The Latest Stories from SoWal

Ali Weil, owner of Nest 30A in Grayton Beach, is asking people in the community to bring in at least five canned goods for

Russell & Russell, the only full-service hospitality consulting firm based in Northwest Florida, has formed Russell Vacation Rentals, which began operating Nov. 1, 2013. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

The 3rd Annual Rosemary Beach Unleashed will be held on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 1 – 4 p.m. on East Long Green in Rosemary Beach. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

The spirit of the holidays will come alive in the main hallway of Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast as th Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

It's time for some live music at Pandora’s Steakhouse of Grayton Beach. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

The annual Flutterby Children’s Arts Festival is one of SoWal's funnest and most colorful festivals, and will once again be held at Rosemary Beach on Nov. 9-10, 2013. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Our friends Elam Stoltzfus and his son Nic spent and amazing weekend on Lake Powell at Camp Helen State Park capturing every detail of the event. World Paddle for the Planet video. Produced by Elam Stoltzfus. Edited by Joey Dickinson. Script by Nic Stoltzfus. Story below by Nic.On Friday, October 9th, Dad, Joey, and I loaded up our gear in our Toyota Sequoia and hooked up our boat (a custom built Scandy White) and prepared to head to Panama City Beach.We were headed to the World Paddle for the Planet event held on Lake Powell and stationed out of Camp Helen State Park. Part of a larger 4-day eco-fest, the main event was a 24-hour paddling event with paddlers from all over welcome to join. The mission of World Paddle for the Planet is “to educate and raise awareness for restoring and preserving the health of our oceans and waterways worldwide.” The funds from this year’s event went to Mother Ocean’s Expedition Florida 500.This is the first year that the World Paddle for the Planet has been held in the United States. According to the website there were going to be some special guests in attendance: Bob Purdy, the founder of Paddle for the Planet, traveled from British Columbia to boost spirits; and Justin Riney, the founder of Mother Ocean and Expedition Florida 500, also planned to paddle the full 24 hours.Elam Stoltzfus filming at Camp Helen State Park (photo by Nic Stoltzfus) After arrival, we checked into the apartment so graciously provided to us by Richard and Marilue Maris, and headed down to the public boat launch at Lake Powell. The weather outside was lovely––Autumn in Florida is my favorite season––and October in particular is spectacular. When we set out, it was nearing 4 o’clock and we wanted plenty of time to shoot a colorful sunset. A heron was resting on a pine branch as the sun faded in the sky, and the air cooled as a few stars started to appear.Elam pointing to head back to shore as Joey runs the trolling motor (photo by Nic Stoltzfus) Saturday morning we put the boat back in to Lake Powell and headed to Camp Helen State Park where the 24 hour paddling event was set to start at noon. Before we started, the local Native American tribe, the Maskoke (Muskogee), blessed the event. Marcus Cloud offered up a blessing and also an admonition that this is sacred land—and we are charged with protecting it. After Marcus was finished with his speech two men dressed in traditional Maskoke garb passed around a turtle shell with incense wafting from it; a sweet rosemary scent filled the air. Each person waved the smoke toward his or her face, taking part in this sacred purification ritual. It felt like a holy communion; all present now bound together by this beautiful ceremony. The Maskoke paddle by with Elam filming (photo by Nic Stoltzfus) The Maskoke started the 24-hour paddle for the planet in a two-person canoe and the paddlers, around 30, followed behind. The first lap around the lake was silent—SUP Radio host Leslie Kolovich encouraged paddlers to use this first lap to meditate on why they were paddling today. Joey Dickinson, Elam Stoltzfus, Justin Riney, and Bob Purdy discuss today’s event (photo by Nic Stoltzfus) Most of the paddlers who attended the event were paddling in groups, so they would rotate off every few hours and paddle for 24 hours as a team. But a few hardcore paddlers, such as Bob Purdy and Justin Riney, would brave the entire duration.Evening approached. We parked our boat on a sand spit by the outfall of Lake Powell and walked out to the Gulf of Mexico with our camera equipment to get some “b-roll” (supplemental film footage) of people walking the beach.(Left to Right) Cynthia Trone, Gabriel Gray, Elam Stoltzfus, Bob Purdy, Nic Stoltzfus, and Leslie Kolovich (photo by Joey Dickinson) After this we moved back lakeside and the paddleboarders were headed to the outfall for a group shot before sunset. It was the “magic hour” as we say in filmmaking slang, that hour right before sunset when everything turns golden. I half-wished that I wasn’t going to bed that night. It was a beautiful evening—not too cold—and the crickets, frogs, and nocturnal birds would be out in throes chattering and providing the music for the night.The Legacy Continues (photo by Nic Stoltzfus) Sunday morning we arrived at Camp Helen around 10 in the morning, two hours before the paddleboarders would finish. To start we took some aerial shots with the remote-controlled helicopter.About 20 minutes before noon Dad, Joey, and I set up on the Camp Helen shoreline preparing for the paddlers’ arrival. I got into the lake with water up to my chest and Joey was stationed about twenty-foot away at the opposite side of the shoreline knee-deep in the water.Justin “Florida” Riney and Cynthia Trone look on as Bob paddles his last lap (photo by Nic Stoltzfus) Noon. 24 hours was over and everyone paddling was smiling for the home stretch. The exhausted paddlers began hugging friends and family, and feelings of joy buzzed in the air. It was at this point that Bob Purdy announced he was going to paddle around one last lap.Bob went around and as he came back everyone rose their paddles in the air to form the paddleboarders’ salute, a covered crossing for the warrior to pass under.The Paddleboarders’ Salute (photo by Nic Stoltzfus) The first ever Paddle for the Planet at Panama City Beach was a success, and I plan to attend next year and paddle for the full 24 hours with camera in tow!To sign up for next year’s World Paddle for the Planet visit: worldpaddlefortheplanet.com.For more information on Lake Powell and other dune lakes in Florida visit:www.coastaldunelakes.org. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Martin Liptrot heads up marketing for Grayton Beer Company and he's a busy man these days. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Save the animals! Save the artists! Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Have you visited SayCheezZ Brazilian Cheese Rolls in Grayton Beach? Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse returned to South Walton recently for the taping of the second season of “Emeril’s Florida.” Emeril made visits to many South Walton favorites t Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Elephant Walk restaurant located in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort announces plans to celebra Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

