November/December by On the Coast Magazine

November/December 2016

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CONTENTS

November/December 2016

VOLUME 13 NUMBER 6

26 18 5

Publisher’s Page

Contributor's Page

Our fantastic editors who you've come to know and love!

You Want Great Results Right?

Now is the time to plan.

24 Shout Outs!

Community kudos - send us yours.

26 Sweet Treats

Holiday fun in the kitchen.

32 The Ultimate Gift Gift cards???

10 Thanksgivings New Look

36 What's That on the Side of the Road?

14 Weathered and Worn

38 Making a Difference

Looking for the silver lining in all things. It's the beauty within.

18 Fostering Selflessness

Raise them up to be a good human.

20 Craft Time

Inspired from around the world.

It's the newest global sensation!

37th Annual Toys for Tots Run K4K and the Silver Sleigh Toy Drive

40 Events

Over 120 family fun events this issue!

On The Cover:

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Your local television channel Information - Entertainment - Beach Style

PUBLISHER/EDITOR NANCY BABIN PHOTO EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR SHANE BABIN CONTRIBUTING EDITORS DENISE GATES, THOMAS HALLER, PAUL HUNTER, CAROLYN JABS, LAURA LUCY, CHICK MOORMAN, KAREN REID, ERIKA SCANNELL, CRYSTAL TINGLE PHOTOGRAPHY COASTALSTYLE.COM ART DIRECTOR NANCY BABIN GRAPHIC DESIGN KLYNN GRAPHIC DESIGN

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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. Please write us at: ON THE COAST MAGAZINE 4421 Commons Drive East #110 Destin, FL 32541-3847 (850) 642-5439 E-mail OTC@OntheCoastMag.com 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. Kidz on the coast Publishing Inc., does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor Kidz on the Coast Publishing Inc., or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication.

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By the time this magazine is in your hands, dear Readers, we will be days away from this very pivotal 2016 election day and looking ahead to a newly elected president of the United States of America. No matter your choice or the outcome, with two candidates who Forbes magazine, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today all reported both having the most “unfavorables” ever recorded in history, a great number of people are feeling disappointed and frustrated by the outcome and even the process. I don’t want this edition to be about the election. We have been focused on the candidates and the process for the last 18 months, at least! It is time to look forward! We are the UNITED States of America. No matter what, we will thrive only when we stand together and look ahead, not back. So, let’s take a look ahead to the upcoming holidays! We live in an amazing community. There are so many charities based in our area and many ways to serve during the holidays. Let’s turn our attention to some of the youngest philanthropists in our area. There is Brooks Locke who, at the very young age of two - yes, two - realized there were ways he could make a difference in his community. There is Marlee Green who, instead of asking for presents, asks her friends to donate money so she can buy and donate bikes to those who don't have one. We can learn so much from our youth who give us hope for a brighter future, and kudos to the parents who encourage these most generous hearts in their children. These young Americans will grow to have more compassion than most. They are fully aware of those who have and those who have not. They know they

can help in the slightest way and it matters! What a gift that is to our America in the future! So, hats off to them in a big way. We want to salute and share the stories that inspire us all to be better and do better. As this year comes to an end, I want to give a word of thanks to all of you who read On the Coast and are touched by our editorial pieces. I have been so blessed to have contributors who love what they do and want to have a voice in the community, and talented graphic designers who help bring the stories to life. Did you know that because of these fine pieces over the years, we have been awarded over 22 national awards for our editorials? That’s pretty impressive considering all the fine magazines out there. All this could not be possible without our advertisers who support us. I know many of you enjoy the incredible goods and services of our advertisers, so please say thank you to them for supporting this magazine, and continue to use them when you can. Tell them you saw them in On the Coast! Abraham Lincoln said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” We can’t let that happen. With America as divided and torn apart as it has become the last few years, let us all make a deliberate and intentional, passionate effort to come together for our future. The gospel writer Mark reminds us that a house divided against itself cannot stand; it will fall. For our children and their futures, let us remain standing, no matter the cost. Blessings to you all, precious Readers, and wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Contributors Chick Moorman

Laura Lucy

Denise Gates

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.

Crystal Tingle Crystal, along with her husband of 19 years and 3 boys, has been living in the Destin area since 2005. She is Founder of TheFitandHealthyLife. com which is a resource website created to teach and empower women to become the best version of themselves at any age through healthy food and fitness. Her passion to help women grew from her own transformation from frumpy mom to fit mom when she finally learned to stop comparing herself to others and focus on being the best that she could be…competing only with herself and all of this happened after 40!

Laura works part-time as the marketing and PR coordinator for Shelter House and owns Beachside Certifications, a CPR and first aid training company. When she's not working, you can find Laura and her husband Patrick trying to wrangle their crazy four-year-old redhead, Vivi.

Chick is the director of the Institute for Personal Power, a consulting firm dedicated to providing high-quality professional development activities for educators and parents. He is a former classroom teacher with over forty-five years of experience in the field of education. His mission is to help people experience a greater sense of personal power in their lives so they can in turn empower others.

Erika Scannell

Erika is a busy wife and soccer mom of 5 beautiful Kiplets. When not writing or shuttling kiddos from endless activities or leading the local MOPS moms in crafts extraordinaire, she tries to squeeze in some reading, research and bible studies. Best place to find her is hiding from her children in her closet! Her first book, Struggle Of Will Part 1, can be found on Amazon and Kindle.

Carolyn Jabs

Carolyn Jabs, M.A., raised three computer savvy kids including one with special needs. She has been writing Growing Up Online for ten years and is working on a book about constructive responses to conflict.

Karen Reid

Karen is a licensed mental health counselor and a board certified behavior analyst. She is owner of Beyond Expectations, a center for applied behavior analysis and counseling. She and her husband are co founders of Young Philosophers Society, a non profit arts, music and enrichment center for children and their families. She resides in Fort Walton Beach with her husband, Chris, and their children.

Thomas Haller

Thomas is a parenting and relationship specialist, the coauthor of nine highly acclaimed books. He is president of Personal Power Press, Inc. a publishing house committed to providing parents and educators with practical material for raising responsible children.

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Paul Hunter

Kay Phelan

Kay Phelan discovered a fabulous new life when she moved to Destin 22 years ago from Atlanta. In addition to re-focusing her business to create a career as a public relations consultant, she has been blessed with five grandchildren under the age of 8. Life is good.

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.

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by Paul Hunter Well, is it time you started doing something about your goals? Goals, you ask? I do not have any now, but just wait until January 1st, 2017…. I am going to destroy my goals next year! This is a crazy time of year. If you are like a majority of the people in the statistics, you either did not set any goals or have completely forgotten about them. Why? Change is difficult. I once read that the only person looking forward to change is a baby. Rarely do we enjoy the process of going through the fires of change; however, the positive results in the end are often appreciated. It brings to my mind that the sharpest, most durable and revered Japanese swords known as katanas are forged through the fire of change. A fine, hand-made katana carried by Samurai and still made today by traditional methods takes six months to be completed. Over a thousand layers and two types of metal go into a quality sword that can cost as much

as $25,000. The raw material, found in a select area of Japan, goes through 72 hours of furnacing to be forged of impurities. Even then, only a third of the batches of metal is able to go forward to finally become the type of katana that goes down in history because of its unique, legendary characteristics. In the finest swords, up to fifty men have had their hands on a particular part of the sword. These men began learning the craft of sword-making early in life, sometimes with only gathering the raw materials. To this day, the process of katana-making is closely regulated by the government of Japan. With a vision, patience and consistent action, these swords are made. The same is said for our lives. We need a vision, patience and consistent action and, yes, we will be put to the fire. As we are going through these fires in our lives, we must remember the outcome of being forged. We will be hand-crafted and able to cut through our challenges like a hand-crafted katana.

