March_April 2020 Issue OTC

THERE'S A NEW CAMP IN TOWN!

Am I

thatmom?

CONTENTS CONTENTS

March/April 2020

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2

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22 9 10

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18

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28 Publisher's Page Contributor's Page

18 32

32 Tour a Helicopter Factory A robust aviation sector in NW Florida.

36 Hope on the Horizon When our days outlast the nights.

Friends, Swimming, Camping & S'mores Our newest local camp.

37 Bunny Butts Yummy Cupcake Easter Treats.

The Skeptical Mom Unexpected gifts from a local contest.

38 Making a Difference Weston Ranch Rodeo Stop Covering Yourself in Poison!

Run For Joy Meet our amazing editors!

Awareness is crucial.

24 Hearing the YES

Celebrate gratitude for what we have.

40 Events Fun on the Coast!

28 Sleep Disorders in Youth Numbers are increasing in our kids.

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On the Cover: Family fun at the Destin Jetties.

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Meet the doc dr. timothy douglass

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Over the years, I have LOVED watching my two children play sports.

From the tiniest of ages, we have been encouraging and standing by their sides, rooting for them in T-ball, softball, soccer, basketball, surfing, swimming, dance and finally, track. Needless to say, my husband and I are their biggest fans.

My son, Kobe, is graduating from high school this year and will be off to college in the fall. He's my true athlete, a natural at every sport he has taken on, a state champion, and a soon-to-be college athlete with his track scholarship at a D1 University. I'm super proud of him for his accomplishments, and I won't hold back if you ask! As I was watching him pole vault to another win at a track meet this weekend, it hit me that this season will be his last for local athletics and, subsequently, my last season watching him at every meet. I had to swallow hard as I thought about that; all the hours of seeing him grow into the athlete he is in the sports that he loves most. Sometimes it is easy to forget how special the little moments can be... hauling Kobe to his events all over the state and beyond will soon be coming to an end, and I will deeply miss those little moments. It will be, at first, a large void in my life and lifestyle, to say the least.

I wonder how I am going to move into this next chapter of life and with what I will fill the time. Kobe is turning a page into manhood - off on his own. It has me reminiscing about those chubby toddler cheeks, his running around bases with the longest legs for this age that he could barely coordinate, his ability to outmaneuver me, and the big hugs I would get after he came off the basketball court. His passion over the years has turned to pole vault, and just a month ago he added sprinting to his repertoire, winning medals in both the 4 x 1 with his team and the 100-meter dash. It's great to see him still discovering new strengths even at this age.

My emotions are running high this season. I will watch every race, jump and move with angst and pride, praying for his safety and for those around him as he pushes to do his very best. To all the moms who are soon-to-be empty nesters, let’s savor every single minute, cheer like never before, not miss a beat, and truly cherish these lasts. And for every mom, don't forget how special every little moment is.

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 9

CONTRIBUTORS Mary Chris Murry

Paul Arthur

Barbara Britt

Colleen Riddle

Mary Chris Murry is a marketing consultant with over 30 years of experience in communications and marketing. Formerly the executive vice president and managing partner of one of the largest, independent, and integrated marketing agencies in Atlanta, Mary Chris has experience in all realms of communications – from strategic planning, development, implementation, execution, and analysis of marketing campaigns across traditional and digital platforms.

Paul Arthur has been with the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center since 2010 and has enjoyed watching the growth and continued community reach the Center has accomplished over the years.

The addition of Camp Longleaf enables the Biophilia Center's mission to include programs not only throughout the school year, but during the summer as well.

Paul loves working with students, nature, animals, and the best Biofamily anyone could ask for.

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.

Colleen Riddle grew up as a competitive swimmer and learned early on how good it felt to set goals, work hard and win. She reached her ultimate swimming goal when she earned a scholarship to Florida State University.

Born and raised in Walton County, Mary Chris moved back to the area in 2016 after a 26-year career in Atlanta to live closer to her family and near the beach, and provide her clients with the right marketing expertise based on their goals.

Mary Chris lives in Santa Rosa Beach with her rescue pup, Phyllis.

Laura Lucy

Cheree Pace Calhoun Cheree Pace Calhoun is a Gulf Coast native. She has a Master’s degree in counseling and is a certified Trust Based Relational Intervention practitioner for children from hard places. Cheree is the director of an adoption program for a non-profit agency.

Cheree loves spending time with her husband, teen son and tween daughter, and enjoys singing, reading, writing, and antiquing.

Cheree has an affinity for southern cooking, roller coasters, and all things Dachshund.

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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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.

Denise Gates Denise Gates has a BA in Journalism and is a freelance writer and editor.

She has spent the last 25+ years traveling with her military husband and raising two boys. Twice they lived in Destin and now that her husband has retired and with both boys at Florida colleges, they are back for good.

As owner of Elite Physique Personal Training, she brings her passion for fitness and clean-living to every person she works with. Whether it is losing weight, designing an overall healthy lifestyle, or creating a less toxic environment, she thrives on helping her clients achieve results. Her DVD Series, New Mommy Makeover was showcased in Fit Pregnancy magazine and was voted the number one Post Natal DVD series.

Colleen has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years, and was featured in INC Magazine as a top fitness entrepreneur. She loves the freedom as well as the challenges (keeps her on her toes!) that come along with the journey! Colleen’s passion is empowering others to see their greatness and create the lifestyle they’ve always wanted.

Colleen has been married to her best friend, John, for over 22 years. They have three adorable and hilarious cats named Starsky and Hutch, and the new edition, a kitten they named Huggy Bear (a true “Foster Fail”). For fun they enjoy biking, kayaking , Pickle Ball, and pretty much anything outside in the gorgeous place they call home!

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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.

Kidz on the coast Publishing Inc., does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial content, nor does Kidz on the Coast Publishing Inc., or its staff assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial content appear in any publication.

WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO

IN AN EMERGENCY? LEARN HOW TO

SAVE A LIFE CPR/AED and Basic First Aid Certification www.beachsidecertifications.com  850.502.3284  patrick@beachsidecert.com  BeachsideCertifications

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 13

CAMP LONGLEAF

by Paul Arthur

TO THE

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

RESCUE!

S

ummer is fast approaching, and your kids are going to need something to do. Their amount of time in front of a computer/phone screen already drives you crazy, and during the summer it only increases. It feels like they are only communicating using memes.

