Linda Ann McDonald – Page 4

Blessing of the animals held

Posted onOctober 8, 2025October 7, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

Gary and Ann Allshouse their dogs Gary and Annie at Christ Church Anglican’s Blessing of the animals ceremony on Sunday.

Story & Photos By
LINDA ANN McDONALD

A Blessing of the Animals event was held at Christ Church Anglican on Sunday, Oct. 5, with retired Pastor John Spicer leading the event.
A wide variety of cats, dogs and a leopard gecko named Sunny, owned by Sarah Laughton received prayer and blessings from Spicer.

Seminar held on Wakulla’s karst

Posted onOctober 1, 2025September 30, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

The Wakulla Environmental Institute hosted a seminar to explore the science, mystery, and discoveries of the cave system that feeds Wakulla Springs. Led by Dr. Chrisopher Werner, who is an experienced explorer, researcher, and filmmaker who chronicles scientific research in insightful documentaries.

Festival of Joy held at Lodge

Posted onOctober 1, 2025September 30, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonaldLeave a comment

Mikha’el McCabe tosses rings as other kids dance, play cornhole and other games. (Photo by Linda Ann McDonald)

The quarterly Joy-ful Journeys events for special needs kids was held a couple of weeks ago – Saturday, Sept. 20 – at the Wakulla Springs Lodge, and was an opportunity to have fun.

Sopchoppy budget approved

Posted onSeptember 17, 2025September 16, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

The Sopchoppy City Commission approved the city and water budgets at its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 8.
The city also received a clean audit for the past fiscal year by Kevin Warren of James Moore & Company. “The health of the city looks good and there have been no findings.” Warren said.

St. Marks lighthouse keeper’s daughter praises city manager’s work

Posted onSeptember 17, 2025September 16, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

Former St. Marks lighthouse keeper’s granddaughter, 82-year-old Margaret Bishop, gave a tremendous thank you to City of St. Marks Manager Katherine Gatewood.

Sopchoppy Bakehouse opens

Posted onSeptember 10, 2025September 9, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

The small-batch bakery and coffee shop is in the old Sopchoppy Bank building in downtown Sopchoppy. They even have the bank’s old safe.

Story By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
Photos By
GERALD BROWN

Sopchoppy Bakehouse + Coffee is a new community hub in Sopchoppy. Folks can meet for coffee and home baked pastries in a quaint building with a small-town cozy, nostalgic Americana feel to it.

Missionaries find love in Czech Republic

Posted onSeptember 3, 2025September 2, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

Missionary Travis Parks, a 2015 graduate of Wakulla High, met his wife Terezka when he was in Brno, Czech Republic.

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

Leadership, international borders, and Covid did not stop true love from growing for Wakulla County’s Travis Parks and his wife, Terezka Parks.

St. Marks holds a budget workshop

Posted onSeptember 3, 2025September 2, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

City of St. Marks held a workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 26th to discuss the upcoming budget.
With a 5.24 roll back millage rate for 2025-26, there was discussion to possibly roll back the millage rate to 4.61 – and 4.5 mills is on the table.

St. Marks man complains about city government

Posted onAugust 27, 2025August 26, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

After engaging in a heated St. Marks City Commission meeting last week, citizen Mike Rogers had his water meter fixed the very next day after initially being installed incorrectly in the past.

Tempers flare in St. Marks

Posted onAugust 20, 2025August 20, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

Some citizens upset over high water rates in the city

St. Marks City Commissioners at the meeting at the St. Marks Yacht Club last week.

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

High water rates in the City of St. Marks sparked tempers at the city commission meeting last week: Tommy Hicks, a St. Marks resident, complained that rates were high and asked when there will be some relief.