March/April 2017

March/April 2017

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CONTENTS

March/April 2017

VOLUME 14 NUMBER 2

16 26

5

Publisher’s Page

6

Contributor's Page

20

Our fantastic editors who you've come to know and love!

8

Spring Into Action

12

The Theory of Tomorrow

14

Surviving Spring Break

16

Progressive Easter with Friends.

20

Muddy Mess

For those who do things at the last minute!

Now is your time!

Sure, we love our tourists!

Here's your "how to" guide!

All for the love of orphans.

38 30

22 Making a Difference Spring Fam Jam Purses with a Purpose

24

Shout Outs!

26

Not in Paradise?

30

What on Earth Does that Mean?

32

Spring & Summer Activity Guide

38

A Step in Faith

40

Events

Community Kudos to some incredible people! When a paycheck isn't enough.

JSYK IRL WWGmaS

Sign up now for the best activities for your kids!

From studio to stage.

Spring kicks off lots of fun family events!

On The Cover:

Joseph jumps into the pool for this great underwater shot!

Your local television channel Information - Entertainment - Beach Style

PUBLISHER/EDITOR NANCY BABIN PHOTO EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR SHANE BABIN CONTRIBUTING EDITORS CAROLYN JABS, CRYSTAL TINGLE, DENISE GATES, ERIKA SCANNEL, LAURA LUCY, MARY DAVIS, PAM MOLNAR, PAUL HUNTER PHOTOGRAPHY COASTALSTYLE.COM ART DIRECTOR NANCY BABIN GRAPHIC DESIGN KLYNN GRAPHIC DESIGN

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ON THE COAST is published six times a year and is available free of charge at more than 200 strategically placed locations. ON THE COAST encourages your comments, suggestions and submissions, and we reserve the right to edit for tone, grammar, style or length. The Magazine will not be held responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or photography. Editorials articulated in this publication do not necessarily reflect that of ON THE COAST MAGAZINE. Please write us at: ON THE COAST MAGAZINE 4421 Commons Drive East #110 Destin, FL 32541-3847 (850) 642-5439 E-mail OTC@OntheCoastMag.com ON THE COAST is a division of KIDZ ON THE COAST ® Publishing, INC. All materials are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher.

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I always welcome the change from winter to spring. Change carries many meanings, from the change in your pocket, to a revamping, or a complete turnaround. This time of year seems to be all about a renewing overhaul as the winter winds subside and the hours of sunshine extend longer and longer the closer we creep towards summer. Flowers are blooming, ushering in their change. Newborn offspring in nature seem to pop up all over. New sounds and a buzz of excitement from quiet streets turning into more of a hustle with the kids playing outside and an increase in our spring visitors. For me, a change in sports seasons is always looked forward to! Variety is the spice of life, I hear, and I usually embrace it wholeheartedly.

Some changes are easily accepted and others are not. Right now I am looking at a change in locations. I LOVE where I live and enjoy every moment in my beautiful house built by my own talented husband. I feel I am blessed beyond belief to reside in a labor of love by his own hands. But in everything in life, this season is coming to a close and we must make a change – a big one. One I am not looking forward to simply because I am comfortable and satisfied where I am.

Sadly, for some, as you will read in this issue, change has been very, very hard on them and I feel ashamed I am even upset about my own pending change. Some people can’t help the changes that come their way. Really!

They don’t have control over their changes. Life happens and it becomes devastating and hard. In some of these cases, the change occurred so quickly it was seemingly instant and unavoidable. This fact was brought front and center to me when I went with one of my editors to do a story on our local homeless in Destin. I was taken aback by what I saw firsthand. I wasn’t serving in the food line or helping in any way. I was simply watching, listening and asking questions. Questions that were blunt, to the point, and I was astonished by what I heard. How on earth can so many good people, with good intentions, fall between the cracks? I met very educated, caring people. People who helped each other with what little they have. From their skills, to their time, to their limited food resources, the people we had the privilege to meet all looked out for each other in an amazing, caring and unselfish way. They were all happy and appreciative, and I didn’t hear a single complaint except, “Please don’t take my picture!” This was life for them and they were all making the very best of the “change” that struck them.

This story was inspired when I was at a Chamber meeting in Fort Walton Beach last winter and my friend Denise told me she, along with many other chamber members, had just spent the night out with those living in the

streets in an attempt to better understand what it is like to be homeless and who this community of individuals within our area are. The chamber members wanted to address this issue in their city but in a caring way and not simply by dismissing or locking up those in need. She herself was surprised to see children and working adults in this homeless camp. They had to get up for school in the morning, get together their school work and clothes and try to look decent to catch the bus. The working adults had to also get ready and try to appear “not homeless” to get to their jobs on time.

Denise found, much like I did, that there are some homeless alongside us and yet we don’t even realize it. They don’t like to be homeless but there is not enough money being brought in from their jobs to cover housing, utility bills, food, medical needs and such to make ends meet. Some of them are not the panhandling drunks we all like to think they are so we can easily turn our head and move on. These are families trying to survive and do the right thing. I was so moved by the experience my friend Denise described to me that I asked one of our editors to write a story about it. Erika reluctantly embraced the story and went as far as combing the streets to meet some of the people making the most of the changes they have had to live through.

I hope you’ll take the time to read Erika’s story in this issue and reach out and help them. The bike shop at The Blue Door is one way. You can donate your old torn up bikes and they will repurpose them. They can build you and your family bikes that are amazing! Trick bikes, beach bikes, bikes with big handlebars, whatever you’d like! They have the knowledge and this is one way they earn money. Donate clothes, offer them work - they are up for it and gladly will help. Even extra bags can help – something freely obtained every time we go to a store. These plastic bags are being collected by students at Destin Middle School and will be woven into sleeping mats for the area homeless. Each one of us can do something to make a change.

For me, I’ll be ok. My change is nothing negative at all. It should be something I should welcome. But deep down, I want to take that steering wheel and control it because I’m honestly not happy about moving. So, I must trust that He has His reasoning and it will be better than I could have ever imagined. The American romantic poet and later diplomat James Russell Lowell wrote, “One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.” I have not experienced homelessness but I met some very dear people who are living it out day by day. For them, I will purpose in my heart to be less judgmental, more giving and more compassionate to others, especially the underserved here, On The Coast. Blessings, Dear Readers.

2004 Gold ADDY Award

2008 Silver ADDY Award

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CONTRIBUTORS Pam Molnar Erika Scannell

Mary Davis Denise Gates Denise is a freelance writer and editor, the stay-at-home mother of two teenage boys, and a military wife whose husband’s career takes her all over the country but whose heart remains in Destin, FL. As any writer knows, a second set of eyes is essential before submitting an article for publication. Denise is often asked to be that second set of eyes for us – to read over articles and make sure the Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed. Denise reviews articles and restructures them as necessary to make sure the writer’s message shines through. Writers put their passion down on paper, but we run it by Denise first.

Mary is an English teacher living in Fort Walton Beach with her husband and seven children.

She enjoys writing, tennis, the theater, and life on the beautiful Emerald Coast.

Laura works part-time as the marketing and PR coordinator for Shelter House and owns Beachside Certifications, a CPR and first aid training company.

When she's not working, you can find Laura and her husband Patrick trying to wrangle their crazy four-year-old redhead, Vivi.

She hopes that money is the motivator her kids need to tackle the closets in their house.

Paul Hunter Paul Hunter, B.S., C.S.C.S, lives On the Coast with his wife and three teenagers infusing science with his playful style yielding astonishing results at Grayton Beach Fitness, voted Best Place to Work Out on 30-A.

Carolyn Jabs Crystal Tingle

Laura Lucy

Author of Struggle of Will Part 1, wife of 15 years to local repair man and fireworks expert Kip Scannell, busy soccer mom to 5 beautiful Kiplets. When not writing or shuttling kiddos from endless activities or leading the local women of MOMS in crafts extraordinaire, she tries to squeeze in some reading, research and bible studies. Best place to find her is in her closet hiding from her children!

Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three.

Crystal, along with her husband of 19 years and 3 boys, has been living in the Destin area since 2005. She is Founder of T h e F i ta n d H ea l t h y L i fe .co m which is a resource website created to teach and empower women to become the best version of themselves at any age through healthy food and fitness. Her passion to help women grew from her own transformation from frumpy mom to fit mom when she finally learned to stop comparing herself to others and focus on being the best that she could be…competing only with herself and all of this happened after 40!

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Carolyn Jabs, M.A., raised three computer savvy kids including one with special needs. She has been writing Growing Up Online for ten years and is working on a book about constructive responses to conflict.

On the Coast Magazine takes pride in having locals tell us their stories! If you have a story of interest, please feel free to reach out to us at OTC@OntheCoastMag. com or send us a message on Facebook at On the Coast Magazine. Who knows, you and/or your story might have a chance at being published!

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SPRING

Into Action

by Paul Hunter

Spring Break is here, and thoughts of removing the cozy, protective layers of clothes to reveal your bathing suit-covered body scares you. You enjoyed the holiday season so much despite last year’s promises that this year would be different.

Summer is approaching and the kids will be out of school, begging to go to the beach. Now what! I would think that after 27 years of training, I would not be shocked when someone asks for the quick fix, whether focused on nutritional or exercise needs and goals. Guess what?

I still am. I guess human nature does not change. Is there a plan for lastminute thinkers? Sure, and fortunately, it is not quite last minute.

