Category: Community

Panama City Beach Community News

  • Chasing Perfection: Inside the World of the Blue Angels

    Chasing Perfection: Inside the World of the Blue Angels

    Blue Angels planes

    By Will Estell

    Soaring by on a high-speed pass, barely one hundred feet above the runway—at a speed I’m told at the time is in excess of 700 mph—I can literally smell the fuel and feel the jet wash, before I hear the powerful roar of the F/A -18 Super Hornet as it soars by then climbs steeply just ahead of us, disappearing into the clouds, before diving back down in a corkscrew then leveling out about a mile away. All of this happens in about 20 seconds before another pilot with cojones of steel, and the skills to match, flies by completely inverted, slightly further away, but still close enough to feel the change in the atmosphere from where I am standing on the tarmac.

    What I am witnessing up close and personal today is the same magical breath of patriotism that fans see at airshows all over this great country each year. The only difference is, today I’m taking it all in from the Blue Angels communication cart, surrounded by a small team of just eight of the Blues support staff, along with my wingman for the day, Blue Angels Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Ben Bushong.

    Since being established in 1946, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels hold the unique distinction of being the most well-known aerobatic team in the entire world. While they regularly wow crowds with breathtaking performances right here in our own backyard, their mission extends far beyond dazzling crowds at airshows, as they aim to inspire future generations of patriotic Americans, by demonstrating the unmatched aptitude, attitude and professionalism of the men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces.

    These aero superstars do so much more than simply entertain with a breathtaking aerial showcase. Their performances represent thousands of hours of precision flight, discipline, unshakable resolve and the unwavering spirit of naval aviation. For decades, they’ve captivated millions with gravity-defying maneuvers, embodying the excellence and teamwork that define the U.S. Navy Blue Angels—or as we affectionally refer to them along these beautiful coastal communities of Northwest Florida, The Blues.

    I had the opportunity to spend a day inside the world of The Blues, guided by LT. Bushong, and gained some firsthand insight into their headquarters at NAS Pensacola. Including observing a morning flight meeting, pre-flight preparations, and the behind-the-scenes maintenance and logistics performed by their team of 158 active-duty Sailors and Marines, that keep this elite squadron at peak performance.

    Here are some Q&As from my behind-the-scenes day with LT. Ben Bushong and the Blue Angels team, part of a multi-publication media experience with The Blues:

    What is the age range of the pilots and does age play a part in the selection process?

    The age of our pilots usually range from early 30s to late 40s. Age isn’t necessarily a factor when applying for the team. All pilots need to have a minimum number of flight hours and experience to be able to apply.

    As popular as the Blue Angels are around the country, how do you and your team feel about the escalation of attention after last year’s hit Amazon original, The Blue Angels?

    The film definitely gives viewers an inside look into what it means to be a part of the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, and it does it for an entire show season, including the selection process and intense training that the pilots endure to get to where they are. As a team we’re happy about the depiction and think the movie can only help bring our fans closer and hopefully create more interest in our mission.

    Do the pilots still get any sense of nervousness when they fly or is it such a well-oiled repetitive motion, due to all the practice and shows, that it becomes like driving your vehicle from home to work and back?

    Everything we do is based on safety and having absolute complete trust in one another. We absolutely all have to count on that up there and on the ground. So, during winter training, we incorporate the crawl, walk, run mentality to continue to work towards the tight formations. As a team, we are always chasing perfection, 100% of the time.

    What criteria would you say does play the largest part in the pilot and support team selection?

    With all team members, trust and personality are two big factors when selecting new team members. If your current command is letting you apply for this team, then that means you have already checked all the boxes on paper for the prerequisites. But we are looking for people who would make great ambassadors for the Navy and Marine Corps, and someone that you would potentially spend 300 days on the road with in a given season. Our Maintainers and Crew Chiefs perform all the preflight inspections on every aircraft, so the pilots can strap in and go! It takes complete trust in a person, to be able to strap in and fly without performing your own preflight inspection of the aircraft. We are a successful team. because everybody has complete trust that the person next to you is doing their job effectively and efficiently.

    With such vicious schedules between practices, social and event obligations, and traveling 300 days per year, how much sleep does the average pilot get?

