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Join Mountain High Outfitters for their Grand Opening April 5th

Mountain High Outfitters is here to stay…After opening in 2022 in The Market Shops at Sandestin and then moving temporarily to Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Mountain High Outfitters has locked into a brand new permanent location. The excitement begins on April 4, 2025 where the Walton County Chamber of Commerce will visit at 1:00 PM to celebrate this amazing opening!

The fun continues with the official Grand Opening planned for 9:00 AM on April 5th. The first 100 guests will get a MHO Gift Card and Swag Bag full of all things MHO. There will be food, drinks and a chance to win two $500 worth of MHO gear from ON, Brooks Shoes to a North Face Duffel, Patagonia Daypack, Vuori Shorts and Sunglasses.

“We are beyond excited to finally be locked into the Emerald Coast where people come from all over to enjoy the spectacular beaches and atmosphere. Allowing Mountain High Outfitters to spread our passion and the fun curated assortment of brands is truly a blessing. We can’t wait to have you visit and experience the MHO movement.” Chris Groom, Owner

About Mountain High Outfitters
Mountain High Outfitters (MHO) is more than a traditional outdoor retailer. Upon entering any store, you will notice a vast array of products and brands that create a compelling story for any patron. We pride ourselves on guest engagement, making it a comfortable place to prepare for your first adventure, expedition, or lifestyle experience. Building a community and giving back to the community is on the forefront of MHO’s movement. Mountain High Outfitters currently has 25 locations throughout Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Utah as well as a website (www.mountainhighoutfitters.com). Come experience MHO and be a part of the movement. Get Out, Get Active, Be Inspired and Live Your Passion. For more information, visit mountainhighoutfitters.com.

Views: 24

March 31, 2025
Sean of the South: Scouts

By Sean Dietrich

“I started choking,” said Jennifer Yakubesan.

It was a typical evening, some years ago. The family was eating supper before church, somewhere in the wilds of Michigan. It was spaghetti. The flagship food of happy families.

“I looked at my husband and my son, and I started to make this kind of patting on my chest.”

Enter her son, Andrew. He was 13. A Scout.

Jennifer was about to lose consciousness when she felt her son’s arms wrap around her. He wedged his fist below her sternum. He squeezed.

The Heimlich maneuver is not simple. It requires strength. The Heimlich didn’t work. So Andrew slapped his mother’s back. Someone taught him to do that.

Andrew was given the National Merit Award by the Scouts.

Which leads me to my next story, approximately six states away. Scout Troop 1299, of Allen, Texas, was on a bus trip to Wyoming.

They had a few days to kill in Yellowstone National Park.

“We were on our way to lunch,” said Brian, an adult volunteer. “We were passing by these falls, and we were like, ‘Let’s just stop real quick and let the adults take some pictures,’”

They parked. Deboarded. Everyone’s dad stretched his respective lumbar region. A stranger ran up to the group and frantically asked if there was a doctor on the bus.

A doctor, no. Scouts, yes.

In moments, scouters found a woman having an emergency on the trail. She was lying in the dirt. It was cardiac arrest. An off-duty nurse was already performing chest compressions.

The Scouts fetched the automated external defibrillator (AED) from the bus.

Why did a bunch of average kids from Texas have a piece of expensive portable medical equipment on their bus? The answer is: Because they were Scouts.

Today, the woman is alive and well.

Here’s another. In Claiborne County, Tennessee, Crystal Thacker took meds and had an allergic reaction. One minute she was fine; the next, she was on the floor, dying.

“It almost felt like when your foot’s asleep,” she remembers, “…it was very hard to breathe.”

Crystal’s 16-year-old son, Stewart, knew his mother was in anaphylactic shock. He also knew what to do while first responders were en route. This is because Stewart was a Scout and had over 200 hours of medical training.

“I took an old blanket,” said Stewart, “…and made sort of a sunroof shelter, and reapplied ice packs. And then the ambulance showed up.”

Stewart was presented with the National Certificate of Merit.

When I was a kid, there were roughly 5 million Boy Scouts on the planet. I was one. Twenty U.S. presidents were Scouts. John Wayne was a Scout. Neil Armstrong. Sam Walton. Hank Aaron. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today, however, there are approximately 1 millions Scouts left in the U.S. The reason for this sharp decline isn’t important. I’m not here to raise issues.

