How Old is Hormone Therapy?

July 28, 2021

By Dr. Richard Chern, M.D.

Hormone therapy can be traced back over 2000 years when the Chinese isolated pituitary and sex hormones for medicinal purposes. The hormones had not been identified, but the benefits were already known. Of course, many discoveries have occurred since then and today we are not only treating symptoms but also using hormones to improve our overall health.

Health problems associated with hormonal imbalances can go on for years, often undetected by both patients and their physicians. Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and osteoporosis are only some of the problems associated with hormonal imbalances. And, like high cholesterol, you can’t “feel” any of these to know you have a problem. Instead, you must get tested.

To make things more difficult, the symptoms of andropause, menopause and hypothyroidism are often so slow to occur that we discard them as part of the aging process. Fortunately, at The Hormone Restoration Center, we know what most of these symptoms are and can screen for them to see if there is a potential hormonal imbalance.
There are a number of symptoms associated with hormone imbalances to help identify those at higher risk. Symptoms can include fatigue, depression, weight gain, decreased libido, joint pain, poor memory, mood swings, low stamina and sexual dysfunction.
If you have ANY of the above symptoms, you should complete a symptom checklist and get tested. These symptoms are an indication that you may need treatment.

After identifying an imbalance, physicians and non-physicians may use pills, creams, supplements, tonics and much more.

At The Hormone Restoration Center we use what we consider to be the best of the best. We use bioidentical BioTE hormones which means the hormones are identical to what our body produces. That way the key fits the lock exactly as it should.

The BioTE method uses hormone optimization created from hundreds of studies using hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide to successfully optimize the hormone levels of women and men once their body’s production is no longer sufficient. Surprisingly, our bodies can stop producing sufficient hormones in our early thirties or before.

As shown in different studies, Hormone replacement therapy has been shown to reduce fatigue, improve sleep, improve libido in women and sexual performance in men, decrease muscle loss, reduce body fat, and reduce irritability, anxiety and depression. Also, the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are significantly reduced.

Long term, men and women will have a reduced incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Also, multiple studies show a long-term reduction in breast cancer. Testosterone and estradiol also improve lipid profiles, reduce triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol which can have positive benefits on the cardiovascular system. Therapeutic testosterone levels can also protect the body from diabetes, prostate cancer and all-cause mortality.

Hormone replacement therapy by pellet implantation has been used with success in the United States, Europe and Australia since 1938, and has been found to be superior to other methods of hormone delivery.

All the practitioners at The Hormone Restoration Center are BioTE certified and have had extensive clinical and didactic training specific to the treatment of hormonal imbalances. This is to ensure the highest safety, efficacy and results for our patients. More than 96% of patients are satisfied with treatment when using BioTE.

Destin

July 28, 2021

By Sean Dietrich

DESTIN, Fla.—I’m in a traffic jam. Standstill. Cars are backed up to the horizon. I am stuck among them, trapped on Highway 98, suffocating within a cloud of blue exhaust and unspeakable misery.

We are moving at 0.002 miles per hour. I look out my window and see a gopher turtle crawling past my truck.

Our town has been having bad traffic lately, ever since the city began highway construction shortly after the Civil War. There are a million-and-one orange construction barrels located on our roadways. And these barrels keep multiplying.

At night when everyone sleeps I’m convinced these barrels all get together and have wild parties and reproduce lots of little baby construction barrels.

The powers that be told residents these highway “upgrades” would be finished a few years ago, but things keep getting pushed back. Currently the Florida Department of Transportation does not expect current upgrades to be finished until the installation of the next pope.

Thousands of years from now, when Florida’s coastline is underwater, archaeologists will find millions of petrified automobiles still stuck in Destin gridlock, miles beneath the Gulf, awaiting the completion of upgrades.

Most of the vehicles in today’s congestion belong to summer tourists. Such as the flock of Range Rovers Autographs ahead of me with Georgia plates. A few of these motorists strike me as the uppity type because they occasionally glance at my rusted, ugly Ford and wince.
Something also tells me they aren’t crazy about my bumper sticker, which reads: “You mess with me and you mess with the whole trailer park.”

It’s hard to believe our town used to be a sleepy village, complete with captivating trailer parks. But there was indeed a time when Destin had about 7,500 full-time residents, and one small grocery store that played Hank Snow on the radio.

