VIP 30A Jan Feb Edition

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FI E L D O F D R E A M S

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Y OUR 3 0 “ A” TEA M

Amanda Hurd

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Ashley Turner

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T h e h oli d a y s e as o n t hr o u g h N e w Ye ar’s D a y is als o w h e n m a n y of o ur l o c al n o n- pr of its a n d b usi n ess o w n ers h ost f u n dr ais ers, o p e n h o us es a n d g al as, n ot t o m e nti o n a n e n dl ess s u p pl y of f a mil y g at h eri n gs a n d pri v at e p arti es. A n d s p e a ki n g of N e w Ye ar’s a n d its c el e br ati o ns, t h er e ar e t o o m a n y o pti o ns f or us t o e v e n c o v er b ut w e tr y o ur b est. T o u g h j o b b ut s o m e o n e h as t o d o it, ri g ht ? T his y e ar, w e h a d t h e pl e as ur e of b ei n g a p art of t w o N e w Ye ar’s E v e p arti es o n

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o p p osit e e n ds of W alt o n C o u nt y. B ot h H ot el Ef fi e i n S a n d esti n a n d P es c a d a i n R os e m ar y B e a c h h ost e d a n e v e ni n g of cl assi c dri n ks, t ast y f o o d a n d gr e at e nt ert ai n m e nt w hi c h w e hi g hli g ht i n t his iss u e. W h at a n a m a zi n g f e el i n g t o lit er all y h a v e t h e o c e a n i n y o ur vi e w as e v er y o n e c o u nts d o w n t h e l ast s e c o n ds of 2 0 2 1. F or m a n y y e ars, I c el e br at e d t h e N e w Ye ar b a c k h o m e i n T e n n ess e e wit h fri e n ds i n N as h vill e or M e m p his. It w as o nl y a f e w y e ars a g o I dis c o v er e d t h at ri n gi n g t h e N e w Ye ar i n wit h mil d t e m ps a n d a n o c e a n br e e z e w as d e fi nit el y m or e m y st yl e. S o f or m a n y of y o u w h o tr a v el els e w h er e at t h e e n d of D e c e m b er, tr y o n e of o ur m a n y l o c al o pti o ns n e xt y e ar, y o u will n ot b e dis a p p oi nt e d.

A n d f or n o w, w e q ui c kl y m o v e i nt o 2 0 2 2 wit h m u c h a nti ci p ati o n a n d e x cit e m e nt f or a n ot h er a m a zi n g y e ar f or 3 0 A a n d all of W al t o n C o u nt y! Als o b e s ur e a n d c h e c k o ut o ur n e xt VI P 3 0 A M a g a zi n e iss u e i n M ar c h w hi c h will h a v e a t o n of e v e nt c o v er a g e fr o m t h e 3 0 A S o n g writ ers F esti v al!

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VI P • S h a r k’ s T o o t h G olf C o u r s e

Gavin Phillips, Kienan Glavine, Victoria Nguyen, Lauren Baugh & Joy Robbins

Mason Glavine, To m Glavine, Chris Glavine, Jonathan Flaig & Peyton Glavine

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o m Gl a vi n e, M aj or L e a g u e B as e b all H all of F a m er a n d f or m er Atl a nt a Br a v es’ pit c h er al o n g wit h his wif e C hris a n d t h e S e asi d e S c h o ol F o u n d ati o n, I n c. t e a m e d u p t o h ost t h e i n a u g ur al Fi el d of Dr e a ms C h arit y G olf T o ur n a m e nt w hi c h r ais e d $ 9 0, 0 0 0 b e n e fiti n g t h e S e asi d e S c h o ol F o u n d ati o n.

T h e d a y-l o n g g olf t o ur n a m e nt t o o k pl a c e o n T u es d a y, N o v e m b er 2 n d, 2 0 2 1 at W at ers o u n d Cl u b’s S h ar k’s T o ot h G olf C o urs e. T h e first- y e ar t o ur n a m e nt attr a ct e d 1 4 4 g olf ers a n d m a n y c or p or at e a n d l o c al b usi n ess s p o ns ors. T h e f u n ds r ais e d will dir e ctl y b e n e fit t h e S e asi d e S c h o ol, I n c., Fl ori d a’s ol d est c o nti n u o usl y o p er at e d p u bli c c h art er s c h o ol a n d r e c e ntl y r a n k e d # 3 c o m bi n ati o n s c h o ol i n t h e St at e of Fl ori d a.

Of t h e 3 6 t e a ms f o ur- p ers o n t e a ms t h at t e e d- off, t h e wi n n ers of t h e t o ur n a m e nt w er e 1st n et s c or e wi nn ers: S u z y St a nl e y, Bri a n Wi d m a n, Bill Wi d m a n a n d Ji m B a b b wit h P ort h & Ass o ci at es a n d 1st gr oss s c or e wi n n ers: L e e J o h ns o n, B e n E d w ar ds, C or y F os d y c k a n d A d a m Y or k wit h C or y F os d y c k | M errill L y n c h W e alt h M a n a g e m e nt. Titl e s p o ns ors T h e St. J o e C o m m u nit y F o u n d ati o n, S c e ni c S ot h e b y’s I nt er n ati o n al R e alt y a n d C o ast al Ri d g e R e al Est at e al o n g wit h c o ntri b uti o ns fr o m Pi c kl es B ur g ers a n d S h a k es, G ulf C o ast T urf a n d of c o urs e t h e pl a y ers h el p m a k e t his t o ur n a m e nt p ossi bl e. “ O ur s p e ci al s c h o ol is i n cr e di bl y f ort u n at e t o h a v e d e di c at e d s u p p ort ers li k e t h e Gl a vi n e f a mil y. ” s ai d T er es a H ort o n, e x e c uti v e dir e ct or of t h e S e asi d e S c h o ol F o u n d ati o n, I n c

Shark’s Tooth Golf Course

To m Glavine & Lindsey Harrison

1st Net Score Winners Ji m Babb, Brian Wid man, To m Glavine, Suzi Stanley & Bill Wid man

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 11

VI P • T h e P oi n t e R o of t o p

Ryan Walsh, Natalie Leon, Barrett Perry, Antonia Poate, Ashton Gelineau, Allyson Futrell, Brett Gelineau & Michael Cia mbriello

Antonia Poate, Kelly Cash, Kelly Curry

Y O U N G P R O F E S SI O N A L S

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P a rt y

Story & Photography by Mayeska Sand

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h e Y o u n g Pr of essi o n als of W alt o n C o u nt y c el e br at e d a n d s h ar e d a t o ast t o a s u c c essf ul 2 0 2 1 s e as o n wit h a H oli d a y P art y o n t h e R o oft o p B ar at T h e P oi nt e o n 3 0 A o n Fri d a y, D e c e m b er 1 7. Wit h b e a utif ul r o oft o p vi e ws a c c o m p a ni e d b y wi n e a n d b e er s el e cti o ns, t h e e v e ni n g w as p erf e ct t o mi n gl e a n d ji n gl e.

T h e P ur pl e M o n k e y B a n d p erf or m e d t hr o u g h o ut t h e ni g ht, a n d d eli ci o us h ors d’ o e u vr es b y M A R R O W Pri v at e C h efs w er e pr o vi d e d f or att e n d e es. T hr o u g h o ut t h e e v e ni n g, l a u g hs w er e s h ar e d, c o n n e cti o ns w er e m a d e, a n d r af fl e pri z es w er e gi v e n a w a y. S p o ns ors w h o c o ntri b ut e d t o t h e s u c c ess of t h e e v e nt i n cl u d e d E m er al d C o ast Titl e S er vi c es, T h e St a g gs Gr o u p R e al Est at e a n d T wi n P al ms L u x ur y C oll e cti v e.

Gabrielle Barrientos, Hannah Paniszczyn, Joshua Co wsert & Dayna Reggero

Miles Tate & Alex Curry

Steven Gallagher, Beck Graben, Sa m Hubbard & Elizabeth Birta

12 •

Shane Abbott & Matthe w Cash

Jessica Hodges, Kelly Cash, Juliet Black mon Bronzio & Su m mer Melton

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 1 3

VI P • H o t el Effi e

Story & Photography by Jeff Watson

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a n d esti n h as l o n g b e e n k n o w f or gr e at N e w Ye ars’s E v e c el e br ati o ns i n B a yt o w n wit h i n cr e di bl e s h o w b a n ds a n d t w o fir e w or ks s h o ws f or all a g es. T his y e ar as a I m a d e m y w a y t hr o u g h t h e Vill a g e t h e p art y w as d e fi nit el y o n. Alt h o u g h, m y ulti m at e d esti n ati o n t his y e ar w as a ct u all y t e n st ori es a b o v e B a yt o w n e at t h e R o oft o p of H ot el Ef fi e, S a n d esti n’s n e w est pr o p ert y. A n d a p art y it w as wit h e v er y o n e d e c k e d o ut i n N e w Ye ar’s E v e f as hi o n as t h e y as c e n d e d t o t h e e x cl usi v e N e w Ye ar’s E v e p art y at t h e Ar a R o oft o p P o ol a n d L o u n g e. T h e at m os p h er e w as el e ctri c as t h e DJ e nt ert ai n e d t h e cr o w d s o ci ali zi n g ar o u n d t h e p o ol a n d b ar.

A p h ot o b o ot h, p art y f a v ors, a n d p a n or a mi c vi e ws of t h e fir e w or ks a cr oss t h e E m er al d C o ast k e pt t h e f u n g oi n g w ell p ast t h e mi d ni g ht c o u nt d o w n.

F or n e xt y e ar c o nsi d er t h e ulti m at e, H ot el Ef fi e S a n d es ti n’s $ 1 5, 0 0 0 N e w Ye ars E v e e x p eri e n c e, w hi c h gi v es g u ests t h e c h a n c e t o t hr o w t h e ulti m at e N e w Ye ar’s c el e br ati o n wit h a t ot al of si x g u ests, ri g ht fr o m t h e c o mf ort of t h e h o t el’s e xtr a v a g a nt Pr esi d e nti al S uit e. T o g et t h e p art y st art e d, H ot el Ef fi e pr o vi d es a p ers o n al b art e n d er i n-s uit e t hr o u g h o ut t h e e v e ni n g, s er vi n g a c oll e cti o n of A c e of S p a d es, Ve u v e, a n d D o m P eri g n o n. T his p a c k a g e als o i n cl u d es di n n er at O vi d e, H ot el Ef fi e’s si g n at ur e r est a ur a nt l e d b y t h e r e n o w n e d c h ef H u g h A c h es o n, f or a n i n d ul g e nt N e w Ye ar’s E v e di n n er. Of c o urs e t h e R o oft o p P art y is o nl y st e ps fr o m y o ur d o or t o ri n g i n t h e n e w y e ar. A n d l ast b ut n ot l e ast, Bl o o d y M ar y’s f or t h e m or ni n g aft er t o st art off t h e n e w y e ar wit h tr a diti o n a n d st yl e. A n d if t h at w as n’t e n o u g h, a visit t o H ot el Ef fi e’s l u x uri o us S p a Lilli a n a will l e a v e y o u f e eli n g r e vi v e d, r efr es h e d a n d r e a d y f or a n e w y e ar!

