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Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center announced today that it is hosting its annual opioid take back event to raise awareness about the dangers of opioid misuse and proper disposal of medications on Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Called “Crush the Crisis,” the event aligns with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day and invites community members to safely and anonymously dispose of unused or expired prescription medications.
“Opioid addiction is a national health crisis, and it is imperative that we get unused pain medications out of homes where they can easily end up in the wrong hands,” said Dr. Neil Kooy, chief medical officer of Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center. “We invite you to join us for this year’s ‘Crush the Crisis’ to properly dispose of your unused medications and help us in educating the community about the serious threat of opioid misuse.”
Law enforcement officers from the Bay County Sheriff’s Department will be collecting tablets, capsules and patches of Hydrocodone (Norco, Lortab, Vicodin), Oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet), Tramadol (Ultram), Codeine, Fentanyl (Duragesic), Morphine, Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and Oxymorphone (Opana). All medications are accepted, however needles, syringes, lancets, inhalers or liquids will not be accepted. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place at the event, including masking and social distancing.
Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center is participating as part of HCA Healthcare’s third annual national “Crush the Crisis” opioid take back day. In October 2020, 95 HCA Healthcare facilities in 18 states collected 13,523 pounds of unused and expired prescription medications at “Crush the Crisis” events around the country.
“Crush the Crisis” will take place at Gulf Coast Regional Medical Center’s Outpatient Surgery Center at 449 W. 23rd St. Panama City, FL 32405. For more information, visit www.hcahealthcare.com/campaigns/crush-the-crisis or call toll free number at (833) 582-1970.
Panama City Beach, best known for its 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches, bordering emerald-green waters, is pleased to announce an exciting lineup of fall festivals and events for every type of traveler.
“We are thrilled to be hosting events at the Real.Fun.Beach once again and look forward to welcoming visitors this weekend for our annual Pirates of the High Seas Fest ,” says Dan Rowe, President and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “Whether our visitors are families, foodies, bikers or athletes, Panama City Beach’s wide variety of fall events has something for everyone.”
Please see a full list of fall events and festivals below.
Pirates of the High Seas Fest – October 4-10
This Columbus Day weekend, kids of all ages can find their sea legs in Panama City Beach and join in the celebrations of the annual Pirates of the High Seas Fest. Pirate-fans can participate in several online and in person activities, including story-telling videos, downloadable themed crafts, a digital pirate costume contest and even an in-person treasure hunt in Panama City Beach. All participants, both in-person and online, who complete the treasure hunt will be entered for a chance to win a free Panama City Beach getaway for four.
Thunder Beach Fall Motorcycle Rally – October 20-24
The most biker-friendly rally in the country, the four-day Thunder Beach Fall Motorcycle Rally features 200 vendors and exhibitors, a bike parade, beauty pageants, poker runs, live music, motorcycle stunt shows, tattoo contests, bike shows with category judging and much more. Event happenings take place at multiple venues throughout the Panama City Beach area and are free to the public.
Bloody Mary Festival & Golf Tournament – November 5-6
Mark your calendar for the 6th Annual Grand Lagoon Bloody Mary Music Festival & Golf Tournament on the beautiful grounds of Sheraton PCB Golf and Spa Resort. Several area bars and restaurants will compete for the title of “Best Bloody Mary in the Grand Lagoon.” A panel of secret judges will decide who will be crowned the “Big Tomato” and awarded the four-foot, tomato-topped trophy to keep until next year’s event.
Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida – November 6
What began as a challenge between groups of Navy SEALS has become one of the most recognized endurance events in the world. IRONMAN is a statement of excellence, passion and commitment that is a true test of mental and physical toughness. Panama City Beach has proven to have the best combination of temperature and terrain for this competition, making the Florida edition of the challenge one of the most popular races on the circuit.
Emerald Coast Cruzin’ – November 11-13
The bi-annual Emerald Coast Cruzin’ car show at Frank Brown Park is back this fall, it is perfect for families and features thousands of hot rods and classic cars. Events include a swap meet, parade, cruiz-ins, block party and more.