So, what is it? Do you have a fear of failure or is it a fear of success, of being in a new place and not recognizing it? Going into this season, it is a great time to get some goals and a vision. There is even time to get an action plan together. There is time to write down your vision, stare at it, refine it, ask people guidance questions, change it if necessary and make it yours. Get your goal and vision so deep inside you that it is already real. Then the only thing to do is act out the action plan to get you there. The old saying, “Shoot for the moon; even if miss, you will fall amongst the stars,” applies here. So often as adults we do not apply the things we tell our kids. We can learn a lot from our kids who relentlessly pursue us when they want something. How many times do they ask? No, really… How many times do they ask?! One of the wisest men ever tell us that “Without a vision, the people will perish…”

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Special Thanks This

Thanksgiving! By Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller

Millions of parents will pause this Thanksgiving to do what the day was originally created for-- give thanks for the many blessings that exist in their lives. Turkey, pumpkin pie, and the presence of loved ones will receive their fair share of gratitude during this annual ritual of appreciation. Many parents will also give thanks for their children's health, the arrival of a newborn, or a recent marriage. The abundance provided by the universe, opportunities for meaningful work, and the laughter of children will likely be appreciated by loving parents as they thank the creator for their blessings. Indeed, this

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traditional day calls for traditional thank you-s. But what if your appreciation this Thanksgiving took on a new look? What if the blessings you count this year included items and situations that aren't always seen as helpful, useful or valuable? Consider the following. Why not be thankful that your child is two years behind grade level in his reading ability? This struggling reader is giving you the opportunity to read to him regularly at night. This evening ritual will help build connectedness between you and your child while at the same time modeling your love for the printed word. Great literature like The Little Engine that Could or The Diary of Anne Frank can be shared as you simultaneously bond with your child. This opportunity is an incredible blessing. Appreciate it. Why not be thankful that your daughter's soccer team lost their last game. It is important that your children have experiences of winning and losing. By losing, children have the opportunity to learn to handle defeat and bounce back next time. With your help

they can learn that winning or losing is not the measure of who and what they are as human beings. They can learn they are more than the score. They can learn it is effort, energy, and playing up to potential with good sportsmanship that defines a winner, not the scoreboard. Appreciate the loss and be grateful for it. Why not be thankful your teenager received a speeding ticked for going 45mph in a 25mph speed zone? Getting a ticket is not bad thing. Not if your teen learns from it and slows her driving for the next year. If your teen takes personal responsibility, pays the ticket, and is more cautious about her driving the ticket may well save her life or the life of someone else in the future. Bless the ticket and give thanks for it's blessings. Why not be thankful that your eight-year-old shoplifted in the grocery store? This is the perfect time to teach your child about shoplifting. Better now than when he helps himself to someone else's car when he is eighteen years old. Teach him how to make amends. Teach him what to say as he returns the candy bars to the store owner. Help him learn to articulate what he learned and what he intends to do differently next time. Bless this perfect time to teach lessons about taking things that don't belong to you. Be grateful for the opportunity. Why not be thankful that your youngsters track mud

and sand into the garage and house? The next time you stand in the garage furiously sweeping sand, wishing your children were better behaved---quietly remind yourself, one day you'll wish you had sand to sweep out of the garage. Love the mud. Love the sand. Be grateful for the signal of the presence of children in your life. Why not be thankful for sibling rivalry? "He got more than I did," and "It isn't fair," are common childhood refrains. Hitting, poking and teasing your sister are typical childhood behaviors. Bless these opportunities to help your children learn how to get along with each

other. Use them as times to teach interpersonal skills and the importance of touching each other gently. Sibling rivalry is a call for help, a signal that your children need lessons interacting positively with each other. Bless their unskillful way of asking for help. Be grateful that you recognize it and help them grow in working and playing cooperatively. Why not be thankful that you got to stay home with a sick child last week? You didn't have to stay home. You got to stay home. You didn't have to take him to the doctor. You got to take him to the doctor. You got to make sure he received the health care he needed. You got to show him you care enough to drive all over town to the doctors, the pharmacists and back home again. You got to be with your boy while he was sick. Not everyone gets to be with their children when they are sick. You did. Chalk it up as a blessing. Celebrate it this Thanksgiving. continued on page 12

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continued from page 11 Why not be thankful that your 20-year-old has moved out of your home? Did you really want to raise a 30-yearold video game player who sits around your house all day sucking up diet Pepsi and pizza? Hardly! Your goal was to raise a responsible, caring confident child who would move away from home when they time was right for her. You have been successful. Pat yourself on the back. Yes, it would nice if she had chosen to spend this Thanksgiving with you rather than with her boyfriend's parents. Maybe next year. This year give thanks. Your child is an adult. That is a blessing. Why not be thankful your adolescent asked you about sex? This is a great sign. It means your child trusts you enough to talk to you about sex. It means your child is not getting all her sex knowledge from the street. It means you have been taking your role as sex educator in your family seriously and that you have moved beyond "the talk" to having an ongoing, honest conversation about the important subject of sex. Congratulate yourself. It is a blessing that you are willing to fulfill that role with your child and that she is responding to it positively. Give thanks.

Why not be thankful that your child is spilling milk,

talking with his mouth full, wiping cranberry sauce on his new pants, refusing to eat his vegetables, and interrupting his grandmother at the dinner table this day? It means you have more work to do as a parent. It means your job is not yet done. This is a blessing. You are still needed to help you child learn to pour milk more carefully, improve his table manners, learn to eat nutritiously, and show respect for elders. Give thanks for these opportunities. Why not be thankful for your special needs child? Do you have a child with ADHD? Is your child autistic, dyslexic, or have Down's syndrome? Is your child facing a serious health challenge? They are in your life for a reason. Perhaps they have come to help you learn patience, understanding, or commitment. Perhaps they are here to teach your family about tolerance, acceptance of differences, or unconditional love. Their presence is a blessing. Be thankful for the contribution they are making to the planet and to your family. This Thanksgiving, remember that parenting is a ministry. It is a sacred role that you are being called to perform. Give thanks that you have been called. Give thanks that you are willing to step forward and accept that call. Appreciate that the way is being shown to you. Celebrate yourself and your contribution to healing the planet by helping your children evolve into the people they were meant to be. You are a blessing to the world. Give thanks that you are up to the task.

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Crystal

Clear

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The Rusty Old Gate by Crystal Tingle

ther than my family, there are three things that bring me so much stinkin’ joy I can hardly stand it!

The sheer giddiness and excitement I feel when I am around or participating in any of these is just crazy! The first is sweating! Yep. Doing anything active, especially outdoors… working out, running, playing tennis, extreme races, snow skiing, boxing…you name it! I am pretty much up for it. The second is nutrition and studying how it could and should heal our bodies. And the last is, well…OLD STUFF…architectural pieces.

know, I know. I threw you off with that last one, but hang on. I love buying them for my home or even

just looking at them and touching their rough surfaces. Weird, huh? It’s because when I feel them, they almost become a part of me…a reality of something unknown but loved. There is so much beauty in these pieces and yet they often get overlooked and discarded as junk. But to me, the more weathered the paint and rusted the iron, the better! Just gorgeous! Many attempt to duplicate these old artifacts using new materials, but each piece falls just a little short. Why? I am really not sure, other than the fact that I think it’s a matter of the “if walls could talk” mystery of it all. New pieces made to look old just don’t carry the same patina, and they certainly don’t seem to be able to carry the same weight of life.

