Category: Kind to Your Wallet

Raccoon Repellant

Debbie Roney Smith on

If you live in the rural areas of the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas, you’ve likely had to deal with the determined, seemingly Houdini-like rascals that are raccoons. There are two easy, DIY recipes you can use to repeal curious raccoons from your home, porch, and other areas you’d rather keep wildlife-free. 

  1. Mix together (1) bottle hot sauce or cayenne powder, (1) gallon of water, and (1) teaspoon of dish soap. Once mixed, add to a spray bottle and spray on the entire area that you would like to keep raccoons out of (ex. entire porch including doors, trash bins and their surrounding areas, etc.). 
  2. Put apple cider vinegar into a bowl, then place a rag in the bowl. Place the bowl near where the raccoons are a problem/entering, and let the rag soak overnight. 

Guided Nature Hike at Camp Helen

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today in Panama City Beach, a ranger will be offering a Guided Nature Hike at Camp Helen. Camp Helen boasts nine distinct natural communities throughout the park with varied flora and fauna. Learn about our rare coastal dune lake, Lake Powell, as well as the park wildlife. The hike is suitable for all ages; be sure everyone in your party is dressed for the weather; water and bug spray are recommended. The hike will start at 10 a.m. and will last an hour. Contact scarlett.a.dunn@FloridaDEP.go for more information and/or with questions. 

Can’t make it out today but want to catch the next hike? Be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, June 03, 2021 from 10-11 a.m.!

National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know that every single year, over 6.5 million companion animals end up in animal shelters in the U.S.? Sadly, over 1.5 million are euthanized and only 3.2 million are adopted. National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day was created in order to bring awareness to these tragic numbers. It is the result of the annual Adopt A Dog Month that the American Humane Society founded in 1981. Observed annually on April 30th, this national observance helps bring attention to the needless suffering of animals in shelters and encourages people to make to adopt not shop.

Below are the links to some local Panhandle animal shelters and their online listings of adoptable pets!

Friends of the Library Mini Book Sales

Debbie Roney Smith on

Yesterday was the first day of the Friends of the Library’s ongoing Mini Book Sales! The book sales are held at multiple libraries: the Main Library (445 North Oates Street), Westgate Library (535 Recreation Road), and the Ashford Library (305 6th Ave). Sale hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds from the sale help support the Friends and the Dothan Houston County Library System.

There will be many great finds being sold at a steal: new and gently used fiction and nonfiction books on a variety of subjects (hardback books are $2.00; paperback books are $1.00 each), children’s books (50 cents each), vintage books, vinyl records, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, book sets and surprise bags! 

For more information, contact friends@dhcls.org or 334-796-1594.

Student Art Show

Debbie Roney Smith on
Support the local Gulf Coast State College students artists this week by visiting the Student Art Show. The show will be held in the Student Union Building at 5230 W Highway 98, Panama City. 
Remaining Dates:
Thursday, April 29, 2021 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday, April 30, 2021 10:00 am – 6:00 pm

Earth Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is Earth Day 2021! Beginning in 1970, it was created to bring awareness to serious environmental concerns and to address the need for environmental reform. It grew to an international level in 1990 and is now practiced in 142 nations. Don’t forget that today is the second Earth Day Live digital event, held on the official website here. The global show begins at 12 p.m. Eastern Time and will include workshops, panel discussions, and special performances that focus on this year’s theme of Restore Our Earth™. 

North Florida Wildflower Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

This Saturday, April 24th, the 7th Annual North Florida Wildflower Festival will be hosted in Magnolia Square, Blountstown. It will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include plants, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, FREE kids’ activities, music, AND train rides on the Blountstown Rotary Train. 

For more information, visit the official festival website here or the Facebook event page here. 

Rebuild Florida at the Blountstown Library

Debbie Roney Smith on

Yesterday was the first of four dates that Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement program came to the Blountstown Public Library. If you are a homeowner with damage from Hurricane Michael, you are encouraged to apply for housing repair assistance.

Rebuild Florida will be here for the following days with no appointment necessary:
April 8: 10 – 4 CST
April 19: 10 – 4 CST
April 20: 10 – 4 CST

Visit HERE for more detailed information such as what documents to bring with you. 

Walk in the Park

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National Take a Walk in the Park Day! This is a day to slow down, clear your mind, re-energize, and improve mental and physical health by visiting a local park be it community, urban, national, or state. Did you know that Greenland’s National Park is the largest in the world? It covers an area of 604,000 miles!

Considering visiting a local park such as Marianna’s Citizen Lodge Park, pictured below. 

Timber Block Grant

Debbie Roney Smith on

Have you heard the good news? The State of Florida Timber Block Grant’s registration deadline has been extended to April 30th! The Florida Timber Recovery Block Grant Program (“TRBG”) is available to timber producers who suffered timber damage as a result of Hurricane Michael; compensation for the crop loss is provided to producers that meet the eligibility requirements. The program is managed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the US Department of Agriculture. If eligible, you may receive up to $608 per acre for pine and up to $714 per acre for hardwood. Repayment is not required. 

Register HERE.