Category: Featured

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.

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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.

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.

“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

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.

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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 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.

In 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 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.”

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.

“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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by Clement Clarke Moore

‘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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