The St. Joe Community Foundation (“Foundation”) approved grants totaling more than $5.39 million in 2023 to be paid to local non-profit organizations, the highest for a single year since its inception in 1999. Following the Foundation’s stated goal of enriching quality of life for the people who live, work and play in Northwest Florida, the Foundation provides grants to other local 501(C)(3) entities that strive to make a positive difference for the community to strengthen education, improve healthcare, support cultural arts, and protect the environment. By category, in 2023 The St. Joe Community Foundation’s grant awards included a total of more than $2.6 million for Education, $1.1 million for Healthcare, $630k for Community Outreach Programs, $521,000 for Cultural Arts, and $407,000 for Environmental programs. Examples of local non-profits receiving grants from the Foundation in 2023 include Bay Arts Alliance and the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, Education Foundation for Bay District Schools, Walton Education Foundation for the Walton County School District, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Food for Thought, Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Alaqua Animal Refuge, Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Special Olympics Florida, FSU Foundation, Gulf Coast State College Foundation, Florida State Parks Foundation, Guy Harvey Foundation, Angel House, and many others. (A full list of grant recipients can be found at www.joefoundation.com.) “At the end of each year, it’s exciting to see the continuous growth that The St. Joe Community Foundation has been able to generate in terms of grants awarded to deserving local charities,”... Read More

Crescendo! is an exciting cultural extravaganza to benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community engagement initiatives. This energy-infused experience will celebrate the cultural and culinary arts by showcasing world-class vintners, expert spirit purveyors, amazing auction items, and an award-winning musical guest. Taking place Friday, March 1 & Sunday, March 3, 2024. This year’s theme is, Great Gatsby, channel your favorite variation of 1920s decadence. Vintner Dinners Friday, March 1 Crescendo! weekend will begin with a series of carefully curated vintner dinners hosted in elegant homes and venues throughout the Emerald Coast. Go to sinfoniagulfcoast.org for a list of the Vintner Dinner venues. Crescendo! Main Event Sunday, March 3 This year’s theme is, Great Gatsby, channel your favorite variation of 1920s decadence. Set for Sunday, March 3 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, this energy-infused experience will celebrate the cultural and culinary arts by showcasing world-class vintners, expert spirit purveyors, amazing auction items, and an electrifying musical performance. Enjoy reserved table seating, hors d’oeuvres, full, seated lunch, and an all inclusive afternoon of incredible fun! Tickets to Crescendo! 2024 are $195 per person and include all food, wine, reserved table seating, performance and valet parking. Purchase Tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=sgc Proceeds from Crescendo! benefit Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community engagement initiatives. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to SinfoniaGulfCoast.org and call (850) 460-8800. Email questions to info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org. The post Sinfonia Presents Crescendo! appeared first on South Walton... Read More

For some of us, it is inevitable. It happens every year around this time. It’s a cumulative effect. The sun sets later. Temperatures creeping up to feeling very Spring-like. And even though we don’t want to let our thoughts wander from our current task, we can’t help ourselves. We cannot ignore the symptoms of our ailment. We think about being on the water. We think about being on a boat. We think about being on our boat. We think, “I should just go ahead and buy that new boat!” We have a full-blown case of Boat Fever! And no amount of online browsing, video watching or magazine reading can alleviate our pain. We need to see boats in person. We need to climb up on them. We need to open hatches. We need to compare them side-by-side. We need to be around shiny new boats, and we need to be around a lot of them! Luckily for us, the Emerald Coast Boat and Lifestyle Show will soon be here, and it’s just what the doctor ordered! The annual show, which has become one of the can’t-miss events of the early Spring, returns to its’ picturesque home venue at Aaron Bessant Park, adjacent to Pier Park in Panama City Beach, March 1-3. Each year, the show features the top dealers representing the best brands of boats and personal watercraft, and this year is no different. There will be more marine dealers than ever at the show, drawing from all across the... Read More

