August 2014 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

Wichern Announces Candidacy for U.S. Congress, Florida, District 1 Walton County resident and businessman Mark Wichern recently announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress, Florida, District 1. Wichern enters the congressional race as a candidate with no party affiliation and will therefore run as an Independent. He is the owner of All Clear Restoration, a successful water damage and mold remediation company, as well as a business coach through his other venture, Restoration Coach. A patriot, with a lifetime of leadership, service, and achievement, Wichern feels it is time to unite and restore America. He is a serious candidate who is committed to returning America to the vision of our nation’s Founders. Wichern lives in Walton County with his wife Laura and daughter Madison. He is also the proud father of a son, Dan, and stepson, Trevor, both adults. For more information about Wichern, visit WichernForCongress.com or call (850) 916-0797. You can also find him on Facebook at Facebook.com/WichernForCongress.

Bay Breeze Patio Announces Cook Team Registration for Eggs on the Beach
Bay Breeze Patio is calling all master grillers and EggHeads to pull out their favorite recipes and register for Eggs on the Beach, an official Big Green Egg Fest coming to Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach, on Sept. 27. An EggFest is a gathering of people who are passionate about cooking and smoking foods on the Big Green Egg, an all-in-one smoker and grill. Registration is now open for cook teams. Each team of four is given a large or extra-large Big Green Egg to use for the day. Teams purchase their own ingredients, and Bay Breeze Patio provides the demo egg, lump charcoal, fire starter, table, tent, paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins, and toothpicks. Tasters then vote for their favorites and the winning team will receive a brand new large Big Green Egg. The runner up will win a stay at Seascape Resort. Proceeds from Eggs on the Beach benefit the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast. To register a cook team, sign up as sponsor or purchase a ticket to be a taster, visit EggsontheBeach.com or call (850) 269-4666.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available Through SBA 
Low interest disaster loans are available in Okaloosa County and surrounding counties for damages and economic injury from recent storm impacts between April 4 and May 2, 2014. The Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration by the Secretary of Agriculture has created loan assistance opportunities for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes located in Florida. The new application filing deadline is April 6, 2015. Terms include loans up to 30 years and a maximum interest rate of four percent. There are some requirements and restrictions. Loan applications can be downloaded at SBA.gov/Disaster or accessed on a secure website at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. For loan information, call the SBA Customer Service line at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

Fall Field Trips to the Gulfarium
Start the school year off right with a fall field trip to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park for your classroom or home school group. Enjoy warm temperatures and beat the spring crowds with a hands-on, unique educational experience right in your own backyard! With discounted student rates available Monday through Friday, classes have the option to reserve a Self-Guided Field Trip to enjoy shows, exhibits, and aquariums on their own, or to add on an Instructor-Led Adventure Program, a 30-40 minute educational component specific to each age group. For more information or to reserve your field trip, call Gulfarium's Education Coordinator Stacy DiDonato at (850) 243-9046 x21 or visit Gulfarium.com/School_Groups.

Barron Joins World Impact Real Estate Rebecca Barron moved to Destin in 2004 from Columbus, Miss. She obtained her real estate license shortly thereafter. She has a strong background in retail and psychology. She is a people person with a strong work ethic and an even stronger desire to excel in her real estate career. You may contact Barron at (850) 687-0373. For more information about World Impact Real Estate, visitWorldImpactRealEstate.com.

YESS Program Enjoying A Very Busy Summer
July proved to be a busy month for the Taylor Haugen Foundation’s YESS program. Just in time for summer practice, Pryor Middle School and Walton High School were equipped with next generation EvoShield Rib Shirts. Forty-four Pryor Middle School Pirates and 80 Walton High School Braves were fitted on July 15 and July 23, respectively. These two schools join Choctaw High as the first group of schools to be completely outfitted by the generosity of the Dugas Family Foundation Grant. Orders for other area schools, including South Walton High, Shoal River Middle, and Baker School, have already been placed. Okaloosa and Walton County schools interested in receiving ribshirts from the YESS Program and the Dugas Family Foundation should fill out the application, available on-line at yessprogramthf.org. For more information about the national YESS program, contact The Taylor Haugen Foundation Executive Director Kathy Haugen atthfdirector@taylorhaugen.org.

