Community Archive

The first female pilot to break the sound barrier grew up in Bagdad, just south of Milton. Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran was a record setter who also shattered the glass ceiling in aviation, earning induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio in 1971.

The second annual Navarre Beach Songwriter Festival is scheduled May 16 – 18 but local songwriters have been honing their skills and playing original songs at Juana’s Club Pagodas for a couple of months.

The Santa Rosa County Commissioners at their meeting March 13 approved a resolution recognizing March as American Red Cross Month. America Red Cross of Northwest Florida executive Jerry Kindle attended the meeting.

The Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t officially start begin June 1, but state and local governments are starting their efforts to make sure residents get prepared.

The Santa Rosa County Public Works Department closed a boardwalk in Navarre Park earlier this month due to concerns the structure was unsafe. The county must now determine whether the boardwalk should be removed or whether it should be replaced.

If you haven’t looked at a solar energy option for your home lately, you might want to take a second look. According to Tiffany Miller of Compass Solar Energy, prices have dropped 60 percent due to new technology.

Marcelaine Taylor grinned when I asked if she and the other four Jiranek sisters ganged-up on their only brother, James Jiranek, when they were growing up.

Starting in April, batches of blue bows will decorate Navarre as part of an awareness campaign to stop child abuse.

Tickets for Taste of Navarre Seafood, featuring chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson, go on sale at 9 a.m., March 14 at the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce office at 8543 Navarre Parkway. Tickets may also be purchased by calling the chamber at 939-3267. The event will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., May 4 in Navarre Park.

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce announced March 6 that Country artist, singer and songwriter Chris Stapleton will headline the 30th Annual Navarre Fun Fest, performing at 7:45 p.m., April 26 on the Florida Lottery Stage on Navarre Beach. Stapleton has four #1 country hits to his credit including “Never Wanted Nothing More” recorded by Kenny Chesney, “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” recorded by George Strait and “Come Back Song” recorded by Darius Rucker. Additionally more than 170 of his songs have appeared on albums by country stars like Adele, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and Alan Jackson. In 2013, Stapleton released his first solo single, “What Are You Listening To” which climbed to #46 on U.S. country music charts. Florida Native and Nashville recording artist, Chad Montana will be opening for Chris Stapleton at 5:30 p.m. with the Chad Montana Band.