Eglin Federal Credit Union recently recognized Fort Walton Beach local and Mastercard Specialist Gail Evans for 45 years of service! Gail started her career at the Credit Union in 1978 as a Loan Typist. She was promoted to Senior Loan Typist then to Loan Counselor before moving to the Mastercard department in 1991. Gail was promoted to Loan Administrative Supervisor in 1993 and then returned to the Mastercard department as Mastercard Supervisor in 2006. “We would like to thank Gail for her 45 years of service to Eglin Federal Credit Union,” said President/CEO Jerry Williams. “She plans to retire from EFCU this year, and we recognize and appreciate her loyalty and dedication to the Credit Union and in turn, our members.”
The 5th Annual Mac & Cheese Festival held Sunday, March 5, at Destin Commons raised $63,000 and welcomed roughly 1,600 attendees throughout the day. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.
Award winners were:
Judge’s Choice: Boathouse Oyster Bar
People’s Choice: Jackacuda’s Seafood & Sushi
Kid’s Choice: Sauce Boss Burger Co.
The 4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival held in February at Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer raised a record-breaking $50,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast and welcomed more than 1,500 attendees in support of all local club kids. Ticket holders experienced classic southern dishes, great drinks, and live music from Epic & Elegant Entertainment. Local restaurants and chefs competed on the Destin Harbor for the best Shrimp & Grits on the Emerald Coast. Award winners are as follows:
People’s Choice (1st Place): East Pass Seafood & Oyster House
People’s Choice (2nd Place): Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
People’s Choice (3rd Place): Knife’s Edge Private Chef and Catering
Best Overall (Judges Award): Knife’s Edge Private Chef and Catering
Most Creative (Judges Award): Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
Best Grits (Judge’s Award): Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer
The City of Fort Walton Beach has agreed to sell the 19-acre Northwest Florida Fairgrounds property to Okaloosa County for approximately $4 million. City commissioners voted in February to approve the 20-year contract with a goal of keeping the property available for the public. This is a result of voters deciding in 2021 to expand the bed tax district outside its original boundaries and include the fairgrounds. It is expected that the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Department (TDD) will maintain, enhance and market the venue for events.
The Choctawhatchee Audubon Society invites the public to attend its monthly evening program Thursday, April, 6 – CHINA – BIRDS OF THE PANDA FORESTS. Malcolm Swan will show video clips of marvelous birds that he and Lenny Fenimore saw during a 2018 bird tour of the mountainous Sichuan Province and the Tibetan plateau of central China, and Malcolm’s photos will illustrate their travels by bus and shoes in search of Pikas, exotic pheasants and tasty food in extraordinary places. Room 800 on the 2nd floor of the Chandler Center (NW door of 519 Helms Street) at Crosspoint Church, Niceville. Socializing with refreshments begins at 6:30 p.m.; program begins at 7 p.m. Visit Choctawhatcheeaudubon.org for updated information on programs and bird walks.
Eight children with severe visual impairments received Electronic Video Magnifiers (EVMs) recently funded by The White-Wilson Community Foundation (WWCF) in collaboration with Sight Savers America (SSA). The high-tech equipment opens a new world of opportunity, allowing the children to see more clearly what they have not been able to before. The vision clinic was made possible through a $15,670 grant from the WWCF and partnership with SSA, a nationally expanding nonprofit organization that offers free assistive technology for qualifying children. The equipment, training and maintenance services were provided at no cost to the families. EVMs dramatically enhance contrast and magnify objects up to 118 times, allowing children to read, write, do homework, groom themselves and even see the faces of their loved ones clearly. This is the fourth SSA vision clinic the WWCF has funded since 2015, raising the total number of children served throughout Oskaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties to 29. WhiteWilsonCommunityFoundation.org
Lifeguards are now patrolling Okaloosa Island beaches on their full-time schedule daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. You may text BEACH to 44144 to receive daily beach flags alerts. Safety is a top priority for our Beach Safety team. They make millions of contacts each year in an effort to educate the public to prevent drownings and injury. Please use your influence as a local to reinforce beach safety and beach flag info to any visitor you may encounter this season.
