Category: Featured

Featured posts

  • Sandestin Wine Festival is the Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals

    Sandestin Wine Festival is the Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals

    36 Years of Being the Best!

    Thursday, April 13th – Sunday, April 16th | Friday 5-8 p.m. and Saturday 1-4 p.m. | The Village of Baytowne Wharf

    Grab your friends and get ready to uncork some wine and fun in the sun in April at The Sandestin Wine Festival! Celebrating 36 years of being the best, the Sandestin Wine Festival is one of the most established and continuously running coastal wine festivals in the region as evidenced by its continued success; thousands know there’s no substitute for this coveted four-day event that takes place in the charming setting of The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin.

    Regarded as one of the top wine festivals in the country, voted “Best Event” by Visit South Walton and known as the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals,” the festival offers wine aficionados a wide range of experiences!

    The main events, the Grand Wine Tastings, Friday, April 14th, 5-8 p.m., and Saturday, April 15th, 1-4 p.m., showcase more than 500 domestic and international wines throughout the weekend. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to talk to vineyard owners and wine makers about their favorite appellations in all varieties, styles and price ranges, and perhaps try something new. Treat yourself, family and friends to a gourmet experience courtesy of some of the best chefs on the Emerald Coast from your favorite local restaurants who pair delectable bite-sized appetizers with their current glass selections—the Savor South Walton experience! A festival favorite, the Bubbly & Boozy tent, returns to the Grand Sandestin Lawn, featuring bubbles and specialty liquors. Local and regional music also set the vibe for fun days of discovery.

    All ranges of knowledge are encouraged to attend – wine novices to aficionados alike. Festival goers can learn more about wines and through tasting wines from a comprehensive selection from all major producing countries in all varieties, styles and price ranges. Guests are invited to find a favorite or several. Ticket holders also receive a beautiful Riedel glass etched to commemorate each year’s event for their tastings.

    Wine novices are able to learn more about wines and sample from a comprehensive selection in all varieties, styles and price ranges. Wine aficionados enjoy meeting winemakers, asking detailed questions and acquiring hard to get selections. Everyone gets to enjoy the live music, interactive experiences at the Culinary tents, and shops and dining of the Village of Baytowne Wharf.

    Featured event sponsored by Spa Lilianna at Hotel Effie—Seas The Day: Rejuvenate your body and mind with a special beachside yoga session complemented by the peaceful waves of the gulf and followed by mimosas to get in the spirit for a day of discovery at the Grand Tasting.

    So, come on and join wine novices and connoisseurs to witness an event that has aged to perfection— just like a fine wine. Benefitting the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Sandestin Foundation for Kids, purchase your tickets at sandestinwinefestival.com.
    Rain or Shine, we will have wine!

    More Baytowne events:

    March Wednesday Night Concert Series
    Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m.
    Sit back and relax as you take in the cool crisp air and enjoy live entertainment. This concert series features both local and regional talent from a variety of genres. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. on the Events Plaza Stage each Wednesday!
    March 29: Modern Eldorados
    April 5: Satisfaction/The International Rolling Stones Tribute Show
    April 12: Emerald Coast Blues Brothers
    April 19: Captain Fantastic- Elton John Tribute Show
    April 26: Departure- Tribute to Journey

    Easter Explosion
    Saturday, April 8th, 12-3 p.m.
    Bounce on over to the Village of Baytowne Wharf for an Easter Explosion, Saturday April 8th! Enjoy a day filled with face-painting, arts & crafts, and more! Also, don’t forget to get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!

    Bubbly Baytowne
    Thursday, April 20, 5-7 p.m.
    Join The Village of Baytowne Wharf for an evening full of FREE champagne and shopping during its Bubbly Baytowne. Sip and Shop through the village streets! Stop in various retail merchants as you enjoy a selection of premium champagnes. * This event is free and for 21 and up only. The Village will be open to the public during this event.

    The Farmers Market at Baytowne Wharf
    Come shop with local farmers and bakers on Saturdays and Sundays for local fresh seafood and gourmet beef, local honey, fresh pressed juices and much more all year long from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

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  • Embracing Unique Abilities: You Can Help Through the Westonwood Ranch Rodeo

    Embracing Unique Abilities: You Can Help Through the Westonwood Ranch Rodeo

    By Lori Leath Smith

    A lot of families with a young child with Autism are thinking, “What if something happens to me? I just want to know that my child is safe, and someone will love them just as much as I do.”

