On The Coast November/December 2019 Issue

9

Essentials for the

Holiday Season

great stocking stuffers

A Time to give

Destination College...

SCORE BIG!

Rewards for

Writing to Santa

CONTENTS CONTENTS

November/December 2019

8

VOLUME 17 NUMBER 6

36

12 24

5

Publisher's Page

6

Contributor's Page

8

Leadership Starts Young!

32 Simple Enjoyable Desserts!

Peppermint pie & homemade whipped cream.

Being the Change

34

Prepping for the Test!

The Words You Use

36

Connecting with Santa this Season Has It's Rewards

12

16

Raising children their potential.

Understanding our local foster care crisis.

30 Ten Pounds on the Average?!

6 strategies to success.

22

ACT & SAT Strategies to get you through.

Check out this iconic letter writing campaign.

Avoid these phrases to help eliminate stress.

38 Making a Difference

18 This Busy Season Wine Walkout.

How to tackle your “to do’s” to enjoy this season.

Toys 4 Tots Ride on the Emerald Coast.

22 Five Ways to Support Shelter Animals

40 Events If you’re not ready to adopt.

Holiday cheer starts here! From craft shows to charity

dinners, from parades to Santa's arrival.

24 Delicious Seasonal Dishes.

A holiday feast with one common ingredient.

46 Stocking Stuffers You Want to Know About!

If you’re on the nice list.

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04 10 19 04 12 19

Wow, time flies! I walked into Target the other day and noticed an aisle dedicated to each holiday... we've got an acorn and pumpkin table liner on aisle 6, stocking stuffers on aisle 7, and confetti noisemakers on aisle 8 (not to mention the leftover Halloween costumes in the back). There's a lot to celebrate in the next few months with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year, and I am so excited! This is the time of year when it pays to be organized and ahead of the game, so, with all the hustle and bustle of life, I want to help you plan for those special dinners, parties, and presents with our Holiday Issue!

For me, this season always brings back some of my favorite memories and even brings home some of my favorite people!

The peppermint-and-pine smell reminds me of my childhood in Michigan where my brothers and I would help my neighbor build an ice skating rink in his backyard for all the neighborhood kids to enjoy, spend my pastime reading in homemade igloos, and surprise my brothers with snowball fights. It was that feeling of winter that pulled me into the holiday mood when I was younger, but now I'm happy to celebrate in the Florida warmth and Emerald Coast.

I am truly looking forward to this season because MY AUNT FROM ENGLAND, AUNT MARY, WILL BE CELEBRATING HER VERY FIRST THANKSGIVING EVER WITH US! Aunt Mary just turned 90, and she

is visiting to spend time with my mom, who is 94. These two sisters share such a special bond, but because of their age and how far they live from each other, this may be the last time to treasure moments together.

You may remember a Publisher's Page I wrote three years ago about them visiting for the first time in over 15 years. They had so much fun reminiscing about the embarrassingly hilarious stories of their youth, remembering what is was like leaving their home country of Burma (Myanmar) during WWII to flee from the Japanese invasion, and talking about how they all worked different jobs to help the family survive during the war.

I learned that my aunt, at 15 years old, dressed up in my mom’s best suit, high heels and makeup and proceeded to apply to the armed forces, where she lived in barracks with older women who didn’t let on she was underage, to help the Americans win the war. I also learned that my mom forged Aunt Mary’s wedding certificate with their dad's signature so she could get married to the Englishman she fell in love with, with whom she would later have four children and celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss. I can't wait to hear more about their past, my heritage, in these upcoming days.

This Christmas I also feel so blessed to have my whole family with me. With my mom being 94, we never know when her last Christmas will be, and, while I know that sounds too sad to talk about during such a happy holiday time, it has helped me appreciate each moment in its entirety. We never know what the future holds, so cherish each moment with true joy!

I hope you enjoy this issue, have a wonderful season of love, joy, thanks and blessings. We want to give a big thanks to our faithful advertisers who continually support a good read and our family vision. We also want to thank you, our readers, as we continue to enrich your lives and continue to immerse you in our community and all it has to offer. We truly appreciate you.

Merry Christmas!

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 5

CONTRIBUTORS Skylar Babin Throughout her life, Skylar Capri has always been captivated by the wonder of God's creation along the Emerald Coast. As the current Miss Okaloosa as well as the Distinguished Young Woman of Okaloosa for 2017-2018, Skylar has a love for inspiring others and takes that role seriously.

You can follow her dream pursuits on her Instagram @skylarcaprimusic and YouTube (Skylar Capri) as she works diligently on her music and writing career.

Casey Lynn Draughn Casey was born and raised in a tiny town of 198 people in Shevlin, Minnesota. After graduating college with a bachelors degree from Minnesota State University at Mankato in December 2000, She moved to Niceville a month later.

She met her husband Jason almost 19 years ago at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. They just celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary.

They have two incredible boys.

Tanner is 17 and a senior at SWHS and Kodie is 11 and Casey has the joy of homeschooling him, something she said would never do. For the last 11 years, Casey is a stay at home mom taking care of her boys and all the children that come into their home. Their family loves to go camping, to the beach, hiking, boating, and exploring new places and things. All four of them have a huge desire to help the most vulnerable children in our community. They love our community and desire to make it even better.

Denise Gates

Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller are the authors of The Abracadabra Effect: The 13 verbally Transmitted Diseases and how to Cure Them They are two of the world's foremost authorities on raising responsible, caring, confident children. They publish a free Uncommon Parenting blog. To obtain more information about how they can help you or your group meet your parenting needs, visit their websites today: www.thomanshaller.com or www. chickmoorman.com.

Paul Hunter

Denise is a freelance writer and editor, the stay-at-home mother of two teenage boys, and a military wife whose husband’s career takes her all over the country but whose heart remains in Destin, FL. As any writer knows, a second set of eyes is essential before submitting an article for publication. Denise is often asked to be that second set of eyes for us – to read over articles and make sure the Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed. Denise reviews articles and restructures them as necessary to make sure the writer’s message shines through. Writers put their passion down on paper, but we run it by Denise first.

Chick Moorman & Thomas Haller

Paul Hunter, B.S., C.S.C.S, lives On the Coast with his wife and three teenagers infusing science with his playful style yielding astonishing results at Grayton Beach Fitness, voted Best Place to Work Out on 30-A.

Laura Lucy Laura Lucy works remotely as the grants and marketing manager for Harbor House of Central Florida, owns Beachside Certifications, a CPR and first aid training company, and volunteers at her daughter’s school, her church, and anywhere else that will have her. When she's not working, you can find Laura and her husband Patrick trying to wrangle their crazy redhead, Vivi, who also happens to be the reigning Little Miss Okaloosa County.

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Barbara Britt Barbara Britt is a dedicated member of her community in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and has a passion for making a difference in the lives of others. She developed the largest leadership program in the country for high school students and devoted 16 years to working directly with the program’s participants. She is now using her expertise in the corporate world.

As a member of John C. Maxwell’s international speaking, training and coaching team, she conducts leadership, personal and professional development training for a variety of organizations. Barbara is also a certified trainer with Robert Rohm Personality Insights. She has recently developed a Speakers Club that can be utilized in companies from top management to the entire team.

