The Walton County Snowbirds partner with OneBlood each year to sponsor a blood drive. This year, the blood drive will be on Wednesday, February 15 at Faith Fellowship Hall, 306 S. Geronimo, Miramar Beach. The OneBlood mobile bus will be in the parking lot from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Snowbirds are scheduling appointments. Contact Peg Breetz at 330-807-2379 to schedule an appointment. All are welcome, not just Snowbirds. Participants will each receive a free OneBlood tee shirt and a $20 electronic gift card that can be used at various retail stores. The club also has 50/50 raffles at each general meeting during the season. The proceeds go towards two $1,000 scholarships for South Walton High School students to use for college. Attend any General Meeting listed below to buy tickets for the drawing. In addition, the club sells FundRays coupon books throughout the season for $20. These coupon books provide discounts at many local restaurants and stores in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. The proceeds from the sales of the coupon books go to Children in Crisis, a foster care organization in Fort Walton Beach. The Snowbirds also know how to have fun while on the beautiful Emerald Coast! The Walton County Snowbirds held their first of two socials on January 20 at Acme Oyster House in Miramar Beach. Approximately 60 Snowbirds flocked to Acme to socialize and meet new friends. Our next social is Friday, February 3 at The Beach House on the Gulf side of Sandestin,... Read More

  The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) and South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) will reveal seven new sculpture designs chosen by jury for permanent exhibition in the fifth installation of the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA). The 2023 installation will include Quantum Reef by Chris Chubb (Tallahassee), Space Nest by Frank Henderson (Evanston, Ill.), Welcome Home by Zachery Long (Oklahoma City), Madam Nature by Andrew Luy (Huntsville, Ala.), Cetacean Remains by Pat Mclain (Stone Mountain, Ga.), One Tree by Ann Moeller Steverson (Huntsville, Ala.) and Opus by Allison Wickey (Santa Rosa Beach). Named in 2018 by TIME Magazine as one of 100 “World’s Greatest Places,” the UMA is presented as part of CAA’s Art In Public Spaces Program and augments SWARA’s mission of creating marine habitat and expanding fishery populations while providing enhanced creative, cultural, economic and educational opportunities for the benefit, education and enjoyment of residents, students and visitors in Walton County. UMA sculptures are deployed with SWARA’s existing USACOA and FDEP permitted artificial reef projects that includes nine nearshore reefs located within one nautical mile of the shore in approximately 58 feet of water. The 2023 installation will join the 34 sculptures previously deployed on a one-acre permit patch of seabed off Grayton Beach State Park, further expanding the nation’s first permanent underwater museum. Deployment of the 2023 UMA installation is slated for summer. Visit UMAFL.org for more information on the timeline and events surrounding UMA’s launch. Project and sculpture sponsorships are available. Please contact... Read More

  Alaqua Animal Refuge has formally opened its new, one-of-a-kind facility, located at 155 Dugas Way, and invites the community to celebrate the momentous occasion with a month-long celebration of events titled “Celebrate! Alaqua” beginning March 4. As the Southeast’s premier 501(c)3 refuge and sanctuary, Alaqua believes that every abused, neglected, and homeless animal deserves a second chance. Originally located on 10 acres in Freeport, the new 100-acre facility will allow Alaqua to continue to do the important work of animal rescue and rehabilitation, as well as be an educational and training center for animal welfare advocates as a place that will inspire, empower and educate others to make change in society and recreate the model worldwide. “We are so happy to finally be in our permanent home,” said Alaqua Founder Laurie Hood. “We have welcomed the animals to their new sanctuary and now we want to welcome our community to come see what their love, fundraising, and support throughout the years has built. After eight years of creating this space, we invite everyone to come ‘Celebrate Alaqua’ and honor this momentous move for our organization.” During the month of March, Alaqua will host a featured event every Saturday, kicking off with the highly anticipated Seventh Annual 100 Point and Cult Wine Dinner on Saturday, March 4. The sold-out, exclusive evening will offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience as they will be the first to dine in Alaqua’s permanent home. Guests will also enjoy a private concert with musical guest performances... Read More

