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Stories, places, and small moments from Apalachicola

— week of May 11, 2026

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What's Happening around town:

Yoga @ Apalachicola Library

🗓️ Mondays - 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. 

👉 Yoga Full details

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Novels & Nibbles: Book Club 

🗓️ Tuesday, May 12, 2026

⏰ 12:00 PM 

📍 Eastpoint Branch Library - 160 Hickory Dip Road, Eastpoint

 🎟️ Free to attend

📋 Join us for lively discussion over this month’s pick: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Whether you read it cover-to-cover or just skimmed the chapters, all are welcome! Snacks and stories await!

👉Book Club Event details

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Mahjong Club 

🗓️ Tuesday, May 12, 2026

⏰ 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Eastpoint Branch Library - 160 Hickory Dip Road, Eastpoint

 🎟️ Free to attend

📋 Open-play Mahjong for all skill levels — a relaxed weekly gathering that’s become a favorite among locals.

👉Mahjong Event details

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Tuesday Crochet Class

🗓️ Tuesday, May 12, 2026

 ⏰ 3:30 PM

📍 Apalachicola Margaret Key Public Library

🎟️ Free

 📋 Free crochet class every Tuesday in May! Come learn, create, and relax with fellow crafters in a friendly, welcoming setting. All skill levels are welcome — bring your yarn and hooks or just come as you are!

👉 Crochet Event Flyer for details

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Creation Station: Sand Art Jars

🗓️ Wednesday, May 13, 2026

⏰ 4:00 PM

📍 Eastpoint Public Library - 160 Hickory Dip Road, Eastpoint

🎟️ Free

📋 Kids ages 7–12 are invited to mix and match beautiful colors to create their own sand art jar to take home. A fun, creative afternoon hosted by the Friends of Franklin County Public Libraries — perfect for little artists!

👉 Sand Jar Event details & more info

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Adult Crafternoon: Oyster Flowers

🗓️ Wednesday, May 14, 2026 

 ⏰ 2:30 PM

📍 Eastpoint Public Library - 160 Hickory Dip Road, Eastpoint

🎟️ Free

📋 Adults of all skill levels are invited to this relaxed, hands-on craft session where you’ll learn to create your own beautiful Oyster Flower. A fun and creative afternoon in a welcoming library setting — no experience needed!

👉 Crafting Event details

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Yappy Hour at the Beer Garden

🗓️ Thursday, May 14, 2026

⏰ 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

📍 Beer Garden at Crooked River Grill - 151 Laughing Gull Lane

🎟️ Free to attend /purchase food & drinks

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

👉 Yappy Hour Event details

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Birding 101

🗓️ Friday, May 15, 2026

⏰ 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

📍 Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Nature Center, Eastpoint

🎟️ Free but Registration/ Tickets required 

📋 Learn the basics of birding with local expert Paul Wharton! This beginner-friendly workshop covers bird identification, basic biology, field guides, and common local species. Includes classroom time followed by a hands-on outdoor session to practice in the field.

👉 Get tickets & details

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Live Music in May at Crooked River Grill 

🗓️ Friday,  May 15, 2026

⏰ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

📍 Crooked River Grill - 151 Laughing Gull Lane

🎟️ No cover

 📋 Great food, cold drinks, and live music with Jon White, with classic coastal sunset views.

 👉 Live Music 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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Country Farmers Market

🗓️ Saturday, May 16, 2026 (1st and 3rd Saturdays) 

⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM 

📍 Crooked River Lighthouse -1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle

🎟️ Free to attend

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

👉Country Farmers Market Event details

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7-day forecast:  Apalachicola, FL

Apalachicola, FL 82°

Pleasant with a mix of sun and afternoon showers

7-day forecast (starting tomorrow) for Apalachicola, FL with dates:

• Mon, May 11: Mostly sunny and warm — high ~82°F, low ~68°F ⭐ Excellent conditions

• Tue, May 12: Partly sunny with a chance of afternoon showers — high ~83°F, low ~69°F ⭐ Good conditions

• Wed, May 13: Mostly sunny — high ~84°F, low ~70°F ⭐ Excellent conditions

• Thu, May 14: Partly sunny — high ~82°F, low ~68°F ⭐ Good conditions

• Fri, May 15: Sunny and comfortable — high ~81°F, low ~67°F ⭐ Excellent conditions

• Sat, May 16: Mostly sunny and warm — high ~83°F, low ~69°F ⭐ Good conditions

• Sun, May 17: Partly sunny with a chance of showers — high ~80°F, low ~68°F ⚠️ Less ideal (watch for shifting winds)

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Boating/Fishing Summary:

🎣 Best Days: Monday, Wednesday & Friday (calm winds, stable weather)

🚤  Good Days: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday (light chop but very manageable)

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

👉 Weather for the week

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After the hugs and flowers of Mother’s Day, the Forgotten Coast slips into its favorite kind of quiet.

