By Jamie C. Williamson, PhD Divorce should not be entered into lightly, especially if you are a parent. Marriages may dissolve. But co-parenting is truly a “to death do us part” commitment, including all of the family life events in between. Parents must choose (and it is a choice) whether they will have a friendly divorce or an acrimonious one. The decision has a lasting impact on the parents, and especially their children. This obvious reality may come as a shock to even the best parents who are wrapped up in the early stages of divorce. Parents contemplating divorce or dealing with the emotional, psychological, and financial aspects of divorce often require a reminder that children need a safe, secure, and happy family environment to become well-adjusted emotionally and psychologically. Children need their parents to be partners, to like each other, and to be friends at best or, at least, to peacefully co-exist. And children need this, whether their parents stay married or not. Fortunately, co-parents are not hostages to their old emotions or patterns of interaction that lead to their divorce. They can build an entirely new relationship based on their mutual love for their children and their interest in building a stable future for them and for themselves. To do so, they must agree to be both physically and emotionally divorced so they can focus on the future, not the past. I call this approach a “friendly divorce.” The families of these friendly divorces continue to be just... Read More

 By Anna Fisher, Associate Artistic and Education Director, Emerald Coast Theatre Company We just closed our 10th season with a sold out run of one of my absolute favorite musicals, “Sound of Music.” It was a little bit magical to end 10 years of incredible shows with such a profoundly beautiful story. I look forward to Season 11 with such excitement and anticipation for what another year of great theatre will bring! We launch Season 11 next fall with Million Dollar Quartet in September/October. This smash-hit musical tells the story of legendary music icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins as they come together on Dec. 4, 1956, at the famous Sun Studios. This show has so many great songs including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “I Walk the Line” just to name a few. Elvis will be in the building y’all! We follow that with the timeless holiday classic A Christmas Carol in December. This fast-paced stage version is so fun and includes all of your favorite characters like Tiny Tim, the Fezziwigs, all the ghosts, and, of course, the original grumpy old man, Ebenezer Scrooge. This show is a mug of warm wassail on a cold winter’s night and just the right thing to get you into the holiday spirit. Our favorite Scrooge, Bruce Collier, will be returning to the stage as well in this production. There’s plenty of chances to catch The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns throughout the winter months with shows in January,... Read More

 Summer break offers a fantastic opportunity for students to explore their creativity and passion for music. Whether they are aspiring musicians or simply enjoy a good tune, engaging in fun music activities can enhance their skills, provide a creative outlet, and make their summer memorable. Here is a variety of exciting music-related activities that will keep young minds entertained and inspired during their summer break. 1. Make a Music Video: Choose a favorite song or piece of music and become an actor/actress for the day. Kids can work together to write a creative story that goes along with the song, complete with characters, costumes and props, and then turn it into a video. Ideas could include acting out the lyrics to a song, dressing up as a famous pop star or creating a short film and adding some music to the background, silent movie-style. 2. Form a Band: If your child already plays an instrument, encourage him to gather a group of talented friends, form a band and prepare a set list of their favorite songs or even write new ones! They could even host a backyard concert one evening for friends, family, and neighbors. This activity is a little challenging but can do wonders for encouraging teamwork and confidence. 3. DIY Instruments: Engage in some arts and crafts for a hands-on experience. Even everyday items like buckets, spoons and trash cans can be used as performance props, just like the entertainment group Stomp, who use ordinary objects to create... Read More

 By Julie McConnell, UF/IFAS Extension In 2020, a homeowner in Santa Rosa County noticed unusual insect activity on a crapemyrtle in the landscape. The following summer the property owner again observed the insects and reached out to the local UF/IFAS Extension Office for advice. The Santa Rosa Extension Agent collected and submitted samples to Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Department of Plant Industry which identified the pest as Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae Crapemyrtle Bark Scale (CBMS). This invasive insect was first identified in the United States in Texas in 2004, but this was the first documented case of crapemyrtle bark scale in Florida. Why should this concern home gardeners? Crapemyrtles are summer flowering trees and shrubs that are widely planted in the Southeastern United States. They are available in many colors and mature sizes; once established they are drought and wind tolerant and are generally very low maintenance. The annual value of crapemyrtle production and sales exceeds $60 million according to the 2017 USDA Census of Horticultural Specialties. This attests to its popularity as a landscape plant and the economic impact this plant has within the green industry. Crapemyrtle bark scale has been documented on American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) which is native to Florida and the Southeastern U.S. It has the potential to affect other crops such as soybean, apples, persimmon, and pomegranate. What should you look for? Usually, the first sign that there is a problem is the appearance of a black substance on stems, bark, or foliage.... Read More

 30 Years of the “World’s Largest Speedboat” By Paul Bonnette For the past three decades, the iconic bright yellow speedboat known as the Sea Screamer has been giving locals and visitors the chance to cruise the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico and experience the beauty of Panama City Beach on a thrilling ride like no other. Offering high speeds, dolphin encounters, and fun-filled narration, the Sea Screamer has been associated with Panama City Beach for the past thirty years and has no intention of slowing down. Operating out of the Treasure Island Marina on Thomas Drive, the Sea Screamer has long been one of the most iconic family attractions on Panama City Beach, allowing guests to experience a 30-mile-per-hour smooth, yet thrilling ride down the beach while enjoying dolphin sightings as they jump and play in the wake of the boat. The Sightseeing and Dolphin Tours also allow families the chance to get up close and personal with other sea life as deckhands pull up crab traps while educating kids about local wildlife. Guests onboard also enjoy the chance to cool off on hot summer days as water blaster battles often ensue on board. Built by the Bonner family in Wetumpka, Alabama, and billed as the “world’s largest speedboat,” the Sea Screamer has been owned and operated by the Redmond family since the early 1990s. The Redmond family is no stranger to Bay County and have been residents since the 1800s. After serving as a helicopter pilot in... Read More

 Sounds delicious! It’s going to be an exciting summer in interior design with new cabinetry finishes like Sweet Tea and Pecan Pie in the mix. WF Cabinetry has a new Southerly Collection. The collection is inspired by cities and states across the southeast, with finishes, paint and stain that are warm, inviting, and ready to change the stories of the kitchens and baths in 2023 and beyond. Two new door styles, Auburn Plains and Outer Banks, are also available this summer. Auburn Plains is a beautiful full overlay door. It is considered a skinny shaker door with a rail that is only 1 3/4 inches. It can be modern, farmhouse, or coastal depending on finish selections and hardware. The New Ellis collection from Top Knobs, also inspired by Southern roots, is a charming selection for your new kitchen. You can visit www.topknobs.com/whatsnew to check out all of the new hardware styles and finishes.The countertop selections getting released this year are just as exciting! Viatera is about to release Calacatta Oro, which is gorgeous and a look many of our clients have been searching for in a quartz with a softer white background and warm marble-like veining. Vadara quartz has just released eight new colors, including Aurum, which is a graceful quartz inspired by Italian Calacatta Marble. If you are interested in a matte look for your new kitchen, Brittanicca Gold Cool was just released from Cambria and is available in a Matte finish. Granite Plus is your local dealer for... Read More