By Nicole Hamel
On the Scene: East Lake Chamber Celebrates 40 Years in Ruby Style
The East Lake Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 40th anniversary in grand style with a Ruby Gala Casino event, bringing members and guests together for an elegant evening of entertainment and celebration.
The optional black-tie affair gave attendees the opportunity to dress to impress, with many arriving in glamorous attire for a chance to be named best dressed of the evening. Guests enjoyed a variety of casino-style games hosted by Casino Party USA while sipping cocktails and sampling an assortment of hors d’oeuvres and desserts catered by Louie’s Bistro.
President and CEO Jeff Aames honored the chamber’s history by presenting awards to its original founders, Shirley Grantham and Catherine Hanson, who were in attendance for the milestone celebration.
DJ Mindy kept the energy high throughout the evening, filling the venue with music that encouraged guests to hit the dance floor, share plenty of laughs and celebrate four decades of the East Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Nicole, born and raised in Maine, is an award-winning photographer with more than 15 years of professional experience. After relocating to Kentucky, she began her career photographing military families and volunteering with several organizations, including Operation Homefront (Tennessee/Kentucky Chapter), the American Red Cross, and the Wounded Warriors Project. While living in Hawaii, Nicole worked as a historical photographer, documenting the Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam community and its surrounding areas. In 2015, Nicole settled in Florida and joined Akers Media Group as a freelance photographer.
Through dedication and consistent excellence, she advanced to Chief Photographer. Her contributions earned her MVP of the Year in 2020 and Employee of the Year in 2023, recognizing both her hard work and commitment to her craft. After eight years of working for Akers, she can now add published writer to her list of accomplishments. Outside of her professional work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her two children, Dylan and Olivia. Her interests include underwater photography, crafting, reading, gardening, traveling, and experiencing life firsthand.
