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Good morning!
Sorry this is out late this morning. A slight hiccup on my end. Here’s what we have today…
- University of West Florida archaeologists are searching for the site of the long-lost Fort Kirkland in Okaloosa County, while Destin Brewery marks 10 years of growth from backyard operation to regional distribution. Okaloosa County appoints John Moring as its new corrections director, and the Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club prepares for its annual wine tasting fundraiser.
BUSINESS
Destin Brewery celebrates 10 years, from backyard brewing to regional distribution
by Ashley Armacost
From starting with a small four-barrel system and no taproom, Destin Brewing is gearing up to celebrate its 10th Anniversary with expanded production capacity, regional distribution and a second location featuring a full-service restaurant.
- Owners, Kelly and Chelsea Taylor, who have been married for nearly 18 years, launched the brewery in 2015 after transitioning from careers in firefighting, real estate and custom home building. Knowing they needed a change from the high stress of the custom home building industry the Taylors began to explore options on what to do next.
“When we brew everybody is happy, so can we keep doing that?” Kelly said. “Destin didn’t have a namesake brewery at the time, so I said let’s start a brewery.”
The couple’s brewing journey began informally in their backyard. Chelsea once challenged Kelly about his beer-making abilities, unaware he had previously researched homebrewing at his local library.
- “I started making beer and it was terrible, but I drank every last drop,” Kelly said, referring to his first attempts at homemade beer.
The Taylors secured their brewery location in August 2014 and produced their first commercial brew in May 2015. Their operation quickly outgrew their initial four-barrel system, prompting multiple upgrades to their current 20-barrel system.
They kept just one tank from their original setup as a reminder of their humble beginnings, nicknaming it “Tinkerbell”.
Contrary to typical craft brewing development, Destin Brewery began as a distribution-only operation before opening a taproom a year later. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed them to become a “level one restaurant,” first offering modest food options before expanding their menu.
When the opportunity arose to purchase property across the street, the Taylors, along with Chelsea’s sister and brother-in-law, Kristina and Kirk Laszewski, transformed a 1950s home into The Deck at Destin Brewery.
- “We went back to our old construction days and had plenty of beer to make it fun,” Chelsea said of the renovation process.
The brewery prides itself on creating beers that reflect the local area, with names like East Pass IPA, Bridge Rubble Double and Don’t Hassle Me I’m a Local, a blood orange blonde ale.
“Not everything can be related to Destin, but we try,” Kelly said.
Their product line has expanded beyond beer to include seltzers, sangrias, ciders and wine under their Coastal Cellars label. The brewery now distributes five flagship beers plus a seltzer throughout Northwest Florida and into Alabama.
“It’s one of the coolest things I can imagine because I know where every last one of those cans came from,” Kelly said. “People come here from all around because they love the area and it’s part of the experience.”
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Okaloosa County taps John Moring as new corrections director
The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners unanimously confirmed John Moring as the county’s new corrections director on March 18.
- Moring, who recently retired from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in February, brings more than 30 years of corrections experience to the position — including 17 years with the Florida Department of Corrections and 13 years in neighboring Walton County.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity,” Moring told commissioners during the meeting. “Having been in an adjoining county for three decades, I’ve been instrumental in a lot of things there that have changed in 30 years, and I’m excited for that opportunity here in Okaloosa County as well.”
Moring succeeds former Corrections Chief Nolan Weeks, who resigned in November 2024 to join a private health insurance company. His appointment comes after county officials reviewed approximately 30 applications and conducted multiple rounds of interviews.
During his tenure as Walton County jail director, Moring managed 140 employees and an inmate population ranging from 300 to 500. His responsibilities included overseeing courthouse bailiffs, warrants, civil process, extradition, and inmate work programs. He also managed medical, mental health and food services without using contracted companies.
- “Your resume is going to be respected by all of your colleagues because you bring such a depth of experience,” Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel told Moring during the meeting.
Commission Chairman Paul Mixon noted Moring came “highly recommended” from Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson and expressed confidence in the transition: “I’m glad I can say I don’t believe you’re coming into a mess. I believe you’re coming into a staff that’s dedicated to the people of Okaloosa County.”
County Administrator John Hofstad recognized Major April McDaniel for her leadership during the interim period. “You’ve been phenomenal in that role,” Hofstad said. “You’ll be an outstanding number two to Mr. Moring.”
Moring’s annual salary will be $127,004.80, according to county documents.
THINGS TO DO
Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club set to host annual wine tasting fundraiser
The Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club will host its annual wine tasting fundraiser at a new location this year due to growing popularity.
- The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, from 5-7 p.m. at The Venue on Brooks Street in downtown Ft. Walton Beach.
After five years at Aunt Martha’s Bed and Breakfast, organizers moved to the downtown location for its scenic views of Santa Rosa Sound and increased capacity.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the club’s Shell Grant Program, which was launched in October to support community improvement initiatives.
“Since our club started over 100 years ago, the focus for the members has been to improve the quality of lives of the citizens of our city,” said Linda Evanchyk, Ft. Walton Beach Woman’s Club president. “The Shell Grant Program allows us to offer financial support to individuals or groups who have a project that ultimately accomplishes that goal.”