ere’s the thing: can you imagine the story behind each of these weathered pieces? What they

have seen. What they have heard. What they have literally “weathered.” What stories of joy and sadness, heartbreak and elation must be covered up in so many layers of chipped paint and rusted iron gates. Who went through those gates? Did they ever come back? But rarely are the stories told. So much is left to our imagination. We will never know. And these pieces will rarely tell. It’s simply left up to us to wonder and appreciate their beauty, just as they are. continued on page 16

continued from page 15

hat if we could see people in the same way, rust and all? Wouldn’t it be beautiful if we could transfer that same value and appreciation of old stuff to one another’s “history” as they cross our paths? And this has nothing to with the physical age of a person, despite many references to years. This imagery is simply to serve as a reminder to all of us …that there are indeed storms of life that arise and beat us down… at any age. Some rebuild fast. Others do not. There are elements we are exposed to that dull or rust our once-glossy finish and chip away at our very being, with no respecter of person. Life happens…layers are added to who we once were. It can make us sad or rude, broken or angry and sometimes flat-out intolerant! It can fortify us. Sometimes it makes us retreat and want to shut the gate forever.

ithout bringing politics into this, I wonder how many national issues we face today could be solved in an instant if we would value what seems to be worthless, even when people don’t act and respond as we think they should. Do we seek to understand? Do we try to hear the walls talk? Are we willing to walk through the rusty gate to hear? Maybe they aren’t the problem. Maybe they simply chipped off a bit of our own rust we didn’t realize was there.

have written articles where I challenged my readers to see others beneath the initial layers of paint on the surface, although not said in quite the same way. I am so passionate about this because I believe it holds the answers that unlock so many of life’s issues today. What if we just were kind, regardless of what was said or done to us? What if we didn’t take everything so personally? Kindness and compassion which leads to caring is an immeasurably beautiful way to value one another, regardless of the color of our skin, our economic status or even how we act.

hat if we just slowed down in those moments to look deeper … just stopped… and really listened. What story would we hear? What would those tall, stained walls say? We might even see through those foggy windows to their heart, maybe understand where they are coming from. It might sound pretty familiar and remind us of our own stains! We might more easily find and utter that timely word of kindness, led by compassion to bring healing to their heart as well as our own. If walls could talk…if old shutters would open…if chipping picture frames could tell a story…I think the familiarity of what sounds like LIFE would be what we hear. It’s in all these stories we might begin to appreciate the beauty in the “old stuff” … beneath all of the cracks, including our own. 16 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

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Cultivating Kindness

Teaching Children About Generosity by Laura Lucy

When we first bring our babies home, there are so many things to learn and fret about. By the time they are toddlers, we begin to realize that the beginning was the easy part. As we look at the crazed pre-schooler running naked through the house brandishing a permanent marker, we begin to ask, “How will I ever turn this wild thing into a productive, caring adult human who is more likely to help people than hurt them?” When Tovah Locke, a stay-at-home mom to four-year-old Brooks, found out she was pregnant, her mother had a wise piece of advice for her. “She told me, ‘You don’t have to raise the smartest kid or the best athlete. Raise him to be a good human – kind, giving thoughtful.’ I’ve tried to follow that advice ever since.” Tovah didn’t have a formal plan in the beginning. Like most two-yearold boys, Brooks was fascinated by big trucks. “He would listen out for the garbage truck and get so excited to see the men load the trash into it,” explains Tovah. “One particularly hot day, Brooks had the idea to take some water out to give them. He’s been doing that for two years now. He sets up a chair and umbrella every trash day and gives them water or Gatorade and a granola bar. At Christmas, he sets up a table with cookies and hot chocolate. Mr. Glen is his favorite.” The Lockes educate Brooks to be aware of his community and to appreciate everyone it takes to make it great. Tovah says, “He knows when he sees fire fighters, police and garbage men that those are all our helpers that make our community run. Everyone these days is trying to help kids learn how to be kind in the world. It was my goal for him to be able to show kindness on his own.” And that is just what Brooks is doing. In the past year, Brooks opted to spend his spring break making sack lunches for his beloved garbage men, some neighbors and construction workers who were building a house in his neighborhood. They were the same people who had built his house, and he wanted to express his thanks. Brooks pulled his wagon full of lunches up to the site and made everyone’s day. He then spent part of his summer vacation hand-painting 60 suncatchers which he asked his mom to help him deliver to a local nursing home. Brooks delivered the suncatchers along with Hershey’s kisses and stayed all afternoon to play games with the residents.

continued on page 30

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Family Features

Holiday CRAFTING Be Inspired by Traditions From Around the World

Bring the joy and celebration of holiday traditions from around the world to your home this season. From the quaint custom of placing hand-painted luminaries in windows throughout Ireland to the beautiful embroidery folk art found in Scandinavia, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has created craft projects inspired by traditions from around the world to share with your loved ones. For more crafting inspiration, project guides and supplies, visit www.joann.com.

Hand-Painted Holiday Luminaries Skill Level: No experience necessary Crafting Time: 1 to 2 hours Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an Irish tradition to place lit candles in windows. Let this quaint holiday custom add warmth and joy to your home. Glass containers with hand-painted designs and flameless candles look welcoming in windows or on a table. Supplies and Tools: Black marker White computer paper Computer and printer Provided templates Scissors Square and rectangular glass containers Tape Enamel paint: red, green and white Flat brush Detail brush Flameless or wax candles 20 â&#x20AC;˘ Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

Create templates using a black marker to draw snowflakes and other decorative holiday motifs on paper. Visit www.joann.com/luminarytemplate to print out additional templates. Cut the templates to fit inside the desired glass containers. Tape templates securely to the inside of glass container with design facing out. This will act as a guide when painting. Using enamel paint colors, paint over template designs on glass surface. Create snowflakes, trees, words, deer, etc. It may take several coats of paint to attain desired coverage. Let paint dry between coats. When finished, let the painted design dry completely. Remove templates from the inside of containers. Fill the container with flameless or wax candles to display. Note: If using wax candles, do not leave burning candles unattended. continued on page 22

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Scandinavian Tree Skirt Skill Level: Some experience necessary Crafting Time: 3 to 5 hours Artists from Scandinavia are famous for beautiful embroidery. Simple stitching and folk art patterns influence their style. A felt tree skirt showcasing these colorful Nordic designs offers a fresh look for your tree. It’s simple to make since it requires minimal sewing. Supplies and Tools: 1 1/3 yards 72-inch wide cranberry felt for skirt Scissors Glass or mug, 3 inches in diameter Provided design patterns 1/4 yard each felt for designs: olive green, green, red, dark maroon, gold, black, white Embroidery floss in the same colors as felt designs Hand embroidery needles Tacky glue Three 1-inch buttons and thread

continued from page 20

Bavarian Nutcracker Wreath Skill Level: Some experience necessary Crafting Time: Weekend project From humble beginnings in Germany to worldwide fame today, the nutcracker is a beloved symbol of the holidays. Hand-painted miniature nutcrackers glisten with glitter on a wreath that’s completely covered in nuts. Definitely a tradition with a twist. Supplies and Tools: Acrylic paint in various shades of white Paintbrushes 2 to 3 pounds walnuts with shells Approximately 1 pound hazelnuts with shells 3 to 5 wood nutcrackers, various sizes Mod Podge decoupage glue White glitter 1/2 yard off-white fabric Straw wreath form Glue gun and glue sticks 1 spool 1-inch wide organza ribbon Paint all nuts different shades of white. Let dry. Apply another coat of paint if necessary. Paint nutcrackers white. Let dry. Apply another coat of paint if necessary. Apply a coat of Mod Podge to nutcrackers. Sprinkle with glitter. Let dry. Cut white fabric into 2-inch strips and wrap around wreath form until completely covered. Glue in place. Glue nuts on fabric-covered wreath, starting with walnuts and filling in with hazelnuts. Let dry. Glue nutcrackers on top of nuts. Refer to photo for placement. Glue loops of ribbon into the gaps between nuts along bottom portion of wreath. 22 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

Fold cranberry felt into quarters and mark for the center tree circle, 23 inches from corner. Cut out circle. Mark and cut 1 1/2 inch from corner for trunk. Cut through only one fold from center to edge for opening. With skirt folded in half, mark scallops 1 inch from edge using mug or glass as template. Cut scallops. Visit www.joann.com/treeskirttemplate to print pattern pieces. Enlarge pattern pieces to sizes indicated. Following pattern pieces, cut each design as pictured. Layer colors. Add as many design elements as desired around skirt edge. Embroider the felt shapes with simple stitches: running, blanket, French knot, daisy. Divide skirt into sections and lay out finished pieces as desired. Glue in place. Let dry. Overlap back edge 3 inches. Cut three 1-inch buttonholes and sew on buttons.

