Rosemary Thymes – Spring 2018

Rosemary Thymes

SPRING 2018

TM

NEW Beginnings

The Orleans • Highway 90 Day Trips • Reef Escapes • A Real Estate Outlook A Rosemary Beach Poa Newspaper • rosemarythymes.net

Rosemary Thymes | 2

LIVE COASTAL LOCAL EXPERTS. GLOBAL REACH.

TOM FITZPATRICK BROKER ASSOCIATE c 850.225.4674 | o 850.633.4876 tom@scenicsir.com | tom.scenicsir.com

TOM’S GOLF TIP “Point your thumbs to the sky quickly on the back swing.”

30A Blue Mountain Beach 30Avenue Inlet Beach City Market Bayside Destin EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED.

Shop two locations!

38 Main St Rosemary Beach • 13063 Hwy 98 East Inlet Beach 850.213.3746 850.231.6755 traceryinteriors.com

Edward’s fine food & wine

Rosemary Thymes | 6

Contents

TM

19

8

PUBLISHED BY THE ROSEMARY BEACH PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION FRED KRUTZ PRESIDENT Cym LowelL VICE PRESIDENT LINDA GIFFORD SECRETARY ERIC SLUSSER TREASURER

16

11

14

2 Town Map

14 Reef Escapes

8 From the POA

16 Highway 90 Day Trips

10 Springing into Action

19 The Orleans

11 A Real Estate Outlook

22 Kid Bits

12 Around Town

23 Activity Page

13 Merchant Map

24 Calendar of Events

MARK BUESE ROSANNE MILLS DAVID WEILL BOARD MEMBERS DAVID BAILEY TOWN MANAGER FRANK GREENE TOWN ARCHITECT ROSEMARY POA PO BOX 611010 ROSEMARY BEACH, FL 32461 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Malayne DeMars • Linda Miller • Jennie McKeon Pratt Farmer • Christia Palizzi THE ROSEMARY THYMES IS PRODUCED

BY BALLINGER PUBLISHING MALCOLM BALLINGER OWNER KELLY ODEN EXECUTIVE EDITOR

ON THE COVER: The Orleans Photo by Guy Stevens

GUY STEVENS ART DIRECTOR FOR ADVERTISING RATES CALL 850.4333.1166 EXT 27 ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE PAPER DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT

BY THE POA BOARD. ROSEMARY BEACH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OWNED BY ROSEMARY BEACH HOLDINGS, LLC AND IS USED WITH PERMISSION PURSUANT TO A LICENSE FROM ROSEMARY BEACH HOLDINGS, LLC.

The Summer Kitchen Cafe 78 Main Street | Open Daily for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner To-Go orders welcome 850.213.0521

The Rosemary Beach Inn 78 Main Street Reservations Call 844.865.5783 www.therosemarybeachinn.com

Miriam Dillon Broker Associate c: 850.830.4753

e: miriam@miriamdillon.com www.coastalsouthwalton.com

eat. sleep. live.

Rosemary Thymes | 8

From the POA Welcome to Rosemary Beach! In this issue, we celebrate springtime and new beginnings. We also are glad to acknowledge the foundations upon which our future is being built…

Our Vision, Our Future As Rosemary Beach and the surrounding communities continue to be discovered by new generations and families, ongoing development both in and around our town will place significant pressures on us as we strive to maintain our small town character. The Board of Directors and staff of the Rosemary Beach Property Owners Association (POA) are taking a proactive role to ensure we are ready for these changes. Our Vision statement: “The town of Rosemary Beach aspires to be the best family beach community in the United States, driven by quality and excellence in

everything it does. By preserving its architectural heritage, natural beauty and vibrant community spirit, Rosemary Beach will be a place that blends a tranquil residential area and active Town Center where residents, guests, and merchants live, work and play in harmony.”

That vision is rooted in town planners Duany Plater-Zyberk’s (DPZ) design for the community.

DPZ’s design includes many traditional features that combine to create a sense of place that is unique to Rosemary Beach.

Thinking about all that has changed since the first buildings

sprang up here more than twenty years ago, among the low scrub and well before the surrounding properties were developed as intensely as they are today, it is refreshing to know that we embraced so many traditional concepts that are now being more widely adopted again. From generous porches and balconies facing the streets, neighborhood parks and pedestrian footpaths, and a return to locally-owned and operated restaurants and shops, our community’s pioneers sought solutions to community-building that would imbue Rosemary Beach with a timeless and familyfriendly character that is today the hallmark of our town. Many of the more subtle design features such as the pervious street paving (in lieu of oversized, fenced retention ponds) and dark-sky lighting

were also forward-thinking, and yet somehow manage to feel traditional at the same time.

It is clear that much of the success of Rosemary Beach is attributable to the thoughtful Master Plan authored by DPZ, one of the world’s pre-eminent New Urbanist town planning firms. Through the 20+ years of our history, this plan has continued to serve us well, guiding the many people in our community who have taken on the mantle of responsibility for ensuring that the vision continues amid the growth and maturity of our town.

30A and Town Center Project The degree of our success and of the communities around us requires that we continually

refurbish and enhance our town.

The committee commissioned by the POA board to advise it on ongoing and special projects to ensure that public town elements such as lighting, signage, parks, landscape, amenities, and activities remain true to our vision is the Townscape Enhancement Committee (TEC).

At the recommendation of the TEC, landscape architecture firm Dix+Hite has been retained to provide design services. The team’s most recent endeavor includes the 30A and Town Center Project.

One of the focus areas is Barrett Square, including the portion of the 30A roadway that divides the square into north and south. Daily life and community events have shaped this area to function much like an Italian piazza, serving as both the entryway into and the very soul of our town. Anchored by the post office, town hall (which also houses our churches on Sundays), shops, restaurants, and other businesses, it is the place locals and visitors alike go on ordinary days and special occasions. With the Farmer’s Market and other seasonal markets, concerts and community events, it serves as both a market place and gathering space.

As with many Italian piazzas, Barrett Square is pedestrianoriented but of necessity it must also accommodate automobile traffic and parking. That’s why a traffic study is also a part of the 30A and Town Center Project.

Making design and functional improvements that advance the piazza sensibility, while accommodating pedestrian and automobile traffic clearly and safely, is the goal of this area of focus. Property owners can find detailed information and offer input about the TEC and this Project on the POA’s website – we welcome your thoughts and ideas.

Upcoming Events All that work to create and maintain wonderful public spaces brings us to mentioning the upcoming events that will happen in those spaces… we are excited about the great programs that both the town Merchants Association and the POA have in store for you this season. Please check out the calendar in this issue for a detailed list and description of upcoming events, such as the Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, and the 30A Farmers’ Market held every Sunday from 9am to 1pm, which features many locally-grown and sourced items.

TO FIND THE BEACH HOUSE OF YOUR DREAMS

Come bike with me...

Town Communications As a quarterly publication, we try to focus the Rosemary Thymes’ content on topics of longer-term interest to our owners, merchants and visitors. As a compliment to that perspective, we also send monthly newsletters to the property owners that include updates on shorter-term issues and topics. The community’s websites rosemarybeachfl. org, which is maintained by the Rosemary Beach Property Owners Association (POA), and rosemarybeach.com, which is maintained by the Cottage Rental Company (CRC), are updated regularly with notices of interest to owners and visitors. The calendars on both websites are updated continuously and are available to all users. Take a moment to check out these online resources when you have a chance.

