GOLD SHOVELS TURNED THE EARTH, marking the beginning of construction on Liberty Volunteer Fire Department’s new South Station. (Photo by Quenton Woodham)

MOSSY HEAD WATER WORKS WON the Florida Rural Water Association’s Best Tasting Water contest in August, making this its second win in six years. The plaque commemorating the victory was presented to Water Works employees and its board of directors at a brief ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Pictured is County Commissioner Larry Jones, board members Luke Mitchell, Terry Crosby, Tom Miller, Maintenance Supervisor Kyle Fragale, Line Operator Josh Hayes, President Tom Terrell and secretary Suzanne Rich, with FRWA Northwest Florida Water District Representative Bruce Morrison in the foreground presenting the award. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

THE FREEPORT FOOTBALL TEAM posed with Brian Haugen from the Taylor Haugen Foundation and members of the Evoshield team while wearing the shirt and rib protector before practice on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by Patrick Casey)

WALTON’S KEN RANDOLPH (4) had a 33-yard punt return to help set up one of Walton’s touchdowns as the Braves improved to 1-1 on the year. (Photo by Jennifer Casey)

FREEPORT’S GABE MOORE (7) threw a touchdown pass, kicked a field goal and had 58 rushing yards on the night as the Bulldogs evened their record at 1-1 with a victory over South Walton on Friday night. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

SOUTH WALTON’S BRANDON WHALEN (39) had 140 rushing yards on the night as he provided much of the Seahawks offense in “The Battle of the Bay.” (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

THIS THANK YOU note at Nick’s in Blue Mountain Beach was one that many local people could relate to, in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaac’s brush with Florida. (Photo by Shelly Swanger Photography)

LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERNMOST point of the United States in Key West, sits the large lobster buoy that invites guests to snap a picture. The writing on the landmark says “90 miles from Cuba.” Herald Breeze reporter and columnist Chuck Hinson’s report on Key West can be found in the Aug. 30, 2012 edition. (Photo by Chuck Hinson)

A FAMILY WALKS the shore line in Panama City Beach Aug. 28, as Tropical Storm Isaac stirs up the waves and the shoreline. (Photo by Eric Marcus Studio)

WALTON’S DAIQUAN BROWN (20) put the first points on the board for the varsity squad with a 14-yard sprint for six points on the Braves’ third possession of the half. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

FREEPORT QUARTERBACK GABE MOORE threw for 83 yards and had a key completion to set up the Bulldogs lone score but also had an interception returned for a touchdown for the Braves in the game’s final minute. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

SOUTH WALTON QUARTERBACK JOHNATHAN ORTNER (15) was able to get loose for some running room on this play and later tossed a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as the Seahawks closed to within 21-19 in the final minutes of the contest. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

ONLY ABOUT EIGHT PEOPLE ATTENDED the final Walton County Visioning Meeting, held Thursday, Aug. 16 at the DeFuniak Springs Community Center, but the group spent the better part of two hours discussing potential areas in which the county could grow its economy while maintaining its natural resources and enhancing quality of life for residents. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

LOCAL ARTIST KEVIN NALL, OF MOSSY HEAD, worked made a career in commercial art but took up sand sculpting about seven years ago and has worked in the medium ever since. Nall, along with friend and mentor Mark Flynn, who first showed him how create artwork from beach sand, regularly collaborate on large sculptures for local businesses, but Nall’s real passion is for quick sculptures made during his frequent trips to Walton County’s beaches. “It’s all about promoting our beautiful beaches,” Nall said. “It’s always fun when people see you working on a sand sculpture, because, no matter whether you’re 3 or 83, this is something art-related that anyone can do with a little practice.”(Photo courtesy of the Nall family.)

THE 30A SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL’S promotional efforts were recently honored with Florida Public Relations Association’s (FPRA) Golden Image Award of Distinction.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT of Law Enforcement Crime Lab Analyst Supervisor Joseph Graves gave an hour-long power point presentation to the large group on synthetics, how they are made, where they come from and updated attendees on new laws that went into effect in March 2012 to fight against the imported menace.

LOGGERHEAD HATCHLING, part of this season’s record nesting numbers in Walton County. A total of 115 sea turtle nests have been reported along south Walton beaches as of Aug. 10.

