Seagrove Garden Club meets at Eden Gardens State Park Mar. 10

Master Naturalist Snookie Parrish will present ‘Landscaping for Florida Friendly Yards’

Snookie Parrish is no stranger in South Walton.  She has helped to design and maintain the landscape of two major developments in the area as well as many private homes.  She has a profound respect for Mother Nature and is always willing to share her knowledge.

For the club’s meeting Snookie’s presentation is entitled ‘Landscaping for Florida Friendly Yards.’

The meeting and lunch will be held at Eden Garden State Park and starts at 10 a.m. The cost for meeting and lunch is $18 for members and $23 for non members.  Reservations are required, contact Georgeen Newell, Seagrove Garden Club Publicity Chair 916-316-6820 or Tricia Sloan, Seagrove Garden Club President 850-835-9870.

The club also offers trips outside of the area to view other gardens or special events.  If you would like to attend a meeting or would like more information on membership please contact Shari Roberts, Membership Chair, at 267-9586.

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Storm spotter class offered Mar. 11

Learn about climatic conditions at free class in DeFuniak Springs

The National Weather Service depends on the public to report instances of damage stemming from Mother Nature’s fury.  The information supplied by residents will often help meteorologists’ determine whether the damage, or destruction was caused by a tornado, or downburst of wind.

On Mar. 11  at 7:00 p.m., a forecaster from the National Weather Service Office in Tallahassee, Florida will be in DeFuniak Springs to conduct a Storm Spotter class.  The class will take place in the EOC Building on Davis Lane off U.S. Highway 90.  Those who attend will receive a basic class in determining various climatic conditions.

The class will be  free to the public.  Contact either Cindy Wilson, or Jeff McVay at the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management and Public Safety Communications Division at 850- 892-8065.

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Bass tournament at Black Creek Lodge Mar. 13

Bass tournament to benefit Crestview High School track team

Come enjoy great bass fishing on Black Creek, compete for cash and prizes, and support the Crestview High School Track Team. Meet at Black Creek Lodge in Freeport at daylight on Mar. 13. $50 per person. 50% payback, gift cards from Bass Pro Shop and Walmart. Special raffle for Quantum $320.00 rod and reel combo. Weigh in at 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact Ernie Martin at 850-689-2570 eve. 850-689-7177 ext. 2460 day.

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Chautauqua 5K Run Fun Walk March 13

The DeFuniak Springs Woman’s Club is hosting their third annual Chautauqua 5K Run/Fun Walk will be held Saturday March 13, 2010.  The event is open to all runners and walkers, men, women and children.  Registration will begin at 7 a.m. at the Amphitheater and the race will start promptly at 8:00 a.m.

The course will run through the Historic District and along the DeFuniak Springs Lake Yard.  The entry fee on the day of the race is $20.  An Early Bird registration fee of $15 is available to those who mail their form and entry fee by February 27, 2010.  The first 100 registered participants will receive a Chautauqua 5K Run t-shirt. Cash prizes, trophies and medals will be awarded to the winners in several different categories.

All proceeds will benefit the DeFuniak Springs Woman’s Club, the oldest civic group in this historic town.  It was established in 1915 to better the community.  The club hosts the Christmas parade and Halloween trick or treating around the Lake.  They help deserving students attend youth leadership programs, host a Mother’s Day Tea for Stanley House Residents and assist those in need as the occasion arises.

Registration forms are available at The Nook and Cranny on Baldwin Avenue.  You may also request a form by emailing dfswomansclub@gmail.com. For further information on registration,  sponsorship or to join the Woman’s Club call Chris Guzowski at (850) 892-5615. Click here for 5 K Run registration

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Have breakfast with a park ranger at Topsail Mar. 13

Learn about park wildlife at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Scenic Road 30A, Santa Rosa Beach

Saturday, March 13 – 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Come and join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife.  To cover the cost of food please bring $4, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Contact: (850) 267-0299. ::MAP::

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Seaside Farmer’s Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Come and reap the benefits of purchasing locally grown food as local farmers and vendors offer their wares. Fresh eggs, vegetables and fruit, honey, breads, cookies, cheeses, milk, organic chickens and broth, handmade jewelry, soaps and more. Buying locally grown food benefits you and our community.

