Certified Tourism Ambassadors Celebrate Five-Year Anniversaries
COBB— On Saturday at the rebuilt Adams Springs Golf Course and Restaurant, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce held an awards ceremony celebrating the five-year anniversaries for several of their certified tourism ambassadors. The Chamber honored 27 CTA members, eight in person, with plaques and pins commemorating the milestone of five-year participation in the program.
The Certified Tourism Ambassadors program was created in 2016 and has certified over 200 ambassadors in that time. Michele Carson was the host at the event and presented each of the eight ambassadors with their certificate and pin expressing her gratitude to each individual sharing, “Personally we ensure visitors here that consistent positive voice around what we have to offer in the county, we spread that Lake County love to everyone, those are the things we focus on.”
The eight Ambassadors honored were Jacie and Joe Casteel, Henry Bornstein and Gae Henry, Pamela Ezra, District 4 Supervisor Tina Scott, Marion Kaiser, and Beth Rudiger. Jacie Casteel said “I just thought I would share about why I became a CTA and what it means to me. When this program started Joe and I were in the second class in and it just seemed so interesting and so positive and that’s what I still love about this group.” Joe Casteel followed with “What the CTA group is about, and please don’t forget, is (that) it’s cool to live here. This place is beautiful, and we need this group here standing up for what Lake County is.” Pamela Ezra also shared her passion for the program saying “The CTA program has been responsible for the increased activity in businesses and entertainment. We need more ambassadors to share the good news.”
The chamber also revealed new banners which were part of their “Project of the Year” focusing on fishing tournaments. There are several banners welcoming anglers hung around the county near boat launches with one across Main Street in Lakeport near the Soper Reese Theatre. Carson also noted upcoming training and certification classes on July 12 at the Council Chambers in Clearlake, Aug 19 at Bell Haven Flower Farm in Kelseyville and Oct 17 at Twin Pines Casino is Middletown saying, “If you’re not a CTA and you would like to join us in the fun that we have, we have three classes coming up so please see us and we’ll get you set up.” More information on the Certified Ambassador Program or registration for classes can be found on the Lake County Chamber of Commerce website lakecochamber.com
Owner of Adams Springs Golf Course and Restaurant Eddie Mullins also spoke regarding the venue and it’s amazing rebuild completed by his oldest son following a 3-year fight with insurance companies. “Like a phoenix it rose and here we are, we went from the ashes to what it is today,” said Mullins. He explained how his family has been coming to the area since the 1930s and in that time has seen other cities in California rebound from devastating fire damage, suggesting residents put a collective effort into eradicating fire damaged trees and replanting seedlings in their place.