letter from the publisher
PUBLISHER
GREG ALEXANDER
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
VERLA PRICE
MANAGING EDITOR
STEVE BARBER
PRODUCTION EDITOR
JESSICA GRAÑA
ADVERTISING
BETH MANGUM
ELIZABETH NETHERLAND
SENIOR DESIGNER
PRISCILLA ATKINS
DESIGNER
SHEILA MACDIARMID
CONTRIBUTING
WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS
JEN DEEB
ZHALMAN HARRIS
COURTNEY MURRAY
LIESEL SCHMIDT
VIP FOUNDER
JEFF WATSON
FOUNDER-DESTIN MAGAZINE
LINDA CHRISTIANSEN
VIP DESTIN MAGAZINE
EVENTS@VIPDESTINMAGAZINE.COM
INFO@VIPDESTINMAGAZINE.COM
WWW.VIPDESTINMAGAZINE.COM
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/VIPDESTINMAGAZINE
VOLUME XIV • ISSUE 10
12 | VIPDestinMagazine.com
As summer fades and fall begins, we say goodbye
to the long days of summer and eagerly look forward
to signature autumn events along the Emerald
Coast. Cultural activities, fun festivals, lecture
series, athletic events… There’s always something
happening on our sugar-white shores, and there’s
something for everyone. Here’s what’s up on the
Emerald Coast… October kicks off with a month-
long 70
th
Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo, 11
th
Annual
Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest and the 23
rd
Annual
MKAF Festival of the Arts, just to name a few.
Not to be forgotten are the new events like the 4
th
Annual Bloody Mary Festival, Cantina Golf Classic,
and 2
nd
Harvest Wine & Food Festival. Traditions
and annual events are what makes our unique town
familiar to our locals and visitors alike. Our October
Issue celebrates History and Heritage in The World’s
Luckiest Fishing Village.
Families are creating new memories and love coming to the Emerald Coast,
especially with the new tradition of spending not only Spring Break and
Summer Vacation but also Fall Break. We are sharing some family memories
with a special feature on local Family Businesses. Many of our advertisers are
family businesses; be sure to check out Dixielectricar, Randy Wise Homes,
Hebert’s Specialty Meats, and Sandestin Beach Golf Resort family features.
Destin Quarters reminds us of early celebrity in Destin with a visit to
The Preserve Penthouse, built over 35 years ago with a guest list of visitors
including Bob Hope, Sammy Davis, Jr, and President George H. W. Bush.
We continue with History and Heritage as you read
Coastal Cuisine to explore
Seagar’s Prime Steak’s & Seafood with a tradition of 20 years of awards while
Adventure Out discovers Arnett’s Gulfside Farm & Stables, a popular family
business which offers a unique venue for concerts, events, and weddings, as
well as horseback riding in South Walton.
It’s Best In Destin nomination time and we are excited to introduce our new
two phase ballot process which includes nominations from October 1 – 21 and
fi nal voting from November 12 - 30. Good Luck and be sure to nominate your
favorites from South Walton to Destin to Fort Walton Beach.
I Am Destin completes our History and Heritage issue with a spotlight on
Destin Mayor Gary Jarvis who celebrates a long history as Captain of the Back
Down
2
Charter Boat.
We are happy to bring you Destin’s fi rst monthly social magazine. Take time
to enjoy the change in season, get out and enjoy all the Autumn events our area
has to offer while creating your own traditions with your loved ones. Enjoy
your October issue of
VIP Destin Magazine…and we look forward to seeing
you again next month.
photo by Steve Mangum
Steve Barber
Editor
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