If they have referred to you as “boomer,” and yet you are not of that generation, something needs to change! You have exhausted the normal destinations like the beach and local day camps. What is new in the area that is fun and kid-interactive and gets them off the phone?

continued on page 16

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

CAMP LONGLEAF continued from page 15 CAMP LONGLEAF to the rescue! The Florida Panhandle’s newest overnight summer camp offers unforgettable experiences that combine animal interactions and cabin living with classic summer camp fun. Located smack dab in the middle of the Florida Panhandle in Freeport, deep in the forest, Camp Longleaf offers opportunities for children to actually be children and to discover a world that is new, fun, and life-changing. In June and July, Camp Longleaf will offer one-week sleep-over camps for girls only (ages 9 to 14) and a threeday retreat for fathers and sons June 20-22.

Camp Longleaf is affiliated with the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, which has been in operation for over eleven years, providing hands-on environmental education to local students. The Biophilia Center and Camp Longleaf are located on a 55,000-acre wildlife preserve called Nokuse Plantation. Campers will experience hikes to a one-of-a-kind solar facility that is completely off the electrical grid and houses ping-pong, foosball, and other interactive games. Bonfires with s’mores will be offered throughout the week. Campers will also experience the Biophilia Center and its 30,000 square feet of fun, interactive displays that bring out the naturalist in all who enter.

They will enjoy a movie and popcorn in the 160-seat, stadium-style indoor theater. A multitude of options for elective programs like science experiments, team-building giant volleyball games, and forest studies are offered each day. Campers will spend a day at a lake swimming, hiking, enjoying playground structures and eating as much watermelon as possible.

Both Camp Longleaf and the Biophilia Center’s staff have areas of expertise that include all mentioned along with animal handling. Camp Longleaf’s campers will have daily interactions with over 55 animal ambassadors including skunks, snakes, bobcats, owls, turtles, foxes, lizards, hawks, and more! Where else can you pet a skunk, hold a snake, breath in the natural surrounding air, learn about nature, and experience it with new friends who will be remembered for a lifetime? CAMP LONGLEAF, that’s where!

All the facilities on the grounds of Camp Longleaf are air-conditioned, clean, safe, and brand new. Long gone are the days of sleeping in the sweltering heat alongside unwelcome cabin mates like mosquitos, moonlight through the cracks in the wall, the oh-so-friendly cockroach, and the smothering humidity. continued on page 46

Weeklong overnight summer camps for girls ages 9 to 14!

June 7th – June 12th June 28th – July 3rd

June 14th – June 19th July 5th – July 10th

July 12th – July 17th

Affiliated with:

E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport, FL

Weekend getaway for male father figures ages 18+ and sons ages 6 to 14!

June 20th – June 22nd

REGISTER ONLINE WWW.CAMPLONGLEAF-FL.ORG

(850) 835-1824

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 17

the

reluctant pageant mom

by Laura Lucy

W

hen you’re expecting a child, your mind runs wild with thoughts about what kind of parent you’ll be and what your child will be like. Will I be a cool mom? A tough mom? A crunchy mom? A soccer mom? A dance mom? What will my kid be passionate about and how can I help her figure out what that is?

Of all the scenarios I dreamed up, there’s one I never imagined that has now become my reality. I’m a pageant mom.

I never planned to become a pageant mom. I mean, I like shiny objects as much as the next girl, but I can barely manage a braid, much less a bouffant. My personal style tends more toward jeans and flip flops than crowns and bling.

Around this time last year, a friend reached out to encourage me to enter my then-first grade daughter, Vivian, in a local pageant. Her teenage daughter, also not a traditional pageant girl, was the reigning Miss Okaloosa County and had enjoyed a wonderful year as a queen. I asked Vivi if she was interested, and after I had to explain what a pageant is, she said yes, and we were all in.

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I was well-versed in Toddlers and Tiaras and fully expected a sea of over-glammed tots with fake teeth and high hair at the pageant.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Miss Okaloosa County system was more natural, with no makeup allowed on the little girls and no outrageous costumes (which I now know are called Outfit of Choice, or OOC).

While I stressed about Vivi wearing her Easter dress as some girls wore beaded ball gowns, and her stick-straight hair losing curl despite my repeated attempts to bend it to my will, she nailed the interview with the judges and ended up winning the darn thing. You could say Vivi is a bit of a talker. She gets that from her dad, bless their hearts. What started as a whim on a Sunday afternoon turned into a life-changing event for our whole family.

The pageant itself was fun for the girls, but that was just a small part of life as Little Miss Okaloosa County. If you’ve followed my writings, you know that Vivi is an only child, much to her lament. All of a sudden, she had sister queens. Hanging out with her Miss and Teen Miss is the coolest thing ever, and Tiny Miss and Toddler Miss are peas in a pod with her. continued on page 20

Dreaming of a Magical Getaway?

Megan Jones Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 19

THE RELUCTANT PAGEANT MOM continued from page 18 The bonds she has formed with these girls will no doubt last a lifetime, and their moms and the pageant director have all become dear friends of mine, being infinitely patient with all of my questions and teaching me valuable lessons like how to keep a crown secure while flinging beads and candy from a moving vehicle during a parade.

As Little Miss Okaloosa County, Vivi qualified to represent our area at the National Peanut Festival Pageant in Dothan, Alabama. Only the Miss and Little Miss winners move on to that competition. This might not sound like a big deal to the uninitiated among you, but Peanut has been called the “Miss America of the South.” In pageant circles, it’s a big deal. Many of the girls competing in this pageant had dreamt of it their whole lives, and several were legacies.

Their mothers, aunts, and grandmothers all had been Little Misses before them. Vivi was up against 45 other girls from across Northwest Florida, Southeast Alabama, and Southwest Georgia. This is where I really expected to run into crazed pageant moms of little divas with plots to sabotage my seven-year-old. That’s not at all what happened.

We spent our summer traveling to parties hosted by “the competition” and attending pageant rehearsals in Dothan. I had never met a more supportive and welcoming community of women and girls. Vivi formed close friendships and had the time of her life. We found that when the girls weren’t officially on queen duty, they had diverse interests that included fishing, flag football, martial arts, riding ATVs, and softball.

When it came time for the pageant in October, it just wasn’t her night on the stage. After five minutes of tears, we hugged and congratulated our friends and went out for a celebratory dinner. These girls, all 7 or 8 years old, had walked onstage in front of 3,000 people! And no matter the outcome, everyone got to ride on a float in the parade and go to the fair.

This year has been filled with parades, ribbon cuttings, charity events, sleepovers, festivals, friends, and even a declaration of Vivian Lucy Day by the county commissioners. I can never say thank you enough to all the people who made this such a magical year for my girl. The pageant I was so skeptical about gave her sisters, bonus moms, new friends, fun experiences, and confidence.

