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8th Annual Gumbo Throwdown
Raises $6,752.43 for Fresh Start
On Thursday, March 7, LPL Financial
located at First City Bank hosted their 8th
Annual Gumbo Throwdown at the bank’s
Fort Walton Beach location, raising $6,752.43
for Fresh Start for Children and Families,
a local nonprofi t organization dedicated to
helping families achieve long-term self-
suffi ciency through a nine-month residential
educational program.
The event drew a crowd of over 400
attendees to sample endless tastes of gumbo
from various local restaurants. Guests
enjoyed live music by Hurricane Donny &
Marshall Jones, beignets provided by Good
Things Doughnuts, a commemorative
photobooth from Epic Photo Co., and
complimentary beer and wine. Upon check-
in, guests received a token in order to vote for
the coveted People’s Choice Awards for the
Best Gumbo Along the Emerald Coast. The
following winners were chosen by event goers:
1st Place People’s Choice Award – AJ’s
Seafood & Oyster Barπ
2nd Place People’s Choice Award – Fort
Walton Yacht Club
3rd Place People’s Choice Award – SunQuest
Cruises
A panel of select food critics and local
celebrities judged each gumbo and selected
the following winner for the most delicious
and most creative:
Judge’s Award – Signature Catering of 30A
Children’s Volunteer Health
Network Announces 3rd Annual
Smile Mile and 5K Presented by St.
Joe Community Foundation
Children’s Volunteer Health Network
(CVHN) is excited to announce the 3rd
Annual Smile Mile and 5K race on Saturday,
May 11, presented by St. Joe Community
Foundation. This year, the 5k course will take
participants through the canopied roads of the
beautiful WaterColor community.
“The growth of this race over the past few
years has been really inspiring to watch,” said
Mike Gavigan, race chair and board member
of CVHN. “This year, we are hoping for
600 racers and encourage local families and
visitors to join us to support this amazing
nonprofi t.”
This CVHN signature event is fun for
all ages, stroller-friendly, and will help
raise funds that will be used to improve the
health and well-being of kids in Walton
and Okaloosa Counties. With more than 20
percent of children in both counties living
below the poverty level, CVHN is a safety
net for children who would otherwise have
nowhere to turn for medical, dental and vision
care.
Medals will be given for the fastest runners
based on age groups and 2 grand prizes will be
awarded for the largest registered team along
with the team that brings in the most money.
Registration is now open at www.cvhnkids.
org.
All proceeds from this event will support
programs at Children’s Volunteer Health
Network, which spends 94 cents of every
dollar raised to help local children. CVHN
has two main programs: the CVHN Dental
Clinic located in Santa Rosa Beach and a
Mobile Dental Clinic that visits elementary
schools and local charities.
New Dune Walk at Gulfarium
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park has
opened their new Dune Walk to the public.
The new 551ft feature wraps around
the west side of the property and provides
breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico
while giving guests the opportunity to learn
about the importance of dunes in the coastal
ecosystem.
The Dune Walk offers an exciting new
perspective of multiple exhibits at the
Gulfarium, including Dune Lagoon, Fort
Gator and The Bayou. Not only can guests
now view some of their favorite exhibits from
a new angle, there is also a new box turtle
exhibit to enjoy.
“We are very excited to open our new Dune
Walk and highlight the importance of coastal
dune lakes,” says Patrick Berry, Gulfarium’s
Director. “These lakes are unique
geographical features, found only in a handful
of areas, including right here in Northwest
Florida! Many endangered species, including
sea turtles and beach mice, use dune lakes for
nesting and shelter, making them an essential
part of the environment.”
The north and south entrances of the Dune
Walk are wheelchair accessible so that the new
area can be enjoyed by all visitors.
Mark Dutram, Vice President of LPL Financial at First City
Bank; Mary Wilson, Executive Director of Fresh Start for
Children and Families; and Jonathan Slater, Wealth Advisor of
LPL Financial at First City Bank
Photo by Land • Air • Sea Productions
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