May is Melanoma Awareness Month

April 25, 2026

By Bridget Sullivan, PA-C, Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology

Every year, the month of May is recognized as Melanoma Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating the public about melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. Melanoma develops from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin, and although it accounts for a smaller percentage of skin cancer cases, it causes the majority of skin cancer–related deaths. Increased awareness, early detection, and preventive measures can significantly reduce the impact of this disease.

Annual skin cancer screenings are essential for prevention and early detection. When detected and treated early (Stage 0-I), the five-year survival rate is very high, often around 99%. There are also pre-cancerous moles that can be detected and treated before evolving into a melanoma skin cancer. During a skin cancer screening and when doing self-exams at home, you should be looking out for the ABCDEs of melanoma.

A – Asymmetry: one half of the mole does not match the other
B – Border: edges are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined
C – Color: uneven colors such as shades of brown, black, red, or white.
D – Diameter: greater than about 6 mm, which is about the size of a pencil eraser
E – Evolving: any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms

Other signs and symptoms include moles or growths that itch, bleed, or hurt. A mole that stands out from the rest of your moles and a mole that changes quickly.

Prevention and protection against melanoma also include sun protection and decreased UV exposure. This includes wearing an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, avoiding peak hours of sunlight, and wearing sun protective clothing.

Melanoma Awareness Month serves as a reminder that protecting our skin is an important part of overall health. By practicing sun safety, checking our skin for changes, and seeking medical evaluation when concerns arise, we can help reduce the burden of melanoma and improve outcomes for those affected. Awareness and prevention remain powerful tools in the fight against skin cancer.

Sean of the South: Enough

April 25, 2026

By Sean Dietrich

What if I told you that you are enough?

Moreover, what if you woke up this morning and, for the first time ever, you actually felt like enough. What if you loved yourself? And I mean really loved yourself.

Do you love yourself? Let’s find out.

Are you a perfectionist? No? Yes? Have you ever asked WHY you’re a perfectionist? Have you ever wondered why you strive to be flawless so that nobody will find a reason to judge you?

Or are you a people pleaser? Ever wonder why? How did you become a doormat? Why do you fall all over yourself to ensure everyone will like you? Would showing them the real you be that bad?

Or maybe you’re critical. Maybe you nitpick those you love. Heck, maybe you nitpick yourself. Maybe you look in the mirror and think, “I’m so fat and ugly.”

Perhaps you see photos of yourself and react with true disgust, thinking, “I’m so old and wrinkled. Look at all this flab underneath my neck, jiggling like Jello salad.”

Maybe you don’t like your nose. Or your teeth. Or the shape of your bootymus maximus.

Then again, maybe you dislike yourself in much simpler ways. Maybe you’re embarrassed about your bank account. “Omigod. Is this ALL you have in savings? What a loser.”

Maybe you don’t like where you are in your career. What a freaking disappointment you are. You should’ve been MUCH further along in your field by now. Instead, you’re just a supporting actor in someone else’s made-for-TV drama.

Maybe you don’t feel smart enough. Maybe you are socially anxious. Maybe you think you’re too much of an introvert. You’re a classic procrastinator. You feel invisible. You hate your hair. You wish you were prettier. Skinnier. Funnier. Happier.

Either way, your inner critic is always screaming, “You’re not enough!” You’ve tried to shut up this blowhard for years. But it doesn’t work. The inner critic just keeps talking smack.

“You’re simply not enough,” the critic keeps saying.

This is shame you feel. You might not be aware that it’s shame, but it is. You don’t feel shame because of something you’ve done. You feel shame over who you are.

You dislike the real you. And thus, you’ve formed a persona to hide the real you. And hopefully, everyone will like this persona because, God knows, you work really hard building it. You built this persona because the real you is not worthy. The real you just isn’t enough.

But…

What if I told you that you don’t have to feel this way anymore? What if I told you that you ARE enough? What if I said that you are so insanely beautiful as a human being, just the way you are in this moment. Moreover, what if I am not prodigiously and majestically full of bovine ordure?

There is a way to never feel ashamed again. You will not find the answer through rituals and creeds, nor through the oppression of pious dogmas. You will not find answers in internet videos or poorly written articles on the internet—such as the one you are currently reading.

I have been ashamed of myself for my entire life. Because of childhood trauma, I became the essence of shame itself. But if I have learned one truth in my short life—if you get nothing out of what I’ve written you today—I hope you understand one thing, because the entirety of reality rests upon it:

The only way to love yourself is to first love your neighbor. And the only way to love your neighbor is to love the One who made them.