The grant program has already awarded up to $2,000 each to several local organizations: One Hopeful Place for their cold night shelter program, American Legion Post 235 to help restore a World War II Sherman Tank honoring local veterans, and Emerald Coast Pet Rescue for vaccination funding to make dogs eligible for adoption.
- The club aims to award approximately $10,000 in total grants before taking a summer break in June.
“This event is a great way to head into spring enjoying our beautiful area, tasting a fabulous selection of wines with tasty hors d’oeuvres and helping the club help others in our community at the same time,” Evanchyk said.
Tickets cost $40 per person and include tastings of 16 wines and assorted hors d’oeuvres. All featured wines will be available for purchase, and raffle baskets will be offered. Tickets can be purchased from club members, through PayPal-Ft. Walton Beach Woman’s Club, or at the door.
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Join the women making $100,000 impacts on our local community
Changing lives in our community one woman at a time. The idea is simple: 100 women donate $1,000 each to form a $100,000 high-IMPACT grant to help transform local nonprofit organizations.
- Since 2012, Impact100 NWF has given away $4.9 million dollars in grants to local nonprofits in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Area nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for these grants.
Impact100’s goal is to have at least 500 members so that they are able to give away one $100,000 grant in each of the 5 categories: Arts and Culture; Education; Environment, Recreation & Preservation; Family; and Health & Wellness.
The organization is also very grateful for their business sponsors who assist with events as well as sponsoring memberships. If you are not a woman in the local area but want to help, please reach out as well!
Upcoming membership enrollment events:
- March 31st: Join Impact100 for an Immersive Art Experience at BeachWorx Destin 5:30 – 7:30
- April 17th: Join Impact100 at The Pavilion at Eagles Nest, Blackwater Golf Course, Crestview from 5:30- 7:30 pm
- April 22nd: Join Impact100 for our final membership event of the 2025 enrollment period at The Beach House in Miramar Beach from 5:30- 7:30
They also have numerous Pop Up Events in March and April throughout Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Join today and make an IMPACT in your local community! You can also email them at Impactnwf@impactnwf.org with any questions.
HISTORY
UWF archaeologists search for lost Fort Kirkland in Okaloosa County
University of West Florida archaeologists launched fieldwork last week in their search for Fort Kirkland, a lost Second Seminole War outpost in Okaloosa County that represents a critical piece of Northwest Florida’s early territorial history.
- The fort, believed to have been attacked and burned during conflicts between American settlers and indigenous communities in the 1830s, was established by Caleb Kirkland and his family near what is now called Fort Kirkland branch of Poverty Creek. Its exact location has been lost to history despite decades of interest from local historians and descendants of the area’s early settlers.
“This is about reconnecting with a lost part of Florida’s history,” said Nick Linzy, a UWF graduate student participating in the project. “With such limited historical documentation, archaeology is our best hope.”
The search, funded by a $250,000 state grant secured by Rep. Patt Maney, examines a tumultuous period when Florida’s transition to American territory in 1821 brought families from Alabama and Georgia into lands inhabited by Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole communities. These tensions ultimately erupted into the Second Seminole War (1835-1842).
On March 20-21, the UWF Archaeology Institute conducted a training workshop at the Crestview Community Center followed by fieldwork near Poverty Creek, using property owned by the Okaloosa County School District as a training ground while agreements for access to higher-probability private sites are finalized.
- “While we were gone at spring break, UWF and their team of archaeologists came out onto a parcel that is owned by the district off of Poverty Creek to look for Fort Kirkland,” Okaloosa School Board Member Parker Destin reported during Monday’s board meeting. “It appears that over the years we’ve had plenty of people out there hunting. We found a lot of antique beer cans, but it was a very good opportunity for the archaeologists to get the training they need.”
The archaeological team included several PhD students, masters and undergraduate students, along with private citizens experienced in archaeological surveying – including specialists who search for downed World War II aircraft internationally. Participants received training in metal detecting techniques, field methods, data management, and historical context before applying these skills in forested terrain.
Jennifer Melcher, a faculty research associate with the UWF Archaeology Institute, guided students in using Geographic Information Systems to fit historic maps to modern landscapes and identify potential fieldwork locations. Her class spent weeks digitizing historic roads and settlements to guide the search.
“This project allows students in my class to work with project data in real time,” Melcher said. “Normally, the class works with created practice scenarios; in this case, their work is creating important data for the search for Fort Kirkland.”
Nicole Grinnan, assistant director of the Archaeology Institute, coordinated the training and invited veterans from Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation to participate.
- “Training veterans to help archaeologists and students conduct a metal detector survey brings together important audiences around the subjects of public archaeology, education and service,” said Dr. Ramie Gougeon, director of the Archaeology Institute.
Students will spend the rest of the semester reviewing their findings and figuring out if more fieldwork is needed, according to UWF. The team hopes to present text and a proposed location for a historical marker to Rep. Maney in fall 2025.
“God willing, hopefully we can find Fort Kirkland,” said Destin.
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