Don’t make the same mistake I did by prejudging pageant girls as just pretty princesses. These girls are queens, and they are learning to rule.

Conversations with a Queen Little Miss Okaloosa County Vivian Lucy, age 7 What did you enjoy most about being Little Miss Okaloosa County? “It was fun to go to Peanut and get to meet more girls. My sister queens are really nice and kind to me.”

What is your favorite activity as a queen? “Parades are my favorite. I like to throw candy to kids.”

What is your least favorite thing about pageants? Some of the dresses aren’t that comfortable. Some are itchy. They can get caught on your hair, and that hurts.”

Do you get upset if you don’t win? “The most important thing is to have fun!”

2020 Miss Okaloosa County Pageant Sunday, March 29 The Island Hotel Ballroom, Okaloosa Island Application deadline: March 20 Divisions: Baby - birth to 24 months, Toddler - 3, 4 years old, Tiny - 5, 6 years old, Little - 1st grade now, Young - 7 - 10 years old, Junior - 11 - 13 years old, Teen - 14 - 16 years old, and Miss - 17 - 21 years old.

All ages are as of October 16, 2020.

For more information, visit missokaloosacounty.com.

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A

rmed with wareness

by Colleen Riddle

A

s a health and wellness professional, I have spent years educating people on the importance of quality nutrition and exercise. I even teach people how to navigate the grocery store. I’ve always recommended putting good, high-quality products and food into your body. But I never gave much thought as to what we are putting on our bodies. So, I started asking questions, and I did not like the answers. At any one time, there can be over 300 toxins in our body from the products we use in our home. Just like learning about ingredients in our food, with knowledge comes power. And with power, change is not far behind.

Dr. Samuel Epstein, chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, says, “It is unthinkable that women would knowingly inflict such exposures on their infants and children and themselves if products were routinely labeled with explicit warnings of cancer risks. But they are not labeled.” You wouldn’t buy that baby lotion that says “TOXIC” in large print, right?

For the last three years, I have had the eye-opening experience of diving into this subject. I continue to be amazed and stunned by the research I am finding. For example, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health studied 2,983 ingredients in our products at home - and found 884 toxic ingredients. Three hundred fourteen caused biological mutations, 218 caused reproductive problems, 778 were toxic to the human body. One hundred forty-six they knew caused cancer tumors - but were allowed in the US even though they were banned in other countries around the world.

For example, in cosmetics alone, Europe has banned over 1300 chemicals while the US has banned only 11.

This hits extremely close to home as I lost my mother to ovarian cancer. My brother has been battling lung cancer for over three years. Last year, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. We need to start paying attention to what we ingest and apply on our bodies. I'm on a mission to help unveil what chemical companies don't want us to know.

Wait...WHAT? How is this OK? It's NOT OK, and it all starts with awareness and education. Many of these items are lurking in your cabinets right now. I had no idea that I was covering myself in poison by putting on my lotion, deodorant, make-up, etc. Our everyday products can have so many toxins in them! I had my "aha" moment.

Endocrine disruptors interfere with the normal function of the hormonal system and can contribute to an array of negative health impacts.

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Since 1950, cancer rates for the general population have risen at a rate of about 1.2 percent per year, with extraordinary increases in certain cancers, notably the breast and prostate. (Miller et al. 1993)

Another statistic from the American Cancer Society surprised me: only 5-10% of all cancer cases are from gene defects. That means 90-95% of cancer cases are under our control (i.e., what we eat, what we put onto our bodies and allow into our homes).

continued on page 30

EMMA'S Dance

by Barbara Britt

I

would like to introduce you to a little girl. She is about 13 months old, and she is holding on to her parent for support while moving her heinie and her head to the music that is in her heart. This does not seem like anything special; after all, children dance, laugh with an open mouth, and speak in their own language.

However, I failed to mention that Emma has her first cochlear implant and it has not been turned on yet, and that the hearing aid for her other ear has been taken away for a couple of weeks. So, without hearing the rest of the world at all, she is so full of love, happiness, and the power to create that she does not have time to feel bad about her loss of hearing or anything else. She is free to be the very special Emma that God created her to be.

She feels the warmth and power of unconditional love. She can do anything. At 13 months old, she does not realize that she is lacking anything. She does not have to hear someone else say what she should be and do. She sees a world where people smile, make funny faces, and hug and kiss her all the time. Emma certainly lets people know her needs and wants and does it with the most beautiful smile and contagious laugh. continued on page 26

EMMA'S DANCE continued from page 24

Right after Emma was born, someone told her grandmother, “I’m sorry your granddaughter was born disabled,” and her grandmother replied, “There’s nothing to be sorry for; my granddaughter was born exactly the way God wanted her to be – perfect.”

As we grow older, we tend to lose Emma’s freedom. Through the passing of time, many of us have experienced being laughed at, ridiculed, judged. I have heard people say that as a child they did not realize they were different, and different was not good once they went to school, or even worse, when they were pitied. Pity comes from a personal view of loss that we feel compelled to share with others, and so we feel sorry for them.

What would happen if we celebrated gratitude for what we have and built our lives on our strengths, joy and potential? Research shows that our thoughts have the power to shape our brain. The more conscious we are about perceiving the world around us and focus on our experiences as being positive, the more this positive perception spreads. Rick Hanson explains that negative experiences are like “Velcro” and tend to stick in our minds, whereas positive experiences are like

“Teflon” and more readily slip away. We must take control to intentionally work to integrate positive experiences into our brain.

One study estimates that the average child hears the word no or don’t over 148,000 times while growing up, compared with just a few thousand yes messages. Negative words can push the spirit out of a child.

“We are all creative, but by the time we are three or four years old, someone has knocked the creativity out of us. Some people shut up the kids who start to tell stories. Kids dance in their cribs, but someone will insist they sit still. By the time the creative people are ten or twelve, they want to be like everyone else.” Maya Angelo

DID YOU KNOW...

DID YOU KNOW...

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

Emma is now over two years old and has had both cochlear implants put in. She takes a “Music and Me” class on Saturday morning with her grandmother, where she is allowed to dance in the middle of the circle with other children all around her while music is being played. Surrounded with rhythms and textures, she is still dancing and feeling love as part of her natural environment.

You get to choose to allow all children to be like Emma and dance when they cannot hear the music, smile with their whole being, and throw back their head and let the sun shine down on their face. So choose how you intentionally help the little ones in your life enjoy the freedom to be who they were created to be. They were not created to be anyone else’s version of who or what they should be. As you go throughout your day and life, ask yourself this very important question: Who have you helped to dance today?