Intake; Nutrition: Are you merely filling your empty stomach or fueling your body for the next adventure? Nutritionists remind us to eat lots of vegetables, fruits, lean meats and complex carbs that come from natural sources (i.e. fruits and vegetables). Don’t know that I have ever heard anyone with an educational background in nutrition tell someone to eat chips, candy bars and cookies to assist them with achieving great results. Why do you think that is? It’s all about putting the proper fuel into our bodies so we can do what needs to get done.

Intake; Water: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. Typical recommended amount is eight 8oz glasses of water daily. I have found drinking a couple quart size containers is easier to measure (it takes two of these) and helps you reach your goals more easily. A quart before lunch and one after but before dinner. I feel my best when I drink a liter (just over a quart) immediately upon waking. As a matter of fact, it has become one of my daily disciplines for my personal health and wellness figuring that at worst, I had at least a liter of water that day. If you do have an exercise program you adhere to or spend a lot of time outside, then I suggest adding another quart to that amount. If this is all new to you then your body will be adapting and you get added exercise from not being able to sit still too long. This is normal just as holding a dry sponge under the water tap causes the water to initially run off, but eventually soak in. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate.

Output; Exercise: There are 1,440 minutes in every day.

Schedule 30 of them for physical activity! The bookstore, library and websites are great resources for exercises and how to do them. On the Coast magazine, About.com, HowTo. com, wellsphere.com and mayoclinic.com all provide some useful information. Part of the trick is to use large muscles, basic movements and do what you can do (and maybe a little more) as long as proper form is maintained. Don’t let your ego or the memory of you being a star athlete 20 years ago (“I used to be able to do more”) get the best of you.

There is no more “used to,” there is only now. continued on page 10

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continued from page 8

The challenge I have been seeing is not “To squat or not to squat” or “To lunge or not to lunge.” The challenge has been regarding how many does one do today and how many should I be able to do. I’ll start with after 27 years of training other people I have found one of the best exercise tools to have with you is a watch with a repeating timer. That brand that “takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’” makes an easy one to use. Set the timer for 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 (are you getting it?) seconds and proceed with your exercise. Beginners should start with a work time of around 30 seconds, maybe a little less but probably not more. Rest time can be anywhere from 2x your work period to no rest at all (1:2 work:rest ratio). If you are just starting, please include some rest between bouts. Need more challenge? Reduce your rest time.

it to just about any large muscle group, multi-joint movement where speed can be applied with little moment (to decrease the risk of injury). Think, squats, push-ups, pull-ups, rows, tubing exercises, mountain climbers, jumps, sprints, high knees, etc….

With the recent explosion of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), intervals such as these have become more mainstream, being used by many boot-camp instructors as they also allow someone to work with groups a lot easier while providing a strong workout. In 1996, Dr. Izumi Tabata presented us with what is now known as the Tabata Interval which in simple form is 8 rounds of 20-second work intervals with 10 seconds of rest between each.

Think you’re in shape? This little gem initially came about using running as the movement modality. Since then I have applied

Spring and summer are not far off. If you figure an average loss of 1-2 pounds per week, then almost 10lbs per month loss of fat is reasonable and gets you closer to your dream weight. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. By the way, that burns approximately 79,500 calories (22.7 pounds) if you walk, 112,500 calories (32 pounds) if you run.

Output; Daily habits: Exercise is not your only means of burning calories. Your daily habits are what make you. Exercise is a component in addition to how far you park from the front door, what you do when you wake up, what you do during lunch, when you get home and on weekends. Our success is built upon what we do with these spare times when most people watch television or play video games. Get off your procrastinator and get moving.

Make movement a lifestyle.

Get moving and Make it a Great Day!

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Crystal

Clear

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Water Under The Bridge

by Crystal Tingle

R

ecently, I woke up one morning and went about my normal first-things-first priority, the coffee pot! I’m usually scurrying about working on other stuff while it brews but this one morning, I just stood there watching it. Not sure why, but regardless, I watched it. That’s when the thought came… “water under the bridge.” Maybe it was the flow of my coffee brewing that caused this familiar idiom to surface. Or maybe it was recent life events that perpetuated a theory that my heart and mind were trying to birth. A Theory of Yesterday.

Yesterdays can hold amazing memories. Fun time spent with loved ones. A job well done at work. A successful day of eating right. But they can also be full of regrets. Things you wish you hadn’t done or eaten. Words you wish you could take back. The rewards AND the regrets of Yesterday.

But it could also be the Theory of Tomorrow. A new day!

A fresh start! A second chance! Either way, it’s interesting to me to think about the span of time between yesterday and tomorrow. Somehow, when you aren’t quite ready to leave one to get to the other or maybe can’t get to the other fast enough, time and space in those moments are imponderable, and the lines between the two seem nonexistent. It’s as if they just flow into one another with only the bridge of night separating them. The old turned dark and previous hours are gone but only realized when we wake in the morning to welcome tomorrow.

Yet when we use the phrase “water under the bridge,” we use it as a line definer. A divider between the then and now. We use it to say that we have let go of something… choosing to forget that which cannot be changed and shouldn’t matter any longer. It’s somehow something we are leaving behind “on the other side of the bridge.”

An argument you had with someone a long time ago, and a friend inquires about it.

You say, “Awww, that’s water under the bridge.”

But the thing is, it’s not that simple

to leave it behind…completely, I mean, just by entering “tomorrow.” Living On the Coast, we are surrounded by water and bridges. Our gorgeous emerald green waters flow. As the tide rises and falls, our water flows…it flows under our bridges into the bay and nearby inlets and bayous and flows back out. Flowing water sustains and is full of life.

And as I thought on all of this, I realized that just as water flows under our bridges, and in our case, often mixing salt and fresh, our lives are much the same. Simply passing under a bridge doesn’t make the water go away so new can be added. The same water WILL come out on the other side. And yet somehow we use the bridge as a symbolism of forgetting what is in yesterday. As much as we would like to identify new days and second chances in the tomorrow while leaving yesterday behind, it’s in the yesterday that we grow stronger in our tomorrow. It’s in this mixing or brackish state that we find life. The experiences and the journey of the day traveled before sets the course for the day that lies ahead. It’s in this brackish of the good and the bad, the old and the new that we are fortified. It’s in this place that we learn to navigate a new and better tomorrow when we choose to see the bridge between the two as not a place to forget but rather something to go through. We realize hopefully what to do differently or even what to do the same from what we have learned. I love this quote that I just recently heard and it was so fitting I had to include it: “Whether you are sixteen or sixty, the rest of your life is ahead of you. You cannot change one moment of your past, but you can change your whole future. Now is your time.” -Matthew Kelly Water under the bridge has new meaning for me moving forward. I no longer see the bridge as the place of forgetfulness; it has become the NOW. I choose in the NOW between yesterday and tomorrow to accept and flow with the regrets of life in my yesterday. And as a result, it is in this new place that my whole future will change, with a new hope and determination, when I wake in my tomorrow. May you find this a sweet revelation as well and may your dreams in the NOW be sweet and your tomorrow even sweeter!

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by Laura Lucy

Here on the Emerald Coast, we love tourists. No, really, we do!

Without them we would likely have higher taxes and fewer restaurants. Plus, living in a small community where you know everybody, it’s nice to meet people from other places.

early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds.

Bonus: this strategy makes it much easier to avoid that dreaded first sunburn of the season.

As much as we love our visitors, it can be a bit overwhelming during spring break when thousands of them clog the roads, crowd the restaurants and stand four-people wide in the grocery aisle.

So, what’s a local to do during spring break? The obvious answer is LEAVE! If you have a good reason to stay – a restrictive work schedule, limited finances, family obligations – read on for tips to surviving spring break in town. You might even enjoy it.

While our visitors are primarily traveling here for our unparalleled white sand beaches, we can enjoy them all year. Most visitors don’t realize there are more wonders of nature within a short drive. Go spelunking at Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna. Find the fountain of youth and walk along lush forest trails at Ponce DeLeon Springs State Park. Let the kids get up close and personal with more than 100 animals including Florida natives and exotic wildlife at Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park in Crestview. Head up to the Blackwater River for tubing or canoeing. Check out the free Air Force Armament Museum just outside the gates of Eglin Air Force Base for a walk through history starting with World War I.

Avoid the Rush

Let’s start with the basics that will help you maintain your sanity.

We have to eat, but no one wants to get caught in the madness of packed grocery stores and two-hour waits for a table at restaurants.

Locals all know that Saturday is vacation rental check-in day. That makes Saturdays and Sundays the busiest shopping days at the grocery store, largely because our visitors are not only stocking up for a week but they also bring their entire family to have a heated debate about which chips to purchase. In the olden days (way back in 2016), your best option was to do your grocery shopping early in the morning and not on the weekend. Now, you can use services like Shipt to deliver groceries directly to your home, or Walmart’s new online ordering system that lets you stay in your car.

If you opt to dine out during spring break, try to go during off times. Arriving at a restaurant on or near the beach at 7 p.m. all but guarantees your stomach will digest itself before you are seated, much less receive your food. Instead, go for a late lunch/early dinner between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. When you simply must go out for dinner, aim for an early week meal. The tourists are most likely to eat out at the beginning and end of their weeklong stay. Destin and 30A are typically the most crowded. Try out some of the fantastic restaurants in Niceville, Fort Walton Beach or on Okaloosa Island.

Several have water views too!

