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Stories, places, and small moments from Apalachicola

— week of May 4, 2026

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What's Happening around town:

Yoga @ Apalachicola Library

🗓️ Mondays - May 4 and May 11, 2026

⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

📍 Apalachicola Margaret Key Library

🎟️ Donation-based

📋 Gentle yoga class led by Kathy Jansen of Spirit of the River Yoga. All levels welcome – mats available. 

👉 Full details

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Cinco de Mayo at Crooked River Grill

🗓️ Tuesday, May 5, 2026

⏰ 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

📍 Crooked River Grill, Carrabelle

🎟️ Free to attend

📋 Festive food, drinks, and waterfront vibes as Crooked River Grill throws a proper Cinco de Mayo party you won’t want to miss.

 👉 Event details   

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Yappy Hour at the Beer Garden

🗓️ Thursday, May 7, 2026

⏰ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

📍 Beer Garden, Apalachicola

🎟️ Free to attend /purchase food & drinks

📋 Bring your four-legged friends for a relaxed pet-friendly happy hour with cold drinks and good company. 

👉 Event details

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Live Music in May at Crooked River Grill

🗓️ Thursday, May 8, 2026

⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

📍 Crooked River Grill, Carrabelle

🎟️ Purchase food & drinks

📋 John Jeremiah brings the tunes to the patio — great food, cold drinks, and those classic coastal sunset views.

 👉 Event details

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Apalachicola Farmers Market

🗓️ Saturday, May 9, 2026

⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Apalachicola - downtown - Across from the CVS on Avenue E

🎟️ Free to attend

📋 Fresh local produce, handmade goods, and that classic small-town weekend vibe right downtown.

👉 Event details

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Mother’s Day Brunch at Crooked River Grill

🗓️ Sunday, May 10, 2026

⏰ 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

📍 Crooked River Grill, Carrabelle

🎟️ Reservations recommended

📋 Celebrate Mom with a beautifully curated brunch, warm hospitality, and waterfront views — the perfect way to honor her on the Forgotten Coast.

 👉 Event details

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Weekend Live Music Around Town

🗓️ Friday–Sunday

⏰ Various times

📍 Various spots (Yacht Club, Paddy’s Raw Bar, downtown)

🎟️ Free / purchase food & drinks

📋 Live music keeps popping up all weekend in the usual waterfront spots. Best discovered by wandering toward the water and following the sound. 

👉 Full music calendar

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Apalachicola Library Book Club

🗓️ 3rd Wednesday of every month

⏰ 6:00 PM

📍 Apalachicola Margaret Key Public Library

🎟️ Free

📋 Join fellow book lovers for a lively discussion. Books are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Library. If you choose to purchase your book with a 10% discount at Oystertown Books in Apalachicola.

👉 Library Book Club Page

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Bay Friendly Landscaping Workshop

🗓️ Multiple dates in 2026

⏰ Check Eventbrite for specific times

📍 Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Nature Center, 108 Island Drive, Eastpoint, FL

🎟️ Free

📋 Learn how to create a lush, low-maintenance, bay-friendly landscape that thrives in our coastal conditions and supports local wildlife. Hosted by the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve – perfect for homeowners who want to help protect the bay while reducing yard work.

👉 Register here

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7-day forecast:  Apalachicola, FL

Pleasant with plenty of sun

• Mon, May 4: Mostly sunny and comfortable — high ~78°F, low ~54°F ⭐ Great boating/fishing

• Tue, May 5: Sunny and warming — high ~80°F, low ~60°F ⭐ Excellent conditions

• Wed, May 6: Partly sunny — high ~82°F, low ~69°F ⭐ Excellent conditions

• Thu, May 7: Mostly cloudy with a chance of afternoon storms — high ~83°F, low ~71°F ⭐ Good conditions

• Fri, May 8: Mostly sunny — high ~79°F, low ~65°F ⭐ Good conditions

• Sat, May 9: Sunny and warm — high ~82°F, low ~65°F ⭐ Good conditions

• Sun, May 10: Partly sunny with a chance of showers — high ~79°F, low ~62°F ⚠️ Less ideal (watch for shifting winds)

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Boating/Fishing Summary:

🎣 Best Days: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (calmest winds, stable weather)

🚤 Good Days: Friday & Saturday (light chop but very manageable)

⚠️ Caution: Sunday (increasing chance of showers and shifting winds)

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There are weeks the Forgotten Coast simply opens its arms a little wider.

