Business

Food For Thought Outreach, Inc. recently announced that Trustmark Bank, of Okaloosa and Walton Counties, recently raised and donated $2,115.86 to the organization. Trustmark Bank ran a fundraising campaign to support Food For Thought for the entire month of June.  Lenny's Sub Shop in Destin and Wing Stop in Destin also helped and contributed to the bank branches’ efforts by offering discounts and free food coupons for anyone that donated at least $5 dollars to the campaign.

Wyndham Vacation Rentals has announced that ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals launched a Local’s Loyalty Program to reward local residents for their hospitality in welcoming thousands of tourists to the Gulf Coast each year.
 

The Ballots have been counted as Emerald Coast Magazine and the Junior League of the Emerald Coast eagerly prepare for the 2013 “Best Of the Emerald Coast” (BOEC) Event.  Each year readers of Emerald Coast Magazine cast votes for the “Best of the Emerald Coast” to choose the finest food, services, and places our region has to offer.  BOEC is an event showcasing the area's best of the best as voted by readers of Emerald Coast Magazine. Winners will be honored at the annual “Best Of” awards ceremony a week prior to the event.
 

Do you know the next award winner? Are YOU the next award winner? Tourism in South Walton succeeds through the efforts of dedicated, enthusiastic and innovative people. The Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award, now entering its eleventh year, recognizes an outstanding individual who has made significant contributions to tourism in Walton County while working with other community businesses or organizations to enhance South Walton’s standing as an upscale travel destination. Please consider nominating yourself or someone you know.

Salon Twist is one of SoWal's most successful businesses, and for the third year in a row has been named one of the Top 100 salons in the U.S. by Elle Magazine in the August 2013 issue. Salon Twist is joined on the list by only four other salons in Florida, three in Miami and one in Ft. Lauderdale.

The Volunteer Guild at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast recently presented a $67,600 donation to the hospital in support of a variety of patient care initiatives. Each year, the Volunteer Guild invites hospital department managers to apply for one of the Volunteer Guild’s special capital sponsorships to enhance patient care, resulting in new equipment, software upgrades and customer service projects.
 

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the 2,400-acre resort on Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast, was recently named the No. 1 destination on Huffington Post's top "Travel Destinations with Kids."

Just behind the large commercial buildings in the town of Gulf Place, a group of diverse South Walton artists have created a fun and funky collection of small shops. Dwight Ward started The Artists at Gulf Place in 1999 and it's become a magnet for locals and beach visitors ever since.

The artists in the group are quite diverse, with eclectic creations and products, displaying unique styles, so consider it a guarantee that there is a little something for every shopper.

The latest real estate statistics for South Walton show continued improvement – sales are up, prices are up, inventory is lower – the number of real estate sales in South Walton are up for the 12th straight month.

The South Walton Real Estate Report for June 2013 is produced by Florida REALTORS® and provided by the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors® (ECAR).

The Perfect Pig is a delightful café and gourmet market on the curve in Seagrove Beach at the Shops of Grand Isle - excellent breakfast, lunch, and dinner not to be missed! The South of France meets Napa Valley meets the Deep South in this adorable café. The hand-sliced bacon and ham, the homemade sauces and biscuits, and cheese smothering it all - create the perfect meal. It’s comfortable, family-friendly, and has outdoor seating.