Member News: Awards, Fundraisers, Art Festival, Dune Restoration & More

ResortQuest Real Estate® Welcomes New Sales Associates
In the past few months, ResortQuest Real Estate® welcomed 18 REALTORS® to these locations:
- Perdido – Stephen Bergeron
- Pensacola – Karen Cook Cowen, Ben Cannington, Bob Cowen, Diane Grimes, Marcia Hoven, Toni Jordan, Rita Murrell, Kurt Overlade, and Diane Tyson
- Navarre – April Giesler
- Fort Walton Beach – Johnny Springfield and Debbie Bruckner
- Destin – David Byrd, Kathy Friesen, and Patty DeFrenza
- Seagrove Beach – Jessica Abbott Muller, Helena Stoppert, and Oksana Nordgaarden

Also, Stephen Bergeron will serve as the success manager of the Perdido Key office and Karen Cook Cowen will serve as the success manager of the Pensacola Beach office.

Visit ResortQuestGulfCoast.com or follow Facebook.com/ResortQuestGulfCoast.

Hilton Sandestin Wins Prestigious HSMAI Gold Adrian Award
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa received a 2014 Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association (HSMAI) Gold Adrian Award in the Digital Campaign: Contest/Sweepstakes category. The annual competition is comprised of multiple categories in three entry divisions: advertising, public relations and web marketing. The award was presented during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala held Feb. 24, at the NY Marriott Marquis in New York City. For more information on Hilton Sandestin Beach or to make a reservation at Destin’s premier hotel, visitHiltonSandestinBeach.com or call (850) 267-9500.

Blue Marlin Realty Group Expands Team Blue Marlin Realty Group continues to expand its team with new realtor, Juan Anzures, and new sales manager, Katie Cartwright. Anzures not only pursues real estate full time, but is also presently employed by the United States Marine Corps. Originally from Pontiac, Michigan, and Southern, California, Anzures has an Associates Degree in American Studies. He has received three Navy and Marine Corps Achievements Medals, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, among others. Cartwright was born and raised in Pensacola. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology and History. To learn more about the company and its services, contact the team at (850) 837-7800 or visit bluemarlinrealtygroup.com.

Boys & Girls Clubs Announces Steak & Stake Fundraiser Event 
Jim "The Rookie" Morris will be the special guest speaker for the Inaugural Steak & Stake fundraising dinner for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. The event will be Sept. 25, at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Morris' life story was the inspiration behind the 2002 Walt Disney film "The Rookie," starring Dennis Quaid. To motivate his rag-tag high school baseball team, the then-35-year-old schoolteacher made a bet that he would try out for the big leagues if his team won a district championship. When Mr. Morris' team won, he followed through on his promise. Three months later, he achieved his dream of pitching in the Major Leagues. Click here for details.

Niceville Pastor Volunteers at Children in Crisis Lewis Wilder, the Connections Pastor with Niceville United Methodist Church, normally helps new residents in the area get connected with church and stay connected. However, every Friday, Lew rolls up his sleeves and volunteers at Children in Crisis. For the past several years, Lew has been the volunteer Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator. Lew coordinates all the scheduled preventive maintenance and many of the un-expected jobs too. Seen here, CIC President and CEO Ken Hair recognizes Wilder for his service. For more information or to make a donation, call 850-864-4242 or visit www.childrenincrisisfl.org.

Unique Collaboration Encourages Students to Restore Dunes Together
Working alongside the AmeriCorps and Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) education team, seniors at Fort Walton Beach High School have researched and developed ideas for a unique field trip experience for Destin Middle School students. Fifth graders have been growing sea oats and exploring the importance of the coastal dune habitat. The students will take a field trip with the seniors to Henderson Beach State Park, in efforts to help restore the dune system. For more information about this collaboration or to set up an interview, please contact Brittany Tate at (850)217-5382 or tateb@nwfsc.edu.

Cox Charity Auction Kicks Off April 12
Cox will present the Cox Charity Auction to benefit Covenant Hospice, beginning April 12 through May 10. Formerly the Cox Cablethon, this year’s event will feature four week-long auctions hosted online at www.CoxCharityAuction.com. Each auction will feature a variety of packages starting at 40% of the retail value. The online auction schedule is as follows: Auction One, April 12-19; Auction Two, April 19-26; Auction Three, April 26-May 3; Auction Four, May 3-10. Each auction will feature different items available for bidding. Organizers are currently seeking additional items for the online auction. Businesses and individuals interested in making a tax-deductible donation of an item, gift certificate, professional service or condo stay should contact Rachel Mayew at (850) 428-0605 or rachel.mayew@covenanthospice.org. 

ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival Announces 2014 Artists
Every Mother’s Day weekend for the past 26 years, art is celebrated in South Walton with ArtsQuest, a fine arts festival produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA). This special tradition, scheduled for May 9-11, in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, brings mothers and daughters, girlfriend groups, and families alike to experience nearly 200 national and local artists, live music and kids’ activities. The 2014 artists include Mary Hong - Visit South Walton’s 2013 Artist of the Year, Bill Turner - “Best of Show” - Fairhope Arts Festival, Chandler Williams - Visit South Walton’s 2014 Photographer of the Year, and Francisco Adaro - ArtsQuest 2014 Featured Artist. For details and a schedule, visit artsquestflorida.com.

