Pino Gelato for Alaqua: First Event a Success!

A fantastic afternoon was spent on April 25, 2014 for the announcement of Pino Gelato support of Alaqua Animal Refuge. The fundraiser took place in Destin, FL at The Village of Baytowne Wharf Pino Gelato location.  The outdoor patio and deck seating was transformed into an Alaqua awareness site by their volunteers all set up for donations, purchases of t-shirts and gift certificate special incentives. The day was complete with Alaqua founder Laurie Hood and her sons ramping up attention to passers by of the event prior to a donation check presentation with Pino Gelato CEO Ramona Fantini (her own doggies in tow). Spotlighting the event was the Alaqua mascot, a three legged boxer, and a puppy with looks and charisma garnering much attention from potential sponsors or those looking to adopt.  

“Your Scoop of Happiness is their Scoop of Hope,” Pino Gelato gives back a portion of annual revenue to animal rescue organizations, acquiring an additional foundation each year.  Discovering Alaqua Animal Refuge and the opportunity to learn the magnitude of their operation has been deemed a sure match for Pino Gelato to advocate for support of their full mission.  The Pino Gelato Team and Board Members were present for the Alaqua event hosted in one of the newly acquired Destin, FL stores that allowed a platform for all to experience a gathering in the local community and truly engage the call to action from the partnership created by Alaqua and Pino Gelato.

Pino Gelato at Baytowne served scoops of gelato, and assorted pastries and sandwiches to the crowd.  A toast of prosecco during the presentation to acknowledge the launch of support to Alaqua was accompanied by words from Hood and Fantini. “Salute!”, followed by a round of applause shared by all.

Special accolades are due to the Alaqua event staff for dedicating their time to a cause that has the utmost respect from Team Pino Gelato and staff.  Thank you for the work and time spent to help arrange this successful event.  The goal is to have many more events to come in order to raise awareness and funds for Alaqua.

To find out more about The Alaqua Animal Refuge and the many ways to offer support, please visit https://www.alaquaanimalrefuge.org/

Stay up-to-date with future happenings at Pino Gelato Baytowne Wharf and other store locations to support Alaqua and all of the animal rescue organizations benefited by the Scoops of Happiness served daily.   

Check out photos from the Pino Gelato & Alaqua event below:

Romantic Travel: Plan the Ideal Getaway.

Blow it this Valentine’s Day?  Got it covered. Make up for slacking on February 14th with a grand gesture... everyone wants to be swept away on a romantic travel escapade.  Relax, explore, and connect with a special person.  Go ahead and hop on a plane or jump in the car, let the adventure begin with a romantic travel plan in 2014.   

The itch to leave town is always heightened after the holidays have come and gone and before the majority of the country sees temperatures that stay steady at mild.  Of course, there are numerous places in this world to travel with lists-upon-lists of romantic cities and hotels to source for selecting the perfect destination. Europe is always high-seeded on such lists, with cities that define romance. From France’s Champagne countryside to Paris, Spain, and Italy (5 Italian cities spanning across the top 10 in this list), the slower lifestyle and varying landscapes in Europe are ideal for all.  The food… unbelievable.  

Love is in the air in Charleston, SC. Photo Credit: Jennifer Bearden

Depending upon the interests of a couple there are fantastic ways to make the vacation memorable and stay stateside.   Begin to feel the breeze or ski the slope, there is a place for fun waiting for every type of couple to delve into the romance that started it all. Narrowed down to a top 5 here is a list of romantic cities in the United States. Some boast European flair others have the beaches people yearn for in the lion that is March, either way referencing the selections below is the first step toward getting away with a main squeeze. Another perk, these cities all have impeccable dining.  Click the city and state for a link providing information for planning a romantic getaway in each destination.  

O’ahu, Hawaii For obvious regions as the beautiful beaches, adventures, and a paradise life- complete with flowers behind the ear and lei’s draped around necks.  

Charleston, SC Romantic cobblestone streets reminiscent of Europe with nearby beaches and a historic gas light district for exceptional evening dining.  

Aspen, CO The adventure in the mountains with amazing ski resorts, romantic cabins and resorts, and a downtown fit to canoodle in.  

Sonoma, CA Wine country, luxury, and landscape with pure beauty, sustain romance for the couple selecting Napa/Sonoma region. The vino is a particularly ideal souvenir, open a bottle a month after returning and remember highlights from the trip.

Destin, FL The Sunshine State’s 24 mile Emerald Coast is the ideal beach and boat trip with gorgeous emerald coves, white sand beaches, and bountiful water activities. Try paddle boarding together, experiencing a new activity together is a proven method to connect.

Emerald Coast. Photo Credit: National Geographic Travel

Here’s to romantic getaways, or even just daydreaming of them! Where is the most romantic city in the US you have traveled to with your sweetheart?