[[{“value”:” By Maranda Shaye Smith Imagine just entering parenthood, facing the challenge of balancing a new baby with mounting bills and little support. Whether a pregnancy comes as a surprise or right on time, stepping into that moment can feel overwhelming. Questions, fears and practical needs often rise quickly—especially for those navigating the journey without a strong support system. When life takes an unexpected turn, Lauren’s Legacy Pregnancy Center, right here in our area, stands ready to walk beside those facing uncertainty. Serving women and families across Walton and Okaloosa counties, the center provides free, confidential services including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, parenting programs, counseling and assistance connecting with community resources. What began as a tribute of love and remembrance has grown into a cornerstone of compassion and care—meeting physical, emotional and spiritual needs at every step. Executive Director Stacey Reed describes it best, “This is a safe place for women to discuss their options and feel supported. Every story matters here.” Rooted in Love and Legacy Lauren’s Legacy was founded in memory of a young woman whose life continues to touch others through her family’s vision of turning loss into purpose. Lauren was known for her compassionate heart and steadfast faith, someone who naturally reached out to help others in need. After her passing, her family turned their grief into purpose, creating a place that would carry on her spirit of love and service. 1 of 6 Lauren’s Legacy now stands as a reflection of who she was, offering hope... Read More

 [[{“value”:” Green Thumb Garden Club, Inc. was founded on January 10, 1956, as the Green Thumb Garden Club of Santa Rosa Beach, FL.  The Club was federated on February 3, 1959, and incorporated on May 21, 2019. Green Thumb’s key purpose is to stimulate interest in the beautification of Walton County, to further the education of our members and the public in fields of gardening, horticulture, botany, floral design, environmental awareness, conservation of natural resources, civic beautification, nature studies, and to instill in our youth the love of gardening and respect for the environment. GTGC’s generous members and the support received from the local community enable the annual award of multiple scholarships and support for other non-profit organizations in Walton County. The January 21, 2026, monthly member meeting will be a celebration of Green Thumb Garden Club’s 70th Platinum anniversary.  TV personality, meteorologist Chris Smith, is the guest speaker.  Chris has decades of weather forecasting experience and recently founded Panhandle Weather. The venue is Westwinds Conference Center, 4700 Westwinds Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550.  Cost is $30 (cash/check); $32. (credit card).  A special lunch is being planned, and attendees are requested to wear party attire. GTGC is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with 100+Members and growing! New members are always welcome.  Please visit the Green Thumb Garden Club website to learn more about our charitable mission, how to join and details on meetings, activities, and events. The website address is greenthumbgardenclubinc.org or send an email to greenthumbgardenclubinc@gmail.com. The post Green... Read More

 [[{“value”:” For locals accustomed to sugar-white sand, emerald water and harbor sunsets, one of Northwest Florida’s most extraordinary natural landscapes lies just inland — and closer than many realize. This Valentine’s Day, locals are invited to explore that wilder side of Florida during IDIDAHIKE 2026, hosted by the Choctawhatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association. Set for Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, the annual event brings hikers, families and outdoor enthusiasts together for a day of guided exploration through the Nokuse Land Conservancy, a protected expanse of more than 55,000 acres of longleaf pine forests, wetlands and wildlife habitat stretching across Walton and Okaloosa counties. For those who spend most days on the water, IDIDAHIKE offers a refreshing change of scenery — an opportunity to step off the beach and into an inland landscape that plays a vital role in conservation efforts statewide. A Regional Treasure with Statewide Importance Nokuse — a Creek word meaning “bear” — is a cornerstone of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, providing critical habitat for Florida black bears, gopher tortoises and countless other native species. Its preserved landscape safeguards ecosystems that once dominated the Southeast and are now increasingly rare. Winding through Nokuse is the Florida National Scenic Trail, one of only 11 national scenic trails in the country. Nearly 28 miles of the trail pass through the preserve and are maintained by dedicated volunteers from the Florida Trail Association, including members of the Choctawhatchee Chapter who live and work throughout Okaloosa and Walton counties. IDIDAHIKE highlights... Read More