    Wait…we’re supposed to be sleeping too? [laughs] Thursday morning we fly to our show site. The first flight at every city is our “circles” flight, where we fly over the airfield to find all the checkpoints for the show. Followed by a practice. Thursdays are typically the longest, because it’s a three-flight day: Transit, Checkpoint Flight and Practice. Friday we perform community outreach, visiting local schools and hospitals, then perform a full practice. Saturday and Sunday are show days, then we transit back to Pensacola after the show. Monday our team gets our day off, then it’s back to Tuesday and Wednesday practices here in Pensacola. Actually, not getting enough sleep is never really too much of a factor. We always perform in the afternoons, so there’s typically not many early mornings on the road.

    Any other closing insight you and the team would like readers to know about the mission you all are fulfilling?

    The Blue Angels are direct representatives of the 800,000 men and women serving in the Navy and Marine Corps. All of us are from the fleet and will return to the fleet after our time here. By design, our Navy and Marine Corps is expeditionary in nature, meaning all our operations are happening overseas and out of sight. The Blue Angels were designed to showcase the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to the American public, and like we always say, “We’re glad to be here!”

    Will Estell is a seasoned writer, editor, and media entrepreneur with over 700 published articles spanning regional and national publications. His work covers coastal tourism, real estate, dining, automotive reviews, and celebrity interviews, earning him a strong reputation in Northwest Florida media. Currently the Chief Creative Officer of Estell Hussey Media, LLC, Will has co-founded 12 magazine titles and served as editor-in-chief for several others. Originally from Booneville, Miss., Will is a father of three and lives in Destin and Navarre with his wife, ABC 3 news anchor Laura Hussey-Estell.

  • July is National Blueberry Month!

    July is National Blueberry Month!

    By Lauren Goldsby 

    Here in the Panhandle, many of us are just finishing up blueberry harvest, while other parts of the country are only just beginning. But don’t sit back and relax for too long–it’s already time to start preparing your blueberry plants for the 2026 season!

    In Florida, gardeners typically grow two types of blueberries: southern highbush and rabbiteye. In the Panhandle, rabbiteye varieties are recommended because they bloom later than southern highbush varieties. This delayed flowering window helps protect the plants from the late-season freezes that can damage early blooms and reduce berry yields.

    Growing Blueberry Leaves

    Right after your rabbiteye blueberry harvest ends, it’s an ideal time to prune branches that have grown too tall or don’t produce as many berries as they used to. Make sure to prune before flower buds form in the early fall, or you’ll accidentally remove next year’s crop.

    Why prune after harvest?

    Over time, older branches become tall, leggy, and less productive. By removing some of these older branches, you encourage the plant to produce new growth. New growth means more flower buds next season. If you prune too late, after flower buds have formed, you’ll have fewer berries next year. If you’ve ever mistakenly pruned azaleas at the wrong time and missed out on a year’s flowers, it’s the same principle in action. Pruning early gives the new growth time to grow and develop before dormancy.

    Growing Blueberries 2

    Rabbiteye blueberries can get over 12 feet tall! Pruning helps keep plants at a more manageable height for harvesting, making it easier to pick berries. Some prefer to let their plants grow untouched as they would in the wild, sharing their harvest with local wildlife. Shape your plants to suit your needs and your space.

    Growing Blueberries

    Winter Pruning

    Another good opportunity for pruning comes during the dormant season (winter). This is the best time to remove entire old canes that are no longer productive. Dormant pruning opens the plant’s canopy, encourages healthy new growth, and helps manage the overall fruit load.

    For more details about selecting, fertilizing, and caring for your blueberries, check out the Blueberry Gardener’s Guide from UF/IFAS: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG359

  • Fishing, Family, & Fireworks!

    Fishing, Family, & Fireworks!

    By Pamela Anderson

    What a great start to the Red Snapper season our anglers have had!  Anglers from 3 to 93 have come to PCB to experience a great time out on our beautiful Gulf of America and they love it!

    The fishing fleet in Grand Lagoon is experiencing plenty of fine catches of Red Snapper and so many other great species.  Our crew on Capt. Anderson V’s night trip got a surprise this week.  They had a tough night when they got into a school of Blue Runners. Anglers caught about 100 of them in short order (if you’ve ever experienced that, you know they can ‘run’ all around the boat, twisting and tangling lines in a hurry).