This issue also marks a new publishing team for the Rosemary Thymes, Ballinger Publishing out of Pensacola. We hope you enjoy their hard work and the new look of this issue.

Please drop us a line at POA@ rosemarybeachfl.org and share your thoughts with the staff and the Board. We appreciate your feedback!

MARY ALICE JOHNSON BROKER ASSOCIATE c 850.855.8311 | maryalice@scenicsir.com 12805 US Highway 98 East, Suite D201 | Inlet Beach, Florida 32461

EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED.

Rosemary Thymes | 10

Springing into Action Malayne DeMars,

Executive Director, Rosemary Beach Foundation

Rosemary Beach Foundation is gearing up for another year of charitable efforts to support and benefit the Walton County community.

Our spring season begins with the 4th Annual 30A Cornhole Tournament.

This fun family event takes place on Saturday, April 14 during National Autism Awareness Month.

Located in Niceville, ECAC opened a new facility on the campus of Northwest Florida State College to be able to provide the highest caliber services to the maximum number of children with autism and to have enough space for the longterm sustainability of the student population.

“We are so grateful to be a beneficiary of Rosemary Beach Foundation’s Cornhole Tournament,” said Heidi Blalock, CEO and Co-founder of ECAC. “We truly appreciate all that Rosemary Beach Foundation does to provide support to non-profit organizations within our community.”

ECAC is partnering with Westonwood Ranch to develop a vocational program for young adults on the autism spectrum. Founded in 2017 Teams of two are invited to by the Wood Family, Westonwood participate in this day of friendly Ranch offers a pre-planned learning competition in Rosemary Beach.

Winning teams will be awarded prize program for individuals with developmental disorders unlike packages from presenting sponsor, Bombora Sun & Surf. For sponsorship anything in the Florida Panhandle. Its unique curriculum was formed with and event information, and to much influence from ECAC who also register, visit www.cornhole30a. had concern about the “next step” for com. Our charitable partners for the their growing population of students.

2018 tournament are Emerald Coast Autism Center and Westonwood The basis of Westonwood’s program Ranch. design revolves around the creation of self-sustaining small business Emerald Coast Autism Center enterprises. A commercial scale (ECAC) is a non-profit school and therapy center dedicated to educating aquaponic greenhouse will be among the first enterprises implemented and improving the lives of young children with autism in Okaloosa and on the ranch. The diverse learning curriculum will include aquaponic Walton counties and surrounding farming, landscape gardening and areas. ECAC’s mission is to provide maintenance, ranch maintenance, effective treatment and education animal husbandry and culinary options during the critical early skills. The enriched extra-curricular education years and beyond. ECAC activities include equine assisted is unique in its approach to teaching therapy, art instruction, woodthese amazing children, focusing on individualized therapy with a one-to- making, creative fitness initiatives and dance classes in the fitness one student-to-therapist ratio. center and nature hikes. Although the day skills training program will

Cornhole participants enjoying a beautiful day playing, laughing, and supporting a good cause at the Rosemary Beach Foundation Annual Cornhole Tournament. Photo by J Conley Images

Did you know...

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates autism’s prevalence as 1 in 68 children in the United States.

This includes 1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls.

• An estimated 50,000 teens with autism become adults – and lose school-based autism services – each year.

• Around one third of people with autism remain nonverbal.

• Around one third of people with autism have an intellectual disability.

• Certain medical and mental health issues frequently accompany autism. They include gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures, sleep disturbances, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and phobias.

be geared towards older youth, many of the extracurricular groups will be available to young children in the form of “after school” programs and summer programming.

“We have been blessed with tremendous community support thus far and hope to continue to make this program a true community endeavor,” says Lindy Wood, Founder of Westonwood Ranch.

About Rosemary Beach Foundation Rosemary Beach Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization, offers and supports community events & tournaments, educational programs, and charitable activitiesin Rosemary Beach and the Walton County area. Our annual programs are Girls Getaway, Music in Pictures, Rosemary Beach Unleashed™, Walk Her Way®, 30A Cornhole and Fall Bocce Tournaments. Through these efforts, Rosemary Beach Foundation has donated over $600,000. To learn more about our organization and to get involved, please visit www. rosemarybeachfoundation.org.

Rosemary Thymes | 11

A Real Estate Outlook photo by Guy Stevens

By Linda Miller Broker, Rosemary Beach® Realty

R

osemary Beach® is one of the most mature and fully developed communities on Scenic Hwy 30A due to the attraction of Main Street with its array of fine restaurants, shopping and architecture. Rosemary Beach continues to have the highest average priced homes at $2,675,913.

While this is an amazing number, it is a 7 percent decrease from 2016.

Inventory is also down 23 percent compared to last year when 47 homes were sold. We find ourselves going into this selling season with 37 homes available to purchase, ranging from $1,149,000 to a Gulf front home at $11,900,000.

Since we have no new lots available to purchase, our existing inventory must be renovated in order to compete with the new construction

that other communities can offer.

Some homes are even being bought and torn down to build new homes in Rosemary Beach. The total 30A market is up 25 percent proving that buyers know what they want and are quick to act when the property is priced right and looks new so they don’t have to buy a “project.”

As the lot supply diminishes, and the cost to build increases, and the Rosemary Beach inventory becomes more valuable because it can be updated in a prime location.

A perfect example of this is a home that was very near the Gulf and had not been renovated since 2003. The sellers did not want to renovate, just sell as is. They thought that just because we were in a sellers’ market, their home would be snapped up for a premium price regardless of its condition. We re-arranged some

furnishings and ended up selling after 294 days on the market for less than they expected at $1,860,000 ($736 per square foot). The new buyers had a renovation mindset and completely renovated and updated the home, making the interior white & bright and adding a small pool in the newly landscaped courtyard. The home was listed 10 months later, post-renovation, and sold 5 months after listing for $3,009,000, or $1,137 per square foot. These savvy investors sold it for $1,149,000 more than they had paid in a mere 15 months! Pretty good return on their investment, wasn’t it?

The chart below shows End of Year Sales by Neighborhood and total Scenic Hwy 30A for your information.

Sales

Compared to 2016

Average Price

%/LYR

Price per Square Foot

YTD Units Sold

Rosemary Beach

$215,757,900

-7%

$2,675,913

-7%

$848

47

Watercolor

$179,479,128

+7%

$1,777,021

+15%

$526

101

Seaside

$22,543,000

-3%

$1,878,583

-3%

$1,076

12

Watersound (IncludesOrigins)

$178,082,027

+40%

$1,391,266

+12%

$419

128

Watersound-30A

$136,780,135

+37%

$2,206,131

+28%

$586

62

Alys Beach

$65,776,284

+19%

$2,631,051

even

$900

25

Total 30A

$1,232,920,950 +25%

$1,221,924

+10%

$427

1009

Renovation ROI Some renovations really are better than others. Data from the Remodeling 2017 Cost vs. Value Report suggests that these projects may give you the best return on investment.

