New Marianna Shop

There is a new shop coming to Marianna this May! Mark and Ashley Poole are opening their life-long project, Jefferson Street Antiques and Collectibles, on May 21st. Mark and Ashley enjoy collecting antiques, traveling all over the country to antique shows and local swap meets. Born and raised in the Grand Ridge area, Mark brought his family to settle in Marianna in 2020. The grand opening, open house, and ribbon cutting are scheduled for 10 a.m., so be sure to visit Jefferson Street Antiques and Collectibles at 2913 Jefferson Street in Marianna! Standard hours will be Fridays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and  Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Friends of the Library Mini Book Sales

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.

North Florida Wildflower Festival

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

Wildflower Festival: Vendors Wanted!

This month is the annual North Florida Wildflower Festival held in Blountstown. They are currently accepting arts and crafts vendors: visit their official site – www.nflwildflowerfest.com – to sign up as a vendor or a sponsor. 

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 24th. Additional information can be found on the event’s Facebook page here

Spring Festival feat. Easter Egg Hunt

Tomorrow, April 3rd is Grand Ridge’s Annual Spring Festival and Easter Egg Hunt! Come out to the John Thomas Porter Park behind the Grand Ridge School from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.. The Easter Egg Hunt will start at 10:30 a.m. and includes three age divisions. Admission is free for the Egg Hunt!

Additionally, there will be arts, crafts, food vendors, children’s games, shopping vendors, and more activities for all ages! The day is forecasted to be a lovely, cool spring day with a high of 70′ and a nice breeze. 

Quilting Day

Did you know quilting may date back as far back as 3400 BCE?! It has remained a popular skill and hobby for many ever since it arrived in the United States with the first European settlers. It is a rich tradition with many interesting developments and stylistic differences. In honor of the rising popularity of the annual March 18th Quilting Day celebration, consider visiting one of the Panhandle’s wonderful quilting stores listed below: 

  • Quilting by the Bay, Panama City (website)
  • Margie’s Sew Much Fun, Crestview (website)
  • Lynn’s Sewing Center, Fort Walton Beach (850-864-4555)

Blueberry Popovers & Panhandle Pride

Today is National Blueberry Popover Day! Popovers are airy rolls that puff up when baked, popping over the edge of the tin. They are light and crispy on the outside while the insides are warm and hollow, perfect for filling with your choice of custards, creams, and fruits – especially blueberries! Blueberries are the perfect filling for popovers here in the Florida Panhandle. Not only do they decrease your cholesterol level and lower the chances of heart diseases, diabetes, and obesity but there are plentiful places to get blueberries fresh: Jackson Farms, Harmony Vineyard, Blue Sky Berry Farm, Blueberry Springs, and more.

Check out this website for a full listing of Florida Panhandle U-Pick Farms. 

Hydrographic Designs Available Locally

Sample of their work.

Looking to spice up your favorite water bottle? Have a motorbike you’d like to personalize? Check out Skinny Dipped Hydrographics! Hydrographics, otherwise known as water transfer printing, takes everyday ordinary items and make them stand out. Skinny Dipped has thousands of films to choose from. A venture started in April 2020, it is owned and operated by Robbie Clausen. 

Visit their official Facebook page HERE!

Rosemary Beach: Farmers Market

Tomorrow is the weekly 30A Farmers Market in the beautiful and quaint coastal community of Rosemary Beach! From 9 a.m. EST to 1 p.m. EST,  this family-friendly event will be occurring during the predicted sunny day. Featuring: locally-grown, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, beef, chicken, local seafood, freshly baked artisan bread, homemade pasta, sauces, meatballs, BBQ sauce, local honey, homemade Greek pastries and Greek food, delicious baked cakes, pies, tarts, cupcakes, gelato, grits, herbs, olive oil, vinegars, fresh-cut flowers, wonderful jams, preserves, salsas, and chow-chows. Visit the market at 28 N. Barrett Square, and enjoy a cool morning supporting local growers, artisans, and more!

Coffee in the Garden

Looking for something to do tomorrow morning that will keep you safely 6ft away from others AND in the delightful presence of nature? Consider visiting Tallahassee Nurseries from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a free Coffee in the Garden event. RedEye Coffee, TeBella tea, Tasty Pastry, and Three Sons Bakery will be available for purchase! Buy some refreshing coffee, calming tea, or a savory treat to enjoy while you stroll through the gardens. Tomorrow’s event is predicted to have a cool morning with a high of 66°F while the sun shines through mild clouds.