Author: Debbie Roney Smith

New Year’s Eve!

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Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! Be sure to celebrate responsibly and safely. Heading to a New Year’s party this evening? Check out some fun facts below to break the ice and wow your friends/family with your holiday knowledge. 

  • The first gathering in Times Square for New Year’s started as a party to celebrate the opening of the New York Times building in 1904. Over 200,000 people attended. The success grew and grew until the Times Square celebration we know today; approximately 1 MILLION people attended in person last year.
  • The first ball drop wasn’t until 1907. Prior to the ball drop, fireworks were used. However, they frequently dropped embers on the crowd and were considered too dangerous. 
  • Instead of a ball drop, Miami, Florida rings in the new year with a rising orange. The raising of Mr. Neon, a 35-foot, sunglass-clad metal fruit, has been a tradition for over 30 years.

National Resolution Planning Day

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Did you know that the failure rate of New Year’s Resolutions is estimated to be 80%?! Most people lose their motivation by the end of January at the earliest or mid-February at the latest.

Warren Holleman, who has a Ph.D. in Behavioral Science, says, “It takes a lot more than a resolution to change. It takes a self-understanding, skills, strategies, and support.” Rather than create a simple, yet daunting, list of resolutions, choose one or two things to focus on. Then, strategize. Break each goal into achievable tasks.

For instance, if your goal is to exercise more. The first thing to do is figure out what ‘exercising more’ means to you. Say you’ve taken a break from exercising for the last few years. It doesn’t make sense to immediately expect yourself to work out 5 days a week. Instead, create an action plan where you gradually build up the amount of exercise you do. Try to find a friend to workout with or choose activities that feel less like exercise and more like fun; try hiking, swimming, or playing a sport. Even if ‘exercising more’ means adding 5 minutes of walking to your day, go for it! Small changes create a ripple effect that makes it easier to make bigger changes into lifelong habits. 

 

Wakulla River Manatee Viewing

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Join Harry Smith Outdoors and fellow paddlers on a leisurely trip down the beautiful, spring-fed Wakulla River in search of manatees! The trip will be a 3 mile, 2.5 hour float perfect for families, beginners, and seasoned kayakers alike. For the price of $60/person, you get a knowledgeable guide, transportation (if needed), shuttle service, sit-on-top kayaks, a paddle, and a life jacket.
The trip begins at the “upper” bridge along Shadeville Highway and continues 3 miles down to the “lower” bridge where the shuttle will be waiting to transport everyone back. Please note: we recommend avoiding cotton in the cooler months. Additionally, we recommend bringing:
  • Water/weather-appropriate clothing & footwear
  • Wide-brimmed hat or ball cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water or your drink of choice. There is plenty of room in the kayaks for a small cooler. Alcohol is not allowed.
  • Lunch and/or snacks depending on the length of trip
  • Waterproof camera
  • Small dry bag (Ziplocks work great!) for personal belongings (ie. keys, wallet, phone, etc.)
  • Any personal items you may want and/or need (ex. medication, inhaler, etc.)

We look forward to guiding you on a unique, enjoyable, safe, and memorable experience! Have questions? Contact the event host, Harry Smith Outdoors, by phone – (850) 559-3400 – or email at hsoutdoors@hotmail.com. 

Visit the Facebook event page to learn more or message Harry Smith Outdoors, LLC via Facebook direct message.

Winter Wonder Wagon Rides

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Panama City is hosting a Winter Wonder Wagon ride for all ages! Enjoy the beauty and picturesque holiday charm of Historic Downtown Panama City. Many of the small businesses have decorated their storefronts and the streets have been decorated with lights. Tomorrow, December 29th, is the LAST day to enjoy this charming experience. Tickets are required and are going fast. Click HERE to get your tickets now; each ticket is $5. Children 3 and under may ride, for free, on an adult’s lap. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early to check in; meet in front of the fountain at Gateway Park. 

Japanese Language Club: TONIGHT

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The Bay County Library is hosting a Japanese Language Club. Young fans of Japanese games, anime, and culture will enjoy the beginner class. The program is geared towards ages 6 – 12, and focuses on teaching Japanese words and phrases for everyday life. Registration is required and opens 3 weeks before each class. Please call 850-522-2118 to register. See the Facebook event page for future dates and more information. 

New Year, New Hikes

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Florida State Parks are hosting a series of hikes on the first of January 2024. They want to help individuals, friends, and families start the new year off with a breath of fresh air. The walks are free with state park admission and are guided by rangers. Guests are encouraged to wear sensible shoes and bring binoculars, water, camera, bug spray, and sunscreen.

  • Anastasia State Park (Jan. 1, St. Augustine): Guided 2-mile hike on two of Anastasia’s iconic trails: the Marsh Trail and the Ancient Dunes Trail. 
  • Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park (Jan. 1, High Springs): A guided mile-long hike that educates on the importance of natural springs.
  • St. Andrews State Park (Jan. 1, Panama City Beach): Guided mile-long hike along the park’s Heron Pond Trail that includes a discussion on the park’s natural plants and wildlife. 
  • Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park (Jan. 1, Pensacola): Guided, leisurely mile-long hike along the ADA-accessible Tarkiln Bayou Trail that includes a discussion of the park’s native plants. 
  • T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (Jan. 1, Port Saint Joe): Guided 1.6-mile loop hike with views of St. Joseph Bay through the park’s various terrain.
  • William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area (Jan. 1, Port Saint Joe): Rather than a walk, the Rish Recreation Area would like to invite you to enjoy the first sunset of 2024 on the beach. Bring a chair, blanket, or towel. There will be games of cornhole, bocce ball, and more available for entertainment. 

(2023) Merry Christmas!

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Merry Christmas to all of you from me! Please enjoy this lovely holiday poem, ‘Little Trees’ by E.E. Cummings, in celebration of the season. 

[little tree]

little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see          i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don’t be afraid
look          the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,
put up your little arms
and i’ll give them all to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy
then when you’re quite dressed
you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they’ll stare!
oh but you’ll be very proud
and my little sister and i will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we’ll dance and sing
“Noel Noel”

Christmas Eve 2023

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Christmas Eve is upon us! Did you know that kids used to leave brandy and mince pies for Santa? Now we leave out cookies and milk; make sure to put out some carrots for the reindeer too! 

Have a lovely holiday!

Harborwalk Village New Year’s Eve

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Come out to the picturesque Harborwalk Village to enjoy a lovely New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31st. There will be champagne, confetti, and two fireworks displays. Friends and family are invited to dance the night away on the waterfront with live entertainment by Strange Boy and The New Royals. The first fireworks display will take place at 8 p.m. The official ball drop and second fireworks display is at midnight. Learn more by visiting the Harborwalk Village event page here. 

Beach Ball Drop (2023)

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Panama City Beach’s annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop is coming up quickly. Join thousands of locals and visitors as they celebrate the end of the year and make wishes for the new year. Come out to Pier Park for an evening of fun on December 31st.

The first celebration starts at 5:35pm; the band, Saved by the 90’s, will be playing a free concert. There will be a Kids’ Beach Ball Drop; 10,000 colorful beach balls will be dropped into the crowd at 8pm. Following the first ball drop, there will be a fireworks display, a New Year’s Eve 5K Run/Walk, food, and love music. There will be a second ball drop at midnight. There will be a second ball drop and fireworks display at midnight. Visit Panama City Beach’s website to learn more.