Deborah Orr of Santa Rosa Pottery demonstrates the art of throwing clay. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Local potter offers wares, instruction at Santa Rosa Beach studio

Looking for a special piece of pottery or learn how to do it yourself? Look no further than Santa Rosa Pottery in Santa Rosa Beach.

Long time South Walton resident Deborah Orr, proprietor of Santa Rosa Pottery has been an artist most of her life and throwing clay since the early 1980s (the process of forming a pot out of clay on the potter’s wheel is called throwing). Orr creates artful and functional pottery using natural elements. The finished product is food safe, dishwasher proof, oven and microwave safe.

Originally from Kentucky, Orr grew up in a country town north of Lexington where her family thrived in the hardware business since the Civil War. After deciding to leave her hometown, Orr thought she would never find a place as beautiful as the Kentucky countryside; that is until she discovered Walton County and fell in love with the natural landscape of Northwest Florida.

Orr found a quiet 10-acre property nestled in a wooded area off of Don Bishop Road and developed her homestead. After a career as a schoolteacher and raising four children, Orr now focuses full time on creating her clay wares and continues to educate at her studio. Read More…

Posted under Home/Garden

Head over to Seaside for some of the best bargains around!

Location: Seaside Amphitheater
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Turn those old sweaters, retro furniture, record albums, and books into cash. If you have something to sell, there is no better place to fetch top dollar than at the largest yard sale in Walton County held in the picturesque, coastal town of Seaside.

Featuring vendors sprinkled throughout the Seaside Amphitheater, this semi-annual event has become one of the top attractions of the year with more than 100 vendors, selling a variety of items at bargain prices.

Now is the time to get rid of those old collectibles and treasures you’ve been stashing in your garage or attic! Vendor Registration Forms are available online so register early as space is limited. Download a registration form online at: www.seasidefl.com/yardsaleregistration or request an application by calling The Merchants of Seaside at (850) 231-6107.

Posted under Home/Garden

Third week in August is best time to plant

Gardeners are rediscovering dual-purpose flowers that not only make the garden beautiful but can also be used to bring the beauty of outdoors inside. One such flower is the sunflower.

It may be towards the end of summer, but you can still plant sunflowers and enjoy them during the fall. In north Florida, try to complete sunflower planting by the third week in August.  Depending on the variety, sunflowers will bloom about 55 to 75 days after planting – 60 days is a good average. Some sunflowers are sensitive to day length and may yield shorter plants and earlier bloom when planted in late summer. This corresponds to the reduction in daylight hours as summer progresses toward autumn.

To begin, choose cultivars that fit your landscape.  There are now more sunflowers than just the seed bearing giants that many gardeners are familiar with.  Just take a look at the gardening catalogs.

Sunflowers can be broadly divided into two types:  those grown for production of edible seeds and those grown as ornamentals and cut flowers. Most gardeners will be interested in the ornamental sunflowers, also known as Helianthus annuus.
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Posted under Home/Garden

Cunning canine looking for a ‘furever’ home

A two year old Jack Russell terrier mix, our Betty Boop is a cunning canine with a sweet face, a big heart and plenty of personality.  Although she adores being around people, she draws the line at sharing her personal space with anyone of the feline persuasion, so she would definitely be happiest in a cat-free environment.  A real charmer, this little lovely is another of the wonderful animals at Alaqua Animal Refuge waiting to be adopted into loving forever homes.  If you’d like to come and meet her, she would be more than pleased to show you around our peaceful ten acre sanctuary and introduce you to all her friends.  With her winning ways and enthusiastic attitude, Betty Boop would love to be your dog of choice.  Her demands are simple and few, and she promises not to take up too much room — except in your heart.

If you would like to adopt Betty Boop or any of the other available friends, contact Alaqua Animal Refuge at 850-880-6399 or go online at www.aarflorida.com.
914 Whitfield Road
Freeport, Florida 32439

Open Tuesday – Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Bring the family for a tour of the facility.

Posted under Home/Garden

Special feline looking for ‘furever’ home

Wonder Woman is not an ordinary run of the mill feline.  This exceptionally beautiful two year old tuxedo cat has riveting green eyes, snow white whiskers that make a strong statement about the pride she takes in her personal appearance.  A tad persnickety when it comes to her daily meals, it’s wet food or no food for this lovely lady.  But it’s not just Wonder Woman’s dietary peculiarities that make her a standout.  Wonder Woman is a very affectionate and gentle companion who is simply a joy to be around.  With all her charm and beauty, she is easy to fall in love with and impossible to resist.  But don’t take our word for it.  Come and pay her a visit at Alaqua Animal Refuge and judge for yourself.  One of her favorite pastimes is sitting in the window and keeping both eyes open for the special someone who wants to give her a loving forever home.  There’s a good chance you could be just the person she’s waiting for.

