Endless Summer: A NWFL Coast Chapter FPRA Fundraiser!

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August 6, 2021

Join the Northwest Florida Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) and presenting sponsor Okaloosa Gas as we celebrate summer with live music, lite bites, a stellar silent auction, cash bar and our annual champagne toast tradition!

The incoming ’21–‘22 NWFL Coast FPRA Board of Directors will be installed and we will celebrate the past year with FPRA members and friends. Dress in your summer casual attire and help us raise money for professional development and scholarships for Northwest Florida Public Relations and Marketing pros!

Tuesday, August 17, 2021
6–9 p.m. at Sunset Bay Café, Sandestin

Tickets are $25 per person with cash bar available and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/…/endless-summer-fundraiser….

A Pastor’s Ponderings: When God Changes Your Course

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Bay Life

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August 12, 2021

By Pastor Doug Stauffer

Have you ever had something happen where you know that a different outcome could have completely altered your life forever—or maybe even ended it? This scenario has happened to me on several occasions, with the most recent involving two tractor-trailer trucks. But first a little background.

My wife and I spent 19 years traveling the U.S. and around the globe (pre-Covid, of course). Our adventures (and mishaps) could fill a book. What would you think if I told you that my wife and I have been in cars that have caught fire on three occasions? Additionally, a commuter train hit my truck while I was sitting at a red light in Baltimore. Oh yes, and while riding as a passenger in a packed tour bus, it flipped over. Three good-sized men landed on me, pinning me against the window. All without bodily injury to me! No, I am not a cat with nine lives. Some might think of me as just lucky. Perspective is everything. But let me first tell you about the highway pileup that wasn’t.

Late in the evening on June 28, 2021, my wife and I were leaving Knoxville, Tenn., pulling a trailer with more than two tons of my books. Suddenly, two tractor-trailer trucks jackknifed right in front of us. I slammed on the brakes with no hopes of avoiding an accident. I quickly veered to the left with no escape in sight. Both trucks were sliding in that direction, forcing me into the median and ever closer to the concrete highway divider.
Just as quickly as it all started, both trucks stopped abruptly, leaving me just enough space on the shoulder to squeeze between the trucks and the wall. Relieved, right? But as I was passing by the trucks, a man who has crossed in front of them now appeared directly in my path. I laid on the horn, making him skip a step leaving me just enough room to miss him. I don’t know what went through his mind, but I can testify concerning our astonishment, relief and jubilation.

Needless to say, we spent the next few hours on the road driving in bewilderment. Every pastor has to have a moral to the story, right?

Well, after we had packed the trailer, I asked the pastor who helped us pack to pray with us and then jokingly stopped him before we started, asking if he wanted to take responsibility for praying since our load was so heavy. He unhesitatingly delved right into fervent, heartfelt prayer. The Bible says, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” and to “pray without ceasing.”

Do most people fully understand prayer or unwittingly doubt that an omnipotent God might really intercede on our behalf? Does our lack of faith cause us to fear attributing any given outcome to supernatural intervention? It takes faith to believe, and “without faith it is impossible to please God.” I believe God performed a miracle that night—likely two of them.

Dr. Doug Stauffer is pastor of Faith Independent Baptist Church. He was saved July 6, 1980, in Niceville, while stationed at the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base and has now been in the ministry for over 35 years. He has written 20 books including the best selling “One Book” trilogy (“One Book Rightly Divided, One Book Stands Alone, One Book One Authority”); along with several devotionals (“Daily Strength”series); and prophecy books (“Reviving the Blessed Hope, When the End Begins”).

COUPONS August 2021

By

Bay Life

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August 6, 2021

The Ramp

By

Bay Life

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August 13, 2021

The Ramp explores how we often crash in life, and yet can get back up. When others around us crash, we can either preach at them or help them recover.

Be Yourself

By

Bay Life

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August 20, 2021

You can make the world a better place. Discover wisdom and peace.

Imagine

By

Bay Life

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August 27, 2021

You can achieve anything you can imagine.

The Man in the Arena

By

Bay Life

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August 27, 2021

By Lori Leath Smith

“This was a righteous fight—a fight for truth. There’s God and truth. I couldn’t have faced this without God and the truth.”

When local resident and retired Navy SEAL Chief, Eddie Gallagher, was suddenly arrested on September 11, 2018, at the medical facility where he was receiving treatment for traumatic brain injuries, he had no idea why. “We were told to take you to prison,” said the authorities. Eddie kept saying, “This is a mistake,” completely confused.