Destin Woman’s Club Spring Event to Benefit Shelter House
The Destin Woman’s Club is sponsoring a spring event on Wednesday, April 9, to benefit Shelter House. Enjoy an evening on The Solaris, a 125’ yacht docked at the Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. The evening will consist of Wine, Dinner, and Dancing. There will be a Silent Auction and a 50/50 raffle. Net proceeds will directly benefit Shelter House. Boarding time is 6:15 p.m., with cruise underway from 7 - 9 p.m. Dress is resort attire. Tickets are $75 per person. Emailjoanne@jandjchandler.com or visit Today’s Boutique in Destin or Sun Dog Books in Seaside.

“Time Traveler’s” Summer History Camp at the Museum
Join the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida on a week-long journey filled with adventure as and become “Time Travelers,” during Summer History Camp. Camp is scheduled Aug. 11 – 15, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Discover, explore, and experience days-gone-by, as you travel back in time. “Time Traveler’s” Summer History Camp is for children ages 5-12. The cost is $60 for the week ($50 for Museum Family Members). Become a NEW Family Member ($50 level) and receive (1) child’s camp registration ½ off. SPACE IS LIMITED! Please pre-register. Call (850) 678-2615. 

McGuire’s Wine Tasting
Join McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin for its monthly Wine Tasting on Wednesday, April 2, from 5 – 7 p.m., and sample five wines for just $5. Once you've found that one special bottle you've just got to have, take it into the award-winning restaurant and have it with dinner--no corkage fee. And don't forget, you can take $5 off your first bottle of the wines featured on the tasting! For the April tasting, McGuire’s has selected some wines with unexpected twists--either interesting interpretations of familiar styles, or altogether unique forms of vinous hedonism. Call (850) 654-7002 for details.

NWF Regional Airport (VPS) Unleashes “Bark Park” for Furry Passengers
VPS announced a new dog park to serve its four-legged passengers. The dog park will serve passengers’ pets, as well as working animals, including law enforcement K-9 units, therapy dogs, and dogs that assist their ADA wards. For further information, please visit www.flyvps.com. 

Okaloosa County Offers Wildlife Monitoring Special Topics Course
The Wildlife Monitoring Special Topics Course is being offered locally in April. This course is 24 contact hours, which includes presentations, class discussions, and daily field trips. The fee for this course is $150 and includes detailed course manuals, hands-on experience, and registration in an online database that can be used for verification purposes, such as might be required for obtaining CEUs, in-service credits, or resumé checks. The program is designed as an environmental education extension program to inform and prepare individuals to share information about Florida’s natural world and environmental history. The course is April 7 – 9, and the fee is $150. Register at http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp/wildlife.html. For more information, contact Brooke Saari UF/IFAS Extension & Florida Sea Grant at bsaari@ufl.edu or (850) 685-7359.

Join Sacred Heart’s Diabetes Education Class April 9-10 
Have you or your loved one been diagnosed with diabetes? Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast invites you to join the next diabetes self- management class on Wednesday and Thursday, April 9 and 10, from 12 to 4:30 p.m. The class will take place in the Resource Center Suite 1 education building at Sacred Heart. Led by Jenny Stuckey, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, and Anne Townley, registered dietician and certified diabetes educator, the class is open to adults with diabetes who are looking for ways to manage their disease. Key topics include exercise, medication, and nutrition for patients to reduce the symptoms of diabetes. For more information or to register for the class, call (850) 278-3683. 

Purse Sale and Auction Raises Money for Critical Services Women from across the Emerald Coast made their way to Silver Sands Premium Outlets last weekend for Purses with a Purpose, a unique event benefiting Shelter House. Now in its fourth year, the purse sale and auction has become a must-attend event for many. More than 250 shoppers turned out Friday and Saturday to snag a bag. The two-day event raised more than $8,500 to support programs and services, such as a 24-hour rape and domestic violence hotline, emergency shelter, child advocacy, support groups, and violence prevention classes. The event has raised more than $41,000 during the last four years. For more information, contact Shelter House at (850) 243-1201.

WSRE presents “Delicious Afternoon...The Gathering of Friends” Tea Party on April 27
Dust off your brooch and hat and get ready for WSRE’s “Delicious Afternoon…the Gathering of Friends” Tea Party on Sunday, April 27, from 3 - 5 p.m., at the Versailles Event Center in downtown Pensacola. An annual event hosted by WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, this year’s tea party is all about creating fond memories as you “gossip and gab” with family and friends. Slow down and enjoy life’s tasteful moments as you experience the joy that comes from simply gathering around a table together. All proceeds from the event benefit the mission of WSRE. Tickets are $50 per person. Purchase tickets online at wsre.org/tea, or call (850) 484-1054 Monday-Friday during normal business hours. 

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