I do, however, want to deliver a message to any kids who are thinking about joining the Scouts but are unsure about it since their friends think Scouting is nerdy. Scouting is a lot more than building birdhouses and making wallets.

The Boy Scouts of America save lives.

Views: 7

March 26, 2025
Aging Gracefully: A Guide to Longevity and Vitality

By Dr. Karen DeVore

Aging is a privilege, but how we age is largely within our control. While genetics play a role, lifestyle choices and proactive health management significantly impact our vitality, mobility and overall well-being. The good news? You don’t have to accept aches, fatigue and chronic diseases as inevitable. You can age on your own terms by implementing a few key strategies.

1. Annual Check-Ins & Lab Work: Stay Ahead of the Game

Prevention is the cornerstone of longevity. Annual health check-ups allow you to track changes, address concerns and monitor key health markers before minor issues become major problems. Many conditions—such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis—develop silently over time, making regular lab work essential for early detection and intervention.

Too many people avoid these appointments due to frustration with dismissive healthcare providers. If your practitioner isn’t listening to you or supporting your health goals, find a team that will. Healthcare should be a partnership, not a battle.

Key Lab Markers to Monitor:

• Inflammation & Metabolic Health: CRP, fasting insulin, A1C

• Hormonal Balance: Thyroid panel, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA

• Nutrient Status: Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, magnesium

• Cardiovascular Health: Lipid panel, homocysteine, ApoB

2. Listen to Your Body: Symptoms Matter

Your body is always communicating with you. Fatigue, brain fog, unexplained weight changes and joint pain aren’t just random annoyances—they’re signals. Ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear; it only allows problems to worsen over time.

Being proactive about your health doesn’t mean dismissing symptoms in the name of “natural” healing. It means staying in tune with your body, recognizing patterns and addressing imbalances early. You know your body better than any textbook or algorithm—if something feels off, advocate for yourself.

3. Know Your Family’s Aging Patterns

While lifestyle choices have the greatest impact on longevity, understanding your genetic predispositions can help you make informed decisions. Look at how your parents and siblings are aging. Are they dealing with cognitive decline, cardiovascular issues or bone loss?

Genetics don’t determine your fate, but they do provide insight into potential vulnerabilities. By identifying patterns, you can take proactive steps to mitigate risks through targeted lifestyle and medical interventions.

4. The Fundamentals Never Get Old

Some health advice remains timeless because it works. If you want to age gracefully, these fundamentals are non-negotiable:

• Movement is medicine. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Regular exercise supports mobility, cardiovascular health and cognitive function.

• Hydration matters. Dehydration contributes to fatigue, joint pain and poor circulation.

• Sleep is the ultimate reset. Quality sleep is essential for hormone balance, brain function and immune resilience.

• Laughter truly is the best medicine. Joy and social connection improve mental and emotional health while reducing stress and inflammation.

• You are what you eat. A nutrient-dense, whole-food diet fuels longevity and vitality.

5. Muscle Mass: The Fountain of Youth

One of the most powerful predictors of longevity? Muscle mass. Research consistently links muscle maintenance with reduced mortality risk, improved metabolic health and greater resilience against age-related diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Why Muscle Matters:

• Improves metabolism and helps regulate blood sugar

• Reduces fall risk by supporting balance and coordination

• Strengthens bones through mechanical stress, helping prevent osteoporosis

• Supports cognitive health by enhancing blood flow and reducing inflammation

The takeaway? It’s never too late to build muscle. Resistance training—even starting in your 70s or 80s—can lead to significant improvements in strength, mobility and longevity.

Aging on Your Own Terms

Aging gracefully isn’t about avoiding every wrinkle or pretending time isn’t passing. It’s about maintaining independence, vitality and quality of life for as long as possible. It’s about making informed choices, staying proactive with your health and surrounding yourself with a supportive healthcare team.

Longevity isn’t just about adding years to your life—it’s about adding life to your years. Take care of your body now, and it will take care of you in the decades to come.

I’d be honored to support you on your wellness journey. Let’s create a personalized plan that nurtures your unique body, helping you feel vibrant, strong and at ease as you age gracefully. Schedule a consultation with me at the Tortoise Clinic (850.267.5611)—because you deserve to feel your best, every step of the way.

