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Rain barrel workshop in Santa Rosa Beach Nov. 21

Walton County will be partnering with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance to host a rain barrel workshop on Monday, November 21 at 9 am at the Northwest Florida State College’s South Walton Center at 109 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach. This workshop will demonstrate and teach participants the correct way to build a rain barrel. The cost for the class is $40 and the barrel and supplies will be provided.  They will accept cash or check on the day of...

Walton County BCC hosting toiletry drive for Louisiana through Sept. 9

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners, in conjunction with Walton County Administration and Walton County Emergency Management, will be hosting a toiletry drive to help those who have been affected by the flooding in Louisiana. The drive will be held from Friday, August 26th to Friday, September 9th. Walton County Emergency Management has been in contact with organizations currently on the ground in Louisiana to help assess the items that are of the most critical need. With that information...

9/11 remembrance ceremony in DeFuniak Springs Sept. 11

Time: 2 p.m. Please join the Walton County Emergency Response community in remembering those lives lost on 9/11. There will be a 45 – 60 minute ceremony featuring speakers sharing their experiences on that fateful day as well as prayer and a 21 gun salute. After the ceremony, please join for a two lap walk around Lake DeFuniak commemorating Towers 1 and 2 that collapsed. The walk will be escorted by the Blue Knights and Red Knights motorcycle clubs and...

Walton County opens sandbag stations at multiple locations

Due to the impending severe rainfall event that is anticipated in Walton County starting late Tuesday evening until early Saturday morning, Walton County will open a “sandbag station” at four locations throughout the County. Once open, these locations will be available 24 hours a day for the duration of this potential event. Staffing may be limited due to other proactive storm preparations so residents are asked to bring their own shovels and be prepared to fill bags themselves. Stations open...

New residents buzzing about at Live Oak Landing in Freeport

New residents have things abuzz at Live Oak Landing in Freeport. The popular RV resort now boasts a flow beehive. RVC Outdoor Destinations has placed beehives at several of their resort locations across the country. All in an effort to promote awareness of the importance bees are in our day-to-day lives. The beehive is safely protected by fencing and surrounded by interpretive educational signs. The beehive box, or “super” will eventually have the capability to drain honey directly from the...

Rest eternally among long leaf pines at Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve

A subject not easily addressed is end of life burial decisions. Fortunately, there are several options outside of what once was considered the norm. Burial trends are shifting according to the National Funeral Directors Association, as more burials reflect consumer lifestyles returning to simplicity. One such choice on the rise is eco-friendly green burials. A green burial is defined as a natural return to the earth without embalming, using a biodegradable casket, or, no casket at all. Located in the...

Art in the park at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park July 15

Date/time: July 15, 9 – 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a basket-weaving lesson with Carol Dickson and explore the various techniques to make your own basket to take home. Class fee covers cost of materials needed and a minimum of five participants are needed for the class to occur with a class limit on 10 participants. If you wish, bring a lunch to enjoy with your fellow class mates and Carol out on the back porch of the clubhouse afterwards. Cost is $35. Registration is...

Century plants can pack a powerful punch to gardeners

When landscaping in dry, sandy areas, century plants (Agave Americana) are often a popular choice when xeriscaping is in mind. The plant is drought tolerant, and does well in the sandy soil of coastal landscapes. The leaves get up to 6′ long and 10″ wide, and the flower stalk is branched, 20-40′ tall, it bears large yellow-green flowers. However, most folks are not aware the Agave Americana has several toxic compounds. It contains the irritating calcium oxylate raphides (microscopic daggers...