64 | VIPDestinMagazine.com
The SWCC Opens Registration For
Spring Season, Invites Community
To Open House
The South Walton Children’s Chorus, or
SWCC, has opened registration to music-
loving children between the ages of 9 and 13
for its Spring season. The program provides
children in the area with an opportunity to
learn music fundamentals, like reading music,
and build their vocal ability and strength
all the while developing lasting friendships,
greater social skills and confi dence.
“The arts, and music in general, are
extremely important to any community.
In particular to this area, we need more
opportunities for kids to get involved
in music,” Director Kara Bishop said.
“Music brings people together in tragedy
and in celebration. It adds so much to our
community, making it unique and special.”
Now entering its fi fth season under the
direction of internationally acclaimed opera
singer Kara Bishop, this program continues to
grow. It originally began just over a year ago
with just seven students, but it now boasts
more than 30 children and continues to be
invited to perform at elite events, such as the
Henderson Tree Lighting.
“We would love to continue this excitement
for music education,” Bishop said. “I’d like to
see our children’s chorus grow to more than
50 members.”
“Our incredible patrons make this
program possible,” said Bishop. “With the
community’s support, we’re able to provide
scholarships and purchase all the necessary
components to keep this program running
properly.”
For more information on the SWCC or to
learn how to register, visit its Facebook page
or contact info@thehivecreativeconsulting.
com.
The St. Joe And Watercrest Senior
Living Group, LLC Tannounced
New Joint Venture To Construct
The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) (“St.
Joe”) and Watercrest Senior Living Group,
LLC (“Watercrest”) today announced their
intent to pursue formation of a joint venture
to construct and own a new assisted living
and memory care community in Santa Rosa
Beach, FL. The community is currently
expected to consist of 107 units, which
includes 75 units dedicated to assisted living
and 32 units for memory care. The new senior
living community will be located off West
Hewett Road, near Highway 98 and the west
end of Highway 30A, on St. Joe land. The
parties expect that while St. Joe will be the
majority owner in the project, Watercrest will
manage community operations.
Watercrest communities are known for
featuring premium accommodations and
exceptional amenities and world-class care.
Residents enjoy access to a wide array of
resort-style amenities, which may include
fi ne dining venues, pool, spa, wellness
programming with aquatic therapy, and
health education.
“We are excited to announce this senior
living project with a best in class partner
like Watercrest,” said Jorge Gonzalez,
President and Chief Executive Offi cer of
The St. Joe Company. Mr. Gonzalez added,
“Watercrest has a unique approach and
platinum standards, which we believe truly
set its communities apart. We look forward to
forming a great partnership and serving the
growing demand of senior care in Northwest
Florida.”
Construction of the new Watercrest
community is expected to begin in 2019,
and the parties anticipate welcoming new
residents by the end of 2020.
State Farm grants $3,000 to
BGCEC Money Matters Program
To fund the Fort Walton Beach Boys &
Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Teen
Center’s Money Matters Program, State Farm
Insurance has granted the Club $3,000 to
help promote fi nancial stability among teens
by building their basic money management
skills.
“We’ve partnered with independent State
Farm agencies before, but we’re thrilled to
have this kind of support from this incredible,
large organization,” said CEO of the Boys
& Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Shervin
Rassa. “It’s an incredible investment into
these teens’ futures.”
The Money Matters Program was created
by the Boys & Girls Clubs to provide
behavior-changing fi nancial education
to help teens on a path toward budgeting,
saving, planning for college and fi nancial
freedom. Comprised of fi ve core units--
Budgeting & Living Within Your Means,
Saving & Investing, Planning for College,
Credit & Debit and Entrepreneurship-- this
program gives teens a real-world perspective
on money, reaching them at a time where their
behavior as earners, spenders and savers can
be infl uenced.
“In 2017, we had nearly 300 teens
participate in the Money Matters Program,”
said Rassa. “And 57 percent saw an increase
in their test scores.”
For more information about the Boys
& Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast and
the Money Matters Program, visit www.
emeraldcoastbgc.org
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