This is one of them. The gardens are still bursting with color from Saturday’s Home & Garden Tour, the bay lies mirror-calm under that soft early-May light, and the whole town feels like it’s sliding gently into the sweetest stretch of the year.

You notice it in the everyday beauty around you: the thick scent of jasmine drifting down the sidewalks, the way neighbors linger on porches with coffee as the first boats head out at dawn, and the quiet satisfaction of long evenings that don’t feel rushed. After a full spring of festivals and visitors, Apalachicola has slipped back into its favorite pace — alive with possibility, yet wonderfully content to just be.

It’s the kind of week that makes you grateful to call this place home, even if it’s only for a weekend or a lifetime.

Photo Carlton Ward Jr

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Franklin County Humane Society

Support the Franklin County Humane Society

🐶  Adoptions

📅  Sundays

⏰ 2 pm to 3 pm

📍 Franklin County Humane Society

 📷 Instagram link for Info

There’s something hopeful happening week after week at the Franklin County Humane Society.

Even in the calm days after spring festivals, the shelter team continues its steady work — caring for animals, helping with adoptions, and running their community pet pantry so no local pet goes without food or basic care. They remain a true no-kill shelter with one of the highest adoption rates on the Forgotten Coast, giving second chances right here at home.

In a place that already looks out for its own, these small, consistent acts of kindness make a real difference for families and their four-legged friends.

If you’ve been thinking about adopting, volunteering, or simply dropping off a bag of food, the Franklin County Humane Society is always worth a visit.

More info on your future best friend: 

👉 Franklin County Humane Society / Forgotten Pets

The links and pictures are from the Franklin County Humane Society Adoptable Pets Page:  

Jake is a 2 yr old Dalmation mix. He is a handsome and fun-loving guy who seems to like everyone, including cats. His liver colored freckles and spots are sure to draw attention wherever he goes!.

👉  Click here to find your new best friend:

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Discover a Hidden Waterfront Retreat in Goodland

Nestled in the serene fishing village of Goodland, just five miles from Marco Island, this charming three-bedroom, two-bath haven offers classic Old Florida vibes and peaceful canal-front living.

Step outside to direct water access for boating or simply soak in the tranquil views from the dock.

Families, beach enthusiasts, and pet lovers enjoy airy interiors that truly feel like a cozy home away from home.

The location is unbeatable—an easy stroll brings you to four beloved local eateries, where fresh seafood and lively conversation are always on the menu.

Days here start with the sound of gentle waves and often end with spectacular sunsets over the water, creating memories that keep guests coming back.

For a genuine, welcoming stay on the water, this Goodland gem is ready to host your next getaway.

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Trivia Nights Around the Forgotten Coast:

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Did You Know?

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Carrabelle is a hidden gem along Florida’s Forgotten Coast, blending small-town warmth with authentic fishing village vibes.

Nestled between the Crooked River and the Gulf of Mexico, Carrabelle enchants visitors with its shrimp boats, colorful historic downtown, and unhurried pace.

It’s not unusual to be greeted by locals relaxing on their porches or deciding whether to catch sunset views from the beach or pier.

RV travelers find waterfront campgrounds like Carrabelle Beach RV Resort and Ho Hum RV Park especially welcoming, waking up to seabirds and the scent of salt air.

Stroll the white sands of Carrabelle Beach, visit the iconic Crooked River Lighthouse, and feast on fresh seafood from local eateries overlooking the water.

