Blog

By Kathleen Edge, Publicity & Website Chair

In honor of Mrs. Frank Mercer, a former President of Green Thumb Garden Club, the Mercer Scholarship has been awarded to Walton County students for over four decades.  Qualified students must be currently enrolled or have been accepted by a college, university, or technical school and have a major in horticulture.

The $4,000 scholarship is funded through donations from GTGC members, fundraising events and the Walton County community.  The 2025 recipients will receive their awards at the May 21, 2025, meeting.  An additional $3,000 in scholarships will be given to 4H Camp Timpoochee, E.O. Wilson Biophilia Naturalists Outdoor Program and first-time recipient, Westonwood Ranch.

Green Thumb Garden has also donated $10,000 this past year to organizations and projects in Walton County.  Recipients include Caring & Sharing of South Walton, Walton County Sheriff’s Santa Patrol, Gulf Coast Cemetery, Junior Gardeners at Butler Elementary School, Eden Gardens State Park, and many others.

GTGC is hosting an educational event on May 15, 2025 –“From the French Coast to the Emerald Coast – Floral Designing with Laura”.  Former White House floral designer, Laura Dowling, will demonstrate the art of creating stunning floral arrangements.  The all-day event is available to the public with paid registration.  Please visit the website, www.greenthumbgardenclubinc.org, for more details.

The meeting on May 21 will be held at Westwinds Conference Center, Miramar Beach, Florida.  Check-in is 9:30 a.m. and lunch is included in the $30 fee.  There will also be an induction ceremony for the Club’s 2025/2026 Officers.

Green Thumb Garden Club always welcomes new members.  Please visit the Green Thumb Garden Club website to learn about our charitable mission, how to join and details on meetings, activities, and events.

The Green Thumb Garden Club, Inc., located in Walton County, Florida, is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to stimulate interest in the beautification of Walton County, furthering the education of its members and the public in botany, community beautification, conservation of natural resources, environmental awareness, floral design, gardening, horticulture, and nature studies and instill in our youth the love of gardening and respect for the environment.

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Fore Her is proud to announce a generous donation of $11,000 from Emerald Coast Hospice Care, who has once again stepped forward as a key community partner.

Over the last several years, Emerald Coast Hospice Care has shown unwavering support for Fore Her, serving as the Presenting Sponsor for the organization’s signature fundraising events, including the annual Pink Walk, Tea for Her, and Golf Outing. This year, Emerald Coast Hospice Care awarded Fore Her a generous contribution to serve as the Presenting Sponsor for all of its 2025 signature fundraisers.

“Emerald Coast Hospice Care is so pleased to be able to help support all of the wonderful work that Fore Her does for our community,” says Melody Joy, Hospice and Palliative Care Consultant with Emerald Coast Hospice Care. “It is an honor to be associated with such a noble charitable cause. We are grateful for all of the support that they provide to local residents.”

A check presentation took place on April 16 at Emerald Coast Hospice Care’s executive office to commemorate this significant contribution. Sandi Dehner, Executive Director of Emerald Coast Hospice Care and Melody Joy presented the check to Amy Walsh, Fore Her Founder and Ginny Richerson, Fore Her Patient Liaison.

“We are so grateful to Melody Joy and Emerald Coast Hospice Care for their incredibly generous gift to Fore Her,” says Ginny Richerson, Fore Her Patient Liaison. “Their donation will make a significant difference in the lives of our breast cancer applicants by allowing us to provide financial assistance during their most challenging times.”

Fore Her, a local nonprofit organization, offers financial assistance, resources, hope, and compassion for all who are affected by breast cancer along the Gulf Coast, with their signature fundraisers which include Pink Run, Golf Outing and Tea Fore Her.

For more information about Fore Her or how you can contribute, sponsor their events or get involved, contact amy@foreher.org or visit www.foreher.org/tea-fore-her.

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On Saturday, 19 young golfers from the East Coast Junior Golf Tour earned their spots to compete in the prestigious Optimist International at Trump Doral. The qualifying event, held at a local course, was a success thanks to the warm hospitality of course manager Shane and his dedicated staff.

