Restaurant Review: Craft 850

November 14, 2021

By Marta Rose-Thorpe

When I enter a restaurant, even if not for the first time, I like to take in and savor the atmosphere. Some call it the “space” … the “vibe.” My son Leo and I arrived at Craft 850 a little before 5 p.m. on a Thursday evening. The mood was calm, and I loved the ambient lighting of mason-jar pendants throughout the room. The colors, the furniture, the fireplace all make Craft 850 feel very cozy. Lady Gaga entertained us over a system with perfect acoustics – the kind that made it seemed as if we were there, listening to her and Bradley Cooper perform “Shallows” live, yet we could still maintain a comfortable conversation. The place felt stylish and happening; the servers were chic in their all-black outfits. We were seated, and our server Aleeta started us out with an order of house made, spiced potato chips that were crisp and delicious, seasoned with an Indonesian curry. Leo gave these a thumbs up.

Aleeta then served a trio of appetizers: the Chichen Tuna, Coconut Shrimp, and Craft 850’s signature Devils on Horseback. Oh my, where to begin? The Chichen Tuna, a Craft 850 original, is a fusion of east and south, with sushi-grade ahi, flash fried, topped with togarashi, wasabi ranch, and Thai chili. The ahi was tender and rich, and the beautiful dish was topped with microgreens. The Coconut Shrimp consisted of Gulf shrimp lightly fried in a key lime-coconut batter – warm, juicy, and mesmerizing. The accompanying chili dipping sauce was tangy and sweet. And those Devils on Horseback! Goat cheese and basil stuffed dates, wrapped in bacon, drizzled with a balsamic reduction. This was the perfect balance of tastes and textures, showcasing the sweet, warm date with salty, crispy bacon and creamy goat cheese. A sprig of fresh Rosemary gave it a majestic finish. I enjoyed a glass of Ernesto Catena Padrillo Malbec from Argentina with these appetizers… rich and multi-dimensional, the perfect backdrop to those Devils on Horseback. Leo enjoyed an order of the Chicken Wings: eight wings, slow roasted and lightly fried, tossed in your choice of several sauces; he tried the Jamaican Jerk that packed a powerful punch. (Other sauce options include Datil Pepper, Nashville Hot, Buffalo, BBQ, Honey Mustard, and Mango Habanero).

By 6 p.m. Craft 850 was starting to fill up with dinner guests. By 6:45 pm it was hopping. Aleeta brought us three of the most popular entrees on the menu: Black Sails Pasta, the Fish Tacos, and the crème de la crème, the Montana Rack of Elk. The pasta was handmade squid ink noodles tossed with Gulf shrimp, crawfish and crab swathed in a creamy, white wine-garlic pan sauce. This dish was a peppery explosion of flavors… the most juicy, tender shrimp perfectly cooked al dente in that heavenly sauce topped with thin sheets of Parmesan. The fish tacos were hand-battered local fish topped with Chef’s mango salsa, a menagerie of red and green peppers with fresh mango, spritzed with remoulade. The elk is what took the cake for me. Two tender chops of the juiciest meat (served medium-rare) with a complexity of flavor deeper than angus. Aleeta explained that the elk is first prepared with a coriander rub, then cooked sous-vide*, “kissed on the grill” as they say, and drizzled with a black cherry demi. Now, I appreciate perfectly cooked vegetables, and this dish was served with the most delicious local veggies including mashed potatoes, purple, golden and orange carrots, broccoli, green beans, yellow squash and zucchini.
Everything I tasted was inventive, creative, fresh, and made from scratch (and many dishes at Craft 850 can be prepared vegan). As if that wasn’t enough, Aleeta then proceeded to bring us two top favorite desserts: the Salted Vanilla Caramel Cake (decadent, lovely and rich) and the Berry & Champagne Sorbet (a magnificent presentation of bubbly slowly poured over the tart, frozen masterpiece).

