this issue

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this issue

September–October 2013
Now online at theseasidetimes.com
towers rise to the occasion
The towers provide an enviable view of Seaside and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as an ideal reading spot. Photo above by Steven
Brooke; Photo on right by Emma Kellum
By Emma Kellum
In the early days of Seaside,
town founder Robert Davis opted
to break all acceptable beachside
real estate rules of the day by conceiving a town that sat across the
street from the gulf. He marked the
shared beach access with pavilions,
each structure a sort of architectural celebration of community.
But Davis and the original town architectural team, including Andrés
Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, also knew how prized a personal glimpse of the gulf would be
Raise a Glass
The 23rd Annual
Seeing Red Wine
Festival celebrates
the joy of wine
By Emma Kellum
Wine enthusiasts gather in Seaside each year to sample wines
from around the globe during the
last weekend of October, when
the award-winning town will host
its 23rd Annual Seeing Red Wine
Festival.
Seeing Red, in conjunction with
Taste of the Beach, is part of a
three-day wine event held at various locations along the Emerald
Coast. Guests can stroll through
tasting areas to sample wines while
enjoying music, Southern hospitality and cool autumn air. Each tasting area features live music. And
guests can purchase bottles on site.
to homeowners. And so the Seaside Urban Code was written to
permit houses topped with towers.
Per code, no tower can obstruct
the view of another home’s tower.
In addition, each tower must be
individually designed to avoid replication. This fits with everything
else in Seaside — each house is
required to have its own distinct
look, even down to its own tailor-made picket fence.
A giant hat must be tipped to
designer Deborah Berke. Not only
did she design 17 houses in Seaside
and one of the most notable gathering places in Seaside — Modica
The festivities extend to intimate
lectures and tastings with featured guest winemakers, dinners,
and reserve wine
tastings.
“The Seeing
Red Wine Festival is one of
the most highly
anticipated fall
events in the region,”
says Lori Leath Smith, Seaside
Community Development Corp.
public relations and marketing
director. “Seaside’s highlighted
events on Friday and Saturday allow both the wine novice and the
fine wine connoisseur to sample
specialty wines while speaking
with the very people who devote
their lives to the cultivation of the
grapes.”
Several of Seaside’s well-known
restaurants feature specially prepared meals for the event, pairing
meals with the ideal reds.
Red Wine Festival cont. page 26
Market — but she
also contributed
the first residential tower. In 1983,
Berke designed a home topped
with the town’s first tower on 36
Tupelo Street. The home, named
Giant’s Roost, features a pale blue
tower trimmed in white.
I had the pleasure of touring a
gem among Seaside towers designed by Charles Warren. Homeowner and fulltime Seaside resident Glenn Seawell goes into detail
about the versatility of his tower.
“It’s where I relax, have friends
over — in fact, it used to be a big
social gathering place,” he says.
“Now, I use it for smaller events.
My daughter was actually married
up here at sunset.”
On one side, the view from the
top shows the more traditional skyline that was originally envisioned
for Seaside. From the other side,
one can overlook Ruskin Place. The
Seawell residence lies right on the
axis of Seaside between the Seaside
chapel and the flagpole. “The lights
from the chapel are really beautiful
at night,” Seawall adds.
Tall Tales cont. page 4
The 22nd Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival in 2012 drew wine connoisseurs and novices to Seaside.
Photo by Chandler Williams
Page 5
Page 7
Page 9
Page 19
Page 21
Page 27
Urban
Design
Visions of Seaside
Book
Art and
Culture
Behind the
Scenes
Healthy Dog
Treats
My Seaside
Story
Page 2
T h e S e a s i d eTi m e s . c o m
Happenings About Town
Editor’s Letter
For many who visit Seaside seasonally, yearly
or even once, the memories are just too good to
not share. At Seasidefl.com, you’ll find a special
section called “My Seaside Story,” in which you
can read the stories of those who have fallen in
love with the town. And you can share your own
story, too.
We plan to publish one story in each issue
of The Seaside Times. Stories like these:
Stories of love — A Walton County sheriff deputy recalls a scuffle with some teens, which led to
an embarrassing injury. But it was through that
injury he met the love of his life. “Before I knew
it, I was cleaned up, and she placed a band-aid
on my minor wounds. I asked her what her name
was and told her mine. I looked into her eyes as
she looked into mine, and I knew that she was
something more than just a citizen that wanted
to help me out. I knew right then that I absolutely, positively, beyond a shadow of a doubt had
met the most wonderful girl on the earth!” he
writes. But the story doesn’t end there.
Stories of loss — Rebecca Ratikiewicz, from
Houston, Texas, shares her story, recalling her
mother’s last trip to Seaside before she died. “When
my sister and I were thinking of what we should
bury her in, we decided on the Seaside shirt along
with her white shorts, just like she was still on the
beach. I know she wouldn’t have wanted it any
other way. She loved Seaside!” she says.
Stories of family firsts —
Ryne Dunkelberger shares
his story about one of the
best weeks his family has
had together. “The firsttime experiences with
our son never seemed to
end. I tried a stand-up
paddleboard for the first
time on Western Lake nearby at the WaterColor
Boathouse. And my son tasted salt water for the
first time off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico with
Bud and Alley’s in the distance. Waves crashed
over him and he didn’t whimper. We rode bikes
for the first time in a long time. Our son woke us
up in the middle of the night, but it all seemed a
little better knowing the ocean waves were crashing a few steps away from the room.”
For this issue’s story, see page 27. And visit
Seasidefl.com to write your own Seaside story,
which may get published in The Seaside Times.
Cheers,
Wendy O. Dixon
Editor
[email protected]
www.seasideschool.net
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®
Editor
Wendy O. Dixon
Contributing Writers Photography
Susan Benton
Steven Brooke
Wendy O. Dixon
Diane Dorney
T.S. Gordon
Lesan Gouge
Emma Kellum
Shelby Ladner
Kevin Moran
Alan Roberts
Mark Schnell
Lori Leath Smith
Tracy Townsend
Fall is the ideal time to enjoy the view from the Seaside Pavilion with a perfectly chilled prosecco,
Designer paired with Royal Red shrimp from The Shrimp Shack. Photo by Lynn Nesmith
Scott Camp
Susan Benton
Steven Brooke
Emma Kellum
Shelby Ladner
Lori Leath Smith
Lynn Nesmith
Cyndee Yoshikawa
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Seaside Community Development Corp.
Lori Leath Smith
(850) 231-6179
[email protected]
Send Letters or Photos to the Editor:
The Seaside Times
P.O. Box 4730
Seaside, FL 32459
[email protected]
(850) 387-6822
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2013 Advertising Schedule
Nov.-Dec. 2013 ad deadline Oct. 5
For more information about ad rates contact Wendy O. Dixon at
(850) 387-6822 or [email protected]
Page 3
www.seasiderep.org
www.seasidefl.com
Page 4
AROUND TOWN
Tall Tales
Continued from page 1
Today, many towers jut upward
from pastel houses nestled on the
flat coastal plain, giving the town
its identifiable skyline and a romantic feel. As hoped, Seaside’s
towers offer gulf views to inland
homes, including those more than
a mile from the beachfront. By
capturing views of turquoise water
and white sand, the towers dramatically increase home values.
community.” On the tower, it’s easy
to catch a fairly consistent gulf
breeze, so it can be enjoyed even at
the height of Florida summer heat.
Whether equipped with a hot
tub, a hammock, or a table and
chairs, Seaside owners and visitors
will tell you a tower provides an
optimal vantage point for stargazing, catching a sunset, or taking in
the salty breeze.
Towers may not be limited to
solely private residents in the future. Several of the original plans
for Seaside’s town square incorporated a public observation tower in
On the tower, it’s easy to catch a fairly
consistent gulf breeze, so it can be enjoyed
even at the height of Florida summer heat.
This allows Seaside to function as a
highly desirable investment opportunity — no private beach property
necessary.
Beyond the financial value a
tower brings to a Seaside home, it
offers a spot of personal sanctuary
in the sky. Seawell appreciates the
design intent behind Seaside’s towers. “The design of the tower leads
you in and invites you to a view of
Ruskin Park,” he notes. “It’s private, but it’s unlike condominiums
in that the porches offer a sense of
the center of downtown that would
be designed by León Krier. In 2004,
the company Opticos, founded by
architect Daniel Parolek, was hired
by Seaside to create a master plan
for several strategic designs. Part
of this plan includes fulfilling the
original vision of Central Square
by beginning the construction of
León Krier’s tower. If built, this
tower would provide the ultimate
view of Seaside and the emerald
waters, which would be enough to
leave anyone awestruck. c
www.seasidefl.com
Giant’s Roost, otherwise known as Jack’s Beanstalk; Photo by Steven Brooke
Connect with us!
Seaside, Florida
Page 5
URBAN DESIGN
Location, Location, Location
Walkable, mixed-use communities, carefully planned in a desirable location, make for a
blissful place to live and work
By Mark Schnell
There’s probably not a more
famous phrase
repeated in the
world of real estate than “location, location, location.” And even
this has been
reduced
down
from a slightly longer phrase: “The
three most important words in real
estate are location, location, location.” OK, we get it — location is really important — but what, exactly,
does this mean? What constitutes a
desirable location?
It’s really about adjacencies and
proximity, neither of which roll
off the tongue three times quite
like the word location. Whatever
is next to your property, or at least
near it, is very important. Some
examples are obvious: a house that
is directly adjacent to a beautiful
Gulf of Mexico beach is generally
more valuable than one in the same
neighborhood that is not. But it’s
still better to be in close proximity
than far away.
This may be an obvious correlation, but the Gulf of Mexico is just
one type of adjacency, and one we
can’t control. We can, however,
control what gets built and the
quality of what gets built, and that’s
where I become very interested as
an urban designer.
It’s instructive to see the original
use of the phrase, or at least the
oldest use of the phrase that former
New York Times writer William Safire could find. It was in a 1926 real
estate classified ad in the Chicago
Tribune, and read as follows: “Attention salesmen, sales managers:
location, location, location, close
to Rogers Park.”
Now we’re getting to the heart
of the matter. The neighborhood
called Rogers Park was considered
a desirable place to be, but it was
something that was built, as opposed to an existing natural feature like the Gulf of Mexico. The
people who funded, designed and
built Rogers Park apparently did a
big favor to every property owner
in the area.
The same could be said of Seaside founders Robert and Daryl
Davis, and designers Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.