In addition to working with individual and corporate clients, Barbara facilitates training through the Northwest Florida State College Costa Leadership Institute. She has developed Empowerment programs to enable women and men to achieve their best selves using Mastermind groups, as well as lunch and learn workshops.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR NANCY BABIN PHOTO EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR SHANE BABIN GRAPHIC DESIGN TRINITY GRAPHICS AND DESIGNS

(850) 642-5439 E-mail OTC@OntheCoastMag.com SALES (850) 642-5439 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK. COM/ONTHECOASTMAGAZINE www.OnTheCoastMag.com

ON THE COAST is published six times a year and is available free of charge at more than 200 strategically placed locations. ON THE COAST encourages your comments, suggestions and submissions, and we reserve the right to edit for tone, grammar, style or length. The Magazine will not be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or photography. Editorials articulated in this publication do not necessarily reflect that of ON THE COAST MAGAZINE. ON THE COAST is a division of KIDZ ON THE COAST ® Publishing, INC. All materials are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher.

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TODAY'S CHILDREN

ARE TOMORROW'S LEADERS

by Barbara Britt

“To lead others, you must first lead yourself.�

-John C. Maxwell

A

t what age do you want to start empowering your child to start leading? If you believe the above quote to be true, then you see the value of starting off life with opportunities for them to lead themselves. Leadership is a learned skill, and the best news is that everyone is capable of learning to lead. Make sure your children have the opportunity to practice leadership every single day in their home, school, sports, and everywhere in between. It is never too early to start this by modeling and giving them opportunities.

continued on page 10

TODAY'S CHILDREN ARE TOMORROW'S LEADERS continued from page 9 I like to equate a child’s life to that of the Chinese bamboo tree. For five years, the bamboo farmer diligently waters, fertilizes, and weeds what looks to be barren ground. Never once missing a time to water, fertilize, and weed the plant, the farmer toils on day after day. On the fifth year, a sprout appears, and in six short weeks it will grow 90 feet tall. It will be strong and supple, capable of withstanding extreme wind and climate changes.

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

- John F. Kennedy

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.”

-John C. Maxwell

Teach them to be careful not to underestimate others or themselves based on perceptions of what is weak or strong.

Like the bamboo tree, they must stand tall, believe in their own strengths, and allow others to build and develop theirs as well.

Remind them that no matter where they find themselves today, they have tremendous capabilities to grow and develop. Life is a journey they must experience within themselves and then share it with others. There will be times when they are making progress and not be able to see it. During these times are when the greatest growth and personal development may be taking place. How fast or how slow is not our main concern, only that we’re moving forward and planting seeds for others’ growth.

We all have a Chinese bamboo tree inside of us, just waiting to break through. So keep watering, feeding, and believing,

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”

-Warren Bennis

The tensile strength of a planted bamboo cable is as strong as or stronger than a steel cable of the same size.

What water, fertilizer, and weeding are you using every single day from their conception?

Raise your child to bend but not to break.

Be flexible yet firmly rooted. Have you wondered what that bamboo seed was doing for those five years before the first green shoot appeared?

It was building its base of support deep and wide. From the onset of their birth, you should be modeling the skills and beliefs you want developed in your children. Be Humankind, or think of it as being a Kind Human. Realize that in order to grow and lead, they must value others as well as themselves. They must believe that their foundation is strong and can withstand failures and setbacks and will be even stronger because of them. You and they must understand the importance of living this quote. It is never too early for them to see you modeling leadership skills. What foundation are you building so they may stand strong and tall?

and you too will see the strength of the leadership grow in your child through all their stages of life.

THEY MUST SEE YOU MODELING: • • • • • • • • •

Setting a Good Example Balance Between Work, Play, and Famil Encourage Teamwork - Build a Circle of Influence Emphasize Perseverance – Every Challenge is an Opportunity to Learn and Grow Develop Negotiating Skills Opportunities for Making Decisions (Producing Solutions – Not Problems) Seek Opportunities to Speak for Themselves Encourage Work Ethics They Initiate Development of Project Planning Read Read Read *Optimistic ThinkinG

REMEMBER Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, especially if those children have parents and adults who are not afraid of the challenge of leading.

10 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

I

could not imagine writing this story eight years ago. Before we moved to Santa Rosa Beach, we lived in a very tiny home. My husband, Jason, prayed that if we were able to have a larger home, we would use it to foster children. Soon after, we moved and started our foster family journey. Though my husband and I didn’t see it at the time, all we needed to do was say yes, and, since then, we have had the privilege of watching mountains move, doors open, and seeing lives both healed and restored!

Our journey has been one of constant surrender. Jason and I had a very clear idea of what we thought our foster care life would look like, but after welcoming and loving 32 children in our home, we quickly learned to throw our plans out the window. This surrender has taken us to many unexpected places, some hurts, and some of the most glorious redemptions. While reunification is almost always the goal, either with the birth parents or a relative, knowing that our family was a safe place during a time of need was what kept us saying yes.

After first fostering two brothers, we were given the opportunity to foster a 16-year-old young lady. Her birth parents had abandoned her and were issuing death threats to everyone on her case. Instead of caving to the fear, we chose to take her into our family, and that faith was honored with protection and justice. Six years later, this beautiful young lady continues to blossom daily and we are still actively involved in her life.

by Casey Lynn Draughn personalities. Our home was constantly filled with big belly laughs.

We even had the honor of celebrating one’s birthday with the help of several friends. It is so meaningful to honor the children in big ways!

Our hope is that they always know they are worth celebrating and being loved.

While many of these stories begin with heartbreak, the stories of redemption are endless. The last children to leave our home were with us the longest. There was so much uncertainty about their future and ours, but in our uncertainty, we decided to love without reservation. It was beautiful watching these precious little girls blossom, giggle, dance and grow. Loving them as God loves me was worth the heartbreak of them leaving our home to be reunited with their siblings in a wonderful adoption story.

Their departure left all our hearts broken but full of joy for them. We decided to take a break from fostering until our oldest graduates high school in May. Our boys were not happy with this decision. I love their compassionate hearts. They never said no to a child, never said they wanted a child to leave, and they would prefer to keep our home open to more children.

There is a great need in our very own backyard, and most of the children who have come through our home were local, even attending the same school or church as our family. These children are typically victims of neglect, parents’ drug use, parents’ murder charges/conviction, and abandonment, and these issues have not stopped. In fact, cases like these continue to increase in numbers while the number of foster homes continues to decrease. It’s safe

Make a difference in the lives of local youth!

Our next placement of a set of brothers was short but sweet. They were full of laughter and, though they were tiny, carried the biggest

I

could not imagine writing this story eight years ago. Before we moved to Santa Rosa Beach, we lived in a very tiny home. My husband, Jason, prayed that if we were able to have a larger home, we would use it to foster children. Soon after, we moved and started our foster family journey. Though my husband and I didn’t see it at the time, all we needed to do was say yes, and, since then, we have had the privilege of watching mountains move, doors open, and seeing lives both healed and restored!

Our journey has been one of constant surrender. Jason and I had a very clear idea of what we thought our foster care life would look like, but after welcoming and loving 32 children in our home, we quickly learned to throw our plans out the window.

This surrender has taken us to many unexpected places, some hurts, and some of the most glorious redemptions. While reunification is almost always the goal, either with the birth parents or a relative, knowing that our family was a safe place during a time of need was what kept us saying yes.

12 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

After first fostering two brothers, we were given the opportunity to foster a 16-year-old young lady. Her birth parents had abandoned her. Instead of caving to the fear, we chose to take her into our family, and that faith was honored with protection and justice. Six years later, this beautiful young lady continues to blossom daily and we are still actively involved in her life.

Our next placement of a set of brothers was short but sweet.

