rescue efforts.
“The horses key in on something that doesn’t belong in the area and homes in on things like a dog,” stated Ms. Shaughnessy.
“The horses will prick up their ears like a bloodhound,” added Cloversettle.
Elizabeth Austin & Trenton Shenefield represented Florida Garage Door Pros. The company is in its second year in business, repairing and replacing garage doors and motorized sliding screens for garage door openings. They offer same-day service and cover Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus counties up to The Villages.
“We do emergency services and we don’t charge for the service call,” stated Ms. Austin.
Florida Garage Door Pros is located off U.S. 19. in Spring Hill.
Susan Richardson represented ClearCaptions, an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certified company that provides captioned telephones completely free of charge to the hearing-impaired. The text of what the caller is saying appears on the phone screen and the phone provides voice amplification above and beyond the standard phone also. The service includes the free captioning phone, free installation, free mobile app for iPhones or iPads, ongoing support, and a lifetime warranty. The app for Android phones will be available this summer. ClearCaptions has been in business since 2013 and its services are in all fifty states. Ms. Richardson has been with the company for four years and has installed more than 1,700 phones.
“It’s all about keeping people safe and being able to communicate, so they have a better experience using the phone. This helps, not only the individual with a hearing loss but also his or her family and friends. It provides independence, safety and opportunity to communicate with others. It’s nice to be able to change lives.”
Jose Ruiz with Ruiz Plumbing Industries has had thirty-five years experience in plumbing and has been in business since 2005. He also works with individuals who are acting as their own contractor in building a new home.
“We’re a straight-forward pricing company. We don’t charge by the hour; we charge by the job,” remarks Ruiz.
Gary Trial represented Vogel Floor Covering, a Spring Hill company that has been around for forty-seven years. They don’t use sub-contractors; all their installers work for the company, thus giving Vogel Floor Covering more control over the quality of the work.
“We handle all your flooring needs and we also sell product only for the “do-it-yourselfers,” commented Trial.
Darrell Chichester was promoting an all-purpose cleaner available through his business, Top Purple. He demonstrated the effectiveness of the product by offering to clean your rings or other jewelry. It can be used for cleaning computer and cell phone screens, eyeglasses, stainless steel, plastic, vehicles and a myriad of other purposes. The American-made product is earth-friendly and biodegradable.
“It will keep dust off your ceiling fans for six months,” remarked Chichester, who has been selling the cleaner for twenty years.
To entertain the crowd, radio station 102.9, WZEU (The Mermaid) played music from the 80’s and 90’s, as well as current hits. Disc jockey Rich Sanvenero with Big Daddy DJ Services also played music and kept up a lively commentary.
Jennifer Monaco, Senior Administrator Assistant of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, stated, “We look forward to seeing everyone at the 4th Annual Hernando Home and Garden Show next year as well as at our regular ongoing events and special events.”
Regular events include monthly business breakfasts, ribbon cuttings, mixers and networking. The wealth of opportunities that the chamber offers businesses, churches, and organizations to increase their exposure in the community is well worth the annual investment. For information on how to join the chamber and a list of community and chamber events go to www.hernandochamber.com.
