Author: Debbie Roney Smith

Scarecrows in the Dothan Botanical Gardens

Debbie Roney Smith on

Currently, the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens is having their 16th annual October event: Scarecrows in the Gardens!

During this event, community-created scarecrows take over the 46-acres that make up the Dothan Gardens for the month of October. This year, 2020, the scarecrow theme is Heroes & Villians. Open from 9 AM to 6 PM, admission to the gardens and the special scarecrow exhibit costs only $5 for adults over 16yrs old and FREE for those 15yrs old and younger (as well as Garden members). Masks are required to enter the building, visit the gift shop, and use the restroom: however, while walking the garden grounds, masks are encouraged but not mandatory. Please be sure to keep 6ft between yourself and other parties/people!

Want more information? Visit the Dothan Botanical Garden Facebook event site HERE! Or visit the Dothan Botanical Garden official website HERE!

20:20:20 in 2020: Internet Meme Debunked

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If you spend any time on social media, it’s likely that you’ve seen the post below (or some variation of it) in the last few days:

This blog is sad to report that this is FAKE NEWS! The original post (click here to see Psychedelic Hillbilly’s original Facebook post) has received tens of thousands of shares on social media, and goes to show the very real danger presented by misinformation. In the United States, 20:20:20 represents 8:20 PM in military time. For most countries outside the U.S., the 24-hour clock is the standard way to tell time, so it’s likely that U.S. citizens unfamiliarity with the system explains the widespread unawareness that this chronological phenomenon will actually occur every night of 2020. Actually, since it’s a Leap Year, it will occur 366 times in 2020! 

Southern Fields Brewing Oktoberfest

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Looking for something to do today? Head over to Southern Fields Brewing in Campbellton, FL to experience a lovely, COVID-safe Oktoberfest experience. The Chipola River Oktoberfest will be occurring with a brand new beer from the Brewery alongside a heavily engineered and handcrafted menu created specifically for this event; see the following link for more info including the Oktoberfest Menu: more information on the Southern Fields Brewing Oktoberfest.

Additionally, you will get to experience live music brought to you by Brian Hart, The Brown Goose, and Easy Day. Open from 3 PM to 7 PM today, October 18th, 2020! Hope to see you there!!

Restaurant Delivery in Marianna & Dothan

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Looking to have dinner delivered so you can have more time with your family and less time with your kitchen? Need to have lunch delivered during a business meeting? Consider using the up-and-coming restaurant delivery service To Go Eatz! Serving the Marianna, FL and Dothan, AL area, this delivery service brings your favorite restaurants right to your door and/or workplace on your schedule. Delivery fees currently start at $3.99 for restaurant delivery customers with an average delivery time of 45-60 minutes. Delivery times vary based on local traffic, the restaurant’s ability to prepare food, and weather conditions.

Click HERE to order from ToGoEatz today!

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to celebrate and remember the indigenous populations that protected and cultivated the lands the United States is blessed to have prior to their mass genocide and colonization. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2010, approximately 5.2 million people in the U.S. identified as Indigenous American and Alaskan Native, either alone or in combination with one or more other races. Currently, there are over 600 Native Nations in the U.S. It is an important day meant to recognize the achievements and contributions indigenous people have and continue to make to improve world issues; for example, many distinct tribes, nations, and peoples’ are working hard for environmental protection.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day has grown to an international level, and now works to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous people. The first International Day of the World’s Indigenous People was observed in Geneva in 1982 by the UN. In the U.S., the following states officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Alabama, Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin! Want to learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Explore the brief list of resources below:

ToolBank: A Response to Hurricane Michael (2018)

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Two years after the devastation left behind Hurricane Michael, there is a non-profit stepping forward to help areas in the immediate area recover from disasters. The non-profit works out of Atlanta, and is called ToolBank! Currently, they are working to set up a shop in Panama City. How exactly does ToolBank work to help disaster areas recover from natural disasters like Hurricane Michael? They loan out tools needed to help with cleanup projects like chainsaws, drills, hammers, and shovels – all items that are in high demand after devastating events. Sponsored by UPS and Home Depot, ToolBank plans to provide relief in a 100-mile radius of their upcoming facility in Panama City.

