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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 

88 Locale.indd   1

3/29/19   10:12 AM