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Festive Poinsettia Piñata Skill Level: No experience necessary Crafting Time: Weekend project On Christmas Day in Mexico, children commonly take turns hitting a starshaped piñata to release the avalanche of toys and treats hidden inside. Your little ones and maybe even grown-ups will enjoy trying to break open this poinsettia-covered version. Supplies and Tools: Newspaper strips Water and flour paper mache mix Mylar balloon Paintbrush Mod Podge decoupage glue Red tissue streamers Hot glue gun and glue sticks Variety of floral poinsettias Scissors Ribbon Candy or toys Dip newspaper strips into paper mache mix. Remove excess mix to allow for quicker drying. Place strips over inflated Mylar balloon until surface is completely covered. Let dry. Repeat process for three layers. Paint a line of Mod Podge onto piñata and immediately adhere a strip of red tissue streamer over glued area. Repeat process until entire piñata is covered with tissue streamer. Let dry. Add a top layer of Mod Podge over tissue streamer layer. Let dry. Glue floral poinsettias onto piñata surface. Tightly overlap flowers for best coverage. Let dry. Cut ribbon to desired length for hanging. Glue end of each strip of ribbon to piñata. Note: Cut small opening in top of piñata and fill with candy or toys. Make sure the piñata opening is at the top so candy or toys don’t fall out. Fill piñata with candy or toys. Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 23

SHOUT OUT

a Depotty, ers Deann d Aiden d ra g th 5 Antioch na To, an untry. drigo, Ayla Caden Ro rning about our co a nd le s ir state a Black are orized the class! m e ir e m th y e Th them to d e it c e r d n capitals a

8th Grade Bible Breakfast from sor Destin Middle School meets to spon try! coun ld wor third a in ell a water w

Rachel Larson, from Nic eville High School was named 201 6 Adobe® Certified Associate (AC A) U.S. National Champion!

ro rs to a he Today, rote lette they all w The ts . e n e ic d rv letters se Stu ir e th r at their proudly disp were them fo rs g e lay the in tt desk. k le n a e fr th om the d th airmen Our message ir at receive e and A n s airmen th few years of servic bac t ta io t ch war t t thank riors fo ed, "Thank yo k in their firs t this was their firs r u y o u d r inspir d tha y share ation!" Felisha mentione ians! The il iv c R y. m a . o d C fr ir arnley C you letter ers brightened the lass - A tt n le t e ioch 3r Grader that th d s

Community

Shout Outs! We want to hear from you! Send your shout outs to OTC@OntheCoastMag.com 24 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

John Spolski, Fort Walton Beach High School Principal, named Principal of Principle Award Winner by Varsity Brands

ld like ry School wou Bay Elementa Wilson EO e th vis and to thank MC Da g with er for partnerin g in Biophilia Cent br to s ol ty Scho Walton Coun ts. BES en ud st r ou r e fo learning to lif week of s had a great fourth grader and the es nc ie sc h t eart ty. learning abou un co r m in ou rich ecosyste

Emerald Coast Middle School Raybotics students think outsid e of the box!

Multiplication Bootcam p! Bay Elementary School’s awesome Third Grade Team is leading Multiplication Bootcamp to engage students in a fun way to learn math fac ts. Way to go Mr. Lawson, Mrs. Sasse r, Mrs. Tomblin and Mrs. Griner! Your enthusiasm is contagious!

Mc Don ald & S anders class d 5th gra ressed de An in Bullyin blue for their tioch g Celeb Antiration.

r at BES, er, Art teache Mrs. Liza Snyd student’s ds beside her proudly stan ty Fair. un Co e Walton artwork at th tle artists lit t ea gr by art, Great works of art teacher! phenomenal a by d le d an

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 25

Family Features

othing says home for the holidays like the smell of treats baking in the oven and a crowded kitchen filled with loved ones. Whether making decades-old family favorites or starting new holiday baking traditions, you can create homemade holiday goodies in a (ginger) snap. “The holidays are a time when families are in the kitchen at record rates to bake cookies, build gingerbread houses and create a wide variety of sweet treats,” says Nancy Siler, vice president of consumer affairs at Wilton. “The good news is, even if you only have 30 minutes to spare during this hectic time, you can make amazing desserts for gatherings or gifting.”

Try these easy treat ideas from Wilton to spread holiday cheer:

• Holiday Helpers: Invite family and friends for a cookie decorating day to help prepare gifts for upcoming events. You provide the Sparkling Sugars and Sprinkles, Peppermint Twisted Sticks and red and green icing ... everyone else provides the creativity. • Miracle on Your Street: Crunched for time with a party to attend? Pick up ready-to-eat cookies and artfully dip them in red and green Candy Melts candy for an elegant upgrade. No one has to know how simple it was to create a customized dessert. 26 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

• Instant Snowman: Coat peanut butter sandwich cookies in white Candy Melts candy to create instant snowmen. Decorate with hats, scarves and, of course, carrot noses. • It’s a Wrap: Turn your homemade treats into gourmet gifts. Stock up on holiday-themed gift bags and boxes, colorful tissue paper, ribbons and tags to transform made-from-theheart goodies into extra special gifts. For more holiday ideas and inspiration, visit www.wilton.com

Festive Peppermint Twists Dark Cocoa, Light Cocoa, Green or White Candy Melts Candy Peppermint Twisted Sticks Candy Assorted Holiday Sprinkles, including Holiday Nonpareils, Confetti and Jimmies, Red and Green Colored Sugars Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In Disposable Dipping Container or bowl, separately melt Candy Melts candy in microwave following package instructions. Dip peppermint sticks into melted candy; tap stick lightly to smooth surface. Immediately add sprinkles. Set on prepared cookie sheet; chill until set, 5 to 10 minutes. continued on page 28

ACTIVITIES

continued from page 26

Cheery Cereal Tree Treats Makes about 12 treats 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 4 cups mini marshmallows Juniper or Leaf Green Icing Color 6 cups crisp rice cereal White Cookie Icing Jumbo Rainbow Nonpareils, Sprinkles or Sugars, as desired Prepare 3D Silicone Tree Mold and silicone spatula or wooden spoon with vegetable pan spray. In large saucepan, melt butter. Add marshmallows; cook and stir until melted. Tint with icing color. Remove from heat and add cereal; mix well. Press into prepared mold. When cool to touch, remove from mold. (If mixture becomes hard to work with, microwave at 50 percent power for 30 to 60 seconds to soften.) Heat Cookie Icing following label directions. Squeeze snow and garlands on trees; add sprinkles and sugars as desired. Let dry.

Christmas Candy Swirl Cookies Makes about 2 dozen cookies. 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 egg 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional) Red and Green Sparkle Gel Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray Easy Decorate Swirl Cookie Pan with vegetable pan spray. In small bowl, combine flour and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer at medium speed until well blended. Beat in egg and extracts; mix well. Add flour mixture; beat until well blended. Press dough into pan cavities, filling 2/3 full. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown around edges. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn pan over; lightly tap pan to remove cookies. Cool cookies completely. Decorate cooled cookies with Sparkle Gel. Let set, at least 30 minutes.