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VI P • P e s c a d a

Rockers for Life

Ne w+ Year’s# Eve

Kristin & Scott Burson, Julie Ed wards, Robie Kenney & Bryan Ed wards

C EL E B R ATI O N S Story & Photography by Jeff Watson

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es c a d a i n R os e m ar y B e a c h h a d n ot o n e b ut t w o gr e at N e w Ye ar’s e v e p arti es f or t h e c o u nt d o w n t o 2 0 2 2. T h e C o urt y ar d at P es c a d o’s N e w Ye ar’s E v e C el e br ati o n fr o m 7 p m- 1 2: 3 0 p m i n cl u d e d h e a v y h ors d’ o e u vr es, c ust o m c o c kt ails, li v e m usi c b y R o c k ers F or Lif e fr o m 8 p m a n d a c h a m p a g n e t o ast at mi d ni g ht. J ust a s h ort el e v at or ri d e u p t o t h e P es c a d a R o oft o p B ar a n d S e af o o d Grill l a n d e d g u est t o t h e P es c a d o’s “I n t h e Mi d ni g ht H o ur N e w Ye ar’s E v e C el e br ati o n ”. T h e e v e ni n g st art e d wit h a n e x cl usi v e m e n u f oll o w e d b y d a n ci n g t h e ni g ht a w a y wit h li v e m usi c b y M a x M c C a n n B a n d fr o m 6 p m- 1 2: 3 0 p m. G u ests g at h er e d f or a c o u nt d o w n a n d t o ast t o t h e n e w y e ar at mi d ni g ht w hil e o v erl o o ki n g a mist y G ulf of M e xi c o.

Ki m Berry & Tray Fontaine

Tracy & Mark Shacklette

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Megan Gooch & Andi Battaglia

Marie Neish, Kayla Arcuri, Elise Neish, Nick Arcuri, Kara & Chris Miles

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 1 7

N e w Y e a r’ s E v e C el e b r ati o n s at P e s c a d a

Carrie Odu m & E merson George

Heather & Mark Caputo

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5 6 Milli o n i n S al e s !

Sunny Chang & Caroline Gutierrez, Russell Durand & Margaret Strikland

S elli n g: S a n d e sti n • T o p s’l Mir a m ar B e a c h • D e sti n

Just engaged!

18 •

Jerad & Gabrialla King

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Carol Bro wn & Ellen Glass

Sunny Chang & Caroline Gutierrez

DET O X DESTRESS DEF O C US

Maria Lange, Sara Zeller & Tracy Shacklette

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Isha m & Madison Zabalo

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Holly Wright & Chad Bill man

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 1 9

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To m & Eileen Moreland, Larry Osborn

Jennifer & Stephanie Hoshor

E mily Mang moradeth & Sarah Svoboda

ME M BE RS

(Holi d ay ) Ope n Ho use

Leah Capers, & Joe Capers

Story & Photography by Jeff Watson

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h e S a nt a R os a G olf & B e a c h Cl u b h el d a h oli d a y o p e n h o us e o n D e c e m b er 5t h at t h e V u e w hi c h is o w n e d b y t h e cl u b. T his y e ar t h e cl u b h a d a l ot t o c el e br at e wit h t h e c o m pl eti o n of its m aj or r e n o v ati o n of t h e g olf c o urs e. T h e e v e ni n g br o u g ht m e m b ers t o g et h er t o s o ci ali z e w hil e e nj o yi n g w o n d erf ul f o o d a n d b e v era g es. Li v e m usi c w as p art of t h e f u n w hil e S a nt a list e n e d t o t h e wis h es of ki ds a n d a d ults ali k e.

Kate O wen, Sarah Svoboda & Tori Stapleton

Tanika & Steve O’ Brien, David & Jill Cooke

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Mark & Whitney Bro wn

Kelly Robertson, Patty & Robert Reeder, Jenny Douthitt & Boni Rekas

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M e m b e r s H oli d a y O p e n H o u s e

The Beeker’s & Hefner’s

Kevin & Chris Lo well

Margaret & Anthony Iuculano

22 •

S mith, Kristen, Archer & Wilson Burke

The Walsh’s

Jorge Saiz, Mary Chris Murry & Todd Reeves

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Br a g a d s ar e t a c k y.

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C or c or a n R e v eri e h a s o v er o n e billi o n r e a s o n s f or y o u t o tr u s t y o ur n e x t r e al e s t at e tr a n s a c ti o n t o u s.

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VI P • S a n d e sti n

Nogah Win field, April S mith & Lauren Grobs mith

T H E N E XT

BI G T HI N G

Lori S mith & Megan Harrison

Jennifer Cooper & Mary Francis Mullins

Story & Photography by Jeff Watson

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h e N e xt Bi g T hi n g 2 0 2 1, br o u g ht t o y o u b y t h e W alt o n C h a m b er of C o m m er c e, w as s p o ns or e d b y F ort W alt o n B e a c h M e di c al C e nt er a n d h el d at t h e S a n d esti n G olf a n d B e a c h R es ort. T his f ull d a y of e nt er t ai n m e nt a n d e d u c ati o n f e at ur e d d y n a mi c s p e a k ers a n d w or ks h o ps a d dr essi n g t o pi cs b e n e fi ci al t o e m er gi n g a n d e xisti n g l e a d ers. T h e h e a dli n er list of s p e a k ers f o c us e d o n e ntr e pr e n e urs hi p, l e a d ers hi p d e v el o p m e nt, a n d als o e m p o w eri n g w o m e n pr of essi o n all y a n d p ers o n all y. Pr e s e nt ati o ns t hr o u g h o ut t h e d a y w er e i nt er mi n gl e d wit h n et w or ki n g o p p ort u niti es. A c o c kt ail r e c e pti o n f oll o w i n g t h e e v e nt w as c o m bi n e d wit h t h e m o nt hl y B usi n ess Aft er H o urs at Sli c k Li ps S e af o o d a n d O yst er H o us e e xt e n di n g t h e d a y of i ns pir ati o n i nt o t h e e v e ni n g.

Tia Guidry & Tina Odu m

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Hunner S mith & Do minique Brock man

Autu mn Wascher

Gabrielle Kilgore & Judea Kring

Kyle Slockbo wer

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M K A F C o n c ert s Mattie Kelley 7p m

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R o s e m ar y B e a c h F ar m er’s M ar k et Rose mary Beach 9 a m

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Wi n e n & Fri e s C h arit y E v e nt H ot el Ef fi e 6 p m

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J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 2 7

Dr. A m b er Wi e b e I S A P R O VI D E R W H O T E A C H E S O T H E R P R O VI D E R S Dr. A m b er Wi e b e D M D, M A G D, M A A F E, FI C OI is hi g hl y tr ai n e d i n f a ci al a est h eti cs. A tr a v eli n g N ati o n al I nstr u ct or f or m or e t h a n 1 0 y e ars i n B ot o x a n d J u v e d er m F a mil y of Fill ers, s h e att ai n e d h er M ast ers hi p i n T h e A m eri c a n A c a d e m y of F a ci al Est h eti cs. S h e bl e n ds k n o wl e d g e, p assi o n, a n d artistr y t o h el p y o u d ef y y o ur a g e a n d l o o k a n d f e el y o ur b est.

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VI P • Sli c k Li p s i n B a y t o w n e

Bryce Jarvis, Megan Harrison & Sha wn Rhodes

W A LT O N C O U N T Y C H A M B E R

B U SI N E S S

Josie Prof fitt & Ti m Brand

Mary Francis Mullins & Charles Musgrove

Kay Phelan & Lynn Wesson

Shanelle Lucas & Teresa Indagee

Ji m my Dallas & Ginny Richardson

Scot Copeland & Tina Odu m

AFTE R H O U RS Story & Photography by Jeff Watson

E

a c h m o nt h t h e W alt o n Ar e a C h a m b er of C o m m er c e h ol ds a B usi n ess Aft er H o urs at o n e of its m e m b ers v e n u es. T his m o nt hl y e v e nt is a gr e at n et w or ki n g o p p ort u nit y f or c h a m b er m e m b ers as w ell as n o n- m e m b ers i nt er est e d i n m e eti n g n e w p e o pl e a n d g etti n g i n v ol v e d i n t h e c o m m u nit y. F or D e c e m b er, t h e B usi n ess Aft er H o urs w as h ost e d b y Sli c k Li ps S e af o o d a n d O yst er H o us e l o c at e d i n T h e Vill a g e of B a yt o w n e W h arf i nsi d e S a n d esti n. T h e e v e nt w as s p o ns or e d b y S u p eri or Air wit h gr e at f o o d a n d b e v er a g es as w ell as e n t ert ai n m e nt. M e m b er b usi n ess es d o n at e it e ms f or r af fl e wit h s o m e gr e at pri z es gi v e n a w a y e v er y m o nt h al o n g wit h a l u c k y wi n n er of c as h! C h e c k o ur c al e n d ar f or t h e l o c ati o n of t h e n e xt B usi n ess Aft er H o urs!

Christy Gibson, Nor ma Jean U mble & Lisa Burlriss

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 2 9

B u si n e s s Af t e r H o u r s

Ji m my Dallas, Gabrielle Kilgore, Deb Cluff & Megan Harrison

Cali Hlavac, Elizabeth Baugher & Maggie Fisher

Dr. Kate Price- Ho ward, Leighann Elliott & Haley Poveda

Cindy Russell, Hayley Bryant & E mily Kelly

Christy Gibson

Bryce Jarvis, Megan Harrison & Jay A m mons

3 0 •

Heather Cleveland & Maggie Fisher

Tina Odu m & Angela Turner

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 31

E A T. P L A Y. B E S O CI A L.

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B o n fi r e s. Li v e M u si c. All- D a y D ri n k S p e ci al s. ’ N u ff S ai d.

N o rt h B e a c h S o ci al. O p e n S e v e n D a y s a W e e k 11 a. m. t o 9 p. m.