Little did he know at the time that he and his wife, Andrea, would be in the fight of their lives the next 10 months. He was taken to a military brig and held in solitary confinement without being told what he had been arrested for or how long he would be there.

Eddie joined the Navy at age 19, his dream to become a U.S. Navy SEAL. For almost 20 years, he served as a Navy Corpsman, Marine Scout Sniper and, yes, Navy SEAL earning a stellar reputation along the way. Eddie deployed eight times, including to war zones in Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2014, Eddie “Chief Gallagher” was named the Sailor of the Quarter and then Sailor of the Year for NSW Group One (all West coast-based SEALs).
During his career, Eddie was awarded two Bronze Stars with V for Valor, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Presidential Unit Citation, two Navy Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals—one with V for Valor and five Good Conduct Awards. On his last combat deployment to Iraq in 2017, Eddie led a platoon to successfully defeat ISIS in Mosul. For his performance and leadership, he was highly commended upon returning home. He was named the #1 Navy SEAL Chief, nominated for a Silver Star, and slated for promotion to Senior Chief. He was then awarded a coveted training billet for his ‘twilight tour’ as a SEAL.

However, despite this record of success and impeccable reputation, Eddie would spend nine months in prison largely being denied medical treatment, access to legal counsel and regular visits. In the initial few days of his arrest, he knew he was in a very different fight. A turning point came two months later during a phone call with Andrea when, “We both realized that the only people that could fight were us. I gave everything to God and was willing to accept His outcome,” says Eddie. “And at that moment, I literally felt a weight lifted off my shoulders—I had a peace knowing God was taking care of me.” Andrea’s faith led her to acknowledge they were going through this ordeal for a reason and should listen to God. From that time on, they did. Eddie says being locked up puts you in a darker place mentally. “But, over 100 different times, God showed me this would be o.k.” And he tried to keep his mind in the right place by serving. “I was able to mentor some of the younger guys by doing workouts with them. I could really see a difference in them.”

Andrea fought tirelessly to raise awareness about the injustice they were facing. “She took all of her professional knowledge and applied it to me while also taking care of our three children and everything else. She is my hero,” says Eddie.

In the end, Eddie was proven innocent and acquitted of all serious charges. “The amount of people that supported us was amazing. People like Bernie Kerik, former NY police commissioner, were very influential in helping us,” says Eddie. “And I was continually praying. I even prayed that God would have the president step in.”

The magnitude and terror of the ordeal that Eddie and his family went through will never leave them. “We learned how broken the system is, that our service members and first responders can be unfairly and unjustly targeted, and how vital outside help can be in fighting back against this kind of corruption,” says Eddie.

So, Eddie and Andrea have founded The Pipe Hitter Foundation (pipehitterfoundation.org), a non-profit dedicated to support men and women in both the military and law enforcement who are facing similar injustices. “The Pipe Hitter Foundation is committed to defending the rights and freedoms they risk their lives to uphold.”

They have also written a newly released book, The Man in the Arena. The book features never-before-revealed details of Eddie’s experience fighting for his freedom. He holds nothing back when explaining how and why he feels several malcontents in his SEAL platoon conspired to frame him for war crimes. Eddie also explains exactly what happened that May afternoon in Iraq when after a fierce battle with ISIS, a terrorist was brought to the SEAL compound for medical aid and died in their care. Andrea wrote several chapters from her perspective, comparing Eddie to the Old Testament’s Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt.

Their book has already become a “Best Seller” on Amazon, number one in several categories, and the number three bestselling book overall (order on Amazon.com). You can also purchase signed and personalized copies at eddiegallagherbook.com if you can’t make the event.

“We didn’t want to play the victim—we learned and grew from the situation; it was a nightmare, but we want to turn it into a positive. Not playing the victim role will serve you well. I now have more of an appreciation of being around my family and a whole new outlook on life. We’re just moving forward…” –Eddie Gallagher

Meet our Hometown Hero: Michelle Rathmann

By

Bay Life

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August 27, 2021

An Inspirational Representative of Teachers in our Community

By Victoria Ostrosky

“’Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.’ 35 years, 6,300 days, two schools, two grade levels and one county. I’ve lost count of how many students. I’ve made wonderful friends along the way. Now it’s time to say… that’s a wrap!”

