Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Member News: Newman-Dailey Announces Top Producers, WVR Associate Recognized for Courageous Effort, & More

Newman-Dailey Names Top Producers for 2013
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Real Estate Division announced its 2013 top producers. Mark DeSalvo earned “2013 Top Sales Agent” and Colin Kirkwood was named the “2013 Top Listing Agent.” The company also recognized its top producers for fourth quarter, honoring Mark DeSalvo for listings and Jerry Bielawski for sales. Serving the Emerald Coast for nearly 30 years, Newman-Dailey consistently ranks among the top 10 percent of all agents on the Emerald Coast, according to the annual ECAR Closed Sales Summary Report. For more sales information, call 1-800-225-7652, (850) 837-1071 or visit online at www.DestinSales.com.

Wyndham Vacation Rentals® Associate Receives Top Honors for Courageous Effort
Wyndham Vacation Rentals®, the world’s largest professionally managed vacation rental business and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), announced that associate Dustin “Dusti” Alford was selected to receive the fourth quarter award for “Count on Me!” service by Wyndham Exchange & Rentals, as part of its “Count on Me!” recognition program. Alford was recognized for her assistance after a pedestrian accident occurred in South Walton County. Upon witnessing the accident, Alford cared for the teenage boy who was struck by a car until paramedics arrived and alerted his parents after searching the nearby beach to find his family. For more information about Wyndham’s Count on Me! program, visitwww.wyndhamworldwide.com/about-wyndham-worldwide/mission-culture 

Hilton Sandestin Honored with ConventionSouth’s Prestigious Readers’ Choice Award
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is the proud recipient of the 2013 ConventionSouth Readers’ Choice Award for the sixth time. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is among 160 convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), meeting facilities and hotels located across the South to receive this year’s Readers’ Choice Award. Throughout the year, meeting professionals nominated the meeting sites they believe provide exemplary service for group events. The nominated properties were then compiled into an online ballot where meeting professionals were asked to vote for the best of the best. For more information or to make a reservation, visitwww.HiltonSandestinBeach.com or call (850) 267-9500.

Local Agent Named to RE/MAX Hall of Fame
Hyosun Choe-Kelly, a RE/MAX Southern agent since 1999, was named to the national RE/MAX Hall of Fame, which recognizes agents who have earned more than $1 million in commissions during their careers with the company. Less than 2% of all RE/MAX agents earn this prestigious award each year. For more about Choe-Kelly, visit remaxsouthern.com.

BelkGives on the Go Mobile Mammography Center to Visit Destin
The BelkGives on the Go Mobile Mammography Center, a 39-foot-long, state-of-the-art screening center on wheels, will stop at Belk stores in Destin, during the week of February 3, 2014 to offer free, convenient mammogram screenings. Women age 40 and over with no breast concerns, who have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months and have a primary care physician are eligible by calling 855-655-BMMC (2662) to schedule an appointment. The dates and times are Feb. 7, from 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (855) 655-BMMC (2662) or go to www.belk.com/pink.

CIC Teen Completes High School Diploma
Children in Crisis announced that Daniel Hanson received his high school diploma. Daniel is a foster teen residing in the CIC Transitional Living home, located at the CIC Neighborhood. This is the fifth high school diploma earned by CIC foster teens in the past eight months. The CIC Transitional Living “Opportunity home” was opened in 2010 to provide a home to foster teens still in high school who are aging out of the foster care program. Without a high school diploma and a support system, a high percentage of foster teens become homeless within the first year. For more information about CIC, visit its website at www.childrenincrisisfl.org.

City of Destin Announces 2013 Employee and Leader of the Year Awards
The City of Destin recently awarded Corey Anderson the 2013 Employee of the Year Award and Webb Warren the 2013 Leader of the Year Award. These two awards are the city’s top staff honors. Anderson’s role in the city is Geographic Information Systems Manager and Warren is the Information Systems and Technology Director. For details and more news from the City of Destin, visit www.CityOfDestin.com.