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VI P • S h a r k’ s T o o t h G olf C o u r s e

John Roeckle, Kendal Drake & David Reed

Tourna ment Board

Christ m as Cl ash Story by Carlos Shaffran & Photography by Jeff Watson

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h e st or y st art e d b a c k i n D e c e m b er 2 0 1 9 w h e n a f e w l o c al g u ys d e ci d e d t o h a v e a mi ni g olf T o urn a m e nt a n d c all e d it o ur First A n n u al C hrist m as Cl as h. A w h o p pi n g ei g ht pl a y ers s h o w e d u p, t w o f o ur- m a n t e a ms a g ai nst e a c h ot h er. It w as s u c h a bl ast t h e y d e ci d e d t o h a v e a n ot h er t o ur n a m e nt i n t h e s pri n g of 2 0 2 0, a n d it w as c all e d “ T h e S pri n g Fli n g ” wit h 1 6 pl a y ers. N o w a t o ur n a m e nt f or e v er y s e as o n is i n pl a c e: C hrist m as Cl as h, S pri n g Fli n g, S u m m er S pl as h a n d F all Fi g ht. T his y e ar’s C hrist m as Cl as h w as h el d D e c e m b er 1 8 o n t h e R a v e n G olf c o urs e i n S a n d esti n wit h 9 2 pl a y ers of all a g es. All of t h e t o ur n a m e nts ar e h el d at o n e of t h e f o ur c o urs es i n S a n d esti n. W h at’s u ni q u e a b o ut t h es e g olf e v e nts is e v er y t e a m m ust h a v e a n A, B, C a n d a D pl a y er o n it. T h e n e xt t o ur n a m e nt is s c h e d ul e d f or M ar c h 1 9t h o n t h e R a v e n C o urs e o n c e a g ai n. E a c h t o ur n a m e nt d o n at es p art of t h e pr o c e e ds t o t h e Fis h er H o us e E m er al d C o ast. F or m or e i nf or m ati o n pl e as e g o t o w w w. g olf c o w b o ys. c o m.

Matt Eouchard & Ed Fo wler

Dr Francis Herrbold

Jason Turner & Rodney Callahan

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 3 3

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I W A N T T O R E A L L Y G E T T O K N O W M Y F I S H.

David & Kendall Hanberry, Dave Kral & Brian Elza

J Mike McCor mick, Matthe w McCor mick & Matt Kakliauskas

Eric Baxter, Steve Depe w, Bo & Treu Pattillo

To m my Tiblier, Brad Benton, Mike Wa msley & BJ Wood

34 •

Dr. A m b er Wi e b e

AsI Sk AK ylP R eO VI– D E R

WH O T E A C H E S O T H E R P R O VI D E R S

“E VER YB O DY G ET S A D E A L” L U X U R Y VI N Y L P L A N K F L O O RI N G 4 0 C OL O R S I N ST O C K C A R P ET

S el e ct c ol or s st arti n g a s l o w a s $ 1. 9 9

P O R C E L AI N TI L E

S ave u pto 75 % off T o p N a m e Br a n d M attr e s s e s

B A C K S P L A S H TI L E H AR D W O O D F L O O RI N G L U X U R Y VI N Y L P L A N K F L O O RI N G

9 8 Fl o ori n g a n d M attr e s s b u y s tr u c k lo a d s str ai g ht fr o m t h e w h ol e s al er s o w e c a n p a s s t h e s a vi n g s o n t o y o u.

1 9 6 0 5 P a n a m a Cit y B e a c h P k w y | P a n a m a Cit y B e a c h, F L | 8 5 0. 2 3 8. 8 9 6 8 9 5 0 1 E m er al d C o a st P k w y |

Mir a m ar B e a c h, F L | 8 5 0. 7 9 7. 0 0 6 9

9 8 F L O O R I N G A N D M A T T R E S S . C O J MA N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y

2 022 • 35

36 •

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 3 7

38 •

VI Pr o fil e

RR AAEL ELYY NN NNEL ELSS OO NN D oi n g it Her Way O n t he Roa d a n d Off A

s a writ er a n d cr e ati v e w h o h as al w a ys c o nsi d er e d m y l o v e of m usi c – es p e ci all y li v e m usi c — a n i m p ort a nt p art of m y lif e, I t e n d t o gr a vit at e t o w ar d artists a n d b a n ds t h at I c a n r el at e t o p ers o n all y. P art of t h at r el at a bl e crit eri a is fi n di n g o ut t h at t h e y’r e d o w n-t oe art h, c o ol p e o pl e w h o l o v e cr e ati n g m usi c, b ut d o n’t n e c ess aril y fit i nt o a n y o n e pr e dis p os e d n oti o n of w h at c o u ntr y, or r o c k, or s o ul or m et al … or a n yt hi n g els e, r e all y h as t o s o u n d li k e.

W h e n I first s a w R a el y n N els o n B a n d p erf or m li v e, a b o ut f o ur y e ars a g o, I w as r at h er i ntri g u e d b y t h eir a bilit y t o t a k e a n y n u m b er of s o n gs a n d r e all y m a k e t h e m t h eirs. B y a d di n g t h eir si g n at ur e bl e n d of c o u ntr y a n d r o c k a bill y m e ets s p e e d m et al a n d cl assi c r o c k t his b a n d h as r e all y m a n a g e d t o cr e at e a n o utsi d e t h e b o x ki n d of m a gi c t h at s o m e h o w s e e ms t o w or k j ust ri g ht o n st a g e.

F oll o w t h at wit h m e eti n g R a el y n, J B (J o n at h a n Bri g ht- l e a d g uit ar, b a c k gr o u n d v o c als ) a n d t h e r est of t h e b a n d, i n p ers o n aft er t h at first s h o w, a n d I w as i m m e di at el y i nt er est e d i n j ust w h at m a d e t his b a n d ti c k as s o n g writ ers, cr e at ors, a n d p erf or m ers.

S ur e, it d o es n’t h urt t h at R a el y n is t h e gr a n d d a u g ht er of o n e of c o u ntr y m usi c’s m ost n ot ori o us i c o ns, Willi e N els o n, b ut t h er e is s o m u c h m or e t o t his b a n d t h a n si m pl y t h at f a m il y n a m e a n d m usi c al li n e a g e. T his is a b a n d wit h pl e nt y of r e as o ns of t h eir o w n t o c o n vi n c e y o u t o b e c o m e a f a n.

T h o u g h R a el y n a n d h er b a n d of m err y m usi c al m a k ers d o a gr e at j o b of p utti n g t h eir o w n i nt er esti n g s pi n o n c o v er t u n es li k e J o h n Mi c h a el M o nt g o m er y’s “ S ol d ” ( T h e Gr u n d y C o u nt y A u cti o n I n ci d e nt ) a n d J o a n J ett’s cl as si c, “ B a d R e p ut ati o n, ” t h e y als o d o a w o n d erf ul j o b of writi n g a n d p erf or mi n g t h eir o w n ori gin al s o n gs. T u n es t h at r e all y m a k e y o u s mil e as y o u list e n, a n d m or e o v er if y o u ar e w at c hi n g t h e p erf or m a n c e li v e.

Si n c e t h at first s h o w, I’ v e n o w s e e n R a el y n, J B, A n g el a, a n d Pr e a c h p erf or m i n v e n u es fr o m S o ut h W alt o n t o N as h vill e, a n d e v er y si n gl e ti m e it’s b e e n a n e n er g eti c mi x of m usi c, st a g e pr es e n c e, a n d h u m or all t hr o w n i nt o a f e w h o urs of s mil es, l a u g ht er, d a n ci n g, a n d m a y b e e v e n a f e w s h ots s pr e a d ar o u n d. Aft er all, is n’t t h at w h at m usi c is s u p p os e d t o b e a b o ut ?

W E: F or o ur r e a d er s w h o m a y n ot h a v e s e e n or h e ar d y o u b ef or e, h o w di d t h e R a el y n N el s o n B a n d c o m e t o fr uiti o n a n d h o w l o n g h a v e y o u b e e n o n t hi s p arti c ul ar m u si c al j o ur n e y ?

R N: A b o ut t e n y e ars a g o, I m et J B t hr o u g h a m ut u al fri e n d. I w as l o o ki n g f or a pl a c e t o r e c or d s o m e s o n gs I w as w or ki n g o n, a n d h e off er e d his h o m e st u di o. B y t h e e n d of t h e first s essi o n, w e h a d d e ci d e d t o writ e s o m e s o n gs a n d p ut t o g et h er a c o m b o. W e st art e d d oi n g j ust t h at, a n d wit hi n a f e w y e ars, w e h a d fi nis h e d o ur first E P a n d m a n a g e d t o g et o ut o n t h e r o a d as a b a n d.

Story by Will Estell

W E: It’ s n o s e cr et t o m a n y t h at y o u d e fi nit el y c o m e fr o m a li n e a g e of gr e at m u si ci a n s, fr o m y o ur gr a n df at h er Willi e t o y o ur u n cl e L u k a s, y et t h e m u si c y o u pl a y i s q uit e a bit diff er e nt fr o m t h eir s. H o w di d y o u c o m e t o fi n d y o ur p er s o n al s o u n d a n d h o w m u c h i s it e v ol vi n g a s y o ur b a n d c o nti n u e s t o gr o w i n t al e nt a n d p o p ul arit y ?

R N: I d o n’t s et o ut t o writ e a s o n g. I w ait f or m el o di es a n d a l yri c t o c o m e t o m e a n d t h e n I writ e t h e s o n g. Us u all y I v oi c e m e m o it a n d s e n d it t o J B a n d w e will writ e b a c k a n d f ort h o n m e m os. T h e m a gi c of arr a n gi n g a n d a d di n g r o c k el e m e nts h a p p e ns w h e n w e r e c or d t h e s o n g.

I f e el v er y l u c k y t h at all I n e e d t o d o t o writ e a s o n g “ wit h m y s o u n d ” is j ust w ait, li v e lif e, b e still a n d list e n … or g o f or a dri v e o n a b a c kr o a d. T h e m el o di es al w a ys c o m e.

W E: W e’ v e t al k e d b ef or e a b o ut y o ur l o v e of pl a yi n g m u si c f e sti v al s a n d h o w m u c h t h e li v e a s p e ct m e a n s t o y o u i n b uil di n g y o ur gr o wi n g f oll o wi n g. H o w oft e n ar e y o u g u y s o n t h e r o a d i n o ur c urr e nt s o m e w h at t u m ult u o u s ti m e s ?

R N: W e r e all y w er e n’t a bl e t o g et o ut v er y m u c h d uri n g 2 0 2 0 a n d 2 0 2 1; t h er e’s b e e n a h a n df ul of o utsi d e s h o ws w e pl a y e d as a b a n d, a n d I w as a bl e t o pl a y s o m e s ol o s h o ws. S o f ar t h o u g h, 2 0 2 2 is l o o ki n g li k e a g o o d t o uri n g y e ar f or us a n d m a n y ot h ers. B ei n g a n i n d e p e n d e nt b a n d, w e r el y o n t o uri n g t o b uil d u p J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 3 9

o ur f a n b as e gr ass r o ots st yl e. It’s w h at w e h a v e b e e n d oi n g f or t h e p ast 7 y e ars a n d I w o ul d n’t tr a d e t h at f or all t h e r e c or d l a b els b o wi n g at o ur f e et. W e’ v e m a d e lif el o n g fri e n ds t o uri n g t h e U nit e d St at es, a n d t h e m e m ori es of e v er y b a n d tri p is w ort h t h e l o n g- h a ul j o ur n e y.

