June 2016 Business Briefs / Member News Part 1

Coastal Bank and Trust Makes Donation to Museum
Coastal Bank and Trust is helping to preserve the past for the future by making an annual contribution to support Public Programs and Tours at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. Seen here are (left to right) Voni Aquire, personal banker; Debbie Elliott, branch manager; and Gina Marini, museum director.





Local Surgeon Specializes in Minimally Invasive Sinus Surgery
Sinusitis is one of the most common chronic health problems in the U.S., afflicting an estimated 37 million Americans each year. Dr. Sean McWilliams, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon with Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, is treating those afflicted by sinusitis with an outpatient, minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery. He utilizes the most advanced surgical techniques for the treatment of sinusitis, including balloon sinuplasty and computer aided navigation during surgery.  These techniques allow for a safer, faster and more effective surgery with decreased downtime and pain in his patients. 

Theatre Company Announces Family Friendly Comedy Improv Show
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) is staging a new Family Comedy Improv Show on Fridays and Sundays, May 27 through Aug. 12, at 7:30 p.m. (the Sunday, May 29 show will be at 6 p.m.). The show will be performed at the Bart Rockett Theater in HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd, Destin. Ticket prices are $20 for Adults, $15 for Children and $150 for a VIP Booth that seats six. To purchase tickets, visit www.EmeraldCoastTheatre.org or call (850) 687-1637.

Ruckel Properties Donates to Museum 
Marion Ruckel Skalicky, president and CEO of Ruckel Properties, Inc., poses with Gina Marini of the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida and its logo sign, which the museum will proudly display on the outside community sponsors board in recognition of its generous $625 annual contribution. 





Two Landrum Employees Honored for 40 Years of Service
Landrum Human Resources is proud to announce the 40th work anniversary of two employees - Peggy Fortunato, director of administration and corporate HR, and Denise McLeod, vice president of staffing and human resources.  The company commemorated the occasion with a celebratory luncheon honoring their four decades of service. Fortunato began as a temporary employee in May 1976. For McLeod, who answered an ad for a staffing coordinator position in 1976, this was her first job after graduating college. They are pictured here with Britt Landrum, Jr., CEO and founder.

Hingley Joins Sacred Heart Medical Group in Miramar Beach
Elizabeth Hingley, a nurse practitioner and certified diabetes educator, has joined Sacred Heart Medical Group’s practice in Miramar Beach. She joins the practice of Dr. Ralph Goodman, endocrinologist. Hingley is passionate about diabetes management and helping her patients maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise. She has years of experience and expertise in Type I and Type II diabetes, gestational diabetes, insulin pump therapy, and continuous glucose monitoring. 




Ramswell Recognized by Florida League of Cities
The Florida League of Cities recently recognized Destin Councilwoman Prebble Ramswell, Fort Walton Beach City Manager Michael Beedie, Tallahassee Commissioner Gil Ziffer, and Valparaiso Commissioner Heyward Strong with 2016 Home Rule Hero Awards. These local government officials earned this prestigious award for their tireless efforts to advance the League’s legislative agenda and help protect the home rule powers of Florida’s cities during the 2016 legislative session. Awards were presented at the May 20 meeting of the Northwest Florida League of Cities.

Family Independence Day Celebration & Bike Parade 
The City of Destin will host its Annual Family Independence Day Celebration & Bike Parade on Friday, July 1, from 6-8 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village. The event welcomes the entire family with fun activities for children of all ages. The Bike Parade will start the celebration at 6 p.m. Children 14 and under are asked to decorate their bike, scooter, or wagon patriotically. Awards will be given for different categories and ages.  Check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. next to the informational tent. Following the parade will be live music by local artist Chuck Lawson, games, moonwalks, face painting, and much more. Bring your chair, blanket, and snacks. Sorry, no pets allowed. For more information, please call (850) 650-1241 or email recreation@cityofdestin.com.

Seal Pup Born at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
A wide-eyed, whiskered harbor seal pup is melting hearts as the newest member of the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park family. The male pup, named Ollie, was born to 23-year-old Priscilla on the evening of April 27, weighing close to 30 pounds. He was immediately alert, bonding with his mom, nursing, and swimming soon after. A month later, he has doubled in weight and will soon learn to eat fish on his own. Gulfarium visitors can view Ollie in the Seal Harbor exhibit throughout the day and may catch him either sleeping, nursing, or playing in the water alongside the other seals.

Okaloosa Arts Alliance School Poster Contest Winners & Fest Recap
The Okaloosa Arts Alliance would like to thank everyone who made the Okaloosa Arts & Culture Fest a success. The event was held at the FWB Landing on May 21. For a full event recap, including the poster contest winners, please visit www.OkaloosaArts.org/news---events.html.
 
AME Youth Raises Funds for Children in Crisis
The Youth of Gregg Chapel, AME of Fort Walton Beach donated $388.16 to Children in Crisis (CIC) from the “Youth Super Bowl of Caring.”  The donation will help feed, clothe, and care for the children living at the CIC Neighborhood.  The donation was coordinated by Lucille Dixon and presented by the pastor, Rev. Cecil Williams.