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Breathing, Sleeping & Thriving!

by Mary Chris Murry

B

reathing, sleeping, and thriving—it’s all connected. But sleep disorders are becoming increasingly recognized as a growing concern for children across the country. Nine out of 10 kids suffer from one or more symptoms including mouth breathing, snoring, bed wetting, delayed growth, nightmares, ADD/ADHD, restless sleep, difficulty in school, overbite/overjet, and crowded teeth, just to name a few. If left untreated, there may be a significant impact on the child’s full growth and development potential.

The central issue for many children suffering from the effects of sleep-related breathing disorders is a compromised airway. When a child’s airway is narrow, underdeveloped, or constricted in any way, the child will struggle to receive enough oxygen and may resort to mouth breathing, which compounds the issue by creating inflammation. Crowded teeth can force the tongue backwards into the throat, further restricting the airway.

Conventional treatment options such as prescription drugs, surgery, braces, and even academic tutors have been limiting and ineffective, mainly because they do not address the core issue. None of them actually promote or develop a child’s airway and help them get the oxygen and sleep they need to be healthy. continued on page 46

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9 Out of 10 Children Suffer from Sleep Disordered Breathing Symptoms EARLY TREATMENT IS CRITICAL. Clinical research has established a connection between certain common childhood health and behavioral symptoms and their root cause — Sleep Disordered Breathing. We believe it is critical to evaluate children’s sleep and breathing habits to identify and treat the core problem, not just the symptom.

Our program has the power to impact your child’s health in so many positive ways, impacting their future health.

We also treat adults for TMJ and facial pain, as well as sleep disorders.

• ADD / ADHD

• Daytime Sleepiness

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• Delayed Growth

• Snoring

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• Thumb Sucking

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• Teeth Grinding

• Overbite / Overjet

• Mouth Breathing • Allergies / Asthma • Nightmares

• Swollen Tonsils

Learn more and schedule a screening today!

(850) 608-1850 • 6757 US Highway 98, Suite 302 • Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Discover the element of surprise Animal Encounters Hands-on Exhibits Spring Break Programs Summer STEAM Workshops SMALLab Learning Makerspace Experience & More ecscience.org | 850-664-1261 31 SW Memorial Pkwy | Fort Walton Beach, FL Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 29

ARMED WITH AWARENESS continued from page 22 PHTHALATES Phthalates are important to note as significant endocrine disruptors.

The list of effects is long: • Altered reproductive development • Early death of testicular cells • Thyroid irregularities • Asthma • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) • Autism spectrum disorders

can also reduce collagen in our skin and cause more wrinkles. Think about how much we spend on anti-aging creams. Many of these creams contain parabens.

90-95% of cancer cases are under our control

Phthalates can also contribute to obesity. Toxins are stored in our fat cells.

Phthalates are often found in fragrance, shampoo, hair spray, laundry detergent, cosmetics, lotion and aftershave. Did you know that chemical companies don’t have to disclose what chemicals are in “fragrance?” They can combine any amount of harmful chemicals and call it “fragrance,” and the FDA does not require them to disclose what’s in there. If this intrigues you, I highly recommend watching the documentary, “STINK.” It’s an eye-opening film that goes into more of these details.

PARABENS When you are reading a product label, you often see methylparaben, ethylparaben, proplyparaben, and butylparaben. Parabens can mimic estrogen and lead to increased risks of cancer and gynecomastia (or “man boobs”). Studies have also shown that when pregnant women use products containing parabens, their children may have a higher likelihood of becoming overweight. Parabens

In addition to creams, Parabens are often found in deodorants, baby lotions, shampoo, blush, fake tanning products, baby powder, foundation, and other cosmetics. The American Chemical Society shares that approximately 85% of health, beauty, and personal care products contain them.

Here is the key thing to remember: these chemicals create bioaccumulation in our bodies. One might think, “Well, I only use my lotion a little bit every morning when I’m getting ready.” In reality, parabens are bioaccumulating in your body every day – and it adds up! It may not result in cancer, but you might be tired and very irritable because you can’t sleep through the night. You will see subtle signs of toxic overload over time.

If you are reading this information for the first time, you might be like me and feel a bit overwhelmed. As I mentioned above, it all starts with awareness and education. I hope you can take some of these facts and begin to feel empowered. Taking small steps and swapping out one product for another makes a big difference. We are the gatekeepers to our homes. No one else is looking out for our family’s safety.

There are some helpful tools that you can use to look up products that you are currently using: Think Dirty app and and www.EWC. org (Environmental Working Group). I’m also happy to help guide you or answer any questions along the way.

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Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 31

FLIGHT

Taking

W

hat does "manufacturing" bring to your mind? Machining and welding, bolting and cutting? In Marianna, FL, all those things are happening and more, but the end result is more exciting than most products! At the Marianna Airport, Safari Helicopter is building a two-seat helicopter kit, literally from the ground up. The fuselage is being welded, parts are being machined, rotor blades are being fabricated, transmissions are being assembled, and all the small parts that make up a helicopter are being prepared for shipment.

Who would have imagined that something so interesting would be happening in Marianna!

Originating in New York state, evolving in northern Canada, and maturing in Marianna, the Safari has been flying since the 1950s. First introduced as a Helicom, then identified as the Commuter, the name was changed to Commuter II with the addition of a second seat. The incorporation of the round "bubble" windshield from the iconic Bell 47 prompted the name Baby Belle. Renamed one last time, the Safari is now known around the world. continued on page 34

by Delane Baker

TAKING FLIGHT continued from page 32 Because the helicopter is designed to be assembled at home, it is classified by the Federal Aviation Administration as an "experimental, amateur-built" aircraft. While some "experimental" aircraft are just that – an experiment – the Safari proudly points to an exceptional record of safety and durability. The team at Safari gladly demonstrates the process of manufacturing to the same high standards as "certified" aircraft.

Rotorcraft enthusiasts from around the world have embraced the Safari to provide them with the thrill and excitement of vertical flight. Intended for personal use, the Safari is a relatively inexpensive way to fulfil the dream held by many – flying in a way that can only be done in a helicopter.

With a continuous program of improvements in materials, quality, and assembly, the Safari has become the standard against which all other experimental class helicopters are measured. Today, it has taken another "giant leap" with the introduction of the Safari 500 model. This new style incorporates the proven drivetrain, controls, and geometry of the well-known Safari 400, with the sleek lines of a carbon fiber fuselage.

