One of my favorite Rainers commented this week that she remembers dressing up and enjoying chocolate candy eggs ... her childhood Easter memories. Those are some of my favorite Easter memories, too... Easters with my little girls. My favorite Easter picture was Gloria (age 3) stealing Easter eggs from Candi's (age 5) Easter basket while I was taking a photo of them... talk about getting caught with your hand in the Easter basket!
Unfortunately, since my girls are now 22 and 25 years old, there were no digital cameras to make posting that photo easy ... it's somewhere in a picture album.
I loved dressing them in the frilly white ankle socks and white patent leather shoes, and the pastel lacey dresses with white gloves which were always chocolate stained before we got home from church.
Easter baskets, bunnies, and chocolates are as much a part of Easter to me as the real meaning of Easter, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian meaning does not keep me from enjoying a fun Easter Tea Party. Part of the celebration for me is the excitement of precious little girls in all their frills and bows, hats, gloves, and baskets ... sparkling eyes and beautiful smiles, and chocolate eggs.
This weekend I was honored to participate in an Easter Tea sponsored by the GFWC Woman's Club of Panama City held at the Clubhouse in The Cove area downtown. A special event ... for some very special little girls.
The tea party guests enjoyed finger sandwiches made with egg salad, chicken salad, and peanut butter and jelly, along with fresh strawberries and scones, cookies, cupcakes, milk, lemonade, and tea prepared and served by the Club members.
These delights were served on beautifully decorated tables with china tea cups, plates, and tea pots, linen napkins, ribbon bows, flowers, and baskets full of candy and toy baby chicks.
Pictured here is a precious little girl with her grandmother. This is her second year to be a guest at the Easter Tea, and doesn't that smile say it all? She was such a sweet little lady with her white rose purse. She loved helping Grandmother pour from the china tea pot.
She was one of the first to be seated while many of the other girls were still working on the paper Easter bonnets and beaded jewelry at the arts and craft tables. The girls also each made an Easter wreath decorated with crosses and sunrises to take home.
It was amazing to see how much little girl energy can suddenly turn into the most dainty manners imaginable when china dishes and tea sets are involved! Every one of the young ladies was extremely polite and gracious to each other as they enjoyed the sandwiches and desserts.
Some of the girls, ages 4 to 12, were daughters or granddaughters of club members and friends. However most of the girls who were invited to be our guests are not living with their own families right now. Some of these girls have never been invited to a tea before, and their pretty dresses were most likely donated. Three of these girls were given "matching" dresses, and they were thrilled and grateful to wear them.
Some of these young ladies might not have had an Easter dress or a reason to wear one without this special annual Easter Tea.
All of these little girls were delightful as they crossed the stage in their Easter dresses, stopping to twirl and receive heartfelt applause as the Club's Sunshine Singers sang "In Your Easter Bonnet."
The Easter Bunny made a surprise early arrival as everyone joined in singing "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" -making the entire day just divine!
The Easter Bunny and each girl had photos made in the clubhouse gardens as they were leaving.
The annual Easter Tea is a community service project of the Public Affairs Department of the *GFWC Woman's Club of Panama City, Florida.
*GFWC stands for The General Federation of Woman's Clubs, which is a nation-wide service organization.
| Jan Evett Broker Associate Century 21 Ryan Realty, Inc. 8212 Thomas Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408 | Mobile: 850-625-9073 Email: jevett@gmail.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/janevett HometownBayCounty.com |
Easter Sunday will be "early" this year! I'm sure you've already realized this if you've looked ahead at your monthly calendar for March, 2008. But... do you know why it's early this year? A friend sent an email to me this week explaining "why" ... answering some interesting questions about Easter.
First, it's always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). The Easter date is based on the lunar calendar used by the Hebrew people to identify Passover. Based on all the information above, this year Easter will be March 23.
The amazing fact that you might not realize is that this Easter is the earliest that any of us will ever see for the rest of our lives. Really. The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). Another amazing fact is that only folks who are 95 years old or older have ever seen Easter this early. The last time it was this early in the year was in 1913... so if you are 95 years old (plus), you are one of the few who were around for that Easter. The last time that Easter was earlier than that was in 1818 ... and I don't think any of us were around for that one!
