Holly Jolly Holiday’s

Getting into the spirit of the Holiday's is just plain easy in Flagler County. Have you ever been ice skating outdoors in Florida? The City of Palm Coast made it possible by kicking off this year's festivities with grand opening of the ice skating rink in Town Center's Central Park. Don't worry if you don't own skates (how many of us Floridians do?) they offer skate rentals with admission for a minimal fee. There is plenty of time to come out and enjoy this little taste of the Holiday's as the ice rink is open from now until January 2, 2011.

Nothing puts you in the season like watching Santa glide through the air after popping his chute open over the beach. Every year Santa kicks off the Holiday Beach parade by parachuting onto Flagler Beach and saying hello to all of the boys and girls waiting for him on the shore. The weather could not have been better and the crowd was ever so pleased at the spectacular entertainment that ensued from Santa's big entrance.

There are plenty of upcoming events happening to ring in the holidays including the Holiday Fantasy Fest & Starlight Parade in Palm Coast's Central Park at Town Center. There will be arts & crafts, tasty treats and of course Santa will be present for pictures. Make sure you make it there by 6:00 p.m. to catch the parade which promises to be as spectacular as ever. Bicycle enthusiast need to make sure they decorate their bikes and head out to Central Park to take part in the 1^st Annual Holiday Joy Ride. While you're there, make sure you sign up to audition for the BMX Reality Television Series "8 in the Gate" starring Eric Estrada!

'Miracle at the Crossroads III' is sure to put you in the holiday spirit no matter how you choose to celebrate this season. Head out to the Flagler Playhouse for a show that guarantees great songs, bad jokes, and punch & cookies in the aisles. Continue supporting the arts by joining the Flagler Auditorium for their Holiday Extravaganza which offers 5 days of live performances, auctions, arts & crafts and more!

Everyone is invited to come out to the City of Bunnell for their FREE Annual Holiday Hayride. The traditional hayride will wind through the city to show off the stunning light displays. Free hot chocolate and coffee will be served as well – so make sure you come out to Historic Bunnell to partake! And speaking of history, there is no other place that history comes alive in like the Florida Agricultural Museum. Christmas in the Country, 1864 is a Civil War Reenactment which highlights a variety of living history groups from around the southeastern United States. One in particular, the Connecticut 17^th Infantry Regiment is looking forward to Christmas. Come see and hear this spectacular re-enactment of history. The Agricultural Museum will be the launching point for Holiday Kayak Trips through sections of the Pellicer Creek including the South Fork, Hewlitt's Branch, North Fork and Schoolhouse Creek.

Snow will fall in Florida this year at the Holiday Fun Fest at City Market Place. This free event features Santa who will be letting you take pictures for free, a petting zoo, 65-foot obstacle course, local performers, a karaoke contest AND snow!

There is something for everyone in Flagler County this Holiday Season. Make sure to check out our calendar of events for full listings and come celebrate with us here on the quiet side of Florida. That's all for this insider – Happy Holiday's to all and a very Happy New Year as well!

Over a Decade of Tommy …

Every year Flagler County plays host to many events, but there is only one that holds a place in so many hearts of those in and out of Flagler – The Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic. The 11^th Annual Tommy Tant was held early November of this year and brought in surfers near and far to compete amongst each other and celebrate with each other.

The surf competition began as a small event to celebrate the life of Tommy Tant, a 24 year old surfer whose life ended suddenly and unexpectedly from an aortic aneurysm. Tommy's former teachers at Flagler Palm Coast High School were the event's first organizers and all proceeds went into a scholarship program for local students. The event went from being run by high school teachers to Zoee Forehand, owner of Z-Wave Surf Shop to Will Tant, professional surfer and Tommy's younger brother. With each passing year the Tommy Tant has evolved from a little surf competition to a nationally recognized event. And this year is solid proof of what a little love, hard work and even harder play can bring.