They created a place so desirable
that it has elevated property values
for many miles around. I’d like to
know how many times a property
in South Walton has been touted as
being “near Seaside,” and I’d like to
have that proverbial nickel for each
time it’s happened, too. Seaside
also paved the way for communities such as Rosemary Beach, WaterColor, and Alys Beach — all of
which were designed according to
the same principles — to be built
along 30A. Walkable mixed-use
development attracts more walkable mixed-use development —
and that sure beats the alternative
where sprawl creates more sprawl.
“Attention salesmen, sales
managers: location,
location, location, close
to Rogers Park”
Mark Schnell
For example, I cringe every time
I see another new strip mall or big
box retailer built along Highway
98, because they will just attract
more of the same. But the fate of
that corridor was doomed the
minute our Department of Transportation designed the highway.
Rather than create, for example, a
grand boulevard with street trees,
sidewalks, bike lanes, and transit
— which could have spawned more
walkable, mixed-use development
— they created a very conventional suburban arterial highway. It
wasn’t long before a “location, lo-
cation, location” along 98 was sold
as “perfect for a strip mall.” And the
property next door? Apparently,
that’s perfect for a strip mall, too.
My hope is that our leaders will
come to understand how their decisions set the stage for the development that follows. It’s similar
to how a tiny spark can grow into
an inferno. They basically create
sprawl when they build the infrastructure that encourages and supports it. But sprawl is not our only
choice, and we can set the stage for
a different and better future. In my
view, the most important repeated
three-worded phrase in real estate
should be: quality follows quality.
Mark Schnell is an urban designer
based in Seagrove Beach. His firm
Schnell Urban Design (schnellurbandesign.com) offers a wide range
of services, from designs for entire
communities to parks to houses. He
also offers walking tours of Seaside
by appointment. To schedule a tour,
contact Mark at (850) 419-2397 or
[email protected].
Tours cost $20 per person (cash
only), start at the front porch of
Sundog Books, and last approximately two hours. Tours are given
in conjunction with the Seaside Institute. c
Page 6
PHOTOGRAPHY
Iconic
Beach
Pavilions
Steven Brooke has been Seaside’s photographer of record
since its inception. He is a
Fellow of the American Academy in Rome, a Fellow of the
Albright Institute in Jerusalem,
and the winner of the American Institute of Architects’
National Honor Award in
Photography. He is the phoKeeping the beach free of massive architecture was, in my opinion, the single most important decision made by Seaside planners.
The beach pavilions stand as a testament to this largesse.
tographer of more than three
dozen books on architecture
and design, nine of which he
has also written. His books include Views of Rome, Views of
Jerusalem and the Holy Land,
Great Houses of the South, The
Houses of Philip Johnson, and
three books on Seaside. He
teaches for the University of
Miami School of Architecture
in both its Miami and Rome
programs.
With his most recent photos,
Brooke shares his thoughts on
the iconic pavilions in Seaside.
They are pure architectural statements, relatively free of the programatic requirements of residences and commercial buildings.
Thus, the architects had relatively free rein in expressing their design ideas.
Their position at the end of each Seaside street provides a visual destination point for pedestrians and a natural gathering place.
The unobstructed views from the pavilions make them perfect sites for quiet contemplation.
Page 7
Visions of Seaside
BOOK SPOTLIGHT
A book by Dhiru A. Thadani; Rizzoli, 2013, 608 pages, $75 hardcover
REVIEW BY THOMAS J. COMITTA
A new book examines the principled past and visions for the future of
the town that inspired New Urbanism.
When Sir Raymond Unwin proclaimed “do not make roads wiggle
aimlessly, ” Robert Davis, Daryl Davis, Andres Duany, and Elizabeth
Plater-Zyberk got it. In fact, if you close
your eyes and think about the memorable features of Seaside, the orderly
street network may come into focus.
If his treatise Town Planning in Practice (1909) were ever updated, Seaside
would be showcased along with Unwin’s chronicles of Letchworth, Welyn, and Hampstead Garden Suburb.
As Seaside begins a fourth decade,
countless future visions for this 80acre place evolve. All the while, the elegant thread of the street network will
continue to sustain the urbanism that
is at once serious and playful.
Dhiru Thadani lights a candle for us
in “Visions of Seaside,” so we can see
the flicker over time of this town, resort, learning laboratory, playground,
(and if Phil Bess gets his wish – Benedictine Monastery). Thadani unveils
with artistry the complete history
of Seaside, from the plans when the
roads wiggled, to the efficient street
and lot plans, to the evolution and
transformation of spaces as places, to
futuristic views of an even more sustainable and venerable town. Actually,
“Visions of Seaside” is five books in
one – with weighty chapters on Foundation, Evolution, Built Architecture,
Unbuilt Projects, and Imagination.
When I purchased Thadani’s magnum opus, I began to marvel at the
impressive composition of diagrams,
sketches, plans and photographs, each
of them a tribute to Thadani’s respect
for all who have contributed to the
success of Seaside.
Why Seaside matters
On the back of the book jacket Doug
Farr indicates: “If you are interested in
sustainability you need to understand
the New Urbanism. To understand
New Urbanism you need to understand the history of Seaside. And if you
think you understand Seaside chances
are you don’t.” I have visited Seaside
four times (first in 1994 when Christopher Alexander won the Seaside Prize,
when he said: “This Place lifts my
spirits,” and last in 2002 before CNU
10 in Miami, when one could truly
visualize the missing links to adjoining Watercolor). Therefore, I thought
I had a good feel for the place. After
reading the stories of Seaside by more
than 70 authors, architects, urbanists,
and civic advocates through the lenses
of town planning, sustainability, new
urbanism, architecture, civic art, and
placemaking, I now realize that it is
time to go back to gain a better appreciation of Robert and Daryl Davis’
treasure. Perhaps on the next visit to
Seaside, we can ask ourselves how we
feel about Krier’s Tower in place of the
Seaside Post Office, or Robert Stern’s
beach pavilion in place of Michael McDonough’s West Ruskin Street Beach
Pavilion.
The name for Seaside was hatched
after “Seagrove” and “Seagrove Beach”
were rejected. Even in the early 1980s,
NIMBYism of Sea Grove caused a
diversion, but enabled the name to
evolve. Thank goodness. With its new
identity, the streets were aligned to
run perpendicular to the shoreline,
channeling the prevailing breezes
deep into the site. The beach pavilions
serve as portals to the beach and sea,
and terminated vistas for all to enjoy.
Thadani, like a maestro, has conducted a symphony of text and images
that coherently tell the story of the diverse and complex place. Among the
highlights: Vincent Scully explains
how the pursuit of happiness finds its
home at Seaside, while Robert Davis
reminds us of the numerous ways that
the public realm provides places from
the plaza, to the piazzetta, to the playground.
Other notable viewpoints in the
book explain how the town has informed mainstream New Urbanism, by:
• Providing the model and impetus
for form-base coding
• Creating block characteristics
that are bent, squeezed, stretched,
chopped, or deflected to expediently
suit terrain, orientation, and public
space
• Contributing to the realization that
urban design needs to precede architecture, and that the space between
buildings is at least equally important
to the buildings themselves
• Demonstrating how civic spaces
become civic places when they serve
as centers of gravity, of fun, and of the
many moods and activities that citizens enjoy sharing with others
• Offering a model for lean urbanism,
incremental urbanism, and successional urbanism
• Through the final realization that
Seaside is always evolving and as a
work in progress it is just like every
other town in history
As founders, designers, organizers,
managers, gatekeepers, pioneer residents, historians and visionaries of
Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis see a
value-added future. A Seaside conservancy would provide the needed care
and stewardship for the civic realm of
the spaces that have grown up from the
sands of the Florida panhandle.
Yet with all the energy that the Davises have brought to Seaside, and all of
the unbuilt designs yet to be realized,
they have taken the time to smell (and
consider the replenishment of) the
roses on Rose Walk. They forever see
Seaside as a place to work less, and play
more. Seaside is a place of wonder and
joy, and “Visions of Seaside” captures
its heart.
Thomas Comitta is a planner and
landscape architect with Thomas
Comitta Associates in West Chester,
Pennsylvania.
Page 8
WHAT’S NEW
Unveils
a Revamped News
Section to its Website
Now you can easily access Seaside news through the recently
revamped news section of the seasidefl.com website.
Keep up with the most recent
happenings in the Seaside community. Check for alerts and weather
conditions. Read press releases.
And discover what other media
outlets are saying about Seaside in
the news — including a recent article on architect Andrés Duany discussing Seaside as lean urbanism
in VIEW Magazine; or architect
Léon Krier discussing how to guide
the evolution of a new urban icon;
Pickles Beachside Grill’s world-famous burger on 30aeats.com; “The
Truman Show” scavenger hunt and
15th anniversary in The Walton
Sun, AL.com, and VISIT Florida; or
the Northwest Florida Daily News,
30aeats.com, 30a.com, Sowal.com
letting folks know about the new
Visions of Seaside book.
In addition, the news page provides a link to the online edition of
The Seaside Times. You can check
it out to keep up to date on what’s
going on in town, upcoming activities and Seaside merchant events
and information, as well as the paper’s advertisers.
Truman fans can access “The
Truman Show” scavenger hunt locations by clicking on the Truman
Show stamp to begin a search for
all 15 sites in Seaside, in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the
film’s debut.
Seasidefl.com/news also allows
you to connect with the “Best Beach
for Families on Earth” as cited in
Travel + Leisure magazine. Follow and post your favorite Seaside
photos to Seaside’s Instagram (Seaside_newtownoldways) site. And
Seaside’s Twitter (@SeasideFL_),
Pinterest (SeasideFLA), and Facebook (Seaside - New Town, Old
Ways) pages offer additional popular options for interacting with
Seaside. You can even write your
own Seaside story by clicking on
the “My Seaside Story” link.
Recreation
You can now add badminton
and volleyball to the growing list
of things to do in Seaside. All new
badminton equipment is now
available to those who wish to play
the classic game with friends and
family. And a new volleyball court
has been set up beside the Family
Pool. Seaside has also provided
new croquet equipment to ensure
the ultimate game on the pristine
lawn. The new playground equipment gives even the youngest
crowd an exciting way to enjoy a
summer day outside. c
Page 9
Holiday Traditions
By Wendy O. Dixon
The Dance Academy of Seaside Neighborhood School is preparing for its second annual
performance of “Seaside Nutcracker,” based on
the critically acclaimed Russian ballet set to
Tchaikovsky’s beloved score.
