Emerald Coast Magazine February 2013 – March 2013 Issue

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WONDERFUL WEDDINGS 6 lovely couples share their photo albums with us The Emer ald Coast Maga zine

FIRESIDE CHAT David Bromstad's fabulous fireplace makeover tips Haute COFFEE! We spill the beans on what you need to be your own barista!

The Season of Love

We ♥ Emerald Coast weddings, just the right flowers on Valentine’s Day, fabulous fireplaces and … the perfect coffee crema!

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Steven J. Clark M.D., D.M.D. FACS

Bluewater Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Center ASK DR. CLARK

WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE MISSION? Our goal is to make a patient’s experience with us seamless and first class in every aspect. My staff and I are trained to deliver nothing less than exceptional care.

DESCRIBE ANY NEW PROCEDURES OCCURRING IN YOUR PRACTICE. Over the past two years, I have been performing permanent lip augmentation with Permalip implants. This procedure is a great benefit for patients who would like to enhance the size of their lips but do not want the constant maintance of filler injections. Permanent lip augmentation can be performed in our office setting under local anesthesia with very little patient discomfort. Both the upper and lower lips can be enhanced through small incisions inside the corners of the mouth. The lip heals incredibly well, so scarring is not an issue.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE ‘SECRET’OF YOUR MEDICAL SUCCESS? Our reputation for superior results is well known on the Emerald Coast and within the Sacred Heart medical community. Our patient and physician referrals have always kept our office busy. We are pleased to say that word of mouth and reputation are very powerful in this community.

“Word of mouth drives the success of my business.” — Dr. Steven J. Clark

Steven J. Clark M.D., D.M.D.

American Board of Plastic Surgery American Society of Plastic Surgeons American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Over the last 15 years on the Emerald Coast I have built a reputation amongst my patients and those who see me in action every day — operating room nurses and surgeons at Sacred Heart Hospital. This does not come easy! I give 100% to each patient I treat assuring safety, good clinical judgment and meticulous care. If you are considering plastic surgery, I recommend to, “Do your homework, and ask an operating room nurse for their recommendations!”

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BEFORE

AFTER

Permanent Lip Augmentation

YOU CANNOT BUY A REPUTATION!

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

S. BELL, MIRAMAR BEACH, FL “I’ve been singing Dr. Clark’s praises since the day I met him for my consultation. He immediately put me at ease with his professionalism and amazing bedside manner, like I was speaking with a friend, as well as my surgeon. His entire staff was so helpful and courteous. I could not be more pleased with the outcome of my surgery and my experience with Dr. Clark and his staff.”

SUZIE, RED BAY “If you are looking for a first-class, skilled, kind and attentive surgeon with a fabulous staff, you have come to the right place!”

MICHELLE, NAVARRE, FL “I had a wonderful experience at your office. I appreciated Liz for taking the time to answer any questions my husband and I had and Rachael who spent the time to explain financing options to me. I had waited years for my procedure and I’m glad I chose

PLASTIC SURGERY TRAINING University of Chicago

Services Offered

Dr. Clark and his staff to do my breast augmentation. Although it has only been three and half weeks after my surgery, the results are amazing. Thanks again for everything. My husband and I are truly thankful for everything.”

FACE Facelift Mid-Face Lift Endoscopic Brow Lift/Forehead Lift Blepharoplasty/Eyelid Surgery Nose Job/Rhinoplasty Permanent Lip Augmentation Laser Skin Resurfacing Dermabrasion Otoplasty/Ear Reshaping

NORA, NICEVILLE, FL “Dr. Clark, you are definitely in the miracle-working business. I am thrilled with my results and would have my surgery again in a heartbeat. Now I find myself smiling all the time. My confidence has grown. I’ve got a new lease on life. Thank you.”

BODY Breast Augmentation Mastopexy/Breast Lift Breast Reduction Liposuction Tummy Tuck Gynecomastia/Male Breast Reduction Post-Gastric Body Contouring Arm Lift/Brachioplasty Thigh Lift

SUSAN, MARY ESTHER, FL “Dr. Clark is a perfectionist, and that’s exactly what you want in a plastic surgeon. My tummy tuck made me look and feel like a new woman. Aftercare was amazing; kind, caring, gentle staff. Pain was minimal. Scar has faded into thin line and is practically unnoticeable. Guess you can tell I’m thrilled with the results. Thank you Dr. Clark, Liz, and EVERYONE at Bluewater Plastic Surgery.”

LOCATION Miramar Beach Medical Office Building at Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast

SKIN Scar Revision Botox Juvederm Radiesse Skin Care Services (offered by our Medical Aesthetician)

CONTACT 850.267.4582

To learn more about our practice visit BluewaterPlasticSurgery.com

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contents

The Emerald Coast Magazine February + March 2013

Thanks to Dan Bailey at Amavida Coffee and Tea, Daryl and Robert Davis are geared up to enjoy caféquality espresso in their Seaside home.

features 47 Weddings 2013 They said “I Do” on sugarsand beaches, on grand lawns at luxury resorts, sailing on yachts in the bay and in art galleries on 30A.

in the e.c.

17 Snapshot We dip into Tracey Sharp’s saucy side.

18 Chat We are Feelin’ Good about Deborah Merwim’s insight into women’s health.

20 Well-Worded Grayton Beach “breezes” into Michael Lindley’s latest novel.

22 What’s Haute? From your sweetheart to your spouse, this bud’s perfect for you!

24 Scene This is what we’ve seen and heard on the EC. 26 Personality Miss Florida credits the Seaside Neighborhood School and the beautiful beaches of 30A with helping her to snag the crown.

28 Historicity Meet the amazing “mother” of Fort Walton Beach: Liza Jackson.

happenings 31 Spotlight A “Dreamy” Ballet Production.

32 Culture Art Therapy: Sacred Heart’s creative, healing cure.

34 Calendar Celebrate the season of love by attending local concerts, art exhibits, theater productions and festivals.

37 Social Studies Were you there? We were!

Look who was out and about on the EC. Photo by Kansas Pitts Photography

the good life 59 Eudaimonia Artist Don Sawyer is a colorful character.

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A word with You 10 From the Publisher 12 Editor’s Note 15 Contributors 15 Feedback 82 The Last Word

60 Habitat We get cozy with fabulous fireplace makeovers.

63 Gardening Orange you glad you live in the land of citrus?

64 Going Places Luxury, history, beautiful nature await you in Northern Georgia.

68 FYI Dr. Leslie Fleischer shares words from (and for) the heart.

70 Flavor We bring the art of making “real” coffee home to you.

75 Dining Let us guide you to savor the flavors of the Emerald Coast.

77 On the Menu Yes, we love Aegean Restaurant’s Greek waffles so much we want to have a big, fat Greek wedding and marry them!

80 A Taste For … quirky beef jerky!

Follow us @emeraldcoastmag

Like us at facebook.com/emeraldcoast

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Vol. 14, No. 1 February–March 2013 The Emerald Coast Magazine

President/Publisher

Brian E. Rowland

EDITORIAL

Director of Editorial Services Linda Kleindienst Editor Zandra Wolfgram Staff Writer Jason Dehart Contributing Writers Elvin C. Bell, Stacey May Brady, Jason Dehart, Jacqueline Del Rosario, Wendy O. Dixon, Rosanne Dunkelberger, Kathie Farnell, Dr. Leslie Fleischer, Jennifer Howard, Lis King, Elizabeth Kossakowski, Mary Leslie, Mark McLeod, Thomas Monigan, Karina Orr, Audrey Post, Zandra Wolfgram Prepress Specialist Melinda Lanigan

CREATIVE

Creative Director Lawrence Davidson Assistant Creative Director Saige Roberts Senior Graphic Designer Jennifer Ekrut Graphic Designers Lizzie Moore, Laura Patrick, Shruti Shah Designer Extern Sarah Casteel Production Manager/Network Administrator Daniel Vitter Staff Photographer Scott Holstein Contributing Photographers Robert Barton, Aannah Brown, Michelle Castle Photography, Tim Cramer, Ariel Crews Photography, Dede Edwards Photography, Deanna Meredith Photography, Tracy Mulligan, Kay Phelan, Kansas Pitts Photography, Shelly Swanger, Jacqueline Ward, Zandra Wolfgram, Allison Yii

SALES, MARKETING & EVENTS

Director of New Business Daniel Parisi Marketing and Sales Manager McKenzie Burleigh Traffic Coordinator Lisa Sostre Sales Executives Rhonda Chaloupka, Darla Harrison, Tracy Mulligan, Chris St. John Special Projects And Events Manager Caroline Conway Special Projects And Events Coordinator Lynda Belcher

OPERATIONS

Administrative Services Manager Emily Bohnstengel Accounting Specialist Tabby Hamilton Receptionists Kimber Fraley, Phyllis Kennedy, Jazmeen Sule, Mary Elizabeth Bosco

WEB

Emerald Coast Magazine emeraldcoastmagazine.com facebook.com/emeraldcoast Rowland Publishing rowlandpublishing.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

One Year (6 issues) is $30 Call (850) 878-0554 or go online to emeraldcoastmagazine.com Single copies are $3.95 Purchased at Barnes and Noble in Destin and Books-A-Million in Destin and at Sun Plaza in Mary Esther.

2012

#MM10776

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Editorial Office 1932 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL, 32308 Customer Service & Submissions EC Magazine and Rowland Publishing, Inc. are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or artwork. Editorial contributions are welcomed and encouraged but will not be returned. EC Magazine reserves the right to publish any letters to the editor.

Copyright February 2013 Emerald Coast Magazine Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

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from the publisher I Am So Glad It Is Over

I must say that the 2012 election cycle was especially grueling and rather unpleasant. The sheer volume of negative advertising that dominated the airwaves and print media was more than enough to get the average person depressed or angry. Being an eternal optimist, depression is not in my vocabulary, but the relentless barrage stirred up a bit of anger … at both sides of the political spectrum.

Part of my daily homework is to maintain an awareness of what is going on internationally, nationally, regionally and locally. I focus more time on the last two geographic locations because of the nature of my profession and my keen interest in the day-to-day ebb and flow of the political, business and social environment in Northwest Florida.

It deeply saddens me to see such a deep divide between our two major political parties and the level of hate, deceit and polarization that seems to govern how they deal with each other on most every issue. No longer do our government leaders practice the wonderful art of open, honest debate and compromise. How different from the vision of the great minds who wrote our constitution, believing it to be a blueprint that would guide this country on its journey for centuries to come.

I have serious concerns about the country’s future and the long-term health of our free society because of the polarization I now see seeping into the core of American families. I have personally experienced it in my own family, between two people I respect and care for. One person is deeply entrenched in the philosophy of the far right and the other is on the opposite end of the spectrum, the far left.

I have been bombarded from both sides with pure ugly, mean-spirited assault emails — to the point I just can’t even open and read them anymore. I cannot even have a simple discussion with either of them because neither is willing or able to look at or consider another point of view or a different philosophy. And I’m talking about highly educated and successful people who have just made up their minds and choose not to be confused with new facts or perspectives. They have their heads buried in the sand.

This is the same attitude that has infected Washington. It is penetrating our government, our way of life and the economic foundation that our country, our businesses and our personal lives are built on. This causes me great concern for the health, welfare and future of our country and the society we have created. And it is jeopardizing our position — and future — as a global leader.

There was a time not long ago when the world envied America and what we had built over the past 200-plus years. But now I see this admiration slowly beginning to wane as we embarrass ourselves on the world stage — airing our dirty laundry for all to see.

I wrote this column on the eve of the November election, a day that makes America unique and special because it marks a peaceful selection of our country’s leadership. At the time I could not wait for the political sewage to drain off.

Now the country has chosen its leader for the next four years, and I will support him with the optimistic hope that we can move forward. No one should look wistfully back over their shoulders, continuing to play the blame game for the quagmire America has gotten itself into. Everyone should leave their hate bags at the door with the expectation that both sides of the political equation will come together and do the job they were elected to do.

It is time for American leadership and citizens to get America back on a healthy, positive, “can do” track.

on the cover

Our picture perfect cover model bride is Crystal Martin Ritchson. Crystal and Eric were married Aug. 25, 2012 at the Destin Bay House during a wedding celebration designed by Tammy D’Agostino, owner of The Eventful Planner. The bride’s beautiful gown is by Galina from David’s Bridal and her exquisite bouquet was created by Bella Flora on 30A.The happy couple’s dream wedding was captured on film by Kansas Pitts Photography. We wish the Ritchsons every happiness.

— Brian Rowland browland@rowlandpublishing.com

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Photo by Scott Holstein

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625 Grand Boulevard Ste. #101 Sandestin, FL 32550 850-650-2174

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editor’s note

This time of year winter yields to spring, love is in the air and anything seems possible. Most of us are still catching our breath from an exciting holiday season filled with family visits, toasting parties, wining and dining and brightly colored packages tagged with our names under our tree. But not everyone on the Emerald Coast gets to enjoy these feasts and fetes.

The Junior League of the Emerald Coast is one dynamic organization that has not forgotten our most vulnerable: our children in need. Many of you know that EC Magazine hosts the Best of the Emerald Coast reader’s poll awards party each year. This past year we were lucky enough to host the party at Grand Boulevard, which was packed with more than a hundred award winners giving locals a taste or sample of their food, drink and services that earned them the honor. The event is a lot of fun and has become one of the most popular social affairs of the year, but at its core it is a charity event. Proceeds from the evening go to fund the Junior League’s Child Clothing Project. The program has grown and evolved over 34 years.

I was curious to take a closer look and was happy to be invited along as 375 local elementary school-aged kids took part in a special day designed just for them at Target in Mary Esther. As they stepped off their buses, they were greeted by the cheery Junior Leaguers and invited to select a book of their choice, which was personally inscribed with their name.

Once inside the store, they were paired with personal shoppers (a volunteer corps of Junior Leaguers, Target employees, service members and four local high schools’ top student leaders), each holding a huge Target bag and a long shopping list.

As the morning went on, the kids’ smiles grew as did their chatter and excitement level as they meandered the store choosing jackets, shirts, pants, jeans, tops, underwear and socks. For many, it was a first-time experience. With their lists ticked off, they ventured to the special section of the store where only employees get to go for Jets pizza, juice and chocolate-chip cookies. It was good they fueled up, because the day was only beginning. Outside, under a special event tent, the party was just getting started. The kids were VIP guests for educational demonstrations, animal encounters, arts and crafts and sidewalk games — the Mary Esther fire department even gave private tours of their shiny red fire truck and rolling Fire Safety House to mark the occasion.

Choctaw high school senior Tyler Smith’s reaction to the day summed up this very special event: “It’s like we’re actually making a difference.”

On behalf of everyone at EC Magazine, we thank the Junior League of the Emerald Coast and its many generous sponsors for caring enough to make a difference.

— Zandra Wolfgram editor@emeraldcoastmagazine.com

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editor’s picks The heART of the EC We love the art organizations that fill the Emerald Coast. Congratulations to Northwest Florida Ballet Academie on its 10th anniversary and Pensacola Opera on its 30th anniversary. Life is good. Life filled with art is much better!

Time to be Caddy Great wine and great art go together. And since spring on the Emerald Coast means it’s wine season and time to uncork good times, I’m excited to have discovered these creative wine caddy sculptures by H&K Recycled Metal Art. These quirky wine holders are handmade from recycled steel and copper. Each piece is individually bent, cut, welded and brushed, resulting in an original work of art. They range from $29 to $119. Find them at Winecaddys. com. Cheers!

AN OSCAR AWARD-WINNING DEVELOPMENT Pass the popcorn! The “silver screen” is coming to Miramar Beach in “grand” style.

The Montecito 10 cinema opens with a gala event this spring that will raise funds for local charities. To the VIP-style Ovation Club with lush leather seating, wall-to-wall screen and a premium menu for noshing, we say: “And the Oscar goes to … Grand Boulevard at Sandestin!”

If you would like to make a donation to the Child Clothing Project, visit jlec.org.

Photos By Allison Yii (Wolfgram) ANd Courtesy hks4u.com (Wine caddy Sculptures)

Making a Difference by a League

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“

UWF has an outstanding College of Business. My professors were knowledgeable and provided me with the education that I needed to excel in my life. — Megan Wise, Accounting ’09, Accountant at Warren Averett O'Sullivan Creel, Fort Walton Beach

”

Wise received the American Institute of CPAs highly esteemed 2011 Elijah Watt Sells Award for her success on the Uniform CPA Examination.

Each year the University of West Florida graduates proud Argonauts who continue on to receive national recognition for their accomplishments. Megan Wise is passionate about her career in accounting, and widely attributes her career success to the quality education and real world experiences she received at UWF Emerald Coast.

UWF.EDU/EMERALDCOAST

1170 Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 | 850.863.6565 14 February–March 2013 Martin EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

Photos By Scott Holstein (Kossakowski) ANd Courtesy Kelsey Klaus Photography (Orr) and Mike Ewen (Leslie)

contributors

feedback

Elizabeth Kossakowski W R I T E R

Have a thought? Let us know what you think at editor@emeraldcoastmagazine. com, facebook.com/emeraldcoast or through twitter @emeraldcoastmag.

A recent graduate of Florida State University, Elizabeth loves the beach and a good book and hopes to master knitting before the end of this century. As an intern for Rowland Publishing her stories have appeared in both EC and Tallahassee magazines.

▪ Elizabeth’s style shines in spotlights on artist Don Sawyer and entrepreneur Tracey Sharp.

Karina Orr W R I T E R

Moving from a sea of corn in Illinois to a true emerald sea in 2010, Karina enjoys getting to know her new home through writing articles about the people and places that give it personality.

▪ Karina’s Well-Worded story about local novelist Michael Lindley is just that.

Mary Leslie W R I T E R

A native Floridian, award-winning writer, former newspaper reporter, world traveler, salsa dancer and food lover, Mary perhaps masochistically, is pursuing dual master’s degrees from the University of West Florida. Some of her other food-focused profiles have included the Florida governor’s personal chef and Florida’s culinary ambassador.

▪ Mary sweeps us off our feet and into the season of love with her beautiful profile piece on six lucky local couples.

Dear Zandra, I just read and was moved by your column “How to Play Along When Dealt the Cancer Card” in The Last Word (October/November 2012) about your experience with breast cancer. If and when I encounter any kind of a health challenge, I hope I can borrow your voice and copy your song!

I read many articles on many subjects, but this one struck me as fresh and genuine, from a woman who has been through a dark place and come out to shine the light for the rest of us, whether we are the patient or the friend of one. Thank you for sharing.

Best regards,

Michelle Anchors Fort Walton Beach

Dear Zandra, I loved your article. You are an amazing woman.

I am so proud I have had the pleasure of getting to know you.

Ann Rector Santa Rosa Beach

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16 February–March 2013

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in the e.c.

Peopl e + St y le + H y p e

Snapshot

Sassy Salsa

Not all snacks are created equally. Girls Night Salsa (girlsnightsalsa.com) is the unique local line of salsa and seasonings that’s got the Emerald Coast all fired up.

After years of making salsa for girls’ night, Tracey Sharp of Panama City Beach was inspired to create her own line of the spicy treat. Four months and several salsarelated accidents later, she debuted Girls Night Salsa at the 2009 Holly Fair. Today, Sharp’s line can be found on local shelves in more than 38 locations.

Salsa is Sharp’s “favorite food,” and she hopes her products make people “happy, comfortable and satisfied.” Her salsa ranges in heat from Sassy (mild) to Bi Polar (extra hot). You can also pick up a dry seasoning pack for recipes that need an extra kick. All products are gluten and fat free.

