Author: Debbie Roney Smith

REIMAGINE. RECREATE. RESTORE.

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Tomorrow is World Environment Day 2021! An annual event started in 1974 by the United Nations, it is a global event designed to raise awareness and take action on urgent issues such as marine pollution, wildlife crime, and the climate crisis. It was created to mark the beginning of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. The first official slogan was “Only One Earth” in 1974; 2021’s slogan is “Reimagine. Recreate. Restore.” For more detailed information as well as ways you can take action this World Environment Day, visit the U.N. website or the World Environment Day 2021 website. 

Insect Repellant Day

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Today is National Insect Repellant Awareness Day! in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas, insect repellant is especially important given the humidity and water levels – breeding grounds for mosquitoes. The most effective ‘bug spray’ is DEET! Be sure to stock up on it for the summer season. DEET is so efficient because mosquitoes have receptors in their feet which leads to them wanting to escape the poor ‘taste’ they are experiencing (source).  

June COVID Vaccination Sites

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Are you looking to get vaccinated in order to protect yourself, your family, and your community? There is a COVID-19 vaccination bus traveling to public areas in the Panhandle area; view the image to the right for times, dates, and locations. You can also call for an appointment at the Calhoun (850-674-5645) or Liberty (850-643-2415) Health Department.

Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax

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From May 28th to June 6th, Florida is having its Disaster Preparedness 2021 Sales Tax Holiday. You can save on self-powered light sources such as flashlights, coolers, ratchet straps, batteries, canned food, and more! Find a full list of qualifying items at FloridaRevenue.com/DisasterPrep. 

Memorial Day

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Today is Memorial Day! A federal holiday, it was declared to occur annually on the last Monday in May in order to give federal workers a three-day weekend. It’s been a cultural and social event since the 1860s and was previously known as Declaration Day. It is meant to honor and remember military personnel who lost their lives to war. Read more about Memorial Day HERE!

National Water a Flower Day

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Today is National Water a Flower Day! Flowers are wonderful natural occurrences that have many beneficial properties. Humans use flowers for medicinal, therapeutic, and aesthetic reasons. Flowers, and by extension herbs, are used by scientists to help develop medicines and beauty products such as lotion. Studies have also shown that caring for plants and flowers can have a positive therapeutic effect on people.

Rember, the best time to water flowers is in the morning between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.; as the weather is cooler during this period, plants receive more water because there is less soil evaporation. Use today as an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful little creations by watering the flowers you have, planting some new ones, learning more about various flowers, or even by gifting someone you care about with some potted flowers in order to spread happiness. 

Pensacola Grand Carnival Parade

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Elaborate floats and outlandish costumes will lead the Florida-style pageantry for the annual parade which usually features more than 6,000 participants from Krewes, local organizations and marching bands.

The parade takes place on Palafox and Garden Streets in historic downtown Pensacola. The Parade starts at 2:00pm and continues until around 6:00pm.

Pensacola Grand Carnival Parade
May 29 @ 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Visit the official Pensacola Grand Carnival Parade website HERE to keep up-to-date with event information.  

Marianna: Click it or Ticket

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The Marianna Police Department wants to remind the community that Click or Ticket begins today and ends June 6th. There will be a crack-down on driving without a seatbelt; it is an event designed to get drivers to make buckling up an automatic habit. Everyone, regardless of age or seat in the car, should buckle their seat belt before the car begins moving. Seatbelts are designed to keep riders safe and secure inside the vehicle, reducing the harm caused by everything from fender benders to severe collisions. Did you know that 55% of individuals who died in nighttime vehicular accidents in 2019 were not wearing their seatbelts? 

For more information on how seatbelts save lives, visit the CDC website HERE or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website HERE. 

Martin’s Harvest Update

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The Marianna-based sustainable farm Martin’s Harvest is now doing deliveries, and will expand home deliveries to the Tallahassee area starting May 26th! Martin’s Harvest offers organic and sustainable goods such as hydroponic lettuce, micro-greens, produce, and more.
   If you are getting delivery, Martin’s Harvest works with other local businesses to deliver the following goods: Silver Oaks farm fresh eggs, Green Gate Olive Grove products & kombucha, and Smiley B Farms LLC goods. 
   Delivery is free to the workplace while home delivery is $10; both are available in the following areas: Dothan, Panama City, Marianna, Cottondale, Bonifay, and Chipley. Order online or learn more HERE. 

World Turtle Day

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This special day is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization established in 1990. This is a special day for the state of Florida as it ranks as the most diverse turtle state in the United States. Additionally, it was one of the turtle diversity hot spots around the world. Visit the official World Turtle Day website HERE, and learn more about Florida Panhandle turtles HERE.