Day one of the 11^th Annual Tommy Tant had a grand finale like no other and was one of the coolest things I have ever personally witnessed – aerial night surfing presented by Red Bull. The Flagler Beach Municipal Pier was aglow and the music was pumping for a little night time wave action with some big air surfers. That isn't all the day had to offer. There was great music by Braddigan; gourmet food offered by Blue, Flagler Fish Company, The Atlantic Grille and a variety of other spectacular restaurants; and a little competing of course. From tad-poles to pros, they all came out to show off their wave riding skills. The water looked cold but that didn't seem to affect our contestants who went out and gave it their all. What came out of all of this? Well, more than $40,000 for scholarships and food bank donations. In other words, it was their biggest fund raising event to date. Not shabby for a little event that started just 11 years ago.

Next year is just around the corner with the 12^th Annual Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic. Think you have what it takes? Make sure to keep an eye on http://www.tommytant.com/. Thinking about learning? Come out to the beach and check out surf lessons at Z-Wave Surf Shop or just rent a board for the afternoon and we'll see you in the water.

A Fun Fall in Flagler

Fall is in the air and the festivities this month are endless! There is something to do every weekend in October. The month long schedule of events were kicked off with the Annual Flagler Fun Coast Bed Races and the Hispanic Heritage Festival. The Bike Florida Fall Tours come straight through Flagler County the first weekend in October and future bike tours will be coming back through in November.

Free movie Friday's return this month at Central Park in Town Center on October 8 and on October 23 you can catch a flick out at Wickline Center Park. Grab a blanket or chair and come on out for free movies under the stars. Relax under the majestic oaks and gaze out upon the shores of Pellicer Creek at the Sixth Annual Creekside Festival October 9 – 10. Creekside has become one of the most popular festivals around drawing in more than 10,000 visitors last year. This is the perfect event for the whole family to enjoy with live Bluegrass music all day, kayaking tours through Tropical Kayaks, hiking tours, games, arts & crafts and MORE!

The roar of motorcycles will fill the air October 14 – 17 as visitors from near and far come in for the annual Bikefest events. Let out your inner biker as you party to live music throughout Flagler County. Feeling crabby? Gamble Rogers Memorial State Park is offering crabbing for beginners on Friday, October 15 at 10 a.m. Ranger Richard will teach you the basics for crabbing and show you how to nab that crab! There's nothing better after a morning of crabbing then a free concert. The City of Palm Coast is introducing a new entertainment venue with live concerts at the Daytona State College Amphitheater on Friday, October 15. The Friday Night Live Concert is sure to be a hit for those looking to close out their week and get their weekend rolling!

Those looking to get in shape and go on a spectacular adventure will love the Lighterknot Adventure Race in Flagler County's prime jewel Princess Place Preserve on October 16. The event features a 3 and 8 hour race segment, so come out and join in on the fun! Visit the Pangea Adventure Racing website for more information on this adventure. Visitors looking to catch a bit of history in their excursions will be immersed in it at the Florida Agricultural Museum's "Pellicer Raid" Civil War Re-Enactment, October 16 – 17. Join in the fun hearing the stories of authentic cavalry and infantry camps or watch the battles unfold right before your eyes.

Enjoy an evening aboard the Hurricane Queen, while taking a sunset cruise down the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway on October 22. Join the IMERS (International Marine Ecological Research Solutions) Team for a one hour guided tour to explore the diverse ecosystems and birds along the river. Reservations are required as space is limited. Go to www.floridastateparks.org/gamblerogers for more information.

The spooks come out early this October with Florida's Haunted Trails at the Florida Agricultural Museum. Wagon rides along the haunted trails begin at sunset and end at 10 p.m. Watch out for ghosts and ghouls as you walk through their haunted houses and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Mugwump, Flagler County's own mythical monster. The Halloween fun takes place October 22 – 23 and October 29 – 30. The art of ballet brings "Dracula" to life October 30 at the Flagler Auditorium! The Dance Alive National Ballet Company presents this suspenseful and spooky story through the art of ballet for this one night only.

October certainly proves to be a month to remember so grab your clan and head out to Flagler County for a month of fun family festivities!

