TOGETHER WITH
Good morning!
The winners of the 2022 City of Fort Walton Beach Christmas Parade were announced yesterday.
- Best Service – The Panhandle Jeepettes
- Best Marching – Choctawhatchee High School Style Marchers
- Best Youth – Cub Scouts Pack 527
- Best Religious – Champion Life
- Best Commercial Business – Priority 1 HVAC & Facility Maintenance Solutions
NEWS
Okaloosa makes front cover of state-wide calendar
On December 2, 2022, the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) unveiled the county photos featured in their 2022-2023 annual calendar: Keep Calm & Love Water.
Out of 67 counties in Florida, Okaloosa County was selected as the cover photo for this year’s calendar. According to a statement from the county, this is the second year in a row that Florida Association of Counties has selected Okaloosa County to represent the state on the cover of their annual calendar.
- Over 500 photos were submitted from 52 Florida counties.
- The winners were announced during FAC’s Legislative Conference in Pinellas County, Florida.
The photo (seen above) was taken by interim Public Information Officer Nick Tomecek. He captioned the photo with the following:
“A large piece of driftwood accepts a wave as it sits on the shore in Destin Florida on Father’s Day 2022. The driftwood was not present at the same location the next day, presumably finding its way back into the Gulf of Mexico.”
Congrats to Nick and the rest of the county on making the front cover!
SPONSORED
Something for everyone this Holiday Season!
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NEWS
Gulf Breeze Zoo founder passes away
Yesterday, the Gulf Breeze Zoo announced that its founder, Walter “Pat” Quinn, passed away on December 4th.
In a statement, Eric Mogensen, CEO of Zoofari Parks, which owns the Gulf Breeze Zoo, described Quinn as a true “man of the people.”
“Pat loved our community and its people,” he wrote. “He continued to be a stalwart supporter of the zoo even after retirement. We could not have found a better person to market his love of the zoo to the community than Pat. There is not a day that goes by when walking the zoo that I don’t think of him and what he built and accomplished. Words cannot convey our true sense of loss.”
Mogensen continued by saying that Quinn was not only a dear friend, but a mentor for four decade.
- “He goes knowing that he leaves behind a true legacy of building his zoo, our continued commitment to wildlife conservation in his honor, and bringing enjoyment to thousands of visitors annually,” he added. “A man like Pat can never be replaced and will surely never be forgotten. He can be very proud of that.”
REAL ESTATE
Parade of Homes 2022 is this weekend!
Get ready for this weekend because the Building Industry Association’s annual ‘Parade of Homes’ event is taking place from December 9-11.
- The Parade of Homes is the single largest and most important showcase of new homes during the year.
This event gives the talented craftspeople within the local community the opportunity to create masterpieces in new home design and construction. Subcontractors, suppliers and service companies turn out their best efforts as well in this showcase of housing excellence.
Homes ranging from affordable starters to million-dollar luxury estates are exhibited in the annual Parade, each featuring the latest in building technology and the hottest trends in interior design.
But the Parade of Homes is more than just a new home showcase. It benefits the community as well, by providing scholarships. A portion of the proceeds derived from various fundraising activities associated with the Parade go to help deserving area students further their education in industry-related fields. One was they are giving back is through the BIA Dream Home.
- A portion of the sale of this year’s Dream Home inside Deer Moss Creek will go towards scholarships for local students going into the trades industry. This year’s Dream Home builder is Jason Carducci with JP Carducci Inc.
- We will have a video in tomorrow’s newsletter highlighting a bit of the final product!
Homes will be open 12-6pm daily. There are seven completed homes in Deer Moss Creek that people can walk through, and 26 total that are scattered across the two counties. (see here)
- There is no printed booklet this year, but home details and location can be found through their app, “Okaloosa Walton Parade.”
TRAFFIC
City of Crestview traffic update for next week
The City of Crestview Public Works Department has announced that portions
of Panama Drive and Columbia Lane will be milled and resurfaced.
- The work will begin on Monday, Dec. 12, and continue through Friday, Dec. 16.
The city says there may be intermitted delays and temporary road closures due to the work involved. The city asks that during this process, all businesses and citizens that utilize this area to do the following:
- Do Not leave vehicles parked on the street.
- Do Not run irrigation or cause the street to be wet or blow trash onto the street.
- Please Use caution in the work area and around heavy equipment.
“The City of Crestview apologizes for any inconvenience that this work may cause,” wrote Chance Leavins, Public Information Officer for the City of Crestview. “Please remember that inclement weather can and will cause interruptions and delays in the project work schedule.”
THE WEEKENDER
A host of Holiday events over the next 2 weeks
Keep in mind, the calendar will continue to grow as more events get added. For the most up-to-date list, remember to click here.
December 7, 2022 (multiple dates) – 12 Nights of Lights at The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Free – View
December 7, 2022 – Holiday Concert Series at The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Free – View
December 7, 2022 – Visits with Santa at Baytowne Wharf – Free – View
December 8, 2022 (multiple dates) – Photos with Santa Claus at the Henderson – Free – View
December 8, 2022 – Holiday Music Match and Singo Bingo! – Free – View
December 9, 2022 – ‘Winter Wonderland’ – View
December 9, 2022 – Maxine Orange Studio Gallery 1 year Anniversary & Holiday Market Party – – View
December 9, 2022 (multiple dates) – Keep a Little Christmas in Your Heart – View
December 9, 2022 – Holiday Pops featuring The Doo Wop Project – View
December 10, 2022 – Downtown FWB Farmers Market – View
December 10, 2022 – 38th annual “Elf on the Shelf” Christmas Parade – View
December 10, 2022 – The Niceville-Valparaiso Community Christmas Parade – View
December 10, 2022 – Breakfast with Santa – Free – View
December 10, 2022 – Breakfast with Santa Claus – View
December 11, 2022 – 36th Annual Destin Boat Parade – View
December 16, 2022 – Holiday Cinema | How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Free – View
December 17, 2022 – Santa’s Workshop at Whitecaps – View
December 17, 2022 – Cookies and Crafts with The Grump – Free – View
December 18, 2022 – The Island Resort’s The Grump – Free – View
December 18, 2022 – Cookies and Crafts with The Grump – Free – View
December 22, 2022 – Holiday Music Match and Singo Bingo! – Free – View
OK, that’s all I have for you this morning! I hope you have a great Wednesday!
p.s. What did you think of this morning’s newsletter? Hit the reply button and let me know!