Its growth continues as certification of the Safari is explored to allow its use in flight schools around the world. While this is a lengthy

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

process, early evaluation indicates that the Safari is well suited for certification. When complete, sales of the Safari for flight training at commercial schools will even further increase the need for a highly skilled workforce.

The engineers at Safari believe that aviation provides many valuable benefits to our region and to our world. This part of Florida is developing a robust aviation-focused manufacturing sector, providing excellent work opportunities for new or experienced workers. In addition, several community colleges in the region are providing a clear path to the credentials that lead to high level jobs in aircraft repair and maintenance. Other colleges are teaching the latest manufacturing techniques, leading their graduates to specialized fields in aviation and other industries. Local Civil Air Patrol leaders encourage young people to become interested in aviation in its many forms.

Visitors are welcome to the factory to see the helicopters, to judge the quality and care put into the manufacturing process, and to explore their own dreams of vertical flight.

Call 850-482-4141 to schedule your visit, and be sure to take the kids!

10% OFF USE CODE: OTC2020

Easter

IS COMING!

by Cheree Pace Calhoun

I

love springtime. I love how the sun begins to shine a little brighter, how the birds begin to sing their morning melodies, how the azaleas bring vibrant color and sweet aroma to our southern coast. Springtime in Northwest Florida seems to exude its own kind of brilliance, as spring breakers and locals alike swarm the sandy beaches and let the waves wash away the winter blues. The warmth, the beauty, and the fragrance of spring is nothing short of magical—yet the true magic of the season is birthed from the springtime holiday we call “Easter.”

According to Time Magazine, “The English word Easter comes from an older German word for east, which comes from an even older Latin word for dawn. In spring, dawn marks the beginning of days that will outlast the nights, and those dawns erupt in the east.” Did you catch that? Days that will outlast the nights. I like to think that this phrase may be claimed both literally and figuratively. How many of us are ready for days that will outlast our nights?

I look around and take notice of those who have been stuck in a season of long nights—nights that seem too dark, too lonely, too

scary; nights that seem to last forever, with no morning in sight.

These “nights” are spelled cancer, divorce, lay-offs, infertility, infidelity, heartbreak, miscarriage, death, depression, abuse, addiction, loss…hopelessness. Yet, Easter is coming, a season of days lasting longer than nights; a season of rebirth, renewal, revival, and hope is just around the corner.

The Christian holiday, Easter, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those who walked the earth with Jesus, his friends, his family, and his followers, were heartbroken at his crucifixion, death, and burial. It must have been the darkest two nights of their lives, as their hope for a savior seemed to be forever locked away in tomb.

Yet, just around the corner, Easter arrived! The resurrection of their savior brought victory over death and the promise of days that would indeed, forever outlast the night.

May this spring remind you of new beginnings and second chances, and may this Easter fill you, too, with lasting daybreak.

continued on page 38

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

™

FAMILY FEATURES

create a

SWEET

EASTER This Easter, satisfy guests of all ages with festive cupcakes modeled after the Easter bunny.

For more Easter recipes, visit Culinary.net.

Bunny Butt Cupcakes Prep time: 45 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Servings: 24 1 2-layer size white cake mix 1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons, McCormick Pure Lemon Extract, divided 1 tablespoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract 3/4 cup white chocolate chips 2 sticks butter, softened 16 ounces confectioners’ sugar 2 tablespoons milk 10 drops McCormick Green Food Color 1-2 drops McCormick Red Food Color 12 large marshmallows, halved crosswise 3 tablespoons white nonpareil sprinkles Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding 1 tablespoon lemon extract and vanilla. Spoon 3 tablespoons batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake as directed on package for cupcakes.

Cool cupcakes on wire rack.

To make bunny feet: In medium, microwave-safe bowl, microwave white chocolate chips on high 30 seconds. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Spoon into pastry bag or re-sealable plastic bag. Snip small corner from bag. Pipe 24 pairs of bunny feet onto parchment or wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Use toothpick to smooth out bumps or rough edges, and gently tap cookie sheet on counter to help settle. Allow to harden 2 minutes in freezer or 15 minutes in refrigerator.

TREAT Recipe courtesy of Amanda Rettke of “I am baker”

To make frosting: In large bowl, beat butter and remaining lemon extract until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating well after each addition and scraping sides and bottom of bowl frequently. Add milk; beat until light and fluffy. Remove half the frosting and place in medium bowl. Add green food color; mix until evenly blended. Spoon into pastry bag fitted with grass decorating tip. Set aside. Remove half the remaining frosting into small bowl. Add red food color; mix until light pink. Spoon into another pastry bag.

Using pink frosting, pipe three toes and padding on each bunny foot. Once frosting has set (about 1 hour) gently press down on pink frosting to create smoother look.

To assemble cupcakes: Pipe green frosting onto each cupcake in series of short motions to create individual grass spots. Cover top of each cupcake completely.

To make bunny butts: Place cut sides of marshmallow halves onto each frosted cupcake, leaving room for bunny feet. Shape remaining white frosting into dime-sized balls then roll with white sprinkles to cover. Pipe small drop of remaining pink or white frosting onto top of each marshmallow. Press bunny tail on top.

Place both bunny feet against base of marshmallow with toes facing down.

3rd Annual Westonwood Ranch Rodeo Bulls, broncs, cowboys and cowgirls!!! The Professional Cowboy Association’s biggest superstars will perform feats of athleticism during the 3rd Annual Westonwood Ranch Professional Rodeo. Food vendors, children’s Bounce house, entertainers and so much more…It's fun for the whole family, so load'em up and move'em out to see the fun..

Events: Bareback Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Breaka-way Roping, Ladies Barrel racing, Team Roping, Bull Riding each night.

March 27-28, 2020 | Freeport Regional Sports Complex in Hammock Bay Doors open at 6PM with performances starting at 7:30P Admission: $15.00 Adults & $5.00 Kids Tickets will be available for pre-sale & at the door Presented by Westonwood Ranch in partnership with The Walton County Sheriff's Office https://www.westonwood.org/wwr-rodeo-2020

RUN FOR JOY 5K RUN/WALK Join us for the sixth annual Run for Joy 5K Run/Walk benefiting the Ronald McDonald House in precious memory of our daughter, Rebecca Joy. We praise God for her life and want to share the joy that God promises even through sorrow.

Becca was born on April 3, 2014 and was called Home on July 26, 2014. We hope that you and your family will come join us on Saturday, April 11th to help raise money for a charity that has meant so much to many families raising kids with medical issues. The race will be followed by a silent auction and an Easter egg hunt. #RunForJoy REGISTRATION can be done on Active.com at http://www.active.com/niceville-fl/running/run-for-joy-2020 Prizes will be awarded to various race categories. All proceeds will benefit The Ronald McDonald House Charities.