Hooked – Fishing in Flagler

They call Florida the "Fishing Capital of the World' and for good reason. With superb weather year round; 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline; and more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams & waterways; you can be sure you're always within reach of a place to drop your line. In Flagler County a diversity of sport fishes await you with plenty of coastline for surf fishing and a variety of rivers, lakes and estuaries available for brackish and fresh water fishing.

This Flagler Insider prefers the surf variety and can occasionally be found casting her reel out her neighborhood waterhole, the Atlantic. While I cannot attest to my own success in this extremely enjoyable sport, I have basked in the glory of my fishing companion and have been in awe of the fellow fishermen and women who have pulled in some big ones right off our breathtaking coastline. Noteworthy regulars found in Flagler County's coastline include: Whiting, Flounder, Sharks and Rays; however we have some seasonal residents as well: Blues (fall & winter), Pompano (early summer) and Tarpon (mid-late summer).

If you're not into the ocean variety, we have plenty of other fishing spots with your name on it. Boating through the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is a local treat that can be enjoyed by visitors from all over. Towing your own boat? Flagler has a myriad of boat launches to choose from. Boat-less? Charters are available for groups of all sizes and if you're looking to paddle while you fish kayaking rentals & tours are offered as well. While you're out on the ICW you'll want to prepare your line for Red Fish, Snook and Sea Trout. Want to hit some freshwater spots? Look no further! Flagler County has an assortment of lakes and fresh water estuaries. Popular places to try your luck are Dead Lake, Silver Lake and the Pellicer Creek where you'll find bass, crappie, perch and the occasional alligator swimming in the calm backwaters.

In order to fish in the State of Florida you have to purchase a permit to fish in fresh and/or saltwater. You can buy them at the Tax Collectors office, online or at most bait shops; however, additional charges may apply if the permits are purchased outside of the Tax Collectors office. The annual breakdown for Florida residents is:

Freshwater - $17
Saltwater - $17
Combo (fresh & salt) - $32.50

For additional permit information and up-to-date fishing regulations please go to:

http://myfwc.com/Index.aspx

That's all for this insider. Don't forget to check out http://www.visitflagler.org/ for all of the local hotspots, information on bait shops and local charters. Now get out there and rip some lip!

Cache 22 – The Insider Goes Geo

In the world of ecotourism there are so many activities to enjoy. This go around, I delve into the world of geocaching to find out what all of the hype is really about. But first, what is geocaching? Geocaching is a form of high-tech treasure hunting for the whole family. The basic idea behind geocaching is to search outdoors for hidden containers, called geocaches, through a series of hints and GPS coordinates. Once you find the geocache, it's up to you to write your finding in the log book within (if provided) or go to the website login registered to that geocache to indicate you have located your loot. At this point in time it is also important to note that you are to leave the geocache where you found it so that others may enjoy the same adventure.

This Insider was lucky enough to have a couple of companions join her on the geocaching experience. Peggy Heiser, VP of Tourism Development for the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce and Pam Walker, councilmember on the Flagler County Tourist Development Council both joined in on the fun. Our first mission: Princess Place Preserve's "Green Trail" which is home to a geocache planted by the City of Palm Coast. We followed our clues and attempted to use GPS; alas we did not come across the geocache. On our return back through the park we happened upon a different geocache that is part of Geocaching.com, the Official GPS Cache Hunt site. It was our first cache find (though not necessarily on purpose) and it was exciting!

Next stop: The Florida Agricultural Museum. The clue for the geocache there was a bit vague and it was hidden well, but we did not have to go on much of a walking journey to find it but finding the geocache was like digging up a treasure. We also ventured out to Central Park at Town Center and to Graham Swamp in hot pursuit of additional geocaches planted by the City of Palm Coast. We got plenty of exercise that day and had an amazing time exploring our counties parks … and now I have another excuse to get outdoors.

Why geocaching? This is a fun way to bond with a team, your family or a group of friends while enjoying the vast ecosystem offered in Flagler County. Geocaching turns a regular hike into a journey and it can even inspire some friendly competition. Other upsides to geocaching include "Cache in, Trash out" where geocachers pick up litter while venturing to find the geocache – the ultimate eco friendly and green adventure. And geocaching is the new big thing. There's even an app for it! Groundspeak's geocaching application is available in multiple languages making one thing for sure, it's great for visitors from all over. If you're not iPhone savvy, GPS units made specifically for geocaching are also available.