I love the “Kiss the Chef” option (well, in a manner of speaking). If you loved everything you ordered, and wanted to thank the chefs, you can buy them all a round or a six-pack for only $9 added to your bill. What a great idea, I thought; we bought them a round.
.Craft 850 has an incredible chef-created menu including appetizers, salads, soups, sides, mains (each with a recommended wine pairing) and desserts. Their extensive international wine selection includes many whites, roses, reds, and bubbles. The craft cocktails, Aleeta shared, are – like the food – all house-made from scratch. Offerings like the Hocus Pocus Pear Punch dazzle… pear vodka, vanilla simple, and house citrus served in a cinnamon smoked glass. Or the Apple Cider Sparkler… vodka and muddled red apple with thyme, apple cider, house simple, and citrus with a ginger beer float. French press coffee and espresso are also available.

Craft 850 offers more draft, craft beers than anyone in Panama City Beach (the menu looked to include around 100!). It is located at 7715 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach 32407. Hours are 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. For more information call (850) 640-1410 and visit craft850.com.

*Once limited to the pros, sous vide (meaning “under vacuum” in French) is a cooking technique in which the food is vacuum sealed in a bag, then cooked to a precise temperature in a water bath to deliver consistent, restaurant-quality results.

Design and Culture: Top Kitchen Trends

November 14, 2021

White Oak Cabinetry and dark countertops are on trend right now and we are here to guide you on the best options for cabinetry, countertops, and tile to get this look!

Quarter-sawn White Oak is a strong, beautiful hardwood with a straight and consistent grain pattern, making it a top choice for kitchens right now. DuraSupreme Cabinetry now has quarter-sawn white oak cabinetry available in a variety of new and fresh stains such as Alabaster and Coriander. For those of you not familiar with DuraSupreme Cabinetry, they are one of the top custom cabinetry companies. They have been awarded “Best of Houzz” nine years in a row. They are located out of Minnesota, and they are committed to excellent craftsmanship, innovation, durability, and design. Featured in this kitchen design by DuraSupreme, quarter-sawn white oak in the Coriander stain is utilized on the island featured in the Avery inset door style and on the finished interiors of the glass cabinetry. The cabinet doors with glass have an onyx aluminum frame door style, a charming accent for this kitchen. The painted cabinetry is the Reese inset door style in the color Dove. Cabinetry to the ceiling with a stacked crown, the black painted wood crafted hood, and the bronze hardware finish off this beautiful and captivating cabinet design.

There are a variety of options when choosing dark countertops to get this look. Featured here is Cambria Blackbrook quartz. Caesarstone Empira Black, Vicostone Nero Marquina and MSI Marquina Midnight are a few other quartz options for this look. The natural stone, Negro Marquina Marble that has inspired these quartz colors also would be a beautiful choice for this application. Black Mist Granite is another stunning natural stone for darker countertops. The veining is softer, and it is also available in leathered or honed.

There are some beautiful design elements that should not go unnoticed in this kitchen. When designing your new kitchen, it is important to have all your samples with you wherever you may be going. The choice of flooring in this kitchen is perfect, a dark warm hardwood with subtle dark and light hues. The dark wood grain works well with all the other hues and textures in the space. The simple mosaic backsplash tile going all the way to the ceiling is a great design element. Remember you can do a matching grout so it will not be so distracting. This wall is subtle and stunning, not taking away from the beautifully crafted hood. Floating shelves stained to match the flooring are an added touch to bring everything together. Appliances panels are a great way to create a streamlined look in the kitchen. This kitchen features a built-in with applied panels to blend into the cabinetry.
When purchasing appliances, this requires a specific style of refrigerator and freezer so be sure to discuss this with your kitchen designer.

You can visit www.durasupreme.com to view all the new quarter-sawn white oak stains or you can stop by our showroom located at 17801 Ashley Drive to view samples. Granite Plus is the local dealer for DuraSupreme Cabinetry and we have free design services. You can stop by our showroom at 17801 Ashley Dr., Panama City Beach Monday through Saturday, or call our showroom at (850) 236-6363 and a project manager will come to you! Visit graniteplusfl.com.

