Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary Club

06/01/2026

President and Chair of the Executive Board, Gulf Coast Council of Scouting America, Vince Mayfield and District Executive, Gulf Coast Council, Josie Wondracek discussed how the essential goals of teaching life lessons and building character remain the same for Scouting.

The overall goal of Scouting America is to shape the next generation of leaders through character and leadership development.

Josie asked the audience multiple scouting questions because so many members of Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary are former Scouts. She also gave us several examples of scout’s involvement in the community, which includes Eagle Scout projects.

Vince emphasized scouting’s impact and how demographics are so much different today than they have been in the past. He said Covid had a big impact on numbers. Vince pointed out how much of an honor it is to be an Eagle Scout.

Pictured below, Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary President John Sallman presents Vince with a $500 donation from the club.  To the right are Josie and Art Jean, who introduced the speakers.

05/21/2026

Lovebugs are starting to show up around Niceville and Northwest Florida again. If you’re heading out on a road trip or driving through areas with thick bugs, experts recommend cleaning them off your grill and windshield sooner rather than later to help protect your vehicle’s paint.

A few quick tips:
• Wash bug residue off vehicles as soon as possible
• Keep windshield fluid topped off during longer drives
• Try not to let bug buildup sit on your vehicle for days in the Florida sun

The good news is that lovebugs are harmless to people. They don’t bite or sting, even if they do make a mess of the front of your car this time of year.

Details at Niceville.com, Where Our Community Comes First.

Read more here: https://niceville.com/lovebugs-return-to-niceville-area-roads-and-yards/

We appreciate our Community Partner, Midbay Veterinary Hospital, for helping make our local community updates possible.

05/19/2026

There’s still time to join us on the course! ⛳🐾 A few spots remain for the FORE! The Love of Animals Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 6.

Whether you’re signing up with a team or registering as an individual player, every swing helps support the animals at Alaqua Animal Refuge. 💛

Don’t miss a day of golf, community, and giving back to pets in need.

🔗 Secure your spot before the remaining openings are filled at https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/2026-fore-the-love-of-animals

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort | The Agency NW Florida Beaches | Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection

05/19/2026

The Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary Club is a gold level sponsor thanks to donations by our members, as well as funds we raise through our pork butt sales, golf tournament and Oktoberfest. A tent and essentials for surviving a disaster are included in each trunk size box. Shelterbox is preparing for the Atlantic hurricane season.

Being prepared before disaster strikes is key. By positioning aid closer to where it’s needed most, we can respond faster and more efficiently - saving time, money, and lives.

With the Atlantic hurricane season beginning on 1 June, we are ready to support over 2,000 families if disaster strikes, with pre‑positioned aid in Panama and Barbados - close to the areas most at risk.

We also keep aid ready around the world, including in Ghana, Kenya, the UAE, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Belgium.

Drop your questions in the comments 👇

05/19/2026

Rotary District 6940’s Rotary Foundation Chair and Past District Governor Jan Pooley, right, presented Mid-Bay Rotarians their Paul Harris Society pins April 29. Each of these Rotarians has pledged to donate least $1,000 annually to the Rotary Foundation. Pictured on the left is Mid-Bay Foundation Chair Art Rosenbaum. The new Paul Harris Society members are, left to right, Tom Sanders, Lynn Deyerly and Art Jean. Mid-Bay now has 13 Paul Harris Society members.

05/12/2026

The Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary 27th Annual Charity Golf Classic registration deadline is two weeks away. Get your team together and go to https://midbayrotaryclub.org/events for the forms. Registration includes golf, lunch and after party. Your participation ensures that Mid-Bay continues its long-time support for our community.

05/09/2026

The Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary 27th Annual Charity Golf Classic is a 4 weeks away. Get your team together and follow the QR code or go to https://midbayrotaryclub.org/events for the forms. Registration includes golf, lunch and after party. Your participation ensures that Mid-Bay continues its long-time support for our community.

Join us for exciting events hosted by the Mid Bay Rotary Club in Niceville, Florida. Engage with the community, participate in charitable activities, and make a difference together.

05/07/2026

05/07/2026

Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary recognized its five scholarship winners at its Wednesday, May 6, meeting at American House. Scholarship Chair Steve Himber introduced the seniors, and they told a little bit about themselves, as well as their college and career plans. Each student was awarded a $2,000 scholarship.

The winners were: Mckensie Newsom (Rocky Bayou Christian School) going to University of Florida majoring in nursing; Abigail Lewis (Rocky Bayou Christian School) going to Samford University majoring in biology leading to pre-med; Sara Marello (Niceville High School) going to Florida State University majoring in choral music education; Donovan Sjoberg (Niceville High School) going to the University of Florida majoring in engineering; and Ava LaCorte (Collegiate High School) going to Florida State University majoring in social work.

Additional information:

Ava LaCorte – weighted GPA 4.68, unweighted 3.96; SAT 1270; 150 volunteer hours, she babysits and dog sits, Hostess/Waiter/Server| Tijuana Flats, coaches middle school swimmers, mentors a Girl Scout troop, president of Interact (Rotary) Club, Choctawhatchee Swim Team Captain, National Honor Society Treasurer, Student Advisory Board.

Abigail Lewis – weighted 3.91, unweighted 3.38; ACT 29, 169 volunteer hours, cheerleading and tumbling coach, Student Government Association Social Chairman, Varsity Cheer Captain, healthcare internship at Ascension Hospital, academic awards, CHELCO Florida Youth Tour State Winner, math Tttoring, Regional Science Fair Competition.

Sara Marello – weighted GPA 4.15, unweighted 3.72, SAT 1060, ACT 28, 435 volunteer hours, Opus One since 2023 and president 2025, Eagle Marching Band, National Honor Society, member of the Fine Arts Honor Society, NHS Theater performer in Hello Dolly and Six, worship team leader at her church, assists at vacation bible school and Life Group Leader at her church, works at Hollister Clothing Company and Formula Fresh Superfood Bar both in Destin.

Mckenzie Newsom – weighted GPA 4.53, unweighted 3.93, SAT 1270, ACT 30, 372 volunteer hours, ASVAB 92 of a possible 99, Beta Club Honor Society, Varsity Cheer Captain, Mu Alpha Theta math honor society, Okaloosa County Youth Leadership, Academic Team member, theater member for 6 years, Honors Choir member, Summer Camp Volunteer, Student Government for two years, works at Chick-Fil-A.

Donovan Sjoberg – weighted GPA 4.55, unweighted 3.82, SAT 1400, ACT 32, Volunteer hours 350, NHS basketball player three years, Crosspoint youth basketball coach, youth worship team guitarist, earned entrepreneurship certificate, participates in the gifted program and NaGISA international survey of biodiversity of shore life, works at Chick-Fil-A, Salt & Light Realty and Fredom Boat Club as a dockhand, three years of mission trips to Monterrey, Mexico, leadership team of student services at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church,

05/02/2026

The Mid-Bay Bridge Rotary 27th Annual Charity Golf Classic is just a month away. Get your team together and follow the QR code or go to https://midbayrotaryclub.org/events for the forms. Registration includes golf, lunch and after party. Your participation ensures that Mid-Bay continues its long-time support for our community.