So next time you're looking for something fun to do, try geocaching. All you need is a compass, GPS or any item that provides latitude & longitude coordinates and access to a computer to locate geocaching sites. Currently the City of Palm Coast offers geocaching sites; their geocaches are noted by small blue containers with the City of Palm Coast logo on them and geocaching.com has a myriad of other geocache locations to choose from. The geocache may vary as these ones are put out by a variety of individuals, but the ones I have happened upon have been clear Tupperware containers. Please be sure to leave the geocaches where you found them and be alert of your surroundings. Make sure to pack plenty of water and a snack; wear sunscreen and bug spray; and follow the rules and regulations of the park, preserve or attraction you are visiting. As always, be fun out there ... until next time!

From the River to the Sea

Memorial Day is on the horizon as a tried and true sign that summer is upon us and the warmth of vacation season is in the air. What a great time to teach the Leadership Flagler class about tourism in our spectacular county! For those unfamiliar with the program, Leadership Flagler is one of nearly 700 programs nationwide whose goal is to shape high-profile community leaders. The Flagler County Chamber of Commerce and the Alumni Council create the three-month program which focuses on Flagler County's past, present and future – paving the way for Tomorrow's Leaders. As part of the tourism department, this insider was lucky enough to have an "in" to participate in this informative and fun-filled session.

The tourism segment is created to help these individuals learn about the importance of tourism in Flagler County through conversation and a glimpse of what the county has to offer its visitors. This year the group was invited to have breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn at Town Center, with a brief presentation by Milissa Holland, Chair of the Tourist Development Council (TDC) and Peggy Heiser, Vice President of Tourist Development at the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce. Coffee was brewed, pastries were had and the discussion flowed. We then moved on to the River to Sea Preserve for an interpretive nature walk lead by Ripple Effect Ecotours.

The tour began in the parking lot of the preserve and quickly moved across the street to the coquina lined beach. From here the class was taught about the varying ecosystems abreast in the county and how they transition from our local beaches to our estuarine system. As luck would have it, we had the opportunity to view a sea turtle nest and some least terns migrating back up north. The diverse ecosystem of the barrier island goes from sandy coquina beach to coastal scrub and the maritime forest. This is where our journey through the River to Sea Preserve comes into play.

The entrance to the preserve is sandy and the walk is pleasant. Our first stop was the large covered picnic area overlooking the lake which was once the focal point of the marine land campgrounds. We ventured to the lake and looked on as small and large turtles swam up to the dock in a festive and hopeful manner. It is clear that these particular reptiles are used to seeing humans and even more so, are used to being fed by them.

The walk through the maritime forest was pleasant and covered by a shady hammock of live oak, magnolia and long leaf pine. The trail is comprised of one large loop with a path in the middle dividing the path in two. No matter which way you chose to go, eventually the river will be in view. This particular part of the Matanzas River is a manatee zone and my hopes were up to see one of the magnificent sea calves in action. Unfortunately no manatees were seen by this adventurer, but I did have the chance to witness the wonder of nature with the mimosa pudica, a sensitive plant that closes its leaves when touched and will reopen minutes later.

Our trek back took us through the trail less traveled which meant ducking under banana spiders and the intricate webs they had created amongst the trees. The tour came to an end back at the lake with a guest appearance of the resident alligator wading in the water in hopes of being thrown a treat or two. I watched in awe as the turtles swam around, up and over the gator with ease and without fear of impending doom. Nature never ceases to amaze me. Until next time!

Swimming in Style

The month of April delivered a very exciting experience to this Flagler Insider – swimming with the dolphins at Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center. At the northern tip of Flagler County lies the Town of Marineland, home of the Marineland Dolphin Conservation Center and a town which houses 13 dolphin and only 9 residents. Originally named Marine Studios in 1938, Marineland was developed for underwater footage for Hollywood films and was known as the "World's First Oceanarium". From there Marineland evolved into a place where you could go feed the dolphins and later pioneered dolphin training. Today's Marineland is a modern habitat that allows guests, such as myself, to visit up close and personal with dolphins.

