Local Dining, Drinks and Coffee
Brothers Kitchen
Brothers Kitchen is a casual, Southern-style restaurant, a place where you can get all your comfort food favorites. Blue Plate Specials are featured each day—meaning you choose one meat and two of many vegetable options from the daily list. And there’s so many homestyle choices such as Country Fried Steak, Pork Bar-B-Que or Smoked Chicken Breast. Or pair super fresh salads, turnip greens, fried okra, potato wedges or mac ‘n cheese with the famous Boss Burger. Nightly specials vary each evening, but can include grilled or fried fish, shrimp & grits, pasta dishes or steak specials including Brothers Top Sirloin, Delmonico, Ribeye and Queen’s Filet Mignon. Come on by and “taste” for yourself ! Or checkout the Brothers Kitchen Facebook page for the daily specials and call, stop in or order ahead. Pre-order for the weekend 24 hours in advance: Smoked whole pork butt, full or half racks, barbecue smoked meatloaf, smoked wings all slow-smoked on the Big Green Egg. And don’t forget the sides! Brothers Kitchen offers options for Pre-Order Pickup.
Call 850-842-2687 to place your order! All the time: dine in, curbside, pickup, delivery, outside dining.
Open Monday – Saturday,
11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Closed Sunday.
(850) 842-2687
4538 E. Hwy. 20, Niceville
Facebook @LoveBrothersKitchen
JoJo’s Coffee and Goodness
Owner and operator Angela “JoJo” Stevenson invites you to enter a cafe and relaxed coffee shop atmosphere for a daily dose of “goodness.” Her dream team bakes fresh breakfast and lunch daily—Tuesday-Saturday. Feel free to work on site (free WiFi) or meet up with friends or family. Stop in for Cinnamon Rolls; Scones: Cranberry Orange, Chocolate Caramel and Cheddar Thyme; Strawberry Coffee Cake; Cranberry Orange Muffins; Red Velvet Cookies; Brownies with Espresso Ganache or Caramelitas! Try a Breakfast Special with a piece of Quiche or Kolache-Hashbrown Casserole. Breakfast Burritos are rolled and ready daily! Choose from Andouille, Bacon, Chorizo or Veggie. Or tantalize your taste buds with a made-to-order Breakfast Sandwich on Croissants or Bagel with two eggs and cheese and then choose if you want to add Jojo’s homemade smoked jalapeño beef bologna, bacon, house smoked barbecue or ham! Cinnamon Rolls and Kaloches still hold the top spot for SELL OUTS! Stop in for featured Muffins, Coffee Cake or Pound Cake which go great with Maple Cinnamon Latte or Caramel Macchiato!
Every day is a day for freshly Roasted Coffee and GREAT DOSES OF GOODNESS! Order ahead and pick up some for the office, a gathering or your next meeting! Book online at bigorangehousedesigns.com.
Hours 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday.
(850) 737-6194
4652 Hwy. 20 East, Niceville
bigorangehousedesigns.com
LJ Schooners Dockside Restaurant
Welcome to LJ Schooners Dockside Restaurant located at the spectacular Bluewater Bay Marina Complex. The restaurant is named after “LJ Schooner” (the LJ is for Lazy Jack) who was a cherished four-legged icon on Bluewater Bay Marina docks. The open air Oyster Bar and restaurant is open to serve you! Almost all seats offer a magnificent view of the water, marina and unparalleled sunset with, of course, oysters and a delicious varied menu with dinner specials such as Blackened Mahi and grilled shrimp with hollandaise, served over cheese grits! Join L.J. Schooners for Sunday Brunch, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and drink your bottomless Mimosas for $10! Adults $13.95; Children 7-12 $4.50; Children under age 6 free.
