Author: Digital Intern

En Garde

When it comes to athletics on the Emerald Coast, fencing—with foils and sabers and épées—is not typically the first sport to come to mind. Air Force veteran Peter Wetzel is on a mission to change that. Wetzel opened Emerald Coast…

Skate Like A Girl

Justa Hotmess. Poise & Bury. TT Twister. Ms. Sippi Queen. Sir Blox-a-lot. Michi-Gang$ter. More than slang nicknames, these titles are a badge of individuality. Plays on words, puns that reflect their personalities, their playing styles, their place in the team…

From LA To 30A

Kuk Harrell and his wife Stevie sat on the couch in front of a box that was delivered to their Atlanta home. Unsure what it could be, he carefully cut the seal, pulled open the carton’s lid, and reached inside.…

Locals Know What's Best

Something about meeting a fellow Emerald Coast local automatically engenders kindred spirits. Maybe you’re at a coffee shop near the coast, and you get to chatting with the barista. They ask where you’re from, and to their surprise, you’re a…

The End Of An Era

In August, The REP Theatre announced a final curtain call as it wrapped its last season after a 25-year run. In its time, The REP was a significant contributor to the arts for the Seaside community and beyond. The organization…

What's In Store?

Merit by Willow Located in the picturesque Alys Beach, Merit by Willow offers a curated collection of fine jewelry, on-trend clothing, and elevated accessories. A masterclass in modern layering, REBECCA PINTO’S FINE JEWELRY COLLECTION brings a sense of personal story…

Autumn In Color

Autumn’s show of colors has just begun in Northwest Florida. Deciduous native plants, those which lose their leaves in winter, will be displaying reds, yellows, purples, and browns. Deciduous trees and plants produce and consume chlorophyll throughout the warm growing…

October/November Calendar

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL SEPT. 18-OCT. 12 Emerald Coast Theatre Company presents the inspiring true story of Carole King’s rise to stardom as part of the hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin. emeraldcoasttheatre.org MOON CRUSHAVETT MOON OCT.…

Captured In Flight

It was only a couple years ago that I couldn’t find an eagle anywhere. Fellow photographers were finding them, and the photos were taunting me on social media. But the more I looked, the bigger the disappointment in not seeing…

Life Of The Party

A Punch of Fun Signature drinks are always a great way to underscore the mood of an event and include an individualized element. But how about adding a twist by offering a signature punch instead? While the rainbow sherbet variety…

Sweets and Sips

Children don’t have to be the only ones enjoying the Halloween spoils. Try pairing your childhood favorite candies with adult treats. Mairin Moore of Tallahassee’s Hummingbird Wine Bar advises which wines to pair with which candies based on their flavor…

The Making Of A Mayor

Bobby Wagner first attended a city council meeting to talk about planting trees along roadways. At the time, Wagner was executive director of the nonprofit Trees on the Coast organization. But the meeting left him with the seed of a…

Really Rad Everything

Sam Vandiver is, in her words, simply “a dork with a game store.” But Vandiver is far from simple. One might say she’s pretty rad even. Her signature blue hair alone makes her stand out. But it’s her personality—witty, raw,…

Rolling Into The Party

Brandon Smith doesn’t just farm oysters—he brings them straight to the party. Named for Smith’s sons Grayson and Baylen,  Grayson Bay Oyster Company and its mobile offshoot, Emerald Coast Oyster, maintain a mission to connect people directly to the briny…

Weezer in Chronology

Sean Murphy spent much of his photography career in the thick of alternative and punk rock action. Throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, he shot an innumerable number of bands, many of them big names—Jimmy Eat World, Everclear, Tenacious…

Spook-Easy Cocktails

Mystic Mycelium This earthy iteration of a Scotch Sour evokes an enchanted woodland, rich in flavor and layered with intrigue. Ingredients 2 oz. blended Scotch whisky, such as  Monkey Shoulder 1 oz. fresh lemon juice 1 oz. egg white1 oz.…

Making Music

The new palm tree planted in Sergey Bogza’s front yard is symbolic to the 39-year-old Panama City Symphony maestro. Bogza was born in Russia but came to the United States when he was 9 years old. He’s lived, studied, and…

