Opinion Archive

We love watching the “kids” of Navarre grow up, graduate, go to college – and decide to come back home to establish themselves. In this case, I’m talking about Grady and Eliana Kelly. Grady played for the Navarre Raiders and is a superstar football player in his last year at Michigan State – he may even have a shot at the NFL. He and his wife (also an alum of Navarre High School) are expecting a baby in October and have come home to open a business. Brian Lester reached out to them to do a story (page 1B). They talk about their faith being a driving force and wanting to pour back into a community that means so much to them. We are glad to have them home and wish them great success!

The governor’s veto pen hit Santa Rosa County hard this year, striking down more than $2 million in requested funding for local projects. Among the casualties were the wetlands conservation of a 27.57-acre parcel, the expansion of the Whiting Field taxiway, and continued support for our Veterans Treatment Court. These aren’t frivolous expenses; they’re strategic investments in environmental protection, infrastructure, and justice for those who’ve served our country. The impact of these cuts is not just fiscal — it’s deeply personal for the communities depending on them.

We have officially reached the point of the year where we are stuck between the continuation of summer and the start of high school sports season.


But it’s not as if the local sports world has completely hit a wall.

My wife and I just spent a week in Canada visiting my family. Gasoline in Canada is sold by the litre (that is how Canadians spell it), and it is expensive – north of $1.30 per litre, over $5 per gallon. The gas prices turned out not to be an issue for us because, following my sister’s advice, we did not drive our vehicle while in Canada. With the increased tariffs and our president’s talk of annexing Canada, there has been a surge in national pride and an increased dislike of the United States expressed in the vandalizing of cars bearing American license plates.

Don’t miss the story on 2B about one of our few remaining independent veterinarians in Navarre, Natalie Dyson of St. Francis Veterinary Center.  Dr. Dyson was given a plaque from the Navarre Beach Fire Department and the Lifeguard Ambulance Service for her life saving efforts after opening up her office after hours to help save Sydney, the rottweiler. We featured Sydney’s ordeal on the cover of the July 12 issue of Navarre Press.

It was a glorious morning. The sun was shining and the wind was from the Southeast. Up especially early, a tall bony, redheaded young Virginian found time to buy a new thermometer, for which he paid three pounds, fifteen shillings. He also bought gloves for Martha, his wife, who was ill at home.

I realize we are at the point where, if there was an eighth day added to the week, college football would be played on it.


I just don’t understand why NCAA Division II has to jump on the ship. Is it too much to ask for D-II to avoid playing college football games on Friday nights?

It was hot and humid. One of those days where water breaks are mandatory instead of optional. But it didn’t matter.


Former Navarre Raider football players and the young athletes they were working with at a camp were having fun on a Saturday morning in early June.

Years ago, I was displaying a friend’s rare Bible collection at a pastor’s conference. He put me up in a nice hotel. The next morning upon exiting my room, I walked to the bank of elevators and pushed the down button. The doors opened, I stepped inside, pushed the “L” button, then stood facing the doors, staring ahead as the elevator made its descent. The elevator slowed, stopped, a chime sounded, but the doors did not open. I had the sense that I was being watched. Turning around, I discovered it was the rear doors that had opened, and other guests, smirks on their faces, were waiting for me to exit.

As far as I could tell, everyone had good time at the Centennial Ball Saturday. I want to give a shoutout to some people that made the event happen. I was just one person on the committee, and I started going to committee meetings regularly just a few months ago. The Centennial Ball was made possible by Frankie and Barbara Gibbs, Mike and Nancy Sandler, Andy Epstein and Craig Born. Also, shoutout to the volunteers from Risen Savior Lutheran Church that helped clean up after the event, and to St. Michael’s for making a commemorative beer named “1925” for this special year in Navarre.