Independence Day started with rum ration

Independence Day is the only national holiday that commemorates the United States and is celebrated in every state.

Wonder what George Washington would say about the way we celebrate this memorable day? In 1778, then-Gen. Washington issued a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute.

Today, citizens celebrate with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, baseball games and various other public and private events. Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs.

The Gulf Coast area celebrates primarily with cookouts and fireworks. Pensacola Beach is the site of one of the most spectacular Fourth of July Celebrations in the country. Fireworks can be seen exploding dramatically over the Gulf of Mexico from far away. The crowds head to the beach by car and by boat to view this beautiful site.

Pensacola Florida Women's Connection

The Pensacola Florida Women's Connection Luncheon is going to be fabulous. It is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 at New World Landing at 600 South Palafox Street in Pensacola from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cost is $13.50 and all-inclusive.

Submitted photo Guest speaker Bob Hawkins got somewhat animated during a recent meeting of the Gulf Breeze Toastmasters Club. He has been a Toastmaster since 1999.

The lunch will be one of New World Landing's finest. The program - "The Newest Balloon Décor" - will feature Beverly Hornsby of Custom Baskets and Balloons, showing the newest in balloon decorations. She'll create colorful, neat, weird and unusual balloon sculptures and a balloon drop. Music will be provided by Ali Pipkins, a high school student, who will delight all with her singing talent. The speaker will be Susan Hines, a teacher and woman's mentoring instructor from Pelham, Ala., will be sharing "How to Plan for a Successful Life."

There will be free pre-school nursery available. For luncheon and nursery reservations, please call Sue at (850) 932-2308 or Eleanor at (850) 479-1632 or email Sandy at wellskilan@cox.net.

Panhandle Tiger Bay Club

Pensacola native and attorney John W. Merting was the guest speaker for the June 19 meeting of the Panhandle Tiger Bay Club.

Submitted photo David Kane of Gulf Breeze and Brayton Robertson of Navarre hold a docile king snake during a Sea Stars class at the Gulf Islands National Seashore Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center.

Merting has been in practice in the Pensacola area continuously since 1968. He has decades of experience in Admiralty and Maritime claims, as well as serious personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and workers' compensation matters. Merting has been appointed as a Mediator by Federal Judges, and he has been selected to mediate numerous complex maritime matters in his areas of expertise by attorneys in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi as well as throughout Florida.

A three-time Director of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, Merting was elected Chairman for 2005 and is only the second plaintiff's lawyer to serve in this capacity in the Institute's 40 year history. Merting was also recognized as a 2006 Florida Super Lawyer, the inaugural year of the publication. He has since been named as a Florida Super Lawyer in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

To download a membership application or learn more about Panhandle Tiger Bay Club programs, visit www.panhandletigerbay. com or call Rosanne Williams at 497-1684.

Gulf Breeze Toastmasters Club

Gulf Breeze Toastmasters met June 24 at the First Baptist Church. Toastmaster for the day was Chloe Tyner, and the theme was "Celebrate." The members set this day to celebrate their achievements for the year.

The guest speaker was Bob Hawkins. His topic was "Achieving the President's Distinguished Award: What does it mean, how is it achieved?" Hawkins is the President of Robert Hawkins & Associates, a human resources consulting business that provides employee and organizational assessment and development products and services.

Hawkins spent 24 years in the Navy. His first exposure to the Toastmasters program was when he attended a Navy recruiting school in Pensacola. During lunch, he was drilled on table topics to prepare him to think on his feet during his next assignment in San Francisco as a Navy recruiter.

A Toastmaster since February 1999, Hawkins, an Advanced Toastmaster Silver, has held several club and area Toastmasters positions. He has been president, treasurer and vice president of education in the Toastmasters of Cordova Club and has twice been an Area Governor. Hawkins also has been active in helping several newly formed Toastmasters Clubs get off the ground, including the Gulf Breeze club.

The Gulf Breeze Toastmasters Club achieved the highest award of President's Distinguished Club for a second year in a row. This award requires individual club members to pursue goals in communication and leadership, which encourages participation on a personal and club level.

The Gulf Breeze Toastmasters Club helps individuals learn valuable skills to improve personal and professional goals in public speaking, leadership, listening, evaluating others and networking. It meets from noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze. The next meeting will be July 8. Visitors are welcome, and pre-registration is not required.

For more information, contact Tyner at (251) 490-3339, or e-mail chloetyner@mac. com. For more information on the organization, visit www.toastmasters.org.