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

38 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine 38 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

REAL PEOPLE. REAL STORIES. Changing the Rules of Engagement

Featured on FOX and Friends - 17 inspiring stories of today’s leading women from the 1st female 4-star, an astronaut and a Congresswoman, to the nation’s 1st female Thunderbird pilot Nicole Malchowski.

My Name Is Old Glory

In this book, Schnauber’s simple but powerful lines read at retirement ceremonies blend with timeless images that capture the courage, strength, and glory embodied in our national treasure.

So Others May Live: CG Rescue Swimmers

is the four-time award-winning book featured on The Weather Channel.

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A portion of the author’s proceeds will be donated to help veterans

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ARE YOU LOOKING TO Build your confidence?

Grow as a leader?

Improve your communication & public speaking skills?

Visit a Toastmasters club – it will change your life.

Visiting a club is the first step in achieving these goals. There are 14 clubs in the Florida Panhandle. Find the nearest club at www.toastmasters.org/Find-aClub. Questions, contact Lou Cumming at louis.s.cumming@gmail.com

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

March 4 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wednesday Night Concert Series Dion Jones & Neon Tears 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180 SRB The Bay Restaurant Beach Bonfire & Music 6pm FREE 850-622-2291 March 5 Destin Beach Bash Music Fest Al’s Beach Club Noon-5pm 850-226-4100 FWB EC Science Center Planetarium Nights: 7-11pm FREE with Entrance 850-664-1261

March 6-8 Seascape Towne Center Tequila & Taco Fest 6-9pm $25-$160 800-874-9106 March 7 FWB 21st Century Oncology Home Tone 5K Walk/Run 8am $30 www.Runsignup.com March 6 Crestview Community Ctr Family Movie Night 6pm Start 7:30pm Movie FREE 850-682-0789 FWB Downtown Street Fest 6-9pm www.shop.downtownfwb.com

March 6-8 Miramar Beach Seascape Tequila & Tacos Fest Fri 6-9pm, Sat 1-5pm, Sun 112pm Prices Vary $25 & Up 800-874-9106

March 7-8 Milton Fairgrounds Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair And Pirate Festival 10-6pm $10 Adults $5 Kids 850-572-1407

FWB Downtown Street Fest Noon-5pm FREE 850-244-8191

March 8 Destin Commons Mac & Cheese Festival 12:30-4pm $25 Adults $10 Kids 5 & Up 850-862-1616

March 7 Destin, FWB, PCB Home Depot Kids Workshop 9am FREE 850-650-4175 OK Island Gulfarium WSRE &PBS Kids Family Day 10-2pm 850-484-1200 Pensacola McGuire’s St Patricks Day Run 9am $35 850-433-6789

FWB EC Science Center Spring Break Workshops 11-4pm Prices Vary 850-664-1261 March 9 Niceville MK Arts Center Pete the Cat Performance 9:45am, 11:30am $8 850-729-6000 March 9, 11, 12 Aly Beach Adventures in Aly & Awkward Oxen 10am FREE 850-231-0733

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

March 9-13 Seaside Amphitheater Go, Dog, Go! 6pm FREE 850-231-0733

March 12-15 PCB Frank Brown Park Cirque Italia Water Circus Gold Thurs, Fri, Sat: 7:30pm Sat & Sun: 1:30pm, 4:40pm $10-$50 www.gold.cirqueitalia.com

March 9-April 17 Seaside Amphitheater Stories by the Sea 3:30pm FREE 850-231-0733

March 13-22 FWB Brooks Bridge Marina Nina Pinta Ship Replica Tours 9-6pm $8.50 Adults, $6.50 Ages 5-16 787-672-2152

March 11 Alys Beach Amphitheater Spring Reels - Inside Out 7:30-9:30pm FREE 850--213-5500

March 14 FWB Run With It Lucky Leprechaun 5K & 10K 8am $30 5K. $35 10K 850-243-1007

FWB TBS Comics D & D Adventure League 5pm FREE 950-244-5441

Sandestin Grand Blvd Framers Market 11-1pm 850-837-3099

Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq Princess & the Pea 6pm FREE 850-231-0733

SRB Topsail Hill Preserve Breakfast with a Ranger 9-10am $5/$3 Suggested Donation 850-267-8330

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wednesday Night Concert Series Boukou Groove 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180

March 15 Destin Grafitis’ Funky Blue Shack Music Concert 6-9pm 850-424-6650

SRB The Bay Restaurant Beach Bonfire & Music 6pm FREE 850-622-2291

Destin HarborWalk Village St Paddy’s Da Family Party Noon-3pm FREE 850-424-0600

March 12 Okaloosa Island EC Convention Ctr Worlds Greatest Baby Shower 5:30pm FREE 850-833-9284

FWB Run With It Get Lucky Half Marathon 7am $75 850-243-1007

Sandestin Village of Baytowne Wharf Bubbly Baytowne 5-7pm 850-267-8117 Seaside REP Theater Live@TheREP Andrew Duhon 7:30pm $30 850-231-0733

March 16 Destin HarborWalk Village Silent Disco Party 7-9pm FREE 850-424-0600 FWB Tijuana Flats Spirit Night AMIkids Emerald Coast 5-9pm 850-3011002 March 16, 18, 19 Aly Beach Adventures in Aly & Awkward Oxen 10am FREE 850-231-0733 continued on page 42

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

continued from page 40 March 16-20 Destin Community Center Spring Break Camp Ages 5-12 9-5pm $80-$90 Week Inc. Lunch 850-424-6415

March 17 Destin McGuire’s St Pattys Day Extravaganza 10:30am 850-650-0000 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf St Pattys’ Day: Paint the Village Green 6-9pm FREE 850-267-8180 March 18 Alys Beach Amphitheater Spring Reels - Finding Dory 7:30-9:30pm FREE 850--213-5500 Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq Princess & the Pea 6pm FREE 850-231-0733 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wednesday Night Concert Series The Shakedown 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180 SRB The Bay Restaurant Beach Bonfire & Music 6pm FREE 850-622-2291 March 19 FWB EC Science Center Planetarium Nights: Norse Mythology 5-8pm FREE with Entrance 850-664-1261 OK. Island Al’s Beach Club Beach Bash Music Fest Noon-5pm 850-226-4100 Ok Island Gulfarium Sunset Camp Ages 6-14 4-9pm 850-243-9046