They were full of laughter and, though they were tiny, carried the biggest personalities. Our home was constantly filled with big belly laughs. We even had the honor of celebrating one’s birthday with the help of several friends. It is so meaningful to honor the children in big ways! Our hope is that they always know they are worth celebrating and being loved.

continued on page 14 continued on page 46

LET IT BE US continued from page 12 While many of these stories begin with heartbreak, the stories of redemption are endless. The last children to leave our home were with us the longest. There was so much uncertainty about their future and ours, but in our uncertainty, we decided to love without reservation. It was beautiful watching these precious little girls blossom, giggle, dance and grow. Loving them as God loves me was worth the heartbreak of them leaving our home to be reunited with their siblings in a wonderful adoption story.

Their departure left all our hearts broken but full of joy for them. We decided to take a break from fostering until our oldest graduates high school in May. Our boys were not happy with this decision. I love their compassionate hearts. They never said no to a child, never said they wanted a child to leave, and they would prefer to keep our home open to more children.

There is a great need in our very own backyard, and most of the children who have come through our home were local, even attending the same school or church as our family. These children are typically victims of neglect, parents’ drug use, parents’ murder charges/conviction, and abandonment, and these issues have not stopped. In fact, cases like these continue to increase in numbers while the number of foster homes continues to decrease. It’s safe to say that Walton County is in need of its community to open their hearts and homes to the local children. Due to the lack of foster homes, siblings are often separated and at times placed out of area. This need is why I am sharing my story - for them. Becoming a foster parent is a huge responsibility, but the blessing of helping to change the trajectory of a child’s life is a privilege.

Foster parents open their hearts and homes to children who can no longer remain safely in their homes due to abuse or neglect.

Nurturing families are especially needed for older youth, sibling groups and children with special needs. Foster parents receive training, a monthly financial reimbursement, and support from a mentor. If you are interested in opening your heart and home to children in need of a safe place from your community, please visit www.FamiliesFirstNetwork.org & www.purposeone27.org.

In our communities, there are more than 500 children in foster care in need of a safe, secure and stable environment.

At any given time, there are more than 75 youth available for adoption in Northwest Florida.

FamiliesFirst Network serves nearly 2,200 children from Okaloosa, Walton, Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Nearly 90% of the children in foster care from Walton county are placed out of county due to the lack of foster homes.

Walton: Number of children in foster care: 113 Number of foster beds available: 23 Immediate need: 90 Okaloosa: Number of children in foster care: 136 Number of foster beds available: 121

Room for one more?

Please consider foster care.

850.453.7777

FAMILIESFIRSTNETWORK.ORG

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 15

6

Language Traps to Avoid This Holiday Season

by Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller

D

o you want to create a happy, stress free holiday season?

If so, watch your language. You could be creating stress, disappointment, annoyance, frustration, and irritation this holiday season by the way you choose to speak. Following are six verbalizations you could eliminate to create less stress for you and your family this year.

When you catch yourself saying "what if" to yourself or aloud, be advised that you could well be living an illusion. Use it as a clue to return to present moment living. Lessen its influence by quickly stating the opposite. Change "What if the recipe doesn’t turn out right?" to "What if the recipe turns out perfectly?" Since neither has happened yet, let them go. Either way you can handle it.

1. Stop shoulding on yourself.

3. Refuse to make negative predictions.

"I should invite my brother-in-law for dinner."

"I should buy a different roast."

"I ought to have a bigger tree."

"It's going to be a long boring trip."

"She'll ruin it if she brings her boyfriend."

"We’ll be sorry we went."

"Should" is used to dispense guilt. It’s a way of shaming and getting after yourself so you will feel inadequate. It creates anxiety and stress.

Why would you want to believe it’d going to be a long boring trip?

If you talk that way, you think that way. If you think that way, you believe that way. If you believe that way you will notice everything that proves your belief to yourself. Result? Sure enough, it turned out that way.

Want to reduce your stress? Change should to could. Your words them become, “I could invite my brother-in-law for dinner. Make a decision with no shame attached and take action. Once a decision is made fear and anxiety diminish greatly.

2. Rid your language patterns of "what if" illusions.

"What if the recipe doesn’t turn out right?"

"What if I get stuck with all the cleanup?"

"What if they show up late?"

What if keeps you from enjoying your present moments. It plants negative pictures in your mind that focus your energy and attention on an imagined future, one that may never occur.

You can change your mind and your forecast by changing your words. “Maybe we’ll be happy we went,” leaves you free from limiting words. This leave you with more positive expectations.

4. Being right doesn't work.

"I warned her and she didn't listen."

"I told you you'd get sick eating all that chocolate."

"See. We ran out of money just like I said we would."

Having to be right breeds comparison, evaluation, and alienation.

It also produces mental and physical distancing. Being right will continued on page 28

continued on page 26

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by Laura Lucy

‘

Tis the season for being busy. This year I’m making a holiday bucket list so I don’t wake up on New Year’s Day wondering what happened. Check it out and add some of your own.

Take Family Pictures

I love getting a new family picture every year to document the changes, mostly my daughter’s growth. The issue is that all those lovely snaps in our coordinated outfits can be very expensive.

The good news is that many local photographers offer discounted mini sessions around the holidays. Whether you want to pose with pumpkins in November or model with mistletoe in December, there are plenty of options.

If you don’t have the time or money even for a mini session, get creative! I have a friend who documents her family each December with a quick photo session in a Christmas tree lot. The results are always stunning. Seek out ready-made displays like the one at the center of Destin Commons. With the right angles and skillful cropping, you can even get gorgeous pics in the holiday section of Michael’s or Hobby Lobby.

Make Time to Give Back

One of my favorite family activities is volunteering, and no one is too young to lend a hand. Kids are welcome at Crop Drop on November 23 at Destin United Methodist Church where volunteers sort more than 80,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables for distribution to families in need. continued on page 20

continued on page 19

HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST continued from page 18 My seven-year-old daughter, Vivian, and her Girl Scout troop do this every year and love it. If you want to volunteer without the kids, check out Harbor Docks on Thanksgiving. This is the twenty-fifth year the Destin institution has served up a free feast. Volunteers are always needed to run food to hungry guests.

Another fun way to spread cheer during the holidays is to share your smile and a song. Vivi and I go Christmas caroling with members of our church to Destin Health and Rehabilitation Center. We go from room to room, making a joyful noise and handing out Christmas ornaments.

Observe Family Traditions

Our family practices many holiday traditions that are, well, pretty traditional. We watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning then get together and eat a big Thanksgiving feast, only after going around the table and saying what we are thankful for.

In recent years, we started attending a Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. This peaceful practice prepares our hearts and sets the tone for remembering the true reason for the holiday.

If you have kids who are interested in keeping an eye on Santa, be sure to dial NORAD. Yes, I am talking about the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Three hundred sixty-four days a year, the folks at NORAD are watching the skies to detect threats to the U.S. and Canada, but on Christmas Eve every year since 1955, it’s all about tracking the big guy in his sleigh. Kids can call in for free to find out where Santa is or follow @noradsanta on social media for updates.

After church, the NORAD call, dinner, and presents, there’s only one thing to do before tucking Vivi in for the night. She climbs onto Uncle Joe’s lap as he reads “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to

her. This one always hits me right in the feels. Vivi was born in May, and my brother lived on the other side of the country. Her first Christmas was the first time he got to meet her. This became their special time together, and they both love it. Joe loves kids and reading, and Vivi loves Uncle Joe.

