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Florida’s Living Beaches – A Guide for the Curious Beachcomber

September 2, 2021September 2, 2021 Murray Balkcom books, Entertainment, Florida's Living Beaches, sea life, shell identification

Florida’s Living Beaches The first book which should be in every beach goers bag is Florida’s Living Beaches: A Guide for

Flutterby Festival

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Flutterby Festival 2017

October 2, 2017October 2, 2017 Murray Balkcom Cultural Arts Alliance, Entertainment, Flutterby Festival

Flutterby Festival 2017 The Flutterby Festival, produced by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, celebrates its 25th year of observation of

Pensacola, Florida—this is an era when the town is cobblestones, iron balconies, and men in straw skimmer hats. A trolley rolls down Palafox. Ships in the bay have smokestacks. It’s hot outside. Young Albert is a trumpet player. He has talent. His father, the attorney, calls him lazy. He says music is a dead-end profession. He says Albert won’t amount to anything in this world if he plays music. So, the boy works loading crates in the harbor. On weekends, he plays with the Salvation Army Band to keep his lips in shape. They’re a good band, they play hymns in front of the bank on Government and Palafox to raise money for the poor. The other side of Government Street: A couple shuffles the sidewalk. Man and woman, middle-age, dressed in ratty clothes. They have accordions strapped to their chests, and tin cups with rattling with coins. They wear darkened glasses. They are blind. They don’t often play on Government Street. Today, they’re hoping to earn enough to buy supper. The woman sings tunes she’s learned from the radio. She has a good ear. She can hear a melody once and play it. Albert and the band take a break to rest their mouths and replace fluids. The fellas remove jackets and fan themselves. This is Northwest Florida. The sun can melt a man like candle wax. “Ssshhh,” says Albert. “You hear that?” Everyone listens. “I hear it,” says Trombone. “Sounds like an accordion,” adds Bass Drum. The band is a curious lot. They go investigate. Albert stops walking. He listens to the music, then presses the mouthpiece against his lips to play along. French Horn finds a part to play, too. Snare Drum, Fluglehorn, and Tuba do the same. Soon, the boys have joined the blind woman’s song. Together, they play a secular melody—which has been strictly prohibited by the Official Salvation Army Rulebook, section 207-A, paragraph 3. It’s beautiful music. A big crowd gathers. Men in linen suits reach into pockets, tossing money. Women empty coin-purses. The blind couple smiles so hard, they almost crack teeth. So does Albert. They play until sunset. And I imagine Panhandle sunsets in the ’20’s were just as magnificent as today’s. When they finish, Albert gathers cash from the pavement. He collects piles of fifty-cent pieces, dollar bills, pennies. Six hats full. The blind woman thanks him. She cries. Albert cries. The band cries. Everyone cries. It’s more money than the couple has ever earned before. It was only one afternoon, a few hours in history. But it was more than that. Those who saw what happened would talk about it. Their kids would retell the story. And their grandkids—which is how I heard it. It’s a story that’s even outlasted Albert himself. A kid whose father said he wouldn’t be worth a damn in this world if he kept playing his god-forsaken trumpet. Well. Fathers don’t know everything.

Featured Local Writer – Sean Dietrich – Sean of the South

March 27, 2017April 11, 2017 Murray Balkcom Entertainment, Featured, Sean Dietrich

Sean Dietrich – “Sean of the South” “Sean Dietrich is a columnist, and novelist, known for his commentary on life

Entertainment Events

Moutain Film on Tour at WaterColor, FL

July 30, 2014March 29, 2017 murraybalkcom 2014 Mountain Film, Entertainment, events, mountain film on tour

Mountain Film on Tour at WaterColor, FL Nov 7-8, 2014 – Adventure, Life Lessons and Environmental Messages brand this tour

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REAL ESTATE

30A Home Sales Year Over Year Comparison for 2022

January 9, 2023 Murray Balkcom

instead of seeing price drops, buyers are seeing strong pricing of 30A homes

Who Is the Best Realtor in the Greater 30A Area? Consider Choosing Murray Balkcom as Your Realtor

January 4, 2023 Murray Balkcom

Blue Mountain Beach Neighborhoods Real Estate

124 Mountain Top Dune Drive | Blue Mountain Beach

December 13, 2021January 5, 2023 Murray Balkcom

Real Estate WaterColor

WaterColor Homes Sales Analysis – Oct 2021

September 2, 2021January 5, 2023 Murray Balkcom

Blue Mountain Beach Neighborhoods Real Estate

51 Ventana Blvd | Blue Mountain Beach

August 30, 2021January 5, 2023 Murray Balkcom

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