Views: 2

March 26, 2025
Our Hometown Hero: Shirley Simpson

A Reflection by Nathanael Fisher

Shirley Simpson was a great friend and generous supporter of Emerald Coast Theatre Company. It is my joy to honor her with a small tribute to the incredible life she lived. I shared this reflection at her Celebration of Life recently, and wanted to share it again here for her loyal Emerald Coast Theatre Company fans and readers.

I have no doubt that on the night of February 8th, there was thunderous applause and a standing ovation from the angels and elders in heaven when the Angel Gabriel called Shirley Simpson to “places” in heaven and the curtain came down on earth, in peace, on a life well lived.

When Shirley’s daughters honored me by asking me to present Act One, Scene One of her celebration of life, my heart and mind was flooded with scene by scene of wonderful memories. You see, Shirley and I had lunch together on Tuesdays, practically every Tuesday since 2018. I always found it a little amusing that there is a book that was adapted into a play called “Tuesdays with Morrie.” I had my Tuesdays with Shirley, and even my wife and staff knew that on Tuesdays I had a very important appointment with a very special person.

During our lunches, three themes rose to the surface as the most important to Shirley, and we connected on all of them. She loved and adored her husband and her girls, her faith was important to her, and, of course, we connect on our love for the life changing art, wonder and magic of theatre and the stage.

Our first lunches back in 2018 were filled with stories of her life with Chuck who had passed earlier that year. I walked with her through the pain and immense grief of losing a friend and partner of 65 years. That grief was conquered through the sharing of beautiful stories of Chuck. She shared how he would patiently wait for her to greet her fans after productions at New Stage Theatre in Jackson, Mississippi or her one woman shows. Chuck’s support of her theatrical adventures was clearly one of the ways he loved her and she reveled in that love.

Shirley’s faith and family were topics at lunch quite often. She shared some stories of working with the Billy Graham Organization. I would hear about the preparation for a sermon and the evaluation of how that sermon was presented and received. I was honored to hear stories of how proud she was of her girls: Taylor, Cathy, Christine and Caren – she was so proud of each of them and knew how much they loved her.

Shirley told me stories of her dear sister Bonnie. As children, Shirley would say, “Let’s Pike”…that’s “play like” – (pretend play). “Pike,” where she was clearly the director in the performances Bonnie and Shirley would do as children. I heard so many stories of stage, radio and TV during our lunches. Stories of being an Actress, Director, Product Spokesperson, Radio Host and more. We connected so well because she personally knew every challenge I faced in theatre. Often, I would remind her that, outside of my wife, she was the only other person in my life that could truly understand the joys and challenges I faced at the theatre. She understood the world of an actor, she had sat in the seat of a director, she and Chuck had been supporters of theatre. She knew this world so well.
Some of her favorite roles included Queen Eleanor in The Lion in Winter, Shirley in Shirley Valentine and Daisy in Driving Miss Daisy. I would hear amazing stories of the process of the actress preparing for these roles and some of the victories and challenges of performances.

Shirley mesmerized audiences with performances of her one woman shows: Katherine Hepburn, Shirley Valentine, Minnie Pearl and so many more. Her final public performance was on the ECTC stage as Minnie Pearl. After Chuck’s passing she regained her footing on stage here with Katherine Hepburn. She was concerned about a staged reading as she was very proud of the memory she had and we convinced her that it would be fine, her audience would embrace the tool of the script… and that they did. As she took the chair to read you could literally see the consummate professional transforming into character, every voice inflection, every look, every gesture told the story…you could not take your eyes off her. Shirley and I talked about it and she decided to tackle Shirley Valentine next. Again, a captivating performance, but this time the artist in Shirley was able to breathe into the confidence that was gained with the Katherine Hepburn performance. She came off stage with such joy and life. At the next lunch she told me that someone had stopped her in Publix and reprimanded her for not coming back out. The audience had been giving her a standing ovation and this person was disappointed that she did not return to the stage for another bow. What they didn’t know is that Shirley and I were too busy celebrating her performance backstage! It’s like new life had been given to her, and she had such joy in performing again.