Garage Door Replacement Cost: $3,304 Resale value: $2,810 Cost recouped: 85 percent Entry Door Replacement Cost: $3,276 Resale value: $2,550 Cost recouped: 77.8 percent Window Replacement (Vinyl) Cost: $15,282 Resale value: $11,286 Cost recouped: 73.9 percent Window Replacement (Wood) Cost: $18,759 Resale value: $13,691 Cost recouped: 73 percent Grand Entrance Cost: $8,358 Resale value: $5,855 Cost recouped: 70.1 percent Source: © 2017 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2017 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.”

Rosemary Thymes | 12

Around Town

UNLEASHED: Pups and their people enjoy a festive day at Rosemary Beach Unleashed™, a benefit for the Rosemary Beach Foundation and Alaqua Animal Refuge.

30A Songwriters Festival: Top Left: The Mastersons perform at Amavida. Top Right: Volunteers at The Pearl, Karla Reilly, Nina Dameron, Rachel Eiland-Hall, Mark and Kathy Mcguffee. Center Right: Katherine Mitchem, Susan Curtis, and Kristin St. Hilaire at The Pearl. Bottom Center: Dwan and Lindsey with songwriter Daphne Willis at The Rosemary Beach Town Hall. Bottom Right: Lori Vaugn and Dan Navarro joined by Charlie Mars at The Rosemary Beach Town Hall.

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DINING 1 Amavida Coffee & Tea 850.231.1077 | amavida.com

2 CK’s Feed & Supply 850.588.0908 | cowgirlkitchen.com/feed

merchant directory

3 Cowgirl Kitchen 850.213.0058 |cowgirlkitchen.com

4 Edward’s Fine Food & Wine 850.231.0550 | edwards30a.com

5 Havana Beach Bar & Grill 850.588.2882 | thepearlrb.com

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14

29

28

36

22 North Barrett Square

18 13

850.213.4600 | rooftop30a.com

24

9 Restaurant Paradis

West Long Green

East Long Green

33

850.213.0521 | theskcafe.com 9

12 The Sugar Shak 850.231.3655 | thesugarshak.com

23

13 Wild Olives

Ro sem

8

36

Town Post Hall Office

ary

850.231.0065 | wildolivesmarket.info 30-Awines.com

Ave n

ue

fashion

12 7

34

et

15 Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’

2

Fashions & Toys

Ma in

15

850.278.2092 | bomborasunandsurf.com

Str e

3 17

14 Bombora Sun & Surf

20

27

850.231.0110 | gigisfabkids.com

4 21

31 11 W Water Street

10 Southside Slice 11 Summer Kitchen Café

South Barrett Square

10

850.534.0400 | restaurantparadis.com 850.213.4611 | slice30a.com

Scenic Highway 30A

16 Hissyfits Boutique

30 26 5 6

850-231-0311

E Water Street

17 Moonpize 850.231.1930 | moonpize.com

Western Green

Eastern Green

850.231.0091 | thehiddenlantern.com

23 Pish Posh Patchouli’s 850.231.2005 | patchoulis.com

24 Rosemary Beach® Trading Company

26 Spa Pearl

& Rooftop Bar

35

22 The Hidden Lantern Bookstore

850.588.2882 | thepearlrb.com

8 Pescado Seafood Grill

16

850.231.1808 | curate30a.com

850.231.2410 | rbtradingcompany.com

850.534.3004 | lacrematapas.com

1 19

21 Curate

6 Havana Beach Rooftop Lounge 7 La Crema Tapas & Chocolate

25

beauty, home & gifts

18 STELLAR 850.231.1720 | gigisfabkids.com

19 The 30A Store 850.605.3070 | 30agear.com

20 Willow 850.231.0433 | wearwillow.com

25 SEA Contemporary Art Space 850.231.0081 | seacontemporary.com 850.460.9041 | thepearlrb.com

27 Tracery 850.231.3746 | traceryinteriors.com

28 Vivo Spa Salon 850.231.6801 | vivospasalon.com

lodging ®

29 Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company 877.594.1791 | rosemarybeach.com

30 The Pearl 850-588-2881 | thepearlrb.com

31 The Rosemary Beach® Inn 844.865.5783 | therosemarybeachinn.com

recreation

32 Bamboo Bicycle Company

850.231.0770 | bamboobicyclecompany.com

33 Rosemary Beach® Racquet Club

850.278.2061 | rosemarybeach.com

sERVICEs

34 Domin Bock Architects 850.231.2787 | dominbock.com

35 Regions Bank 850.213.2630 | regions.com

36 Rosemary Beach® Realty 850.278.2000 | rosemarybeachrealty.com

useful Numbers Beach Service 850.231.1860 Fitness Center 850.278.2200 POA 850.231.1861 Post Office 850.231.1366 Security 850.699.3469

#rosemarybeach | rosemarybeach.com ROSEMARY BEACH is a registered trademark owned by Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC and is used with permission pursuant to a license from Rosemary Beach Holdings, LLC.

Rosemary Thymes | 14

photo courtesy of Spring Run Media

REEF ESCAPES

Artificial reefs provide entertainment and education

By Jennie McKeon

B

eneath the water’s surface is an entire world of plant and animal life; and thanks to artificial reefs, the link between humans and the underwater world is just a little more connected.

Florida began artificial reef development in the 1970s, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Today, around 70 to 100 public, artificial reefs are constructed annually off Florida.

And some of those are closer than you think.

In South Walton, there are more than a dozen artificial reefs providing habitat to sea life. The county started its artificial reef program in 1994, but there was little activity with only four deployments until 2013 when the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) partnered up with the county. Now, there are 16 sites including four snorkel reefs, nine nearshore sites and three fish haven sites.

“It’s a fantastic thing to do for the environment,” said Andy McAlexander, president of SWARA. “It’s a project that benefits everybody. You’ll see turtles, rays, and tropical reef fish all over the place. And economically speaking, you have snorkelers who come and stay at our hotels or rent a beach house. It’s a fantastic return.”

Artificial reefs are man-made structures deployed in bodies of water to mimic natural reefs. They’re made of materials such as clean concrete or rock

and heavy gauge steel. Artificial reefs are not just neat to look at, but also provide a habitat to marine life, some of which can be vulnerable to prey.

Each artificial reef community is different. What makes South Walton’s reefs unique is their design. Each of the snorkel reefs were placed to create the shape of a different marine animal.

There’s the sea turtle in Grayton Beach, the grouper at Inlet Beach, a Seahorse at Topsail State Park and a dolphin in Miramar Beach.

Reefs to the west

In Santa Rosa County, the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary (NBMS) was conceptualized in 1995 from a committee of the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. The sanctuary is now a program of the chamber’s nonprofit organization.

Mike Sandler, chairman of the board for NBACC and also a longtime SCUBA diver, said members became more energized in the project once they researched the benefits of artificial reefs.

Now there are a total of 78 total structures located in Navarre Beach and the Santa Rosa Sound.

“Within 24 hours of deploying a reef, they start attracting fish,” Sandler said. “After some time the structure is just covered with fuzzy looking stuff. Those chunks of limestone create an artificial reef much faster than coral would grow in the wild.”

“It took a ton of extra work,” said McAlexander. , “But we said ‘Why not do it right? ”

Sandler said the reefs help protect smaller species as well as attracting unique marine life.

