It’s time to break out the beads, don your festive suspenders, and ladle up for the annual Gumbo Cook-off. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this beloved and highly anticipated event. The Special Events for Mexico Beach, Inc. are ready for some healthy competition between some fierce chefs serving up their best recipes to earn not only cash prizes but bragging rights! With live music, free Mardi Gras beads, and as much gumbo and Brunswick stew as you can eat, it's going to be a great day. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 15, and get ready for some unforgettable memory-making. All proceeds go toward the Best Blast on the Beach July 4th festivities. A big thank you to Special Events for Mexico Beach for all their hard work to put on these beloved events.
And the Winner Is. . .
Up for grabs last month was a beach bag and T-shirts from Forgotten Coast Property Management & Rentals, and the lucky winner is Wilson E. from Tallahassee, FL. Congrats, Wilson!
FEBRUARY GIVEAWAY
This month’s giveaway is a burlap beach bag from Cathey’s ACE Hardware. Far more than your average hardware store, Cathey’s ACE Hardware has been serving Mexico Beach for over 50 years. Alongside an impressive selection of hardware and tools, they also offer lawn and garden supplies, fishing tackle, and paint, and they cater to a wide range of needs. Can’t find what you’re looking for? No problem—they can often special order it just for you. To place your name in the hat, send an email to Kathy at kathy@mexicobeach.com.
Meet Mexico Beach
This month we want to introduce you to “Tex” and TK Hibachi food truck. Located at 1000 Highway 98, they offer a variety of delicious hibachi meals, including filet mignon, tuna, shrimp, and chicken, as well as noodles, combos, and specials. You can visit their website (TKHibachi.com) to see their full menu. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Be sure to stop by, say hello, and be ready to have your belly filled with a fresh made-to-order hibachi meal!
Coffee & Donuts for Winter Residents
Fridays in February
The Mexico Beach Welcome Center is rolling out the red carpet just for you! Each Friday in February, we invite you to start your morning with a smile (and a sweet treat!) at our complimentary Coffee & Donuts gathering. From 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., join us at the Welcome Center for freshly brewed coffee, delicious donuts, and friendly conversation. It’s more than just a light breakfast—it’s an opportunity to connect with fellow winter residents, hear about exciting upcoming events, and get the latest updates about the area. So, mark your calendars and join us for this delightful weekly tradition in February.
Farmers & Craft Market
February 8 & 15
Come spend the morning from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Mexico Beach Farmers & Craft Market at Parker Park, located at 2500 Highway 98. Vendors will include produce, fresh jellies, one-of-a-kind crafts, and much more. Each market is sure to have new vendors, so be sure to come every time. If you’d like to be a vendor, sign up now. This market is put on by the Special Events for Mexico Beach, Inc.
Annual Gumbo Cook-Off
February 15
Ladle up, because the Special Events for Mexico Beach, Inc.’s beloved Gumbo Cook-Off is returning. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Gumbo and Brunswick stew will be served up starting at 10:00 a.m. and run until it’s all gone. Tickets will be sold once the gates open; tickets are required to sample and enjoy all the gumbo and stew. All proceeds from this event go toward the Best Blast on the Beach July 4th festivities. The Mexico Beach Gumbo Cook-Off is embarking on its 25th year, so mark your calendars and come enjoy this wonderful event!
Forgotten Coast en Plein Air Paint-Out
March 14–23
A Plein Air event like no other! Now in its 19th year of documenting the landscape and culture of the last vestige of authentic “Old Florida,” Forgotten Coast en Plein Air, America’s Great Paint-Out, is among the world’s most prestigious plein air events. Seventeen internationally acclaimed artists will capture the natural beauty, character, and local culture through plein air painting during ten days of free and ticketed events, exhibitions, and activities. Don’t miss this fantastic event for art lovers, collectors, artists, and you!
A friendly reminder:
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.
Crab & Shrimp Au Gratin
We publish it with the compliments of the Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association cookbook (MBARA.org).
INGREDIENTS
1/2 lb crab meat
2 lb shrimp; steamed, shelled, and deveined
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp. dry sherry
1 tsp. onion flakes
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1 cup medium sharp cheese, grated
salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low flame. Remove from the heat and add the flour to form a paste. Slowly stir in the milk to make a white sauce. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except the cheese, shrimp, and crab meat, and add to the white sauce. Stir well, then fold in the shrimp and crab meat. Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with cheese. Bake for 25 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
A Good Laugh
Sometimes you just need a good laugh. Enjoy these funny quotes from some notable people in history.
The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. —Abraham Lincoln
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits. —Albert Einstein
If you want your children to listen, try talking softly to someone else. —Ann Landers
A smile is a facelift that’s in everyone’s price range. —Tom Wilson
Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia. —Charles M. Shulz
My favorite machine at the gym is the vending machine. —Caroline Rhea
A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it. —Bob Hope
Marriage is the only war in which you sleep with the enemy. —Francois de La Rochefoucauld
All men are equal before fish. —Herbert Hoover
When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife. —Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
By and Large
This phrase means “generally speaking” or being close to the meaning of something. Its usage could be something like a party was a success by and large—meaning it was good but not perfect. The origin of the term goes back to sailors. The first part of the phrase refers to the nautical term “full and by,” meaning a boat was traveling into the wind. Conversely, “large” meant the wind was coming from behind. “By and large” then meant the wind could be coming from any direction, giving rise to the current meaning of “in general” or “generally speaking” rather than something having a specific outcome..
