THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

February 23, 2024 – 35th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival Kick-Off Party – $35 – View

February 23, 2024 – Flipped Cup Pour with Lexy Adams – $100 – $120 – View

February 24, 2024 – Florida Artist Blacksmith Association Open House – Free – View

February 24, 2024 – The 35th Annual Sandestin Gumbo Festival – $45 – View

February 24, 2024 – 5th Annual Shrimp and Grits Festival – View

February 25, 2024 – Caring & Sharing Spring Fashion Show Sunday, February 25th at the Hilton Sandestin – $65 – View

February 27, 2024 – Celtic Music Performance with Emily Ann Thompson – Free – View

February 29, 2024 – Unlikely Pairings: A Wine and Culinary Sensory Seminar at Cuvee 30a – $200 – View

March 1, 2024 – First Friday Coffee sponsored by Clean Eatz – View

March 1, 2024 – Crescendo! Vintner Dinners – $500 – View

March 1, 2024 – Planetarium Special Feature: STEAM Wars – $10 – $12 – View

March 2, 2024 – HHArt Gallery Night – Free – View

March 3, 2024 – Crescendo! Main Event – $195 – View

March 6, 2024 – Wednesday Night Concert Series at The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Free – View

POLITICS

Wagner urges unity: Destin Mayor calls for unincorporated areas to annex into the city

Delivering his second annual State of the City address on Tuesday evening, Destin Mayor Bobby Wagner hailed 2023 as a year of “new strides and accomplishments” driven by city staff and community partners before unveiling a vision to unify Destin by allowing unincorporated areas to vote on joining the city.

Speaking before the regular City Council meeting, Wagner spotlighted several recent staff hires, parks improvements, infrastructure upgrades and public safety initiatives that speak to a city “gaining momentum.” 

• He credited cross-departmental staff collaboration on projects ranging from revitalizing the Destin History and Fishing Museum to launching high-speed fiber optic internet access via Live Oak.

The mayor praised city first responders, public works crews and emergency managers for prompt storm preparation and response during hurricane season. He also referenced progress on the long-planned Destin City Center mixed-use complex, including hiring a consultant to guide strategic land use planning across city property.

Wagner repeatedly returned throughout his 28-minute speech to calling out departments, staff members and community groups like the Main Street Betterment Alliance for “the extraordinary potential that arises when we move as one.”

But as the mayor drew his remarks to a close, he pivoted to issue a call for political unity by allowing nearby unincorporated areas to vote on joining Destin during its 40th anniversary year. About 3,235 voters around the city could help decide its “collective destiny,” Wagner said.

• “I am very excited for this. I’ve been slowly talking to unincorporated Destin community members,” he revealed. “If there’s 3000 voters, that means there’s over 5,000 people that are not represented in the city limits.”

Wagner argued the capabilities have grown over Destin’s history to a point where unprecedented expansion is feasible. He pledged open communication with homeowners associations if the vote advances. The city council would have to approve adding a referendum to the Nov. election ballot.

“My pledge to everyone is if we were able to do this, it would be open communication, just like I’ve always done. I can’t wait to go to each HOA, spread out the facts, the good, the bad, the positive and the challenges that we have in front of us,” the mayor said.

Beyond geographic reach, Wagner maintained that bringing more voices and diversity into the City’s decision-making would allow Destin to better plan for the future.

• “Together, we have more diversity to allow this community to move forward into the future,” Wagner said. “I just think it’s now or never.”

The mayor closed by saying he had urged the Council to put the question of unification before area voters. He expressed openness to “building a future that reflects the aspirations and dreams of not just those inside the city limits.”

Wagner said he envisions the unified city “continuing to grow, to innovate and to thrive, charging a new course towards an even brighter tomorrow.”

If any individual would like to email Mayor Wagner their questions or concerns, you can reach him at: Bwagner@cityofdestin.com

A MESSAGE FROM BIT-WIZARDS

Bit-Wizards & TalkingParents awarded American Advertising Federation Gold and Silver Addys

For the 14th year in a row, the Bit-Wizards and TalkingParents in Fort Walton Beach team was awarded Gold and Silver “ADDYs” by the Pensacola Chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

• The ADDY Awards are the largest and most representative competition in the advertising industry, recognizing and rewarding the creative spirit of excellence in the art of advertising.