What’s next for Sharp? The entrepreneur is shaking up the beverage industry by creating low-sodium drink mixes to add to her line. — Elizabeth Kossakowski

Photo by Scott Holstein

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chat

A Holistic Approach to Feelin’ Good Health Counselor Deborah Merwin blends spiritual and physical practices to help clients achieve wellness

By Jennifer Howard

S

tress, tension, physical and mental disease. Nutritionist and Holistic Health Counselor Deborah Merwin helps clients overcome these health hazards to achieve wellness and an improved quality of life. Owner of Feelin’ Good Health Food Store, along with long-time business partner Ron Nix, the 58-year-old southern California native has been integral in improving lives of customers and clients since 1986 when they opened Destin’s first health food store.

Six years ago, Merwin expanded the shop to include a Wellness Center. Her treatments go well beyond motherly reminders to “eat your veggies” or “take time to smell the roses.”

Employing techniques from ancient healing and modern technology, she guides clients to identify hidden stressors in their lives and recommends steps to relieve the pressure.

Merwin’s calm aura, glowing skin and unhurried focus are perhaps the best illustration of the healthy lifestyle she advocates. When we settled into the comfy chair in her office to learn more about her practice, the eye-catching gold necklace she wore offered yet another clue to her life’s work. The intricate piece was a likeness of Isis, Greek goddess of love, peace and hope — a model of the strong, empowered woman whom she seeks to help other women become.

EC: In 1986, Destin was better known for deep-fried seafood than healthy foods.

Why did you decide to open a health food store?

DM: When we moved to Destin, we really missed having access to nutritional supplements and health foods. We opened the store for ourselves as well as for others.

We felt the Destin area needed a place for other health-conscious people to find the nutritional items they wanted to maintain their health.

EC: It seems nutrition is plagued by food fads. One week, this study says one thing; next week, another study discovers something completely different.

How do you find the right balance?

DM: We listen to feedback from our clients, not studies. It’s worked for us over the years.

Oddly enough, it’s often considered radical thinking to avoid foods without chemicals.

To advocate eating real, fresh and raw foods is sometimes seen as being a heretic of the technology age.

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Photos by Scott Holstein

NICEVILLE

HIGH SCHOOL Home of the Eagles

Organic wine, free of artificial chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and vitamin-rich Goji berry superfood snacks are the kinds of the healthier options stocked on the shelves at Feelin’ Good Health Food Store in Destin.

EC: What do you believe is the biggest threat to our health?

DM: Stress of all kinds. Hidden stressors in our lives sap our wellbeing. Through various techniques, I help people become aware of where the stress is in their lives. They must take this information and follow up with making changes to get rid of the stress.

Class of 2012 earned $10,227,789.00 in scholarships Advanced Studies students earn up to 60 college credits Leading-edge Information Technology Institute Award-winning Performing Arts Programs Winning Athletic Programs recognized statewide Zoning waivers currently available at www.nicevillehighschool.org

EC: Can you share why you have chosen to focus much of your practice on women’s health?

DM: It’s something that’s obviously dear to my heart.

There’s a huge gap in public awareness about how authoritative, empowered and strong women are. Over the last 100 years, we’ve been reclaiming what we have previously been.

I work with women to balance issues such as hormones, PMS, menopause and sleep problems.

EC: How do you share your knowledge with others?

DM: I am also a Universal Life Minister and am always available to help people in times of change and stress. I teach classes for meditation groups and clubs, and I write articles for magazines. When people come in the store, I share information with them. Of course, I do my health counseling and am a spiritual health coach, as well as a certified biofeedback specialist.

EC: What do you do to relax and enjoy life?

DM: I have an organic garden; I don’t eat out. Music is a big part of my life. I’m a singer and songwriter, and I love to dance. I also enjoy reading.

EC: Can you offer our readers one piece of advice that can change their lives?

DM: Become aware of your health and become accountable for it. Take charge of your own health and welfare. Don’t hand it over to medical professionals. The quality of life is priceless. ec

www.nicevillehighschool.org Visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

800 East John Sims Parkway Niceville, FL 32578 850.833.4114 Rodney Nobles, Principal

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well-worded

The Winds of Grayton Stir Up History Snowbird Michael Lindley, inspired by a local village and its history, writes third novel set in Grayton Beach

By Karina Orr

20 February–March 2013

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

An excerpt from “Grayton Winds”: As I sit on the deck of our house along the beach, the curve of cloudless sky stretches to the far horizon with nothing to stop the push of the outgoing tides and winds for a thousand miles. The brilliant white sand and storm-swept live oak nestled through the dunes, give a sense of wild timelessness.

Between lapses where I’ve dozed off for a time, I’ve found the memories of this place coming back to me in rushing swells of joy and regret. I first came to these quiet shores nearly sixty years ago as a young man searching for something new in my life. Behind me were the scars of war and lost love, and bitter memories of a family mired in deceit and corruption.

I close my eyes against the glare of the late morning sun and think back again on all that came to pass in those early years after the first war in France, and the people and events that led me to this little town of Grayton Beach along the northern Gulf Coast of Florida.

Photo by Hannah Brown Photography (Michael Lindley)

Photo By Scott Holstein (“Grayton Winds”)

H

istory has always fascinated Michael Lindley, and for his 50th birthday he was transported back in time to who he had been in college, an aspiring author. He wasn’t given a time machine, but a “wake up call” instead.

“I had started several books back in college, but a career and other pressing responsibilities put that on hold,” Lindley, a 25-year veteran in the marketing and advertising sector, said. “But that magic birthdate got me serious about that again.”

That turning point had him picking up where he left off, a cottage in Michigan that had been in the family for about 100 years. This cottage and the nearby boatyard became the setting for his first published novel, “The Seasons of EmmaLee,” and led readers on a tale of love, betrayal and the social class issues of the early 1900s. The pages enthralled readers, making it a regional bestseller, and it was followed with a sequel, “On Past Horton Creek.”

His latest novel, a departure from his first story line, takes place in Grayton Beach, Fla., more than 1,000 miles away from that cottage, and is aptly named, “Grayton Winds.”

“With my first two books, I started with an interesting place and an interesting history,” said Lindley, now 58. After 20 years of vacationing on 30A with his wife and two children, Grayton fulfilled both of those things, as well as provided better fishing than his home in Michigan, a feat Michael didn’t think was possible.

“I really fell in love with the area and learning about the history,” Lindley said. “The Prohibition era strongly influenced Grayton Beach, and there were legends of gangsters and moonshiners.”

Such tales were spun into Lindley’s story about a World War I veteran who, on his 85th birthday, reminisces about lost loves in France and his escape from an illegal family business of liquor trading in Atlanta during the 1920s. But the winds of Grayton Beach tie it all together.

“Grayton has one of the oldest histories and one of the most interesting,” Lindley said. “The Zoo Gallery used to be an old hotel, and a lot of the scenes in the novel take place there.”

Lindley said he likes to write about places he knows, having lived in France, Atlanta and now Florida part of each year, but the history of the place is his passion.

“There is no such thing as a time machine, but the pages and words can take you back,” Lindley said.

“Grayton Winds” was published in January 2012 and is available for purchase at The Hidden Lantern Bookstore in Rosemary Beach and Sundog Books in Seaside, as well as with online retailers.

The magic of birthday number 50 hasn’t worn off either as Lindley is traveling back to the Civil War in order to set the stage for his next novel. But first take the time to catch up on some reading and local history with “Grayton Winds.” ec

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2012

Author Michael Lindley pictured in storied Grayton Beach, which takes center stage in his newest novel.

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what’s haute This Bud’s For You! When Cupid comes calling, the language of love might be best communicated through floriography — a Victorian-era means of communication in which flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages, giving eloquence to tongue-tied lovers to express feelings which otherwise could not or dare not be spoken aloud.

With Valentine’s Day ranking as the busiest holiday of the year for florists, there is a lot of “flower talk” going on in February. And though spouses make up 46 percent of flower recipients, according to the Society of American Florists there are plenty of other relationships in your life you may like to honor with a bouquet, vase or bud.

Though Destin Floral Designs has been in the floral business for more than 20 years, floral designer Jenny Hemsworth took ownership of the shop just two years ago. This Valentine’s Day, if you wonder which bud is for whom, she offers these flower giving tips to keep your relationships in the pink.

SWEETHEART

“Something cute, such as posies in a hand-held bouquet; anything that is dainty and fun.”

MOTHER

“I give my mother lavender, purple and blue hues, but anything that is elegant and high-end, such as peonies or orchids, is good. Thinking red roses are only for lovers is old-fashioned. They are good for mom, too.”

HUSBAND

“A beer and snack gift basket is good, or a nice bottle of wine. And roses are good. Men like flowers, too.”

WIFE

“Roses are standard, but adding in some tropicals is eye-catching and makes even more of a statement. Red and pink roses are certainly popular choices, but lavender grows in popularity.”

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FRIEND

“Give a bright, cheery mixed vase or orchid plant. If you want to give roses, consider pink, yellow or perhaps two-toned. Giving candy and balloons is an option, too.”

Flower Giving Tips Order early! Give your florist at least a full week’s notice if you can. Also, keep an eye out for coupons, email offers and customer incentives.

Caring for Fresh Flowers Cut ½ to 1 inch off stems. Place stems in warm water right away. Flower food is always good; your order should come with a packet. A very small splash of bleach kills bacteria and keeps flowers fresh. Change the water in your vase daily. Don’t keep flowers in a sunny window. Keep flowers away from heat vents.

BOSS

“A nice gift basket of fresh fruits, cheeses and goodies is appropriate, because your boss can easily share it with everyone in the office.”

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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well worded scene Here are a few things we’ve heard about on the EC scene …

NEW NEWS …

▪ Holiday Inn Resort has broken ground on a beachfront development on Air Force property in Fort Walton Beach. This project is an unprecedented collaboration of regional hotel development powerhouse Innisfree Hotels, DCK International, Poarch Creek Indians, regional credit unions and the United States Air Force.

▪ Shelter House, the domestic violence center serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, has added the Purple Paws Kennel, an on-site pet kennel, to its emergency shelter services.

Destin Commons

▪ Turnberry Associates will add more than 20 new retailers and three new restaurants to its roster of 75 tenants at Destin Commons. The Phase II expansion includes an additional 100,000 square feet of retail space. Completion is slated for mid-2014. The beloved nautical theme soft play area has been a focal point of Destin Commons since its opening in November 2003. Little shoppers are treated to a swashbuckling-themed play area called Pirate Cove Playground.

▪ Laurie Hood, president and founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge, was one of just a few of the representatives from the state of Florida to attend the annual TAFA (Taking Action for Animals) conference in Washington, D.C. The conference brings together seasoned activists and individuals to discuss the latest ideas and tactics needed to take action in the world of animal protection.

▪ The Paddle It Forward fundraiser at the Buddha Lounge organized by local chef Phil McDonald raised $3,561. All of the

24 February–March 2013

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

Holiday Inn Resort

proceeds from McDonald’s fundraising efforts benefit autism awareness and Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA). During the early fall, McDonald participated in the 6th Annual SEA Paddle NYC 26.5 mile elite charity race around the island of Manhattan.

CONGRATULTIONS AND KUDOS …

▪ Jean Woo, D.D.S., Judith Anne Wiseman and Mary Stevenson were inducted into the 2012 Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame.

▪ The Northwest Florida Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association has named Paul Schreiner, managing partner at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, its Person of the Year for 2012. The award recognizes a professional who has made a significant contribution within the field of public relations for the well-being of the community.

Paul and Karen Schreiner

▪ The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County has awarded six Walton County teachers more than $3,000 in teacher mini-grants. The recipients include Bessie Miller of WISE (Walton Initiative for Success in Education) in Ponce de Leon; Patsy Lathinghouse of Maude Saunders Elementary in DeFuniak Springs; Geniece Maricle of Freeport Elementary and Heather Hester of Freeport Elementary.

In addition, Constance Rogers of Butler Elementary was awarded funding for need-based scholarships for children.

Jessica Proffitt

▪ Jessica Proffitt of Proffitt PR hosted a Girls’ Night Out fundraising event that brought 150 local women aboard the Solaris. The event raised $4,682.38 to benefit Sandestin Tennis Center’s 2nd Annual Serve2Cure, which is a breast cancer fund for underserved women at the oncology unit at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.

▪ Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast marked the 5th anniversary of The Family Birth Place with what else … a birthday party celebration. Since it opened in September 2007, more than 3,600 babies have been born at The Family Birth Place.

▪ Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is the proud recipient of the 2012 Convention South Readers’ Choice Award for the third year.

▪ Operation Care of Eglin Air Force Base and Working Warrior Nation donate a wheelchair, valued at $22,000, provided by Michael Van Giesen. Special Operations Command will be shipping the chair to a needy veteran with extreme wounds. Working Warrior Nation also presented a $5,000 check to Operation Care at Eglin Air Force Base. The monies were raised from the South Walton Celebrity Golf Tournament held in November.

▪ Regions Bank was on location last week to film Capt. Steve Wilson and

Photos by Kay Phelan (Paul and Karen Schreiner), Jackie Ward (Jessica Proffitt), Zandra Wolfgram (Buccaneer Pirate Ship Mascot), Goode Green Photography (Chef Howard Porter), Allison Yii (Mark Hodgdon), And courtesy Innisfree Hotels (Holiday Inn REsort REndering) And Turnberry Associates (Destin Commons Rendering)

▪ Dr. Nitin Bawa of Dr. Bawa and Associates announces the opening of a full-service laser center in his clinic. Dr. Bawa has partnered with Cutera, one of the leading laser companies, and has their full line of lasers in order to offer laser vein removal, resurfacing, scar removal, hair removal, photofacials, pore reduction and nail fungus removal.

rench The

the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise for its advertising campaign featuring Regions Bank small business customers. Maritime Chartering, which owns the Buccaneer, is one of only six small businesses within Regions’ 16-state footprint, to be selected for the 2013 campaign.

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▪ Compass Builders of Florida LLC was presented with AURORA awards Buccaneer Pirate in the “Green Building” and “Energy Ship Mascot Efficiency” categories for a home they built in Destin’s Kelly Plantation.

The entry home has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in the 3,050-square-foot floor plan. Company owners Terry and Cathy Jones accepted the awards.

▪ The United States Army recognized Larry Orvis, bureau manager for Visit Pensacola, for his 28 years of military service by inducting him into the Transportation Corps Hall of Fame. Orvis also received the Honorable Order of Saint Christopher, reserved for individuals whose careers embody outstanding achievements in the spirit, dignity and sense of sacrifice and commitment epitomized by Saint Christopher, the Patron Saint of the Transportation Corps.

▪ Salon Twist, owned by Gina Shiflett, was named one of Elle Magazine’s “Top 100 Salons” in the US for 2012, the second year in a row.

▪ Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa was recently awarded the Pinnacle Award from Successful Meetings, the Greens of Distinction and Award of Excellence from Corporate & Incentive Travel and the Best of the South award from Meetings South magazine. The resort was also named one of the “Best Beaches for Families,” by iVillage.com.

▪ WeddingWire, a nationally recognized online wedding resource, recently announced that BE Events is WeddingWire Rated in 2012 in the category of Wedding Planning.

NEW FACES …

▪ Local, award winning Dine By Design Catering, recently announced the hire of Executive Chef Howard Porter from the W Hotel in Washington, D.C.

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▪ Mark Hodgdon has been named general manager of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

▪ Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa announces the appointment of Wendy Valdez as executive meetings manager.

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▪ Barbara Lovell has joined the sales team for NatureWalk at Seagrove.

▪ Kenneth M. Borick, John Finch and Paul Scarpulla have joined the board of the Northwest Florida Ballet. ec

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personality

From Emeralds to Tiaras Former Seaside Resident Laura McKeeman is Miss Florida

By Mark McLeod

26 February–March 2013

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

“When I was in middle school I went to Seaside Neighborhood School, which was an incredible experience,” the beach lover said with a smile. “It was a big part of my education, because it was a charter school, so we had a lot of one-on-one attention. The teachers were great and the curriculum was wonderful. That’s where I actually learned to play the drums and violin. We had the Seaside Neighborhood School Band, and we also had a jazz band. They were able to embrace what children wanted to do and hone in on those skills that were already there. It was really an enriching education, because you don’t really see that in other mainstream schools.”

On to a Bigger Stage The budding performer and her family returned to Atlanta for a short period, and when the family’s business expanded they moved to Orlando. That’s when McKeeman began to take a strong interest in dance. At 16, she made a bold move to study dance in China with the Shanghai Theater Academy for two years while taking online courses through the Florida Virtual School. She returned to the states a disciplined, goal-oriented young lady — and an accomplished dancer. Rather than sign with a professional dance company, McKeeman opted to enroll at the University of Florida and study broadcast journalism.

Deanna Meredith Photography

M

iss Florida spent many of her childhood days splashing in the surf right here on the beaches of 30A. Armed with her drive, focus and good humor, not to mention considerable brains and beauty, 24-year-old Laura McKeeman represented Pinellas County in the Miss Florida pageant in St. Petersburg last July … and won!

The Seaside/Blue Mountain Beach resident, who left her family and friends behind in the United States as a teenager to study dance in China, wasn’t unfamiliar with wearing a royal title. In 2010 she was crowned Miss Suncoast.

The McKeemans moved to the Seaside area from Atlanta in 1999 when Laura was 10 years old. The entire family loved the area. Since Laura’s father was able to manage his new mobile communications company from the beach, a move to their annual vacation destination was a dream come true.

“That’s where I associate my childhood — Seaside, Blue Mountain Beach and Panama City,” McKeeman said. “I think about going to jazz festivals and the white sands. It was just an amazing time.”

The family routine might sound familiar to Emerald Coasters. The kids would go down to the beach after breakfast and enjoy the sun, sugar white sands and surf.

Their mother, Deborah, would have to coax her children, Alex, David and Laura, from the beach for dinner. The beautiful blonde is quick to point out that it was home, acknowledging that she received a terrific education, while enjoying the perks of the beaches.

Laura McKeeman, Miss Florida 2012, has brains, beauty and heartfelt thanks for the childhood memories she made growing up on the Emerald Coast.

Looking for an opportunity to gain journalism skills, she landed an internship at WRUF radio co-hosting a sports talk radio show with other students called, “The Cheap Seats.” Once again, her drive and self-discipline kicked in, and she dove into college football learning all she could about the game.

It paid off as she began writing for Florida fan websites covering recruiting. Informative and popular, McKeeman was offered a job

by Fightin’Gators.com/Fox Sports Interactive covering the Gators football team. One year later, while still a University of Florida student, the budding journalist was hired to co-host pre-game broadcasts for the Tampa Bay Rays. She was again signed to work Rays’ games and added a sideline reporting job with Fox Sports in their Big 10 broadcasts.

Different Kind of Shoulder Pads It was the scholarship funds, not the notoriety, that lured this careerminded college beauty to the stage. Considering it a long shot at best, no one was more surprised than McKeeman when the big moment came. “I never in a million years was thinking that way.

It’s amazing because you’re talking about 42 of the smartest, most talented, well-rounded, beautiful women in the state. I’m thinking, ‘there’s no way that I stand up with these girls,’” the newly crowned queen said.

On the big night in July, five nervous young ladies stood on St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theatre stage in anticipation. Soon, only two finalists stood in the spotlight: Miss University of Central Florida, Alexa Schmidt, and Miss Pinellas County, Laura McKeeman.

McKeeman remembers the moment being at once exciting and tense. “When it was just down to the two of us, I thought, of course she had won. I’m telling her, ‘You’re going to be an amazing Miss Florida. This is so awesome for you.’ And then it was me instead. I thought, ‘Wait a second, do we have a mistake here?’ It happened to be me, but it could have been anybody else.”

Posted on her Facebook page is her favorite quote: “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”

These words were a comfort to McKeeman who grew up feeling self-conscious, as most teens do. She pushed through with equal measures of drive and good humor. And continues to hold Twain’s words close to keep her focused and motivated during her reign.

