GIVING BACK

Free homecoming game admission for first 400 Choctawhatchee High School students

The Alayna Bowman Memorial Scholarship Foundation and Mack Bowman, a 2015 graduate of Choctawhatchee High School, are sponsoring the school’s student section for this week’s homecoming football game.

• Mack and the Foundation will provide FREE admission to the first 400 Choctaw students for the game on Friday at Joe Etheredge Stadium. Students must enter through the pass gate on the visitors’ side.

“Every single student deserves the opportunity to experience extracurricular activities with their peers and I’m thankful to be able to make this one free,” said Bowman, a real estate agent with ERA American Real Estate.

The Alayna Bowman Memorial Scholarship Foundation was established in 2010 to honor Bowman’s sister, Alayna, who was killed at age 16 by a drunk driver as she and Mack were arriving home. The foundation has awarded more than $85,000 in scholarships to local students.

Bowman said he hopes the free admission will allow more students to attend the game and celebrate.

“Happy homecoming and always be brave,” Bowman said, remembering his sister’s legacy. “This is in loving memory of Jenny Hamilton, Fred Pitts, Don Varner, Alayna Bowman, and all fallen Indians alike.”

GIVING BACK

Newman-Dailey raises $38,000 and stocks the pantry of Harvest House in Destin

The staff at Newman-Dailey Resort Properties raised $38,496 and collected 2,558 food items for the Harvest House of Destin’s food pantry and thrift store.

• The donations came from Newman-Dailey staff as well as friends, family, homeowners, vendors, guests and clients who wanted to support the nonprofit’s mission of fighting hunger and helping local families in need.

“We’re excited to partner with the Harvest House of Destin for our 2023 community service project,” said Jeanne Dailey, founder and CEO of Newman-Dailey Resort Properties. “We turned our support to the Harvest House this year due to the great need for food and support for local families.”

The Harvest House, established in 1987, operates a food pantry and thrift store to serve the working poor, elderly and families impacted by unexpected circumstances in the Destin area.

Newman-Dailey staff held internal competitions to gather food and online donations. They surprised Harvest House Executive Director Lori Joyner by arriving in the company van packed with 2,558 donated food items. They also presented Joyner with a $38,496 check.

“Seeing the reaction of the Harvest House team and being able to help serve the needs of our community was so rewarding,” said Newman-Dailey’s Lisa Morgan, who led the fundraising effort.

For over 35 years, the Harvest House has served more than 114,000 people, distributed over 343,000 bags of food and given nearly $424,000 worth of clothing to local families.

• The Harvest House is located at 300 Mountain Drive in Destin. Its food pantry and thrift store are open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

COMING SOON

NWFSC and Seacoast break ground on new dual enrollment & workforce development center

Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) and Seacoast Collegiate High School broke ground Monday on a new Dual Enrollment and Workforce Development Center, in what the two schools called a partnership aimed at transforming educational opportunities in Walton County.

• The highly anticipated groundbreaking ceremony was held at Seacoast High School, with a reception following at North Beach Social.

The strategic partnership between NWFSC and Seacoast Collegiate High School reflects a shared commitment to provide students with pathways blending high school and college coursework with career skills, according to officials from both schools. The center will give students an educational experience redefining possibilities for high schoolers, they said.

“This groundbreaking ceremony marked a pivotal moment in education in Northwest Florida,” said NWFSC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. “This collaboration will stand as a testament to the innovative spirit of both institutions. Collectively, we are at the forefront of revolutionizing a model that will transform the educational landscape, equip students for the challenges of the current workforce, and empower the next generation with enhanced academic and career pathways.”

The new facility will include three buildings, provide space for Seacoast and NWFSC classrooms, and have shared space for workforce development, continuing education and career preparedness instruction.

Seacoast’s capital campaign goal for the expansion is $30 million. In 2023, Florida legislators appropriated $9 million for the project. Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Glavine and his wife Chris contributed $1 million.

Seacoast is open to all Walton County residents. The project is slated for completion in 2025.

THE WEEKENDER

A few things to do around town

October 5, 2023 – Zen Illustration Drawing – $30 – $35 – View

October 6-8, 2023 – 45th Annual Destin Seafood Festival – View

October 6-7, 2023 – 15th Annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival – $65 – $90 – View

October 7, 2023 – 2X Monster Trucks Live Milton, FL – View

October 7, 2023 – Dog Daze presented by Friendship Veterinary Hospital – View

October 7, 2023 – Fall Parking Lot Sale – View

October 7, 2023 – Call to Artists for “What’s in the Water” Art Show – $5. – $35 – View

October 7, 2023 – HH Arts Gallery Night – View

October 8, 2023 – Welcome to the most spectacular and largest guided Sound Meditation Chakras Journey in Destin! – $25 – View

October 8, 2023 – 3rd Annual BrunchFest – View

October 9, 2023 – Call to Artists for the “What’s in the Water” Art Show – $5. – $35 – View

October 11, 2023 – Wednesday Night Concert Series at The Village of Baytowne Wharf – Free – View

