THE WORLD’S LUCKIEST FISHING VILLAGE PRSRT STD ECRWSS - EDDM ocals U.S. POSTAGE PAID L Santa Rosa Beach, FL get it! PERMIT NO. #11 DECEMBER 2019 Postal Customer Local VOL. 2, NO. 5 DESTIN Did You Know Special Olympics Florida Breakfast | Lunch | Coffee Was Born Locally? 985 Highway 98 E, Destin (850) 353-2232 Celebrating 50 Years, 1969-2019 Catering & Meeting Space Available Keto, Vegan & Low Carb Friendly BY LORI LEATH SMITH JustLoveCoffeeCafe.com/Destin Meet our Hometown See p. 47 for special offer! Hero, local Special Olympics Florida founder Charlie Mc- Farland, who has something in common with Eunice Ken- Destin’s Boats nedy Shriver, iconic Special Olympics national founder. Like Eunice, Charlie believes “Deck the in the spirit and souls of those who have special needs. Even Bows” though Charlie passed the baton to current Director Pa- mela Sparks, another Home- town Hero, for 40 years he committed himself to helping our local athletes pursue their dreams. Charlie remembers when it all began: In 1968, 20 students 33rd Annual Holiday on the from Silver Sands School in 250 athletes from through- founded in 1968. Since then, Special Olympics became Fort Walton Beach attended a out Florida participated. Two Okaloosa County has sent summer and winter, and then Harbor Lighted Boat Parade! national special needs athletic months later a state team of delegates to USA, National year-round.” The first Florida BY LORI LEATH SMITH competition established by the 50 Florida athletes, along with and World Games. “At first,” Winter Games were hosted in In most places, it’s “Deck the Kennedy Foundation. By May 950 additional athletes from says Charlie, “all games were Fort Walton Beach by Eglin Halls,” but for Destin locals, it’s 1970, with still no organized the U.S. and Canada, traveled held at one time each year. Air Force Base. “Deck the Bows” with the Holiday sports for special needs ath- to the first Special Olympics But, later, due to the increase on the Harbor Boat Parade, where letes in our area, a state game competition held at Chicago’s in the number of participants was held in Ft. Walton Beach Soldier Field, the national and the desire for the athletes OLYMPICS through the Foundation and Special Olympics birthplace to compete in different sports, continued on page 2 BOAT PARADE continued on page 28 Experience You Can Trust • The Locals’ Real Estate Pro MaryCCIM, CRB, CRS, GRI, RRS, Anne e-PRO. Windes www.Destin-Real-Estate.com | 210A Harbor Blvd. | 850.837.2211 Page 2 Destin Life www.mydestinlife.com December 2019 Community OLYMPICS equipment, transportation, food continued from page 1 and lodging,” says Pamela. “Locally we’re not government “In 1985, there was an ath- funded; we depend on individ- lete that wanted to participate ual and corporate contributions in winter games. So, we went to and fundraising; so, every dollar Boone, N.C., and he won a gold matters and volunteers are vital medal in Alpine Skiing! He had as we have no paid staff.” One never skied before, yet won the way you can help is by ringing gold!” chuckled Charlie. “In the Mickey Mantle in the New Year with live mu- early days, we had some celeb- sic, the tribute band of Journey rities, such the vocal band Ala- and Bon Jovi, Dec. 31, at Village bama, Reba McEntire, Mickey Door Music Hall at Seascape Mantle and others who assisted as casino tables and dealers are me with funding to help Special Pictured left to right: 16 time medalist, athlete and Athlete Leader brought in from Mississippi! - Chase Sparks; Okaloosa County Director, Special Olympics Florida - Olympics get started here,” says The party begins at 8 p.m. with Charlie. “We also have the only Pamela Sparks; Father of Florida Special Olympics, first County Coordi- nator - Charlie McFarland; Athlete Leader and Medalist Patrick Rosser. welcome drink, buffet, $1000 in non-military flag in the world chips, poker tables from 8 - 11 that has flown into space aboard p.m. and, of course, a midnight the space shuttle Discovery in Charlie McFarland and Reba McEntire champagne toast! Tickets are 1985!” $99 per person. Purchase at Vil- Pamela’s initial participation lageDoorMusicHall.com. 100% with Special Olympics was as a raised benefits Special Olympics “Fan in the Stands” as her son, Florida. Sponsorship and door Chase (now a 16-time medalist) prizes are needed. and his teammates participated “Fifty years ago, few knew in Special Olympics basketball the potential hiding within peo- through Silver Sands School ple with intellectual disabilities,” in 2005. As her passion for the says Pamela. “Today, our com- athletes grew, Pamela felt led to Alabama with Charlie McFarland munity can witness our athletes leave her six-figure profession thriving, not only on the playing in 2016 and accept the offer field, but also throughout the as Okaloosa County Director Special Olympics