Genealogy is a pastime that fascinates most. It offers a narrow glimpse into the past to learn more about a family’s lineage. Some can trace their ancestors back a few hundred years, but others have detailed family trees that outline their history.

Jane Debellis, the Technical Processing Coordinator of the Santa Rosa Family History & Research Center, offered insight into why she thinks people are so captivated by genealogy.

Meet prominent residents from Bagdad’s past and learn their stories during the Bagdad Cemetery Association’s free Legends and Lore Tour. The event was suspended because of COVID, but volunteers have revived the educational two-hour presentation, which takes place between 10 a.m. and noon Saturday at the cemetery, 6800 Pooley Street in Bagdad.

The Milton City Council voted last week to install benches in the city’s parks dedicated to sexual assault survivors, including a plaque with contact information for support resources.

Don Salter, who served five four-year terms on the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners beginning in 2000, lived just north of the Pace Community Center on Chumuckla Highway; he worked hard to get the facility approved and constructed. On Monday, Commission Chairman Colten Wright suggested renaming the center to honor Salter, who died Aug. 20.

They say beauty is in the eye of beholder and Jeff Waldorff has quite the eye.
For the past 17 years, Waldorff, 62, has been capturing the natural scenery of northwest Florida with his photography.

Milton city staff are working out details of a fentanyl awareness campaign to explain the drug’s dangers. Riley Perantoni, a Gulf Breeze High School junior, on Thursday, Sept. 21, asked the City of Milton Council to consider a resolution he drafted outlining a program to combat fentanyl-related deaths.

Milton Realtor Pam White bought her first dog, Max, a golden retriever, in 1990, the same year veterinary Dr. Michael Mongue opened his practice in Pace. “He was my first veterinarian and the only veterinarian I’ve used,” White said Thursday, Sept. 28, at a reception celebrating Mongue’s retirement. After Max came Thunder, Tucker, Buddy and Maggie. Why did White remain so loyal? “He’s the only person I know that gets down on the floor and plays with every dog that comes in here,” she said. “We’re certainly going to miss him.”

Mention football and the chance to be around the Milton Panther freshman team throughout the week, including helping out on game day, and the face of Kohlton James lights up with a smile.
The sport means a ton to so many in this region, but it means a little more to Kohlton, whose journey has been drastically different than that of his peers.