One lunch Shirley chuckled as I sat down and let me know that the night before, a waiter at Vintj Food and Wine had asked her if her son was joining her today. She said, “I don’t have a son.” The waiter replied, “What about that bald guy you always have lunch with?!”

I could go on and on about Shirley’s wit, creativity, passion for life and more. How our lunches were a welcome break that we both looked forward to. How theatre brought two people together and set the stage for a beautiful friendship. How her passion for life and theatre encouraged and inspired me every time I had the pleasure of being around her. But…I know she would also say, “Nathanael, a good play has great edits!” So, I’ll end by sharing this. At the last few lunches we had together, Shirley would recognize that our time together might be limited and I would tell her I didn’t want to talk about it. She would respond, “Nathanael, I’ve had a good run. Look at my life, I’ve had a great run of it.”

Yes, Shirley, you have had a great run. I and those that got to be a part in your narrative, that had the honor of being a character in the play of your life, are better for it. You were a gift; an elegant, charming, quick witted gift, that we will always treasure. So, without the expectation of another bow Shirley, I give you an eternal standing ovation in my heart.

Views: 9

March 26, 2025
SSUS Journeys to Our Area to Become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef!

America’s Flagship, the SS United States (SSUS), has now begun her journey from Philadelphia, Pa., to our own Emerald Coast!

After Okaloosa County’s Tourist Development Department, Destin-Fort Walton Beach completed the necessary safety requirements by local, state and federal agencies, the journey began to move the SSUS from her current docking area in south Philadelphia to a docking area in Mobile, Ala., where preparations to ready the ship to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef will continue.

The SSUS departed Philadelphia after 30 years, and, at the time of this printing, had arrived in Mobile, Ala., after being chaperoned by multiple tug boats making her way down the Delaware River and into the Atlantic Ocean. As with any project of this magnitude, the schedule is tentative with dates, times and other logistics subject to change, due to many factors.

The SSUS’ amazing journey to Mobile took about two weeks. In Mobile, the vessel is continuing its rebirth into an artificial reef as contractors remove hazardous material, including non-metal parts and fuel to ensure this deployment is clean and not harmful to the environment it aims to benefit. Modifications are also being made to ensure that when the vessel is deployed, it will land upright underwater. The preparation process will take about 12 months.

The exact location along the Gulf Coast for the vessel’s deployment has not been set, but it is expected to be about 20 nautical miles south of the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area.

As the World’s Largest Artificial Reef, the story of the SSUS will be told to thousands of divers from around the world as they explore her unique design and features. She will also benefit her surrounding ecosystem and become home to countless marine species that will thrive from the presence of her structure. Due to the size and the depth, she will be home to a wide variety of marine life from iconic reef fish such as red snapper to pelagic species of fish like wahoo. This new artificial reef will provide bountiful fishing and diving opportunities for the local, visiting and charter industries.

Okaloosa County will continue to partner with the SSUS Conservancy as it pivots to develop a land-based museum in Destin-Fort Walton Beach that will celebrate and commemorate the nation’s flagship. The County will provide the Conservancy with regular project updates and will support the museum planning process which will incorporate iconic features from the ship, including the funnels, radar mast, and other signature components, as well as the Conservancy’s extensive curatorial and archival collection. This will preserve the ship’s storied history and the memories that she has created for so many people over the years.
To follow the SSUS’ journey via GPS tracking, visit //www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/ssus.

Fun Facts About the SSUS:

• The design of the SSUS was so innovative that the details of her construction were kept top-secret. She was the first passenger liner to be built almost entirely in a graving dock – safely out of the public eye.
• The SSUS was designed to be just wide enough (101 feet) so it could pass through the locks of the Panama Canal with two feet of clearance on either side.
• Five days before her maiden voyage in July 1952, the SSUS was opened to the public at her berth in New York. Some 70,000 people turned out to see the dazzling new ship that day – more than a sellout crowd at Yankee Stadium! The line to go aboard stretched for 14 blocks.
• How fast was the SSUS? During her speed trials, she sliced through the waves at an astonishing 38.32 knots – 44 miles per hour!
• Four U.S. presidents sailed aboard the SSUS: Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Bill Clinton. (The youthful Clinton, fresh out of Georgetown, was on his way to study at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.)
• For her maiden voyage, the SSUS stocked 7,935 quarts of ice cream and a whopping 500 pounds of caviar.
• The SSUS carried an impressive roster of luminaries on nearly every voyage. Famous passengers included Marlon Brando, Coco Chanel, Sean Connery, Gary Cooper, Walter Cronkite, Salvador Dali, Walt Disney, Duke Ellington, Judy Garland, Cary Grant, Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, John Wayne, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
• A famous passenger of a different sort sailed aboard the SSUS in 1963: the Mona Lisa. Leonardo Da Vinci ’s masterpiece was traveling to the U.S. for special exhibitions in Washington and New York. (She made it back to the Louvre in remarkably good shape for a 460-year-old woman.)
• The SSUS is 990 feet long – about five city blocks! If you stood her on end, she’d rise nearly as high as New York’s Chrysler Building or Philadelphia’s Comcast Center.
• You think the Titanic was huge? The SSUS is over 100 feet longer.
• The SS United States’ designer, William Francis Gibbs, wanted his ship to be fireproof, so he insisted that no wood be used in her construction or fittings. One exception: the ship’s grand pianos were made from fire-resistant mahogany. A Steinway piano was tested in advance by dousing it with gasoline and lighting a match. (It didn’t burn.)
• More aluminum was used in the SSUS than for any previous construction project in history. Why? To reduce her weight and make her the fastest ocean liner of all time.
• Thanks to her reduced weight and powerful engines, the SSUS could go almost as fast in reverse as the Titanic could go forward.
• On her maiden voyage, the SSUS shattered the trans-Atlantic speed record in both directions. She was the first American ship in 100 years to capture the coveted Blue Riband (awarded to the fastest trans-Atlantic ocean liner). Amazingly, she still holds the record more than 60 years later.
• Built to be converted from luxury liner to troop transport in the event of war, the SSUS was able to carry 14,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling.
• The galleys aboard the SSUS could turn out up to 9,000 individual meals a day!
• The SSUS was retired from active service in 1969. The age of the great ocean liners had come to a close, doomed by increasingly fast and affordable trans-Atlantic airline flights.
• From 1996 to 2025, the SSUS was docked on the Delaware River in Philadelphia.

Source: ssusc.org
Learn more about Okaloosa County’s artificial reef program at https://www.destinfwb.com/explore/eco-tourism/artificial-reefs/.

Views: 26

March 26, 2025
Embrace Florida Kids Tees Up for Second Golf Soiree April 7

By Christopher Manson

Embrace Florida Kids is an offshoot of Embrace Alabama Kids, a faith-based organization that has been helping children and families since 1890. Director of Development and Community Relations Ramsey Lawrence has been speaking to churches and civic organizations and spreading the word about the nonprofit’s Florida arm since 2020.

Embrace Florida Kids has four programs. “First, we teach people how to parent,” says Lawrence. “People who are dealing with addiction and communication problems. It’s one-on-one intense parenting intervention. We have a 96 percent success rate.”

The nonprofit also licenses adults that wish to become foster parents. They offer residential homes, including one located in Milton for girls ages 12 to 18 “who have been in the foster care program, but have had too much trauma in their lives,” says Lawrence. And there is a higher education program for any child that has been in foster care or alternative living situations (with grandparents or other relatives, for example) and wishes to attend college. “We’ll coach and tutor them and assist with tuition.”

Lawrence says these programs benefit local children throughout Bay, Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.

On Monday, April 7, join Embrace Florida Kids for its Second Annual A Walk Down Magnolia Lane at the WaterColor Lakehouse in Santa Rosa Beach. The golf-themed soiree will feature a tournament-themed menu, signature cocktails, live music from local favorite Jacob Mohr and a live Calcutta, during which tournament participants are “auctioned off” and money is collected in a prize fund. Dress is golf attire and smart casual; attendees are encouraged to don golf’s royal colors of green and yellow. Purchase tickets at walkdownmagnolialane.org.

Doors open for cocktails at 5 p.m., followed by golf activities at 6 and the live Calcutta at 7:15. This year’s event sponsors include Good News Church, Shoreline Title, Peaceful Family Oklahoma, Hill Coleman LLC, Liufau McCall, Hancock Whitney and Review Harvest.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and participants will receive badges to attend the event, recognition on promotional materials, and a number of additional benefits. If interested, email Lawrence at ramsey.lawrence@embraceflkids.org or call 850.533.9968.