Florida - Okaloosa County provides community. We challenge you to to give the athletes a voice and help us as we continue to grow grow the program. What’s most year-round sports training and competition to children and the number of athletes, strive to important to her is the athletes’ provide the highest quality pro- quality of life. “Sports is sec- adults with and without intellec- tual disabilities, at no cost to the grams and create a more inclu- ondary,” she says. “It’s really all sionary world.” Please contact about their health and wellness. athlete nor the unified partner. “Locally we offer 18 different Pamela at (850) 264-9901 or Special Olympics Florida is a visit specialolympicsokaloosa. community where everyone has sports to athletes ages 8 and up helping to develop their fine and org for more information or to the lifelong opportunity to devel- become a sponsor for the New gross motor skills, showcase their never age out,” says Pamela. of training and three levels of op physically, socially and emo- Year’s event. tionally through sports, wellness talents and help achieve physical Local athlete, Ann James, age competition: County, Area and and leadership training.” fitness—the best of all—athletes 61, won her first Gold Medal State Games. in 1969 (age 11) in S.C. and 50 Statewide, the program serves years later she just won another over 54,000 athletes including Gold Medal at State Swim this Unified partner and Young Ath- DESTIN New Year’s Eve past October. “Special Olym- letes and Okaloosa County is a Published Monthly pics is their life! With multiple great contributor to that growth. Mailed FREE to the communities teams per sport, it’s not one Included in our local area are of Destin, FL (32541) Extravaganza event, but sports, games and students, unified partners and competitions that occur almost athletes from several local area P.O. Box 1424 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 ONE BAND 365 days a year,” Pamela says. middle schools and high schools. “And research shows athletes The Stem Academy offers Pre- Editor & Publisher TWO achieve better academics, gain KD for the Young athlete pro- Lori Leath Smith INCREDIBLE self-esteem and life skills neces- gram (YAP) ages 2-7. [email protected] TRIBUTES sary to be productive, respected In summer of 2022, Disney Director, Advertising Sales and contributing members of World will officially host the Scott Miller $99 Ticket includes: Poker Tables from our community with increased 2022 Special Olympics USA [email protected] • 1 Welcome Drink 8pm - 11pm public awareness of their capa- Games at the ESPN Wide World • Scrumptious Buffet Black Jack Production & Layout • Live Music, DJ, Dancing Craps bilities and needs.” Currently of Sports Complex Summer of • Free Champagne Toast Kim Harper Roulette 510 athletes in Okaloosa Coun- 2022. “This event will mark the at Midnight Texas Hold’em [email protected] • $1000 In Chips ty compete in Basketball, Bocce, largest humanitarian event in Bowling, Cheerleading, Cycling, Florida’s history!” says Pamela. Sales & Contributing Writer Flag Football, Golf, Gymnas- “Additionally, we will celebrate Rita Sherwood tics, Pickleball, Powerlifting, the 50th anniversary of Special To Advertise Soccer, Softball, Stand Up Pad- Olympics Florida!” 850.660.1444 m dle, Surfing, Swimming, Tennis Special Olympics never o c . P Destin Life assumes no financial liability for errors 2nd Annual Benefiting Charity T D C G Hwy 98 . and Volleyball and soon to offer charges for participation re- w or omissions in printed advertising and reserves w w ; 80 Seascape Drive w o the right to reject/edit advertising or editorial l r Equestrian. Each sports season gardless of demographics or a h C Miramar Beach n submissions. e Visit Us on l G : lasts approximately three to four economics. “We provide ev- s c Facebook i h © Copyright 2019 Destin Life Tickets:VillageDoorMusicHall.com p a r For Sponsorship availability http://give.specialolympicsflorida.org/newyearseve G months with at least eight weeks erything from water, uniforms, December 2019 Destin Life www.mydestinlife.com Page 3 Community R.I.S.E. Helping the Community Rise Up Together BY HEATHER BENNETT Recently, Green Berets from Pastor Willie said they are In Fort Walton Beach there Eglin, along with a group of kids looking to build relationships is a movement to bridge the from the Department of Juvenile with chapel services on military gap between job openings and Justice, volunteered to clean up bases, as well as local colleges. skilled laborers. This commu- Brooks Elementary. The event They are also very grateful for nity, which depends on con- was sponsored by Okaloosa community members who want struction and other skilled labor Gas, Gulf Power, Chelco and to get involved. If you are in- jobs, will lose a large part of its Vincent Jones Roofing.