By Victoria Ostrosky Some years ago, a small book was written entitled Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard.  It’s an allegory, and a beautiful one.  The main character’s name was Much Afraid, and she truly desired to know the Chief Shepherd better.  When He called her to go on a journey with Him, she agreed, even though she trembled in fear.  Because the Chief Shepherd couldn’t be with her the entire journey, He gave her two companions, named Sorrow and Suffering, whose task was to assist Much Afraid and help her over the hard places.  She learned and grew stronger, with Sorrow and Suffering her constant helpers.  One day, as she stumbled over the bare rocks, she saw a yellow flower growing out of them, with its solitary face lifted to the sun.  Much Afraid asked the delicate flower its name.  “I am Acceptance with Joy,” it replied. Harrison Ashler was born and raised in Pensacola, regularly attending church and singing in the choir.  Like many young men, he met and married a wonderful woman, had a baby and bought a house.  Life was good. In September of 2015, God reached down and touched Harrison. He experienced a brain hemorrhage/stroke that turned his and his family’s lives upside down.  He had a seizure, was intubated in the hospital and taken to Sacred Heart in Pensacola where the doctors discovered a brain bleed. He woke up with a tube down his throat and a broken arm.  “I pulled the... Read More

By: Maurice Stouse, Financial Advisor and Branch Manager The new year has begun for America and the world and for investors. After watching both the stock and market experience significant drawdowns in 2022 (a rarity for the two to move in tandem), people wondered what the new year might bring. Thus far we have been showered by the media with talk of recession, stoking fear into the hearts and minds of consumers. Eventually, consumers begin to over worry and they begin to snap their wallets shut. This however does not seem to be the case, at least not yet. At this writing, while the economy has most definitely slowed, many companies continue to make money. 71% of companies reporting their Q4 earnings have surpassed expectations. We are left to wonder which is the greatest evil: A recession, inflation, or deflation. Inflation over time erodes the standard of living and is not sustainable. Deflation, we think, is the worst of outcomes as it is a collapse of demand and it eventually pulls the economy down, perhaps into a depression. We are reminded of a quote Ronald Reagan repeated more than once: A recession is when your neighbor loses his job, and a depression is when you lose yours. A recession is an economic reset and investors are reminded to take note that when the economy is seemingly at its worst, that is the time to invest in stocks if they are long term, growth oriented investors and have the tolerance for... Read More

Every Day is a Chance to Change a Child’s Future and Mac & Cheese Fest is One Way to Do It An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Yet, young people need to know that someone cares about them. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast (BGCEC) offer that and more. Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence all in a safe place to learn, grow and have fun. Our local BGCEC has taken members from the Clubhouse to the White House; from the game room to the corporate boardroom; from the high school football field to the NFL; from a band room to Carnegie Hall. And from the streets to guidance, friendship and a place to belong. Boys & Girls Clubs Emerald Coast offers programs that are addressing today’s most pressing youth issues. “Our programs teach young people the skills they need to succeed in life, while providing a safe place for hundreds of Northwest Florida children to go after school and during the summer,” says C.E.O. Shervin Rassa. Local area programs basically focus on three priorities: Academic Success where members are provided with tools to graduate from high school with a plan for their future; Good Character and Citizenship through a variety of programs such as Keystone Club, Torch Club, Youth of the Year, Youth for Unity and Netsmartz; and Healthy Lifestyles where members... Read More

All Things GumboPursue the Roux at the 34th Annual Sandestin Gumbo FestivalFriday, Feb. 24, 5 p.m.Saturday, Feb. 25, 12-4 p.m.Known as one of the largest and most popular winter food events along Florida’s Emerald Coast, the Gumbo winter festival is back for its 34th year. Kick off your tasting days, Friday, Feb. 24, with a Low-Country Boil Kick-Off Party at Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille from 5-7 p.m. with live music starting at 4 p.m. Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille will serve boiled potatoes, corn on the cob and sausage. On Saturday, Feb. 25, Gulf Coast restaurants will feature their top-secret gumbo recipes and compete for your vote. Sample the variety of gumbos and vote for your favorite as the “People’s Choice” winner. Dark or light roux? Chicken, sausage or seafood? Celebrity judges will name the “Area’s Best.” This festival’s atmosphere is so fun, with live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe while you taste, free kid’s activities, and restaurants from all over our area vying for your coveted vote. With vodka sponsored by 30A Distilling Co., the popular Bloody Mary competition is back again this year, featuring the Best Bloody Marys at the beach. Taste some of the finest local bars’ and restaurants’ Bloody Marys and judge those, too. Vote for your favorite and help contestants win the title of “Best Bloody Mary at The Beach.” Visit SandestinGumboFestival.com for tickets and details, including a daily schedule of events and entertainment. General admission tickets are $45 before Feb. 24 and $55 day... Read More

