Linda Ann McDonald – Page 5

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.

‘Steel Magnolias’ wows

Posted onAugust 6, 2025August 6, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

Sold-out weekend performances earn nightly standing ovations

Cast members performing Wakulla Community Theater’s production of ‘Steel Magnolias.’

Story By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Photos by GERALD BROWN

Three sold out shows of the iconic play “Steel Magnolias” were performed by the Wakulla Community Theater last weekend.
The show ran Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3 at the Sopchoppy School auditorium.

Nichols holds town hall

Posted onAugust 6, 2025August 6, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

By LINDA ANN McDONALD
Correspondent

County Commission Chair Fred Nichols held a town hall meeting in Panacea to listen to issues of local concern.
The town hall was held Tuesday, July 29, at the Panacea Community Center.
A productive hour and a half of meaningful dialogue covered important topics including the upcoming budget, grants, the one-cent sales tax, community growth, and FEMA floodplains.

25 years of the Sopchoppy Opry

Posted onJuly 30, 2025July 30, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

Headliner Billy Dean backed by the Southbound Band at Saturday night’s 25th anniversary show.

Story By
LINDA ANN McDONALD
Photos by GERALD BROWN

The Sopchoppy Opry celebrated its 25th anniversary to a sold out crowd of 300 plus guests on Saturday, July 26 in the historic Sopchoppy High School Auditorium. Musical headliner for this special occasion was popular singer and recording artist Billy Dean and the Opry’s own fantastic house band, Southbound Band.

Public Library becomes Hogwarts for a night

Posted onJuly 30, 2025July 30, 2025AuthorLinda Ann McDonald

Story & Photos By
LINDA ANN McDONALD

A night of magical literary wizards and sorcery came to life at the Wakulla County Library’s Night at Hogwarts on Friday, July 25.