What defines a "local" and does it really matter?

[Mango]

I see SoWalSally posted a new thread entitled Counseling Clinic in Grayton
[ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?p=155235#post155235"]Counseling Clinic in Grayton Beach - SoWal Beaches Forum[/ame]

I think they should have day classes........
Something like this:

1) COURSE: Am I a native, local, part time local, transplanted native?
Hypnotists will be on site to take you back to a former life to see where you really came from.

2) COURSE: How to control your anger or loss when a local business closes.
Therapists on site with pictures of items for you to describe. Scratch and sniff of food items available so you can work through the withdrawal.

3) COURSE: Bicyclists on the road- tempering your desire to pass them or run them over
A Plasma full screen with Nintendo like simulations including bicyclists of all sizes and shapes wearing different types of activewear.

4) COURSE: Crap on the beach
half day sessions where therapists will assist you in finding your inner child. Crap on the beach on site and creative methods of usage will be inspired.
:funn:

 

[Kurt]

mango :funn:

 

[Jdarg]

This would be a great time for Donna to jump in with one her her wonderful stories about growing up in Walton County....

 

[ShallowsNole]

Too funny, Mango. I'd definitely need to enroll. :funn:

 

[Cheering472]

Mango is killing me...wonder what 30gAy has to say about this local/native/transplant/tourist thing.

 

[steele mama]

There is native, local, property owner, tourist, snowbird, visitor, friends of locals, family of natives, etc. etc.

None of my family was born in South Walton. We are property owners/transplants/locals/lovers of Grayton Beach.

I think it is funny though how whoever lives in sowal really doesn't want anyone else to move there....really....be honest. The newest residents complain about the traffic and construction, while the older residents complain about the newer residents. It is the life cycle...or the resort cycle! Speaking of cycles - bi!
Except for you jdarg and Allifunn!

 

[Jdarg]

There is native, local, property owner, tourist, snowbird, visitor, friends of locals, family of natives, etc. etc.

None of my family was born in South Walton. We are property owners/transplants/locals/lovers of Grayton Beach.

I think it is funny though how whoever lives in sowal really doesn't want anyone else to move there....really....be honest. The newest residents complain about the traffic and construction, while the older residents complain about the newer residents. It is the life cycle...or the resort cycle! Speaking of cycles - bi!
Except for you jdarg and Allifunn!

I like your stories too Steelemama. I really have enjoyed getting to know the locals/natives/residents/tourists/friends, etc. that have great stories and experiences to share from this area. The history and local lore that we have picked up over the last year will really help us settle in, I think.

 

[Teresa]

There is native, local, property owner, tourist, snowbird, visitor, friends of locals, family of natives, etc. etc.

None of my family was born in South Walton. We are property owners/transplants/locals/lovers of Grayton Beach.

I think it is funny though how whoever lives in sowal really doesn't want anyone else to move there....really....be honest. The newest residents complain about the traffic and construction, while the older residents complain about the newer residents. It is the life cycle...or the resort cycle! Speaking of cycles - bi!
Except for you jdarg and Allifunn!

how true it is wise steele mama... jdarg will be a local "newcomer" and there is nothing wrong with that. kind of like being a "beach crab" when you first come to sowal... we will celebrate the dargs moving to town. but there are those that we do growl about...

 

[Walton Native]

What's great about memories is that they last a lifetime. I remember waiting on the draw bridge on 331 for what seemed like a lifetime, anticipating being knee deep in the gulf at sunset with a crab net. I remember when the Grayton Store got Pac-Man. I remember street dances in Seagrove on 30-A and the 1st 4th of July celebration at Seaside when they only had the market and a Post Office. I remember when the only goal my friends and I had was to dig out Big Redfish Lake so we could ride the rapids into the gulf. I remember the smell of aloe on little burnt shoulders.

The great thing is that my children will remember digging out Eastern Lake so they could ride the rapids into the gulf. They will remember attending Bay Elementary. They will remember when Alys Beach was just a couple of sand castle looking buildings and Fonville Press. They will remember trick or treating at Seaside. Hopefully they will remember the smell of shrimp and crab boils and not as much aloe.

No matter where you come from or where you are now, we all have memories of this area burned deep into the happy part of our brains or we wouldn't spend time on SoWal. I can't wait to see what future memories await myself, my children and generations to come.

 

[Beachmom]

Thank you Kimifunn for starting this thread. I'm not really sure how I got in the middle of all this, but I want to be very clear on something- This is the most special place I have ever lived, I feel lucky everyday to teach my children about the life that is here (Crabs, fish, butterflies) My daughter asked me last night why the moon was so bright here and why there where so many more stars. How lucky it is that I live in a place where the sunset is a priority in the day, that we can watch the cycles of the moon without the city lights, and that the "old timers" can teach us so much about the land and sea and we hang on their every word.

I've lived in other places with traffic and construction, but never anywhere has that ride been this beautiful.

I'm glad to call myself one thing- LUCKY!