Catching a movie during spring break is totally doable. The trick is to go in the middle of a sunny day. Conversely, hit the beach 14 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

They Go South, You Go North

If You Can’t Beat ‘em, Join ‘em

Navigating your own town when it’s so crowded can trigger stress in anyone. That’s when you should take off east or west to annoy locals in another town! Panama City is home to plenty of daytripworthy attractions such as Gulf World Marine Park, Dave and Buster’s, ZooWorld and WonderWorks. In Pensacola, you can visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Historic Pensacola Village, Pensacola Children’s Museum, Fort Pickens, Pensacola Lighthouse or downtown for a historic walking tour.

Mixing it up with the tourists can actually be fun if you let go of the us-versus-them mentality so many of us locals have. Strike up a conversation with someone new, and you and your kids are likely to make friends and learn a little something about another part of the country or the world. As the mom of an only child, I relish the high season because we are guaranteed to run into other kids on the playground at Chick-fil-A who can keep my daughter entertained.

If all else fails, hunker down at home and wait for the brief respite between spring break and Memorial Day. You’ve earned it.

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H r e t o s p a !

E

by Pam Molnar

Traditionally, families celebrate Easter with their extended families by attending church, hunting for Easter eggs and eating a wonderful meal. When a job moves you away from your hometown, it may not be possible to go home for Easter, leaving you to find another way to celebrate. This year, enjoy Easter with neighbors and friends by hosting a progressive brunch. The benefit of a progressive meal is that it allows you to see several people, show off your home and host without having to go overboard on costs.

friendly foods and a special activity like a craft or movie.

Kids might enjoy Easter movies like, “It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown”, “Hop”, “Here Comes Peter Cottontail” or “Veggie Tales – An Easter Carol”.

Hosting – When choosing

Progressive brunches work well for people who live close to each other, whether they are in the same building, on the same block or within the same neighborhood. Each house participating in the brunch provides a meal – or at least one of the meal’s courses – and drinks. Guests arrive at a set time and usually only stay an hour before moving on to the next house and the next course.

your hosts, find out how many guests they can seat at their table. Then divide the number of guests by the number of seats available at each house. For example, if your guest list includes 12 adults and each house can only seat 6, it might be a better idea to have two hosts for each course. Most kids are happy to be seated in the kitchen, so you don’t have to include them in your dining table count. Switch up who eats together at each house so everyone gets to socialize with different people. If you don’t want to split up your party, another way to do it is not have formal seating, but rather a cocktail party style, so all 12 guests can go to each house.

Start Planning – Make your guest and host lists. Will your

Menu – Have the hosts get together and make a menu so

brunch include your Bunco group, neighborhood couples or families? If you host with children, be sure to include kid

there will not be any duplicate meals for the brunch. Be sure to consider any food allergies when planning. Search your continued on page 18

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continued from page 16 cookbooks, Pinterest or use the menu ideas provided in the sidebar. Choose meals that can be prepared ahead or take little cooking time so when it is your time to host, you will only need to leave the party a few minutes before your guests arrive.

Cost – Splitting the cost of the food is important, especially if not every guest

is hosting. When the menu has been decided, select 2 hosts to make a list and preshop to gather pricing. Don’t forget to add disposable plates and cups making it easier on the hosts. Divide the cost of the food, drinks and babysitters by the number of guests and collect the money before you shop.

Putting it all together - Start the party at the first house with a celebratory

mimosa and pick up your meal schedules. Enjoy a quick half hour of mingling, break off into more intimate groups of 6 or 8 for the other parts of the meal.

Arrive at the next house at the set time for your next course and move through the afternoon enjoying different hosts, friends and a variety of food and drinks.

Head to the last house to meet up with the whole group again for desserts.

End the afternoon with a group game for the adults. Try games like Hedbanz, Apples to Apples or The Game of Things. Have an Easter egg hunt for the kids or ask the Easter Bunny to stop by for a visit. Leave the party with wonderful memories, stronger friendships and a full stomach.

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Menu Ideas:

Fruit & Yogurt Parfait Mini Muffins or Bagel Bites French Toast Sticks Cinnamon Rolls in Bunny Shape Mini Eggs Benedict Fruit & Donut Hole Kabobs Ham & Asparagus Roll Ups Fruit Salad Served in Wine Goblets Waffle Bar With Fresh Toppings Quiches or Frittatas Pasta Salad Cheese, Cracker & Sausage Platters Egg Salad Served in an Avocado Shrimp Cocktail Deviled Eggs Ham Kabobs With Pineapple Smoked Salmon Crostini’s

Drinks:

Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Juice, Milk, Coffee, Tea & Hot Chocolate

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 19

A few years ago, Tony Gibson, Niceville resident and founder of Heart of the Bride (HOB) Ministries, ran a mud run event in Memphis, Tennessee. He enjoyed it so much and after seeing the impact it had on the community, wondered if such an event could happen here On the Coast. His thought was to bring the community together to raise awareness, have fun and hopefully raise enough money to cover the cost of putting on an event like this. For you see, Tony and HOB have a heart for orphans and at-risk children.

by Denise Gates 20 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

HOB is a Niceville, Florida-based 501c3 founded in 1998 through one family’s desire to directly participate in caring for the helpless and poor in the greatest places of need around the world.

HOB has established ongoing relationships with local orphan ministries in five nations: Haiti, Kenya, India, Ukraine, and Zambia. The ministry was publicly launched in 2004 and in 2005, Tony left a 20-year career in church music ministry to become the full-time director of this growing mission ministry to orphans.

So in 2012, Tony, having gotten muddy, wanted to offer something that the community could get involved in to make a difference for an orphan or an at-risk child. However, he had two major concerns. One was getting enough volunteers to support the race, and the other was to find a location that would support not only a 5K but a 5K with obstacles. After talking with some of the community to get a feel of the support, Tony decided to get it a shot, and the Emerald Coast MudRun for Orphans was born.

The first year, the MudRun, held in Niceville at the Northwest Florida State College campus, had just over 200 volunteers. Success! More than 200 people gave of their time to ultimately help orphans. They had about 1500 adults participate in the 5K fun run that had 12 obstacles and about 205 kids (ages 5-12) in the 1 Mile Kids Fun Run. What started as an event to raise awareness has grown into a fullblown fundraiser, and now, six years later, the Emerald Coast MudRun for Orphans has between 450-500 volunteers, close to 4,000 adult MudRun participants, 20 obstacles, 600 Kids Fun Run kids, and has raised over $366,000 for orphan care!

“We are so excited that there are so many people in the community who will take time out to support such a great cause,” says Michael Anderson, Director of Development for HOB and Race Director for the MudRun. “Not only did we want community involvement, we wanted to offer something different from the other mudruns out there, to raise some money and have fun. We knew one thing that would set us apart from other mudruns would be to make it family-friendly and offer a run for the kids.”

The tag line for the MudRun is Get Muddy and Do Good for Orphans, and the goal this year is to raise over $100,000 to go to orphan care. Race Day is May 20th at the Northwest Florida State College campus in Niceville, and it’s a family-friendly event with something for everybody. There are new obstacles, three giant mud pits, and ten tons of mud. There will be several 5K Fun Runs throughout the day, a 5K timed competitor, and for those who want even more of a challenge, a 10K Elite Warrior with age categories for placement prizes. There will be a Kids Zone for the children and of course the 1 Mile Kids’ Fun Runs. Then, when the sun goes down, the music goes up, glow sticks are glowing and the atmosphere is a party, it’s Zero Dark Dirty – a race exactly like the 5K Fun Run with the added twist of running at night. This race is limited to the first 1,000 registrations.

So come on, challenge yourself and challenge a friend and register for the Emerald Coast MudRun For Orphans. Use coupon code ”ONTHECOAST” and SAVE 10% off of registration at www. emeraldcoastmudrun.com. If you would like more information about where the money goes to you can visit www.heartofthebride. org. 100% of the proceeds from the MudRun go to HOB.

Tony and Michael create and dream up the obstacles, always keeping in mind the family-friendly part. They want to offer obstacles that are challenging but not so challenging so as to exclude anybody. “The fun runs are essentially run at your own pace and the obstacles are optional,” explains Michael. “Because they are fun runs, it doesn’t matter your fitness level; you can still come out and support a great cause.” They have added one to two obstacles a year to entice the repeat customers, and in order to keep overhead low because they are raising money for orphans, all the obstacles are built and are put in place by volunteers. Michael makes sure that he and Tony can do the obstacles themselves, and Michael has his wife and kids, ages 11 and 13, test them out, too!

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 21

The Autism Spectrum on the Emerald Coast, Inc. would like to invite your family to join us at Spring Fam Jam. This family & music festival will be held on March 18, at the mullet festival site in Niceville. The gates opens at 10 a.m. with the music and fun continuing until 10 p.m.

The festival, with more than 40 booth participants, includes live entertainment, arts and crafts merchants, food and beverage vendors, beer booth, local therapy providers, and a children’s area.

The children’s area includes: bounce houses, inflatable slides, an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, Home Depot building activities, Army Ranger’s reptile team, live entertainment, and many more children’s activities. The children’s area closes at 7 p.m.

Children’s area armbands are $10. Armbands grant access into the festival and include access to all the previous listed activities in the children’s area.

Be sure to register for the color run, with its 4 color stations. Participants will be covered in colored powder as they make their way around the approximately 1 mile long course inside the festival grounds. Walkers, wagons, and strollers are all welcome. You do not have to be a conditioned athlete to enjoy this run! The run starts at 11:00, and cost $20 per child ages 6-12 years old. For those 13 years of age and above, there is early bird pricing of $20 until 3/11, after which time the entry fee is $30. Children 5 years old and under are free. The purchase of a color run entry also grants you entry into the festival.

