Bethany Little

If you are looking for a special way to celebrate the holiday's this Christmas season, don't forget the ZOOLights at The Zoo of Northwest Florida.

There are more than a million lights in 85 light displays. Plus, you'll be able to view the animals in the animals in their nighttime setting. There is a petting zoo, and arts and crafts section, and a Christmas Express train ride. The event also features Christmas stories read by Mrs. Claus, and pictures with Santa. ZOOLights is open from 6-9 p.m., Nov. 28-Dec. 13 Thursday, Friday and Saturday and nightly Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26-27. Admission is $5. ($1 for members).

"Christmas in Navarre Park"

Saturday, December 6, 2008

3 - 8 p.m.

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting "Christmas in Navarre Park" on December 6th. This event will feature free refreshments served at Mrs. Claus' Bakery, entertainment by local schools, photo's with Santa & Mrs. Claus from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. for children 12 and under ($2.00), Raffle Prizes, and we must not forget - A PARADE!

The parade will start at Winn Dixie at 4:00 pm.

This will be a fun, family oriented outing for everyone of all ages. And if the cold whether we've been experiencing holds out, the occasion will seem even more festive. I know we all own more flip flops than mittens, but we might need some cold weather gear during this event. If you would like more information about "Christmas in Navarre Park", please visit the Chamber website at link above.

I was at Navarre Park today, and I shot these pictures. I especially love the photo of the Christmas tree at Navarre Park, which is overlooking Santa Rosa Sound toward Navarre Beach. The whole park is being set-up with a holiday display that will make this Christmas season special. There are even twinkling snowflake lights hanging from the trees. I can't wait to see the whole area lit up at night. Seeing this display really put me into the holiday spirit, and I think it will for you also. So enjoy the pictures I took today, and I hope to see you at the Parade!

Patriotic Christmas Display

Children's Park

View of Santa Rosa Sound, Navarre Park

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And last, the front entrance to the Butterfly House. I took this picture because I love the flowers still blooming in November!

GOOD NEWS VETERANS!

I ran across this information today. In response to the U.S. financial crisis, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has decided to guarantee subprime loans for Veterans. For Veterans who wish to refinance they can now do so for up to 100 percent of the value of their property. Also, this 100% refinance option also applies to standard loans - which had previously been capped at 90% of the property value. They have also raised the maximum loan amount for this refinancing from $144,000 to $729,750, depending on where the property is located. For more information, contact the VA at 1-877-827-3702 or visit VA's Loan Guaranty website. Go here to learn more about the VA mortage options.

Florida Humanities Council six-part series Florida: Then and Now

I came across an article in the Northwest Florida Daily News about the Florida Humanities Council six-part series, "Florida: Then and Now". In the second installment yesterday, the lecture shared the stories about four Hollywood productions filmed at Eglin AFB and surrounding Okaloosa County.

Held at the Heritage Museum in Valparaiso, FL Eglin Air Force Base historians Clay T. McCutchan and Robert B. Kane reviewed the productions of "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo," "12 O'clock High," "Dr. Strangelove" and "Green Berets" - which were filmed in our area.

In the Peter Sellers' classic, "Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb," when Maj. T.J. "King" Kong rode a nuclear bomb into the coast line of the Soviet Union, he is actually riding through the Desin Pass. The sands of Destin, Florida's East Pass were so white (and still are!) that they easily passed for Russian snow. (Which immediately gives me the idea to dress my kids up in winter clothes and head out to the pass to take "snowy" Christmas pictures.)

Duke Field, was used in "12 O'clock High," where Mr. McCutchan said the director spent hundreds of hours searching for airfields that could mimic the cracked, grassy asphalt of a World War II English airfield. He filmed the first 15 minutes at Duke.

"They went out to Duke and they built a complete little English base," McCutchan said.

He talked about the cast that had to act in coats and scarves in the middle of May and the local inns where the cast and crew slept.

The Doolittle Raiders were featured in "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo". In one scene, they donned Navy caps.

"They went up on the flight deck without their hats so they grabbed any hat they could, and most of those hats are Navy hats," said McCutchan.

I hate I missed this lecture, but I will be sure to be at the next installment. It will be this Dec. 3 on Florida Holidays. It will be held at the Northwest Florida State College K-Gallery. For more information, visit www.heritage-museum.org. Here is a pdf of the slide show used at the Eglin Air Force Base In The Movies Lecture.

Is there anything more noble than agreeing to lay your life on the line in service of your country? Thank you Veterans, and those currently serving overseas, for your service and dedication to America.

I am lucky to live in an area surrounded by Eglin AFB, Hurlburt AFB, Duke Field, and NAS Pensacola. When I am driving up Hwy 85 and the fighter jets fly over low to land at Eglin AFB, it gives me chill bumps every time. That is the sound of freedom, to me. Every morning and evening, across the water, I can hear The Star Spangled Banner being played on Eglin as they raise and lower the flag. When I hear this I know that every serviceman and woman has stopped whatever they were doing, turned toward the direction of the flag, and saluted in respect. Thank you.

Not only are our past and present military personnel embodiments of the ideals that make this country great, they are some of the best citizens in our community. Quick to volunteer when needed, dedicated to their neighborhoods, respectful, and proud. They fly a flag in front of their home to say, I've lived this. I fly a flag in front of my home to say..thank you. You are the reason I can fly this flag.

We don't just have to honor them on Veterans Day. If you meet a Veteran or someone on active duty, please thank them for their service to our country.