Panama City Beach Food Truck Fest – November 14
Orange Beach Breeze is bringing the Food Truck Fest to Panama City Beach at Aaron Bessant Park. The fest will feature food trucks from all over the panhandle. Visitors can explore one of the many vendors exhibiting and selling gifts, crafts, jewelry, personal care products and much more!
Beach Home for the Holidays – November 26-27 (Thanksgiving Weekend)
A great holiday tradition for the family, locals and visitors can spend Thanksgiving weekend kicking off the most wonderful time of the year at Beach Home for the Holidays, with free holiday concerts at Aaron Bessant Park events like campfires and s’mores, meeting with Santa, a Christmas tree-lighting and more. Award-winning American country music singer Josh Turner will take the stage at the Aaron Bessant Park open-air Amphitheater for the first time on Friday, November 26th. On Saturday night, families will love listening to the live symphonic sounds of local favorite, the Panama City Symphony Orchestra.
Panama City Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K – December 4
Hosted by the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce, guests can run through paradise and alongside award-winning beaches in the annual Marathon, Half- Marathon and 5K. The 26.2-mile race attracts thousands of both residents and visitors to the destination year after year.
New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop – December 31
Panama City Beach may be best known for fun in the sun, but one of Northwest Florida’s most exciting annual events happens after dark: The New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop. Come to Panama City Beach on December 31st to enjoy not one but two great opportunities to welcome in the New Year. The streets of Pier Park are closed off to traffic as thousands of revelers enjoy free live music, entertainment, fireworks, and good cheer.
For general images of Panama City Beach, visit https://bit.ly/2AqNp5g
Visit Panama City Beach is excited to announce that the Holiday Inn Resort will be the official lodging sponsor for the upcoming season of “Chasin’ The Sun.” The award-winning fishing and coastal lifestyle television program highlights the diverse angling, diving and coastal experiences found in and around Panama City Beach. Season seven will premiere in January 2022 and air Saturday mornings on Discovery Channel through June 2022.
“We have worked with Holiday Inn Resort in recent years and are happy to continue this partnership,” says J. Michael Brown, Visit Panama City Beach Vice President of Tourism Development and the show’s Executive Producer. “Not only does every room at the resort overlook Panama City Beach’s world-renowned beaches and emerald green waters featured in every episode; the property’s amenities and grounds make for great on-site filming locations.”
The Holiday Inn Resort is a family-friendly beachfront resort in Panama City Beach, providing a variety of entertainment options and excellent service. Whether guests are looking to relax beach-side or poolside, cruise the new Lazy River, indulge in the spa, stay in shape at the fitness center, enjoy the convenience of on-site dining and lounge options, sign up for kids’ activity programs, play a game of pool or ping pong as a family, kick back to enjoy some live entertainment or a Dive-Inn Movie, this resort has something for everyone to enjoy. Daily live entertainment includes a Polynesian Fire Show as well as nationally recognized musicians and magicians to entertain guests.
“’Chasin’ The Sun’ showcases the very best of Panama City Beach,” says Elise Jetton, Holiday Inn Resort’s Executive Vice President of Marketing. “We are very thankful for this opportunity to showcase Holiday Inn Resort to a national audience on the Discovery Channel and look forward to hosting the show’s guest anglers.”
Produced in partnership with Pinfish Media, all-new new episodes of “Chasin’ The Sun” will air Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Eastern/Pacific and 7:30 a.m. Central. Previous episodes are available for online viewing at ChasinTheSunTV.com and on more than 30 of the most popular digital networks and on-demand platforms, including Amazon Prime, Discovery GO, Fun Roads TV, Roku, Vudu, STIRR and Samsung TV Plus. For more information on “Chasin’ The Sun,” please visit or stay connected via Facebook (@ChasinTheSunFishingShow), Instagram (@ChasinTheSunTV) and YouTube.
Follow Capt. Justin via Facebook (@justinleakePCB) and Instagram (captjustinleake).
For images of “Chasin’ The Sun,” visit https://bit.ly/3ikZjAs.
For images of Panama City Beach, visit https://bit.ly/2Qv6Zmx.
