Community

By Doug Stauffer Kayleigh McEnany opened this year’s President’s Speaker Series at Mattie Kelly Arts Center. While introducing Kayleigh, President Devin Stephenson of Northwest Florida State College invited stated, “Northwest Florida State College is certainly honored to do our part in improving the quality of place in our community by...

Do you remember what it felt like as a child, to be tucked into your cozy bed every night? Did you feel safe? Warm? Happy? Now imagine being a child who didn’t have a bed to sleep in. What if your bed had been a couch? What if it had...

By Lisa Woodrum The classical hymn states “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” Goodwill comes in many forms. For instance, goodwill was demonstrated beautifully by the Fort Walton Beach Community “toward” One Hopeful Place (OHP) (our local homeless shelter) this past Christmas. Donna Morgan, Program Manager of OHP shared,...

By Larry Williams, UF/IFAS Extension Agent, Okaloosa Care of Freeze-Injured Citrus Trees Recent widespread hard freezes more than likely resulted in damage to many of the citrus trees in Northwest Florida. Cold damage will become more evident as we move into the spring and summer. It is best to take a “wait...

By Doug Stauffer “Florida is proof positive that ‘We the People’ are not destined for failure. Decline is a choice. Success is attainable. And freedom is worth fighting for.” And “fight we must.” These words set the tone for Gov. Ron DeSantis’s inauguration speech. A lot has changed over the past...

If you had told Yvette in 4th grade that the boy who surprised her with an oversized Valentine’s Day card would one day be her husband, she would have laughed out loud. But sometimes life has a funny way of working out, and that’s exactly what happened. Yvette and Richard...

The Flying Needles Quilt Guild was started in 1989 by a group of 19 quilters and has grown to more than 100 members. Its goal is to serve the general public by donations to other community service organizations and by serving as a source of information and education through...

By Kelly Murphy-Redd Maureen Bierman says her primary focus is making an impact on people’s lives. She hopes to expand that impact as the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce Chair in 2023. Originally from New York, Maureen left for New Orleans at 18 years old to attend Newcomb College...

Youth Village Celebrates New Playground Experience The Youth Village, Inc., celebrated its newly remodeled playground recently with a ribbon cutting. Named “The Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation presents the Youth Village Outdoor Experience,” the playground’s remodel was due to a large donation from the foundation. Opened in 1999, the Youth...

By Doug Stauffer Two prestigious organizations revealed their 2023 award winners, both of whom attend Choctawhatchee High School. The Taylor Haugen Foundation awarded Chi Anchors Medina the highly sought-after Taylor Haugen Trophy. The All Sports Association awarded Blake Garland the Male Athlete of the Year. These awards are the first...