People

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.

If Geoff McBride seems unfazed by all of the attention he’s gotten recently, it might be because he’s been in the spotlight before.

Videos from his days with Arista Records can be viewed on YouTube. Geoff‘s time on the Billboard charts signed to a major record label afforded him the opportunity to work with famed artists Gerald Levert, Teddy Pendegrass, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Holliday, and many more.  That experience gave him an insider’s insight into what he was about to face when he auditioned for NBC’s “The Voice” singing competition last summer.

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.