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It’s tough for small businesses to get funding. In fact, 75-80% of small business loan requests are denied by banks. So, what’s a small business owner to do when the bank says no? Find alternative funding sources! “When Banks Say No”, presented on October 9 from 2:00 to 3:15 PM, provides an overview of alternative funding options for small business owners who need money to start, support or grow their businesses. Takeaways from and Benefits of Attending this webinar include:

1. Hope! A “no” from the bank is not the end of the road. There are many options available for nearly any business situation.
2. Understanding! We’ll explain many funding options that banks just don’t offer. One might be just what you need!
3. Direction! When you identify one or two loan options that work for you, you can take the steps towards acquiring that money to start or support or grow your business.

Presenter: S. Boyd Karren, Managing Partner, Otro Financial. No fee. To register, visit sbdc.uwf.edu and open “Training & Events”.   Sponsored by Wells Fargo.

Florida SBDC at UWF Presents “Starting a Business”

 You have an idea for a business. Develop your business idea with the Florida SBDC’s “Starting a Business” workshop on October 16 from 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. In this workshop, we will discuss the details of launching your new venture, including how to determine feasibility and legal structures, licensing and permitting, funding options for your business and basic marketing strategies to help you get started! Location: UWF Emerald Coast Campus, 1170 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Bldg 2, Rm 221, Fort Walton Beach, 32547. Fee: $50. To register, visit sbdc.uwf.edu and open “Training & Events”.  Presented by Jennifer Rohus, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at UWF. Sponsored by Wells Fargo.

Florida SBDC at UWF Presents “A Roadmap to Small Business Funding”

 Join us October 17 from 9 – 10 a.m. online for “A Roadmap to Small Business Funding” and take the first step towards securing the financial foundation your business needs to thrive. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, this webinar provides actionable insights that will propel your business toward success. Don’t miss this opportunity to map out your path to small business funding excellence! No fee. To register, visit sbdc.uwf.edu and open “Training & Events”.  Presenters:  Lyndsey Blanks, Business Banker, Hancock Whitney; Marsha Asbury-Turner, Business Development Officer, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation; Kelly Massey, Regional Director, Florida SBDC at UWF. Sponsored by Wells Fargo.

Florida SBDC at UWF Presents “Demystifying AI for Business Owners”

PENSACOLA, FL — September 13, 2024 — Demystify the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and unlock its potential for your business in our workshop, ‘Demystifying AI for Business Owners’ presented on October 29 from 9:00 – 10:00 AM. Tailored for entrepreneurs and business leaders, this session provides a clear and accessible overview of AI technologies and their practical applications. Explore real-world examples, understand how AI can enhance decision-making, automate processes, and gain a competitive edge. From machine learning to natural language processing, we’ll break down the complexity of AI, empowering you to make informed decisions about integrating these technologies into your business strategy. Join us for an enlightening journey into the world of AI, demystifying the buzzwords and equipping you with the knowledge to harness AI for business success. Online webinar. No fee. To register, visit sbdc.uwf.edu and open “Training & Events”.  Presented by Russell Hale, CEO, SNH Technologies. Sponsored by Wells Fargo.

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Fun for the Whole Family at the Saint Rita Catholic Church Family Life Center 

Come join us for Fall Fest from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at the Saint Rita Catholic Church Family Life Center, located at 22 Saint Rita Lane, Santa Rosa Beach, FL. This fall favorite event offers a variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Carnival games, children’s costume contest, food trucks, live music, raffle prizes, candy, and a silent auction, all benefiting Saint Rita kids, youth, and adult ministries serving the communities of South Walton.

For more information, please visit saintritaparish.org.

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According to Rotary International, polio is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. It can be prevented by vaccines, but it is not curable. Unlike most diseases, it can be eradicated. It has also been reported recently that there has been at least one occurrence of polio in Gaza.

Rotary and its partners have driven the effort to eradicate polio worldwide for more than 30 years.  Rotary’s Polio Plus program was the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication by vaccinating children on a massive scale. As a core partner, Rotary focuses on advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and awareness building.

Since 1988, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9%. To eradicate polio, newborns have to be vaccinated as soon as possible. That is where the Purple Pinky initiative comes in. October 24 is the 2024 Purple Pinky Spectacular. The initiative gets its name from the fact that children, once vaccinated, have their pinky fingers dipped in a purple dye.

On October 24, volunteers from Rotary of South Walton are working to raise $2,000 to help “End Polio Now”. Rotary of South Walton, along with Donut Hole at their Inlet Beach and Santa Rosa Beach locations ask that you preorder or stop by to pick up a box of donuts and make your donation or get two donuts for $5.

For further information, please contact Marilyn Van Order at (615) 419-0323 or marilynvanorder@gmail.com.

