Pitt Spring Recreation Area partially reopening

If you are going out this weekend sunscreen, shade, and lots of water is on the schedule for sure! It is going to be hot. Here is a place to hopefully help you keep cool. Pitt Spring Recreation area is now open. Located along State Road 20 in Bay County. You can swim, picnic, and enjoy nature along Econfina creek. Today May 25th at 8am they are reopening for the 1st time since Hurricane Michael. They will only be open on weekends for weekend use until the repairs are completed. Due to the extensive damage only the parking lot, general recreation area at the spring, temporary restrooms and dock will be open. The boardwalks and walking trails to Sylvan and Williford Springs remain closed. No lifeguards on duty and no pets except service dogs. Be sure to check out the link below for more information.

www.waltonoutdoors.com

Dogs and heat

If you live in the Panhandle I am sure you have heard we are going to have record high’s this weekend. This blog isn’t so much about just our Panhandle but for dogs everywhere. I just wanted to post a few reminders about caring for your pet during the heat. I know we all watch out for heatstroke during the summer in our human loved one’s but do you know what to watch for in you dog? Here are a few photos with advice. Hope it helps. And don’t forget to take care of yourself too, be sure to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen/hats, and find shade where you can!

On hot days rolling the windows down and parking in the shade doesn’t stop dogs from getting heatstroke. I know we all love to take our dogs with us but when it is really hot consider leaving them home or at least taking them inside with you.
A dog’s normal temperature is 101 degrees. This has some good ideas and things to keep an eye on to prevent heat stroke for you fur baby!
7 seconds rule. Press the back of your hand on against the asphalt for 7 seconds. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog’s paws! Try and walk your dog during the coolest parts of the day.

 

Graceville Public Library~free book

I LOVE this! If you are in the panhandle and you have a kid, adult, and/or family who loves to read, be sure to call the number on this photo (soon) and reserve a FREE copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe! Then you can attend the event on June 25th for a discussion and supper! This is open to all ages and is at the Graceville Jackson County Public Library. Pick up for the book is June 1st. The public library is such a great resource for getting to learn things about your area and meeting new people, no matter where you live.

FARM DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM 5-22 7PM

For more information about this meeting contact the Jackson Extension office @ 850-482-9620.  Hope you are all having a good start to the week! I am trying to find things locally that will help you where you live and where you are looking to live. I saw this and thought I would pass it on for those living in the Florida Panhandle and are farmers. There will be a meeting to explain the Disaster Bridge Loan program and the Sales Tax Refund Program. This will be a great opportunity for farmers to learn about the programs from the agency representatives who will administer them. The meeting is going to be held at the UF IFAS Extension Office in Jackson County. It is located at 2741 Penn Ave suite 3 in Marianna. Wednesday May 22nd at 7pm.https://floridadisasterloan.org/

 

 

Electrical Safety Month

Just a reminder to always practice safety around downed power lines. If you see one, don’t touch, don’t run, (shuffle away) and call 911. Don’t forget to keep your pets away from the downed power lines too.

 

Thanks to West Florida Electric Cooperative for posting these photos. Who knew there was a electrical safety month?

Did you know May is Electrical Safety Month. Not an exciting subject but a necessity. Here are a few safety tips for your home.

~Replace or repair damaged power cords and be sure to not plug a bunch of stuff into one outlet or extension cord.

~Don’t overload your outlets.

~Be sure to correctly label all fuses, circuit breakers, and switches in power box and replace damaged ones.

~Don’t yank an electrical cord from the wall, it can damage the plug or the outlet.

~Make sure all electrical cords are tucked away, pets could chew on the cords and people could trip and fall over them.

~And don’t forget to test smoke alarms in your home(every month) and change the batteries(twice a year). Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The TA in Marianna

Good morning! I hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday. I am not sure I sat except for when I was driving from point a to b. I missed this when I was posting about all the events in the area but luckily they are doing it today as well. The TA travel centers of America in Marianna is having fun for the whole family. Sunday from 12pm to 3pm. Games, prizes, and food. I also heard the VFW auxiliary will have a table set up and is asking for you to stop at the table for a free gift!

Let’s plan Saturday~May 18th

There are SO many things going on Saturday in the area I thought I would post about it tonight so you could plan accordingly. Not sure what all I will be attending except for sure I will be at the Tractor Supply in Marianna. Be sure to read under each photo for more about that event. You can also find more information about each of them on FB or possibly by googling it. If I have a website I will be sure to post it as well. I love our area. All these things to do and so many more that I haven’t heard about!

