People

Dr. Walt Foegelleʼs pursuit of art, music, and photography began in childhood. They became his full-time passions after retirement from university teaching and administration.

He works in numerous media including acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, pen and ink, wood sculpture, and photographic art. His artistic influences include Willie Nelson for his creative endurance and longevity, and Emily Carr for her ability to create drama through tonality. He is largely self taught and defines himself as an explorer - always experimenting and learning.

If you want to know what's going on in SoWal, all you have to do is sit on the porch at Grayt Coffee House with owner Cheri Peebles for a half hour. And If she doesn't know what you want to know, then one of the many locals walking in and out likely will.

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.

 
Most South Walton music fans know Duke Bardwell as a fine musician, mentor, member of Hubba Hubba, and honorary member of Dread Clampitt. And most know he played on stage for a time with Elvis Presley. But few know the full, fascinating story. That's about to change in a big way in a new film set to debut on April 22nd at the Nashville Film Festival.

For many of the locals used to seeing James “Jim” Herbermann as Santa, it will be a lump of coal this year.

Jim has been the Santa for Seaside, Alys Beach, Sacred Heart and other notable venues in the area since the Herbermanns moved to the area nine years ago. He has been a professional Santa for more than 37 years. He is the Emerald Coast Santa.
 

Celeste and Ted Cobena represent what is best about South Walton. Long-time transplants from Louisiana, they built their home some 20 years ago. Both saw South Walton for the paradise it is. Because they saw that, Celeste has worked hard to preserve it.

For a number of years she fought to preserve the ecological integrity of South Walton. She looked around and saw things, “that just weren’t right.” A geologist herself, Celeste was able to connect the dots as it were, and see what a particular project would impact.