Santa Rosa Beach Content

We are thankful for our SoWal lifeguards and love the junior lifeguard program. It's such a great program and a great opportunity for our local kids.

The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) 2014 Junior Lifeguard Program was held at the Ed Walline Beach access from Jun 17 to Jul 17, concluding the sixth season last week.

“This season far exceeded our expectations, in large part because of the boys and girls that participated and the support of their parents”, said Gary Wise, Beach Safety Director.

South of Philly Restaurant opened on Hwy 393 (just north of Scenic 30A at Gulf Place) last Fall. Owner Jeremy Price moved his popular eatery from Seagrove Plaza into the location formerly occupied by Enzo’s Italian Restaurant.

Jeremy always wanted to make cheesesteaks. Growing up in Pennsylvania he grew to have a genuine passion for the “real” cheesesteaks.
 

Some folks in the South seem born with thick, red, spicy sauce flowing thickly through their veins. Byron Chism is one of those folks. He grew up in Texas eating and loving barbeque and ended up here in SoWal with sand between his toes. When he arrived in South Walton, little did he know that he would someday be selling his own barbeque seasoning famously known as “Bad Byron's Butt Rub”.

The St. Joe Community Foundation (Foundation) has provided a $8,742.00 grant to Emerald Coast Middle School in Walton County to sponsor its first year in providing a new Robotics Academy to its students in the 2014 – 2015 school year. Research suggests that Robotics is very effective in improving Math, Science, Technology, and Reading skills.  

Children's Volunteer Health Network (CVHN) is continuing to expand its mission of enhancing the lives of uninsured and under-insured school-aged children in Okaloosa & Walton Counties. To ensure all local kids are healthy and happy, CVHN's Just for Grins Mobile Dental Clinic is making its way to partner agencies and organizations to visit kids participating in their programs who may not have access to dental care.

The Bay Restaurant at the foot of the 331 bridge is the host site for this year's YOLO Relay Series - three monthly races beginning Thursday, June 19 at 4:30 p.m.

The 2014 Hurricane Season is here and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Emergency Management, and Alaqua Animal Refuge are teaming up to prepare Walton County pet owners to have a plan in place in the event of an evacuation.

Whether your pets are big or small, make sure:
•      Their immunizations are current and you have a copy of their records
•      They have a proper identification tag
•      They have a safe place to stay

Leaders of Sacred Heart Health System announced plans yesterday to launch a $30 million expansion of facilities and services at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. The expansion will increase the capacity of the Emerald Coast hospital for inpatient services, maternity services, emergency services and pediatric services.

The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) of Northwest Florida State College in partnership with Walton County Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Walton County Tourist Development Council, will hold an inaugural kayak/paddleboard launch to promote the public recreational use of the newly renovated Kellogg Bayfront Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Following a leisurely paddle around the Choctawhatchee Bay, the afternoon of outdoor activities will continue with the first installment of fishing Eco-Adventures at Kellogg Park, The Bayside Fishing Clinic.

Gulf Cemetery in Santa Rosa Beach turns 100 this year. A centennial celebration will be held at 10 a.m. on May 26, 2014 with the unveiling of a marker at a Memorial Day observance with the designation of the site as a historical landmark by the State of Florida. The public is invited to attend the ceremony at the cemetery located on State Road 393 south. 

The Memorial Day event will include keynote remarks by Rev. Don Ullrich, Colonel, retired USAF. The Historic Marker will be unveiled by Michael Zimny, Specialist with the State of Florida Historical Council.