Murray Balkcom – Page 14 – Explore30A with Murray Balkcom

Active Fishing

March 28, 2017 Murray Balkcom

Florida Boy Adventures – Fishing the Bay

Fish 30A with Florida Boy Adventures Captain Hunter Ray with Florida Boy Adventures – The beach isn’t all 30A has

Active Businesses | Services Food/Health Inlet Beach Shops Style

March 28, 2017 Murray Balkcom

Otium 30A – Fitness, Juice, Fashion

Otium | 30A Avenue | Inlet Beach Otium 30A is a boutique-style fitness and wellness studio which offers intense and restorative

Blue Mountain Beach Real Estate

March 28, 2017 Murray Balkcom

SOLD! 134 Blue Lake Road | Blue Mountain Beach, FL

Sold at $1,125,000: 134 Blue Lake Road Single Family Detached Home 3 Beds, 3 Baths, 2,450 Sq Ft 134 Blue

Blue Mountain Beach Real Estate

March 28, 2017 Murray Balkcom

Blue Mountain Beach MLS Search

Did You Know? In the early days, sailors traveling past the Emerald Coast of South Walton could see “Blue Mountain” rising out of the beach, more noticeably than anything else in the entire Gulf coast; from afar, the slightly steep land appeared more like a mountain. Because the area was covered in Sky Blue Lupine blossoms, the sailors found it fitting to deem it “Blue Mountain.”

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.

Entertainment

March 27, 2017 Murray Balkcom

Featured Local Writer – Sean Dietrich – Sean of the South

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

Alys Beach Neighborhoods Real Estate

March 25, 2017 Murray Balkcom

Alys Beach Property Search – Search MLS Now

Alys Beach Property Search Your Alys Beach Property Search starts on Greater30A.com. Alys Beach Buyers Search All Alys Beach Properties

Alys Beach Entertainment Events

March 25, 2017 Murray Balkcom

Digital Graffiti Festival | Alys Beach | May 19-21, 2017

Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach 2017 marks the 10th year for Digital Graffiti Festival at Alys Beach, so mark your

LOCAL INTERESTS

March 25, 2017 Murray Balkcom

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING WALTON COUNTY, FL: Amending Ordinance 1998-23 – Tourist Development Tax Third Penny

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners proposes to adopt the following by ordinance: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 1998-23 PROVIDING

LOCAL INTERESTS

March 22, 2017 Murray Balkcom

Walton County, FL BEACH DRIVING, CHARTER FISHING AND DOGS ON THE BEACH PERMITS

BEACH DRIVING, CHARTER FISHING AND DOGS ON THE BEACH PERMITS Walton County offers a variety of Beach Driving Permits, Charter

Real Estate Seaside

March 20, 2017 Murray Balkcom

Explore Seaside Luxury Home | 31 Wakulla Lane

Seaside Luxury Home | 31 Wakulla Ln Featured Luxury Listing Seaside Luxury Home Built in 2016, this spacious Seaside luxury