W E: B ei n g a m ot h er of t hr e e, i n cl u di n g t wi n t e e n a g er s, a n d h o m e s c h o oli n g y o u d e fi nit el y s e e m t o h a v e y o ur h a n d s f ull w ell b e y o n d writi n g, cr e ati n g, a n d p erf or mi n g, w h at’ s y o ur s e cr et s a u c e f or w e ari n g all t h o s e h at s, a n d m a ki n g it w or k ?

R N: I h a v e 3 y o u n gi ns! M y t wi n b o ys ar e al m ost 1 5 a n d m y d a u g ht er is 1 2. T h e y’r e all h o m es c h o ol e d a n d l u c kil y n o w t h at t h e y’r e i n mi d dl e s c h o ol a n d hi g h s c h o ol t h e y d o o nli n e s c h o ol. T h e y l o g o n e v er y d a y a n d d o t h eir l ess o ns, a n d I d o n’t d o m u c h e x c e pt s e n d t h eir gr a d es i nt o t h e g o v er n m e nt. W h e n t h e y w er e littl e, w e di d a c urri c ul u m c all e d Cl assi c al C o n v ers ati o ns. It’s gr e at f or y o u n g st u d e nts b e c a us e it t e a c h es t h e m t hr o u g h s o n g. It w or k e d f or us. I w o ul d c o m p art m e nt ali z e m y ti m e. W e w o ul d d o f o ur h o urs of s c h o ol a n d t h e n I w o ul d s p e n d t h e aft er n o o ns w or ki n g o n m usi c or b a n d b usi n ess. H o m es c h o oli n g a ct u all y w or ks b ett er f or o ur lif est yl e a n d I h a v e al w a ys t h o u g ht t h at if I h a v e t o l e a v e t h e m o n t h e w e e k e n ds t o pl a y s h o ws, I w a nt t o s p e n d as m u c h ti m e wit h t h e m d uri n g t h e w e e k a n d t h e c o m mit m e nt t o s c h o ol t h e m all o ws m e t o d o t h at. B ei n g a g o o d m o m is m y first pri orit y, al w a ys, a n d I’ m l u c k y t h at m y b a n d a gr e es a n d n e v er h as a n iss u e wit h t h at.

W E: Tell u s a littl e a b o ut y o ur n e w pr oj e ct s a n d a n yt hi n g i n t h e pi p eli n e m u si c all y or ot h er wi s e t h at o ur r e a d er s s h o ul d k n o w a b o ut.

R N: O v er t h e p a n d e mi c, J B a n d I st art e d a p o d c ast c all e d M usi c is F u n n y. It’s m usi ci a ns t al ki n g t o c o m e di a ns a b o ut m usi c a n d c o me d y. W h e n w e ar e i n t h e b a n d v a n f or h o urs at a ti m e, w e o nl y list e n t o c o m e d y p o d c asts or st a n d u p s p e ci als m ostl y b e c a us e w e d o n’t a gr e e o n m usi c t o list e n t o [l a u g hi n g]. S o, w h e n w e w er e n’t t o uri n g m u c h, w e t h o u g ht t h at w e c o ul d g et t h e m t o t al k t o us. A n d it w or k e d! W e r el e as e d a n e w p o d c ast e v er y W e d n es d a y, a n d n o w w e’r e g oi n g t o bi- w e e kl y s o w e c a n w or k o n n e w m usi c.

O ur n e xt si n gl e c o m es o ut t his s pri n g.

I’ m e x cit e d a b o ut it. I h a v e a brilli a nt vi d e o pl a n n e d. I wr ot e t h e s o n g a w hil e a g o, ri g ht af t er I w e nt t hr o u g h m y di v or c e. It’s c all e d, “I’ m Fr e e ” a n d I t hi n k all of us c a n r el at e t o it aft er t h e p ast c o u pl e of y e ars.

W E: Y o u’ v e p erf or m e d al o n g t h e b e a c h t o w n s of D e sti n, 3 0 A, a n d P C B m ulti pl e ti m e s o v er t h e y e ar s, a n d k e e p g etti n g i n vit e d b a c k t o t h e u b er p o p ul ar 3 0 A S o n g writ er’ s F e sti v al, h o w d o y o u f e el a b o ut t h e f a n s a n d f u n t h at c o m e wit h t hi s ar e a a n d f e sti v al ?

R N: T h e 3 0 A S o n g writ er’s F esti v al is p erf e ct f or m usi ci a ns a n d s o n g writ ers, a n d w e all l o o k f or w ar d t o it. It’s al w a ys i n t h e mi d dl e of wi nt er.

4 0 •

E v e n o n a r e g ul ar y e ar wit h o ut p a n d e mi cs, w e d o n’t g et t o pl a y m a n y s h o ws o n t h e r o a d fr o m N o v e m b er t hr o u g h M ar c h. W e ar e all it c hi n g t o pl a y a n d si n g b y J a n u ar y. Es p e ci all y wit h li k e mi n d e d p e o pl e o n a b e a c h! It’s li k e g oi n g o n a y o g a or s p a r etr e at. It f e e ds y o ur s o ul i n a w a y t h at o nl y m usi c a n d t h e c o ast c a n.

W E: Si n c e fir st m e eti n g y o u, a n d s e ei n g y o u p erf or m li v e, I’ v e b e e n i m pr e s s e d wit h y o ur a bilit y t o r e all y w or k t h e cr o w d wit h y o ur h u m or t h at c o m e s t hr o u g h b ot h o n st a g e a n d off.

T h at s a m e q ui c k wit i s e vi d e nt i n y o ur p o d c a st s a n d s o ci al p o st s. H a v e y o u al w a y s b e e n f u n ny ?

R N: I us e h u m or t o g et t hr o u g h lif e. I h a v e t o.

I h a v e t o m a k e e v er yt hi n g f u n n y or I w o ul d j ust cr y all t h e ti m e. B ei n g sill y a n d ri di c ul o us is m y f a v orit e f or m of h u m or a n d m a ki n g p e o pl e l a u g h is m y s e c o n d f a v orit e t hi n g t o d o ri g ht aft er m a ki n g t h e m d a n c e t o m y s o n gs.

I l o v e it w h e n p e o pl e t ell m e t h e y c a n’t g et a s o n g of mi n e o ut of t h eir h e a d. T h at’s h o w y o u k n o w it’s a hit. E v e n if t h e c h arts d o n’t s a y s o [l a u g hi n g].

W E: H a v e y o u e v er c o n si d er e d st a n d u p ?

R N: As f ar as st a n d u p g o es, I di d d o m y first fi v e mi n ut es of st a n d u p i n 2 0 2 1, o p e ni n g f or D o n J a mi es o n h er e i n N as h vill e. It w e nt pr ett y w ell. T h e y l a u g h e d! I’ m ki n d a of a c o m e di a n n o w. I’ m n ot o p p os e d t o d oi n g it a g ai n, b ut I g et t o d o m y st a n d u p w h e n I pl a y s h o ws i n b et w e e n m y s o n gs a n d if I b o m b a j o k e, I c a n t ur n t o m y b a n d a n d st art a s o n g [l a u g hi n g]. Y o u c a n h e ar m y st a n d u p d e b ut o n m y P atr e o n!

W E: If y o u w er e n’t pl a yi n g m u si c f or a li vi n g w h at d o y o u t hi n k y o u’ d b e d oi n g ?

R N: At t his p oi nt, I t hi n k I w o ul d pr o b a bl y p urs u e st a n d u p or t e a c h y o g a.

W E: I k n o w y o u’r e h e a vil y i n v ol v e d i n t h e C a n n a bi s r e v el ati o n, e v e n s er vi n g o n t h e b o ar d of t h e Te n n e s s e e C a n n a bi s C o aliti o n. Tell u s a littl e a b o ut t h at, a n d h o w m u c h w e e d y o u c o n s u m e o n a n a v er a g e d a y … O k a y, y o u c a n r efr ai n fr o m a n s w eri n g t h e l a st p art.

R N: [l a u g hi n g] W e ar e still tr yi n g t o g et c a nn a bis l e g ali z e d i n T e n n ess e e. I t hi n k w e h a v e a c h a n c e of b ei n g t h e first st at e i n t h e Bi bl e b elt, b ut w e ar e f o c usi n g o n l e g ali zi n g f or m e di ci n al ri g ht n o w. B ei n g i n a c o ns er v ati v e st at e, w e fi g ht a ri di c ul o us sti g m a t h at’s b as e d o n li es.

C a n n a bis h e als a n d h el ps a n d is o nl y h ar mf ul w h e n a b us e d, as wit h m ost l e g al dr u gs, li k e c af f ei n e a n d s u g ar. M ost of us h a v e b e e n e d u c at e d i n t h e b e n e fits of m arij u a n a a n d w e ar e sl o wl y c hi p pi n g a w a y at t h at sti g m a.

W E: Y o u al s o s er v e a s C E O of y o ur gr a n df a t h er’ s Willi e’ s Ki d s c h arit a bl e or g a ni z ati o n, t ell o ur r e a d er s a littl e a b o ut t h e or g a ni z ati o n a n d w h at it a c c o m pli s h e s i n m a ki n g s u c h a diff er e n c e f or a ni m al s a n d c hil dr e n.

R N: M y a u nt A m y ( N els o n ) a n d I st art e d Wil-

R A EL Y N N EL S O N B A N D. C O M li e’s Ki ds a b o ut t e n y e ars a g o w h e n P a p a Willi e s e nt us t o D C t o l o b b y f or t h e A nti- H ors e Sl a u g ht er Bill. W e ar e still w or ki n g o n t h at bill.

Willi e’s Ki ds is a gl o b al i niti ati v e t o pr o vi d e h u m a n e e d u c ati o n i n s c h o ol. O ur i d e a is t h at if w e t e a c h c hil dr e n h u m a n e e d u c ati o n, li k e w e t e a c h s o ci al st u di es, m at h, s ci e n c e, a n d gr a mm ar, t h e f ut ur e of o ur w orl d will b e a m or e c o m p assi o n at e a n d ki n d pl a c e.

W E: W h at’ s y o ur c urr e nt t a k e o n t h e m u si c b u si n e s s a n d w h at it t a k e s t o k e e p d oi n g w h at y o u’r e d oi n g ?

R N: A h h h h … t h e m usi c b usi n ess … Y o u h a v e t o st a n d o ut if y o u’r e n ot g oi n g t o f oll o w t h e m a c hi n e a n d d o w h at t h e y w a nt y o u t o d o.

B e u ni q u e, fi n d li k e- mi n d e d p e o pl e a n d st art a p o d c ast w h e n y o u c a n’t g et o ut o n t h e r o a d a n d s h ar e y o ur art. B uil d y o ur f a n b as e. F o c us o n t h e m. T h e m ost e x citi n g p art of t h e m usi c b usi n ess is a n yt hi n g c a n h a p p e n o ut of t h e bl u e at a n y ti m e. S o y o u g ott a b e r e a d y!