Jolly Santa’s Treat Cookies Makes about 3 dozen cookies 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 egg 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon almond extract Red, Green and White Cookie Icing Red and Dark Green Colored Sugars White Sparkling or Pearlized Sugar White Sugar Pearls Preheat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and extracts; mix well. Add flour mixture, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Do not chill dough. Divide dough into 2 balls. On floured surface, roll each ball into a circle approximately 12 inches diameter and 1/8 inch thick. Dip Cookie Hugger or “Ho-Ho” Word cookie cutters in flour before each use. Bake cookies on ungreased cookie sheet 8 to 11 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool cookies completely. Outline and fill-in cooled cookies with Cookie Icing. For “Ho-Ho” cookies, sprinkle with sugars; let set until icing is completely dry. For snowflake cookie, add white Cookie Icing detail to dried cookie; attach Sugar Pearls with dots of icing.

continued on page 46

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

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Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ 29

Nine-year-old Marlee Green thought up another way one child can make a difference in the world. At her recent birthday party, she asked her friends to bring donations or gift cards in lieu of presents and toys for her. Marlee used those donations to purchase bicycles for the young people living at Children in Crisis. “When Marlee said that she wanted to donate bikes to the children living at the CIC Neighborhood, it made me very happy! This is the second year continued from page 18 she has donated her birthday presents to CIC and I know this is something she will look forward to next year,” said Ken Hair, president and CEO of Children in Crisis. In addition to collecting from her party guests, Marlee organized a gift card drive in her neighborhood. She collected more than $300 to purchase bikes. “I just wanted to help the children at the Children’s Neighborhood. Some children don’t have as many things as I do,” explained Marlee. While young children are somewhat limited in formal volunteer opportunities with charities, older kids have many options, according to Madison Cope, a senior at Seacoast Collegiate High School and sophomore at Northwest Florida State College. “Once I started driving and gaining my independence, I decided that’s how I wanted to spend my time.” Madison started at Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center volunteering for fundraising events and decorating the office for the holidays. “Seeing other kids in the waiting room was heartbreaking,” explains Madison. “I wanted to get more involved. I talked to the volunteer coordinator and set up a drive for Christmas toys at my school. Donation drives are easy because they are not hard to get approved to do at school and they get more people engaged. Not everyone wants to give their time, but they can bring in a toy or some food.” Madison went on to serve with Project Respect, a community action team that works to end bullying and teen dating violence, that meets at Shelter House. She played a key role in organizing last year’s Walk 4 Respect and is currently planning an event for February 2017 in observance of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. “My advice for kids is to talk to everyone you can find and ask questions,” Madison says. “To parents, I would say expose your kids to more. It is important for kids to know what is out there and to be able to talk about their feelings. You don’t have to shelter them so much.” Here are a few easy tips for cultivating kindness and helping your child become more generous: 1) Lead by example. If you exhibit kindness and generosity in your everyday life, your children are likely to emulate you. 2) Talk about what life is like outside the bubble in which you live. Even young children can begin to understand that not everyone has adequate food and shelter or good health. 3) Look for volunteer opportunities where you can include your child. 4) Many folks in this area attend at least one charity event per week. If you are heading out to a fundraiser, explain to your kids what the cause is and why you support it. 30 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

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Dr. Eddie Zant MD with Hypberbaric Medicine Inc. of Florida is a Credentialed ImPACT neurocognitive test consultant. Destin Office 36468 Emerald Coast Parkway Old South Centre, Suite 8102 Destin, FL 32541 Phone: (850) 650.9500 Fax: (850) 650.2733

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Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine â&#x20AC;˘ 31

Getting the Most from

Gift Cards By Carolyn Jabs

Gift cards have become the go-to present for parents who have run out of time, ideas or, let’s be honest, holiday spirit. The National Retail Federation estimates that each holiday eight out of ten shoppers turn to gift cards for at least some of their purchases. Maybe that’s because the cards make especially good gifts for teachers, teens, tweens and other people who are hard to please. Easy as they are to purchase, getting the most from gift cards requires a bit of savvy. Here are a few tips: Choose the right card. A closed loop gift card can be used only at the store or restaurant that issues it, so be sure the recipient likes what they have to offer. Prepaid bank gift cards can be used wherever a debit card would be accepted but there’s a fee for that convenience. The American Express website, for example, charges $3.95 per card, regardless of the amount. Don’t buy off the rack. When cards are easily accessible, crooks can collect identifying numbers, using pocket scanners or old-fashioned pencil and paper. By calling the toll-free number, they find out when the card is activated and spend the balance while your present is waiting to be given. To avoid this problem, purchase cards that are kept behind the counter. Look for a scratch off pin number, and be sure it is intact. Be smart online. Don’t buy gift cards by clicking on a link in e-mail or a text message. Even if these offers look like they come from prestigious companies, they are invariably scams that steal personal information without giving you anything in return. You’ll also want to avoid auction sites where there’s a high risk of getting a card that is counterfeit, expired or fraudulent. Look for discounts. Legitimate discounts on gift cards are available from resellers such as Plasticjungle.com, Giftcardrescue.com and Cardpool.com. Before buying, be sure the website guarantees the value of the card. Check shipping charges too because they can quickly offset discounts. Another way to find safe discounts is to visit giftsmart.com, a website that rates gift cards based on their features. The site also provides information about how laws governing gift cards vary from state to state. continued on page 34

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continued from page 32

Express your spirit. Many companies sell gift cards with special messages for the holidays. Better yet, design your own card with a personal photo or message at a site like giftcard.com. Share the joy. Some companies donate part of the price of each gift card to charity. At giftcardsforacause.com, a wide variety of cards are available for purchase, and it’s easy to designate a charity to receive a percentage of what you spend. Personalize the packaging. The biggest complaint about gift cards is that they are impersonal and, well, a little boring. To make giving more fun, insert the card into a holiday ornament, the paws of a small stuffed animal, a pair of socks, a trinket box, a book, a wallet, a puzzle box or even a giftcard organizer. At the very least, include a personal note explaining why you wanted this particular person to have this particular gift card. Skip the plastic. Ten billion gift cards are produced each year. Not only do they contain toxic petrochemicals, but they also create disposal problems. Some companies allow you to bypass plastic by sending an e-card directly to a mobile phone or even a Facebook page. Because this is a relatively new way of giving, be sure to alert the recipient with a card or some other tangible reminder that they’ve received a virtual gift. Get a receipt. No matter how you buy your giftcard, get a receipt that includes the number on the card. If the card is lost or stolen, recovering its value if you have documentation. Should you have a problem with a card, contact the company that issued it. If they can’t or won’t resolve the problem, complain to the FTC (877-FTCHELP) about cards issued by retailers or Comptroller of the Currency (800-613-6743) about cards issued by banks.

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

If you become savvy about buying giftcards, you may actually want to use them to save money on your own purchases. The important thing is to treat the cards as cash because that’s exactly what they are. Don’t leave them lying around. Don’t tuck them into a drawer and forget about them. For the same reason, be sure to spend cards received during the holidays. Bankrate.com estimates that $40 billion dollars in gift card purchases went unused in the past decade. That’s like loaning money to the sponsoring companies without ever asking that it be paid back. Look for opportunities to use cards on things you or your kids really want. Take advantage of after holiday sales both on and offline. If there’s an expiration date, mark it on your calendar. For cards you really can’t use, turn to websites that will help you convert them into something more valuable. Cardhub. com has a Facebook application so people can swap cards with friends. Swapagift. com pinpoints local companies that buy giftcards for cash, usually at a deep discount. The websites that sell discounted gift cards buy them back too. Before shipping off a card, review the FAQ to be sure you understand exactly what you’ll receive in return (and how you’ll complain if there’s a problem). For example, plasticjungle.com, converts cards into cash, credits on Amazon or even a donation to a favorite charity. Of course, the holidays are a terrific time to convert the odd balances on all of last year’s gift cards into donations to organizations that will make the season bright for others. Now that’s a way to rekindle holiday spirit!

