Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Get tickets to the hit musical, "Little Shop of Horrors" - May 8-11

Feed me, Seymour…Feed Me!!!


Get ready for a wild ride of music, mayhem, and man-eating plants! Little Shop of Horrors is the hilariously twisted tale of a down-on-his-luck florist, his dream girl, and a bloodthirsty plant with big plans. Packed with electrifying tunes, gut-busting laughs, and just the right amount of horror, this cult classic will have you singing, screaming, and rooting for… the plant?!

Don’t miss your chance to see what’s growing on—get your tickets now! But remember… whatever you do, don’t feed the plant! ðŸŒ¿ðŸ”ªðŸŽ­





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May events and Spring outdoor fun along Florida's Forgotten Coast

It's Turtle Time Along the Forgotten Coast!
May 1 marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season on St. George Island and other beaches throughout Franklin County and Florida. The turtles will lay their eggs from May – September, with 50-150 baby turtles hatching after 45-60 days, usually at night. One female may nest several times in a season. May also heralds the season when local volunteer turtlers begin walking the beach to find, mark and protect turtle nests. When homeowners and visitors are educated about measures they can help nesting sea turtles such as turning off lights and clearing the beach of gear at night. Visitors interested in learning about sea turtle nesting can visit the St. George Island Visitor’s Center (at the St. George Island Lighthouse Park) to pick up turtle information. You can also click here to download the updated turtle guide produced recently by the Franklin County TDC in cooperation with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. 
You can also click here to download the updated turtle guide produced recently by the Franklin County TDC in coordination with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. 

Please note that Franklin County has a Leave No Trace Ordinance that requires chairs, umbrellas and equipment to be removed nightly from the public beaches in order to help mama turtles more easily navigate the beaches to nest and allow hatchlings a clear path back to the water from their nests in the dunes. And, if you dig a hole on the beach during the day, fill it in! Also, turtles use the moon light to find their way back to the water. Please turn off lights in or under your beach house that might disorient the turtles. That includes pool lights.
TDC Funds Water Rescue Drone to Enhance Beach Safety
The St. George Island Fire Department showed off its new water rescue device recently which was purchased with a grant from the Franklin County Tourist Development Council to enhance beach safety. The water rescue device is known as EMILY. Emily is a water rescue drone that allows rescuers to reach a struggling swimmer without having to enter the water themselves. The device is driven remotely and has handles for a swimmer to grab on to so they can be rescued from the water without putting the rescuer at risk.The investment ensures that the county remains a ‘positive’ and ‘safe’ environment for visitors and residents alike. The SGI Fire Department’s request also funds a four wheel drive truck and equipment.
Estuaries Day May 2
Mark your calendars for Friday May 2 from 1:30-5:30 pm as the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) celebrates National Estuaries Day. Mark your calendars for Friday May 2 from 1:30-5:30 pm as the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) celebrates National Estuaries Day. This free, fun and educational event features activities for kids and adults including the marine animal touch tanks as well as kid-friendly nature-themed games such as cast net demonstrations, a living shoreline exploration, prescribed fire activities, a reptile room with live reptiles and a drone demonstration. Attendees also can tour ANERR’s 5,400 square-foot Nature Center with its three large aquariums filled with local estuarine and marine life, an 80-foot-long mural depicting the area ecosystems, and a hands-on Bay Discovery Room. Details. 
Lighthouses Full Moon Climbs May 11, 12
The Crooked River Lighthouse will be hosting a Moonlit Evening at the Lighthouse event on Sunday, May 11 from 7-10 pm  in Carrabelle. Visitors can enjoy the gorgeous natural surroundings of St. George Sound and Carrabelle Beach under the glow of the sunset and rising Flower Moon. Admission is $10 and climbs are $5. Mothers get free admission and free climbs at this event in celebration of Mother’s Day. For this special Mother’s Day evening, guests will be enchanted by mesmerizing “Dance of the Butterflies” performances. The event will feature Butterfly and Moth dancers, including Tallahassee State College (TSC) dancers and the Monarch Butterfly Homeschoolers plus visits from the lighthouse’s very own ethereal Moth Lady. These performers will be surrounded by the soft glow of night-blooming moon flower lights, creating a magical and unforgettable experience. 
The May Sunset and Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Monday, May 12. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the view of St. George Island, the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola Bay under the evening sky from the top of the lighthouse. The Sunset and Full Moon Climb will run from 8-10 pm Fifteen-minute time slots will be allotted for each group on a first-come, first-served basis. No advanced reservations will be taken. You will purchase your tickets in the gift shop and then sign up for your 15-minute time slot with the lighthouse keeper. 
Camp Gordon Johnston Exhibit May 6-31
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle will present an exhibit on the Liberation of Paris during World War II. This exhibit will open on Tuesday, May 6 and be on display at the museum until Saturday, May 31.  The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gladly accepted.