PCB Chamber Events Nov. 2021

November 14, 2021

November Business After Hours Nov. 18, Dick’s Last Resort
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails while networking with fellow chamber members, from 5–7 p.m. This event is exclusive to Beach Chamber members. If you would like to attend as a prospect, please contact Shannon at Shannon@pcbeach.org.

Panama City Beach Marathon, Dec. 4, Start/Finish Line located at Pier Park
Annual Marathon, Half- Marathon, 5K or Kid’s Fun Run through paradise alongside our award-winning beaches. The Panama City Beach Marathon is a Boston Qualifier race! Visit pcbmarathon.com for more information!

Business After Hours – Annual Christmas Party Dec. 8, The Shrimp Boat
Join us at The Shrimp Boat to celebrate the holidays and end of another great year. Don’t forget to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate for an extra ticket. All toys collected will be donated to the local toy drives for the PCB Police and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. Sponsored by Panama City Toyota and Hare Taylor.

See registration information at www.pcbeach.org/chamber-events.

Mother Mary

November 14, 2021

By Sean Dietrich

I‘m sitting with my Methodist mother-in-law in the living room. We are replaying old memories like worn out records. There is a ballgame playing in the background. Braves are winning.

She sits in her wheelchair, nursing a nightly glass of Metamucil. I am sitting in a fold-up rollator walker, drinking one of her Ensure meal replacements. Chocolate.

The white-haired woman gets a sly look on her face and says, “Do you remember that one time…?”

There is mischief in her voice. And I already know where she’s going with this. Even so, I prod. “What ’one time?’”

“Oh, the time I came over to your house, unannounced, several years ago…?”
I knew we were going here.

“You mean the time you saw me naked?”

She laughs and sips her fiber supplement. “That would be the instance of which I speak.”
I might as well tell you the story now that we’ve brought it up. And I’m sorry if this is offensive because I consider myself a sincere gentleman. I mean it. I open doors for ladies, watch my language, and I don’t slouch.

But the truth is—and I can hardly say it—my mother-in-law has indeed seen me wearing nothing but the Joy of the Lord. And I mean the full biscuit.

Don’t make me repeat myself.

It happened years ago. And the violation occurred right in my own house. I’m forever traumatized. In fact, just writing about this causes unpleasant feelings to start swimming inside me, some of which date back to middle-school gym showers.

I can’t really explain how it happened. All I know is that one moment I’m waltzing across my empty house after a shower, enjoying the invigorating springtime air, then (WAM!) a peeping Thomasina is standing in my kitchen.

“Mother Mary!” I squealed—but in a masculine tone. “How’d you get in here?”

“I have a key, ding-a-ling.”

“Please don’t use that word.”

She handed me a stack of envelopes, but did not turn away. Her demeanor could only be described as unimpressed. “I was bringing your mail.”

I felt my face get hot. “My eyes are up here.”

“It’s mostly just bills.”

“Miss Mary, I’m naked.”

She agreed with this.

Then without breaking her non-Methodist stare, she said, “Sorry, I didn’t bring any ones or fives with me.”

Without uttering another word I trotted to the bedroom and heard loud whistling and cheering behind me. I edged past her, one hand covering the stern of the boat, the other shielding the bow.

The thing is, I’ve never felt so violated. A man’s house is his sanctuary, his dojo. Mothers-in-law can’t just pop in for half-priced peepshows whenever the mood strikes. There are laws against this sort of thing in civilized countries.

I suppose even after all these years I still don’t know how to act now that my mother-in-law has seen the authentic me. Nothing has ever been the same between us. I have a hard time looking her in the eye.

Take the holidays. Thanksgiving with the family is awkward. I want to know who prays the serious and reverent blessing with a straight face? It can’t be me. I can’t say grace while she’s bouncing her eyebrows at me. I know what she’s visualizing.

What about going to church? For years after the incident whenever our congregation would sing a hymn, Mary would slap my back pocket and say, “I got your Blessed Assurance right here.”

Isn’t it sad how something like an innocent pair of hindcheeks can rip a family apart with awkwardness? Which is why my advice to all sons-in-law reading this is, keep your family close and your skivvies closer.

