by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
Attendees of the Northeast Florida Real Estate Association’s Beach Bash and Installation donned Jimmy Buffet attire, Hawaiian shirts, flip flops, jeans and t-shirts to help Kay Seitzinger of Watson Realty celebrate the beach during her installation last month.
Beach balls flew through the air as everyone waited to enter the event and each attendee was given a beach bag complete with a water gun, bubbles, games and sunscreen.
Toney Novelly, a one-man band, entertained the guests with Jimmy Buffet tunes during the event.
During the event, many awards were given out and everyone dined on a summer type buffet of fried chicken, baked beans and fruit.
Past president Linda Sherrer of Prudential Network Realty summed up her year in her speech and thanked the association for its support.
André Boutté of Watson Realty won the Realtor of the Year award.
“I am very pleased and humbled in receiving this award,” said Boutté. “It is certainly a great honor, and one that I will cherish. Being president of NEFAR was fantastic, but being recognized by my peers with this award, was over the top. I enjoy working behind the scenes and hope that my volunteerism sets an example for other to follow, especially in giving back to our association for all that it provides to us.”
Other awards given during the event were: Affiliate of the Year, Sue Robinson of AmeriPro Inspection Corp.; Property Manager of the Year, Brenda Needham of First Place Management; Silent Angel, Bonnie Siecker of Century 21 Dames Point Realty; Golden R, R.D. de Carle of Florida Realty USA and Pete Dalton of Vanguard Realty, Inc., GMAC; Circle of Honor, Pam Bingemann of Bingemann Realty Sales; Humanitarian, Charlotte Esarey of Buck & Buck and Teva Monroe of Homeside Realty and Credit Management Services; Outstanding Newcomer of the Year, Paul Gruenther of Vanguard Realty GMAC; Special Recognition, Cassie Browning and Erin Fortner of Coldwell Banker Ben Bates Realty; Educator of the Year, Patricia Sherman of Coldwell Banker Walter Williams Realty, Presidential Lifetime Service Award, Wendell Davis of Watson Realty Corp.
Also, NEFAR Realtors Walter Williams, Coldwell Banker/Walter Williams Realty, William A. (Bill) Watson, Watson Realty Corp., Henry D. Rogers, Nicholson-Williams Realty and George Linville, George Linville Corp. were honored with Realtor Emeritus status, conferred by the National Association of Realtors.