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Help reduce power costs by joining CHELCO’s No Peaking Program

Curb your power usage, save costs In late December, CHELCO started the first automated phone messages to residential members concerning a potential cold weather energy usage peak. Members were asked to conserve energy during the hours of 5:30 a.m. through 8:30 a.m. to help CHELCO manage the cost of wholesale power and avoid potential rate increases from our power supplier, PowerSouth. Participation in the program lets members help themselves, their neighbors and CHELCO by lowering the peak demand (which is...

Banded Rufous hummingbird winters in same yard six years in a row

Local bird lover excited about a returning winter guest Local hummingbird enthusiast and butterfly expert, Mary Ann Friedman of Niceville is excited about a winter guest she has coming to her yard year after year. A Rufous Hummingbird, nicknamed “Ruferocious” has been returning to Mary Ann’s yard each winter for six years. “We call her Ruferocious because she is pretty possessive and usually kicks any other would be winter hummingbirds out in a very short time. Before she started “living”...

Permaculture garden sprouts to life at Eden’s Landing in Point Washington

Local Moonlight Micro-Farm expands their gardening efforts The New Year brings a garden to Eden’s Landing on CR 395 in Point Washington, as local Walton County farmers Chandra Hartman and Eric Marcus of Moonlight Micro-Farm are starting a permaculture garden project at the development. The garden is nestled in the common area of Eden’s Landing, and is designed to embrace green and sustainable living. Moonlight Micro-Farm selected a common area approximately 630 sq. ft. to implement the experimental garden. Eden’s...

Recycle your Christmas tree in Walton County

Trees will be picked up at the curb Recycle your Christmas tree and have it processed into chips for garden use. The trees will be picked up by  Waste Management (Southside) or Dayco (Northside). Dayco will be picking up trees the week of Jan. 3, and Waste Management will pick up the trees less than 50 lbs. on their designated yard debris pick up day. The trees will be taken to the county landfill and processed on their chipper. Chips...

DeFuniak Springs farmer harvests a 12 pound sweet potato

That is one big sweet potato! David Adams with Adams Farms recently harvested their largest sweet potato to date. Their sweet potato crop is ready and priced at $5 for a 5 gallon bucket. Call ahead: Tel: 850-978-2747. Directions: From Hwy. 90 in DeFuniak Springs, take Hwy. 83 north. Turn right on Hwy 185 and go approx. 2 miles. Farm is located at 257 T.R. Miller Road. Website: www.adamsfarminc.com...

Buying locally grown produce a winner for consumer and farmer

Locally produced food consumption a healthy and smart choice Ever wonder why the food always tastes better when you buy it from a local farmer? There are many reasons – one being when you buy local food, you reduce your food miles. The fewer miles your food has to travel, the less environmental damage occurs, and the fresher the product. When you buy at farmers markets, farm stands, or direct from the farm, the food is usually picked that day...

A natural approach to farming at Twin Oaks Farm

One woman’s quest for a natural alternative offers organic poultry, eggs and fresh preserves Drawn to the idea of living in a warmer climate, Renee Savary moved to Florida from Switzerland 19 years ago, initially living in Miami as a successful Real Estate broker in South Beach. When a business matter brought Renee to Bonifay two years ago, she immediately knew what her next calling in life would be. Renee fell in love with the beauty of Northwest Florida, and...

Eden lights up for the holidays

Historic Wesley house decorated through the holidays Candelight tour Dec. 19 from 5 – 9 p.m. Eden Gardens State Park and the Friends of Eden invite you to join them for a tour of the Wesley House through the holidays. All of the rooms of the house have been decorated in Christmas cheer with each  decorated in a variety of different themes by local organizations. This year the Green Thumb Garden Club decorated the parlor, The Friends of Eden the...