October 12, 2023 – Salt Water Music Festival – View

October 12, 2023 – Sip & Paint with Pat Z. Roberts – $30 – $35 – View

October 13, 2023 – Opening Reception for “What’s in the Water” and Halloween Party – Free – View

October 13, 2023 – Italian Night at St. Simons on the Sound Episcopal Church – Donations – View

October 14, 2023 – Golden Paint Sponsored Workshop – $140 – $160 – View

October 14, 2023 – Saturday Outdoor Market – Free – View

October 14, 2023 – Let the good times Boil – Free – $25 – View

October 14, 2023 – Golden Paints 2 Day Workshop – $140 – $160 – View

October 17, 2023 – Driver Safety Class from AARP – – View

October 19, 2023 – Bubbly Baytowne – Free – View

A MESSAGE FROM PEADEN

Changing HVAC filters regularly is vital for home comfort and efficiency 

Remembering to change out your home’s HVAC filters on a regular basis is a simple way to maintain system efficiency and indoor air quality, according to Tony Hicks, Assistant GM & HVAC Service Manager at Peaden.

• “It may seem obvious, but for a lot of people, it’s out of sight, out of mind,” said Hicks. You may get away with it without really noticing through the lighter part of the summer season, but when it gets into the 90s and up, that filter makes a big difference.” 

Hicks explains that Peaden frequently gets calls from homeowners puzzled as to why their system is no longer maintaining the set temperature. “We go over there and it is a dirty filter,” he said. 

A clogged filter forces the HVAC system to “run way harder than it needs to,” Hicks emphasized. The reduced airflow causes a ripple effect of problems. With air restricted, the evaporator coil runs colder than designed, sometimes freezing into a solid block of ice. This not only stops cooling altogether, but as it melts it can lead to water damage in the home.

• Excess moisture introduced into the ductwork also promotes bacteria growth. And in Florida’s humid climate, this can rapidly deteriorate air quality.

The strain of trying to pull air through a dirty filter has other impacts as well.“When your system’s working harder, your amp draws go up and your motor has to pull higher amps to pull that air through your outdoor units,” Hicks explained. 

This increased workload comes at a cost for homeowners. “It just wears out your system much faster,” said Hicks. “Here in Florida, the average lifespan is 8 to 12 years, which is pretty low. So the nicer you can be to your equipment, the more life you can squeeze out on the back end.”

• Of course, the harder an HVAC system works, the more energy it consumes. That translates directly into higher electricity bills. Simply keeping filters clean can have a significant impact on monthly costs.

For homeowners concerned about allergens and dust, high-efficiency filters can help remove more particles. But Hicks cautions that you need to ensure your HVAC system can handle the increased airflow resistance. 

“Knowing if your filter is big enough for the equipment is huge,” he advised. “A common problem in Florida, too, is people will upsize the equipment, but not the air return.”

• Trying to push air through too small of a filter or air return starves the system, replicating the issues of a severely clogged filter.

If adequately sized, thicker pleated filters are a good option. Another solution Hicks recommends is electrostatic filters. “It basically electrifies the filter so all the tiny little microns that you typically breathe in and go right through the filter, they all get magnetized to each other so they can get caught by the filter,” he said.

• While electrostatic filters have a higher upfront cost, the replacement pads are inexpensive. This makes them more affordable long-term while providing superior filtration, according to Hicks.

By changing filters regularly and using the right type and size for your HVAC system, you can maximize performance. Be sure to consult HVAC experts at Peaden to help determine optimal filter selection. A small investment of time and money in maintenance today will pay dividends through improved indoor comfort and energy efficiency for years to come.

For more information on HVAC services from Peaden, visit their website today.

COASTAL RESOURCES

FREE Take-A-Kid Fishing Day at Okaloosa Pier

The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier will host its inaugural Take-A-Kid Fishing Day this Saturday, Oct. 7 starting at 9 a.m. for kids 6-12 years of age.

• The free event aims to teach the next generation of anglers how to fish, according to Eric Brown, general manager of the pier. He said rods, bait, tackle and fishing instruction will be provided by staff and local experts.

Jessica Valek, Coastal Resource Coordinator with the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism Department, said several organizations will have educational activities for children at the event. The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance will teach monofilament recycling, while FWC law enforcement will have a presence on the pier.

Little Adventures and the tourism department’s Coastal Resource Team will educate attendees about local wildlife and how to protect marine life, Valek said. She noted that teaching proper fishing and fish handling techniques is important.

• “They’re going to be learning all of these different fishing techniques, but they’re also going to be learning about our marine and wildlife life in general, and what they can do to help protect them in the future,” Valek said.

Brown said that 90% of the pier’s summer clientele includes both local children and visitors. He wants to teach etiquette along with proper techniques for different species.

“Pier fishing is completely different from being on the shore or from a boat,” he said. “So we’re going to teach them proper pier etiquette, how to fish, and certain tackle used for certain species.”

The free event is sponsored by Half-Hitch Tackle, Pepsi, the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, Visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach, St. Joe’s Shrimp and FWC. More information can be found on the pier’s social media.

No registration is required.