The Panhandle Butterfly House will hold its annual spring grand opening from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday, April 19.

The grand opening will include a butterfly plant sale by the Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners, punch and cookies, and classical guitar serenades by Jimmy Chandler, according to the county news release.

On April 25, the butterfly house will open to the public from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tours will be available for groups of 10 or more Monday through Wednesday. Reservations can be made at www.panhandlebutterflyhouse.org

The butterfly house is located at 8581 Navarre Parkway in the east corner of the Navarre Park.

For more information, contact Mary Derrick at 850-623-3868 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekdays or by email at marydsantarosa.fl.gov.

Navarre resident Pat Quinn is no stranger to Africa.

The founder of the Gulf Breeze Zoo has traveled to the vast continent about 70 separate times and has led a majority of those trips as the tour guide. He said his ultimate joy is introducing Americans to the eye-opening experience of the diverse animals and landscape.

“My greatest pleasure is taking people to Africa and see their reaction,” Quinn said. “It’s such a different world.”

Africa is the “cradle of mankind,” Quinn said, and simply cannot be reproduced anywhere. It’s a land of great beauty and extremes.

It is 12 million square miles and consists of 54 independent countries and more than 2,000 languages, he said. Kenya alone has about 30 languages. Quinn said it is home to the tallest people and the smallest people, the biggest, fastest and tallest land mammals and the world’s largest bird.

“People don’t really understand the beauty and majesty of wildlife on this Earth,” Quinn said. “To have a bull elephant take bread off your table or have a lion sleeping beside your tent is a thrill. It’s a real adventure.”

The first stop on the adventure is the Lewa Safari Camp, a 65,000-acre nature reserve with a mission to restore endangered animal populations. They also educate the community about the animals and hire locals who need jobs. Travelers will have three days to explore the reserve and see elephants, giraffe, zebra, both white and black rhino, cheetah, lion, leopard, hyena, jackal, ostrich and 13 species of antelopes.

Navarre residents Nell and Jim Potter have traveled on Quinn’s safari 14 times. Nell originally didn’t think she would go because she’s not a camping-type person. But Quinn’s trips are far from roughing it, she said. There are beautiful canvas tents, hot showers, amazing food and about a one-to-one employee to guest ratio.

Nell Potter said it’s impossible to imagine some of the sights they experienced on the safaris. Some of her unforgettable moments were to see the migration of more than one million wildebeest, and skies so clear she could see stars touch the horizon.

“It’s hard to describe it,” she said. “The best National Geographic picture doesn’t touch it. It’s almost an emotional experience to see so much wildlife and see elephants come right up to the vehicle.”

The total cost of the trip is $10,475 per person based on double occupancy. If traveling single, the cost increases by $1,815. The cost doesn’t include airfare because Quinn said many individuals choose to use frequent-flyer miles or other promotional airfare awards.

For more information or to book a trip, contact Quinn at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 850-698-5714.

The Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce announced its 2012 annual award winners March 23 during a Hawaiian-themed gala celebration at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Hotel.

Ambassador of the Year is Dave Alderson of Gulf States Insurance.

Emerging Leader of the Year is Cathy Burleigh of Gulf Coast Community Bank.

Emerging Business of the Year is Coastal Paddle Company, owned and managed by Kevin and April Cook.

The Nancy Keyes Spirit Award winner is Don Richards of United Peninsula Association.

Business of the Year is Bayside Collision Center, owned and operated by Ronnie and Shannon Westmoreland.

The party was complete with a Hawaiian band and dancers, who helped some of the chamber members learn a new way of cutting the rug.

“I think I have the best staff in the world,’’ said Josi Cotti, president and chief executive officer of the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce. “If you have problems, we are here to help. This committee makes a difference in the city and the county. We strive to be the best cheerleader for our beautiful community.’’

The chamber has 410 business and individual members.

The Blue Angels may have performed their final exhibition this year.

Six pilots from the Naval Air Station Pensacola’s elite fighter jet demonstration unit amazed a two-day crowd of 37,000 on March 23-24.

They performed intricate and close-quarters maneuvers above the Florida Keys during the Southernmost Air Spectacular at Naval Air Station Key West.

The public reaction has been swift and negative toward the government budget cuts that have stopped the popular air show for the time being.

“First it’s the White House Tours and now it’s the Blue Angels,’’ said an irate Facebook user. “This sequester thing stinks. Why does the government have to get rid of things the public likes best? This is just wrong.’’

Department of Defense directives, that military aerial demonstrations are among the cost-saving measures, that take effect April 1 under automatic federal budget cuts.

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