“Miss Florida is my priority,” our 2013 Miss America representative says. “There is only one year to do this, and I want to make sure that when I look back on this and the people of Florida look back at this, they will say that I devoted myself to this role.”

Her title will demand that she spend considerable hours in preparation for the Miss America contest. The pageant winner says the 10-minute interview portion is “grueling,” because the judges score your every word, action and reaction. For many it’s where they fall short of a chance to wear the crown. The dancer will showcase her talent in a ballet titled, “La Esmeralda,” performed with a tambourine, the same performance that helped earn her the Miss Florida title. And, of course, every reigning queen is expected to make numerous special appearances during the year at events throughout the state. “I want to make sure that I give back to the community as much as possible,” McKeeman said.

The Emerald Coast community, where this beauty started, could not be more proud. ec

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EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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historicity

Liza Jackson Built That

Fort Walton Beach philanthropist left an enduring legacy

I

f there was a baby that needed to be delivered, she was there. If somebody didn’t show up for work at her hotel, she stepped in and did the job. If a soldier’s family needed a house, she made sure it was built. And when the fishing village known as Camp Walton wanted to become a city, she was there to help make it so.

Lizzie May “Liza” Jackson gave her all to Fort Walton Beach, and today a city park and a preparatory school are named in her honor.

But that doesn’t really tell you the whole story behind one remarkable woman’s desire to make a difference in the world around her.

A native of Orangeburg, S.C., Jackson Jackson 1920s was born in 1888, the second of 11 children born to Martin C. “Doc” Edwins and Ida Miller Edwins.

“At an early age (I) started helping with the younger children, tending them and teaching them their lessons and seeing that they were properly dressed for church and school,” said Jackson in a biographical sketch she wrote for newspaper usage in 1950, when she was 62. She died in 1970 at the age of 82.

Summing up a lifetime of achievement in two pages of singlespaced typewritten pages, Jackson said she spent her early years attending business school and then working as a secretary.

“Attended summer Normal at Orangeburg College, now extinct. That fall taught school for six months. After school term expired, (I) returned to Orangeburg and enrolled in Orangeburg Business College, taking a secretarial course,” she wrote. “Graduated and served as secretary to the head master of the Business College for three months. Then accepted a better paying job with the law firm of Glaze & Herbert, Orangeburg, S.C.” Jackson left that company when she married lumber businessman William B. Harbeson in 1907. The couple lived in Mississippi and began raising a family. Here, her two children were born but apparently she had more on her plate, as her biographical sketch mentions, helping to rear and educate five stepchildren as well. This was also the time she began to take an active interest in civic duty, and she said she “entered into the church and social

Miramar Hotel circa 1920s or ’30s

28 February–March 2013

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and civic life of this sawmill community.

(I) ran a large house with three servants, and horses, cows and chickens, flower and vegetable gardens. (My) husband was a lumberman and was in the sawmill business. He too was a very busy and successful man.”

The family moved to DeFuniak Springs in 1914, and once again she “entered into the social, church and civic life of the community.” While her husband managed a bustling sawmill, Jackson herself studied music, sang in the church choir and was elected vice-president of the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs. She financed the remodeling of the DeFuniak Springs Woman’s Club and helped her husband remodel the old Chataqua Hotel, which Harbeson had bought and renamed the Walton Hotel. She worked as an “emergency manager and pinch hitter” at this hotel, meaning, when an employee didn’t show up for work or quit, she pitched in and got the job done. In an interview for the Pensacola News-Journal in 1969, Jackson told a reporter, “I was always a pinch hitter. If a man quit, I had to take over.”

This wasn’t the only hotel she owned. According to her obituary in the News-Journal, Jackson and her husband owned and operated a chain of hotels in Tallahassee, DeFuniak Springs, Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola.

In 1915 Jackson and her husband started spending weekends and summers at Camp Walton and bought a home there as a “summer and fishing residence.” In 1922, Harbeson bought the San Carlos Hotel (in Pensacola) and added it to their chain of hotels, which included the Walton Hotel in DeFuniak Springs, and the Leon and Cherokee Hotels in Tallahassee. That same year they bought the Brooks Hotel in Camp Walton and renamed it the Harbeson-Miramar Hotel. After living in Pensacola for 10 years and being a frequent visitor to Camp Walton, Jackson moved there permanently in 1932.

Though she was a world traveler, Jackson loved Okaloosa County, and when she came here she saw to it that the needs of the fishing community were met. Noticing there were no doctors around, she financed the building of a public health clinic (which she noted was planned, equipped and built by Frieda Caldwell).

She also founded the first Woman’s Club, served as its president in 1938, and was involved in organizing and incorporating the town of Fort Walton Beach.

“She was really involved in the birth of the city of Fort Walton Beach and was community-minded,” said her great-granddaughter Terri Roberts, chief executive officer of Liza Jackson Preparatory School, which Roberts founded and named in Jackson’s honor.

Before the village was incorporated, the members of the Woman’s Club were the ones who got things done. They were the only “law” in town until the city council was founded, and met often to

Photo By Scott Holstein (Liza Jackson Park) and courtesy of Liz McCartney

By Jason Dehart

a Cat with a Hat taught them This and That?

Liza Jackson Park

discuss what the community needAt top: Liza Jackson, who founded the Gulf Area ed and how to meet those needs.

Garden Club, tends to her They hired a constable to keep aniterrace garden. Above: Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton mals off the street, enforced sanitaBeach carries the namesake tion at the local butcher shop and of the town’s most indelible helped foster construction of the female founding figure. highway we know today as U.S. 98.

During World War II, Jackson was an active volunteer in the United Service Organization (USO) and the Red Cross. In 1944, she built Miramar Homes for soldiers’ families, an endeavor that was unusual for a woman of that time.

“She was a building contractor in the ’40s, and for the time, it was one of the first commercial women’s ventures,” Roberts said.

Jackson served on the town council, managed a clothing and gift shop, helped organize and build Grace Community Chapel, donated the land for St. Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church and helped organize Fort Walton Bank in 1948. In 1949, she donated land for a community center and little league stadium and helped organize the Gulf Area Garden Club. As president of the garden club she planted 500 palm trees on Main Street. She also helped organize the Fort Walton Beach Free Public Library and was its president for three years. She also held the honor of Woman of the Year for the Gulf Area from 1955 to 1958.

“I’m really proud of my great-grandmother,” Roberts said. ec

Cat in the Hat © 1957, 1985 Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Portfolio Entertainment Inc and Collingwood O’Hare Productions Ltd.

What if

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30 February–March 2013

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happenings Events + Culture + Causes

spotlight

A ‘Dreamy’ Ballet

Spring on the Emerald Coast blossoms with the Northwest Florida Ballet’s world premier of William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” You’ll be endeared to mischievous Puck, who leads the way through a magical forest in this whimsical ballet about the romantic misadventures of a set of mortal lovers and the King and Queen of the Fairies. This spritely ballet production is set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn and choreographer Katia Garza of the Orlando Ballet. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” has been a favorite with audiences since its first staging in 1962. Performances will be held at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 10 at 2:30 p.m.

— Zandra Wolfgram

Photo by Robert Barton

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culture

The Art of Healing

“H

i, I’m Rita Stuck, and this is the Art Cart.” Hospital patient Chris Hughes looks up to see a brightly-colored cart loaded with art supplies trundling into his room. Stuck, a volunteer at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, clears off Hughes’ bed tray. She points to the cart’s supply of canvas and acrylic paints. “Want to try painting?”

Hughes looks doubtful. “I don’t know how to paint.”

Stuck smiles. “That’s okay. I’ll help you.”

A hospital stay is not ordinarily thought of as a cultural experience. However, a new program at Sacred Heart Hospital is bringing music and art to patients, visitors and the entire community. Funding for the Miramar Beach hospital’s Arts in Medicine program will be used to compensate artists who perform at the hospital, helping incorporate the arts into the health facility’s daily routine.

The Art Cart, staffed by volunteers, is another way to make art part of the hospital stay. Patients and visitors alike can help themselves to the cart’s paints, clay, crayons and simple musical instruments.

The cart even includes props — objects which can be arranged into a still life — and art books to inspire the patient. Rita Stuck gets Chris Hughes started on his own art project by putting a few strokes on canvas.

Encouraged, Hughes joins in. “Oh,” he says, looking surprised. “I can do this.”

Stuck, a photographer herself, is used to patients who are reluctant to believe they can make art. “I try to put them at ease by talking with them while they work. I get them comfortable with the thought that they can do something. Or I can leave a

32 February–March 2013

By Kathie Farnell

packet of supplies with them and check on them later.”

Sarah Bailey, Sacred Heart’s marketing coordinator, says that Arts in Medicine is a valuable new tool to enhance patient health. “As people come to our hospital, we want them to have a positive experience, so any activity we can provide to aid recovery is important.”

She notes that the program is grounded in science. “Studies show that certain types of music can actually lower blood pressure and heart rate, regulate breathing, lower cholesterol and reduce stress and anxiety.”

Under the program, Sinfonia Gulf Coast will send musicians to perform in the hospital while the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County will assist by opening its portfolio of painters, sculptors and other artists who are interested in lending their talents to the program.

The Arts in Medicine program is part of the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine’s initiative to use arts to improve health care in rural communities throughout Florida. Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast was one of only five facilities in the state to receive funding for the program through the State of Florida Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment of the Arts and the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine.

Although the program is a relatively recent addition to Sacred Heart, Sharon Abele, the hospital’s volunteer services manager, notes that art therapy has a proven track record.

Back in the 1980s the University of Florida began studying the benefits to patients of adding arts to the hospital experience. The university started an arts therapy program in the 1990s with Shands Hospital. Since then,

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

they have worked not only to expand their own program but to offer these programs to other hospitals, helping them get funding to establish arts programs.

Arts Organizations Participate The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County plays a major role in helping Sacred Heart reach out to area artists says Jennifer Steele, the Alliance’s executive director. “We have a large database of artists who are either members of the Alliance or who benefit from it.

We sent out a ‘Call to Artists’ to attend a meeting with hospital staff at our Bayou Arts Center, and we were very pleased with the response.” The Alliance works with all sorts of artists, Steele says. “Everything from basket makers to storytellers, but we’re finding our biggest response for the Arts in Medicine program is coming from the visual artists — painters and sculptors.”

Abele says that the hospital’s collaboration with the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County is key to bringing more artists into the program. “We went and met with a roomful of artists, and we’re also getting the word out through email. We’re talking with a lot of different artists, including puppeteers and storytellers, because we know people respond to art in different ways.”

Arts in Medicine has also provided funds for the hospital to partner with Sinfonia Gulf Coast, which sends musicians to perform in areas throughout the facility. Music director and conductor Demetrius Fuller says the partnership is a natural fit for Sinfonia. “I’ve always thought that bringing the arts to the community through whatever outlet is important.” How did the collaboration start? “It landed in our lap,” he says,

Photo by scott Holstein

Partnerships Boost Innovative Therapy Program

when Sherry Londe, who is a Sinfonia board member as well as a member of the hospital’s Arts in Medicine Committee, brought the idea to his attention.

The partnership premiered in June 2012 with the dedication of the hospital’s Cancer Center. Since then, Sinfonia has expanded its musical programs beyond the Cancer Center, and now musicians perform at various locations throughout the hospital, including waiting areas.

Performances take place once or twice a month, but Fuller says he would like to offer music at least three times monthly. “We’ve gotten emails from hospital patrons who were thrilled that they could listen to music while receiving chemotherapy. We want to continue bringing in Sinfonia musicians, and we want to help make the program sustainable.”

Entire Community Benefits Bailey says that Arts in Medicine is not just designed for patients. “Beyond inpatients and their families, we want to benefit outpatients, visitors and our staff. We also plan to

combine arts activities with existing outpatient services, like the cancer support groups which meet in the hospital.”

Steele is excited about the program’s potential to help artists as well as the community at large. “The program can benefit artists along with hospital patients, staff and visitors. It also helps us get the word out about how the Alliance works to put the community in a better place to support the arts.”

Abele says the program will help improve the quality of life in the community.

“About half the hospitals in the United States offer some form of arts therapy. It’s moodchanging. Transforming a hospital stay to include some form of exposure to art has been shown to quicken recovery times. We recognize that it’s not enough to heal the body. Art helps us heal the soul.”

Chris Hughes looks up from the canvas he has completed. “That looks sort of like a fish,” says Stuck, pointing to one colorful image. Hughes studies it closely. “You know, it does,” he says. He smiles. “You have made my day. I didn’t know I could paint like this.” ec

Rita Stuck brings the Art Cart stockpiled with paints, paper and plenty of healing hope to Chris Hughes’s bedside at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.

How You Can Help

Members of the community who want to offer support to Arts in Medicine through donations or input will soon be able to visit a website which is in development.

Meanwhile, artists interested in participating in the program and anyone wanting to offer support may contact Sharon Abele directly at sabele@shhpens.org or (850) 278-3081.

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thecalendar february + march

+events

Emerald Coast Cattle Barons’ Ball 2013 March 16 You can help give cancer the boot at the 6th Annual Emerald Coast Cattle Barons’ Ball on Saturday, March 16 at 6 p.m. in Linkside’s “Urban Cowboy Honky Tonk & Dance Hall” at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. With a casual Western theme, the high-energy event will feature live entertainment

by The Modern Eldorados, country line dancing, live and silent auctions, and gaming. Fancy vittles will be served up by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Fleming’s Steak House, The Eventful Planner, SunQuest Cruise’s Solaris and Another Broken Egg Café. Appetizers and desserts will be prepared by Dine By Design, Everything’s Candy and Karaboo Bakery.

The Ball will benefit the American Cancer Society by raising funds for cancer research, advocacy, education and patient services.

+music

Sinfonia Gala Event: Bond & Beyond March 23 “From Sinfonia with love!” is the gala evening of the season on March 23 at 7:30 p.m.

The Orchestra, led by guest conductor Michael Krajewski, celebrates its seventh season (007) and the golden anniversary of the world’s favorite spy, performing the music that made the Bond films famous at the Emerald Coast Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach.

Songstress Debbie Gravitte, who won a Tony Award for her role as the featured actress in Jerome Robbins’ “Broadway,” joins the orchestra to perform Bond favorites such as “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Secret Agent Man,” “Goldfinger” and more. This performance will definitely be a “shaken, not stirred” experience.

Tickets are $125 and are available online at sinfoniagulfcoast.org.

34 February–March 2013

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Photos by Kay Phelan (Cattle Baron) And courtesy Sinfonia Gulf Coast (Sinfonia Gala Event), Seaside Marathon (Half Marathon & 5K)

For more information contact Kay Phelan at (850) 376-1551, or email inquiries to kayphelan@earthlink.net.

Compiled by Zandra Wolfgram For more events in the EC, visit emeraldcoastmagazine.com.

Fridays throughout the year

Downtown Art Walk Stroll Fort Walton Beach’s historic district and visit merchants from participating shops and restaurants while enjoying art demonstrations, live music, complimentary refreshments and special discounts. FREE. Downtown Fort Walton Beach. 5:30–8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Tara Wesley at (850) 226-7763.

Feb. 1

Succession Planning: Building Sustainable Organizations Today’s successful businesses have a succession plan. Learn strategies to help you strengthen your small business or nonprofit. $80. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Nice ville. 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

Feb. 1

Tasting of Champions Sample more than 600 wines including medal winners in 60 categories and enjoy gourmet delights from various restaurants. All proceeds benefit the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation. $50. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Coral Ballroom, 4000 Sandestin Blvd. South, Miramar Beach. 6–8 p.m. (850) 650-3732, dcwaf.org

Feb. 1–28 Kick up your heels to the sounds of The Modern Eldorados at the 2013 Emerald Coast Cattle Barons’ Ball party.

Arts & Design Society Window Art Exhibit Come view the works of Toni Dineen, watercolor artist specializing in sea and beach creatures, on display in the studio windows of the Art Center. FREE. Art Center, 17 First St., Fort Walton Beach. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

+events

11th Annual Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K March 3 Get ready, set, run to help benefit The Seaside School.

The race weekend will kick off on Friday, March 1 with An Evening for Education Under the Stars at the Caliza Pool in Alys Beach. An expo of exhibits and sponsors follows on Saturday and the weekend culminates on Sunday with the 11th annual half marathon at 7 a.m. and 5K run at 7:30 a.m. along scenic 30A on Sunday, March 3. Proceeds from the event benefit the school.

The Seaside School, which opened in 1996, serves students in sixth through ninth grade with a vision to expand to elementary and high school grade levels. In 2011, the Seaside School earned a high performing charter school status rating from the Florida Department of Education. Along with its high performing status, the Seaside School is ranked third among 583 middle schools in the state of Florida.

For more information on the race, visit seasideschoolhalfmarathon.com. You can also find them on Facebook. At press time the race was sold out, but spectators are welcome to come out and support the event, which is free and open to the public.

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thecalendar Feb. 1–28

Carol Dickson Art Exhibit Dickson is a watercolor artist and a basket weaver who has been weaving baskets of reed, pine needles and vines for more than 30 years. FREE. Coastal Branch Library, 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach.

Mon 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Tues–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (850) 267-2809

Feb. 1–March 31

Junior Tennis Quick Start Program at Sandestin Sandestin has created the highest quality junior tennis camps that range from USTA QuickStart Tennis (beginners ages 5 to 10), to high school tournament players as well as future collegiate athletes. Tuesdays and Thursdays are for children ages 5–8. Mondays and Wednesdays for ages 8–10. $10 for locals/members. Email your child’s name, age and desired clinic dates to juniortennis@sandestin.com. Sandestin Tennis Center, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy. West, Miramar Beach. Mon–Thu, 4–5 p.m.

(850) 267-7060, sandestin.com/tennis

Feb. 2

‘In the Mood: A 1940s Musical Revue’ The brassy big band sounds will take you back to one of America’s greatest musical generations — the 1940s. $35. Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 7:30 p.m. (850) 729-6000, mattiekellyartscenter.org

Feb. 2–March 31

Mixed Doubles Round Robins Round robin tennis tournaments held on Saturdays and Sundays for all levels include balls, drinks, prizes and court time. $30 per person. Registration required. Sandestin Tennis Center, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy.

West, Miramar Beach. Sat 10 a.m.–noon, Sun 9–11 a.m. (850) 267-7060, sandestin.com/tennis

Feb. 4–8

Arts & Design Society School Show This special show features the art of the Liza Jackson Preparatory School elementary students. FREE. Art Center, 17 First St., S.E., Fort Walton Beach.

Gallery hours: Tues–Fri, Noon–4 p.m.; Sat, 1–4 p.m. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

Feb. 7

Interpersonal Relationship Skills Do you have strong and healthy relationships at home, work and with the people around you? Learn how to become an authentic person, resolve conflict and more. $80. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

Feb. 8

John Maxwell Leadership Training Seminar The author of “Everyone Communicates Few Connect” will present on the art and skill of connecting, finding common ground with others and more. $140. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

Feb. 8–10

54th Annual Beaux Arts Exhibition In partnership with the Arts & Design Society, the Westwood Retirement Community hosts this exhibition, featuring a host of the Emerald Coast’s area’s fine artists. FREE. 1001 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach. Reception on Sun, 2–4 p.m. (850) 582-1329, artsdesignsociety.org

Feb. 9

HarborWalk Village 5th Annual Mardi Gras Parade Enjoy dazzling floats, colorful costumes, street performers and float riders tossing handfuls of beads! Stay and enjoy live music on the Main Stage after the parade. Proceeds benefit Destin Harvest. FREE. HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd. Destin. Parade rolls at 2 p.m. (850) 424-0600, emeraldgrande.com 36 February–March 2013

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

socialstudies Seeing Red Wine Festival Nov. 3, 2012. The 22nd annual tasting event enticed wine lovers in record numbers to this Taste of the Beach event to sip wine, nibble treats and hear music — all within the stunning backdrop of lovely Seaside. Photos

by Zandra Wolfgram

Scott and Cindi Cobine

Sara Snedal and Jamie Muscato

Phil Houston and Carol Tanner

Wendy Estes, Lisa Dovak and Miranda Long

Serve2Cure Oct. 6, 2012. Sandestin Tennis along with staff, volunteers, resort guests and locals hit the courts to raise more than $24,000 for Sacred Heart Hospital and its program to help those in need with breast cancer. Photos by Tim Cramer and Allison Yii

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thecalendar Feb. 10

Mardi Gras Dog Parade Join Sandestin for the 10th annual Mardi Gras dog parade. The streets will be filled with costumed dogs and their humans tossing a myriad of throws, beads and parade favors. FREE. The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Miramar Beach. 2 p.m.