Media Contacts:
Rachael Moss
Lou Hammond Group
843-647-7389
[email protected]
J. Michael Brown / Lacee Rudd
Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
850-233-5070 / 850.233.5070
[email protected]
[email protected]
Panama City Beach, FL — September 29, 2021 — Today, the partners behind Latitude Margaritaville Watersound announced that construction has started on the Town Center. Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is located on Northwest Florida’s gorgeous Emerald Coast near Panama City Beach and the Scenic Highway 30A corridor. It is the third of the incredibly popular, award-winning Latitude Margaritaville communities for those 55 and better who are growing older…but not up.
In April 2021, 13 colorful island-style model homes opened to an overwhelmingly positive response from homebuyers. Planned to be the largest of the laid-back lifestyle communities to date, the initial phase of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is anticipated to include approximately 3,500 homes. Construction on the first phase of homes is in progress.
Phase one Town Center amenities include a dynamic Town Square that features an amphitheater with a thatched roof bandshell, full-size concert stage, jumbo screen for concerts and movies, and special recessed dance floor that provides a little give and spring for dancers.
Dining and refreshment choices will include a two-story Bar & Chill restaurant overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, Changes in Attitude Bar, and Overlook Bar. A state-of-the-art Fins Up! Fitness Center will include an indoor pool and spa. In addition, there will be a lagoon-style Paradise Pool with beach-like entry and Tiki Island.
Additional amenities include tennis and pickleball courts with lighting for night play and a Barkaritaville Dog Park. Future planned amenities include a Workin’ N’ Playin’ Center, Last Mango Theater, Hangar Workshop for golf cart tune ups, and Barkaritaville Pet Spa.
Latitude Margaritaville’s all-new approach to active adult living has captured the imagination of today’s vibrant and active adult home buyers. More than 550,000 are registered as Latitude Margaritaville Paradise Club members to receive ongoing information on the communities.
The Latitude Margaritaville sales center and model homes are open daily. Four distinct home collections, the Conch Cottage Collection, Caribbean Villas Collection, and Beach and Island Collections of single-family homes, capture the “no worries” tropical vibe that defines Latitude Margaritaville. Floor plans range from 1,204 to 2,568 square feet under air with pricing from the mid $200s.
Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is being developed in a dynamic partnership that includes master developer Minto Communities USA (“Minto”), global lifestyle brand Margaritaville Holdings, and The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) (“St. Joe”). Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is the first of the popular communities to be developed in partnership with St. Joe. The first two Latitude Margaritaville communities by partners Minto and Margaritaville are located in Daytona Beach, Florida and near Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Latitude Margaritaville Watersound is located between Pensacola and Panama City, near Panama City Beach, and situated in the heart of St. Joe’s vast Bay-Walton Sector Plan that encompasses approximately 110,500 acres with approximately 15 miles of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway. Just a short drive from the famed Scenic Highway 30-A corridor with its beautiful white-sand beaches, this region is the embodiment of the relaxed, beachy vibe that is at the heart of the Latitude Margaritaville lifestyle.
In addition to the many Latitude Margaritaville amenities, St. Joe has plans for a future full-service public marina and commercial village adjacent to the community. St. Joe also recently announced plans to develop a health care campus just minutes from Latitude Margaritaville Watersound with Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Inc. and Florida State University College of Medicine (FSU). The proposed healthcare campus is planned for an 87-acre parcel near the intersection of State Highway 79 and Phillip Griffitts Sr. Parkway. In addition to a 100-bed inpatient facility, FSU intends to utilize the campus for research focused on successful aging and senior living technology.
The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound sales center is located at 9201 Highway 79, Panama City Beach, Florida. Open daily, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central. For information, call 866-524-0144.
For more information on Latitude Margaritaville and to sign up to receive regular development updates, visit www.LatitudeMargaritaville.com. Follow Latitude Margaritaville on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LatitudeMargaritaville and on Twitter at @LatitudeMville.
NOTE TO EDITOR: Please see link to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound images and captions below.
Image credits: Courtesy Minto Communities.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kuwi0n2bhzc4hwh/AACOJo9gFeyNtUUN85CKGOYaa?dl=0
1. The natural terrain at Latitude Margaritaville Watersound presents a stunning setting with views of the Intracoastal.
2. The Town Center features a Town Square with amphitheater, bandshell, concert stage and jumbo screen.
3. The state-of-the-art Fins Up! Fitness Center plans include an indoor pool and spa.
4. The lagoon-style Paradise Pool will have its own Tiki Island.
5. A planned two-story Latitude Bar & Chill restaurant will overlook amazing views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
6. St. Joe has plans for a full-service public marina and commercial village adjacent to Latitude Margaritaville Watersound.