    More than five years ago, Lindy Wood had a dream – a dream of a program geared toward older youth and young adults with autism and special needs developmental differences. She wanted to be able to offer more for her son, Weston, diagnosed with Autism at age 2, and other teens and young adults affected by Autism. So, with a hope to create opportunities to develop and cultivate independent, life-changing skills, surrounded with love, Lindy and her husband, founders of Westonwood Ranch, purchased a 40-acre tract of land in Freeport to begin a farm and, eventually, birth a new local non-profit.

    Westonwood Ranch is designed to fill in the service gaps where other transitional programs fall short. “But it’s also about advocacy for this population and breaking barriers,” said Kelly Thompson, Westonwood Ranch Executive Director. “Due to the individual’s diagnosis, society already puts labels and barriers to their abilities and Westonwood wants to break down those barriers.”

    In just a short time, Westonwood Ranch has grown into providing programs focused on teaching life and vocational skills for adolescents and young adults in our area with varying developmental disorders differences. The farm offers a comprehensive, holistic learning program for full-time students, ages 12 through adult, that focuses on providing functional learning opportunities. Through hands-on ranch operations, students learn skills in aquaponic farming, animal husbandry, kitchen operations, creative art exploration and fitness classes. The overall goal is for these young individuals and adults with developmental differences to learn to transition into the next phase of their lives.

    Part of Lindy’s dream was for the farm to be self-sustaining with a revenue stream to help support the non-profit. Today, it IS a working farm with several social enterprises that not only serve as hands-on, job skill training and employment opportunities, but contribute back into the program.

    “There are two social enterprises currently,” said Kelly. “There is a 3,500-sq.-ft. commercial greenhouse where we grow lettuce and sell to local businesses,” she said. “And there is the Westonwood Ranch Brew Chews – our signature dog biscuit company. This company got off the ground last fall and we are currently selling wholesale to local businesses, but plan to open up online sales to the public soon.” Odd Pelican Brewing Co. in Freeport donates the grains. “Participants help with all aspects of business, from baking to packaging and delivering,” she said, “and all sales go back into the company to allow us to hire more individuals with developmental differences.”

    In the fall of 2020, Westonwood received a grant from Impact 100 of Northwest Florida to start a job training program and launched Program LIFTOFF in April 2021. It is a job skills training grant with an end goal of gainful paid employment at Westonwood Ranch. Program applicants must be age 18 or over with developmental differences and must want to obtain employment at program completion. “This is a 4-phase program with a focus on soft skill acquisition as well as social skills,” she said. There are 15 in the program currently with three additional students joining in the spring. “We just hired the first four participants within our social enterprises who will receive their first paycheck at the end of the month. They’ve made it through the LIFTOFF phases and have shown progress through onboard training.”

    “Society is the one that puts limits on them,” said Kelly. “We want to teach society that with the right resources and right training, they are capable of so much more and should have the same workforce opportunities as their neurotypical counterparts.”

    Westonwood Ranch is laying the groundwork to hopefully be a model to other companies and communities about how to hire individuals with developmental differences. “We want our local community and society as a whole to not look past these individuals just because they may be different. Our motto is “Embrace Unique Abilities” and we are here to challenge our community to do just that through our grass roots movement.” Kelly noted some big businesses ARE starting to do these things and her hope is that it will trickle down into our communities.

    How can you help? One way is to dust off your boots and participate as a sponsor or attend the 4th Annual Westonwood Ranch Professional Rodeo at the Freeport Sports Complex March 24-25 where some of the nation’s top cowgirls and cowboys will be competing in bareback riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding. Westonwood Ranch partners with the PCA and Bo Campbell Rodeo Productions, who help produce and source the entertainment and riders. “Last year was a record-breaking year,” said Kelly. “We sold out both nights with more than 2,200 people coming out each night. And we were able to raise $175,000, which is huge in contrast to the past couple of years.” The rodeo is an important fund-raising event that supports Westonwood Ranch’s mission and programs.

    This year’s rodeo gates open at 6 p.m., with rodeo events starting at 7:30 each night and live pre-rodeo entertainment by David Gautreau, food by Mozey’s Mobile Cuisine, children’s inflatable play area and more! To become a sponsor, email Kelly@westonwood.org, call (850) 880-2220 or visit www.westonwood.org.