Carve Out Some Quiet Time

It’s difficult to find time to be still amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays. I like to walk outside by myself at night on Christmas Eve or Christmas and find the brightest star in the sky. I suppose I’ve bought into the Christmas vibes of all those Hallmark movies, but I find this practice especially fulfilling when it happens to be a crisp, clear evening. If it’s rainy, sweltering, or otherwise not conducive for yuletide cheer outside, I enjoy a few minutes zoning out staring at the lights on the Christmas tree after everyone else has gone to bed. These quiet moments help me settle and reflect on the miracle that is Christmas. Even if you don’t celebrate this particular holiday, taking the time to just be with yourself and identify what you are grateful for is a healthy practice.

I wish all of you a very happy holiday season. If you see me out at the craft store snapping selfies with a reindeer, just pretend it’s normal. I’m working on my Christmas cards.

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Five Ways to Support Shelter Animals if You're Not Ready to Adopt.

T

he winter months, which are often considered some of the busiest for animal shelters, are approaching. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters every year. Adding a shelter pet to your family can be fulfilling, but what if you're not ready or able to adopt?

1. Donate money or product.

Many animal shelters and rescue organizations have direct donation links posted on their websites. Monetary donations go toward pet food, medical attention and vaccines for the animals. Animal shelters and rescue organizations also often create Amazon wish lists with desired products. Shelters typically ask for pet treats, toys and grooming supplies.

2. Provide a temporary home.

An increased number of animals placed in shelters need foster care before they are ready to find their forever homes. Foster needs range from post-op surgical care to puppy growth care and medical support.

Food, medication and other supplies are typically provided when fostering, and the length of time a foster pet may stay in your home varies depending on the animal's needs.

Contact your local shelter to fill out an application.

Once approved, your local shelter will work closely with you to find the right foster pet for your household.

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3. Volunteer at your local shelter or rescue organization.

Animal shelters and rescue organizations offer numerous volunteer roles, such as dog walkers, adoption support and training support.

Many positions don't require prior experience and can be applied for on your local shelter or rescue organization's website. Volunteer positions vary in expectations and demand, so there is a position for everyone.

You can also volunteer to participate in a shelter rebuild project.

Hartz Loving Paws renovates shelters twice a year in partnership with GreaterGood.org's Rescue Rebuild program. These teams work with shelters to create playful and welcoming environments for animals.

4. Take photos of adoptable pets.

Help animals find homes sooner by taking adoption photos for local shelters. Many people search for adoptable pets online, and with a great profile picture, animals have a greater chance at being adopted. If you're new to photography, there are free training videos available on the One Picture Saves a Life website that show how to take better photos of shelter pets. continued on page 28

FAMILY FEATURES ™

Seared Salmon with Spinach and Grapes

A Grape Sensation Delicious seasonal dishes for a happy holiday

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FAMILY FEATURES

y incorporating versatile ingredients into your holiday cooking, you can make a vast array of tasty seasonal goodies.

For example, California grapes are abundant throughout the holiday season and add taste and visual appeal to dishes of all kinds, such as Seared Salmon with Spinach and Grapes, Grape Caprese Salad Hors d’ Oeuvres, Grapes in Rosé Wine Sauce and Wild Rice Stuffing with Grapes and Hazelnuts. Plus, they’re an easy, fresh, healthy snack to keep on-hand for hungry guests waiting for the meal. With their natural beauty, grapes can also be used to create tablescapes and centerpieces for festive holiday settings.

Find more holiday recipe inspiration at grapesfromcalifornia.com.

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Seared Salmon with Spinach and Grapes

Servings: 4 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon pepper 4 salmon steaks or fillets (6 ounces each) 2 teaspoons honey 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided 1 large bunch spinach, washed and stemmed 1 clove garlic, minced

2 cups red California seedless grapes, halved 1/2 cup dry red wine Heat oven to 325 F. In small bowl, combine salt, mustard, thyme and pepper. Drizzle salmon fillets with honey and sprinkle with seasoning. Reserve any remaining seasoning.

In nonstick skillet or saute pan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil.

Brown both sides of salmon fillets over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes per side.

In baking dish, toss spinach and garlic with remaining olive oil. Place browned salmon on bed of spinach, cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake

8-10 minutes, or until salmon is just cooked through.

In skillet used to brown salmon, over medium-high heat saute grapes 1 minute.

Add wine, bring to boil and reduce quantity by half.

Season sauce to taste with remaining herb mixture.

Serve salmon on wilted spinach topped with grape and wine sauce.

Nutritional information per serving: 449 calories; 36 g protein; 20 g carbohydrates; 23 g fat; 45% calories from fat; 4.3 g saturated fat; 9% calories from saturated fat; 100 mg cholesterol; 730 mg sodium; 1,120 mg potassium; 1.6 g fiber.

Grape Caprese Salad Hors d’ Oeuvres

Grape Caprese Salad Hors d’ Oeuvres

Servings: 24 Extra-virgin olive oil high-quality, aged balsamic vinegar freshly ground black pepper 24 decorative bamboo skewers 24 red seedless California grapes 24 fresh basil leaves 24 small, fresh mozzarella balls sea salt

On serving plate or platter, drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as desired. Sprinkle with pepper.

To assemble skewers: On each skewer, add one red grape, one small basil leaf and one ball fresh mozzarella.

Lay skewers on serving platter and sprinkle with dash of sea salt.

Nutritional information per serving: 44 calories; 2.5 g protein; 1 g carbohydrates; 3 g fat; 64% calories from fat; 11 mg cholesterol; 20 mg sodium; .07 g fiber.

Grapes in Rosé Wine Sauce

Servings: 4 1 1/2 cups rosé wine 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 vanilla bean, split 1 pinch salt 3 cups halved red, green or black California grapes In large skillet, bring wine, sugar, vanilla bean and salt to boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Stir in grapes and let cool.

Serving suggestion: Pour warm grapes over creme fraiche or vanilla ice cream.

Nutritional information per serving: 250 calories; 0 g protein; 49 g carbohydrates; 0 g fat (0% calories from fat); 0 g saturated fat (0% calories from saturated fat); 0 mg cholesterol; 55 mg sodium; 1 g fiber.

Wild Rice Stuffing with Grapes and Hazelnuts

Wild Rice Stuffing with Grapes and Hazelnuts

Grapes in Rosé Wine Sauce

5 Tips for Healthier Holidays With filling meals and tempting desserts at every corner, it can be difficult to keep nutrition in mind during the holidays. However, these simple tricks can help keep you stay on track, while still enjoying the best that the season has to offer. n Eat a healthy snack, like grapes with hummus and crackers, before parties to avoid arriving hungry. n Bring fresh fruit to potlucks and holiday parties for a crowd-pleasing, healthy offering. n Alternate high-calorie beverages with water. n Create a party platter that assembles an array of healthy nibbles, such as fresh grapes, nuts, sliced veggies with a healthy dip, seasoned popcorn and olives. n Practice portion control to avoid overindulging despite the bounty of homemade dishes from loved ones.

Servings: 12 2 cans (28 fluid ounces total) low-sodium chicken broth 1 cup wild rice 4 slices bacon, diced 1 tablespoon butter, unsalted 1 large onion, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1 1/2 cups button mushrooms, sliced 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, ground 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1 cup hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped 2 cups California seedless grapes, picked from stem and rinsed In heavy saucepan, bring chicken broth to boil. Add wild rice and stir. Cover pan and reduce heat to low. Let simmer 1 hour until rice is tender and has popped open.