Synovus Receives 20 Customer Service Awards in Middle & Small Business Banking
Coastal Bank and Trust, a division of Synovus Bank, announced that Synovus has received 16 national awards from Greenwich Associates for excellence in Middle Market and Small Business banking. Among 750 banks evaluated nationwide, only 34 received national excellence awards for Middle Market banking, and only 43 for Small Business banking. Synovus was number one with 13 total awards in the Small Business category and tied for third in total number of awards across all segments and categories. For more information, visit www.coastalbankandtrust.com

Preowned LED Sign for Sale 
Complete Signs is offering you the opportunity to save more than $9,000 on a pre-owned LED Sign for your business. The sale price is $9,875, or estimated monthly price of $235/month. The regular price si $18,975.
• 2'9" x 9'2" Red with Shading/Graphic Capability
• Includes software, wireless, training, and graphics for the sign!
• Includes portable stand with wheels for immediate use (but we can also remove the sign from the stand & quote installing on your existing sign or as part of a new installation)**
• Lease/payment plans are available*
• Includes 1-year warranty

For more information, please click here

Cumulus Announces NASH FM 105.5 in Fort Walton Beach-Destin
Cumulus announces the launch of NASH FM 105.5, marking Cumulus’s entrance for NASH into Fort Walton Beach-Destin market. NASH FM 105.5, formerly known as 105.5 THE WOLF, joins the growing list of NASH-branded Country stations. Cumulus will eventually have more than 60 owned-and-operated Country stations operating under the NASH brand. Cumulus launched the NASH entertainment brand based on the Country music lifestyle in January 2013 with the flagship NASH FM 94.7 in New York City. In addition to country radio stations, the NASH brand will include a NASH magazine, concerts/events, online content, and television programming. For more information, visit www.cumulusradio.com.

Museum Announces Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction Winners
The Destin History and Fishing Museum held its annual Gumbo Contest and Silent Auction on Jan. 25. This event marked the most gumbo contestants, the most attendance with an estimated near 700, and the most donated items for the auction. There were 18 restaurants and 22 individuals registered in the event. Winners were Individual Category First Place Tom Ogle; Individual Second Place Charlie Noonan; Individual Honorable Mention Anna Boudreau; Restaurant First Place Boathouse; Restaurant Second Place Crab Island Cantina; Restaurant Honorable Mention Harry T’s Lighthouse; People’s Choice Restaurant Award Crab Island Cantina; and People’s Choice Individual Award Alvin F. Claybrone. For details, call (850) 837-6611 or emailkathydestinhistory@gmail.com.

December Real Estate Sales Dip Slightly
Single family home sales along the Emerald Coast fell 5.9 percent and median prices fell less than one percent in December when compared to December 2012, according to sales statistics released by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors (ECAR). The median days on market for single family homes fell 18.5 percent to 66 days, and inventory decreased to just over seven months. Okaloosa County bucked the trend in December with a bare increase in single family sales by less than one percent and a similar increase in median prices. In Walton County, sales decreased by 12.3 percent, and the median sales price dropped 12.2 percent. For details, visitwww.emeraldcoastrealtors.com.

High School Wins 10th FHSAA State Cheerleading Championship
On Friday, Jan. 31, Fort Walton Beach High School brought home its 10th state title at the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Cheerleading State Championship. After a near perfect performance in Prelims, where they scored a 92.65 out of 100, FWBHS made it to finals and walked away with the title in the Extra Large Varsity division. The Vikings will load the bus again in February to return to Orlando to attempt to 3Peat at the National Championship. They will compete in the Extra Large Varsity division at both the National and World Championship this weekend.