Michelle Rathmann has been teaching, and loving it, her entire life. “It’s what God designed me to be.” Her teaching vocation began when she was just a young girl. She attended a private kindergarten, and in the evenings, she would teach her friends what she had learned that day. She remembers one time in 5th grade she went home crying because a boy she had been tutoring and teaching to read had learned to read without her. “He didn’t need me anymore.” Teaching has its ups and downs.

After 35 years, Michelle retired from formal teaching, and for her last year she “took time to have fun, to laugh, to smile. I made last year as fun as I could.” Now, she wants to do some traveling, starting with somewhere in the northeast U.S. so she can see the fall colors.

Never a fan of school desks in rows, Michelle placed her students in clusters and groups, encouraging them to be the facilitators of their own learning. “We want them to be successful in life. Our goal is that they be happy and successful at what they choose to be.” Teaching her students to become independent in their thinking and learning has brought her joy. Over her many years as a teacher, she’s taught first grade, second grade and gifted students, loving the opportunity to watch their minds open up while learning at their own pace. “When they have that ‘aha’ moment and the light turns on, you know they’ve got it. Then they can soar.”

Michelle doesn’t like to talk about them, but she has received multiple awards, among them Teacher of the Year twice, and the Emerald Coast Chapter of National League of Junior Cotillion’s Best Mannered Teacher, because of an essay written by one of her former students Stacie Roberson. In Stacie’s own words, she wrote, “I am nominating Mrs. Rathmann for Best Mannered Teacher, because she is a positive role model, excellent teacher and a genuine inspiration to all ages…She had the right balance of discipline and encouragement that leaves her students wanting to learn more.” And Stacie goes on to explain in more detail exactly what sets Michelle apart as a teacher: “She takes a genuine interest in her students’ extracurricular activities. She goes to graduations, baseball games, basketball games, football games, cross country events, swim meets, baptisms and way too many more to name.” I’m certain that Stacie’s words of praise have been echoed by many of Michelle’s students over the years.

For teachers, their students are more than bodies sitting at desks. “For that year of their life, they become one of our children, and some of them never leave. Some of them are part of who we are forever.”

Teachers, in this country, have played an integral part in inspiring and encouraging generations of children in public schools for almost two centuries. As parents, we hand over our most precious possessions, entrusting these dedicated essential employees with a tough duty. A duty to help mold our children into the best they can be.

“The teacher said to the students: ‘Come to the edge.’ They replied: ‘We might fall.’ The teacher again said: ‘Come to the edge.’ And they responded: ‘It’s too high.’ ‘Come to the edge,’ the teacher demanded. And they came, and the teacher pushed them, and they flew.” (author unknown)

Destin Life thanks all the passionate teachers in our community for their selfless commitment, time and responsibility.

Why Is Inflation Rising Yet Treasury Yields Are Not?

By

Bay Life

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August 27, 2021

By Maurice Stouse, Financial Advisor and Branch Manager

The latest reads on inflation have it running at levels not seen in over three decades—CPI at 5.4%, PPI at 7.2% and PCE at 3.9%. One report after another sends the signal that inflation is taking hold. Many economists and even the Federal Reserve (as well as the White House) strongly suggest that this is transitory. That it is the result of the economic reopening and the supply chain disruption. That supply chain disruption, as we understand it now, includes the labor supply. The U.S. seems to be facing a labor shortage in some industries. That has led to wage inflation as well. Wage inflation is usually the last thing to follow price inflation. As we have mentioned before, we feel present-day inflation is the result of the stimulus – the creation of additional dollars by the Federal Reserve. This is also known as monetary inflation.

With inflation and the economy “running hot,” would it not seem to follow that it would 1) put pressure on the value of the dollar (downward) and 2) put pressure on bond yields (upward) and mainly Treasury bond yields? The strange phenomenon occurring, however, is that inflation is rising, yet bond yields are declining. To many that does not seem to make sense. The financial media are full of thoughts as to why this might be occurring. Here are a few thoughts for you.

CNBC recently reported that some (unnamed sources) say that investors and institutions have locked in the significant gains they have seen this year and are selling their stocks and parking those gains and funds into Treasuries. Other reports point to de-risking by investors in anticipation of economic slowdowns due to the spread of the coronavirus. We have been researching other periods of high debt relative to GDP. One thing we take note of is the post WW2 period where the U.S.’ debt to GDP ratio was 108%. A rate many would argue was not sustainable. What happened over the next decade, for several reasons, was that the debt to GDP ratio shrank to 40%. The U.S. inflated its way out of that high debt ratio. In other words, the economic growth far outpaced the debt.