I arrived at Marineland roughly 20 minutes early to prepare myself for the Immersion program and to peruse the quaint gift shop filled with stuffed dolphins, unique jewelry and paintings done by the dolphins who prove to be regular Picasso's as well as spectacular swimmers. Once our trainers were ready for us we were sent on our way to the main show, the dolphin habitat. The walk over was nothing short of amazing. The sidewalk runs adjacent to the Atlantic with views of picturesque beaches and soaring brown pelican on one side and dolphin performing acrobatics on the other.

The first part of the Immersion is dedicated to learning about the dolphins and how to handle them. When "petting" them we are told to keep an open palm and to note that dolphins shed their skin frequently which is why their surface is so smooth and why they may seem slimy at times. The dorsal fin can be used for identification as their ridges are different, much like a finger print and their main veins are located in their tails. Other important facts are that dolphins do not chew their food and while making friends with them in their habitat at Marineland is okay, engaging them in the wild is against the law. In fact, feeding wild dolphin teaches them that boats and humans equate to a food source which is how so many dolphin end up getting maimed by motors.

Then, the moment I had been waiting for was here. After our instruction we were sized for wet suits and sent to change into our gear. After wrestling with my wet suit, I was ready. The participants were split into groups and off we went to enjoy our adventures. Before I went swimming I got to meet some of the male dolphins, Sunny & Alvin, whom showed off their skills in jumping, hand shaking, hugging and kissing. The dolphins respond to hand signals, whistles and of course fish, which lets them, know they've done a good job. After shaking Sunny's tail and tossing fish in Alvin's mouth I was off to swim with some of the female dolphin.


Getting into the main pool was intimidating. The water was deep and even though I was wearing a personal floatation device I was thrown off by how far down the habitat actually went. The group bobbed over to the side of the tank for a demonstration on the speed of dolphins as they glide through the water and the depth of how far down they go when performing jumps. The abilities of these magnificent creatures are amazing. As a finale of sorts I danced with Phebe who spun me around with ease and as I moved back into standing water she promptly splashed me to say goodbye.

I was completely elated as I went to change back into my normal attire. The dolphin trainers and other staff members were extremely informative and enthusiastic, which helped this particular insider gain more appreciation for Marineland and the purpose they serve to educate visitors and locals alike. A Marineland photographer was present during my entire visit capturing memories that were made available for purchase at the end of my excursion. If you want to learn more about the Dolphin Conservation Center, please visit their website http://www.marineland.net/. There are a variety of fun programs for the whole family – whether you wish to immerse yourself, touch & feed the dolphins, be a trainer for a day or have your very own original dolphin painting. Go for the education, the fun and the experience of a lifetime.

The Insider Goes Natural

The Month of February proved to be an adventuresome one as I journeyed out to Whitney Laboratory to take part in the month long Florida Master Naturalist program. The coastal systems module was an intensive course that took us on a head first dive into our coastal environment with a look at the creatures large and small that inhabit it. Our gracious hosts, Ripple Effects Ecotours in conjunction with the University of Florida IFAS Extension, took us for a ride through interpretation and exploration in the beautiful and diverse ecosystem of Flagler County.

The first week was full of classroom exercises, videos and note taking; however a few hours in the wet lab brought awe to even the most unsuspecting individuals. It was amazing to view life that is so minuscule that it usually goes unrecognized unless viewed through magnified lenses. In this part of the class we were able to view the plumed worm, a worm that covers itself in tiny particles of shells and debris to make a home and protective layer over their body, and I held a starfish that tickled my hand as it felt its way across my palm.

The second week brought us hiking through the magnificent Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, down old A1A and through the maritime forest full of live oaks and hammock scrub. The history and beauty behind this park should be a part of every agenda of those traveling through Flagler County. Here we learned about native and exotic plants – and the effects these plants have on our present and future. In short, exotic plants like the Brazilian Pepper Plant are bad and should be eliminated as they can destroy the native resources we all rely on.

