June 22, 2012

Archive

Portion of Scenic Highway 30A dedicated to founder of Modica Market

Businessman remembered fondly by friends, neighbors and visitors By Jamie Conley Davis Properties of Northwest Florida Family, friends, locals and vacationers, gathered on June 21, 2012 in Seaside for the dedication ceremony of  “Charles Modica, Sr. Hospitality Way.” Spearheaded by the efforts of one of Seaside’s first homeowners, Senator Don Gaetz and his son Representative Matt Gaetz, the 2012 Florida Legislature has now officially designated a portion of Scenic Hwy. 30A to honor Charles Modica, Sr., founder of Modica Market,...

Pararescue teams drop into Choctawhathee Bay June 19

No need to worry if you see men jumping out of airplanes Have you ever seen anyone parachuting into the Choctawhatchee Bay? Chances are they are Air Force Special Operations Pararescuemen. Also known as PJs, these elite forces use the Choctawhatchee Bay for practice sessions. This was the case on June 19, 2012 when a C130 delivered groups of PJs over the Bay in the early afternoon hours. The PJs were picked up by boat from the water and delivered...

Walton County fishing report for June 20

Fishing is great Choctawhatchee Bay: Lots of black drum, sheepshead and redfish being caught along the causeway on the bottom with shrimp. Also some flounder being caught and crabs. Creeks/river: Good bit of catfish being caught. Some bluegill, however been a bit muddy. Surf: June grass is in. “Don’t pay attention to the weatherman’s prediction, all you need to do is get out there and you will catch fish,” Danny said. Click here for fishing forecast Bay and river report...

Grace Rides – a therapeutic place for special people

Equine therapy facility working wonders Sherry Hall is on a mission to help special people with unique challenges. As director of Grace Rides, an equine-assisted therapy facility in Niceville, she makes that happen in a big way, five days a week. Hall is founder of Grace Rides, a non-profit faith based organization formed in 2009. The facility provides safe and effective equine therapy and horsemanship training for students of all ages with emotional, physical, cognitive and developmental challenges. “Riding opens...

4-H marine camp offered July 30 – August 3, 2012 at Camp Timpoochee

Learn about fresh and salt water habitats, snorkeling and more at week long camp Are you interested in learning about marine life, going fishing, or exploring the underwater world with a mask and snorkel? If so, this is the camp for you. Separated from the Destin beaches by the Choctawatchee Bay, Camp Timpoochee 4-H Center, (located in Niceville, Florida) allows campers first hand experience with Florida’s marine environment from above and below the waterline. Timpoochee’s marine lab is equipped with...

A little piece of paradise at Sun Crop Farm

DeFuniak Springs farm keeps it natural Reprinted, with permission, from June 14, 2012 edition of the DeFuniak Herald/Beach Breeze. All rights reserved. Story and photos by Alicia Leonard Off a side road of Coy Burgress Loop in DeFuniak Springs, there is a path to a small piece of organic, home-grown heaven known as Sun Crop Farm. David and Michaela Watson, owners of Sun Crop, have carved themselves a little Eden at the dead end of Deer Run West and for...

Moving feral hogs is illegal; bad for landowners

By Stan Kirkland, FWC Feral or wild hogs have an incredible reproductive potential: A few hogs can quickly grow to several dozen. Although despised and unwanted by many land managers, there’s increasing evidence some people move hogs in violation of the law and without regard for the environmental consequences. On May 6, a Walton County sheriff’s deputy saw vehicle tracks leading from Highway 20 into Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) property near Villa Tasso. He stopped and heard the sound...