Category: COVID-19

Election Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Florida was among a number of states that experienced unprecedented pre-Election Day voting, likely a trend caused by COVID-19 and increased public awareness of voting rights and processes. As of Sunday evening, 8.974 million ballots had been counted in Florida, nearly matching the entire 9.5 million votes cast in the entirety of the 2016 presidential election. However, if you were one of those who did not vote by mail or participate in early voting dates, today is the day – Election Day 2020! Remember:

  • Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
  • Need help locating your polling place? Visit the FDS Voter Information Lookup. 
  • For everyone’s safety, please wear a mask when voting in person. Additionally, most locations will have hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves available. 
  • Bring current, valid photo identification with a signature. Approved forms of photo identification are: Florida driver’s license; United States passport; debit or credit card; military identification; student identification; more specific allowances listed HERE. 

Rocky Horror Murder Mystery Dinner Show in Pensacola

Debbie Roney Smith on

Seville Quarter in Pensacola, FL will be hosting its first-ever series of Murder Mystery Dinner Shows in Heritage Hall this October! Starting today, their last show, “Rocky Horror Murder Mystery,” will be running until Saturday. 

All shows run from 6 PM – 9:30 PM, and tickets cost $54. Tickets can be bought through Eventbrite and includes a choice of two entrees: (1) bacon-wrapped meatloaf or (2) curry’d chicken. Each entree comes with an opening course of a mixed green salad with toasted french bread, and a dessert of frozen chocolate mousse. 

Guests are encouraged to dress up and are reminded shows are 18yrs+ only. Visit their Facebook event page to view details and buy tickets! Click HERE!

Trick-or-Treat: Safety Tips

Debbie Roney Smith on

Amidst the current pandemic, many cities and towns are canceling Halloween celebrations. If you’re in an area that is allowing festivities and feel comfortable being out-and-about, follow the suggestions listed below to keep you, your family, and your community safe during celebrations:

  • The safest way to handle Halloween festivities falls in line with the best practices for COVID-19 — wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash hands often.
  • No loose candy; only sealed packages of sweets so that each piece of candy is individually wrapped.
  • Avoid indoor and/or close-quarters events like house parties, haunted houses, school dances, and even hayrides.
  • Consider holding a trick-or-treating event at home for your kids; create a scavenger hunt around the yard, lead them from bedroom-to-bedroom, watch movies, or carve pumpkins. 

PensaCon Halloween Fest

Debbie Roney Smith on

This coming Saturday, October 31 from 10 AM – 6 PM, Pensacon will be hosting their annual PensaCon Halloweenfest! Pensacon Halloweenfest will be a full day of spooky pop-culture fun in Museum Plaza. This year, the outdoor festival will be free and is located in downtown Pensacola. There will be vendors, live entertainment, celebrity guests such as Corin Nemec from “Stargate SG-1,” artists, panels, food trucks, trick-or-treating, costume contests, and other safe, family-friendly activities. Costumes are encouraged! 

Pensacon states that “Safety is of utmost concern, and in light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, every precaution is being taken to ensure a safe event. Masks will be required at all times in Museum Plaza and associated venues and activities. Vendors will be spaced out across the plaza to encourage social distancing, and ample hand sanitizing stations will be made available. Attendees are encouraged to stay with their groups and maintain six feet of distance from those outside their bubbles.” 

See PensaCon’s Facebook event page for more information by clicking HERE! 

Halloween on Wintergreen

Debbie Roney Smith on

Looking for something to do this Saturday? Visit The Farms at Two Egg to see a drive-in movie. The movie being played is Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016) and showtime starts at 8 PM. 

Prior to the showing, there will be a Spook Hour during which masks are mandatory during the various activities. There will be hayrides, a concession stand – and costumes are encouraged so you can visit the photo booth! Tickets are $10 per person and include a hayride, popcorn, soda, and candy.

Check out Two Egg’s promotional video by clicking HERE!

Visit their Facebook page for more information by clicking HERE!

 

Curfew for Blountstown Halloween

Debbie Roney Smith on

This Halloween, on Saturday, October 31st, Blountstown Police Department will provide traffic control within the city limits from 5 – 8 PM. Additionally, there will be a trick or treating curfew of 8 PM for anyone within the city limits of Blountstown. The city asks that residents leave a porch light on if they want trick-or-treaters to stop at their homes. 

Torreya in Bloom

Debbie Roney Smith on
Photo provided by local, @noahs.notions

Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Need to get out of the house or wear the kids down? Consider visiting the gorgeously-blooming Torreya State Park in Bristol! Only $3 per vehicle for park entry, there are multiple trails open now, the canoe/kayak launch spot is open, picnicking areas are open, AND the weather this weekend is supposed to be in the mid-80s with a pleasant blend of cloud coverage and wind.

Photo provided by local, @noahs.notions

Open from 8 AM to sunset, Torreya State Park is also home to the historic Gregory House. Tours are offered at 10 AM on weekdays and 10 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM on weekends and state holidays. Masks mandatory while indoors. To get more information on the park before visiting, click HERE to visit their website!

“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

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!

Southern Fields Brewing Oktoberfest

Debbie Roney Smith on

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

Debbie Roney Smith on

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!