Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Happy Halloween 2023

Debbie Roney Smith on

Happy Halloween! Be sure to celebrate safely and keep an eye out for trick-or-treaters if you’re driving this evening. Find some fun facts about this cherished tradition below:

  • Trick-or-treating was originally known as “guising” in Scotland and Ireland and was celebrated during medieval times. 
  • When the Irish fled the potato famine that devastated their country in the 1840s, they brought their traditions and helped influence the popularity of Halloween in the USA. 
  • Halloween is the second most lucrative consumer holiday; consumers spent approximately $9 billion on Halloween in 2019.
  • Illinois produces up to five times more pumpkins than any other state; 15,000 acres are devoted to gourd growing. 

Right Whale Festival 2023

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The 2023 Right Whale Festival will take place on November 4-5 at Main Beach Park in Fernandina. The festival is part of a regional effort to educate and protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. Every year in late fall, these endangered whales return to the warmer waters off the coast of northeast Florida to give birth and nurse their young. There are fewer than 350 right whales left. 

The festival features family-friendly education, marine exhibits, animal ‘ambassadors,’ a beach clean-up, live music, kids activities, food, and more. Learn more about the event by visiting the festival website. 

Florida Bat Festival

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Lubee Bat Conservancy is hosting the 2023 Florida Bat Festival. Come out on October 21st to enjoy the 19th annual event; it will run from 10am to 5pm. There will be a plethora of bats including the largest bat species – a Malayan Flying Fox which has up to six-foot wingspan. There will also be baby bats, bat-themed merch, educational seminars, live music, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone, and a beer garden. The beer garden is exclusive for participants ages 21 and up; the Beer Garden includes a souvenir glass and unlimited pours from local craft brewers like Swamp Head Brewery, Azalea City Brewing Company, and First Magnitude Brewing Company. Visit the Lubee Bat Conservancy website to learn more. 

Marianna Moose Lodge Open House

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The Marianna Moose Lodge #1026 will be hosting an Open House on October 21st.

October 21st has been designated as “International Open House Day” for all Moose Lodge homes throughout the Fraternity as it corresponds closely with Founder’s Day (October 27th). The Moose Fraternity exists to serve children, seniors, and their communities through various programs and activities. The Marianna Lodge was recently honored and given special recognition by the Florida Moose Association for attaining “Premier Lodge” status while operating in a temporary tent structure. The open house on Saturday will be held at their new (and still under construction) location west of Marianna on US-90 from 4 PM until 7 PM on the 21st. The community is invited to stop by and see the progress of the new building, meet some Moose members, and find out more about what the Moose does.

Trunk or Treat

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Marianna families: come one, come all to Chipola College! On October 31st from 4:30-6:30 pm, the college will be hosting a community Trunk or Treat around Indian Circle. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to show up in costume for a fun afternoon. 

6 Tips for Exceptional Real Estate Photos

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Are you getting ready to put your home on the market? Already have an appointment set for your realtor to come take photos to add to your listing? Here’s a quick checklist of things to check before you get your photos taken; putting the best foot forward is important when it comes to digital listings. Complete these tasks to get your house in tip-top shape!

  1. Clear the driveway and yard of clutter or unsightly landscaping growth. This means everything from the dead shrub in your old holiday pot to rolling up your lawn hose.
  2. Use your garage for storage; typically, garages aren’t photographed so use it as a space for garbage cans, cars, or boxes of items ready to move.
  3. Clear every surface in the home of personal items. Don’t leave out phone cords, paperwork, makeup, etc. 
  4. Tidy the bathrooms; put down toilet seats, make sure mirrors have been cleaned, rugs aren’t out of place, etc. 
  5. Clean all your windows inside and out; leave them open for the photos. Natural light adds to the beauty of your photos. 
  6. Make plans for pets; please don’t expect a photographer/realtor to work around your pets. Try to have them out on a walk or with a friend/family member for the day. 

    Fall-Winter Ceiling Fan Settings

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    During the summer, the fan should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft. This helps create a direct, cooling breeze. Now that the season is changing and the temperatures are cooling down, it’s time to consider changing the direction to clockwise. This helps create an updraft that will circulate warm air around the room. Recirculating the warm air and distributing it back into the living space helps keep the average room temperature up and your heater from overworking. Checking your ceiling fan settings is a good way to help cut down on unnecessary energy costs. 

    Stephen King Film Looking for Extras

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    Love Stephen King? Always wanted to be an extra in a movie? Just looking for a fun, cheap experience? Then this might be for you!

    Director Mike Flanagan is returning to south Alabama to film a new Stephen King movie, The Life of Chuck. “The Life of Chuck” tells the story of Charles Krantz life. The cast currently includes Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill. 

    According to reporting from Gulf Coast Media,  the local booking agency says 1,000 extras are needed for the film in a range of ages from 11 years old and up. Two large crowd scenes are planned to be filmed in Baldwin County.

    To apply, email the following info to Nailim Sanchez at LifeofChuckbg@gmail.com:

    • 2 snapshots – a close-up of face and head to toe with no filters, hats, or sunglasses. The file name should contain your name or parent name if a minor.
    • Age
    • Height
    • Clothing sizes
    • Cell phone number
    • City and state you live in

    The film is scheduled to begin filming on October 16, 2023.

    Amazing Grace Family Farm Fall Festival

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    Amazing Grace Family Farm Fall Festival is running periodically through October into November. Visit Green Cove Springs October 13-14, 20-21, 27-28, or Nov. 3-4 to enjoy the family-friendly festival. The festival activities include a crop maze, pumpkin patch, hula hoop games, a jump pad, corn crib, fall photo ops, and a chance to meet the farm’s animals. Visit the Amazing Grace Family Farm website to learn more about each activity or buy tickets.