For their work in 2023, the team received two Gold and six Silver ADDYs, totaling eight awards. Recognition spanned a variety of categories, including branded content, social media, online/interactive campaigns, internet commercials, and specialty advertising.

All eight ADDY Awards have now advanced for consideration at the district level, encompassing Florida and the Caribbean.

“Each year, we look forward to this celebratory evening,” said Heather Ruiz, Director of Marketing. “The Pensacola AAF does an excellent job bringing local area creatives together and recognizing the top talent in our community. To be recognized alongside this year’s slate of award winners is an honor. I couldn’t be prouder of our innovative and hardworking team and the caliber of work they produce every day.”

SPORTS

Unfinished Business: Choctaw’s Girls Flag Football ready for another shot at State Title

After coming heartbreakingly close to winning a state championship last spring, the Choctawhatchee High School girls flag football team has unfinished business to attend to this season.

• The Indians marched all the way to the title game in 2023 before falling 32-13 against Robinson. It was a back-to-back state runner-up finish under coach Jim Bay for talent-rich Choctawhatchee.

Since that loss, the Indians have been working relentlessly to get back to the summit. Choctaw traveled extensively during the offseason — to Jacksonville, Valdosta, Georgia, and Tampa — facing elite out-of-state opponents to tune up.

The team made a huge statement by knocking off three-time defending Georgia state champion Southeast Bulloch 6-0 on a neutral field in Jacksonville.

• “They’re currently 53-0 in Georgia,” Bay noted. “We went over there and won that and had a good run.”

A trio of battle-tested athletes — wide receiver Morgan Grace, quarterback Diaras Morales and defensive powerhouse Trinity Thomas — headlines a stacked lineup that has captured back-to-back district championships.

Bay called senior Bailey Schwall his “Swiss Army knife” because of her well-rounded skill set. A soccer standout who also runs track, Schwall brings speed and slick open-field moves to the gridiron.

• “She can sling it a mile. She runs like a deer and has very elusive hips on flag pulling,” Bay said. “She’s very tough to get a flag pulled on.”

There’s also an infusion of young talent led by freshman Peyton DiBenedetto, whom Bay said has “fallen in love with flag.” DiBenedetto carved out a key role during summer camps and figures to make an instant impact.

Put it all together and Choctaw seems poised to continue its run as an annual championship contender. Since 2017, the Indians have established themselves as one of the state’s preeminent programs alongside Robinson.

The only obstacle this preseason has been meshing all of those pieces after their season start time moved up by one week.

• The Indians opened practice missing 10 players who were still involved in winter sports like soccer, basketball and weightlifting. Coach Bay didn’t have a full squad together until earlier this week, just two days before Friday’s season opener at Destin High School.

“The struggle is real for us, but we have a lot of girls doing multi-sport,” Bay said. “It was an odd deal because the season’s starting actually a week sooner than it did last year. So it’s starting, and there’s still a lot of winter sports going on right now with regionals.”

Bay enthusiastically encourages his players to participate in multiple sports, even if it means they occasionally have to divide time between flag football and other obligations.

“We love multi-sport athletes and that’s something we encourage at Choctaw and we’ll make it work,” Bay said. “And it is tough at times, but we’re doing what’s best for the girls, not really what’s best for the coach.”

There are also high hopes for the future. Bay called this year’s crop of freshmen “the strongest freshman class I’ve ever seen.” Twenty-two talented newcomers tried out.

Choctawhatchee’s feeder middle school programs, particularly at powerhouse Pryor, have helped stock the varsity roster with waves of young talent. Meigs Middle School has also emerged as a pipeline.

That has Bay thinking big picture — well beyond this season.

• “I’m excited about the future,” he said. “Our depth is really nice. We’ve got some very strong freshmen. Next year, when we lose all these seniors, they’re gonna have to fill some roles.”