Don’t miss out on the January 29th Gumbo Tasting from 4-6 p.m. and live Music with David Gautreau. The choc-full month of February brings Open Mic/Karaoke (3, 10, 17, 24), Get Hook’d Academy (6, 13, 20, 27), Prime Rib Night, February 9, – 5-9 p.m. and Wine Tasting 5-7 p.m., a Silent Auction/Live Auction benefiting EOD Warrior Foundations February 11, Special Hours and Menu on Valentine’s Day Feb. 14, Traveling Painter February 16 from 5-7 p.m. and Live Music with Catalyst at the Mardi Gras Party on February 26!
Call to order take-out and pick-up in the L.J. Schooners Oyster Bar or call when you arrive for curbside pick-up.
Dine-in, pick-up, to-go. Open Wed.–Sun., 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
(850) 897-6400
290 Yacht Club Dr., Unit 200, Niceville
bluewaterbaymarina.com/schooners
Holt-Phillips Deals With People, Not Customers
By Kenneth Books
Mike Phillips may have been born to work in HVAC. From high school electronics classes to study of AC, DC and transistors, he has always been technologically curious. And it led him to ownership of Holt-Phillips Services, purveyors of Trane environmental products.
“My dad talked to me about this field,” Mike said. “He said ‘you maybe want to go into air conditioning… because you’re an outdoor person.’”
His father, who served as an internal and external branch electrician, was right. “He had a good point about getting stuck inside four walls,” Mike said.
After studying at Northwest Florida State College, Mike took a job with another HVAC company. “I’d travel from house to house,” he said in his Bluewater Bay office. “It all sounded better the three to four years I worked for another company until I realized was not treated right.”
Then, in 1990, Holt-Phillips emerged as Mike and Keith Holt went into business for themselves. Mike bought out Holt about three years ago.
Mike, who runs the business with Jan, his wife of 11 years, is all about quality.
“I feel like I have some of the best technicians and people working for us,” he said. “They’re taught to treat the customers as people, not numbers, to develop rapport with them. We’re not the cheapest; we’re probably not the most expensive, either.”
Holt-Phillips sells and services Trane products exclusively. Mike said that company’s products are the best in the business. But, of course, there’s no substitute for customer service.
“We don’t let people down,” he said. “We stand behind our work. It’s just common sense.
“And I try to bestow the idea with our people to be the best, to give a good day’s work for an honest day’s pay.”
And Holt-Phillips technicians don’t approach their work exclusively as salesmen.
“We don’t sell,” Mike said. “We educate the customer. I’m a Trane dealer because I think Trane is the best product out there.”
The success of Holt-Phillips is an indication that that philosophy has found solid ground with its eight employees.
“It’s a hard field – hot and sweaty,” Mike said. “But the good Lord has blessed me and for that I thank Him.”
Holt-Phillips isn’t the only game in town, of course. Mike said he is in competition with about 124 air conditioning dealers in Okaloosa County. The key for him, though, is going the extra mile for the customer. It comes naturally to him.
“The Twin Cities are my town,” he said.
What Ever Happened to Hope?
By Myrna Conrad
The start of a new year brings different thoughts and feelings for different people. Some are thankful that the past year is over, especially given the uncertainties of the last few years. There are those who are fearful of what the New Year might bring, given consequences of the actions we see playing out in our country. There will be celebrations, there will be regrets, there will be uncertainties, but each year brings an element of hope for what might be. That’s why so many people make their resolutions and set their goals at the beginning of each year. A new year can feel like a new beginning.
It seems as if, over the last few years, hope has taken a backseat to fear. Yet hope is what helps us overcome fear. Hope is so important. Hope reduces feelings of helplessness, reduces stress and improves quality of life. Without it, faith is replaced by fear, peace is replaced by anxiety, confidence is replaced by insecurity, and dreams for the future are replaced by despair. The loss of hope leads to a lack of motivation and depression. But the presence of hope can be a source of emotional strength. According to Psychology Today, hope can make present difficulties much easier to bear. Dr. Judith Rich writes, “Hope is a match in a dark tunnel, a moment of light, just enough to reveal the path ahead and ultimately the way out.”