(850) 267-8117, baytownewharf.com

We’ve Got Your Back Non-Operative Spine Care | Operative | Interventional

Drs. Poelstra and Team specialize in the spine care you need.

Make an appointment today.

(850) 460-2350 Destin • Fort Walton Beach

Feb. 10

Winter Guest Concert Series All winter guests and locals are invited to HarborWalk Village to enjoy a free concert on the Destin Harbor, the last in our Winter Concert Series. FREE. HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd., Destin. 2–4 p.m. (850) 424-0600, emeraldgrande.com

Feb. 11–13

Jef Raasch Sculpture Workshop Three-day workshop conducted by Milwaukee artist Jef Raasch, known for his work using animals and the human form as his models. This is a repeat engagement; this time, the subject is elephants. $220 for Arts & Design Society members, $255 for non-members, plus a $15 supply (clay and firing) fee. A deposit of $110 is required upon registration. Art Center, 17 First St., S.E., Fort Walton Beach. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

Feb. 11–March 1

Arts & Design Society Permanent Collection Show This show will highlight the Arts and Design Society’s Permanent Collection. FREE. Art Center, 17 First St., S.E., Fort Walton Beach.

Opening reception on Friday, Feb. 15, 6–8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tues–Fri, Noon–4 p.m.; Sat, 1–4 p.m. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

Feb. 12

Fat Tuesday Baytowne Bash Parade Laissez les bon temps rouler at the 11th annual Fat Tuesday parade rolling through Sandestin. The post-parade celebration continues into the night with street performers, “throws” tossed from balconies on Main Street and parties at various Baytowne establishments. FREE. The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Miramar Beach. 5 p.m. (850) 267-8117, baytownewharf.com

Feb. 14

Winter Guest Fest ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals hosts a tradeshow-style event to welcome guests from Northern climes to the area. $1. Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach. 8 a.m.– noon. fwbchamber.org

Feb. 15

Dealing with Difficult People Seminar David Schjott gives you strategies to handle real-world scenarios when confronting a difficult situations. $80. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

Feb. 15

‘Women of Ireland’ Ireland’s traditions of music, song and dance come to the stage in an innovative and exciting concert production. $35. Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 7:30 p.m. (850) 729-6000, mattiekellyartscenter.org

Feb. 15­–16

Amernet String Quartet presented by Sinfonia Gulf Coast Lauded for their “intelligence” and “immensely satisfying” playing by the New York Times, The Amernet String Quartet is one of the most acclaimed ensembles of its generation and has been praised for its ravishing sound and commitment since its inception. $42.50, Rosemary Beach Town Hall, 7:30 p.m. sinfoniagulfcoast.org 38 February–March 2013

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socialstudies

Sinfonia Dec. 14, 2012. Sinfonia Gulf Coast brought the excitement of Broadway to the Emerald Coast when award-winning performers Gary Mauer and Christiane Noll belted holiday tunes at Destiny Worship Center, putting everyone in good spirits. Photos by Kay Phelan

Gary Mauer and Christiane Noll

Savor the Season Nov. 8, 2012. Wine lovers sipped and savored gourmet delights while mingling around the Alys Beach Caliza pool deck in support of the Taylor Haugen Foundation.

The spirited event raised more than $50,000 for the Youth Equipment for Sports Safety (YESS) program and other Foundation activities. Photos by Tracy Mulligan

Heidi McAnulla and Anna Reese Brian and Kathy Haugen

Vickie Stokes and Melissa Dailey

Stan Payne and John Womack EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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thecalendar Feb. 15–18

Silver Sands Premium Outlets Presidents’ Day Sale Check out the annual Presidents’ Day Sale at Silver Sands Premium Outlets for extra discounts on top of the center’s regular savings of 25 percent to 65 percent every day. FREE. Silver Sands Premium Outlets, 10562 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Destin. Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (850) 654-9771, premiumoutlets.com/silversands

Feb. 16

The Sandestin Gumbo Festival and Cook-off Please your palate while restaurants and businesses vie for the title of “Area’s Best” gumbo. Cast your vote while enjoying great food, live Zydeco music and family entertainment. $20. The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy. West, Miramar Beach.

Noon–4 p.m. (866) 912-3224, sandestin.com/gumbo

Exceptional Quality of Care Proudly Serving All Rehab Needs of the Emerald Coast Offering Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Long Term Care and Assisted Living Services

Feb. 21

Generational Diversity Dr. David Goetsch presents a seminar for executives, supervisors and team leaders who struggle to obtain peak performance from the “megeneration.” $80. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 8:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

Feb. 22

138 Sandestin Lane Miramar Beach, FL 32550

Equipping Your Team for Success Learn best practices for teamwork and conflict management in order to become an effective team builder and leader. $120. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

Adjacent to Sacred Heart Hospital of the Emerald Coast

850-267-2887 www.gulfcoasthealthcare.com

Feb. 22–23 ap

po Boo int k m yo en ur to nli ne

Joye Moon Watercolor Workshop The nationally recognized watercolorist returns to present three new art projects on each of the three days of this popular watercolor workshop, using landscape, flora and abstraction for subject matter. $235 for Arts & Design Society members, $260 for nonmembers. A deposit of $110 is required upon registration. Students provide own supplies. Art Center, 17 First St., S.E., Fort Walton Beach. 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m., daily.

(850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

Feb. 27

Arts & Design Society Artist Luncheon Local artist Tish Griffin will present a workshop on decorated gourds. $12.

Reservations due Feb. 25. Art Center, 17 First St., S.E., Fort Walton Beach.

11:30 a.m. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

Feb. 28

Bringing Order Out of Meeting Chaos Learn how to use parliamentary procedures to run and participate in effective meetings. $40. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

8:30–10:30 a.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

March 1–31

Arts & Design Society Window Art Exhibit Come view the works of Artist Joan Kordich, who specializes in watercolor, oil, and pastel, on display in the studio windows of the Art Center. FREE. Art Center, 17 First St., Fort Walton Beach. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

March 1-31

625 Harbor Blvd, Suite 1, Destin, FL 32541 850.650.4247 (HAIR) Online booking through www.cestlavie-salon.com 40 February–March 2013

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Suzanne LeLoup West Art Exhibit On display are a collection of whimsical acrylics on wood and canvas.

FREE. Coastal Branch Library, 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach.

Mon 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Tues–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (850) 267-2809 2013 Top Salon

March 4–15

Van Porter Art Show The Arts & Design Society presents a special exhibit showcasing the art of

socialstudies Destin Festival of the Arts Oct. 28, 2012. Henderson Beach State Park was a beautiful backdrop for Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s 17th annual art festival weekend that featured the talents of hundreds of artists from all over the United States along with live music, a beach bistro and kids’ art station. Photos by Kay Phelan

Best in Show sculpture by Lonnie Rich

Judy and Ron Goodfellow

Marcia and Dale Hull

Judy Dewar

Clint Viehman with his girls

Cathy Lawrence, Bill and Stacy Barrett EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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thecalendar Okaloosa County high school students. FREE. Art Center, 17 First St., Fort Walton Beach. Opening reception Thu, Mar 7 5–7 p.m.

Gallery hours: Tues–Fri, Noon–4 p.m.; Sat, 1–4 p.m. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

March 5

Multi-Chamber Expo For the sixth year, the chambers of commerce in Okaloosa County are partnering to bring their members the biggest marketing and networking opportunity around — The Multi-Chamber Business Expo & Taste of Okaloosa County. FREE. Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach. (850) 244-8191, fwbchamber.org

March 7

Performance Appraisals Learn how to improve employee performance and productivity through establishing effective performance appraisal techniques throughout the year. $40. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 8:30– 10:30 a.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

March 9–10 If you’re not a fan of our

EMERALD COAST MAGAZINE

Facebook page, you’re missing a lot

2,500 + FANS (and counting)

facebook.com/emeraldcoast

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Mischievous Puck leads the way through the magical forest in this whimsical ballet based on William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy. The dancing is set to the music of Felix Mendelssohn and choreographed by Orlando Ballet’s Katia Garza. Also on the program is the stunning ballet “Afterglow,” choreographed by artistic director Todd Eric Allen with music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. $28 for adults, $14 children, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 100 E. College Blvd., Niceville.

Sat at 7:30 p.m. Sun at 2:30 p.m. (850) 729-6000, nwfballet.org

March 14

Arty s e i t r a P

Every Party is an or orig original! g

Abrakadoodle can customize arty parties to any theme you and your child can think of!

De-coding Motivational DNA Susan Young shares her six key elements at the heart of human motivation to ignite your employees to better performances. $80.

Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

March 14–15

Water Media with Mary The Arts & Design Society presents a two-day workshop by mixed media artist Mary McShane. The class will focus on figures using water-based media on paper or canvas and incorporated collage. $130. Art Center, 17 First St., S.E., Fort Walton Beach. 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

March 15

Creating a Website Heidi Gentry-Kolen guides you through an overview of conception, design, development, deployment and maintenance of a business website. $175. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. 8:30– 4:30 p.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

March 15 & 17 Face Painting Now Available!

Erin Bakker Educational Director 850.424.5058 ebakker@abrakadoodle.com www.facebook.com/abrakadoodleNWF Visit our website for a complete listing of art classes near you! www.abrakadoodle.com/fl07 42 February–March 2013

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‘Tosca’ Pensacola Opera celebrates its 30th anniversary with this beautiful production Giacomo Puccini’s masterful work. The fiery passion of Rome is the fitting backdrop for Puccini’s masterful melodrama of political intrigue and double-crossing. $30–$110. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox Place, Pensacola. Fri at 7:30 p.m. Sun at 2 p.m.

(850) 433-6737, pensacolaopera.com

March 16

5th Annual Irish Street Fest & Grogg March Wee ones can enjoy Irish music, dance and games throughout the day.

After dark, “Sham-Rock” throughout HarborWalk Village, where each venue will entertain with music and games. FREE. HarborWalk Village, 10 Harbor Blvd. Destin. Noon. (850) 424-0600, emeraldgrande.com

Introducing Joeseph Ribkoff

March 17

St. Patty’s Day Delight Celebrate the luck of the Irish at this festive event. Henri’s Notions will provide traditional Celtic music in the events plaza from 6–9 p.m.

Come enjoy jubilant entertainment and celebrate St. Patty’s Day Village-style. FREE. The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Miramar Beach. 6 p.m. (850) 267-8117, baytownewharf.com

March 19–April 26

Black & White Art Show The Arts & Design Society presents a visually dramatic art show that features art in all media, all in black and white. FREE. Art Center, 17 First St., Fort Walton Beach. Opening reception Fri, March 22 6–8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tues–Fri, Noon–4 p.m.; Sat, 1–4 p.m.

(850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

March 21

Learning to Become a Person of Influence Author, speaker and leadership guru John Maxwell instructs on how you can increase your personal impact on others by becoming a person of influence. $80. Costa Leadership Institute at Northwest Florida State College, Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Register online at nwfsc.edu/LI or call (850) 729-6880.

March 22–23

Purses with Purpose This fashionable auction event features a Friday night VIP party with first pick of items, food, drinks and door prizes and a discount sale on Saturday morning. New and lightly used designer handbags will be auctioned. All procceds benefit Shelter House. FREE for guests, $5 for VIPs. Silver Sands Premium Outlets, 10562 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Destin. Fri 6–8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (850) 654-9771 premiumoutlets. com/silversands

March 27

Arts & Design Society Artist Luncheon Artist Brenda Stokes of Navarre, a potter and owner of Holley Hill Pottery, will present a talk on pottery with information about the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society, which promotes and preserves traditional wood-fired pottery techniques. $12. Reservations are due March 25.

Art Center, 17 First St., S.E., Fort Walton Beach. 11:30 a.m. (850) 244-1271, artsdesignsociety.org

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING

March 30

Easter Explosion Skip, hop or jump your way to The Village of Baytowne Wharf for an explosion of fun and enjoy visits with the Easter Bunny, kid’s crafts, Inflatable Fun Zone, balloons, face painting and more. FREE. The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Miramar Beach. Noon–3 p.m. (850) 267-8117, sandestin.com/events

SAVE THESE DATES!

April 18–21, 2013

Sandestin Wine Festival Meet celebrity chef Paula Deen at this wine and food celebration featuring domestic and imported wines at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Tickets for events are from $38-$195. Purchase tickets online at sandestinwinefestival.com

April 25–28, 2013

South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival The Emerald Coast is now home to another great wine event at a grand location. Sip and savor 800 wines, savor gourmet delights and mingle with celebrity winemakers at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.

Event admission ranges from $30–$150. For more information, visit sowalwine.com ec

850.837.5565 Located Across From The Destin Commons, Next to Publix

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PRESENTING SPONSOR: BLUEWATER PLASTIC SURGERY The 2nd Annual Top Salon of the Emerald Coast event was a huge success! Ten of the Emerald Coast’s favorite salons selected one model to represent them in a makeover and runway competition in order to win the title of Emerald Coast’s Top Salon! Congratulations to As You Like It Salon and Spa and their charity of choice Horizons of Okaloosa County. Horizons of Okaloosa will receive a percentage of the proceeds and a $5,000 media sponsorship package from Emerald Coast Magazine. As You Like it Salon and Spa also won a $10,000 advertising package from Emerald Coast Magazine.

Thank you to our sponsors who fully supported this event. Bluewater Plastic Surgery, our presenting sponsor, and their talented team not only helped make this event possible, but they also provided complimentary facials and Botox to each model who participated.

Winning Salon: As You Like It Salon And Spa Winning Model: Lori Bennett Winning Charity: Horizons of Okaloosa County PRESENTING SPONSOR

SPONSORED BY

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2012 Top Salon of the Emerald Coast Event:

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1. The very prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Zandra Wolfgram by McKenzie Burleigh and Rhonda Chaloupka.

2. Each of the models started their strut by striking a shadowy pose, heightening the anticipation of the “big reveal.”

3. Delectable delights were served throughout the event, with attendees enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres.

4. The newly revealed, fully transformed models strut their stuff in front of the crowd at the end of the runway competition.

5. Thank you to our incredibly knowledgeable judges, Emcee and Emerald Coast editor: Daniel Lewis, Carrie McNeil, Dr. Steve Clark, Ron Faircloth, Marsha Doll and Zandra Wolfram.

Please visit the Emerald Coast Magazine Facebook page to see the before and after photos of the 10 models, and more photos from the event.

Photos by Shelly Swanger

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Weddings 2013

Photo by Kansas Pitts Photography

the

big

day

Six couples reminisce about their magical Emerald Coast wedding

By Mary Leslie

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

February–March 2013 47

Rustic Whimsy

Rachel+Gabe

June 16, 2012 — Amid the mismatched picture frames, rustic twine, hearty burlap and handmade wood carvings — effortlessly uniting the whimsical and the classical, Rachel and Gabe Reagan were joined in matrimony at their tailor-made wedding on Grayton Beach, which was followed by a reception at Weatherall Fine Art Gallery.

“We never once doubted our decision to have our wedding at Weatherall,” said Rachel of the gallery setting. “We were in love with the venue, it was amazing, sparkly, whimsical and intimate — everything I wanted!”

The couple’s guest book was a hand-carved wooden box made by Rachel’s grandfather, and guests placed personal notes to the newlyweds inside. The bride, her sister and her father crafted some of her favorite pieces from the wedding — the groom’s and groomsmen’s boutonnières — out of wood and carved the couple’s initials, “G+R,” into them.

Outfitted in a custom Casablanca Couture gown, the bride exchanged vows with Gabe, who, instead of simply writing his vows on a piece of paper, had his groomsman pass him a slip of rolled-up paper tucked inside a bottle, for him to pull out and read to her.

Wedding planner: Heather Weatherall and Rachel Chrisman Cake: Sweet for Sirten Gown designer: Casablanca Couture Groom’s wardrobe: J.Crew Photographer: Kansas Pitts Photography & Design Wedding venue: Grayton Beach Reception venue: Weatherall Fine Art Gallery Flowers: Destin Floral Designs Invitations: fineanddandypaperie Officiant: Pastor Randy Greene of Good News United Methodist Church Entertainment: Michelle Adams of Sand and Strings 48 February–March 2013

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

Starlight Delight

Amber+Ben

May 26, 2012 — Pensacola

natives Amber and Ben Gordon wanted an evening where their friends and loved ones could relax and enjoy the beach, the sunset, the food and wine, the music and, of course, the great company. In a gown by Ella and a linen suit from downtown Pensacola’s Don Alans, the pair opted for a Pensacola Beach wedding at sunset, followed by a reception at the Lee House Bed & Breakfast Inn. “Do your homework and know your vendors,” said Amber. “If you select the right caterers, wedding planner and florist, for example, you can relax and have confidence that your guests will enjoy themselves. Hire a good wedding planner. Don’t let the details overwhelm you.”

Event planner: Megan K. Events Wedding planner: Megan K. Events Cake: Marcia Margarita Gown designer: Ella Groom’s wardrobe: Don Alans Hair: 10th Avenue Hair Designs Makeup: Skin Beauty Boutique Photographer: Dede Edwards Photography Wedding venue: Pensacola Beach Reception venue: Lee House Bed & Breakfast Inn Flowers: Fiore of Pensacola Invitations: Nancy’s Haute Affairs Décor: Fiore of Pensacola and Megan K Events Officiant: Pastor Jack Kale of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church Entertainment: Prime Time Entertainment EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

February–March 2013 49

Country Chic

Monique+Seth

June 23, 2012 — Seth and Monique Wagner boarded The Solaris at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin to tie the knot and then took to the open seas with their closest friends and family to celebrate. The groom, an Army flight medic, and his bride, a bank service advisor, selected a dinner cruise aboard the 125-foot luxury yacht — a wedding that was planned, set up and decorated by their close friends and family while Seth was deployed to Afghanistan for a year.

Monique, a Crestview native, said she really appreciated the help from everyone in making her wedding so special and that it wouldn’t have had the beauty that it did without them.

“We wanted a very casual, comfortable wedding, nothing too big,” Monique said of the self-described laid-back couple. “We had about 75 close family and friends attend.”

She recommends brides try letting their bridal party and family do everything and even to be a little selfish, which she said is just fine on their big day.

Event planner: Kristy Jenkins Adkinson Wedding planner: Shelli Brown, Monique Wagner and Jordan Brown Cake: Lolo’s Cakes & Sweets Gown designer: Maggie Sottero Groom’s wardrobe: Calvin Klein Photographer: Ariel Crews Photography Wedding venue: The Solaris at Baytowne Marina Reception venue: The Solaris yacht Flowers: Uniquely Created Interior & Floral Designs Invitations: VistaPrint Officiant: Capt. Steve Isaacs 50 February–March 2013

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Floral Fanfare

Heather+Dwayne

April 9, 2011 — As professional event

planners, Heather Cleveland and Dwayne Johnson knew their wedding décor and food would be very important to them, so they opted to marry at their workplace, the Grand Lawn and Azalea Ballroom at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, where they could run the show and where their out-of-town guests could enjoy the lush landscaping and blossoming flowers that they get to enjoy year round.

