Hotel Effie, the 250-room boutique hotel located at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, has become a part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection. As a newly-minted member of the Autograph Collection, Hotel Effie enters the brand’s unique portfolio of diverse properties, with more than 295 hotels globally. Carefully selected for hotels’ thoughtful vision and passion, each Autograph Collection property creates a singular and special guest experience through its inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality.    https://sowal.com/story/hotel-effie-at-sandestin-joins-marriott-bonvoy%E2%80%99s-portfolio-of-hotels Read More

Dune Watch is a classic, family-friendly home in a prime location next to Grayton Beach State Park, the newly renovated and expanded Grayton cottage offers excellent Gulf and dune views. And not just any dunes, these are the dunes dreams are made of. Dunes as far as the eye can see, right up to the emerald waters of the Gulf Of Mexico. In decades past, summer kids would play in these dunes (now forbidden), creating forts in the hollows where imagined pirates hid their treasure.    https://sowal.com/story/sowal-style-renovated-cottage-overlooking-the-gulf-grayton-dunes Read More

According to a recent article from Southern Living Magazine, Bud & Alley’s Waterfront Restaurant in Seaside is one of 17 of Florida’s Most Legendary restaurants. A distinction we applaud and feel like we already knew!    https://sowal.com/story/bud-alleys-in-seaside-noted-as-most-legendary-in-florida Read More

To further our community’s commitment to protecting and preserving our quality of life and environment, the Walton County Tourism Department established Keep Walton County Beautiful in 2024 as an official affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. The preservation of Walton County’s natural landscapes allows residents and visitors to enjoy the area for generations to come.    https://sowal.com/story/keep-walton-county-beautiful-encourages-action-every-day Read More

The Seaside Institute is honored to bestow the 2025 Seaside Prize upon two distinguished individuals: Ellen Dunham-Jones and June Williamson. The celebration will take place the weekend of February 7 through February 9, 2025, with a variety of events and symposia.    https://sowal.com/story/seaside-institute-announces-2025-seaside-prize-recipients Read More

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the annual reminder that juvenile black bears might be seen in unexpected areas as they leave their mothers’ home ranges in search of new locations of their own to settle down. Spring also marks a general increase in activity for bears after limited movements in winter.    https://sowal.com/story/bears-in-unexpected-places-in-walton-county-florida Read More

The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County is hosting the 2023 Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts touring exhibition. The public is invited to attend an opening reception for the exhibit on Thursday, June 20 from 5 -7pm at The Foster Gallery.    https://sowal.com/story/caa-welcomes-southern-prize-and-state-fellowships-for-visual-arts-exhibit Read More

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that as we enjoy our beaches this Memorial Day weekend and beyond, nesting season is underway for our state’s imperiled sea turtles and shorebirds along our coasts.    https://sowal.com/story/share-the-sowal-shore-with-sea-turtles-and-shorebirds Read More

Featured Image <!–[if IE 9]><![endif]–> <!–[if IE 9]><![endif]–> Description The Alys Foundation presents the winners of the 17th Annual Digital Graffiti Festival, which took place May 16-18, 2024 in Alys Beach. Best in Show: Peter Clark, Arboriform Curator’s Choice: Johannes DeYoung, The Endless Mile Special Recognition: Svitlana Reinish, Infinity Whispers Special Recognition: Yandell Walton, Transient Entanglement Special Recognition: Ryan Lewis, They the People See all artists work and festival info at www.digitalgraffiti.com. The festival’s juried show featured the works of 57 finalists from the worldwide arena, selected from over 125 submissions. Finalists represented 16 countries, with 5 of the 7 continents, and 19 states. The Emerging Artist Showcase included the art works of students from Cypress College (CA), Savannah College of Art & Design (GA), University of Missouri (MO), Western Washington University (WA), Seaside Neighborhood School and Seacoast High School (FL). The total number of exhibiting artists was 139 showing 72 artworks, with 45 artists in attendance. Gallery Category Arts Events Festivals Gallery Images Town Alys Beach Spotlight 0 New Content Flow    https://sowal.com/photos/digital-graffiti-at-alys-beach-2024-photos-winners Read More