Hope is the motivator that gives us the resilience to keep going when things seem overwhelming. Some great examples are: the Apostle Paul, who was thrown into prison, yet kept teaching about the love of Christ; Ludwig van Beethoven, who was deaf, but wrote amazing music; Abraham Lincoln, who was raised in poverty, but became our 16th President; Albert Einstein, who was labeled a slow learner, but became one of the greatest physicists of all times.
Hope can have several meanings. It can be used when talking about something we would like to happen or wish would happen, (i.e. “I hope I get the job I just interviewed for.”). It can be used to explain where we place our hope (i.e. “My hope is in the promises of God in His Word”). The use of hope in the Bible is distinctive in that it speaks of a certainty instead of a desire, as evidenced in these passages.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 23:18 ESV)
For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. (Psalm 75:1 ESV)
My hope isn’t wishful thinking and it is not fleeting, because I trust that God is in charge and is working in my life at all times. I experience His work daily in my life and see it, as well, in others. This kind of hope leads to joy, boldness, peace, faith and love. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
There are so many things in this world that can be taken from you: your loved ones, friends, your time, your health, your wealth, your energy, your freedom. Regardless of what happens, don’t let anything or anyone take your hope. Start the New Year by…
Being Aware:
Think about what brings you hope in your life.
Be aware of how the things going on around you affect your hope for the future.
Realize the importance of where you place your hope.
Understand that no one can take away your hope, which will affect your attitude.
Being Intentional:
Start this year with a list of your hopes and dreams for the year.
When you find yourself experiencing fear or worry, make a list of things that you can do to make a difference in your home, your school or work place, and your community.
Model hope for those around you.
Explore the Bible and see how many promises are given by God which, by faith, will infuse hope and peace into your life.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)
J.Leon Gallery Rings in New Year with New Artists
New year, new art! On Friday, January 7, 2022, J.Leon Gallery + Studio, the area’s newest fine art gallery, hosted its monthly Sip N’ Stroll event, where four new artists debuted in the gallery’s Spring show from January 1, 2022, until April 26, 2022. The gallery welcomed artists, Mindy McClendon, Andi Scurto, Wes Hinds and MJ Montgomery to the talented lineup of featured artists.
“It is with great excitement that we introduce our January to April show of artists,” said Jason Lindblad, Owner & Artist, J.Leon Gallery + Studio. “We greatly appreciate all of the talent and creativity of each of our artists and know that people who visit the gallery will enjoy the variety of styles that they bring to the table. Guests will find inspiration around graffiti, thoughts, illustrated and whimsical books, and new ceramic pieces as part of this show. We invite everyone to stop by the gallery to check out the wonderful works these creatives have to offer!”
During the Sip N’ Stroll event guests received a first look at the gallery’s fresh Spring art installations featuring twenty talented local and national artists. Visitors took a tour of the gallery while enjoying wine, champagne, and light eats.
The 10 Best Films of 2021 and Where to Stream Them
Dr. David Simmons, Professor of Film Studies and Humanities, NWFSC
1. West Side Story (Steven Spielberg, ****)
What happens when arguably the best filmmaker of all time (Steven Spielberg) joins with one of the great playwrights of our day (Tony Kushner [Angels in America; Caroline, or Change]), to reimagine a musical by some of the greatest musical theater lyricists and composers (Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein), based on a play by one of the greatest writers of all time (Shakespeare)? You get this sizzling but savy West Side Story, the best film of the year.
It pays tribute to its predecessor, but fixes several of its problems (such as white actors in brown makeup; here all the Sharks are Latinx performers who speak Spanish), and then flies much higher. This film looks like it was made in 1957, but is really about us today.
Spielberg’s eye, synergized with Janusz Kaminski’s striking cinematography, from the demolished-lower-class opening crane shots, to the sweeping cameras of the dance, to the dramatic chiaroscuro lighting of Tony/Maria’s first meeting, to the expressionistic god’s-eye-view shots of the rumble, to the startling closing shot, make this film an instant masterpiece.
My vote for Best Picture, Best Actress (Rachel Zegler), and Best Supporting Actress (Ariana DeBose). In theaters.
