August 2016 Business Briefs / Member News Part 2

Thompson Joins World Impact Real Estate
Realtor Charis Thompson is joining World Impact Real Estate. She was raised by two real estate investors in New Braunfels, Texas. She attended the University of Texas as an art major.  When not at the office or with clients, you will find her working on her art, volunteering at the community center, teaching children in the after school program, practicing yoga, or just relaxing with her dog. Thompson works well with builders and new construction. You may reach her at (850) 502-9313.

505 CCW Booster Club Seeks Support
The 505 CCW at Hurlburt Field is holding a formal dining event on Sept. 23. Its booster club, a private organization, is seeking help from community partners to make this evening affordable and to maximize participation.  A primary focus is its most junior members, who might not otherwise be able to afford ticket costs. Click here to read more.

Guinness World Records Confirms Largest Flag Mural in the World
The title of Guinness World Record Holder for Largest Flag Mural in the World was bestowed upon renowned marine-artist Wyland for his Legendary American Flag, located in Destin. Painstakingly painted over a four-month period, the flag sits atop the Legendary Marina boat storage facility and covers 3.83 acres or 166,834.8 square feet.



First Partners Bank Opens Destin Office Location
First Partners Bank is pleased to announce the expansion of its Loan Production Office into a full-service office. This is the first location in the state of Florida for the Birmingham, Ala.-based bank and was originally intended to focus primarily on business lending and consumer mortgages. To meet growing market demands, the location will now function as a full-service office of First Partners Bank, offering a full array of banking products and services. The Destin office began servicing clients on July 11, 2016.

Okaloosa EMS Division Receives Lifeline EMS Recognition Award
Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety – EMS Division has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks. Seen here, Inger Alderfer, AHA senior regional director, addresses the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners in awarding Okaloosa County EMS with the AHA Lifeline EMS Gold Award. Standing directly behind her are Chief Tracey Vause, Lt. Jeffery Bailey, and Capt. Darrel Wellborn, Okaloosa EMS Division.

Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Centers Announces Board
The 2016-2017 new board members were sworn in at a recent board meeting for the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Centers(ECCAC). Bill Fletcher, a Freeport resident, is this year’s new president. He was last year’s vice president and has been on the ECCAC board for the past 3 years in various capacities. Other new board members sworn in for the upcoming year were Shaun Eubanks, Maurice Stouse, and Janine Pyle. The upcoming year’s other new board officers are Tom Cooper, vice president, and Alan Wood, treasurer. 

Emerald Coast Theatre Company Celebrates Kids with Breakfast, Bowling & Awards
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) honored its students with a celebration at Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill. Breakfast was served, as guests enjoyed bowling with friends and family. During the event, children who had participated in ECTC educational programming were honored and numerous awards were distributed including community, tech, and dedication awards.  Each attendee received a gift and had the opportunity to participate in face painting and a photo booth sponsored by The Storyteller Agency. One of the students honored was Ally Ledbetter, who was a part of ECTC’s first class offered at Destin Elementary School in partnership with the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, dating back to January of 2013. Ledbetter was awarded Most Dedicated Actor, the Techie Award, and a full season participation certificate. In the past three years, she has participated in 14 ECTC classes and/or productions and dedicates her free time to volunteer for the organization. 

Request for Donations for Senior-Non-Commissioned Officer Induction Ceremony
Hurlburt Field’s TOP 3 is hosting an induction ceremony for its enlisted members who are entering the rank of MSgt. These members have worked hard to become part of the Senior Non- Commissioned Officer Tier in the enlisted corps. An expected 400+ military members and their families will be in attendance. Donations are requested by Aug. 31, to help defray the event costs and tickets for Airmen attending. This event is neither sponsored, nor endorsed, by the Air Force. Checks can be made payable to Hurlburt Field TOP 3. For details, please call (850) 533-9612 or email aisha.toston@yahoo.com.

Alys Beach Engages Century 21 Blue Marlin Commercial 
Century 21 Fine Homes & Estates Blue Marlin recently announced its agreement with EBSCO Gulf Coast Development, Inc., the owners of Alys Beach’s emerging Town Center, to secure commercial tenants. In this capacity, Century 21 Blue Marlin’s PURE Commercial Team will provide various commercial services for the luxury seaside town including tenant procurement, tenant representation, site selection, and lease negotiations. Located on Scenic Highway 30A, six miles east of Seaside, Alys Beach is known for its iconic butteries and towering palms lining the town. Alys Beach offers a number of unique opportunities for professional offices, eateries, and boutique retail spaces.

Today’s Boutique Celebrates 35th Anniversary 
Today’s Boutique recently announced its 35th anniversary in the community. The boutique will mark this milestone with an upcoming Joseph Ribkoff trunk show on Sept. 17, and a month-long series of celebratory events in October. Today’s Boutique opened its doors in 1981 and was an early pioneer for Destin’s unique fashion scene. It quickly evolved into an upscale, premier boutique for women, with an eclectic mix of fashions, ranging from Joseph Ribkoff, Free People, Comfy USA, Virgins Saints & Angels, Hobo, and Mary Frances to name a few. Today’s Boutique also showcases many jewelry designers both local and nationally branded, with exciting trunk shows, as well as Sip and Shop events.

