I think it was a nice gesture for Trump to give Federal and Government workers the day off as a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush – but now we have set a precedent and there will be more impromptu closings in the future. Pragmatically – it won’t happen very often, but when it does happen it will not be predictable. Take for instance, this week it falls on a Wednesday and it wasn’t announced until Monday afternoon. Since we mail our papers, we have to have them to the Post Office on Wednesday to be delivered on Thursday. We work around known holidays – like Thanksgiving and get them done early. However, we could not do that this week because it was not predictable. Our post office is under a lot of scrutiny and stress to make sure you receive your mail in a timely manner. We recently wrote an article about the addition of entire routes due to the growth of Navarre. I spoke with a representative at the Post Office regarding our Thursday delivery dilemma and found out that HBTS receives 500-600 packages a day. That is a lot of packages – and that doesn’t include the regular mail. They have had carriers out until after 7 p.m. trying to get all the mail delivered and now they will have twice as much mail on Thursday – during the holiday rush. We are just one example – I’m sure they are many more. One team member here wanted to know if they got the day off and I said, “if you want to take a day off to mourn President George H.W. Bush” that is your prerogative, but it will be on your own time. Apparently, that was funny because it got a lot of laughs. Bottomline, please be patient with our postal service. They have a job to do…rain, sleet, snow….except during the day we thought Michael was coming this way, or that time we had ice on the roads, and now, when a former president dies.
This weekend is full of fun times in Navarre. It begins with the Navarre Beach Area Chamber Foundation Jingle Bell run at 8 a.m. on Saturday Morning at the Fire Station behind McDonalds. This is a fun family run and pet-friendly as well. There are more participants registered this year than in any year past – but there is still room for you. You can show up at packet pickup at the fire station Friday afternoon or at the fire station at 7 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Saturday morning. You will get an awesome long-sleeved T-shirt. If they run out of this year’s shirts – they may have previous year’s shirts to share. The Navarre Beach Area Chamber’s Christmas in the Park brought to you by Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood store begins at 10 a.m. with Merry Market – with local arts and crafts vendors. At 11 a.m. the reindeer games begin – where the children play for prizes. School choirs will begin singing at 11 a.m. and continue singing until the 5 p.m. lighting of the tree. The Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. from the Navarre Library and Navarre Senior Center Parking lots and ends at Navarre Park where you will find Mrs. Claus’s bakery, the lighting of the tree and more. You are sure to see Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Grinch if you go to the park after the Christmas Parade.
I just want to congratulate Rob Williamson on his new position as the CEO of the Holley-Navarre Water system and for garnering a wage that is thirty percent higher than his Santa Rosa County Commission gig. That was quite a feat considering he was fired in August and shown the door by nearly three of every four voters. There was no need to do a nationwide search to hire the best candidate for the water system. He was obviously the only candidate considered because of his vast experience of …. nothing.
Next week you will be receiving your papers on Wednesday because next Thursday is Thanksgiving. We hope you have a special time planned with friends and family. This is the time of year where we are forced to slow down in our everyday lives – and speed up and pay attention to the part of our lives that matter the most. It would be awesome if we all had time to always pay attention to what matters the most – and that is our relationships with others and our God. However, that isn’t always the case at least in my life. I’m just thankful that I have very patient and gracious people in my life that know that I mean well, and my intentions are good. And, they are busy too with everything I delegate so it all works out. I hope. I do not want to take them for granted. Please pause this holiday season and thank those that mean the most to you.
Come out to Windjammers at the Pier Saturday and watch the Alabama vs. LSU game on the big screen. Bring a sweater because the high Saturday is 70 and the low is 54. Also – bring a lawn chair and some money to try their delicious beverages and food. Try the calamari – it is awesome…along with everything else.
Today, Monday, we decided to print the paper a day early which would be today – and get it in the mail Tuesday due to our Hurricane Michael. We have an awesome team that can turn on a dime. We aren’t sure exactly where Michael will make landfall at this point, but since we print our paper in Panama City we wanted to make sure it gets printed and in the mail. Maybe you will still receive it Thursday – because even though it will be in the mail Tuesday – I have a feeling the rain, sleet or snow doesn’t apply to a Cat 3 hurricane. As a refresher – a Cat 3 is winds of 111-129 mph.
Sunday, Nov. 11 is Veteran’s Day and the Holley Navarre Senior Center is offering their pancake breakfast half-off to all veterans on Saturday. The pancake breakfast is held from 7 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Holley Navarre Senior Center at 8476 Gordon Goodin Lane in Navarre – across from the Library. They are trying an experiment by adding hash browns. If you like the hash browns, let them know and they will keep them on the menu.
Start the weekend on Friday night at the Taste of Gulf Breeze for ages 21 and up. You can taste food and beverages from area restaurants for a very low cost. Please see the ad in this issue on page B9.
