Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort welcomed its first official guests at its new $7.5 million, 40,000 square foot Welcome Center, which is now the main guest registration location for all guests at the 2,400 acre resort. D.C. Mickle-Bee and her husband, Terry, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. were the first persons to officially check-in, with much fanfare.
The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County is currently hosting photographer Jackie Ward during a series of workshops on the Fundamentals of Photography at the serene and beautiful Bayou Arts Center. The photography workshop is perfect for individuals looking to hone their skills while searching for some outside-the-box inspiration.
Shelter House presented its 4th Annual Luminaria Run to End Domestic & Sexual Violence on Dec. 6 in Destin. The 5k and 9k courses were illuminated by more than 2,000 luminarias, representing how Shelter House and its community partners light the way to a safer place for victims of domestic and sexual violence. The 9k distance serves as a reminder that a woman is assaulted or beaten every nine seconds in the U.S.
South Walton's town of Gulf Place is bustling this year with events, live music concerts, art classes, farmers markets, wine walk abouts, new shops, and with a great beach town vibe! The latest town news is the addition of four great new businesses: The Perfect Pig, Preacher's Kitchen, Islanders Coastal Outfitters, and The 30A Store.
Sinfonia Gulf Coast is one of only 163 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Challenge America grant. Sinfonia Gulf Coast is recommended for a $10,000 grant to support its January 23, 2015 performance of the world premiere of American composer Nico Muhly's electric violin concerto "Seeing is Believing," featuring award-winning electric violinist Tracy Silverman.
The 2nd Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration and Paddle Board Drop will take place at Midnight on Dec. 31 at Redd’s Fueling Station on Scenic Highway 30a in Blue Mountain Beach. Last year the "Drop The Paddle Board" event drew an enthusiastic crowd of revelers who witnessed the board drop to ring in the New Year.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort contributed $20,000 to Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast for funds raised by staff, volunteers and the community during the 28th Annual Sandestin Triathlon last August. Resort officials presented hospital president Roger Hall with the check during a brief ceremony last week.
Grayton Beer Company in Santa Rosa Beach has completed their new taproom! Open to the public since Nov. 21, the taproom boasts a 40-ft. bar made of recycled wood pallets and 25 taps where customers can enjoy all of Grayton’s unique brews, including specialty small-batch beers. The bar will also feature guest taps for other craft beers as well as collaboration beers between Grayton Beer Company and other local craft breweries.
Shelter House received one of two grants in the amount of $125,000 awarded by Impact 100 of Northwest Florida. The domestic and sexual violence center will use the grant to purchase a new building that will house its main Program Office in Fort Walton Beach and increase the agency's capacity to serve the community.
Locally based insurance agency Insurance Zone (IZ) recently expanded and opened a new office location on Scenic Highway 30A. The expansion allows Insurance Zone to better serve clients in Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties and throughout the Emerald Coast.
