Page 22 - PC Living Jan-Feb 2017

SAINTS OF OLD FLORIDAMelissa especially had a heart for a nostalgic, vintage look and Lean helped us capture just what we needed to share - Old Florida’s true story.PC Living: I was surprised to see recipes included. That seemed unusual but, as I read the book, recipes added an interesting layer within the personal stories. What was the thought process behind that idea?Christina: We felt food was another way to preserve the traditions and enhance the stories. When I rst moved here, I went to a restaurant with a friend who always orders smoked mullet. What is that? Well, it is fabulous. We then pondered how to bring foodinto the project, and it developed into an important part of the story lines. For each Saint town we were sure to include the foods central to that place, or recipes that had meaningful stories.Emily: Food is a big part of what makes a place special. And so many of the recipes we included had never been written down, like my grandfather's, Captain Carl’s, baked red snapper recipe.PC Living: The book includes a diverse group of contributing writers. Were you surprised at their willingness to be involved?Emily: Yes! We asked people to write about their experiences, and they would send us whatever they wanted. We never instructed them to “write this, or write that.” That so many people were willing to share their heartfelt experiences in these places we love is just another example of synchronicity. A lot of what is typically shown about this area barely breaks the surface; there is so much more. We wanted to show it.There will be a special treat for Saints of Old Florida enthusiasts onJanuary 19, 2017 from 6-8 p.m.The authors will have a Book Talk & Signing at the Bay County Public Library Meeting Room.The event is free and open to the public.The event is sponsored by the Bay County Public Library Foundation.Location:Bay County Public Library Meeting Room,898 West 11th Street, Panama City, FL More information available at nwrls.lib. .usMore info or to buy a copy of the book visit saintsofold orida.comPC Living: This project took more than two years to complete. Was there ever a time when you reached a point and said, “This is too daunting; what have we gotten ourselves into?”Christina: No, we just kept going. And it nally began to take shape. We found editorial designer, Richie Swann, in Charleston, South Carolina. We literally drew pages and storyboarded every page, to demonstrate to him what we were trying to convey. Then he “got it” and o we went.PC Living: The book is self-published. How did that come about and had any of you had any experience in thisarea?Christina: None of us had ever done anything like this. We knew a publisher would probably not let us do this the way we wanted to do it.Emily: No experience at all; we learned during the process. We really wanted to make it happen. It was all about what we loved, this area. We wanted to get it on paper, to share it. So, we decided to just do it ourselves, no matter how di cult.PC Living: Saints was released in June, and now it is in its second printing. Are you surprised at its success?Emily: Yes! And that is so amazing to us. Lots and lots of support from so many people; people who vacation here, our locals, family, and friends. And the interest in the book is spreading so quickly and so widely. Our ultimate goal was to make this book a classic. We wanted to have it be about a lifestyle, a way to invite people into our homes and into Old Florida, and to show this area as perhaps few have really seen. We are so proud of it!22 • January - February 2017 • www.PanamaCityLiving.com