SEAGROVE BEACH Residents of the Walton County Road 30A community of Seagrove Beach are mourning the loss earlier this week of some of the massive live oak trees that helped give the community its name.
Now marked only by the stumps that had intertwined to create them, the ancient trees fell victim to a contractor who overstepped the bounds of a county-issued construction permit. They were here my whole life, said Coy Bowman, who has lived in Seagrove Beach since she was 7 years old, as she surveyed the trees stumps on Wednesday. It s kind of like losing a family member, she added. They re gone now, and what are you supposed to do?
Seagrove Garden Club finds success with virtual fundraisers
Special to Gannett
SANTA ROSA BEACH Like all local social and charity groups, members of the Seagrove Garden Club were challenged in new ways in 2020 by the spread of the coronavirus.
Garden club activity came to an abrupt halt in March, with meetings canceled and weekly delivery of small floral arrangements stopped as assisted-living, rehab and nursing home facilities in Santa Rosa Beach closed their doors.
About mid-year, it became clear that COVID-19 restrictions would also force cancellation of the group’s biggest annual fundraiser, Gifting and Giving, normally held in early December. The festive luncheon event, with silent and live auctions, helped the club raise more than $16,000 in 2019, enough to assist 20 local families along with several community organizations.