W E: A n y p arti n g w or d s of p u n or wi s d o m f or o ur r e a d er s ? I’ m g oi n g t o r e gr et a s ki n g t h at ar e n’t I ?

R N: E nj o y y o ur gr o c eri es! D o n’t b e a n Ass h ol e!

Di d w e c h e ers y et ?

Y o u c a n f oll o w R a el y n N el s o n B a n d o n y o ur f a v orit e s o ci al pl atf or m a n d c h e c k t h eir u pc o mi n g s h o w d at e s at R a el y n N el s o n B a n d. c o m.

Tell t h e m I s e nt y o u!

Will E st ell i s a writ er a n d m a g a zi n e e dit or wit h o v er 4 0 0 p u bli s h e d arti cl e s i n v ari o u s p u bli c ati o n s, a s w ell a s n u m er o u s o nli n e arti cl e s i n a n arr a y of g e nr e s. H e’ s b e e n i n str u m e nt al i n f o u n di n g el e v e n n e w m a g a zi n e titl e s fr o m c o n c e pt t o fr uiti o n, f or ot h er p u bli s hi n g c o m p a ni e s a n d hi s o w n p art n er s hi p s. Will a cti v el y p art a k e s i n fr e el a n c e m e di a pr oj e ct s f or s el e ct l o c al, r e gi o n al, a n d n ati o n al p u bli c ati o n s, s u c h a s t hi s o n e. Will i s a f at h er of t hr e e w h o s plit s hi s ti m e b et w e e n h o m e s i n D e sti n a n d N a v arr e, al o n g wit h hi s wif e, A B C n e w s a n c h or, L a ur a H u s s e y. W h e n h e’ s n ot writi n g, cr e ati n g or c o n s ulti n g h e e nj o y s att e n di n g li v e m u si c al e v e nt s, h a n gi n g o ut wit h fri e n d s, a n d t h e b e a c h.

C O ME F O R T HE

viewfood STAY F O R T HE

Si n c e o p e ni n g t h eir d o ors i n 1 9 7 1, V u e o n 3 0 a s h o w c as es o n e of t h e m ost p a n or a mi c di ni n g e x p eri e n c es o n t h e G ulf. V u e h as cl ai m e d its f air s h ar e of a c c ol a d es wit h its fr es h a p pr o a c h t o di ni n g wit h d eli ci o us m e n us t h o u g htf ull y d esi g n e d b y a c uli n ar y t e a m of e x p erts.

R es er v ati o ns R e c o m m e n d e d v u e o n 3 0 a. c o m | 8 5 0. 2 6 7. 2 3 0 5 e v e nts @s a nt ar os a cl u b. c o m

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 41

VI P • R o s e m a r y B e a c h

Lauren Duke, Allison S mith & Barry Tate

T h a n k gi vi n g D a y R a c e s Photography by Jeff Watson

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h e 3 0 A 1 0 K T h a n ks gi vi n g D a y R a c e is a n a n n u al T h a n ks gi vi n g D a y tr a diti o n al o n g S c e ni c Hi g h w a y 3 0 A t h at w el c o m es r u n n ers a n d t h eir fri e n ds a n d f a mil y fr o m all o v er t h e c o u ntr y. T his y e ar w as e xtr a s p e ci al as t h e 3 0 A 1 0 K c el e br at e d its 1 0t h a n ni v ers ar y. B e gi n ni n g a n d e n di n g i n R os e m ar y B e a c h, t his r a c e is r e c o g ni z e d as o n e of t h e t o p t e n t ur k e y tr ots i n A m eri c a, k n o w f or its a m a zi n g fl at a n d f ast c o urs es a n d a gr e at aft er p art y. Wit h a 1 0 k, 5 k a n d 1 mil e r u n/ w al d, t h er e is a r a c e dist a n c e f or e v er y l e v el of r u n n er.

T h e p ur p os e of t h e e v e nt is t o s er v e t h e l o c al c o m m u nit y b y pr o d u ci n g a w orl d- cl ass 1 0 K a n d r el at e d e v e nts t h at n ot o nl y r ais e m o n e y f or l o c al c h ariti es, b ut als o pr o m ot e h e alt h a n d fit n ess. Wit h t his y e ars r a c e a d d e d t o t h e t ot al, t h e 3 0 A 1 0 K h as r ais e d m or e t h a n $ 5 0 0, 0 0 0 f or l o c al c h ariti es al o n g t h e E m er al d C o ast.

Landon, Ja mie & Brandon Martina with Lucky

Corcoran Reverie donates $40,000

42 •

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

The Faulconer’s

Paul Gat mann- 1st place, Steven Cornelius- 2nd place

Laura & Wes Madden with Lucky

Ed, Christy & Grace Reaves

Skill mans

Farrar & Ann Moise Barker, Teresa Horton

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Alys A myBeach Stoles & Kelsey Peck

Karen Meado ws - Race Director

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 4 3

3 0 A 1 0 K T h a n k s gi vi n g D a y R a c e

Rhonda Curry & Eli Godbolt with Lucky

Zarzaurla w - Megan Alt man, Aiden Geffert, Gina Miller & Scooter Reeder

Karen Racher, Janice Busovne, Laurie Koszuta & Michelle Ne wton

Paella Royalty & Queen Joyce

DJ Vladi

Andre w, Carey, Grant & Gage Weltz

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F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

W E’ R E C E L E B R A TI N G

$ 3 8 4, 3 6 7, 6 0 9 S O L D i n 2 0 21

E X P L O R E O U R A C TI V E LI S TI N G S

7 8 N. B arr e t t S q u ar e

w w w. R o s e m ar y B e a c h R e al t y. c o m

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* R OS E M A RY B E A C H is a re gistere d tr a d e m ar k o w n e d by R os e m ary B e ac h H ol di n gs, LL C a n d is us e d wit h p er missi o n p urs u a nt t o a lice ns e fr J oA m NR osU eAm ary R Y/B eFacEh BH olRdiUn gs,A RLL YC. 2 0 2 2 • 4 5

VI P • Hi bi s c u s

T

Photography by Jeff Watson & Kayla Burleson Story by Mary Chris Murry

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hr o u g h o ut t h e m o nt h of D e c e m b er, C hrist m as li g ht l o v ers c a n visit t h e q u ai nt c o m m u nit y of Gr a yt o n B e a c h a n d p arti ci p at e i n a b el o v e d h oli d a y tr a diti o n f or a c h arit a bl e c a us e. Gr a yt Li g hts, t h e br ai n c hil d of Britt n e y K ell e y, c o-f o u n d er a n d C E O of Tri b e K ell e y, w as cr e at e d t o h el p bri n g a w ar e n ess t o m e nt al h e alt h d uri n g t h e h oli d a ys b y bri g ht e ni n g u p t h e hist ori c b e a c h c o m m u nit y t o h el p s pr e a d h o p e, li g ht, a n d p e a c e. K ell e y’s l o v e of Gr a yt o n B e a c h b e g a n at a n e arl y a g e w h e n h er gr a n d m ot h er, w h o r ais e d h er, br o u g ht h er t o t h e Fl ori d a P a n h a n dl e e v er y s u m m er. “ T hr o u g h o ut m y c hil d h o o d, m y gr a n d m ot h er a n d I w o ul d ‘ g o all o ut’ i n d e c or ati n g o ur littl e h o m e f or C hrist m as, ” r e c oll e ct e d K ell e y. “ U nf ort u n at el y, s h e p ass e d a w a y ri g ht b ef or e o ur f a v orit e h oli d a y d uri n g m y s e ni or y e ar of hi g h s c h o ol. T h e n e xt c o u pl e of y e ars I str u g gl e d t o fi n d t h at s pirit t h at w e b ot h s o d e arl y e nj o y e d d uri n g t h e h oli d a ys. T o k e e p m y gr a n d m ot h er’s m e m or y ali v e, I st art e d h a n gi n g u p C hrist m as li g hts w h er e v er I li v e d a n d k e pt t h e m u p all y e ar l o n g. T h e li g hts h el p e d h e al m e, al w a ys r e mi n di n g m e of h er a n d bri n g i n g m e p e a c e. ” Wit h Gr a yt Li g hts, K ell e y h o p es t o s h ar e t h e s a m e j o y o us f e eli n gs t h e c h ar mi n g c o m m u nit y bri n gs h er, as w ell as c arr y o n a f a mil y tr a diti o n.

M a n y p e o pl e d e al wit h pri v at e

m e nt al h e alt h str u g gl es all y e ar l o n g, es p e ci all y ar o u n d t h e h oli d a ys. Alt h o u g h t h e s e as o n is j o y- fill e d, it c a n als o b e c h all e n gi n g f or t h os e str u g gli n g wit h str ess, d e pr essi o n, l oss, gri ef, or a n xi et y. Gr a yt Li g hts is a s m all w a y t h at t h e Gr a yt o n B e a c h c o m m u nit y c a n s h ar e h oli d a y m a gi c a n d h a p pi n ess t o ot h ers i n t h e mi dst of w h at e v er t h e y m a y b e g oi n g t hr o u g h, m e nt all y. Gr a yt Li g hts b e n e fits Al a q u a A ni m al R ef u g e a n d t h eir Ki n d n ess K oll e cti v e pr o gr a ms t h at h el p p e o pl e t hr o u g h t h e p o w erf ul eff e cts t h at i nt er a cti o ns wit h a ni m als h a v e o n t h e h u m a n s pirit a n d b o d y. T his u ni q u e m o d el a d dr ess es t h e m e nt al h e alt h c h all e n g es of o ur pr es e nt w orl d, b y cr e ati n g a pr o gr a m t h at utili z es t h e h e ali n g p o w er of a ni m als i n h e ali n g t h e h u m a n h e art.

T h e Hi bis c us C af e/ B a c k y ar d of L o v e i n Gr a yt o n B e a c h h ost e d a Gr a yt o n B e a c h Bl o c k P art y/ F u n dr ais er E v e nt i n c o n j u n cti o n wit h Gr a y Li g hts i n D e c e m b er.

T his o ut d o or v e n u e, a b e a utif ul w o o d e d s etti n g wit h h a n gi n g tr e e li m bs str e w n wit h c af e li g hts, w as c at er e d b y T a c o 3 0 A F o o d Tr u c k a n d f e at ur e d t h e v er y e n er g eti c b a n d C at al yst. T his is t h e first y e ar of Gr a yt Li g hts, b ut wit h K ell e y’s c o nti n u e d p assi o n it will n ot b e t h e l ast as s h e h o p es t o gr o w it i nt o a n a n n u al e v e nt wit h e v e n m or e li g hts a n d h oli d a y s pl e n d or.

