Category: Education

Super Girl Surf Pro Contest & Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

Tomorrow is the first day of the Super Girl Surf Pro Contest & Festival! This is a three-day festival that celebrates women’s action sports while focusing on female empowerment through social, athletic, cultural, and business opportunities.

The surf contest will be held at the Jacksonville Beach pier. The Festival Village at the Sea Walk Pavilion will be occurring simultaneously. The Village will feature live music, family-friendly activities, an ALL-FEMALE DJ competition, women’s beach soccer, women’s volleyball tournaments, free fitness/dance classes, and celebrity speakers. Additionally, there will be a beer garden and the possibility to get autographs from pro surfers. The best part is that all activities are FREE. Come down to Jacksonville Beach to take part in this festival from November 12th-14th! Visit the festival’s website here for detailed itineraries and more information on available activities. 

Fun Florida Population Facts

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today’s blog brings you three fun facts about Florida’s population: 

  1. Florida ranked as the third most populous state in 2019. (United States Census Bureau)
  2. Approximately 950 people move to Florida on average per day. 
  3. Florida is ranked as the second-fastest growing state in the United States. (ISG World Miami Report)

Veterans Fair

Debbie Roney Smith on

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

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. 

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.

LGBTQ+ Center Awareness

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National LGBTQ+ Center Awareness Day. For more detailed information on this national event, visit the LGBT Center Awareness Day website.

Since this annual event is designed to help advocate for the work of LGBT community centers everywhere, today’s blog is dedicated to highlighting the local LGBTQ+ Center of Bay County. According to their website, the Bay Center “is currently the only safe space with dedicated programming for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13-18 in the entire Panhandle of Florida, from Mobile, Alabama to Jacksonville, Florida.”

They offer support groups, a safe space, scholarships, community outreach programs, and more! The Center advocates for community engagement, offers volunteer opprotunities, holds events, and works hard to improve the wellness of the LGBTQ+ community while leading the charge for positive change in the area. 

Visit the Center’s official website to learn more. 

When Buying Your Next Home…

Debbie Roney Smith on

One of the first steps of buying a home is deciding between purchasing a newly built home or an existing property. Each has pros and cons that need to be considered to make the best choice for you. 

Newly Built Homes Pros:

  • Brand new construction with active warranties
  • Customizable floor plans
  • Cost of upgraded features and appliances can be folded into the mortgage
  • Green appliances for better energy efficiency
  • Financing is available through the builder, making it easier to qualify for a mortgage
  • Fewer maintenance costs associated with repairs or renovations

Newly Built Homes Cons:

  • More expensive than resale properties
  • Location may not be ideal (lack of schools and shopping opportunities, possible longer commute)
  • Property values are unknown, and possibly more volatile
  • Lacking in character – cookie-cutter design
  • Ongoing construction in the neighborhood
  • Greater Tax Burden

Existing Homes Pros:

  • Typically less expensive, with more opportunity to negotiate price
  • More desirable locations
  • Known neighborhood dynamics
  • Proximity to schools, shopping, and places of worship
  • Older houses tend to have more character as compared to modern designs
  • Property values can be determined before purchase
  • Lower tax profile

Existing Homes Cons:

  • Smaller inventory of acceptable properties
  • May require extensive repairs and/or renovations
  • Fewer amenities/older appliances
  • Financing can be more difficult
  • Competition from competing buyers
  • Neighborhood may be in decline