The Brannon - Artificial Reef in Destin, Florida


In 2020, Okaloosa County was contacted by the Brannon Family out of Freeport, FL who wanted to donate a 65ft experimental military “fast response” catamaran for use as an artificial reef.  

The catamaran was originally purchased in Maine and transported by trailer to Freeport where it sat for more than 20 years. 

According to Alex Fogg, Coastal Resource Manager for the Okaloosa TDD, the original plan was to retrofit the vessel and use it as a house boat or other semi-permanent living quarters.

However, the vessel retrofit was never started and the vessel was never placed in the water or ran. Because the vessel was never named, it was eventually given the working name of the BRANNON in honor of Mr. Ronnie Brannon, who passed away in 2021. 

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For the first time since 1964, when it was closed under the transparent civil rights-era pretext that it was polluted, swimming will unequivocally be allowed in Lake DeFuniak, the naturally circular spring-fed lake that is the centerpiece of the Walton County seat.

The reopening of the lake comes as the result of a 3-1 decision by the DeFuniak Springs City Council at its June 14 meeting.

Under that decision, a designated area between the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood boat ramp and the area behind the DeFuniak Springs Library will be open to swimming beginning Saturday through Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to sunset Mondays through Saturdays and from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The lone dissenting vote on swimming in Lake DeFuniak was cast by the…

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Destin’s newest coffee and sandwich shop, Cissy’s Scenic 98 Café, is set to host a grand opening celebration, complete with a ribbon cutting from the Destin Chamber of Commerce, from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 19.

“We’ve put a lot of work into creating this adorable new café,” said Wanda Menendez, manager of Cissy’s Café. “And we’re excited to officially share it with the community.” 

The celebration is free and open to the public.

Attendees can expect to enjoy the music stylings of Rob Romans, complimentary champagne, a coffee tasting bar and lite bites featuring all the delicious items Cissy’s has to offer. Plus, partygoers can support the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center and enter for a chance to win sought-after raffle prizes, including a…

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What To Do with Your Vacation Home as Summer Ends | MyKCM

As summer comes to a close, is it time to think about selling your vacation home? Based on recent data and expert opinions, it’s something you may want to consider. According to research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), vacation home sales are up 57.2% year-over-year for January-April 2021.

If you’ve taken your last vacation this summer, here are reasons you should consider selling your vacation home this year.

1. Remote work continues to drive demand for vacation homes. 

As the report from NAR says, based on continuously evolving work needs, there could be more interest in your second home than you think:

“In 2020, across all nine divisions, the fraction of the workforce that work from home is typically higher in the…

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Last year's Festival of the Arts

Known as one of Northwest Florida’s premier fine arts shows, the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation's Festival of the Arts is one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year.

The 26th annual event is set for Oct. 30-31 at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin and is free for attendees.

"The festival is a celebration of the wonder of arts and culture," said Deb Nissley, MKAF director of operations and festival producer. "We will feature new surprises this year, including free entrance to all festival-goers. I encourage everyone to stop by to enjoy beautiful art, live music, and great food."  

During the festival, artists from across the United States will offer up their original artwork in the form of oil, watercolor, acrylic, and…

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Looking for a Place To Call Home? Consider a Condominium. | MyKCM

It’s no secret that one of the top stories in today’s real estate market is low housing supply and high buyer demand. If you’re a first-time buyer looking for a starter home or are someone who’s interested in downsizing, it may be worth considering a condominium (condo) as a worthwhile option.

In fact, trends indicate condos are gaining popularity among buyers. In the latest Existing Homes Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the data shows condo sales rising throughout the first half of this year (see graph below):

There are a few reasons more and more people are opting to buy condos – the benefits of condo life can be quite compelling. Let’s explore the main perks to find out if a condo is a good fit for you.

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We are extremely excited to participate in Lighthouse's 2021 Gold Party Casino night in Alys Beach as platinum sponsors. The event, benefiting children with cancer, will be held Saturday, September 11 from 6:00 - 10:00pm, and tickets can be purchased here!

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As Labor Day approaches, we are helping you get ready for the last long weekend of the Summer by compiling a list of the biggest activities from Destin to 30a! There is no better way to end the season than with good food, friends and family, and fireworks! 

 

Perfect Hues: Baytowne Art and Food Festival 

September 3 - 5 5:00pm - 10:00pm 

The Village of Baytowne Wharf  

Stroll The Village streets as you browse a variety of artwork from local and regional artists, and savor bites from some of the area's best restaurants and food trucks. Enjoy LIVE music throughout the festival and a spectacular fireworks show over the lagoon on Sunday at 9:30 pm. 

Click Here for More Information 

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