In frying pan over medium heat, cook bacon until almost crisp, about 8-10 minutes.

Add butter to bacon pan then add onions, celery, mushrooms, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat 5-7 minutes until onions are translucent.

Remove from heat and fold in parsley, hazelnuts and grapes.

Add rice with any remaining liquid to frying pan and toss well to combine.

Nutritional information per serving: 166 calories; 5.4 g protein; 21 g carbohydrates; 8 g fat; 40% calories from fat; 1.4 g saturated fat; 8% calories from saturated fat; 5 mg cholesterol; 126 mg sodium; 2.6 g fiber.

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SIX LANGUAGE TRAPS TO AVOID

continued from page 16

not help you enjoy this holiday season. It will not improve your relationship with your spouse or children. It will not help you relax.

It will not serve you by building peace and harmony. It will allow you to produce dis-ease as your thoughts continue to churn out proof of your rightness.

5. Refuse to play the blame game.

"It's the post office's fault it didn't get there."

"It's your fault we ran out of wrapping paper."

"I blame Maggie for teasing him. She started it."

When you blame you give away your personal power. It prevents you from examining any role you played in a given situation. It keeps responsibility on the backs of others and frees you to judge and activate separating emotions of anger, annoyance, and disgust. That doesn't exactly create holiday harmony in your family.

What are you stewing about right now? Who are you blaming? Do you have a relative you think is at fault? Own it by examining how you helped create the situation. Take responsibility for the role you played in leading up to it. No blame, no fault, and no guilt. Just take some of the responsibility and watch the stress float away.

6. Eliminate the Holiday/Christmas feud.

"Got another card that said 'Happy Holidays'’ That makes four."

"What’s wrong with these people who can't say Christmas? Enough of this Happy Holidays stuff."

People who say, "Happy Holidays" aren't talking exclusively about Christmas. They mean the holidays of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah,

26 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

Christmas and New Year's. They are wishing you a happy holiday season from the end of November to the first of January. They are not denigrating your Christian beliefs. They may even share those beliefs.

Stop choosing to be annoyed by how someone else describes the holiday season. Refrain from taking it personally. They do not intend it the way you are hearing it. You are the one who is creating your own annoyance by how you choose to interpret their description.

Invest some time managing your own reactions rather than their well wishes.

Our wish for you this holiday season is that you use the material above to create happy holiday.

Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas.

Chick and Thomas

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FIVE WAYS TO SUPPORT ANIMAL SHELTERS continued from page 22

5. Become an advocate.

Follow animal shelters and rescue organizations on social media and reshare their content. Talk to your family and friends about the importance of caring for shelter pets while they await their forever homes and share how they can help.

PET RESCUE & ADOPTION CENTERS PAWS, Panhandle Animal Welfare Society Fort Walton Beach (850) 243-1525

The Rescued Rescuers Fort Walton Beach TheRescuedRescuers@gmail.com

Alaqua Animal Refuge Freeport (850) 880-6399

Feline Friends of Destin Destin (850) 837-3869

Pet Welfare Adoption Center Egin AFB (850) 678-5066

Save Underdogs Mary Esther (850) 582-8727

Niceville Animal Clinic Niceville (850) 678-1378

Saving with Soul Pet Rescue, Inc. Crestview (850) 356-2647

Walton County Animal Shelter DeFuniak Springs (850) 892-8758

My Safe Place Pet Rescue Crestview (850) 306-1718

New Beginnings Animal Sanctuary Niceville (850) 678-2002

Misunderstood Ranch INC. DeFuniak Springs (850) 892-5874

SOCKS, Save Our Cats and Kittens Fort Walton Beach (850) 863-5756

Dog Harmony Santa Rosa Beach (850) 376-4190

for your help.

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$150 OFF

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Expires: 12/31/19 © 2019 Radio Systems Corp. All Rights Reserved. The Best Buy Seal and other licensed materials are registered certification marks and trademarks of Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, used under license. For awards information, visit ConsumersDigest.com.

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Holiday Seasons Success Strategies

W family.

ow! You’ve had a great year! The weather has cooperated, the kids are back in school and you are looking forward to the holidays as a time to get together with friends and

Maybe even skip a few workouts using those visiting family and friends as an excuse. And eat.

Hey, did you see that last line? Go back and read it again. I know, you’re thinking, nah, doesn’t sound like me. The figures show that during the holiday season, people tend to miss workouts and eat more, resulting in an average of a pound of weight gain per month.

Note, I said average, meaning some gain little if any and others over 10 pounds.

When people gather and there is food present, frequently the choices selected are meant to be easy but not always healthy.

You’ve been around awhile. This isn’t new. No saying, “Oops, I put celery, carrots and peppers on my plate and they just turned into wings, cake and a casserole!” Nope, won’t work.

How can you have success keeping the weight off and feeling better about the upcoming year? Have a strategy going into the season.

If you have one, it can be fitted to you and your needs. I have listed below a few ideas to get you started.

Have a plan: Sometimes get-togethers spring up on you;

often you will know in advance. If you know you have something coming up at the end of the week, eat better at the beginning. More salads, lower-calorie foods and less alcohol. Also, grab a large salad or other produce prior to arriving so, when you get to the party, you will have partially filled your tank with lower-caloric, highernutrition foods, and you’ll make better choices when waiting to get food because you won’t be starving.

Drink lots of water: This can help you stave off hunger and decrease the amount you drink. If not water, then some seltzer.

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by Paul Hunter

Also, don’t feel the need to jump right in and fill your plate or glass.

Patience goes a long way.

Limit your choices: It is common for there to be a large

variety of food at a party. Choices are great until the decision to try every option on the menu. Limit yourself to two or three choices.

You’ll be more selective. Now, be sure you can still see your plate after you’ve placed food on it.

To go along with the above, Be happy with your first plate. Wait a bit before you feel the need to refill. You may find the first go-round was perfect and a second would only put you over the top.

How about a party at your house? Then what? Now you are in control of what’s on the table.

Wear tighter clothes when cooking. You’ll find that the tighter, less comfortable clothes will make you more conscious of yourself, and you’ll make different choices as a result.

Easy on the tasting. Make familiar dishes and you’ll know how it tastes. A spoonful here and a small nibble there all add up. It is easy for 50-calorie bites to amount to 500 calories.

Give away the leftovers. Be a great host - buy give-away containers ahead of time and plan to share. If it’s not in your house, you probably won’t eat it.

Exercise daily: Stay active, walk, jog, run, do pushups,

planks, plan to go chop down your own tree. Try the workout DVD that has been gathering dust. Something to keep you active on a daily basis.

Your body is a result of your habits. If you consistently make good choices for your body, a couple bites will have far less impact. Get started now in preparation for the season ahead.

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FAMILY FEATURES ™

Celebrate the Season with Enjoyable Desserts

W

hether you’re huddled around the fireplace, gathered at the table or strolling through a winter wonderland, the holidays are all about enjoying pure and memorable moments with family and friends. With all of the seasonal gatherings, you can certainly expect that almost any host or guest will attempt to provide a classic holiday treat for everyone to enjoy.

This year, you can give your traditional holiday bake a refreshing twist sure to spread all kinds of holiday cheer with this Enjoymint Peppermint Pie topped with Homemade Whipped Cream, which can be easily whipped up with less than 10 ingredients total.

From pumpkin pies to gingerbread cookies and everything inbetween, an option like DairyPure Heavy Whipping Cream can be a must-have kitchen staple this season, one you can feel good about knowing it’s sourced from trusted dairies.