Fran Goes the “Extra Mile” for Children in Crisis Fran Mueffelmann received the CIC “Extra Mile Club” award for her continued long-time volunteer service to Children in Crisis. Every week for eight years, Mueffelmann has volunteered a day of her time to construct the CIC scrapbooks. She is seen here with CIC president & CEO Ken Hair. For more information or to make a donation, call (850) 864-4242 or visit ChildrenInCrisisFL.org.

Hilton Sandestin Honored With Four More Prestigious Awards in 2014
Northwest Florida’s Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa has garnered a number of prestigious awards from national industry trade publications in 2014 and picked up another four in the third quarter. The resort’s most recent awards include the ‘Pinnacle Award’ from Successful Meetings magazine, the ‘Award of Excellence’ award from Corporate & Incentive Travel, ‘Best of the South’ from Meetings Focus magazine, and ‘Gold Key’ winner from Meetings and Conventions. For more information about Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, visit HiltonSandestinBeach.com or call (850) 267-9500. For more information about the Hilton’s recent awards, visit HiltonSandestinBeach.com/Press.

Local Realtors Surprised at Florida Realtors annual Conference and Trade Expo
Two local realtors received awards at the Florida Realtors Conference and Trade Expo keynote luncheon in Orlando. Justin Lindsey received the Newcomer Award, which recognizes someone who entered the Realtor profession within the past three years, and, during that time, made notable contributions to the local and state associations, as well as to his or her community. Lindsey was instrumental in helping the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors (ECAR) develop Soldiers on the Water, a day of deep-sea fishing for wounded military. Soldiers on the Water is now in its second year.

Bob Hudgens received the Realtor Achievement Award. Hudgens, who is approaching his 30-year anniversary as a realtor, said his big focus is the local community, and he loves being involved, especially with Beachside Community Church and the local Boys and Girls Club. The Realtor Achievement Award recognizes a Realtor who serves as manager, broker of record or officer in his or her company, and acknowledges the winner's previous three years' contributions to the community, local, state, and national realtor associations. Hudgens has served on numerous ECAR committees and is a former president. On the state level, he has served and chaired several committees and is a director for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), along with serving on NAR committees. 

White Wilson Medical Center Helps School Kids at CIC The staff and supporters of White-Wilson Medical Center (WWMC) helped the kids of Children in Crisis (CIC) get ready for back to school. Thanks to the generous donations from the members of White-Wilson, all the kids at the CIC Neighborhood received new backpacks with all the necessary supplies to take them through the new school year. White Wilson also presented a check for $2,500 to CIC to help with additional back to school fees, food, and clothing. Seen here, Ashlee Edelen, Anne Kachelhoffer, and Leslie Moland, all of WWMC, present the donation and money to CIC president & CEO Ken Hair. To learn more about Children in Crisis call 850-864-4242 or visit ChildrenInCrisisFL.org.

HarborWalk Village Presents Native American Salute
HarborWalk Village will celebrate Native American music, history, storytelling, and art at its Red, White and Blue celebration on Aug. 21. David Baxter of Cherokee ancestry will be honored for leading and educating the community on the rich Native American culture and history in Northwest Florida. The Thunderbird Honor Guard, a group of Native American veterans, will present the National colors before the celebration begins at 7 p.m. and ends with fireworks over the Destin harbor at 9 p.m.

Crystal Bay Raffle
After extensive renovations on the first floor, Crystal Bay Senior Living at the Sandestin Resort announces it has recovered from flooding, which occurred earlier this year. It is extending an invitation to all of its friends for a wine and cheese social event, to be held on Thursday, Sept. 4, starting at 4 p.m. Plan to stay for the exciting raffle at 5:30 p.m., where someone will win a relaxing day at the Serenity by the Sea spa gift. Anyone who refers a resident to Crystal Bay between now and the end of August will receive 1 ticket. If the resident moves in by the end of the month, the person will receive five more tickets.