Happy New Year!! I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your family a healthy, happy, safe and prosperous 2009!
I also want to thank you for your continued support and readership in SoWalScene.com's first full year on the 'net. Actually, today is the one year anniversary of SoWalScene.com and I must admit, I am humbled by the journey this blog has taken me on in the past year and am incredibly excited about the upcoming year and beyond. What started as a fairly straight-forward blog has morphed into a multi-page, multi-dynamic website with a sister site - SoWalDining.com and more exciting additions in the pipeline. And a partner and I are in the process of launching another site that we think will be incredibly useful for the community so please stay-tuned!
2008 has not been an easy one for many, both in South Walton and throughout the world. It's been heart-breaking to see families forced to move to seek work elsewhere, see businesses that have had a presence in South Walton for years close, and hear the stories of people who have lost everything because of bad choices made during the real estate run up we witnessed back in '03-'05.
No one can predict the future but collectively we are hoping for a better 2009 - and are bracing ourselves for the real possibility it will be as, if not more, difficult as 2008. One thing is for sure - those that are still able to call this home are more grateful than ever for the charmed life we lead here. And, on other thing is for sure - the economy will turn around at some point.
In honor of the transition of years, I have complied Part One of a Year in Review below - view Part Two here - and have listed some of my favorite posts from each month the year. Enjoy - here's to 2009!
January 2008 in South Walton: Seagrove Villas and Motel put on the market - 30A big blue sign (new wayfinding signage) controversy erupts - Kris Titus of the Walton county TDC steps down - four laning of Hwy 331 begins - Frill Seekers wins the 19th Annual Great Southern Cookoff at Sandestin.
February 2008 in South Walton: Walton TDC halts installation of big blue wayfinding signage on 30A - South Walton High students perform Blithe Spirit at the Seaside Rep. after it had been banned last minute from production at the high school because of a public complaint stating it was morally inappropriate - County Road 30A designated a "Scenic" highway - Coastal Vision 3000's "THE Beach" campaign unveiled - the community of NatureWalk on County Road 395, north of WaterColor, put up for sale - we observed a Leap Day on the 29th.
March 2008 in South Walton: Seaside Half Marathon draws record entrants - tourist season 2008 begins during Spring Break - Walton county TDC implements the "Leave No Trace" program on area beaches - celebrities Sheryl Crow and Emeril Lagasse were spotted around town - local artist Billie Gaffrey chosen as ArtsQuest 20th Anniversary poster winner - Easter comes early in March - former South Walton High School coach Mark Cozzie was found not guilty of lewd and lascivious behavior against a minor - the old Sandor's building that used to sit at the corner of Hwy 395 and Scenic 30A is moved down 30A to Alys Beach where it becomes George's at Alys Beach - 1st Annual 30A St. Patrick's Parade is held.
April 2008 in South Walton: The Seaside Rep's Annual Benefit, this year themed, "The Prom", raises over $56K - Walton county TDC decides to remove big blue wayfinding signage (the "announcing signs") on Scenic 30A - Seabreeze 106.3FM Jazz Fest holds last event in South Walton (it will be held at Pier Park in Panama City Beach starting in 2009) - 22nd Sandestin Wine Festival held - Earth Day 2008 was on the 22nd.
May 2008 in South Walton: Yellow fly season begins - more than 60 swimmers pulled from dangerous rip currents in Bay, Walton and Okaloosa counties during Memorial Day weekend and one drowing was reported - 1st Annual Seaside Jazz Fest held - lifetime resident Doodle Harris passes away - Sonny Mares appointed Executive Director of Walton county TDC - VIE-people+places magazine launches - 20th Anniversary of ArtsQuest held.
June 2008 in South Walton: New Junior lifeguard program started on area beaches - Salty Dog Saloon, formerly Snapperheads, opens on Scenic 30A - new Blue Mountain Beach beach access opens - gas prices over $4.00/gallon - Parade of Homes 2008 begins - sea turtle nesting season begins on area beaches - hurricane season 2008 begins - rare Humpback whale sighting off Crystal Beach.
Some of my favorite posts over the past year:
- Signs Signs Everywhere (Jan)
- You Know You Are A South Waltoner When... (Feb)
- The Grouper Sandwich and Seagrove Village Market (Mar)
- Finding Opportunity in a Beach Resort Town (Apr)
- Seaside Jazz Festival - Weekend One. Marketing Snafu or First Year Growing Pains? (May)
- Welcome to the Beaches of South Walton, Dear Tourists (Jun)
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