Media Contacts:
Paula Robertson (for Minto)
Paula Robertson & Associates
239-454-1454
[email protected]
Marek Bakun (for The St. Joe Company)
866-417-7132
[email protected]
Mike Kerrigan (for The St. Joe Company)
850-231-6426
[email protected]
Caroline Andrew (for Margaritaville)
FINN Partners
646-373-2899
[email protected]
Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the anticipated size of the initial phase of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, expectations regarding specific amenities, plans for developments in the adjacent communities and the prospective interest in the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound. These forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by cautionary statements and risk factors set forth in St. Joe’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and subsequent current report filings, as well as the following: (1) the ability of Minto, Margaritaville Holdings and St. Joe to continue to develop and successfully complete the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound community on the expected timeline, or at all, (2) the continued interest of prospective buyers of Latitude Margaritaville Watersound homes, (3) the ability of St. Joe to complete a marina, (4) the ability of St. Joe to complete a commercial village, (5) the ability of St. Joe, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and FSU to develop a healthcare campus and (6) the interest of customers and consumers of these proposed developments.
About Latitude Margaritaville
Latitude Margaritaville is a new portfolio of active adult communities developed by master developer Minto Communities and global lifestyle brand Margaritaville Holdings. Offering resort-style amenities, Latitude Margaritaville is the ideal destination for those looking to live the Margaritaville lifestyle as they grow older, but not up. The communities feature a resort-style pool, fitness center, live entertainment, signature Margaritaville food and beverage concepts, arts and learning programs and more. Ranked the nation’s most popular active adult community of 2018 by 55Places.com and 2019’s Best 55+ Community of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders, Latitude Margaritaville communities are now open in Daytona Beach, Florida, near Hilton Head, South Carolina and in Watersound, Florida located on the Emerald Coast in Florida’s Panhandle. Additional Latitude Margaritaville communities are planned for some of the nation’s most popular destinations.
About Minto Communities
Minto Communities USA, based in Florida since 1978, has represented integrity, financial strength and enduring value for over 40 years. Minto builds exceptional new homes and communities to meet every lifestyle, with more than 29,000 new homes built in 48 communities. Minto is dedicated to continuous improvement in design, quality and customer experience. These are just some of the elements that set Minto apart as an exceptional homebuilder and community developer and have earned the company national recognition that includes consistently high rankings from Eliant Customer Service Surveys. Minto has been recognized with multiple national awards from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for community and home design, including Best Single-Family Community Over 100 Homes for Westlake in the City of Westlake; Best Mixed-Use Community and Best Clubhouse for The Isles of Collier Preserve in Naples, Florida; and Best Clubhouse for the Harbour Isle Beach Club in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida. Minto is also recognized throughout the homebuilding industry as an expert in developing active-adult communities. The NAHB named Minto Communities as 2019’s 55+ Builder of the Year. Minto’s Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach was awarded 55+ Community of the Year for 2019, and Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head was awarded 55+ Community of the Year for 2020.
About Margaritaville
Margaritaville, a state of mind since 1977, is a global lifestyle brand inspired by Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation. Margaritaville features over 20 lodging locations and over 20 additional projects in the pipeline, with nearly half under construction, two gaming properties and over 60 food and beverage venues including signature concepts such as Margaritaville Restaurant, award-winning JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill and LandShark Bar & Grill. More than 20 million travelers every year change their latitude and attitude with a visit to a Margaritaville resort, residential real estate destination, vacation club, vacation home rental or restaurant. Consumers can also escape everyday through a collection of Margaritaville lifestyle products including apparel, footwear, frozen concoction makers, home décor, a satellite radio station and more. For more information on Margaritaville, visit www.margaritaville.com. Follow Margaritaville on Facebook at www.facebook/margaritaville, and on Twitter and Instagram at @Margaritaville.Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville | Official Site Official site for Jimmy Buffett Tour Dates and Margaritaville Restaurants, Hotels, Casinos, Resorts, Vacation Club and Products www.margaritaville.com.