::MAP::

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St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mar. 13

Location: Gulf Trace to Gulf Place on Scenic Hwy. 30A, South Walton
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Gulf Place Mar. 13

Location: Gulf Place, Santa Rosa Beach
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Come and enjoy Irish food and drink , music and Irish folk dancers, face painting and a search for the Leprechaun. ::MAP::

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Shamrocks in the Square in Seaside Mar. 17

Location: Seaside Amphitheater

The Merchants of Seaside invite everyone to all things Irish during their 2nd annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Enjoy the sounds of Irish/Celtic music, and to accompany the live music will be The Drake Irish Dancers of Fort Walton Beach who will be performing a variety of jigs and reels. The school has produced 2 Open Champions and one qualifier for the World Championship Competition. The dancers range in age from as young as 5 to adult. The dancers will take to the stage in the Amphitheater at 6:00 p.m.

If Celtic music is your pleasure, you will not want to miss Mithril taking the stage at 7:00 p.m. Mithril is fast becoming one of the most sought after Celtic/World music groups on the concert series scene. The band’s unique progressive style has its roots in traditional Celtic music but moves far beyond that, weaving such diverse influences as American folk, classical, and Middle Eastern melodies into their full tapestry of sound. Mithril continues to push at the boundaries, taking audiences of all ages on an exotic musical journey to Ireland, Scotland, and beyond.

And keep your eye out for our celebrated, special guest. The Seaside resident Leprechaun will make an appearance throughout the evening with her pot o’ gold.

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Backyard poultry the organic way workshop Mar. 21

Twin Oaks Farm in Bonifay is hosting an organic poultry workshop on Mar. 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mar. 21.

Learn how to raise chicks from brooding to egg laying hens the organic way.
We will cover housing, brooding, watering, feeding and free roaming.

Available for purchase:
3 week-old certified organic Rhode Island Red chicks.
USDA certified organic feed without soy and everything you will need to leave the workshop and start raising your own.

Limited enrollment. Workshop rain or shine. Gift certificate available. No refunds, credit for products only.
To register, contact via email: renee@twinoaksfarm.net
Twin Oaks Farm is located at:
3207 Creek Road
Bonifay FL 32425
$35 per person includes workshop packet and light lunch.

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Seaside Spring concerts under the stars March 24

Location: Seaside Central Square, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes – Kicking off the concert series will be Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes bringing their music to center stage. This funky rock band from New Orleans boasts tunes from calm and funky grooves to full-blown frenzies at the drop of a hat. Don’t let them fool you though. This group has been classically trained and schooled; yet rock the house every time! Their unique funk/rock style and high-energy will be the one concert you won’t want to miss.

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Celebrate Florida Scenic Highway Day on 30A Mar. 26 and 27

Events in Santa Rosa Beach include presentation Mar. 26 and tours of Scenic 30A Mar. 27

In celebration Scenic Highway Day, the Friends of Scenic 30-A will be hosting an opening ceremony  Friday evening March 26, 2010 at the Walton County District 5 office located at 70 Logan Lane in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m (CST). During this opening ceremony, a short documentary on Coastal Dune Lakes will be shown following a brief presentation about the Florida Scenic Highway Program. That evening and the following day, visitors can stop by the office to pick up brochures, educational materials, and other information about Scenic
Highway 30-A.

On Sat. Mar. 27th, visitors can tour the Scenic Highway on buses that will depart from the office. Additionally, many local businesses will be offering specials and discounts to Scenic Highway Day participants. Overall, everyone is invited to Bike or Hike Scenic 30-A…and see it in a different way.

For more information contact Vivian Shamel, Citizen Planner, Walton County Planning and Development Services at 80-267-1955 or email: shavivian@co.walton.fl.us

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New Heights Wrestling returns to Red Bay Grocery Mar. 27

Fun for everyone in store as New Heights Wrestling entertains in the ring

Red Bay Grocery in Bruce is hosting a wrestling match with New Heights Wrestling on Mar. 27. Show starts at 3 p.m.

