On Thursday, May 16, at the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa, the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors (MIAAOR) will honor members who have been with the organization for more than 39 years and will be celebrating many of Marco Island’s proudly brought together real estate professionals. Their general membership luncheon. Some of them were young, ambitious men and women who had come from New England, the Midwest, and north of the Canadian border in search of opportunity even before the Judge Jolly Bridge was completed.
There were lots of smiles throughout the luncheon as they looked through the magazines, photos and various other literature on the tables. Stories, names and memories from years ago were shared as if it were yesterday.
Jim Prange laughed, pointing out his own bushy hair and Bill Philbin’s stylish mustache. While the memories were certainly one of the big highlights of the luncheon, Jeff Farlinger, president of the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors, kicked off the program by thanking the Hilton Marco Beach Resort & Spa and William G. Kennedy for hosting the event. The Morris Law Firm also sponsored the luncheon for its members.
MIAAOR members Stacey Witthoff and Katherine Clausen read out the names of those who have achieved the coveted status of membership in the MIAAOR organization for more than 39 years.
Realtors who continued their “Gold Sustain” membership and received club plaques and lapel pins were Judy Appel Meagher, Nicole Carroll, Steve Josselyn, Susan LaGrotta, Michael McCarty, Wendy McCarty, Bette McGilvray, M. L. Mead, Charlie Neal, Sandy Sims Ramage and Christine Waldren. $99 Club contributors who received pins were Crystal Barnhart, Larry Kruso, Lori Holland, Bill Morris, Michael O’Rourke, Michael Vail, Isabella Whitman, Jack Winik and Stacey Witthoff.
Farlinger introduced guest speaker Jenessa Casanova. Casanova is the political director for the Florida Association of Realtors. She spoke about the Florida Association of Realtors’ role in representing the real estate industry’s position on bills that come before the Florida Legislature each year. As quoted in the PAC’s materials, “The Florida Association of Realtors PAC is not Republican or Democrat, we do not represent independent voters, and we do not buy votes. We are simply a strong voice, and sometimes only A strong voice — fighting in Tallahassee for Realtors and homeowners in our state.”
Marco Island Area Association of Realtors with over 39 years of service