They outfitted the Azalea Ballroom with accents of pink and green for the reception and provided a bountiful bevy of succulent seafood and other tasty delights for their guests.

“We really wanted to showcase how naturally beautiful Sandestin is and highlight how delicious the flavors of the Gulf Coast can be,” said Heather.

“We worked with Sandestin’s chef on custom menus that represented fresh, Gulf seafood options and bold, rich flavors, then finished the evening with a key lime wedding cake.”

Wedding planners: Heather Cleveland and Dwayne Johnson Cake: Pastry Chef Yascha Becker Gown designer: Allure Bridals Groom’s wardrobe: Simply Elegant Bridal Hair: Tricia Hisky of Fusion Spa Salon Makeup: Tricia Hisky of Fusion Spa Salon Photographer: Allison Yii Wedding venue: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Reception venue: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Flowers: Emerald Coast Flowers & Gifts Décor: Rebecca Scozzafave of Showtime Events Officiant: Pastor Randy Greene of Good News United Methodist Church Entertainment: The Tip Tops EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

February–March 2013 51

Plush Pageantry

Leslie+Tim

June 30, 2012 — High-school sweethearts

Tim and Leslie Horst held their wedding ceremony on Carillon Beach, complete with a military sword arch and a special appearance by their beloved dog, Dexter. The couple was creative and incorporated several do-ityourself projects for their wedding, including placecards made out of luggage tags that had each guest’s name and “destination” on them.

The pair also hired an oyster shucker to split shells for their guests at the reception.

Leslie found Carillon Beach online through a photographer’s website, but as soon as she saw the beaches and Market Street, she knew it was “the one.”

“I couldn’t stop staring at the pictures and was tearing up at the thought of using the beach walkover and soft sand for my aisle,” she said. “When we got to the resort, the tears started flowing again, as it was more beautiful than the pictures even made it seem.

Everything is perfectly manicured; the houses are all bright, Florida colors; and the beaches are some of the most incredible I’ve ever seen … It’s one of the most important spots in the world to us.”

Wedding planner: Carillon Beach Weddings Cake: Cakes by Tanis Gown designer: Jordan Fashions Groom’s wardrobe: U.S. Marine Corps summer dress blues Hair: Indulgence Salon Makeup: Indulgence Salon Photographer: Michelle Castle Photography Wedding venue: Carillon Beach Reception venue: Carillon Beach Resort’s Resort Pool Flowers: Fisher’s Flowers Invitations: I Do Bliss Décor: Fisher’s Flowers Officiant: Michael Young of Chapel at the Beach Entertainment: Gulf Talent Services and Emerald County Line

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Street lights, big dreams

Jessica+Daniel

Oct. 1, 2011 — Panhandle native Daniel Fox engaged his Texan love, Jessica, in the Big Apple, but returned to Florida, more specifically the Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, to tie the knot on the Emerald Coast.

Daniel, the owner of Santa Rosa Beach’s Fox Delivery, proposed to then-New Yorker Jessica at the famous tree in Rockefeller Center, so New York City served as the central theme of the “semiJewish wedding” — complete with a New York skyline cake. The couple — outfitted in a La Sposa wedding gown and a Perry Ellis suit — married beneath a traditional chuppah marriage canopy surrounded by purple and white calla lilies.

“I left New York City to get married to my amazing husband, and we decided to start our lives here due to his wonderful business and the stress-free environment the beach has to offer,” said Jessica of her apple-to-orange decision.

“Enjoy every moment, and have no worries because it all goes by way too fast!”

Event planner: Kerri Maney of Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort Wedding planner: Kimberly Bartoli of Elegant Beginnings Cake: Cakes by Tanis Gown designer: La Sposa Groom’s wardrobe: Perry Ellis Hair: Amber Gately Makeup: Amber Gately Photographer: Jacqueline Ward Wedding venue: Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort Reception venue: Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort Invitations: Mike Lasry of NYC Wedding Invitations EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

February–March 2013 53

Weddings 2013

7

Sure Signs That You’ve Found the ‘Right’

Marriage Mate

By Jacqueline Del Rosario

You’ve invested a lot of time, effort and emotional energy in your relationship. Things are good, and you think you’ve found “the one” — that marriage-worthy person you’re prepared to spend the rest of your life with for better or for worse. But, before you say “I do” to a life-long commitment, first determine if you and your mate are compatible in key areas proven to foster happy, healthy marriages that go the distance. This simple checklist will help you analyze the relationship hand you’ve been dealt so you can hold ’em or fold ’em.

1

You are like-minded. While you don’t have to be exactly the same (let’s face it, that would be boring), you do need to have congruent core morals and values. After all, how can two people travel together, and enjoy the journey, unless they are heading in the same direction and agree on how they will get there?

2

Your temperament balances one another. If you are the Yin to your mate’s Yang or vice versa, you will better your chances of achieving a harmonious relationship. But, bear in mind these differing character traits should serve to create a well-rounded whole relationship. Beware if your respective tendencies are just too different to ever make the puzzle pieces fit.

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Weddings 2013

3

You are both committed to do the work. The Beatles got it wrong – love is NOT all you need. Effort and work is necessary to cultivate a strong and satisfying relationship for the long term. Rewards rarely come by just “phoning it in”; rather, dividends are realized when you work hard at something with forethought, intention and resolve.

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You are able to speak your partner’s “love language.”

In a marriage, each partner has their own “love language” — those romantic, sexual and emotional needs that make each individual feel fulfilled. Is your mate taking the time to learn and speak your love language, and are you interested in speaking theirs — or is such emotional gratification already being lost in translation?

5

You are able to work together to resolve problems. Marital life is filled with bumps, twists and turns, so having a partner that works well with you to work through conflict minimizes the stress on the relationship. The key is to be true to yourself while learning when and how to compromise so that you can effectively work through problems without one or the other feeling resentful. If this isn’t possible now, take pause.

6

You are attracted to them.

Do you remember that initial spark between the two of you? There is a special chemistry that is electrifying when there is a true physical attraction. Every fire will burn itself out if not fueled, so assess if the flames are being stoked now well before the wedding day.

7

KANSAS PITTS PHOTOGRAPHY

You genuinely like who your partner is as a person. A relationship must be based upon a solid friendship that can stand the test of time. Do you genuinely enjoy each other’s company and prefer to spend time together rather than alone or with others? You should like the person as much as you love them. Respect, admiration and honor are enduring traits that remain even as passion ebbs and flows over time.

DestinBayHouse.com | 850.259.3490 | destinbayweddings@gmail.com

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“America’s Marriage Doctor” Jacqueline Del Rosario is a published author and president/CEO of Recapturing the Vision International, an organization dedicated to promoting healthy marriages and family strengthening.

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February–March 2013 57

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The SOLARIS…

more than just another pretty boat

D

ocked in the picturesque Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, SunQuest Cruise’s SOLARIS is an impressive 125 foot, 3-deck, 5,200 sq. ft. luxury yacht providing premier dining, entertainment and wedding events since 2004. Just add a beautiful bride and a handsome groom, and it’s the wedding experience of a lifetime.

The professional staff at SunQuest Cruises is all hands on deck providing event planners, chefs and servers to take care of the bride-to-be’s every need down to the last detail, from planning through implementation of the big day. The ship’s Captain can even be the officiate to marry the couple on the sky deck overlooking the beautiful Choctahatchee Bay. Some say it’s the superb, chef-prepared gourmet food, cooked on-board, that completes the experience.

From hors d’oeuvres and main entrees to desserts, Coastal Cuisine with Southern and French influence is demonstrated with dishes such as Shrimp & Grits and Percillade Crusted fresh Gulf fish of the day topped with a Beurre Blanc Sauce.

Presenting rich mahogany interior features, a full service bar, sky deck, private bridal suite, sweeping views and friendly staff, a wedding experience aboard the SOLARIS is the ultimate experience for the bride and groom, as well as their family and guests. SunQuest Cruises offers a variety of rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony and reception options that can accommodate any budget with up to 150 guests.

Handling in excess of 100 weddings a year, the awards keep rolling in for the SOLARIS. For the fourth consecutive year, SunQuest Cruises has received the prestigious honor of being named The Knot’s Top Wedding Venue in North Florida. As well, the readers of Emerald Coast Magazine voted SunQuest Cruises as the Best Wedding Venue for two years running.

SunQuest Cruises offers public dinner dance cruises year round, is available by reservation to host special events, weddings, private parties, receptions and corporate events. For further information, visit www.SunQuestCruises.com, their Facebook page or call (850) 650-2519. www.SunQuestCruises.com

58 February–March 2013

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“The ship was gorgeous and the food was excellent, as was the staff ’s attention to detail.

Everything from the sunset wedding ceremony to the food, keeping the drink glasses filled and the wonderful music, made our wedding aboard the SOLARIS absolutely perfect.

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the good life Food + Travel + Hea lth + Home

eudaimonia*

A Horse of a Different Color

Don Sawyer has combined two of his passions with a move and a splash of paint. The Destin artist has opened a new gallery with an art school on the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Beach Drive.

A Marine veteran and former real estate company owner, Sawyer sold his first painting in 1994.

“I was hooked,” he says. Today he is a full-time artist whose unique style makes his pieces instantly recognizable. “It’s representational art, expressionism, simply expressing what you want to convey in color.” Sawyer works with acrylic paint to depict coastal life in bold, brilliant hues.

The artist’s new 3,000 square-foot gallery features 300 paintings and an art school housed in the artist’s studio. The added space gives Sawyer room to teach classes — something he’s always wanted to do. Each student will complete three paintings in three days, regardless of any prior experience. “I can teach anybody how to paint,” he claims. “It’s a matter of knowing where to start.” How good do you get after you leave? Now that’s a horse of an entirely different color.

Visit Sawyer at 707 Harbor Boulevard from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Elizabeth Kossakowski

*happiness is ...

Photo by Scott Holstein

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habitat

New Flames A fireplace makeover is exciting and needn’t be a messy, expensive project By Lis King

Paint, an easy solution Porter and Harkins say that many homeowners presume that fireplace remodeling will be so messy and budget-busting that they don’t even bother to look into the options.

“That’s a shame,” says Porter. “Upgrading a fireplace can be as simple as painting it. For 60 February–March 2013

example, if you have one of those massive stone or brick fireplaces of the 1970s, an effective, inexpensive solution is painting it the same color as the wall, or a slight variation of that color. This is also a good solution for fireplace mantels that have little or no architectural interest. You’re literally camouflaging with paint. Then the fabulous art or mirror placed above the mantel will be the visual interest.”

Harkins of Design Avenue, an award-winning design firm, adds stain to the equation.

“A wooden fireplace mantel or surround easily spruces up with a fresh coat of paint or stain,” she says. “A faux finish is a good look without construction issues.”

In fact, painting an old brick fireplace is so common that a new type of fireplace paint has been formulated. It provides a fresh new look but retains the texture of brick.

Surround Strategies Making over the fireplace surround can provide a great new look without too much hassle. Ceramic tile offers options from traditional to contemporary. You can go all the way from handmade Craftsman styles to sleek porcelain tiles that mimic the most popular stone varieties. Ashley Harkins’ particular favorites are the many decorative small tile designs that we often use for

Before

kitchen backsplashes or as accents in a bath.

Glass tile is an exciting option, and as with ceramic tile, the biggest problem is the huge selection of designs. Think colors from vanilla and sea foam to purple and black and finishes like metallic or iridescent.

Worth considering: Glass tiles are very easy to clean and are less likely to crack than ceramic tile. And while many tile choices will refract light, iridescent tiles trump them when it comes to drama. Think mother of pearl to imagine the effect.

Marble and granite surrounds up the budgetary ante, but these materials are classics, timely and timeless. However, pre-made panels of thin-cut stone are available at home improvement stores. They are budgetfriendly, yet create a luxurious custom look.

Mantel Modes Lots of attention goes to the mantel, that shelf above the fireplace, and no wonder. It’s at eye level and it’s where we place treasured objects, hang the Christmas stockings, and, just above it, install the flat-screen television. Sometimes the mantel is just that, a shelf mounted on the wall, and David Bromstad loves to dramatize it.

“To update a traditional fireplace, I make the mantel over-sized,” he tells. “And then

After

Above: Felicia Bassham warmed up her Navarre home by bringing nature inside. Her fireplace went from ho-hum to haute with seashell-encrusted surround. Opposite: Whether wood, stone, brick, metal or some other material, the mantel is a mini stage to artfully showcase your favorite treasures.

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com

Photos Courtesy Felicia BAssham (BEfore and After) and David Bromstad (Bromstad)

s

urprise, surprise. Floridians love their fireplaces even more than folks in the coldest states. In fact, Florida ranks third in the nation for its number of fireplaces. So tells Wayne Paul, owner of Bay Breeze Patio, a Destin purveyor of gas fire pits and logs.

Both he and David Bromstad, host of one of HGTV’s top design shows, “Color Splash,” find this perfectly natural.

“We don’t have the high-quality heating systems they have up North,” explains Paul.

“So why not have a fireplace for those rare chilly nights?”

“Most Floridians are Northern transplants,” adds Bromstad. “They love the romance and coziness of a fireplace, so they make sure they have one, even if they don’t need it very often.”

“A fireplace also ranks high for resale value,” says Paul, quoting the National Association of Realtors, which notes that a fireplace can up a home’s value by 12 percent.”

But Destin interior designers Kelly Porter and Ashley Harkins are quick to point out that many fireplaces don’t live up to their design potential. They say that a fireplace ought to be the beautiful focal point of any room, but too often it’s boring, outdated or marred by chipped bricks, ugly paneling, a stained hearth or years of accumulated soot.

The remedy is a makeover, and the good news is that this needn’t be a terribly daunting or expensive project.

According to the Heating, Patio & Barbecue Association, a fireplace makeover can be done for between $200 to $2,000, but if you choose custom components or go for a complete tear-out that requires masonry work, the cost could run into five figures.

‘‘

Most Floridians are Northern transplants.

They love the romance and coziness of a fireplace, so they make sure they have one, even if they don’t need it very often.”

— David Bromstad of HGTV's "Color Splash"

I always design the fireplace so it’s floor-toceiling. This makes it even more the feature of the room: gorgeous and in charge of the space. I often encounter boring old brick fireplaces in my work, and I’ve brought them into the here and now by stacking reclaimed wood or flagstone horizontally from bottom to top. Recently, I made over another one of those no-identity fireplaces with metallic tile from floor to ceiling. Instant gorgeousness.”

Designer Rosanne Painter-Mass of the Tamarind Group in Miramar Beach, also loves dramatic fireplace design. Antique reclaimed cypress doors found in New Orleans were incorporated in one of her most unusual designs and, as a nod to the Emerald Coast, she often customizes fireplace mantels made of shells or coral stone.

Such mantels are the specialty of Felicia

Bassham of Navarre. She haunts Emerald Coast beaches for shells to use in her designs which are sold at Smith’s Antiques in Destin.

Each mantel is different and totally unique.

Traditional mantels are usually a shelf with side sections that frame the fireplace opening. You can buy a wide variety of stock designs made of wood or stone from home improvement stores, and there are even mantels manufactured from man-made materials. Paint them or stain them, and it’s hard to tell them from the real thing. Mantels from old houses can often be found at antique shops and auctions.

The Extras So what goes on the mantel? Bromstad likes a large piece of art flanked by a couple of small lamps, and Ashley Harkins warns not to

put items that are too short on a mantel.

“Since a mantel is usually 5 to 6 feet tall, using accessories with some height is a good idea,” she explains. “Of course, if the TV is above the mantel that adds a little wrinkle.

Sometimes a long tray or bowl sitting under the TV is the best bet.”

And what’s inside your fireplace? If it’s a gas fireplace, you probably have logs that please you enormously because they look so real.

However, a more glamorous and contemporary solution involves river or glass rocks or even coal so real even your poker isn’t sure.

Finally, go looking for great fireplace tools.

There’s a set from Denmark so minimalist it looks like a line drawing on the wall, brushed stainless steel tools with wood handles, and a four-piece iron set that includes a hollow rod that functions as a bellow. ec

EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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Post, ey r d Au

gardening

Yes, You Can Grow Citrus in North Florida

Photo by Scott Holstein

With a Cold-Hardy Cultivar and Care When it’s Freezing, a Fruit-full Tree is Possible Q: We’d like to plant some citrus trees in our yard, but I don’t know whether they’ll do well in North Florida. What do you recommend?

In North Florida, the hard freezes of the 1980s killed many backyard citrus trees, particularly in December 1989 when a low of 12 degrees was recorded at an agricultural research center in Monticello.

Luckily, agricultural colleges at universities across the South, especially the University of Florida and Louisiana State University, kept busy developing new cultivars that can handle colder temperatures. So yes, you can plant citrus here. But not all types of citrus will thrive.

Citrus experts in both the industry and academia recommend planting trees that have been grafted onto trifoliate orange, or sour orange, rootstock in areas north of Ocala. Of course, if you’re planning to grow citrus in large pots and move them into protected areas such as basements, garages or sheds when freezing temperatures are forecast, rootstock isn’t as important.

A quick citrus primer: There are three types of sweet citrus — mandarins, oranges and grapefruit. Yes, grapefruit is considered a “sweet” citrus. If you’ve ever tasted a sour orange, you understand why. Of the three types, mandarins, also known as mandarin oranges (citrus reticulata), are best suited to our Eastern Panhandle/Big Bend region.

Satsumas (citrus unshiu) are the most popular mandarin grown here.

If you’re not familiar with satsumas, they look and taste like small oranges and peel like tangerines.

Well-established satsuma trees can withstand temperatures into the teens, but all citrus trees, even the cold-hardy ones, must be protected the first two to three years they’re in the ground. I planted a Kimbrough satsuma — one of Louisiana’s contributions to the world of citrus — in my front yard in fall of 2007. The nursery tag said it would be cold-hardy to 17 degrees once established, so I built a frame of 2-by-2s around it, leaving what I hoped would be enough room for it to grow for three years. Every time the forecast called for temperatures below 32 degrees those first two winters, I wrapped the frame in old bedsheets and then put plastic sheeting over that, securing the whole thing with clothespins. (The fabric is needed to keep the plastic from touching the plant and creating a “frost burn” on the leaves.)

By the third winter, it had outgrown its frame. I built a bamboo teepee around it and used the bed sheets and plastic sheeting only if temperatures were supposed to drop below 25 degrees.

We had a couple of nights in the

®

Ms. Grow-It-All

By Audrey Post

Ms. Grow-It-All

®

teens that winter, although I don’t think it got that cold in my yard.

That was the last time I covered it, and it finally rewarded me this year with a bumper crop of juicy, easy-to-peel fruit.

Kumquat is the other citrus that can take our relatively cold winters, although it is considered tart, or acidic, instead of sweet. The small round or oval fruits are eaten skin and all, with some varieties having tart skin and sweet flesh and others having the opposite characteristics. Most kumquat varieties are good to about 15 degrees, and as a result, it has been crossbred with other citrus, notably the Key lime. A limequat, also known as a Lakeland lime, has the flavor of a Key lime and the growth characteristics of a kumquat, making it a good choice for our area.

Depending on the microclimates around your home, you might also have success with cold-hardy tangerines, another type of mandarin, including Clementine, Dancy and Robinson. Page, a hybrid that looks like small oranges, is a cross between the Minneola tangelo and the Clementine. Since tangelos are a cross between tangerines and grapefruits, Page is mostly tangerine with a little grapefruit and mandarin added. It’s really tasty.

Duncan grapefruit can withstand 26-degree temperatures, and Meyer lemon can take 24 degrees, making it very popular in our area.