Mary finishes her Metamucil, and after we are done retelling the old story I realize how much this past experience traumatized me. I never forgot it. It laid me bare, so to speak. So I ask Mother Mary where two traumatized souls go from here.

Mary suggested we go for drinks and dinner.

Flooring Depot of Panama City Opens New Beach Location

November 23, 2021

By Kim Brazell, Marketing Director

The new, 2,000 square foot, blue building sits along Back Beach Road in Panama City Beach. Its yellow sign signals that Flooring Depot of Panama City has expanded and is now serving customers on the beach side. The decision to expand was a natural one for Flooring Depot of Panama City owner Barry McEntire.

“If you are from Panama City or have lived here for any length of time, you will hear the phrase ‘I don’t cross the bridge,” says McEntire. “It’s a convenience factor for customers and by opening this location, our store, products and services are more accessible to our customers who live on this side of the bridge.”

Flooring Depot PCB, which opened on Monday, November 1, showcases some of the major brands carried in the main store on W. 15th Street. “It’s not the size of our store in Panama City, but it gives us the opportunity to showcase some of our more popular products. And even though our customers may not want to cross the bridge, we don’t mind,” adds McEntire with a smile.

“We can deliver from the main store to the PCB store daily, so customers don’t have to wait on product. We are fortunate to have a huge warehouse at our main location where we stock a number of major brands. And with shipping costs going up rapidly and products stuck on ships off the coast of the United States, that’s a really good thing. It equates to savings for our customers both in time and money.”

Sean Palamarczuk will run the new PCB store and he is excited about working with his friends and neighbors on the beach. “I live like two miles from our new store, so for me, this is like coming home,” says Palamarczuk.

When asked what his goals are for the new store, Palamarzcuk is quick with his answer. “There are actually several things I would like to do. First and foremost, I want to continue creating great relationships with our customers and our contractors that we work with– just like we do at the main showroom in Panama City. We aren’t looking to just make a sale, but to create a working relationship with the people coming through our doors.”

Palamarzcuk adds, “The second thing is to help our customers create their dream homes, rooms or spaces. Listening to their wants and needs and helping them find the perfect product is always the most rewarding part of this job.”

Lastly, he smiles and says, “I want to outgrow the space. I want us to work hard, and for people to hear about our products and service on this side of the beach, and I truly want to need a bigger space.”

Flooring Depot PCB will carry all the major products such as luxury vinyl plank, carpet, tile, and hardwood from our major manufacturers including Mohawk, Karastan, MSI, Engineered Floors, Hallmark, Happy Feet, Florida Tile, Southwind, Marquis, and many more. The store is organized by types of products which makes it easy to browse what you are looking for.

“This is an exciting time for Flooring Depot,” says McEntire. “We are looking forward to expanding our customer base at the beach.”

The new Flooring Depot PCB is located at 19700 PCB Parkway, Panama City Beach. The store is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. You can reach the store by calling us at (850) 785-2216 or emailing us at seanp@flooringdepotofpanama.com.

The Other Pandemic

November 23, 2021

By Stacy Kehl, APRN, FNP-BC

COVID-19 dominates the news these days: we haven’t lived a day since January 2020 without being inundated by it, but that doesn’t mean that other diseases no longer exist. In the world of medicine, there is another pandemic that we see every day, however the discussion of it as a disease is largely avoided – it’s obesity.

Acceptance of obesity as a disease is disputed in the media. Because of “fat shaming” there is definitely a stigma about the topic. But, obesity is certainly no less of a disease than the conditions it causes: type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, orthopedic problems, and cancer. Obesity can cause a host of psychosocial issues, too: depression, anxiety and social isolation to name but a few.

