May 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 3

Hilton Sandestin Completes Meeting Space Expansion, Serenity by the sea Spa Transformation

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa now offers a third 7,500-square-foot ballroom and has expanded and enhanced the award-winning Serenity by the sea Spa for meeting and leisure guests to enjoy, as well as a larger space for bridal parties to take on complete relaxation for the big day.

Completed in March, the Coastal Ballroom addition included expansion to pre-function space, current restroom facilities and permanent registration areas. Now with nearly 40,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, and 20,000 square feet of outdoor event space, the resort can now accommodate larger conferences and events and provide additional flexibility for group activities and breakouts. The award-winning Serenity by the sea Spa has completed a major overhaul involving the footprint of the space and upgrades throughout. The new area totals 14,500 square feet and also includes an all-new fitness center offering 24-hour guest access, updated reception area, retail area, and new tile/paint accents throughout the spa.

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities Hospital Earn an “A” for Patient Safety

Hospital Corporation of America facilities Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities Hospital have both been recognized for their dedication to patient safety by being awarded “A” grades in the Spring 2015 Hospital Safety Score, which rates how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries, and infections within the hospital. This A grade is one of the most meaningful honors a hospital can achieve, and one of the most valuable indicators for patients looking for a safe place to receive care. The Hospital Safety Score is the gold standard rating for patient safety, compiled under the guidance of the nation’s leading patient safety experts and administered by The Leapfrog Group, a national, nonprofit hospital safety watchdog.

Local Libraries to Restore Natural Resources

Children that have been participating and attending From Shelves to the Shores activities will now have the opportunity to see the area’s natural resources on a restoration field trip. Coastal Branch Library in South Walton and the Niceville Public Library in Niceville have both been participating in the From Shelves to the Shores Program. The From Shelves to the Shores program is a science education program offered byChoctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida State College (CBA) at local libraries. Once a month, CBA has traveled to the two libraries to offer educational programs about the local watershed. At the Coastal Branch Library in South Walton, the children have been learning about the rare coastal dune lakes by growing sea oats at the library. And in Niceville, at the Niceville Public Library, children have been learning about the Choctawhatchee Bay by growing a native shoreline grass known as Smooth Cordgrass. At both libraries, in addition to growing native plants, the students have also played games, made crafts and participated in activities that relate to local waters. For more information, please contact Brittany Tate at (850) 217-5382 or tateb@nwfsc.edu.

Sponsor a Food for Thought Family for a Week During the Summer

Donate $35 to feed a family in need for a week as part of Food for Thought’s Summer Program. For details, visit http://fftfl.org/collections/donations/products/summer-family-sponsor-week.

Rosemary Beach Foundation Presents 4th Annual Walk Her Way®

Kick up your heels at the 4th Annual Walk Her Way® in Rosemary Beach® on Friday, June 12, at 6:30 pm. Help raise awareness of domestic violence by being a part of this fun walk. Men, women and children of all ages are invited to put on high heels and follow the New Orleans style brass band through Rosemary Beach. Sign up for Walk Her Way at www.WalkHerWay.com. Teams registrations are encouraged. Registration is $25 for adults and $10 for children under 12 and includes a t-shirt. On-site registration the day of the walk will be an additional $5 per person from 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Walk Her Way® benefits Shelter House, the domestic and sexual violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, and Rosemary Beach Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers and supports community, educational, and other charitable activities in Walton County.

Okaloosa County Public Schools Receive Healthy School Recognition

The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) applauds the Okaloosa County Public Schools for its recognition as a Florida Healthy School District at the Silver level for the period of May 2015 through April 2017. The recognition is based on the submission of the Florida Healthy School District Self-Assessment and was developed by the Florida Coordinated School Health Partnership (CSHP). Since 2009, CSHP in partnership with Florida Action for Healthy Kids (FLAFHK), Florida Association of District School Superintendents (FADSS), and the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation has recognized 37 districts for establishing a culture and climate that embraces the Coordinated School Health approach to reduce and eliminate barriers to learning and support academic achievement.

