Destin Rotarians Invest in Destin Middle School
Destin Rotarians recently facilitated a service project for Destin Middle School and a dedication ceremony was held for the new outdoor classroom. DMS Teacher and Interact Club sponsor Mary Lynn Bettinger conducted a contest with the students and faculty to name the space. The winning name was The Makaira — the scientific name for a blue marlin (Makaira nigricans). “What an amazing experience this week with the generosity of Destin Rotarians, James Hernandez of Martelle Homes and his crew for their countless hours on this project, the Destin Rotary Sunset Club and many, many others who came together to make this happen,” said Marcia Hull, Destin Rotary Club president. “
Immanuel Anglican Church Consecration & Celebration
The Immanuel Anglican Church family has been part of the Destin community since 1928. It has hosted the Blessing of the Fleet for 66 years and HolySmokes! BBQ Cookoff for the last five years, along with the annual Blessing of the Animals and other community events. Noah’s Ark Pre-school and The Alpha Course are all part of the church’s life. Immanuel has been on its current property since 2005. “By God’s grace and generosity we’ve been able to build this new building through the sacrificial giving of church members,” said Rector, Fr. Caleb Miller.
On the morning of Sunday, June 4, former rector, Bishop Sandy Greene, and Bishop Martyn Minns prayerfully consecrated the building to the service of the Lord. Immanuel Anglican Church is located at 250 Indian Bayou Trail, just north of the Nancy Weidenhamer Dog Park in Destin.
Okaloosa County Students Raise Funds for Change for Children Campaign
Students from across the District participated in the annual “Change for Children” fundraiser campaign for Children in Crisis (CIC), Inc. The CIC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of caring people who provide homes to our community’s abused, neglected, and abandoned children and keep siblings together. The Change for Children Campaign began in 2007 to raise funds in the Okaloosa County schools to help provide food, clothing and school supplies for the children living in the Children in Crisis Neighborhood. The campaign gives students unique opportunities to learn the value of giving back and helping less fortunate children. School sponsors conduct creative, fun, and often competitive ways to collect change, such as Talent Shows, class competitions and Pie the Principal. The retired teacher chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an honorary educational sorority, facilitates this campaign. Students from 19 schools brought change to help support the mission of the CIC. Students raised nearly $23,000, and the top fundraising schools were Destin Elementary – $1,587.21, Ruckel Middle School – $8,000, Choctawhatchee High School – $1,897.00, Southside Primary School – 3,169.67.
Destin Garden Club Flower Show
Destin Garden Club held its first flower show: “Garden Party,” an NGC Horticulture Specialty Flower Show June 6 at the Destin Library, 150 Sibert Avenue. The horticulture specialty show included a wide variety of exhibits, including cut specimens as well as container-grown plants grown by club members. Two educational exhibits were also on display: “Preserving Our Beautiful Butterflies” and “Destin Garden Club Celebrating 20 Years of Service.” Visitors had the opportunity to stroll the library grounds to see the most recently completed Butterfly Garden and the Blue Star Memorial Garden as well as the new Japanese Garden currently being installed. The gardens were initially established 20 years ago by the Destin Garden Club, are maintained by the Club, and continue to grow and evolve through the Club’s continuing efforts.
Free Notary Service at the Destin Library
The Destin Library staff reminds the community that it offers notary services free of charge. No library card is required. The Notary Public, Kitti Capps, is available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9-10 a.m. and 3-4 p.m.; Wednesday, 3-4 p.m.; and Friday, 9-10 a.m.
Call (850) 837-8572 to make your notary appointment or if you have any questions about what is required to notarize your documents.
Dog-Harmony Launches “Love is in the Air” Calendar Contest
Show dogs how much you adore them by entering the 2024 Dog-Harmony calendar contest themed “Love is in the Air.”
World-renowned photographer, Jane Shirek, whose work has been featured in major publications such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, will capture winning dogs looking their most “fetching” at the elegantly romantic Hotel Effie Sandestin.
Scenes the camera could capture in this spectacular venue include being a pampered pooch at Spa Lilliana, whining and dining, enjoying a muttmosa in the Lobby Bar and canine couples exchanging vows.
To be a canine calendar girl or boy, a dog must fetch enough money to be ranked in the top 12. It also must be available to strut its stuff at the photo shoot July 16-19. The contest runs June 1-30.
To enter, register at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2023calendarcontest or email hello@dog-harmony.org.
Boy Scouts of America Gulf Coast Council Announces 2023 Friends of Scouting Campaign
The campaign provides an opportunity for the community to invest in the success of its members throughout the Emerald Coast and southern Alabama.
Providing one year of programming and support for one Scout in the Council costs $500, and half of that funding originates from community support through the Friends of Scouting campaign and other fundraising initiatives. Funding will be used to increase recruitment efforts, promote accomplishments and efforts, support the Council’s Troops, Packs, Ships and Crews, and enhance the camp experience through special projects.
Attention Golfers, Sponsors and Alaqua Lovers
Fore!: The Love of Animals, Alaqua’s 2nd Annual Golf Tournament, promises to be fun. One-hundred percent of the proceeds go to help comfort and feed all the animals at the refuge and those yet to experience a second chance.
Golf at Links Golf Sandestin on Saturday, June 10, is $250 per player and $850 per team.
Registration, 8:30 a.m.; Shotgun Start, 10a.m., Yappy Hour and awards, 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Sunset Bay Café Pool Deck across from the course.
HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital Introduces Pet Therapy Program
HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital has launched its first pet therapy program in partnership with the nonprofit Dog Harmony.
Patients and staff got a special visit recently from 6-year-old Goldendoodle Maya to wrap up National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. Maya stopped by each department. including the laboratory, respiratory therapy, surgical services, the emergency room and intensive care unit, giving kisses and lifting spirits.
Maya is one of three certified service dogs who will visit the hospital weekly to help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.
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