    So, what’s next for Westonwood Ranch? Kelly said they plan to embark on a capital campaign for the next phase of Westonwood – a residential community where individuals would live and work. “We plan for these 40-acres to be developed into a holistic, supportive residential community where individuals are loved and cared for as long as they are with us,” she said. “We hope to continue to grow and be a resource to individuals with developmental differences as they age into adulthood and a residential community is the next step to bridging the gap for these individuals.”

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  • Free Federal Income Tax Preparation Available in South Walton County

    Free Federal Income Tax Preparation Available in South Walton County

    Free Federal income tax preparation is being offered in South Walton County for low to middle-income families and individuals, with special attention to senior citizens. Tax Preparation service will be available from Feb. 14 to April 13, 2023 at the Walton County Coastal Branch Library in Santa Rosa Beach.

    Taxpayers must make appointments on-line at  tinyurl.com/yryzb5mt or by calling (850) 275-9104. The site will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to five. Tax-Aide is also available in DeFuniak Springs. Call (850) 892-8746 for an appointment.

    AARP Tax-Aide is a nationwide service, with information available at other nearby locations at https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations.html. This service is sponsored by the AARP Foundation and the IRS. There are no age restrictions and AARP membership is not required. Taxpayers need to bring their 2021 tax return, Social Security cards for taxpayer(s) and all dependents, picture IDs, and all tax documents received. Bring checking or savings account information if direct deposit of refunds or direct debit of amounts due is desired. If applicable, bring Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) for each individual. Taxpayers who wish to itemize deductions must bring appropriate information. Note that complicated tax returns involving rental properties, inventories, depreciation, etc. cannot be prepared. Contact Ronald Larsen, 850-305-2501 for more information.

    Views: 55

  • A Path to Transformation

    A Path to Transformation

    By Lisa Woodrum

    A Path to TransformationPath of Grace (POG) provides a way out for women caught in the destructive lifestyle of addiction through discovering their identity and purpose in Christ. Eddie Mansfield has been its director for 12 years. He compassionately understands these residents’ journey as he too had wandered off the right path, but later found his way back to God’s path of grace through Christ from a life of addiction many years ago.

    POG has a structured faith-based culture effectively producing transformation, with an 85-90 percent success rate (two-year program)! Aspects of the program include Bible study, prayer, work at their thrift store (in Santa Rosa Beach and Panama City), attending AA, church, parenting classes, individual and group therapy. They also learn various skill sets such as sales, management, truck driving, customer service and construction.

    At graduation, each 2-year girl receives a “nest egg” of $8,100 for her fresh start. (They also have an 18-month program as well.) Eddie explains, “We speak life into these ladies, teach them to be there for each other …They learn to be loving, caring and a big family for each other.”
    A Path to Transformation
    POG has one house in Miramar Beach, two in Santa Rosa Beach and one in Vernon. Since its inception, it has graduated 160 women. Some remain to become staff.

    Upon graduation, Brandy Wilson desired a job in recovery and was offered the position as assistant managing director. She shares, “God totally restored my life. This program is my heart!”

    Morgan Jones is a house chaplain. She experienced major losses and spiraled into a life of addiction, ultimately forfeiting custody of her daughter. She came to herself and entered POG. She recalls, “I finally found that missing piece… a relationship with God, his grace… and learned stability in the everyday routines.” She has been restored to her whole family, celebrates the opportunity to “speak life into the girls with truth and love. It makes my heart smile knowing I helped someone through a rough time.”

    A Path to TransformationTo ensure the continued recovery of the graduates and reunite mothers with their children, POG has completed Phase I of Serenity Village, eight transitional cottages. Because of the financial and emotional challenges to start over, this offers a safe environment and a continued support system to thrive together as a family.

    An open house will be held at the beginning of March. Please plan to join the celebration and congratulate the staff and POG family! (Check its facebook site for details TBA: facebook.com/pathofgrace.)

    There is no other program like this across the Emerald Coast, so the need for POG and Serenity Village are paramount. This is a costly venture, in which many have invested. As Morgan testifies, “Path of Grace is an amazing recovery program and ministry to invest into, giving women a second chance at life… to live in freedom and become all that God’s called them to be! It is restoration that no price can be put on.” Donations can be made at www.pathofgrace.net.

