Celebrating 50 Years, 1969-2019 By Lori Leath Smith Meet our Hometown Hero, local Special Olympics Florida founder Charlie McFarland, who has something in common with Eunice Kennedy Shriver, iconic Special Olympics national founder. Like Eunice, Charlie believes in the spirit and souls of those who have special needs. Even though Charlie...
33rd Annual Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade! By Lori Leath Smith In most places, it’s “Deck the Halls,” but for Destin locals, it’s “Deck the Bows” with the Holiday on the Harbor Boat Parade, where we like to light up the holidays a little bit bigger and brighter. Each...

What is a Crop Drop?

Making Thanksgiving Great for Struggling Families By Lori Leath Smith For Jane Harrison, feeding six children is not easy. And with trying to rebuild life after Hurricane Michael, it’s even harder. Jane and her children evacuated before Michael hit their home in Panama City last year. But they still feel the...
By Lori Leath Smith Each day approximately 22 U.S. Veterans commit suicide. Let that sink in—22! “Seriously. One is an outrage and a tragedy,” says Gayle Vann, marketing events coordinator for Legendary Marine. “Short of suicide, our brave men and women, military and first responders across the nation and abroad are...
By Rita Sherwood On Sept. 10, locals Justin, a helicopter pilot, and his wife Angela Johnson, an ICU nurse, who have owned a helicopter tour company—Timberview Helicopters in Destin—for the last nine years, encountered more than they expected while helping with relief efforts and dropping supplies to the far North...
By Cali Hlavac October has arrived and that means one thing in our lucky little fishing village – The Destin Fishing Rodeo is underway! Anglers of all ages and charter boats alike are excited and geared up to compete for the first place prize. Since its inception in 1948, the Destin...
By Richard Olivarez, Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals & Real Estate Waves gently crashing, a pair of twin diesel engines roaring and a salty mist in the air – this is where I fell in love with deep sea fishing. Only a handful of miles from the sandy white shores of...
By Mary Chris Murry Local Laurie Hood, founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge, is the epitome of an extraordinary animal advocate and an exceptional leader in the animal welfare community. She is a visionary and change maker who has brought more awareness to the plight of abused, neglected and homeless animals...
By Heather Bennett Every day we are blessed to live in such a beautiful part of Florida. It’s a place where we witness families enjoying quality time together whether it’s biking, kayaking, SUPing, swimming or building sandcastles. Children’s laughter can be heard all around. However, not all children in our...
WOW! Destin Life has published its first anniversary issue! We join several of our partners and friends who are also celebrating special anniversaries at this time. The City of Destin is celebrating its 35th anniversary as an incorporated municipality. Ft. Walton Beach Medical Center is celebrating 45 years; First...