The exhibit will present the military and civilian efforts that led to the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944, after four years of German occupation. The exhibit features compelling historical photographs and firsthand accounts from soldiers in the U.S. 4th Infantry Division – one of the first American units to enter Paris. The 4th Infantry were trained in amphibious assault at Camp Gordon Johnston. This preparation proved vital throughout their combat operations. Details.

Little House of Horrors May 8-11

The Panhandle Players will perform Little Shop of Horrors May 8-11 in Apalachicola's Chapman Auditorium. The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination! Details.
Apalach Businesses Host Walkabout May 16
Downtown Apalachicola businesses will host an after hours "Walkabout" on Friday May 16 from 5-8 pm. The Apalachicola Downtown Walkabout is a downtown experience featuring local artists, shopping, and exciting in-store events. Admission is free and all are welcome Participating stores and galleries have extended hours from 5-8 pm. Details.

EVENTS 
Two Historic Tours Planned this Month
Apalachicola’s history is on display this month with two popular historic history tours planned.

Trinity Episcopal Church’s annual Home and Garden Tour is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 from 10am till 4pm. Now in its 31st year, Trinity’s annual home tour will feature six historic homes and one working pottery studio which will feature demonstrations throughout the day. This year’s featured tour home is the former abode of famed botanist Dr. Alvan W. Chapman who lived in this Classical Revival-style house during the mid to late 1800s. Chapman’s love for the science of botany prompted him to publish Flora of the Southern United States in 1860, the first comprehensive description of U.S. plants outside the northeast. A nod to the famed botanist Chapman, Trinity’s 2025 tour will also feature the town’s community garden. Learn more here.

The Apalachicola Historic Society will host its 2025 “If This House Could talk” self-guided walking tour May 2 through May 16. This is a self-guided tour of houses/businesses whose owners have created storyboards that show and tell the histories of those buildings. Maps for the tour are available at businesses throughout town. Click here for more information.

Take a Hike Through History
Can’t make the tours but want to learn more on your own? Explore Apalachicola, Carrabelle and the historic lighthouses on St. George Island and Carrabelle Beach with the help of a self-guided tour brochure.  Follow any of these tours at your own pace and experience the history and beauty of the Forgotten Coast. Download a brochure here or visit any of the Franklin County visitor centers and pick up a brochure and map of all of these self-guided tours.  

APALACHICOLA
Chestnut Street Cemetery Walking Tour Take a 30-minute walk through the Chestnut Street Cemetery, and discover some of Apalachicola’s heritage.
Historic Apalachicola City Squares Walking TouDid you know that Apalachicola’s squares and the grid of streets were designed to model the city of Philadelphia?  This tour will have you leisurely wandering through the historic squares of Apalachicola and imagining life here more than a hundred years ago.
Apalachicola Historic Walking Tour This self-guided tour brochure features dozens of historic homes, cottages, and museums.
Walk the Hill “The Hill” is the affectionate name for the Apalachicola’s African American community in existence since the antebellum era.  The Hill tour will take you as far back as the Civil War when Apalachicola was a major cotton shipping port.  Download the associated app and listen to stories about the area and community as you walk to specified locations.
Apalachicola Museum Trail Tour and Map This self-guided tour features Apalachicola’s museums, parks, and historic sites. 

CARRABELLE
Snapshot Tour of Carrabelle Carrabelle is a walkable community with daily conveniences, shopping, and restaurants close by.  Have a photoshoot at the World’s Smallest Police Station or explore the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum.  Tour the Carrabelle River Walk and Wharf and land on Carrabelle Beach. 
ALONG THE FORGOTTEN COAST
Lighthouse Driving Tour 
Take some time to visit the beautiful and historic lighthouses of the Forgotten Coast.  While they are beautiful to look at, nothing can top the views they provide.

