Talk of the Town
Human friends invited to Chamber's Pet Fest 2008

The ladies of the Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Red Hats of Navarre and Gulf Breeze from are going on an outing to the zoo. Seated, from left: Jenny Aylward, Margie Henson, Rita White. standing: Joyce Horgan, Peggy Gray, Ann Tindell, Mary Fournier.

On Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce will host Pet Fest 2008 at Shoreline Bark Park located across from the South Santa Rosa Recreation Center (800 Shoreline Drive) in Gulf Breeze.

Pet Fest 2008 co-chairs Barbara Bonowicz of Mediacom and Limarie Rodriguez, DVM from Gulf Breeze Animal Hospital said, "The committee voted unanimously to invite pets to bring their human friends again this year!"

Seven area veterinarians will provide educational information on flea control, heart-worm disease, micro-chipping, exotic pets and more.

This happening will include pet contests, door prizes, celebrities, music, demonstrations, a pet parade and more. Last year, more than 300 pets and 1,000 of their human friends enjoyed the contests, activities and fun. Sponsorships and vendor space are still available. Admission is $5. Proof of rabies vaccination for pets is required.

For more information, call the Chamber at (850) 932-7888 or go to: www.gulfbreezechamber.com

GFWC Milton Woman's Club, Inc

The Milton Woman's Club is seeking nominations for outstanding women or young ladies who are worthy of an award for their contribution to the arts.

There are many awards to be won for the Second Annual Women In The Arts Awards at 7 p.m. June 17 in the Santa Rosa County Auditorium. The public is encouraged to nominate women, agencies and businesses that support the arts in Santa Rosa County. The event is sponsored in part by a grant received from the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival.

Nominations can be made in the following categories: 1- Artist-Visual; 2- Drama; 3-Voice; 4- Instrument; 5- Dance; 6- Literary; categories 7-12 are the same as the first six but for young women between 12 and 18 years old ; 13- Art Education (classroom teachers, professors and instructors in public and private institutions); 14- Communications (individuals and/or public and private print, radio, television, journalism, advertising, public relations, writers, publishers and public speakers); 15- Corporate (businesses who support and promote the arts); 16- Community Service non-profit agencies and community-based organizations); 17- Public Agencies (local, county, state, federal public agencies who represent their constituents well and who support issues that benefit the arts; and 18- Volunteer.

Hoe 'n Hum Garden Club learn about weird plants. Master Gardener Marge Hiller is standing beside Hoe 'n Hum Garden Club President Ellen Webb who is holding a ZZ Plant.

All nominees will receive invitations to the awards ceremony and winners will not be revealed until that evening. Nominees in categories 1-13 and No. 18 must live or work in Santa Rosa County. Nominees in categories 14-17 may be from Santa Rosa or Escambia County but must support the arts in Santa Rosa County.

Nomination forms are available by calling (850) 623-9635 or by e-mailing retsel4765@aol.com. Deadline for receiving nominations is May 10.

Gulf Breeze Rotary Club

The Rotary Golf Tournament at The Moors Country Club netted approximately $19,000. The Group Study Exchange from France will join their host families in Gulf Breeze and Pensacola shortly. The Ethics in Business luncheon is scheduled for Monday May 5th. The Help Them Call Home project is continuing with great success.

District Governor P.C. Wu presented an award to Sam Foreman for his work with the Group Study Exchange and to Bill Delavan and Dana Morris for their presentations at Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).

Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Red Hats

The latest adventure for the Wild, Wacky, Wonderful Red Hats of Navarre and Gulf Breeze began with lunch at Cocodries' Restaurant on Navarre Beach. From there they went to the Zoo of Northwest Florida in Gulf Breeze.

The ladies in their full head pieces of bright, red feathers and purple outfits were a sight to behold for some of the critters at the Zoo and some of the visitors as well. Membership in the Wild Wacky Wonderful Red Hats is limited to 15. Margie Henson, Queen Mother, says, "If you are interested in joining us for fun and sisterly companionship, please give me a call at 936- 5753. We welcome ladies of Pink Hat below 50 years of age and Red Hat ages for those older than 50."

Hoe 'n Hum Garden Club

Hoe 'n Hum Garden Club met for its March meeting at the lovely home of Sue Huff. Hostesses Georgia Emmett and Judy McCabe provided a delicious array of refreshments. The panoramic bird's-eye view of Pensacola Beach, and orchids and bromeliads blooming in pots created a tropical atmosphere.

Following the business meeting, President Ellen Webb introduced the speaker, Marge Hiller, Santa Rosa Master Gardener. Her topic was New and Unusual Perennials and Annuals. Hiller showed the club the new ZZ Plant, Zamioculas Zamifolia. The ZZ Plant is going to replace the popular Lucky Bamboo. It is a very drought-tolerant, tender tropical plant that stores water in a tuber and will grow 18-24 inches tall in light shade.

"There are determinate and indeterminate tomatoes," Hiller said. "The determinate fruit tends to ripen all at once whereas the new viney indeterminate tomatoes ripen throughout the season."

Upside-down pots are fun and great for growing in small spaces, and tomatoes can be grown in them. The key to success is using proper soil and frequent watering.

Hiller's discussion of "weird" plants was amusing and educational. For example, the Rafflesia Arnoldi is the world's largest flower and can grow over three feet wide, weigh up to 15 pounds, and smells like rotten meat.