Rodeo selects three board members

Angela Hayles, Andy Vaughn and Tim Broom were selected to fill the three empty slots on the board of directors for the Destin Fishing Rodeo during Wednesday’s general membership meeting at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar.

The three join current board members, Ann White, Isabel Graef, John Ledbetter, John Brashears, Tuffy Dixon, Tina Harbuck, Kimmy Meyers, Jim Green and Allen Staples.

More than 50 people from throughout the community attended the meeting and were treated to heavy hors devours from AJ’s.

Prior to the naming of the directors, Rodeo Executive Director Helen Donaldson gave a recap of last year’s rodeo.

She said during the 2011 rodeo, 1,109 fish were weighed in by the 97 charter boats and 198 private boats that entered the month long event.

AJ’s gave out 817 fishing rods to youngsters throughout the month and 112 kids participated in the Kids Rootin Tootin Rodeo on Okaloosa Island.

The rodeo awarded more than $175,000 in cash and prizes. More than 3,500 T-shirts were sold and the rodeo awarded more than $7,000 in scholarships for Miss Destin contestants.

It was also announced that AJ’s secured the venue for the rodeo for the next five years.

—Tina Harbuck