Alpharetta Dance Theatre’s Rose Barile, an
honor graduate of Juilliard School and former
Prima Ballerina of the Atlanta Ballet, is director
and choreographer of “Seaside’s Nutcracker.”
Seaside Neighborhood School Ballet Mistress
Seleta Hayes Howard, a former student of Barile, is leading dancers in rehearsals now. “This
provides the students with a venue to contribute
to their community and a tremendous performance opportunity,” Hayes Howard says.
Barile and Hayes Howard held the school’s first
Nutcracker Summer Choreography Workshop
in June, which began training and choreography
for the dancers. The workshop was sponsored by
Snap Tween and the town of Seaside. c
The “Seaside Nutcracker” will
perform one show in the Amphitheater on
Saturday, Nov. 23 at dusk and
is free to the public.
Seaside Neighborhood School Ballet Mistress Seleta Hayes Howard (left) and director and choreographer Rose Barile (right) are in rehearsals now with this year’s dancers for “Seaside Nutcracker.” Photo by
Lori Leath Smith
www.seasiderep.org
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Page 10
TECH IT OUT
Mom Bloggers
Talented storytellers share their memories of
Seaside
By Wendy O. Dixon
Not long ago, mom blogs consisted
mainly of family photos and Christmas letters, shared by extended family and a few friends. As the medium
evolved with the explosion of social
networking, modern moms found a
broader avenue in which to share tales
of family life and tips on dealing with
diaper rash, temper tantrums, teen
apathy and other practical parenting
tips. Now, mom blogs rival newsstand
magazines, with advertisers, professional-quality photography and audiences in the thousands. With such
large readerships, bloggers can play a
part in guiding their readers toward
certain products, entertainment options and vacation destinations.
The most talented and business
savvy bloggers are afforded opportunities to travel the world to write about
exotic destinations. Seaside, many
bloggers have discovered, is the perfect family vacation destination. Here
are three mom bloggers, all worth
bookmarking, who visited Seaside recently and shared their experiences.
After enjoying meals and treats
at Great Southern Café, the Shrimp
Shack, Frost Bites and Amavita Coffee
& Tea, as well as shopping at Modica
Market, it was time to head home.
“Every day I’m trying to think of how
we can get back there.”
An excerpt from her blog:
“If you’re reading this, then you already know about the love we all share
for Seaside. If you were writing up
adjectives on how to describe it, the
words pastel, white, emerald, bikes,
classic, Southern and ice cream would
all come to mind. Only Seaside could
unite the states, our families and kids.
It is truly one grand place to vacation.”
Tidy Mom
Nest Of Posies
Tidy Mom blogger Cheryl Sousan from St. Louis,
Mo., brought her daughters, Allison and Heather,
for their first trip to Florida. Photo by Cheryl
Sousan
Blogger Kellie Tate, with husband, Ronnie, and
children, Mason, Graham and Madison, says her
family shared noteworthy memories during their
stay in Seaside. Photo courtesy Kellie Tate
Kellie Tate, writer for popular blog
Nest of Posies (nestofposies-blog.
com), shares family stories, craft ideas
and recipes with her 11,000 Facebook
fans and 21,000 Pinterest followers.
Tate lives in Chattanooga, Tenn., with
husband, Ronnie, and five-year-old
twins, Mason and Madison, and son
Graham, 7. In addition to everyday
tips, Tate shares personal stories of
her own family. “I call that category
Mommy Tales,” she laughs.
Tate considers herself a Seaside regular now, after visiting here for three
years in a row. “We absolutely love it
here,” she says. “And I hope my audience might get a nice surprise from
hearing about Seaside.”
Once they arrived in Seaside, the
Tate family abandoned their car immediately, and spent the majority of
time in the water. “We love that everything is within walking distance,” she
says. “And my kids love the amphitheater at night.”
Self-proclaimed neat freak (hence
the blog name Tidy Mom), Cheryl Sousan of TidyMom.net, has nearly one
million monthly page views, 37,000
Facebook fans and 150,000 Pinterest
followers. “It’s opening so many doors
for me,” she says of her five-year career
as a blogger and brand ambassador
for companies such as Bush’s Beans,
Whirlpool, ConAgra, California Milk,
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and
Arm & Hammer, among others. The
St. Louis, Mo., mom writes mainly
about food, photography and family
life, and has built her brand and online persona, along with her obsession with tidiness. “Through my blog
I’ve had a lot of opportunities to travel
to great destinations,” she says, citing
Montana, Utah, Vermont, Tennessee,
New York and California.
She and her daughters, Heather, 25,
and Allison, 17, visited Seaside for the
first time this summer. “My daughters
had never been to Florida or seen an
ocean,” she says. “They loved the whole
experience of Seaside. It’s a real family
place, not overly touristy. We loved
how peaceful and quiet it was compared to other vacation towns.” The
tidy mom and her daughters relished
the view from their balcony overlooking the town center. “Great Southern
Café was our favorite for dinner,” Sousan recalls. “We devoured the grilled
shrimp and blackened shrimp. Bud &
Alley’s was the main spot for lunch.
We loved their sweet potato fries. And
we loved Barefoot Barbecue. I can’t
think of anything we didn’t like.”
Blog excerpt:
No one is in a rush. You will see
families riding to the ice cream shop,
bike following bike following bike. It’s
surrounded by renowned restaurants,
quiet cafés, gourmet food trucks, clothing and jewelry boutiques, art galleries,
home and garden stores, a quaint book
and record store, a surf shop, toy store
and dozens more. No fast food chains,
no Starbucks, no hotels….. just independent entrepreneurs in this small
iconic coastal town.
One of our favorite parts about staying in Seaside is, we felt like we were
at home, not vacationing in a hotel. Where life is simple, the white sandy
beach and emerald water is just a simple walk away.
Kevin {&} Amanda
Read by more than a million readers each month, nationally renowned
blog Kevin {&} Amanda (kevinandamanda.com), has more than 11,000
email subscribers and 43,000 Facebook fans. The mom to two Boston
terriers, as Amanda Green Bottoms
describes herself, writes about food,
travel, shopping finds and anything
that makes her happy. “I always enjoy sharing travel destinations with
readers,” says the Auburn, Ala., native,
who is also a photography instructor.
When Visit South Walon invited her
and her husband, Kevin, to the area,
she was told she could visit any beach
town. “When my friends returned
from their visits to Seaside, I envied
their souvenirs with the famous Seaside logo,” she recalls. “So of course we
knew it had to be Seaside.”
The couple stayed in the String
of Pearls cottage booked through
the Cottage Rental Agency. “I loved
that we were able to stay in a home,”
she says. “The kitchen was a massive
gourmet kitchen. We could have
cooked in there but we loved going
to all the restaurants.” Bud & Alley’s and Great Southern Café were
among her favorites.
Once she wrote about the invigorating weekend, her blog post on Seaside was pinned nearly 200 times on
Pinterest, and her Facebook posts on
Seaside and South Walton received
approximately 500 likes. She even set
up hashtag #kevinandamandainseaside to share her photos on Instagram.
“Before we even left, I sat in a chair on
the front porch and told my husband
he would have to drag me off that
chair,” she says. “I’m dying to go back.”
Blog excerpt:
I love the idea of living in a small
neighborhood and walking to everything. We got a taste of that in Seaside this weekend and I fell in love. In
Seaside, travel is by foot or bicycle. The
narrow cobblestone streets are lined
with charming cottages, white picket
fences, and picturesque storefronts.
On the relaxing stroll to lunch our first
Blogger Amanda Green Bottoms, with husband
Kevin in Seaside, shares her travel adventures
with more than a million readers each month.
Photo by Amanda Green Bottoms
day in Seaside we spotted a gelato shop
across from Seaside Neighborhood
School where kids were playing soccer.
(We totally came back for gelato after
lunch.) In the center of town there’s a
field that hosts a weekly farmers market, outdoor concerts, and movies under the stars. There’s also the famous
Modica Market with every gourmet
grocery item you could ever dream
of. Did I mention they have coffee ice
cream made with beans roasted at the
local coffee shop? It’s the idyllic life. c
Page 11
MERCHANT
Sundog Books is a popular hang out for book lovers
staffer Sarah Gossett. “Plus we’re
always happy to help if someone
can’t find what they’re looking for.”
For 27 years, Sundog Books has
Owners Bob and Linda White
maintained its spot in Seaside moved to Grayton Beach in 1983
as the town’s beloved bookstore. from Jackson, Miss., and happened
As soon as you walk through the to meet town founder Robert Dadoors, the employees greet you as vis, who told them about the new
a friend and the familiar smell of beach town he had planned named
books and beach washes over you. Seaside. Like any timeless town,
It’s easy to lose yourself in the Seaside needed a bookstore and
mesmerizing collection of books, the Whites jumped on the opcards, notebooks, mugs and more portunity. “We felt that the beach
as the creak of the floorboards and books were a good fit,” Linda
guides you deeper into the store. White recalls.
But don’t let yourself be overThough it has always been the
whelmed. “If you have no idea go-to place for visitors and locals
what you want to read, customers alike for the latest beach read, Suncan always check out the employee dog has grown significantly since it
recommendations bookshelf,” says began in the newborn town of Seaside. Originally, the bookstore was located in a tiny
shop on the beach — today’s
Amavida Coffee. “Since then
the area has grown and so
have we,” Linda recalls. The
shop has been in its current
location for 15 years.
Long-time
employees
look back on the move and
laughingly remember carrying books and merchandise across Highway 30A
from the old store to the
new location. All the while,
of course, the original Sundog, a black Labrador named
Patty, would tag along. For
15 years, Patty was the ultimate mascot: “She loved to
The shelves of Sundog Books are overflowing with
volumes to please any bookworm. Photo by Shelby Ladner come to work so much that
By Emma Kellum
Though the bookstore has relocated from its original small space across town, Sundog Books
maintains a charming and intimate setting for which it has always been known. Photo by Shelby Ladner
if we had the day off she would walk
down here anyway,” Linda remembers fondly. “Every customer was
warmly greeted by the loveable lab.”
Though Patty was the “sun dog”
of the store, the name originally
came from the 1978 movie “The
Deer Hunter.” A sundog is a ring
of light that is sometimes visible
around the sun, which is caused by
light refraction through ice crystals in the atmosphere. “Once you
know what a sundog is you tend
to see one on cold, overcast winter
days,” says Bob White, who came
up with the idea for the name. Urban myth claims a sundog brings
good luck.