Addressing all these concerns is my job as a primary care provider, but my goal is not to make my patients supermodels. Eating disorders run the spectrum, and thinness comes with its own set of health and psychosocial problems. I want patients to maintain a “healthy weight,” but what determines that? BMI (body mass index), which is essentially a height to weight ratio, is one measure that healthcare providers use to evaluate obesity. A BMI of 20-25 is “normal,” 25-29 is “overweight,” 30-39 is “obese,” and 40 or greater is “morbidly obese.” Admittedly, BMI is not an optimal tool to evaluate obesity, as it does not necessarily correlate to body composition (such as the case of a weight lifter with a high BMI, but a fantastic physique). Still, BMI is the generally accepted method for the determination of obesity (the reasons for this is another discussion entirely).

Obesity by the numbers:
• Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975.
• In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these over 650 million were obese.
• 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2016, and 13% were obese.
• Most of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight.
• 39 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2020.
• Over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016.
• Obesity is preventable.

(World Health Organization, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight, accessed 10/25/2021)

In today’s society, we look for convenience in everything, especially food consumption. We are busy, yet more sedentary than ever. Convenience and a sedentary lifestyle comes at a price. In terms of food products, convenience translates into high sugar, high fat and high preservative (i.e. salty) foods. When counseling my patients about weight loss, I tell them that weight loss can be as simple as this: calories burned must exceed calories consumed, or the extra calories stay on as weight. Eliminate processed foods and drinks altogether; include only fresh vegetables, lean white meats, and whole grains (limit fresh fruits, they are high in sugar). Avoid alcohol (it slows metabolism and encourages poor eating habits), and drink lots of water. Exercise is a must – walking a minimum of 10,000 steps daily is necessary. Weight training increases muscle mass, thus increasing the body’s ability to burn calories even while resting. We can also use medicines (appetite suppressants and medications to increase insulin production or sensitivity) and technology (using noninvasive body sculpting) to boost results.

If you are having difficulty with weight loss, please discuss the issue with your healthcare provider. A physical exam and labs to check blood chemistries, thyroid, cholesterol and hormones can give insight to your problem. Referrals to specialists may even be necessary. Where weight loss is concerned, there is no “magic pill”; it requires a combination of all these methodologies. The key to success is a sustainable plan. Also realize that perfection is not the goal, rather healthful weight management to avoid long-term problems.

Stacy Kehl, APRN, FNP-BC is with Elements Primary Care & Esthetics, 8406 Panama City Beach Pkwy., Suite K, (850) 708-1623, ElementPCP.com.

Has the Pandemic Accelerated Changes That Were Already Coming?

November 24, 2021

By Maurice Stouse, Financial Advisor and Branch Manager

Americans and American investors continue to be amazed and surprised at so many things that are taking place. Were we headed in this direction already and has the pandemic merely accelerated it? There is a shortage of labor. (We understand there are 10 million job openings and only 6 million looking for jobs). Was that already going to happen given the changes in population growth? Americans are retiring now more than ever before. The media are referring to this as “The Great Resignation.” American workers are also quitting their jobs (often to go to another job) more now than in recent memory. There is also a shortage of supplies: computer chips, Christmas and other holiday presents (toys, things), cars, parts, materials. There is a shortage of truck drivers. Now we are seeing and hearing there is a shortage in energy. A recent cover of The Economist called it “The Energy Crisis.” We haven’t seen a headline like that since the 1970s. This week we have learned, courtesy of CNBC, that this Fall saw the sharpest decline in college enrollments in the past 50 years…portending a future shortage in skilled workers? One might wonder: Just what is going on? We think there are a myriad of reasons why and we also anticipate there are things that investors might want to consider going forward.

First, as to labor, consider that the population is no longer growing, it is slowing or even declining. The fastest growing segment of the population is now those over 65. Second, consider the positive financial shape many Americans are reported to be in at this time: Checking and savings deposits have swelled to $3.5 trillion dollars — that in part has been helped by the massive Federal Reserve stimulus unleashed in the past 18 months. Real estate values have climbed, along with stock prices and several commodities…leading to increased wealth. If people feel more wealthy or financially secure, might they be retiring earlier?

Third, consider that inflation has increased and many are left wondering if that is permanent or getting worse. We believe that the levels of inflation we are now experiencing will be with us for a while. In response to the labor shortage, wages are up, but so are worker strikes and walkouts.