That begs the question: Is that potentially happening again? In other words, is one of the ends in mind is to inflate the country out of the high debt ratio we are currently in? Actions by the Fed – and words from The White House – give us reason to consider that the Fed’s easy monetary policy is likely to continue, and that inflation is real and not transitory. Inflation ran at under 2% for the past generation and a half and now could be running at 50 – 100% higher than that for the foreseeable future. We figure that to make inflation 3-5% over the next few years.

What this means to investors is to look at their holdings in terms of not only risk, time frame and objective, but also in terms of real return. Real return is the rate of return left after the rate of inflation. Current CPI rates would mean an investment returning 5% has a real return of -.4%. That means shrinking vs. growing purchasing power. Higher rates of inflation typically bring higher rates in yields and savers and income investors have yet to see that. That is so because there are more buyers than sellers for bonds, mainly Treasury bonds. The near-term impact (with the caveat that corrections could literally happen any hour of any given trading day) could mean that, along with the tremendous amount of liquidity out there, stocks, real estate and commodities have greater upside potential than downside risk given the strength of the economic recovery and the increased earnings corporations are experiencing. You need to go a step further with stocks and focus on those that are inflation resistant or inflation resilient. Those would be the value stocks and funds like cyclicals, industrials, financials and the like. Real estate could mean buying land, dwellings or perhaps utilizing REITs in the stock market.

Such scenarios have not always favored growth-oriented investments such as technology stocks. Do take note that over the most recent short-term technology has had a strong recovery when considering the 2Q of this year. Investors do not want to ignore the innovation and profitability that technology can bring. We think investors should add to or begin building value-oriented holdings, but not necessarily rotate out of growth-oriented holdings.

Should rates resume their rise again (The U.S. Treasury 10-year note was at 1.77% in March and is at 1.29% at this writing), we believe, based upon historical reactions, that rates would need to rise to 2.75% for investors to begin to see the negative long-term effects that would have on equities (stocks). The 10-year U.S. Treasury note is an often turned to barometer for the stock market as well as for mortgage rates. The 30-year is more associated with inflation.

This, of course, addresses investments as a class vs. looking at certain sectors or segments of the market. We still believe in the words Warren Buffet spoke when he urged investors to focus on buying great businesses vs. just buying investments. We would add to that to be a buy and hold investor until your objectives, risk tolerance and time frame change.
The First Wealth Management is located at First Florida Bank, a division of the First, A National Banking Association, 2000 98 Palms Blvd., Destin, FL 32541. Branch offices in Niceville, Mary Esther, Miramar Beach, Freeport and Panama City. Phone 850.654.8124.
Raymond James advisors do not offer tax advice. Please see your tax professionals. Email: Maurice.stouse@raymondjames.com. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, and are not insured by bank insurance, the FDIC, or any other government agency, are not deposits or obligations of the bank, are not guaranteed by the bank, and are subject to risks, including the possible loss of principal. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

The First Wealth Management First Florida Bank, and The First, A National Banking Association are not registered broker/dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Views expressed are the current opinion of the author, not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James, and are subject to change without notice. Information provided is general in nature and is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment decision and is not a recommendation or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.

Investing in oil involves special risks, including the potential adverse effects of state and federal regulation and may not be suitable for all investors.

Treasury Inflation Protection Securities, or TIPS, adjust the invested principal base by the CPI-U at a semiannual rate. Rate of inflation is based on the CPI-U, which has a three-month lag. Investing within specific sectors, or in small and mid-size companies, involves unique, additional risks. Those risks include limited diversification, regulatory risks, limited liquidity, and lack of operating history.

There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and fixed income prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, fixed income prices fall and when interest rates fall, fixed income prices rise.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of mutual funds before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contain this and other information about mutual funds. The prospectus and summary prospectus are available from your financial advisor and should be read carefully before investing.

The Destin Fishing Rodeo: Celebrating 73 Years!

By

Bay Life

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August 27, 2021

By Frank Berte

40—the number of days, at the time of this printing, until the Destin Fishing Rodeo begins! For us locals, it’s time to begin getting ready for this year’s Fishing Rodeo season—part of what Destin is known for!

The Destin Fishing Rodeo 1948 – 2021

The Rodeo began in May of 1948 to bring people to Destin. It worked! Destin shortly became known as a summer tourist destination and “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”
The Rodeo founders, people such as Howard Marler, Jewel Melvin and Willie Marler, decided that moving the Rodeo to October would lengthen the tourist season another month. Today the 73-year-old Rodeo is held October 1- 31.

