By Michelle Jannazo How long have you lived here? I’ve lived in the Freeport area since 1995. Went to school here when there was only one traffic light! What is your work here? Since 2015, my wife, Kim, and I have owned and operated Arbor Barber Trees, a tree care service. Most recently we purchased a sawmill and started ABTWOODSHOP. Now, when we remove old growth because it is diseased, dying or endangering human life, we bring it to the shop and give it a second life. By milling and repurposing the wood, we are good stewards of the resources available to us. How are you actively involved in our community? My wife and I are Rotarians and have also hosted fundraisers for the Freeport Area Youth Sports Association. I’m working to support The Sonder Project. What is The Sonder Project? Started in 2015, The Sonder Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with eight board members, founded here in the Panhandle with the mission to empower impoverished communities through high-impact, sustainable development. They focus their work in Sub-Saharan Africa, because that is where they can make the greatest impact on the most number of lives at the most efficient cost. Annually, it serves at least 5,000 people directly every year, with an operating budget of approximately $500,000, and likely many more, as the initiatives have a lasting impact for generations. Staff includes one U.S.-based full-time staff member and six international, full-time staff members. How did you become involved? After Hurricane... Read More

 By Heather Bennett Eye You probably know someone who’s had a cancer diagnosis or know someone who knows someone. It’s hard to find anyone who hasn’t been touched by cancer in some way. Our community is no different. People are affected every day. Michele Bailey, founder of Bailey Brigade, and her family were affected in a big way when her husband Scott passed away in December 2021 from a rare salivary gland cancer. He was only 54. While there are many organizations giving resources to more common specific types of cancer, we need to remember that there is a wide variety of debilitating cancers. Bailey Brigade was started to honor Scott and support locals battling all types of cancer. It’s a non-profit organization that provides copay assistance, backpacks with self-care items, and scholarships for those wanting to go into the medical field. All money donated goes to help patients from The Emerald Coast. “Your money stays local,” stated Michele, who is working with oncologist Dr. Hayes at Ascension Sacred Heart. Part of the donations go towards helping patients with their copay. Qualifying patients are handed a card at checkout letting them know the Brigade covered their copay that day. Backpacks provided to patients consist of self-care items in themed zip lock bags such as “All Wiped Out” with cleaning and sanitizing wipes along with “Take It Easy Queasy” that comes with anti-nausea items to help with the side effects of chemotherapy. The backpacks also come with letters of encouragement and... Read More

 By Doug Stauffer For the first time in its 80-year history, the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, N.Y., will witness an extraordinary accomplishment: three students from Niceville High School’s Class of 2019 will graduate together. Christopher Loffer, Gavin Wilson and Samuel Scholl will make history on June 17, 2023, as they receive their diplomas from the prestigious institution known as one of the five federal service academies.Nestled on the stunning former estate of Walt Chrysler on Long Island, N.Y., Kings Point boasts a small student body of under 1,000 and produces approximately 210-230 midshipmen each year. Congressman Matt Gaetz nominated all three midshipmen. Congressman Matt Gaetz conveyed his deep admiration and pride for the trailblazing trio’s extraordinary achievement. He enthusiastically stated, “I couldn’t be more proud of Midshipmen Loffer, Wilson and Scholl’s accomplishments these past four years as they have successfully navigated one of our Nation’s most esteemed Maritime Academies. As a Niceville Eagle myself, I am proud to have been able to nominate them to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. They have certainly demonstrated all that Niceville High School offers and what Northwest Florida represents. I wish them the best of luck as they go underway in their careers and in service to this nation.” Kings Point is renowned for its unparalleled educational and training approach, which sets it apart from other federal service academies. Midshipmen undergo a rigorous program, spending one of their four years at sea aboard ocean-going vessels, gaining invaluable hands-on... Read More

 The ladies pictured above were recognized at the Women of Honor event at UWF Emerald Coast May 4. The event was sponsored by the Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women (OCCSW). Each woman’s name has been added to a plaque that hangs on the Wall of Honor at the UWF Emerald Coast campus library. A letter that includes the honoree’s photo and brief nomination bio, along with the names of the person or people who nominated her, will be placed in the Book of Honor below the plaque. From left, front row: Quandra Pace, Clara Oates, Mary Bell Lundsford, Joyce Loughrige and Teneka Locks; standing at left, Pam Strecker and LaShana Douville; second row, Deborah Stone, Doris Scaife, Christie Pratt, Jan Pooley, Belva Parrott; standing at right, Kathie H. Blue; third row, Lija Eldridge, Caralee Gibson, Maureen Bierman, Rochelle Brown, Cindy Frakes, Kathy Marler Blue and Sabina Zungze (chair of OCCSW); back row, Michelle Carmical, Kristen Genrich and Sheila Hale. Not pictured arre Nitsi Bennett, Dr. Sandra Hanson, Holly Karr, Lenda McCain and Dr. Maxine Reed. The post Women of Honor appeared first on Bay Life | News, Events and Community Information.  Read More