There are implications for investors. Inflation resistant and inflation resilient investments might be worth further review and adding to current allocations in those investments might be practical as well. Examples of those are energy, commodities, materials, industrials, financials and real estate.

Business leaders have been weighing on inflation: Jack Dorsey, who co- founded Twitter, announced this week that hyperinflation is here. On the other hand, Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, opines that we will soon be entering a period of sustained deflation. Those are pretty divergent views.

Fourth, the supply chain has been disrupted. This is leading to shortages from chips to energy and everything in between as demand for such goods is increasing. As the world emerges from the pandemic, both developed countries and emerging markets are accelerating their growth. There is a book, written by Darren Hardy called “The Compound Effect.” In it, he notes that as anything that compounds, (in this case economic growth), it can lead to a substantial result or change. In another book “The Tipping Point,” written by Malcolm Gladwell, it is pointed out that massive change comes about as the result of a lot of little things that add up. So, we conclude that economic growth, developing markets and demographic shifts are leading to increased demand for labor, materials and for energy – from all sources. In the meanwhile, concerning energy, there is considerable effort to lower carbon emissions which might be having an impact on exploration and production – eventually resulting in lower supplies. We understand cleaner energy could eventually fill the void but the amount of investment into cleaner energy sources would have to just about triple from where it is now to meet planned targets for carbon emissions and that is not currently happening. Coal has reemerged not only in demand, but in price as well as China and the developed world have increased coal consumption (it also has increased in the U.S., per S&P Global, and the EIA for the first time in seven years).

Looking again at Americans’ financial shape (on the average), balance sheets are at their strongest in decades. We have more money and assets but we owe less. This has also had an impact on those on the lower on the economic spectrum. The New York Times recently reported that the poverty rate in the U.S. has been cut in half in the past 18 months. That is attributable to government assistance as well as stimulus. No one expected this at the outset of the pandemic.

Finally, the most positive thing that has emerged is American productivity. It is at one of the highest rates in history. That is the silver lining. Productivity means that more goods and services are produced per unit of input and this has continued to grow. The question is will price and wage inflation eventually jeopardize that? Maintaining and growing productivity is key to economic growth and ultimately the profitability of companies and that has direct input on stock prices.

So, what might investors want to consider right now? We feel that productivity, maintaining it, and actually growing it will be very critical going forward. How might America’s producers and service providers accomplish that? We think it means acceleration in the use and implementation of automation and artificial intelligence. Investors might do well to look at companies, funds and exchange traded funds that focus on those very things. Cloud computing would be in the same group. The cloud is one of the fastest growing innovations in the world. Almost all of our daily activities interact with the cloud directly and indirectly. With so much being stored and relied upon by way of the cloud, investors can look at companies and funds in those areas as well. What is the cloud? Simply put: the “cloud” is made up of data centers. Note: The growth in energy consumption from these large data centers is quite significant (see “The Atlas of AI” by Kate Crawford). Not just in America, but around the world as well. In other words, it takes massive amounts of electricity to power and run the cloud – which means the demand for energy won’t be easing up anytime soon. Another reason for investors to consider increasing their energy allocations.
Electricity is produced by sources of nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, natural gas (currently 40%) and coal. The increased demands for electricity – whether from data centers (the cloud), mining crypto currency, supply or supply change problems or the upcoming winter weather are driving prices up. Natural gas at this writing has doubled year to date. Raymond James (October 26, 2021 Daily Energy Update by John Freeman, Pavel Molchanov, Justin Jenkins and J.R. Weston) wrote this week that “numerous weather forecast models increased their probability of a materially colder 2021, 2022 winter, sending natural gas prices surging”.**

At The First Wealth Management, we encourage investors to look to make change over time, versus overnight. That ongoing monitoring and vigilance over one’s financial matters is critical to achieving goals. Lastly, having a guaranteed or reliable source of income (pension, annuity, SSI) supplemented with a retirement income strategy are essential elements of living and sustaining a standard of living when no longer in the workforce.
** A full copy of the report is available upon request.