Perhaps this rings true as the
bookstore continues to be a prominent cornerstone of Seaside.
Whether you’re searching for a
new book or attending one of the
weekly book signings on the porch,
Sundog is the place to go. c
Page 12
www.seasiderep.org
www.seasidefl.com
Page 13
VISITORS BUREAU
There’s No Place Like a Seaside Home
Seaside Visitors Bureau helps you have the ultimate visitor experience
Seaside is best known for the simplistic elegance
of the New Urbanism design principles. And the
partners of the Seaside Community Development
Corp. — Cottage Rental Agency, 360 Blue
Properties, Homeowner’s Collection and Sunburst
Luxury Collection — have the variety of homes to
meet any vacationer’s needs, whether you want a
cozy one-bedroom romantic retreat or a luxury
resort hotel experience with concierge service.
With amenities aplenty, the Seaside Visitors
Bureau partners plan to ensure guests at Seaside
have all they need to enjoy their vacation. By renting a cottage through one of the Seaside partners,
you’ll be assured you’re getting the right cottage
for your stay in Seaside.
“We want to offer folks staying in Seaside a
simple solution for finding the right cottage for
their vacation,” says Lori Leath Smith, direc-
tor of public relations and marketing for the
Seaside Community Development Corp.
“We hope people will find that the Seaside Visitors
Bureau is a useful tool in planning their vacation.”
Visit Seasidefl.com/vacation/rentals
Our Featured Properties
Cottage Rental Agency
Homeowner’s Collection
2376 East County Road 30A
520 Forest Street
Savannah Sands
Savannah Sands is a classically designed 3-bedroom/2.5-bath gulffront beauty with stylish West Indies décor throughout. All bedrooms are located on the first floor along with a private screenedin porch. Upstairs, there is an open living room, dining room, a
modern kitchen and a half bath. The third floor open tower room
offers a 360-degree view of town, the sugar-white sand beach and
emerald green waters, and of course, the brilliant sunsets.
(877) 811-5440 • CottageRentalAgency.com
Wash Ashore
Conveniently located,
Wash Ashore is near
the tennis courts,
shuffleboard, croquet lawn, fitness
center and Adult/
Family Pools. With a
screened-in porch at
every turn — offering
plenty of places to
unwind and relax —
you will feel right at
home. Wash Ashore
offers 3 bedrooms
and 3 baths. Bonuses
include an outside shower, games, books, videos, CDs, grill and even
a place for your bicycles behind the closed gate.
Homeowner’s Collection
(855) 411-1557 • HomeownersCollection.com
Sunburst Luxury Collection
Beachfront 8 & 10
“Pure, simple and elegant. These series of beachfront
“Honeymoon Cottages,” inspired by President Thomas
Jefferson as he built Monticello, are the perfect setting for
a romantic retreat, honeymoon, anniversary or birthday.
Designed for two people and perched perfectly behind the
primary dune along the Gulf of Mexico, each cottage is furnished with a comforting neutral palette and has beautiful
beach front views from the second floor.”
Sunburst Beach Vacations
(866) 310-5718 • www.SunburstCo.com
360 Blue Properties
Here Comes the Sun
This gulf front home provides dazzling views of the area’s signature emerald green waters from the spacious upstairs balcony.
Professionally updated in 2013, this 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home
is ideally located just steps to the pavilion beach access. When you’re
not soaking up the sun at the beach, use the provided bikes to cruise
around Seaside and check out the shopping and dining just moments
from your doorstep. This stunning home also features a Smart TV
that includes Apple TV and an updated sound system for your
indoor enjoyment. Bring the entire family to “Here Comes the Sun”
for a vacation you will always remember.
360 Blue Properties
(888) 974-0516 • www.360Blue.com
Page 14
SEASIDE MAP
Page 15
Shopping, Dining and Services
Albert F’s Home, Garden & Gifts
Artwork, gifts, home accents, great garden art & custom design service by Brad
Speight. 800.974.5203 /
www.albertfs.com
Amavida Coffee & Tea
The one-stop shop for Fair Trade Coffee,
Fair Trade Organic Tea plus coffee and
tea accessories.
850.231.3539 / www.amavida.com
Amoré by the Sea
An eclectic shop filled with unique
treasures, antiques, furnishings, Turkish
ironwork, olive pots, jewelry and local
art. 850.231.0337
An Apartment in Paris
Come inside and experience the perfect
collection of original art, home furnishings, accessories, gifts, jewelry and
clothing. 850.534.0038 /
www.anapartmentinparis.net
The Art of Simple Downtown
Brimming with home accessories,
candles, unique finds and rare bath and
body lines ... browse, linger, be inspired
and leave with a happy find from the
store that has everyone buzzing with
delight. 850.231.6748 /
www.theartofsimpleonline.com
Artful Eye
Creative eyewear and sunglasses.
888.264.4989 / www.theeyegallery.com
Barefoot BBQ
Barefoot BBQ specializes in hormone-free, steroid-free, antibiotic-free
beachside BBQ in a retro, tiki style
atmosphere. 850.534.0313
Bud & Alley’s Pizza Bar
Thin crust, wood fired pizza, antipasto
bar, salads & more. Italian wines and
beer and a full bar available. Located
right on the beach next to the Obelisk
tower. 850.231.3113 /
www.budandalleys.com
Bud & Alley’s Restaurant & Roof
Top Bar
A Seaside tradition on the Gulf since
1986. Sunsets on the roof-deck are a
daily town ritual. Fresh, regional, coastal
cuisine served daily for lunch & dinner.
850.231.5900 / www.budandalleys.com
Bud & Alley’s Taco Bar
Authentic border tacos, burritos & fun.
Offering a full bar featuring over 40
speciality Tequilas. Dine in or take out.
Located roadside next to Bud & Alley’s.
850.231.4781 / www.budandalleys.com
Central Square Records
An independent record store specializing in CDs, new & used vinyl, record
players, guitar strings & accessories,
Jittery Joe’s Coffee, unique gifts, cards
& more. Located above Sundog Books.
850.231.5669 / www.centralsquarerecords.com
Crush
Intimate wine bar and restaurant including a menu of small plates, sushi, a
daily cheese board and extensive wine
list with friendly staff and hip and trendy
events. 850.468.0703 /
www.crush30A.com
Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudge Works
A favorite since 1988. Fresh frozen yogurt, homemade fudge and kid’s candy,
too! Don’t forget to try Yobe™ Yogurt,
America’s newest taste sensation.
850.231.4770 / www.sweetwilliamsltd.com
Deja-vu on the Beach
Offering affordable trendy clothing with
a sophisticated urban eclectic style. Apparel, jewelry, shoes, bags and accessories. 850.534.0710 /
www.shopwithdejavu.com
Duckies Shop of Fun
Calling all kids and kids at heart!
Duckies carries hundreds of items to
put a smile on your face. We’ve got toys,
clothing for kids, gifts, beach gear and
so much more.850.231.4800 / www.
shopduckies.com
Fired-Up Pottery Painting
A fun, friendly place where you can
paint your “art” out on over 500 unique
pottery pieces. Great for birthday parties, bridal showers, girls’ night out, and
corporate events.850.231.3211 /
www.firedupseaside.com
The Fitness Fetish
Fun & friendly family sport & beach
shop. “Life is Good” products, sports
apparel, swimwear, footwear, beach stuff
and cool gifts. 850.231.5000 /
www.fitnessfetish.com
Focus
A little boutique portrait studio by the
beach where fun memories are made.
Focus also features fabulous gifts, frames
and custom jewelry. 850.231.1842 /
www.carlettawatkins.com
Frost Bites
Hawaiian shaved ice, homemade frozen
custard, fresh squeezed lemonade and
cold drinks. Also available for birthday
parties, weddings and special events.
252.452.3013
Gordie Hinds Contemporary Art Fusion
South Walton outdoor scenes, fishing,
still life, colorful people.
850.231.1041
Great Southern Café
New-fashioned southern cuisine. Fresh
seasonal vegetables, seafood, aged beef.
Enjoy the “Littlest Oyster Bar” for fresh
oysters. Beer, wine, cocktails. Breakfast,
lunch & dinner. 850.231.PEAS (7327) /
www.thegreatsoutherncafe.com
Heavenly
Authentic, delicious gelato, hand-folded
and dipped ice cream. Enjoy shakes,
sundaes, cookies and strawberry shortcakes. Gourmet coffees and espresso.
850.231.2029 / www.sweetwilliamsltd.com
Jahaza Belle
Specializing in high quality women’s
apparel with a “beachy” resort look. Also
featuring dressy sandles, one-of-a-kind
pieces of jewelry, scarves, beach bags &
hats. 850.231.1160 /
www.jahazabelle.com
Mercantile
Mercantile carries goods for men and
women that are time-worn, weathered, a bit western and where possible
– eco-friendly and American made.
850.213.0010 / www.shopmerc.com
Modica Market
Your exclusive grocery deli market in
Seaside. Breakfast, lunch and beach
foods to go. 850.231.1214 /
www.modicamarket.com
Newbill Collection by the Sea
Gallery of Contemporary American Art,
fine craft, original paintings, photography, folk art & garden sculptures. Best
selection of handcrafted jewelry on the
Gulf Coast. 850.231.4500
ONO Surf Shop
Latest styles swimwear, footwear,
lifestyle clothing, surfboards, boogie
boards, skim boards & accessories.
850.231.1573 / www.onosurfshop.com
Per•spi•cas•ity
Open-air bazaar featuring bohemian
beach styles. Must have pieces for the
ultimate Seaside escape.
850.231.5829 / www.theseasidestyle.com
Pickles Burger & Shake
Home of the paradise burger, best chili
cheese dog, famous fried pickles &
shrimp basket. Enjoy a cold beer or daiquiri. Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner.
850.231.5686
www.sweetwilliamsltd.com
Pizitz Home & Cottage
The luxuries and necessities for simple,
comfortable, relaxed Seaside living.
Custom orders available.
Raw & Juicy
Offering organic juices and smoothies,
raw food and organic beach snacks. Sea
Turtle Flashlight filters and merchandise
available here. 850.231.0043 /
www.rawandjuicylife.com
Seaside Beach
Casual Seaside fashion and accessories
for men and women. “bare feet & sandy
floors rule” in this Seaside lifestyle store.