Bridgeway Center Breaks Ground on Housing Project

Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI) is proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for Willow Way Village, a transformative new permanent supportive housing development located at 333 Lewis Street in Fort Walton Beach. The event will take place on Friday, September 26,…

The REP Announces Final Curtain Call

With many fond memories and much sadness, The REP Theatre has announced that it will be ceasing operations following the completion of its final summer performances in mid-August, concluding a remarkable 25-year run as a cornerstone of the 30A arts…

Home Is What You Make it

How do you define home? Is it where you live, where you’re from, or where you wish you were? For me, home has always been the beach, even while living in other states. I was raised on Emerald Coast landscapes,…

No Paint, No Gain

At times, it is hard to take Christon Anderson seriously. The 43-year-old Panama City native is a serious artist. His works have won awards and been on display in galleries and private collections. His abstracts and mixed media pieces are…

Coastal Caroline

To Caroline Mowry, every detail matters—from the way golden hour alights a glass of white wine on a tablescape to how a crisp, white linen shirt effortlessly drapes across the body.  When your business revolves around creating memorable moments, the…

Cozy at the Cafe

In the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, a homesick Dorothy Gale made iconic a five-word phrase that lives in mainstream use still today: “There’s no place like home.” And she was right. So right that we’ve come to chase…

Turning Heads

A new trend is turning heads in the beauty and wellness community. Head spa treatments entered the internet scene as they became popularized throughout Japan. Specialized salons are now focusing on scalp and hair health, providing both practical results and…

Welcome to Pensacola

A few years ago, I sat on the beach with my sketchbook and drew a happy little pelican. I had no idea that this simple doodle would one day become Pensacola’s new welcome sign, greeting thousands of people as they…

Singular Sensation

Exclusive” is a word often used to describe Alys Beach, a walkable and private 30A community that has been gaining popularity since development began there in earnest in 2004. But it was the term “singularity” that was top of mind…

Anchoring Inland

Living in Florida, there’s no hotter commodity than beachfront property. But it’ll cost you to live Gulf-side.  Walton County, including coastal towns from Miramar Beach to Inlet Beach and north to Freeport and DeFuniak Springs, spans a diverse portfolio of…

What's Brewing On The Beach?

3rd PLANET BREWING Ten years ago, Tim McCool put his head together with homebrewer and fellow Air Force veteran Jason Doster to bring to Niceville its first microbrewery with the goal of creating quality beer and a new community hub. As…

Defining Coastal Chic

A new-age design descriptor, the coastal chic aesthetic focuses on bringing the beauty of nature inside to create luxurious and calming spaces. The style departs from the bold colors and nautical motifs known to the condo aesthetic. Subtle, warm modernity…

Garden Party Time

Sunny days make Florida gardens worth showing off.  Warm weather, beautiful blue skies, blooming flowers, and verdant landscaping set a welcoming scene for more than just the birds and bees. An ultimate backyard experience, the garden party is an elevated…

Hit the Road: In Full Swing

Nestled along both sides of a quiet street in Ponte Vedra Beach, about 20 miles away from Jacksonville, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club has been providing guests an amenity-packed seaside escape since 1928. Steeped in tradition, the property occupies…

Hit the Road: Choose Your Own Adventure

As visitors approach the Chronos portal—the gateway to Universal Epic Universe—they’re greeted with these words: “Beyond this gate find gardens green and epic worlds to fill your dreams.” It’s a big promise but one that Epic Universe more than fulfills…

What's in Store?

TRIBE KELLY  Made for firework nights and chilly mornings, the AMERICANA SWEATER brings bold, timeless energy to your closet. This cozy knit is your go-to for year-round layering. Toss it over denim cutoffs, style it with your favorite sweats, or…

A New Chapter in Housing

For families across Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, the dream of homeownership can feel like a distant, impossible goal. Rising costs, scarce land, and unexpected repairs often force hopeful buyers into an endless cycle of renting. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity…

Anglers Hook Winning Catches at 2025 ECBC

The 23rd Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic (ECBC) returned to Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort from June 18-22, 2025, bringing together 78 elite sportfishing teams for a week of high-stakes competition, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments. With…