Lost Key Golf Club Course Ratings: A Golfer’s Haven Lost Key Golf Club shines with high praise from visitors and regulars, often spotlighting its fantastic condition and top-notch layouts. You can learn more about the accolades it has received and what people say on GolfAdvisor’s review of Lost Key Golf Club. Where is Lost Key Golf Club? Nestled in the coastal haven of Pensacola, Florida, Lost Key Golf Club is a golfer’s sanctuary where the emerald fairways meet the sapphire skies. Revel in the joy of the game as you tee off, surrounded by the gentle sea breezes and the warm Floridian sun. Embark on a picturesque round of golf and explore everything Lost Key has to offer by visiting.  Another Gem along Florida’s Emerald Coast. Why Golfers Love Perdido Key Lost Key Golf Club Golf aficionados feel at home at Lost Key Golf Club in Perdido Key, a course renowned for its striking beauty and environmental stewardship. Embracing the natural landscape allows golfers to enjoy a round of golf amidst the rare coastal dune ecosystem. Course Designer: The Artistry of Arnold Palmer The layout at Lost Key Golf Club is a testament to Arnold Palmer’s Design philosophy, blending challenge with enjoyment. A legendary figure in the game, Palmer crafted this course with strategic genius, ensuring every hole leaves a lasting impression. Unique Challenges of Course: Strategy is Key at Lost Key. Navigating Lost Key Golf Club is a strategic journey, with the course’s carefully placed bunkers, challenging water hazards,... Read More

By Barbara Palmgren There’s a street in Kelly Plantation called “Mattie’s Way.” It was named after the late Mattie Kelly, whose Irish and southern roots strongly influenced a scenic subdivision with a championship golf course, equestrian center, nature-centered walkways and jogging trails that included a 225-acre nature preserve. Mattie Kelly owned the land and didn’t sell it until she found developers she trusted to plan the community in her name and with her vision.  Now called “The Masterpiece on the Bay” Life of Mattie Kelly Legacy & Dream Unfortunately, within the first few months of beginning the project, Mattie’s life was cut short at only 80 years of age. But her dream continued in 1992 with gracious homes, manicured lawns and community covenants to insure a picture-perfect postcard community. Kelly Plantation Golf Club, the crown jewel in the middle of stunning scenery and designer homes, was fashioned by Fred Couples and Gene Bates. In the early 19th century, the land was part of a large turpentine industry with towering pines along miles of waterfront and intricate bayous. Kelly Plantation Golf Club was built along miles of panoramic views of Choctawhatchee Bay with 7,000 yards of contoured greens, wide manicured fairways, hazards and sand traps. Kelly Plantation Clubhouse Amenities Beyond the golf course itself, the large clubhouse offers diverse menu options to be enjoyed in the clubhouse or on the covered veranda overlooking a beautiful lake with views of the 9th and 18th greens. I remember attending the Blount-Bowden Scholarship award event for local college... Read More

By Barbara Palmgren Before there was Regatta Bay, before there was Kelly Plantation, before there was Emerald Bay, there was iconic Indian Bayou! As one of four Destin courses in Okaloosa County, Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club is recognized as the first course to invite tourists to play golf as well as enjoy the pristine waters and sugar sand beaches of Destin. Indian Bayou, Located in The Heart of Destin The beautiful Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club course, located in the heart of Destin, is an 18-hole semi-private challenge suited for all skill levels. This 72 Par challenge is visited by tourists and enjoyed by over 150 members as their home course. Members include faithful snowbirds who appreciate the comradery that membership brings. Several golf tournaments are also offered throughout the year for special groups and charities. History of Local Families and Historic Seminole Indian Nation Indian Bayou was built in 1978 by local families. They recognized the need for a golf course in the upscale community of Indian Bayou. In 199,2 another nine holes were added to the original 18 holes. Each nine holes is named for a historic Indian nation: Seminole, Choctaw and Creek. In 2018, however, the nine holes of Creek were closed and sold for other development. Indian Bayou Golf Course Highlights Golf manager and Director of Golf, Jim Carpenter, has served Indian Bayou Golf Club since 1984. Like the course itself, Jim follows the present golf course Indian heritage lineage. Graduating from Choctawhatchee... Read More