Page 20 - 2017-01-02

An Interview with the Authors of Saints Of Old Florida
A HARDCOVER LOVE LETTER BY LAURA ROESCH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEAN TIMMS COURTESY OF SAINTS OF OLD FLORIDA
At rst glance you might think it is a compelling coastal lifestyle book that speaks to all senses. The dis nct vintage look of the cover with its textured fabric, the weighty 252 pages, and the careful selec on and balance of breathtaking photography and beau ful content, all play together to capture and relate in exquisite form and nuance a feeling of Old Florida.
Historic structures, oysters on the half shell, bon res on the beach, the lore of local shermen, lazy afternoons whiling away the time on a screened porch – these are just a few of the things that make up the in nite beauty of the coastline of this part of Northwest Florida where time seems to stand still.
“Who are The Saints,” you may ask? You should ask “what?” instead. They
are St. Joseph, St. Vincent Island, St. George Island, St. Teresa, Port St. Joe, St. Marks along the seemingly endless two-lane stretch of coastal Highway 98 that leads to Panacea, Carrabelle, Apalachicola, Indian Pass, and Cape San Blas.
The three authors, Melissa Farrell, Christina McDermott, and Emily Ra eld, spent more than two years seeking out precious stories about their beloved Saints and collecting personal remembrances and traditions from local sources, family, and friends. The women share distinctive perspectives from their individual life experiences, every page showcasing their Southern charm, style, and grace.
Emily, 28, a fth-generation Florida native, born and raised on St. Joseph’s Bay just outside Port St. Joe, returned home after a corporate marketing career in Atlanta. In 2000, Melissa, 48, a native of Thomasville, Georgia, opened a coastal lifestyle store, Joseph’s Cottage, in Port St. Joe. Christina, 66, an artist from Atlanta, retired to Port St. Joe permanently in 2008.
I spent a lovely morning drinking co ee with the authors on the porch
of Emily’s picturesque family home situated on the shores of St. Joseph Bay. We talked extensively about their journey, what they hoped to accomplish, and the surprising success of their book that has already sold more than 6,000 copies locally. Just a few steps away from the gentle waves, with boisterous seagulls hovering in the breeze above, there could not have been a better setting to nd out how Saints came to be.
PC Living: I cannot decide whether Saints is a love letter for the people who live in this part of Florida or if it is a series of love stories to those who will visit or hope to visit. What does Saints mean to you all?
Melissa: It was a way for us to show our appreciation for what is here and to celebrate a way of life that is still undiscovered in so many ways.
Emily: It was also an opportunity for us to show this beautiful area in a
Seen above: Saints of Old Florida authors (L to R): Melissa Farrell, Emily Ra eld, Christina McDermott
20 • January - February 2017 • www.PanamaCityLiving.com