We went from hiking the forest to walking the beach in our third week and learned that the coquina formations on the beach at the River to Sea Preserve are not only amazing but they act as a habitat to a variety of sea life. The beach is a source of preservation for a variety of crustaceans, mammals and reptiles. Ghost crabs make their mark, or should I say hole, to use as a home and a quick place to hide when a big group of students come walking down through their neighborhood. This is an amazing abode for Loggerhead turtles who nest here as well as many shore birds such as the double breasted cormorant.

On the last week – we kayaked! What fun it was to go out for a spin on the intracoastal and the Pellicer Creek. This was my first time kayaking tandem, and my first time using a rudder so I may have spun in a few circles in the beginning, but it was worth the spinning head and a slightly dizzy partner. The paddling excursion was extremely relaxing and informative – making for a very happy crowd. As we moved through the creek we observed a Bald Eagle as it landed on a nearby piling and got up close to the black mangroves. Unfortunately the tide kept us from paddling all the way to Princess Place Preserve, but we were able to explore a bit and view dolphin making their way down the intracoastal. Not bad for a days' work.

And then came graduation. No caps and gowns here, but we did have lots and lots of food and were awarded our Certificate of Completion as Master Naturalists. This course was an eye opener for me, and has inspired me to investigate more ways to learn about the diverse and beautiful ecosystem I call home.

For more information on the Florida Master Naturalist Program, please visit http://www.masternaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu/

Putting Around Palm Harbor

Now that the cooler months are here, what a beautiful time to enjoy some favorite outdoor activities without breaking a sweat! This month I decided to check out the recently reopened Palm Harbor Golf Course to see what this newly renovated gem has to offer.


Originally opened on September 14, 1971, Palm Harbor was once the center of our planned community. As unfortunate circumstances would have it, the course was closed down in 2006 for renovations, and the project was abandoned in 2007. This left 150 acres of land desolate, and many feared the sound of swinging clubs would not be heard at Palm Harbor again.

Thankfully, Flagler County citizens banned together to create a grassroots organization called "The Friends of Golf". Through the Friends of Golf, the message about the value of the course, both monetarily and civically, was sent to the City of Palm Coast and the city, in turn, purchased the property. Clifton-Ezell-Clifton Design Company took over the redesign of Palm Harbor and on November 7, 2009 the course reopened.

For three years, this piece of Flagler history had piqued my curiousity. As a kayaker, I had paddled by the abandoned land on my way to Manatee Cove, and again after reconstruction on this treasure had started. When Palm Harbor reopened, I knew I had to get out there, tee up and see what the newest course in Flagler County had to offer - and I wasn't disappointed.

Pulling up to the clubhouse I was promptly greeted by a cart attendant who strapped up the bags and helped my partner and I get ready for our adventure. Inside, the clubhouse was clean and organized. The restaurant boasts a delicious lunch menu, accomodating both guests wanting food on the fly and those wishing a more leisurely lunch at table seating inside. I grabbed a chicken salad sandwich "to go" which was made fresh to order and tasted spectacular.

As I headed out to the first tee, I got a knot in my stomach hoping that my play time wouldn't back anyone up and that my game would not prove to be as horrendous as I remember. To my surprise, I wasn't as bad as I had dreaded. I have to admit though, the course has some challenging fairways and I may have landed in a bunker ... or twelve. While some holes of this 18-hole beauty were forgiving, others gave me a run for my money and all-in-all, I had one heck of a good time.

The undulating greens, oak filled woodlands, and water hazards all played into the exciting time I had expected and received. To top it off, I even saw a red shouldered hawk flying past the 5th tee and was told by passersby that they spotted a bald eagle on 11! No matter your skill set, I highly recommend this challenging and attractive course to golfers of all levels. With four par-3's, ten par-4's, and four par-5's Palm harbor is not too tough and it's not too easy ... it's just right. I'm already looking forward to my next visit - and this time I'll try harder to stay out of the woods and the sand!

Until next time -
The Flagler Insider