Today, the summer population here swells to somewhere between 40,000 and 60,000. And I firmly believe that most of these visitors bring their own construction barrels with them.
Truth be told, I don’t recognize our city anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but it’s difficult watching this place get torn down only to be painstakingly rebuilt into a Wayne Newton stage set.

In olden days this town had one stoplight, four feral cats, and a few old guys on a porch counting cars. Everyone’s kids looked like Opie Taylor, and October’s annual Fishing Rodeo was the apex of civilized life.

The only traffic jams occurred whenever someone’s chicken crossed Highway 98. The Shell station still did repairs. And every mom in town still shared casserole dishes with each other.

At church, during covered-dish suppers, I’d hear stories from the elderly men who still remembered ancient Destin. They’d talk about when William Marler built the first post office facing Calhoun Avenue in ‘34.

“Built the whole dang thing himself,” they’d say. “Every cabinet and joist from scratch.”
Or they’d tell you about the legendary four fishermen in ‘29 who used nothing but hand shovels to dig out East Pass.

“Didn’t use no ‘quipment a’tall. Nothin’ but their backs.”

I was married in a little church on Matthew Boulevard, a place with a leaky roof and a busted Hammond organ. But it’s only a memory now. Today the old church is dwarfed by surrounding multiplex high-rise condominiums with parking garages, poolside bar service, and a nightly Jimmy Buffet impersonator.

But I still miss the old chapel. I miss Easter Sunday mornings when the crowded sanctuary would transform itself into a fire marshal’s worst nightmare. There were so many church visitors that when we sang “Up From the Grave He Arose,” the light fixtures rattled.
Then everyone would leave church and head to the in-laws’ house for Sunday dinner whereupon we’d eat carbohydrates until our pancreases gave out.

Those days are long gone.

And I suppose that’s just how life goes. I realize nothing stays the same. You cannot stand in the way of progress, and you can’t stifle “upgrades.” Otherwise, you’ll be living in the past, recalling an era when people still slowed down at yellow lights instead of speeding up.
No, if you don’t embrace the steamroller of modernism you’ll forever be stuck daydreaming about that little cinderblock house on 1st Street where your mother once lived, and her little tomato garden, and the pleasant glow that followed Sunday dinner.

And the next thing you know you’ll be alone in a dark room singing “Precious Memories” to your longneck bottle.

Such things are not healthy. You don’t want to be one of those nostalgic fools who is always talking about how great life was before cell phones, back when we still had Sadie Hawkins dances, hand-battered fried chicken, out-of-town gospel quartets, games of horseshoes, and homemade ice cream.

You can’t just sit around and constantly reminisce about dirt roads, cars with chrome bumpers, AM radios, shelling peas, summer romances, neighborhood fish fries, or the way the sand dunes once looked, all covered in sea oats.

So I’ve decided I’m going to roll with the times. I am going to embrace all the changes life throws at me. No matter how this little town keeps altering itself, I promise myself that I’m going to be happy about it all and keep living in the present.

And I will do this just as soon as this highway construction finishes.

Key Numbers We Are Watching

July 28, 2021

By Maurice Stouse, Financial Advisor and Branch Manager

While the economy rebounds and fears of inflation abound, we continue to watch those indicators we believe will help us and our clients make well informed decisions as to the direction and allocation of their investments. We do not try to predict markets, but rather strive to be ready vs. trying to be right. With that in mind here are some key data that we track daily as we monitor and help our clients manage their portfolios:

Earnings: These are some of the strongest earnings U.S. companies have seen in almost 40 years. To put that in contrast, in 2019 the earnings of the S&P 500 was $162. In 2020, during the middle of the pandemic, that shrank to $142. Look at 2021: Current run rates are $200. Fidelity Investments, in a recent investment professional webinar shared those S&P earnings for 2021 might even hit $225.

Stock prices are mostly based upon earnings. This might help explain the return of the market year to date and over the past year.

Free Cash Flow: That is money that a company has left after paying its bills, debts, its dividends, and other things. Free Cash Flow for many sectors (Energy in particular) is reaching significant highs.

Market Corrections: Corrections occur in the stock market, the bond market, the real estate market, and the commodity markets. We are aware and want our clients to be reminded that this can always be a possibility. One such risk is on the rise: Should the Fed wish to start tightening by decreasing its monthly asset purchases of over $120 billion dollars. That is what has been called tapering and, in the past, the markets have experienced the so called “taper tantrum” where most asset classes experienced a sell off when the Fed makes shifts like this.

Inflation: Like many advisors, we watch these number closely. We have some specifics to share with you beyond the stated CPI and PPI numbers. CPI, the Consumer Price Index, was reported this past Thursday for the month of May. It showed the year over year inflation rate at 5%. PPI (the Producers Price Index) was reported this past week and came in at 6.60% – May 2020 to May 2021. Both numbers show inflation potentially running at twice of what is known as “The Expected Inflation Rate.” That rate is the rate at which most institutional investors expect as the actual long-term rate of inflation. That number is available daily. However, it needs to be computed by looking at two factors: a) the U.S. Treasury 10-year note yield and b) the U.S. Treasury 10-Year Inflation Protected Notes Spread. The difference between the two is the expected inflation rate. That is the result of the pricing that the market puts on those Treasuries based upon what they think the inflation figure really is.

Note: The Federal Reserve more closely watches the movement in an index called the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index according to Fidelity Institutional, in its June 2021 report on Fixed Income. The PCE is published by the U.S. Department of Commerce. That next reading will be June 25. For now, that number is 3.1% for April which increased substantially from March when it stood at 1.9%.

At this writing, the 10-year U.S. Treasury was yielding 1.45% and the U.S. Treasury 10-Year TIP Spread was -.985%. So, the difference between the two is 2.435%. That is the rate the markets expect the true rate of inflation to be. That is obviously off the stated rate of the CPI and even the PCE. Why might this be so?

Many economists, investors and the Federal Reserve think the current CPI and perhaps the PCE are transitory in nature – the result of the economy rebounding from the lows realized just one year ago in the middle of the pandemic. They also point out that the CPI numbers are distorted by just a few things: Used cars, airline prices, gasoline and food. Add to that the numerous gaps in supply as a lot of manufacturing capacity had been reduced or shuddered during the pandemic.

“2.35%. That is the rate the markets expect the true rate of inflation to be.”

As a result, the markets have shrugged off the potentially ominous CPI numbers believing that the real inflation picture is the expected rate. The market is signaling that there are not too many dollars chasing too few goods which is the classic definition of inflation. We are in a different spot from this. We think that monetary inflation – the growth of the money supply as having much greater impact than temporary supply gaps.

There are several things to consider: 1) The Federal Reserve’s balance sheet sits at $7.95 trillion dollars. That is up from $4.16 trillion dollars at the start of the pandemic. The balance sheet was $2.2 trillion dollars in November of 2008 during the Great Recession. Just two months before that it was at $925 billion dollars. In other words, the Fed’s balance sheet has almost doubled in the past year and is up tenfold since just prior to the Great Recession. The balance sheet is simply the amount of money the Federal Reserve has injected into the financial system by way of buying bonds on the open market When they buy bonds, they use newly produced U.S. dollars to buy those, thus increasing the supply of money. That means a tremendous amount of liquidity. It is liquidity that supports and raises the prices of assets be they stocks, bonds, real estate, or the cost of borrowing and so on. 2) Federal deficit spending. We are approaching a record deficit of $4 trillion dollars. The U.S. government has added to supporting the economy by way of its own spending on stimulus and other programs. That means even more money into the system. 3) Labor shortages – as the economy continues to emerge and grow the number of job openings has caught up with the number of unemployed workers yet employers across the country from restaurants to construction cannot hire the labor to meet the increase in demand. 4) according to Fidelity Institutional, liquid savings are now at $4 trillion dollars, up substantially. Also, the U.S. savings rate is over 14.1% according to Tradingeconomics.com and it remains high (it was less than 10% at the start of the pandemic). You might see that as a lot of money on the sidelines, which is waiting to be spent on dining out, traveling, vacations, leisure and other things as the economy reopens.

Liquidity is the opposite of constrained credit. During the Great Depression, and what brought about the Great Recession can in part be blamed on the lack of liquidity and the lack of credit. That makes demand go off the proverbial cliff, prices deflate, and a recession or depression ensues. Many market pundits think once the supply imbalances are worked through that we will return to continued deflation. Their reasoning is not because of a lack of credit or liquidity but rather due to technology and a shrinking population. They think this time it is different. We do not agree.

The demand for housing has been unprecedented. This is more a result of the liquidity that is out there versus demand, in our opinion. If the Fed balance sheet had not doubled or the deficit spending not occurring, housing and other asset prices would not be supported at current levels. We think the only thing that will cause the housing market to cool, or even slowdown will be the reduction in Federal Reserve monetary injections.

So, what are the takeaways for clients? First, to review strategies and allocations and look to see if you have the diversification, you need or want should you be of the same belief that monetary inflation will indeed impact the expected inflation rate. There are several strategies to consider where inflation resilient or inflation resistant investment are concerned. Equity (stock) investments in Energy, Financials, Materials, Industrials, Commodities and Real Estate. Investments into small and medium sized companies (or funds that invest into those) is advisable as well. Investing in emerging and developed foreign stocks (or funds) for a portion of your allocation as well.

Second, review fixed income holdings. For those that have investment grade corporate or long-term maturities? You may consider adding short term inflation protected bonds, like TIPS to your portfolio.

Third, consider the real rate of return on your investments. That is the return you are getting less a) the expected inflation rate and b) the nominal (stated) inflation rate. As an example, if you have a bond paying 3%, its real return would be .565% after the expected rate of inflation or -2% with the nominal or stated rate of inflation. The same can be said for stocks, or growth investments and real estate. Look at your return and subtract out both inflation rates and make any needed adjustments accordingly.

When managing your investments and financial affairs we encourage investors to review and think about what changes they need or want and then to make those over time, not necessarily overnight. At The First Wealth Management and Raymond James, our focus is on actively monitoring and over actively managing our clients’ investments. We appreciate the old saying that at first you concentrate to build wealth and then you diversify to preserve it.

The First Wealth Management is located at First Florida Bank, a division of the First, A National Banking Association, 2000 98 Palms Blvd, Destin, Fla. 32541 with branch offices in Niceville, Mary Esther, Miramar Beach, Freeport and Panama City. Phone 850.654.8124.
Raymond James advisors do not offer tax advice. Please see your tax professionals. Email: Maurice.stouse@raymondjames.com. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, and are not insured by bank insurance, the FDIC, or any other government agency, are not deposits or obligations of the bank, are not guaranteed by the bank, and are subject to risks, including the possible loss of principal. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

The First Wealth Management First Florida Bank, and The First, A National Banking Association are not registered broker/dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Views expressed are the current opinion of the author, not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James, and are subject to change without notice. Information provided is general in nature and is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment decision and is not a recommendation or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.

Investing within specific sectors, or in small and mid-size companies, involves unique, additional risks. Those risks include limited diversification, regulatory risks, limited liquidity, and lack of operating history.

There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and fixed income prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, fixed income prices fall and when interest rates fall, fixed income prices rise.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of mutual funds before investing. The prospectus and summary prospectus contains this and other information about mutual funds. The prospectus and summary prospectus is available from your financial advisor and should be read carefully before investing.

Know Your Local Pro: MK Weber Engineering

July 28, 2021

Nearly three years after Hurricane Michael devastated the Panhandle, fallen trees, tarped roofs, and damaged homes are still a reality for many Bay County residents. MK Weber Structural Engineering, a locally owned and operated company, made its mark on the community after the storm event by being the go-to engineering firm for residential structural inspections and reports for hurricane-damaged homes and businesses. MK Weber continues to receive requests for damage evaluations on residential houses that insurance companies have yet to settle with homeowners. But before Hurricane Michael, MK Weber got its start by mostly providing residential drafting services for Bay and surrounding counties; and they want these communities to know that they are still actively drawing.

Originally from Michigan, Michael Weber, owner and senior engineer, earned an Associate’s Degree in Art in Architectural Design and ACAD before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineer with a focus on Construction Management & Structural Design. In 2014, he opened MK Weber Engineering in an effort to provide structural engineering and drafting services to the rapidly growing community. Seven years later, MK Weber employs two full-time licensed professional engineers, one full-time structural engineer, three full-time senior draftsmen, four full-time draftsmen, one part-time project manager, and an office manager. The company has performed over one thousand structural inspections and has designed and engineered over three thousand structures, all while developing an excellent working relationship with local city and building officials.

MK Weber’s draftsmen have a passion for seeing a client’s concepts take form and come to life, while the engineers ensure that the structures are designed practically without compromising the client’s aesthetic desires. With 3D rendering services available, future homeowners have the ability to see their final design with detailing down to the landscape and shadowing as the sun sets and rises over the home. Whether it’s a small porch addition, a residential house, or a commercial building, the MK Weber team takes care to work with the client every step of the way, ensuring a final product is something that not only the client is proud of, but that the firm is proud of as well.

Because of the community’s continued and unequivocal support, MK Weber is set to open a new location in Baldwin County, Alabama; a rapidly growing area just one hour shy of Pensacola that has seen residential construction triple in the last year. Expansion of its structural and design services means lending a hand to more areas in need of construction plans and structural inspections, including neighboring counties such as Mobile, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Jackson County, Mississippi. In addition to its new office location, MK Weber is also licensed to perform engineering work in Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Delaware. They are Better Business Bureau accredited, Chamber of Commerce members, and members of BBIA. Visit www.mkweber.com for more information about the services MK Weber provides and to receive a quote for house plans or commercial building.

Are you a New Bay County Resident?

July 28, 2021

Let Us Help You Make the Most of Your Tax Office Visit

Over this past year, we’ve experienced a greater number of out-of-state residents choosing to call Bay County home. If you have recently moved to Bay County from a different area of the country, we want to welcome you to our beautiful county and offer assistance as you transition to becoming a Florida resident. Here are some things you need to know before visiting our office to obtain your Florida Driver License/Identification Card or registering your vehicles.

Make sure you have the required documents to complete your transactions.

To register your out-of-state vehicles in Florida, please bring the following:
• Out-of-State Title and Registration. If the vehicle has a lien on it, please have your lienholder information available (Name, Address, Phone Number, Fax Number) as we will have to send a request to the lienholder before we can title and register the vehicle in Florida.
• All vehicle owners on title should be present with photo identification. If one of the owners cannot be present, a Power of Attorney should be completed for that individual.
• Proof of Florida Insurance on the vehicle
• Bring the vehicle with you. A VIN inspection will need to be done at our office.
• Driver License/ ID Card: Florida is a Real ID State, which requires to provide specific documents to prove their identity when applying for a driver license or identification card.
• State Certified Birth Certificate or Valid U.S. Passport
• Two pieces of mail with your current name and current address
• Social Security Card or number
• If your name has changed since birth, please bring proof of every legal name change document (certified marriage license, court order, etc.).
Maximize Your Time, Schedule An Appointment

A New Resident Appointment can be set up at BayTaxCollector.com. Scheduling an appointment provides us the ability to take care of driver licenses and vehicle registrations for new residents in one visit.

New Resident transactions are a bit lengthier than a standard driver license renewal or vehicle registration renewal, please be patient with our team. Our goal is to get you served in a timely manner and to minimize your visits to our office.

Did You Purchase Property? File for Homestead.
If you have purchased property in Florida and will be claiming it as your homestead, don’t forget to apply for homestead exemption with the Property Appraiser’s Office. The deadline to qualify for homestead exemption for 2021 property taxes has already passed, but you can apply for 2022. You can learn more about Homestead Exemption at www.baypa.net or contact the Property Appraiser’s Beach Office at (850) 248-8470.

More information can be found online at BayTaxCollector.com.

Upgrading Your Flooring Upgrades Your Biggest Investment

July 28, 2021

By Deanna Michalowski

Summertime. It’s a time where life is easy, families gather together, kids are home for the summer and the smells from the backyard BBQ make our mouths water. Here at Flooring Depot, this is our favorite time of year because there is no better time to enjoy your largest investment… your home!

Re-investing just a small amount of money each year back into your home will not only maintain your investment but will most likely enhance it. Look at today’s market. Housing inventory is low, prices are great and interest rates are low. In other words, the real estate market is hot and that means homes are in high demand. Whether you are in the market to sell now or in the future, or just make your house your dream forever home, your floors will be one of the first things that people notice when they walk through the door.

Whether your tastes run to Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), carpet, tile, or hardwood, the first thing to think about is how you are going to live on your floors. Do you have small kids and need an easy clean-up? Do you have pets and need durability? Do you prefer the softness of carpet under your feet? You could have a variety of needs. But the great news is, no matter the needs, you don’t have to sacrifice beauty and durability with any of our products. One of our experienced associates can help you pick a product that meets all of your needs at a price that fits your budget.

After you have selected that perfect product, you need to decide whether to hire a professional or do it yourself. There are many factors to consider when making this important decision. The biggest decision is not just about saving money. You must be realistic about your skill level in flooring installation. A dollar saved can potentially mean more money spent if the installation isn’t done correctly.

Installing vinyl plank (LVP), carpet, tile or hardwood is a lot of work. Once the old flooring is removed are you prepared for the unknown…what lies beneath? Are you prepared for an unleveled concrete slab, replacing the subflooring or joist? Do you have the necessary tools required for the project? If any of these potential issues worry you, then it is recommended that you leave the installation to professionals. Contractors have the right tools and years of skill and experience needed to make the installation process smooth.

In addition, hiring a professional through Flooring Depot gives you peace of mind knowing your installation is covered under a one-year warranty. If any issues arise, just give us a call and we will take care of it for you. If you choose to tackle installing your floors yourself, Coastal Flooring Supplies has you covered as your one-stop shop for all your flooring supply needs.

Flooring is a long-term investment, and we can help. Flooring Depot of Panama City has the largest in-stock selection and showroom in Bay County. You upgrade your phones, computers, televisions, and cars. Isn’t it time to upgrade your floors? If you are ready, give our professionals at Flooring Depot of Panama City a call at (850) 785-2216.

Design and Culture: Made in the U.S.A.

July 28, 2021

July is here! Red, white, and blue décor can be found in almost every store, the smell of grilled food and long beach days are in the air. We thought in celebration of July 2021 we would give a little insight on interior products that are made right here in the U.S.A.

If you are looking for furniture and home accessories made in the U.S.A., 13 Hub Lane has all you need. They have a wide array of furniture and accessories from Sherrill, Norwalk, and Four Seasons just to name a few. Sherrill Furniture, available at 13 Hub Lane, is a fine example of American hand craftmanship. Fabrics, finishes, trims, and all parts of their furniture are made in Hickory, North Carolina, and their fabrics are stunning. You can visit 13 Hub Lane and their designers will guide you in finding furniture made right here in the U.S.A. Kim and her team of designers offer free design services, and you can visit either one of their locations here in Panama City Beach.

Many of you may be familiar with the name Daltile. They are the country’s leading manufacturer of tile. Daltile also has a beautiful quartz line, One Quartz Surfaces, that sings “made in the USA” with colors such as Freedom Calacatta, Washington, Independence Calacatta, and Liberty Gold. Their quartz comes from a plant in Dickson, TN. If you are looking for countertops that are light with some veins you can check out their National Marble American Reserve collection. If rather you are looking for a quartz that is a little bit softer in pattern you can check out their Historic American Reserve Collection. To find out more information on this quartz line, stop by the Granite Plus showroom to see samples or visit Daltile.com.

Viatera Quartz is a line that is manufactured in North Georgia. Viatera offers some unique quartz colors and finishes. Their newest colors, Calacatta Sol and Calacatta Plata, are beautiful and what our clients have been looking for, a soft white quartz with veins of warm hues: absolutely alluring.

Cambria Quartz is another option if looking for countertops that are made in the USA. Cambria is an American Company that is family owned and operated. Their innovative quartz comes from Minnesota, and they offer a wide range of unique colors that are perfect for our beach life.

Daltile, Viatera and Cambria have exceptional durability, are of high quality, and do sustainability testing in their plants. They are innovative not only in patterns but also in manufacturing processes and they all offer a warranty on their products. If you have any questions about purchasing countertops or cabinetry made in the USA, you can stop by the Granite Plus Showroom at 17801 Ashley Dr., Panama City Beach and our project managers will be happy to assist you. We do free estimates and are open Monday – Saturday.

Review: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

July 28, 2021

Reviewed by Jack Smith

The first time I met Robert Fulghum was in Roanoke, Virginia. During the spring of 1990, I was a board member of The Mill Mountain Theater, and we were preparing to premiere the musical based on the book, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” We were thrilled to host this stage adaptation written by Robert and one of our directors. Originally penned in 1986, the book is still fresh today and I think it will stand the test of time. Its premise is simple: the basic tenets that we learned in kindergarten still serve us well today as adults. In the polarized world we live in today, Mr. Fulghum offers a simple road map to treating each other with dignity and respect.

1. Share everything.
2. Play fair.
3. Do not hit people.
4. Put things back where you found them.
5. Clean up your own mess.
6. Do not take things that are not yours.
7 Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
8. Wash your hands before you eat.
9. Flush.
10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
11. Live a balanced life.
12. Take a nap every afternoon.
13. Be aware of wonder.
14. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.

On the other hand, if you don’t believe in these tenets, I will be happy to cancel you (just kidding).

What Does It Mean to Be Free?

July 28, 2021

Pastor Jeff Wade, The Rock of Panama City Beach

I think that freedom is objective and most of us have our own definition of what that is, what it’s used for, and what we should do with it. For example, although we live in a free country, a person who is incarcerated probably doesn’t feel very “free.” I’ve had people tell me before that they feel that having to get up and go to work is a form of modern-day servitude – even though they have freedom, while they are at their job, it seems like freedom doesn’t exist. They are told when to be there, when to leave, and what to do while they are there. I’m not saying I agree with their summation of work, I’m just saying that freedom looks different to different people.

An animal in the zoo is free to roam around within the confines of its enclosure. But is it truly free?

I am so thankful that I live in this great free country, the United States of America. But even under the banner of freedom, there are laws. Even though I am free, I cannot just go and do whatever I want. Try driving as fast as you please down Front Beach Road and see what happens. Your abuse of the freedom that you have to drive will land you a hefty fine.

The Apostle Paul knew quite a bit about freedom. He spent a great portion of his ministry incarcerated for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. As a matter of fact, many of his letters to the early churches were written behind bars. His use of his freedom cost him his freedom at times.

So how are we to use ours? Not just our freedom in our own country, but most importantly the freedom that Christ brings us by way of the cross? For all who call on the name of Jesus for salvation have been saved and set free. It’s a global freedom for all of mankind despite where you may live geographically. How are we to use that?

In one of Paul’s letters, he wrote to the churches in Galatia. He had these Holy Spirit inspired words to write in Galatians 5:13:

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather serve one another humbly in love.”

We see the misuse of freedom all the time. Biblically we are told not just how to be free, but what to do with that freedom. Is your freedom about self-indulgence? Or is your freedom being used as intended by Christ which is to serve one another with a humble heart out of love? Our freedom calls us into a life of servanthood to be used to glorify God.
Let us think on this today and find ways to honor Christ with the very freedom He gives us.

Bay County School District Summer Updates

July 28, 2021

By Bill Husfelt, Superintendent, Bay District Schools

This has been a summer like no other with full summer school and credit recovery programs at all of our schools and plenty of professional development for our faculty and staff. We are excited, however, at all of the opportunities this summer has given us to recover learning loss associated with the pandemic and we believe the summer programs will set a fantastic foundation for our 2021-2022 school year.

As we approach the new school year, I’d like to make sure you’re in the loop with some of the changes and updates you can expect.

By the time you read this, the School Board will most likely have adopted a new dress code for our students and you’ll be able to find that on our website at www.bay.k12.fl.us.

Our newest school, A. Gary Walsingham Academy, opens for students in grades K-2 this year and we’re so excited about this amazing facility. We have a small ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for August 5th but we’re planning a HUGE open house and cookout for the community in late February and we hope all of you will join us to tour our newest facility. The school is being built with collaboration in mind so there are a plethora of shared spaces for students and teachers and lots of outdoor learning settings as well.

The school calendar for 2021-2022 has been available for about a year and can be found on our website at https://www.bay.k12.fl.us/uploads/2021-2022%20Calendar%20Board%20Approved%20111020.pdf.

We hope you’ll take time this month to update your Parent Portal account to ensure we have all of the correct contact information for you. We send weekly district updates through PeachJar but can only reach those parents/guardians for whom we have accurate email addresses. Likewise, in the event of an emergency, we use our automated phone system to make sure you’re in the loop but we can only connect with those families for whom we have accurate phone numbers.

Orientations are being scheduled as I write this article and by the time you read this, you’ll be able to find those on our social media pages or by contacting your student’s school. Typically orientation/meet the teacher events are held in the week before school starts so don’t panic if you haven’t heard anything just yet.

School supply lists are also available on our social media pages and website. Again, if you have questions, all you need to do is call your child’s school. Our schools are open Monday-Thursday, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., throughout the summer so help is just a phone call or an email away.

Last year was a difficult year for everyone and I know we’re all glad to close the books on 2020-2021 so we can look ahead to a more “normal” school year for our students, our families, and our employees. This year we will be able to permit visitors and volunteers again and so we look forward to welcoming you to our campuses.

Thank you for your continued support and partnerships. We have a strong and successful school system in our community because of parents, guardians, and stakeholders who believe in us and who support us in our mission to do the very best job we can for every student every day.

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