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Although Thomas Gallion and his family relocated from Montgomery, Alabama two years ago, his family has owned property in South Walton since the 1950’s. He was chosen by Atlanta-based Benecki Homes to supervise the construction of the 2012 Coastal Living Ultimate Dream House, currently under consrtuction in Rosemary Beach.  

The Sandestin Wine Festival is a picture-perfect festival, complete with white tents, flowing wine, gourmet food and live music at The Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.  It’s SoWal-sponsored event not to be missed every spring in Sandestin!

The Seaside Repertory Theatre and the Seaside Merchants present a new event called the "Seaside Art House Series." This series will kick off by featuring "An Evening with The Electric Hearts." The Electric Hearts will be playing at The Rep in Seaside on Friday, April 27, 2012 at 8pm.  Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at www.seasiderep.org, at Amavida coffee or by calling (850) 231-0733.

Tina Stansfield has been baking in the SoWal area since 2007, but since September 2011 she'se devoted herself to it full time through her business, Sweet Henrietta's Treats.

How long have you lived in the area and where are you from? 
We moved to Santa Rosa Beach in 2006 from Missouri.

How far do you travel for the market? 
We live on the Bay so the market is a short convenient commute.

We're committed to helping our visitors and locals stay safe while enjoying our beautiful beaches. Here are some tips to help keep you safe at the beach.

Never swim alone, always swim at beaches with lifeguards! Talk with a lifeguard before entering the water. Lifeguards are familiar with the beach and can tell you about conditions. 

Know how to swim and know your limitations! Swimming in a pool is NOT the same as swimming at a beach with crashing waves, winds and currents that can change suddenly.

While standing in waist-deep water off a beach in South Walton County, one where no lifeguard was on duty and no flags warned me of danger, a RIP CURRENT whisked me out to sea, tumbling me over and over like a washing machine. Because of training I had received as a Scuba diver, I was aware of what was happening to me and able to extricate myself from the danger. Having had this terrifying experience twenty years ago, I was happy to be invited to observe a week of lifeguard training in South Walton County and write this story.

Grayton Beach is in the heart of South Walton and has a rich history with great traditions for locals and visitors. Here are a few insider tips for can't miss things to do in Grayton Beach.

Be at the Red Bar at noon on Sundays for live Dread Clampitt. You'll need to arrive early to get a table in the front room. The Red Bar has great brunch or lunch selections and the Bloody Marys are the best!

Susan Lucas is a professional artist, whose acrylic paintings are in galleries, homes, corporate and university collections nationwide.  She has exhibited and won awards in numerous regional and national shows, and has frequent solo shows.

Long-time SoWal resident and entrepreneur Dave Rauschkolb became an “activist against oil” in 2009 when he heard the Florida legislature was considering allowing oil drilling off the Florida Emerald Coast. Rauschkolb was so alarmed at this possibility that he created an opposition force that now reaches across the world. Rauschkolb also has changed the way he lives his daily life to reflect his beliefs.