Seaside Classic
Classic collection of Seaside clothing,
accessories, books & prints. The flagship
store for Seaside style.
Jewel Toffier
Taking you from casual to classy, Jewel
Toffier is known for its private-label
coastal clothing and accessories.
850.231.0639
Seaside Kids
The original children’s store at the beach.
Fun fashion, toys and must have accessories. Seaside logo wear for kids.
The Justin Gaffrey Studio
Visit the Justin Gaffery studio gallery
and enjoy Justin’s contemporary works
mixed with his classics. A flowerful treat!
850.231.0279 /
www.justingaffrey.com
Shimmering Seas Jewelry
Elegant sterling silver, gold, diamonds,
pearls & many more shimmering jewelry
collections and unique gifts.
850.231.5100
www.shimmeringseas.com
La Vie Est Belle
Featuring designer Wendy Mignot, the
originator of the Tahitian and Fresh
Water Pearl and Leather Jewelry collection. Largest collection of ancient coins
& shipwreck coins in the southeast.
850.231.4692 /
www.lavieestbellegallery.com
The Shrimp Shack
A walk-up steam seafood shack “on the
beach” with peel & eat shrimp, lobster
rolls and shrimp rolls plus fresh oysters
- raw, steamed or baked. Great selection
of beer & wine. 850.231.3799 /
The MeltDown on 30A
Gotta have grilled cheese sandwiches
and soups. Serving traditional and speciality grilled cheese sandwiches.
www.meltdownon30a.com
Snap Tweens
Apparel, footwear, jewelry and gifts that
are just right for pre-teens. Unique fashion and designers that both parents and
kids will enjoy. 850.231.3800 /
www.snapkids.net
Sundog Books
An eclectic selection of books, greeting
cards & gifts for all ages. 850.231.5481 /
www.sundogbooks.com
Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs
Serving up the best hot dogs on the
beach! We serve 5 different dogs that are
bursting with flavor & they have no antibiotics, hormones, nitrates, nitrites, filler
or junk. They are dogs gone good!
850.231.0802 /
Willow+Woods
An exclusive boutique for both men
& women designed to cater to all your
fashion needs - fun & flirty for her,
relaxed & casual for him. 850.231.0433 /
www.willowchicboutique.com
Services
Beach Ready Spa
A unique blend of medical spa & holistic
wellness center. Highly trained technical
staff is available to provide you the products and services to treat both internal
and external signs of aging.
850.468.0925 / www.beachreadyspa.com
Seaside Transit Authority
Bike Rentals
The official rental bike provider of Seaside, Florida. Seaside Transit Authority
offers custom designed rental bikes for
all our Seaside guests and visitors. A
variety of rental items available include
unisex bikes, mens bikes, boys and
girls bikes, tag-a-alongs, tandems, kids
trailers and cargo trailers. 850-865-3808
www.seasidetransitauthority.com
877.811.5440
Earl Bacon Insurance Agency
850.369.0161
Florida Haus
850.231.3100
Johnson Rice & Co., LLC
850.231.0158
The Merchants of Seaside
850.231.5424
Neighborhood Title Company
850.231.5178
Post Office
850.231.2220
Regions ATM
Located next to The Art of Simple
and Sundog Books
Seaside Commercial Properties
850.231.6106
The Seaside Institute
850.231.2421
Seaside Interfaith Chapel
540.760.5477
Seaside Neighborhood School
850.231.0396
Seaside Tennis
850.231.2214
Seaside Swim and Tennis Club
850.231.2284
Seaside Repertory Theatre
850.231.0733
Surgical Care Affiliates, LLC
205.545.2572
For your vacation planning and
reservations in Seaside.
Seaside Visitors Bureau
www.seasidefl.com/vacation/rentals
www.seasidefl.com/vacation/rentals
Rental service for beach chairs,
umbrellas, kayaks and more.
Cabana Man
850.231.5046 / www.cabanaman.com
Licensed Real Estate Broker.
Seaside Community Realty, Inc.
Dedicated to the exclusive sales of
Seaside properties since 1983.
850.231.2201 / www.seasidefl.com
Page 16
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Seaside Associated Stores — Seaside Classic, Seaside Beach, Seaside Kids,
Perspicasity and Pizitz — offer a sticker featuring Seaside’s famous dog Bud for customers who give a minimum $1 donation.
All proceeds will go to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Currently, 91 cents of every dollar spent by the foundation
is directed towards lifesaving breast cancer research and awareness programs. For more information visit bcrfcure.org.
This past spring the Seaside
Style family lost one of their
own to cancer. Linda Cook had
graced Pizitz Home and Cottage
with her presence for more than
eight years. She was a true professional, and warmly greeted
customers as they shopped
for just the right look for their
home. During Linda’s tenure at
Pizitz she formed strong friendships with many of her customers, and especially her coworkers. Linda was a woman of
strength, and undeniable beauty
and style. Linda will always be
fondly remembered and sadly
missed by the Seaside community. — Pizitz staff
I remember the first time I
heard the word “cancer.” I was
eight years old, and my mother
told me the devastating news
that my 18-year-old sister Tracy
had passed away after a twoyear battle with breast cancer. In
my young mind I simply could
not comprehend what that
meant. I couldn’t understand
that our own body could turn
against us.
Years would pass and that
dreadful word would be spoken
in our family once again. This
time my aunt Cindy was diagnosed after her mammogram
showed a tiny lump. Amazingly
enough, Cindy had scheduled her
mammogram after promising
her dear friend who was dying of
breast cancer at the time that she
would make the appointment as
soon as she returned home. This
promise would prove to save my
aunt’s life.
Believing our family had
experienced our share of this
Beach Ready Spa’s natural skin
care line Arcona features one of
its best-selling hydrators, which
gets a pink boost (from fruit,
not artificial color) for
Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
For all Magic Pink Ice hydrators
sold in the month of October,
Arcona will donate $2 to
Cancer and Careers.
Clockwise from top: Shelby Ladner, her aunt
Cindy, aunt Trish, cousin Noelle and her mother
Kathy.
disease, we received more
shocking news in 2009 — that
my cousin, Noelle, was diagnosed with an advanced stage of
breast cancer. Noelle moved in
with her mother, my Aunt Trish,
who would care for her and her
nine-year-old daughter for the
next two and half years. Noelle
passed away peacefully at the
age of 43 in 2011. I often refer to
Aunt Trish as my hero because
of the love and dedication she
gave to Noelle during her battle
with breast cancer. Sadly, two
years later Trish was also diagnosed with breast cancer. My
aunt decided to have the genetic
BRCA cancer test taken, in
hopes of getting answers for the
rest of the females in our family.
The results came back negative.
Trish is doing well and will complete her treatment this fall.
I have seen loved ones and
friends suffer with this terrible
disease but through their faith,
strong family support and true
friends, many have overcome
and reclaimed their good health
and happy lives. When you truly
experience great loss of a loved
one or witness them suffer due
to a disease, it really puts your
life and priorities in perspective.
Life is so precious and good. —
Shelby Ladner, Crush staffer
Crush Wine Bar is donating
proceeds from sales of two
popular wines. For every
glass of Grenache Rosé
Atmosphere 2012 from
Provence, France, and
Veuve du Vernay Rosé
Brut, France, it will donate
half the price to the Olson
Women’s Diagnostic Center, Sacred Heart Hospital.
Page 17
Page 18
September/October Calendar of Events 2013
September
“First Friday” ArtWalk
Friday, September 6, 5-8
p.m. – Ruskin Place &
Central Square
Enjoy live music and view beautiful works of art
and artist demos at the galleries and shops of
Ruskin Place and select Central Square merchants.
Seaside Farmers Market
Saturdays, September 7, 14,
21, & 28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. –
Amphitheater
Get your pick of fresh produce,
baked goods, dairy products,
native plants and other unique
offerings during our market
on Saturday mornings. Find
local specialties that will help sustain our growers.
Enjoy special cooking demos and activities sure to
liven up your morning. Held behind Raw & Juicy.
Central Square Cinema –
Classics on the Big Screen
Fridays, September 6, 13,
20, & 27, 7 p.m. – Seaside
Amphitheater
Join us as we continue our summer movie series
through September with a variety of films geared
towards the whole family on the 35’ screen.
September 6 – “Ghostbusters”
September 13 – “Jurassic Park”
September 20 – “Beetlejuice”
September 27 – “Annie”
October
“First Friday” ArtWalk
Friday , October 4, 5-8
p.m. – Ruskin Place &
Central Square
Enjoy live music and view beautiful works of art
and artist demos at the galleries and shops of
Ruskin Place and select Central Square merchants.
Seaside Farmers Market
Saturdays, October 12, 19, & 26, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. –
Amphitheater
Get your pick of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy
products, native plants and other unique offerings
during our market on Saturday mornings. Find
local specialties that will help sustain our growers.
Enjoy special cooking demos and activities sure to
liven up your morning. Held behind Raw & Juicy.
4th Annual Halloweener Derby
Saturday, October 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
If you missed this event in 2012, make your
plans now to be in Seaside for the hilarious races
featuring some of the area’s top dogs, including
our very own Bud! This fundraiser for 30A Radio
brings together our four-legged friends for a day
of fun in the sun. For more info, visit the event
online at: www.halloweener.org.
Trick or Treat in Seaside
Halloween, Thursday, October 31, 4-6 p.m.
It’s time for ghosts, goblins and princesses to go
door-to-door collecting candy from the Seaside
merchants to feed their sugary appetites. Hear
spooky stories with the Seaside Repertory Theatre
and do the monster mash with terrifying tunes
from 30A Radio, the community radio station.
DATES, TIMES & EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Please contact sponsor for details and registration. Events are made possible by the A&E fee collected by The Merchants of Seaside.
Events are free & held in the Amphitheater unless otherwise noted.
23rd Annual Seeing Red Wine Festival
Thursday – Sunday
October 31- November 3 – Seaside
Set during one of the prettiest seasons on the Emerald Coast,
this event sponsored by Visit South Walton will feature
hundreds of wines from around the world. In conjunction
with “Taste of the Beach,” wine enthusiasts stroll through
tasting areas, sampling a wonderful selection of wines. Each setting
also features world-class music. Intimate lectures and tastings with featured
guest winemakers, dinners, and reserve wine tastings are all part of the festivities.
Special packages are available in the award-winning town of Seaside for
accommodations during the festival.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Bud & Alley’s – 7 p.m.