According to Vie Magazine, 2024’s inaugural event, held at Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club in Destin, raised over $78,000. Musician Mohr, who returns following a successful appearance at last year’s soiree, says, “I’m excited and proud to be a part of another Embrace Florida Kids event. This organization literally stands in the gap for children and families in crisis. It’s easy for us to go about our lives with relatively few problems and forget there are young people bravely dealing with all sorts of trauma. I love that they focus on keeping families together. More and more, we see the disintegration of a family unit being the harbinger for multitudes of trouble.”

He adds that last year’s A Walk Down Magnolia Lane was “a veritable Who’s Who of Destin and South Walton business people and philanthropists. The entertainment is decent, and the opportunity to help a great organization that does such important work will just make you feel good. I hope to see some old friends and make some new ones.”

Embrace Florida Kids’ Program Center is located at 5414 U.S. 90 in Pace, Florida. The nonprofit provides comfort and safety to abused, neglected and traumatized children, young mothers and struggling families through group homes, foster care programs and family preservation services throughout Northwest Florida and Alabama. Call 800.239.3575 or visit embracekids.org to learn more.

Views: 20

March 26, 2025
Small Ways to Make Your Insurance Work for You

By Julie A. Martin

Dear Gentle Readers,

The mere mention of insurance is liable to put red spots in your cheeks and in your eyes, but have no fear, I am about to share some insider secrets on what you can do to your policies that make them more cost effective for you.

Are you ready?

Property Damage Liability in auto insurance is typically chosen with bodily injury liability in split limit increments such as 10/20//10 with the second 10K being the property damage liability limit. Most carriers offer other choices, such as 20K, 25K, or even 50K property damage liability with the 10/20 split limits. With 25/50 BI you may have options of 25K, 50K or even 100K liability.

The price difference between limits in Property Damage Liability can be less than a case of soda, on a six month or annual basis. It is generally best to opt for the highest property damage limit you can get with your chosen liability limits, as it creates an extra buffer for you, and it is only slightly more expensive than you would have paid for your insurance anyway.

Comprehensive coverage is another area where you may opt to save yourself some money in case of a flood, hurricane, fire, vandalism or other event where your car might be damaged by an incident not involving collision. Most folks have $500 deductibles on Comprehensive and Collision coverage, and that is what many would consider standard. But, I will share a secret with you.

Most of the time, you can decrease your Comprehensive deductible from $500 to $250, that’s right, cut it right in half, for less than a double-blended Venti Frappuccino at Starbucks with extra drizzle.

Insurance is for you, so that you can be made whole again in the event something happens. To make it easier for you to be indemnified, making small adjustments to your existing coverage will help you feel better about the coverage you have.

Now let’s talk about Uninsured Motorist Coverage. First, let me say that we do not have a requirement to carry Bodily Injury Liability in the State of Florida. The minimum required coverage in order to be “street legal” for most people, is 10K Property Damage Liability and 10K Personal Injury Protection.

Now, you’re going to ask me, what if they hit someone?

THAT’S why we have uninsured motorist coverage, in case you get hurt in an accident that is not your fault.

Here’s how this works in Florida. First, you go through your 10K in Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which pays 80/20 medical expenses minus your deductible—say you have a $500 deductible on PIP.

10K in medical expenses minus $500 deductible (80/20) would equal $7,500 in medical expenses.

What if you have $30,000 in medical bills?

You have several choices when it comes to Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Stacked and Unstacked equal to your current Bodily Injury Liability, or Stacked or Unstacked lower than your Bodily Injury Coverage.

Stacked UM means that you multiply the number of vehicles on the policy by the limits. Stacked 100/300 X three vehicles would be 300K per person/900K per accident.

So, in the accident shown above, your Personal Injury Protection goes first, and then if you have medical payments coverage, that comes next, and then the at fault party’s Bodily Injury Liability, and only then would it go to your Uninsured Motorist coverage, which is excess over all these other coverages.

If you do not have UM on your auto policy now, you might want to have your friendly licensed insurance agent offer a quote to find out how much it would cost to add to your policy.

