Taylor Haugen Foundation Celebrates New Niceville Location
In June, The Taylor Haugen Foundation opened its new location at 1145 John Sims Pkwy. The local non-profit organization will continue its mission of building and recognizing youth leaders and the promotion of youth sports safety to honor the legacy of Taylor Haugen. It will continue to provide awareness, education and abdominal injury protection to secondary aged schools and leagues in contact sports, through its YESS© Program (Youth Equipment for Sports Safety). It will also continue the recognition and support of outstanding scholar-athletes with six annual scholarships and the prestigious Taylor Haugen Trophy. For more information, call (850) 842-9093 or visit https://taylorhaugen.org online.
Niceville Republican Women Federated 2023 Scholarships
2023 graduates Savannah Martin of Crestview High School and Whitney Walker of Baker High School each received scholarships from Niceville Republican Women Federated (NRWF). They met members at the June meeting and read their essays on “Why I Am a Republican.” Savannah will be attending Florida State University and Whitney will be attending Northwest Florida State College. NRWF meets the first Monday of the month at Eglin Golf Clubhouse in Niceville at 5:15 p.m. (Social) and 6 p.m. (Dinner). For more information, contact President Jan Howard at jmbrhoward@gmail.com.
The Heritage Museum of NWF had a great and successful 1st week of Summer Camp, including a K-9 demo. Thank you to the instructors. Week 1 filled up fast and 20 students experienced a range of hands-on classes.
EggFest Returns!
The 9th annual Big Green Egg EggFest Cooking Competition returns to Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach on Oct. 14, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., celebrating the delicious results of cooking on the Big Green Egg. Benefiting Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Food For Thought, Eggs on the Beach features unlimited bites, 5 votes, live music, a cash bar, a chance to win a Mini-Max Big Green Egg and more. Top college football games will be aired over the Tiki bar while cook teams will compete for votes. Call 850-269-4666 for more information or to participate!
Walton County Appoints New County Administrator
After a nationwide search, the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) has appointed Quinn Roberston as County Administrator. Robertson will oversee all County departments and be responsible for the day-to-day management of County government in accordance with the policies and directives of the BCC. “I am excited to become a part of the Walton County team and look forward to contributing towards the County’s near and long-term success,” said Robertson. “I am also humbled by the trust, faith and confidence the BCC has placed in my charge, and I look forward to meeting the citizenry and serving them with professional and ethical leadership principles that I rely upon.”
With an MBA degree from Radford University, Robertson’s resume includes 17 years of senior management experience, including serving as Town Manager for Colonial Beach, VA, along with business, U.S. Army military intelligence, grant administration, and coastal regulatory experience.
Step One’s Festival of Speed
Step One Automotive Group delivered an electrifying and unforgettable experience to all attendees at the highly anticipated Festival of Speed held in June at the renowned Five Flags Speedway. Two esteemed racing drivers, Chris Walsh, GT4 America Porsche, and 718 Cayman GT4 Driver, and Juan Manuel Correa, Formula 2 and WEC Driver, both motorsport icons. The adrenaline-pumping Hot Laps left spectators on the edge of their seats as they witnessed firsthand the raw power and precision of these exceptional drivers. “We are thrilled with the overwhelming success of the Festival of Speed,” said Maureen Bierman, Director of Marketing, Step One Automotive Group. “It was truly a day filled with excitement, adrenaline, and unforgettable moments. We are grateful to all the racing drivers, partners, and attendees who made this event a roaring triumph.” Visit www.steponeautomotive.com for more information!
Impact100 NWF – 410 members, Four $100,000 Grants to Local Nonprofits
410 women signed up for Impact100 Northwest Florida during its recently concluded membership drive, which will make possible four $100,000 grants to nonprofits serving Okaloosa and Walton Counties this year. Grants are awarded in the following five focus areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, Recreation & Preservation, Family and Health and Wellness. Local nonprofits have submitted grant proposals, and Impact100 Northwest Florida’s Focus Area Committees will review them and hold site visits this summer. Finalists will be announced in October 2023, and recipients announced at the Annual Meeting in November.
The Walton Republican Executive Committee (WCREC) will meet Monday Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Hammock Bay Clubhouse–1850 Great Hammock Bend in Freeport. Registered Republicans of Walton County are welcome to attend.
The annual Walton County Republican Lincoln Day Dinner will be held Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Sandestin in Miramar Beach. The VIP reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. Senator Rick Scott is the Keynote speaker along with Congressman Matt Gaetz. Individual tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite (Lincoln Day Dinner with Senator Rick Scott) where more detailed information is available.
Eglin Federal Credit Union DeFuniak Springs Location
EFCU recently opened its DeFuniak Springs ATM/Video Teller Drive-thru located at 677 Hwy. 90. A full-service branch will open at this location later in 2024. Video Tellers are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. These personalized tellers assist members with deposits, withdrawals, transfers, payments and questions. Video Teller ITMs also operate as ATMs 24/7 using an EFCU ATM or Debit card. Watch this video to learn how to cash a check at Video Teller ITM. Learn more at eglinfcu.org/VideoTeller. Membership is open to those who live, work, worship, attend school and volunteer in seven geographic locations in Walton County. Go toeglinfcu.org/eligibility then select “Geographic Location” and enter your address. Must be 18 or older to join online. To learn more about the many benefits of membership go to eglinfcu.org/benefits. Visit www.eglinfcu.org for news and financial education updates. To work at EFCU, check out www.eglinfcu.org/careers/ at EFCU.
Leadership Okaloosa Applications Available
Leadership Okaloosa is an esteemed leadership training and development program with a 30-year history of the growth and development of Okaloosa County’s leaders. This 9-month experience enhances the participant’s leadership skills and creates community awareness.
Apply here: https://www.nwfsc.edu/leadership-okaloosa/.
