PARTY LINE: Football does indeed reign in the South — and The Tide rolled again!

What a game, what a game we witnessed Monday night! While many chose to watch it at home, many more chose to watch in the company of friends. Susan Thornton watched from Fire's bar and there was a large mix of folks gathered at First Note Music Hall. Sister O'Connell, Tom Saffel, Hank White, Gayle Schoettle and George Barnes, Cynthia Kennedy, Baron and Nancy Strother were there to watch it on the big screen and cheer on their team, with Tommy Jackson pacing the floor.

James Murray traveled to Nola to watch the game.

I enjoyed a fab lunch at Vin'tij Tuesday with Demetria McNeese and Lorre James.  

Thirty-seven members of Women's Art Network met at the Freeport home of Karen Kolenberg Monday night. Victoria Hunt and Robin Wiesneth were there.

The 30A Posse howled at the new full moon Sunday. Joe Serrato and Cynthia Kennedy were there.

I enjoyed the movie “War Horse” last Friday with a friend and then dinner at The Vue’s bar. Chef Gio’s lobster ravioli, venison rolls and scallops were delicious. Redd and Paul Vizard and Lois and Bill Crane were there.

Sandestin Fitness Center held its First Friday social at The Ocean Club last Friday night. Tina and John Burke, James and Gail Lockwood, Jerry and Doreen Baca, and Darwin Davis were some who attended.

Melissa Davis, Didon Comer, Payson Howard, Barbara Riddick, Judy Stoddard, Karen White, Sister O’Connell, Janet Taylor, Bert Summerville, Nancy McConnell, and Kelly Buzzett enjoyed the seventh-annual girls’ shelling trip to Indian Pass.

Voorhees, N.J. social studies teacher Chris Wyglendowksi recently brought some of his students to Seaside to visit an example of New Urbanism.

Victoria Hunt spent her recent birthday with long-time friends from Connecticut.

John Magee is back from Denver.

Jeff Ellis went to Orlando for the Disney Marathon last weekend.

Tina Burke is in St. Louis.

Holly Speight went to New York City, as did Demetrius Fuller, and Kate Kelley.

Kathy and Joe Perry of Gulf Place spent Christmas on the Mexican Pacific coast, returning in time to celebrate Joe's birthday here Jan. 1.

Lorene Gruzdis of Gulf Place had family in from Amarillo and Atlanta the week after Christmas. Sharon Thompson hosted the overflow of guests.

Anne Hunter went to Dallas.

Linda Bruner went to Palm Beach.

Paula Carter went to Orlando.

The closed meeting of Sandestin homeowners Tuesday afternoon about the possibility of gaming coming to the area made the Sunshine State News online.

SunQuest Cruises and The Solaris Yacht won WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards 2012, putting them in the top 5 percent of wedding pros nationwide. The WeddingWire Bride's Choice Awards recognizes the top local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network that demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism. WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards are determined solely by reviews from more than 1.2 million newlyweds.

Local catering company Dine By Design is featured in the new Southern Living magazine.

Several South Walton businesses got a mention in the Orlando Sentinel’s online blog last week, thanks to South Walton’s Tourist Development Council.

Seaside and The Village of Baytowne Wharf made Digital Journal online.

The Walton Sun got a mention in Gambling News Source online for its reporting on the casino controversy.

The 30A Songwriter’s Fest got a mention at al.com.

South Walton got a mention in the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch.

30A took the No. 5 spot in Florida Travel + Life's The Best of Florida's Top 10 for North Florida.

Best wishes to Women's Art Network member Sue Carol Knight who recently got married.

John Morin of Driftwood Estates gave his wife, Grace, a surprise birthday party at Fat Clemenza's Jan. 3. Fat's provided an outstanding family style meal, said John. Eileen and Larry Jackson. Jama and Charlie Johnson, Edward and May Bowman, Ambler and Bill Slabe, Duane and Nancy St. John, Virginia and Winston Farrior, and Joan and Jim Fargo attended.

Wish a "happy birthday" Saturday to Seaside's Holly Speight, and Johnnie Riley-White.

Sunday to Margaret Aderholt, Realtor Christina Meinen, Winky Dowdle, and Kim Kelley.

Monday to Annie Mangrum, and photographer Michael Belk.

Wednesday to glass lady Diane Grey-Page, and The Howard Group's Myra Williams.

And Thursday to skin lady Sandy Weiner, and Brenda Radtke.

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. Follow her on Twitter @waltonsundeb.