Vandalism Doesn’t Stop First Mattie Kelly Concert

By Patrick Donohue, Destin Log, Fla.

May 26–Not even an act of vandalism could stop the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation from putting on its first concert of the season.

Marcia Hull, executive director of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, said Thursday morning that someone on a four-wheeler drove onto the property Wednesday night and tore up the lawn on which Thursday night’s concert was to be held.

“This was malicious,” Hull said.

It was the second time the arts foundation has fi led a report with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Offi ce for someone four-wheeling on the property. Earlier this year, someone tore up the ground where seeds for Bermuda grass had been planted.

With a little help from the city of Destin, the vandalism proved to be an inconvenience but not a show stopper.

The city’s public works department came out and helped repair the grass so the concert could be held.

“I just have to praise the city of Destin and the public works department,” she said. “They’re a great group of guys. They came out and were on top of the job.They’ve just been stellar.”

Now, Hull said, the foundation will explore tightened security measures for the property.

Anyone with information on the vandalism or the vandals is asked to contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, (850) 651-7400.

—–

Copyright (c) 2007, Destin Log, Fla.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.