Welcome home from Iraq, Evan Dickson

Welcome home from Iraq, Evan Dickson

In addition to celebrating the 4^th of July this week, North Grayton's Catherine Dickson has an additional reason to celebrate. She welcomed home son Evan Dickson on Monday from a nine-month tour of duty in Iraq. Evan is part of a six-man mortar team. He leaves for another tour on July 8.

Redfish Village had a good turnout for its Irish night June 27. Lots of locals were there enjoying the party. Ladie Bea and Wayne Carlisle, Betsy Evett, Sean Hughes, Christy Haynes, Didon Comer, Lee Wilcox, Kathy Fly Bridges, Susan Thornton, Sherry and Mike McCarty, and Carl Rush were some. Adam Caperton was pouring some fine wine for tasting.

Several went on to Seering's Piano Bar afterwards. Jim Ross, Ed Walborsky, and Jane Burns McCullar were there. Dining on some excellent clam linguine while David performed was quite enjoyable.

Salty Dog Saloon held its grand opening last weekend. I just had to try the exploding brie burger. It was quite a two-handed experience, topped off by their signature drink, the Salty Dog. Kris Meigs was one of the locals I ran into there. Hubba Hubba shut it down Sunday night. I hear it was the group's first gig 20 years ago. An institution is back.

If you haven't tried Sunday brunch at Santa Rosa Beach Club, do go. It is open to the public. With a buffet that includes biscuits and gravy, omelets made to order, a Belgian waffle station, and specialty drinks, it's all anyone could ask for to start the week. Harriet Crommelin and Stephen Marlette joined Tom and Dana Saffel there this past Sunday. 

Later that afternoon, I ran into Judy Shillingburg at Harbor Walk Village. Congratulations to her on another artistic win at Destin Seafood Festival.

Beaches of South Walton, Seaside and various points along Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast are being featured on Country Music Television as part of a new reality series. Pauly Shore will host the dream vacation TV pilot. The inaugural episode will be broadcast on June 27. This explains Shore's sightings at Bud ‘n Alley's over the past couple of months.

The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore was in town on June 23, broadcasting a live Satellite Media Tour from Alys Beach promoting Hurricane Awareness Week as well as a live broadcast of Evening Edition. Welcome to paradise, Jim! We're so glad you made it down during good weather this time. 

Former Artist of the Year Susan Lucas has her new Web site up: www.susanlucasart.com. She plans to keep it updated with new art and news. She happily reports spending a lot of time in the studio these days.

Healing Art Acupuncture and Massage in Miramar Beach celebrated its first year anniversary on June 25.

Family Chiropractic Center in Grayton also celebrated its first-year anniversary last week.

Sympathy is expressed to artist Susie Munz in the death of her grandson, Cody Munz.

The Cultural Arts Association lost one of its founding members June 30 in Sue Foster. Arrangements had not been finalized at press time.

Suzanne Boatright, of WaterSound Beach and Birmingham, celebrated another birthday July 4 at the WaterSound Beach Club with a few close friends.

For Claire Bannerman's pre-birthday celebration, John Czapleski brought nine guests to The Culinary Gallery June 26 to cook with Chef Scott and Susan Nelson. They all had fun chopping and preparing their meal of chicken saltimbocca, pasta putanesca and a cucumber and fresh tomato salad. It was accompanied by red and white wine.

Happy birthday today to smiling Realtor Linda Miller.

Tomorrow to Karen DeBeauchamp.

Monday to is Linda Prescott's special day.

Tuesday is Deb Eberhart, interior lady Janet Taylor and artsy Teresa Cline's day.

Wednesday, happy birthday to Meg Nelson.

Thursday is artsy Jackie Lynch's day.

And belated happy birthday wishes to Sun associate Cheryle Colburn.

Deborah Wheeler is the arts and entertainment reporter for The Walton Sun. She may be reached at (850) 267-4555 or e-mail debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com. Party Line Talk appears weekly in The Sun.