$125/person – (850) 231-5900
–––––––
Friday, Nov. 1
CRUSH Wine Dinner
CRUSH – 7 p.m.
$65/person – (850) 468-0703
–––––––
Friday, Nov. 1
CRUSH Wine Seminar
Vinter’s Dinner
CRUSH – 2 p.m.
$35/person – (850) 468-0703
–––––––
Saturday, Nov. 2
Seeing Red Grand Tasting
Seaside – 1-4 p.m.
$120/person – (866) 976-4399
–––––––
Friday, Nov. 1
Al Fresco Wine Walkabout
Ruskin Place – 6-8 p.m.
$185/person – (866) 976-4399
Sunday, Nov. 3
Celebration of Bubbles Brunch
Great Southern Café – 11 a.m.
$50/person – (850) 231-7327
For more information regarding tickets, accommodations packages,
and more, please visit: www.seeingredwinefestival.com.
Page 19
Behind the Scenes
STAFF
David Leet Jr. shines as a recreational
team member
By Lesan Gouge
A native Alabamian, David Leet,
Jr. took the first opportunity that
came his way in Seaside. “My father
was the front desk manager at Seaside and informed me of an opening
at the bike shop. So, I applied and
got the job,” Leet says.
Three years later, he moved on to
a better opportunity and his current position as a recreational team
member for Seaside. The 33-yearold maintains all of the Seaside Swim
& Tennis Club by keeping a watchful
eye on the cleanliness of the pools,
pool decks and fitness center, and
performs any light maintenance
the facilities need. This isn’t a small
feat for a club that boasts three
swimming pools, six tennis courts,
a world-class croquet lawn, fitness
center, shuffleboard, playground,
bath house and tennis pro shop.
Leet plays a key role in keeping
everything in top shape for all of
the vacationers, homeowners and
members, doing so with a smile on
his face and offering his cheerful
personality.
“I take pride in knowing that I
have a hand in making Seaside look
Follow us!
“David is self-motivated and detail oriented, a
great co-worker.” — Cyndee Yoshikawa, Seaside
Swim and Tennis Club Director. Photo by
Cyndee Yoshikawa
as the guests and homeowners have
come to expect,” says Leet, who enjoys meeting new people. “It’s neat
seeing a different group of faces every week during season.”
Leet has been in his key role at
Seaside nearly two years. His loves
fishing, going to the beach with his
soon-to-be wife, and cheering for
the University of Alabama athletics
teams. When asked if he had any
words of advice for Bama, Leet simply replies, “Roll Tide.” c
#SeasideFL_
Link to any of our advertisers.
Visit us at www.theseasidetimes.com
Page 20
PHOTO ESSAY
Monarch butterflies love the native black-eyed susans dotted along the beach. Photo by Lynn Nesmith
This Fort Worth, Texas, family visiting Seaside don their new Seaside souvenirs.
left to right: Emerson Laird, Alexandra McGinnis, Addison McGinnis, Emma Grace Laird and William
Laird. Photo by Lori Leath Smith
U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller (right) visits with the Seaside Neighborhood School Administration. Left
to right: Seaside School Inc. Foundation Board President Rick Helfand, principal Kim Mixson, director
Cathy Brubaker. Photo by Lori Leath Smith
Congressman Miller with students: Dugan McAdams, Belle Atlas, Maddie Cope, Jenna Scheler, Nick
Trodd, Annie Spence Photo by Lori Leath Smith
Betty and Dan Cooksey, and Margie Wade enjoy relaxing in Ruskin
Place. Photo by Wendy O. Dixon
Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse films a segment of “Emeril’s Florida” for the Food Network. Photo by Lori Leath Smith
The native Florida black-eyed susan thrives along the dunes of
Seaside in late summer and into autumn. Photo by Lynn Nesmith
The retention pond did its job this summer, as rain drained from the streets into the town’s center. Photo by Shelby Ladner
Page 21
No Bones About It
Dog lovers can reward their pets with
delicious and healthy dog treats
By Lesan Gouge
Davis Dog Treats was started as
a way for Kenneth Davis, an eighth
grader at Seaside Neighborhood
School, to earn extra money. After a news story about potentially
harmful ingredients found in
store-bought treats, Davis decided
to make homemade treats for his
beloved four-legged friends.
“I wanted our dogs to have
healthy treats and found a recipe
in a cookbook I bought at school,”
Kenneth Davis, 13, bakes delicious and nutritious dog treats weekly for the Seaside Farmers
Market
FARMERS MARKET
fore 25 cents of each bag sold is donated to the SOS Animal Shelter in
Enterprise, Fla. “I picked them because they are a no-kill shelter and
they need a lot of stuff,” he adds.
“I wanted our dogs
to have healthy treats
and found a recipe in a
cookbook I bought
at school.”
owners to know what ingredients
are in the food or treats they are
giving their pets. “All the ingredients in our treats are listed on the
label and are something you can
eat yourself,” he says. Hoping to
someday expand his business and
open a shop in Seaside, Davis has
arranged to have his treats sold at
Modica Market when the Seaside
Farmers Market is closed.
Davis Dog Treats sells all natural gourmet treats for your pets.
They specialize in dog treats with
several different flavors available
and an assortment of cat crackers
too. Contact Kenneth at (850) 8350323, [email protected]
or find them on Facebook. The
Seaside Farmers Market is open
every Tuesday and Saturday from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. c
he says. “We didn’t have all of the
Kenneth Davis
ingredients, so my mom helped me
improvise and we came up with a
basic recipe and added different
Davis’ taste testers are comflavors.”
Beef, chicken, cheese and pea- prised of his three dogs — Sassy, a
nut butter flavored treats were Jack Russell terrier, a boxer named
concocted in July of 2012 and Rocky, and Peanut, a boxer-rat
eventually liver, maple bacon, ba- terrier mix. Davis encourages pet
con cheeseburger and even
a breath buster featuring
parsley and mint were added
to the mix. Today, Davis has
managed to create glutenfree treats for dogs with a
wheat allergy and also offers
a seafood sampler bag of cat
crackers with flavors such as
sardine, salmon and tuna.
Davis enjoys being at the
Seaside Farmers Market,
and especially enjoys the
people. “I really enjoy meeting so many interesting people, and talking about their
pets,” he says. “Although I
love to talk about flying.”
The extra money he earns
will go towards a remote
control plane, but not be- Davis Dog Treats feature chicken, cheese and peanut butter. Photo by Eric Marcus Studio
Page 22
Charities and Non-profit organizations
Dine for the Pines to
benefit E.O. Wilson
Biophilia Center
The E.O. Wilson
Biophilia Center,
an
educational
nature center in
Freeport
which
educates students
and visitors on the
importance of biodiversity, promotes sustainability and encourages conservation, preservation
and restoration of ecosystems, is
hosting a fundraiser for area student programs and the preservation of Longleaf pine trees at Bud
& Alley’s Sunday, Sept. 8, from 5 to
9 pm. The public is encouraged to
attend to learn more about the E.O.
Wilson Biophilia Center.
Developed by conservationist,
M.C. Davis, the E.O. Wilson Bio-
philia Center sits on is a 53,000acre land and wildlife conservation reserve named Nokuse
Plantation. The Center is dedicated to world-renowned scientist
and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Dr. Edward O. Wilson. To date,
the Center, with 31,000 square feet
of environmentally friendly interactive exhibits, classrooms and
theater has taught over 21,000 students from 62 schools in the last
four years from the surrounding
five-county area offering programs
for STEM (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics)
subjects. The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, a registered 501(c)3
non-profit organization as Nokuse
Education, Inc., relies primarily on
The E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center offers an education on bio-diversity in its Freeport facility.
Photo courtesy E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center
public donations for their environmental education programs and
other facility support services.
The event will also include a silent auction and a short presentation with animals by the Center’s
president, Christy Scally and The
Center’s director, Paul Arthur. Ad-
mission is $20 per person when you
register to purchase a ticket on-line
at www.dineforthepines.eventbrite.
com, or $25 at the door and includes
hors d’ouevres, a taco bar and a cash
bar. For further information, visit
www.eowilsoncenter.org, or call
(850) 835-1824. c
Wings Ride Team Pedals
into Rosemary
18 Guys, 5 Days and 500 Miles —
The Wings Ride team will depart
on a 500 mile cycling charity event
beginning on Saturday, Oct. 5,
from The West Clinic in Memphis,
Tenn., to Rosemary Beach, promoting cancer awareness, encouraging a healthy lifestyle and raising
funds for Wings Cancer Foundation’s Wellness Program. The team
is scheduled to arrive in Rosemary
Beach Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 at
around 6 p.m. The public is invited
to be there to welcome the team.
Wings Ride will fund Wings
Wellness, a program that teaches
cancer survivors to incorporate
daily exercise, healthy diet, and
stress management into their
lives after their cancer treatment
is complete. Research shows that
these activities help survivors recover from their treatment faster
as well as prevent future cancer diagnosis. All of these programs and
services are offered in the Memphis area free of charge to anyone
touched by cancer regardless of
The Wings Ride team celebrates a well-earned sunset view during the 2012 bike trek from Memphis,
Tenn. Photo courtesy Wings Ride
where treatment is received.
For more information on Wings
Ride contact Sarah Blackburn
at (901) 683-0055 Ext. 1187.
wingscancerfoundation.org/
Facebook for Wings Ride:
www.facebook.com/WingsRide c
2nd Annual 30A 10-K & 1 Mile Fun Run
Holiday Event in Rosemary Beach Available for Early Registration
The iconic powdery white sand
beaches will once again play host
to the second annual 30A 10K & 1
Mile Fun Run Nov. 28 (Thanksgiving Day) in Rosemary Beach. Runners of all abilities are invited to
register now at www.30A10K.com
for a special early registration rate
as the race is expected to sell out
quickly, as it did last year.
As of Sept. 1, the prices are $60
for the 10K and $30 for the 1 Mile
Fun Run. The 10K course begins
and ends in Rosemary Beach, Fla.
and travels on Scenic Route 30A
through the neighboring communities of Alys Beach and Seacrest.
The 30A 10K event director and
USA Track and Field coach Karen
Meadows believes that this race
distance is ideal as the 10k is used
for seeding and placement in many
premier running events throughout the country. “Because the 30A
10K is a fast, flat, out-and-back
course it becomes a perfect course
for running enthusiasts who are
looking to set a new personal
record,” says Meadows. “Of course,
so many of the racers participate
in order to have a great excuse for
second helpings of turkey and pecan pie. The race is a great reason
to visit 30A for a healthier holiday
break with family and friends.”
