PARTY LINE: A poker jackpot and big travel plans
Christopher Smith, son of David and Sally Smith of South Walton, is the new evening meteorologist at NBC’s Channel 7 in Panama City. Chris is a 1996 graduate of Florida State University with a degree in meteorology. Chris and his wife, Mauri, are moving from Atlanta where he was a broadcast meteorologist at CNN Headline News and CNN International. They are excited about living in paradise with their friends and family. Welcome, Chris and Mauri!
Welcome to the world, Camilla Rosa Christen! Parents are Lorraine and Eric Christen.
Linda Miller spent last weekend with her three grandchildren in Lafayette, La., while her son took his wife to Paris for her 40th birthday.
Elizabeth Orr has a new dog named Winston Charles Wells.
Mary Bruns has a new yellow lab pup named Violet.
Bud ‘n Alley’s Dave Rauschkolb won the Main Event of the 2009 Emerald Coast Poker Competition at Ebro last week, outlasting 67 other players. He took home $9,100. Congrats to him!
Aaron Jackson went yachting with Hilary Clinton and the president of Haiti last week and is writing a story for a film with CNN.
Jeff Ellis placed in the top 15 percent of all finishers in the Santa Rosa Sprint Triathlon Oct. 3.
Hard Rock Café held its second annual Pinktober Fashion Show last week and raised more than $700 for the Pinktober Fund at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, created to financially assist people with mammogram screening.
Jamie Conley’s ladies group at her church is collecting books to send to the troops overseas. To contribute, contact any member and they will come make a pick up.
Lands End is using Rosemary Beach’s Cowgirl Kitchen for a photo shoot.
Artist Donnelle Clark has been busy redoing the "Grand Playa" sign at her condo. Check it out if traveling 30A.
Jim Ross sends greetings from his old Kentucky home, where he will spend a month. “Ahhhhhh,” he said, “good bourbon, fast horses and great women — or is it great horses and fast women.” Either way, he says he is in God’s country and enjoying a cold 41 degrees, but the leaves are beautiful. He went with friends to races at Kenneland, and hopes to catch a UK football game. Go Blue!
Buz Livingston and Joe Baker made their bi-annual trip to Knoxville for the UGA/UT game where they met up with Buz's nephew, Fraser.
Jon and Claire LaPlante of Rosemary Beach, Scott and Vicki Steelman of Wild Heron, and Scott and Leslie Bumpas took a road trip to Tuscaloosa to stay with Bart and Sissie Smelley for homecoming weekend at Alabama. Bart and Sissie's son, Brad, is a receiver for the team. Even though the weather turned cold, the couples enjoyed tailgating with Bama fans and friends from USC.
Duke Bardwell joined godson Kyle Ogle and Dread Clampitt for a gig in New Orleans last week.
Kim Pall visited the Stetson campus in Deland.
Susan Gongos is on the west coast enjoying a visit with family.
Susan Lovelace has been traveling.
Lorre James is enjoying Italy.
Holly Speight welcomed sister Leslie to Seaside for a few days.
Sandra Brooks celebrated the anniversary of her 29th birthday with friends at Oishi, a Thai restaurant on County Road 79S in Panama City Beach. Julie and Lee Wilcox, Michelle Joly, Gina Shifflett, Coop and Peggy Jones, Michael and Laura Granberrys, along with Buz and Susan Livingston, were some of the folks partying with the birthday girl.
Condolences to Kelly Roe, who lost her dad in July and her uncle last week.
Wish a happy birthday today to Mary Kay Phillips, Carlos Shaffran, and Scott McKinney.
Sunday to Lynn Shumake and Hank White.
Monday to Carol Lench and Jamie Dietrich.
Tuesday to Vicki Kitahara.
Deborah Wheeler is the arts and entertainment reporter for The Walton Sun. She may be reached at debbie_wheeler@link.freedom.com. Party Line Talk appears weekly in The Sun. Contributions are encouraged.
