New & eager to Meet People

[SharonVaughn]

Hi Everyone!

I have been enjoying the forums since February when I started planning my move to SoWal from New Orleans. Now I am finally here in sunny Seacrest Beach!

I moved to the area for work, and do not know anyone, so I could really use the advice of the forum on how I can get out and about in the community, get involved, and meet people. Know of any social groups, clubs, volunteer organizations????

I will really look forward to hearing all of your great tips, and hopefully bumping into you some time in SoWal!!!

Sharon Vaughn

[goodwitch58]

:welcome: volunteers are alway needed in the schools, the library, the gift shops at Eden and the hospital...the list goes on. Explore an area you are interested in and soon you will have more to do than you can fit into a day.

Remember, go to the beach often:D

[DD]

:welcome:Talk to Allifunn.

[Gypsea]

:welcome: Sharon, enjoy paradise!

[InletBchDweller]

:welcome: are you located in Seacrest Beach Subdivision?? There are alot of wonderful people on SoWal and in SoWal who can help you out!!!:wave:

[wrobert]

I guess it depends on what your interests and ideas of fun are.

[kurt]

:welcome:

Tell us your interests.

Look here - http://sowal.com/groups.html

[SharonVaughn]

I am interested in volunteering of any kind, the arts and music and FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!!!

[JustBeachy]

Sharon, welcome to paradise!

[SharonVaughn]

I definitely am in paradise! I went to a meeting the other day to get involved with CVHN and the Cottags for Kids fundraiser, that will be great fun for a great cause! I am going to the wine tasting tonight at Wild Olives... I will be continuing to search the forums for new and interesting things to do!
~Sharon

[cp]

:welcome:you will love living there!

[kurt]

Keep your eye on the calendar - http://www.sowal.com/bb/calendar.php

[4dogs]

:welcome:

[jdarg]

I definitely am in paradise! I went to a meeting the other day to get involved with CVHN and the Cottags for Kids fundraiser, that will be great fun for a great cause! I am going to the wine tasting tonight at Wild Olives... I will be continuing to search the forums for new and interesting things to do!
~Sharon

Look for Bdarg at the Cottages meetings- and :welcome:

[Truffle Anne]

:welcome:

[T.Cline]

I am interested in volunteering of any kind, the arts and music and FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!!!


:welcome:
you are invited to visit my studio gallery and the studios of all the other
artists that are part of the NOrth of Grayton Artist Group!!
check out the web site

www.NorthofGraytonArtistGroup.com (http://www.NorthofGraytonArtistGroup.com)

we all are located of of Bay Dr. ---just off hwy 98 a few miles from Grayton

[SharonVaughn]

I will definitely check out the gallery, Teresa, and the others in that area! I haven't quite ventured that far yet, I need to purchase one of those cool beach cruiser bikes that I see everyone riding up and down 30A!!!

[lsucajuns]

Hello yet another great Louisiana transplant.
We just moved here from BR. If you get home sick, we love to cook cajun foods, and watch LSU sports.
Scott and Lori

[MissCritter]

:welcome: from a fellow native New Orleanian!

[Aggie]

There are a variety of organizations you can join depending on various levels of interest and time (have to have plenty for enjoying the Gulf!). Arts -- the Cultural Arts Association and plenty of ways to get involved with things like Arts Quest, Flutterby, etc. Community -- the South Walton Community Council is a group interested in the area. Business -- the Walton County Chamber of Commerce and related events, lunches and business after hours. Politics -- both the Republican and Democrat parties have organizations that are open to the public to get involved. Other -- Friends of Eden, Children's Volunteer Health Network, local churches, etc. .. list is endless.

[SharonVaughn]

Aggie, Thank you, thank you thank you!!! exactly what I was looking for. Fortunately I stumbled on a CVHN meeting on this board earlier last week so I am very excited to be working with them! I will surely get involved in the Cultural Arts group and wherever else I can as far as the local culture!

[Mark Partington]

Even though were somewhat of a gladiator camp of sorts...local arts & music scene is pretty fun.
Gotta meet Debbi & allison at BigMamas in grayton....get topcb(spinnaker) for rock & roll w/ no lines...lots of New Orleans Bands at peir par this summer....If ya need a "pirate map" of sorts shoot a mssg....not all the fun is on 30A; faux real...so tank up.
Welcome ...I remember seeing your moving mssgs.
YOUR HERE!
m

[SharonVaughn]

Thanks Mark! I'm glad the move finally happened and I'm starting to realize that 4 wheels are required to get the full experience.... thanfully my trusty Toyota gets great mileage!

[Amy@Avalon]

The Publix grocery store at Watercolor seems to be our "marketplace". Stop in for a sushi roll or sandwich and see tons of potential new friends at once. Go midafternoon on a weekday to up the locals to visiters ratio. It won't take long to start recognizing the regulars- it is actually a small town in disguise.

[TreeFrog]

Welcome Sharon :welcome:

As a relative newcomer myself, here only 3 years now, I can say that whatever your interests, you will find the locals and regular visitors welcoming. Very few of us in SoWal are natives, so we're all accustomed to making new friends. No offense intended to genuine natives, I just haven't met them yet.

You'll see lots of folks at the local eateries, Publix, the Seaside ampitheater events, the various art/wine/market/charity events at Seaside and Rosemary, the outdoor events at Gulf Place, Seaside Rep events, at Sundog Books. I haven't enjoyed the events at Alys yet, but they'll be handy for you. Trivia night sounds like fun.

As for me, I'll be contentedly munching some Q at Jambone. As a long-time Memphian, I've finally found a BBQ that has a pork shoulder I like. Now, if I could just persuade them to dump that Carolina sauce for a good Memphis recipe. :D

[bluemtnrunner]

The Publix grocery store at Watercolor seems to be our "marketplace". Stop in for a sushi roll or sandwich and see tons of potential new friends at once. Go midafternoon on a weekday to up the locals to visiters ratio. It won't take long to start recognizing the regulars- it is actually a small town in disguise.


I have been invited to more parties while shopping in Publix. I also get the latest updates on local politics, weather, gossip. It definitely depends on when you go though. When the vacationers are stocking up the locals can only be seen as blurs running down select isles and then out the door.

Sharon if you are interested in food, my husband is a chef and we are planning to start doing cooking classes for small groups at our home. I have only been in the area for a year and we think it would be a great way to get to know our neighbors. I'll keep you posted on when we get a date set. We are looking at late July for the first one.

[SharonVaughn]

Wow - I would Love Love Love to be a part of the class so please do keep me posted! I have hardly been cooking for just myself and I am looking forward to starting again when my son returns home from his summer vacay on the Jersey Shore with my parents!

[totaljen]

A home group cooking class sounds like a good time! Definitely keep us posted on it .... hopefully, my husband and I will officially be moved to SoWal by your first class! We're looking forward to meeting lots of folks in the community too. :welcome:Sharon! Lots of great 'new-comer' info on this thread!

[Landlocked]

Very few of us in SoWal are natives, so we're all accustomed to making new friends. No offense intended to genuine natives, I just haven't met them yet.

For years, my mother had a bumper sticker on her car that read "Semi-Native". I wish I could find one somewhere.

[foodie]

welcome! i do hope you are getting to know your way around & meeting new people!

[Cork On the Ocean]

:welcome: Sharon. I live in Seacrest Beach too so may be very close. Also single, artist wannabe :lol: and would LOVE someone to ride bicycles with. A bunch of us are going to the Waco concert on the pool tonight so pm me and we'll hook up.

[klauricella]

Just moved here in October from Key Largo ~ Love it here!! :welcome: