A Holiday Celebration of Gratitude and Community
The Ground Up Project gathered friends, sponsors and supporters for a joyful afternoon of connection and gratitude during its Cocktails & Candy Canes celebration on Dec. 7 at The Resting Tree in Niceville. The festive, free event was created as a heartfelt thank-you to those whose generosity makes the organization’s work possible, and it reflected the warmth and community spirit at the heart of The Ground Up Project.
Guests enjoyed light bites, festive cocktails and sweet holiday treats while spending time together in a beautifully decorated space filled with Christmas cheer. Laughter, conversation and smiles filled the room as supporters connected with one another, posed for photos with Santa and shared in the simple joy of the season. More than a holiday gathering, the event was a reminder of the power of community — and the many lives touched through the continued support of those who believe in The Ground Up Project’s mission.
Weather Cooperates for Yule of Yesteryear and the Niceville Christmas Parade
By Barbara Palmgren
With cold and rainy conditions on December 6, 2025, the Niceville Christmas Parade was moved to December 13, 2025. Throughout the Panhandle most outdoor holiday celebrations for December 6 did the same!
What this meant for the public was a beautiful day with 75-degree weather to wander and choose among many parades and events.
In Niceville and Valparaiso, the public could cheer parade entrants in the morning and then head to Yule of Yesteryear in Valparaiso. At Yule, the community listened to choir groups sing. Throughout the day, everyone bought treasures from vendors and goodies from a bake sale. In the afternoon the Grinch arrived and went inside to meet children.
Guests enjoyed free admission to the museum and Paradise Garden, where complimentary wassail was served, while the Valparaiso Garden Club hosted its annual plant sale alongside creative items made from recycled, reused and repurposed materials.
Golf Series: First Tee Winter Ball Tournament Inspires Young Golfers
By Barbara Palmgren
On a cold, really cold and windy Sunday in December, young golfers with a parent partner, braved the weather to participate in an annual event at Shalimar Pointe Golf Club. This was the club’s 8th year to participate in the First Tee event.
Organizers, Jean Wallace and Donna Rayburn, members of the Shalimar Pointe Ladies Golf Association, spent months fundraising and preparing for 54 juniors with adult playing partners to play the front nine of the golf course. Other members helped register players and Doris Anderson baked cookies for the entire crowd. Of course, a delicious meal with hamburgers and chips awaited each team when they finished.
The First Tee organization is a youth development organization that enables young golfers to build strength of character as well as learn golf skills. As part of this national organization, First Tee Gulf Coast is located in Pensacola, Florida and hosts events all along the gulf coast. Marty Stanovich, Executive Director, arrived to congratulate all the players and Ty Aulger, Tournament Director, presented awards.
First place winners come from a variety of locations ranging from Freeport to Santa Rosa Beach. Here are the first-place winners:
Girls 5-11: Charlie Miller from Santa Rosa Beach
Boys 5-11: Dillon Bond from Niceville
Girls 12-18: Rayna Perkins from Freeport
Boys 12-18: Luke Pearce from Gulf Breeze
Yes, the family that golfs together stays together…even under cold conditions.