Historical Society Hosts Glance at the Past Program May 13
The Apalachicola Area Historical Society (AAHS) is hosting a program, In Celebration of Debe Beard and Oyster Radio’s “Glance at the Past”, about Historian, Botanist, Community Leader and Bibliophile, Debe Beard as part of their Spring Speaker Series. The event will be held Tuesday, May 13, at 5 pm ET at the Raney Carriage House, 126 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL. Details.

Debe Beard was a well-known figure in the Apalachicola community with many abilities and interests – historian, botanist, community leader, and passionate bibliophile  – whose contributions touched many aspects of Apalachicola’s cultural life. Known for her deep knowledge of history, Debe captured the spirit of the region and beyond in her long-running radio segment, Glance at the Past, which aired on Oyster Radio. 
Carrabelle Hosts First Friday May 2
The downtown Carrabelle business community will host a First Friday event on Friday, May 2. Come enjoy an evening filled with friendly faces, and fabulous finds as the downtown business community opens its doors for a lively night of shopping, music, and connection. Details.

Franklin County Tourist Development Council • 731 Hwy. 98, Eastpoint, FL 32329 • 850-670-3474





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Sponsor the July 3rd event in Downtown Apalachicola

Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Presents:

3rd of July Waterfront Celebration


Planning has started for this year's 3rd of July event. Here is your chance to sponsor this wonderful event held at Riverfront Park in Apalachicola.

Click Here for:


Sponsor Form


 In 2023, the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce was asked to hold the July 3rd celebration in Downtown Apalachicola by the City of Apalachicola. As we all know, this is an important event for the businesses of Apalachicola and the surrounding areas. We accepted the task, and now we are in year three, and we need your support.


We are currently in the event's planning stages and are working hard to ensure it is a fantastic event on Thursday, July 3rd, 2025. Please consider sponsoring this event so we can keep this long-standing tradition going for years to come. With all proceeds going toward the event, we are confident this event will be better and better each year. We are planning to start at 4:00 pm on July 3rd at Riverfront Park, and there will be concerts and events during the afternoon with some great local food options, many of them not-for-profit organizations available at the Park. The fun filled day will end with an outstanding fireworks display over the river.


Stars & Stripes Sponsor - $1,100 – The top sponsorship with name recognition and top billing for all Stars & Stripes Sponsors on the sign and back of T-shirts. Shoutouts are on Facebook and the Chamber website, mentions are made throughout the day on the main stage, and there is Signage in the Park near the stage area. 8-Person access to the Sponsor Tent, which will house the beverages and BBQ provided to our sponsors. The sponsor tent will also have a courtyard facing the fireworks show so all the sponsors can sit and enjoy the show and the concerts on the main stage.


Red, White & Blue Sponsor - $750 – Will receive name recognition and name on Sponsor signs and back of T-shirts, Shoutouts on Facebook and the Chamber website, Mentions during the day on the main stage, and Signage in the Park. 4-Person access to the Sponsor Tent, which will house the beverages and BBQ provided to our sponsors. The sponsor tent will also have a courtyard facing the fireworks show so all the sponsors can sit and enjoy the show and the concerts on the main stage.


Independence Sponsor - $450 - Will receive name recognition and name on Sponsor signs and back of T-shirts, Shoutouts on Facebook and the Chamber website, Mentions twice during the day on the main stage, and Signage in the Park. 2-Person access to the new Sponsor Tent, which will house the beverages and BBQ provided to our sponsors. The sponsor tent will also have a courtyard facing the fireworks show so all the sponsors can sit and enjoy the show and the concerts on the main stage.


Sponsor - $200 - Will receive name on sponsor signs and shoutouts on Facebook and the Chamber website. Mentions once during the day on the main stage and Signage in the Park.  .



Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce
17 Ave E
Apalachicola, Fl 32320
850-653-9419




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Recreational harvest of Gulf greater amberjack remains closed during May



As a friendly reminder for anglers, recreational harvest of greater amberjack remains closed May 1-31 in Gulf state waters. 

Last year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an executive order that modified the greater amberjack 2024-25 open recreational season in Gulf state waters to be closed during the May season.  This harvest closure is consistent with the closures in Gulf federal waters and is meant to reduce harvest and improve the stock. 