2. Dune (Denis Villenueve, ****)
The most gorgeous cinematography of the year. Is it sometimes emotionally cold and bizarre? Yes. But it is also adept at world building and transforming Frank Herbert’s interiorized novel into visual splendor. Paul Atreides (Timothy Chalamet) travels from his home, moisture-filled planet of Caladan to the barren desert planet of Arakkis with his father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), and his mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). Little do they know that the planet’s former capitalist exploiters of the spice mélange, led by Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard), have set a trap for them.
My vote for Best Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Production Design, and Best Visual Effects. Rent on Amazon/Apple/YouTube; for free on HBO Max in 2022.
3. The Power of the Dog (Jane Campion, ****)
An exploration of how toxic masculinity intersects with sexuality, harming not only others, but the ones who legitimize it. Benedict Cumberbatch is Phil Burbank, a 1920’s Montana rancher who constantly puts down his brother, George (Jesse Plemons), George’s new wife, Rose (Kirsten Dunst), and especially Rose’s son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee), whom he deems too effeminate. The Power of the Dog shows us that even in wide-open spaces, unjust societal codes can shut down individuals, families, and communities.
My vote for Best Director (Jane Campion), Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch), and Best Supporting Actor (Kodi Smit-McPhee). On Netflix.
4. In the Heights (Jon M. Chu, ****)
Finally, a musical-film adaptation that trusts the casting of Broadway performers over big-name Hollywood actors who can fake it. (I’m looking at you, The Prom, Les Miserables, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Chicago, and the supporting cast of Dear Evan Hansen). A rare film adaptation that is actually better than the original Broadway show, Director Jon M. Chu’s visual instincts sizzle with creativity. In the Heights shows us the power of diverse groups who come together as a marginalized community.
My vote for Best Editing. Stream for free on HBO Max or rent on Amazon/Apple/YouTube.
5. Belfast (Kenneth Branagh, ****)
One of the best examples of moving camera suture occurs near the beginning of Belfast, as 9-year-old Buddy (the astounding Jude Hill) walks down his street on Aug. 15, 1969, just as a violent outbreak of the Troubles nearly engulfs him. Belfast comes to us from the perspective of Buddy (Branagh’s own historical avatar), as he struggles to understand how parental conflicts are deepened by societal ones. Caitriona Balfe is dynamic as Ma, who struggles against Pa’s (Jamie Dornan) suggestion that they move the family to safer neighborhoods in another part of the Commonwealth. But the real delight is in watching Pop (Ciaran Hinds) and Granny (Judi Dench) impart both earthy wisdom and nostalgia to young Buddy.
My vote for Best Supporting Actor (Ciaran Hinds). On Amazon/Apple/YouTube.
6. Mass (Fran Kranz, ****)
The best film I saw at last January’s Sundance Film Festival. Make sure you breathe before you see it, because you won’t take a breath during the tense 110 minutes of its runtime. Gail (Martha Plimpton) and Jay (Jason Isaacs) meet in a room in a church basement with Linda (Ann Dowd) and Richard (Reed Birney) to wrestle with or emotionally hide from a tragedy that upended all of their lives. It’s a masterclass in acting. Mass shows that sometimes the most holy rituals may be rooted in our ability to show forgiveness to those who share our common humanity.
My vote for Best Original Screenplay (Fran Kranz). Stream on Amazon/Apple/Vudu.
7. Nightmare Alley (Guillermo del Toro, ****)
Writer/director Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water) knows monsters—and the monsters are us. He continues this auteur thematic unity with Nightmare Alley, a dark, creepy examination of Stanton Carlyle (a shiny-eyed Bradley Cooper), a young man with tortured dreams who joins a carnival and learns how to con. The astounding cast looks like an Oscar after-party: Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette, Rooney Mara, David Strathairn, Mary Steenburgen, Richard Jenkins, but most especially Cate Blanchett, who burns up the screen as Dr. Lilith Ritter. Nightmare Alley is based on William Lindsay Graham’s 1946 novel, which was previous made into a 1947 film noir of the same name. In theaters.