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Green Thumb Garden Club’s Junior Gardeners Program was started in 1993.  Four years ago, GTGC partnered with Butler Elementary School in Santa Rosa Beach to continue the program with fourth and fifth graders.  For the 2024/2025 school year, Butler Elementary has 23 students in their Junior Gardeners Club.

The program started with two raised beds, but it was immediately apparent that two beds would be insufficient to support the overwhelming response from students and parents wanting to participate in the Program.  With support from Walton County, who supplied the labor and dirt, there are now six raised beds at the school.

The Junior Gardeners meet the second Wednesday of every month.  GTGC has been very fortunate to have one dedicated teacher who has been willing to be at every meeting since the program’s inception.  A Master Gardener member of the Green Thumb Garden Club volunteered to develop the classroom and planting syllabus.  She, along with five to six additional GTGC members, supports the monthly classroom instruction and planting/harvesting activities.

Financial support comes from Club members and the community.  The donations are used to purchase students’ gloves, tools, seeds and plants.  The program’s success is because of the ongoing commitment and collaboration between Walton County, Butler Elementary School, and dedicated members of the Green Thumb Garden Club.  The Junior Gardener Program is a wonderful opportunity to teach young students the love of gardening and respect for the environment.

If you are interested in this program or other GTGC programs, Green Thumb Garden Club welcomes new members.  The website  www.greenthumbgardenclubinc.org contains detailed information about how to join the Club and details on meetings, activities, and events. For additional information, please visit the website or email greenthumbgardenclubinc@gmail.com.  The Walton County community is encouraged to join Green Thumb Garden Club to support its charitable mission while connecting with other members and having fun.

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Get ready for an unforgettable evening of fellowship, worship and fundraising at The Gathering in the Garden! This year’s highly anticipated event will be hosted on November 9 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the stunning new venue, Drive the Coast in Santa Rosa Beach, providing ample indoor and outdoor space to welcome an even larger crowd of community members.

The evening will kick off at 6 p.m. with inspiring live worship, creating the perfect atmosphere for a night filled with praise and thanksgiving. Following worship, attendees will indulge in a delicious catered meal prepared by a local culinary chef setting the stage for a memorable night.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Gathering is the silent and live auction. With a wide array of enticing items up for bid, there’s something for everyone! Whether you’re a seasoned auction-goer or just looking for a fun way to support our mission, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Your participation directly helps sustain BeGenerous through the year.

Moreover, the Gathering will showcase impactful testimonies that will undoubtedly inspire and touch attendees. Listen to personal accounts of how BeGenerous served the women and children in our program and discover the continuous efforts being made at BeGenerous..

Mark your calendars for November 9th and come join us for a night of community,celebration and giving back!

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On Sept.9, seven individuals were arrested by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and charged with seven felonies and 21 misdemeanors related to the possession, use and size of monofilament nets, and possession of illegally harvested fish. The seven were observed harvesting fish with a monofilament net larger than Florida’s legal size of 500 square feet. It is unlawful to take or harvest, or to attempt to take or harvest, any marine life in Florida’s nearshore and inshore waters with any net containing more than 500 square feet of mesh area. The use of gill nets and other entangling nets of any size are prohibited in all Florida waters. FWC officers in Walton County responded to a report of several subjects deploying a monofilament net on Choctawhatchee Bay. The officers observed the individuals attempting to harvest fish with a large net for over an hour. The officers conducted an inspection, revealing a 599-square-foot monofilament entangling net staked in the water with multiple fish ensnared.

“This is the second monofilament entangling net case in as many weeks; fish are running, and folks are not playing by the rules,” said Maj. Robby Creech, FWC Northwest Region Commander.

“Fishing is not only a way of life around here, but also a livelihood. Poaching in this way causes a ripple effect on the resources and the community.”

For statute information pertaining to net fishing in Florida, visit FLrules.org and click on “Rule Chapter: 68B-4.”

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Fore Her invites golfers and philanthropists alike to tee off for a great cause with a fun-filled day at their 12th Annual Fore Her Golf Outing presented by Emerald Coast Hospice Care on Friday, October 25 at The Links Golf Club at Sandestin. Check-in and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Tee-Off at 9:30 a.m., and the afterparty at Sunset Bay Cafe directly across the street from The Links.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Golf Outing is a timely way to honor and celebrate survivors while raising money for women and men undergoing breast cancer treatments. Fore Her is a local nonprofit that raises funds through events like these to provide financial aid and resources for women and men with breast cancer.

In its 12th year, this annual event features an 18-hole day of golf as the centerpiece, a silent auction, prizes, food, and drinks at holes, and the 19th Hole Afterparty. Also, this year a lucky player will have a chance to win a hole-in-one prize, a new 2024 Buick Envista Sport Touring from David Scott Lee Buick GMC.

Golfers will start their day with breakfast and Bloody Marys from Sunset Bay Cafe sponsored by Builders First Source, then enjoy lunch on “the turn” by Centennial Bank. After a day of golf, it’s an easy stroll over to Sunset Bay Cafe for the “19th Hole Afterparty,” sponsored by Emerald Bay Plumbing, with live music by Rob Romans, fabulous prizes, a silent auction, heavy hors d’ oeuvres, drinks and delectable treats from Sweet Henrietta’s.