    Capt Andersons Marina 4739

    Capt. Ken told them, as much as they had heard they are not a good-eating fish, it’s not so.  He had Capt. Max’s Grill fry up a bunch and gave it to the crew the next day. They couldn’t believe how tasty they were!

    If you are planning an outing on your personal or rented small boat, be sure to refresh your safety skills before you are in a position where you need them. USCG and FWC offer great info. Radios, life jackets, flares, and even a compass can be of great help if you go offshore.  (Electronics are great until your battery is dead or a rogue wave splashes all of it.)

    Capt Andersons Marina 6082

    Don’t miss out on the Freedom Rocks Fireworks festivities on July 3rd– 8:45 p.m. here on Grand Lagoon. You’ll have a front row seat from the Upper Deck Bar and The Event Center at Capt. Anderson’s Marina.  Both areas will have live music, food and drink available. On the ground level are play areas for children and Capt. Max’s Grill and Hershey’s Ice Cream Shop.

    The Capt. Anderson III will cruise out into Grand Lagoon on July 3rd, 8-9:30 p.m. for a cruise and fireworks.

    On the 4th of July,  the Capt. Anderson III and other boats will cruise you over to downtown Panama City for the fabulous fireworks they provide each year.  There’s something extra special about seeing the fireworks out on the water!  Reserve early!

    Capt Andersons Marina 6076

    There are all sorts of fun family experiences awaiting locals and tourists alike in Grand Lagoon.  We have water sports galore, from fishing to cruising.  But we also have a variety of locally owned restaurants serving some mighty fine seafood, burgers and steaks (and, of course, chicken strips and mac n cheese for the kids.) Along the Lagoon are several opportunities for enjoying some great local talents providing music for the whole family.

    Capt. Max’s Bar & Grill has live music at the Upper Deck bar every evening overlooking Grand Lagoon. Folks watch from their second deck perch as the boats come in and out with their ‘catch of the day’.  There’s a kids’ play area out in front with Dip N Dots, Hershey’s Ice Cream, Frozen Daquiris and That Ship’s Store with a great variety of souvenir gifts.  Come watch the boats come in every day between noon and 8 p.m. and grab a snack–or dinner!

    Capt. Anderson Marina’s Event Center continues to be a great place for parties great and small, whether weddings, business meetings or church conferences. It’s beautiful and you can’t beat the view!

    Capt. Anderson’s Marina…Where the fish are always biting and the kids are always smiling.

    www.CaptAndersonsMarina.com

  • Chamber Spotlight: The Panama City Swim Team

    Chamber Spotlight: The Panama City Swim Team

    Panama City Swim Logo

    The Panama City Swim Team, also known as PCST, was founded 71 years ago to grow the swimming community in Bay County. As a young swimmer from Tallahassee, I saw this team as the gold standard of what a club swim team in the area should be. I remember all the fun I had as a young swimmer at the PCST summer swim meets. What could be more fun than swimming outside at Frank Brown Park, so close to the beach??

    It is wild to think back to all those memories as a young kid and appreciate that I am now the Head Coach of the Panama City Swim Team. Before coming to this job, I was the Head Coach of the St. Croix Dolphins in the US Virgin Islands, in addition to the US Virgin Islands National Team Coach. When my wife, Caitey, and I saw that the position of Head Coach for PCST had become available, we knew in our hearts that I was meant to apply for it. We had recently welcomed our first child, Adrian, into this world, and we saw it as the perfect opportunity to return close to home. More importantly, I saw it as an opportunity to grow this great program back to what it used to be. Without ever visiting Panama City Beach, my wife moved here based on faith in God and trust in myself. In just over one year, it already feels like home, and we know that it is exactly where we are meant to be.

    I grew up swimming for Area Tallahassee Aquatic Club, surrounded by great coaches and teammates. During high school, I qualified and swam at the 2012 USA Olympic Trials in the 200 Butterfly. I finished 52nd overall out of 230 swimmers in that event. Following high school, I signed a swimming scholarship with the University of Alabama, but my college career was cut short due to a career-ending injury. At the time, this news was earth-shattering, but I believe it was the start of my call to coach.