ITEMS ON SALE AT THE HIGHWAY 83 Yard Sale on Aug. 4 weren’t limited to the usual clothes and furniture pieces, as attested by this gentleman, who brought with him a collection of antique knives and firearms, including a Russian Mosin-Nagant rifle. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

RECENT HEAVY RAINS prompted Walton County officials to open Western Lake’s out-fall on Wednesday, August 1. Here kayaker Norma Rediker takes advantage of the swiftly moving current. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

MORE THAN 100 people linked hands at Seaside on Aug. 4 in the fourth Hands Across the Sand event. Seaside’s unofficial mayor Glenn Seawell is pictured in the forefront. (Photo by Dotty Nist)

AS PART OF HIS VISIT TO DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Sensei Joe Rios took time to interact with the young people at the Boys & Girls Club of DeFuniak Springs on Tuesday, July 31. He demonstrated some of the skills gleaned from more than four decades of study in the martial arts with the help of former student Walton Academy Principal Steve Ruder and young volunteers. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

FREEPORT RELAY FOR LIFE volunteers held a fundraising yard sale at Cypress Cattle and Produce Company on Saturday morning, Aug. 4. “We have made several good sales,” said Event Chairperson Leigh Wilson. “This is a very worthy cause and we would like to thank everyone that have supported us. Persons interested in joining Freeport’s Relay for Life efforts can reach Wilson at (850) 259-8871. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

NEW SOUTH WALTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR and head football coach Phil Tisa (l) is congratulated by administrator Jimmy Ross. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS’ JOSH MILLER WON in his amateur fighting debut, defeating Pensacola’s Cody Anderson in a three-round bout that was settled by the judges’ decision. Miller and Anderson competed at Club LiVE’s Friday Night Fights event, held July 20 in Pensacola. (Photo courtesy of Joshua Miller)

EDWARD ARMBRUSTER (center) DONATED THE UNIFORM of his late wife, Rosemary, to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4437 and to the Ladies Auxiliary that serves the post. Armbruster said the best way to honor his wife’s memory was to recognize the dedication of Ladies Auxiliary members everywhere. He was joined by his daughters and the organization’s members at a small dedication ceremony on Wednesday, July 18, his wife’s birthday. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

WHERE IN THE HERALD is the Walton County Baptist Association? On a mission trip to Oceana, West Virginia, where this photo was taken of the mission team with a copy of the Herald Breeze. (Photo from Southwide Baptist Church)

FAMILY NUTRITION PROGRAM ASSISTANT Amy Leath helps students prepare personal size veggie pizzas, at Get Active-Get Healthy, a three-day 4-H program which consists of specific nutritional instruction. The program was recently held at the Walton County Extension Service. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

SOUTH WALTON upcoming Freshman Joe Ledo-Massey placed eighth- overall in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Club National Championship in Orlando last week. The win earned Joe a medal and invitation to the Junior Olympics to be held in Houston, Texas later this month. Here, Joe poses with his medal during the awards ceremony on July, 10.

HANNAH POOLE pitched nine of the 12 innings over the weekend as DeFuniak defeated Woodville 5-1 and 5-3 to earn the Section title in 11-12 year old softball. (Photo by Savannah Albert)

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS CITY COUNCILMAN MAC WORK, along with the rest of the Council, courted new business while reining in spending over the past year, but he said the work isn’t done yet. Plans are in place to expand the city’s economic footprint, with compressed natural gas and new industry leading the way. (Photo courtesy of the city of DeFuniak Springs)

GERRY DEMERS, interim county administrator, presents the proposed 2012-13 Walton County budget to county commissioners. (Photo by Dotty Nist)

STEVE KERVIN, 79, OF DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, fulfilled a lifelong dream by driving an IndyCar racing machine around the sweeping banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway’s quad-oval by participating in the Mario Andretti Racing Experience. Kervin is a longtime fan of the sport, having followed it closely since 1953. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

THE DEFUNIAK SPRINGS 11-12-year-old softball team won the Section title in Tallahassee over the weekend.The squad will travel to Orlando this weekend for the state tournament. (Photo by Savannah Albert)

THE GIGI’S FABULOUS KIDS FASHION AND TOYS crew performs for the crowd, part of the Fourth of July parade at Seaside. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

UNCLE SAM WANTS everyone to have a happy Fourth of July. Sam was seen walking the lake in DeFuniak Springs, in the Fourth of July parade. (Photo by Alicia Leonard)

A MEDLEY OF MOVIE THEMES was part of the opening of the Sinfonia July Fourth concert, at Seaside Amphitheater. (Photo by Bruce Collier)

A PORTRAIT OF young Margaret Hicks hangs in what was once her bedroom. This is one of many historical sights that can be viewed on the Camp Helen History Tour. (Photo by Dotty Nist)

WALTON COUNTY SCHOOL Superintendent presented Walton County School Board Chairman Dennis Wallace and board with their plaque recognizing them as a Master Board for their training in handling school district affairs.