Doug & Donna Burbank, Pat Cu m mins, Victoria Hughes & David Blud worth

Lonna McLaughlin & Christy S mith

Aly Gray & T K

Brian & Brittney Kelley

Cynthia Mitchell & Mary Chris Murry

Jared Schilss, Ji m McClellan & Tina Aufdenka mp

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 4 7

G ar a g e E x p ert s of t h e Fl ori d a P a n h a n dl e, s er vi n g 3 0 A a n d t h e s urr o u n di n g ar e a

48 •

VI P • S o u t h

W al t o n Hi g h S c h o ol

Angie, Grayson, Hayes & Brett Gibson

Dave, Courtney, Cade & Libby Roberts

S O U T H W A L T O N HI G H S C H O O L

A t h l e t e Si g ni n g

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hr e e S o ut h W alt o n Hi g h S c h o ol at hl et es, at t h e t o p of t h eir g a m es, h a d t h eir dr e a ms c o m e tr u e as t h e y all si g n e d o n wit h c oll e g e pr o gr a ms i n fr o nt of cr o w d of st u d e nts a n d f a mil y. H a y es Gi bs o n si g n e d wit h H u nti n g d o n t o j oi n t h eir g olf t e a m. C a d e R o b erts si g n e d wit h S o ut h Fl ori d a’s f o ot b all pr o gr a m.

K e m p er H o d g es h a d his dr e a m t o pl a y Di visi o n I f o ot b all b e c o m e r e alit y as h e w as si g n e d o n wit h Air F or c e A c a d e m y. K e m p er, S o ut h W alt o n’s q u art er b a c k w h o l e d his t e a m t o a 1 0- 2 r e c or d, w as als o n a m e d t h e Fl ori d a D air y F ar m er’s 4 A Pl a y er of t h e Ye ar q u alif yi n g hi m as a fi n alist f or t h e St at e’s Mr. F o ot b all A w ar d. T h es e l o c al at hl et es pr o v e t h at h ar d w or k a n d d e di c ati o n d o es p a y off!

Ke mper Hodges & Will Rieben

Hayes Gibson & Coach

Coach Phil Tisa, John Hodges, Ke mper Hodges, Coach Steve Noble & Coach Dave Roberts

Michelle, Ke mper & John Hodges

So Wal Basketball & Students

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 4 9

VI P • S u n s e t B a y C af e i n S a n d e sti n

Kay Phelan, Steve Barber & Nancy Barber

Mingle &Jingle HOLIDAY MIXER

Jenny Brunson & Bobby Parker

Haley Blaise & Shaye S mith

Jeff Watson & Mayeska Sand

Yefenny Olivero & Eliana Ciao Ruas

Story & Photography by Jeff Watson

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h e l o c al C h a m p ai g n C h a pt er of F R P A h el d t h eir Mi n gl e & Ji n gl e H oli d a y Mi x er at S u ns et B a y C af e i n S a n d esti n. T his gr o u p of t h e N ort h w est Fl ori d a C o ast C h a pt er of t h e Fl ori d a P u bli c R el ati o ns Ass o ci a ti o n h el d t his e v e nt t o c el e br at e t h e h oli d a ys a n d als o a ct as a t o y dri v e f or t h e G u ar di a n or g a ni z ati o n pr o vi d i n g C hrist m as gifts t o u n d er pri vil e g e d c hil dr e n i n t h e D esti n ar e a. Gr e at f o o d a n d dri n ks al o n g wit h a p h ot o b o ot h a n d DJ e nt ert ai n e d e v er y o n e. A w o n d erf ul sil e nt a u cti o n a d d e d e x cit e m e nt t o t h e e v e ni n g.

Alexis, Jeff & Michelle Ferguson

5 0 •

Frank Berte & Brittaney Dijkhuizen

Stephanie Hoshorn & Tracy Laughlin

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

F R PA Cha mpaign Chapter Board

Geoff Speyrer, Krystal, Jas mine Vargas & Hillaree Durso

Coastal Re flections Photo Booth

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Leslie Moland, Brittaney Dijkhuizen & E mily Kelley

Carita S mith, Shaye S mith & Lisa Ruiz

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 51

Welco me to o ur fa mily of VI P Mag a zi nes.

Cele brati ng Life... O ne Eve nt at a Ti me!

52 •

J eff W a t s o n F o u n d e r / P u bli s h e r

VI P • G r a y t r o o m

Shelly Greene, Madalyn Shaver, Rae Johnson & Gabrielle Barrientos

Holiday

M o c kt ail W or ks h o p wit h t h e

Eliana Raus ( Workshop Host / Tipsy Mule O wner)

iTpsy Mule

Story & Photography by Cali Hlvac

E

li a n a Ci a o of t h e Ti ps y M ul e M o bil e B ar h ost e d a H oli d a y M o c kt ail W or ks h o p i nsi d e T h e Gr a yt R o o m, i n Gr a yt o n B e a c h, Fl ori d a. Att e n d e es w er e t a u g ht h o w t o cr aft 3 c ust o m, h oli d a y m o c kt ails c o m pl et e wit h a f ull g ar nis h. Al c o h ol w as o pti o n al, b ut att e n d e es c o ul d B Y O B t o t ur n t h e m fr o m m o c kt ails t o c o c kt ails. Eli a n a a n d t h e Ti ps y M ul e pr o vi d e d e v er yt hi n g n e c ess ar y t o cr e at e t h es e b e a utif ul dri n ks, fr o m t h e gl ass w ar e t o t h e s h a k er s et, mi x ers, g ar nis h es a n d m or e.

T h es e w or ks h o ps will b e h el d t hr o u g h o ut t h e y e ar, e a c h o n e f e at uri n g a diff er e nt c o c kt ail t h e m e, li k e V al e nti n e’s D a y, St. P atri c k’s D a y, S u m m er C o c kt ails a n d m or e. O utsi d e of t h es e l ar g e gr o u p cl ass es, s h e c a n als o b e b o o k e d f or s m all er, pri v at e w or ks h o ps t o b e h el d o n sit e at y o ur l o c ati o n of c h oi c e. A c ust o m c o c kt ail m e n u will b e cr e at e d t o r e fl e ct w h at e v er t h e m e is r e q u est e d f or a pri v at e p art y. T h es e ar e gr e at f or birt h d a ys, a n ni v ers ar y p arti es, girls ni g ht, b a c h el or ett e p art y, or t e a m b uil di n g.

John & Ashley Marrone

Krystel Nola & Molly Harris

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 5 3

S IS plPa s h d

A N

A Q U A TI C

A F F AI R

S a v e t h e d at e f o r a n el e g a nt wi n e di n n e r b e n efitti n g t h e E m e r al d C o ast Fit n ess F o u n d ati o n a n d t h ei r missi o n t o p r o d u c e c o m m u nit y a q u ati c f a ciliti es a n d p r o g r a ms t h at p r o vi d e w at e r s af et y, r e c r e ati o n, a n d fit n ess i n t h e D esti n, F o rt W alt o n B e a c h, a n d C r est vi e w c o m m u niti es.

M a y 1 4, 2 0 2 2

4 3 4 5 C o m m o ns Dri v e West D esti n, F L S p o ns o rs hi p o p p o rt u niti es a v ail a bl e. E m ail t a yl o r @ p r offitt p r. c o m t o l e a r n m o r e.

Offi ci al d et ails f o rt h c o mi n g.

54 •

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 5 5

T h e Art of

Livin g

Pa ul’s

Pastr y S h o p H o me of t he Ori gi n al Cre a m C heese Ki n g C a ke Story by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady. Photography courtesy of Kacie Reed Knight & Paul’s Pastry Kitchen.

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h e m ost d eli ci o us a n d m oist Ki n g C a k e I h a v e e v er t ast e d is fr o m P a ul’s P astr y S h o p i n Pi c a y u n e, Mississi p pi. T h e b a k er y’s sl o g a n is “ T h e Bi g g est Littl e B a k er y i n S o ut h Mississi p pi. ” Pi c a y u n e ( p o p ul ati o n: 1 6, 0 0 0 ) is a p pr o xi m at el y 4 5 mi n ut es n ort h w est of Bil o xi, 4 5 mi n ut es fr o m N e w Orl e a ns, a n d o n e h o ur fr o m H atti es b ur g, s o its Ki n g C a k es a n d ot h er d el e ct a bl e b a k er y tr e ats ar e w ell k n o w n i n S o ut h Mississi p pi a n d L o uisi a n a. P a ul’s P astr y S h o p is t w o h o urs fr o m M o bil e, h o m e of t h e first M ar di Gr as c el e br ati o n ( n ot N e w Orl e a ns, c o ntr ar y t o p o p ul ar b eli ef ).

R e c e ntl y I h a d t h e pl e as ur e of i nt er vi e w i n g S h erri T hi g p e n, t h e o w n er of P a ul’s P astr y S h o p.

VI P: Tell m e a b o ut t h e hi st or y of y o ur b a k er y.

S h erri T hi g p e n: M y p ar e nts, S hirl e y a n d H arr y P a ul, f o u n d e d P a ul’s P astr y i n 1 9 7 0 w h e n I w as t hirt e e n y e ars ol d. M y d a d b orr o w e d $ 3, 5 0 0 fr o m his f at h er t o st art t h e b usi n ess.

I s p e nt m a n y aft er n o o ns aft er s c h o ol a n d o n w e e k e n ds h el pi n g o ut at t h e f ull r et ail b a k er y, w hi c h w as a n 8 5 0-s q u ar e-f o ot r e nt e d f a cilit y.

M y f a mil y w as fr o m C alif or ni a, b ut w e m o v e d t o Pi c a y u n e b e c a us e m y d a d w or k e d at St e n nis S p a c e C e nt er w h er e t h e y b e g a n t esti n g s h uttl e e n gi n es n e ar Pi c a y u n e. I n 1 9 8 8, I b o u g ht a s e c o n d l o c ati o n, a 5, 0 0 0-s q u ar e-f o ot b a k er y, fr o m m y p ar e nts.

Ori gi n all y, w e b a k e d birt h d a y c a k es, c o o k i es a n d pi es. T w o y e ars aft er o p e ni n g, ar o u n d 1 9 7 2, b e c a us e of r e q u ests fr o m e m pl o y e es of t h e St e n nis S p a c e C e nt er i n Pi c a y u n e a n d ot h er w or k ers fr o m Mississi p pi a n d L o uisi a n a, w e 56 •

b e g a n b a ki n g Ki n g C a k es. M y m o m’s sl o g a n o n h er b usi n ess c ar d w as “ T h e I n n o v ati v e B a k ers. ” W e w a nt e d t o b a k e a Ki n g C a k e t h at h a d c o m pl et el y diff er e nt d o u g h a n d filli n g, s o m e t hi n g wit h fl a v or b e c a us e o ur p atr o ns li k e d o ur fl a v or e d birt h d a y c a k es. W e e x p eri m e nt e d a n d c a m e u p wit h a d o u g h r e ci p e t h at w e c urr e ntl y us e. It’s m or e li k e a s w e et br e a d si mil ar t o D a n is h bri o c h e d o u g h i n N e w Orl e a ns. W e w a nt e d t o p ut filli n g i n t h e c a k e t o s e e, e at a n d t ast e.

