The sunsets are breathtaking, the water is sparkling, and the beaches are pristine.
Things Are Improving
Every night we have a beautiful painting in our sky. It is appreciated not only by our locals, but also by our visitors and even our feathered friends. The sunsets are breathtaking, the water is sparkling, and the beaches are pristine. We are recovering and just recently relaxed the restrictions on short-term vacation rentals here in Mexico Beach. While we have guidelines that are being followed and our vacation rental properties have increased their cleaning procedures and time allotments between check-ins, we are looking forward to a great summer. We are still practicing all State and CDC health guidelines and being safe, but you will be able to enjoy our beaches and community. It won’t be long before it’s the Fourth of July, and this year we are resuming our fireworks show. Come join us!”
And the winner is...
Last month, we had an MBARA prize package that included a hat, a T-shirt, and a chance to win a $150 gift certificate to the Mexico Beach Marina up for grabs, and the lucky winner is Sheila Parker from Cordele, Georgia. Congrats, Sheila!
JUNE GIVEAWAY
This month, we are giving away a Killer Seafood gift certificate. Since 2003, Killer Seafood, which is located on Highway 98, has been serving fresh, made-to-order seafood dishes, including their famous fish tacos, shrimp baskets, and Killer Seafood Simmerin’ Sauce. The Killer staff is ready to serve you a hot, delicious meal that will be sure to bring you back, year after year. To place your name in the hat, send an e-mail to Nick at [email protected].
They’re back…almost!
We have very great news this month: one of Mexico Beach’s revered establishments is returning. The Shell Shack is under construction and George and Theresa Hunter are anxious to welcome back their customers and friends. Having been part of Mexico Beach since 1965, the family has made numerous friends, some of whom have become like family. Everyone remembers their fresh shrimp, delicious oysters, fresh-caught fish, and great souvenirs. All this and more will be back when they reopen. It’s going to take a little while to rebuild, but we are delighted that they have started!
For more information on weddings or vow renewal ceremonies on the beach, visit mexicobeach.com.
Erin and Shane
This month, we want to congratulate Erin and Shane, who came from Rome, Georgia, to say their “I dos” on our beach. It was a lovely ceremony. Congratulations, Erin and Shane!
Mexico Beach Annual Photography Contest
April 1 to July 31
The 20th Annual Mexico Beach Photography Contest started April 1 and runs until July 31. We welcome all photographs taken in Mexico Beach—past and present. All photographs will be submitted for judging after July 31, and the winners will be contacted and announced on the Mexico Beach website, on social media, and in the e-newsletter. Winning photographs will be displayed in the Mexico Beach Welcome Center. Categories are Around Mexico Beach, Sunrises and Sunsets, The Beach, Fishing and Boating, People, and Flora and Animal Life. We hope you will capture Mexico Beach through your “eyes” and enter our photography contest.
Come celebrate the Fourth of July in Mexico Beach with our Best Blast on the Beach. We are sure everyone will be amazed by our grand fireworks display. This show can be seen throughout the entire city, and it will be one show you will not want to miss. Make your plans now to come and enjoy the show. Launching at 8:30 p.m., our Best Blast on the Beach fireworks show will be a must-see for you and the entire family!
The Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association is excited to announce the date of their 24th Annual MBARA Kingfish Tournament: August 28 and 29. This tournament serves as a charitable event with proceeds going toward building artificial reefs that are placed out in the Gulf of Mexico. Festivities will kick off with the Captain’s Party on Friday, August 28, and the Fishing Tournament on Saturday, August 29. This tournament is one the entire family can enjoy. Watch as the fish are brought in and weighed, all while supporting a worthwhile cause: building marine habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. Registration is now open!
Mexico Beach is a Leave No Trace community, and we appreciate your assistance in helping us keep our beaches clean. Any items left on the beach unattended from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. will be removed and disposed of by the City of Mexico Beach. Items include, but are not limited to, tents and tent frames, beach chairs, coolers, umbrellas, toys, etc. Also, please fill in any holes before you leave and please remain off the sand dunes and out of the sea oats to ensure their continued nourishment. There are boardwalks and walking paths that can be accessed to reach the beach. Your assistance with these requests will keep our beaches beautiful and pristine. For full details on this ordinance or questions, click here or contact City Hall at (850) 648-5700.
Healthier Marinated Grilled Shrimp
This yummy fish dish is one that is easy to assemble and a dinner-table favorite! We publish it compliments of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association Seafood Cookbook (www.mbara.org).
INGREDIENTS
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
Skewers
PREPARATION
Stir garlic, olive oil, tomato sauce, and red wine vinegar in a large bowl. Season with basil, salt, and cayenne pepper. Add shrimp to the bowl and stir until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring once or twice. Preheat grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard marinade. Cook shrimp on preheated grill until opaque, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
After the “I Dos”
June is wedding month, so we thought we would share a few comments about marriage.
—The most important words in a marriage—“I’ll do the dishes.”
—Marriage is the bond between a person who never remembers anniversaries and another who never forgets them.
—Don’t laugh at your wife’s choices—she chose you.
—Marriage is just a fancy word for adopting an overgrown male child who cannot be handled by his parents anymore.
—Husbands are the best people to share your secrets with. They’ll never tell anyone because they aren’t ever listening.
—Marry someone who has a different favorite cereal than you so that they won’t eat all of yours.
—One day my wife’s credit card was stolen. What a relief it was to find that the thief spends less than my wife.
—I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now change your Facebook status.
—When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife.
“Head honcho”
In Japanese there is the word hanchō, which means “squad leader.” During the late ’40s and early ’50s, soldiers stationed in Japan were exposed to the word and it got modified to “honcho.” Somewhere along the line, “head” got added— probably because it just sounded better. The “head honcho” is the person in charge, generally speaking.