A Minister’s Message: Is the Bible a Divine Volume?

April 25, 2026

By Kerry Knight, Minister

Emerald Beach Church of Christ

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God

2 Timothy 3:16

The word “inspiration” in the original Greek text, theopneustos, means “God breathed.” That puts the Bible into a class of its own. No other book has ever proposed its author to be of divine nature. The very reason we can take the Bible to be true, authentic, and genuine is the nature of its words. In totality, it IS the Word of God.

THE BIBLE CARRIES “POWER”.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

THE BIBLE CARRIES “PURPOSE.” “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

THE BIBLE OFFERS “PERFECTION.” “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who trust in Him” (Proverbs 30:5). “The law of the Lord is PERFECT, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).

May we read it with respect and study it with diligence, for it IS God speaking to us.

Emerald Beach Church of Christ is located at 301 Alf Coleman Road in Panama City Beach.

The Foundation of Outdoor Living: Why Your Flooring Choice Matters More Than You Think

April 25, 2026

By Aubrie Bailey, Marketing Coordinator, Flooring Depot of Panama City

In Florida, outdoor living isn’t just a seasonal luxury—it’s a lifestyle. By the time May rolls around, patios turn into dining rooms, backyards become gathering spaces, and pool decks essentially become extensions of the home. While furniture, décor, and landscaping often get the spotlight, there’s one foundational element that determines how successful the entire space truly is: the flooring.

Outdoor surfaces do more work than almost anything else in a home. They endure intense sun, heavy rain, high humidity, sand, foot traffic, pool water, and in many areas, salt exposure. Because of that, choosing the right material isn’t just a design decision—it’s a durability, safety, and long-term investment decision.

Florida Weather Demands More from Your Floors

Florida’s climate is beautiful, but it’s also demanding. High humidity can cause warping and moisture damage in the wrong materials. UV exposure can fade finishes and weaken surfaces over time. Afternoon storms can create standing water that challenges both drainage and slip resistance.

This is why outdoor flooring in Florida has to be more than visually appealing—it has to be built for performance. Materials that work in other parts of the country often don’t hold up the same way here.

Traditional wood decking, for example, can look beautiful initially, but it typically requires ongoing sealing and maintenance to survive Florida conditions. Even with care, it may still crack, fade, or warp over time due to moisture and heat exposure.

That’s why more homeowners are shifting toward durable, low-maintenance solutions designed specifically for coastal and high-humidity environments.

The Rise of Durable, Low-Maintenance Materials

One of the biggest trends in outdoor living is the demand for materials that combine beauty with resilience. Homeowners want spaces that feel elevated without constant upkeep.

Porcelain pavers are a standout option, offering the look of natural stone or wood with superior resistance to moisture, staining, and fading. They also tend to stay cooler underfoot than many darker or denser surfaces, making them ideal for Florida heat.

Concrete pavers remain another popular choice thanks to their versatility in color, shape, and layout. When properly installed, they offer excellent durability and natural drainage benefits.

Even interior flooring trends are influencing outdoor design, with many homeowners prioritizing continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces for a more seamless, modern feel.

Comfort and Safety Matter Outdoors

A beautiful outdoor space loses its appeal quickly if it isn’t comfortable or safe. In Florida, that means paying close attention to heat retention and slip resistance.

Lighter-colored surfaces help reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption, keeping patios and pool decks more comfortable during peak summer months. Textured or slip-resistant finishes are also essential in wet areas to help prevent accidents around pools and outdoor living zones.

These practical considerations are just as important as aesthetics when creating a space that will actually be used and enjoyed year-round.

Creating a Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow

One of the most popular design trends right now is blurring the line between indoor and outdoor living. Instead of treating the backyard as a separate area, homeowners are designing spaces that extend naturally from the interior.

This often starts with flooring choices. Coordinating indoor and outdoor materials creates a continuous visual flow that makes the entire home feel larger and more connected. Large sliding glass doors or open transitions further enhance this effect, turning patios into true extensions of the living space.

The result is a home that feels more open, more functional, and better suited for entertaining and everyday living.

Outdoor Living Is an Investment in Your Home

Outdoor upgrades are often thought of as cosmetic improvements, but in reality, they can significantly increase both property value and quality of life. A well-designed patio, pool deck, or outdoor kitchen transforms how a home is used day to day.

Families spend more time outside. Entertaining becomes easier. Even simple moments like morning coffee or evening relaxation feel more intentional and enjoyable.

