Author: Debbie Roney Smith

ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival

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Coming this weekend to Miramar Beach is the ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival! For its 33rd year, ArtsQuest juried art show is scheduled to occur Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, October 10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in conjunction with National Arts and Humanities Month.

The show will feature over 150 artists in the following disciplines: Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Oils & Acrylics, Original Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Wood and Works on Paper (Watercolor, Printmaking, Pastels, Pencils, Ink).

ArtsQuest will be awarding $10,000 in cash prizes, and is a rain or shine outdoor event. The festival is open to the public, although a $5 admission donation is requested to help keep the event going. There will be food vendors on site. Additionally, they are looking for volunteers. For more information on anticipated artists, volunteer opportunities, and more, visit the ArtsQuest website. 

October Haunts: Restless Slumber Cemetery

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Looking for a fun, safe Halloween event this October? Consider visiting the Restless Slumber Cemetery! They offer a 30-minute drive-through attraction where you can experience the horrors of a haunted graveyard through life-like scenes. The entry fee is $20+ tax per vehicle, so load up your friends and family this weekend for a spooktacular time!

Visit the official Restless Slumber Cemetery website for detailed dates, social media links, and more!

International Coffee Day

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Did you know that coffee has been around since the 15th century? In this modern day-and-age, coffee is celebrated nationally in the U.S.A. on September 29th and internationally on October 1st. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is responsible for the international recognition of Coffee Day as of 2015. The U.S. has been celebrating nationally since 2005. Thanks to these annual events, awareness and appreciation of the art of sustainable coffee has grown.

Spanish Trail Pumpkin Patch

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Local favorite farm, Spanish Trail, is hosting a few special fall events this coming month. They will have a 2021 Pumpkin Patch with thousands of pumpkins, a 10-acre corn maze, and wonderful sunflower fields to meander through. This special bundle of fall favorites will open on October 2nd at 10 a.m. and will run the whole month. Bring out the family for a fun fall-themed day! Visit their Facebook page for more details and to stay up-to-date on changes and alerts.

When Buying Your Next Home…

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One of the first steps of buying a home is deciding between purchasing a newly built home or an existing property. Each has pros and cons that need to be considered to make the best choice for you. 

Newly Built Homes Pros:

  • Brand new construction with active warranties
  • Customizable floor plans
  • Cost of upgraded features and appliances can be folded into the mortgage
  • Green appliances for better energy efficiency
  • Financing is available through the builder, making it easier to qualify for a mortgage
  • Fewer maintenance costs associated with repairs or renovations

Newly Built Homes Cons:

  • More expensive than resale properties
  • Location may not be ideal (lack of schools and shopping opportunities, possible longer commute)
  • Property values are unknown, and possibly more volatile
  • Lacking in character – cookie-cutter design
  • Ongoing construction in the neighborhood
  • Greater Tax Burden

Existing Homes Pros:

  • Typically less expensive, with more opportunity to negotiate price
  • More desirable locations
  • Known neighborhood dynamics
  • Proximity to schools, shopping, and places of worship
  • Older houses tend to have more character as compared to modern designs
  • Property values can be determined before purchase
  • Lower tax profile

Existing Homes Cons:

  • Smaller inventory of acceptable properties
  • May require extensive repairs and/or renovations
  • Fewer amenities/older appliances
  • Financing can be more difficult
  • Competition from competing buyers
  • Neighborhood may be in decline

Business Women

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Debbie Roney-Smith

Today is America Business Women’s Day, celebrated annually on September 22nd to mark the founding date of the American Business Women’s Association. Created in 1949, this day is designed “to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership; education, networking support and national recognition.” It was officially recognized in 1983, and thrives to this day as female entrepreneurship flourishes in the 21st century. Below are just three of many local women-owned businesses to support today:

Our very own Debbie Roney-Smith with American Gold Realty, located in Marianna, FL. Debbie offers specialized information gained from over 20yrs living and enjoying the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas. With 25yrs of realtor experience, Debbie is a wonderful choice for your future buying, selling, and renting needs!

Black Dog Cafe. Located in Tallahassee, FL. Women-owned for over 20yrs, this cafe offers excellent customer service, locally sourced baked goods, sustainable coffee, and more! 

Florida Star Nurseries & Supply. Located in Marianna, FL. This is a local contractor who has been operating for almost 40yrs. They specialize in landscaping, nursery plants & trees, nursery equipment, and more! 

Pensacola Seafood Festival

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Music Schedule

Coming this weekend is the annual Pensacola Seafood Festival! From Friday to Sunday, come down to Downtown Pensacola to enjoy the sunshine, music, food, arts & crafts vendors, and more! Kids and animals are welcome, masks are encouraged but not required. Hours are as follows:

Friday, September 24 | 11AM-11PM

Saturday, September 25 | 10AM-11PM

Sunday, September 26 | 11AM-5PM

For more information on vendors, times, and more, visit the official Pensacola Seafood Festival website. 

Celebrating Working Parents

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Today is the new National Parents Day Off, also known as National Working Parents Day. This is an annual event designed to bring awareness to the complex role parents play in their kids’ lives as caretakers, sounding boards, banks, and more! It is also a day meant to give said parents a break from their hectic schedules. Epic and National Calendar Day collaborated to bring this day to life after the increasing burden placed on parents due to COVID; many parents found themselves with new, time-intensive roles as at-home teachers, week-long watchers, and more for their kids. Epic is a digital reading platform for kids 12 and under. It has a collection of 40,000+ books that were curated for the curiosity and safety of young minds. Visit them at Epic today, and sit your kid(s) down with a book while you enjoy an hour of quiet time! 

Greenpeace is 50!

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Today is National Greenpeace Day, and 2021 happens to be the 50th anniversary of the creation of the global organization! Greenpeace was created in the 1970s as a global ecology movement, an organization dedicated to the protection of nature and the education of the public. Fifty years of growth later, Greenpeace has combined the goals of peace and ecology and is established in 57 countries with more in development.

Greenpeace has even had a personal impact on the lovely Florida Panhandle; since 2005, they have been working to help protect and expand an area of Keystone Forest here in the panhandle. It is a hotspot for biodiversity, and is home to the richest endemic plant life in the south, housing 75% of Florida’s native plant species.

Eager to learn more about the impact Greenpeace and its dedicated members have had? Visit their official website for more information on everything from current initiatives to how to get involved and the history of the organization.