Warren Averett Expands Gulf Coast Expertise with the Addition of Hutto & Carver, P.A.
Warren Averett, LLC, announced that CPA firm, Hutto & Carver, P.A., will join its Pensacola office. The joining of forces, effective June 1, 2016, offers clients expanded reach and resources, service solutions, and a strengthened depth of expertise, with the same level of personal client service. Hutto & Carver, P.A., focuses its practice on providing audit and related services to the financial institution industry, with a primary credit union focus, currently serving more than 35 financial institutions across the Southeast, as well as the commercial construction and homebuilding industries. 

Proffitt PR Celebrates Five Years of Growth with Grand Opening of New Location
For the past five years, Proffitt PR has grown from being nurtured atop tables at local coffee shops and bookstores to now having a stylish brick-and-mortar location in Miramar Beach and more than 25 clients of record representing the entire Emerald Coast. Jessica Proffitt Bracken, president of the locally owned firm, and her team of three formally hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening at Proffitt PR’s new location at The Market Shops on Wednesday, May 25, bringing together over 300 friends and clients to celebrate five years of old-fashioned hard work. 

United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook Available Online
Don’t miss the opportunity to find activities for your children this summer by checking out the United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties Children’s Summer Fun Guidebook online at http://united-way.org/summer-fun-guidebook/. The Guidebook has listings of fun activities for children ages 4 – 18 and is designed to be a valuable resource guide to find programs in our community that are right for you and your child.  It’s not all-inclusive, but it is FREE while the supply lasts…check your local libraries or the United Way for a copy.   

Twin Cities Hospital will Host 2nd Fireworks Fundraiser
Twin Cities Hospital will host its 2nd Fireworks Fundraiser luncheon Friday, June 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in their cafeteria.  Every individual donating $5 will enjoy a delicious lunch of BBQ ribs, baked beans, jalapeno macaroni & cheese, cornbread, and red, white, & blue cupcakes! 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Boggy Bayou Fireworks Trust Fund, which provides the community’s outstanding annual Fourth of July fireworks show over Boggy Bayou.  Beginning Tuesday, June 7, advance tickets will be available at the Niceville Library during its normal business hours, or weekdays in the Twin Cities Hospital cafeteria between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Smoke on the Coast 2016
Kick off 4th of July weekend with Destin Commons' 6th Annual Smoke on the Coast BBQ and Fireworks Festival. With 15 restaurants and BBQ experts, you'll be sampling the best dishes off the grill! For only a $1 per sampling, people get to vote for the People’s Choice winners and proceeds will go towards local charities. From Arts on the Beach facepainting and stilt walkers to continuous live music from local favorites and regional stars Continumum and Heritage, there will be entertainment for the whole family! For more information visit www.DestinCommons.com/destin-events/center-events/event/40-smoke-on-the-coast.

Amazing LIVE HD Gulf Coast Beach Cams Now in 16 Great Locations
Gulf Coast Beach Cams offers controllable web cameras located directly on the beaches of the Gulf Coast. Its newest location is now up and running: Spinnaker Beach Club in Panama City Beach. Checking on weather and surf conditions, beach crowds, or just want to take in the beautiful sunsets of the Gulf Coast? Visit www.GulfCoastBeachCams.com for a full list of cameras available.

Coastal Accounting Major Sponsor for CIC Sugar Sands Golf
Doug Ingram and Eddie Cowen of Coastal Accounting of NW Florida, PA, presented a $5,000 donation as a major sponsor to Children in Crisis (CIC) for the Sugar Sands Charity Golf Classic, which will be held on Monday, Oct. 10.  This is the 9th Annual Charity Golf Classic played at Kelly Plantation and 100 percent of the proceeds will help feed, clothe, and care for the children living and the CIC Children’s Neighborhood. Seen here are (left to right) Ingram; Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO; and Cowen.


Ruckel Middle School Cheerleaders Make Donations to Duffles for Dignity
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) gave a big thanks to the C. W. Ruckel Middle School cheerleaders in Niceville for collecting duffle bags for ECCAC’s Duffles for Dignity drive. The donation will give kids a personal space for their belongings when they have to leave their home. Many times when this happens, their belongings end up in a box or plastic bag. 



Harrison Sale McCloy Adds Family Law
Attorney Casey P. Waterhouse has joined Harrison Sale McCloy Attorneys at Law, HSMc, and brings family law to the practice areas of the firm. Family Law is the area of law that Waterhouse has practiced in Northwest Florida for several years prior to joining Harrison Sale McCloy.  She will lead the firm in that area with her specific areas of concentration including contested and uncontested divorces, child and spousal support, child custody/timesharing, relocation, modification, domestic violence, and prenuptial agreements. She currently serves as treasurer for the Okaloosa Florida Association of Women Lawyers, is chair of the communications subcommittee of the First Judicial Circuit Bench and Bar Professionalism Committee, and is past president of the Okaloosa County Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division.