May 9: Florida Oceanographic hosts “Barefoot on the Beach”

JENSEN BEACH, Fla. April 22, 2015 – If you have an interest in the health of our local waterways and want to kick off your shoes and celebrate in true Florida style, don’t miss “Barefoot on the Beach.”
This seaside soiree takes place Saturday, May 9 from 6-10 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott, 10978 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach. Listen to live music by South Florida beach band, Woody and the LongBoards, while drinking ice cold beer, sipping wine or a signature cocktail, and savoring delectable hors d' oeuvres. There will also be chances to win great prizes. After sunset, the party will continue poolside on the patio, to avoid disturbing the sea turtles (nesting season is March 1 - October 31).

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our members and those in the community to spend time with friends and celebrate by the sea,” said Mark Perry, executive director of Florida Oceanographic Society. “All proceeds support Florida Oceanographic’s mission and I hope you can join us on the beach!”

Tickets are $75 per person, $70 for Florida Oceanographic members (21 and older) and can be purchased at FloridaOcean.org, or call 772-225-0505, ext. 106. Advance purchase is required; ticket sales end May 4. 

About Florida Oceanographic Society 
Florida Oceanographic is a non-profit organization founded in 1964 with the mission to inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education and research. Their Coastal Center is a 57-acre marine life nature center located on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. As a leading state- and nationally-recognized environmental organization, Florida Oceanographic offers educational programs for all ages and conducts research and restoration programs that lead to healthy coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit FloridaOcean.org or call 772-225-0505.

American Quarter Horse Association Trail Challenge set for May 19

Saddle up for an extremely fun and challenging event!

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) will host a Trail Challenge event on Saturday, May 19 at Jack Peeples’ Fox Trail Farm in Palm City. This is currently the only AQHA-sanctioned event of its kind in the Southeastern United States. Fox Trail Farm was also the site of the very first Trail Challenge in AQHA history, which took place March 24.

The course will open for schooling at 7 a.m., followed by a 9 a.m. clinic hosted by AQHA Professional Horsewoman, Cindy Reddish of Palm City, and top Quarter Horse trainers from around the state. The clinic is $75 per person. The Trail Challenge will begin at 1 p.m. Schooling and Trail Challenge classes are $20 each and $50 for the "Extreme Trail Challenge," an all-breed jackpot division. Register online by May 17 to receive a discount on multiple classes.

“This is a great event for riders of all ages, skill levels and disciplines,” said Reddish, who describes the course as a playground for horses. “Any type of horse can benefit from training and competing on this course. Navigating each obstacle builds confidence, respect and trust between the horse and rider.”

Those who are new to the course are strongly encouraged to participate in the clinic and ground work exercises to prepare their horse for each individual obstacle, before attempting the challenge.

The Trail Challenge will be divided into levels based on the horse and rider partnership: Level 1 – a training level or new partnership; Level 2 – an intermediate or established partnership; Level 3 – master level with the ability to negotiate difficult obstacles; and Level 4 – an added “Extreme Trail Challenge” and jackpot division. Classes will be offered for adults, youth and equestrians with disabilities, with American Quarter Horse and all breed divisions. Riders may participate in English or Western attire and tack.

The trail patterns will consist of approximately 16 obstacles (more for Level 4) with judges stationed throughout the course. Obstacles include bridges, logs, climbs and water crossings. Patterns will be distributed at registration and colored flags will mark the course for each level. Each partnership begins with a score of 70, with points added or deducted based on the team’s performance.

The goal is to complete the course safely, without refusals or deviating from the pattern. Teams that navigate the course calmly and willingly, without resistance or force, will receive additional points.

Ribbons will be distributed to the top 10 riders in each division. Registered Quarter Horses ridden by AQHA members may receive Trail Challenge Merits on their permanent records.

The Fox Trail Farm trail course is located in Sunshine Farms, near 5607 Honey Terrace in Palm City (signs will be posted the day of the event). Overnight accommodations are available for $35/stall at Martin Downs Equestrian Center. Refreshments will be available for purchase during the event.

Special thanks to Harbour Ridge Equine, Ranch Feed & Pet Supply, and West of Ole England for sponsoring the event.

For more information, visit CindyReddishQH.com or contact Kathy Boyd at 941-961-2158. For rules and obstacle examples, visit AQHA.com/Riding and click on “Trail Challenge.”

Hello 2012!

It has been a while since my last post - I apologize. What's that saying, "The cobbler's children go without shoes..."? Well, that's certainly the case here. I've been busy helping around town... but here's a recap before I resume blogging (it's already mid-March 2012!).