For more recipes for the holidays and every day, visit DairyPure. com, and find DairyPure on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Enjoymint Peppermint Pie Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes

1 envelope unflavored gelatin 1/4 cup cold water 2 1/2 cups DairyPure Heavy Whipping Cream, divided 8 ounces soft peppermint candy 1 chocolate cookie crust crushed peppermint candies, for garnish

Soften gelatin in water; set aside.

In small saucepan over low heat, cook 1/2 cup whipping cream with candy until candy melts.

Add gelatin; mix well.

Whip remaining whipping cream. Let gelatin mixture cool and fold in whipped cream, reserving 1/2 cup for garnish.

Pour into crust. Chill.

Before serving, top with reserved whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies.

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Homemade Whipped Cream 2 tablespoons granulated or confectioners’ sugar 2 cups DairyPure Heavy Whipping Cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or liqueur In chilled glass bowl, add sugar to whipping cream. Using whisk or hand mixer, incorporate sugar into heavy whipping cream until it begins to thicken, leaving visible trails.

Continue to whip until soft peaks start to form.

Fold in vanilla extract or liqueur. Serve immediately or refrigerate and remix 1-2 minutes before serving.

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FAMILY FEATURES ™

5 Tips to Ace College Entry Exams

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ecause most colleges and universities require applicants to submit ACT or SAT results as part of admissions consideration, prepping for the test itself can be a critical component of that process.

While it can oftentimes be hard to deal with the anxiety that comes with a rigorous test meant to show your mastery of certain subjects and concepts, such as reading and mathematics, consider these test prep tips to help boost your score while simultaneously lowering stress.

Register Early To allow yourself as much flexibility as possible, taking college entrance exams during your junior year of high school is encouraged.

If you don't get an ideal score, you can refine your approach and retake the exam with a better idea of what to expect.

Take a Practice Test Any test prep plan should start with a practice SAT or ACT exam.

Taking practice tests under realistic conditions can help you gain a better understanding of the content of the test, improve your time management and help combat test anxiety. You can use your practice test as a baseline to set goals and focus the rest of your prep on areas you would like to improve before the real thing.

Sign Up for a Prep Course If you find studying on your own difficult or not as successful as

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you'd hoped, a prep course can put you through the paces and hold you accountable. Complete with homework and in-class practice, prep classes can range from small groups to larger classes taught by test experts. Some school districts even offer after-school programs dedicated to ACT or SAT prep.

Gather Supplies To help reduce test day stress, gather everything you'll need the night before. Check the list of banned items - cellphones aren't permitted - to make sure you don't accidentally bring something you're not allowed to have. Ensure your bag is packed with your admission ticket, valid photo identification, several sharpened pencils with erasers, an approved calculator (with fresh batteries) and a watch, if allowed.

Get a Good Night's Sleep and Eat Breakfast While it can be tempting to stay up late the night before the test to cram, you're likely to perform better with a full night's sleep. Sleep is important for retention, and eating a balanced breakfast before heading out the door can aid in your ability to focus. To make your morning easier, prep breakfast before bed to keep an early morning from starting even earlier.

Remember, the college admissions process involves more than just test scores. Visit eLivingtoday.com for more education tips and information.

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FAMILY FEATURES ™

P

art of the magic of the holiday season is making wishes come true, not only for your loved ones but for others in the community, too.

Show children how rewarding it is to embrace the true spirit of generosity and compassion this holiday season with these activities that make giving back fun.

SET THE STAGE

With the aid of modern technology, you can introduce kids to the goodness of giving with a century-old story about the impact of love and kindness. Nearly 120 years ago, 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the “New York Sun” newspaper asking if there really was a Santa Claus.

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” wrote the paper’s editor, Francis P. Church. “He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist.”

Now fans of this heart-warming story can learn more by tuning in to watch the “Yes, Virginia” animated film online at youtube.com/macys.

The award-winning, half-hour holiday special features Taylor Hay, a former Make-A-Wish child who had her own wish granted when her voice was captured for one of the film’s characters, alongside an all-star cast including Neil Patrick Harris, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alfred Molina and Beatrice Miller.

GET HANDS-ON

No matter what type of giving activity your family chooses, there’s undoubtedly a way for kids to get involved. Whether it’s helping select toys for an adopted family or making cards to include in care packages for children who will spend this holiday in the hospital, find ways to let your little ones put their own special touch on the project. Not only can they learn through the example of doing, they’ll get to revel in the same feel-good vibes you get from a simple act of kindness.

WRITE A LETTER

As part of Macy’s 10th annual Believe campaign, you can bring kids’ stamped letters to Santa to your local store and drop them in the big red letterbox (our closest store is in Tallahassee), or send a letter to Santa digitally at macys.com/believe. For each letter collected in 36 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

stores and online until Dec. 24, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million, to help grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Through the iconic letter writing campaign, the retailer has raised $15 million for Make-A-Wish over the last nine years. Dedicate an afternoon to writing letters then make a family trip to the store to drop them off.

7th Annual Ruth’s Chris Fall Wine Walkabout - MKAF Dining for a Cause Ruth's Chris Steak House at Silver Shells Resort in Destin will host its 7th Annual Fall Wine Walkabout to benefit Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation's community outreach programs on Thursday, November 14th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the East Bar and Courtyard.

MKAF Members $40 per ticket | Non-MKAF $50 per ticket Chef Ruston Johnson will create a special menu featuring multiple culinary stations of heavy hors' oeuvres paired with select fine wines courtesy of a variety of distributors. CEO Marcia Hull stated, "Once again, Mike Sable's team at Ruth's Chris stage an impressive culinary event as a valuable supporter of the arts."

Patrons will have a chance to enter an amazing charity raffle where all guests have an opportunity to win travel excursions and experiences.

The MKAF Wine Pull has become a popular tradition at this event. A collection of 100 bottles of fine wines donated from wine enthusiasts, private wine cellars, distributors and restaurants. Patrons can purchase numbered wine corks to match your winning bottle of wine. Tickets at http://mattiekellyartsfoundation.org

40th Annual Toys 4 Tots Ride The 40th Annual Toys 4 Tots Ride on the Emerald Coast is on Sunday, November 17. All proceeds will benefit the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center and Children in Crisis.

All types of motorcycles are welcome to decorate their bikes for the Holidays and participate in the Toys 4 Tots Ride. Entry fee is $10 per participant, plus a new toy or gift card. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. on November 17, at Sam’s Club parking lot in Ft. Walton Beach, 740 North Beal Parkway. The sheriff-escorted motorcycle parade starts at 11 a.m. from Sam’s Club and ends at the Niceville Mullet Festival site. Both the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center and Children in Crisis will have booths at the Mullet Festival site where people are encouraged to drop off toy donations. Other drop-off locations include We Care Heating & Air in Niceville, FedEx Ground in Crestview, JC Penney salon in Santa Rosa Mall, along with Sam’s Club and Emerald Coast Harley-Davidson in Ft. Walton Beach.

Parade and festivities at the Mullet Festival site will begin at 11:30 a.m. and include music, food, chance drawings, bike games, motorcycle contests and more. For further information or to make donations, contact Adam Babcock at 850-499-8028 or Emerald Coast HarleyDavidson at 850-862-4706.

Don’t own a motorcycle? You can still help. Join everyone at the Mullet Festival site with a toy donation, or drop it off at a Toy Donation Box. Toy, monetary, or gift card donations can also be given to any of the HOG chapter members.