This is one of those weeks. The last of the spring visitors have headed home, and the town has settled back into its everyday rhythm. The bay sparkles a little brighter in the morning light, the docks are quieter in the evenings, and you can feel the season gently tipping toward the long, lazy days of summer.

It shows up in the small, steady pleasures: neighbors chatting a little longer at the post office, the first really warm evenings that invite you to sit outside with a glass of sweet tea, and the way the light lingers just a few minutes later each night. After a full spring of celebrations and company, Apalachicola feels like it’s reclaiming its own quiet pace — not empty, just comfortably full of itself again. 

Apalach Current - May 11, 2026

Photo Carlton Ward Jr

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Memorial Day - Veterans Memorial

Veterans Memorial

📅  Monday, May 25

⏰ 10:00 to 11:30 am

📍  Apalachicola Veterans Plaza - 230 Market St

On Monday, May 25, the community will gather at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Apalachicola for the annual Memorial Day Celebration. Hosted by Three Servicemen Statue South, Inc. and American Legion Post 106, this heartfelt event honors the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country.

In a town that deeply values its history and its people, these moments of remembrance bring everyone together — a simple, sincere way to say thank you right here at home.

More info & event details:

👉 Apalachicola Memorial Day Celebration – Veterans Memorial Plaza 

👉 Three Service Men Statue South

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:  

👉  Click here to find your new best friend

Whitney

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Trivia Nights Around the Forgotten Coast:

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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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Did You Know?

1. Apalachicola is home to the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, the second largest National Estuarine Research Reserve in the United States.

👉 More info: Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

2. The Apalachicola area is famous for producing Tupelo honey, prized around the world for its light, buttery flavor and unique floral notes.

.👉More Info: Tupelo Honey

3. Apalachicola is the hometown of Dr. John Gorrie, the physician who invented mechanical refrigeration in 1851 — the invention that eventually made modern air conditioning and ice-making possible.

👉More Info: John Gorrie Museum

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Apalachicola’s Veterans Memorial Plaza will host the annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The event gathers the local community to honor those who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.

At the heart of the plaza stands a striking bronze “Three Soldiers” statue, the only detailed replica made directly from the original molds in Washington, D.C.

Dedicated in 2008, its presence resonates deeply with local veterans and their families, symbolizing enduring remembrance and gratitude.

Attendees include veterans, friends, and neighbors who come together to share stories and pay heartfelt respects, underscoring that our military heroes are not just distant figures but beloved community members.

Hosted by Three Servicemen Statue South, Inc., American Legion Post 106, and the Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, the ceremony offers a meaningful way for all to honor these sacrifices.

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.

Bald Point State Park stands out as one of the Forgotten Coast’s most unspoiled treasures, offering a peaceful retreat at the meeting point of Ochlockonee and Apalachee Bays.

Spanning 12,000 acres of coastal marshlands, pine flatwoods, and remote beaches, it’s a haven for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching.

The park’s uncrowded trails wind through scenic maritime forests and prime birding spots, with expansive bay views and the renowned fall hawk migration attracting wildlife enthusiasts each year.

Campers seeking true solitude can paddle to the primitive site on Chaires Creek, trading amenities for serenity and the soothing sounds of water and local wildlife.

Bald Point calls to anyone craving a genuine nature escape—where gentle waves, wind, and vibrant coastal life offer a rare chance to fully disconnect and recharge.

Despite missing the Historic Apalachicola Home & Garden Tour, hearing about the event brought a smile.

On May 2, over 800 locals and visitors turned out, undeterred by gray skies and more than two inches of rainfall.

Organizers celebrated the tour as a resounding success, with neighbors welcoming guests, volunteers lending their time, and local artists and merchants enriching the silent auction.

For one memorable day, the community united in support of historic preservation and the charm of Apalachicola’s storied homes, all while raising vital funds for Trinity Episcopal Church.

This annual event reaffirms the area’s warmth, hospitality, and enduring pride, even for those who experience it from afar.

The anticipation for next year is already growing—don’t miss this cherished tradition on May 1, 2027.

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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