9am- 1pm at 155 Research Rd. in Quincy. This is one you don’t want to miss. They are having a plant sale and FREE trees. Gardening friends of the Big Bend is assisting the Arbor Day Foundation and Florida Forest Service in offering free trees to help folks re-green their homes and communities. The young saplings that they will be giving for free include pond cypress, bald cypress, southern magnolia, and a few more. Off exit 181 from the 10 freeway and it is 3 miles south of Quincy.
Lynn Haven United Methodist Church provides a monthly Mobile Food Pantry for anyone in need of food assistance. Food is one box per family on a first come first served basis. Anyone is welcome no proof of address or income is needed. If they are ready before 9am they will start. If they run out of food before 11am they will close up early. Food is provided by Feeding the Gulf Coast and will be in the church parking lot at 4501 Transmitter Road, Panama City.
HUGE outdoor community yard sale with vendors who will have things from home based businesses, antiques and collectables and those just cleaning out the garage! Cash only, rain or shine at the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach from 9am to 3pm. This is hosted by 103.1 The Blaze!
Bring a lawn chair and enjoy this show! It starts at 6pm at the Citizens Lodge Park in Marianna. It looks like it will be in the high 80’s with no chance of rain. So maybe sunglasses and a hat since the sun doesn’t set till about 7:30pm.
This one is in Greenwood and the Union Grove Community Center. They will have 4×4 relay race, vendors, bouncy house, car & bike show, live music and more! It is from 10am – 3pm. This Emancipation Day Celebration Festival is sure to have something for everyone! www.facebook.com/MAYDAYCELEBRATION
This one is going to be at Lake Alice in Wewahitchka from 9am to 4pm. This is a family fun festival with art’s & crafts, food, live music, face-painting, duck pond for the kids, train, pony rides, petting zoo, and of course honey! A few things the vendors will be selling: various types of soaps, chalk, leather items, home sewn items, candles, salts, scrubs and a lot more. Looks like a fun day for the whole family!
Tractor Supply Co. Market Day Event! I hear that a lot of the TSC are hosting in there city. So if you live near a TSC be sure to check them out. This one is in Marianna. I know Partners For Pets will be there with dogs and cats that need fur ever homes and many vendors from farm raised animals, fruits, and vegetables to home made crafts. BOSH and Time Farms will be there with chickens, bunnies, and chicks. The Ice Cream Man will be there at 8:30am and have 2 scoops for $3. Heavenly Grace Soap and so many more.

 

 

Gallery Night in Pensacola tonight!

I wish I didn’t have plans already tonight. This looks like so much fun! They will have booths with over 28 painters, glass-blowers, creators, jewelry-makers, photographers, and more. They will have live bands as well as a classic car show. Over 50 hot rods and classic cars will be available for you to see as you walk among the booths tonight from 5 – 11pm. Be sure to check them out. From what I have heard it is a monthly event in downtown Pensacola. Held on the 3rd Friday of every month. Their mission is bringing arts to the streets. Click the link below for more information.

 

http://gallerynightpensacola.org

Jeep Beach Jam

It seems like a day doesn’t go by here in the panhandle when something fun isn’t happening. Jeep Beach Jam is officially kicking off tonight in Panama City Beach, however they have been there since Tuesday with fun activities. You don’t need a jeep to attend the events that are happening till Sunday. They are expecting 3,000 to 5,000 people this year. And it looks to be a beautiful weekend for it. If you are heading out don’t forget the sunscreen! The have a day at the beach planned where you can learn to surf. They have a scavenger hunt, poker run, beach bonfire, jeeps-only drive in movie, an obstacle course, and live music to name a few things they have going on. I have included the website below so you can check out times and location. Have fun!             http://jeepbeachjam.com/

Capt. Anderson’s Marina

Well, somehow I missed blogging yesterday. I hope you all had a good Tuesday! I wanted to share about this great place a group of realtors went last week. Capt. Anderson’s Marina is on Lagoon Drive in Panama City Beach. I have added the weblink on the bottom of this post so you can click and check them out. The marina offer’s something for everyone, deep sea fishing trips, romantic dinners on the water, sightseeing, and trips to Shell Island. Shell Island is 7 1/2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide. It is a barrier island that sits at the mouth of the bay. This is a must see for locals and visitors alike. I have been here several times and every time is fun, relaxing, and I walk away with a different story!

St. Andrews Bay has a large population of bottlenose dolphins. We were able to see them up close. They were playing and so cute! The captain was good about keeping us in the same area once they were spotted. Everyone on board was able to get photos and enjoy seeing them.
The marina opened in 1957 by two veteran brothers Max and Walter Anderson. Capt. Anderson’s Marina is now owned and operated by two pioneer Bay County maritime families and the granddaddy of Panama City Beach Marinas. This is the one we went on for the Dolphin Encounter with the realtors of Bay County.
Elisabeth and I laughing and having a great and relaxing time! Elisabeth was a client of mine and now a friend. A future blog will be coming about her.
Sunset’s over the water are always more relaxing and beautiful.

 

 

http://www.CaptAndersonsMarina.com/