BRIANNA (l) and Joanna Duke show off their face paint. Wonderful springtime temperatures and plentiful sunshine welcomed dozens of visitors to the second annual Freeport Arts and Craft Festival on Saturday, March 24. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

STUDENTS AT THE FIRST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY studied the geography, history and culture of several South American countries at this year’s weeklong mini-semester. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wilkerson)

EVEN JONATHAN D'AVIGNON participates in the program having his BMI calculated by Walton Count Health Department Kristin Alford LPN, Beth Stutz RN records his data assisted by Lourdes Garcia. Natalie Keith, RN,BA, BSN, Certificate in Health, the Senior Community Health Nurse, from the Walton County Health Department, presented ways how to eat healthy and stay active weekly to Freeport High School culinary class.

THE FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL boys basketball team captured the Class A Winter Team Academic Championship in Class A for the 2011-12 school year. Pictured are(L to R)Front row: Freeport High School Principal Shirley Foster, Austin Woodard, Caleb King, Gabe Moore, Collin Myrick. Back row: Cody Smith, Clayton Jones, Caleb Piasecki, Will Canaday, Ryder Newman, Head Coach David Burke. Not pictured: Assistant Coach Charlie Little.

PONCE DE LEON softball coach Tim Alford paid a visit to the mound with his infielders during Thursday's 6-2 district win over Wewahitchka. (Photo by Patrick Casey)

THE AWARD-WINNING POVERTY HILL SMOKERS, Kenneth Barton, Loreyann Barton, Haley Bass and Jesse Covington, with their trophies at the recent Triple B barbecue competition in Crestview. This marked their second consecutive win at that event.

WALTON PITCHER BRENDAN LEACH gave up just one hit on the way to striking out 18 batters in the Braves' 3-0 victory at home against South Walton. Leach pitched a complete game and also had an RBI. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

FREEPORT’S BATTERS WERE ON TOP OF THINGS against Baker, getting nine hits to the Gators’ five and scoring seven runs without reprisal from the visiting ream. Freeport improved its record to 3-4, 1-3 with the shutout win. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

WALTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER Scott Brannon (l), Preble-Rish Project Engineer Cliff Knauer and contractor Robbie Hall look over Dead River Landing site plans. The project is reportedly re-opening within a week. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

FREEPORT MAYOR MICKEY MARSE threw the ceremonial first pitch to his great-grandson Hagen. Freeport had to postpone its Dixie Youth League opening from an earlier date. The festivities were held last weekend at the Freeport Regional Sports Complex. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, INCLUDING MAYOR HAROLD CARPENTER, Tax Collector Rhonda Skipper, City Marshal Mark Weeks, City Councilman Henry Ennis, School Board Member Sharon Roberts and County Commissioner Celia Jones, among others, all attended the opening day ceremonies of the 60th annual DeFuniak Springs Little League season.

BULLY FOR THE DEFUNIAK HERALD AND THE BEACH BREEZE, for like Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders they reached the top of San Juan Hill, Cuba. Walton County's own David Bludworth and wife Judi were privileged to join Tweed Roosevelt (President Theodore Roosevelt's great-grandson) and the Theodore Roosevelt Association on a week long trek around Cuba.

LEWIS ELBIE HARDY POSES with a few of his World War II mementos. (Photo by Jeffrey Powell)

MAGGIE HEELAN - AFTER. Walton County Sheriff's Office Communications Officer Maggie Heelan, and some fellow law officers, shaved her head to raise more than $2,300 to help three area cancer patients cover their medical bills.

LOCAL AUTHOR AND POET PAUL ARTHUR performs his poem “The First Day” in costume as the lovely Mrs. McGee, part of the fun at Van R. Butler Elementary School's Literacy Week event, promoting reading for students.

THE PAXTON LADY CATS AND COACHES Steve Williams and Josh Harrison proudly display their eight-consecutive district trophy after defeating the Malone Tigers 57-39 on Saturday, Feb. 4. (Photo by Reid Tucker)

FREEPORT'S COLLIN MYRICK (20) launched this three-point shot in an attempt to win the game versus Paxton in the final seconds. While his shot was off-target, Caleb King (30) grabbed the rebound and banked in a short shot at the buzzer for a 78-77 victory. (Photo by Patrick Casey)

THE WALTON LADY BRAVES brought home the District 1, Class 4A title with a 54-30 victory over the Pensacola Catholic Crusaders behind 16 points from Taliah Moore(23) and 14 from Deja Tucker(24). (Photo by Patrick Casey)