The 30A 10K is a Peachtree Road
Race qualifier with certification
#FL12097EBM.
The 30A 10K raised $18,000 in
2012 and donated the proceeds
to Donations 4 Danny, a charity
that supports the medical needs
of South Walton fireman Danny
Margagliano, who is a quadriplegic. For the upcoming race, event
organizers set a goal of doubling
the proceeds, which will benefit
three charities this year: Donations
4 Danny; Food for Thought Outreach, which feeds school age children in need every week through a
backpack program; and Lighthouse
Family Retreat, an organization
that serves more than 200 children
with cancer and their families by
providing 14 retreats a year on Scenic Highway 30A.
Local businesses can sponsor
this charity race. 30A.com, an online tourism site featured in magazines such as Southern Living,
Atlanta, Florida Travel+Life and
Entrepreneur, has signed on for the
second year as a premium sponsor.
“We love sponsoring the 30A 10K
because not only does it attract
both visitors and locals, but the
event also gives back an incredible
amount of money to local charities,” said 30A.com’s Angela Ragsdale. “We ran it in last year, and
it was the perfect way to start our
family’s Thanksgiving holiday.”
To register for the 30A 10K and 1
Mile Fun Run, visit www.30A10K.
com. Find the 30A 10K on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/30a10k. c
Bud & Alley’s in Seaside will host
the 9th Annual Hurricane Party on
Friday, Sept. 27, 7-10 p.m. with all
proceeds benefiting Children’s Volunteer Health Network.
Entertainment will be provided
by Destin’s DJ Joey. The event will
also feature a live and silent auction.
Select silent auction items will be
posted online for a pre-auction two
weeks prior to the party. Anyone will
be able to bid on the items, whether
they plan to attend the party or not.
Online bidding details will be posted
on CVHNkids.org.
Tickets are $60 in advance and $75
day of the party. Any business interested in getting involved can donate
silent or live auction items with all
proceeds from the auction going
straight to CVHN. Sponsorship
levels are also available. For more
information or to purchase tickets, visit CVHNkids.org or contact
CVHN at (850) 622-3200 or email
[email protected]. c
Page 23
In Plein Sight
INSTITUTE
Arts event celebrates Seaside
By Diane Dorney
Plein air is a French expression
that means “in the open air” and is
particularly used to describe the act
of painting outdoors.
The Seaside Institute offers homeowners and visitors of Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach (and all
neighbors in between) a unique arts
event that celebrates the beauty of
Seaside and its people through plein
air painting.
The term, en plein air, is a French
phrase that simply translated means
“in the open air” and has come to
define the art of painting outdoors.
The roots of plein air painting are
found in 19th-century Europe when
paints became available in tubes and
allowed the artist to leave the studio and carry equipment to the location of their choice. English artist
John Constable believed that artists
should forget “formulas” and trust
their own vision in finding truth in
nature. Over the past 15 years, plein
air painting has experienced resurgence in popularity due to the great
connection made between the artist
and his subject and potential patron.
According to the Plein Air Mt.
Lebanon website, plein air painting
is done on location, capturing the
atmosphere of the
moment. The majority of the painting must be completed on site with
little to no work to
be done in the studio. Most artists
agree this is the
true test of one’s
skill as a painter
as it requires complete confidence
in placement of
color and brushwork in a short
amount of time. For example, a sunset may only last 30 to 40 minutes.
That would be all the time the artist
has to capture the scene.
Artists will be painting in and
around Seaside in mid-October.
And Saturday, Oct. 18, the opening
will be held in the Seaside Institute
Assembly Hall (the building adjacent
to the Seaside Academic Village),
where the paintings will be displayed
and sold at a cocktail reception.
Proceeds from the sale of the
paintings done in Seaside will go
to the artists with a percentage
returning to the Seaside Institute.
A percentage of the Rosemary and
Alys Beach paintings will benefit
those town’s foundations. c
www.seasiderep.org
Plein air art by David Csont (above) and Dede Christopher (inset)
Connect with us!
Seaside, Florida
Page 24
FOOD AND WINE
Executive Chef Alex
Naeger brings Seaside
inspired cuisine to Crush
By Susan Benton
Photos by Susan Benton
A
returning
local chef brings
a new flair to
coastal
modern cuisine at
Crush Wine Bar.
Alex Naeger was
recently
welcomed as the
executive chef for the restaurant.
Naeger brings passion to the plates
at Crush and has implemented
a new menu that is getting rave
reviews. Crush is also excited about
the twist Chef Naeger has put on
old menu favorites, and the new
combinations that pair so well with
the extensive wine list.
At lunch, go for the fried oyster BLT with applewood-smoked
bacon, braised pork belly and
goat cheese topped with a dash of
Crystal Hot Sauce remoulade. Or
for dinner try the pan-seared black
grouper over crawfish risotto in a
smoked tomato fume’ with pickled
red onions.
Naeger’s travels, as well as his
former training, inspire many of the
menu creations at Crush. He found
his passion for food at an early age.
“I was born and raised in Missouri
with a mother that worked in the
restaurant industry,” he says. “I
grew up in that atmosphere and was
driven to work with food.”
He pursued his interest and
attended Le Cordon Bleu College
of Culinary Arts in Miami, graduating in 2007. “It was a culture
shock,” he recalls. “There were millions of people, but I grew into it.”
Naeger was an apprentice under
Chef Alex Naeger
his college instructor and mentor
Chef Christian Bex, originally from
France, who trained under French
chef legend Paul Bocuse. Bex was a
consultant opening restaurants and
developing menus.
Naeger transitioned by taking a
position at a French-Creole fine
dining restaurant in South Florida,
where he established a strong
insight for flavor profiles and gained
additional culinary experiences in
molecular gastronomy, a scientific
method of exploring the physical
and chemical processes that occur
while cooking.
He felt at home in Florida but was
ready to leave Miami when he landed
a position at Vintij Wine Boutique
& Bistro in Miramar Beach. “It
was a great experience to work
under Chef John Jacob,” he says.
“I really enjoyed my time there.”
He followed that position working under Chef David Cunningham
at V Seagrove, and most recently
assisted his mentor Chef Bex in
opening a Peruvian and Italian fine
dining restaurant in Peru.
Thrilled to take charge of the
menu, Naeger says he’s happy to
be able to showcase his talents and
experience at Crush. “I am so fortunate to have free reign of what I
want to put on the menu,” he says.
“I’ve found my niche.”
Crush is located in the heart of
Seaside in Central Square and also
offers a happy hour nightly with
half-priced wine, sushi and beer
from 4-6 p.m. With its welcoming
staff and diverse selections of food
and wine to choose from, you will
want to explore all that Crush has
to offer.
www.crush30a.com/
Seared scallops
Black grouper and crawfish rissot
An Educated Guess
Even the most basic wine education can
enhance your meals — and your life
By Kevin Moran
Several years
ago, when I
was traveling in
Europe, I found
myself in a discussion about wine
with a gentleman
on the train, and
I was surprised
to discover how
little he knew about the wines from
his native region in France. He said
he loved wine, but he didn’t need to
know every fact or detail about wine
in order to enjoy it. He just needed
to know which wines he personally
enjoyed, and which wines went well
with the foods that he enjoyed eating.
These two bits of information alone
allowed him to truly enjoy his wine,
because he never let his enjoyment of
food or beverage become overshadowed by an urge to be an expert on
wine in general. He simply wished to
be informed about the wine he drank,
and most of that information came
from his own personal palate.
Since then, I have maintained and
encouraged this prerequisite for
enjoying wine in the wine classes
that I teach. I try to focus on teaching people how to identify wines
that they enjoy, and subsequently,
how to discern which foods pair
well with the wines they enjoy.
Any further instruction is what
you might call above and beyond,
as those two items of information
always offer a concrete and universal point of introduction into the
world of wine education. However,
just like any other topic of education, the more you study and learn
about it, the more apt you will be
to enjoy it.
If you want to learn more about
wine, there are some educational
options on the Emerald Coast.
The most readily available and
largely attended opportunities to
learn about wine are the wine festivals that come to our area. In the
Spring, try the Sandestin Wine
Festival (sandestinwinefestival.
com) and the Beaches of South
Walton Wine Festival (sowalwine.
com). Both of these festivals offer
an array of wine education methods — from classes and seminars to
wine tastings with dozens of wines
to taste and buy on site. In the Fall,
Seaside hosts the Seeing Red Wine
Festival (seeingredwinefestival.
com), which is another opportunity to taste and discover new and
exciting wines.
In addition to these annual festivals, Chan’s Wine World (chanswineworld.com) also hosts a variety
of educational events over the course
of the year, and with several locations
along the Emerald Coast, availability
is in abundance. And last but not
least, there is my school, Emerald
Coast Wine School (ecwineschool.
com), which offers single-session
classes, as well as wine courses.
The Fall class schedule was just
released, which showcases a
fantastic four-week course on
wines of the Great Northwest
(focusing on Washington
and Oregon), as well as a
handful of single-topic,
one-session classes on
a variety of wine-related subject areas. To
receive a flyer with
more information, contact
[email protected], or stop
by Crush Wine Bar in Seaside’s
Central Square and ask for a wine
school flyer.
Susan Benton is the go to resource
for foodies visiting Pensacola to
Panama City Beach. She is a food
and travel journalist with published
articles and photography in many
local, regional and national publications. Her website is 30AEATS.
com where she writes about the
secrets of Gulf Coast food. c
Whether you want to become an
expert on wine and stock your cellar with all your favorites, or if you
would just like to be able to find a
wine that will pair well with the food
you enjoy in either a home or restaurant setting, learning about wine
assures you confidence and money
well-spent. As you learn more about
wine, on any scale, I guarantee that
you will not only find yourself enjoying wine more on your own, but you
will begin to see wine as a destination of experience, one to share with
friends and family and guests alike.
Kevin Moran is the general
manager at Crush Wine Bar,
[email protected], or
(850) 791-9265. c
Page 25
Technology and Your Tennis Game
By Tracey Townsend
Technology has given the sports
industry a leap up in speed and
power. The trend is evident in
every sport, and tennis is no exception. Those who don’t change racquets every year or two are likely to
miss the ball — literally.