8. Tick, Tick…Boom! (Lin-Manuel Miranda, ****)
A musical theater lover’s dream: a musical by Jonathan Larson (composer of Rent), rewritten to tell a specific piece of Larson’s life, as he’s trying to get his first musical mounted on Broadway. There’s a huge ensemble of important Broadway performers, writers, and producers who show up in cameos. But most of all, there’s the love (and the hardship) of creating art. On Netflix.
9. The Green Knight (David Lowery, ****)
Based on the 14th-Century poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, David Lowery (A Ghost Story) has constructed a brilliant modern-day fable about karma. On Christmas morning, the Green Knight challenges any in Arthur’s court to a duel, saying that any knight who can deliver a blow to him will receive the same blow in return next Christmas at the Green Chapel. Sir Gawain (Dev Patel) takes Excalibur and decapitates him, but then must go on an epic journey next year. He is given a green sash by his mother, which he will told will protect him as long as he wears it. But there are many trials that await him on this mythic journey to death. Stream on Amazon/Apple/YouTube.
10. CODA (Sian Heder, ***)
A breakout hit at Sundance, this film had audiences both laughing out loud and weeping uncontrollably. Ruby (Emilia Jones), a “Child of Deaf Adults” (Marlee Matlin/Troy Kotsur), helps with her family’s fishing business in Gloucester, Mass., but joins her high school choir to be closer to a boy she likes named Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, the lead in Sing Street.) There are powerful moments where we are placed in the subjective space of the deaf characters and feel a little about what it would be like to be cut off from the social and communal cues of their small town. Yet, it’s also a film filled with joy, love, music, and humanity—just what we need right now. (Purchased at Sundance for a record-breaking $25 million by Apple TV+). On Apple TV+.
To find David’s full lineup of the Top 60 films of 2021 with additional commentary, visit drdavidsimmons.medium.com.
Area Art Classes February 2022
Artful Things Niceville
Call the gallery at 850-729-2600 to reserve seating for the following workshops:
4 – Roses and Daisies. One Stroke Painting with teaching artist Sheila Mahony – 10:30am – 1pm. $37.50 includes all supplies. No experience required
5 – Acrylic String Pull & Swipe. 10:30am -1:30pm.- $67.50 includes all supplies. Complete 2 different canvases. Tamika Thomas offers step-by-step instruction with these two acrylic pours.
10 – Encaustic Wax Valentines. 10am -noon. $47.50 includes all supplies. Suggested Ages 14 and up. Corina Zalace uses richly colored beeswax and an iron! Complete 4-5 cards including envelopes.
11 – One Stroke Valentine’s Flowers. 3:30-5:30pm. $37.50 includes all supplies. Learn the ease of this unique style with certified teaching artist Sheila Mahony. No experience required.
11 – Book Signing. 5-6pm. Meet local author Eliza Scalia and hear all about her newest superhero in book #8 of her Silver Dove Series. Suggested ages 10-14 years old. Bring your other Eliza Scalia books for signing.
12 – “Dolittles.” 11am – 1pm. $47.50 includes all supplies. Libby Gibbs teaches all about Dolittles and their origin, then she helps you create your very own! Complete one canvas. 6” x 6”. 6 seats only.
19 – Kid’s Collage. 10am – noon. Ages 8-14. Come to Mz. Corina’s Amazing Art class and make a fun collage. $37.50 includes all supplies.
26 – Oil Florals the Impressionist Way – 10:30am – 2:30pm. Jeanette Herron, teaching artist, shares her technique for painting floral in oil. Call the gallery for details on pricing and supplies.
On Going Classes
Rosalyn O’grady – OIL OR ACRYLICS. Tuesdays 10am – noon. Sign up: ogradytr@cox.net. RosalynOgrady.com
Theresia Mcinnis – WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUES. Tuesdays 12:45pm- 3:45pm. Sign up: 850-729-2600. TheresiaMcInnis.com.
