Mar 28, 2024
Out and About
I have always had an interest in history, and mythology and when I was in elementary school. I read every book my school library had regarding myths and mythical creatures that make up the culture of many nations. I was also brought up in a Judeo-Christian Church and home and loved the Bible stories as well – which some, not me, believe to be mythical stories. And, I’ve also had an interest in Nostradamus, a French astrologer, apothecary, and physician who made predictions – and I give Nostradamus the same weight as I give a horoscope – none. But it is still interesting. I wish my Bible study teachers had put more weight on all the predictions otherwise known as prophesies in the Bible – because they actually come true. My column this week may be considered “religious” but I’m going to be as factual as possible and even include a historian that wasn’t a believer.
Mar 25, 2024
Brian Out Loud
I learned last week that a picture of goalposts can sometimes attract a lot of attention.
While over at Central for a track interview, I thought it was cool the goalposts were finally up at the football field. So, I did the 21st century thing, taking a picture and posting it on social media.
While over at Central for a track interview, I thought it was cool the goalposts were finally up at the football field. So, I did the 21st century thing, taking a picture and posting it on social media.
Mar 21, 2024
For God’s Sake: live Christlike lives
The note addressed to my wife was curt and accusatory, castigating her for an oversight that was unimaginable in its ramifications – it appeared that we had run out of peanut butter. The judge was my oldest brother; he and his wife were visiting us from Venezuela. “No Bannon household should ever be without peanut butter,” he chided. It was a Sunday morning; my wife and I had left early for a morning full of ministry responsibilities at church. My brother and his wife were having a late breakfast and had promised to join us for the last worship service of the morning. His breakfast plan? Toast with peanut butter, but after searching every shelf in the pantry and every cupboard in the kitchen, there was no peanut butter in sight. It was in the refrigerator.
Mar 18, 2024
Brian Out Loud
There is some great softball in this area. Pace and Jay tend to lead the way in Santa Rosa County.
The facts speak for themselves.
The facts speak for themselves.
Mar 14, 2024
Making a splash: RaceTrac decision prompts wellfield discussion
In February, Santa Rosa County commissioners approved letting RaceTrac install underground fuel storage tanks in a wellfield zone that supplies clean drinking water to about 100,000 residents. On Monday, Commissioner Colten Wright, who voted to approve the variance allowing the tanks, proposed updating the wellfield protection ordinance to address issues raised during the RaceTrac debate – including what to do about existing underground tanks in the area.
Mar 14, 2024
For God’s Sake: let us eat!
I come from a very large family – nine kids – and the mealtime rule in our house was you ate what was put before you. If you refused to eat it, well, you didn’t eat. If one of us asked for something else to eat, my mother’s stock answer was, “What do you think this is, kid, a restaurant?”
Mar 11, 2024
Brian Out Loud
It’s been nothing short of an honor being a sportswriter for the Navarre Press and Press Gazette. But now I have bigger dreams to fulfill.
Last Tuesday morning, in my potential spam direct message folder on social media, I received an invitation to participate in the 2024 National Combine Series, opening the door for the possibility to play in the US Army Bowl at a later date.
Last Tuesday morning, in my potential spam direct message folder on social media, I received an invitation to participate in the 2024 National Combine Series, opening the door for the possibility to play in the US Army Bowl at a later date.
Mar 7, 2024
Water under the bridge? RaceTrac decision raises questions about county’s process
Did Santa Rosa County compromise the integrity of its water protection zone by approving a variance to allow RaceTrac to install underground storage tanks at a station on State Road 87? We don’t think so, but the unpopular decision raises some questions about how the county manages its various overlay districts.
Mar 7, 2024
For God’s Sake: Grow
It is Wednesday evening and I realize that I have not written a column for the coming week. It seems I have a poor memory. Admittedly, I am getting older, and some forgetfulness is to be expected, but the forgetfulness that is troublesome to me has less to do with my age and more to do with my faith. I forget what God has done in the past, what he assures for the future, and his faithfulness in the present, and so I worry.
Mar 4, 2024
Brian Out Loud
This just in. We are past the point of ‘that would never happen in sports.’ Way past it.
In fact, I can’t even tell you the date of when it officially happened. But we are there, and no way does it ever trend in the other direction again. It would take a miracle for it to happen.
In fact, I can’t even tell you the date of when it officially happened. But we are there, and no way does it ever trend in the other direction again. It would take a miracle for it to happen.