Registration is now open and fees as of October 1 are $200 per golfer and $800 for a team of four. To register, visit https://www.foreher.org/golfouting.

“Last year, Fore Her raised close to $30,000 at the Golf Outing to help local breast cancer patients in need and we paid for living and medical expenses with those funds raised for breast cancer patients while they were undergoing treatment. So far this year, we have paid out over $35,000 in living expenses for breast cancer patients in financial need while undergoing treatment, and we continue to make a

difference with our support groups and educational materials,” says Amy Walsh, Founder of Fore Her. “The support of our community makes a life-changing impact on the families we help.”

A huge thanks to Fore Her Golf Outing 2024 Sponsors: Emerald Coast Hospice Care(Presenting), Emerald Bay Plumbing (19th Hole After Party), Terri’s Interiors (Lunch Sponsor), Ft. Walton Beach Winn Supply, Plumbing and Hvac (Scoreboard), Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa (Drink Cart), Cook Family Dentistry (Practice Putting Green), Builders FirstSource (Bloody Mary Bar), David Scott Lee Crestview Buick, GMC (Hole in One), Silver Sands Premium Outlets (Registration Table), Clear Title & Escrow 30A (Longest Drive), First National Bank (Closets to the Pin), James Moody, MD with Destin Surgery Clinic (Silent Auction). Hole Sponsors: The Blake, Watersound Closings & Escrow, Renasant Bank, New York Life, Own at the Beach Team, Bob and Barbra Carver, Sweet Henrietta’s, EPGX Emerald Prints and Graphics. Donors: Boo Media, The Links Golf Club at Sandestin, Sunset Bay Cafe and Centennial Bank.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and if you can’t sponsor or golf, please consider volunteering. Reach out to Amy Walsh at amy@foreher.org to find out more.

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Following our tremendously successful 100-year anniversary celebration on August 17, 2024, Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center is excited to announce our next community initiative.

New Installation

In the first week of October, we will be unveiling an installation featuring 22 panels that showcase the rich history and natural beauty of our beloved golf course.

Lake Naming Contest

As part of this initiative, we’re inviting our community to participate in a special naming contest for the five lakes at the center of our 18-hole course. This is your chance to leave a lasting mark on Eagle Springs!

Stay tuned for more details on how to submit your lake name ideas and be part of Eagle Springs’ next century of golfing excellence.

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Caring & Sharing of South Walton is hosting their Third Annual Diaper Drive sponsored by Specialty Roofers and co-hosted by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office from September 15 – October 15.

“Currently, we provide more than 190 Walton County families in need with an average of 6,645 diapers a month. The needs greatly outweigh our supplies, so we need the community’s help,” said Caring & Sharing Executive Director, Carly Barnes.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 1 in 2 U.S. families struggles to provide enough diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy. Without a supply of diapers, babies cannot participate in early childhood education or daycare which in turn means many parents cannot return to work or school. 3 in 5 U.S. families miss work or school due to lack of sufficient diapers.

“Our most needed sizes are 4, 5, and 6. We have set a goal to collect six month’s worth of diapers for our community in celebration of National Diaper Need Awareness Week,” added Barnes.

You can help Caring & Sharing achieve this year’s goal in a variety of ways.

Diaper and baby wipe donations can be dropped off at participating local businesses and churches including Diaper Drive Sponsor, Specialty Roofers, along with Christ the King Episcopal Church, St. Rita’s Church, The Preschool at Point Washington, Point Washington United Methodist Church, Freeport Presbyterian Church, and Freeport Public Library.

The public can “Pack the Patrol Car” with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office by donating and dropping off diapers between September 15 and October 15, Monday through Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.. at their administrative office on 133 Sheriff Drive in Santa Rosa Beach.

Donors can also purchase items from the nonprofit’s Amazon Wish List, which will be delivered directly to Caring & Sharing. Amazon Wish List: https://amzn.to/3eN4SbW

By working together and engaging in simple actions, our community can draw attention to the issue of diaper need in the U.S. and in Walton County, and ensure that all babies have access to clean diapers.

If your business, organization or group is interested in supporting the Diaper Drive, please email info@caringandsharingsowal.org.

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Caring and Sharing of South Walton provides crisis relief to our neighbors in need in Walton County through financial assistance, food, counseling, and case management. Founded in 1994, the organization serves over 700 local families each month. Caring & Sharing of South Walton also operates a Thrift Store. Sales in the Thrift Store help cover operating expenses and generate funds to help clients with food, prescriptions and utilities. Items for sale in the Thrift Store include clothing, housewares, bedding, furniture, electronics and books. For more information about Caring & Sharing of South Walton visit www.caringandsharingsowal.org

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