Visionary ensemble features GRAMMY and IBMA winners Singer and banjoist Barry Abernathy and family featured on TODAY, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, and more! PERRY, Fla. – Award-winning super-pickers Appalachian Road Show are set to bring their riveting performance to the Florida State Bluegrass Festival Saturday, April 1st at 6:30 pm in Perry, Fla. Appalachian Road Show is a visionary acoustic ensemble, comprised of GRAMMY and IBMA award winners and nominees, bringing new-generation interpretations of traditional Americana, bluegrass, and folk songs, as well as offering innovative original music, all presented with a common thread tied directly to the heart of the Appalachian regions of the United States. GRAMMY-nominated banjoist Barry Abernathy joins forces with GRAMMY-winning fiddler Jim VanCleve, fresh off of his recent stint touring with multi-platinum country artist Josh Turner, as well as esteemed vocalist and mandolinist Darrell Webb, who has recorded and toured with Dolly Parton and Rhonda Vincent, among many others. The group also includes bassist Todd Phillips, an acknowledged legend in bluegrass music circles, with two GRAMMY wins and four GRAMMY nominations under his belt, along with 23-year-old “old soul” guitarist Zeb Snyder, whose fierce and versatile playing recalls Doc Watson and Norman Blake as readily as it does Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughn. The band recently released their latest album ‘Jubilation’ on which country legend Dolly Parton introduces and is an ode to the life, culture, and lifestyle of Appalachia. Watch/listen to Parton’s introduction HERE. The Tennessean also recently featured the supergroup to... Read More

Santa Rosa Beach FL – March 1983 marks the humble beginning of Footprints Gifts. A transformed gas station was reimagined into an apartment complex and then eventually converted into a retail store by Janet Reeves for the “Footprints Gift Shop.” This Miramar Beach “Mom and Pop” gift store is a genuine success story! The name came about by a complete family agreement to the Biblical reference in Psalm 77:19, that says, “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.” Janet fulfilled her childhood dream of opening a one-of-a-kind retail store that developed into reality when her father-in-law’s one-bedroom apartment became available. She jumped on the opportunity! Life prepared Janet in her early years to launch this now local treasure. She worked at a local movie theatre and was honored with the title “youngest Confection Manager” at Sears department store! Fast forward to today, Footprints Gifts retails some of the best crafters in the area and is one of the top souvenir destinations in Sandestin/Miramar Beach. This retail haven of all things “beach centric” began with t-shirts, beach supplies, keep sakes, and inflated beach toys (supplied by the former gas station air pump). It evolved into an exclusive representation of local artisan products such as colorful bird sculptures, Sandy Pickle(ball), art prints, and magnets. In addition, including beach style home décor and gift items, or sea turtles, you can find man-cave tiki motifs, golf items, outdoor furniture, shells, and more! This... Read More

April 13th Benefit to Raise Funds for Suicide Awareness and Resources The Tatissa Foundation for Suicide Prevention in support of Okaloosa Suicide Prevention and Support (Okaloosa SPS) is honored to announce its first fundraiser on April 13, 2023, from 7-9pm, at the Edge Seafood Restaurant and Bar in Destin, FL. This is the group’s inaugural fundraiser and seeks to raise funds for suicide prevention awareness and improved access to support and resources in Okaloosa County. Tickets for the event are $50 per person and may be purchased online at Suicide Prevention Fundraiser. The event will feature a dinner buffet, local and national guest speakers, and a silent auction. Funds from the event will be used to pay for QPR (Question, Persuade and Refer) Gatekeeper training and other suicide prevention, intervention and postvention trainings, as well as informational materials, speakers, and other suicide prevention resources and events. Okaloosa SPS was established in collaboration with concerned local residents in January 2023 as a program of The Tatissa Foundation, https://www.thetatissafoundation.org. While many organizations focus on prevention within certain age groups or populations, Okaloosa SPS recognizes the need for broader outreach and suicide prevention activities and is dedicated to raising awareness to everyone in the county. Sabina and Louis Zunguze, founders of the Tatissa Foundation and Okaloosa SPS, said “from our personal experience, suicide is a complex issue that can affect anyone and, as such, it is everyone’s business. We are all touched by suicide in unique ways that require community-wide well-coordinated, affordable and... Read More

Spring break is a popular time for college students to flock to the beaches of Panama City Beach in Florida. However, in an effort to prevent excessive partying and potential dangers associated with alcohol consumption, an alcohol ban is in place during certain dates. The alcohol ban typically runs from the first weekend in March to the second weekend in April, which aligns with the peak of spring break season. During this time, it is illegal to consume alcohol on the beaches of Panama City Beach. The ban is enforced by local law enforcement officials, who patrol the beach and surrounding areas to ensure that the ban is being followed. Violators may face fines or other penalties. In addition to the alcohol ban, there are other regulations in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all beachgoers. These include restrictions on glass containers, a curfew for minors, and rules regarding noise and trash. These regulations are in effect year-round. It’s important for anyone planning to visit Panama City Beach during spring break to be aware of the alcohol ban and other regulations in place. By following these rules, visitors can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for themselves and others. The alcohol ban during spring break in Panama City Beach is enforced by local law enforcement officials, including the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Panama City Beach Police Department. The officials patrol the beach and other areas to ensure that the ban is being followed. Anyone... Read More

You can’t go to Disney and not experiment with the food! Let’s break down some of the top places to get a bite to eat, and what food & drink you should be looking for on the menu during your next Florida Vacation and Disney trip. Disney Springs The place where food and drink is plentiful. First and foremost, if you’ve never had cookies at Gideon’s, get ready to have your life changed. The cookies & cream are my favorite. Here’s a tip for you, though: Order ahead. Not just a few hours in ahead, at least 24 hours in advance. If you know anything about my last name, you know it’s Irish. If you’re like me and love Irish pubs, Irish food, and history then checkout Ragland Road. Get a beer flight, sip slow on a glass of whiskey, or grab a Kopparberg Strawberry & Lime cider from Sweden. For an appetizer, get the Whiskey BBQ Lollipop Chicken. It’s covered with roasted corn and bacon crumble. Plates of fish & chips whirred past my table, and boy did they look good. But the hottest menu around our dinner table was the Worth the Wait Beef Sandwich. The beef had been braised for 12 hours and was served with sautéed mushrooms, crispy onions, garlic aioli and smoked cheddar on ciabatta. I ate the Serious Steak, but I can’t recommend that to anyone. The sirloin was average, the mashed potatoes tasted like instant potatoes, and my wife took one bite of... Read More