On the Coast Magazine is a proud media sponsor of local charitable events. For sponsorship information, e-mail OTC@OntheCoastMag.com

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FWB DeFrance Holiday Market 9-3pm FREE 850-314-7500

November 2 Destin LuLu’s Marlin 5K Walk/Run 8-1pm. Reg. starts at 6:45 $30 or $25 Students 1-850-710-5858 FWB EC Convention Ctr Monster Yard Sale 8-2pm $5 Adults Under 13 FREE 850-654-1000 November 6-9 PCB EC Cruizin Thurs, Fri, Sat 8-5pm $15-$100 662-587-9572 November 7 Miramar Beach Surfside Mistletoe Market 11am-1pm FREE 850-243-6145 November 7-9 OK Island 4 Points Sheraton The Princess Perspective 5pm $150 850-243-8116 November 7-10 Seaside Amphitheater Seeing Red Wine Festival Thurs: 6:30-9:30 Bud & Alley’s Fri: 6-8:30pm Ruskin Place Sat: 1-4pm Downtown Seaside Sun: 10-1pm Ruskin Place Price Vary’s www.seeingredwinefestival.com November 8 Destin Louisiana Lagniappe Destin Women Club “Dive into EC Fashions” Fundraiser 10:45-3:30pm $55 850-650-7936 Sandestin Beach Resort Triggered Book Tour Don Trump Jr & Matt Gaetz 9:30-Noon FREE 850-267-9500

November 8-10 FWB Civic Auditorium The Pajama Game Fri & Sat 7:30pm Sun 2pm $25 Adults, Students $15 850-678-7754 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Tribute Weekend Concerts Fri 6-8pm (Elvis) Sat 7-9pm (Aerosmith) Sun 2-4pm (Beatles) FREE 850-267-8180 November 8-9 Pcola Naval Aviation Museum Blue Angels Homecoming Show 8am Gates Open 9:30 Airshow FREE 850-452-3604

Sandestin EC Theater Co. Disney Aladdin Kids Show 7pm $12-$15 850-684-0323 November 9 Destin Commons Touch-A-Truck Noon-4pm FREE 850-850-502-6322 Destin Henderson Bch Resort Destin Crafted Beer, Bourbon & Food Festival 1-4pm $50 850-574-2777 Destin HarborWalk Village Blues, Brews & BBQ Noon-4pm 850-424-0600 Destin Lulu’s Honor Games 9:30am $150 Team 850-337-8300

Destin Main Street Vets Day 5K 8am $30 850-837-3818

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November 15-17 FWB Civic Auditorium The Pajama Game Fri & Sat 7:30pm Sun 2pm $25 Adults, Students $15 850-678-7754

FWB EC Dragway November 16 Monster Truck Showdown Destin Boathouse Oyster Bar 2pm 2019 Turkey Trot 850-537-7223 10-1pm

$30 Niceville High School 850-837-3645 Annual Holiday Bazaar

9am Destin Fudpuckers 850-833-4114 Nomad Fighter Wing

Appreciation Day November 10 11-3pm Destin Club LA FREE for airmen Kite Film Festival $10 Otherwise 6pm 850-654-4200 FREE 850-654-5251 FWB Ferry Park 5K Turkey Trot & Kids November 12 Gobble Wobble Seaside REP Theater 7:30am FREE SOLO Film $30 7:30-9:30pm 850-244-1775 $12.50 850-231-0733 FWB Island Hotel Freedom Fund Dinner November 14 6pm Destin Ruth Chris $50 Wine Walkabout 850-902-8312 5:30-7:30pm $40-$50 FWB John Beasley Park 850-650-2226 Out of the Darkness Walk 10-2pm FWB Belles & Whistles FREE - Donation Southern Market 850-368-6694 Holiday Open House 6pm Niceville Slick Micks FREE Biker Breakfast 850-737-2120 (Street Bikes, Cruisers) Young & Old Invited FWB Library FREE but Res. Required Storytime 850-897-2583 10:30-11:30am FREE SRB Butler Elementary 850-833-9590 Street Market Bazaar 8-Noon November 15 FREE to Attend Destin Community Center ($25 rental a spot) Holiday Craft Show 850-585-1510 9:30-5pm FREE Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 850-654-5184 Sparkling Wine & Holiday Lights 4-6pm Destin The Henderson $45 Sinfonia Gulf Coast Gala 850-267-7000 Vanessa Williams Featured 6-10pm November 17 $295-$500 FWB Sams Club 850-460-8800 Toys 4 Tots EC Ride 8:30am November 15-16 $10 Plus New Toy or Gift Card Sandestin EC Theatre Co. 850-499-8028 Elf Jr Friday 7pm. Sat. 2pm & 7pm $15-$18 850-684-0323 continued on page 42

FOR KIDS

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continued from page 40

Niceville Mullet Fest Site Bike Parade & Festivities Toys 4 Tots EC Ride 11:30am Toy or Gift Card 850-499-8028 November 21 Destin Regatta Bay Bourbon at the Bay 5:30-8pm $45 850-837-6241 FWB Wyndham Garden National Career Fair 11am FREE 877-561-5627 November 22 Destin Commons Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting 6-8pm FREE 850-337-8700 November 23 Destin Grace Lutheran Church Sinfonia “Mad for Mozart” 7:30-9:30pm $29.50 & up 850-460-8800 FWB Giovanni’s One89 Meatballs for Hope Cook-Off 6pm $20-$30 850-664-0035 FWB Props Brewery Trot for Troops 5k 9am Start $35-$45 850-586-7117

Miramar Bch Silver Sands Outlets Santas Arrival 11-1pm FREE 850-654-9771 Seaside Amphitheater The Nutcracker 5pm FREE 877-770-9138

November 24 Ok Island Crab Trap EC Volleyball Jrs Open 7:30am-4pm 850-301-0959

December 5 November 29-20 Destin Community Center Niceville NWFL State College Tree Lighting Emerald Coast Classic 6-8pm 11am & Some Games are FREE FREE 3rd Round & Champ game Sold 850-654-5184 Out 850-678-5111 FWB Emerald Coast Science www.emeraldcoastclassic.com FWB St Simon’s Craft Fair Center Noon - Midnight Planetarium Nights November 30 FREE Entry Shows at 6 and 7 p.m.

Destin Barnes & Nobles 850-244-8621 $9 Adults/$7 Kids/U2 FREE Santa Storytime 850-664-1261 11am November 26-December 23 FREE Seaside REP Theater December 5-8 850-837-3229 Every Christmas Story Ever Told FWB Uptown Station

2pm & 7:30pm Country 98.1 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf $30 Adults, $20 Kids Bikes or Bust Donation Drive Here Comes Santa Claus 850-231-7333 Dec 5 10am Thru Dec 8 Noon 6-9pm 850-301-0757 FREE November 27 850-267-8186 FWB EC Science Center December 6 Fall for All Seascape Village Door Seaside Amphitheater 10-4pm Gallagher’s Last Smash Tour South Walton Holiday Parade $10 Adults/$8 Kids/U2 FREE 8pm 9am Parade Starts in Seagrove 850-664-1261 $19-$39 5pm Holiday Party in Seaside 850-502-2590

FREE Grayton Beach AJ’s

877-770-9138 Smore’s with Santa SRB Grayton Beer Company

5-7pm Snow & Starlight Supper Club Watercolor Winter Market FREE 6-9pm 5-9pm 850-231-4102 850-231-4786 FREE 888-991-8878 November 28 December 7 Destin Harbor Docks Crestview Downtown November 30-December 1 Thanksgiving Christmas Night Parade FWB Santa’s Workshop 11-7pm 4pm Belles & Whistles FREE - Donations FREE 10-6pm Sat, Noon-5pm Sun 850-837-2506 850-737-2120 Destin Boathouse Oyster Bar