About St. Joe
The St. Joe Company is a real estate development, asset management and operating company with real estate assets and operations in Northwest Florida. The Company intends to use existing assets for residential, hospitality and commercial ventures. St. Joe has significant residential and commercial land-use entitlements. The Company actively seeks higher and better uses for its real estate assets through a range of development activities. More information about the Company can be found on its website at www.joe.com. On a regular basis, the Company releases a video showing progress on projects in development or under construction. See https://www.joe.com/video-gallery for more information.
St Joe Company 2021. “Watersound”, “St. Joe®”, “JOE®”, the “Taking Flight” Design®, “St. Joe (and Taking Flight Design) ®” are registered service marks of The St. Joe Company or its affiliates.
Minto is authorized to use the Latitude Margaritaville name by virtue of a license agreement with Margaritaville.
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., September 27, 2021 – Coming off the largest summer in company history and hosting over 5,000 teams and 250,000 guests this year, Ripken Baseball is excited to announce its 2022 schedule. Known for providing the best baseball experience in youth sports with permanent facilities in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Maryland, Ripken Baseball will embark on their first multi-city tour through their newly added Ripken Select Tournaments. For the first time in more than 20 years, these tournaments will be accessible to baseball teams in multiple markets outside of their own Ripken Baseball facilities.
The Ripken Select Tournaments were first introduced in 2021 at a single location in Round Rock, Texas, through a 60+ team event in partnership mwith Ryan Sanders Sports & Entertainment. Based on demand, the Ripken Select Tournaments will expand next summer to Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and include an additional stop in Texas.
In the inaugural multi-city tour, each Ripken Select Tournament destination keeps in mind the formula that makes The Ripken Experience™ so special. Combining fields and experiences that make every ballplayer feel like a Big Leaguer, destinations packed with countless entertainment options creating lifelong family memories, and a staff that makes you feel at home from the first pitch. The best experience in youth sports will be felt at each Ripken Select Tournament across the country.
“Behind every decision at Ripken Baseball, our focus remains a customer experience first mindset, on and off the field,” explained Mike Kenney, Executive Vice President of Ripken Baseball. “We believe that if we can provide Big League experiences that create lifelong memories to as many players, coaches, and parents as we can, that we’ll be able to help them enjoy and play the game for as long as possible.”
The summer tour will feature five stops from June to July, with each stop having one dedicated week-long event. Although each destination will provide its own unique local market experience and family entertainment options, every tournament will provide a consistent Big-League Experience featuring professional facilities, a tournament appearance by a former Major Leaguer, opening ceremonies and skills competitions, and player announcements & walk-up music to make every at-bat unforgettable.
Ripken Select Tournament Dates:
• June 5 – 10, 2022 – Panama City Beach, Florida; Panama City Beach Sports Complex
• June 12 – 17, 2022 – Gilbert, Arizona; Cactus Yards
• June 19 – 24, 2022 – Mansfield, Texas; Big League Dreams Mansfield
• July 10 – 15, 2022 – Aurora, Illinois; Stuart Sports Complex
• July 17 – 22, 2022 – Round Rock, Texas; Old Settlers Park
Ripken Select Tournaments are part of the company’s innovation strategy to enhance the player and team experience. Just recently the company announced a partnership with LeagueApps as their Official Technology Partner, which will allow them to collaborate in providing best in class solutions for event registration, communication, advanced data security, and future integrations to elevate the player and coach experience. These integrations will look to work with Ripken Baseball’s progressive software partners, including, but not limited to; National Sports ID, the first-ever baseball age verification software to ensure a fair and safe playing field, and RallyUp, a fundraising platform focused on providing unforgettable fundraising experiences and making The Ripken Experience more accessible to current and new teams. Ripken Baseball’s focus to enhance brand partnerships continues with its earlier addition of 3N2 Sports and DOME Headwear as the official apparel brands providing custom high performance baseball apparel for current and future athletes as well as their families.
