OKEECHOBEE — “The Florida Trail Association proudly revealed their new Gateway Community kiosk panel at the Chamber of Commerce last week. With community, business, state park and Florida Trail Association volunteers present, Kelly Weiner, Trail Program Director, and Jenna Taylor, Central/South Trail Program Manager shared their excitement to rededicate the city as a Gateway Community. The Florida Trail, a 1,500 hiking trail from Big Cypress National Preserve to Gulf Island National Seashore has over 375,000 visitors annually. Many hikers use passing through cities, such as Okeechobee, as an opportunity to resupply and rejuvenate at local businesses. Okeechobee is considered a Gateway City and partner businesses that offer support to hikers are featured on their website. Hikers can also get their passport stamped at several locations throughout the community. Other businesses interested in joining the program should email the Gateway City team at Gatewaycommunities@floridatrail.org for more information.

Anyone interested in joining the local chapters, Tropical Trekkers or FishEating Creek chapters to assist with maintenance or for social hikes can find information at www.floridatrail.org or by emailing Jenna Taylor at JennaT@floridatrail.org. Also, thank you to passport stamp location and partner Serenity Coffee Shop for providing refreshments!”

• Our April Chamber After Hours is being sponsored by our very own County Community Services departments. These departments include the library, Tourist Development Council, Parks and Recreation, Agri-Civic Center, Veterans Services, Extension Services and Senior Services. This After-Hours will be held on Thursday, April 15 from 5 until 6:30 p.m. at the Sports Complex pool area. Sounds like fun already and looks like it’s going to be a Luau without the pig. You certainly don’t want to miss an exciting time and all the activities that they have planned. Light refreshments will be available. Be sure and “Aloha” (Hello) to everyone and you will be addressed with “E Komo Mai” (Welcome) as you reply “Mahalo” (Thank You). Dress will just be casual, unless you want to enter the fantastic Best Hawaiian Attire contest, which we encourage you to do. This would include those Hawaiian Shirts (you know the Turnpike ones!) and anything else that would be consider Hawaiian attire. So, wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt, muumuu, flowered dress or... grass skirt, if you dare...It’s sure to be a blast, and we hope to see you there. Our Chamber events are always open to the public.

• Virtual: Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps Workshop — Learn about Google My Business, a free tool for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps. Get hands-on help creating or updating your business profile or a simple website on Thursday, April 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. Please be sure and register for this class on our website: www.0keechobeebusiness.com. Once you’ve registered, a link will be sent to your email to connect with the training workshop. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

In this session we’ll show you how to:

• Live: Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps Workshop — Learn about Google My Business, a free tool for local businesses who want to connect with customers on Google Search and Maps. Get hands-on help creating or updating your business profile or a simple website on Thursday, April 15 from 2 to 3 p.m. Seating is limited as we are practicing social distancing. Be sure and register for this class on our website at www.okeechobeebusiness.com to reserve your seat. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

In this session we’ll show you how to:
• Create or claim your Business Profile on Google
• Manage your business info across Google Search and Maps
• Use Google My Business to connect with potential customers
• Create a free website using the info from your Business Profile