If you would like to adopt Wonder Woman or any of the other available friends, contact Alaqua Animal Refuge at 850-880-6399 or go online at www.aarflorida.com.
914 Whitfield Road
Freeport, Florida 32439

Open Tuesday – Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Bring the family for a tour of the facility.

Posted under Home/Garden

Learn about safety and living in harmony with black bears

On Sunday, Aug. 22, from 3:30 – 5 p.m., Northwest Florida State College and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be hosting “Living in Bear Country.”
Location: Northwest Florida State College, Ft. Walton Beach campus.1170 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, – In auditorium (Bldg.8)

Alan Knothe, Wildlife Assistance Biologist for the Northwest Region for FWC, will teach about bear safety and management. There are benefits to living in harmony with bears. Natural areas that support bears are home to many other animal species. Learn all about bears and the best ways to prevent them from becoming a nuisance on your property. These same steps help to prevent other animals from becoming problems. FWC’s new 15 min. DVD “Living with Florida Black Bears” will also be shown.
The talk is FREE and open to the public. For more information contact Alan at (850) 265-3676

Posted under Environment, Home/Garden, Nature

Handsome canine looking for ‘furever’ girlfriend

Meet Michael.  He is a most handsome Akita/Black Labrador mix.  A very discerning gentleman, Michael prefers the company of women, and would make an excellent pet for a member of the fair sex.  What lady wouldn’t be proud to be seen walking with such a well-mannered canine companion?  Besides doing exceptionally well while on a leash, Michael also loves to romp and play in a fence enclosed area.  If, after looking into the hope-filled eyes of this fabulous face, you think Michael might be exactly the dog for you, come to Alaqua Animal Refuge and we will be happy to introduce you. There are so many wonderful animals waiting for a special someone just like you to adopt them into loving forever homes, so bring a friend.  The journey could make for happily-ever-after endings for one and all.

If you would like to adopt Prissy or any of the other available friends, contact Alaqua Animal Refuge at 850-880-6399 or go online at www.aarflorida.com.
914 Whitfield Road
Freeport, Florida 32439

Open Tuesday – Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Bring the family for a tour of the facility.

Posted under Home/Garden

SWFD Chief Rick Talbert hands Laura Trudey life saving award at District meeting Aug. 3. Photo courtesy SWFD

Quick thinking and CPR training saves child’s life

On Aug. 3 at the regularly scheduled South Walton Fire District (SWFD) meeting a local mother of four was recognized by the South Walton Fire District for saving the life of a 3 year old child that was drowning in a pool.

On June 29, 2010, the SWFD responded to a drowning call at Camp Watercolor. Laura Trudey, was in the pool enjoying the water with her 4 young children, when she noticed a young boy floating face down in the water. Mrs. Trudey immediately pulled the child from the water; the child was blue and not breathing. Without delay Mrs. Trudey began performing CPR on the child, after five cycles of CPR the child began to breathe on his own. Upon arrival on-scene, the SWFD crew found the child sitting up and crying for his mother.
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Posted under Home/Garden

Encyclia Alata orchid blooming in Laura Talbert's greenhouse. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Flowering epiphytes thrive in local greenhouse

For Santa Rosa Beach resident, Laura Talbert, orchid growing is more than a hobby – it’s a passion.

Orchids (Orchidaceae) are epiphytes – a plant that grows upon another plant such as a tree, non-parasitically and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air and rain. Orchids typically thrive in a tropical environment.

Laura had been growing orchids for more than 10 years in Titusville before she and husband Rick relocated to Santa Rosa Beach three years ago.

Laura originally picked up the hobby from her father, an avid orchid grower. It didn’t take long before she was hooked. A member of the American Orchid Society and the Brevard County Orchid Society, Laura soon became a serious collector and competitor. At one time her collection boasted more than 200 plants.

Laura’s now 15-year-old Vanda John Dibiase, towering more than 6-ft. tall won best in show at a competition in Titusville a few years ago.

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Posted under Home/Garden

Pretty feline looking for a “furever” home

If you find pleasure in the company of cats but prefer a feline who respects the boundaries of your personal space, Prissy could be the perfect pet for you.  With her queenly carriage and intense green gaze, this four year old Maine Coon mix is the essence of elegance and grace.  She takes great pride in her appearance, keeping her beautiful long coat, a stunning combination of tan and gray, well groomed and ready for stroking.  Prissy is quite the independent lady and would be happiest in a home where she is the one and only cat-in-residence.

If you would like to adopt Prissy or any of the other available friends, contact Alaqua Animal Refuge at 850-880-6399 or go online at www.aarflorida.com.
914 Whitfield Road
Freeport, Florida 32439

Open Tuesday – Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Bring the family for a tour of the facility.

Posted under Home/Garden