January 31, 2010

Archive

Smiles, comfort and blue-plate specials served at Red Bay Grocery

Down home atmosphere at community grocery and restaurant There is a special place nestled on along County Road 81 in Walton County built on a tried and true basic principle – small town community atmosphere. Red Bay Grocery has been in operation since 1936. The store has had 28 different owners over the years, and then closed in 2008, leaving the community without a gathering spot. In Feb. 2009, Charles Morgan, a seasoned restaurateur and homeowner in Red Bay, rallied...

Step Up Florida Dune Ecosystems Hike at Topsail Feb. 20

Take a hike and learn about the dune ecosystems Location: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 10:30 a.m. Come and join the park folks for a hike. Visitors will be guided down the paved tram path to get to the beach where they will  learn about the plants and animals that live in a dune ecosystem and then walk back on the tram path.  Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A. $6.00 entry admission into the park. Call (850) 267-8330...

Gulf grouper sport season closes Feb. 1

Season will reopen Apr. 1 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advises anglers that regulations prohibit the recreational harvest of all shallow-water groupers (gag, black, red, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind and red hind) from Feb. 1 through March 31 in all Gulf of Mexico waters off Florida, except in all waters of Monroe County. Closing the recreational harvest of all Gulf shallow-water grouper species for two months each year during the spawning season reduces overfishing of Gulf gag...

Be a part of the The Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 12-15

Annual event fun for all ages The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the U.S. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps...

FWC offers hunter safety course in Walton County

Classes to be held in DeFuniak Feb. 5-7 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety course in Walton County. The course will be at the Shooting Range, 955 Smith Rd. in DeFuniak Springs. Instruction will be from 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5 and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Feb. 6.  The range portion of the class will be Feb. 7. Those who have taken the Internet course and wish to complete the classroom portion...

Camellia Festival at Eden Gardens Feb. 20

Camellias in bloom at Eden Location: Eden Gardens State Park Sat. Feb. 20, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Department of Environmental Protection’s Eden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden Gardens would like to invite everyone to their annual Camellia Fest on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch. Festivities will include talks on Camellia identification, air layering (propagation), general maintenance and pest control of Camellias and floral...

Seaside spices things up with outdoor events Feb. 12-13

Something for everyone with movie under the stars, Mardi Gras celebration, concert and more Fun activities are in store with something for everyone as Seaside hosts a variety of events the weekend of Feb. 12-13, with a movie, Krewe of Wee-De-Leis Mardi Gras Celebration, and Valentine’s Day concert. Friday, Feb. 12 President’s Weekend Movie Night Under the Stars – National Treasure: Book of Secrets 7 p.m. – Lawn of Holl Building Join Seaside as they celebrate President’s Day Weekend with an...

Florida freshwater fishing forecast for 2010

Florida Fish Busters’ Bulletin By Bob Wattendorf, FWC It is that time of year again when freshwater anglers are taking advantage of the last of the winter crappie fishery and really looking forward to the spring spawn of bass and bream. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists have completed their analyses of the 2009 fishing data from creel studies (angler reported catches), electrofishing studies, Big Catch records and various measures of young-of-the-year sportfish production. In addition, they have...