“Last years event was so much fun they are going to do it again,” says Katie Barrineau, general manager of Red Bay Grocery.

Admission is free, bring your own lawn chair. Red Bay Grocery has everything else you need: BBQ, beer, snacks, and more

Red Bay Grocery
8704 Highway 81 S
Red Bay, Florida 32455
Phone: 850.836.2220
For more information, go to www.redbaygrocery.com

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Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge offers alternative spring break fun on Okaloosa Island weeks of March 29 – April 2 and April 5 – April 9

Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge is hosting SpringWild Spring Break Camp for grades 1-5 to be held the weeks of March 29 – April 2 and April 5 – April 9 from 9 a.m. -3 p.m.   The camp will be held at The Boardwalk, Okaloosa Island.  Participants will learn about native wildlife through lectures, games and hands-on experiences, conduct science experiments and crafts, enjoy live animal encounters and more.

• Includes snacks, lunch, craft materials, camp t-shirt (or similar item)
• Explore the biology and natural history of terrestrial and aquatic native wildlife
• Science experiments- test local water, make recycled paper
• Animal encounters- meet the refuge’s animal ambassadors, learn to hold a flying squirrel and other animal ambassadors
• Wildlife detective- “Hide” and Seek (match animal hides with the animals they represent) use dichotomous key to identify species Read More…

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Seaside Spring concerts under the stars March 31

Location: Seaside Central Square, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Hightide Blues - Their sound is a throw back to southern rock with a modern twist and an original delivery that’s in a category of it’s own. Their delivery of acoustic and electric guitars with a hard-hitting rhythm section has led to sold out shows all over the Southeast and won’t be stopping there.

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Seaside Spring concerts under the stars April 7

Location: Seaside Central Square, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Sam Thacker – Atlanta native Sam Thacker combines folk and country guitar riffs with an unexpected rock edge that makes him a truly unique artist. While Thacker’s sincere songwriting remains rooted in singer/songwriter tradition, he delivers his tunes with sweeping anthemic choruses that point to the influence of larger-than-life rock bands.

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Seaside Spring concerts under the stars April 14

Location: Seaside Central Square, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe – Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe have incorporated their musical heritage with unique experience to create one of the most innovative Zydeco groups around. Dikki Du’s original funky and hypnotic style announces that he has arrived, occupying a spot with the best. He takes songs from classic Zydeco and turns them inside out with fresh and funky renditions driving it to the next level. The Krewe’s originalities revitalize Zydeco charging it for years to come.

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Destin Cobia Tournament through April 30

The tournament takes place at HarborWalk Marina in Destin, Florida, located on the Destin Harbor. The tournament is scheduled to begin with the first Cobia caught and weighed-in by a boat officially entered in the tournament and ends April 30, 2010.

All proceeds from the event go towards the Miss Destin Scholarship Fund. This scholarship fund has helped dozens of aspiring young women further their educational goals.
For more information about the 2010 Destin Cobia Tournament, go to: destincobiatournament.com

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Upcoming canoe/kayak paddles in the Panhandle

The West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club offers a variety of paddles in the Northwest Florida Panhandle. If you are interesting in becoming a member, you can go to their website at www.clubkayak.com/wfckc or contact Wes Mosteller at wesjane@earthlink.net

Guests are welcome on trips as long as they have the skills to safely navigate the waters being paddled.  Guests must sign a waiver form and have an Eglin Recreational Pass if the trip is on the Base.  Paddlers must supply their own boat.

Click here for upcoming paddles

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Take a hike or a paddle with the Florida Trail Association

Florida Trail Association – Choctawhatchee and Western Gate Chapters

Activities February/March 2010

The Western Gate Chapter (western area) and Choctawhatchee Chapter (eastern area) span a longitude difference greater than 80 miles. All activities are open to the public unless noted otherwise. Read More…

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