Easter has a lot of cultural and religious significance especially to those who celebrate the Christian faith. But for some people Easter is just another sad day without enough food, money, and no place to live. Even in our beautiful coastal Panama City, there are homeless people. Most of them will find their way to the Rescue Mission in downtown Panama City. And if we didn't have the Rescue Mission, many men, women, and children would have no place to stay while trying to get back on their "feet."
The people who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances need some help and hope. The Easter season offers the hope of redemption to those who believe. When you help the Rescue Mission, you also offer hope to those who have no place else to turn. The following paragraph is from an email that I received today from the Rescue Mission... it tells how you can give "hope and a new beginning" to people who need some help.
"It only costs $1.92 to provide a warm Easter meal to a hungry, homeless person. Please consider a special gift of $19.20 to feed 10 people… $38.40 to feed 20 people… or $192 to feed 100 of Panama City’s homeless. And whatever you give this Spring. . . in March and April . . . will be matched by our generous friends at the Feinstein Foundation to help end hunger! After all, Easter should not be just another day of sad existence for anyone."
Easter, 2008, can be your chance to give the gift of a Spring blessing to someone who needs help and hope!
Volunteer Opportunities
Easter Egg Hunt- March 22. Needy families will hear the Resurrection story, hunt for 1,000 eggs, enjoy a picnic lunch, and receive Easter baskets.
Easter Dinner- March 23, 2008
Panama City Rescue Mission, P. O. Box 2359, Panama City, FL 32402
Panama City Bargain Center 401 E 6th St Panama City, FL 32401 Tel (850) 215-5778 | 4th Street Emporium Household appliances repaired and re-sold. Tel (850) 215-3720
| Donation Center/Production 1801 E 11th St Panama City, Fl 32401 for pick-up: 850-769-5777 |
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Main Street "Striders" event on Saturday, March 8!
Each month on a Saturday morning you can enjoy a fun event with your friends, family and pets. All you have to do is put on your walking shoes and "stride" through Historic Downtown Panama City!
This Saturday, March 8, beginning at the Visual Arts Center at 10:00 am, you can join "The Main Street Striders" - a group of walkers and joggers . This is NOT a race, so you can set you own pace, window shopping is allowed, and you can bring your friends and meet new friends, too. There are 1-mile to 4-mile courses marked along the way. This is a pet-friendly event, so bring your leash and your pets.
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Downtown Events in Panama City, Florida are always a lot of fun for locals and the many tourists who vacation in our beautiful waterfront communities. In the past few years, the Downtown Improvement Board has improved the appearance of our downtown community and they have drawn many wonderful new businesses to the traditional "Main Street" downtown area.
One of the most interesting events planned for March is the Chautauqua Wine Tasting set for Friday evening, March 28, 6:00-9:00 pm at beautiful McKenzie Park on Harrison Avenue. The downtown stores will be open and several restaurants will serve special menu items and wine-complimenting appetizers.
"Chautauqua" - what is it, you ask? Writers will appreciate the old text below ... modern writing cannot compare to this paragraph copied from The Complete Chautauquan entitled "Chautauqua in Florida" By Jeffrey Scott Maxwell (copyright 2000)
1885, First Assembly [Vincent, 41] "The Florida Chautauqua, located in Western Florida, on the Pensacola and Atlantic Railway, about eighty miles from Tallahassee, and about the same distance from Pensacola. It is on a high ridge of land, three hundred feet above the level of the Gulf of Mexico, which is twenty-four miles away. Two hundred and eight acres surround a beautiful lake, a mile in circumference, and sixty feet in depth, the water being clear and pure, and the beach of hard white sand. The Southern pine, oak, magnolia, and bay grow on the grounds. There is a tabernacle which will seat twenty-five hundred persons. There are also buildings for cooking-school, kindergarten, and young people's headquarters, and a large two-story building with assembly-room and class-rooms. The 'Hotel Chautauqua' is a large and comfortable house.
One of the best sources of information on Chautauqua activities in local communities is The Chautauquan monthly magazine which was published from 1880 to 1914.
The Chautauqua Vineyards is located just north of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Both the vineyards and the winery are owned by Kate and Paul Owens who planted them in 1979. DeFuniak Springs is the county seat for Walton County, immediately west of Bay County _ Panama City Beach.
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Relocating to a new area ... whether it's a new state, new city, or new neighborhood can be a challenge. If you are moving for the first time, it can be traumatic! If you are military, you've probably moved many times already! Whether it's your first move or your final destination, here are some articles that I have written to help make the transition smoother for you.