ToolBank Disaster Services Program Manager Bill Hess can be contacted at bill.hess@toolbank.org or visit their Facebook page HERE for more information!

Pirates Of The High Seas Fest

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The Panama City Beach Pirates of the High Seas Fest is setting sail virtually from October 5 to October 11, 2020!

The annual event celebrates the legacy of the pirates who once roamed the Gulf of Mexico and pillaged the Emerald Coast, telling the tale of Dominique Youx and his krewe of loyal buccaneers through staged pirate battles and storytelling.

Events include a virtual treasure hunt, sweepstakes, costume contest, prizes, get a chance to win a free vacation to a real beach, watch a magic show, see live music performances, download pirate crafts, and even see a pirate battle streamed live online!

Visit the official website to enjoy the virtual festivities: official website of the PCB pirates fest

Weekend Concert in Marianna, FL

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This Saturday, head to Citizens Lodge Park in Marianna for a free night of music in the park!

Photo @ Citizens’ Lodge Park taken by @noahs.notions

Beginning at 6 PM, various Marianna natives will perform a variety of selections from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Performers include Lenny Jennings and Latitude 29, a band built for dance and party music that’s been all over North Florida and Alabama since 1986! Social distancing and masks are encouraged but not mandatory. So bring some snacks, drinks, and the people you love to spend an evening enjoying live music in chairs, on blankets, or in the grass. 

 

Check out the Facebook event page here! 

Learn more about Latitude 29 here!

Citizens’ Lodge Park Address:

4574 Lodge Drive
Marianna, FL 32446

Help Partners for Pets “Raise the Woof”

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Petoberfest

Partners for Pets is holding their 2nd annual Petoberfest this month. A non-profit no-kill animal shelter in Marianna, this year’s proceeds will go to helping them “Raise the Woof!” Partners for Pets is currently working hard to raise funds to build a desperately needed facility that will provide a temporary home for the animals while they work to find them forever homes. They are holding a silent auction through their Facebook (click here to visit their page) with new items throughout the month. So head over to check out the goodies you could win: paintings, a grandfather clock, jewelry, and more!

Additionally, Partners for Pets will be holding an in-person Petoberfest on Friday, October 30th. From 4pm-8pm at Madison Street Park, visit this Halloween-themed fundraiser with your family, friends, kids, and even pets (on a leash please!). Halloween costumes are encouraged and there will be treats and contests fit for the young and furry. There will be things to see like live entertainment, things to do like a dunk-tank, things to buy, and lots of yummy food. Hope to see you there to support this worthy cause!

Jackson County Pumpkin Patch

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Happy October everyone, fall is officially here! Are you looking for something fun and easy on the wallet to do now that the weather is cooling down? Check out a new Jackson County seasonal special – the Spanish Trail Farms’ pumpkin patch!

-photos submitted by a local photographer & friend of the blog-

PUMPKIN PATCH DETAILS

  • Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s
  • On certain days, $3 educational hayrides will be offered that offer an inside look at farm operations and the growing process
    • If you have kids 2yrs-old or under, they ride for free!
    • Specific timeslots are available on their Facebook
    • Scheduled to take 15-25mins
-photos submitted by a local photographer & friend of the blog-
  • On certain days, they offer additional goods such as free boiled peanuts, produce for sale, and Halloween/fall decorations for sale
  • A great place to take the family for some cute pictures
  • Pumpkins are for sale; $3 for small and $5 for large 

Spanish Trails Farm is located at 7202 Old Spanish Trail Grand Ridge, FL 32442
Call them at 850-557-3123 or visit their Facebook page to keep up-to-date on their hours and future events.