Tim Burr, Chairman of the Gulf Breeze Optimist Club's Oratorical Contest, awarded six medallions to Gulf Breeze Middle School students who competed February 22 at the Middle School Library.

Coached by Kate Walker, Language Arts Supervisor, 11 budding orators demonstrated mastery of language and poise in presenting their ideas. No one said "amazing" or "awesome."

Six boys and five girls addressed the topic, "My Biggest Challenge," in fiveminute speeches that ranged from serious concerns about being a teen, handling both physical and emotional pain, to shoes as metaphors for identity and individuality.

The winners are Shelby Hobbs and Johnny MacDonald, 1st prize; Haley Bookout and Nathan Gupta, 2nd prize; Julianne Lewis and Daniel Jacobi, 3rd prize. They will continue to compete in further Oratorical Contests. Judges were Peggy Krasicki, Stephen Echsner and Flack Logan, a former Oratorical Contest winner. A wonderful group of kids!!

Navarre Lions Club

Lion's Club District Governor Bill Pace was the guest speaker at the Navarre Lions Club meeting on February 20. Upcoming Navarre Lions events include a candy giveaway at the new Navarre Wal- Mart on March 17 and a second annual golf outing at Hidden Creek Golf Course in the fall.

Middle schoolers winning awards in the Gulf Breeze Optimist Club's Oratorical Contest are (from left) Haley Bookout, 2nd prize; Shelby Hobbs, 1st prize; Julianne Lewis, 3rd prize; Nathan Gupta, 2nd prize; Daniel Jacobi, 3rd prize; and Johnny MacDonald., 1st prize.

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Navarre Lions Club or wants information on the Lions should contact Ron Gurta at 936-8408 or rgurta@ hotmail.com.

Gulf Breeze Garden Club

At the February meeting of the Gulf Breeze Garden Club, Len Schellhorn, Gulf Breeze resident and Santa Rosa County Master Gardener, shared ideas on selecting and growing herbs in the garden. He also gave cooking hints for seasoning with herbs. The club is looking forward to touring Len's garden this spring.

For additional information, call Margaret at 939- 3379.

First City Art Show

Calling all artists! A first-time event is about to take place in Pensacola that will offer an opportunity to enter a juried art show to any artist living with a 60-mile radius of Pensacola. The event is sponsored by Quayside Art Gallery and the exhibit will be held at Quayside Art Gallery, 15-17 E. Zaragoza St. Pensacola, Florida 32501 from May 10-June 5, 2007. There will be an opening reception on May 11, 5 to 7 p.m.

Navarre Lions from left, Hugh Webb, District Governor Bill Pace, Club President Ron Gurta, Jon Rudman, Dennis Hufstader and Charles Speer.

Artists may submit two pieces by bringing them to Quayside Art Gallery, 17 E. Zaragoza St. on May 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. or May 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Only one piece will be accepted. The entry fee is $25.

Application may be picked up at Quayside, or call 438-2363 or 932-4642 for more details or check out the web-site: www.quaysidegallery.com. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Santa Rosa Shores Women's Club (SRSWC)

The Santa Rosa Shores Women's Knitting Club met at the home of Mona Michael February 28. These ladies frequently knit for charitable organizations.

The Santa Rosa Shores Women's Club met at the home of Margaret Cunningham for their March meeting. The women enjoyed an evening playing Bunco. For more information call Lou Jones 932-9272.

Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary

Don't forget that the Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with their annual card party and luncheon on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gulf Breeze Presbyterian Church. Attendees can play the game of their choice, such as board games or card games.

Lunch will be catered by Norma's and will include homemade desserts and beverages. There will be many opportunities for door prizes as well as the "Pot of Gold."

Tickets are on sale at the Gulf Breeze Hospital Gift Shop as well as from Auxiliary members.

Proceeds from the party and all other fundraisers will be donated to the hospital for special equipment and other patient services.

For details, call Faye Cibula at 932-5270.

Greater Navarre Beach Arts Association

Please register by March 10 for Arts Classes Sponsored by Greater Navarre Beach Arts Association. Each class session will be six to eight weeks long. They are looking for 10 to 12 students per class, but if there is more demand for a class, they will try and schedule a second session of that class. Each class is $15 for the 2-hour class. Students are encouraged to sign up for entire class session. All classes will be held in the group's Arts Shack location, the building just north of the intersection of Hwy. 87 and East Bay Blvd (Hwy 399). Formal registration will be March 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or email: gnbaa@mchsi.com. Line up of classes for March and April, include:Watercolor Painting, Beginning Acting, Acrylic Painting, Basic Pottery and Art for Middle Schoolers. Art Teacher, Debra Branning.

GNBAA encourages the Navarre community to support these classes, plus visit the website: www.gnbaa.org for information.

Gulf Breeze Rotary Club

The Gulf Breeze Rotarians have had a busy couple of weeks and it still goes on. The Gumbo Cook-Off held on Saturday Feb 24 was a smashing success, earning about $4,000. The winners of Cook-Off were 3rd place-Interact, 2nd place- GB Rotary led by John MacPherson, and 1st place-BB&T led by Rotary's own Pam Langham. Congratulations to the winners.

Happenings in the near future include the Spring Social on March 27 at the Cultural Center downtown with Cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m. and the GB Rotary Golf Tournament on Friday, April 20. With all this and more they manage to have good programs each week.

The Program for 2-20-07 featured Ed Carson, a local builder and member of the Building Regulations Committee. Carson spoke about changes in the building code and how they were developed. He explained, "Anything seaward of the 120 mile demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will involve more stringent building requirements including high impact glass for windows or storm shutters. Both builders, insurers and others are driving these revisions. A consensus on the building requirements has been reached and was signed into law on Jan 25, 2007."

The Program on February 27th featured Ron Pulley. Pulley is in charge of creating and maintaining all the parks in Gulf Breeze. He gave a comprehensive overview of the great progress that has been made since Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. Essentially the 10 year plan developed in 2002 was implemented right after the hurricanes to take advantage of the available FEMA money.

Many improvements have been made in a short period of time.

Two good programs in as many weeks!