Our South Walton Fire District (SWFD) is a unique organization, well run by dedicated, professional folks. We who live and visit here should feel fortunate to have their life-saving services.
Since being elected to the South Walton Fire District board in April, I have had the good fortune to see the inner workings and meet many of the great people who run the organization.
What is SoWal?
The word SoWal (prounounced So-Wall) is an abbreviation for South Walton and is used when referring to the Florida panhandle beach communities of South Walton County on the Emerald Coast between Destin and Panama City Beach.
After years of sailing to exotic ports of call throughout the Caribbean, Virgin Islands, Aruba, St, Bart’s, the Bahamas, Panama, and Central America, Wendy Mignot and her husband, Jean-Noel, eventually settled in Seaside and opened La Vie Est Belle to showcase her handmade leather and pearls jewelry.
When a flood damaged Wendy’s store last December, she embraced it as an opportunity for growth and brought e-commerce maven Claire Moss on board. Now the SoWal style icon has big plans for the future.
Following the successful launch of 3D print in six markets across the country, The UPS Store is expanding 3D printing services to meet the growing demands of Santa Rosa Beach, Destin and Fort Walton small business owners. The UPS Store at WaterColor Crossings is among nearly 100 additional locations nationwide adding the service to its small business solutions.
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) donated $2.035 million to 12 Northwest Florida children's and other charities on Sept. 23 at a private ceremony at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville in Destin, marking the Foundation’s largest charitable distribution to date.
New Chef de Cuisine, Shaun O’Brien and Restaurant Manager, Kyle Davis have their sights set on making WaterColor restaurant Fish Out of Water a ‘foodie destination’ across the South.
O’Brien, who joined the restaurant’s kitchen team earlier this year after winning countless trophies and awards at Sandestin’s Bistro Bijoux, has now been appointed Chef de Cuisine.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has achieved the status of #1 Hotel in Destin by U.S. News & World Report in its 2014 rankings.
“We've ranked the top hotels in Destin based on an unbiased analysis of awards, expert recommendations and user ratings,” U.S. News & World Report stated. “Out of 144 hotels, one property — Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort — stands out for exceptional quality.”
George’s at Alys Beach, Ann and George Hartley’s casual dining spot on Florida’s scenic Highway 30A, warmly welcomes Darek Tidwell as executive chef. Tidwell, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), will oversee all kitchen operations and introduce a new menu that elevates George’s regional coastal fare while preserving the staples loyal guests have come to know and love.
The St. Joe Company, Northwest Florida’s leading residential and commercial property developer, and The St. Joe Community Foundation have signed an agreement with The Humane Society of the United States, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and Freeport based Nokuse Plantation to support the relocation and rehabilitation of the Gopher Tortoise, one of Florida’s threatened species.
St. Joe Club & Resorts is now managing The Pearl, a 55-room luxury resort hotel in Rosemary Beach, Florida. Located along the Emerald Coast's famed 30-A corridor, the boutique hotel boasts a restaurant, a poolside bar and dining area, a full-service spa, swimming pool, dedicated beach, and meeting and event space.