The live entertainment begins at 12 p.m. The main stage will highlight local artists as they entertain the crowd with their own original sounds and with hits we all know and enjoy.

General admission into the festival is $5 until 3:00. Evening admission is $15. There is also a VIP Backstage Package that includes a catered meal, meet and greet with the bands, and VIP seating.

The cost of the VIP Backstage Package is $100 per ticket.

Spring Fam Jam is ASEC’s premier fundraising and community awareness event. This event allows us to continue to provide services to our local autism community. For a fundraiser of this size to succeed, the participation and generosity of the community is required and very much appreciated.

For color run registration and ticket sales visit our website: www.ASECFL.com Event Coordinator: Brad Burnette (850)496-3062 or Brad@ASECFL.com

Tote, satchel, clutch or hobo – whatever style handbag you favor, you can find it at Purses with a Purpose. A signature Shelter House event, Purses with a Purpose has become a mustattend annual shopping experience for ladies across the Emerald Coast.

Shoppers have the opportunity to select from hundreds of new and gently used purses up for sale or auction. Handbags from designers including Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach and more will be available for purchase.

This year’s event kicks off with an opening party on Friday, March 24 in the new event space at 560 Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. Attendees will enjoy food from Grimaldi’s, refreshments by Timber Creek Distillery in the lounge and wines donated by Mike and Valerie Thompson of Thompson 31Fifty Wines. B-Boy Productions will provide a DJ and photo booth. A purse fashion show featuring hair and makeup by Pin Up Girls Hair Studio will top off the evening. Doors open at 6 p.m. for general admission. VIP tickets get you in at 5:30 p.m. for first pick of the purses and a specialty cocktail. General admission tickets are $15, and VIP tickets are $25 in advance. Tickets purchased at the door are $20 for general admission and $30 for VIP. Purses with a Purpose reopens on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with deep discounts on remaining merchandise, plus muffins, mimosas and free admission.

For more information and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.shelterhousenwfl.org.

Since it began seven years ago, Purses with a Purpose has raised more than $73,000 to support Shelter House’s critical services for domestic and sexual violence survivors. Shelter House accepts donations of new and gently used handbags throughout the year.

On the Coast Magazine is a proud media sponsor of local charitable events. For sponsorship information, e-mail OTC@OntheCoastMag.com

22 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

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SHOUT OUT

ntary ge Eleme , from Ed School le a ty B n u ia o v C Oli kaloosa O e uary th n n a o J School, w elling Bee held on e will go p h S S t

ic l. o tr o is D igh Sch al iceville H nd Region 19th at N the Big Be Florida. in te e p hassee, on to com ee in Talla Spelling B

Congratulations to Zander Angelic, South Walton County Fire District Lifeguard Competitor of the year!!!

FWBHS Theatre Students Attend at Epcot.

International Festival of the Arts

Congratulations to ou r own 4th grader Sharlysse Nelso n! She recently received the President's Volunteer Service Aw ard for her numerous volunteer ho urs at Bluewater Elementa ry.

Journe y Wa at High shingtonhigh the Pan School won 1 , 9th grader st Place Engine handle Regio at n Scien ering F a ce and ir .

She als from th o won a e wards Associa American Ps y t Center, ion, Emerald chological Coas and Northw a two-year Sc t Science h est Flor ida Sta olarship to te Colle ge.

We want to hear from you!

Send your shout outs to OTC@OntheCoastMag.com 24 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

Shalimar Elementary is making classrooms fun and engaging with flexible seating to meet student's needs.

t ated the 101s ladies celebr the of rt These young pa as ementary day at Bay El ns.

101 Dalmatia

Newly elected Superin tendent Hughes visiting Bay Elementa ry!

The Niceville High Sch ool track and field team has dominated their first 3 track meets, The Seahawks Open, The Tiger Relays and The FWBH S Viking Open. Both the girls and boys tea ms placed 1st! Go Eagles!

Rivers ide Ele menta Team, ry 6th in th taught by Gail 's Academic Smith, e Think p in compe tition a g Cap Quiz B laced owl on gainst 1 teams line 9 other across the sou 5 theast th grade 2nd in a n Okaloo sa Cou d placed nty!

the National competed in Indianettes ip placing top Championsh Dance Team n! tio 5 in the na

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A

s a editor/writer for this great magazine for nearly 15 years, I have never written an article in first person singular or made it personal or about me. I always try to keep my articles subjective and without personal opinion. But this story has touched me so deeply, I have no choice but to write it out and put it into perspective for all to understand.

This story has a deeper meaning for me and deserves to be brought to light.

by Erika Scannell

26 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

The first alarm bell rang out over the early days of last summer when my husband, our five children and I decided to grab a quick bite to eat after church. Near the curb, sitting in the blazing sun, already sweaty and as red as a ripe strawberry was a beautiful older woman with sun-bleached hair who was obviously living on the streets. I offered her my umbrella to give her shade from the sun and asked if we could buy her breakfast. She graciously accepted both and in return, allowed me to be a witness of kindness and compassion to the five pairs of genetically-linked eyes staring back at me. In my tiny circus, rarely do I have an opportunity to so boldly put my words into action in such a clearly visible way for my children. I was blessed by giving away a small, simple meal and my umbrella… which, by the way, my three-year-old had a very hard time understanding on such a sunny day! (This same three-year-old took every rain-soaked afternoon for months to remind me that I had given away our umbrella on a sunny day and did not have it on a rainy day when it was needed. With grace, we all took turns reminding our precious child once again why it was okay to give it away.)

The second alarm bell rang loud and clear this past January when our area’s first real cold front was moving in and an announcement was made during church asking for volunteers to help in the cold night shelter opening for the area homeless. My husband turned to me after the announcement and whispered, “Remind me to search for my subarctic sleeping bag. I think it’s in the attic. I want to give it to Allen*.” Seeing my shocked and confused face he quickly added, “You know he lives on the streets, right? And he won’t go to a shelter.” No, I didn’t realize that this man who sits a couple rows in front of us each Sunday in church lives on the streets. I ignorantly thought to myself, “We don’t really have any homeless here, in paradise, do we?”

I remembered the lady just months before that we briefly greeted, but in my mind, surely that was just a temporary situation or perhaps she was just passing through on her way to family and “no one ever really ‘lives on the streets’, right?” Not here. Not in Destin, undoubtedly? I mean, this is THE Emerald Coast, “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”

We have tourists from all over the world visit here; it is inconceivable for us to have a homeless population, correct? I knew Destin doesn’t even have a homeless shelter. Well, in my small little world, I reasoned, “If we don’t have a shelter, we undoubtedly don’t have a need for one. And if we don’t have a need for one, then naturally we don’t have any homeless in the area, right?” I was wrong – so very wrong.

The third alarm bell rang out very shortly after the second. Just a few days later, our On The

Coast publisher called and asked me if I would consider writing an article about our area homeless. Still content in my small little happy brain, I reluctantly told her about the alarm bells that were going off in my head and spirit. And yes, even after all these alarm bells started ringing, I was still hesitant because I knew in researching and writing about this, I would have to face a period of my own childhood that is not colored in rainbows, heart-shaped balloons and endless supplies of ice cream and lollipops. For a brief period growing up, my family was without a home and without a place to go.

629 homeless people across Okaloosa and Walton counties. However, the number of beds available to help shelter those 629 or more is only about 130 beds in shelters and transitional homes. In this same article, Homelessness and Housing Alliance (HHA) executive director Sarah Yelverton states, “[This area] has the highest population of chronically homeless in the state per capita.” Chronically homeless means living on the streets long-term. Yelverton goes on to explain, “Fifty percent of our homeless is made up of chronically homeless individuals. Some have been here 5, 10, 15 years.”

Just before I turned fifteen years old, my family was getting ready to move from New Jersey to West Virginia. The trucks were packed, the current house was emptied out and my father had just left to turn in the keys and take one final load of surplus to storage, to be retrieved at a later date. I was lying on the floor in my parents’ room making carpet angels in the rug and looking out the glass doors at the pool thinking about how much I was going to miss the “Garden State” and wondering what “West ‘By God’ Virginia” was going to be like. The only thing still in the empty house was an old rotary phone plugged into the wall jack. (Parents, you may have to explain this one to the younger generation reading this!) The phone rang and I answered it, thinking it was my dad telling us he was on his way back. Instead it was a woman asking for either my mom or my dad. I retrieved my mom from another room and watched as she sank to the floor in utter disbelief at what she had just heard from the other end of the line.

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Florida has the nation’s third highest homeless population, surpassed only by New York and California. Also reported is the fastest growing homeless population belongs to families with children. Veterans make up 17% of Florida’s homeless population – the highest in all 50 states.

The woman on the phone was a realtor from WV my parents had been working with in securing our new house. Turns out, the owners of the house my parents had agreed to rent from had changed their minds. They were not going to rent the house for a few more months and were giving it to family members to use for the summer. In one instant my family of nine - my parents and us seven children - were completely homeless.

We remained that way, living out of a storage unit for months, waiting to find another place to rent in West Virginia. The memories of this event and time frame had been so far repressed that it wasn’t until talking about the area homeless that my brain allowed it to invade “my happy place.” My perspective was awakened and I emphatically agreed to embrace this story, even to the point of spending the day out in the community, meeting some of our area homeless and the faithful servants who help them! The following are the things I discovered while embracing our community members without a home, but full of hope.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING According to an article published in the October 22, 2016 Northwest Florida Daily News, as of the beginning of 2016 there are approximately

The rise in housing costs has surpassed income growth. In a University of Florida housing study published in 2013, from 2000 to 2011, the statewide median monthly rent increased from $816 to $950 while the median annual income fell from $34,000 to $30,343. That means over 37% of a person’s income is eaten up by housing, if they are fortunate to find suitable housing for less than $950/month.

