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Flutterby in action caught on camera

This little flutterby was caught in action as she donned her new wings and explored the Flutterby Festival at WaterColor. The festival features activities for children including adorning their own wings with shiny things. The festival also features and abundance of locally crafted artist’s wares for sale. The festival runs through Sunday. For more information Click here ::MAP::...

Spiral garden one of the featured workshops at Enviromental Forum on Nov. 5

Learn how to create a garden with recycled materials Peter and Susan Horn of Artisan Builders in Santa Rosa Beach will be building a spiral garden as one of the featured workshops at the upcoming Walton County Tourist Development Council’s Environmental Forum on Nov. 5. Created as an organic, composting herb garden, the Horn’s spiral garden will be created with easy-to-find salvaged and recycled materials. Learn which herbs will attract birds and beneficial insects, add fresh new flavor to your...

Local naturalist tags monarch butterflies for migration study

Monarch beauties pass through the Florida Panhandle Joe Wyatt, naturalist at Hammock Bay in Freeport has been tagging Monarch butterflies for three years as part of a migration study with the University of Kansas. So far in this year’s study, Joe has tagged 68, finding the majority of the fluttering beauties feasting on Saltwater False-Willow, Narrowleaf Baccharis (Baccharis angustifolia) along the north shoreline of Choctawhatchee Bay in Choctaw Beach. Unlike most other insects in temperate climates, monarch butterflies cannot survive...

Alaqua Canine Carnival at Gulf Place Nov. 14

Fun day in store for kids or all ages and their pups Location: Gulf Place on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tons of fun for everyone as Gulf Place will be hosting the Alaqua Canine Carnival. Music by Coconut Radio, games and contests for children and their pups. Animals will also be up for adoption. Vendor opportunities are available. For more information and vendor applications, call 267-3123 or e-mail dranic@embarqmail.com. Gulf Place is located at the...

October is pumpkin time!

Helpful tips on finding the perfect pumpkin Pumpkins and gourds were brought to America by settlers, but gourds likely came floating across the sea from Africa or we brought to South America by early Africans who came across the Atlantic. They not only were used as food, but the skins can be dried and woven. The first pumpkin pies were probably hollowed out pumpkins filed with milk and spices that were baked in a bed of ashes. Pumpkins, which are...

Living with Florida black bears

Yes, we have bears in the Florida Panhandle! The presence of bears is not necessarily a problem or a threat to your safety. For many people seeing a black bear is a thrilling, rewarding experience. Problems arise when bears have access to food sources unintentionally made available by people such as pet foods, garbage, barbecue grills, bird seed or livestock feed.  Bears are adaptable and learn very quickly to associate people with food. Black bears are normally too shy to...

Large python seized from Crestview Florida home

Investigators estimated the snake weighs more than 100 pounds Acting on a tip that a Crestview resident had a “large snake” that had escaped before, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators went to the man’s home Wednesday and were amazed to find an uncaged, 11-foot-long, albino Burmese python crawling in the man’s home....

CHELCO offers tips to save energy

Well pump problems:  A hidden energy waster A leaky faucet or toilet can be more expensive in a house that gets water from a well instead of utility company. That’s because a leak can cause the well pump to run almost continuously, wasting energy with every drip. Repairing leaks isn’t the only way to keep your pump in top shape. Regular maintenance not only can help your pump operate more efficiently, it can help extend the life of the equipment....