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Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 35

On the side of the road, in a few of our local neighborhoods, you will find small decorated wooden structures filled to the brim with books. These structures are called “Little Free Libraries.” The books located within are free to take for any passerby. Called a “Global Sensation” by the New York Times, Little Free Libraries were inspired by Andrew Carnegie’s free public libraries, Lutie Sterns traveling little libraries, and local coffee shops’ public shared spaces. The Little Free Library movement was begun by Todd H. Bol, who had the idea to bring neighborhoods together and encourage literacy. With humble beginnings in Hudson, Wisconsin four years ago, the movement has spread to every U.S. state and Canadian province. It is also present in 70 countries around the world. Little Free Libraries are run by volunteer stewards, individuals who open up their yard or business front and monitor and stock their libraries. Some individuals go the extra mile and host event and giveaways. On Harlan Avenue in Fort Walton Beach, you will often find stewards Kristine and Josh hosting fun book-based events to promote their little library. At their recent event, they had a snack table, lemonade, prizes and tons of books to give away. Their next driveway event will be Saturday, November 12th. A local author will be present and signing her Christmas book. Copies of the book and stocking stuffers will be given away to their first 12 families who attend. Seven months ago, Kristine and Josh entered a contest to win a little library. The giveaway was hosted by Stacee and her son, Brody, stewards of the Little Free Library in Mary Esther. 36 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

Stacee and Brody’s experience began a year ago after reading about Little Free Libraries online. Brody became interested in stewarding a library, saying, "If we had one of those we could share our books with everybody!" Not long after that, the library was erected and the idea of giving away libraries came to be. Stacee reached out to friends, and through fundraising they are on their way to completing their mission: to get as many books into the hands of as many children as possible. “There's no better feeling in the world than to be able to share with someone else something that has made such a positive impact in your life, and that's where the idea came from,” Stacee explains. The area’s newest Little Free Library will be located in downtown Fort Walton Beach at 144 Miracle Strip Pkwy, outside of Young Philosophers Society, a nonprofit enrichment center for children. To find out more information about Little Free Libraries and to see if there is one in your area, check out the website www.littlefreelibrary.org Our local LFLs and their stewards are: • 2278 Harlan Ave, FWB – Riggs Family • 637 Emerald Lane, FWB – Mack Family • 144 Miracle Strip Pkwy, FWB – Young Philosophers Society • 300 Cayman Cove, Destin – Destiny Book Club • 9575 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre – Mr. Larson • 2001 Bob White Ct, Mary Esther – Kimzey Family Help out your Little Free Libraries by donating to your closest one! Happy reading!

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Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 37

The 37th Annual Toys 4 Tots Run For Motorcycles

is set for November 13th this year and they are roaring in for a good time! The Emerald Coast Harley Owner’s Group (HOG) Chapter #3605, sponsored by Emerald Coast Harley Davidson, is helping out both Children in Crisis and the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center this year. All motorcycles are welcome to participate in the Run which starts at the Sams Club parking lot in Fort Walton Beach. $10 per participant gets you in and a new toy or gift card! Registration starts as early as 8:30. The motorcycle parade starts at 11 a.m. from Sam’s Club and ends at the Niceville Mullet Festival site. There will be food trucks donating a portion of their sales, as well as bike hi-low games where riders can win prizes donated by local businesses. 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. Parade and festivities at the Mullet Festival site will begin at 11 a.m. and include music, food, games, motorcycle contests and more. For further information or to make donations, contact Joe Clifton at 850678-4289, Vito Tomasello at 850-818-5652, or call the emerald Coast Harley Davidson dealership 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 the Toy Box located at the Emerald Coast Harley Davidson dealership at 788 Beal Parkway in Ft. Walton Beach. Donations can also be given to any of the HOG chapter members.

A Season of Giving

The Holiday Spirit of The Silver Sleigh Toy Drive! With the holiday season rapidly approaching, most people are looking forward to spending time with family and friends and enjoying the traditions of the holidays - one of which is of course gift-giving! Another of the great traditions of the holiday season is to help provide for others in need, and there are many ways to do so. One group of friends carries out this tradition in an exceptionally meaningful way – by honoring and carrying forward the generosity of their dear friend who passed away a few years ago, Gretchen McDowell. Tamela Butler, Cindy McGee, Amanda Belcher and Mike Dahnke were all loving friends of Gretchen’s and have chosen to continue to support the underprivileged youth in their communities in the same way Gretchen did – by hosting a toy drive during the holiday season. According to Tamela, the friends “…wanted to do something to continue Gretchen’s tradition of holding a toy and bike drive as a way to honor her and her desire to help others.” The 3rd Annual Silver Sleigh Toy Drive in Memory of Gretchen McDowell will be held on her birthday, December 11, 2016. This year the event will again be at 38 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

the Hog’s Breath Saloon in Destin (541 Harbor Blvd.) from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. For the second year, the Silver Sleigh Toy Drive benefits Kidz4Kidz Florida, a charitable organization that serves local underprivileged children to help them enjoy fun, enriching extracurricular activities that they would not otherwise be able to enjoy. All donations of toys, cash, and particularly bikes (a focus of Gretchen’s) will be collected and distributed to children in need throughout Walton and Okaloosa counties. The partnership of the Silver Sleigh Toy Drive and Kidz4Kidz Florida embraces the true spirit of the holiday season in mutual support of our local underserved youth. Last year over 40 bicycles and helmets, hundreds of toys and over $1,000 were raised, and with your help they can reach even more children this year! Come participate in a wonderful event with your donations of toys, bikes or a monetary donation by contributing to the Silver Sleigh Toy Drive at the Hog’s Breath Saloon in Destin on December 11, 2016! For more information on Kidz4Kidz Florida, please visit www.k4kfl.org. 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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Our Robotics Workshops will cover a range of robotics skills and concepts to help introduce students to robotics and give them the skills needed to compete in Lego League.

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 39

OK Island Convention Center Fandom Con/Anime Conv. Noon $15 and up 850-609-3800

November 1- 30 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Baytowne on Ice $11 - 90 mins/ $3 rentals 850-267-8141 November 4 DeFuniak Springs Downtown Grit & Grace Chili Cook-off 6-8pm $10 850-270-7008 November 4-5 FWB St. Simon Craft Fair Fri 9-5pm, Sat 9-3pm 850-897-4097 November 4, 11, 18, 25 Sandestin Marina Grill Live Music Fridays 5-8pm FREE 850-267-7778 November 5 Destin HarborWalk Blues, Brews & BBQ 11-4pm $20 & up 404-290-5052 FWB EC Science Center Robotic Workshops 10-2pm Ages 9-14 850-664-1261 FWB John Beasley Park Out of the Darkness Community Walk 11am reg. Noon Start FREE 850-830-0755

November 12 Crestview High School Pancake Breakfast & Concert 7-10am $7 Adults $3 kids 850-689-7177

Niceville Crosspoint Church The Calling Dance Company Blessings in Abundance 4:30pm $5 850-678-4411

DeFuniak Springs 4C BBQ Scottish Dinner & Ceilidh 5pm 850-892-4227

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Capes and Gowns 5K/Fun Run $35 5K / $20 Fun Run 8:30am 850-622-5970 November 5, 12, 19, 26 Sandestin Marina Grill Sailgate Party All Day 850-267-7778 November 6 FWB St. Mary’s Church David Ott Orchestra & Chorus 3:30pm FREE - Donations 850-302-0266 November 9 SRB The Hub Family Movie Night 6pm FREE 850-213-0782 November 9, 16, 23, 30 Destin Ruth Chris Locals Night Out 5-9pm 850-837-7884 November 10 Niceville Ernies Dockside Cafe Deck the Halls at Dockside Holiday Market 4-8pm 850-543-9466

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

Destin Dog Park Pooch Palooza 10-3pm Donation 850-837-4242

November 11 Crestview Main Street Veterans Day Parade 9-1pm FREE 850-682-6132 Niceville MK Arts Center Seinfeld Live 7pm $82.50 and up 850-729-6000 Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow NAS Pensacola 9am with additional Fri. 4pm $7 up to $50 850-452-3604 November 11-13 FWB Stagecrafters 9-5 Musical Fri/Sat 7:30 Sun 2pm $20 850-678-1593