Miramar Beach Embassy Suites Dock the Halls w/Toys for Tots December 1 Thanksgiving Day Buffet 10am Crestview Our Lady of Victory 11:30-5pm $30 Breakfast with Santa $39.50 Adults $14.50 ages 5-12 850-837-3645 11:30am 850-337-7091 FREE Freeport Christmas Parade 850-682-4622 Rosemary Beach 30A 3:45pm 10K, 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run FREE SRB Christ the King Concerts 9:30-11am 850-835-2822 Handel’s “Messiah” $35-$150

3pm 850-325-0561 FWB The Landing FREE Holiday 2019 850-267-3332 November 29 Noon-7pm OK Island The Gulf Tree Lighting 5:30pm December 2 FWB High School 10 Yr Reunion 850-244-8191 Niceville MK Arts Center 5-8pm Mystery Science Theater 3000 850-387-1300 Grayton Beach Beer Company 7:30pm Grayt Holiday Market $20 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 10am 850-729-6000 Polar Bear Express 850-231-4786 7-8:30pm

December 4 FREE Niceville Christmas Parade Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 850-267-8186 10am Wednesday Night Concert FREE Visits with Santa Seaside Central Sq Cinema 850-729-4008 6-8pm ELF - The Movie FREE 7pm SRB 123 Market Street 850-267-8180 FREE Brunch with Santa

877-770-9138 10:30-1pm $30 Adults Kids $5 850-460-7338 November 26 FWB EC Science Center Anniversary Celebration 10-4pm. $10 Adults/$8 Kids/U2 FREE 850-664-1261

42 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

December 7-8 FWB Santa’s Workshop Belles & Whistles 10-6pm Sat, Noon-5pm Sun 850-737-2120

December 14 December 12 Destin Christmas Parade Destin Village Baptist Church 10-Noon 7pm FREE FREE 850-654-8998 850-837-8107

December 8 Destin Harbor Boat Parade 6-8pm FREE 850-837-6611

Grayton Beer Company Merry Little Christmas Concert 6pm $40 850-622-0602

Destin The Henderson Road to a Cure Holiday Gala 6-11pm $175 850-664-5366

Destin HarborWalk Village Holiday on The Harbor 1-4 Santa Visits 4:30pm The Nutcracker w/ Ballet Conservatory & Destin School of Dance 6pm Fire Twirlers Fireworks FREE 850-424-0600

December 12-15 Sandestin EC Theater Company Miss Bennet: 7:30pm, Sun 2pm $28-$32 850-684-0323

FWB EC Science Center Discover Science Saturday 10-4pm $10 Adults/$8 Kids/U2 FREE 850-664-1261

Niceville NWFL State College Harlem Globetrotters 2pm $20-$197 850-678-5111 December 11 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wednesday Night Concert Visits with Santa 6-8pm FREE 850-267-8180

December 13 Destin Village Baptist Church Sinfonia Holiday Pops 7:30-9:30pm $29.50 and Up 850-460-8800 Niceville MK Arts Center Holiday Pops Concert 7:30-9:30pm $25 Adults $16 Youth FREE with NWFLSC ID 850-729-6000 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Ice Skating Extravaganza 6pm & 7:30pm 850-714-7614

SRB South Walton High School The Nutcracker Ballet Conservatory Sat 3pm, Sun 2pm $20 FloridaBalletConservatory.com December 17 Seaside Rep Theater The Secret Life of Bees 7:30-9:30pm $12.50 850-231-0733

December 18 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wednesday Night Concert Visits with Santa 6-8pm Sandestin Baytowne Wharf FREE Tuba Christmas 850-267-8180 5-7pm

FREE December 19 850-267-8180 FWB Belles & Whistles Ladies Night Seaside Amphitheatre 6:30-8:30pm Holiday Pops Concert FREE 5pm FREE 850-737-2120 877-770-9138 FWB EC Science Center Planetarium Nights December 14-15 Shows at 6 and 7 p.m.

FWB Santa’s Workshop $9 Adults//$7 Kids/U2 FREE Belles & Whistles 850-664-1261 10-6pm Sat, Noon-5pm Sun 850-737-2120

continued on page 44

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 43

continued from page 43 December 19-22 Sandestin EC Theater Company Christmas at Pemberley 7:30pm, Sun 2pm $28-$32 850-684-0323 December 21 Destin LuLu's Billy Claus & LuLu Belles 1pm Billy Arrives at 2pm FREE 850-710-5858

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Winter Wonderland Snow & Frosty Fun & Fireworks 6pm-1am FREE 850-267-8180 December 21-22 FWB Santa’s Workshop Belles & Whistles 10-6pm Sat, Noon-5pm Sun 850-737-2120 December 22 Sandestin EC Theatre Christmas at Pemberly 2-4pm FREE 1-850-684-0323

DECEMBER 25

December 28 FWB EC Science Saturday 10-4pm $10 Adults/$8 Kids/FREE U2 850-664-1261

December 31 Destin LuLu's Noon Years Eve 10am Ball Drop at Noon FREE 850-710-5858 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Baytowne Countdown 6pm-Midnight FREE 850-267-8180

For More Events, Please Visit www.OntheCoastMag.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/OnTheCoastMagazine/ Do YOU have an event you’d like to share? Please add them to our website at www.OntheCoastMag.com (top right) where it can be added to our weekly *WIN WEDNESDAY* Newsletters.

Please verify your event with the host of the event by calling or visiting their website.

We offer a FREE directory listing for all businesses here On the Coast and are happy to promote your events In Print, On Line & Socially, all at no charge!

44 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

9 Little Gift Ideas that Fit Nicely Into Those Christmas Stockings Rory's Story Cubes lets children’s imaginations roll wild! This pocketsized creative story generator, providing hours of imaginative play for ages 8 and up.

We love this for those of us who are on the go and needing a quick touch up.

Doegra’s Cordless Mini Flat Iron is wireless and USB rechargeable. Comes in a heat resistant case with a heating surface of 2.75”. Easy to fit into a purse or keep in your glove compartment of your car.

Tile Mates are great for anyone who misplaces their keys. It uses your smartphone to ring it where it was last left. The Tile Mate can also help you find your lost phone making it ring, even when on silent.

Great stocking stuffer gift.

Qiaya’s Selfie Light Ring is a must for your teen or those who want the best Insta photos possible. Compact, lightweight and pocket sized it can go anywhere your phone goes. It even charges with your USB cord.

Wireless waterproof speakers are great for the shower or outdoors. So many of them on the market today and they provide excellent sound quality. Options galore and the smaller ones make great stocking stuffers.

PodSkinz are an awesome silicone case to cover up those AirPods that keep slipping out of your pocket! They help protect the headphones from scratches too!

These leather tassel keychains have something hidden in them the make it very useful. The 7 inch tassel hides a USB Charger and a lighting charge sync cable for an iPhone or Ipad.

Convenient charging and syncing at the same time.

Money Soap by Woodwick comes with hidden cash inside! $1, $5, $10, $20 or even $50! This makes washing that much more fun!

We’re big fans of Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands. Regardless of hardworking or not, this balm makes your hands buttery soft and helps heal any roughness they may have. The wintergreen scent is so good this time of the year.

46 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine