SoWal Scene - South Walton County, Florida Blog

Johnny Earles does it again - 30A Resorts

A few months ago, a rumor began circulating around South Walton that changes were coming to Criolla's in Grayton Beach, one of Scenic 30As longest standing and most acclaimed restaurants owned by chef/owner Johnny Earles.  I even blogged about it (read that post here). 

Alas, all rumors were put to rest last Thursday evening when Mr. Earles and his business partners hosted an absolutely fabulous event to announce their new venture - 30A Resorts.  What a soiree it was - Criolla's talented and jovial Executive Chef, Shayne Vaughan, and his crew served up all kinds of tapas and wines from Napa Valley flowed freely. 

The movers and shakers of South Walton were in attendance - Lisa Marie and Jerry Burwell (owners of Cornerstone Marketing & Advertising), Lisa Comeau (Vice President of Account Services, Cornerstone Marketing & Advertising), Bob Brown (Executive Vice President of Creative Services, Cornerstone Marketing & Advertising), Jennifer Steele- (Seaside Rep/CAA) and Balder Saunders (Dread Clampitt), Mike and Angela Ragsdale (Alys Beach/30a.com), Ceri Givens (Regal Properties of NW Florida) and Craige Hoover (Seaside Rep), Ed Berry and Rachel Morgan (For The Health Of It), Karen Terrell (Alys Beach), Karen Otten (Alys Beach), Tom Rymer (H20 Properties), Tommy Crow (Tommy Crow Photography), Stuart Slicis (H20 Properties) Garner Chandler (Beach Properties of Florida), and Buz and Susan Livingston (Livingston Financial Planning/Walton Sun columnist), just to name a few. 

From a press release posted on the 30A Resorts website,

Perpetual Imagination - Part Science Center, Part Toy Store

A really cool little store opened up on Highway 283 in Grayton Beach a month before Christmas called Perpetual Imagination that is offering some really fun educational extracurriculars for children in kindergarten through 5th grade which, as most of us know, is lacking big time in SoWal. From their site, "Perpetual Imagination is a conceptual educational toy store that we envisioned as a cross between a hands-on science center and a toy store.  The resulting business is quite unique, with the owner/scientist on site to create new exhibits, answer questions, demonstrate products, and conduct and oversee hands-on science workshops."

They are now holding all kinds of neat hands-on science and art workshops every week (see February calender below) and also sell science lab kits, robotics kits, globes, microscopes, science project supplies, toys, and gifts.  They also offer birthday party services as well if you are looking for a unique place to celebrate your little one's big day.  On top of all that, I just found out they also offer tutoring for K - 5th grade students in science, math, english/reading, social studies, and spanish for only $15/hour!

Time to hit the gym

It was that time of year again for me recently - time for the dreaded annual physical.  Now, I knew going in that I am not in top condition.  I turned 37 last year and I have noticed little things starting to fall apart - body parts appear to be sagging in a whole new way, my skin seems to have lost some of that youthful glow, recovery after a big meal or a night of wine drinking with friends is longer, and, most noticeably, my clothes began to shrink. 

But even my awareness of these things didn't prepare me for the news that I now weigh as much as I did when I was pregnant with my second son, Luc - and he was an 8lb, 8oz bundle of joy at birth.  OMG.

Not one to mull around after receiving shocking news, I took immediate action and joined a gym.  There are a few gyms in SoWal and I did a little homework before making the decision to join Grayton Beach Fitness.

Vie - people+places coming soon

OMG, folks - I just can't believe how many fabulous people we have in this community!  Since the launch of SoWal Scene just a few short weeks ago, I have not only reconnected with old acquaintances but have also had the pleasure of meeting a lot of interesting, inspirational people.  I am being totally honest when I say that I have buoyantly walked away from every exchange to date not only with a big smile and warm and fuzzy feeling, but also a greater insight into the unique spirit of the South Walton community.  Although the current sting of the local economy is a shared one, there is a prevailing sense of gratitude as well for what is woven into the collective fabric of life here.  Wow.

With that insight, I was absolutely thrilled to have crossed paths with Lisa Marie Burwell, President and Founder of Cornerstone Marketing & Advertising in Grayton Beach.  A proponent of all things positive as well, Lisa is launching a new lifestyle magazine this April called Vie - people+places.  The French word for "life" and "live", Vie-people+places intends to pay tribute to the Emerald Coast and surrounding communities by "celebrating the ‘people and places’ by spanning the region from Pensacola to Apalachicola."  I was sent a mock up of the magazine - it's a beauty like everything Cornerstone produces, it's unique, it's intention is to promote and celebrate people and focus on the positive - this will be a huge success for them.  Here is some more information I received about Vie:   

Adieu

I heard through the South Walton grapevine that hair colorist extraordinaire Kerry Roy is leaving Salon Twist in Grayton Beach for the Big Apple soon.

If you have ever had your hair colored or highlighted by Kerry, you know what a bummer this is.  I used to be a regular in Kerry's chair, back in the day when I could pull off a cutesy pixie cut and when the wallet was a bit heftier.  It was hands down the best color I've ever had and I always was asked who was responsible for my fab look.

I heard Kerry has some great opportunities on her plate and whoever she decides to work with is getting one of the best in the industry in my opinion.

Good luck, Kerry!  South Walton is going to miss you.