• Mr. Stud Finder Charity Auction (Jan. 26, 2012), benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Martin County's 2012 Women Build, raised $30,000! Many thanks to everyone involved with making this event a success.
• The Martin County Library Foundation hosted another successful 'Dr. Seuss Days' in early March to celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday and share the gift of reading. I had the honor of reading and gifting the book, 'The Lorax' to students at Apple Tree Academy in Stuart. What a pleasure!
• The Power Ride cycling poker ride (March 11) - which also benefits Habitat for Humanity of Martin County's Women Build - brought in $10,000!
• Stuart Nursing & Restorative Care Center celebrated its 40th anniversary on March 15. They received a lovely feature in the Martin County section of the Stuart News, a proclamation from Mayor Christie and the City of Stuart, and had a wonderful party to commemorate this achievement and honor employee milestones. Congratulations!
• And tommorow (March 17) is the 4th annual Singlefin Showdown at Stuart Beach. This unique surfing event is hosted by Ohana Surf Shop and benefits the United Way of Martin County.
  

Stay tuned for more updates and post-event recaps!

New Growth Media, LLC provides marketing, communications and public relations services. Let us know how we can help cultivate your message. E-mail kelly@ngmedia.biz or visit www.NGMedia.biz.

Rock-A-Thon raises $7,500 for Habitat for Humanity of Martin County

STUART, Fla., Dec. 13, 2011 – On Dec. 3, champions of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County rocked their way to more than $7,500 – funds that will be used to build homes for deserving families throughout the community.

The Rock-A-Thon fundraiser took place at Lowe’s of Stuart and was quite a success for the local Habitat affiliate. The rocking chair relay event kept attendees of all ages entertained with live music, activities, refreshments and more.

"The outpouring of community support for the Rock-A-Thon is a testament to the Habitat mission,” said Mary Jones, director of volunteer services for Habitat for Humanity of Martin County. "We are very pleased with the results and so grateful to the volunteers, performers, sponsors and staff that made this event possible.”

The event included live entertainment from local bands including 99 for One of First United Methodist Church of Stuart, One Last Chance Band, and Medicine Cabinet; and children’s activities including a Lowe’s kids clinic and Boys & Girls Club craft table.

Special thanks to Lowe’s of Stuart for hosting the event, as well as the generous "Rock Star” sponsors, Bank Atlantic; Bushdogs Parties, Picnics and Casual Catering; Centex; EZ-On Products of Florida; and Water Pointe Realty Group. "You Rock" sponsors, Braddock Electric and Air, CSL Plasma, Empire Environmental, Forum Financial Group, Freedom Homebuilders, Natural Flow, New Growth Media, Premium Painters, Treasure Coast Propellers, Whiticar Boat Works, and River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp. "Rocker" sponsors, Accurate Tile & Marble, Ampersand Shirt Shack, Atlantic Insurance Advisors, Hurricane Boat Lifts, Koplas & Company, CPA, PA, Sterling Mortgage, and Beachcomber Fiberglass Technology.

We also want to thank Stewart with Hurricane Mountain Sound for providing the sound, Karen with KMF Entertainment who provided face painting and balloon art, Bushdogs Catering for providing the delicious food and sweets, and the Chick-fil-A for Santa Cow making an appearance.

To learn more about Habitat volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit HabitatMartin.org or call Habitat for Humanity of Martin County at (772) 223-9940.

About Habitat for Humanity of Martin County
Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a not-for-profit organization that works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to help eliminate substandard housing by building homes for others, revitalizing neighborhoods, and transforming lives. Since its inception in 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Martin County has built 94 homes in Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno and Stuart. For more information, call (772) 223-9940 or visit HabitatMartin.org.

Luncheon raises $4,000 for Habitat's 'Women Build'

Many thanks to all who attended Habitat for Humanity of Martin County's 'Women Build Kickoff and Building Blocks Luncheon' on Oct. 12 at Harbour Bay Plaza in Sewall's Point, Fla.

Through the support of attendees, donors, sponsors and volunteers, the event raised more than $4,000 for the 2012 Women Build home for the Sanchez Family. The home will be located in the Carter Park community in Indiantown, Fla and construction will begin in January.

View New Growth Media's photos from the event by clicking on the slideshow, below.

Kelly Beard, guest blogger for Margaret May

I'm excited to have received an invitation to blog about philanthropy for Margaret May. Please visit her blog and read my post on volunteerism. I hope you enjoy!

Kelly Beard named Communicator of the Year

Kelly Beard, owner of New Growth Media, LLC, was recently honored by the Florida Public Relations Association's Treasure Coast Chapter as "Communicator of the Year for a Non-Profit Organization."

Beard was nominated by her client, Habitat for Humanity of Martin County, for her communications and marketing efforts and received the award at the 2011 Treasure Coast Image Awards Dinner.

"Kelly has the unique ability to take an idea or infant concept and develop, implement and maintain an entire marketing program or event, while also transitioning that idea into a platform for future programs to build upon," said Margot Graff, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County.

New Growth Media, LLC specializes in cultivating effective and meaningful communications, marketing and social media strategies that drive positive results. To learn more, visit NGMedia.biz or call (772) 538-3222.