It w o ul d b e a littl e s ur pris e li k e t h e mi ni at ur e b a b y d oll i nsi d e t h e Ki n g C a k e.

W e g ot t h e Ki n g C a k e w h er e w e w a nt e d it wit h str a w b err y a n d bl u e b err y fl a v ors. T h e n w e a d d e d cr e a m c h e es e t o it, w hi c h w as a c ust o m er’s s u g g esti o n. W e st art e d m a ki n g str a w b err y a n d bl u e b err y fl a v ors wit h cr e a m c h e es e.

At first, s o m e c ust o m ers di d n ot t hi n k o ur c a k e w as a Ki n g C a k e b e c a us e it w as diff er e nt fr o m a n y Ki n g C a k e t h e y h a d t ast e d. W e e x p eri m e nt e d wit h fl a v ors, a n d n o w w e h a v e t h e l ar g est s el e cti o n of fl a v ors of Ki n g C a k es. A l ot of b a k eri es m a k e fill e d Ki n g C a k es, p er h a ps P e c a n Pr ali n e Ki n g C a k es, b ut n o n e p ut a n as s ort m e nt of fl a v ors i n o n e c a k e li k e w e d o wit h B err y D el u x e. W e h a v e tr a d e m ar k e d “ H o m e of t h e Ori gi n al Cr e a m C h e es e a n d Fr uit Fill e d Ki n g C a k e! ” I n 1 9 8 8, I b o u g ht t h e b usi n ess fr o m m y m o m, a n d t h e f oll o wi n g y e ar I e x p a n d e d t o a s e c o n d l o c ati o n. I w as t h er e f or a b o ut 1 8 y e ars.

I n 2 0 0 5, w e p ur c h as e d pr o p ert y o n t h e i nt ers e cti o n of a n i nt erst at e a n d b uilt a s h o p pi n g c e nt er wit h o ur b a k er y as t h e a n c h or st or e, a n d w e e m pl o y e d a b o ut 3 5 p e o pl e. I n 2 0 1 7, m y d a u g ht er a n d s o n-i n-l a w b e c a m e p art o w n ers

“ W h at sets o ur Ki n g C a kes a p art fr o m ot hers is o ur scr atc h- m a de s weet bre a d f a mil y reci pes a n d t he fr uit a n d o ur pr o priet ar y reci pe f or cre a m c heese filli n g. It’s t he fl a v ors! ”

— S herri T hi g pe n

O w ner of Pa ul’s Pastr y S h o p

i n t h e b usi n ess.

W e e m pl o y a b o ut 4 8 f ull-ti m e a n d p artti m e e m pl o y e es. D uri n g M ar di Gr as s e as o n w e e m pl o y a b o ut 1 2- 1 5 a d diti o n al p e o pl e, b ut w e g et or d ers f or Ki n g C a k es y e ar-r o u n d.

N o w w e h a v e r et ail, a p art y r o o m a n d c af é, a n d a w e d di n g v e n u e t h at o p e n e d i n O ct o b er of 2 0 0 6. A w e d di n g c o ns ult a nt off ers c a k e t asti n gs. O ur d o ors ar e o p e n M o n d a y t hr o u g h S at ur d a y fr o m 9 a m- 6 p m. W e s er v e p astri es a n d o ur p o p ul ar B utt er Bri c kl e c o o ki es, c off e es a n d dri n ks all d a y, a n d l u n c h is s er v e d fr o m 1 1 a m2 p m.

VI P: H a v e y o u tr a d e m ar k e d P a ul’ s P a str y S h o p — H o m e of t h e Ori gi n al Fr uit a n d Cr e a m C h e e s e Fill e d Ki n g C a k e s ?

S T: Yes, w e h a v e. W e w er e t h e first b a k er y i n t h e c o u ntr y t o m a k e Ki n g C a k es wit h fr uit a n d cr e a m c h e es e. S o m e b a k eri es w er e m a ki n g t h e m w h e n w e st art e d m a ki n g t h e m, b ut t h e y us e d a S p a nis h d o u g h. W e us e a s w e et, h e a vi er d o u g h.

W e h a v e us e d o ur f a mil y’s r e ci p e f or 5 0 y e ars.

VI P: W h at n e w fl a v or s ar e y o u n o w off eri n g ?

S T: T w o y e ars a g o w e b e g a n m a ki n g t hr e e n e w fl a v or e d c a k es. R as p b err y A m ar ett o is o utst a n d i n g. It is a cr e a m c h e es e mi x wit h a m ar ett o,

sli c e d al m o n ds, a n d r as p b erri es. It ali a n Cr e a m C h e es e is n e w. It c o nsists of cr e a m c h e es e mi x e d wit h p e c a ns a n d c o c o n uts, a n d it is li k e a n It ali a n Cr e a m C h e es e C a k e. A n ot h er v er y p o p ul ar n e w Ki n g C a k e is R e d Vel v et W hit e C h o c ol at e C hi p Cr e a m C h e es e C a k e. I l o v e all of t h e m or w e w o ul d n’t b e m a ki n g t h e m, b ut e v er y o n e l o v es t h e R as p b err y A m ar ett o C a k e.

D uri n g M ar di Gr as w e off er a Ci n n a m o n Cr e a m C h e es e C a n n oli fill e d wit h a ci n n a m o n cr e a m c h e es e mi x a n d t o p p e d wit h a cr e a m c h e es e i ci n g. W e als o s ell p etit f o urs m a d e of ci n n a m o n c a k e. W e n o w s hi p s e c o n d- d a y air.

W e still off er A P art y i n a B o x.

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 5 7

T h e Art of

Livin g

VI P: T hi s y e ar M ar di Gr a s f all s o n M ar c h 1.

W h at fl a v or s of c a k e will y o u s hi p d uri n g t hi s b u s y ti m e ?

S T: W e will s hi p M ar di Gr as a n d V al e nti n e’s c a k es. F or V al e nti n e’s D a y o ur R as p b err y A m ar ett o, C h err y Cr e a m C h e es e, a n d Str a w b err y Cr e a m C h e es e c a k es will b e v er y p o p ul ar.

VI P: D o y o u s ell Ki n g C a k e s y e ar r o u n d or m o stl y d uri n g M ar di Gr a s ?

S T: W e s ell t h e m y e ar r o u n d. W h e n M ar di Gr as s e as o n e n ds, w e d e c or at e o ur c a k es i n s pri n g c ol ors. W e h a v e c a k es f or E ast er, J ul y 4t h a n d all h oli d a ys. Visit o ur w e bsit e f or a list of all of o ur c a k es: w w w. p a uls p astr y. c o m VI P: H o w m a n y w h ol e s al e a n d r et ail l o c ati o n s s ell y o ur Ki n g C a k e s ?

S T: W e h a v e 5 4 w h ol es al e l o c ati o ns or ot h er r et ail l o c ati o ns t h at s ell o ur Ki n g C a k es. I n M o bil e, t w o h o urs fr o m Pi c a y u n e, y o u m a y p ur c h as e o ur Ki n g C a k es at H o p e’s C h e es e c a k es d uri n g M ar di Gr as.

VI P: D o y o u i n s ert mi ni at ur e b a b y d oll s i n y o ur Ki n g C a k e s ? D o y o u s ell Ki n g C a k e b a k e w ar e ?

S T: Yes, w e still p ut t h e littl e b a b y d oll i n t h e Ki n g C a k es b ef or e t h e y l e a v e o ur b a k er y. W e h a v e t hr e e c a uti o n l a b els o n o ur p a c k a g es. W e d o n ot s ell t h e b a k e w ar e f or Ki n g C a k es. M y d a u g ht er h as j oi n e d o ur b usi n ess ( S h e is t hir d g e n er ati o n i n o ur b usi n ess. ), a n d h er gr o w n ki ds ar e w or ki n g at o ur b a k er y. I h o p e t h e y will t a k e t his o n.

VI P: D o y o u s ell m or e Ki n g C a k e s t h a n a n y ot h er b a k er y i n t h e n ati o n ?

S T: N ot i n t h e n ati o n. B ut w e s ell m or e Ki n g C a k es t h a n a n y ot h er b a k er y i n Mississi p pi.

G a m bi n o’s, H a y d el’s a n d R a n d a z z o’s b a k eri es i n N e w Orl e a ns s ell cr e a m c h e es e c h e es e c a k es.

M ost of t h e N e w Orl e a ns b a k eri es p ut t h e fill i n g i n b et w e e n t h e br ai ds, a n d s o m e p ut it o n t o p of t h e Ki n g C a k es. I l o v e all of m y b a k er y fri e n ds. W e all w a nt e a c h ot h er t o h a v e g o o d Ki n g C a k es.

VI P: H o w m u c h cr e a m c h e e s e d o y o u u s e ?

S T: W e n o w g et o ur cr e a m c h e es e i n 3 0- p o u n d bl o c ks. W e lit er all y us e t o ns of it i n si x w e e ks!

VI P: I s it tr u e t h at y o ur b a k er y off er s t h e l ar g e st s el e cti o n of cr e a m c h e e s e- fill e d Ki n g C a k e s ?

S T: Yes, I’ v e n e v er s e e n a n y b o d y off er a l ar ger s el e cti o n. W e off er a Ki n g C a k e wit h f o ur diff er e nt fl a v ors i n t h e s a m e c a k e. W e h a v e a c a k e c all e d T h e B err y D el u x e wit h bl u e b erri es, str a w b erri es, r as p b erri es a n d bl a c k b erri es o v er cr e a m c h e es e. W e off er a b o ut 5 0 fl a v ors i n cl u d i n g s a v or y c a k es li k e B o u di n, J a m b al a y a a n d S pi n a c h a n d Arti c h o k e. M y f a v orit e s a v or y c a k e t h at w e m a k e is t h e S pi n a c h a n d Arti c h o k e t o p p e d wit h g arli c, It ali a n s pi c es a n d c h e es e.

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W e st art e d off eri n g s a v or y c a k es a b o ut 1 2 y e ars a g o. W e d o n ot s hi p t h e s a v or y c a k es b e c a us e of t h e m e at i n t h e m.

VI P: S h o ul d t h e Ki n g C a k e s b e r efri g er at e d or fr o z e n, a n d h o w l o n g will t h e y st a y fr e s h i n t h e r efri g er at or or fr e e z er ?

S T: W h e n w e s hi p, w e h a v e a l a b el r e c o m m e n di n g t o t h e c ust o m er t h at h e r efri g er at e o ur Ki n g C a k e, w hi c h will k e e p f or 2- 3 d a ys. T h e Ki n g C a k e m a y als o b e fr o z e n f or u p t o t hr e e m o nt hs ( T h a w f or a f e w h o urs. ) b ef or e e ati n g.

VI P: W h o ar e s o m e of y o ur c el e brit y p atr o n s, a n d d o t h e y c all or or d er o nli n e ?