The First Wealth Management is located at First Florida Bank, a division of the First, A National Banking Association, 2000 98 Palms Blvd, Destin, FL 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 in the energy sector involves special risks, including the potential adverse effects of state and federal regulation and may not be suitable for all investors.

Treasury Inflation Protection Securities, or TIPS, adjust the invested principal base by the CPI-U at a semiannual rate. Rate of inflation is based on the CPI-U, which has a three-month lag. 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 contain this and other information about mutual funds. The prospectus and summary prospectus are available from your financial advisor and should be read carefully before investing.

A Pastor’s Ponderings: Counting Blessings

November 25, 2021

By Pastor Jeff Wade, The Rock of Panama City Beach

When it comes to writing monthly articles, the month of November is a no brainer right?
THANKSGIVING!!

They go hand in hand and I find it impossible to not speak to it today. Thanksgiving, after all, is one of my favorite holidays. I know that many of you share the same sentiment. For all of us who love to eat, this is the crème de la crème. I have a medical condition called “elongated stomach” which basically means my stomach starts at my neck and goes all the way down to my feet. It takes a lot of food to fill an elongated stomach and the season of Thanksgiving helps lend a hand. I am of course kidding.

So what is the season of Thanksgiving? Some people would say that it’s not a biblical holiday and they would be correct, it’s not. Nowhere in the bible will you find anyone celebrating Thanksgiving as we know it today.

BUT….

While Thanksgiving may not be biblical, being thankful is!

One of the ways that we have benefited from the last two years of seeing what all of us have seen is that it has drawn our minds back to some of the simple things that we have that we should be thankful for. I’m thankful today that I have toilet paper because not too long ago, even that was iffy right? Friends, no matter what happens from here, no matter how bad it gets, no matter, no matter, no matter, we will ALWAYS have something to be thankful for and THAT should be our focus. I’m finding that as a Pastor, what I am thankful for is changing as I continue to mature in Christ. At one point in my life my thankfulness was centered around things like my home, my vehicle, things like that. It’s not that I’m not thankful for those anymore, it’s just that my thankfulness is changing and evolving into things that aren’t temporary but are eternal. My home doesn’t have the same value to me as much as the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.

Another thing I find myself thankful for today isn’t things, but PEOPLE. I’m thankful for people whom God has brought into my life to be in ministry with. We do find this Thanksgiving concept in the scriptures.

Ephesians 1:15-16 says: “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”

Here we see the Apostle Paul, recognizing the gift of people along with his recognition of how they loved all God’s people. That is incredibly powerful friends! Consider this today. Not what do you have to be thankful for, but WHO do you have to be thankful for? Pause today, and give God thanks for them. Ask God to bless them even more abundantly than yourself. Seek out ways today to show your thankfulness for them. God will hear your prayer, and bless your heart abundantly for being obedient to this biblical concept. I thank God for you, and pray that you have a safe and friend filled holiday season.

Worth Remembering: The Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast Partners With Wreaths Across America

November 30, 2021

By David Wesley

I’m not sure who started the practice of tying a bow on your finger to remember something important but I have heard the saying over the years. There is an important bow that is tied on an evergreen wreath that is important and about remembering. The Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast is making sure that the lives of veterans laid to rest at Evergreen Memorial Gardens are remembered. Partnering with the Wreaths Across America organization, the club holds a wreath laying ceremony on markers of veterans at Evergreen Memorial Gardens each year. The wreaths are live balsam evergreens and have a red velvet bow. This is one of many national and seven local Bay County Wreaths Across America events, this is an opportunity to remember, honor and teach about the service and sacrifice of veterans.

Each year this touching ceremony brings to mind those who chose to serve their country and honors their service. It also teaches a new generation what service to our country means. Wreaths Across America asks that as each wreath is placed on the marker that the volunteers say the name of that person out loud and remember their life. Anyone who has participated feels honored to do so.

