This is a repeat from last year – but it has been a year, so perhaps you don’t remember. However, the content of this column is worth remembering. This column is inspired from a sermon from my home church, First Baptist Orlando. I love Christmas for many reasons, but first and foremost because we are celebrating and recognizing the significance of the birth of Jesus. How does the world celebrate Christmas? By giving gifts and acts of kindness to one another to demonstrate our love for others.
There are many commonly used words in the English language to which are affixed a prefix or suffix. As commonly used as these compound words are, the same word, without the prefix or suffix accessory, is rarely used, if ever. For example, you might be overwhelmed by the price of eggs at the grocery store, but have you ever been simply whelmed? Whelmed is a legit word that means, “to engulf, surge, or bury.” The rising cost of those eggs might make you feel disgruntled, but when have you ever been gruntled by an egg price? Yes, it too is a legit word that means, “satisfied.”
Navarre and the surrounding communities had a fantastic weekend ushering in the Christmas holidays. I think every community had their parade last Saturday, some during the day and a few at night. There was not a shortage of things to do last weekend. We saw event goers and floats in more than one parade across the area. In this week’s issue you will find some great photos of all the events – and ALL the photos at yourcommunityphotos.com. You should check out our photo galleries for events we have covered, sports photos, pictures included in our paper, and so much more. We can also make your special photo a work of art. It’s a great Christmas present!
We are in the midst of the Christmas season and the allure of online shopping and big-box retailers can be tempting. The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat. However, there’s a compelling case to be made for turning our attention to local businesses. Shopping locally isn’t just a trend; it’s a powerful way to support our community, economy, and environment. Here are some reasons to consider supporting your community’s small businesses.
There were enough fights in college football over Thanksgiving weekend to make a day at the hockey rink look tame.
All those flag plantings on the field riled up the losing teams, who might have won their games had they shown that much fight and emotion during the game.
For almost the entirety of my 36 years of full-time Christian ministry, I have avoided planting a church with the same zealous determination that I avoid liver and onions. Yet here I am in Navarre planting a church.
Our Navarre community is filled with talented, creative and smart people. Two weeks ago, we had a feature on one of our “famous” local photographers, John Starrett, whose remarkable eye and timing makes him one of the best in Northwest Florida and beyond. Another such photographer we are so blessed to have here in Navarre is Jeff Waldorff. You can find him on the front page of this issue. His photos adorn many homes and businesses in Navarre and all over the country. Two of his photos were selected recently for the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s 2025 Sea Turtle Calendar. We congratulate him on the selection. Both photographers are awe-some and we are so grateful for their talent.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the nation will pause to remember the 83rd anniversary of the devastating surprise attack by the Japanese against the U.S. Navy’s facilities at Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. Most Americans know it as Pearl Harbor Day, that the attack precipitated the United States’ entry into World War II and that President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in condemning Japan’s aggression, called Dec. 7, 1941, “a date that shall live in infamy.”
What a year it has been for Navarre alum Emily (Madril) Sams.
From an Olympic gold medal winner to National Women’s Soccer League champion, Sams has had a year she will absolutely never forget.
Christians, it is that season of the year when you can expect your pastor to ask your congregation, “What are you thankful for?” The question ignites your organic search engine to launch a scan of your recent history for any events or circumstances that rise to the level of thanks-worthiness. Pastors always hope that the question will open a floodgate of thanksgiving, and sometimes it does. When it doesn’t, we resort to coaxing, restating the question again and again into the uncomfortable silence. Of course, we pastors could break the silence with our own expressions of thanks.
