We had the opportunity to speak with a few members of the Navarre Krewe of Jesters last week and I was glad we did. It was certainly a lesson for both of us. We, of course, know what time of year the Mardi Gras parade is, but we don’t necessarily know when all the events are.

Driving south over the Navarre Beach Causeway, something new is changing the skyline … for the better. Kevin Rudzki and his crew are building a huge stage/amphitheater behind Juana’s. This stage will serve as the new entertainment venue on the Emerald Coast … or further!

By the time you read this column, the Holley Navarre Water System election for the three seats on the board will be over and the votes counted and announced. We cannot report the outcome in this issue since our files go to the printer before the election is over, we will be reporting on it immediately online and next week in print. Don’t forget, we are daily online and weekly in print.

Congratulations to the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate 50 years of service to the business community. We are so proud of all they have accomplished in their history and look forward to the next 50 years.

Happy 2023! Twenty-three years ago I hired a fontographer to help choose the fonts for our yet to be released, Navarre Press.

As I go to meetings and listen to meetings in Santa Rosa County and now Okaloosa County, I realize how valuable it is to know what is going on in two counties, not just one.

Pat Quinn, founder of the Gulf Breeze Zoo, passed away this week. We are remembering him by republishing a story that this author wrote almost 10 years ago when he was honored by the new owners of the Zoo, the Mogensen family.

Pat Quinn, one of a kind. There probably will not be another human being on this planet that decides to start a zoo the way Pat started his or start one – period.

We have an exciting weekend ahead of us. The Navarre Chamber Foundation Jingle Bell Run is Saturday morning. If you haven’t registered yet, you have until 6 p.m. tonight (Thursday, December 1) or, you should be at packet pick-up at the Holley Navarre Fire Station behind McDonald’s on Friday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. or at 7 a.m. Saturday morning – the day of the run.

Sometimes we focus on what we don’t have, or situations we aren’t in, and we lose sight of what we do have and where we are. I know I have a lot to be thankful for – at all times – even when I’m wrapped up in the day-to-day busy-ness of life.