The first ceremony at Evergreen Memorial Gardens was weeks after Hurricane Michael. One family shared that due to hurricane damage to their home, for the first time in their lives, they had no Christmas tree or decorations or place to put a tree up where they sheltered. For them it brought comfort in the Christmas season to celebrate their memories of their father and Christmases past by laying fresh live fir wreaths on the markers of veterans. One of the Boy Scout volunteers shared that his grandfather was a veteran laid to rest at Evergreen and later was seen solemnly saluting his grandfather’s marker.

The free and open to the public ceremony this year is December 18, 2021 at 9 a.m. and will include special music, a guest speaker, and laying of wreaths by attendees and volunteers. Refreshments will be provided and seating available for those that need it.
Support to make this ceremony possible is provided by sponsorships from businesses in the community as well as individuals who purchase wreaths. An individual wreath is $15 and sponsorships are offered at several levels based on the level of participation the business prefers. For information on how to be a sponsor or donate wreaths please email ecrotarypcb@gmail.com.
The Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast makes veterans a high priority in their outreach to the community. The club annually hosts special parties and events for veterans at Sims Veterans Home. Perhaps the best known are the Miracle League Veterans games at Frank Brown Park each spring and fall. The Sims Veterans Home participants enjoy an outing of a one inning game and lunch together at the park. They are given a police escort, are cheered and applauded as they enter the field through the flag line and cheered on as they play by appreciative fans and family who attend.

Internationally the club is reaching out beyond the borders to encourage a better understanding of the world. They have sponsored a number of Rotary Youth Exchange students from countries around the world giving them a chance to learn firsthand about the panhandle area and life in America. The Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast partners with a sister Rotary Club in Casma, Peru. They supported the Casma club’s project to provide supplies to help curb the Covid 19 pandemic in the rural, disadvantaged regions of Peru.
Special needs children and adults are another focus of the Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast. In 2019 the club created a Rotary Community Corps club called Special Ops for youth and adults with special needs, providing activities and service opportunities. The group has had beach clean-up days, created sleeping mats and supply kits for the homeless and created decorations for the Sims Veterans Home for the different holidays throughout the year.

This holiday season of bows, remembering and gifts, The Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast offers the gifts of friendship and meaningful service which touches lives while making lasting memories. Get to know the Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast with their tradition of supplementing the international and national efforts of Rotary International by supporting the local community. The club meets on Monday evenings at 5:30 p.m. which provides a relaxing time after work to connect, learn and serve. Please email them for meeting information or any questions at ecrotarypcb@gmail.com and they are on the web at emeraldcoastrotary.com or on Facebook, Rotary Club of the Emerald Coast, PC. Contact information is also available in the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce member directory.

Holiday Safety Tips From the Sheriff’s Office

November 30, 2021

Like the song says, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Unfortunately, this is also a time when law enforcement sees an increase in theft. Criminals know at this time of year folks carry cash and credit cards, have packages in homes and vehicles, and shop online so boxed items can be found unattended on porches.

Be sure to have someone you trust that can watch for package deliveries and can hold them safe for you.

If you are going out of town for Christmas, don’t announce on social media what dates you will be leaving your home empty. Criminals use social media, too. If you wish for the Bay County Sheriff’s Office to watch your home while you are away, just call us at (850) 747-4700 to sign up for the Home Watch Program. We will connect you to dispatch to get your information and send someone to check on your house while you are gone.

When shopping alone, be sure to park in a lighted area in the parking lot in case you come out after dark. If you feel uneasy when leaving a store loaded with bags of purchased items, ask for store security personnel to escort you to your vehicle. Never leave packages in your vehicle where others can see them. When shopping, carry only the essentials like identification (such as a driver’s license), and only the credit card you plan to use. That way, if your wallet or purse is stolen you won’t lose every credit card, your social security card, or anything else of value.

After Christmas, don’t place big boxes out by the trash for everyone to know you have new, expensive gifts. Break up the boxes and place them inside trash bags.

By taking a few steps to prevent theft, you can have a safe and happy holiday season. Merry Christmas from your friends at the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY