Gulf Isle Neighbors raise over $7,000 for local charities and installs new officers

The Gulf Isle Neighbors Woman's Club held the last meeting of the year at the on Wednesday, May 9 at Andrews Institute. At this meeting GIN presented checks to the charities they support and installed next year's officers. Outgoing President Ellie Ackley presented a walk down memory lane for the 11th year of GIN to review the Club accomplishments in the year 2006-07.

The Club compiled the first cookbook and created GIN's first directory with pictures. They made changes in the newsletter that included enrollment to most people with email addresses, added a section on Who's in the News and Members in the News, continued the newsletter through the summer and included First Time Members news in the publication.

GIN had 14 great, diversified, educational and entertaining programs, a fantastic Game Day with a Silent Auction, five intimate dinners with Chef Willie and a fun-filled trip to Biloxi and free cooking classes at The Atlas Restaurant for GIN ladies. The Holiday Party at Hurlburt was very successful and for the first time featured a trolley ride to the event.

Betty Archer Allen/Gulf Breeze News The new officers of the Gulf breeze Historical Society are (at random) Gordon Sprague, Dr. Randall Broxton, Kathy Kuehl, David and Helen Szymanski, Joan Adams, Bob Kelly, Beverly Ishol, Tricia Briska, Ann Brodie.

GIN raised and donated to charities this year $7,100: $5,500 to Alzheimer's Family Services; $1,000 to Breast Cancer; $100 to GB Hospital's Tree of Lights; $100 to GB Zoo; $200 to Children's Hospice; $100 to Asbury Place; and $100 to GB High School Graduation program. GIN also negotiated a gift to the Club of $200 from Portofino's. GIN participated in the Gulf Coast Friends Marketplace, the Gulf Breeze Chamber of Commerce's Expo and for the first time GIN paid sales tax.

Following the trip down memory lane, the new officers were installed by Elle Ackley. They are: Nancy Wyse, President; Debbie Slater Vice President; Kathy Christoff, Secretary; and Toni Kowalskey, Treasurer. GIN's next meeting will be at the Civic Center on September 12. It was a productive and interesting year for the Gulf Isle Neighbors.

Ackley

Gulf Breeze Historical Society

The Gulf Breeze Historical Society Annual Meeting and Election of Officers was held on Saturday May 15th.at 11:30 am at the "gazebo" at Shoreline Park South. Box lunches from "Heavenly Ham" were served and they were heavenly. The refreshments were provided as usual.

The new officers and Board of Directors for year 2007-2008 are Kathy Kuehl, President; Helen Szymanski, Vice President; Joan Adams, Secretary; Beverly Ishol, Treasurer; Ann Brodie, Historian; Bob Kelly, Curator; Tricia Briska, Programs; Dr. Randall Broxton, Director/C0- Program; David Szymanski, Director; and Gordon Sprague, Past President and Benson Properties Consultant.

Following lunch, the outgoing president, Gordon Sprague, gave an up-date on developments at the Benson properties. Sprague reported that the Society received the $30,009 left by Eloise Benson for the museum. The Historical Society Board has developed a Ten Point Action Plan for turning the Benson Residence into a museum. The plan includes cleaning up the property, removing things that are to be thrown away, identifying items that can be sold, saving belongings suitable for the museum, selecting a professional architect to advise them on how to use the facility, secure insurance, remove the guesthouse, preparing the grounds, landscaping and acquiring the services of a CPA for tax purposes. Sprague said the changes are not going to happen overnight. Sprague will remain on the board to oversee future operations there.

Trish Briska, the Historical Societies program director, outlined the programs for the rest of the year. The programs planned for the remainder of 2007 are: Mr. Duncan relating the "Duncan family memories" in September; Anise Broxson Webb with the topic "Country Comes to Town" in October; Arcadia Mill trip with Dr Brian Rucker in November; and a Holiday Social in December. Programs for the year 2008 are: Lyn Zeitel "How to Publish Your Memoirs" in January; Santa Rosa Historical Museum trip with Nathan Woolsey in February; Earl and Nancy Hutto "The Benson Legacy to Gulf Breeze" in March; Vernon Compton "The Nature Conservancy" in April; and again Installation of officers in May. Other ideas for future programs include: Doug Hightower "The Legacy of Mae Hightower Gilmore and Millard Gilmore;" Gary MacMullen "The Other Bruce: Wallace Bruce's Son;" Chuck Hoffman "The Hoffman Legacy;" Tour of Gordon Sprague's museum; Betty Vickers "Women of the Arts: including Emma Chandler, Mary Janice Thornton, Marian Towns, Marylou Ruud "Pensacola Area Women;" Wright Reese Legacy; The Speed's Legacy to Gulf Breeze Elementary; Frank Sindelar architect; Ann Martin Brodie; Ted Nickinson "A Shipping Sailing Family" and Emma Glass Covington "Life and Miss Celeste" Florence Glass Palmer.

The Historical Society has no limit to ideas for covering the history of this community.

The Driftwood Garden Club

The Drift wood Garden club met May 24 at the new World Landing. The hostesses were Peggy Hollenbeck, Betty Allen and Pat Tunison.

Following the committee reports Barbara Laugel installed the new officers. The officers for the 2007-08 year are: President, Millie Dehn; Vice- President, Kathy Cannon; Recording Secretary, Betty Allen; Corresponding Secretary; Sara Whitesell; and Treasurer, Emogene Presley. Barbara's installation ceremony consisted of presenting each officer with a plant and providing them with the duties and responsibilities of their office.

The incoming President, Millie Dehn, spoke to the group and made many Committee assignments for next year. The entire group was impressed with Millie's command of the new year's responsibilities.

Association of Philippine Physicians of the Florida Panhandle (APPFP)

The APPFP celebrated its 20th Anniversary on March 31, during the induction of the new officers at Mustin Beach Officer's Club, NAS Pensacola. The following new officers will be inducted by the guest speaker Dr Jack Kotlarz, who is also being recognized as an honorary member of the APPFP for his support and great assistance during the past 4 medical missions. The officers are President, Rogelio Martinez,; President Elect, Dewey P. Torres; Vice President, Jose C. Montes; Secretary, Rio Rita Maano; Treasurer, Leopoldo Villaneuva; and PRO Manuel Mancao Jr.

For the past 20 years the APPFP donated $25,000 to the Children's Miracle Camp, $4,000 a year to ARC & Big Brothers & Sisters Program, more than $85,000 for college Scholarships of deserving Filipino American High School Seniors and more than $100,000 to numerous disaster/Gulf War domestically and internationally. The APPFP successfully completed five medical missions to the poorest regions of the Philippines and spent at least $135,000 to support these medical missions With the support of some local physicians and surgeons together with the APPFP members, they provided medical and surgical care to at least 7,500 medically needy people in the Philippines on these 5 medical missions. The Annual Continuing Medical Education is the most well attended seminars m the Florida Panhandle. It is now considered an outstanding role model for the Medical Educational Council of Pensacola.

Women's Leadership

WOMEN INSPIRED, a new local Women's Leadership Institute will host an exciting first conference titled "Mediation and Balance" on June 29, 9-3 at the Hilton Garden Inn on Pensacola Beach. The day will feature dynamic speakers, networking, and inspirational talks from diverse women in our local area. All women are welcome! This is one motivational experience you do not want to miss! Cost is $150 which includes lunch on premises.

To register online go to womeninspiredtoday.com or for additional information call Kerry Sise at (850) 485-4773.