Time Saving Tips for Relocating Families
This article gives practical advice for anyone planning a move. These tips should help you think ahead to avoid problems, delays, and mishaps. My goal is to make your moving experience a positive one for everyone!
Bay County School Board Relocation Information
Families need specific information about area schools in order to choose the right neighborhood for their new home. Every child, every family, every school --- each one is different in some way. All are important in making the right choice when it comes to buying a new home. This article gives detailed information about area schools.
Wondering where to get a great seafood dinner on Panama City Beach?
Relocating to a new area doesn't have to be all work and no play! Whether you are a family moving to Bay County Florida or someone looking for your dream vacation home, this guide to local restaurants will help you find some great meals and entertainment. As a local expert in the Bay County area, I just have to pass along this important information to you! You'll need to know about these local "hot spots" when all your friends and family come to visit for Spring Break!
Congratulations on relocating to Bay County! You are making a great choice when you buy property in the Bay County area. While other areas of the country may be seeing a declining market, we are experiencing unprecedented growth and development on the coast of Northwest Florida. The future expansion of the Bay County International Airport has brought new residential and retail development. One of the newest projects on the beach is Pier Park. This article lists many of the retail stores opening on Panama City Beach in 2008!
Award-Winning Golf Courses in Bay County, Florida
One of the benefits of relocating to the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico is the fantastic weather. We have sunshine and clear skies most of the year. Even our winter months are mild compared to the rest of the United States. You will want to spend time enjoying the beautiful weather, and there are several great golf courses available for your enjoyment. This article offers information about Bay County golf courses.
Relocating to Florida? NW FL? Bay County? Panama City or Panama City Beach?
If you have answered "yes" to relocating to any of these areas in Northwest Florida, then you will enjoy this article. It is a virtual potpourri of information about the area including everything from utility companies to florists. If you have a question about moving to Bay County Florida, it is my goal to find the answer for you!
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JAN EVETT, Broker Associate, with Century 21 Ryan Realty on the Gulf Coast of NW Florida. I believe professional education, experience, and energetic customer service are my keys to success.
One of my favorite TESTIMONIALS of all time!
Thank you, Sommer! That is just about the sweetest thing I could ever want to hear from one of my favorite military relocation families! I found their first home when they came to Tyndall Air Force Base and was honored to be asked to list and sell it for them when they got orders to Alaska.
THIS is what makes real estate a very special profession and why I love what I do!
SEARCH MLS on my website: go2pcbeach.com
BUYERS AND SELLERS AND INVESTORS:
My promise to you: to get you the best deal in the least amount of time possible in today's ever-changing real estate market... and to get your sale closed as stress-free as possible!
As a real estate agent in Bay County, FL, I enjoy serving both buyers and sellers ... having first earned a FL Real Estate license in 1989. In 2005, I earned the FL Broker's License.
We came to Bay County, FL in 1984, when my husband chose Tyndall Air Force Base as his final "base-of-preference" before retiring in 1989. We stayed in the area to raise our family because this is a great area to do just that ... and we have never had a reason to regret that decision.
This is the Chapel located on Tyndall Air Force Base. This is a beautiful base located along the East Bay waterfront complete with its own beach and boat ramps.
Through the years, I've had many opportunities to assist military families in the sale or purchase of their homes here. Panama City is a unique town because we have Tyndall Air Force Base on the East end of the city and the Navy Coastal Systems Station on the West side of the Hathaway Bridge which divides Panama City and Panama City Beach. 
I have the best of both worlds... I live in Panama City and my real estate office is located on Panama City Beach. If you are relocating to either the Air Force or Navy Bases here, please contact me for a "Military Relocation Guide" to the area. If you are retiring here, and lots of military families do retire here, it would be my pleasure to help you find the right home for your family.
Jan is wonderful person and a great Realtor. We bought our first home with Jan, as well as selling the same property with her a few years later. Jan will always be on top of any situation that may arise and be there when needed. We sold our property from South Dakota and knew that Jan would take care of selling our house professionally. When we are ready to buy a new property we will definitely consult with Jan no matter where we are buying. Jan holds herself to a high level of moral and ethical character, which is very important in my opinion.
KRIS AND DAN MILINER, USAF, MILITARY FAMILY RELOCATION, SELLERS, 2005
SEARCH MLS on my website go2pcbeach.com
REAL ESTATE REFERRAL AGENTS:
My promise to you: to do the very best possible to assist your friends and family in buying or selling real estate in NorthWest Florida.
