Spring Parties Blossom in Apalachicola

Thursday evening was festive in Apalachicola as two parties drew guests from as far away as Maine and California.
At the new downtown nursery, Gardens Inc., Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce members met for their monthly "Business After Hours." There was plenty of liquid refreshment and munchies.
The party lasted well beyond the published end time of 8 p.m. as friends networked and enjoyed music by the Water Street Boys Band, Darrell and Dan.
Many guests went from the after hours mixer to a second party at the Water Street Hotel welcoming the artists who will participate in this year's Plein Air Paint Out.
Ted Tihansky of Monhegan Island, ME came to the reception immediately after arriving in Apalachicola. When he is not painting, Tihansky works as a sternman on a lobster boat, and said the waterfront here reminds him of his own island home.
Artist Robert Simone of St. Petersburg grew up in Florida but said this is his first trip to the Panhandle. "This area reminds me of Oregon, with the pine trees growing right up to the water's edge on the coast," he said.
Simone said that after a day of painting he already has three pictures hanging in the wet room.
Mary Erickson, who divides her time between Florida and North Carolina, is back for the Paint Out this year. A group of her works is on display at the Water Street Hotel and Curt Blair has provided her with a room there for the Paint Out. "Curt found me because of last year's Paint Out," she said.
James Hempel of Wisconsin said he has already been camping and painting on St. George Island since Tuesday.
"I drove straight down on 65 and only stopped for coffee," he said. "I'm used to drinking brewed coffee, but I stopped and bought a jar of Folgers crystals and just kept adding them to hot water in my thermos. When I got here the jar was almost empty and when I read the label it said the jar made about 87 cups."
Hempel said he expects to paint about 20 works while visiting the area. Hempel, who runs an art school, said he and Mayor Van Johnson discussed proposed plans for turning the city's newly acquired Cotton Exchange into an arts center.
"The beauty of the area would be a draw for people wishing to study plein air and studio painting. You could easily fill a week painting with students here," said Hempel.