It’s important to know the different ways to make your insurance work for you, and help you gain peace of mind knowing you have the right coverage in the event something happens.

Views: 4

March 26, 2025
The Only Person You Can Change Is You
By Stephenie Craig

Do you ever find yourself exhausted, irritated, and resentful when a person in your life won’t start or stop certain behavior? Maybe they don’t take care of themselves as you think they should or they won’t stop a habit you think is negative. Maybe you want them to study more, drink less, exercise more, be happier, be more punctual, focus better, work less, be less angry, be less critical, parent differently, or relax more. Behavior of others that is not aligned with your life approach can create significant discomfort and can feel annoying or even infuriating.

How do you respond to difficult behavior? Common approaches include passive aggressive remarks, nagging, withdrawing, or saying mean things. While these strategies give a momentary sense of taking action, none produce meaningful change. Often, your desire for change comes from a positive desire for the person to have a good life. Other times, the desire for change is motivated by you believing your way is the right way and everyone else should just get on board. Regardless of the motivation, you can’t change other people. Period. Science and years of experience reveal humans change when the discomfort of their current behavior outweighs the inherent discomfort of change.

Change is an internal job. People change when they decide they are willing to do the uncomfortable and unfamiliar work of trying something new even when it is hard. No amount of external pressure from you has the power to motivate change in another. While hard to accept, it is incredibly freeing to realize it has never been and will never be your job to get someone else to change. You can invest the energy you’ve been putting into changing others into your internal work of change and growth. So, how do you shift from trying to change others to engaging personal growth?

12 Ways to Engage Personal Growth and Stop Trying to Change Others
1. Notice. Notice the frustrated, irritated, annoyed, angry, resentful energy you are feeling toward someone. Notice where you feel it in your body. Try being curious about the origin of the feelings. Notice patterns of irritated feelings and how they relate to a pattern of behavior in the other person.
2. Admit. Ask yourself if you are trying to control or change someone else’s behavior. Am I trying to get someone to start or stop a behavior? If the answer is yes, admit to yourself you are trying to control something you can’t control.
3. Remind. Remind yourself, despite your best desires and efforts, you have never and will never have the power to change another person.
4. Rest. Rest into the reality and freedom of not being responsible for changing others. 5. Decide. Decide how you will respond to difficult behavior. You are in charge of your response despite the behavior of someone else.
5. Discover. Look inside yourself to discover the deeper reasons the behavior is bothering you. Do you have historical wounds around the behavior? Is the behavior a barrier to connection in your relationship? Does the behavior scare you? Does feeling out of
control create feelings of insecurity for you? Do you hold a belief that bad things will happen if others don’t do things the way you do?
1. Sort. Sort whether the difficult behavior is something you can let go. Every behavior does not need to change. Sometimes making space for the other person to be different than you without judgement is most helpful. If you determine the behavior is truly causing problems, reach for directness rather than nagging.
2. Communicate. If you’ve identified the behavior as a true problem, calmly and directly communicate your concerns. Try going light on judgement and asking curious questions to understand the other person’s perspective about the behavior.
3. Boundaries. Decide what you will do or not do if the behavior continues long-term. Follow through on boundaries over time.
4. Model. Model healthy behavior in your interactions with the other person. If you are asking them to relax more, prioritize relaxing. Try modeling with a joyful attitude rather than one of judgement.
5. Encourage. Verbally acknowledge positive change the other person makes regarding the difficult behavior.
6. Accept. If the other person chooses not to change the behavior, accept their choice. You can’t make them choose differently. Instead, focus on how you will interact in the relationship.
Accepting you can’t change anyone but yourself is uncomfortable but freeing. Lean into the freedom and be gracious with yourself and others as you navigate letting go of trying to change others. Connect with us for counseling and coaching along your journey at Journeybravely.com.

Views: 16
March 12, 2025
Dog-Harmony’s 10th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza Returns to Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

Dog lovers, mark your calendars! Dog-Harmony presents the 10th Annual Doggie EGGstravaganza, a fun-filled, canine-only Easter egg hunt and social event happening on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.