To learn more about additional 2022 Ripken Select Tournament locations and the latest with Ripken Baseball, visit www.ripkenbaseball.com or give a teammate a call at 410-306-7575 and if you have interest in hosting a Ripken Select Tournament in 2023, please contact [email protected]
About Ripken Baseball
Ripken Baseball brings teammates, coaches and families together through its Big-League Experiences, while teaching the values of the game, and how to play it the right way – the Ripken Way. Ripken Baseball continues to
innovate the game through on-site tournaments, camps and spring training hosted at their state-of-the-art baseball and softball facilities – The Ripken Experience™ Aberdeen (Maryland), The Ripken Experience™ Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), and The Ripken Experience™ Pigeon Forge (Tennessee).
About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering clear, emerald-green waters where the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew Bay converge. With 320 days of sunshine annually and attractions
such as St. Andrews State Park and Pier Park, the region has long been favored by travelers seeking an affordable beach vacation with year-round offerings for families, couples, groups and adventure-seekers. These include championship golf courses, spas, sporting events, award-winning dining and diverse recreational activities. In addition, Panama City Beach’s Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport offers non-stop flights on Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. For more information, call 850-233-5070 or visit the official website of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com. Live HD video of the world-famous beach is now available at http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/webcam/. Stay connected with Panama City Beach on Twitter (@Visit_PCB), Instagram (@Visit_PCB) and Facebook (@Visit_PCB).
Media Contacts
Michael Booini / Chris O’Brien
Panama City Beach Sports Complex / Visit Panama City Beach
(850) 588-4902 / 850-890-7738
[email protected] [email protected]
Lynn Haven, FL – The City of Lynn Haven is proud to announce the Opening Day for our Fall Ball 2021 for Baseball and Softball Youth Leagues on Saturday, October 2nd, at Cain Griffin Park, located at 616 E. 17th Street, Lynn Haven, FL. The Opening Ceremony will begin at 9:30 AM and games will be going on throughout the day.
The Opening Ceremony will include fun games and activities for all ages, sweet treats, and face painting. Concessions will be open to purchase snacks and drinks. We encourage everyone to come out and celebrate this exciting day with us!
Mayor Jesse Nelson will throw out the first pitch to get the season underway. Although Lynn Haven has 19 teams registered, T-Ball and 8U are the only Lynn Haven leagues, while the other Baseball and Softball teams will be participating in interleague play with Southport, Highland Park, and Callaway leagues.
Community Services Director, Ty Farris commented, “This is our first Fall season since the rebuild of Cain Griffin Sports Park and we are thrilled to see our participation numbers exceed those of our Spring season. With the rebuild of the Lynn Haven Sports Complex soon to be underway, Lynn Haven is on its way back to being one of the premier youth league facilities in Bay County.”
For more information on this Opening Day, please contact the Sports & Recreation Department at 850.788.2357 or [email protected], or visit our Facebook page or website at www.cityoflynnhaven.com.
Local physician is newest addition to Dermatology Specialists of Florida
(Panama City, FL) August 2021 – Jon Ward, MD and Michael Stickler, MD, co-owners of Dermatology Specialists of Florida are pleased to announce that Haley Lewis, D.O. has joined their practice and will be seeing patients at their Panama City, Panama City Beach and Marianna, Florida office locations beginning in September 2021.
“I am very excited to welcome Dr. Lewis to my practice,” said Dr. Jon Ward “She worked as a medical assistant for us before deciding to go to medical school and we always hoped she would return here to practice medicine. She is going to be a great fit to our team and an asset to the community.”
Dr. Lewis earned her medical degree at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Dothan completing her residency in dermatology at Goodman Dermatology in Atlanta, Georgia. She also holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Colleges of Public Health & Health Professions and a Bachelor of Science degree both from the University of Florida. While in her residency Haley also co-authored several articles, one of which has been published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information and another presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s Spring conference.
Dr. Lewis’s areas of expertise include providing comprehensive skin exams and educating her patients on the importance of getting an annual skin exam to catch skin cancer early, performing traditional and laser surgery, working with patients to help diagnose and treat many of the common and not so common skin conditions and diseases we see here at Dermatology Specialists of Florida. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
Dr. Lewis is thrilled to be returning to Bay County Florida to practice medicine. “As a Bay County native, I feel privileged and honored to care for the skincare needs of the community that raised me and helped me to become the doctor I am today.” commented Dr. Lewis.