Racquets are now made from
titanium or a composite of materials that are more powerful than
ever. The days of wood and aluminum are so far past that they
seem ancient when you talk about
them. Lighter, stronger materials
have made it possible to hit the ball
at incredible speeds. It has even
changed the way we now teach the
game. Loopy shots of the past have
been replaced by low, penetrating
shots that are just above the net
as the ball crosses, and yet the ball
lands deep in the court. It’s great
for pushing opponents back. To
combat that, we now teach you
how to catch the ball on the rise.
String is the equipment that has
had the most upgrades. Polyester,
gel-filled, textured, and shaped
strings are just a few of the new
options on the market. Soft strings
have been improved for players with arm and wrist injuries.
Harder strings have been built for
Follow us!
ball from the past.
And with the new
QuickStart tennis
for 10 and under
players,
balls
are made softer
and flatter for
the slower swing
speeds of children.
Shoes are also
improved from
the basic ones of
the past. Shoes
are made in hard,
soft and cross
training versions.
They are lighter in
weight than ever
before, and they
are engineered to
be cooler. Today’s
shoes are made to
accommodate any
foot or foot probResort tennis expert Tracy Townsend. Photo by Ellen Townsend
lem a player may
have.
Now, tennis clothing is even
increased power and spin. It really
is amazing to see how the different referred to as equipment, due to
strings respond and the different its high-tech fabrics. It wicks away
effects that can now be created on moisture. It protects you from
the sun with special UV blocking.
the tennis ball.
Balls are more technologically It breathes to keep you cooler.
advanced as well, now made spe- Apparel can also block the wind
cifically for different court sur- to keep you warmer and dryer.
faces. The material the ball is made I would never play these days in
from is so much better than the a cotton tee shirt like I did in
#SeasideFL_
TENNIS
the past. Remember how it would
weigh three pounds at the end of
a set?
The Seaside Tennis Pro Shop
is prepared to elevate your tennis game with an upgrade of your
outdated equipment. With cutting-edge technology, as well as
the latest in strings, shoes, accessories and fashion-forward trends,
you can certainly get your game on
here. And with private and group
lessons from friendly pros you will
soon know exactly how to use it all
to your advantage.
Tracy Townsend is a resort tennis expert, and his company 30A
Tennis manages Seaside Tennis on
behalf of the Seaside Community
Development Corp. You can reach
him at [email protected], or call
(850)231-2214. For news, events
and court conditions, find Seaside
Tennis on Facebook. c
Pro Shop Hours:
Seaside Tennis has new
hours for fall:
Mon-Thurs 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fri-Sun 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
www.seasidefl.com
Page 26
CELEBRATION
Red Wine Festival
Continued from page 1
“It is a tradition that has taken
Seaside by storm,” Leath Smith
says. “Tourists and homeowners
plan for this weekend many months
in advance. This event not only
brings in hundreds from near and
far, but it also features more than
250 different kinds of red wine.”
The event is a collaboration between the Walton Area Chamber
of Commerce and Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation
(DCWAF), part of Taste of The
“The Seeing Red Wine
Festival is a tradition
that has taken
Seaside by storm.”
Lori Leath Smith,
director of public relations
and marketing, Seaside Community
Development Corp.
Beach combining new and established food, wine and artistic
events, featuring prized vintners
and renowned chefs.
The majority of proceeds from
ticket sales and the charity auction
benefit local charities that work to
improve the physical, emotional
and educational lives of underprivileged and at-risk children in
Northwest Florida. For a list of
charities the event is helping, visit
tasteofthebeachfl.com.
The Seeing Red Wine Festival offers a dizzying array of wines for any red wine lover. Photos by Chandler Williams
Seeing Red Wine Festival
Oct. 31-Nov. 3
Featuring more than
250 different kinds of
red wine from
around the world.
Ticket
Packages
Accommodations in Seaside
range from a one-bedroom hideaway
to a private cottage large enough for
families, all set among brick paved
streets and picket fences. Complimentary amenities include the private swim, tennis and fitness club,
gift totes and free DVD rentals.
Cottage Rental Agency, the official lodging sponsor of the event,
is offering free tickets to the festival when booking a room during
Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2013. Guests who
stay two nights receive a free ticket
with the purchase of a ticket.
Guests who stay three nights
or more receive a free ticket if
they stay in a one-bedroom; Two
free tickets for a two-bedroom
or larger. Visit seeingredwinefestival.com to book.
Special accommodation packages are available in Seaside. Visit
seasidefl.com/vacations/rentals.
Park and Ride
Guests can take the shuttle to
and from Seaside for the event.
The Seeing Red Wine Festival is
offering free parking to all guests
at Publix at WaterColor Crossings on County Road 395. Guests
can access this lot by heading
south on 395 from Highway 98
and follow the signs. Trams will
run continuously from 11a.m. to
7 p.m., allowing guests the opportunity to arrive early and stroll
through Seaside and stay late for
dinner following the event.
See page 18 for nightly details. For more information
regarding Seeing Red Wine
Festival tickets, accommodations packages, and more, visit
seeingredwinefestival.com.
Page 27
Carey McWhorter’s
Real Contribution
By T.S. Gordon
As an architectural photographer, I really didn’t want to buy
into the initial trade journal hype
over Seaside. Mainly, I was incredulous that this particular opportunity was seemingly earmarked for
every other photographer in the
world besides me.
Tied to my regular magazine assignments in Denver at the time,
we were barely able to make ends
meet, so any dream my wife and I
may have had for traveling down to
see this place were about as likely as
to come our way as a big fat check
from Publisher’s Sweepstakes.
By the time the critics had long
since moved on to flashier projects, I too had outgrown much of
my original interest in this peculiar
form of trophy hunting. One day,
as I was counting my lift tickets
and concert stubs from Red Rocks,
I concluded that true success,
(should it ever come my way) would
begin as soon as I could get aboard
an ocean-sailing craft. Crazy as it
seemed, I deduced that the closest
path to fame and riches for me was
to live among the celebrated yacht
builders near Fort Lauderdale.
It was something like, 2004, before I chanced upon a freeway exit,
simply labeled “Seaside 1 Mile.”
And I was literally shaking from excitement as I drove into the hamlet
at a roaring 28 miles per hour.
Much like a fog that permeates
the coast at certain hours, I hadn’t
reached the first speed bump before
I recognized that my entire come
from was out of sync with reality, or
something to that effect. Having no
real reason to be there, I literally felt
for a minute that I had barged into
some stranger’s living room.
Timidly, I strolled about town for
a little over an hour before I felt
relaxed enough to get behind the
wheel and back on the highway, albeit utterly unconvinced that I had
accomplished anything of value all
day. But, as I made that last hard
MY
STORY
Carey McWhorter with wife Joely and daughters Lily, Kate and Sarah. Photo courtesy Carey
McWhorter
left, back towards the highway, I
noticed a sign that read, “Architect,”
and on a lark I decided to pay the
folks a quick visit, just to say thanks.
Details aside, there is no question in my mind that most of the
credit for this architectural treasure trove is simply due to the miraculous conviction and selfless
attitudes that people like Carey
McWorter and his wife had contributed to the process. Together,
their spirits telegraphed a rare joie
de vivre, or quality of life, which
reminded me of this near Biblical
truism, as penned by Frank Lloyd
Wright: “Mankind inhabits architecture. Thereafter, architecture
inhabits us.”
Obviously, many other equally talented people were required to build
Seaside. They always seem to whisper, “Savor this moment and do let
everyone know it, whenever you
happen to stumble upon what’s truly
important in all of our lives.” c
People Mover
The 30A communities have become the beneficiary
of a more efficient transportation system
By Alan Roberts
In efforts to reduce the amount of
vehicle traffic in and around Seaside,
Sunshine Shuttle & Limousine and
Seaside came together to develop a
transportation system for Seaside’s
retail and hospitality employees from
a designated, county owned parking
area across the street from Shops of
Grayton on County Road 283.
The collaboration began in May
and ran through Labor Day weekend, running from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
“Since May, we’ve been averaging
between 75 to 100 employees per
day,” said Mike Wells, chief operating officer for Sunshine. “And going
forward, we welcome the opportunity to work with businesses all
along Scenic Route 30A in an effort
to alleviate vehicular traffic, and encourage opportunities to support
green initiatives.”
The timing for this community
co-op came at the height of the busy
summer season. According to Wells,
up to 100 cars are taken off the
road on any given day, making this
not only a green issue, but a traffic
cleansing effort impacting all visitors
to South Walton County.
“We hired additional drivers specifically for this program, bringing
economic growth, too,” he said.
The partnership came about
through discussions between Sunshine and Seaside as to ways to reduce vehicular traffic on 30A.
“But in the long run, reducing all
traffic along the route is crucial to
making sure people return to the
area based on their positive experiences here,” Wells said.
Funded by Seaside Community
Development Corp., Sunshine’s
Owner John Finch sees this program
as an extremely positive stepping
stone for repositioning the car-centric attitude along 30A.
“Many people may not know this,
but Walton County owns a large
percentage of land north of 30A. We
can turn that into a tremendous asset by carefully creating designated
parking areas along its 18 miles,”
said Finch. “Imagine restaurants like
the V in Seagrove and Stinky’s in
Santa Rosa Beach each having their
own large, or shared, parking areas.
Combine that with communities like
Rosemary Beach and WaterColor offering employee transportation, and
a 30A Tram connecting all of these.
That’s a bona fide route system incorporating parking areas, employee
transportation, and tourism, taking
hundreds of cars off the road. Everyone will benefit.”
Since creating a Unified Transportation System (UTS) with the
business owners of nearby Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Finch is
hopeful that a privately or publicly
funded 30A Tram is simply inevitable. He added, “If Sandestin can
do it, the business leaders of 30A
can do it.”
“Seaside really stepped up to the
plate to make this happen,” said
“It beats having to drive in all the way to work. The best thing is not fighting the traffic, especially at
night.” - Pamela Thomas, who works at Cottage Rental Agency in Seaside. Photo courtesy Sunshine
Shuttle
Finch. “There was no precedent for
this type of program, so they deserve credit for setting the stage on
future similar projects. Every journey begins with a single step — or
in this case, a single shuttle.
“Bringing communities together,
and pointing out the benefits of creating more parking for their visitors
by transporting their employees
from a single spot, may help every-
one understand that 30A just cannot withstand the daily onslaught
of vehicular overload,” Finch concluded. “When the 30A Tram
comes to fruition, every community
will see positive change.” c

this issue

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