The reefs have been largely embraced by the local community. In the last five years, SWARA has raised $2 million. Funding also comes from the state and the RESTORE act.

“They’re like rock fortresses or castles,” he added.

“It helps the animals grow. Underwater, it’s like a desert. Life won’t just grow in the sand; it needs something to latch on to. With reefs, you have more creatures thriving and growing to maturity.”

Rosemary Thymes | 15

“If the conditions are right, on a nice, green flag day you can go out there and see the sea life,” Sandler said.

“Take a paddleboard and you’ll see the reefs beneath you.”

In the Navarre reefs, Sandler said you’ll likely find octopus, although they’re not very active in the daytime.

“They sleep a lot, like cats,” Sandler said.

You’ll also see some trigger fish, sea turtles, crabs, the occasional dolphin and lots of “aquarium fish.” Only difference is you get to see the fish in their natural habitat and outside of a fishbowl.

Occasionally you might see some sharks, but that shouldn’t be alarming Sandler promised.

“Sharks are a good sign,” he said. “That tells you the environment is good. They wouldn’t be out there if there wasn’t anything to eat.”

There’s certainly an economic value when it comes to kayak or paddleboard rentals with the promise of checking out the artificial reefs, but Sandler said the real benefit comes in protecting the ecosystem underwater.

“Reefs purposely encourage natural growth,” he said. “The reefs we put in the Sound have helped oyster growth where it has been non-existent for years. And they’re filter feeders, so they’re constantly cleaning the water.”

The same goes for plant life.

“On land, trees filter the air and it’s the same thing underwater,” he said.

How a reef gets made

Reef structures are not inexpensive. According to FWC in Fiscal Year 2012-2013, individual reef structures range in cost from $26,447 to $60,000 for reef construction and between $2,825 and $72,943 for research and monitoring.

The good news is that they’re built to last a long time and require little to no maintenance. Reef structures are made using 8-to-12-foot diameter pilings driven 15 feet into the sand and topped by a 5-foot concrete disc containing limestone rock.

Andy McAlexander, President of South Walton Reef Association (SWARA), with artificial reef prior to submerging. Photo by Ford Torre.

“These reefs weigh around 3,000 to 3,500 pounds,” Sandler said. “They’re not going anywhere.”

Reef sites undergo a meticulous permit application process regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) for federal waters and the ACOE along with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for state waters.

The process can last anywhere from six to 12 months.

For the nonprofits that work to plan and deploy the reefs, it’s a passion project. Oftentimes folks behind the artificial reefs such as Sandler and McAlexander are unpaid volunteers. That’s why there’s a lot of support among the organizations.

“We got to bat for each other, it’s a fantastic fellowship,” McAlexander said. “If it weren’t for the collective efforts, we wouldn’t be here.”

The more reefs, the better. Organizations such as SWARA and NBMS are constantly working to find ways to fund more reefs as well as create new ways to enjoy them.

In summer of 2017, the Navarre reefs were expanded 100 yards offshore. And this summer, installation will begin on the Underwater Museum of Art – a project in partnership with SWARA and the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. Seven sculptures from different artists will make up North America’s first underwater permanent structure to be located at the Grayton Beach fish dive reef.

One of the big questions is often “When is the best time to go?” There’s no hard and fast answer.

However, it’s true that you won’t have the same experience twice.

photo courtesy of Spring Run Media

“If the conditions are right, on a nice, green flag day you can go out there and see the sea life,” Sandler said. “Take a paddleboard and you’ll see the reefs beneath you.”

McAlexander said it’s a “pretty special” feeling to know that people are out enjoying a project he got to be a part of. He hopes the reefs provide not just entertainment, but a new perspective.

“I hope people gain a greater respect for the world we live in and feel more responsible of nature,” he said. “Go check it out, because it will blow your mind.”

To learn more about artificial reefs or become a volunteer, visit waltonreefs.org or navarrebeachmarinesanctuary.com.

Rosemary Thymes | 16

Highway 90 Day Trips

by Kelly Oden

Who doesn’t love a road trip?

Open road, open skies and the promise of adventure at every turn. While Rosemary Beach and the 30A community offer more than enough amenities and adventures for the average visitor, homeowners and long-term guests may want to explore the inland areas of Florida’s panhandle and discover the beauty and history that exists off the beaten path. Fortunately, Rosemary Beach is just a hop, skip and a jump from a variety of historical sites, unique natural wonders and wildlife encounters. These locations are perfect for a quick day trip or even a long weekend. Either way, you’ll come back renewed and ready for a long day at the beach.

Highway 90 Sometimes referred to as the Southern Route 66, Highway 90 runs from the ocean city of Jacksonville, Fla. to the desert town of Van Horn in west Texas. A portion of Highway 90 is also considered to be part of the original Old Spanish Trail, which once linked St. Augustine and San Diego via a partially brick-paved road. In Milton, Florida, visitors can still explore seven miles of that original brick-paved Old Spanish Trail.

The modern Highway 90 has its own charms, however. From quaint towns with significant historical sites to crystal clear springs, waterfalls and even caverns of limestone formations, Highway 90 holds many treasures that make for the perfect day trip.

Defuniak Springs defuniaksprings.net defuniaksprings.com

The quaint town of Defuniak Springs is a mere fifty minutes from Rosemary Beach. The town sits on the banks of the spring-fed Lake Defuniak, which is a true rarity – one of only two such almost perfectly circular bodies of water in the world. The other is located in Switzerland. A collection of Victorian homes surrounds the lake and adds to the nostalgic charm. Founded in the 1880s as a railroad stop for the L&N Railroad, DeFuniak Springs retains its old Florida look and feel. In fact, the Walton County Library on Circle Drive is the oldest library in Florida still operating in its original building. It houses an interesting assortment of antiquities, including an impressive medieval weapon collection and many first-edition books. The former L&N railroad depot now houses the Walton County

Heritage Museum. The town became the winter home of the New York Chautauqua, an educational movement that attracted thousands of visitors to Defuniak Springs in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Chautauqua Vineyards, a 40acre vineyard located 12 miles north of Defuniak Springs, offer tours and tastings of their wide variety of muscadine wines.

Ponce De Leon Springs 2860 State Park Road.

Ponce de Leon Springs, FL 32455 (850) 836-4281 www.floridastateparks.org/park/ Ponce-de-Leon-Springs

Named for the famed explorer who sought the fountain of youth, Ponce de Leon Springs may not grant you eternal youth, but its majestic beauty will certainly relax your mind while its crisp cool waters are sure to revive your senses. The crystal clear water maintains a year-round temperature of 68 degrees. Approximately 14 million gallons of pure water emerges daily from the Ponce de Leon Spring. Spring water emanates from the aquifer deep underground. European settlers and American Indians before them used this spring as a source of drinking water and recreation.

While the spring is the main attraction, the park also offers ample opportunity for hiking, birding, fishing, snorkeling and even geocaching.

