On November 4, VBAs gathered at Bud and Alley's for the annual VBA breakfast. This is the eighth year that Dave Rauschkolb, owner of Bud and Alley's, has donated this event to the FOSWST. In addition to enjoying a fantastic breakfast, VBAs got the chance to meet and talk with other VBAs. Lacie Wegner from the South Walton Turtle Watch group talked about the successful 2023 nesting season. Lacie told the VBAs that for the first time in many years, a successful leatherback nest was laid in South Walton County. Excitement was clearly evident because this nest enabled South Walton County to help protect this threatened species.

Prizes were awarded to VBAs for hours volunteered in the 50-99, 100-199, and 200+ hour categories and to those VBAs who have volunteered for five years. Special awards were given to Matt Tedesco and Gina Cornelius for Outstanding Service. Dwight and Mary Morrow were the New VBAs with the Highest Number of Hours, and Marilyn Levesque was recognized as the VBA with the Most Individual Hours.

The coveted VBA of the year was awarded to Leigh Patterson. Not only has Leigh volunteered a high number of hours on the beach, but she actively participates in the Education Team, Outreach Community Events Team, and assisted in drafting an MOU for the Walton County School District.

FOSWST wants to thank Dave Rauschkolb and the Bud and Alley's staff for this generous gift of breakfast as well a beautiful venue for fellowship among the VBAs that attended.

A special shout out to Ray Cyr, of South Walton Life, the monthly newspaper. Ray is responsible for getting Theo the Turtle mascot known across South Walton and for getting this lovable character into the hands of hundreds of children and their parents through his contacts with local retailers. We are honored to have this community sponsorship and appreciate all the support. 

A big thank you goes out to the Board of FOSWST for organizing this VBA Breakfast event. The breakfast and fellowship were enjoyed by all who attended.

The FOSWST won the "People's Choice" award at the annual Festival of Trees for 2023 held at Grand Boulevard.This event kicked off November 28 and the trees will be on display through December. This is the fifth time the FOSWST tree has won this highly esteemed prize.

Jingle bells were given to visitors between 4:00 and 6:00. After looking at the tree that was decorated by each of the participating Walton County Non-Profit organizations, the visitors voted for their favorite tree by placing their jingle bell in the box near their tree of choice. Having the most jingle bells in its box, FOSWST won the "People's Choice" award.

Six students in a mentoring program at Seaside Neighborhood School worked with Billie Gaffrey to apply paint, glitter, and creativity to items found on the South Walton Beaches. These items became the decorations for the tree. The items included bottle caps, sand toys, shovels, buckets, flipflops, rakes, noodles, sand sifters, Barbie dolls, plastic toy animals, a kite, and even a disco ball.

Board members and other VBAs were on hand to talk with people attending the festival. The VBAs were quick to point out that the tree entered by FOSWST was decorated entirely with items left behind on our beaches. The visitors were also told that any money won by FOSWST in this event would be used to further the sea turtle education of fifth grade students in Walton County. These facts impressed visitors and resulted in many jingle bells being placed in the FOSWST box.

We want to thank the Seaside Neighborhood School for their efforts in decorating the 2023 FOSWST entry in the 2023 Festival of Trees.

UPCOMING EVENT

Sea Turtle Awareness and Education

Freeport Middle School - Fun at the Beach - December 5