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  • Confirmed EF 2 Tornado in South Walton Hits Driftwood Estates Neighborhood

    Confirmed EF 2 Tornado in South Walton Hits Driftwood Estates Neighborhood

    National Weather Service (NWS) Tallahassee conducted preliminary damage assessments in the affected areas of South Walton, where they confirmed January 22th’s severe weather system as an EF 2 tornado with maximum wind speeds of approximately 115 MPH.

    Tornado Feb 2023 3

    According to NWS, the tornado touched down in the Driftwood Estates subdivision between Riverbirth Loop and Cocobolo Drive at approximately 5:14am. Traveling northeast, the system lifted briefly over a boarding wooded area, then touched down on Red Bay Court and continued northeast until lifting into the Choctawhatchee Bay at 5:15am. The path was approximately 0.8 miles in length, with a maximum width of 85 yards.

    On Sunday, January 22nd, South Walton Fire District (SWFD) and Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) responded to reports of potential lightning strikes to homes. After further investigation, responding agencies found varying levels of water and wind damage to homes and conducted welfare checks throughout the area. Walton County Emergency Management (WCEM) conducted initial damage assessments to the affected area and surveyed the potential unmet needs of the community. The Red Cross assisted with case management and provided alternative housing for displaced residents.

    Tornado Feb 2023 2

    “Given the speed with which the tornado developed, we’re grateful to report no injuries from this event,” said WCEM Director, Jeff Goldberg. “Our team witnessed the selflessness of neighbors supporting neighbors and a seamless response from our partnering agencies. We’re grateful for the swift response and look forward to assisting this community in returning to normalcy.”

    Damage assessments were conducted on Cocobolo Drive, Pin Oak Loop, Loblolly Bay Drive, Red Bay Court, and Driftwood Point Road in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Combined data from WCEM, NWS Tallahassee, and the Residential Self-Reporting tool estimated a total of 37 impacted homes, with classifications ranging from affected to major. Numerous properties received damage, including broken fences, heavy vegetation, and widespread debris.

    Residents impacted by the Driftwood Estates Tornado are encouraged to complete the Walton County Emergency Management Damage Reporting Survey to help determine the scope of the storm’s impacts and address any unmet needs. Survey can be found at www.bit.ly/3kyKRZn. For questions, please contact wcem@waltoncountyem.org

    Tornado Feb 2023 1

    When disaster strikes, Walton County Emergency Management (WCEM) is here to serve the residents, businesses, and visitors of Walton County. Our mission is to prevent, mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover from all hazards, emergencies, and disasters using a whole community approach. Through effective public education and strategic community partnerships, the vision of WCEM is to further Walton County’s resiliency from future disasters and instill community preparedness for years to come. For more information, visit waltoncountyem.org or follow us on social media.

    Views: 1

  • In 2023, the Sandestin Resort Celebrates 50 Years!

    In 2023, the Sandestin Resort Celebrates 50 Years!

    In 2023 the Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort in Miramar Beach will celebrate its 50th anniversary. For decades, the resort has drawn visitors to its beautiful white sand beaches, made from quartz carried from the Appalachian Mountains 20,000 years ago. After 50 years, it’s no surprise that the largest resort situated in Florida’s Gulf Coast, spanning over 2,400 acres, and the only one to lay claim to waterfront access to both beach and bay, remains the ultimate destination for generations of coastal adventurers, families, couples, reunions, winter vacationers, and getaways.

    In celebration of their 50th anniversary, there are so many milestones to highlight during its five-decade history. The Sandestin as we know it today wasn’t always destined to be a world-class residential golf and beach resort. In the 1950s it almost became the home for “Disney World” as Walt Disney almost bought the land. Later on, In the 1970s, the land eventually  fell into the hands of developers keen on building a resort community and finally in 2010 it was acquired by the Becnel family. The newest luxury offering at the Resort, which started construction in 2019, is Osprey Pointe.

    Sandestin Resort

    Sandestin is a special and unique place, deeply rooted in community and values, steeped in a culture of genuine hospitality. Over the years the landscape has changed a bit and their story continues to evolve, but one thing remains the same  —  Sandestin has solidified its place as one of the premier resorts in the Southeast, welcoming thousands of families each year to experience the resort and make cherished memories.