CONTACT ME:
Real Estate on the NW FL Beaches
SEARCH MLS on my website go2pcbeach.com
EMAIL: RealEstate@JanEvett.com
Direct Mobile: 850-625-9073
On the NW Gulf Coast we have fresh water and salt water bays and bayous, and we have the "World's most beautiful beaches." If you're not sure where we are located, look for the yellow marker pin on the map above .... directly on the Gulf of Mexico!
As a real estate consultant, I work with buyers, sellers, and investors in the Panama City/Beaches areas of Bay County . Centrally located in Panama City Beach, I have access to Bay, Franklin, Gulf, Santa Rosa and Walton Counties.
I specialize in residential homes including fine homes and waterfront properties. I consider it a privilege to help people find the home that best suits their family and lifestyle.
I earned the FL salesperson's license in 1989 and broker's license in 2005. I am a REALTOR(R) as a member of the National, State (FL), and local Bay County Association of REALTORS(R). I hold the GRI and e-PRO designations from the National Association of REALTORS(R).
If you're looking for a seasoned agent who has experience in the best and the most challenging real estate markets........contact me! I'm ready to earn the right to be your real estate consultant for life!
Testimonials
I first met Jan Evett several years ago when she sold my grandmothers home. I felt comfortable with Jan, therefore in January of 2007 I contacted her to assist me in purchasing my own first home. Jan worked diligently answering any questions I had ... by email late at night or by telephone during the day. Jan expediently located a home
that was right for me. Because of Jan's expertise in the field of real estate, the process ran very smoothly and before no time I was able to close on my new home. Jan Evett is with out a doubt a professional in real estate and I would gladly recommend Jan Evett as a Realtor to any of my dearest
family or friends.
Jan,
I greatly appreciate everything you have done for me. Thanks, Mike
Mike McCrary, Panama City Police Officer
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If I ever think of selling or buying real estate I will definitely call you...someone I can trust. I have the greatest respect for women who venture on their own. ~rita (Rita Acoba)
RITA ACOBA, GFWC WOMAN'S CLUB OF PANAMA CITY, PRESIDENT
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I have known Jan for at least 2 years now, and I have had an excellent experience. She is prompt, motivated, and analytical to exceed all expectations. She is one of the few who care, not only during the contract, but thereafter as well. She is amazingly astute with market trends, giving her clients the edge... vision, wisdom, and strategy ... all the tools to attack your needs. Her reputation for diplomacy and proven results are very evident locally and beyond. Whether buying or selling, she will earn your respect, creating a lifetime relationship. Along with decades of experience, she consistently seeks any and all current education available. To summarize: she could not give you more.
SHERRY BRANDENBURG
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A few years ago we found ourselves in a situation that required us to sell our home on the beach. With so many real estate agents in the area, we didn't know who to turn to. A friend suggested Jan Evett. All we can say is "WOW!"
Jan walked us through the process of what to expect from listing to closing. During the time our home was listed, she made sure it was posted on the website, listed in various real estate magazines and conducted several open houses to show the house. Through the entire process, she stayed in close contact with us almost daily to let us know what was happening.
We hope that someday soon, we will be moving back to Panama City and Bay County. One thing is for certain, when that time comes and we have need of a Realtor, there is no question that we will be calling Jan Evett
TRACY AND MIKE THOMPSON
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Betty, and I think that Jan is one of the best, and very hard working Real Estate Agents ever. She is a very hard working person, a truly Wonderful Christian Lady, and if we ever need another agent she is the first one we will call. She is also a true friend, and you will find that out if you ever use her for buying or selling. Jan works very hard for her clients, she will do the most for anyone that uses her. My wife, and I think the world of her, and you will also.
Ron Berneking, 117 Scarborough Lane, Pevely, MO. 63070
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Jan is wonderful person and a great Realtor. We bought our first home with Jan, as well as selling the same property with her a few years later. Jan will always be on top of any situation that may arise and be there when needed. We sold our property from South Dakota and knew that Jan would take care of selling our house professionally. When we are ready to buy a new property we will definitely consult with Jan no matter where we are buying. Jan holds herself to a high level of moral and ethical character, which is very important in my opinion.
KRIS AND DAN MILINER, USAF, MILITARY FAMILY RELOCATION
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