Tickets are now on sale for the annual Caring & Sharing of South Walton Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, February 26th from 12:30 to 3 p.m at The Vue on 30a. Guests will enjoy a fashion show, lunch from The Vue, silent auction, photo booth, on-site boutique, a cash bar, and more! Doors open at noon with mingling, bidding, and shopping opportunities available before the show begins. Music and DJ will be provided by GTS Entertainment. Caring and Sharing volunteers and supporters will walk the runway modeling outfits made up entirely of items donated to the Caring & Sharing Thrift Store. All items modeled in the Fashion Show, along with other thrift store items, will be available to purchase in an on-site boutique curated specifically for the event and sponsored by The Turner Team at Counts Real Estate. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased at the Caring and Sharing Thrift Store during business hours Monday through Friday from 9 to 4pm located at 112 Lynn Drive in Santa Rosa Beach. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, please email carly@caringandsharingsowal.org. The post Caring & Sharing Spring Fashion Show Returns to The Vue on 30A Feb. 26 appeared first on South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information. Read More

By Sean Dietrich The first concert I ever saw was the Oak Ridge Boys. I was 2 years old. Mama took me. I pooped my diaper while they were singing “Elvira.” My mother changed me at the foot of the stage as I was singing at the top of my voice. One of the Oak Ridge Boys gagged, mid-song. “That’s Mama’s little musician,” said my mother, wiping my hindparts. The next concert I ever saw was the “Grand Ole Opry.” My father moved us to Tennessee because he was building the GM plant in Spring Hill. Mama knew I loved music, so she carried me to “country music’s biggest stage.” I remember seeing Jerry Clower. I remember a bluegrass group practically lighting their instruments on fire. I remember Minnie Pearl. During the Opry performance, Mama stood me on the back of the pew so I could sing along. She kissed my cheeks and said, “That’s Mama’s little musician.” Mama bought my first nice guitar. It was the first “fine” instrument I ever owned. A Gibson. Student model, B-15. It was indestructible. You could use this guitar to tenderize meat. I still have it. And it was Mama who bought my first piano on my 9th birthday. Mama bought a second-hand piano from the classifieds. She sent my father to pick it up. He bribed his friends to move the instrument with cases of free Busch. As a result, the piano was beat to heck. I began playing piano in church... Read More

By Lisa Woodrum Path of Grace (POG) provides a way out for women caught in the destructive lifestyle of addiction through discovering their identity and purpose in Christ. Eddie Mansfield has been its director for 12 years. He compassionately understands these residents’ journey as he too had wandered off the right path, but later found his way back to God’s path of grace through Christ from a life of addiction many years ago. POG has a structured faith-based culture effectively producing transformation, with an 85-90 percent success rate (two-year program)! Aspects of the program include Bible study, prayer, work at their thrift store (in Santa Rosa Beach and Panama City), attending AA, church, parenting classes, individual and group therapy. They also learn various skill sets such as sales, management, truck driving, customer service and construction. At graduation, each 2-year girl receives a “nest egg” of $8,100 for her fresh start. (They also have an 18-month program as well.) Eddie explains, “We speak life into these ladies, teach them to be there for each other …They learn to be loving, caring and a big family for each other.” POG has one house in Miramar Beach, two in Santa Rosa Beach and one in Vernon. Since its inception, it has graduated 160 women. Some remain to become staff. Upon graduation, Brandy Wilson desired a job in recovery and was offered the position as assistant managing director. She shares, “God totally restored my life. This program is my heart!” Morgan Jones is a... Read More