June 2023

General News June 12, 2023

Looking Back, Moving Forward

 By Bill Husfelt, Superintendent, Bay District Schools This school year has certainly gone by quickly, and I always look forward to sending my “last day of school messages” to all of our stakeholders. I have been extremely blessed to be the superintendent for 15 years, so it is with mixed emotions that I craft this message for the ‘last’ time. I hope the next few days are the beginning of a restful, relaxing and fun summer that all of you so deserve. The school year is fun but I know that all of those activities take a toll on our students, our staff and our families. Summer is a great time for some restorative mental, emotional and physical self-care and for FUN with family and friends. I will begin a new chapter, effective July 31, as I retire after 41 years in public education. I started as a substitute teacher right out of college in 1980. I could not get a job, and subbing was my only avenue to teach. Finally, I was hired at an alternative school to teach in 1982. I fell in love with this career choice and never looked back. In addition to teaching social studies and English, among many other courses (just as most of you have done), I also coached and later became an assistant principal and a principal. I have enjoyed all of it. While I will definitely miss the day-to-day interactions with staff and with students, I will not miss the immense... Read More

General News June 12, 2023

Exciting Changes Coming to Frank Brown Park

 From Mayor Mark Sheldon Quality of life is important to any community, but I like to think in Panama City Beach we prioritize having fun and offering a variety of amenities and events for our residents and visitors. One of the City’s gems is Frank Brown Park, which opened in 1977 with two baseball fields and a soccer field. It was renamed Frank Brown Park in 1983 to honor the longtime educator and father of youth sports in Panama City Beach. On the heels of celebrating 40 years since the renaming, the City Council has established a list of priorities for expanding and renovating the park. This was after a master plan was commissioned last year to bring some new features to the park that we felt our community was lacking. What is Coming So let me tell you what is coming. We are adding up to 10 pickleball courts near the center of the park where the basketball courts are currently located. We are saying “up to 10” because we are not sure how many can fit into the space. We have to allow for stormwater needs, which could include the construction of a retention pond.But we are not doing away with basketball. Four new courts are going in and will be located toward the front of the park. These courts will be facing north and south instead of east and west to allow for better usage. Also toward the front of the park, we are adding a beginner... Read More

General News June 12, 2023

Introducing: Jonesing 4 Cookies

 Panama City Beach Chamber Spotlight My name is Cord Jones and I am a husband, father of five, and a full-time baker. My mom, Bridgette, raised me and taught me everything I know in the kitchen. Together we formed Jonesing 4 Cookies in Washington County, FL. Neither one of us had aspirations of becoming full-time bakers, but the joy of creating and seeing the reactions on people’s faces after that first bite was addicting. Every day we get to learn something new and share it with our customers or, as we like to call them, #CookieCutters. They are what keeps the party going, and we are truly grateful for everyone that has enjoyed one of our cookies.Jonesing 4 Cookies started at home with my mom and me. When I was younger and into my adult years, my mom and I would spend time together baking and cooking. Last year, after one of our baking days, we had extra cookies left over. So naturally we wanted to spread some sugary love and took the cookies to our jobs for our co-workers to enjoy. Little did we know that would be the beginning of something special. Soon after we had people asking us for more cookies. I jokingly mentioned that we should start selling them and the next thing you know we were doing our first Farmer’s Market and we were selling out! Next thing you know we were offering cookie tables for events and parties and getting booked! Fast forward a... Read More

General News June 12, 2023

Introducing: Panama City Ballet

 Panama City Beach Chamber Introduction Panama City Ballet is a new 501c3 non-profit organization created for one reason, to bring the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, to our community using our very own local talent. There are 10 area dance studios on board to participate, bringing the dance community together like never before! We are determined to help revitalize the arts in our community in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. After five years of concentrating on building back our housing and our jobs, it is now time to focus on our children and give them back the artistic outlets that have been sorely missing in their development and education. If you are not in the arts, you may not realize that we artists literally have no theatre for performances, on the city side or the beach side. The Civic Center remains extensively damaged. The Martin Theatre has been gutted with only the marquis renovated. Everyone that is looking for a performance venue is vying for the use of the high school auditoriums, which were never built for full-length professional ballet performances. Many of these facilities are beautiful, but they were rightfully meant for their school’s use. This makes scheduling a performance at these facilities much more difficult. But not only that, the rates they are charging are nearly out of reach for a new budding non-profit. We believe that we can come together as a community and make the changes we desperately need to build back the arts in our area.... Read More
30a.news

General News June 12, 2023

Bay Buzz June 2023

 Grady Brown Park Grand Opening Ceremony The Walton County Board of County Commissioners will host a Grand Reopening Ceremony for Grady Brown Park on Monday, May 1, at 10 a.m. Visitors to the park will find a larger beach area, a new, extended retaining wall, an 80-foot lit flagpole and well-defined navigation for vessels, among other improvements. Walton High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members will raise the new, 20-by-30-foot American flag to commemorate the reopening. Grady Brown Park is located on the north side of the Choctawhatchee Bay at the Clyde B. Wells Bridge, 20940 US Highway 331 S, Freeport. For more information, contact Public Information at (850) 892-8155 or pio@co.walton.fl.us. Foundation Pledges More Than $45,000 in Support for PAWS To kick off its third year of partnership with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, Bit-Wizards’ Be the Magic Foundation (BTMF) is doubling down on its support. On Saturday, April 29, BTMF presented PAWS Executive Director Ashley Degraaf a check for $20,000 and spent the afternoon volunteering on site. In addition to the cash donation and more than 40 hours of Wizard volunteer time, PAWS will receive $20,000 in hardware and skill-based services. PAWS recently launched the Kennels for Canines project to improve the lives of the pets in their care through a Kennel Rebuild Initiative. Various parts of the kennel are up for sponsorship. BTMF pledged to support the rebuilding of an entire wing for the facility. Along with the new wing donation, Bit-Wizards’ Managed IT... Read More
30a.news

Real Estate June 12, 2023

Designer Coastal Retreat in WaterColor

668 E Royal Fern Way A designer coastal retreat in WaterColor’s prestigious Phase IV outfitted with the best of everything – finishes, features, and community location. This 6 bedroom, 7.5 bathroom property with 5,460 square feet of living space is situated on one of the largest lots in this phase and adjacent to a nature preserve complete with a scenic pond which give the outdoor spaces a sense of privacy rarely found. The 5 bedroom, 6.5 bathroom primary home offers an elevator and an incredible outdoor living area with private pool and spa while the 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom carriage home is located over a detached two-car garage. Enter into an expansive great room with wire brushed oak flooring, shiplap walls, abundant natural light, and a gas fireplace. The stunning kitchen offers Sub-Zero and Wolf premium appliances including a wine refrigerator, quartz countertops, a large island with ample seating, and custom cabinetry. This space opens to a screened dining porch overlooking the pool and leads to outdoor spaces both covered and open that effortlessly merge indoor and outdoor living. Highlights include the large 15′ x 28′ swimming pool with spa, summer kitchen with green egg cooker, and a covered outdoor lounge area with fireplace and tv. Upstairs, find not one but two elegant master suites, two guest bedrooms, and a bunk room with four built-in bunks. The cozy carriage home features a kitchenette, a full bathroom, and a private balcony. Additional notable home features include two instant tankless hot water... Read More
30a.news

