Happy Mothers' Day wishes to all moms

ArtsQuest returns and celebrating 20 years

Artsquest has enjoyed an exciting week of celebrating the arts. If you haven't been to any of the events, it's not too late. Take mom to Baytowne this weekend to see the fine art exhibit.

Seaside's Cara Roy Gallery hosted an exhibit of artwork by one of Seaside's former gallery owners, Judith Proctor, on May 2.

All TVs were tuned in to the Kentucky Derby last Saturday at the Red Bar in Grayton and Graffiti's at Carillon Beach, where race fans consumed more than a few mint juleps while watching Big Brown take the Run For the Roses. In the process, the crowd at the Red Bar raised a few dollars for Children's Volunteer Health Network.

Fire held its first wine dinner May 5 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The "A" posse were all there. Redd and Paul Vizard, Tony and Mary Derck, Susan Thornton, Ladie Bea and Wayne Carlisle, Karen and Steve Wagner, Tom and Dana Saffel were among the 20 or so attendees. There's no greater camaraderie than sharing a good meal and wine with friends and Fire owner Brenda Darr put on a first-class event.

Fire also holds Wine down Wednesdays weekly in its bar from 5:30 - 7 p.m. For $10, sample four designated wines and tapas. The tapas change weekly. I hear the restaurant has also become a great gathering place on Sunday after church for the "A" posse.

On May 3 Belk at Destin Commons again donated 20 percent of its sales between 6 and 10 a.m. to the Alaqua Animal Rescue in Freeport, a no-kill shelter. Pet Smart tempted shoppers with some of Alaqua's adorable, but homeless dogs and cats over the weekend.

Hairdresser Sandy Mac has opened her shop, Blue Wave, next door to the Ocean Club.

Anne Cashatt called last week to tell me that Eastern Lake Estates is not in Seagrove, as I have stated in the past. She said that ELE was platted in 1939 by Sam Wesley, 10 years before Cube McGee platted Seagrove. She said that Seagrove begins two miles west of ELE. Thanks, Anne.

One of those Eastern Lakers, Lane Rees, was in Fort Worth last week attending the General Conference of the United Methodist Church and hosted a luncheon. This week he is off to Drew and Princeton Universities for Foundation for Evangelism board meetings and related activities.

Congratulations go out to Kelsey Johnson, daughter of Bobby Johnson, who is graduating with honors from Leon High School in Tallahassee.

Congratulations also to Kelli Precort at Balance, who was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.

And congratulations to Don Reinhard and Tallahassee's Leslie McClellan, who were married last weekend at WaterColor. Bill Evett provided the music, along with Ted Cobena and Steve Ferry. Don works for Maxamillion Mortgage in Santa Rosa Beach.

Happy birthday wishes go out today to South Walton Community Council's Nancy James.

Tomorrow, yoga lady Laurie Beck, singer Redd Vizard, and Bass Pro's Sid Bernstien celebrate another.

On Tuesday, music man Donnie Sundal and architect Cary McWhorter share my birthday.

I wish all moms a happy Mother's Day. 

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.