    Hotel EffieIn 2021 the resort welcomed Hotel Effie, a luxury hotel with a rooftop pool, full-service spa and a 3-meal restaurant by James Beard winner, Hugh Acheson. In the near future, The Cascade, a new luxury development will open, creating more options for travelers and residents. .

    As for 2023, there are many exciting happenings to celebrate this milestone anniversary, including: 30A Songwriters Festival – Jan. 13-16, Mardi Gras Parade – Feb 19, 36th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival – April 13-16, Blue Marlin Classic – June 22-26, and the Baytowne Beer Festival in Oct. The Cascade, the latest residential development and luxury project, will be opening in 2023.

    For more information, please visit www.sandestin.com.

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  • South Walton Academy Celebrates Six Years Bridging the Gap in Walton County

    South Walton Academy Celebrates Six Years Bridging the Gap in Walton County

    South Walton Academy is a non-profit inclusion school in Santa Rosa Beach – the first of its kind in Walton County. The school serves ALL children ages pre-k through twelfth grade, with accommodations in place for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related disabilities.

    “As a mother of a child with Autism and as a therapist I struggled to find the services our children needed,” says South Walton AcademyFounder and Executive DirectorCalley Middlebrooks. “I knew I was able to change that not only for my child, but for our community.”

    South Walton Academy 1

    Over the past 15 years, Calley has been working with children experiencing developmental delays as a therapist with Early Steps. She has always had a passion for helping children with communication, which led her to taking on clients with Autism.

    Then in 2013, Calley’s youngest child was diagnosed with Autism at age three. His diagnosis inspired her to learn more about sensory integration and education, and so began her journey to opening South Walton Academy.

    South Walton Academy provides a learning environment that helps every child achieve success while maximizing their individual potential. The school’s 5:1 student-teacher ratio provides the cornerstone from which all children grow.

    Certified teachers work to help each child advance at their own pace while providing individualized curriculum for all learning styles and abilities.Accommodations are in place for children with Autism and related disabilities, including but not limited to ADHD, Asperger’s, and communication delays.

    South Walton Academy 2

    “Our neurotypical and advanced developing students get just as much out of school as our children with special needs,” says Calley. “They are able to learn while helping teach their peers and in turn are able to retain more information while learning skills that will have a life-long impact.”

    In addition to the school program, SWA offers a Summer Program with daily, weekly, and monthly rates, Play Groups for children ages 0-5, Therapy Services, and they accept and partner with Homeschool Programs. South Walton Academy accepts the Gardiner Scholarship, McKay Scholarship, Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, and will soon be taking VPK vouchers.

    “We started with very little funds but with a lot of heart and dedication from our founder and supporters we are growing. “Generous donations and a GoFundMe campaign helped us open the doors in January 2017. We started with just 5 students and have grown to now serving over 20 students and additional therapy clients.”

    South Walton Academy is a private, 501c3 nonprofit inclusion school centrally located at 585 Mack Bayou Road in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. If you are interested in enrolling your child or learning more about South Walton Academy, please visit www.southwaltonacademy.com, call 850-213-4595 or email southwaltonacademy@gmail.com.

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  • Old Florida Fish House New Year’s Eve Celebration!

    Old Florida Fish House New Year’s Eve Celebration!

    Saturday, December 31

    Old Florida Fish House will host a New Year’s Eve Celebration you and your crew do not want to miss! Choose between an early dinner followed by live music or their epic New Year’s Eve Extravaganza.

    Still Standing: A Tribute to Elton John | 5PM – 7:30PM

    Still Standing

    Enjoy an hour of some of Elton John’s most popular songs, performed by Ben Fry and band. Ben has performed all over the southeastern USA for years. Ticket includes the show and reservation for dinner. The ticket price sold on EventBrite does not include food or drinks.

     

    New Year’s Eve Extravaganza | 8PM – 1AM

    314202800 2970713496566747 1433206988179840954 NGuests will enjoy live entertainment, including a live band, midnight toast, delectable food and drink options, and more! The Eventbrite ticket does not include the cost of food and drinks. Visit www.oldfloridafishhouse.com for details.

    Old Florida Fish House is a locals’ hidden gem on the shores of Eastern Lake in Seagrove Beach. Find more info and see menus at www.oldfloridafishhouse.com. Follow Old Florida Fish House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date on current specials and events.

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  • 2023: The Year of Intention

    2023: The Year of Intention

    By Todd Craig, LCSW

    Todd Craig

    As we come to the end of one year and the beginning of another, quotes from two of pop-culture’s great philosophers come to mind. Yogi Berra famously said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up somewhere else.” The other comes from the great fictional mind of Ferris Bueller who said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Our lives do move fast and it is easy to move from one day to another and one year to another passively watching the calendar days disappear. But, what if 2023 could look different for you? What might it look like to live the next 365 days with intention? The end of a year offers an opportunity for reflection on growth and lessons learned. And, the beginning of a new year invites us to look ahead, to take next steps with intentionality and create our best year yet.

    Here are some questions to help guide you as you reflect on the last year and launch into the next year along with some instructions on how to best use them.

    Create space – Set aside at least a couple of hours of undistracted time to work through these questions. Put the phone away!

    Write it down – Get honest and vulnerable with yourself as you answer the questions. And, write them down so you can refer back to them throughout the year and review them at the end of next year (I save mine on my desktop to review from time to time).

    Share it – Share your responses with one or two trusted people. Sharing your intentions with others helps solidify them internally and increases the likelihood of follow-through.

    Live from it – Use the responses to these questions as a daily compass directing your next steps.

    THE PAST YEAR

    1. What did you accomplish personally and professionally that you feel really good about?
    2. What challenges, struggles and fears did you have to work through?
    3. What did you hope to accomplish or change but weren’t able to? What kept you from doing so?
    4. How are you different from 12 months ago? What did you learn? How did you grow?
    5. How did you make a positive difference in the world around you?
    6. What and who brought you the most joy?
    7. What and who were the greatest stressors?
    8. What did you tolerate this year?
    9. What are you thankful for from the past year?
    10. What are your top 3 insights?

    THE PRESENT

    Life is made up of multiple domains. Take time to check in with yourself by rating each of the following areas on a scale of 1-10:

    Personal – How do you feel about yourself?

    Physical – How are you taking care of your body (diet, exercise, rest, etc.)?

    Financial – How is your financial situation (income, budget, spending, savings, giving, etc.)?

    Spiritual – How satisfied are you with the way faith is integrated into your life?

    Vocational – How do you feel about your work/career?

    Family – How are you doing as a partner and/or parent?

    Friends – How do you feel about your social relationships?

    Fun – How well are you creating time for enjoyment and recreation?

    What 2-3 areas of life do you most want to improve in the next year? What steps will you take to make those improvements?

    THE UPCOMING YEAR

    1. If it were two years from now and you were living your best life, how would you know?
    2. If it were two years from now and you weren’t living your best life, what got in the way?
    3. Who do you want to be by the end of the year? In what areas would you like to grow?
    4. What 2-3 things if completed would generate feelings of pride and fulfillment at the end of the year?
    5. What is one thing that if you accomplished it next year would make all your other goals easier or unnecessary?
    6. What do you want to start in the next year?
    7. What do you want to stop in the next year?
    8. How will you make a positive difference in the world around you next year?
    9. If this next year was a chapter in a book, what would you title it?

    As you create space and reflect on these questions, I hope you have much to celebrate and be thankful for in 2022 even if it was a challenging year. And, I hope you are filled with the excitement of possibility as you look ahead to 2023! For support along your journey, connect with us at www.journeybravely.com.

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  • A Visit from St. Nicholas

    A Visit from St. Nicholas

    by Clement Clarke Moore

    St Nicholas Visit
    ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
    Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
    The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
    In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
    The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
    While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
    And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
    Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap,
    When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
    I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
    Away to the window I flew like a flash,
    Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
    The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
    Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,
    When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
    But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
    With a little old driver so lively and quick,
    I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
    More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
    And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
    “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
    On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
    To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
    Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
    As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
    When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
    So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
    With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
    And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
    The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
    As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
    Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
    He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
    And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
    A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
    And he looked like a pedler just opening his pack.
    His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
    His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
    His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
    And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
    The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
    And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath;
    He had a broad face and a little round belly
    That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
    He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
    And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
    A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
    Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
    He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
    And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
    And laying his finger aside of his nose,
    And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
    He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
    And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
    But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight—
    “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

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