People

Pleat & Perry, P.A., a full service law firm with offices in Destin, Navarre and Rosemary Beach, announces that it has changed its name to PLEAT, PERRY & RITCHIE, P.A. effective January 1, 2013.  The firm's name change recognizes the many years of hard work, community service and leadership of partner William J. “West” Ritchie who has been a partner since January, 2005.

Escape To Create is honored to present Florida historian and awarded author Jack E. Davis on Wednesday, January 23rd at 4:00pm in a lecture and reception at Bud and Alley's Restaurant in Seaside. 

Music Director Demetrius Fuller selects Soprano Julia Bullock to debut with Sinfonia in upcoming season

With education at the forefront of the organization's mission, Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Music Director Demetrius Fuller were invited to take part in the prestigious 2012 Young Concert Artists Auditions in New York City this past November.

Kristen Baggett and Brian “Big Country” Peterson are two fun-loving SoWal locals who met three years ago at La Botana in Seagrove while out with friends. The introduction and conversation which followed was a “love at first meet” scenario - they each met their match. The three and a half years that followed brought these two lovebirds together in a way that is unheard of in this day and age.

Savannah Bartleson is a Varsity Cheerleader from South Walton High School in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. She was one of 325 junior high and high school cheerleaders and dancers from across the country that performed in the “2012 UCA/UDA Thanksgiving Tour at the Walt Disney World Resort” in Orlando, Florida.

Linda Miller is all about fun. It's something she's always seeking and always seems to be in the middle of. It's hard to tell if she just finds fun wherever she goes, or if fun just finds her.

In the annual South Walton July 4th parade, she wears a fire-engine red outfit covered in sequins and twirls a baton along the entire route. She's done it for years. More about that a little later.

As a young boy, Bill Campbell was thrilled to visit his grandmother's house when she would bring out all of the jewels collected from her father’s and his great-grandfather’s travels. When Bill graduated college, he went to work as a manager for his family’s hardware and supply businesses. After twenty years of working with his family, the two businesses were sold and Bill was finally able to follow his dream of owning his own fine jewelry store.

Dog lovers won't want to miss this opportunity! Award-winning photographer Seth Casteel, also known as "The Underwater Dog Guy", has been featured in National Geographic, The New York Times, TIME Magazine and on Good Morning America, Extra, CNN World Report, The Today Show and Jeopardy! As one of the most published pet photographers in the world, his work can be seen in hundreds of magazines, calendars, posters, books and TV shows.

The Seaside Institute will award this year’s Seaside Prize to Senator Bob Graham. The Seaside Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the quality and character of our communities.

The ceremony will take place as part of the Seaside Prize weekend events, which will be held on the first weekend in February in Seaside, Florida.

Darcy Jasmine Pentel, a true SoWal local, opened Sirens at the Beach this past spring. Having lived here her whole life, she knew just what our town needed – a fabulous lingerie store for the flirtatious girl. SoWal is a huge wedding destination and she wanted to offer items that were both elegant and unique, while staying affordable.