6 minute read
From the POA
Welcome to Rosemary Beach!
We can learn a lot about ourselves by watching the
world around us. At this time of year, white-tailed deer and occasionally small black bears and grey foxes may be seen foraging around the dune lakes as they prepare for winter. The seasonally lower tides in the gulf often create little islands and pools along the shoreline that curious souls brave enough to handle that cooler air and water can explore for all the small marine creatures that are usually hidden from sight during the busier summer months.
The habits and interests of our owners and guests change throughout the year as well – and as we approach the holiday season, many are enjoying the cooler weather and perhaps catching up with family and friends for a bit of peace and quiet at the beach themselves. It’s amazing that our town so aptly shifts gears from the crowds of summer to the slower pace of fall and winter. The same parks and beaches can accommodate a wide variety of activities as each year goes through its seasonal cycles.
A CONSISTENT VISION
As we have for many years now, the Rosemary Beach Property Owners Association (POA) invites you to join us in our efforts to achieve the community’s Vision: “The town of Rosemary Beach aspires to be the best family beach community in the United States, driven by quality and excellence in everything it does. By preserving its architectural heritage, natural beauty and vibrant community spirit, Rosemary Beach will be a place that blends a tranquil residential area and active Town Center where residents, guests, and merchants live, work and play in harmony.”
In this issue, we explore some of the ways that the community’s vision has both helped shape as well as reflect the relationships that generations of families have with one another in our town. Many of the first homes here were built by young parents eager to spend time at the beach with their children, and those same houses are now home to parents that have become grandparents eager to spend time with their grandchildren. Likewise, many friendships between adults, and between youngsters, have been made among people from hometowns across the country, who look forward to seeing their extended “beach family” here whenever they visit. And we are proud that this is often as true for repeating rental guests as it is for owners. These seasonal and yearly cycles can be seen in our own lives as well as in nature.
It therefore seems appropriate at this time of year to not only take a quick look back, but also to take a look forward. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the town’s founding in 1995, and while nobody could have predicted the combination of things that has dominated the news every night, we might take some respite in the knowledge that there are some things and places that don’t change. Or at least, they change slowly enough to give us a chance to adjust comfortably, becoming part of our foundations. We believe that Rosemary Beach is one of those places, and that, as stewards, part of our role is to ensure that what does change is change for the better.
One of the things that the POA must do to be sure that our community will be around for many significant anniversaries and generations to come is to keep the town looking and functioning at its best. Please pardon our progress as we get several capital projects completed, including several repaving and drainage projects in the residential areas, as we prepare for the next 25 years of activity. If you ever have a question or comment regarding one of our projects, please share it with us at POA@rosemarybeachfl.org
MOVING SLOWLY BUT MOST SURELY
As just one example of how things can change slowly but surely, and according to plan, recall that it was only 3 years ago that we had 3 large development sites remaining on North and South Barrett Square. Since 2017, we have seen the construction and completion of the Orleans, the Georgetown, and now the Providence, all mixed-use condominium projects with shops at ground level and residences above (and the wonderful Pescado seafood grill and bar on top, in the case of the Orleans), as well as the phased repaving of Town Center as each of these projects was completed. While it wasn’t easy, it was worth the wait!
ENJOYING OUR BEACH SAFELY
It cannot go without saying that the most important part of enjoying the beautiful beaches here is being aware of water safety. To that important end, please be aware that the South Walton Fire District (SWFD) posts a flag each day designating water conditions Green, Yellow, Red or Double Red. The flag is located here in Rosemary Beach at Walkover “I” near the west end of our beach, and there is also another flag nearby at the public beach access on our eastern boundary, at Winston Lane. Please note that the flags do not specifically advise of the presence of rip currents at a particular location (rips tend to move about from day to day) - rather the flag colors are determined by the most dangerous surf or rip conditions within the county’s beaches and the appropriate color flag or flags are then flown across all beaches. It is possible that the conditions at the beach where you are visiting may appear less dangerous than the beach flags that are flying. One of the most important things to remember is never
to try to swim against a rip
current. “Rips” are powerful currents that form when water that has rushed up to the beach runs back out through breaks in the sandbars. They are hard to spot from the beach and can easily surprise even strong swimmers. If you get caught in a rip, remain calm and focus on staying afloat. Wave your arms to alert those on the beach. The current will not carry you far out to sea but will weaken as it reaches deeper water. Once the current weakens, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and then swim back to the beach. Your best bet is always to obey the flags, and remember to use caution as conditions in the Gulf of Mexico can change quickly.
SWFD is constantly monitoring the water conditions and weather forecast to provide the most accurate and timely water and surf information possible. To learn more about SWFD and their programs, please visit swfd.org
MOST OF ALL, WE WISH YOU SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Rosemary Beach is also getting into the holiday spirit! The native Live Oaks in Town Center are wrapped with lights, the Christmas Tree is in its traditional place near the Town Hall on South Barrett Square, and the wreaths and ribbons are up. Many thanks to all who have helped decorate the town for the holidays, especially to our town Merchant’s Association.
We wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable holiday season and especially a Happy New Year as we look forward to 2021!
