Shore Things

"My favorite thing about the area is enjoying the woods walking and biking the Beaches Conservation Park in the fall, winter, and early spring. It is a conducive environment for coming up with stories to write, and it's the real Florida." — Douglas Wells, author of "The Secret of All Secrets" and professor at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City

"I have lived in several cities, and what I love most about Bay County is the pace. There are plenty of community groups to be active within and things to do, but Bay County has its calm as well. I love taking walks, driving along the water, or finding a good place to sit outside for lunch. Bay County is scenic and beautiful!" — Sarah Burris, artist and Community Relations and Marketing Coordinator for the Northwest Regional Library System

"Mom-and-pops (local) restaurants throughout the city — nom nom!" — Ty Mateen, Panama City Downtown Improvement Board

"Tough to narrow down to just one aspect. It's hard to argue the view of the Gulf of Mexico, especially on a spring or fall day when the air is dry, the sun is high and the water is clear. That teal to deep blue gradient is amazing. Those few days when the wind is low and the Gulf is flat, we all joke about the "Lake of Mexico" — it's a sight to see. And when I say "see," it's like the difference between listening and hearing. Some of us take this view for granted because it's right there in our own backyard. When you really stop and take it all in, you begin to see why this place is unique. Look to the east or the west, it's the same Gulf, but the quality of the water is nowhere near as majestic." — Bryan Whitley, director of Entertainment, Schooners and Spinnaker Beach Club, Panama City Beach

"We used to vacation here from Michigan, where we lived on Lake Huron, and the beaches in Panama City Beach just took my breath away. The white sand and emerald water is so beautiful. We moved here eight years ago and as many people, I believe that my favorite part of living in Panama City is the beach and water. Now the white sand is my snow!" — Christine Boyer, business manager at Paul Brent Gallery

"My favorite thing about Bay County is the ever-present live theatre community. It gives us 'regular' people a chance to act and be on stage. The arts are definitely alive!" — Hillary McAlinden, activities director at Landmark Holiday Beach Resort, member of the Board of Directors at Kaleidoscope Theatre

"The year was 1967 and I had just arrived for my first visit home from college. My father and I rounded the curve at Frankford Avenue onto Beach Drive and the tears started flowing. I was born an adventurer and could not wait to go off to college and find the 'greener grass.' But it was home, Panama City, that brought the tears. I have been blessed to call Panama City my home for many years now, and there is not a day that passes as I drive down Beach Drive that my soul does not sing a silent prayer." — Olivia Cooley, author (as Olivia deBelle Byrd) of 'Save My Place'

"My favorite thing about living in Bay County is the diversity of the people who migrate here for whatever reason. I am second-generation resident of Bay County. However, I've had the opportunity to live in other places. I always seem to come back home, though. There's no place like home, they say — and that's especially true true about Bay County. Not only do we have beautiful beaches and warm weather, we also have great people who are generous with their time and have big hearts. We also have some very talented people who live here and generously share those talents with us. I'm proud to say I live here. ... The extensive opportunities for entertainment are boundless, from jazz concerts to country music festivals. We can even boast of the longest-running all-volunteer community theater in Florida, Kaleidoscope Theatre, located in Lynn Haven. There's very few places that can still provide a small-town atmosphere with big city entertainment venues. Bay County has grown a lot since I was a little girl here, but the core values still remain." — Diane Sullivan Reeves, Kaleidoscope Theatre volunteer

"I love how Historic Downtown and Historic St. Andrews have so many new unique businesses now compared to when I was a child. Wonderful art galleries, small museums and creative places of all sorts, some in buildings that are nearing 100 years old. I love art and I love history. We have an underground creative culture here in this town that is coming of age currently. People are putting their creative work out for others to see in a bold way, and magically it is happening in the locations with the most history. I also love the water. The bay beaches, where there are trees at your back. Walking down the marinas and looking at the boats. There is so much coastline here that you don’t have to walk very far to find a spot where it feels like there is nothing else in the world but you and the water." — Tesa Burch, artist

"It’s hard to pick just one thing. Right now, I would say it’s the 'Sets Therapy.' That’s the name of our beach volleyball group. ... Group members meet at the City Pier nets at least weekly during the warmer months for friendly competition. The tourists often gather along the pier to watch and snap pictures. Occasionally a few will join the action and the smack talk. We really enjoy the exercise, camaraderie, stellar sunsets and views plus meeting new people from around the country and the globe." — Lee Ann Leonard, general manager at Royal American Beach Getaways, and Twisting Sisters bellydance troupe

