Little Free Libraries

Debbie Roney Smith on

Little Free Libraries are popping up everywhere. Have you seen one locally? This one is located in Marianna on 4th Street. They also have one at the Botanical Garden in Dothan, Alabama. Have you seen one? If so please email debson1999@gmail.com and share the location. Todd Bol created the first Little Free Library in 2009 on his front lawn. As of this August, there are over 90,000 in the world. LFLs foster a love of reading, a space for community to meet and grow, and sparks creativity by encouraging book exchanges around the world. ~Sorry for the sideways photo, it must be taking a nap~

 

Saturday~ December 7th

Debbie Roney Smith on

December 7th where has the month gone already? Here are a few things going on this Saturday. But with it being the holiday season it seems most of the small towns in the panhandle are having events so check with your local area.

A winter extravaganza from 8am to 2pm on Dec. 7th at 2898 Madison St. in Marianna. They will have over 25 vendors, it is a Toys for Tots drop off location, local musicians, and Santa arrives at 11am.
This is a fundraiser in Crestview and Petsense on Ferdon Blvd. From 11am to 2pm Santa and his Elf will be taking photos with pets. This is limited spaces and first come first severed.
Mainstreet Blountstown is hosting Christmas on the Square. From 1pm to 4:30pm at Magnolia Square and the parade begins at 5pm
Downtown Enterprise(Alabama) will be hosting Whoville Holiday Celebration from 10am to 4pm. This is holiday fun for the whole family. Shopping, Santa Claus, live entertainment, and activities for all.

December 6th

Debbie Roney Smith on

Friday, December 6th is looking like fun! Looks like a 50% chance of rain throughout the day with the temperature being the mid 60’s.

The holiday seasons is upon us and the Chipley Fest is getting geared up to bring together a family celebration to downtown Chipley. A lighted parade through downtown, free photos with Santa, free inflatables, arts and crafts vendors, pony rides, and horse drawn carriage rides are some things you can enjoy. On Froiday, Dec 6th from 4pm to 8pm at 685 7th Street in Chipley.
  Santa Claus is coming to town on Friday, December 6th from 3pm to 9pm. The parade starts at 5:30pm. It looks like an afternoon of fun in Marianna. They will have craft and food vendors and events for the kids.
December 6th at 9am till December 8th at 12:45pm they will be having a Scott 1817 Seminole War Battle at River Landing Park in Chattahoochee. This is an annual reenactment and living history event that commemorates the Scott Battle of 1817 and the First Seminole War. They will have Native American, frontier and military encampments, exhibits, vendors, food, battle, reenactments, and much more.

December 5th

Debbie Roney Smith on

St. George Island Lighting of the Palms starts at 5pm at the lighthouse on Thursday, Dec 5th. They will have a children’s fantasy land where they will have face painting, crafts, hot cocoa, cookies, books, gifts, mail a letter to the north Pole, and visit with Santa! Also the local businesses will be having super Santa specials all weekend long. having

December

Debbie Roney Smith on

December has 31 days and is the 12th month of the year and the last month of the year. It is the first month of winter. Of course Christmas is in December but did you know National cookie day is the 4th? Also celebrated is cocoa, pie, cupcakes, cotton candy, and chocolate brownies days. We have Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on the 7th and St. Lucie’s Day on the 13th. Boxing Day and Hanukkah and Kwanza, oh my! If you haven’t already be sure to prepare your garden. Cut down on watering by half until active growth resumes in the spring. Hold off on fertilizing as well. Did you know the first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany?

December’s birth flowers are holly and paperwhite. The traditional birthstone is turquoise. A few folklore: ~Thunder in December presages fine weather,. ~ Frost on the shortest day is said to indicate a severe winter. ~ December cold, with snow, brings rye everywhere. 

Adopt a senior pet month

Debbie Roney Smith on

November is adopt a senior pet month, a month dedicated to helping older pets find loving forever homes. Shelters and rescues across the country hope those looking to adopt a new furry friend will consider adding a senior pet to the family. Senior pets tend to spend the largest time in shelters before finding forever homes and that is if they ever do find a home. A few reasons to adopt a senior pet instead of a puppy are ~they are normally calmer and less energetic, ~it is easier to teach them new tricks, ~they are low key which make them great for families with young children.

 

 

November 30th

Debbie Roney Smith on

November 30th is Small Business Saturday. Please consider shopping at one of the hundreds of small businesses in the Panhandle!

Jackson County has many small buisinesses participating. It is the small buisnesses that support our communties so please consider supporting them while getting deals!
Yard Sale at 403 Coffey St in Chattahoochee. Women’s clothes, loveseats, and much more!
Save the Closet is back again to help. This time they will be joining NorthStar Church of Calloway. 9am to 1pm at 162 N. Tyndall Parkway in Panama City. Please take your own bags, you will be able to get free, warm clothes for you and your families.
Christmas at Heritage Park from 4pm to 6:30pm in Chattahoochee. This free annual family friendly event will have a craft for kids to be able to take home, photo op with Santa, candy treats, hot cocoa, Christmas music, and tree lighting at dark!

Happy Thanksgiving

Debbie Roney Smith on

The holiday feast dates back to 1621. Did you know that turkey wasn’t even served at the first Thanksgiving ~ and that the Pilgrims didn’t use forks because they weren’t invented yet? Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird, not the eagle. Americans eat 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving. It didn’t become a national holiday until 1863. Thanksgiving is also the reason for TV dinners. In 1953 Swanson had so much extra turkey a salesman told them they should add sides and put them in a tray with aluminum foil. Thanksgiving has lots of fun facts.

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your families!

Thanks to West Florida Electric Coop for this visual on cutting down on Thanksgiving energy use.

 

Main Street Market~Chipley

Debbie Roney Smith on

Main Street Market in Chipley is located at 1251 Jackson Ave. This a well put together local market with fresh produce and farm goods. They have local meats, produce, swings, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and boiled peanuts. They also have a store next door with great gift ideas. You can call them at 850-638-7755. Hours are: Closed on Sunday’s, Monday-Saturday from 8am to 5:30pm.

 

 

Powell Tree Farm

Debbie Roney Smith on

Powell Tree Farm is located in Sneads at 7509 Old Spanish Trail. They will be opening this weekend for the season. Hours will be from 8am to 5pm on the following days: Nov, 29th, 30, and December 1st~ December 7th and 8th~ December 14th and 15th~ December 21st only if they have trees left!

They grow Leyland, Cypress, Virginia Pine, Carolina Sapphire, and Blue Ice. This year they will also have Fraser Firs from North Carolina. You can cut down your own tree or they will do it for you. All trees in the field are $6 per foot up to a 10 foot tree plus tax and $8 a foot for all trees taller then 10 feet.