This Thanksgiving Harbor Docks, with the help of community support, their amazingly hard-working staff, over 200 volunteers, and dedication of Charles Morgan, was able to feed 1,674 people a free Thanksgiving dinner. Proceeds from the day broke the record of the most successful Thanksgiving hosted by Harbor Docks to date, raising $19,488 for the Okaloosa County Habitat for Humanity and Destin Harvest.
We have some wonderful holiday traditions in SoWal, and the Merchants of Seaside have started a new one. They plan each year to stage a free performance of the Nutcracker ballet.
The first performance of the new annual tradition features the Alpharetta Dance Theatre and the Dance Academy of Seaside Neighborhood School. The one-night performance is free on Dec. 8 at 5pm in the Seaside Amphitheater.
Randy Wise Homes, Inc. and First Florida Bank will hold a fundraiser to benefit Building Homes for Heroes. This benefit will help to provide two local wounded veterans, Army Staff Sergeant Aaron Hale and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Deslauriers with new homes. Attendees will enjoy dinner, a silent auction and a presentation by Building Homes for Heroes.
From Carolyn Mora & republished with permission from the DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze
As the traditional Christmas season begins, shoppers will be rushing from here to there and everywhere looking for the perfect gift. We suggest giving yourself and your family the gift of Christmas this Friday evening with a drive around Lake DeFuniak, as we kick off another season of Christmas Reflections.
SoWal sparkles every holiday season all along the beaches, on the bay at Eden Gardens State Park, and all the way up to DeFuniak Springs Historic District. Make sure you get in the spirit and soak up the beautiful scenes and events throughout our wonderful holiday season.
Join Café Thirty-A in Spreading a Little Christmas Cheer this Holiday Season! On Saturday, Dec. 8, The Bottoms Up Band will be rockin’ the night away at Café Thirty-A and there will be great food and fun for all!
Shelter House, the domestic violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, is hosting a unique twilight run that will shine the light on domestic violence in our community. The 2nd Annual Luminaria Run to End Domestic Violence will take place on Saturday, December 8, at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Starting and ending at Baytowne Marina, the course will be lined with more than 2,000 luminarias lighting the path for the runners.
Luke Thompson was only 10 when he started the Elf Ride tradition in South Walton. He did it to help local children by raising awareness of the local Angel Tree charity at the South Walton Fire District (SWFD). It was a grand idea, and now five years later Luke is 15 and also known as "The Grand Elf".
The Godfather has long been Chef Ed’s ultimate favorite movie (followed closely by Godfather II and III). Not long after we met, I sat and really watched the movie. I immediately saw why he loved it so and became a fan myself. The movie is so rich in wine and food scenes and references, that we, obsessed with food and wine as we are, can’t go a week without quoting or referring to the Godfather.
Canadian musician and co-founders of animal rescue group, Ladybird Animal Sanctuary, head south this December to share their music for the good of animals in need. Melissa McClelland, Janine Stoll and Lisa Winn are award-winning, critically acclaimed singer/songwriters from Canada who toured together and released a live recording under the name “Ladybird Sideshow.” A rare folk music performance, each will showcase her own unique songs, while the other Ladybirds add lush harmonies.