General News June 12, 2023

Bay Buzz June 2023

 Grady Brown Park Grand Opening Ceremony The Walton County Board of County Commissioners will host a Grand Reopening Ceremony for Grady Brown Park on Monday, May 1, at 10 a.m. Visitors to the park will find a larger beach area, a new, extended retaining wall, an 80-foot lit flagpole and well-defined navigation for vessels, among other improvements. Walton High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members will raise the new, 20-by-30-foot American flag to commemorate the reopening. Grady Brown Park is located on the north side of the Choctawhatchee Bay at the Clyde B. Wells Bridge, 20940 US Highway 331 S, Freeport. For more information, contact Public Information at (850) 892-8155 or pio@co.walton.fl.us. Foundation Pledges More Than $45,000 in Support for PAWS To kick off its third year of partnership with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, Bit-Wizards’ Be the Magic Foundation (BTMF) is doubling down on its support. On Saturday, April 29, BTMF presented PAWS Executive Director Ashley Degraaf a check for $20,000 and spent the afternoon volunteering on site. In addition to the cash donation and more than 40 hours of Wizard volunteer time, PAWS will receive $20,000 in hardware and skill-based services. PAWS recently launched the Kennels for Canines project to improve the lives of the pets in their care through a Kennel Rebuild Initiative. Various parts of the kennel are up for sponsorship. BTMF pledged to support the rebuilding of an entire wing for the facility. Along with the new wing donation, Bit-Wizards’ Managed IT... Read More
30a.news

General News June 12, 2023

Bay Buzz June 2023

 Grady Brown Park Grand Opening Ceremony The Walton County Board of County Commissioners will host a Grand Reopening Ceremony for Grady Brown Park on Monday, May 1, at 10 a.m. Visitors to the park will find a larger beach area, a new, extended retaining wall, an 80-foot lit flagpole and well-defined navigation for vessels, among other improvements. Walton High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members will raise the new, 20-by-30-foot American flag to commemorate the reopening. Grady Brown Park is located on the north side of the Choctawhatchee Bay at the Clyde B. Wells Bridge, 20940 US Highway 331 S, Freeport. For more information, contact Public Information at (850) 892-8155 or pio@co.walton.fl.us. Foundation Pledges More Than $45,000 in Support for PAWS To kick off its third year of partnership with the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society, Bit-Wizards’ Be the Magic Foundation (BTMF) is doubling down on its support. On Saturday, April 29, BTMF presented PAWS Executive Director Ashley Degraaf a check for $20,000 and spent the afternoon volunteering on site. In addition to the cash donation and more than 40 hours of Wizard volunteer time, PAWS will receive $20,000 in hardware and skill-based services. PAWS recently launched the Kennels for Canines project to improve the lives of the pets in their care through a Kennel Rebuild Initiative. Various parts of the kennel are up for sponsorship. BTMF pledged to support the rebuilding of an entire wing for the facility. Along with the new wing donation, Bit-Wizards’ Managed IT... Read More

30a News June 12, 2023

Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation’s Second Annual Fundraising Event Raises $84,000

Sip and Splash: An Aquatic Affair presented by Tim Smith Acura The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation (ECFF) is pleased to announce their Second Annual Sip and Splash: An Aquatic Affair, presented by Tim Smith Acura, raised $84,000. The charity event took place on Saturday, May 20 at the Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center, located at 4345 Commons Drive West in Destin, under the stars. For the second year, the pool facility, which usually hosts swim lessons and swim meets, was transformed into an elegant event space with whimsical balloon décor from Mingle, along with bistro twinkle lights, coastal place settings, and over-the-top florals from Showtime Events and Perfect Day Weddings. Over 250 guests were greeted upon arrival with complimentary valet, courtesy of 654 Limo, and a glass of prosecco from Gulf Water Wines before entering the event. The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour featuring hand rolled sushi by Camille’s at Crystal Beach’s Yoshie Eddings, live music by Al Alvarado, and a live painting by Maxine Orange sponsored by White Wilson Medical Center. Attendees also had the opportunity to explore the extensive silent auction and make their bids on a plethora of items including vacations in Colorado, Idaho, Alabama, and Okaloosa Island, along with jewelry, gift cards, gift baskets, artwork and much more. All funds raised through ticket sales, sponsorship, and the silent auction go directly back to the foundation to help fund the operation costs, upgrade equipment, and provide resources for the numerous aquatic programs at the three... Read More