PARTY LINE: Stars shine on South Walton as community rolls out the red carpet

Ok, there are some perks to this job that I embrace … such as having dinner with Jim Cantore last Thursday night!

It's true, he didn't invite me to sup with him, but someone else did, and I was very excited! He was at Sandestin's Marina Bar & Grille for a photo shoot with his signature burger, which I tried. It is gooood. If you like it hot, try it.

Amazingly, I ran into him at the gym the next day. I didn't immediately recognize him, but he remembered me. I was shocked.

On Friday night I returned to the Marina to try the Mike Huckabee burger. Cantore's has my vote.

In more celebrity sightings last weekend, Jill Young took a photo of actress Katherine Heigl and her husband, songwriter Josh Kelley. Jill said columnist Ron Hart was there also and talked to Heigl for 20 minutes.

Heigl checked out another area eatery while here — George's at Alys Beach. Heigl and Kelley were there with Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley and his wife Cassie, who posed for photos with owners Ann and George Hartley. They were celebrating a birthday.

Former Detroit Tigers closer Todd Jones was spotted shopping at Silver Sands last Thursday.

Alabama Charlie saw CMT award-winning T.G. Sheppard dining at Fat Clemenza's Tuesday night.

Country music singer Sara Evans dined at Seaside’s Great Southern Café.

Joe Leathers and Kellie Picker were also reportedly in South Walton last week.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were in Rosemary Beach this week. McGraw took a few seconds to pose for a photo with the Sampietro family.

Adam Richman and The Travel Channel’s Man v. Food Nation entourage took on Calypso Restaurant’s “Muffaletta Challenge” in Panama City Beach April 23. The episode aired nationally July 13. Calypso celebrated by tuning in its 80+ TVs, had live music on the front deck, 2-for-1 drinks, giveaways and hosted another Muffaletta Challenge with local celebs.

Billy and Kelly Buzzett went to Kennedy Space Center and witnessed up close and personal the last space shuttle flight.

Congratulations to Byron Chism on his multiple wins in Britain at the Grillstock BBQ Fest. Byron said the Brits are a delight and they love American barbecue.

TripAdvisor rates Rosemary Beach in its Bucket List Top 10 breath-taking beaches this summer. Rosemary Beach also got a shoutout in The Gadsden Times last week.

Stephanie Berlanga, daughter of Dawn Montoya of Destin, recently graduated as valedictorian from Full Sail University with a bachelor's degree in music business. She is a graduate of South Walton High School and is in Nashville recording this summer. She has performed at several local establishments.

Joan Luchese’s daughter, Michelle, was on True Blood last Sunday night.

Victoria Hunt opened her home to 24 members of the Women's Art Network June 13 for their monthly get together.

Donna Vann has left for a month of travel to Iowa, London, Prague, a river boat cruise through Germany, and two nights in Paris. Wow.

Fred and Ampy Cox went to Bradenton Beach for her "Cuban" family reunion.

Kathy Shepherd spent her birthday in North Carolina with her daughter, Shannon, who is getting married next month.

Meg Nelson went to New York City for her birthday.

Shawn Howard is visiting friends in France.

Lisa Comeau went to Rhode Island.

Tricia Northcutt visited family in Indiana.

Nancy Abood took a road trip to Biloxi and New Orleans.

Deidra Stange went to Orlando.

Geoff and Shawn Chick are headed to Maine, with Wilbur their new pup.

Hillary Fosdyck went to St. Maarten.

Leslie Provow visited Oregon.

Darwin Davis is in Nebraska.

Jim Ross is back at his old Kentucky home.

Kellie Biegler went to Ocala.

Kelly Buzzett went to Asheville, N.C.

Lori Karian went to Vail.

Don Goodrum went to Chicago.

Susan Lovelace is spending the summer in Colorado.

Shelly Swanger attended a Wells Fargo Advisors Concerts in the Garden at Atlanta's botanical gardens last week.

Mike Ragsdale went to California.

Congratulations to David and Dixie Holder, who will celebrate 18 years of wedded bliss July 17.

Jeb and DuRee Stewart celebrated 23 years on July 15.

Get well wishes go out to Carl Bergstrom, and Leslie Cashatt.

Wish a "happy birthday" today to Greg Bahr and Paula Ford.

Tomorrow to Gene Mitchell.

Monday to Frank Berte and Julie Wilcox.

Tuesday to Edd Fleckenstein, Geoff Chick, and Kristine Peterson.

Wednesday to Margie Bauman, Judith Proctor, Harry Millsaps, and Jayne Ragsdale.

Thursday to Louise Goodson.

And Friday to Christy Haynes and Kris Wheeler.

Deborah Wheeler is the arts and entertainment reporter for The Walton Sun. She may be reached at 850-654-8443 or email dwheeler@waltonsun.com. Party Line appears weekly in The Sun. Contributions are encouraged via email.