The lemon trees tend to get a little wind- and/or cold-damaged in a normal winter, but they rebound quickly. I have one planted on the south side of a 6-foot privacy fence, and the portion that extends above the fence sometimes dies if the temperatures drop below 20, but I just cut it back in late winter and it’s fine.

You might have to do a little more to protect citrus in the winter, but that’s a matter of personal preference and commitment. Just as some people don’t mind spraying hybrid tea roses every 10 to 14 days, some don’t mind covering up their citrus trees if a hard freeze is looming. But you should decide your priorities before you plant.

To improve your tender citrus’ chances of surviving a freeze, plant it on the south side of the house or garden shed, or create a windbreak to protect it from north and northwest winds. Don’t fertilize citrus after early August, so it will go dormant and be less susceptible to cold damage. Water your citrus well if a freeze is forecast, because wet soil retains more heat than dry soil. And while mulching generally isn’t recommended for citrus, do mulch the trunk before a hard freeze, taking care to make sure the graft is well-protected. ec

© 2013 Postscript Publishing, all rights reserved. Audrey Post is a certified Advanced Master Gardener volunteer with the University of Florida IFAS Extension in Leon County.

Email her at Questions@MsGrowItAll.com or visit her website at msgrowitall.com. Ms. Grow-It-All® is a registered trademark of Postscript Publishing.

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going places

garden getaways g r e a t

History, Luxury and … Beautiful Nature Blooms in North Georgia

By Rosanne Dunkelberger and Wendy O. Dixon

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Clockwise from top: The ruins of the Barnsley manor, an Italian villa designed by Andrew Jackson Downing, were restored in 1998 to become the centerpiece of the luxury garden resort; Julia is one of six private cottages at Barnsley Resort; Private lessons, guided trail rides and romantic wilderness lunches can all happen on horseback here.

Photos Courtesy Barnsley Garden Resorts

t

here are certain things you expect at a luxury mountain resort — fresh air, well-appointed accommodations, beautiful views, a variety of outdoor activities, good food and an attentive staff, to name a few.

But when the resort’s employees include folks with the titles of Fairy Godmother, Wine Snob and Resident Historian, you know you’re in for an idyll that’s ever-so-slightly out of the ordinary.

You’ll find them all and more at Barnsley Gardens Resort, about an hour’s drive north of Atlanta in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Offering an off-the-beaten-path respite, the resort is charming and luxurious, combining a fascinating historical property with all the modern comforts.

The property’s modern history began in the early 1840s, when Godfrey Barnsley, an expatriate Englishman and successful shipping magnate from Savannah, bought up land for an estate he would call Woodlands. He began work on an impressive Italian-style brick manor house to serve as a wilderness retreat for his wife, Julia, who was in ill health. She would die before the home was complete — and that’s just the beginning of a Southern Gothic family tale that includes ghostly spirits, Union occupation, a tornado and fratricide.

Today, the manor house is a ruin, albeit a very picturesque one. The original boxwoods have been groomed to recreate the original knotlike pathways of the parterre garden and the vine-covered, roofless brick building and its grounds are the site of weddings, parties and romantic dinners pour deux. Next to the manor is the “kitchen” building, used as the family’s living quarters after a tornado blew the roof off the big house in 1906. It now houses a collection of artifacts that tell the story of the Barnsley family throughout the years. But for the full story, you’ll want to invest in “Barnsley Gardens at Woodlands, The Illustrious Dream,” written by that Resident Historian, Clent Coker.

The property, once a showplace with spectacular gardens and luxurious furnishings, was never quite the same after the Civil War. (Although it did gain some renown for its manufacture of bootleg liquor.) After being ransacked by Union soldiers, family fortunes went into a decline, and it was sold off in the 1940s. It went to seed until 1988 when Bavarian Prince

Destination: BArnsley Gardens Driving Time: 6 hours / Distance: 377 miles 597 Barnsley Gardens Road Adairsville, GA 30103 (877) 773-2447 barnsleygardensresort.com

Hubertus Fugger bought the land and sought to bring back those glory days, first by opening it as a historic site, then turning it into a luxury resort. The prince sold out a few years ago, and his successor has continued improving the property.

The manor ruin now overlooks a “village” of lodgings that include private rooms, suites and cottages as well as restaurants, a town hall and meeting rooms. Although new, from the outside each building has the antique look of an English village.

Inside, each accommodation is individually decorated, giving guests the sense of being an honored recipient of Southern hospitality. It’s a wonderful mix of the old (porch swings, wood-burning fireplaces, armoires and claw-foot tubs) along with all the modern amenities (WiFi, comfy beds, rain showers). And the resort is pet friendly.

One can stroll around on the resort’s paved pathways or venture off and enjoy its fabulous gardens and trails. Godfrey Barnsley collected roses and, in a nod to his interests, the resort is now home to 150 varieties of antique roses, including a pink climbing variety that forms a fragrant and romantic arbor.

But roses aren’t the only flora to be enjoyed. Barnsley planted a conifer garden that features beautiful specimens, and there

were banks of iris and a wildflower meadow in bloom during a May visit, which is the peak of the flower season. September/ October is best for autumnal leaf peeping.

You might think that with all the flowers, bowers, water vistas and secluded nooks, Barnsley Gardens is a romantic place. You’d be right. Scores of proposals, weddings and anniversary celebrations happen here every year. And the person who helps make them happen is Denise Webb, Barnsley’s very own Fairy Godmother.

If you’ve got a romantic wish, she’ll help you make it come true. If you’re without inspiration, don’t worry, the Fairy Godmother can create all sorts of magic. Maybe she’ll pack a picnic lunch and point you to a romantic corner of the property. If you’re planning to pop the question, the Fairy Godmother can prepare your pathway with flower petals, stash a pillow for when you get down on one knee and have the champagne on ice nearby for after she says, “Yes!” One of Webb’s favorite tasks is creating romantic adventures she calls “love spells.”

While a couple is elsewhere, she and her minions transform — with food, flowers, candles, decorations and more — their room into something that most definitely will put them in the mood for love.

The resort offers three dining choices: the

super-casual outdoor Beer Garden, three meals a day in the clubby environs of The Woodlands Grill or a fine dining experience at the historical Rice House restaurant.

Barnsley Gardens also features plenty of other activities to enjoy. The resort is home to a full-service, European-style spa offering a complete menu of face and body treatments, including some that incorporate the fragrance of the garden’s signature flower, the rose.

One of the resort’s most popular attractions is The General, a par-72 golf course designed by Jim Fazio. It picturesquely blends with the mountains, and offers elevation changes that make it a challenge for golfers of all skill levels.

The 1,300-acre SpringBank Plantation is the resort’s own historic hunting preserve, with half-day, full-day and overnight trips available. Deer and turkey hunting is available, and the preserve is internationally renowned for its quail and pheasant hunting during the October–March season. Or, improve your shooting skills at the Wings and Clay Shooting School.

Guided horseback rides are available as well as fishing and paddling at the resort’s ponds and lake. The resort’s open spaces can also be used for paintball, disc golf and a variety of lawn games.

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going places The Call of Lovely Callaway Gardens

Photo Courtesy CallawayMagazine.com (Lodge)

Living on the Emerald Coast, you’ve probably had your share of weekend getaways to a nearby beach or theme park. But many Floridians have yet to take advantage of the beauty of Callaway Gardens. My family and I were looking for something within a day’s drive that would leave time for relaxing and exploring nature. We headed north to Pine Mountain, Ga., to experience the beauty of Georgia’s great outdoors.

Callaway Gardens, a sprawling piece of the beautiful Georgia countryside in the Appalachian Mountains, is home to the world’s largest azalea display, one of North America’s biggest butterfly conservatories and the vegetable garden where PBS’ “The Victory Garden” is filmed. This Georgia retreat is the perfect place to celebrate spring.

Within the 13,000 acres of world-famous Callaway Gardens, you can bike along 10 miles of tree-canopied nature trails in the Discovery Bicycle Trail (bring your own bikes or rent them on-site), examine a thousand delicate beauties in the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, plant one of the 700 varieties of crops harvested in Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden and relax among 3,400 hybrid azaleas in the 40-acre Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl. As the weather warms, take advantage of Robin Lake with a paddleboat ride or swim throughout the lake’s 65 acres. Learn about owls, bald eagles, falcons and hawks in the hands-on Birds of Prey show, and explore five acres of exotic and indigenous plants in the John A. Sibley Horticulture Center.

Also inside Callaway Gardens is the Virginia Hand Callaway Discovery Center. Usually the first stop for guests, the center features an overview of all there is to see and do in Callaway Gardens and houses an education wing, museum and exhibit hall and gift shop.

A short walk away is the Tree-Top Adventure, a ropes course that offers a chance to take your love of nature to new heights with a course of zip-lines and other aerial challenges. A little farther is the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel. Reminiscent of a 16th Century Gothic chapel, it is constructed of fieldstone quartz and features stained glass windows depicting the various seasons of a Southern forest, as well as a custom-built pipe organ. If you get lucky, the organist may be there and play some tranquil tunes as you meditate or pray in the rustic chapel.

We stayed at the beautiful Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens, part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott. With its soft brown and green hues, The Lodge and Spa is the only 4-diamond, upscale accommodation in Callaway Gardens. It offers its guests a unique experience, while providing them with Marriott reward perks.

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Clockwise from bottom: The Lodge and Spa at Callaway is nestled on 13,000 scenic acres; Towering pine tree stands make for great hiking; Yellow tulips cheer the quaint tool barn in the Cason J. Callaway's vegetable garden; Situated in a serene forest surrounding Falls Creek Lake, the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel was built

by Callaway as a tribute to his mother.

The Lodge and Spa’s 150 guest rooms and suites feature four-fixture bathrooms with all-natural spa products, a mini fridge, a work station, complimentary wireless Internet and a balcony overlooking gorgeous landscapes.

The environmentally friendly resort displays signage informing guests that the sheets will be laundered every three days unless you request otherwise. We hung our towels daily to avoid having the staff launder them.

The shampoo, conditioner and body wash are in pumps installed in the shower stall, eliminating the need for tiny bottles, saving 120,000 bottles per year.

Nestled between hundreds of pine trees, the Lodge was designed to keep in harmony with nature, blending the exquisite beauty of nature with some good ole Southern hospitality. The lobby, with a cozy fireplace and craftsmen-style exposed beams, fieldstone accents and hardwood floors, offers an elegant interpretation of a traditional mountain lodge in the Appalachian foothills.

And the heated pool maintains a warm temperature all year long. The stellar staff is friendly and accommodating; we never even had to open a door.

The Lodge and Spa’s Piedmont Grille is designed with earth tones and massive windows to create a dine-with-nature experience. The menu changes seasonally, offering a seafood buffet one night and farmto-fork meals another. The breakfast buffet features made-to-order omelets, buttermilk pancakes, Bananas Foster French toast and just about anything else you want for breakfast.

I took a couple of hours off from family time by visiting The Lodge’s Spa Prunifolia.

I was in heaven after my Swedish massage, the spa’s 80-minute signature massage that combines therapeutic Swedish massage with the benefits of natural herbs. It also offers its guests complimentary access to the oversized fitness center, but with all the hiking we’d been doing, I figured I’d gotten in a good workout already.

If you’re a golfer, check out Twin Oaks Golf Practice Facility, one of the nation’s top-rated

courses by Golf Digest, with meticulously maintained courses and more than 26 acres of play space.

Off-site, the Country Kitchen at Callaway Gardens, a restaurant overlooking a spectacular view of mountains miles away, is a great place to enjoy some good country cooking, including freshly-baked cornbread and biscuits. Top off a buttery biscuit with the restaurant’s homemade muscadine jelly, and sip on sweet iced tea served in mason jars. At the country store within the restaurant, we picked up a few jelly jars to bring home as gifts.

Though spring is ideal for a visit to Callaway Gardens, you’ll want to come back at Christmas time to see the Fantasy in Lights. Voted one of the “Top 10 Places to see Holiday Lights” by National Geographic, this light display is a cheerful collection of dazzling lights and holiday music to tell the enchanted stories of “The 12 Days of Christmas” and “Swan Lake,” among others.

Be sure to stop by Roosevelt’s Little White House State Historical Site, where the president enjoyed many a summer at his quaint home with modest furnishings, and eventually died of a stroke while having his portrait painted in his den. One mile away is the Roosevelt Warm Springs self-guided tour and Historic Pools Museum, where Roosevelt and others stricken with polio would rehabilitate in the natural 88-degree waters that originate 3,800 feet below the earth’s surface and were thought to cure a number of illnesses.

There are plenty of quaint shops and boutiques in nearby Warm Springs Village, offering shoppers everything from antiques, crafts, collectibles and homemade jarred foods. You’ll want to pick up some of that Southern fare to keep as mementos of your trip. ec

Destination: callaway Gardens / Driving Time: Under 4 hours / Distance: 243 miles For More Information: The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens (888) 312-8002, CallawayMagazine.com / Pine Mountain Tourism and Visitors Information Center (800) 441-3502, pinemtntourism@mindspring.com EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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f.y.i

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure What you need to know about heart disease By Dr. Leslie Fleischer

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ebruary is Heart Month, and unfortunately heart disease is still the number one cause of death in America. The good news is that our lifestyles play a major role in our risk for a heart attack.

The bad news is so does our genetics.

“I’m healthy, active and have never felt better in my life, but no man in my family has ever lived past the age of 40.”

I often hear different versions of this statement from patients. I am happy to hear it while they are still feeling great, rather than after they’ve suffered a massive heart attack. Many forms of heart disease are hereditary, but at this stage, heart disease is usually still preventable or treatable.

I currently have a patient in her 60s who had a heart attack 20 years ago. She’s always had a great diet, maintained a healthy weight and she didn’t have any other risk factors. Her father died at the age of 40 from heart disease and several of his family members also died from heart disease. In this situation, family history is the greatest risk factor.

Take the reins of your heart health

Prevention is doing what you can to modify the risk factors that you have control over. You can’t control your genes, but you can control your blood pressure and cholesterol.

Get moving. I recommend 30 minutes of exercise five days per week.

Eat healthy. I recommend a Mediterranean diet, which includes fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, healthy fats, such as olive oil, and whole grains.

Don’t smoke. Smoking significantly increases your chances for developing heart disease. There are many helpful resources that are available to help you quit.

Visit smokefree.gov to get started.

Know your numbers. Stay informed about your health, including your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

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your HDL (high-density lipoprotein) or “good” cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol, as well as your triglyceride levels. Overall cholesterol is not as important as the three individual numbers.

The subtle heart attack

The most common misconception that I see in my practice has to do with chest pain. Most people think that if they are suffering from a heart attack they will feel sharp, unbearable pain radiating through their chest and/or left arm. That is not the case.

In most cases, the pain is far less severe and can be described as a discomfort or heaviness in the chest.

Patients sometimes experience pain or discomfort in the throat or between their shoulder blades.

I’m careful not to ask my patients if they are having chest pain because the answer is often no. When I ask if their chest is feeling any different than usual, they describe symptoms of discomfort and heaviness, as if someone were sitting on their chest. Chest discomfort is a more common symptom among men.

A common symptom among women is shortness of breath or fatigue. I see female patients that never have chest discomfort, but suffer from fatigue and/or shortness of breath. If you are experiencing any new shortness of breath, it’s time to see your doctor.

It’s just like that old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If you are concerned about your health or if you are showing symptoms of heart disease call your doctor immediately. Heart disease can be sneaky and it does not always give you a second chance.

Be proactive. Learn your family history. Live a healthy lifestyle. ec Dr. Leslie Fleischer is a board certified cardiologist with White-Wilson Medical Center Cardiology and has been practicing medicine for 37 years.

Risk Factors of heart disease include: High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Diabetes Smoking Overweight Sedentary Lifestyle Family History

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flavor

Coffee nirvana What you need to know to become a home barista

By Stacey May Brady

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Photos by Scott Holstein (p.71) and Kansas Pitts Photography (p.70)

Dan Bailey, owner of Amavida Coffee and Tea in Santa Rosa Beach, equipped Daryl and Robert Davis' Seaside home with a home professional La Marzocco espresso system; (below) Amavida roasts its own line of organic, free trade coffee.

c

offee houses have long been social gathering places that have a seductive lure for those drawn to the intoxicating aromas of freshly roasted coffee beans and the promise of a warm cup of love. As coffee cafes went mainstream, so did access to the accoutrement that make a perfect cup of coffee, espresso or other delectable coffee creation. With these tools of the trade now readily available, it turns out you can transform even a kitchen countertop into a private coffee bar and become your very own barista.

According to local coffee experts, there are three primary elements essential to the craft of coffee making and setting up a proper and authentic coffee bar at home.

The bean is the thing. First and foremost, a high quality, fresh coffee bean is at the heart of every fine coffee drink. Beans must be properly roasted and stored. The freshness and quality of the bean must be ensured.

The right equipment for transforming the bean into the perfect shot of espresso can be challenging and expensive, so researching the right one for your needs is recommended, and budget must be considered.

Understanding the art of coffee making is as important as the right beans and equipment. The way the bean is ground, its consistency and how hard it is tamped (packed) greatly impacts the taste of the espresso shot. Water quality and the temperature to which it is heated are very important. For drinks with milk, the mix of milk and air and the temperature greatly affect the sweetness of an espresso shot.

Home baristas will want to learn how to create the perfect shot of espresso that can be sipped on its own or serve as the basis for a coffee drink, such as a latte, cappuccino or macchiato. A perfect crema is the goal for an espresso shot. The crema is the mocha-colored silky mixture on top of the espresso. The quality of the crema is the difference between a decent espresso and coffee nirvana.

Dan Bailey is the owner of Amavida Coffee and Tea, an organic fair trade coffee company, founded in Santa Rosa Beach in 2004. The name Amavida combines the Spanish words “ama,” which means love, and “vida,” which means life.

Amavida imports coffee beans directly from 14 different coffee growing communities from

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Drew and Barbara Willard, owners of Coffee Grounz, strive for 'coffee nirvana' every day in their Uptown Station shop; High quality coffee beans are at the heart of a cup of java.

To freeze or not to freeze The experts differ somewhat on whether or not to freeze coffee beans.

At the heart of the issue is the importance of keeping your beans fresh and dry. Humidity and moisture are the enemy of coffee beans and speed up the time it takes for the beans to go stale. Dan Bailey of Amavida Coffee and Tea says there is recent science that shows freezing the beans will prolong freshness, so long as they are completely sealed from humidity.

Also, coffee beans must be defrosted prior to grinding.

Photos by Scott Holstein (p.72) and Kansas Pitts Photography (p. 73)

around the world. They are part of the Cooperative Coffee movement that is committed to building sustainable coffee growing communities in a responsible manner, setting them up for economic success by cultivating a high-quality product.

Once Amavida imports their beans, they are roasted locally in a certified organic roast process. As a wholesaler, many of their prized roasted beans are sold to area coffee houses and they also stock their own coffee cafes located in Seaside and Rosemary Beach.

First things first. An important decision must be made prior to planning your home coffee bar, according to Bailey, who is a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America.

“You have to decide whether your goal is art or fuel.

We can speak to the art side,” he says.

Locally sourced roasted beans are best since there is less likelihood of a stale coffee bean. Once you’ve identified your coffee bean source, you will want to buy them fresh and often since the beans begin to go stale the minute they are roasted. Never grind ahead of time, and only grind for each shot of espresso or cup of coffee.

Bailey cites the Barista Guild of America as a good resource for those who want to gain more in-depth barista skills as a craft or profession. He also suggests watching videos online and practicing as much as possible.

“The art can take a while to learn,” he says, referring to not only the craft but literally the beautiful hearts and tulips that can elevate a shot of espresso into a work of art.

Jim Maas, owner of Fort Walton Beach’s Jim Mass Coffee Roasters, agrees that the freshness of the bean is paramount for home baristas who want to prepare professional caliber espresso or other coffee drinks.