    Panama City Swim 1418

    I started coaching at the age of 15 with my ATAC team, making coaching the only job that I have ever had. Following my injury in college, I became a student coach at Alabama before taking a position at Louisiana State University and working with the local club swim team, Tiger Aquatics. After 2 years at LSU, I ended up at the University of Cincinnati as an assistant coach and men’s recruiting director. In Cincinnati, I also met my wife, Caitey, and we got married there.  After four great years with the Bearcats, we decided to move to St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. After gaining experience as a head coach with the St Croix Dolphins, I got the position as the Panama City Swim Team Head Coach, and I couldn’t be happier.

    Panama City Swim Team, a part of USA Swimming, is a highly competitive program with nationally ranked swimmers. It is a team where swimmers can further develop their skills and grow in their swimming abilities. Thanks to a great coaching staff, we have quadrupled the number of swimmers competing at our Southeastern Swimming Championships this year. Not only did we increase the number of swimmers at this meet, but our team broke 4 all-time meet records.

    In addition to our main swim team, we also offer programs for swimmers of all ages and skill levels, including swim lessons, middle school swimming, and Summer Splash, which is a 7-week program designed for kids interested in joining the swim team, but who want to have a “trial run”. This year, we have over 75 swimmers participating!

    My goal with Panama City Swim Team is to make swimming accessible, helping as many kids as possible to gain confidence in the water. Being a beach city, it is important to make sure everyone can be safe in and around the water. I am excited about the growth of this program and am thankful for the opportunity to rebuild this team back to the great program that it once was.

  • Going Backwards to Move Forward

    Going Backwards to Move Forward

    By Alan M. Watson, President, GOLF+ 

    Life is full of tough decisions. Choices either get made by you or for you. You come to a crossroads and you pick–or you get run over by the traffic around you because of your inaction.

    Recently, I had to make a very tough decision. After nearly 37 years, I decided to close my Dothan brick-and-mortar golf shop. This choice was not made lightly, and I am heartbroken, of course. Business either makes sense or it doesn’t, and in this case, there didn’t seem to be much sense in continuing on. While I truly hate letting my staff go (we will close in late July) and letting the great customers of that market down, it was a decision that was made with a great deal of number crunching, not emotion. Sometimes businesses just don’t work from a math equation side of things, and this was one of those times. We will continue to provide excellent golf services in our Panama City Beach store, and we will be bulking up our online offerings to service those who wish to continue shopping with us that way.

    So why am I telling you this? I think golf is a lot like business and a lot like those tough decisions that we are often forced to make in life. You want to get better at golf? You will have to sacrifice time, money, energy, and something else that you could have been doing. There is an opportunity cost to every decision in life.

    One of my amazing clients in Panama City Beach is a young lady who works very hard on her golf game. She is a great student as well, and she has other passions and hobbies like music. Her golf, however, is where she makes that tough decision every day. Diet, exercise, practice…she does these things every day, not for today but for her tomorrow. A college scholarship and the chance to play at that level and possibly beyond is her ultimate goal. If she skips practice today and decides to lie around the pool instead, then maybe tomorrow doesn’t happen the way she wants. These are the tough decisions that even young people have to make.

    As an adult who has been in business for many years, I see the parallels in sport and business and life–sacrifice, suffering, frustration, and sorrow. But also joy, happiness, and ultimate victory and success with the right amount of work.

    I want my business to grow and succeed, so I have to sacrifice one storefront so that I can better focus on what’s in front of me.

    You may need to sacrifice some time spent in front of the TV to work on your chipping and putting if you want to score better on the course. You might have to sacrifice some money to get a golf lesson so that you can finally fix that wicked slice. You might have to sacrifice sleeping in so that you can get to the course an hour early to warm up properly and practice whatever part of your game was suffering the last time you played.

    Whatever it is, we all have choices to make. In golf, those choices aren’t life or death, but hey, we all want to get better and enjoy the game more. So, without going overboard, maybe we could all take it just a little bit more seriously.

    Why do you think professional golf tournaments have practice rounds before the tournament starts? Because preparation is key when you are striving for success. Desired outcomes rarely come by accident or happenstance. And when we don’t make decisions ourselves, we allow the world to make decisions around us, and we have no control over that.