Tournament Director Dennis Attaway praised the event, noting, “Everyone had a great time, and the staff did an outstanding job.” Special thanks went to the cart attendant who went above and beyond, helping Attaway retrieve tees after dark.

For more information on the tour, visit ECJRGOLFTOUR.COM or contact Attaway at (678) 994-3367.

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The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) is pleased to announce that the 20th Anniversary Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family raised $3.55 million for children in need in Northwest Florida. The amount raised is a $350,000 increase over the previous year.

Hosted April 25 and 26 to a sold-out crowd of more than 600 guests, proceeds from the auction benefit DCWAF’s 17 partner children’s charities in Northwest Florida. This year’s auction marks 20 years of giving to children in need in Northwest Florida.

“This year’s Destin Charity Wine Auction was unforgettable. Together, we raised $3.55 million to change lives — a milestone made even more meaningful as we celebrated 20 years of impact and honored the founders who made it all possible.,” DCWAF President Karah Fridley-Young said. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude and pride for this community, and for the visionaries whose hearts started it all.”

The auction weekend began Friday, April 25 with 12 patron dinners hosted in private homes and restaurants spanning from Destin to Rosemary Beach that collectively raised an astounding $978,600. The live auction kicked off on Saturday, April 26 with DCWAF’s flagship Magnum Force lot featuring 55 magnums from vintners past and present that raised $60,500. The highest single-selling lot of the afternoon was a trip to Barbados for seven nights that sold for $120,000 followed by a trip to the south of France that sold for $105,000.

Other notable lots included a custom barrel of Paul Sutton Bourbon complete with a distillery experience that went twice for a total of $100,000, and a six-day immersive trip to Champagne and Alsace that went three times for a total of $105,000. This year’s Paddle Raise also raised a record-breaking $260,000.

The funds raised at the 20th Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction presented by the Jumonville Family will be distributed to 17 local non-profit organizations for specific projects and programs that benefit children. DCWAF’s charity partners for 2025 are Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, Caring & Sharing of South Walton, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Children in Crisis Inc., Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation, Emerald Coast Autism Center, Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County, Mental Health Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, Opportunity Inc., Point Washington Medical Clinic, Shelter House Domestic Violence Center, The Arc of the Emerald Coast, Westonwood Ranch, and Youth Village.

This year’s auction consisted of 48 Live Lots, 33 Cellar Lots, 18 Super Silent Lots, and 143 Silent Lots featuring rare wines, luxury travel experiences, and many other one-of-a-kind items. The money raised at this year’s auction will be presented to DCWAF’s charity partners during a private check presentation ceremony scheduled for August at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa.

The date for next year’s 21st Annual Destin Charity Wine Auction weekend is April 24-26, 2025. For more information on the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, visit www.DCWAF.org.

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Chair Yoga Classes – Tuesdays, May 6, 20,  and June 3, 17,  at 9:45 a.m. at the Blake, 90 Ponce De Leon St.  in Miramar Beach.  RSVP by calling (850)-650-5000.

Exercise Classes – Angela Gibson will lead classes every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at 70 Logan Lane in Grayton Beach.  Note the May 8 class only will be at noon. Cost is $5 per session for CSSW members and $10 for non-members.  Registration is required as space is limited.  To be added to the email sign up list,  call (850) 280-5342 or email:  coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com

Art Classes –Watercolor Painting Class – Karen Peterson will teach classes on Fridays, May 2, 9, 23, 30 and June 6, 13, 27, from 8:45 am – Noon. Classes held at 70 Logan Lane in Grayton Beach.  Cost is $15 for CSSW members and $30 for non-members. Registration required as space is limited.  To be added to the email sign up list, call (850) 280-5342 or email: coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com.  All supplies are included.