“After you drink good coffee, you can’t drink bad coffee. The date of the roast is most important, not the bagging date,” says Maas.

Maas refers to the all important extraction process as “getting the goodies out of the bean.” He says water should be heated to 195-205 degrees but not to a boil.

Filtered water is best.

Besides pricey espresso makers, Maas suggests a French press as a good way to go and likes the water temperature control it offers. Stovetop espresso makers and the Malita-style cone brewing system are two different equipment options to consider.

Keeping your machine clean and using filtered or softened water will prolong the life of the espresso maker, otherwise calcium builds up and will impact taste and the longevity of the machine.

Both Maas and Bailey agree that the right equipment for a home coffee bar is critical for grinding the beans that are the basis of coffee drinks. Traditional espresso machines are recommended, and a home set-up, with grinder, can run from $500 to $7,000, depending on how elaborate you want to go and how much you want to invest.

The Rancilio Sylvia is widely recognized by home baristas as a good home espresso machine in the $700 range. Gaggia makes a respectable, more affordable home espresso maker, running $450–$600. The La Marzocco g3 is the top of the line espresso machine in the world and costs $5,000–$8,000. While very pricey, it has economy of size and can fit under a kitchen counter. Coffeegeeks.com is a good website for equipment information and reviews.

“If you are going to be a true barista, you have to have the right equipment,” says Drew Willard, who, along with his wife Barbara, own Coffee Grounz in Fort Walton Beach’s Uptown Station.

Willard recommends a burr grinder, where beans are crushed, and not a blade grinder to get the correct grind consistency.

A self-described “old-fashioned” coffeehouse, Coffee Grounz is also a bakery. They serve a popular daily breakfast burrito and coffee special and Barbara even makes homemade bagels on Thursdays. Tuesdays are all about roasting coffee beans and customers are invited to come and watch the process where he uses the highest quality fair trade beans.

Just as with Bailey and Maas, Willard is passionate about coffee and what goes into making the proper espresso shot. He recommends using a bean blend to get the best espresso. He has a five-bean blend that elicits a more European blend and flavor.

“The key is there is a bite on the front of your tongue when you first take that sip, and it’s going to linger into a smooth silky, almost dark chocolate, in your mouth. It finishes with a sweet note,” says Willard.

Willard recommends tamping the grind with 35 lbs. of pressure. He says to practice with a kitchen scale to get used to what 35 lbs. of pressure feels like. The pour is the time it takes for the espresso to pour out of the machine into your cup.

Experts vary on the recommended pour time, from 17– 21 seconds to 22–27 seconds for a deeper extraction.

The quality of the blend makes up the crema and the much-desired film at the top of the espresso shot.

“Crema is love. You want the film on top. I’m approaching coffee nirvana when I see the perfect extraction and crema.

You are always searching for coffee nirvana,” says Willard. ec

Daryl and Robert Davis enjoy espresso-based drinks in traditional Italian style with a milk-based caffe macchiato or cappuccino in the morning and an espresso sometimes paired with a piece of sweet chocolate in the afternoon.

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dining

The Key The restaurants that appear in this guide are included as a service to readers and not as recommendations of the EC Magazine editorial department, except where noted.

Alys Beach

George’s at Alys Beach American. Seafood, burgers and sandwiches at the perfect beachy-casual spot. Open daily 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9 p.m. 30 Castle Harbour Dr., 850-641-0017. $$ l d

★ B l d

Blue Mountain Beach

Grecian Gardens Restaurant Mediterranean. Traditional Greek cuisine served in an open-air atmosphere perfect for special occasions or parties. Open daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m. 3375 W. Hwy. 30A, 850-267-3011. $$ l

Best of the Emerald Coast 2011 Winner Breakfast Lunch Dinner Outdoor Dining Live Music

$ $$

Inexpensive Moderately Expensive $$$ Expensive d

Marie's Bistro & Bar Mediterranean. Enjoy made-to-order seafood, steak, pasta as well as sushi in a casual atmosphere. Dine in, carry out, drive through and catering. Full bar. Serving lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Tues–Fri and dinner at 5 p.m. Tues–Sun. 2260 W. County Highway 30A. 850-278-6856. $$ l d Johnny McTighe's Irish Pub Irish. A true neighborhood Irish Pub serving authentic Irish Fare and the best pizza anywhere. Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4:30–6:30 p.m. Open daily 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

2298 W. County Highway 30A. 850-267-0101. $ B l d Blue Mountain Beach Creamery Ice Cream. Homemade ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt treats. Open daily 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Cash only. 2129 S. County Highway 83. 850-278-6849. $$

Destin

AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar ★ Seafood. Choose from fresh local seafood, sandwiches, pasta, chicken or specialty dishes like the oysters Eugene or Rockefeller. Open daily 11 a.m.

116 E. Hwy. 98, 850-837-1913. $$ l d Another Broken Egg café ★ Breakfast. Breakfast all day, plus sandwiches, patty melts, specials, soups, salads and desserts. Open daily 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Closed Mondays. (Open Memorial and Labor days.) 979 E. Hwy. 98, Suite F, 850-650-0499. $ B Bonefish Grill ★ Seafood. Daily seafood specials cooked on an oak-burning wood grill. Bang-Bang Shrimp is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Mon–Thu 4–10:30 p.m. Fri–Sat 4–11:30 p.m.

Daily happy hour 4–7 p.m. 4447 E. Commons Dr., 850-650-3161. $$ d Callahan’s Restaurant & Deli ★ American. Voted Best Locally Owned Restaurant 2008–2012, Callahan’s serves up great sandwiches, seafood specials and prime rib. Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

791 Harbor Blvd., 850-837-6328. $ l d Capt. Dave’s on the Gulf Seafood. Enjoy delicious fresh seafood dishes. Open daily 4:30 p.m.

3796 Hwy. 98, 850-837-2627. $ d Ciao Bella Pizza Da Guglielmo Italian. Authentic Italian pizza, pasta, salads and more. Open daily 11 a.m.

29 E. Hwy. 98, Silver Sands, 850-654-3040. $$ l d CRAB ISLAND CANTINA Mexican. Latin inspired Mexican cuisine in a casual waterfront dining atmosphere offering the best views of Destin Harbor. Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.–9 p.m. 2 Harbor Blvd. 850-424-7417. $$ l d The Crab Trap Seafood. Offering fresh seafood, steaks, salads and soups beachside. Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m. 3500 E. Hwy. 98, 850-654-2722. $$ l d Cuvee Bistro ★ Fusion. Classic French, Asian and Mediterranean cuisine in a casually elegant atmosphere. Mon–Sat 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m. 36120 Emerald Coast Pkwy.

850-650-8900. $$$ d Destin Ice Seafood Market & Deli ★ Gourmet Take Out. Everything you need for a fresh and delicious meal. Choose from fresh fish and seafood items, pastas, salads and side dishes, Buckhead EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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meats, decadent deserts, and an assortment of wines, cheeses, spices and more. Open daily 8 a.m.– 7 p.m.

663 Emerald Coast Pkwy. 850-837-8333. $$ l d Dewey Destin’s HarborSide ★ Seafood. One of Destin’s most popular restaurants serves up charm and award-winning seafood in a quaint house overlooking the scenic Destin Harbor. Open daily 11 a.m.–8 p.m. 202 Harbor Blvd., 850-837-7525. $$ l d Dewey Destin Seafood Restaurant & Market ★ Seafood. True local charm in an outdoor setting and some of the freshest seafood around. Open 11 a.m.– 8 p.m. 9 Calhoun Ave., 850-837-7575. $$$ B l d Donut Hole Bakery Cafe American. Head to the Donut Hole for an outof-this-world breakfast or savory lunch — don’t forget the cinnamon raisin bread. Open 24 hours.

635 E. Hwy. 98, 850-837-8824. $ B l Emerald Grande Resort Grande Vista bar and grill Seafood. Fresh seafood, steak, pasta, salads, sandwiches and more. Indoor and outdoor dining available. Full bar. Open daily 7 a.m.–10 p.m.

Located in HarborWalk Village. 10 Harbor Blvd., next to the Marler Bridge, 850-337-8100. $$$ B l

Harbor Docks ★ American. This surf-and-turf restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Open daily 5 a.m.– 11 p.m. 538 E. Hwy. 98, 850-837-2506. $$ B l d Hard Rock Café American. Rock ’n’ roll, great drinks and mouthwatering menu. Open daily 11 a.m. 4260 Legendary Dr., Destin Commons, 850-654-3310. $ l d HARRY T’S ★ Seafood. Lounge on the beautiful patio and watch the passing boats as you enjoy an endless variety of delicious dishes. Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun 10 a.m.–10 p.m. 46 Harbor Blvd., 850-654-4800. $$ B l d Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q ★ Barbecue. Southern smokehouse barbecue. Beer and wine. Open daily 11 a.m. 14073 Emerald Coast Pkwy., 850-351-1991. $ l d

d

Fudpucker’s American. Burgers, sandwiches and specialties like the Fried Fudpucker (triggerfish). Open 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy., 850-654-4200. $$ d Graffiti Italian. Traditional Italian favorites and house specialties like seafood pizza. Sun–Thu 5–9 p.m. Fri– Sat 5–10 p.m. 707 E. Hwy. 98, 850-654-2764. $$ d Gugliemo's Ciao Bella Pizza and Pasta Italian. Authentic Italian pizza, pasta, salads and

more. Lunch 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m.

529 Highway 98, 850-654-9880. $$ l d

Johnny O’Quigley’s ★ American. Award-winning steak, seafood and barbecue in one of Destin’s favorite sports bars. Mon– Thu 11 a.m.–midnight. Fri–Sun 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Double Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3–6 p.m. and 10 p.m.–close.

34940 Emerald Coast Pkwy., 850-837-1015. $ l d

Miller’s Ale House ★ American. Quality food at a great value price in a casual neighborhood tavern atmosphere. Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sun 11 a.m.–12 a.m. 34906 Emerald Coast Pkwy. 850-837-0694. $ l d McGuire’s Irish Pub ★ Irish American. Drinks, steaks, burgers and fries and Irish fare. Open daily 11 a.m. 33 E. Hwy. 98, 850-654-0567. $$ l d NOT JUST BAGELS ★ American. Bagels, breads, pastries, salads, soups and sandwiches. Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–3 p.m. Sat–Sun 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

4447 E. Commons Dr., Suite 112, 850-650-0465. $ B l Osaka ★ Japanese. Known for its sushi but serves a variety of dishes including chicken, steak and seafood.

Lunch 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Dinner 5–10:30 p.m.

34845 Emerald Coast Pkwy., 850-650-4688 or 850-650-4689. $$ l d Pepito’s ★ Mexican. Voted Best Mexican on the Emerald Coast, locals love Pepito’s for its authentic Mexican cuisine and mouthwatering margaritas. Happy Hour specials all day Mondays, including small rocks margaritas and all beer and well drinks for $1.99. Open daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m. 757 E. Hwy. 98, 850-650-7734. $$ l d

Louisiana Lagniappe ★ Cajun and Seafood. View the Old Pass Lagoon while dining on steaks and a wide variety of fresh seafood. Open daily 5–10 p.m. 775 Gulf Shores Dr., 850-837-0881. $$ d

Poppy’s Crazy Lobster Seafood. Relax with us on the beautiful Destin Harbor and enjoy the best seafood in town. Toast the setting sun with a Crazy Lobster Cooler or any number of fun cocktails. Open daily at 11 a.m. HarborWalk Village, 850-424-6744. l d

Marina Café American. Gourmet pizzas, Creole and American cuisine. Open daily 5–10 p.m. 404 E. Hwy. 98, 850-837-7960. $$ d

Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club American. Located inside Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club. Open to the public 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Variety of salads and sandwiches. Full bar.

2012

BEST HIBACHI

18 Hibachi Tables Sushi Bar • Private Dining Happy Hour Specials 4–7 Sushi Take Out Authentic Japanese Cuisine JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR

850.351.1006 Located in the Village of Baytowne Wharf ™ 76 February–March 2013

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850.650.4688 or 850.650.4689 34745 Emerald Coast Parkway / Destin

on the menu

W

e recently took our taste buds on a world tour from Greece to Mexico to Chile right here on the Emerald Coast. Amazing the tasty adventures you can enjoy in your own “backyard,” isn’t it?

Breakfast

The Aegean Restaurant, Miramar Beach

One of our all time favorite desserts is Baklava, and one of our favorite meals is breakfast. Imagine our delight when we discovered The Greek Waffle on the breakfast menu at the Aegean Restaurant. Start with a homemade waffle, top it with a dollop of Greek yogurt, sprinkle chopped walnuts and glaze it with golden honey. A better marriage of flavors than anything you can find in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” $6.96

Lunch

Grin-go’s Taco Bar, The Village of Baytowne Wharf

If you’ve been wondering where the home of the three-pound burrito is, look no further! Grin-go’s Taco Bar is a small joint big on flavor.

Though we weren’t daring enough to try the famous burrito, we did love the scrappy flavors we found in the Mexican Street Tacos.

The dish consists of three warm corn tortillas filled with diced chicken, sautéed white onions, fresh cilantro topped and topped with a wedge of lime. Ole! $8.99

Photo by Scott Holstein

Dinner

There is something fulfilling about a gathering of friends for a familystyle dinner. If you enjoy one of the special Monday night World Dining Series menu options at The Wine Bar in Grand Boulevard it is also filling. On the evening we went, we enjoyed a Chilean feast beginning with Charquican — a slow cooked Chilean Beef Stew with squash, carrots, potatoes, beans, corn and even a little beef jerky that gave it a smoky flavor. Our meal was served with hot, crusty bread to sop up the stew juices and paired with two delicious wines: Cono Sur Bicycle Sauvignon Blanc and Aresti Pinot Noir for $29.99 (for two).

Grin-go’s Taco Bar Mexican Street Tacos

Enjoy a fabulous evening at Seagar’s which boasts a private reserve wine list

Inspire

success

featuring over 600 labels and the finest prime beef and fresh seafood on the Gulf coast. Reservations recommended.

850-622-1500

OFFICIAL RESERVATION PARTNER

Seagars.com

PRIME

STEAKS

&

SEAFOOD

H I LT O N S A N D E S T I N B E A C H G O L F R E S O R T & S P A

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dining

spicy Thai food. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat 11 a.m.– 9 p.m. 251 Mary Esther Blvd., 850-362-0290. $$ l d

Specializing in on- and off-site catering including weddings, receptions and special events.

465 Regatta Bay Blvd., 850-337-8888. $ B l d Ruth’s Chris Steak House Steak and Seafood. New Orleans-inspired appetizers, desserts and award-winning wines. Mon– Sat 5:30–10 p.m. Sun 5:30–9 p.m. Silver Shells Resort.

1500 Emerald Coast Pkwy., 850-337-5108. $$$ d Sarah k’s gourmet ★ Gourmet Take-out. Chef-crafted, ready-to-heat cuisine. Jumbo lump crab cakes and fresh chicken salad are the house specialties. Open at 11 a.m. 34940 Hwy. 98, 850-269-0044. $ l d Tuscany Italian Bistro ★ Italian. Chef and owner, Guglielmo Ianni, prepares authentic Northern Italian cuisine using the freshest of ingredients, choice meats, fresh seafood, and garden vegetables. Hours TBD. 36178 Emerald Coast Pkwy. 850-650-2451. $$ d ZoËs Kitchen American. Healthy sandwiches and salads. Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Destin Commons, 850-650-6525. $ l d

Fort Walton Beach

Ali's Bistro American. Seafood, steak, pasta, chicken, veal, sandwiches and salads in a casually cool modern space. Tue–Sun 11 a.m.–9 p.m. 171 Brooks St., 850-226-4708. $$ l d The Black Pearl Steak and Seafood. Dig into some coconut shrimp and a juicy steak while enjoying a lovely view of the Gulf.

Located in The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Open daily 4 p.m. 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy., 850-833-3016. $$ d Buffalo’s Reef Famous Wings ★ American. This restaurant is famous for hot wings and cold beer. Ask about the daily specials.

Tue–Sat open at 10:30 a.m., Sun open at noon.

116 Eglin Pkwy., 850-243-9463. $ l d Clemenza’s Uptown ★ Italian. This family owned restaurant features authentic Italian cuisine, a full bar and Mama Clemenza’s famous European Breakfast. Breakfast: Sat 8 a.m.–noon, Sun 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch: Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Dinner: Mon–Fri 5­–9 p.m., Sat 5–9:30 p.m. Closed Sun. 75 Eglin Pkwy. 850-243-0707. $$ B l d Helen Back ★ Pizza. The world’s finest hand-tossed pizza and cold beer in a sports bar atmosphere. Locations in Pensacola, Navarre, Crestview and Valparaiso. Open daily 11 a.m.– 4 a.m. 114 Amberjack Dr. 850-796-1451. $ l d

Greek. Savor the flavors of the Mediterranean at this authentic Greek restaurant. Mon–Sat 10:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. 1259 Eglin Pkwy., Shalimar, 850-613-6120. $$ l d

High Tide ★ Seafood. Delicious seafood dishes, award-winning gumbo and fresh Apalachicola oysters served for lunch and dinner. Mon–Sat 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

1203 Miracle Strip Pkwy. 850-244-2624. $

Benjarong Thai Cuisine & BBQ Thai and Barbecue. Barbecue, chicken, ribs, steak and

Magnolia Grill ★ Steak, Seafood and Italian. Steak, seafood,

Aegean Restaurant ★

pasta, soups, salads and desserts. Lunch Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Dinner Mon–Sat, open at 5 p.m. Closed Sun. 157 SE Brooks St., 850-302-0266. $$ l d Old Bay Steamer Seafood. Fresh, steamed and grilled seafood served in a lively atmosphere. Dinner served daily from 4 p.m. No reservations. 102 Santa Rosa Blvd., 850-664-2795. $$$ d Pandora’s Steak and Seafood. Early evening specials weekdays 5–6 p.m. Happy Hour weekdays 5–7 p.m. Weekdays 5–10 p.m. Weekends 5–11 p.m.

1226 Santa Rosa Blvd., 850-244-8669. $$$ d Pranzo Italian Ristorante Italian. The Montalto family has been serving classic and contemporary Italian cuisine in Fort Walton Beach for nearly 30 years. Dinner Mon–Sat, 5 p.m. 1222 Santa Rosa Blvd., 850-244-9955. $ d Sealand Steak and Seafood. Serving American cuisine as well as Thai offerings in a homey atmosphere. Lunch Sun 11 a.m. until. Dinner Tues–Sat from 4:30 p.m.

47 SE Miracle Strip Pkwy., 850-244-0044. $$$ B d Staff’s Steak, Seafood and Pasta. In operation for more than 100 years, Staff’s is the oldest family-operated Florida restaurant and a local favorite serving homemade American cuisine in a casual, rustic atmosphere. Open daily for dinner from 5 p.m.

24 Miracle Strip Pkwy., 850-243-3482. $$ d Sugar Mill Sweets ★ Bakery. Homemade baked goods and deli style sandwiches served in a casual atmosphere. Bakery hours: Mon­–Fri 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Lunch: 10:45 a.m.– 1:45 p.m. 913 Beal Pkwy N.W. 850-862-9431. $ l

SoWal So Good WHERE TO EAT IN SANTA ROSA BEACH

VKI Japanese

“If you think all Japanese Steakhouses are the same, you’ll think differently after dining with us.

Unlike some other places, we use only the highest quality ingredients so that you come not just for the intriguing knives and whirling shakers, but also for the hot and freshly prepared nutritional and wholesome food.”

Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

4552 US Hwy 98 W. Across from Louis-Louis 850.267.2555 vkisteakhouse.com

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Grayton Beach

Another Broken Egg café ★ Breakfast. Breakfast all day, plus sandwiches, patty melts, specials, soups, salads and desserts. Open 7:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Closed Mondays. (Open Memorial and Labor days.) 51 Grayton Uptown Cir., 850-231-7835. $ B

HARBOR RESTAURANT GROUP

W

EDDINGS

Perfect Emerald Coast Locations For Every Bride

Pandora’s Steak and Seafood. Warm, traditional steakhouse with early evening specials.

Weekdays 5–10 p.m. Weekends 5–11 p.m. 63 DeFuniak St., 850-231-4102. $$ d Picolo’s restaurant Seafood. Dine on delicious fresh seafood while listening to live music. Open daily 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. 70 Hotz Ave., 850-231-1008. $$ l d Red Bar ★ American. A favorite among locals, visitors and celebrities and a must-visit when in Grayton Beach. Kick back on the funky furniture and listen to live music while enjoying great food and cocktails — especially the award-winning Bloody Mary. Breakfast 7–10:30 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Dinner 5–10 p.m. Bar open 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–midnight. Cash or check only, no credit cards. 70 Hotz Ave., 850-231-1008. $$ B l d Trattoria Borago Italian. Enjoy a balsamic-laced pork tenderloin or pan-seared grouper from the open kitchen. Open 6 p.m. daily. 80 E. Hwy. 30A, Grayton Beach, 850-231-9167. $$ d

Miramar Beach

Aegean Restaurant ★ Greek. Sip an ouzo at the beautiful stone bar before savoring the flavors of the Mediterranean at this authentic Greek restaurant. Breakfast 8–11 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. Dinner 4–9 p.m. 11225 Emerald Coast Pkwy., 850-460-2728. $$ B l d

Crush Wine Bar is ideal for smaller, more intimate occasions, located in the heart of Seaside. With an American and international wine list, a menu of fresh seafood selections, sushi, and divine small plates gives capability to customize a flavorful menu.

Destin’s most awarded restaurant with breathtaking views from our candlelit dining room and private dining room that envelopes you in soft colors overlooking the harbor.

We offer an extensive menu and wine selections for every significant occasion.

www.Crush30A.com Seaside, FL

www.MarinaCafe.com Destin, FL

For availability and menu suggestions: 850.654.4944 t weddings@harborrestaurantgroup.com

Another Broken Egg café – On the Bay ★ Breakfast. Breakfast all day, plus sandwiches, patty melts, specials, soups, salads and desserts. Open daily from 7 a.m.–3 p.m. The Village of Baytowne Wharf, 850-622-2050. $ B Bistro Bijoux ★ Steak and Seafood. Coastal cuisine with a New Orleans flair. Fresh seafood daily. Featuring our signature dish — “Black Skillet” filet mignon topped with a tempura-fried lobster tail. Open daily 5–10 p.m. Village of Baytowne Wharf, 850-622-0760. $$$ d

3&$&15*0/4 t #3*%"- 4)08&34 t &/("(&.&/5 $&-&#3"5*0/4 t 3&)&"34"-4

Cabana Café.

American. A casual poolside restaurant serving made-to-order salads, savory soups and chowders, deli-style sandwiches (with homemade bread!), savory build-your-own burgers and quesadillas, stone-fired pizza, pasta and more.

Sunday brunch. Full bar. Open 11 a.m.–2 a.m. Mon–Sat and Sundays from 9 a.m.–2 a.m. Happy Hour 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Karaoke and live entertainment.

Located on the ground floor of Ariel Dunes in Seacape Resort, 112 Seascape Drive. Ask about the locals discount. 850-424-3574. $$ l d Cantina Laredo ★ Mexican. Boasting a contemporary décor and fiery flavor, the new addition to Grand Boulevard offers gourmet twists on Mexican favorites. Save room for dessert, and check out the Sunday brunch. Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m. 585 Grand Blvd., 850-654-5649. $$ B l d Carrabba’s italian grill Italian. Flavorful dishes, including calamari, chicken Marsala, fresh fish, seafood and grilled steaks. Open Sun 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Mon–Thu 4–10:30 p.m.

Fri–Sat 4–11:30 p.m. 10562 W. Hwy. 98, 850-837-1140. $$ d Fat Clemenza’s ★ Italian. Feel like part of the family as you enjoy homemade classical Italian cuisine. Lunch Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Dinner Mon–Wed 5–9:30 p.m., Thu–Sat 5–10 p.m. Holiday Plaza/Hwy. 98, 850-650-5980. $$ l d Finz Beachside Grille American. Wide range of seafood and American dishes. Catering available. Open seasonally. Lunch daily 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Beachside at Sandestin, 850-267-4800. $$ l Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar ★ Steak and More. This award-winning restaurant offers prime steaks, chops, chicken, seafood, fresh salads and a variety of unique sides and desserts served in a comfortable but elegant atmosphere. Featuring 100 wines by the glass. Open Mon– Thu 5–10 p.m. Fri–Sat 5–11 p.m. Sun 4–9 p.m. 600 Grand Blvd., 850-269-0830. $$ d Lillie’s On Pigs Alley Barbecue. For lip-smacking good barbecue, try Lillie’s sandwiches, ribs, beef or chicken. The restaurant won the Barbecue World Championship in Memphis in 2007. Open Tue–Sat 11 a.m.–7 p.m. 9848 W. Hwy. 98, 850-654-3911. $ l d EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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Lin’s Asian Cuisine Asian. Chef Qun Lin whips up steaming portions of your favorite Chinese and Southeast Asian dishes. Open Mon–Thu 10:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri–Sat 10:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Sun noon–9 p.m. 130 Scenic Gulf Dr., Suite 5B, 850-424-5888. $ l d Marina Bar and Grill American. Seafood, po-boys, burgers, salads overlooking the Baytowne Marina and Choctawhatchee Bay. You catch 'em we cook 'em service. Open daily 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Breakfast Sat–Sun 8–11 a.m. Kitchen closed Mon–Tue. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy.

West., 850-267-7778. $ B l d

Poppy’s Seafood Factory Seafood. Enjoy fresh seafood, steak and poultry dishes with a view of the bay. Open 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily. Village of Baytowne Wharf, 850-351-1996. $$$ l d Royal Orchid ★ Thai. Escape to Thailand at this authentic Thai restaurant. Sink into a traditional sunken table surrounded by pillows or dine American style at a table or booth. Thu–Tue 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Closed Wed. 11275 Emerald Coast Pkwy., 850-650-2555. $$ l d Rum Runners American. Caribbean/coastal/Mediterranean menu with sandwiches, seafood, steaks, chicken and pasta. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Village of Baytowne Wharf, 850-267-8117. $$ l d

Marlin Grill ★ Steak and Seafood. Fresh seafood, steaks, salads and appetizers served inside or outside. Open nightly at 5 p.m. Village of Baytowne Wharf, 850-351-1990. $$$ l d

Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood ★ Steak and Seafood. Premium steak, fresh seafood and caviar. Open 6 p.m. daily. Hilton Sandestin. 4000 S. Sandestin Blvd., 850-622-1500. $$$ d

The Melting Pot Fondue. Dip into something different and enjoy an interactive, hands-on, four-course dining experience with a cheese fondue, salad, entrée and chocolate fondue dessert. Open Sun–Thu 5–10 p.m. Fri–Sat 5–11 p.m. 11394 Hwy. 98., 850-269-2227. $$$ d

Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar ★ Caribbean. Get a taste of the islands with jerk spices, fresh fish and the best desserts on the coast, as voted by readers of Emerald Coast Magazine. Open Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–midnight. 525 Grand Blvd., 850-654-1743. $$ l d

Mitchell’s Fish Market Seafood. Chef-driven dishes such as Cedar Roasted Atlantic Salmon or Hoisin-Glazed Yellow Fin Tuna.

Lunch Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Dinner Mon–Thu 4–10 p.m. Fri–Sat 4–11 p.m. Sun 3–9 p.m. Grand Boulevard Sandestin, 850-650-2484. $$ l d P.F. Chang’s China Bistro ★ Asian. Sample crunchy lettuce wraps or Chinese favorites like Kung Pao Chicken in a chic atmosphere.

Open Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

10640 Grand Blvd., 850-269-1806. $$ l d Pepito’s ★ Mexican. Voted Best Mexican on the Emerald Coast.

Authentic Mexican cuisine, delicious margaritas and weekly specials. Open daily 11 a.m.—10 p.m. 11225 Hwy 98. 850-269-7788 $$ l d

Vin’Tij Wine Boutique & Bistro ★ American. Traditional favorites and unique house dishes. Open daily 11 a.m.–midnight. 10859 W. Emerald Coast Pkwy., Suite 103, 850-650-9820. $ld

Niceville/Valparaiso Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Family Sports Pub American. Wings, sandwiches, salads, burgers.

Open Mon–Sat 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun noon–10 p.m.

Happy hour Mon–Fri 3–7 p.m. 4540 E. Hwy. 20, 850-897-3964. $ l d Compass Rose Restaurant and Bar Caribbean. Waterfront dining overlooking Tom's Bayou. The cuisine is coastal with a Caribbean

a taste for ...

Aaron Weinstock of Niceville offers 18 different flavors of jerky (and yes, some are quite quirky) at his virtual shop yummyjerky.com.

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West Indies flair. Enjoy Happy Hour, daily specials and Sunday brunch. Tue–Thur 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat 4–10 p.m., Sun 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

303 Glen Ave., 850-389-2125. $$ l d One 20 A Modern Bistro ★ American. Modern American cuisine specializing in seafood, steaks and local fresh produce.Lunch: Tue– Fri 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Dinner: Tue–Sat 5–9 p.m., Brunch: Sun 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Closed Monday. 120 Partin Drive North, Niceville, 850-729-2120. $$ B l d Pepitos ★ Mexican. Locals love the authentic Mexican cuisine, margaritas and all-day Monday Happy Hour special.

Open daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m. 4585 E Hwy 20, Suite 100, Niceville, 850-279-4949. $$ l d TradeWinds Italian. A cozy favorite among locals serving heaping portions from old family recipes. Enjoy a number of pasta variations as well as seafood, chicken, veal, steak and thin crust pizza. Expansive wine and beer list. Reservations required. Open Tue–Sat 5 p.m.

205 Government St., 850-678-8299. $$ d

Santa Rosa Beach

98 Bar-B-Que Barbecue. Four generations have perfected Southern barbecue served with your favorite sides.

Lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon–Sat. 5008 W. Hwy. 98., 850-622-0679. $ l d Amore Pizzeria Italian/American. Serving gourmet pizzas, wings, salads and panini sandwiches in a family-friendly atmosphere. Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–3 p.m. for lunch and 5–9 p.m. for dinner, Sat 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun noon– 9 p.m. Closed Tue. 95 Laura Hamilton Blvd. in Gulfplace (CR 393 and 30A), 850-267-2202. $l d Basmati’s Asian Cuisine & Sushi Asian. Asian dishes and full sushi bar. Open 4 p.m. daily. 3295 W. Hwy. 30A, 850-267-3028. $$ d Café Tango American. Seafood, poultry and pasta served with specialty sauces. Homemade desserts. Open Tue–Sun 5–10 p.m. 14 Vicki St., 850-267-0054. $$$ d

Beef Jerky

An oldie food that is a goodie with mass appeal

Beef jerky has been around since the days of the pioneers, and you might be surprised to find it has evolved in multiple dimensions.

“It’s healthy, it’s nutritional and it’s easy to carry,” says Ricky Cox, who owns The Beef Jerky Outlet in Destin. “I can’t think of one bad thing about it, and that’s hard to say about anything these days.”

Commercial jerky products come from the muscle meat of farmraised animals, and the meat is either smoked or dehydrated. Before it can reach consumers, it has to get a stamp of approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

Varieties abound, among them turkey, alligator, kangaroo, pheasant, wild boar, ostrich, salmon, venison, elk and antelope. Styles range from honey maple to pepper garlic to teriyaki to peppercorn. There’s also a finely shredded product labeled as “chew” that comes in those little tins. And there are kits so you can make your own.

High in protein, low in fat and carbs, jerky is consumed by hunters, hikers, fishermen, fitness enthusiasts, skateboarders, surfers, campers and just about anybody on the go.

“Who buys it? Everybody!” says Cox. — Thomas J. Monigan

Photo by Scott Holstein

dining

Fire American. With New Orleans natives in the kitchen, it’s no surprise that this casual fine-dining restaurant is hot. Lunch Thu–Fri 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Dinner Mon–Thu 6–9 p.m., Fri–Sat 6–10 p.m., Brunch Sun 11 a.m. 7 Town Canter Loop, 850-267-9020. $$ l d Fish Out of Water Restaurant Continental. Southern coastal cuisine with an Asian flair: tuna, crab cakes, shrimp and scallops. 5:30–10 p.m. daily. Located in the WaterColor Inn, 850-534-5050. $$$ d

2012 Thank you for voting us “Best Restaurant in Okaloosa County!”

Louis Louis American. The only thing that isn’t over the top at Louis Louis is the menu pricing. The Moulin Rouge-inspired interior décor is outrageously wonderful.

Dine outside or in. The menu has six tasty items, from crab cakes, panned chicken, blackened fish and a few pastas. Mon–Sun 5–10 p.m. 35 Mussett Bayou Rd., 850-267-1500. $ d VKI Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar Asian. Using the freshest ingredients this Japanese gem serves up tasty Habachi-style stir-fry meals of steak, seafood and chicken prepared at your table as well as artfully prepared sashimi and sushi rolls. Open daily. Lunch 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Dinner 4:30–9:30 p.m. 4552 Highway 98, Santa Rosa Beach, 850-267-2555. $$ l d Vue on 30a American. Seafood, beef, poultry, lamb, veal, pastas, soups and bisques.

Open Tues–Fri 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Wed–Sat 5–9 p.m. 4801 W. Hwy. 30A, 850-267-2305. $$ l d

Seaside & Seagrove Beach

723 Whiskey Bravo American. Steak, seafood and casual “beachy” bites. Relax on the rooftop bar with Gulf view. Open daily from 11 a.m. Brunch on Sundays. 3031 Scenic Highway 30A. 850-213-0015. $$ l d Angelina’s Pizza & Pasta Italian. Authentic homemade pizza pie and Italian dishes in a casual atmosphere.

Lunch and dinner daily: 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. 4005 E. Hwy. 30A, 850-231-2500. $ l d Bud & Alley’s Restaurant American. Serving fresh seafood, steak and vegetarian options. Open 11:30 a.m.

Mon–Fri. Roof bar open 11:30 p.m.–2 a.m. in summer. 2236 E. Hwy. 30A, 850-231-5900. $$$ l d Café Thirty-A Seafood. Seafood, lamb, duck, filet mignon and pizza. Open daily 5 p.m.

3899 E. Hwy. 30A, 850-231-2166. $$ d Crush American. Crush features an extensive wine menu, sushi and small plates.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, noon–10 p.m. 25 Central Sq., 850-468-0703. $$ l d Great SOuthern Café Southern. Jim Shirley serves up Southern comfort food with a twist. Open daily for breakfast 8–11 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.–4 p.m., dinner 4–11:30 p.m. 83 Central Sq., 850-231-7327. $$ B l d La Botana Tapas. Small plates of Latin-inspired cuisine served in a casual but elegant atmosphere. Wine bar. Lunch and dinner Mon–Fri 4–11 p.m., Sat–Sun 11 a.m.– 11 p.m. 4281 E. Hwy. 30A, 850-231-0716. $$ l d La Cocina Mexican Grill & Bar Mexican. Traditional Tex-Mex with a coastal twist. Open daily 11 a.m.–3 p.m. and 5–9 p.m. Bar open until 10 p.m. 10343 E. Hwy. 30A, 850-231-4021. $$ l d Old Florida Fish House and Bar Seafood. Rustic seafood restaurant featuring a new take on old seafood favorites. Full bar. Dinner daily 5 p.m. 5235 Hwy. 30A, 850-534-3045. $$ d

Cooking Classes The 3rd Saturday of every month 11 am to 1 pm $30 per person

Girls Night Out! Ladies come out on Tuesday Evenings for ½ price wine by the glass and discounted dinners.

Culinary Pirates Special Events Co. On and Offsite Catering

V Seagrove Restaurant Seafood. Chef David Cunningham serves up fresh seafood and produce that is locally sourced in a resort casual atmosphere. Open Tue–Sat at 6 p.m. Closed Sundays. 2743 E. County Highway 30A, Seagrove, 850-468-0973. $$$ d Seagrove Village Market Café Steak and Seafood. Enjoy surf-and-turf and a glass of wine, then shop for gifts and souvenirs in the adjacent gift shop. Open 10:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. daily.

3004 S. County Rd. 395, 850-231-5736. $$ l d ec EmeraldCoastMagazine.com February–March 2013

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the last word

Leo, the MGM Lion, Was My Kitty

h

By Elvin C. Bell

ow many people can look back at a delightful period in their youth when a part-time job consisted of spending a few hours each afternoon watering and just looking at Leo, the MGM Lion?

Fortunately, I can. And on occasion, my job included feeding the Lone Ranger’s horse, Silver; Roy’s horse, Trigger; and Gene’s horse, Champion.

The horses were what helped make The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and Gene Autrey afternoon matinee idols. It was always fun and interesting to feed and water those special four-legged movie stars — and not a one of them ever showed up with an attitude.

But my special attraction, the one I doted over the most, was the huge, handsome, full-maned Leo, the MGM lion that had the comfort of a double-wide cage. He loved to strut around and watch people who were watching him.

My primary job was to water Leo, and I had a long hose for that job. I was never allowed to feed him, because that process required two experienced trainers who worked in an incremental eight-sequence procedure that resembled a well-coordinated bank robbery.

While one zookeeper unlocked Leo’s outer cage, the second keeper used a gentle prod and pushed Leo back a few feet. The first guy then placed about 25 pounds of veterinarian-approved red, fresh horsemeat in front of the second, or inner, gate and the other guy had the prod ready to push in the entrée when his partner unlocked the second gate. The process was reversed when they finished.

The three-minute sequence required four weeks of training and follow-up training every other month.

When Leo finished his meal, I was the one who sprayed his trough clean and gave him water. It was the same process every afternoon, seven days a week.

Leo always slept late and was ready for his catered meal after he finished yawning, growling and applying a few licks of

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ablution to some body parts. He was never big on grooming, so the few licks were all he cared to do.

Each time I watered him, I had the distinct feeling that he was eyeing me as a possible appetizer to his main course.

I wanted to learn how to feed Leo, like the two zookeepers did, but the compound vet said I was too young. He told me to remind him again of my desire to feed Leo when I was in high school. That meant I couldn’t bother him again for two long years.

What amazed me about Leo was his rock solid predictable routine, his facial expressions and mannerisms.

He would act like a spoiled house cat when I showed up each afternoon. I hurried to him as quickly as I could when school was out, and he would always be on the west side of his corner cage looking toward the main gate. When he saw me he would lower his body and put his two front legs straight out and rest his enormous head on his knees with his eyes wide open, staring at me.

As I approached, he would rise, look at me and do his famous two-growl routine. He never growled just once. During the first moderate growl, the top of his head would be pointing left and his mouth be almost horizontal and pointing right. Then, when he did his second growl, he did the opposite.

It’s Leo’s reverse head position with the second, furious growl that viewers see at the beginning of each MGM movie.

I always applauded him when he stopped. He seemed to know that he was the star attraction.

We lived in Thousand Oaks in Southern California, and dad worked at Port Hueneme. I was in the seventh grade at Vallejo Elementary School and sometimes my teacher, Mrs. Waters, would excuse me a little early so I could go to work. She liked Leo, too.

The love I had for Leo has never left me. Each time I see the opening scene of an MGM movie, there’s Leo roaring just like he always roared at me when I showed up to water him.

He was my kitty for two years. ec

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