This one-of-a-kind event invites leashed pups and their human companions to sniff out 800 colorful eggs filled with delicious dog treats. With two designated hunting areas for dogs over and under 35 pounds, every furry friend gets a chance to join in on the fun.

For a $20 donation in advance ($25 on the day of the event), attendees will receive a souvenir bag to collect treats while enjoying an evening of live music, pet photos, family-friendly games, and exciting prizes. Guests can also indulge in delicious appetizers from JC’s Gourmet while sipping on beer and wine.

This event is a great way for dog lovers to celebrate the season while supporting a meaningful cause. The funds raised help Dog-Harmony continue its mission of keeping dogs out of shelters through humane education, training, and community outreach.

Doggie EGGstravaganza is part of the Coastal Culture Series, made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program.

Tickets are available for advance purchase at https://events.humanitix.com/doggie-eggstravaganza-2025.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or event details, contact hello@dog-harmony.org.

Views: 9

March 12, 2025
The Health Benefits of Playing a Musical Instrument

Playing a musical instrument offers more than just an avenue for creativity or entertainment, it can also contribute significantly to mental, emotional, and physical health. Whether you’re strumming a guitar, playing the piano, drumming or writing a song, the act of making music can have profound positive effects on the body and mind.

Mental Health Benefits

One of the most well-known benefits of playing an instrument is its positive impact on mental health. Music has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels. When you focus on playing an instrument, your mind is often occupied with the intricate details of rhythm, melody, and technique, which can serve as a form of mindfulness. This focus helps to calm one’s nerves, reducing cortisol levels, a stress hormone. Playing music activates areas of the brain linked to emotions, enhancing mood, and a sense of accomplishment.

Playing an instrument also improves thinking abilities. Research suggests that musicians have better memory, attention, and problem-solving skills than non-musicians. The process of learning and playing music exercises the brain in ways that improve concentration and mental agility. For example, reading music requires deciphering symbols, which improves your ability to interpret complex information. Additionally, playing in time with a rhythm improves coordination between the mind and body, a skill transferable to other activities.

Emotional Well-being and Social Benefits

Music has a profound ability to express and regulate emotions. Many musicians find that playing an instrument serves as an emotional outlet, to release pent-up feelings or to process complex emotions. This emotional expression can increase feelings of happiness.

The rewards of playing music with others help develop long-term friendships and a sense of belonging. Group performances, such as orchestras, bands or song writing, encourage collaboration and teamwork. Those who attend music concerts or a live local band performance can foster a similar sense of group support.

Physical Health Benefits

Playing a musical instrument can also provide physical health benefits, especially for those who regularly practice. Instruments such as the piano or guitar require dexterity and hand-eye coordination, which strengthens fine motor skills. The repetitive nature of practicing a piece of music also promotes muscle memory and improves hand and finger strength. For wind and brass instrument players, blowing into instruments strengthens the lungs and diaphragm, improving respiratory function.

Playing an instrument can improve posture and balance. Musicians, especially those who perform standing or playing larger instruments like the guitar, bass, violin, or trumpet need to maintain an upright position for extended periods. This helps to strengthen core muscles and improve overall body posture. Playing an instrument can even burn calories, though not in the same way as exercise, performing actively on an instrument engages the body and uses energy, promoting better physical health.

Playing a percussion instrument like a drum set, as young as 6 and up to 60, provides count ability, muscle coordination, communication from head to hands and feet, tempo management, beat creation and a balanced consistent movement of music rhythms.

Cognitive Development in Children

For children, learning to play an instrument provides a wide range of cognitive and developmental advantages. Studies show that young musicians tend to perform better academically, particularly in areas such as mathematics, language, and reading comprehension. The skills developed through music such as pattern recognition, critical thinking, and memorization help children in other subjects. Learning an instrument at a young age helps children develop discipline, patience, and time management skills.

Conclusion

The health benefits of playing a musical instrument are vast and varied, offering advantages for mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Whether it’s reducing stress, improving cognitive function, or fostering social connections, playing an instrument contributes to a healthier, more balanced life. If you haven’t yet picked up an instrument, now is the perfect time to start. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.

Contact Studio 237 Music Lessons to continue or get started. Call (850) 231-3199 or email studio237music@gmail.com or visit our website at www.Studio237Music.com.

Views: 11

March 10, 2025