Recreational harvest of greater amberjack in Gulf state waters will remain closed from June 1 to July 31, as previously scheduled under the current season closure.

For current recreational amberjack regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations,” “Reef Fish” and “Amberjack.”





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2 local students competed in the district public speaking contest in Tallahassee this weekend, and represented Franklin County very well.









2 local students competed in the district public speaking contest in Tallahassee this weekend, and represented Franklin County very well.

 

The students, had to give a speech between 2 and 3 minutes long, which were then rated by a panel of judges.

 

The competition included students who had won their county public speaking contests from Franklin, Wakulla, Leon, Jefferson, and Gadsden Counties.

 

Joshue Allen, who competed in the 6th grade division, came in second place with a speech entitled, “The Choice is Yours” which asked the question on what you would do if you lived during the time of American slavery or the holocaust in Germany.

 

And for full disclosure, Joshua is my son.

 

He got a nice trophy for his win, and 200 dollars.

 

Tripp Sheridan, who attends the Franklin County School, was the county winner in the 4th and 5th grade division, and while his speech “What I learned from baseball” did not make the top 3, he still got a nice plaque and he won a scholarship to 4-H camp this Summer for winning at the county level.

 

Both of this year’s first place winners were from Leon County.

 

Franklin County has proved to be quite competitive in the public speaking contest; last year Kami Poloronis from Eastpoint won in the 4th and 5th grade division with her speech on Making the world a Better Place.

 

 

 







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An administrative law judge ruled Monday that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection should reject a permit allowing oil drilling in the Apalachicola River floodplain in Calhoun County

An administrative law judge ruled Monday that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection should reject a permit allowing oil drilling in the Apalachicola River floodplain in Calhoun County.

Judge Lawrence Stevenson issued a 53-page recommended order this week that found the state did not look closely enough at the potential damage oil drilling presents to the river.

The recommended order comes after a challenge filed by the Apalachicola Riverkeeper last year when state officials approved a draft permit for a company called Clearwater Land and Minerals to drill an exploratory well in Calhoun County.

The permit approval was met with opposition from counties and cities along the Apalachicola River, all of who rely on the river as a cornerstone of their economies.

Judge Stevenson wrote that DEP took an exceedingly narrow view of the scope of the project for purposes of environmental review, limiting it to the immediate location of the drilling pad on the site, adding that a spill would have catastrophic consequences due to the proximity of the well to nearby streams, wetlands and ponds.

Under administrative law, Stevenson’s recommended order will now go back to the Department of Environmental Protection for a final order.

The Apalachicola Riverkeeper said they remain hopeful that DEP will adopt the Recommended Order and make a final decision of permit denial.

They also pointed out that the order does not stop additional oil drilling permit applications within the Apalachicola River floodplain and are asking people to continue to urge elected officials to move forward legislatively to ban oil drilling near the Apalachicola River.

You can read the full order at https://www.doah.state.fl.us/ROS/2024/24002283.pdf



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Recreational red Snapper Fishermen will get 126 days of fishing this year, the longest season since Florida assumed management of Gulf red snapper

Recreational red Snapper Fishermen will get 126 days of fishing this year, the longest season since Florida assumed management of Gulf red snapper.

It’s a full 3 weeks more than last year.

The expanded season includes additional summer and fall fishing days from 2024, offering anglers more opportunities to fish over major holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving.

The summer season will begin over Memorial Day Weekend, from May 24th through the 26th, and then reopen June 1 through July 31.

The Fall season will include all weekends September through December, Friday through Sunday with longer fishing opportunities around holidays like Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving.

In case some of the weekends are ruined by rain, the state could add additional fishing opportunities at the end of the season.

This season applies to recreational fishermen fishing from private vessels in state and federal waters and to charter vessels that do not have a federal reef fish permit and are limited to fishing in state waters only.

For those interested in participating in this year’s Gulf red snapper season, don’t forget that red snapper fishermen must get the Gulf Reef Fish Angler designation on their license.

You can do that for free on-line at www.GoOutdoorsFlorida.com




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Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for Vitality Wellness



Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting


Vitality Wellness



Thursday, May 1st

5-7pm

Ribbon Cutting at 5:30pm

76 Market Street, Apalachicola


Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce

17 Ave E

Apalachicola, Fl 32320

www.apalachicolabay.org

850-653-9419





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