S T: A m o n g o ur c el e brit y p atr o ns ar e R e b a M c E ntir e , Pr esi d e nt G e or g e B us h, G art h Br o o ks, t h e c ast of “ M yt h b ust ers, ” G er al d M c R a n e y o n “ M aj or D a d ” ( a T V s eri es ), D elt a B ur k e, J a y L e n o a n d Br ett F a vr e, w h o is fr o m n e ar b y Kil n, M S. T h e y or d er o nli n e.

VI P: H o w m u c h n oti c e d o y o u pr ef er o n s hi p pi n g Ki n g C a k e or d er s ?

S T: At l e ast 4 8 h o urs. As w e g et cl os er t o M ar di Gr as, t h e e arli er c ust o m ers or d er t o s hi p, t h e b ett er.

VI P: W h at i s t h e pri c e r a n g e of s hi p pi n g y o ur Ki n g C a k e s ?

S T: N o w it is a t w o- d a y d eli v er y wit h a n a d d e d c h ar g e of $ 1 0 t o s hi p o v er ni g ht. T h e s hi p pi n g f e e d e p e n ds o n t h e st at e. It is e asi er f or t h e c ust o m er t o pl a c e his or d er o nli n e at p a uls p astr y. c o m. G o o nli n e f or f e es a n d t o pl a c e a n or d er. All of o ur fl a v ors ar e list e d o n p a uls p astr y. c o m.

Hist or y of t he Ki n g C a ke

I n E ur o p e a n c o u ntri es, t h e c o mi n g of t h e Wis e M e n b e ari n g gifts t o t h e C hrist C hil d is c el e br at e d t w el v e d a ys aft er C hrist m as. T h e c el e br a ti o n, c all e d E pi p h a n y, Littl e C hrist m as or t h e T w elft h Ni g ht, is a ti m e of e x c h a n gi n g gifts a n d f e asti n g.

All o v er t h e w orl d p e o pl e g at h er f or f esti v e T w elft h Ni g ht c el e br ati o n. O n e of t h e m ost p o p ul ar c ust o ms is still t h e b a ki n g of a s p e ci al c a k e i n h o n or of T h e T hr e e Ki n gs … “ a Ki n g’s C a k e. ” T h e E ur o p e a ns hi d e a b e a n i nsi d e t h eir c a k e, a n d t h e p ers o n r e c ei vi n g t h e b e a n m ust p ortr a y o n e of t h e ki n gs. It is s ai d t h at a y e ar of g o o d f ort u n e a w aits t h e l u c k y p ers o n w h o g ets t h e fi g ur e i nsi d e t h e c a k e.

R esi d e nts of L o uisi a n a a n d t h e Mississi p pi a n d Al a b a m a G ulf C o ast li k e t h e i d e a of p er p et u ati n g t h e c el e br ati o n b y h a vi n g t h e p ers o n w h o r e c ei v e d t h e b a b y c o nti n u e t h e f esti viti es wit h a n ot h er p art y a n d a n ot h er c a k e. St arti n g t h e t w elft h d a y aft er C hrist m as, Ki n g C a k e p arti es c o nti n u e u ntil t h e first d a y of L e nt, e n di n g o n F at T u es d a y … M ar di Gr as D a y!

Ki n g C a k es ar e n o w d e c or at e d i n t hr e e c ol ors: Gr e e n —r e pr es e nti n g F ait h; P ur pl e — r e pr es e nti n g J usti c e; a n d G ol d —r e pr es e nti n g t h e v oi c e of P o w er.

W h at To K n o w

P a ul’ s P a str y S h o p 1 S y c a m or e R o a d, S uit e A, Pi c a y u n e, M S 3 9 4 6 6 ( 6 0 1) 7 9 8- 7 4 5 7 or ( 8 0 0) 6 6 9- 5 1 8 0 s al es @ p a uls p astr y. c o m w w w. p a uls p astr y. c o m S o ci al M e di a: F a c e b o o k, T witt er a n d I nst a gr a m.

T o s p e a k t o a p ers o n at t h e b a k er y pl e as e c all M o n d a y- S at ur d a y fr o m 9 a m- 5 p m.

A d v e r ti si n g t h at’ s j u st y o u r si z e.

F o r a d v e r ti si n g c all J eff

W at s o n at 7 31. 61 6. 2 6 2 8 J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 5 9

O N T ARGET & O N TRE ND Servi n g t he E merald Coast a nd Beyo nd si nce 2 011

Best Pu blic Rel atio ns Fir m 2 018-2 021 Best Eve nt Pl a n n er 2 018- 2 0 21 Best Ne w Busi ness 2 01 2

(85 0) 46 0-7777 6 0 •

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Best P u blic Relatio ns / A dvertisi n g Fir m 2 01 5- 2 018, 2 0 2 0 Best Eve nt Pla n ni n g Fir m 2 01 5- 2 018, 2 0 2 0

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ProffittPR.co m

VI P • G ulf Pl a c e

C h ri s t m a s at t he Be ach

A

Story & Photography by Jeff Watson

Allison S mith & Collen Riddle

Avery Monet & Stella Porter

b e a utif ul e arl y- D e c e m b er S at ur d a y at G ulf Pl a c e A m pit h e atr e w as t h e s etti n g f or t h e H o p e’s C hrist m as at t h e B e a c h . T his C hrist- c e nt er e d c o m m u nit y e v e nt s h o w c as e d t h e a m a zi n g t al e nts a n d p assi o ns of o ur l o c al artis a ns. Ve n d ors of all t y p es w er e s et u p s h o wi n g t h eir cr aft a n d tr a d e w hil e a t al e nt e d y o u n g c h oir e nt ert ai n e d t h e cr o w d. S a nt a, a h ors e a n d c arri a g e a n d e v e n a c o u pl e of stilt w al k ers k e pt ki ds e nt ert ai n e d f or h o urs. W hil e t h e w e at h er w as still w ar m, t h e e v e nt h el p e d g et e v er y o n e i nt o t h e h oli d a y s pirit.

Shelley Donovan, Ji m Little & E merald Little

Elizabeth & Ro wan Kerr

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Biance S mith & Beau

Kendra & Vinny Marsa

Jennifer & Jolene Pa wlik

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 61

C h ri st m a s at t h e B e a c h

Walton County Sheriff’s Dept.

Joseph

Buffy Longlegs & Scott Fester

Santa with Cindy Kelly

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Theresa & Grayton Horton

The Ada ms

F o r t h e s e p h o t o s a n d m o r e, f oll o w u s o n F a c e b o o k.

Y O U R V A C A TI O N H O M E I S A N

T R U E C O N CI E R G E V A C A TI O N RE N T AL M A N A GE ME N T S alt W at er V a c ati o n s h a s a l e g a c y of 3 5 y e ar s i n t h e v a c ati o n r e nt al m a n a g e m e nt b u si n e s s o n Fl ori d a’s s hi m m eri n g E m er al d C o a st. O ur g o al s ar e t o b e tr u e i n v e st m e nt p art n er s f or o ur o w n er s a n d tr u st e d c o- pl a n n er s f or o ur g u e st s. O ur st a ff of s e a s o n e d l o c al s ar e p a s si o n at e a b o ut f ul filli n g g u e st wi s h e s a n d m a ki n g t h e m o st of t h eir st a y at y o ur pr o p ert y.

Welco me ho me

At S alt W at er V a c ati o n s, o ur r e nt al m a n a g e m e nt t e a m i s li k e a f a mil y a n d w e tr e at y o u li k e o n e of o ur o w n. We w or k h ar d t o g et y o u t h e M O S T r e v e n u e f or t h e M O S T ni g ht s, w hil e att e n di n g t o y o ur g u e st s’ e v er y n e e d.

W H Y V A C A TI O N R E N T A L M A N A G E M E N T ?

HI G H E R R E V E N U E A s v a c ati o n r e nt al m a n a g er s, w e h a v e o ur fi n g er o n t h e p ul s e of t h e m ar k et a n d i n v e st si g ni fi c a nt r e s o ur c e s i nt o i n d u str y i n si g ht s t h at h el p y o u g et t h e m o st R OI f or y o ur pr o p ert y.

P E A C E O F MI N D - F O R Y O U A N D Y O U R G U E S T S • 2 a. m. pi p e b ur st ? Wit h 2 4/ 7 st a ffi n g, w e t a k e t h at c all.

• T a x e s d u e ? We p a y t h o s e o n y o ur b e h alf.

• C o nf u s e d b y cit y/ c o u nt y/ st at e r e gi str ati o n s a n d li c e n si n g ?

s e i t i n e m a s u Luxurio

We h a n dl e it all a n d m ail y o u a c h e c k e a c h m o nt h.

P R O F E S SI O N A LI S M & I N V E N T O R Y Wit h t h e b a c ki n g of a f ull- s er vi c e r e nt al m a n a g e m e nt c o m p a n y, y o u a n d y o ur g u e st s c a n r e st e a s y. S h o ul d a n yt hi n g g o wr o n g, w e will a d dr e s s t h e i s s u e i m m e di at el y or fi n d y o ur g u e st s a n e w pl a c e t o st a y.

C A L L T O D A Y F O R A C O M P LI M E N T A R Y R E V E N U E P R OJ E C TI O N

E njo y your sta y!

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 6 3

2800 US H W Y 98

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T H E LI G H TI N G S T U DI O 3 0 A . C O M |

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@ T H E LI G H TI N G S T U DI O 3 0 A

VI P • E m b a s s y S ui t e s

Car men Ionascu & Josh Foster

Leah Vanhoose & Heather Curry

Ava Grif fith & Lisa Urdahl

Rachel Si merly & Paul Sir mans

Crystal Ayers, Nate & Meg Waldstein

Gr e at G ats b y G al a Photography by Jeff Watson

T

h e W o m e n’s C o u n cil of R e alt ors of t h e E m er al d C o ast r e c e ntl y h a d its i nst all ati o n of its 2 0 2 2 B o ar d of Dir e ct ors. T h e t h e m e of t h e e v e ni n g w as t h e Gr e at G ats b y a n d t h e att e n d e es di d n ot dis a p p oi nt wit h t h eir attir e. Aft er di n n er a n d a r e c e pti o n r e c o g ni z i n g t h e n e w b o ar d, e v er y o n e w as i n a tr e at f or a tr u e G ats b y e v e ni n g wit h a c asi n o t a bl es a n d g a m es f or aft er di n n er e nt ert ai n m e nt. A n d w hil e t h e c hi ps mi g ht b e f or f u n, t h e t a bl e a cti o n w as s eri o us as e v er y o n e pl a y e d as if t h e h o us e w as o n t h e li n e. I e v e n g ot c a u g ht u p i n a littl e bl a c k j a c k a cti o n m ys elf, w h at a f u n e v e ni n g!

Atiya Black well, Allison & Ryan Fingall

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 6 5

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J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 • 6 7

M A S E R A TI P E N S A C O L A

2 0 21

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