Awards
Destin Fishing Rodeo awards are sponsored in good part by area businesses. Other awards are paid for by the Rodeo through entry fees and merchandise sales. Proudly called the “Luckiest Fishing Village,” that phrase could designate the size and amount of fish that can be caught off Destin’s shores, or the prizes that are won—even those won in those first Rodeos. The winning King Mackerel in the first Rodeo won the angler a new kitchen: a refrigerator, stove and even the kitchen sink! In 1950, the Rodeo was still awarding kitchen appliances, but the top prize that year was a lot in Destin, complete with survey, title and insurance! The lot was valued at $500! Hhhhmmmm, wonder what that prize would be worth today?! Of course, not all the prizes could be that grand. For example, the largest Triggerfish in 1951 brought $25.00, one windshield wiper, and 12 cans of beer to the lucky angler.

The Rodeo no longer awards kitchen appliances or beer to the winners. As far as the lot in Destin goes, the Rodeo would be happy to give one away if someone wants to donate it! Today the awards are mostly fine rods and reels, fishing trips, weekend stays and everyone’s favorite—cash.

The Fishing Rodeo committee is kicking around ideas for future prizes, and with new contacts, it hopes to add boats, cars and exotic fishing trips to the list of prizes in the next few years.

The Rodeo’s Rules Committee governs all activities related to angler and fish eligibility. In the early days of the Rodeo, there were 20 rules listed on one page. They were general rules covering eligibility of contestants and the types of fish that could be entered. 15 species could be entered in the Rodeo.

Today, rules take up five pages in the annually published Rodeo book. There are 75 separate rules covering 33 species in 29 divisions. As future state and federal fishing regulations change, so will the Rodeo rules.

Participation
Private boats and Charter boats must register to enter the Rodeo at least 24 hours prior to weighing a fish. There is no entry fee for anglers on registered vessels. Shore fishermen can participate by just bringing their catch to the scale. Hundreds of people watch the weigh-ins every day. When a shark or a big grouper or tuna is on the scale, the crowd reaches “standing-room-only” status. The Rodeo has truly become a “spectator sport.”

Volunteers
The Rodeo has always depended on volunteers to make it successful. Volunteer help is the only way the Rodeo has succeeded for 73 years, and the only way it will continue to succeed. A volunteer Board of Directors that consists mainly of local business people with an interest in fishing runs the Rodeo. This Board governs all committees and the day-to-day activities of the Rodeo. Volunteers serve as Rodeo judges at the weigh-ins every day in October. Judging requires two to four people per shift for 31 days (two shifts per day). The Rodeo also has a merchandise booth that is manned by three to four volunteers October 1 – 31. Between the two, the Rodeo needs about 620 folks to donate two to five hours in October. The Rodeo has more than 2500 available hours of volunteer service. Call the Rodeo office to volunteer—no experience required.

Record Keeping
Rodeo entries were kept by hand and calculated by hand until 1991. All entries were logged into a book and verified by the Boat captain, the Rodeo judge and the Rodeo director. At the end of each day, all of the entries were calculated by division and a daily winner was determined. The Rodeo director stayed after the weigh station closed every evening to calculate the winners, type a daily report and get it to the newspaper for the next day’s edition.

Today, the Rodeo is as high-tech as any business. All catches are entered into a computer program on-line and are automatically calculated. Anyone with internet access can see who is leading in any category in real-time 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Reports are automatically generated and e-mailed to the press for publication. As technology advances, the Rodeo will as well.

Economic Impact
The Destin Fishing Rodeo has a significant economic impact on Destin. In 2019 an estimated 36,518 anglers from 33 states and two countries (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WY, Canada, England). 13,421 locals participated in the Rodeo. Using TDC calculations of $225.00 per person x 23,097 people (based on anglers alone, not including non-fishing companions), there was $5,196,825.00 revenue into the community directly related to the Destin Fishing Rodeo.

Anglers provide an estimated $3,831,600 income to the charter boat industry in October.
Fuel sales between the two largest fuel providers on the harbor in October is $486,980 in October compared to $119,807 in November – a 75% decrease.

The Gross Lodging Income in Destin in October was $6,216,018 compared to November at $3,723,790, a 42% decrease from October to November. Let’s go fishing!

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