Destin has no independent shelter of its own. Walton county has only short-term cold night shelters available when the temperatures drop below 40˚.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE Samantha*, a middle-aged woman with gorgeous long hair and weathered skin, became homeless after her husband died. “He took care of everything. Without him I was left with nothing,” she explains.

“It’s not always drugs and alcohol that bring people to the streets.

Sometimes it’s just life and the loss of a loved one with nowhere to go.”

An experienced carpenter and brick mason by trade, Jeffrey* has a heart condition. He is eligible for medical benefits, but only if he makes less than $1000 per month. “You can’t work to afford a house and more for less than $1000 a month. I would rather have my heart medicine than a roof over my head.” His solution: he works 1-2 days a week or tries to find work from those willing to pay cash so he can keep his heart medicine, which would cost thousands and thousands a month without his benefits.

Matthew*, a handsome older gentleman with a gentle voice and demeanor, says “bad life choices resulting from disasters and loss will lead you to lose everything.” After working for 17 years, his boss died and he found himself out of work. While adjusting to being continued on page 28

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 27

unemployed and looking for work, his mother passed away, and he chose to ease the pain of his situations with alcohol, causing a domino effect that cost him everything and landed him on the streets. He now spends his days clean, sober and working on bikes in the bike shop of The Blue Door.

continued from page 27

Robert* is a wildly funny and spirited middle-aged man who also spends his days volunteering in the bike shop of the Blue Door. He is a self-taught mechanic with the knowledge and know-how to custom fit bikes in every form and fashion. When asked why he volunteers in the bike shop rather than try to find work in one of the area bike stores, he replied, “I enjoy the challenge and fulfillment of providing a greater need rather than supplying a want. Plus, these people are my family.”

He is not the only one to refer to fellow homeless companions as “family.” Philip*, a taller, younger man with a soft kindness about him shares, “We all try to help each other. We are a family. We take care of each other out here. I know at any time if I’m starving and in need, I can go to anyone else’s camp and they will share what little food and resources they have with me. We just do that. We look out for one another.” Philip goes on to say, “I just wish people understood being homeless is NOT our identity; it’s our circumstances. Some of the people living on the streets are educated and have college degrees. Some were once pharmaceutical reps, experienced carpenters, welders, mechanics; one friend was once a case manager in a hospital and could have been a millionaire three times over. The majority of people are only 2-3 paychecks away from being homeless. That’s all it takes these days.”

AREA ACTIVISTS The dynamic duo of Others Of Destin, Inc. is Laurel Vermillion and Susie Pierce. These two amazing women may be small in stature but they are a mighty force working as a voice for the homeless and underserved in Walton and Okaloosa counties through a variety of services focused towards leading individuals towards self-sufficiency. They meet face-toface with people on a weekly basis. One exchange between Pierce and one of the homeless went like this: “How’d you sleep?” Pierce asked as she offered up a genuine hug. Our friend’s response: “Cold, but you know…”

Pierce replied, “Need more cough drops? I brought some. How’s your throat? Have you seen . . . ?”

This personal, in-depth, face-to-face interaction makes this little pair stand out! Vermillion and Pierce make it a weekly mission to check in with as many people living on the streets as possible. They make it a point to assure the others in this area that their lives matter; their situation matters and they are loved. The personal service and attention these two ladies give includes helping with everything from driving the bus to the cold night shelters to filling out benefit forms and finding special items even cough drops!

Others Of Destin, Inc. works hand-in-hand with The Church of Destin – a consortium of area churches all working together. One of those churches opens its doors twice a week to offer a hot meal, a clean towel and a shower to area homeless. That door is known as The Blue Door and is located off the fellowship hall of Saint Andrew’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Destin. The team of leaders and volunteers for this little historic church encompasses all. From the “winter visitors” escaping the cold winds and snow of the north who volunteer in the bike shop and kitchen, to the homeless volunteers who enter data and manage the check-in desk, to the church employees and coordinators for the various programs and services, this mighty church offers a twice-a-week food pantry, a clothing bank where each person can exchange dirty clothes for new, occasional free-of-charge bagged lunches, showers and meals as previously mentioned, as well as bikes. Yes, bikes.

The bike shop of Saint Andrews is a small work of art in and of itself! It is run by volunteers and has several community partners that donate used bikes, offers discounted parts and even pick-up and drop-off services. Each 28 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

bike is tagged with its serial number and the name of the person who received it. All information is saved in a computer file at The Blue Door. The purpose of the bikes, as defined by long-time returning winter visitor and volunteer mechanic Lynn Middlebrook, is to “Give [those in need] a way to get out and find work and to give those who have work a way to get there.” The bike shop has been in operation for eight years and was the revelation of a handful of faithful church members.

Their vision has provided thousands of bikes over the years to area residents, homeless or not. They also provide bikes for the J-1 workers – the seasonal foreign exchange workers.

Another area activist is Ted Corcoran, President/CEO of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Seeing an influx of area panhandlers about nine years ago, this group made a commitment to learn more about the two-county situation and the homeless.

They realized Okaloosa and Walton county had “big city problems in a small town.” Local police records showed the area had between 5060 visual panhandlers who travel through the area annually. Digging deeper, Corcoran and the Chamber soon learned from a yearly “point-intime survey” that Okaloosa County, at that time, had nearly 1000 people not living in a home of their own. “These are the unseen homeless, not the ones you see on the street corners,” explains Corcoran. “And sadly, half of them are under the age of 18.”

Those were the statistics nine years ago that lead to the dream for a “One-stop source for area help” and the start of One Hopeful Place. The concept was to create a facility where those struggling to survive on the streets could receive help finding a job, medical and dental benefits, cold night shelter and even overnight short-term transitional housing for those making a concerted effort to get off the street and working to improve their situation. As Corcoran explains in more detail, “The idea for One Hopeful Place is to give a hand up, not a hand out. People are hesitant to help because the visual panhandlers on the street corners are too often making hundreds of dollars a day as a job and not trying to genuinely improve their life. That’s where this organization can step in and provide services for the roughly 60% of those who want to improve their life.”

To kick start the fundraising for One Hopeful Place, Corcoran and the chamber members organized an overnight “Experience life as a homeless” night in the street event.

With the help of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church’s Soup Kitchen in Fort Walton, there was a hot meal and a cold night for all who wanted to join the fight against homeless and receive awareness regarding the reality of sleeping on the ground. Almost a year to the day later, the first phase of One Hopeful Place was able to open its doors with ten beds for overnight or short-term relief. Plans are in place to complete Phase 2, which will double

the number of area beds and provide the resource center – the one place for many sources of hope and avenues of help.

WHAT YOU CAN DO The solution to homelessness was never designed to be a governmental one but a community one. With the affluence and opulence of this little piece of paradise, there are plenty of opportunities to pitch in. Taxdeductible contributions are always welcome, from The Blue Door and bike shop to the massive building project of One Hopeful Place and the resources offered by Others of Destin, Inc. Anyone can volunteer to serve a meal. Get trained and volunteer to meet the homeless where they are and find out their needs. Donate your used bikes and clothes to an organization that freely gives them away like Saint Andrew’s By-theSea. Gather canned goods and dry goods for the food pantry. Collect toiletry items for the free shower. Living on the street doesn’t mean you are no longer human and desire basic human care, like clean teeth, skin and hair.

If you are an area business owner, reach out to one of the aforementioned organizations and find out how you can help, or contact The Blue Door, Laurel Vermillion or Ted Corcoran and ask to get involved. If you are a member of an area social club or church group, ask how you can participate in a service event or fundraiser; ask to cover one of the many free weekly meals. If you work for one of the area corporations, make the phone calls and find out how you can help; whether it’s to organize a company fundraiser or ask for products to be donated to The Blue Door, there is something every single one of us can do to get involved.

One small and simple way you can help is by simply saying “thank you” to the area businesses that partner and contribute to the agencies and services listed above. Publix, Winn Dixie, and area restaurants all donate food. Big Daddy’s Bike in Blue Mountain Beach, Rent Gear Here, Yellowfin Bikes and WaterColor Resort all have donated bikes to the bike shop. If you are ever in those businesses, offer them a thank you – it won’t cost you a thing and it will help affirm that their small acts of generosity do make a huge difference in the lives of those with so little.

As pointed out in this journey to understand more about the homeless, “many of us are only 2–3 paychecks away from living in the streets.” Let us not be a community defined by our beautiful beaches alone, but let us be defined by how we care and love on those in the greatest need.

If you would like to get involved and help, a list of organizations can be found on our websites at www.onthecoastmag.com *names have been changed to protect the privacy of our homeless.

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 29

language—winks and whispers and even special words that let them communicate about things that Mom and Dad might not appreciate.

By Carolyn Jabs Most parents know that LOL means Laughing Out Loud. You may even know that 420 refers to marijuana. But you may not know that 53X means sex. That worries Brian Bason, CEO at Bark, a new monitoring app. Their website includes a list of popular texting slang terms (tinyurl.com/gqp9tex). For $9.99 a month, they promise to alert parents when kids text something risky.

Of course, slang is nothing new. Parents have been scrambling to keep up with it for generations. Using freshly minted words that adults won’t understand appeals to kids for two reasons.

First, it helps kids establish and reinforce a social identity.

