Dinner on the Bay
A wonderful dining experience with live music, raffles, auctions, and a block party.
Bill Buskell
Bill Buskell is one of those individuals in life you meet and feel as though you have known him for a lifetime. He greets you with a smile and will talk to anyone for as long as they would like. The conversation is full of life, laughter and smiles. Bill is also a loyal local to the Bay County community and a dedicated Beach Bum. His heart is truly with Panama City Beach.
Beach Care Services would not even exist without Bill Buskell. Not only is he a member of our Board of Directors, he is active in bringing funding to help locals each and every year. He personally ensures that the core values of Beach Care Services remain intact.
Bill also lends use of his resources to boost the success of the fundraiser events Beach Care Services hosts each year. And he created a culture of caring, giving, and making our community more beautiful that we are grateful to share!
Please Donate!
Your tax deductible donation will help locals in need.
- A Little More About Bill "Pine" Buskell
- In the early 30’s there was little use for what some referred to as “the ugly white sand” of the future Panama City Beach. Vast expanses of undeveloped land were obviously only for farming and these sandy acres had little chance of producing anything worth harvesting. Gideon Thomas, however, saw more to this real estate than its critics. Though others made numerous attempts to convince Thomas that his efforts to harvest anything edible in this area were futile, he would simply respond, “I’m not attempting to grow vegetables here I’m going to grow people.” Grow people he did.
- On May 2nd, 1936, Gideon held the formal opening of Panama City Beach complete with amusement park rides and whole Florida lobsters for 75 cents each. It was then that the life of this small beach town and the dreams of one man began to take shape. Tourists began flocking in from all over the southeast and Panama City Beach became the premier vacation destination. It is safe to say that Gideon Thomas did indeed produce a “bumper to bumper” crop. In fact, in 1953 state officials recognized his contributions by naming the street you traveled to get to Pineapple Willy’s “Thomas Drive”.
- Things have changed quite a bit since 1936. Buildings have gone up, buildings have come down, property has exchanged hands, and newer, bigger dreams have been realized. One of those dreamers was a young man named William Buskell, better known to all as “Pineapple Willy”. In 1984 “Pine” changed the name of what was then called the Pier 99 lounge to Pineapple Willy’s. The name derived from the introduction of their now signature rum drink, the Pineapple Willy. He started with the basics: great food, great cocktails, and great staff. Minus a little bump in the road locals refer to as Hurricane Opal, not much has changed at Pineapple’s. They still serve the best ribs on the beach, you’d be hard pressed to find better drinks, and their staff is as friendly and fun as ever.
Our Fundraiser Events
Golf Tournament
A competitive but fun golfing challenge with special gifts and prizes galore.
Duck Races
A wet and entertaining duck race with auctions, tasty treats and endless laughter.
Please Donate!
Your tax deductible donation will help locals in need.