Welcome Home Blue Angels!

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The Blue Angels are returning to their home base for the winter after spending the last few months traveling and performing across the country. The Homecoming Air Show will begin at the Naval Air Station Pensacola on Wednesday, followed by Thursday’s dress rehearsal, and then the weekend shows. Due to Covid restrictions, the air show was moved to Pensacola Beach. The Homecoming shows on Friday and Saturday will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For a detailed itinerary, head to the official Visit Pensacola website. Public and paid parking will be available. 

Veterans Fair

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The GFWC Marianna Woman’s Club is partnering with the Chipola Civic Club to host the 7th annual Veterans Day Program. This Friday, November 5th, all veterans are invited to come down to Madison Street Park for the fair. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., veterans will have the opportunity to receive information from a selection of vendors. Additionally, a sausage dog lunch will be available for free while live music is performed by the Charlie Basford Band. Door prizes will be passed out at the end of the program. 

*Masks and social distancing are encouraged

Happy Birthday Black Dog Cafe!

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Congratulations on 24 years of female-owned excellence, Black Dog Cafe! The Cafe is giving back to celebrate their birthday today, November 1st, by offering a free coffee when customers bring in a donation for Second Harvest Food Bank. Black Dog is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers a wide selection of coffee, drinks, pastries, and frozen treats; everything is sustainably and locally sourced. Some come out to Lake Ella today to enjoy the lovely weather, great drinks, and do some good for the community!

Second Harvest Food Bank accepts donations of non-perishable food items, and would like to draw attention to their most needed items:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Grains
  • Protein Foods
  • Dairy/Dairy Alternatives
  • Canned Meals (ex: soups, chowders, and chili)
  • Nutritional drinks (ex: Ensure, Boost)
  • Baby Food
  • Non-food Items (ex: diapers, toiletries)

Visit their official website here to view a detailed list or learn more about the organization. 

Halloween Mulled Cider Recipe

Debbie Roney Smith on

Happy Halloween and Merry Samhain! Today is a wonderful day for kids looking to enjoy free candy but what about those adults a little too old to get away with knocking on neighbor’s doors? Consider trying the delicious mulled cider recipe below.

  • In a large pot on the stove, add ingredients and bring to simmer: 1 quart of your favorite burgundy, port wine, or red wine. For non-alcoholic cider, use 1 quart of apple cider, cranberry, or other fruit juice. Allspice, clove, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, and anise stars to the desired flavor. 1/8 cup of sugar/brown sugar OR to taste.
  • Simmer for 30mins or longer – the longer it sits, the richer the taste!
  • Take the pot off the heat and add 1 ounce (or more to taste) of vodka, rum, or brandy.

     

    Halloween 2021: Fast Facts

    Debbie Roney Smith on

    Tomorrow is Halloween! To celebrate, keep reading to learn some fun facts about the history and current celebration of the holiday:

    • Halloween did not reach mainstream consciousness in the U.S.A until the 1800s when the mass immigration of Scottish and Irish people allowed their traditions to flourish here – traditions that helped form the modern celebration of Halloween as we know it. 
    • The largest Halloween Parade in the world is held by New York’s Greenwich Village; over 50,000 participants in costume make up the parade while millions of spectators visit Manhattan to observe the fun. 
    • Trick-or-treating is a product of the medieval practice of mumming. Mumming refers to the practice of costumed actors parading streets and performing at homes for feast days such as Hallows Eve, Christmas, Shrove Tuesday, and Twelfth Night. 
    • Trunk-or-treating was created as a safer, easier alternative to trick-or-treating for rural communities who live farther apart. 

    The Great Pupkin Match!

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    The Animal Service Center of Tallahassee is having its first event in almost two years this Saturday! With over 90 adoptable dogs, Tallahassee Animal Services is hosting an outdoor adoption matchmaking event. The Great Pupkin Match will have meet and greet tents, music, food trucks, giveaways, and a cute festive photo station! Come out and find the love of your life from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday. If you would like to save time, you can fill out an application to pre-approved HERE. 

     

    Black Cats

    Debbie Roney Smith on

    Today is National Black Cat Day! In order to fight the misleading reputation in the United States that black cats are bad luck, this annual celebration was created to spread awareness and appreciation. The idea that a black cat crossing your path is a sign of bad luck comes from old European superstitions, some linking black cats to witches. This superstition was only furthered by the presence of famous black cats such as Salem from the show Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Binx from Hocus Pocus.

    However, many other cultures and countries consider black cats to be signs of good fortune. For instance, sailors used to keep black cats on board for good luck while 19th-century fishermen’s wives’ kept black cats at home to bring back their husbands safely. In Japan, they are believed to improve your love life and are often gifted to newlywed couples. In France, it was thought that if you released a black cat at a crossroad with five routes it would lead you to treasure.

    Did you know there are 22 feline breeds that can feature black coats? That’s 22 amazing breeds to love! 

    National Pumpkin Day

    Debbie Roney Smith on

    Today is National Pumpkin Day, an annual event of unknown origins that celebrates the versatile and much-loved winter squash. Did you know Floridians prefer pumpkin pancakes to other pumpkin-themed treats such as lattes, cookies, bread, and pie(1)? Pumpkins are botanically classified as fruits, and there are over 30 varieties to enjoy. There are great nutritional benefits to eating pumpkins(2): being 94% water, they offer a high vitamin and mineral content with low calories. They also have a high antioxidant content which can help the human body fight chronic diseases. So consider visiting a pumpkin patch near you to get some delicious pumpkins to enjoy this fall season! 

    Terrific Towering Tree

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    The Florida Panhandle is home to one of the state’s tallest trees. In Torreya State Park in Liberty County, there stands a gorgeous Southern magnolia. The Magnolia grandiflora is the third tallest tree in Florida, standing at a magnificent 29 meters or approximately 95 feet. That’s only 5 meters shorter than the tallest tree in the state – a Loblolly pine in Suwanee County. Interested in learning more about the spectacular trees Florida is home to? Visit the Monumental Trees website for more information on the tallest, thickest, and oldest Florida trees!

    Medical Marijuana in Pensacola

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    Dr. Michelle Beasley

    Dr. Michelle Beasley is a Board Certified Physician serving Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola. She has been serving the area for over 15 years and holds both a Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Medicine from The University of West Florida. She is currently accepting new patients for compassionate care; if you are looking to start treatment with medical marijuana, consider Dr. Beasley. If you are looking to switch providers, she offers a discounted initial assessment price of $49! To get in contact with Dr. Beasley, click here to visit her online portal – you will be able to make an appointment online or call her office.