Heritage Museum: Call to Vendors
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is seeking Craft Vendors, Food Vendors, Re-enactors, and traditional craft demonstrators for its 38th Annual Saturday in the Park Heritage Festival on April 26, from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. This family-fun event has long supported the Museum's efforts to promote the rich history of Northwest Florida. The festival begins with the Heritage 5K Run/Walk, and the Kids Fun Run and is followed by a day of historic celebration with re-enactments, craft demonstrations, live entertainment, a Kid Zone with bounce house, children's crafts, and much more. Vendor registration forms are available at the Museum. Call (850) 678-2615, if you have any questions. 

Local Mary Kay Sales Director Earns Chevy Equinox
Mary Kay Independent Senior Sales Director Julie Erikson of Destin earned the use of a new Chevy Equinox crossover, as a result of her outstanding achievements in her Mary Kay business. Erikson took delivery of the new Chevy Equinox crossover, her 6th Mary Kay career car, at Award Chevrolet in Crestview. Mary Kay independent sales force members earn the use of a career car by meeting and exceeding goals set within their Mary Kay businesses. Erikson began her Mary Kay business as an Independent Beauty Consultant in April 2002 and as a direct result of her accomplishments, became an Independent Sales Director in January 2005. For details, visitwww.marykay.com/julieerikson.

Wine Reception Recap
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Wine & Hors d’oeuvres reception at the Magnolia Grill of Fort Walton Beach on Jan. 19. The Okaloosa Arts Alliance raised $1,088. Thank you again to Tom & Peggy Rice, owners of The Magnolia Grill in Fort Walton Beach, who generously hosted Sunday’s reception. Thank you to Cox Communications and NewsTalk1260 for their generous promotions of the Wine Reception. Also thank you to the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, FWB HS Theater Department, Mattie Kelly Performing Arts Center of NWFL State College, Destin Commons Belk, and more. For more information, visit www.okaloosaarts.org

Changes Coming to Shelter House
Big changes are coming to Shelter House in the form of a huge construction project. Thanks to a capital grant for $286,076 from the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV) and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), the confidential emergency shelter will receive an extreme makeover! By the end of construction, the shelter will grow from 24 to 32 beds, not including the addition of six new cribs. Our shelter has been operating at or near capacity, and this renovation will enable us to increase the comfort, convenience and security of the shelter for all residents. For more information, visit www.shelterhousenwfl.org.

Twin Cities Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Receives Patriot Award
Twin Cities Hospital Chief Nursing officer Shaun Lampron, RN, BSN, was presented the Patriot Award by Captain Angela Sanders of 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Macdill AFB, Tampa, Florida, and Mr. Terry Dawkins, Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Volunteer. The ESGR Patriot Award is nominated by military reservists who recognize employers with outstanding support of military duties. In her leadership role at Twin Cities Hospital, Lampron, whose husband is a retired government service employee and daughter serves in the Air Force Reserves, has shown support above and beyond that required by law. For more information, please visit www.TCHospital.com or call (850) 678-4131.

World Impact Real Estate Announces Sister Company
Rodney Elkins, owner/broker of World Impact Real Estate, announced the opening of sister company, The Real Estate Referral Company. Realtor fees can easily exceed a thousand dollars per year. Local Realtor Association, Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) require a substantial investment each year from each agent. In addition, there are monthly expenses for lock boxes, marketing, desk fees, etc. By agents hanging their license with The Real Estate Referral Company, they can keep their valuable Florida Real Estate License active. By working as a referral only agent, they are still legally allowed to be paid real estate commissions. For details, call Elkins at (850) 225-7000. 

Instructions to Submit Member News ItemsDo you have special business information you would like to share with all Chamber members and our website visitors? Please send your exciting news, which can be about an upcoming event or other timely information, to news@DestinChamber.com. Only Chamber members are allowed to post news, each news item has to be less than 100 words, only one item per member is allowed each week, and Chamber staff reserves the right to reject or edit postings that do not meet the requirements. All news items are due by Friday for posting the following Monday. The link to this page will be sent out in our weekly Tuesday Talking Points email, and the news item will remain on the website until the next Monday's posting. We will not keep an archive of these pages, and no photos, logos or general business descriptions will be posted. Also, member news items will only be published once.

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