For more information on the practice or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Haley Lewis, please visit www.MyDermSpecialists.com or call 850.233.3376.
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MEDIA CONACT:
Harmony Nagy, Director of Marketing
[email protected]
850.252.4423, office
850.851.8451, cell
Bringing together locals and vacationers, plus golfers of all abilities, for a golf tournament is something that Ryan Mulvey, PGA, General Manager of Bay Point Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Fla., had wanted to do for a while.
He finally got the chance and took advantage of the opportunity this summer after new ownership took over the property, where Mulvey had worked from 2014 until 2019 and then returned to in April. Forty-eight players in four flights took part in the inaugural PCB Golf Championship, which was held on Bay Point’s Nicklaus Course from July 31 to August 1.
“Our area is a huge vacation-tourism area, and we do a lot of charity scrambles,” says Mulvey. “But there aren’t a lot of stroke-play events in the Florida panhandle. We wanted to offer locals and vacationers a chance to play in a stroke-play tournament.”
The inaugural PCB Golf Championship had four flights—championship; “super senior” for golfers 65 and up; senior for players 55 and older; and open for those under 55 who didn’t want to play in the championship flight. Winners of each flights received $300 golf shop credits in addition to trophies. The tournament had four flights—championship; open for people who didn’t want to play in the championship flight and didn’t qualify for the other flights; senior, for players age 55 and older; and “super senior,” for golfers age 65 and up. The championship flight had 16 players; the open flight drew 15 players; the senior flight attracted six players; and the super-senior flight included 11 players. The championship flight was a gross scoring event, which counted strokes only and did not include handicaps. Catering to other groups, the remaining flights featured gross and net scoring, which subtracts handicaps.
“You didn’t have to be a scratch golfer,” Mulvey says. “You just needed to play to your handicap.”
Quick Response- Bay Point, which holds 60 to 70 tournaments a year, started putting the PCB Golf Championship together on June 1st, and almost 50 people signed up in 45 days. The property contacted the Georgia State Golf Association to recruit players by sending e-mails to everyone in its database. Bay Point also promoted the event through social media, e-blasts, publications, and radio spots. The tournament drew a mix of locals and vacationers, and the amateur golfers ranged in age from 17 years old to their early 80s. Many players came from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, and one even came from Minnesota to participate.
The $250 entry fee included a players reception, two rounds of golf, an optional practice round, lunch and drinks both days, tee gifts, prizes, and trophies.
Getting three event sponsors, including the Roofing & Reconstruction Contractors of America as the title sponsor, was key to the tournament’s success, Mulvey says. Lining them up early in the process helped to keep the entry fee affordable and gave the golfers “the biggest bang for their buck,” he notes.
The property was also able to donate $4,500 to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships to children and spouses of fallen and disabled military members. The Florida panhandle has a strong military presence, notes Mulvey, and Bay Point has worked with the organization previously to raise between $15,000 and $20,000.
A Plus for the Team – While the Florida panhandle “is a huge vacation-tourism area, there aren’t a lot of stroke-play events,” says Ryan Mulvey, Bay Point GC’s General Manager. “We wanted to offer locals and vacationers a chance to play in a stroke-play tournament.” The inaugural PCB Championship drew players from throughout the Southeast and as far away as Texas and Minnesota, ranging in age from 17 to their early 80s. “All of the people who had never played here before came because of the tournament,” says Mulvey
The tournament also gave Bay Point staff members a chance to showcase their skills. Bay Point’s chefs prepared food for the event, Mulvey says, and “the grounds crew had the golf course in fantastic shape.”
“It allowed the golf course to really show off our course-and-grounds team and see where the course stacks up against golfers of all ages and abilities,” he adds.
The winners of each flight received a $300 credit to use in the golf shop. “The gross winner in each flight got a pretty nice trophy,” Mulvey adds.
Bay Point’s Nicklaus course gets a lot of play from March through May and also September through November, Mulvey says, and he plans to have the PCB Golf Championship the same time next year, to once again fill in the gap.