Chris Mcloone – ANIME & DRAWING BASICS. Starting February. Wednesdays. 3:15 – 4:45pm. Sign up: 850-729-2600
Charlotte Arnold – OPEN STUDIO WITH LIVE MODEL. Wednesdays 10:30am- 1:30pm. Sign up: 850-729-2600
MJ’s HOME SCHOOL DRAWING/PAINTING/CLAY CLASSES. Starting February. Thursdays 2 -315pm. Email mjmontgomery42@gmail.
(850) 729-2600 artfulthingsniceville.com
1087 East, E. John Sims Pkwy. in Niceville
Big Orange House Designs
1 – Electric Circuitry (#HKC): Deconstruct CHRISTMAS lights to analyze circuitry! $19.79
1&8 – Hearts with Laurel: TWO evening class – Make the first night and glaze the second! $96.30
8 – Your name in LIGHTS (#HKC): Make a neon sign! $21.93
12 – SUPERBOWL Cookie Tray: Decorate a FUN football themed platter of cookies with Mery! $37.27
15 – Robots (#HKC): Make a “Line Following Robot”! $19.79
19 – Winter Beach Scene: Bring your kids in to CREATE with Paint! $19.79
22 – The race is ON! (#HKC): Compete for the fastest car today! $19.79
bigorangehousedesigns.com (850) 737-6193.
4652 Hwy. 20E, Pineapple Plaza, Bluewater Bay in Niceville
Jump Start Your Health!
By Amy Milligan, CRYO850 Performance & Recovery
As we relish our holiday fare, most of us are rolling into 2022 with a list of New Year’s goals. Drink less. Eat better. Exercise more. Lose a few pounds. STAY HEALTHY. If health is on your mind, CRYO850 is a unique, locally owned spot in Destin worth visiting. While cryotherapy is at the heart of the center, you’ll find a long list of drug-free services beyond the cold. While everything is offered a la carte, most take advantage of the The Wellness Circuit which offers access to six therapies including: Infrared Sauna, Red Light Therapy, Whole Body Cryotherapy, Localized Spot Treatment Cryo, Vibration Plates and Compression Therapy. Membership offers access to the Circuit on a consistent basis. Visitors and first-time guests can enjoy the same services via a day, week or two-week pass. Beyond the Circuit, Pagani Muscle Recovery Therapy is a favorite for sore and strained muscles. Alternating hot and cold application creates the same healing as hours with heat and cold packs. For additional pain management and relief, the all-new Cocoon Fitness POD takes recovery to a higher level with combined heat, light and full body vibration.
For a combined treatment of both health and esthetics, try our Pagani Detoxing. This popular body contouring treatment eliminates toxic subcutaneous fat and shaves off inches for both a slimmer and healthier body. Combine with sessions in the Cocoon Fitness POD to move the lymphatic system and you’ll see exponential results! Interested in weight loss? Studies show a visit to the cryo chamber burns anywhere from 400-800 calories. If you are looking to retain or regain that youthful glow, Pagani Collagen Enhancement Facials and Cryo Facials keep the skin taunt and young with the glow we all love. We’ve also seen great results with skin tightening and cellulite reduction.
CRYO850 is extending a handful of Holiday Specials to Bay Life! readers through the month of January including the $99 Unlimited Cryotherapy or Unlimited Red Light Therapy starting at $99/month and 20% off all traditional memberships. You can also save $50 on a Day Pass for Two.
Call (850) 279-4145 or visit www.cryo850.com for more information.
CALM Women’s Health & Well-Being Expo Feb. 9
Know someone who just needs a little nudge to make impactful life changes? Start off the new year with the latest resources, tips and contacts for the issues most women face in this free two-hour walk-through expo on Wed., Feb. 9 from 12–2 p.m. at VenYou201, 201 Redwood Ave. Niceville, 32578. Exhibitors must RSVP by January 30th to participate to Wanda Siefke at wandanv@cox.net. Crisis Aid for Littles and Moms (CALM) is a 501c3 Organization. Expo is being held in conjunction with VenYou201 Event and Meeting Place.