Okaloosa Island EC Convention Ctr 7 Bridges: Ultimate Eagles Experience 7-9pm $25-$49 850-609-3800 March 21 Eglin Air Force Armament Museum Pinewood Auto Show 9-2pm Entrance Fee 850-882-4062 FWB AJ’s Oyster Shanty Run for the Health of It 5K/8K 8am $25 Adults - $30 Day, $20 18U 850-226-8108 March 22 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Sunday Cinema - Moana 7:15pm FREE 850-267-8180 Watercolor Cerulean Park Art in the Park 9-5pm FREE 888-899-8878 March 23 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Hydroflight Shows 6:30 & 8:30pm FREE 850-267-8180 March 23, 25, 26 Aly Beach Adventures in Aly & Awkward Oxen 10am FREE 850-231-0733 March 24 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Boomin Tuesdays 6-8:30pm FREE 850-267-8180 March 25 Alys Beach Amphitheater Spring Reels - The Lorax 7:30-9:30pm FREE 850-213-5500 Destin Harborwalk Village Princesses & Pirates 4-6pm FREE 850-424-0600

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

FWB TBS Comics D & D Adventure League 5pm FREE 950-244-5441 Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq Princess & the Pea 6pm FREE 850-231-0733 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wednesday Night Concert Series Forrest Williams Band 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180 SRB The Bay Restaurant Beach Bonfire & Music 6pm FREE 850-622-2291 March 26 Niceville MK Arts Center The Choir of Man 7:30pm $37 850-729-6000 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Magical Thursday 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180 Seaside REP Theater My One And Only 7:30pm $30 850-231-0733 March 27 Destin Shoreline Church CVN 80’s Theme Adult Prom 7-11pm $50-$75 850-650-8658 Sandestin Hilton Rocky Bayou Blue & White Gala 6-9pm $150 & Up 850-279-3764 March 27-28 Freeport Regional Sports Complex Hammock Bay Westonwood Ranch Rodeo $15 Adults $5 Kids 6pm Gate Open 7:30pm Show Starts FWB NWFL Fairgrounds A Vintage St. Market Fri 10-5pm, Sat 10-5pm Sun 10-4pm $5 850-543-4579

March 28-29 Monster Jam Pensacola Bay Center Sat 1pm, 7pm. Sun 1pm $18 & Up 850-432-0800 March 28 Crestview Downtown Triple B BBQ Competition 11-5pm FREE Entrance, Food $ Varys 850-810-6722 Destin Barnes & Nobles Macca the Alpaca Storytime 10am FREE 850-837-3243 Freeport E. O. Wilson Biolfilia Center Egg Hunt 9am FREE 850-835-1824 FWB Santa Rosa Mall Women’s Business Expo 12-6pm FREE 850-244-2172 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Vettes in the Village 10-4pm FREE 850-267-8180 Sandestin Hilton The Emerald Ball 6-11pm $150 850-278-6758 March 28-29 Sandestin Hilton Emerald Coast Ball 6-11pm $150 850-267-9500 March 29 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Sunday Cinema - Toy Story 4 7:15pm FREE 850-267-8186 March 30 Aly Beach Adventures in Aly 10am FREE 850-231-0733 Destin HarborWalk Village Silent Disco Party 7-9pm FREE 850-424-0600

Niceville MK Arts Center Welcome Home Concert Broadways Nicolas Ward From Lion King & Frozen 7:30pm $20 Adults $10 Students 850-729-6000

Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq Princess & the Pea 6pm FREE 850-231-0733

April 2 Ok Island Gulfarium Sunset Camp Ages 6-14 4-9pm 850-243-9046

Shalimar UMC Easter Fest 11am FREE 850-651-0721

April 3 FWB Downtown Street Fest 6-9pm www.shop.downtownfwb.com April 4 Destin, FWB & PCB Home Depot Kids Workshops 9am FREE 850-650-4175

April 1 Destin The Henderson Helicopter Drop Egg Hunt 12:30pm FREE 855-741-2777

April 1, 2 Aly Beach Adventures in Aly & Awkward Oxen 10am FREE 850-231-0733

April 4-5 Okaloosa Island Boardwalk Kitty Hawk’s Spring Kite Show 10-4pm FREE 850-796-0102 Okaloosa Island Conf Center 2020 Athletic Championships Prices Vary 850-609-3800

Niceville Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Family Estuary Festival 11-4pm FREE w/Paid Park Admission 850-833-9144 Niceville Mattie Kelly Arts Ctr. Savor The Sound 2pm $10 or $25 a Family 850-729-6000

April 4-6 Destin Commons Outdoor Adventure Expo All Day FREE 850-337-8700 FWB AJ’s on the Bayou Pryor Pirates 5K 8am $20 - $25 850-833-3613

continued on page 44

NWFSC Alumni

Presents

As seen in Broadway’s The Lion King, Frozen, In Transit and On The Town Featuring the Niceville High School Chorus

ll

Monday, March 30 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)

Tickets: $20 Adults $10 for students Stick around for a post show talk back

Call or Click for Tickets: (850) 729-6000 or www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org 1 0 0 C O L L E G E B O U L E VA R D E A S T | N I C E V I L L E , F L 3 2 5 7 8 Northwest Florida State College is committed to equal access/equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment. For additional information, visit www.nwfsc.edu.

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

continued from page 43

April 5 Grayton Beach S. Walton Kids Fishing Tournament Ages 2-14 Noon-4pm $15 - Pre Registration Required NO Walk Ups 407-401-7675 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Sunday Cinema Ralph Breaks the Internet 7:15pm FREE 850-267-8186 Seaside REP Theater Sofia Talvik Live@TheREP 7:30pm $30 850-231-0733 April 6, 8, 9 Aly Beach Adventures in Aly & Awkward Oxen 10am FREE 850-231-0733 April 7 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Boomin Tuesdays 6-8:30pm FREE 850-424-0600 April 8 FWB TBS Comics D & D Adventure League 5pm FREE 950-244-5441 Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq Princess & the Pea 6pm FREE 850-231-0733 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Hydroflight Shows 6:30 & 8:30pm FREE 850-267-8186 April 9 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Magical Thursday 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8186