Rosemary Thymes | 17

3 1

2

4

1. The Seacrest Wolf Preserve. 2. Ponce De Leon Springs. 3. Defuniak Springs.

4. Florida Caverns State Park. 5. Falling Waters State Park.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve 3449 Bonnett Pond Rd. Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 773-2897 www.seacrestwolfpreserve.org

Wild animals are fascinating and potentially dangerous creatures. If you love the idea of spending time with wild wolves in a relatively safe environment, this is the trip for you.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to wolf and wildlife conservation through education. At Seacrest Wolf Preserve, humans and wolves connect in nature for educational purposes. The rare hands-on wolf-human interaction are profound learning opportunities for humans to connect on a deeper level with wolves in the hope that visitors will be inspired to join the effort to save America's wolves and wild heritage. The preserve offers a variety of tour options, but the four-hour Saturday educational tour is the most economical. It includes plenty of wolf centric education and interaction with three wolf packs, including both Grey and Arctic wolves. The tour concludes at the small animal adventure where guests can cuddle with skunks, interact with foxes and feed the raccoons. Only children 12 and older are allowed on the wolf encounter tour. Camping is also available on the preserve.

Florida Caverns State Park

3345 Caverns Road Marianna, FL 32446 (850) 482-1228 www.floridastateparks.org/park/ Florida-Caverns Florida Caverns State Park is the only state park in Florida to offer cave tours to the public. Inside the dry (air-filled) caves, visitors will see incredible formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. The park's caves have a long and interesting geologic history beginning about 38 million years ago when this area was submerged beneath high sea levels. Shells, coral and sediments gradually accumulated on the sea floor and as sea levels fell, these materials hardened into limestone. During the last million years, acidic groundwater dissolved crevices just below the surface, creating cave passages large enough to walk through. Stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and other fragile cave-drip formations were made by a similar dissolving process by the naturally acidic rainwater. The caves provide a habitat for blind cave crayfish, cave salamanders and three species of cave-roosting bats. The park also contains the Chipola River and Blue Hole Spring, which provide areas for fishing, canoeing and boating. Florida Caverns State Park is popular for camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking,

5 and horseback riding. The park also features a nine-hole, New Deal-era golf course set in beautiful rolling terrain.

Falling Waters State Park

1130 State Park Road Chipley, FL 32428 (850) 638-6130 floridastateparks.org/park/FallingWaters

The star of the show at Falling Waters State Park is most certainly Florida’s highest waterfall.

To see the waterfall, visitors follow Sink Hole Trail, a boardwalk flanked by huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes. Falling Waters Sink is a 100-foot deep, 20-foot wide cylindrical pit into which flows a small stream that drops 73 feet to the bottom of the sink. The water's final destination remains unknown. Located a few miles south of I-10, the quiet and serene park also offers visitors the chance to see beautiful native and migrating butterflies in the butterfly garden, take a dip in the lake, or have a family picnic.

Hikers enjoy trekking through the green, gently sloping landscape of North Florida. Full-facility campsites nestled in a shady pine forest provide the perfect excuse for an overnight stay at Falling Waters.

MAKING THE H O M E + M AT C H

The Premier Real Estate Agent for South Walton & Scenic 30A

A founding partner of The Premier Property Group, Keith Flippo is a consistent leader in sales of South Walton properties, ranking in the top 1% of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors since 2009.

Keith specializes in the marketing and sales of luxury properties along with developing new area projects via The Premier Development Group, founded in 2015.

A resident of Rosemary Beach since 1999, Keith possesses an intimate knowledge of the communities along Scenic Highway 30A and is known for taking the time to “make the home match” with a customer’s individual needs and desires.

THE NEWEST SEAFOOD GRILL AND ROOFTOP BAR ON 30A MENU BY CHEF KEN DUENAS AVAILABLE AT ROOFTOP30A.COM

IN 2017 KEITH SOLD OVER $36,000,000

C 850.543.5187 | O 850.213.5000 E keith@theppg.net | W KeithFlippo.com

This advertisement is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, to residents of any state or province in which registration and other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. This advertisement is not intended to solicit properties currently listed by other real estate brokerages. All

advertised square footages should be verified by the buyer. Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal agency has judged the merits of value, if any, of these properties.

10952 E County Hwy 30A | Inlet Beach, FL

Rosemary Thymes | 19

The Orleans New Building Opens New Residences and Restaurants

By Pratt Farmer photos by Guy Stevens

For years, Joe Freer and Greg Wakeham looked for an opportunity to open a restaurant in Rosemary Beach. “We both love the area and had long thought there was an opportunity for more food establishments in town,” said Freer, who with his business partner Wakeham, own Shades Bar and Grill on 30A – just a short walk from Rosemary Beach. Having local well-known chef Ken Duenas and Steven Sapp, their director of operations, on board, they knew they had a winning team for the development of two great restaurants, bringing delectable pizza and outstanding casual fine dining to Rosemary Beach.

Freer and Wakeham decided to develop “The Orleans”, a mixed-use building housing the restaurants and seven condominiums, one of which is a penthouse unit, and one additional retail space. The building name is a tribute to Freer’s wife, who hails from New Orleans.

The restaurateurs turned to Tim McNamara to design the building. “From a programmatic perspective this was one of the most difficult projects I have designed. The lot has an odd non-rectangular configuration and is directly surrounded on three sides with roads, with the

forth side of the property directly abutting the Town Hall building. So, to fit two restaurants, a bar and everything that entails, along with six residential units and a top floor penthouse unit was a challenge. It should be noted that Joe and Greg were sympathetic to the Town Hall support

areas and connections to the Town by pulling their building away from the Town Hall, creating a walkway on their property to better facilitate these connections. This was not required, but again shows the extent they went through to make sure the building was a friendly neighbor in the town,” noted McNamara.

Six of the residential units are sold, averaging over $1.5M each. According to McNamara, accentuating the beach was of course the main design aspiration. To incorporate Gulf views into all residences, even the ones on the north side of the building facing away from the beach, proved to be one of the unique features in every unit. The South and West facing homes have expansive Gulf views looking south and down New Providence Lane, with optimal views extending well into the living spaces. Tony Cappoli, the interior designer, drew his design inspiration from summers spent on Cape Cod while growing up. The entry and lobby are luxurious and inviting, yet still harken to the beach. From

Rosemary Thymes | 20

Left Page: The eclectic and beachy Southside Slice offers gourmet pizza, salads, and sandwiches on the ground floor of The Orleans. the lobby to the common area, hallway carpet patterns look like sand ripples brought from the tide. The Gulf repeatedly plays into the design concept. “The first element we selected was interior flooring for the units. I chose a hardwood that resembled a piece of driftwood in color. Its warm, rich hue is subtle, yet striking. The balance of the colors are shades of gray and taupe because they have a chameleon effect when other colors are added to the palette,” Cappoli said. He says his favorite design elements are found in the kitchens. “The custom cabinetry and hardware look like something off a fashion show runway!

The knobs curated by Waterworks are my favorite by far. The Wolf and Subzero appliances are top of the line, and the Dorhnbracht Tara faucet and Blanco sink are all elements that people dream about. “With rich colors, extensive crown moulding and top of the line appliances, luxury abounds. The attention to detail is obvious,” said Cappoli.