Pickleball – Beginner Pickleball 101 at Walton Sports Complex courts at 6 p.m.  The May dates will be determined at later time. This beginner class is open to Walton County residents only. (18+)   Registration required.   Register at www.waltonrec.com.  Email Sandy Gulak at sowalpickleball@gmail.com for more info and with questions.  Class is free and equipment is provided or use your own.  Play at Boys and Girls Club will resume after Labor Day 2025.  Please join the SoWal 30A Pickleball Association on Facebook for more information and weekly updates and check the CSSW calendar at www.coastalseniorsofsouthwalton.org.

Water Aerobics – at Watersound Fountains, 65 Origins Pkwy, Inlet Beach.  May and June classes will be held Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 and 11:15 a.m.  There will be no class on May 26, Memorial Day.  Cost is $5 for CSSW members and $10 for non-members.  A pool noodle and water dumbbells are used for class.  Please bring a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  Registration is required as space is limited.  To be added to the email sign up list, call (850) 280-5342 or email:  coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com

Monthly Meeting – Friday, April 18 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 70 Logan Lane, Grayton Beach.  A light lunch will be served, and the program will be announced at a later date.   R.S.V.P. by replying to the Sign Up email.  To be added to the email sign up list, call 850-280-5342 or email coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com.

CSSW Artwork and Supplies Sale – May 15  from 5 – 7 p.m.  This sale will coincide with the Grayton Wine Walk.  The sale will include artwork and gently used art supplies.  All proceeds will benefit Coastal Seniors.  Donations of gently used art supplies are greatly appreciated.  Please contact CSSW for more information at (850) 280-5342.

Seniors 50 years of age and up residing in or visiting Walton County are invited to join CSSW. Membership is $30 for individuals, $40 for family, and $100 for businesses (your business will be listed on our home webpage and our Facebook page). You can become a member via email at coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com, or on the website at www.coastalseniorsofsouthwalton.org. Also, follow us on Facebook at Coastal Seniors of South Walton.  Coastal Seniors of South Walton, Inc. is a non-profit 501© (3) organization for active adults and we are looking for dedicated, enthusiastic persons to join our Board of Directors. Media Contact:  Melinda Finney, Director, Coastal Seniors of South Walton, Inc.   T: 615-477-3417   Email: mkfinney24@gmail.com

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Billabong, located in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin®, raised $500 for Food for Thought Outreach during their recent Local Launch party held on Saturday, April 12, honoring the store’s new look and new owner.

New owner, Tony Crisafi, invited the community to Billabong to meet his staff, shop the latest Spring arrivals, enjoy complimentary food and beverages provided by his Grand Boulevard neighbors, including Black Bear Bread Company, Cantina Laredo, Emeril’s Coastal, Kilwins, and Vin’tij Food + Wine, and enter for a chance to win an over-the-top Grand Giveaway valued over $2,500 including a surfboard, Krewe sunglasses, Stallworth gift card, Kendra Scott necklace, tickets to South Walton Beach Wine & Food Festival, gift card to La Luna Children’s Boutique, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Nixon Watch, and much more. All proceeds raised from the giveaway entries benefited Food for Thought Outreach, a local 501(c)3 organization that works to bridge the meal gap in the lives of food insecure children in Walton and Okaloosa counties and empower them to get the most out of their education.

“The programs provided by Food for Thought Outreach serve the food-insecure children of Walton and Okaloosa Counties,” said Tiffanie Nelson, founder and CEO of Food for Thought. “Local partnerships such as this play a critical role in our capacity to meet the needs of the 3,600 enrolled in our services. We are thankful for this opportunity.”

Billabong also hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony with the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce to commemorate the store’s new look. Crisafi and his team have worked throughout the past few months to redesign the store layout and add in new merchandise, brands, and sizes to target a wider variety of customers who live or visit the Emerald Coast throughout the year.

“We’ve added an entire children’s section to the store and reworked the layout, so each section flows into another,” Crisafi said. “It just makes sense. We have a lot more planned for the Fall when we enter our second phase of renovations, but I think customers will be pleased with the modifications we’ve made to provide a more enjoyable shopping experience.”

To stay up to date on the latest arrivals, events, and in-store happenings, follow Billabong Destin on Instagram and Facebook.

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