People who understand the same secret language are likely to be part of the same tribe. Slang establishes an in group that understands and out group that seems hopelessly out of touch.

Second, slang allows kids to fly under adult radar, talking about things that might be forbidden if the adults could translate what they were saying. Siblings often develop this kind of secret 30 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

Messaging, of course, has added a new dimension to all of this.

Keyboards are tiny. Attention spans are short. Acronyms and emojis make it possible to crowd a lot of information into a small space. As a result, messages have become more and more cryptic and harder for parents to decipher.

Much of the new slang being used online is harmless and even creative. Some of the better acronyms enter the language.

Pretty much everyone knows about FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), IRL (In Real Life) and BRB (Be Right Back). Other very useful acronyms include JSYK (Just so You Know), SMH (Shaking My Head), TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) and YOLO (You Only Live Once).

Still, parents need to be alert. Kids can get into trouble with texting, and the kinds of speech that would be unacceptable IRL should also be off limits in text. In particular, parents will want to monitor in these areas:

Sex. Most teens seem to have gotten the message that sending

nude photos isn’t a good idea. That doesn’t mean teens aren’t texting about 53X. Even emojis may have a double meaning – an eggplant can stand in for male genitals; a peach may refer to someone’s backside. It’s perfectly natural, of course, for young people to take an interest in sex, but parents need to chaperone, watching for behavior that is too adult or partners who may be predatory. continued on page 46

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First Saturday of the month 10 am-2 pm • Ages 9-14 www.beachsidecertifications.com  850.502.3284  patrick@beachsidecert.com  BeachsideCertifications

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Seasonal Hours:

Tue.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

31 SW Memorial Pkwy.

Fort Walton Beach

Our Robotics Workshops will cover a range of robotics skills and concepts to help introduce students to robotics and give them the skills needed to compete in Lego League.

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 33

34 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

DESTIN LIFE CENTER

200 Beach Drive Destin, FL 32541 www.destinumc.org 850.837.2021

Looking for volunteer opportunities? Let us know! 850-837-2021 ext 221 ask for Kim Parker!

DLC Summer Day Camp 2017

June 12 – August 4 8am – 5pm Mon-Fri $100 per camper – siblings $60 each

Look for Summer Adult League Basketball (2 leagues - 18 & over and 30 & over) to start in June as well as a 4 wk youth league in July!

Vacation Bible School June 4-8 Sunday 4-6 pm Thursday 9a-12pm

RegistRation opens MaRch 1 2017 – RegisteR at www. destinuMc.oRg oR coMe by dLc – we wiLL be going on 4 off caMpus fieLd tRips this suMMeR! – extRa fee peR tRip, nuMbeRs wiLL be LiMited due to bus size. we wiLL have woRship tiMe, spoRts & gyM tiMe, cRafts, tons of fun!! eveRy caMpeR gets a t-shiRt! open to cuRRent kindeRgaRteneRs – gRaduating 5th gRadeRs • Cardio Room - 3 treadmills - 3 ellipticals - Recumbent Bike • Weight Room - Nautilus Weight Equipment - Power Tower, Power Rope, & Free Weights!

All for $40 per calendar quarter or $15 per month! No contracts or hidden fees!

Hours are 6:30am – 8pm M-F; 8am – 2pm Sat.

Group Fitness Classes Offered • LES MILLS Body Pump & Body Flow • Zumba • Indoor Cycling • Stretch Classes • Shaping Classes $40/month or $7/single class Classes can be found at www.destinumc.org

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 35

MAKE SUMMER AN ADVENTURE

REGISTER TODAY! The National Flight Academy offers one of the most exciting and immersive educational environments in the world, inspiring students to take an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in an aviation-themed adventure aboard a simulated land-locked aircraft carrier. Students eat on mess decks, sleep in staterooms, plan missions, then fly them in networked flight simulators that ignite imagination and encourage learning.

877-552-3632 |

| www.NationalFlightAcademy.com | 1 Fetterman Way, NAS Pensacola, FL 32508

The National Flight Academy, a program of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation Inc., is authorized, but not endorsed or funded by the US Navy or US Government.

Summer Time Art For Kids and Adults

Painting Parties For All Ages!

Join us for

Open Art Studio

• Birthdays • Ladies Night • Youth Groups Or Any Special Event!

Add us on Facebook!

850-279-3434 | 117 N. Cedar Ave. Niceville, FL 32578

36 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

DANCE. DREAM. DISCOVER.

FITNESS

Grow up WITH DANCE!

DESTIN SCHOOL OF MUSIC & DANCE 850-837-1133 BALLET CONSERVATORY Bluewater Bay 850-897-2933

BALLET | CONTEMPORARY | HIP HOP | TAP | JAZZ PRE-DANCE | ADULT BALLET SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE

FRIEN

DSHI

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CONFID ENCE

Dance adds so much to your child’s life...

Confidence, Perseverance, Fun, Fitness & Friendships!

FUN

www.floridaballetconservatory.com

INSPIRING FUTURE INNOVATORS Sign up by March 20 to save $25 using promo code INNOVATE25

For children entering K-6th grade — Led by experienced local educators • Hands-on Fun • Teamwork

• STEM Concepts • Problem Solving

• Design & Build Prototypes

Bluewater Elementary School | June 12 - 16, 2017 campinvention.org | 800.968.4332

In partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 37

An Artist’s Journey from Studio to Stage

by Mary Davis There is no way Renee Wilbas is a mere mortal. How does one art teacher mobilize an entire school, its faculty and administration, and enough local know-how to produce a first-rate school musical on an all-volunteer budget? How did a talented art teacher without a single prerequisite in performing arts manage to complete her thirteenth production in musical theater with The King and I, shown in February to a full house at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium? Wilbas, with her ample talent, vision, and intuition, has at her core not only a great love for kids but an unshakeable will. Where there’s a Wilbas, there’s a way.

It all began thirteen years ago when Wilbas invited fellow Saint Mary School teacher Sister Robert Anne Jones to see her niece perform in Disney’s The Jungle Book.

“What impressed me most about the play,” Wilbas says, “was not so much the acting and the singing by the kids, as awesome as they were, but the gigantic sense of accomplishment and pride showing in the faces of those young actors. I wanted that for our kids! So I went to Regina and pitched the idea.”

Regina Nadicksbernd, principal of Saint Mary Catholic School at the time, recalls, “Renee was very convincing.

She promised she’d try something simple that first year. I

38 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

had no idea of the scope of her vision. I was just interested in giving Saint Mary School kids as much time on the stage as possible. And that was my only stipulation, that any child wanting to participate would be afforded the chance to stand in front of an audience.” She paused and laughed, “Oh, and it can’t cost us any money! This thing’s gonna have to break even.”

With the administrative green light, Wilbas began putting her vision to the test. Her “something simple” would be the Broadway version of The Wizard of Oz and would feature two rotating main casts and about a hundred students in the 3rd through 8th grades. “It’s astonishing to me.” she said, “the many people who show up to make this thing work, from the talented pianist Joel Lane to the high school student alumni who come back each year as make-up artists and stage crew. Everyone is so giving and so amazing.”

Several faculty members contributed scores of volunteer hours in the months and weeks leading up to each play.

Music teacher Kay Graves and kindergarten teacher Nancy Humphrey helped with choreography, music and solos.

Monica Rothrock from Pre-K helped paint sets designed

by Wilbas, and Sister Jones lent all kinds of moral support and kept the troops in order. Parents bearing Jo-Ann’s

Fabrics coupons came out of the woodwork to lend their sewing talents, while dads showed up with table saws, hammers, and scrap lumber.

Julie Adams, mother to four Saint Mary alumni, contributed costumes in all thirteen musicals, with dozens and dozens of skirts, pants, turbans, and dresses to her credit.

Renee With The King And I Cast Members

Helping kids find their voices through artistic expression is positively foundational for Wilbas. Whether through fine art or on the stage, she loves to hear a kid say, “Wow, I didn’t know I could do that.” It is clear her cast of students respect her and are eager to impress her. Angelo Bumphus has auditioned for and performed in her last five musicals, this year landing the title role in The King and I. Not usually one to make a stir or draw attention to himself in the classroom, Angelo truly shines when performing.

“She can be tough with them,” says Nancy, “but they get it. They know there’s this seamless vision in her head and they want to meet that vision. They want to be pushed because they too become really passionate about theater, and they want to be the very best they can be.”

The King And I - Angelo Bumphus As King

Renee and Her Core Volunteers

Principal Amy Akins echoes her predecessor in both her support of theater and her gratitude to Wilbas. “I admire this teacher more than I can adequately express. She takes students from all these different backgrounds and opens up a whole new world for them to experience and even conquer.

Kids always come away from her productions empowered and ready to meet new challenges.”

Angelo Bumphus As King And Elena Schleidt as Anna Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 39

SRB Topsail Stata Park Geocaching Around Topsail 9-2pm 850-267-8330

March 1-31 Pensacola National Naval Aviation Museum Dream Big: Engineering Our World Giant Screen Theater 850-453-2025 March 4 Niceville Partin Dr Farmers Market 7-2pm 850-729-2120 Destin US Golds Special Needs Kids Day Out 8-9am $10 850-654-3124 OK Island EC Conv Ctr Cheer Competition 10:30-6pm $12 850-609-3800 PCH Camp Helen St Park Americana Music Concert Series 6:30-8pm 850-233-5059 PCB Frank Brown Pk PC Scottish Festival 9-4pm FREE 850-233-5045 Sandestin Grand Blvd EC Theatre Company Cinderella Cinderella 9:30am $10 850-684-0323

SRB Coastal Library Lego Club for Kids 2-3pm FREE 850-267-2809

SRB Topsail State Park Geocaching Around Topsail 9-2pm 850-267-8330 SRB Topsail State Park Family Challenge 9-2pm Park entry fee 850-267-8330 March 5 Rosemary Bch Barrett Square Farmers Market 9-1pm 850-499-4697 Seaside REP Theatre April Verch Band Live 7:30pm $25 850-231-0733 Destin La Paz Magic Dinner Theater $29.99 850-217-0542 March 7 30A Songwriters Coffee Shop Open Mic Night 7pm FREE 850-213-2882 March 8 PCB EC Cruizin” Car Show, Hot Rods, etc 10-3pm $12 - under 12 FREE 662-587-9572 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wed Night Concerts 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180

40 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

SRB Topsail State Park Geocaching Around Topsail Park Fee 9-2pm 850-267-8330 March 8 - 12 Destin Bart Rockett Theater Get Stoked 2pm & 8pm FREE Gratuities Appreciated 888-778-6533 March 10 - 12 FWB Stagecrafters Spamalot Fri Sat 7:30pm Sun 2:00pm $25 $10 Students 850-243-1101 March 11 Destin Harborwalk Village Tequila & Taco Fest 1-5pm $20 - $50 850-424-0600 FWB Landing Lucky Leprechaun 5K/10K Run/Walk 8am 850-243-1007 SRB Coastal Library Lego Club for Kids 2-3pm FREE 850-267-2809 SRB Topsail Stata Park Breakfast with a Ranger 9-2pm $5 Adults $3 Kids 850-267-8330

March 11-12 OK Island EC Conv Ctr Holistic Health Expo 10am 850-609-3800 March 12 Rosemary Bch Barrett Square Farmers Market 9-1pm 850-499-4697 March 12 - 14 Pensacola Naval Flight Academy Spring Break 3-Day Cruises $350-$399 850-458-7836 March 13 Seaside Amphitheater Pinocchio 6pm FREE 850-231-0733 March 13 & 15 PCB Fonville Press Adventures in Alys 10am FREE 850-231-0733 March 13-17 Seaside Soloman Square Stories by the Sea 3:30pm FREE 850-231-0733 March 14 30A Songwriters Coffee Shop Open Mic Night 7pm FREE 850-213-2882

March 15 Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq. Tales of King Arthur 6pm FREE 850-231-0733

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf St Patty’s Day Parade 6-9pm FREE 850-267-8117

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wed Night Concerts 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180

March 17 - 19 FWB Stagecrafters Spamalot Fri Sat 7:30pm Sun 2:00pm $25 $10 Students 850-243-1101

SRB Topsail State Park Geocaching Around Topsail 9-2pm Park Admittance Fee 850-267-8330

March 18-19 FWB Santa Rosa Mall Cirque Italia 1:30, 4:30 & 7:30pm Prices Vary 941-704-8572 March 19 FWB Stagecrafters Spamalot 2pm $25 Adults $10 Students 850-243-1101

March 17, 24, 31 Seaside Amphitheater Rosemary Bch Barrett Square Central Sq Cinema Farmers Market 7pm 9-1pm March 15 - 19 FREE 850-499-4697 Destin Bart Rockett Theater www.seasidefl.com/highlights Get Stoked Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 2pm & 8pm March 18 Sunday Cinema - Finding FREE Gratuities Appreciated Crestview Community Garden Nemo 888-778-6533 Garden Party 7:15pm FREE 10-2pm 850-267-8180 March 16 - 19 $10 Adult $15 Couple FWB Santa Rosa Mall 850-758-8481 March 19 - 20 Cirque Italia Pensacola Naval Flight 7:30pm Destin Dog Park Academy Tickets Vary in Price Run with the Dogs 5K Spring Break 3-Day Cruises 941-704-8572 9am $350-$399 $20 850-458-7836 Gulf Place Town Center 850-837-4242 3rd Thursday Wine Walkabout March 20 5-7pm Niceville Mullet Fest Pk Sandestin Baytowne Wharf $15 Color Run HydroFlight Mondays 850-267-8458 11am 6:30pm & 8:30pm $20 - $30 FREE Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 850-496-3062 850-267-8180 Bubbly Baytowne W/Donny Sundal Niceville Mullet Fest Pk Seaside Amphitheater Over 21 Spring Fam Jam Pinocchio 5-6pm FREE 10am - 10pm 6pm FREE 850-267-8000 $5 - $15 Entry 850-231-0733 850-496-3062 March 17 March 20 & 22 Destin HarborWalk Village SRB Coastal Library PCB Fonville Press Grogg Fest Lego Club for Kids Adventures in Alys 6pm $10 2-3pm 10am FREE 850-424-0600 FREE 850-231-0733 850-267-2809 PCB Fonville Press March 20-24 Awkward Oxen Improv Hour SRB Topsail Stata Park Seaside Soloman Square 10am Geocaching Around Topsail Stories by the Sea FREE 9-2pm 3:30 FREE 850-231-0733 850-267-8330 850-231-0733

March 21 30A Songwriters Coffee Shop Open Mic Night 7pm FREE 850-213-2882 Crestview Library BeeKeeping 6:30-7:15pm FREE 850-682-4432 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Boomin Tuesday 6-8:30pm FREE 850-267-8180 March 21, 22, 23 Seaside REP Theatre Awkward Oxen Improv Hour 6pm $10 or 2 for $15 850-231-0733 March 22 Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq. Tales of King Arthur 6pm FREE 850-231-0733 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wed Night Concerts 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180 March 22 - 26 Destin Bart Rockett Theater Get Stoked 2pm & 8pm FREE Gratuities Appreciated 888-778-6533 March 23 PCB Fonville Press Awkward Oxen Improv Hour 10am FREE 850-231-0733 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Magical Thursday 7pm & 8pm FREE 850-267-8180 continued on page 42

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 41

March 28 & 29 Pensacola Beach continued from page 41 Blue Angels Practice 11:30am FREE March 24 - 25

Sandestin Grand Boulevard March 28, 29, 30 Purses with a Purpose March 26 - 28 Seaside REP Theatre Fri 6-8pm, Sat 10-2pm Pensacola Naval Flight Awkward Oxen Improv Hour FREE admission Academy 6pm 850-243-1201 Spring Break 3-Day Cruises $10 or 2 for $15 $350-$399 850-231-0733 March 25 850-458-7836 Crestview Old Spanish Trail March 29 Triple B Festival March 27 Rosemary Beach N. 10-6pm Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Barrett Sq. FREE Admittance HydroFlight Mondays Tales of King Arthur 850-682-3212 6:30pm & 8:30pm 6pm FREE FREE 850-231-0733 FWB Uptown Station 850-267-8180 Human Foosball tournament Sandestin Baytowne Wharf 8-5pm Seaside Amphitheater Wed Night Concerts $60 per team of 6 Pinocchio 7-9pm FREE 706-327-4413 6pm FREE 850-267-8180 850-231-0733 Ok Island AJ’s Oyster Shanty March 30 Run for the Health of it 5K/8K March 27 & 29 PCB Fonville Press 8:30am PCB Fonville Press Awkward Oxen Improv Hour Adults $25-$30 Under 18 $20 Adventures in Alys 10am FREE 850-863-8112 10am FREE 850-231-0733 850-231-0733 Pensacola Downtown Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Ciclovia Open Streets March 27-31 Magical Thursday Bike, Skate, Walk, Run Seaside Soloman Square 7pm & 8pm 9-2pm Stories by the Sea FREE FREE 3:30850-267-8180 850-912-4109 FREE 850-231-0733 March 31 SRB Coastal Library Defuniak Springs Lego Club for Kids March 28 Marvel of Flight Expo 2-3pm 30A Songwriters Coffee Shop 8-6pm FREE FREE Open Mic Night 850-892-2000 850-267-2809 7pm FREE 850-213-2882 April 1-30 SRB Topsail Stata Park Pensacola National Naval Geocaching Around Topsail Niceville Rocky Bayou Aviation Museum 9-2pm Baptist Church Dream Big: Engineering Our 850-267-8330 Twin Cities Honor Choir

World 7-8pm Giant Screen Theater March 26 FREE 850-453-2025 Rosemary Bch Barrett Square 850-833-4240 Farmers Market April 1 9-1pm Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Crestview Library 850-499-4697 Boomin Tuesday Read with Dozer 6-8:30pm 10-11am FREE FREE 850-267-8180 850-682-4432 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Sunday Cinema - A Bug’s Life 7:15pm FREE 850-267-8180

42 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

Crestview Shoal River School Obstacle Trek Challenge $35 - $45 8am 850-689-7229 Destin Dog Park Canine Carnival 10-2pm FREE 850-240-7241 Destin US Golds Special Needs Kids Day Out 8-9am $10 850654-3124 FWB Country Line Pizza Pryor Pirate 5k Run/Walk 8am $25 Adult $20 Student 850-218-8678 Navarre I Embody 5K Moving with a Purpose 8-11am $30 850-764-2860 Niceville Mattie Kelly Arts Ctr From Russia with Love Ballet 2:30pm & 7:30pm $38 Adults Under 18 $18 850-664-7787 Niceville Partin Dr Farmers Market 7-2pm 850-729-2120 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Vettes at the Village 10-4pm FREE 850-267-8180 SRB Coastal Library Lego Club for Kids 2-3pm FREE 850-267-2809 SRB Topsail Stata Park Geocaching Around Topsail 9-2pm Park Admission 850-267-8330