November 12-13 Rosemary Beach East Green Flutterby Festival FREE 850-622-5970 November 13 FWB Sams Club Parking Lot Toys For Tots Run 10am $10 Per Person &A New Toy 850-818-5652 Niceville Hurricane Grill 5k-Brunch Miles of Memories 5K Run $20 - 1 Mile Walk $15 850-689-0277 Nicevillle MK Arts Center Symphony Sunday 2pm $18 and up 50-729-6000 November 15 Destin Library Monthly Movie Night One True Thing 3pm FREE 850-837-8572 continued on page 42

The Giant Screen Theater at the National Naval Aviation Museum will present the modern holiday classic at 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday beginning Saturday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 18 with an additional showing on Friday, Dec. 23. Children are encouraged to dress up in their pajamas. Children in pajamas will receive a free cup of hot chocolate and cookie from the refreshment counter. Ticket prices are $6. Tickets available for purchase in person at the museum. Visit NavalAviationMuseum.org/ PolarExpress for more details. OPEN 9–5 DAILY ON NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA • FREE MUSEUM ADMISSION

850- 453-NAVY • 800-327-5002 • NavalAviationMuseum.org • 1750 Radford Blvd. • Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508

Benefitting the Girl Scouts of the Florida Panhandle

Friday, January 20, 2017 The Palms of Destin Resort and Conference Center Local Chefs Create New Desserts With Girl Scout Cookies

Aegean–Christopher Rakas Café Rico-Daniel Soto Clemenza’s-Dominic Damiano Jackacudas–Allen Teuton Lulu’s-Mathew Von Eberstein Signature Catering of 30 A-Christopher Holbrook Doors open at 6 pm Social Hour, Hors d' oeuvres, Dessert Tasting and Voting, Awards, Silent Auction, Live Auction of To Go portions of Chef’s Desserts and Entertainment by Niceville High School Big Band. Tickets are $40 and are available at Chef’s Restaurants. For more information contact destindesserts@gmail.com

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 41

continued from page 40

November 16 SRB The Hub Family Movie Night 6pm FREE 850-213-0782 November 17 FWB EC Science Ctr. Planetarium Nights 5-8pm $9 Adult $7 Child 850-664-1261 November 18 - 19 Destin Community Center Holiday Craft Show 850-654-5184 November 19 Crestview Sams Roadhouse Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast 7-10:30am 850-423-1003 Destin Regatta Yacht Club Bourbon on the Bay 5:30-8pm $40 850-837-6241 OK Island Convention Center Worldwide Spirit Association Cheer Competition 9-4pm $12 Kids 10 & under free 850-609-3800 Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum STEM Saturdays Life on a Submarine Ages K - 6th Grade 9:30 - 1:30pm $30 inc lunch 850-458-7836

November 21 Rosemary Bch N. Barrett Sq. Wacky Holiday Hair 1-4pm FREE 850-687-0568

November 24 Rosemary Beach 30A 10K and 1 Mile Fun Run 7:30am 850-687-0568

Watercolor Marina November 22 5k Turkey Trot Niceville MK Arts Center 8-11am Cirque Dreams Holidaze No registration required 7:30pm 850-534-5000 $45 850-729-6000 November 25 Aly’s Beach Amphitheater Rosemary Bch N. Barrett Sq. Winter Wonderland Fancy Face Painting 10-Noon Noon - 2pm $5 Donation FREE 850-213-5500 850-687-0568 DeFuniak Springs Rosemary Bch N. Barrett Sq. Baldwin Ave Every Christmas Story Family Movie Night Ever Told Home Alone 2pm 7:30-10pm FREE FREE 850-231-0733 850-892-8500 November 22-Dec 23 Sandestin Grand Boulevard Festival of Trees FREE 850-837-3099 November 23 Inlet Beach Fall Festival at 30Avenue Noon-7pm 850-231-1127

DeFuniak Springs Christmas Reflections Light Tour 5-9pm $3 and up 850-974-6774 Destin HarborWalk Village Santas Arrival Noon FREE 850-424-0600

Rosemary Bch Western Green Moonlight Movie: Star Wars The Force Awakens 6-8pm FREE 850-687-0568

Rosemary Beach Town Center Winter Spectacular Showcase 5-8pm FREE 850-687-0568

SRB The Hub Family Movie Night 6pm FREE 850-213-0782

Rosemary Bch S. Barrett Sq. Tree Lighting Ceremony 6pm FREE 850-687-0568

Seaside Amphitheater The Nutcracker 5pm FREE 850-899-6700 42 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Movie: The Polar Express 6pm FREE 850-267-8000 Seaside Amphitheater Holiday Movie Night Elf 7pm FREE 850-899-6700 Watercolor Fish Out of Water Breakfast with Santa 9-11am 850-534-5050 Watercolor Marina Park Movie in the Park 6pm FREE 850-534-5975 November 25-26 Niceville NWFL St College Emerald Coast Classic Basketball Tournament 10am $15 - $35 850-729-6004 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Here Comes Santa Claus 6-9pm FREE 850-267-8000 November 26 Aly’s Beach Every Christmas Story Ever Told 10am FREE 850-213-5500 Destin Brotulas Seafood House Wine Tasting 5:30 - 7:30pm $15 850-460-8900 continued on page 44

Saturday, Nov. 19

5 PM –5th Annual Nutcracker in Seaside Ballet Pensacola and Local Area Dancers

Friday, Nov. 25

7 PM –Holiday Movie Night – “ELF”

Saturday, Nov. 26 9 AM –SEASIDE Holiday Farmers Market 4 PM –Annual Holiday Parade (Kickoff performance by The REP Theatre) 5-8 PM –Turn on the Town (Tree & Town Lighting, Visits with Santa)

Shop, Dine, Stay With Us This Holiday Season.

Saturday, Dec. 17 5:30 PM Holiday Pops Concert Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

Saturday, Dec. 31 New Year’s Eve

7 PM to 12:30 AM Live music, street performers, children’s activities and Fireworks to ring in 2017! 2235 E. County Hwy. 30A Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 To book accommodations, visit our Visitors Bureau partners: seasidefl.com/vacation/rentals/

continued from page 42

FWB Uptown Station Santas Arrival & Tree Lighting 5pm FREE 850-301-0757 Rosemary Beach Town Hall Breakfast with Santa 8-10am $15 850-687-0568 Rosemary Bch N. Barrett Sq. Holiday Market 10-4pm FREE 850-687-0568 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Here Comes Santa 850-267-8000 Seaside Holiday Parade Starts by The REP 4pm FREE 850-899-6700 Seaside Town Center Turn on the Town Tree Lighting & Santa FREE 850-899-6700 November 26 - 27 Destin Harborwalk Village Visit with Santa Noon - 4pm FREE 850-424-0600 Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum Modern Holiday Classic Pajama Party 3pm $6 850-308-8937

November 29 - December 3 Niceville McIIroy Gallery Tibetan Monks Creation of the sand mandala FREE 850-729-6044

FWB Landing A Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting and Festivities 11-6pm FREE 850-833-9576

November 30 SRB The Hub Family Movie Night 6pm FREE 850-213-0782

December 3 - 4 Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum Modern Holiday Classic Pajama Party 3pm $6 850-308-8937 December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Sandestin Marina Grill Sailgate Saturday Party All Day 850-267-7778

December 1-31 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Baytowne on Ice $11 - 90 mins/ $3 rentals 850-267-8141 December 1 Destin Community Center Christmas Tree Lighting 6pm FREE 850-654-5184 FWB EC Science Ctr. Planetarium Nights 5-8pm $9 Adult $7 Child 850-664-1261 December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Sandestin Marina Grill Live Music Fridays 5-8pm FREE 850-267-7778 December 3 DeFuniak Springs Tour of Homes Breakfast 7-10am $7.50 10-5pm Tours $25 850-892-9754 FWB EC Science Center Robotic Workshops 10-2pm Ages 9-14 850-664-1261