    I hope that as you think about whether getting better at golf is a goal that you will consider what sacrifices you need to make. And if your only goal on the course is to just have fun, no matter the score, then I encourage you to enjoy that as well. Golf can be for fun or for more if we want. And we get to make the decisions about how seriously, or not, we want to take it.

    Fairways and Greens, my friends.

  • “The Price of Freedom Is Vigilance.” (Thomas Jefferson)

    “The Price of Freedom Is Vigilance.” (Thomas Jefferson)

    By Cindy Mulla, Beach Mosquito Control District

    Oh, say, can you hear the mosquito buzzing in your ear? What can you do to stop it from bugging you? You can try to swat it in mid-air, but alas, it will not care. So, what can you do to deter or eliminate these combative mosquitoes that try to conquer your outdoor objective to have fun?

    “Kit-Up soldier!” (Gear-up)

    Before heading on your outdoor mission to work or have fun, remember to wear your invisible protective gear; insect repellent to prevent receiving unwanted bites or mosquito-borne disease. For proper protection, use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved registered product that is both safe and effective. Always read the label and follow the instructions. Just like sunscreen, reapplication of an insect repellent is key for it to work properly. The lower the percentage of the repellent’s main active ingredient, the more frequently you will need to reapply it. When travelling abroad, do not forget to pack repellent. We do not want you to bring back any unwanted souvenirs to share (Dengue Fever, Chikungunya, Zika or Malaria). Do not forget to protect your pets by administering a monthly heartworm protection product. Horse owners, please keep your horses’ vaccines up to date, especially against mosquito-borne disease. Pet owners, please be responsible, have your pets routinely examined by a licensed veterinarian, and follow their preventive advice.

    Know the enemy.

    Bay County consistently will have up to thirty-six distinct species seasonally and fifty annually. Seventeen of these species have the potential to transmit disease. The female mosquito only bites and can spread the mosquito-borne disease West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), and St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE). It takes just one blood meal for her to produce 250-300 eggs. Mosquitoes are aquatic insects because the eggs need water to hatch, plus both the larval and pupal stages need water to live in until they emerge into the winged adult stage.

    Surveillance is the first strategic/tactical step for your mission mosquito operational plan of action against the mosquito frontline. Be on the lookout for all locations that can successfully support the aquatic mosquito life cycle stages. Immediately drain and remove the source(s) of concern. Examples of notorious outdoor objects capable of collecting/holding standing water from rain or lawn sprinkler systems are any type of open container, wheelbarrows, old paint cans, fountains without filtration, bird baths, pet dishes, plant trays, buckets, unkept large swimming to small kiddy pools, children’s toys, tarps, boats (including kayaks/canoes), trash & uncovered trash cans/dumpsters and old tires. After the source is located, dump out the excess water, remove the item or store it. Oh, do not forget to look up! Check your rain gutters. Make certain that the water can properly flow. To successfully keep the encroaching enemy at bay, one must be committed to repeating this surveillance tactic weekly.

    If you are following these strategic tactics and you are still experiencing mosquito air assaults, contact the competent reinforcement professionals at Beach Mosquito Control District.

    Remember, mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest creatures. Accordingly, please do not hesitate to contact Beach Mosquito Control District to place your service request for all your mosquito concerns, call (850) 233-5030  or visit: www.pcbeachmosquito.org.

    We base our science-based mosquito control methods and treatments on the number and location of service requests we receive from the public and our mosquito surveillance program. This service is possible through levying a local ad valorem tax with no additional cost to you. So do not wait, contact us today!

    Pcbeach Mosquito

    “The Price of Outdoor Freedom Is Vigilance.”

    “Drain or the mosquitoes will remain!” C. Mulla

  • Gulf Coast State College Highlights STEM Programs and New Natural Sciences Building

    Gulf Coast State College Highlights STEM Programs and New Natural Sciences Building

    Gulf Coast

    Gulf Coast State College continues to expand opportunities for students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, and a new Natural Sciences building designed to support hands-on learning and student success.

    The recently opened facility features modern teaching labs for biology, chemistry, and physical sciences, giving students direct experience with the equipment and techniques they’ll encounter in advanced study and professional settings.

    For many students, the first two years of a STEM degree are the most demanding. They’re completing prerequisite courses that prepare them for upper-level study at a university, but they’re not yet fully immersed in their chosen field. GCSC helps bridge that gap by offering engaging instruction, personalized support, and meaningful ways to stay motivated.

    “Our dedicated faculty provides our students a strong academic foundation, preparing them for successful and impactful careers in the STEM fields,” said Dr. Holly Kuehner, GCSC Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Engaging laboratory courses offer hands-on learning experiences, which prepare them to continue their education at the next level—all while staying right here in Panama City.”

    To help students persist through challenging courses, GCSC offers several scholarship opportunities each year. The Math and Natural Science Departments recognize promising students with awards like the Tom Etheridge Memorial Engineering and Science Scholarship, the Betty Wood McNabb Scholarship, and the Ingrid Johnson Rachesky, M.D. Scholarship, which includes a plaque displayed inside the new Natural Sciences building.

    Beyond the classroom, faculty are building partnerships with local employers to connect students to professional experiences early in their journey. These relationships help students stay engaged and better understand the career options available to them in fields such as medicine, research, and engineering.

    With updated facilities, financial support, and strong faculty mentorship, Gulf Coast State College is preparing students not just to succeed—but to thrive in their next steps, whether that means transferring to a university or starting their career right here at home.

    To learn more about STEM programs and scholarships at GCSC, visit www.gulfcoast.edu.

  • Local Author’s Wish Comes True with Debut Book Signing for Gripping True Crime Memoir

    Local Author’s Wish Comes True with Debut Book Signing for Gripping True Crime Memoir

    On June 22, 2025, friends, family, and community members gathered at Bookish Boutique Downtown to celebrate the debut book signing of 29 Hours – A True Story of Pedophilia and Murder by first-time author Linda Kettelhut. The event marked the culmination of a powerful personal journey and the fulfillment of a heartfelt wish.

    In 1986, Kettelhut served as the fifth alternate juror in a harrowing capital murder trial in San Luis Obispo County, California. What began as a civic duty soon became a life-altering experience. Compelled to understand the deeper layers of the case, Linda began documenting her perspective, determined to shed light on the victims’ stories and the chilling truth behind the crime.

    29 Hours Author

    Furnished with key materials by the prosecutor and sheriff, she embarked on extensive research. She interviewed the victims’ friends and neighbors—and ultimately, the convicted killer himself, who was then on death row at San Quentin. In the process, Kettelhut found herself woven into the story she was telling.

    The crime was widely known at the time as “The Crime of the Century” in San Luis Obispo County. Her book offers a haunting, cautionary tale of trust and betrayal, telling the true story of young, vibrant women who, in their innocence and generosity, unknowingly welcomed a predator into their lives.

    29 Hours Book Signing

    Although years had passed, Linda carried with her the wish to share this important story in her own words. That wish came to life thanks to the Covenant Care “My Wish” program and the dedicated efforts of VITAS Healthcare volunteer Cindi McLamb. Together, they partnered with Gatekeeper Press, who generously donated their editing, design, and publishing services to ensure Linda’s story was not only told—but beautifully published.

    The result is 29 Hours – a compelling memoir, a cautionary narrative, and a remarkable tribute to resilience and justice. The book signing event was a testament to Linda’s perseverance and the power of community support.

    My Wish is a program that grants wishes for hospice patients in our communities. To learn more about the program, visit our website at www.mywish.org to donate or for more information.

  • Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation Hosts Celebration of Life for Public Safety Diver and Firefighter Mark Phillips

    Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation Hosts Celebration of Life for Public Safety Diver and Firefighter Mark Phillips

    The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation was honored to host a celebration of life event for Mark Phillips, a dedicated Public Safety Diver and 33-year veteran firefighter, whose cremains will be respectfully placed within his custom-designed artificial reef by his son, Chris Phillips. The ceremony took place on July 4 at Lighthouse Marina in Panama City Beach, commemorating Mark’s extraordinary life and service to his community.