Easy access to St. George Island State Park and the peaceful allure of Tate’s Hell State Forest make Carrabelle the perfect base to explore the Forgotten Coast—without the crowds.

Franklin County Humane Society is inviting locals to its new “Sunday Funday” adoption events, offering a welcoming space for families to meet dogs and cats ready for loving homes.

Every Sunday from 2 pm to 3 pm, community members can visit the Franklin County Humane Society and connect with animals in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.

Volunteers are also needed to support these gatherings, which aim to turn pet adoption into a weekly community tradition on the Forgotten Coast.

Each visit, adoption, and volunteer hour helps give animals a fresh start, while bringing people together in meaningful ways.

If you’ve been considering a pet or wish to help out, the Humane Society welcomes both visitors and volunteers.

See adoptable pets and more info at the Franklin County Humane Society website.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park: A Forgotten Coast Gem

St. George Island State Park, nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay, is a peaceful retreat known for its uncrowded scenery and rich wildlife.

This barrier island park features 60 campsites with water and electric hookups tucked behind historic dunes amid pine flatwoods, where mornings greet you with the gentle sounds of waves and birds.

Enjoy pristine, nine-mile stretches of white sand beaches on the Gulf side and tranquil marshes on the bay side, offering superb birdwatching, fishing, and views of dolphins just offshore.

Easy-access nature trails meander through maritime forest and coastal scrub—ideal for sunrise walks or bike rides.

At night, campers can marvel at star-filled skies, often spotting the Milky Way, embodying the wild, simple beauty that defines the Forgotten Coast.

Florida’s Forgotten Coast has just released its updated 2026 Visitor Guide, offering practical insights for locals and frequent visitors.

Created by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council, this edition stands out for its grounded approach, highlighting authentic seafood spots, new maps, and paddling trail updates across Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and St. George Island.

This year, the guide draws attention to three hidden gems: Eastpoint’s visible aquaculture leases, showcasing the bay’s oyster recovery; refreshed kayak routes in Carrabelle, revealing tranquil backwaters; and expanded details on working waterfronts around Apalachicola Bay, where real fishermen still unload daily catches.

The guide feels personal—geared toward part-timers and returning residents, it signals a community in quiet revival.

Free print copies are available at local visitor centers, or the full version can be explored online instantly.

Discover the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve — Our Area's Natural Treasure

Nestled in Eastpoint, the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve quietly protects one of the most vital ecosystems on the Forgotten Coast.

This unique reserve at 108 Island Drive serves as a hub where science, education, and the beauty of the Apalachicola Bay unite in harmony.

Visitors are welcomed by an engaging Nature Center, featuring interactive exhibits, local aquariums, and paved trails that lead to breathtaking bay views.

It’s a peaceful spot to stroll, observe wildlife, or simply enjoy the tranquility of our surrounding waters.

Year-round programs—like birding workshops and eco-friendly landscaping classes—offer locals fresh ways to connect with their environment while supporting coastal wildlife.

No matter how much time you spend, this hidden gem offers the ideal mix of learning, relaxation, and local pride.

Locals and visitors alike often wonder where to stay for a true taste of the Forgotten Coast.  

The Gibson Inn in Apalachicola stands out for its historic charm — built in 1857, it offers a genuine old Florida vibe with its creaky floors, iconic porch, and perfect downtown location.  

If you’re seeking peace and nature, consider camping at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in St. Joe.  

Wake up to water views, easy beach access, and the rare stillness that defines this region.  

Modern options near Santa Rosa Beach and 30A provide a lively community feel with walkable neighborhoods and luxury stays, like The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach or cozy beachfront condos.  

Each stay is carefully chosen to help you experience the coast’s quiet beauty, whether you’re after history, nature, or contemporary comfort.

Thank you for reading this week’s Apalach Current — it really means a lot to have you here with me, noticing the small things that make this coast feel like home.

I’ll be back next Tuesday with whatever the tide brings in. Until then, take care and enjoy the longer days.

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