Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Peanut Butter Drive

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There will be a Peanut Butter drive this month in Blountstown and surrounding areas. Peanut Butter FIGHTS Hunger! With the support of the Florida Peanut Producers Association and Florida Peanut Federation, the UF|IFAS Calhoun County Extension Office is collecting unopened jars of peanut butter. All donations will go to local food pantries to help feed families in need. Drop-offs are accepted Monday through Friday from 8 AM – 4:00 PM. The drop-off is located at 20816 Central Ave. East, Blountstown, FL 32424. The support of the community is appreciated! 

National Bookshop Day

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Tomorrow is National Bookshop Day, an annual celebration of all things books, reading, and local! It was conceived by the Bookseller Association. It is celebrated by individuals and businesses associated with the book trade, including publishers, authors, local bookshops, book lovers, and booksellers. See the list below for a selection of local bookstores to support tomorrow in the Panhandle and surrounding areas:

National Coffee Day 2022

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Today is National Coffee Day! The exact date of its origin is unknown, however, it is believed to have first been celebrated in Japan circa 1983. The celebration was then introduced to the United State in 2005. It is celebrated annually on September 29th. This annual celebration should not be confused with International Coffee Day which was first celebrated on October 1, 2015.

See below for a list of businesses that are offering National Coffee Day(NCD) deals or freebies:

  • Barnes & Noble: receive a free tall hot or iced coffee with the purchase of any baked item from B&N Cafés nationwide.
  • Dunkin’ Donuts: DD Perks members can get a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase at Dunkin’.
  • Panera Bread: new Unlimited Sip Club subscribers receive two months free if they sign up on NCD. Existing Sip Club members receive $2 off select barista beverages and smoothies.

Hurricane Ian: Panhandle Update

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Hurricane Ian is expected to make landfall in Florida Wednesday morning. By Thursday afternoon-Friday morning, the Panhandle will be experiencing effects. Winds will begin increasing late Tuesday through Friday; wind speeds vary from central (15-25mph) to western (35-40mph) Panhandle. Gusts up to 50mph are anticipated throughout the counties. Rainfall is projected to receive two inches or less, depending on how far to the west you are located. Northwest Florida is not projected to see major impacts; likely effects will be increased wind speeds, rain, and turbulent ocean conditions. The western side of the Panhandle is currently not expected to experience any extreme weather. They might even be lucky enough to maintain power throughout the storm.

HOWEVER, forecasts are consistently being updated so it is best to regularly check live Hurricane Ian projections to keep up-to-date. Additionally, residents are encouraged to prepare as though they will be impacted by the hurricane to stay safe. Fill your vehicles with gas, secure loose objects outside, have a healthy stock of non-perishables, and practice smart hurricane preparation. Additionally, officials are asking that everyone stay off of and out of the water from Tuesday evening until Saturday. 

Talk Lift Heal (GYM)

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There’s a new gym in Tallahassee. Talk Lift Heal is a trauma-informed gym located in Railroad Square. It is a gym that is dedicated to cultivating a space that helps improve mental health, physical health, creativity, safety, and healing. It is female-owned and operated, and is open to anyone and everyone! They’re focused on making gyms less intimidating for all bodies from all backgrounds. Talk Lift Heal offers individual services as well as trauma-informed group classes and nutritional coaching. 

Visit Talk Lift Heal’s Facebook page here to learn more or contact them to start your health journey. 

Beyond Van Gogh

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The Immersive Art Space in Jacksonville is hosting a temporary Beyond Van Gogh experience until November 27th. The exhibit offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the work of Van Gogh. Over 300 works of art are projected in more than 4 trillion pixels over 30,000 square feet of exhibit space from the floors to the ceilings. The projections are not simple renderings but flexible and living; they morph in conjunction with a soundtrack available on Spotify. The exhibit also shows a half-hour film that traces Van Gogh’s life through his paintings.

Tickets must be purchased in advance on the event website (HERE) as ticket prices are affected by peak time, ticket packages, and more. 

Blueberry Workshop

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The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a blueberry workshop this September. It will be held Thursday, September 29th at the ag center from 8am – noon. The workshop costs $10 per person; pre-registration is required. The workshop will feature several UF and FAMU specialists. They’ll cover soil preparation, soil health, insects, disease control, and more. There will also be updates about the emerging practice of growing blackberries in the Panhandle. 

If you can’t make the September class, it will be repeated on Tuesday, October 25th, at the Washington County Extension Office in Chipley. 

Guided Three Rivers State Park Hike

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The Jackson County Extension Office is hosting a guided walk at Three Rivers State Park this September 30th. The hike will begin at 8am and take participants along the Dry Creek Loop Trail. The trail is a distance of .60 miles and should be completed by 11am at the latest. The hike is rated as a beginner to moderate hike. The guide will talk about the terrain, habitat, flora, fauna, and more. 

The guided hike will cost $5 per person. The cost includes entry to the park itself, the guided tour, water, and snacks! It is recommended that participants bring reusable water bottles, bug spray, sunscreen, and anything else they’d need to remain comfortable in the Florida heat. 

Visit the Jackson County Extension Office at 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 3, Marianna, FL or visit http://JacksonCountyFCS.eventbrite.com to register. If you have any questions, call the extension office at 850-482-9620.

Tri-County Plant Swap

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This Saturday, September 24th, is the first annual Tri-County Plant Swap. The event is free and open to the public; it will run from 11am – 1pm (EDT). The Plant Swap is a social for gardeners of all levels to come together and chat about plants, swap goods, and more! There will be bulbs, seeds, seedlings, plants, produce, gardening books, pots, and more to swap. If you want to participate, please remember to label all seeds, cuttings, and plants with the name (common and scientific preferred). Additionally, Pemberley Farm will have some of its homemade goods for sale. The event will be held at 1745 Ben Road in Chipley. Ben Road turns East off Highway 77 just South of Wausau. Visit the event Facebook page here to learn more and stay up-to-date with event announcements. 

Pensacola Seafood Festival

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Mullet Swimming Under a Rainbow by Frank Abbott

The Pensacola Seafood Festival is coming soon to Pensacola! It will be held in Downtown Pensacola at the Historic Seville Square, as well as adjacent Fountain Park and Bartram Park. The festival will start on run Friday, September 23rd (11am – 11pm) and will continue through Saturday (10am – 11pm) and Sunday (11am – 5pm).

There will be a plethora of food vendors preparing seafood; come enjoy Crawfish Mac’n’Cheese, Alligator, Conch Fritters, Coconut Shrimp, and more! Additionally, the festival will feature a live music lineup including The Molly Ringwalds, Tenille Townes, Goldmine, and more. There will even be a Children’s Area located in Bartram Park with face painting, crafts, and more.

While the event itself is FREE to the public, please note that arts&crafts vendors as well as most food vendors will be charging. Visit the Pensacola Seafood Festival website here for detailed itineraries and more.