BancorpSouth Receives America Saves Designation of Savings Excellence for Banks
BancorpSouth, Inc., announces the Company’s banking subsidiary, BancorpSouth Bank, has received the America Saves Designation of Savings Excellence for Banks, a designation from America Saves that recognizes banks that go above and beyond to encourage people to save money during America Saves Week. BancorpSouth, along with 14 other bank recipients of the Designation, was recognized at the America Saves National Savings Forum and received a Designation of Savings Excellence seal for its website.

Tom Thumb Stores Donates to CIC Kids
The Tom Thumb Stores, headquartered in Crestview, showed its great support to the children living at Children in Crisis (CIC) by donating more than $21,000 from its recent Charity Golf tournament. Seen here are (left to right) Aimee Brim; Kayla Denmon; Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO; Mark Salisbury, Tom Thumb Inc. president; Teresa Smith, Tom Thumb Inc. vice president of operations; Dan Spence; and David Parker, Jr.

Keeping History Alive! – Niceville/Valparaiso Rotary Donates to Museum 
Peter Loffler, president of the Rotary Club of Niceville-Valparaiso, presents a check for $500 to Gina Marini of the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida from the proceeds of water and soda sales at the Museum’s 40th Saturday in the Park Heritage Festival, which was held on April 30.




John Cook & Team Named to REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents
John Cook and Team of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate was named one of America’s most productive sales associates as a part of REAL Trends America’s Best Real Estate Agents, the newly issued ranking report produced by REAL Trends and sponsored by Zillow Group. An individual agent must have closed at least 50 transaction sides or $20 million in sales volume in 2015. For real estate agent teams, the minimum is 75 transaction sides or $30 million in closed sales volume.

Team Eglin’s Company Grade Officer’s Council (CGOC) Request Donations
Team Eglin’s Company Grade Officer’s Council (CGOC) are respectfully seeking your help in providing donations to assist us in hosting the 2016 Air Force Ball on Oct. 15, at King Hangar on Eglin Air Force Base. This private organization is volunteering its off-duty time to support this event. It is respectfully seeking your help in providing monetary donations to offset the ticket costs for attending service members, or providing products for a silent auction. This event is an unofficial activity, and the CGOC will use any donated funds to contribute to morale and espirit de corps. Donations will be formally recognized during this event. For details, contact MSgt Aaron Wilson at (850) 218-8770.

Meader Joins World Impact Real Estate
Realtor Frank Meader recently joined World Impact Real Estate. In his professional and personal life, he tries to live by and exhibit the core values of Service, Relationships, Integrity and Excellence.  Frank conducts his business by The Golden Rule –“Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated.”  You may reach him at (850) 598-7976.



Sixth Annual Emerald Coast Duck Regatta Slated for October 8
Get your ducks in a row and plan to attend the sixth annual Emerald Coast Duck Regatta benefiting the Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast Guild. On Saturday, Oct. 8, approximately 3,000 ducks will begin their race across the Lagoon at the Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Prizes will be awarded to the owners of the first ducks to cross the finish line, including a $5,000 first place prize! For details, visit www.emeraldcoastduckregatta.com. Last year, the event raised more than $40,000 for the hospital.                                                                                                                      

Sinfonia Gulf Coast Goes Retro for its 2016-2017 Season
Keeping the tempo on the Emerald Coast’s cultural scene since its founding in 2005, Sinfonia Gulf Coast maintains the tradition of “symphony redefined” as it enters its 11th season as the region’s only fully professional symphony orchestra. Season 11, entitled RETROSPECTIVE, will offer a stellar lineup of concerts and educational initiatives featuring the orchestra and world-renowned guest artists. The season starts on a high note on Thursday, Sept. 22, with an intimate cabaret-style performance by Emmy and Tony Award-winning singer and actor John Lloyd Young at Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood at the Hilton Sandestin Beach. For more details about the entire season, please visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org. 

Fraternal Order of the Eagles Donates to CIC Children
Thanks to the generous donation of $400 from the members of the Panhandle Fraternal Order of the Eagles, the kids living at Children in Crisis (CIC) will have extra to help get ready for back to school and the other necessities of their homes. Seen here are (left to right) Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO; Scott Burger, Panhandle Fraternal Order of the Eagles 4045 president; and Ginnie Kameenui, Eagles entertainment director. 

Henderson Beach Resort Hosts First Hiring Event
Hear that? That is the sound of opportunity knocking. Whether looking for a fresh start, a better job, or a new career direction, Emerald Coast job seekers will find a host of exciting employment opportunities at Henderson Beach Resort’s first hiring event designed to staff an A-list opening team. The resort will be one of the finest to open along Florida’s Gulf Coast in a generation. The Henderson Hiring Event will be held Monday, Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Emerald Coast Convention Center, located at 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach. The event is free and open to the public. All interested candidates should review the job openings at www.hendersonbeachresort.com/careers prior to arrival. 

Smileology - Santa Rosa Beach Grand Opening Raises $1,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Walton County
Dr. Amber Wiebe and Dr. Olivier Broutin of Smileology hosted an Open House for their recently revitalized office at Santa Rosa Plaza on Thursday, July 28. Proceeds from the event benefited Habitat for Humanity of Walton County. Representatives of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, Destin Chamber of Commerce, community leaders, local and regional media, patients, and friends gathered at the beautiful, Lovelace Interiors-decorated office. Thanks to donations, raffles, and purchases made from the Restore, Smileology’s Open House raised an impressive $1,000.