44 â&#x20AC;˘ Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

December 4 Watercolor Western Lake Elf Ride/Walk 1.5 miles 1pm Bring Unwrapped Toy 850-534-5008 December 4, 11, 18, 25 South Walton Toms Landing Friday Smores/Weenie Roast EC Hydrobikes 5pm Check In, Ride Till Sunset $50 850-598-7949 December 5 FWB Downtown Christmas Parade 6:30pm FREE 850-833-9575 December 7 SRB The Hub Family Movie Night 6pm FREE 850-213-0782 December 7, 9, 10 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 12 Nights of Lights 6, 7 & 8pm FREE 850-267-8117

December 7, 14, 21, 28 Destin Ruth Chris Locals Night Out 5-9pm 850-837-7884 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Holiday Concert Series 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8117 December 9 Niceville MK Arts Center Holiday Pops Concert 7:30pm $15 and up 850-729-6000 December 10 Destin Hwy 98 Christmas Parade 10am FREE 850-654-5184 Niceville MK Arts Center A Peter White Christmas 7:30pm $40 and up 850-729-6000 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Tuba Christmas & Holiday Lantern Parade 6-9pm 850-267-8117 December 10-11 Sandestin Grand Boulevard A Dickens Christmas 7:30pm 850-267-8180 Destin Emerald Grande Breakfast with Santa 8-11am 850-424-0621 Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum Modern Holiday Classic Pajama Party 3pm $6 850-308-8937

Sandestin Golf Courses Tee Off for Toys Bring New Unwrapped Toy Worth $15 Plus Cart Fee $20 850-267-8155 December 11 Destin Harbor Boat Parade 6pm FREE 850-654-5184 Destin Hogs Breath Silver Sleigh Toy Drive 2-5pm Bring a New Unwrapped Toy 850-837-5991 Destin Lulus Billy Claus Arrives Noon - 4pm FREE 850-710-5858 Sandestin Grand Boulevard A Dickens Christmas 2pm FREE 850-267-8180 December 13 Crestview High School Winter Concert 7-9pm $5 Adults $2 Students 850-689-7177 December 13, 17 Seaside Farmers Market 8-Noon FREE 850-687-3494 December 14 SRB The Hub Family Movie Night 6pm FREE 850-213-0782 December 14, 16, 17 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 12 Nights of Lights 6, 7 & 8pm FREE 850-267-8117

December 15 FWB EC Science Ctr. Planetarium Nights 5-8pm $9 Adult $7 Child 850-664-1261 December 15, 16, 17 Sandestin Grand Boulevard A Dickens Christmas 7:30pm 850-837-3099 December 16-17 South Walton High School The Nutcracker 7pm Friday 3pm Saturday 850-897-2933 December 17 FWB EC Science Ctr Planetarium Nights 5-8pm $9 Adult $7 Child 850-664-1261 Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum STEM Saturdays Squadron Teamwork Ages K - 6th Grade 9:30 - 1:30pm $30 inc lunch 850-458-7836 Seaside Amphitheater Holiday Pops Concert PCola Symphony Orchestra 5:30pm FREE 850-899-6700 December 17-18 Destin Emerald Grande Breakfast with Santa 8-11am 850-424-0621 Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum Modern Holiday Classic Pajama Party 3pm $6 850-308-8937

December 18 Sandestin Grand Boulevard A Dickens Christmas 2pm 850-837-3099

December 27-30 FWB High School Basketballs Go Southern Beach Blowout Tournament 850-496-7240

Rosemary Beach Havana Beach Bar & Grill Santa & Mrs. Claus Breakfast 850-588-2882

December 28 SRB The Hub Family Movie Night 6pm FREE 850-213-0782

December 20, 24 Seaside Farmers Market 8-Noon FREE 850-687-3494 December 21 SRB The Hub Family Movie Night 6pm FREE 850-213-0782 December 21, 23, 24 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 12 Nights of Lights 6, 7 & 8pm FREE 850-267-8117 December 22 Rosemary Beach The Pearl Ballroom Gingerbread Tea 2-5pm $25 Adults $15 Kids 850-588-2881

December 28, 30, 31 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 12 Nights of Lights 6, 7 and 8pm FREE 850-267-8000 December 29 Aly’s Beach Amphitheater Movie: The Santa Claus 5pm FREE 850-213-5500 December 31 Destin HarbowWalk Village New Years Eve Street Party 6pm FREE 850-424-0600 Destin LuLu’s Noon Year’s Eve Party 10am FREE 850-710-5858

December 22, 23, 24 Sandestin Grand Boulevard A Dickens Christmas 7:30pm 850-837-3099 December 23 Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum Modern Holiday Classic Pajama Party 3pm $6 850-308-8937

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Kidz NYE Countdown 6-8pm Fireworks 8pm FREE 850-267-8000 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Baytowne Countdown 6-1am - Fireworks at 12am FREE 850-267-8000 Seaside Town Center New Years Eve Delight 6pm - 12:30am Fireworks FREE 850-899-6700

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 45

continued from page 28

Merry Marshmallow Sticks White, Red, Green and Dark Cocoa Candy Melts candy Large Marshmallows Holiday Confetti, Nonpareils and Colored Sugars

Sweet Snowmen Cookies White, Red, Green, Black & Orange Candy Melts Candy Peanut butter sandwich cookies Holiday Confetti, Holiday & Snowflake Mix Sprinkles Cinnamon Drops Black Sugar Pearls Silver Pearlized Sugar Melt white Candy Melts candy following package instructions. Place cookies on cooling grid positioned over parchment-lined cookie sheet. Spoon melted candy over top surface of cookie; chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set. Turn cookies over, candy side down, on cooling grid. Completely cover cookies with melted candy; chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set. Repeat, if needed, to completely cover cookie. To decorate snowmen, melt Candy Melts candy following package instructions as needed. Using red, green and white candy in candy or disposable decorating bag, pipe hats, ear muff band and scarves, adding colored sugar trim to candy before it sets. For ball cap, cut a Candy Melt candy wafer in half; attach with melted candy. Attach sprinkles for buttons, ear muffs and decorative accents using dots of melted candy. Using melted black candy and decorating bag, pipe facial features. Using melted orange candy and decorating bag, pipe nose.

In Disposable Dipping Container or bowl, melt Candy Melts candy separately following package instructions. Dip marshmallows in melted candy and place on cooling grid positioned over parchment-lined cookie sheet. If desired, sprinkle with sugars and sprinkles. Chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set. Using candy decorating bag or disposable decorating bag, drizzle melted candy or pipe outlines, if desired; immediately sprinkle with sugars or nonpareils. Attach confetti with dots of melted candy. Chill 2 to 3 minutes or until set. With point of sharp knife, carefully cut through candy on the marshmallow where stick will be inserted. Insert three marshmallows onto each Colored Lollipop Stick, securing with melted candy.

Fast and Festive Christmas Cookies Green, Red, White, Light & Dark Cocoa Candy Melts Candy Assorted purchased ready-to-eat cookies Holiday Confetti, Nonpareils, Holly Mix, Colored Sugars and Sprinkles In Disposable Dipping Container or bowl, melt Candy Melts candy separately following package instructions. Partially or completely dip cookies in melted candy. Place cookies on cooling grid positioned over parchmentlined cookie sheet. If desired, sprinkle with sugars and sprinkles. Chill 5 to 10 minutes or until set. Additional decorating ideas: • Drizzle with melted candy in a contrasting color. Chill 3 to 5 minutes or until set. • Attach sprinkles with dots of melted candy. Chill 3 to 5 minutes or until set. • Pipe melted candy bows and other decorations.

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

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