Reflecting on his biggest challenge, he immediately says it was the penthouse. “The most difficult and biggest challenge we had was the penthouse. The different roof lines were difficult to work with. But being a New Yorker I thought of how space in NYC is so valuable and I thought of all these great open lofts in Soho, and I arrived at my solution! We took down every possible wall we could and created the most open, light-filled space we could have ever imagined. Now, when I walk off the elevator into the penthouse foyer my immediate reaction is ‘What a fabulous place

for entertaining’,” Cappoli exclaimed. Each unit comes with a one car garage. The penthouse has several balconies, one of which is in the master bathroom. “We wanted the occupants of the penthouse to be afforded truly unique spaces from which they can take in the beauty that is Rosemary Beach,” Freer noted. Bathroom not excluded.

The Orleans took over two years to design and was built by Lord and Son Construction. “We were fortunate to have a contractor who, like us, paid consummate attention to the tiniest of details,” Freer noted. He went on to say that because Rosemary Beach is noted for its

“

With rich colors, extensive crown moulding and top of the line appliances, luxury abounds.

The attention to detail is obvious.”

commitment to architectural nuance and quality of design, there were snags along the way. Yet, these obstacles were met with dogged enthusiasm and resolved by the team comprised of owners, architects, interior designers and contractors. A significant challenge was the placement of the generator that supplies auxiliary power to the building when commercial power is interrupted.

According to McNamara, the massive generator was somehow shoehorned into extra space between floors in the rear of the building.

The generator is large enough to keep both restaurants running as well as providing power to the residences should a power outage arise.

The position of the generator in the building and louver placements were considered to make this asset unnoticeable to the adjacent homes. It is this attention to detail that makes The Orleans such a natural fit into the existing town fabric.

Southside Slice on the ground floor of The Orleans opened just after Thanksgiving last year. Pizza is offered either as a whole pie or by the slice, along with a number of salad and sandwich options. The open and airy restaurant has ample seating with a vibrant, comfortable feel. An expanded arcade at the front of the building allows abundant outside seating as well.

Freer said that they spent months researching and testing the pizza sauce and dough. With both owners hailing from Buffalo, NY, they knew exactly what they wanted for the taste and finally settled on just the right combination of ingredients. Based on feedback since opening

Rosemary Thymes | 21

Top left: a chef's kitchen in the penthouse of The Orleans. Top right: the deck at Pescado offers stunning views. Bottom right: a rendering of the interior of Pescado highlights the luxuriously modern design.

the doors, guests agree. “One of our managers is keen on selecting great wine. We were all surprised when he brought in a selection of very good wines, all in cans. This will make it more convenient when headed outside the restaurant with food,” Freer noted. They wanted to offer something that would facilitate ease of service in addition to a being a great product. Hence the wine-in-a-can idea was born.

It’s the rooftop restaurant and bar, Pescado, that was the catalyst for the project. Guests will not be disappointed with the incomparable views and warm intimate space. The farm-to-table menu informed many aspects of the design. Pescado means ‘fish’ in Latin and naturally there will be lots of fresh fish on the menu. A by-product of limited back-of-house space is that the food will be fresh and sourced locally daily. Duenas has created a delightful array of menu items to select from. If you pride yourself on your discriminating palette, then Pescado will be top on your list of dining choices while in town. Additionally, a cocktail after lunch on the deck might just become your favorite way to relax and take in the sunset. “We wanted the restaurant to have a casual, yet elegant feel that would capitalize on what will undoubtedly be the most beautiful sunsets. The elevation of the restaurant and a dining room with a wall of windows will frame the panorama perfectly. That, combined with our outside rooftop patio will be a perfect way to cap off the day,” said Freer. The bar is cozy, but there

is ample seating both at the bar and banquette lounge area. The designers also created a set of motorized glass panels that open the interior bar to the patio bar, further integrating indoor/ outdoor spaces.

Noted Atlanta restaurant design firm, Smith Hanes Studio, was tapped to design the rooftop space. “Like other designers on this project, we were influenced by the emerald waters, sugary white sand beaches and of course the sunsets.

It is always a challenge to strike a balance between the environment and the space itself.

Lots of windows was our top priority,” Smith Hanes stated. “We wanted guests to have a view regardless of where they sat in the space”. In thinking about design challenges, he pointed to the relatively small space for the kitchen. “It was a good thing that the restaurant owners wanted to be farm-to-table because that allowed for much less storage needs. As far as the deck is

concerned, we minimized outdoor accoutrements because our driving desire was to allow the water to the south and the Town to the north to tantalize guests.” The painted grasscloth, ceiling details and pecky cypress bar all come together to create a space that is unique. It is intimate, casual, elegant and memorable. “We want guests to enjoy the restaurant and to tell their friends and family that it is ‘the place’ for a cocktail or dinner,” said Freer. The restaurant will offer bar light bites at 3pm, with dinner menu service beginning at 5pm daily. Reservations for dinner are suggested.

As spring approaches, Pescado will be bustling with guests; many for the first time will get to experience a late afternoon cocktail or sunset dinner forty feet above the Town.

Rosemary Thymes | 22

ll it... kids li ke to te News th e way ly true, an d, of all goo d, most ri ng. y earth shatte co urse, totall LIZZI

by CH RI STIA PA

Lennon Wakeford (11) welcomed a brand new baby sister, Lively June, in December.

He’s an incredible big brother and everyone is enamored with miss Lively. He’s the best helper.

He is always willing to grab a diaper or play with sweet Lively whenever necessary.

Peyton (7) and Ryan (5) Brooks welcomed a baby sister, Leah Marie, in December as well. Ryan loves baby Leah, now. He likes to help brush her hair and replaces her pacifier before any tears can start. Peyton is the best big sister. She even named Leah. She said she didn’t need a Baby Alive for Christmas because she got a baby sister instead.

Peyton and Ryan with their new baby sister Leah. Photo by Michelle Schnader.

Parker and Alys Barnes (5) spent

part of winter break at the happiest place on earth, Disney World. While there they were able to meet so many princesses. Parker said her favorites were Anna and Elsa and that Elsa asked her lots of questions! Alys fell in love with Oswald. She loved that it was the first character that Walt Disney ever drew and chose to rock Oswald ears instead of Mickey ears the entire trip!

Kirie Yra (5) had a dress up day in her kindergarten class! It was a career day! She dressed like an artist complete with a palette tray, apron and beret. She is very committed to her craft and creates every single day! Her favorite tool for art is paint, of course! Kirie also got her ears pierced! She decided that she’d waited long enough and loves her tiny little diamond studs.

Itty bitty Clara Klauder (10 months) has joined the land of the walkers!

She’d been working on her skills for a while but just made the switch from crawling to walking!

Sometimes crawling is still quicker but she’s officially a biped!

Matilda, Camryn, Avery and Mallory

Emery Ray (6) also welcomed a baby sister,

Collins Eliza, in December. She adores being a big sister and cuddles her any chance she gets. She not-so-secretly hopes that Collins’ first word will be Emery.

Mallory (9), Matilda (7) and Penelope (5) MacKinney took their

first spin at the roller rink. They all loved it and Mallory even got some roller blades and is getting really good! The girls went with neighborhood friends and had a blast!

Preston Liberal (10) flew to the 30A area all the way from Puyallup, Washington. He spent 10 days in sort-of sunny Florida including a magical trip to Universal Studios in Orlando with his cousins Julian, Gabriel, Owen and Emilia.

He rode a lot of rides and some were pretty cool.

