Exciting news is all around

Sixteen members of Women’s Art Network braved torrential rain Sept. 14 to meet at the Inlet Beach home of Susan Alfieri. I hear that Ann Welch’s homemade bread pudding with two different kinds of sauce was yummy.

Former artist of the year Susan Lucas had two paintings selected for the current exhibit at the Northwest Florida Airport in Valparaiso. They will be on display until mid-December. Both were inspired by South Walton’s beauty.

Susan’s and artist Betty Cork’s work are featured this month at Eileen West's Seaside gallery.

Wendy Prentice recently traveled to Mandeville, La., and painted the walls of her soul sister's new restaurant, Liz's Where Y'at Diner. If in the area, check out this new spot on Florida Street.

Visit Wendy’s newest gallery at Father Fud's Central Market in Destin from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily.

Wendy welcomed her son, Aaron Jackson, home from Fort Lauderdale recently for a weekend visit. Aaron and his work in Haiti will be featured in a documentary towards the end of the year. He will be interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN Oct. 1. Aaron plans to deworm all 3.2 million children in Haiti, where he visits once a month. He also has environmental projects going on through his Planting Peace organization. The organization has done 650 cleanups of riverbeds, lakes and roadsides. He is also launching a turtle initiative in Nicaragua to protect eggs from being poached. I know you’re proud, Wendy!

CNN's Don Lemon talked with Michael Belk about his "Journeys with the Messiah" photos.

Yolo boarding was featured in the New York Times recently in an article about stand-up paddle boarding.

Cynthia Kennedy tells me that her husband, Ben’s dad knew Julia Child and cooked with her.

Ladie Bea and Wayne Carlisle and Georgeen Newell tried the new Ken’s Bistrot in Blue Mountain Beach and said the food was excellent. They met chef/owner Lee Warren and his sister/manager, Laurie. Ladie Bea had the crab bisque and salmon cakes. Wayne and Georgeen had the cranberry spinach salad. She said they would go back. I can vouch for the crab bisque and cranberry salad. Yummy.

Patricia “Sister” Barnes, founder of Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls and author of “Sister Schubert’s Secret Bread Recipes,” has announced the release of her second cookbook, “Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters.” In April 2009, The New York Times published an article on Barnes and the story of her famous rolls. In the glossy 180-page coffee-table cookbook, Barnes reveals some of her most treasured recipes for every-day meals and special occasions. She is the sister-in-law of locals Ada and Marion Barnes.

Grayton’s Jim and Carol Carleton are excited about their son-in-law’s recently-published debut novel "Skinwalkers," available at RockPublishing.com. David Sampier and their daughter, Martha, recently returned to their home in Lake Worth from a book signing in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Sid and Pat Braunstien’s daughter-in-law Charlene Mauro Fearon was honored by the National Marine Science Educators Association. They presented her a national teacher of the year award at a conference in Monterrey Bay, Calif., July 2. She teaches at Navarre High and heads Navarre Beach Marine Science Station (a Marine educational facility for all Santa Rosa County students). The hope is that in coming years it will expand to include students from other counties.

Jamie Huggins, sales manager at Coldwell Banker United Realtor's office in Seagrove, was recalled to the Army after 6.5 years of being out. The Coldwell Banker office has started a We Love Our Troops Goodie Box in each office upon request from Jamie for items needed by his troops in Kuwait. Donations are appreciated.

Susan Gongos is headed to Provo.

I hear an alligator has been seen strolling around the 13th tee of the Santa Rosa Golf Course.

Nina Stephens has relocated her Angels Cosmetics from the Market Shops at Sandestin and relocated to Gulf Place.

Wish a happy birthday today to Julie Root.

Tomorrow to Kris Chavez and Ronnie Dent.

Wednesday to Carl Rush.

Friday to Ann Hartley.

Get well wishes go out to Judi Bludworth.

Party line talk appears weekly in The Walton Sun. Contributions are encouraged. Deborah Wheeler is the arts and entertainment reporter for The Sun. She may be reached at (850) 267-4555 or e-mail debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com. Check out her blog online at www.waltonsun.com.