Beal House Fort Walton Beachfront, Tapestry Collection by Hilton has made its debut. Located on Okaloosa Island, this six-story, 100-key hotel reopened recently, following a down-to-the-studs renovation and a rebrand designed to merge the property’s new identity with the destination’s notable past. The Beal House name honors the legacy of Dr. James Hartley Beal (1861 – 1945), a fascinating man of many accomplishments. Dr. Beal was a distinguished pharmacist, an avid shell collector and a creative thinker who fostered Northwest Florida’s early tourism industry.
An onsite restaurant/bar called The Remedy is a nod to Dr. Beal’s eminence in the field of pharmacology. And his beloved shell collection, one of the largest in the world, serves as a design motif scattered throughout the hotel interior. A commissioned mosaic by Georgian artist Brandon Harder, for example — designed with more than 300 pounds of shell from around the world — enjoys pride of place at the front desk.
Okaloosa County Schools are participating in the Summer Food Service Program this summer. Summer BreakSpot offers balanced breakfasts and lunches at no cost for kids 18 and under. Meals are served on site, at no cost. A list of sites and service times is available on the District’s website: https://www2.okaloosaschools.com/article/1119104. Summer feeding sites that are located at schools provide meals to all children in the immediate vicinity in addition to those enrolled in summer school. Meals will not be provided on weekends, July 3rd or 4th. The programs are only approved for geographical areas of need where 50 percent or more of the children qualify for free and reduced-price meals during the school year. A site’s times may change or it may close down due to participation.
Okaloosa County School District’s English Language Learners (ELL) Community Connections Committee members presented a $500 donation in support of the ELL program at W.C. Pryor Middle School. Pictured L-R: David Triana, Conexion Media Group, Realty One Group’s Josie Saldana, Aaron Saldana of 850 Solutions LLC, and PA Marcos Otero, Gulf Coast Immediate Care Center, joined by Principal Brooke Barron and ELL students. For more information about the ELL Community Connections Committee, visit conexionflorida.com.
Crisis Aid for Littles and Moms, CALM, of Niceville “is truly grateful and thankful for partners like 100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast,” said Terri Steadman, President of the 501c3 nonprofit. CALM was selected recently as the organization’s quarterly recipient and presented with a check from representatives (left to right) Scott, Dave, Al and Ed. 100 Men Who Care Emerald Coast was excited to make the award, “CALM is a great organization assisting single mothers to independently negotiate life challenges with tools gained in their resident program. We hit a $6,000 quarterly award for the first time in our history – with over 60 members now!” CALM provides a home, counseling, education, employment opportunities and life skills training in a classroom environment to moms and their kids for up to 6 months. CALM house has been “home” for over 38 moms and 48 children (littles) since opening on October 16, 2018. Visit C.A.L.M. Organization, Inc. (Crisis Aid For Littles and Moms) | Facebook.
NWFSC Collegiate High School Student Selected for Hites Transfer Scholarship
Northwest Florida State College’s Collegiate High School Student, Sean Arbuckle, has been selected to receive Phi Theta Kappa’s 2023 Hites Transfer Scholarship. Arbuckle is one of only 15 students to receive this scholarship and was up against more than 2,700 applicants. This is the Phi Theta Kappa Society’s most prestigious and largest scholarship offering at $10,000. Hites Scholars are selected based on outstanding academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community activities. “Sean has earned this recognition with his exemplary service, leadership, and academic achievements,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson.
Heritage Museum History Summer Camp Registration
The Heritage Museum of NWF is taking Summer Camp registrations for July. The first week will be for grades K-2 and will run from Monday, July 10- Friday, July 14. The second week will be for grades 3-6 and will run from Monday, July 17-Friday, July 21. Both weeks run from 9:45 a.m-1 p.m. Participants can expect classes like art, aerospace, archaeology and more. $85 per student for the week or $80 for Members. Space is limited to 20 Students. Call (850) 678-2615.
Cook Team Registration Open for Annual “Eggs On the Beach”
Bay Breeze Patio announces the cook team registration is now open for the ninth annual “Eggs on the Beach” EggFest Cooking Competition Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach.
Cook Teams are invited to create bite size portions of their favorite recipes to be judged by the public as well as honorary judges. Tasters vote for their favorites, as teams vie for bragging rights and prizes, including the grand prize, a brand new large Big Green Egg. Cook Teams may also compete for Judge’s Awards, and Non-profit Teams Awards, which include a donation toward their cause.
New this year, Eggs on the Beach will include a Junior Chefs Competition. The category will allow chefs ages 8-14 an opportunity to compete for the grand prize — a Mini-Max Big Green Egg. Second- and third-place runners up will receive a grilling tool set and all winners will be recognized with a medal and bragging rights. The family-friendly event benefits two local charities—the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Food for Thought.
Team registration is $50 for a team of six and each member will receive a welcome bag, including a commemorative T-shirt and Wayne’s Get Grillin’ Rubs. Youth Cook Team registration is $25 and includes a welcome bag for each participant.
Cook team fees are waived for non-profit cook teams, which are competing for a cash donation toward their cause. Teams can register online at EggsontheBeach.com, or to avoid online fees, register in-person at Bay Breeze Patio (32 Forest Shore Drive, Miramar Beach).
ECTC Celebrates New Signage
Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) recently celebrated its new sign with a ribbon cutting attended by the Destin and Walton Area chambers. Visible from Hwy. 98, the new sign marks ECTC’s Grand Boulevard location. ECTC’s mission is to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast through professional and educational theater. For more information, to view upcoming shows or to purchase tickets, visit emeraldcoasttheatre.org.
Okaloosa County Emergency Management Info
Sign up to receive emergency notifications via the county’s alert system at AlertOkaloosa.com or by texting “OKALOOSAFL” to 888777.
Okaloosa County maintains a complete online resource, including its Hurricane Guide, at https://myokaloosa.com/ps/emergency-management.
In the event of an emergency and if the Emergency Operations Center Activates, up-to-date information can be found at myokaloosa.com/eoc/home.
You can also stay up-to-date via traditional social media by following facebook.com/OkaloosaCounty.
