Operation Spay Bay: Free Spays for Females

Debbie Roney Smith on

A spay grant for female dogs has been approved for select counties this December. Operation Spay Bay is supported financially by the proceeds from the Florida Animal Friend License Plate. If you have a female dog weighing 50lbs (or more) AND you live in either Bay, Holmes, Washington, or Jackson County, you can have your pup spayed for a one-time fee of $12!

To schedule an appointment, call 850-215-1022 or visit the official website HERE. Be sure to mention the grant when making the appointment or you will not receive the heavily discounted fee. 

Sneads Pride!

Debbie Roney Smith on

Congratulations to the Lady Pirates of Sneads! On Friday the 13th, the volleyball team won their eighth-consecutive state title. This is a record-setting holding of the championship, beating out the previous seven-win team was Boca Raton’s Olympic Heights. A member of the opposing team, Newberry, stated that “They have a dynamic and amazing team.” The Lady Pirates broke the Florida state record for consecutive FHSAA volleyball championships with a final score of 23-20. Congratulations!!!

Sip & Clip: Satsumas, Kombucha, and More!

Debbie Roney Smith on

Starting tomorrow, JoNina Farm in Georgia will be holding a series of special events called the Sip & Clip! Although a bit of a drive, the experience of harvesting (also called clipping) your own satsumas and sipping fresh-pressed juice and/or kombucha is one-of-a-kind. The farm is also offering a photo opportunity with their old farm tractors. Head up to the beautiful Ochlocknee area on the following dates with your family for a fun, affordable day-trip!

  • Dates (from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) 
    • November 14th and 15th
    • November 21st and 22nd
    • December 5th and 6th
    • 12th and 13th 

Wiregrass’ 21st Annual Festival of Trees

Debbie Roney Smith on

Wiregrass is hosting its 21st annual Festival of Trees event from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. on November 19th. Due to Covid-19, it will be held via Facebook Live. However, the beautiful trees will be available to view at Wiregrass Commons Mall as will a window display with other live auction items. Check out the displays in person until November 19th.

Opened in 1989, Wiregrass Children’s Home functions as a safe haven for neglected and abused children throughout seven counties in the Wiregrass area. Currently, it is the only licensed emergency shelter in the area that is capable of providing care to children birth to 18 years of age. Proceeds from the fundraiser and auction go towards helping the Children’s Home provide invaluable support and service to the community. 

Looking for more information about Wiregrass Children’s Home? Visit their official website HERE! For specifics on the Festival of Trees, visit the Facebook event page HERE!

Eagle Eye’s Mini Food Fair

Debbie Roney Smith on

The cancellation of the National Peanut Festival in Dothan, GA was a sad announcement for many reasons, not least because of the missed opportunity for fair food. Luckily, some community businesses came together behind store Eagle Eye Outfitters to create a weekend Mini Food Fair! They’ve been holding the event with the support of Dothan City every Saturday since October 17th. The last scheduled mini-fair is this weekend, November 14th. It will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is a family-friendly event; be sure to bring cash as some vendors do not accept cards. 

To keep up-to-date with vendor changes, weather alerts, and more, please visit the Facebook event page by clicking HERE. 

Food Truck Fest 2020

Debbie Roney Smith on

Want some affordable food and fun this weekend? Look no further than Downtown Pensacola! This Saturday, November 14th, visit the Community Maritime Park for the 2020 Food Truck Fest. The first-time annual event is scheduled on a forecasted warm, cloudy day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The festival is a family-friendly event featuring food trucks, vendors, live entertainment, a food truck tasting competition, AND a bounce house for kids. Entry is $2 per person with kids 12yrs old and under are free. So pack up your family, bring some chairs and reusable forks this Saturday!

And what’s better than a fun, food-filled community event? One that has a social conscience! A portion of the proceeds from the event goes to Feeding the Gulf Coast. 

For more information about the event, including vendor and volunteer opportunities, visit their official website HERE!

Emerald Coast CruiZine

Debbie Roney Smith on

Tomorrow is the first day of an exciting 4-day event held at Aaron Bessant Park in Panama City Beach – the Emerald Coast CruiZine event!

An automotive event centered around seeing – and showing off – hot rods, CruiZine is positioned on 17 acres of Aaron Bessant Park’s luscious green grass. There will be clean air-conditioned restrooms, a center stage with live music, a craft area, and Pier Park’s extensive shops (over 100!) to keep everyone occupied and happy. Additionally, the event has enacted safety measures given COVID-19; everyone on site is required to wear a mask (including patrons!), hand sanitizing stations are being set up throughout the venue, and more. So go check-out the classic cars under the Florida sun this Wednesday to Saturday. 

For more details on schedule, safety precautions, and more, visit the CruiZine website HERE!

Fall Soups & Salads Cooking Class

Debbie Roney Smith on

The weather is starting to cool down, and it’s the perfect time for soup! Bodacious Shops is hosting a Fall Soups & Salads Cooking Class this Wednesday, November 11th at 6 p.m..

There will be different soups and salads to make and eat throughout the evening including: Shrimp & Crab Chowder, Roasted Red Pepper & Basil Soup, French Onion Soup, Roasted Fall Harvest Soup, Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing with Chopped Eggs, and Fruit, Cheese, & Nut Salad with Apples & Pears.

Interested in participating? Be sure to dress comfortably as you will likely get messy while cooking, leave your wrist/finger jewelry at home, and look forward to a three-course class with a light appetizer, main course, and dessert! Beer and wine are also available for those of age. For further details on the class including safety precautions, visit Bodacious Shops’ event page HERE. 

National Parents as Teachers Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

National Parents as Teachers Day is today. Observed annually on November 8th since 2001, it was originally put forth by The Parents as Teachers Centre in Missouri in the 1970s; Missouri educators had witnessed children starting kindergarten with various levels of school readiness in correlation to their parental involvement. Now, National Parents as Teachers Day recognizes the parent educators as well as the organizations that offer parents’ education services across the country. During this trying time, existing amongst the global pandemic, more parents than ever are fulfilling the role of parent and teacher for their children. Parent educators give parents of young children support and information so all children can learn, grow, and develop to realize their full potential. 

Book Lovers’ Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Book Lovers Day has been observed annually on the first Saturday of November which falls on November 7th this year! Additionally, the holiday is celebrated annually on August 9th. Books are so good, they get double the love!

Read some fun facts about reading and books below!

  • Children learn 4-12 thousand new words each year through reading (on average). 
  • One tree can produce approximately 50 books.
  • In the USA, 57 books are purchased per second on average.
  • Reading helps reduce stress, keeps the brain sharp, can aid in sleep, and increases empathy.