October 2014 Business Briefs / Member News Part 4

Local Realtor Chosen as FR District 9 VP Emerald Coast Association of Realtors (ECAR) member Judi Rutland was recently appointed as 2015 District 9 Vice President for Florida Realtors. Rutland has served in numerous capacities at the local level and is an ECAR past president. She was ECAR's 2013 Realtor of the Year, and this year serves as chairperson of ECAR's Realtor Political Action and Elections committees, as well as a member of the Budget & Finance and Investment Management committees. Active at Florida Realtors, Rutland has served on multiple forums and committees over many years, including Professional Standards and Professional Development. She is now a broker associate and director of professional development for Coldwell Banker United Realtors.

United Way Reaches 40% of 2014 Annual Fundraising Campaign Goal United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties annual fundraising campaign is in full swing as Walter Hooks, Vice President of Regions Bank and the 2014 Campaign Chair, adjusted the goal board to the 40% mark for the United Way goal of $1,225,000...an 11.6% increase which was driven by the requests of the United Way 42 partner agencies. Thirteen companies, including Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, First City Bank,Fresh Start for Children & Families, Gulf Power, Hancock Bank, Northwest Florida Daily News, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Regions Bank, and United Way, conducted and completed their annual workplace campaign before the official campaign began on Sept. 13. The campaign remains underway through Dec. 1.

BancorpSouth, Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend
At its regular quarterly meeting today, the Board of Directors of BancorpSouth, Inc., declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per common share. The dividend is payable Jan. 2, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 15. BancorpSouth earlier reported net income of $28.8 million or $0.30 per share for the third quarter of 2014. 

Blue Marlin Realty Group Hosts Charity Golf Tournament
Blue Marlin Realty Group will host its 2nd Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, Nov. 14, at Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club. The tournament will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. and a shotgun start at 11 a.m. Entrance fees are $125 for individual players or $400 to sign up a foursome. All tournament players will receive free lunch courtesy of Lenny’s Sub Shop. Following the tournament is the after-party at the Regatta Bay Clubhouse with food donated by Landshark’s Pizza Co., a silent auction, raffle prizes, and live entertainment. Proceeds will benefit The Taylor Haugen Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides grants, education and funding to athletic teams, schools and districts through its YESS (Youth Equipment for Sports Safety) Program. For sponsorship information, email info@proffittpr.com or call (850) 502-1652. 

Destin Commons Donates to Children in Crisis Destin Commons presented a $5,000 donation to Children in Crisis, Inc., this week from funds generated through its “Coins for a Cause” program. All parking meter payments collected at Destin Commons are donated to community charities by this charitable giving program. The donation will be used to feed, clothe and provide shelter to the children living at the CIC Children’s Neighborhood. Seen here, Annette Alvarez, Destin Commons Marketing Director, presents a $5,000 donation to Ken Hair, CIC President & CEO, and Allie Noah, CIC Development Director, along with Heather Pike, Destin Commons Marketing Coordinator.

Kurt Sprigler Earns NAR’s Military Relocation Professional Certification  Kurt Sprigler with Newman-Dailey Resort Properties, Inc., has earned the nationally recognized Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification. The National Association of REALTORS® confers the MRP certification to REALTORS® who want to help military personnel and veterans find housing solutions that best meet their needs and allow them to take full advantage of their military benefits. When military staff and their families relocate, the services of a real estate professional who understands their needs and timetables can make the transfer easier, faster and less stressful. REALTORS® who earn this certification know to work with active duty military buyers and sellers, as well as veterans.

Shelter House Receives $150,000 Donation During Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation's annual check presentation last month, you could see plenty of happy tears and big smiles on the faces of Shelter House supporters in attendance when the agency was awarded $150,000. The support from DCWAF all goes toward youth services for the children at Shelter House. This includes staffing youth advocates, providing food for participants' children, and offering the services of a play therapist to kids who have witnessed violence. This year's grant will also help with expenses associated with the current shelter renovation.

GulfScarium's Splash-or-Treat Spooktacular Continues Oct 31
Scream in delight - not fright - at this family-friendly Halloween celebration. On Friday, Oct. 31, GulfScarium offers TRICK-OR-TREATING around the park from 4 – 6 p.m. Kids 12 and under are only $5 and adults are FREE. Enjoy dolphin and sea lion shows and Halloween-themed games and activities. 

Emerald Coast Concert Association Donates $12,000 to the Okaloosa Arts Alliance The Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA) recently received a generous donation of more than $12,000 from the Emerald Coast Concert Association to support the OAA’s grant fund and events. The OAA will be awarding grants in January from the generous donation. Grant applications will be available to all non-profit organizations and schools in Okaloosa County starting in November with the grant application deadline being Dec. 15.

Destin Woman’s Club November Fall Bazaar & Meeting 
The Destin Woman’s Club will meet at Louisiana Lagniappe on Wednesda, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Annual Fall Bazaar will be from 11 a.m., until the start of luncheon. DWC Members and select sponsors are participating in the 2014 Fall Bazaar. This is an excellent time to come by and shop for your Holidays. During lunch, the keynote speaker will be Scott Taylor of Taylor by The Sea– A Salon at Grayton Beach. Scott is an acclaimed hairstylist, who was the lead hairstylist for three Academy Awards. His clients include Keith Urban and stars of The Young & Restless Soap Opera. The public is welcome to attend, but reservations are required by Tuesday, Nov. 5. The cost of the luncheon is $20 and includes the Fall Bazaar. Email your reservation to dwcreservations@gmail.com.

Festival of the Arts Awards Artists, Hosts Record Crowd
Twenty eight local and regional artists who gathered on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast from 19 different cities throughout United States to exhibit in the 19th annual Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Festival of the Arts in Destin were awarded $10,000 in cash art prize awards honors. The two-day signature art celebration, held Oct. 25 – 26, in the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, featured exhibits of more than 100 juried artists from 13 states showcasing a diverse palette of artistic styles in 20 different art mediums. More than 6,000 art lovers attended the sunshine-filled two-day festival, an event record.