We have had a very busy week. After putting out three papers on Monday, our editor, Daniel Evans, left Wednesday to move his family from Georgia to Pace, Florida. They signed the paperwork in Georgia Friday morning because they were selling and buying at the same time. They arrived Friday afternoon at their new home and had to wait to get into their new house until they got the go ahead from the seller’s Realtor and received the key to their new home. They worked very quickly and were able to return the U-Haul by Friday evening. As they were getting settled in their new home, they found out they couldn’t operate the stove top and oven at the same time and the dryer didn’t work. There are always things that don’t go according to plan, but it was a major feat to coordinate selling, buying and moving withing 1.5 months. I credit Daniel’s wife for the precision with which everything took place. And there were other complicated factors – and it all came together because of awesome planning. And in honor of Mother’s Day this past weekend – I have to say – moms are awesome and they are the driving force behind getting things done for the family. From planning moves to planning vacations, moms know that where there is a will – there is a way.
I was traveling again last week, and I was able to read the paper from my e-edition and the app on the go. As I write this, I’m on a mother-daughter weekend in Charleston, SC – a week before Mother’s Day. I have two unsolicited tips for those coming to Charleston; don’t wear high heels and bring mosquito repellant. Charleston is a very popular place for bachelorette parties and weddings, and there are a lot of ladies wearing high heels and the sidewalks are very uneven. And the mosquito is apparently the state bird in SC. There are a lot of marshes on either side of historic Charleston and the mosquitos are stealthy and apparently, relentless. I didn’t see them or feel them, but I have itchy welts on my neck, arms, feet and ankles. I have plenty of items to ward off mosquitos in Navarre including a natural spray and arm bands. Mosquitos love me…I check all of their boxes for a tasty treat. Next to OneBlood, mosquitos consider my blood to be a high value target. If I get out of this place without a mosquito borne disease, it will be a miracle. I just Googled, Charleston, SC mosquito activity and the result was, “The risk for mosquito activity is extremely high.” I didn’t see any “Mosquito Joe” signs around – maybe there is no hope for protection.
A moon tree? Never heard of it – but Gail was intrigued enough to read Hansen Hasenberg’s story on it and tell me about it. I will be reading the story with you when it comes out in print. Apparently, in 2022, Artemis 1 (a NASA uncrewed spaceflight) took some seedlings into space on a 25-day trip orbiting the moon. West Navarre Intermediate School obtained one of the seedlings – and we were there as they planted the sweetgum seedling. You will have to read the story to find out the history of moon trees and how one of the seedlings came to WNIS.
I’m attending a conference this week in Dallas, and I ran across this column from nearly ten years ago that I felt was still relevant, maybe more so and it doesn’t just pertain to students. It was by printed in 2015 and is the subject of a book by Everett Piper, former president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University from 2002 – 2019.
Spring has sprung and oddly, certain trucks are a lot louder. I was sitting outside eating at Johnny Huston’s and no less than six different trucks went by on Highway 98 revving their engines with a loud reverberation. I decided it was some kind of “mating call.” It is definitely an attempt to garner attention. I mean – girls really dig loud trucks – not. But maybe, they were girls trying to attract the guys. That would actually be genius, but then you might end up with a guy who thinks one of the coolest things you can do is drive around with a loud truck, and that doesn’t sound like a winning proposition to me. Most people try to find cars that have low road noise and don’t make loud sounds like back firing – on purpose. I decided to ask the all-knowing Google why people do this to their vehicles and the answers are not fit to print. The consensus online is that the drivers are trying to make up for shortcomings in other areas. I thought I was just being hyper-critical, but the online crowd is ruthless – and anti-loud noise popping trucks as well.
There are two car washes this Saturday. One is going to be on the south side of Highway 98 at Navarre Park and the other is going to be across the highway at Centennial Bank. They are both raising money for the same organization “DUO” or “Do Unto Others.” We have written several stories about this cause which raises money to give to principals to help students in need. Whether you are coming or going through Navarre between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday – please let the students wash your car for cash – or just drive through and hand them some cold hard cash.
April 8 is the BIG day – total eclipse day. While Northwest Florida won’t experience what they call “totality,” we will experience it at about 80%. You can read about it in this week’s issue on page 7A – including how to make your own eclipse viewer. But here is a really important tip – your normal sunglasses will not protect your eyes and your camera will need a special lens filter specifically for photographing the eclipse. We (being North America) will not have another chance to experience this again until 2033. There won’t be another one like this running coast to coast until 2045.
I have always had an interest in history, and mythology and when I was in elementary school. I read every book my school library had regarding myths and mythical creatures that make up the culture of many nations. I was also brought up in a Judeo-Christian Church and home and loved the Bible stories as well – which some, not me, believe to be mythical stories. And, I’ve also had an interest in Nostradamus, a French astrologer, apothecary, and physician who made predictions – and I give Nostradamus the same weight as I give a horoscope – none. But it is still interesting. I wish my Bible study teachers had put more weight on all the predictions otherwise known as prophesies in the Bible – because they actually come true. My column this week may be considered “religious” but I’m going to be as factual as possible and even include a historian that wasn’t a believer.
If someone has it out for you, there are many ways they can try to destroy you and/or your reputation. If you were a business, it used to helpful to call to the Better Business Bureau, which still exists. At least the Better Business Bureau would do their best to get both sides of the complaint and resolve it before it becomes public knowledge. Now people don’t bother going to the Better Business Bureau – they just take it to social media where they don’t have to have proof of any supposed transgression. They can just lob word grenades and “suppose” and “conjecture” without facts. And apparently, now it just takes an anonymous complaint to your local fire department that corresponds with an annual requested fire inspection.
Saint Patrick’s Day is this Sunday and the Shamrock Stroll 5K Fun Run/Walk and Pet Parade and Costume Contest is this Saturday on Navarre Beach from 8-10 a.m. There is a registration fee, but you can get there as early as 7 a.m. the day of the event and register. The next holiday is Easter. Easter Sunday is the last day of March on the 31st. Santa Rosa County Schools (and UWF) are out for Spring Break the week before Easter. There is a large concert, Spring Jam, going on at Juana’s on March 24, the Sunday before Easter. Okaloosa Schools have Spring Break March 15-22.