Getting wands at Olivander’s wand shop was the highlight of the trip and spending some time at the beach. The water was way warmer than the ocean at home.

Madilyn (8) and Grady (6) Davis went to an awesome wildlife preserve in Gainesville! There they saw a lot of wildlife including alligators and hyenas. The hyenas were especially excited about Grady. They were freaking out over him!

Preston and Gabriel.

And now onto the lost teeth...

Owen Palizzi (7) lost his very first tooth! It had been kind of wiggly for a while but he popped a piece of gum into his mouth and it just fell out!

He says it was pretty bloody and cool.

Olivia Bullock (6) lost a tooth during

football practice! Her team mom, Miss Haley, pulled it out for her! Miss Haley is an expert tooth puller!

Alys Barnes (5) was

eating at Cracker Barrel after their amazing Disney trip. The manager came over to ask how everything was and she took a bite of her food and spit her tooth out on the floor! The manager didn’t know what to Kirie Yra do or say but Alys’ mom found her tooth and wrapped it in a napkin and continued with their meal!

Matilda MacKinney (6) lost another tooth! It was just normal and fell out.

Mallory MacKinney (9) got braces!

She realizes this isn’t a lost tooth but it’s exciting nonetheless!

Triston Nunez (9) lost a tooth while

eating a homemade cinnamon roll! He said the cinnamon roll was delicious.

Hey kids!

If you want your news featured in the next “Kidbits” column head to Gigi’s for an interview or send an email to gigisfabkids@embarqmail. com with “Kidbits” in the subject line. You can also write about it on our facebook page “Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’ Fashion & Toys”. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @gigisfabkids and @gigisSTELLAR. Christia Palizzi is a taco lover, mother of four, wannabe exercise fanatic, writer, Lula Roe hustler, and valued team member at both Gigi’s Fabulous Kids’ Fashions & Toys and STELLAR in Rosemary Beach.

Rosemary Thymes | 23

Turtle Time!

Did you know?

A sea turtle can’t pull their head or flippers inside their shell like land turtles can.

When the time comes for them to make their own nest, many sea turtles return to the same beach they were born on.

Female sea turtle can lay more than 100 eggs per nest.

A baby sea turtle is called a hatchling. The hatchlings come out of their underground nest on the beach and follow the moonlight to find their way to the ocean.

Five of the world’s seven sea turtle species are found in the Gulf of Mexico: green, loggerhead, hawksbill, leatherback, and Kemp’s ridley.

Their dark top shell helps them blend in with deep dark sea. This makes it harder for their enemies to see the turtle from above.

Front flippers help sea turtles move through the water by flapping up and down.

co l or

Each of the five sea turtle species found in the Gulf Of Mexico is now classified as threatened or endangered.

me!

Sea turtles are reptiles.

FIND THE HIDDEN WORDS! EGGS ENDANGERED FLIPPER GREEN HATCHLING HAWKSBILL KEMPS

LEATHERBACK LOGGERHEAD NEST REPTILE SHELL TURTLE

Rosemary Thymes | 24

Calendar of Events FAITH Chapel at the Beach

9 AM, TOWN HALL Children’s services are available.

Join Pastor Mike Youngfor a morning of Bible teaching and worship.

Apostles by the Sea

SUNDAYS, 11:15 AM, TOWN HALL Worship at this Anglican Chapel.

Nursery and children’s church provided. Enjoy refreshments and time for fellowship at the conclusion of the service. Learn more at apostlesbythesea.com.

ROSEMARYBEACH FOUNDATION EVENTS 4th Annual 30A Cornhole Tournament

APRIL 14 | 1 PM Location: East Long Green Rosemary Beach Foundation is gearing up for another year of charitable efforts to support and benefit the Walton County community. Our spring season begins with the 4th Annual 30A Cornhole Tournament. This fun family event takes place on Saturday, April 14 during National Autism Awareness Month. Visit www.cornhole30a.com for more information and to register your team of two players.

MERCHANT ASSOCIATION DAILY EVENTS MONDAYS Spring It On! Concert Series

March 5,12,19,26 & April 2 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM East Long Green Location: East Long Green Bring your chairs and blankets and

enjoy an evening of entertaining musical performances. Each week is a different show…be sure to catch one or all!

March 5: Fais Do-Do Band (Cajun & Zydeco) March 12: The California Beach Boys Tribute March 19: Rosemary Beach Rock & Soul Revue (Classic Soul & lots of Rock N Roll) March 26: Oceans 9 (Yacht Rock) April 2: Instant Karma (Feel-Good Favorites)

TUESDAYS Pittman Magic, Juggling and Comedy

March 6,13,20,27 & April 3 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM Western Green or North Barrett Square Join us for a night of actionpacked, fast paced crowd pleasing fun with Pittman Magic, Juggling, and Comedy! Rosemary Beach’s #1 Magical Variety Show! Witness husband-and-wife International Magician’s Society Merlin Award Winners and International Silver Medalist Juggler; perform Las Vegas-style grand stage illusions, juggling, balancing, escapes, and family-friendly magic right before your very eyes! A must see for all ages!

Children’s Story Time

March 6, 13, 20, 27 10AM Bring the kids to the Hidden Lantern Bookstore every Tuesday and Thursday in March for a fun children’s story time. For more information, call 850.231.0091.

WEDNESDAYS Children’s Theatre: “Beauty and the Beast” March 7,14,21,28 & April 6 PM

Easter Celebration 8:30 AM TO 10:30 AM SUNDAY, APRIL 1 EASTERN GREEN AND WESTERN GREEN Join us for a non-denominational church service by the beach on Eastern Green from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM. (Blankets and lawn chairs welcome.)

Watch the arrival of the Easter Bunny and the Rosemary Beach POAs annual Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the church service on the Western Green. Complimentary mimosas for adults.

North Barrett Square Don’t miss this refreshing, funny new twist on a classic tale as old as time. Beauty is a spoiled girl who has never had to work. To teach her a lesson, her fairy Godmother creates a series of challenges for Beauty that ultimately traps her in the estate of the Beast. It is when Beast releases Beauty that she realizes she loves him, and returns to Beast’s castle just in time to save him from death. (Blankets and Lawn Chairs Welcome)

are Welcome! Come early and get your face painted by one of our talented artists. Enjoy popcorn and the best hot dogs on the beach from DogManDu!

THURSDAYS

April 5: COCO

Moonlight Movies & Face Painting

Children’s Story Time

March 8,15,22,29 & April 5 Face Painting starts at 4:30 PM, Movie at 7:30 PM Location: Western Green Bring the family for a wholesome and fun movie night under the stars! Blankets and Lawn Chairs

March 8: Despicable Me 3

March 15: Beauty and the Beast March 22: Cars 3 March 29: Spider Man: Homecoming

March 8,15,22,29 10AM Bring the kids to the Hidden Lantern Bookstore every Tuesday and Thursday in March for a fun children’s story time. For more information, call 850.231.0091.

Rosemary Thymes | 25

FRIDAYS Havana Hat Bar & Got Ink?

March 9,16,23,30 & April 6 10AM to 1PM Join us on Western Green for a fun-filled afternoon of creative delights! Decorate your very own fedora hat to take home as a colorful keepsake of your time in Rosemary Beach. Hats not your thing? We have amazing airbrush tattoos too! Plus kids karaoke!

