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…
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…
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…
When welcoming guests into your home, the living room is often a space for gathering on cozy couches and chairs centered around a coffee table. Amid conversation, a guest might lean forward to put their drink on a coaster, their…
Shane Reynolds is a true Floridian. He was born in Pensacola, raised in Fort Walton, and lives in Destin. As a kid, Reynolds didn’t stray too far from home. “My dad liked to be home, and that was his thing,” he…
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…
Modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf announced that it will open its first venue along Florida’s Emerald Coast in Panama City Beach on June 27. This is Topgolf’s 10th outdoor venue in the state of Florida. Topgolf Basics Never been to a Topgolf…
The energy inside the Juniper Ballroom of Hotel Effie at Sandestin on March 26 was unmistakable—joyful, electric, and deeply inspiring. As guests entered the elegant foyer, they were greeted by friendly faces and a festively framed portrait of 12 accomplished…
The City of Fort Walton Beach congratulates Christina Donahoe of Christina Custom Art on her winning design for a new downtown Fort Walton Beach entrance sign. For her design efforts, Donahoe was presented with a check for $5,000 during a…
Carrie Honaker was traveling abroad, on board a barge in Southern France, when she unexpectedly received an email from Cider Mill Press. The publishing company was looking to recruit Honaker to author a compilation of cocktails made at bars…
It was just after developer and co-founder of Sandcastle Resorts and Hotels Frank Flautt had purchased a 10-acre beachfront lot that would house the future Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa that he placed a call to his friend…
Best friends Autumn Johnson and Kasey Caldwell co-worked for years selling their respective artwork out of co-op shops. But they never anticipated graduating their work relationship to co-owners. “We’re like soulmates,” Johnson says. “We know each other very well,…
Tutoring is a lucrative profession and is often used to supplement a teacher’s salary. Beginners can charge as low as $15 per hour, while those with more experience can receive as much as $80 per hour for high-demand subjects such…
In February, the Arts & Design Society of Fort Walton Beach announced Michael Lunsford’s Grand Turk painting as the winner of the Viewers’ Choice award in the 65th Annual Beaux Arts Exhibition. And at the 2025 ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival…
I have lived in this flourishing beach town for eight years, and I have never had the opportunity to attend the 30A Songwriters Festival—until this year. I attended in hopes of being a part of something unique and discovering a…
In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam Conflict, the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted Honoring Our Heroes: Welcome Home, a tribute to Vietnam veterans with a three-day event that brought together…
For 10 years, the Southern Shakespeare Company (SSC) has been bringing the beloved works of Shakespeare to life in Tallahassee. “We are devoted to making his work accessible and exciting for all,” says SSC Artistic Director James Bond. “We do…
DESTIN, FLORIDA (April 2, 2025) — Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) invites music fans to gather under the stars at the picturesque Dugas Pavilion for the much-anticipated 2025 Concerts in the Village series. From April 10 to June 12, every…
Zen. That is how freelance photographer Romona Robbins Reynolds describes the feeling she gets when she dons her goggles and takes to the saltwater with her camera. Above sea level, Reynolds juggles a small business, a home, a husband, a…
“Sun-kissed” is a phrase often used here in our beach paradise. Our winters are brief and mild, and on sunnier days, we can even bask on the shore in swimwear during the colder months. However, on January 21 and 22…