The latest real estate statistics for September 2013 in Walton County show continued improvement – sales are up, prices are up, inventory is lower - the number of months of available inventor Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

The lack of long term rentals in South Walton is a major hurdle for people who want to move to our area. And a major headache for locals looking to move. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Well, the weather has turned to Fall here at the beach the past couple days. I put my trip off this morning till 10 AM so it could warm up a little, 48 degrees at daylight this morning! Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

On Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Randy Wise Homes, Inc. will hold a fundraiser to benefit Building Homes for Heroes. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

ResortQuest Real Estate has announced the September 2013 top producer of its Northwest Florida locations that stretch from Perdido Ke Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Sandestin has announced its festivities, food and fun offered during the most wonderful time of the year, and the opportunity to give thanks in paradise this holiday season. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Jeff Black comes to The Seaside Repertory Theatre’s main stage this November. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Pizza by the Sea has always been yummy and fun - now it's twice as yummy and fun! Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

The inaugural Fore Her golf tournament is coming to Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort this Fall to raise fu Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Who wants to enjoy some fabulous films under the stars? Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Local artist Joan Vienot will debut an exhibit of paintings at Grayt Grounds of Monet Monet in Grayton Beach&nb Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Join McCaskill and Company on November 8 and 9 from 10:00 - 5:30 for a trunk show by Marco Bicego. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.

Stay anytime this holiday season and save 20% off beach lodging with ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals. Read more... We'd love to hear what you think...you can comment here or on the story page. Feel free to share on your site, blog, facebook, or any other site.