March Aw Shucks! The Oyster Event

MARCH 9 | 5 – 8 PM | HAVANA BEACH ROOFTOP LOUNGE Enjoy a welcome drink, bar specials and a variety of oyster selections and pairings.

Tickets are $75 per adult / $45 per child (12 and under) and reservations required. For more information, call 850.588.2882.

St. Patrick’s Day Party

MARCH 17 | 12 – 9 PM | HAVANA BEACH ROOFTOP LOUNGE Celebrate all things Irish with a special Chef’s Menu celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and drink specials.

For more information, call 850.588.2882.

Culinary Adventures: Tall Pines Farm-toTable Dinner

MARCH 28 | 6:30 – 10 PM | HAVANA BEACH BAR & GRILL – HAT ROOM Grab your friends and expand your palette with this fun cooking experience! Your adventure includes a 4-course Farm-to-Table dinner menu with curated pairings.

Tickets are $200 per adult and reservations are required. For more information, call 850.588.2882.

Piano Night

EVERY TUESDAY | 6 - 9 PM | HAVANA BEACH BAR & GRILL

Join us every Tuesday for live piano music by Cam Ray from Top Hat. Enjoy drinks, dinner and tunes!

APRIL Havana Beach Easter Brunch

APRIL 1 | 9 AM – 3:30 PM | HAVANA BEACH BAR & GRILL Havana Beach Bar’s Easter celebration includes full a buffet with traditional holiday fare and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets are $75 per adult / $40 per child (12 and under) and reservations are preferred. For more information, call 850.588.2882.

Sweet Series: Truffle Making Class

APRIL 14 | 1 PM | HAVANA BEACH BAR & GRILL – HAT ROOM Indulge your sweet tooth with this decadent truffle making class. Class includes a welcome drink, truffle making materials and take-aways. Tickets are $60 per adult / $30 per child (12 and under) and reservations are required. For more information, call 850.588.2882

Culinary Adventures: 2nd Annual Angels Envy Craft Bourbon Dinner

APRIL 26 | 6:30 – 9:30 PM | HAVANA BEACH BAR & GRILL – HAT ROOM This special edition of Culinary Adventures includes a 5-course Chef’s Dinner with signature pairings from Angel’s Envy Distillery. Tickets are $350 per adult and reservations are required. For more information, call 850.588.2882.

Piano Night

EVERY TUESDAY | 6 - 9 PM | HAVANA BEACH BAR & GRILL Join us every Tuesday for live piano music by Cam Ray from Top Hat. Enjoy drinks, dinner and tunes!

Darrin Morris Band March 30 | 6-8pm | Owner’s Pavilion Enjoy many of today's country hits, old country classics, a little southern rock and a growing set of originals with the Darrin Morris Band.

Rosemary Thymes | 26

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cracking wise

By david levinson wilk / Edited by Will Shortz used with permission

Across 1 52-story Boston skyscraper, familiarly 7 Brass instrument with a mellow sound 15 ____ Malfoy, student at Hogwarts 20 Sorkin and Spelling 21 Kind of equinox 22 Puerto ____ 23 “Stop! You’re killing me!”

25 ____-garde 26 Give some lip 27 Uncut 28 More than willing 30 For whom the Lorax speaks 31 Internet home to “Between Two Ferns” 34 Latin for “womb” 38 Monsieur’s mate 41 Y or N, maybe 42 Shakespeare character who says, “This above all: to thine own self be true” 45 Actor Jason 47 Zugspitze, e.g.

50 A person skilled at deadpan has one 52 What “4” may stand for 54 French river or department 55 Beseech 56 Advert’s ending?

57 Designer Geoffrey 58 Carrier to Karachi 61 Tugboat sounds 65 Decked out 67 Unimpressed response to someone’s one-liner 72 ____ intolerance 73 Novo-Ogaryovo is the official one of the Russian president 74 Lavatory sign 75 Hawke of “Training Day” 76 Regrettable 79 Broadway’s Hagen 81 “Roméo et Juliette” segment 85 Coin-toss call 86 Stand-up chain started in Los Angeles

92 Big engine additive 93 Log-in needs 94 Verbally assail 95 “Iglu,” for “igloo”: Abbr.

97 Cover over, in a way 99 Start limping 100 It might involve someone being “so poor” or “so old” 104 “____, amigo” 107 Count ____ 108 Nail-salon employees, at times 110 Its “reeds are a pain / And the fingering’s insane,” per Ogden Nash 114 Lipinski and Reid 115 “Jeez … lighten up!”

120 Be grandiloquent 121 To this day, Marie Curie’s are still radioactive 122 Mystery 123 Lacoste and Descartes 124 Star of 1976’s Oscar winner for Best Picture 125 Smoothed in a shop Down 1 Some body art, for short 2 “Hilarious!”

3 Noteworthy times 4 Lobster traps 5 Med. professionals who take a pledge named for Florence Nightingale 6 Welcomes 7 Plaster 8 Condition for filmdom’s Rain Man 9 Suffix with speed 10 “Oh, what the hell … I’ll do it” 11 “Uh, you’ve told me quite enough” 12 Where Michael Jordan played coll. ball 13 Meadow call 14 Poet Ginsberg 15 “Game of Thrones” creature

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16 Joan who quipped ”A Peeping Tom looked in my window and pulled down the shade” 17 “Pick ____ …”

18 “Pretty please?”

19 Doing a pirouette, say 24 Poison ivy, e.g.

29 Some sneakers 30 Something carried onstage?

31 “Terrif!”

32 Fifth category of taste with a Japanese name 33 “Peter ____ Greatest Hits” (1974 album) 34 High hairstyle 35 Doughnut figures 36 Late ’50s singing sensation 37 One of many scattered in a honeymoon suite, maybe 39 Light bark 40 Cry from Homer

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43 Kind of port for a flash drive 44 Manage 46 Night vision?

47 Bowl 48 Maid’s armful 49 Made an appeal 51 Hymn starter 52 Habitation 53 Around the time of birth 59 Chains 60 Car-rental giant 62 Poet who wrote “Fortune and love favor the brave” 63 Org. that offers Preenrollment 64 ____ fly 66 One on the left?: Abbr.

67 Greatly bother 68 TV blocking device 69 Tops 70 Finish all at once, in a way

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71 Things taken by government officials 72 “Sounds like a plan!”

77 “Don’t be ____!”

78 ____ Walcott, Nobel Prize-winning poet 80 Patriots’ org.

82 Bad state to be in 83 Mine transport 84 Modern party summons 87 Euros replaced them 88 Bustle 89 Grp. that puts on a show 90 Fleets 91 Wall St. bigwigs 93 Like Mount Narodnaya 95 Empty 96 Brings a smile to 98 Like some angels and dominoes 100 Champion 101 Airport that J.F.K. dedicated in 1963

102 Erin of “Joanie Loves Chachi” 103 Locks up 105 Concoct 106 Bug 108 Jester 109 Feeling 110 Anthony Hopkins’s “Thor” role 111 City NNE of San Antone 112 “My treat!”

113 “My stars!”

116 Cambodia’s Angkor ____ 117 Court org.

118 Skit show, for short 119 What makes you you?

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