“I want to do it during vacation season,” he says. “There are not many charity events during the summer. It was right before kids went back to school. It was the final hurrah of the summer.”
The timing also worked well because the maintenance staff started to aerate the golf course the day after the tournament ended.
Plans to Expand- Lining up three event sponsors was a key to the inaugural tournament’s success. More gains are expected next year and beyond by starting the marketing process earlier, enlisting the help of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, and promoting a women’s flight.
“Next year we’ll be able to market further out—at least six months ahead of time,” notes Mulvey. “We do so many golf tournaments that we’re a pretty well-oiled machine.”
In addition, he says, the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau plans to get involved next year to help market the event. While Mulvey had hoped to have a female flight in this year’s tournament, no women signed up. Next year, however, the resort plans to contact competitive female golf organizations in the panhandle and capitalize on its relationship with Florida State University to attract women collegiate golfers. An earlier start with marketing efforts will help attract women as well, Mulvey believes.
A tournament with the same format could even help public facilities that are not located in a resort area introduce golfers to their properties, Mulvey believes. “The more you can do to draw people, the better,” he says.
Bay Point surveyed the tournament golfers on the first tee, asking them if they had played at the resort before. While 75% of them had played there previously, 25% were new to the course.
“All of the people who had never played here before came because of the tournament,” says Mulvey.
Article Credit/Source: https://clubandresortbusiness.com/bay-point-gc-tournament-appeals-to-golfers-of-all-abilities/?spMailingID=53407&puid=1282490&E=1282490&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=53407
Girls Inc. of Bay County is pleased to announce that Stacey S. Torch has been named the organization’s new Executive Director. Stacey brings with her years of experience and leadership, having most recently served as the Principal of Torch Communications, a firm specializing in strategic analysis, marketing communications, and freelance journalism. Her work has been featured on WBHM National Public Radio, al.com, and in Birmingham Magazine. During her career, Stacey has served as the CEO of Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, was the first Administrator for the University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Exercise Medicine, and was appointed the business liaison for the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce during the Centennial Olympic Games. She has also worked in community development with the Savannah Chamber of Commerce and was the Executive Director of the Camden Clark Foundation in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
“We are very fortunate to have Stacey join Girls Inc. of Bay County. We are confident her experience and knowledge will strengthen our organization as we look to the future. Her dedication to our mission is evident and she will no doubt lead our organization to great things as well as empower our girls to be strong, smart and bold,” stated Board President Beverly Shean.
Stacey is a first-generation college student and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Arts from Georgia State University. To compliment her formal education, she has been trained in the art of fundraising for nonprofit organizations, is a graduate of the Momentum Leadership Program, and a former board member of Alabama Possible. Stacey is married and the proud mother of two college-aged daughters.
“Empowering girls is a mission I strongly believe in and I’m very excited about the opportunity to join the Bay County team. I enjoyed working with Girls Inc. previously and look forward to getting to know the Panama City community and all of the valuable partners who support our girls.” Torch stated.
Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy. By providing mentoring relationships, safe spaces, and evidence-based programming to girls ages 6-18, they help girls succeed! For more information regarding the organization or to contact Stacey, please visit girlsincofbaycounty.org.
Visit Panama City Beach is pleased to announce the launch of a new beautification and beach responsible campaign with non-profit Keep PCB Beautiful. In partnership with the Tourist Development Council, Visit Panama City Beach and the St. Joe Company, this project is a continued effort to create a more sustainable destination for both visitors and residents alike.
“Keep PCB Beautiful was born from a vision of 12 people who came together to pursue a common passion for the beauty of the Gulf of Mexico and the incredible beaches of Panama City Beach,” states Dan Rowe, Visit Panama City Beach president and CEO. “This special area is beloved by many and maintaining a safe, beautiful beach will ensure our loyal visitors return to The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches year after year.”
The goal of this campaign is to inspire beachgoers to take care of their natural environments by clearing the beaches of litter. The Tourism Development Council will match $5,000 in donations to be used for programming and digital billboards, while the $10,000 St. Joe Grant from the St. Joe Company will help fund the campaign.
For more information or to donate to Keep PCB Beautiful, visit www.keeppcbbeautiful.org.