April 2 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Sunday Cinema - Up 7:15pm FREE 850-267-8180

April 5 Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq. Tales of King Arthur 6pm FREE 850-231-0733

April 3 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf HydroFlight Mondays 6:30pm & 8:30pm FREE 850-267-8180

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wednesday Night Concert 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8000

Seaside Amphitheater Pinocchio 6pm FREE 850-231-0733

April 5-9 Destin Bart Rockett Theater Get Stoked 2pm & 8pm FREE Gratuities Appreciated 888-778-6533

April 3 & 5 PCB Fonville Press Adventures in Alys 10am FREE 850-231-0733 April 3 - 7 Seaside Soloman Square Stories by the Sea 3:30pm FREE 850-231-0733 April 4 30A Songwriters Coffee Shop Open Mic Night 7pm FREE 850-213-2882 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Boomin Tuesday 6-8:30pm FREE 850-267-8180 April 4 & 5 Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Practice 11:30am FREE April 4, 5, 6 Seaside REP theatre Dusty Slay’s Son of a Ditch Stand Up Comedy Show 9pm $10 850-231-0733

April 6 PCB Fonville Press Awkward Oxen Improv Hour 10am FREE 850-231-0733 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Magical Thursday 7pm & 8pm FREE 850-267-8180 April 7 SRB Topsail State Park Dirty Fridays 8am FREE 850-267-8330 April 7 & 8 Seaside REP Theatre Charlie Mars Live 7:30pm $25 850-231-0733 April 7, 14, 21 Seaside Amphitheater Central Sq Cinema 7pm FREE www.seasidefl.com/highlights April 8 Bluewater Bay Fitness Rock the Socks 5K Hunger Run/Walk Kids Fun Run $25 $5 Kids

Destin Commons Touch-A-Truck 10-2pm FREE 850-337-8700

April 11 30A Songwriters Coffee Shop Open Mic Night 7pm FREE 850-213-2882

Destin Community Center Miss Destin 7pm FREE 850-654-5184

April 11 - 14 Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Practice 11:30am FREE

Destin Village Baptist Church Resurrection Run $30 - $35 8am 850-837-8107

April 12 Rosemary Beach N. Barrett Sq. Tales of King Arthur 6pm FREE 850-231-0733

SRB Coastal Library Lego Club for Kids 2-3pm FREE 850-267-2809

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wed Night Concerts 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180

SRB Topsail Stata Park Breakfast with a Ranger 9-2pm $5 Adults $3 Kids 850-267-8330 SRB Topsail Stata Park Geocaching Around Topsail 9-2pm 850-267-8330 April 10 Seaside Amphitheater Pinocchio 6pm FREE 850-231-0733 April 10 & 12 PCB Fonville Press Adventures in Alys 10am FREE 850-231-0733 April 10-14 Seaside Soloman Square Stories by the Sea 3:30FREE 850-231-0733

April 12 - 16 Destin Bart Rockett Theater Get Stoked 2pm & 8pm FREE Gratuities Appreciated 888-778-6533 April 13 PCB Fonville Press Awkward Oxen Improv Hour 10am FREE 850-231-0733 Sandestin Grand Boulevard Doggie Eggstavaganza 5-7pm $5 850-654-5929 April 15 Destin Morgans Sports Easter Egg Hunt 9:15am FREE 850-650-1241 Niceville 1st Baptist Church Run for Joy 5K and Egg Hunt 8:30am $20 Adult Under 18 $15 850-678-4621 continued on page 44

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 43

continued from page 43

Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Easter Explosion Noon-3pm FREE 850-267-8180 SRB Coastal Library Lego Club for Kids 2-3pm FREE 850-267-2809 SRB Faith Baptist Church Easter 5K & Egg Hunt 8am Run 9:30am Hunt $25 850-428-4511 SRB Topsail Stata Park Geocaching Around Topsail 9-2pm 850-267-8330 April 16 Destin LuLu’s Easter Egg Hunt 2pm FREE 850-710-5858 Seaside Amphitheater Easter Celebration Noon FREE 850-231-0733 April 17 Seaside Amphitheater Pinocchio 6pm FREE 850-231-0733 April 17 - 21 Seaside Soloman Square Stories by the Sea 3:30pm FREE 850-231-0733

April 18 30A Songwriters Coffee Shop Open Mic Night 7pm FREE 850-213-2882

April 21 Destin Marina Cafe Heart & Sole Fashion Show 10:45am $55 850-650-7936

April 26 - 30 Seaside REP Theatre Big Boys 7:30pm $30 850-231-0733

April 18 -19 Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Practice 11:30am FREE

April 22 FWB Uptown Station MudBug EC Crime Stoppers Crawfish Boil & 5K 7:45am $20 Adults $10 Under 18 850-863-TIPS

April 27 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Bubbly Baytowne W/Kyle Lamonica 5-6pm Over 21 FREE 850-267-8000

April 19 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wed Night Concerts 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180 April 19 - 23 Destin Bart Rockett Theater Get Stoked 2pm & 8pm FREE Gratuities Appreciated 888-778-6533 PCB Pier Park Seabreeze Jazz Festival Times & Entertainment Vary 1-877-987-6487 April 20 Gulf Place Town Center 3rd Thursday Wine Walkabout 5-7pm $15 850-267-8458 April 20 - 23 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Sandestin Wine Festival Times Vary www.sandestinwinefestival. com Seaside REP Theatre Big Boys 7:30pm $30 850-231-0733

44 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine

National Park Free Entrance Day ALL Day - All Parks www.nps.gov Seaside REP Theater The Mosleys Live 7:30pm $25 850-231-0733 SRB Coastal Library Lego Club for Kids 2-3pm FREE 850-267-2809 SRB Topsail Stata Park Geocaching Around Topsail 9-2pm Park Admittance Fee 850-267-8330

April 27 - 30 Sandestin Grand Boulevard Sola Beaches Wine & Food Fest Times and Pricing Varies 850-837-3099 April 28 - April 30 Pensacola Bartram Park Crawfish Festival Noon-11pm Fri 10-11pm Sat 11-5pm Sun $5 Adult under 12 FREE 850-433-6512 April 29 Destin Clement Taylor Pk Payne Chiropractic Run $25 8am 850-654-8770

April 25 30A Songwriters Coffee Shop Open Mic Night 7pm FREE 850-213-2882

Eglin AFB James Rudder Pk Race the Ranger 8am $20 850-883-2865

April 25 - 26 Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Practice 11:30am FREE

SRB Coastal Library Lego Club for Kids 2-3pm FREE 850-267-2809

April 26 Sandestin Baytowne Wharf Wed Night Concerts 7-9pm FREE 850-267-8180

SRB Topsail Stata Park Geocaching Around Topsail 9-2pm Park Entrance Fee 850-267-8330

The Calling Dance Company Presents

Coming Home A Story of Hope

Saturday, May 13, 2017 6:00 pm $15 Advance/$20 At Door 4 & Under FREE Order Your Tickets Today!

www.TheCallingDanceCompany.org

We Want To Know About Your Events!

Please Share them with us on our website! www.OntheCoastMag.com

Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine • 45

continued from page 30

Substances. Slang has always been part of drug and alcohol

culture. Using coded language is a way to evade legal authorities as well as parents. Keeping up with the current terminology isn’t easy, especially since it often varies from place to place. Talk to other parents and even school counselors who often know the latest lingo. And remember that drug terms sometimes have more than one meaning. Dabbing, for example, is both a dance craze and a way to use cannibas. Lit can mean getting high or simply having a good time.

Hate. Texting and social media are often used to bully and

abuse other people because of their gender, race, ethnic origin or disabilities. Be clear with your child. A slur is a slur, and you won’t tolerate abusive language in any setting.

Bad Language. If you don’t want your child to say the F word, you will probably want to discourage the use of acronyms like WTF or AF. Even NSS may not be acceptable.

The best way to know what an acronym means is to ask the child who used it. The security company, McAfee, also produces a list of common terms, conveniently subdivided into categories for drugs, sex and bullying (tinyurl.com/hpb8qu2). Wiktionary also has a long list of acronyms in an Appendix (tinyurl.com/ mab7snn).

Another way to educate yourself is to visit databases that try to keep up with slang as it’s created. Here are several of the most complete collections: • Slang it.com is family friendly website (they also have free apps for Iphone and Android). When you enter a slang term, you get a clean and accurate definition. They also have a daily quiz question that might be a conversation starter at the dinner table.

• Noslang.com has been keeping track of net slang since 2005.

They offer a text slang translator and a reverse translator that turns English phrases into acronyms. In their articles section, there’s a helpful essay called “What Every Parent Should Know.”

• Internet slang.com also allows parents to look up acronyms.

Their Trending Terms section helps parents zero in current terminology.

• Acronymsandslang.com has an enormous list of acronyms, organized into categories. With over 20,000 entries in the Internet category, they are likely to supply an explanation for almost any acronym.

• The Urban Dictionary also has a very complete list of slang of all kinds. The definitions are crowd-sourced so they are generally irreverent and often obscene. The site is not suitable for children, but may be useful to parents because it’s regularly up-dated by its users.

Of course, trying to keep up with adolescent slang is like playing Whack-a-mole. As soon as a term is widely understood by adults, it loses its value for kids and they will move on. That’s why parents have to reinforce that idea that kids shouldn’t say anything online that they would say IRL (in real life). With that in mind, you might also want to introduce a conscience-stimulating acronym of your own – WWGmaS (What Would Grandma Say?)

46 • Tell them you saw it in ON THE COAST Magazine