Because perception is not always reality, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office is sponsoring a Citizens Law Enforcement Academy from Feb. 21-April 25 in Navarre.
The number of Florida high schools and combination high schools getting an ‘A’ grade for 2012 rose to 231, up from 148 last year, in preliminary results released Dec. 21 by the Florida Department of Education.
We hope you enjoy our Sports Guide in this issue of Navarre Press. A few years ago, our sports reporter, Brian Lester, went from covering one high school to making sure we have coverage for eight high schools. That is a huge leap in coverage. Thankfully, we have had help from high school yearbook staff and others that want to get on the field and courts and report on the games. Brian has done a phenomenal job. We have an opening for a sports reporter in Crestview if you know of anyone that might be interested.
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.
We were privileged to contribute to the Navarre Centennial celebration Saturday night. Our very own Jonathan Crider, Ph.D., served as guest speaker and offered a wonderful perspective on the past century of the place we proudly call home. Jon knows this history better than anyone on our team, having researched and written the historical stories for Navarre Press years ago, back when he was part of our staff. We used to tease him that writing for the paper was his first glimpse into life as Sandi Kemp’s future son-in-law. He passed every test with flying colors and was warmly welcomed into both our family and the Kemp family.
Every day, week and month is busy in the news business because news never sleeps. However, this month has been especially busy, and we are only halfway through. We have high school graduations to cover and a Visitor Guide to design, get to press and then distribute before Memorial Day Weekend. On top of that, we have staff taking vacations and going to graduations for their family members. And it is Navarre Press’s 25th Anniversary in a week and a half. We have known this milestone anniversary was coming for the last – 25 years, actually. However, we haven’t slowed down enough to even think about it. Maybe we will have something ready by the end of the year. Navarre Press began with the first graduating class of Navarre High School – so this is Navarre High School’s 25th graduating class which is set to graduate on Friday, May 30.
For Christians around the world, Easter represents a time of renewal, and a time of remembrance of the death of Jesus and his resurrection. However you choose to celebrate Easter, whether it is in Church or in your backyard hunting for Easter eggs or both, we at Navarre Press wish you a day of renewal. Consider it perhaps a transfiguration of sorts; a shedding of whatever is old and stale and an embrace of new things, habits and ideas. We can all use that in our life, no matter your belief.
Happy Birthday, Navarre! Last week was Navarre’s 100-year birthday according to county records and plat maps. The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce held a birthday party last week complete with birthday cake and blowing out the candles. Thankfully there were only three candles, a 1, and two zeroes. I felt privileged to be able to blow out one of the zeroes. Cindy Davidson with Centennial Bank blew out the number 1 – which is very appropriate since the bank is Centennial, and we are celebrating 100 years. Her company also is a sponsor – also very appropriate. Frankie Gibbs, who has been working on the centennial for more than two years also blew out a zero. We have some exciting plans for the paper in the coming months leading up to the Gala on June 21. Can’t wait to hear when the tickets are going to be on sale. You will definitely see an announcement in Navarre Press.
