Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Florida Panhandle Hospitals

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There are a number of hospitals and emergency rooms in the Florida Panhandle, but the top three are as follows:

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare
  • Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital (Pensacola). Phone (850) 416-7000. Address: 5151 North 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32504. Website. 
  • Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (Tallahassee). Phone (850) 431-1155. Address: 1300 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Website.
  • Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Hospital (Panama City). Phone (850) 769-1511. Address: 615 North Bonita Ave, Panama City, FL 32401. Website.

Tallahassee Nurseries

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Did you know that indoor plants offer both physical and psychological benefits to humans who own them? The benefits of houseplants are:

  • Boosts indoor air quality
  • Promotes exercise
  • Encourages healthy eating
  • Improves mood
  • Relieves stress and anxiety
  • Helps prolong attention span
  • Boosts self-esteem
  • And More!!!

This means the ongoing 2-for-1 houseplant sale at Tallahassee Nurseries is a wonderful opportunity to improve the well-being of your household! From now until September 2nd, or until supplies run out, the garden center will be selling 2-for-1 of equal-or-lesser value houseplants; rare plants and orchids are not included, despite being indoor plants.

Alligator Facts

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1. There are an estimated 1.3 million alligators in Florida!

2. Alligators have anywhere from 2,000 – 3,000 teeth. While they have a maximum of 80 teeth in their mouth at one time, they lose teeth frequently due to their diet and hunting practices. For comparison, humans only have around 52 teeth!

3. Despite their size and proclivity towards the water, alligators are actually skilled climbers. It’s common to see alligators scaling fences. 

4. Baby alligators are at most risk for alligator cannibalism due to natural population control efforts but even those whole are fully grown may end up another ‘gators meal.

 

 

Celebrating Dogs!

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Today is National Dog Day! It was founded by Colleen Paige in 2004 to celebrate ALL dogs, be they mutts, mixed, or purebred. Paige wanted to bring awareness to the number of dogs in need of rescuing every year. It is also a day meant to educate the public on fostering, adopting, healthcare, petcare, and the danger of dog breeding. 

Visit the National Dog Day website for more information, and hug a dog today!

Chipola Fitness

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Looking to try a new, fun type of fitness? A local gym, the Chipola Fitness Center, offers a variety of courses weekly.

Barefoot Basics is a low-impact class designed to help increase balance via stretching and toning. Dance Fit 2 is a high-intensity music fitness course. Mash-up follows Variable-intensity Interval Training (VIIT), a program including mind/body, agility and strength, and high-intensity intervals to make the most of your time. If you’re looking to strengthen and tone, take part in the Muscle Up class. Power Up is designed for early risers; Power Up your day with this 5am course! Total Body fitness is just as it sounds – a class designed to work the body head to toe.

The Fitness Center also offers a variety of Spin Classes but they are often very limited, so membership is required for early online booking. The offered classes are Fun FriYa Spin, Pedal & Crunch, Spin Scultp, Spinergy, and Total Body Spin. For more detailed information on spin courses, more details on gym membership, and more, visit the official Chipola Fitness website. 

Bear Paws Adventures

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Located at 2100 Bear Paw Lane in Marianna, Bear Paws Adventures offers a natural river float trip in kayaks, canoes, or tubes. They offer equipment rentals and shuttles. Pricing is as follows:

  • Kayak $35 per person; includes a parking pass and shuttle pass
  • Canoe $50 for two people; includes a parking pass and shuttle pass
  • Bring Your Own Kayak/Canoe $25 per vessel; includes a parking pass and shuttle pass
  • Tubing $15-60 
  • Bring Your Own Tubes $10 per person; includes inflating the tubes, shuttle pass, and parking pass

Visit their official website for more detailed information on pricing and to familiarize yourself with the service rules on parking. 

 

Greenwood’s Historic Structures

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Settled by travelers from Georgia and the Carolinas around 1824, Greenwood remains one of the most historic and picturesque small Florida towns. Make a day of going to the lovely community, and perhaps stop to see some historic sites. There are a number of preserved historic structures; among the most infamous are those listed below:

Great Oaks, 1860: Greek Revival mansion; owned by Bryan family. (Private)

Hayes Long Mansion, ca. 1840: antebellum structure. A historical marker details the rich history of the home. (Private)

Erwin House, ca. 1830s: oldest standing home in the region. A historical marker on Fort Road provides an outline of its history. (Private)

Pender Store, 1896: one of the oldest operating stores in Florida. (Open to Public)

Kayaking on Ocheesee Pond

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Recent rain and perfect summer weather call for a trip to Ocheesee Pond in Grand Ridge! Kayaking is a must-do at this local. To get to the launch site, head east from Marianna on Highway 90 and turn right on Highway 69. Then, after crossing the railroad tracks in Grand Ridge, take a left onto 69A and follow it to the dirt road on the left marked Arkansas. Marking the spot is a boat ramp sign marking the turn.

Don’t attempt this pond alone if you haven’t done it previously, as after a short half-mile paddle through the clear water, there is a maze-like cypress swamp. There is a marker system but they are often difficult to spot and irregular. However, the kayaking route is a beautiful trip. Amongst the cypress tree-maze are aquatic glades of water lily and spatterdock that give the water a splash of seasonal color. There are often basking turtles, elusive alligators on the prowl, duck sightings, and a plethora of osprey and woodpeckers.

Business Spotlight: Chautauqua Winery

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Chautauqua Vineyards & Winery is Florida Farm Winery Certified. They produce wine from Carlos Muscadine and Noble Muscadine grapes that have been growing since 1979. Conveniently located next to I-10 in DeFuniak Springs, the winery offers free grape picking, a gift shop full of unique items, and a tasting bar.

The winery is family-friendly – bring the kids! Juices are served for anyone under the age of 21. Pets are welcome permitted they are leashed or held, and they are not allowed in the tasting area. They regularly host tastings and events, alongside being open daily (except for major holidays).

Want to place an order for home delivery or learn more about the Vineyards? Visit the official Chautauqua Vineyards & Winery website. 

Celebrating National Thrift Store Day

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Today is National Thrift Store Day! Looking to celebrate? Visit a local thrift store to support your community and maybe find your new favorite treasure! For instance, perhaps visit the recently opened Fusion Church Thrift Store in Blountstown. They are located at 17256 N. Main Street, Tuesday through Saturday. For more detailed information, visit their Facebook webpage.