"There is so much to love about living here! Everyone loves the beaches, and I am no exception — especially in early Spring and late Fall. But I also love the pine woods and seeing the springtime bloom of the pitcher plants in the low boggy areas. I love the isolation of easing a boat through lonely creeks and sloughs. I cherish St. Andrews State Park, which preserves and protects a little piece of our rapidly disappearing paradise. It feeds my soul to watch the shore birds skitter along just out of reach of the waves and the waders tip-toe through the marsh looking for a snack. Best of all, I love the fact that my children and grandchildren are here to enjoy it with me. My greatest fear is that one day all that we hold dear will be gone, and by the time we say, “How could we let that happen?” it will be too late. — Anne Ake, president of Friends of St. Andrews State Park

"Having just returned from a week in Los Angeles, I have refreshed sense of what is good about living in Panama City. I would list these values: 1. A sense of space ( I don't feel crowded-in); 2. Accessible waterfront beauty and related activities; 3. Absence of urban noise; 4. Moderate climate; 5. Property values (1,750-square-foot homes a half-mile from the coast in Redondo Beach, Calif., sell for over $1 million); 6. Accessible arts options. It's good to be back." — Bob Borich, Gulf Jazz Society and Panama City Music Association

"My favorite thing about life in Bay County is the surprising amount of and the genuine quality of the cultural experiences that exist here. From the performing arts to the visual arts to the literary arts, there is no end to the bounty of benefits to arts lovers. Add them to the wonderful natural resources of the emerald green Gulf and its beautiful beaches, and life in Bay County is pretty perfect!" — Connie Gittard

"In 1999, I moved to Panama City to get away from chaos. You can't see the stars in a big city like you can here. I love seeing the water each day, I love the palm trees, the birds, all the green — but my biggest love is what is happening in the arts. I have always traveled for art and music never seeing "our place" as such, until now. I'm thrilled our home is becoming an arts destination." — Kim Griffin White, executive director at Panama City Center for the Arts

"I absolutely LOVE North Florida and never want to live anywhere else. I am a native — indigenous to this area. It is home to me, both in a physical and spiritual sense. My identity as a person, a specific species, and as a novelist is that of a North Floridian. I love all things regional and I grieve over anything that threatens or destroys that unique regionality. I adore the rich diversity and love that I live mere minutes away from both the beaches and Gulf and the rivers and swamps. I like small towns and small town life and sensibilities. I like how open and rural and rustic our area is. There is space, room, air — very little clutter, which helps to air out the mind and spirit. It's the perfect place to think and write and just be. The people of North Florida are some of the friendliest and best in the world. Most are truly neighbors in the very best sense of that word. This land of pines, oaks, and cypress trees, of rivers, lakes, bays, and the Gulf, flows with river waters and Tupelo honey and is sacred to me, my Promised, Holy Land." — Michael Lister, author of 'Blood Shot'

"Panama City has an artistic community and an enormous number of venues that support all and every artistic need. Panama City has at least three college university campuses, and one of them is a major university. Fifty percent of the time, the weather is beautiful. World-class restaurants. A tremendous amount of community support in all areas. A Pulitzer prize-winning newspaper." — Ron Holman, Imagination Factory Children's Theatre

"Panama City is a water-lover's utopia, whether you sail, fish, kayak, cruise on a boat big or small, or just love to be on a beach at sunset. I have been boating in other states, and we sailed the Caribbean for a year. Coming home to Panama City, I realized how special it is here. St. Andrew Bay is unique in all of Florida — deep, protected and connected to the Gulf of Mexico and over 18 miles of the exquisite, untouched snow-white shores of Shell and Crooked Islands, surrounded by blue-green waters and frolicking dolphins. Shell Island is a miracle of nature and an attraction that sets us apart from all other destinations. Our dog Bruno loved going to Shell Island more than anything in his life. Before he recently passed away from cancer, we were able to give him a few final blissful trips to the island. Experiencing his joy on these occasions gave us some peace when we finally said goodbye. The island is his final resting place." — Stephanie Somerset, Friends of Shell Island

We invited a few dozen local residents to share what they love most about living in and around Bay County — the waterfront, the community, the people, the activities. Whatever it is that makes this area a great place to reside. If you'd like to chime in, feel free to email tsimmons@pcnh.com

Editor's Note