Sandestin Grand Boulevard Doggie Eggstravaganza 5:30-7:30pm FREE 850-837-3099 April 9-12 Pensacola Bay Center Disney On Ice Mickeys Search Party Times and Price Varys 850-432-0800 April 10 Destin Harborwalk Village Arts & Drafts 6-9pm 850-424-0600 April 10-11 Baker Pro Rodeo Old Spanish Trail Indoor Arena 7:30pm $15 Adults 12 &.Under $10 850-582-1054 April 11 Crestview Twin Hills Park Easter egg Hunt 9am FREE 850-682-0789 Destin Morgans Sports Center Easter Egg Hunt 9am FREE 850-650-1241 Niceville 1st Baptist Church Run for Joy 5K & Egg Hunt 8:30am $20 www.Active.com Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Easter Explosion Noon-3pm FREE 850-267-8186 SRB Topsail Hill Preserve Breakfast with a Ranger 9-10am $5/$3 Suggested Donation 850-267-8330 April 17-19 Ponce De Leon Vortex Springs Songwriters Fest $10 Park Entrance 850-836-4979

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wine Festival Full Weekend of Festivities 850-267-8186

April 18 Crestview Main Street Strawberry Festival 9-3pm FREE 850-810-6722

April 30-May 2 Destin Destin Commons Burning Up the Beaches FREE to SEE 850-376-1037 Miramar Beach New Life Church Live! Women’s Conference 6pm Thurs - 9am Sun $30 850-404-7404

Crestview Old Spanish Trail Amph.

Family Movie Night 6pm Start 7:30pm Movie FREE 850-682-0789 Niceville MK Arts Center An Evening at the Opera 7:30pm $25 850-729-6000

Crestview Stillwell Blvd Farmers Market 7-1pm Tues, Th, Sat FWB Lewis Turner Farmers Market 850-689-5850

Rosemary Beach E. Long Green 30A Cornhole Tournament FWB The Landing 10-3pm Farmers Market www.cornhole30a.com 8-1pm - 2nd & 4th Saturday April 22 FWB Buddist Temple FWB TBS Comics Wat Mongkolratanaram Market D & D Adventure League 9:30-2pm 5pm 850-863-2906 FREE 950-244-5441 Miramar Beach Seascape Farmers Market April 23 1-6pm Tuesdays Destin MKAF Concert 7pm Niceville One 20A Bistro $15 Adult Kids Under 12 FREE Farmers Market 850-650-2226 7-2pm - 1st Saturday Monthly 850-729-2120 Niceville MK Arts Center Dance Facets Niceville Palm Plaza 7:30pm Framers Market $10-$15 9-1pm Saturdays 850-729-6000 April 24-26 Panama City Beach SandJam Music Festival $149 & Up - 3 Days www.SandJamFest.com Sandestin Grand Boulevard Destin Charity Wine Festival Locations, Times and Cost Vary 850-650-3732 April 30 Destin MKAF Concert 7pm $15 Adult Kids Under 12 FREE 850-650-2226

Sandestin Grand Boulevard Farmers Market 9-1pm Saturdays Seaside Central Square Framers Market 9-1pm Saturdays Rosemary Beach Barretts Square Farmers Market 9-1pm Thursdays and Sundays 850-499-4697

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.

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

Join us for the

9th annual

Emerald Coast MudRun for Orphans Register and help us raise over $90,000 for orphan care.

Race day is

MAY 16th

• 10K Competitive Run • 18+ Obstacles • 3 Giant Mud Pits • 5K Fun Runs • 1 Mile Kids Fun Runs • In Niceville

Register at www.emeraldcoastmudrun.com

CAMP LONGLEAF continued from page 14 There is something to be said about those friends, but those are not choice words. Camp Longleaf allows campers to enjoy each other’s company and focus on the fun.

Camp Longleaf’s girls-only camp encourages girls to feel comfortable in their surroundings and move beyond any fears or anxieties that might hold them back. Girls will be able to positively influence each other to try programs that they normally wouldn’t participate in.

Camp Longleaf offers a camp that girls will be able to develop and mature into confident, assertive, young women and to be the best version of themselves while doing so surrounded by nature.

The father/son retreat encompasses a time for dads and their boys to bond, hike, and experience new adventures together. Time together at Camp Longleaf will bring fathers and sons closer together with stories, memories, and camping fun that can only be had at Camp Longleaf.

The advancement of technology along with the growth of your kids - is never going to stop, which we know happens way too quickly. Take advantage of an opportunity to show them what you remember about growing up: being outside with friends, exploring nature, and creating memories.

Camp Longleaf is here to offer unforgettable visual keepsakes for all, and to see the world through one’s own eyes and not a phone.

Please go to www.camplongleaf-fl.org to learn more about Camp Longleaf.

BREATHING, SLEEPING & THRIVING! continued from page 22 “We can’t stress enough the importance of parents recognizing the symptoms,” says Dr. Mike O’Donnell, founder of the TMJ & Sleep Center, Emerald Coast (EC). “It is critical to get help, especially when children are young and their bodies are able to adjust and mold—particularly in the mouth and bone structure.”

Through the use of proprietary, FDA-cleared and non-invasive systems, TMJ & Sleep Center, EC is able to treat the underlying root cause, which consequently resolves the symptoms related to sleep-disordered breathing.

This is a key and unique differentiator. Many patients have chronic health issues that are often seemingly unrelated.

However, in most cases, the symptoms are usually linked to the same underlying cause. When patients are symptom-free, it is unlikely they will experience any relapse as long as they follow the prescribed protocol.

A leading dental practitioner, Dr. O’Donnell, founder of Great Florida Smiles & Orthodontics in 2005, opened TMJ & Sleep Center, EC in early 2019 to bring quality comprehensive treatment of TMJ and sleep disorders to patients in Northwest Florida and surrounding 46 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

area. Dr. Chris Farrugia, also with the practice, began treating sleep disorders at his private dental practice in 2013 and has been diagnosing and treating TMD/TMJ for over 25 years. He joined TMJ & Sleep Center, EC upon its founding.

With their combined training in advanced dentistry, orthodontics, dental sleep medicine, and TMJ/ TMD, they are ideally suited to diagnose and treat the core cause of sleep breathing disorders.

“At the end the day our mission is to educate parents, and help children breathe properly so they can continue to learn, grow, and blossom. They will also develop a beautiful smile,” says Dr. O’Donnell.

TMJ & Sleep Center, EC also treats adults for obstructive sleep apnea, TMJ/head and facial pain. The medical experts offer treatment options that are non-surgical, noninvasive, and an alternative to standard machines like the CPAP that can improve a patient’s quality of life and health.

The state-of-the-art medical facility is located in Santa Rosa Beach and is currently accepting new patients, both children and adults.

Visit www.TMJSleepCenterEC.com to learn more or call (850) 6081850 to schedule an initial screening and consultation.

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