Annual CBCSRE BBQ Event Unveils 2007 Commissioned Painting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lakeland, Florida

Almost 300 clients, friends, and local officials gathered, not only for the best home cooked BBQ around, but also to see the unveiling of the newest painting in a commissioned series done by naturalist artist, Thomas Brooks for The Saunders Collection: Natural Lands of Florida. Dean Saunders annually commissions one painting by the artist that celebrates and traditionally depicts natural Florida land. Guests were also treated to a peek at the in-progress 2008 commissioned painting.

"I am a 6^th-generation Floridian and appreciate the beauty of the land around us. I have worked with Florida land for decades, either with conservation legislative work or in real estate. I want to take the opportunity to capture that and share the natural beauty of our State with others," says Saunders.

To commemorate the unveiling, each attendee was given a lithograph of the 2007 painting that was signed and numbered by the artist. 

At the BBQ event each year, Brooks sets up his easel and works on the painting commissioned for the following year. The 2008 painting will be the fourth painting by Brooks that is added to The Saunders Collection: Natural Lands of Florida and will be presented at the 2008 Saunders BBQ.

The company's annual BBQ event celebrates friendship and networking and is held at Lakeland's Sun ‘n Fun facility. "We love to provide this fun event for our clients, friends, and media friends as an extra 'thank you' for a successful year for all of us. It is good to have an opportunity to be together in a relaxed environment." 

Local officials attending this year were: Lori Edwards, Supervisor of Elections - Polk County; Nancy Daley, Mayor - City of Lake Alfred; Mike Easterling, Mayor Pro-tem - City of Winter Haven; Ann Toney-Deal, City Manager - City of Haines City; Melanie Bell, City Commissioner - City of Ft. Meade; James Clements, City Commissioner - City of Bartow; and John Shamp, City Councilman - City of Eagle Lake.

Guests enjoyed generous portions of cole slaw, baked beans, and potato salad, along with the BBQ meat cooked in the Saunders Cooker, starting the day before, by the Saunders Cook Team, led by Dean Saunders and Jimmie Allen.

Photos of the event were taken by professional photographer, Cannon Kirby.

This was the third annual BBQ event that is quickly becoming a popular and anticipated tradition for a superb BBQ meal and music. Fitting the atmosphere, the music of Jerry Mincey (www.jerrymincey.com) filled the air with country favorites for everyone.

Brooks' work has gained wide recognition locally and nationally and is selected again, among other commissions, by the State of Florida to create a five-year series of paintings for the sponsor Print of the Year from 2007 to 2011. Brooks offers, "My paintings begin with that glimpse of a moment in time that stirs an emotion within me to paint a particular scene. I strive to compose the work in such a way as to portray the spirit and mood of the subject rather than its outward appearance." The works of Thomas Brooks now appear in many corporate, public, and private collections and are featured in many publications.

Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate has Sales Associates covering the State of Florida and beyond. Known for their land deals, CBCSRE Sales Associates also are experts in conservation, commercial, and land resource management. With the addition of ERA Saunders Residential and its Sales Associates, Saunders is able to offer clients full-service real estate assistance.

Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate is located at 5120 S. Lakeland Dr., Suite 3, Lakeland, FL 33813.