But first things first: The Indians have unfinished business after coming agonizingly close to winning it all the past two seasons.

“Our goal always has been that we’re gonna go to state,” Bay said. “We’re that caliber of team. Our program is on that level with the state.”

A testament to that commitment came over the summer when Bay brought up junior varsity players to fill holes amid scheduling conflicts so the varsity could travel to camps and seven-on-seven tournaments.

• “Summers for us are more about getting quality reps, getting the girls to play more and just get that game time experience that you can’t get at practice,” explained Bay, who sets expectations low in the summer to build for the spring.

Choctawhatchee has reached the point where, again, a shot at a state title this season is within reach.

“We just can’t have any hiccups,” Bay said.

The Indians will travel to Destin Middle School Stadium on Friday, Feb. 22, to face off in their opening game against the Destin High School Sharks. JV kicks off at 6pm, with Varsity at 7:30pm.

SCHOOL

Fort Walton Beach High School unveils new 17,500 sq.ft. multi-purpose facility

The Okaloosa County School District and community leaders gathered Thursday morning to celebrate the opening of a new 17,500 sq.ft. multi-purpose facility at Fort Walton Beach High School, the first multi-purpose facility completed at a district high school.

• The building is one of 19 construction and renovation projects happening at 15 schools across the county funded by a half-cent sales tax referendum approved by voters.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by the Viking cheer and dance teams, along with music from the FWBHS Band. The JROTC presented the colors and the Voices of Valhalla sang that national anthem. 

“If this isn’t exciting, I don’t know what is,” Superintendent Marcus Chambers said during remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This half-cent sales tax has been a game-changer in our school district.”

• Currently underway are upgrades like new roofs, air conditioning systems, cafetoriums and classrooms, in addition to the stand-alone multi-purpose buildings underway at each high school.

The one at Fort Walton Beach High features rolling bay doors that open to a large outdoor area with a canopy. Inside there is a kitchenette, bathrooms and an expansive interior equipped with basketball goals that can convert to spaces for other activities.

School principal Lindsey Smith said it will allow for new academic offerings in engineering, biomedical science and test preparation, plus serve as a place for ROTC, career technical education, archery and robotics. Additionally, Edwins Elementary across the street will also be able to make use of the facility if needed.

• “It’s important to point out that we have all of these groups here and I’m so glad that you got to enjoy them,” Smith told the audience filled with cheer and dance teams, the choir, band and JROTC color guard. “This is a multi-purpose building, and this building will allow us to provide spaces for them to do this work and to expand even more than they even know.”

The building was designed by local architect Jason Floyd. General contractors were Jacob’s Titan and Lord & Son Construction.

Smith thanked everyone in attendance for the help and dedication to making the facility a reality. She especially thanked former Principal John Spolski who helped get the project started before his promotion as Assistant Superintendent.

• “I came in on the tail end and get to make this speech, but these people have been working really hard for a long time to make sure that the most perfect building is here for our students,” said Smith.

Spolski, who accepted his new role in late 2023, was on hand and couldn’t help but think back to the groundbreaking ceremony he oversaw back in 2022.

“My heart is just full of excitement to see the reaction of not only the community here that helped launch this, but the students,” he said. “I remember being here and watching them break ground and now to actually feel it, it’s amazing.”

He said the buildings will get used “for all kinds of things across our district,” as other multi-purpose buildings wrap up construction.

Superintendent Chambers also thanked community members for their role in making the half-cent sales tax reality after it was first proposed five years ago. 

• “This was a ground-level effort of the community wrapping their arms around our school and saying that they want the facilities in this school district to match the excellence of academics, the arts and athletics, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” Chambers said.

School Board members and other community leaders attended the ceremony, which featured performances by student groups and tours of the new building. Students in the school’s leadership program assisted with hosting.

Superintendent Chambers said great things are in store for the district as it maintains excellence in academics while upgrading infrastructure.

• “Fixing our infrastructure, fixing our buildings and adding to it, it’s something that I know that we’re all extremely proud of and I can’t be more excited for the possibilities to come,” he said. “So thank you.”

Click here to view pictures from the event