One Year In, Sheriff Aden’s Vision is Well Under Way
By Kenneth Books
Eric Aden’s love affair with law enforcement goes back a long way, from his invitation to a dance by the sheriff’s daughter when he was just 13 to his study of criminology at Florida State University to his current role leading Okaloosa County’s Sheriff’s Office.
Initially, the sheriff planned to work for federal agencies and, in fact, applied for four federal jobs.
“I was going to work for the feds,” he said, “but I got a call from the sheriff (Larry Gilbert) who asked me to join the local force.” That led to the Choctawhatchee High School graduate’s service as a deputy from 1995 to 2003, first as a patrol deputy, then as a school resource officer and finally as a part-time deputy.
He then spent 10 years working for his brother’s mortgage company, where he learned finance, which, it turned out, gave him experience in finance. That, he said, has helped him with the administrative end of his job.
But law enforcement was never far from Sheriff Aden’s mind. He eventually joined the Walton County Sheriff’s Office as a sergeant and later a lieutenant. He stayed there two years, but, he said, “My true desire was to come back home” to Okaloosa County. That came to fruition when he got a call from Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley, who had his eye on Aden as his successor, in 2010. He worked as a captain and a major, then as a major in a different sphere of activity so he could learn administration. “Those were all the things I wanted to know, but didn’t have in my tool chest,” he said.
In the spring of 2019, he finally got a taste of federal law enforcement at the 10-week FBI academy course. Then Aden was elected sheriff unopposed in 2020, succeeding the retiring Ashley. He recently completed his first year in office. “It was hard to improve” the sheriff’s office, he said, because Ashley had done an exemplary job. One thing Aden did was treat his subordinates as important members of the Sheriff’s Office family.
“I take a lot of input from my employees,” he said. “That helps the troops buy in.” Recently, for example, he surveyed the deputies regarding their choices for a new paint scheme on their cruisers. “I’m not the one driving them,” he said. “They are.”
The degree of success Aden has had in applying his vision surprised him. “I had set goals for myself,” he said. “The agency was able to implement all of them. I was shocked.” Among his goals was boosting the ICAC – Internet Crimes Against Children – task force. Deputies arrested 22 people in a sting. “If those people see that, it scares them into their corner,” Aden said.
In 2021, the Sheriff’s Office solved five cold cases, one for sexual battery and four for homicides, bringing justice to the victim and the loved ones.
Recruitment is a constant need for the generally understaffed Sheriff’s Office. To that end, Aden instituted a cadet program – 10 weeks of paid training, followed by hiring. He tells of one potential recruit who said he would love to join the administration but couldn’t afford it. Aden asked how much the man made and he said $32,000 a year. “I said, ‘I’ll pay you $38,000 a year and pay your tuition.’” The sheriff is hoping to recruit more minority deputies as well.
Aden has stepped up training with a program using a huge flat screen and scenarios in which a deputy may have to come to an immediate decision. A tabletop program features four high-energy scenarios: a condominium collapse; a George Floyd situation; a bomb and a river rescue. Aden hopes to recruit some other agencies to take part in the near future.
As part of the Sheriff’s Office’s community outreach, Aden set up a citizen advisory board, composed of members from a wide variety of neighborhoods, occupations and lifestyles. “They tell us how we’re doing and tell us when they have a problem,” he said.
And the Sheriff’s Office recently obtained a bloodhound puppy. It has other dogs, but Aden said they have eclectic responsibilities and, therefore, are jacks of all trades and masters of none. A bloodhound, though, has one main job and concentrates fully on it. The new puppy was a gift from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, whose own bloodhound had a litter. Currently, the employees are being surveyed for a name for the new addition.
One year in, Aden’s administration has been a rousing success, but he’s quick to pass the credit to others. “All I did was put out my vision,” he said. “It was our people who made it happen. We are a family here.” And he has not been without support from a variety of areas. “I just continue to thank the public and the leaders in the county for their support. We’re only as good as our community.”