But the key to long-term satisfaction is starting with the right foundation. Choosing high-quality, durable materials from the beginning helps avoid costly repairs and replacements later on.

Bringing Your Vision to Life

If you’re planning an outdoor upgrade, now is the perfect time to start your project. At Flooring Depot, we are currently offering 24-month financing to help make your dream space more affordable and accessible—without compromising on quality or style.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade a patio, redesign a pool deck, or create a full outdoor living space, our team can help you find materials that fit both your vision and your lifestyle.

We invite you to visit our showroom at the corner of 15th Street and Lisenby to explore flooring, tile, and outdoor living options in person. Seeing the materials up close can make all the difference when planning a space that will be part of your home for years to come.

Because when the foundation is done right, everything built on top of it becomes easier, more beautiful, and more enjoyable.

Visit flooringdepotofpanama.com.

Know Your Local Business: A.E. Wright Investigations

April 25, 2026

By Ashley Wright, Investigator/Agency Owner of A.E. Wright Investigations

I started my career in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area. I was abruptly “released,” shall we say, from a job that I had left a good career job, to go to as a change in careers. Back to square one or press the reset button, as they say. So I sat down and did some self-examination and decided that being a process server was gonna be it. I got appointed in several court jurisdictions, started making phone calls, and Peachstate Legal Support was born. Then, I met a person who suggested I do some skip tracing, locating people who had not shown up for a court date. Boom, I was an Officer of the Courts, both Civil and Criminal. I was serving papers or taking them to jail. You don’t get a lot of dinner invites when you knock on doors with the good news that the resident is being served or better yet, going to jail.

Fast forward, and after moving to the Florida Panhandle, I drove a truck for a local company, retiring after 13 years. Sitting around one day, I realized, damn, I sure do miss the legal genealogical research, if you will, that I used to do. I took the test, passed, then applied and was issued my P.l. License, then opened my own agency. I learned quickly that you become a counselor so you can console a client, a decipherer of facts, and spend hours behind a computer, then hours sitting in a car, not always getting the results that you wanted. It turns out, being a P.I. is not as glamorous as Tom Selleck in Magnum P.l. makes it out to be. But we pride ourselves on getting the information that is needed. It may not always be what the client wants, but we gather it up and present it to them.

If you feel the need to hire a private investigator, call me and let’s see what I can do for you. My name is Ashley Wright, Investigator/Agency Owner of A.E. Wright Investigations, serving Panama City Beach and surrounding communities. (Investigator Lic C 3500002, Agency Lic A 3500007, Notary Commission: HH 773783.) For more, call (850) 588-9275, email aewritghtinvestigations@.gmail.com or visit our website, aewrightinvestigations.com.

If I Could Get You to the Closing Table in 90 Days… Would You Close?

April 25, 2026

By Tipp Spradlin

It’s a simple question, and most business owners answer with an emphatic yes.

Until I slide a purchase agreement across the table for their signature.

That’s when the hesitation shows up. Because as much as they want to sell, they’re not always emotionally prepared to follow through.

Selling a business isn’t just financial. It’s years of work, identity, and control. Walking away takes clarity about what’s next—and confidence in the decision.

It’s not all that different from retiring after a long military career. There’s a transition plan. Structure. Support. Small business owners don’t get that built-in support.

Most are left to figure it out in real time, and for many, it becomes a strange mix of excitement and pressure all at once.

Knowing what your business is worth is usually the first step. But it only answers half the question. If the number makes sense, then yes—you’re open to selling.

The 90-day question answers something different. It tells you when you’ll be ready.

That’s one of the main reasons a good business broker won’t rush you to market. Most of the real work happens on the front end—sometimes years before a business is ever listed.

We reach out early on purpose and by design. Not to sell you something—but to start the process before you need to sell.

Think of it like a NASCAR pit crew boss.

Your business is the car. It’s built to run, to perform, to keep making laps. Our job isn’t to wait until something breaks—it’s to keep everything dialed in while you’re still running strong and figuring out what your next chapter will be.

We’re checking the financials, tightening operations, making small adjustments along the way, so when it’s time to come off the track, you’re not limping across, you’re finishing exactly how you planned.

If selling is even a “someday” thought, it’s worth getting ahead of it now. Reach out and let’s have a real conversation about what that could look like for you.

Tiphanie “Tipp” Spradlin is a Business Sales Advisor with First Choice Business Brokers of NW Florida. Tipp.Spradlin@fcbb.com or (850) 532-8882.

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