 [[{“value”:” By Kay Phelan For a quarter of a century, the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) has been dedicated to providing hope, healing and justice to child abuse victims and their families in Florida’s Okaloosa and Walton Counties. ECCAC has two centers—the Pierce Family Children’s Advocacy Center in DeFuniak Springs and the Julie Sacco Porterfield Children’s Advocacy Center in Niceville. ECCAC is an accredited part of the National Children’s Advocacy Center non-profit organization. There are 900 Centers across the country, with 28 of them located in Florida. How ECCAC Works The centers don’t house children, but instead provide many needed services 24/7 in a child-friendly environment where children can safely tell their stories. Along with ECCAC’s staff and volunteers, both of our local centers house a multidisciplinary team of child protection representatives from the Florida Department of Children and Families, Child Protection Team, State Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement and licensed mental health counselors. In ECCAC’s 25-year history, over 33,000 children have received more than 200,000 services at no cost. The single most important hallmark of ECCAC’s process is the fact that the impacted child, dealing with the immediate trauma and stress of their situation, can tell their story in one room, just one time. They do not have to repeat it numerous times at different places to different people. In other words, all pertinent parties that can help the child victim are all there at the centers at the same time. Once the child tells their story, action... Read More

 [[{“value”:” By Helen Petre Our home here in the Panhandle is a paradise of animals and plants, perfect weather, dune lakes, pine savannahs, springs and creeks, and miles of beach. Our parks and wildlife management areas are teaming with life. Our highways are full of traffic, tourists, and not much wildlife, other than the occasional deer during the rut. We are building residential and commercial projects faster than our endangered animals can escape. Here are the names and habitats of some of our endangered species. They share our paradise. They were here first. If you see them, please protect them. The fact that they are endangered means you probably will not see them. St. Andrew’s Beach Mouse (Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis) St. Andrew’s Beach Mouse. FWC. The St. Andrew’s beach mouse is a subspecies of beach mouse (P. polionotus). It lives in the dunes in Gulf and Bay Counties. The St. Andrew’s Beach Mouse is six inches long with a two-inch white tail. Beach mice eat invertebrates and seeds from dune plants. They are monogamous and sexually mature at 30 days. Females have four pups after a gestation of 23 days. They are ready to breed again in 24 hours. With that great breeding record, it seems like they should not be endangered, but they are federally endangered due to beach development, destruction of dunes, and fragmentation of their habitat. Other threats include predation from cats, foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse (P. polionotus allophrys) Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse. FWC. Another... Read More

Jelly Roll’s Inspiring Weight Loss Journey Since starting his health and fitness journey in 2022, Jelly Roll has lost an impressive amount of weight. Most recently, the singer confirmed that he has lost 275 pounds. On January 2nd, Jelly even hit a milestone goal of landing on the cover of Men’s Health. The achievement was a longtime coming, after back in […] More Country Music Nation  Read More

 [[{“value”:” Before the first streaks of sunrise settle over Inlet Beach, one member is already at the gym — stretching, lifting, moving with a quiet determination. “I wake up at 4:30,” he says with a shrug, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I work out, head back for breakfast, and then I decide: golf simulator… or swimming?” He smiles. “I feel better than I have in years.” Across the community, the day opens at its own gentle tempo. A woman clips a leash on her dog and walks toward one of the community’s dog-friendly outdoor areas, grateful for the easy routine they’ve settled into. Not long ago, she was living with her daughter in Alys Beach, watching Watersound Fountains being built across the highway. She never imagined it would one day be home. “I thought, Those places aren’t for me,” she admits. But when her daughter insisted she come take a look, everything shifted — the bright, thoughtfully designed apartments, the welcoming outdoor spaces for her dog, the light, the openness, the surprising sense of possibility. “After the first week,” she says, “there was no going back.” The beauty of a morning here is that everyone’s version looks a little different. Some head to the balance studio for physical therapy. Others meet friends on the walking trails that curl through Watersound and 30A. Some hop on a bike. Some linger over coffee. Each person finds their own pace. By mid-morning, the community hums with activity. One... Read More