Price Completes Event Management Courses

Renee Price, real estate assistant to broker Rodney Elkins of World Impact Real Estate (WIRE), completed two event Management courses, including “Start Your Business” and “Market Your Business.” In her role since 2010, Price now works with more than 100 agents at WIRE. Hospitality is one of her strengths, and she enjoys putting together events and meetings that enhance the real estate buying and selling process.

MKAF Honors Armed Forces with Military Night

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) continues its 20th anniversary season of its Concerts in the Village summer series at the Cultural Arts Village in Destin, by celebrating Military Appreciation Night on Thursday, May 28. The Mulligans, the Emerald Coast’s most popular band performing favorite dance tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s, will perform. The gate opens at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. To honor local men and men in uniform MKAF is extending a special discounted admission of 50 percent off. For those in the armed services with valid military ID admission to the concert is just $5. For details, call (850) 650-2226 or visit www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org.

Life’s A Beach Receives Three American Inhouse Design Awards

After recently accepting four ADDY Awards at the local competition, Life’s A Beach Publications earned another recognition of excellence by receiving three 2015 American Inhouse Design Awards. The American Inhouse Design Awards is the original and biggest showcase for outstanding work produced by inhouse designers. This competition recognizes designers for their creative talent and for the value they bring to their businesses and institutions. This year, nearly 6,000 entries were submitted and a highly selective 15 percent are recognized today with a Certificate of Excellence. Life’s A Beach proudly accepted an award for the entire publication for the following guides that the company produces: the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce 2015 Visitor’s Guide & Membership Directory, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce 2015 Community Information Guide and Membership Directory and the Okaloosa County Tourism Development, Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau The Heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast: The Official Vacation Guide.

Local Business Donates to Museum to “Keep History Alive!”

One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating was proud to show its community support by donating $175 to the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida for its 39th Saturday in the Park on April 25, 2015. Pictured are Gina Marini, museum manager; Crystal Brown, museum education coordinator; and Jenna Day, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating marketing directory.

Health Source Chiropractic Donates to Children in Crisis

Dr. Scott Smith, D.C., and the staff of Health Source Chiropractic donated $100 to Children in Crisis (CIC) to help the kids living at CIC. Seen here, Smith presents the donation to Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, along with Health Source staff Stephanie Buzga, Ashia Lynn, and Kristen Ormsbee.

Okaloosa and Walton County Students Raise More than $29K for Children in Crisis

The Change for Children Campaign started in October 2008 as a fundraiser for Children in Crisis (CIC) in Okaloosa and Walton counties’ schools. The Change for Children campaign was started by the local chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority of Okaloosa County. The goal of the campaign is to “teach children to help children” by donating their pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to feed and clothe the children living at the CIC Children’s Neighborhood. The winning schools that raised the most from Okaloosa County include Antioch Elementary School, Ruckel Middle School, Choctawhatchee High School, and Liza Jackson Preparatory School. Winning schools from Walton County include Van R. Butler Elementary School, Emerald Coast Middle School (in picture), and South Walton High School.

Home Instead Senior Care Presents Check to Covenant Hospice

Home Instead Senior Care recently presented a check for $7,500 to Covenant Hospice as an annual sponsorship for the non-profit’s fundraising events. Locally, Covenant holds several signature events, including the Cox Charity Auction, Thrive Music Fest, The Blue Jean Ball, and Miles of Memories 5K Run/Walk.

Gulfarium Welcomes Baby Dolphin

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is thrilled to announce the birth of a female Atlantic bottlenose dolphin calf, born April 29, to resident 12-year old Lily.

"We are pleased to report that the calf is healthy and active," said Chad Stouffer, Gulfarium's director of animal management. "With guarded optimism, we are continually observing the calf to watch for consistent nursing and normal breathing patterns."

The birth of the calf marks a significant Gulfarium milestone as a third-generation dolphin born at the park. In the first few weeks, both Lily and the calf's grandmother, Delilah, have shared in the in maternal duties, such as care and nursing.