    On June 3, 2025, Mark’s friends from Dive911 and North Florida Diving Services, with support from Point South Marina at Bay Point, successfully deployed his 3,000-pound, 8ft by 8ft by 8ft raw steel artificial reef into the Gulf waters. The reef, a lasting tribute to Mark’s legacy, features a Public  Safety Diver emblem, meticulously plasma-cut by Steve Harman of Harman Metal Arts, based on a design by Kevin Angelilli of Tristar Scuba.

    Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation Mark Phillips 2

    Gretchen Theodorou, Vice President of Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation, reflected on the June 3rd deployment, “This was over a year in the making,  and really the brainchild of Mark’s friend, Buck Buchanan. He reached out to us, and we just wanted to help him make Mark’s reef and the Public  Safety Diver reef a reality.” Indeed, this is the first of many Public Safety Diver reefs to be deployed. The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation has a fund set up, through the WarriorMemorialReefs.org website, specifically to grow this reef.

    “So many people came together to help get Mark’s reef deployed, like Mark’s friends, Public Safety Divers Buck Buchanan, Justin Hembrock, and  Robert Smith. Then, we had Ben Perry, Justin Bannerman and the folks from Point South Marina at Bay Point, who not only staged the reef, but they also went above and beyond any of our expectations. We had Chantille Weber making sure that everything was deployed properly. Craig Cowdell,  Captain of the Colorblind, was essential in our location and team success. Tow Boat US helped us tow the three-thousand-pound reef out to sea. And of course, Mariano Lorde of Lordelife Cinema captured everything on film. We are so honored to have such a wonderful group of people, with such determination, on our team,” stated Theodorou.

    Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation Mark Phillips 1

    The Warrior Memorial Reefs Foundation is proud to facilitate this meaningful event, which not only honors Mark Phillips’ remarkable contributions as a firefighter and diver but also supports marine conservation through the creation of sustainable artificial reefs. These reefs provide vital habitats for marine life, while also reflecting on Mark’s commitment to protecting and serving his community.

  • GCSC Foundation Announces “Elemental: An Evening of Earth, Water, Air & Fire” – Celebrating the Forces that Shape Student Success

    GCSC Foundation Announces “Elemental: An Evening of Earth, Water, Air & Fire” – Celebrating the Forces that Shape Student Success

    Gcsc Foundation

    Mark your calendars for a night of elegance, inspiration, and impact. On Friday, September 26,  the Gulf Coast State College Foundation will host its highly anticipated annual dinner, Elemental: An Evening of  Earth, Water, Air & Fire, at the sophisticated Hotel Indigo in Panama City. This reimagined event promises to celebrate the foundational forces that shape not only the natural world—but also the future of our students.

    With a theme inspired by the elemental forces of nature, Elemental will be more than just a dinner—it will be a transformative experience. The evening will include a high-end silent auction, immersive ambiance, and powerful storytelling centered around the vital role education plays in building a stronger, more vibrant community.

    The Foundation is proud to announce Bill Cramer Chevrolet GMC as the Title Sponsor of this year’s event. A  longtime supporter of education and community growth, Bill Cramer Chevrolet GMC’s partnership reinforces the vital connection between industry leadership and student success. Learn more about their impact at  www.billcramerchevrolet.com.

    This year, the Foundation is also honored to partner with the St. Joe Company, one of our most generous and forward-thinking supporters, whose leadership and commitment to the region continues to fuel opportunity and hope.

    Proceeds from Elemental will go directly to support the mission of the Gulf Coast State College Foundation— increasing access to higher education and expanding opportunities for students across Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties. Every scholarship awarded is a step toward building a more talented workforce, a more innovative community, and a better quality of life for all.

    “We want to capture and reflect the momentum that is taking force in our communities and college across Bay,  Gulf, and Franklin counties,” said Ashlin Glatthar, Foundation Director. “From the revitalization of our downtown  to the rebuild of Tyndall AFB and the incredible work of the Bay EDA to recruit industry, it’s time to showcase that  innovative spirit this evening as we equip students to be a part of this exciting chapter in our region.”

    The Foundation is currently seeking sponsors who want to be part of this landmark occasion and help us create lasting change. Sponsorship opportunities are now available online.

    Learn more and reserve your spot: https://gcscfoundation.org/events/2025-annual-dinner/

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