Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Greenwood Home

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Nestled in a small yet private 0.87 acres, this 1930s home is ready to be enjoyed as it or renovated to create your modern dream home. Located in Greenwood, it is within walking distance of the grocery store, a bank, a town park, and the oldest running hardware store in the county. The yard has established flowering trees and is partially fenced; the empty space has endless potential. It would fit everything from a wildflower patch to a water slide to a few fruit trees. The homeowner has updated many of the house’s features including replacing the front porch and installing a new septic system. They have also installed a new HVAC, blown insulation, and replaced the main water line from the street to the house.

Bay Point Billfish Open

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The Bay Point Billfish Open starts this Wednesday, June 28th. The total prize money is expected to exceed $1 million this year. The payout for the largest blue marlin caught is expected to be $75,000 for first prize. There will also be Catch and Release categories for all billfish species. The fishing competition will also include live music, food and drink, an in-water boat show, and marina parties. Visit Point South Marina in Panama City Beach from June 28th to July 1st! Visit the event website here to learn more! 

Graceville Announcement

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Graceville Public Works will be picking up vegetative debris next Thursday, June 22 AND Friday, June 23. They ask that you place your vegetative debris right next to the street right of way for easy pick up. These dates are for vegetative debris ONLY. If you have construction debris, it can be taken to Public Works from June 15-17th for Amnesty servicing. 

Artopia 2023

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Tallahassee’s premier art charity fundraiser is celebrating its 25th anniversary! Artopia will be held at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on June 24th at 6:30pm. Artopia is an annual celebration that supports the Big Bend community; all proceeds raised from art purchases will go towards providing prescriptions, food, COVID-19 vaccines, and other medical care to those in need free of charge.

Local and regional artists donate their pieces to Artopia. This year’s selection includes over 300 artworks including signed prints and numbered editions. Aquire a new piece of art for your home while supporting those in need. Featured artwork includes all forms of media including sculpture, photography, painting, photography, and styles. Learn more by visiting the Big Bend Cares Artopia website. 

Father’s Day 2023

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Happy Father’s Day! Did you know that Father’s Day wasn’t declared a national holiday until 1972? It was first introduced to Congress in 1913 but failed to gain tractor or public favor for quite some time. Public opinion scoffed at the idea of celebrating fathers as they did mothers – there was a perceived softness to mothers that the culture of the time didn’t associate with the more stoic, reserved role of fatherhood. In fact, former President Woodrow Wilson once referred to Mother’s Day as a way to recognize “that tender, gentle army – the mothers of America.”

Father’s Day gained traction in part because of the advocacy of Grace Golden Clayton and Sonora Smart Dodd. The Great Depression and World War II pushed Father’s Day into the cultural consciousness and helped the day become commercially important. Additionally, the changing roles of fathers clinched the deal for Father’s Day; the modern role of a father is growing evermore removed from its historical roots. Now, the day is spent celebrating fathers and father figures who provide critical support during a child’s life. There is a growing field of study showing the direct and indirect effects of fathers on children’s well-being. 

Panhandle Watermelon Festival

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The Panhandle Watermelon Festival is coming to Chipley! Founded in 1969, the Festival focuses more on music than watermelon. The musical lineup draws out-of-towners from June 23-24th. This year, the lineup includes Easton Corbin, Collin Raye, Andy Griggs, Ty Gerndon, and Leah Pettis. Love music but looking for other events to fill the day? There’s so much more to enjoy! There will be a pancake breakfast, car show, watermelon auction, 5K run, and a parade. Come out to Jim Trawick Park to enjoy two days of FREE music, fun, and food. Visit the Festival website HERE for more information including the rest of the musical lineup and a schedule of the events. 

Coping with Grief

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These days, we are all dealing with hard things and tough times. Grief is affecting communities at large. Have you recently lost someone close to you? Listed below are a few suggestions on how to handle the grieving process:

  • Allow yourself to feel. Try talking to those you trust, journaling, spending time with pets, or share your feelings with yourself by voicing them aloud. 
  • Keep your loved ones alive in your memory and life. Author Sir Terry Prattchet said, “no one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away.” An effective way to cope with grief is to find ways to remember the lost ones; tell stories, share introspection, plant memorial gardens, or do something that reminds you of your loved one.
  • Allow yourself grace. While scientists are just beginning to scratch the surface of the neurobiology of grief, they do know that it causes changes to established brain patterns, stresses the nervous system, and puts significant strain on the body. Treat yourself kindly; do your best to eat well, rest often, and stay hydrated. 

Pride Month

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It’s Pride Month! Celebrated annually in June to commemorate its roots in the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, this is a time to not only celebrate the LGBTQ+ community but learn about the dangers facing the community today and identify ways to help. 

by Jonel Art

Pride started as a riot; in June 1969, the NYPD violently raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. This sparked six days of protests and riots in the area as the community fought back against the unfair oppression. The riots elevated what was considered a fringe culture to the front-page news. A year later, activists in New York marched through Manhattan to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots – this was the first Pride celebration.

Pride Month was officially recognized as a national event in 2000(1). Despite an increase in anti-LGBT laws sweeping through Florida in the last few months, those who haven’t fled the state for their safety are determined to celebrate and create a space of acceptance and support. Here are some LGBTQ+ events to take part in this month:

  • PensaPride Festival (June 24th) at Cordova Square Park, 1100 E. Brainerd St.
  • Bay Pride Fest (June 10th) at McKenzie Park, 36 Oak Ave
  • Tallahassee Pride Events

Pet Appreciation Week

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PAW, otherwise known as Pet Appreciation Week, is an annual celebration of all things pets! Celebrated from June 4th-10th, PAW is dedicated to the beloved pets that humans share their lives with. Pet Appreciation Week was initiated in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association; it was designed to raise awareness about the beneficial effects of pets.

While Research on human-animal interactions is still relatively new, some studies have shown a positive correlation between human health and the presence of pets. Animals serve as a source of comfort and support; their presence helps decrease stress, improve heart health, and assists children with their emotional/social skills. In fact, kids who read to the real animals have shown better social skills (i.e. sharing, cooperation, and volunteering).

The week-long celebration also functions as a reminder to take care of your pet. Check them for fleas, abrasions, and make sure their relevant vaccines are up to date. Additionally, be sure that their diet is meeting their needs and that they are remaining healthy and active. 

*The photos are of some of Debbie’s beloved pet-babies. Debbie regularly rescues and adopts strays in the Florida Panhandle. 

National Homeownership Month

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June is National Homeownership Month! It celebrates the value that owning a home brings to families, communities, and neighborhoods across America. It helps spread the joys of being a homeowner and encourages others to achieve the same thing. Did you know that most Americans had no way of owning a home in the 1800s? Mortgages became common after the U.S. banking system came into being as a result of the 1860s National Bank Acts.