Humility, Art, and a Little Moon Joy
This year, we celebrated both Earth Month and "Moon Joy" in April. Veteran reporter Dan Rather, reflecting on the 56th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, featured Joni Mitchell’s 1970 hit, “Big Yellow Taxi,” as the “seminal anthem for the burgeoning environmental movement," which is still true to this day.
Although it was not included in the Artemis II team’s “Wake-Up Soundtrack," Mitchell's song was inspired by her view from a hotel in Hawaii and was recorded just two years before NASA's last lunar mission on Apollo 17 in 1972. Her micro view and the astronauts' macro view of the Earth across the decades both remind us that our shared Earthly home is worth protecting.
NEW ON THE BLOG
What the Moon Taught Us About Earth
The Artemis II crew traveled 252,756 miles from Earth. They brought back important leadership lessons and some much-needed "Moon Joy."
Mission Specialist Christina Koch described her defining word for the experience as humility — crediting everyone from Neil Armstrong to Katherine Johnson to the technicians who put on harnesses every day to rig hardware on the spacecraft. She said,
"They all passed the record. We definitely didn't pass the record up here alone."
The most effective teams are built on humility, shared purpose, and a willingness to credit everyone who contributed along the way. Sometimes distance gives us the clarity to see what’s right in front of us.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Frame Gallery Gifts & Art
Frame Gallery celebrated Earth Day on April 22 with kindergartners from Sewanee Elementary School, who created imaginary animals from everyday recyclables. At the end of the class led by owner Harriet Runkle, the students exhibited their creative 3D art at Frame Gallery for their parents, family, and friends.
If you're local to Sewanee, Tennessee, view the recently discovered wildflower Phacelia sewaneensis — the inspiration behind Frame Gallery's "Sewanee Purple Through the Year" exhibition featuring the Nature Journaling Group last month — in bloom now, or watch this University of the South video.
Sewanee Children’s Center (SCC)
Sewanee Children's Center is hiring an early childhood education professional for the Assistant Director role opening on July 27, 2026. Candidates with a degree in Early Childhood Education and prior supervisory experience are encouraged to apply. Located in Sewanee, Tennessee, SCC serves children ages 6 weeks through 3rd grade and is committed to research-based developmental practices and strong family partnerships.
The Dental Associate Edge
New Website Launch
The Dental Associate Edge website is officially live! We designed a digital home for a new podcast co-hosted by Sandy Baird, MBA, and performance psychologist Dr. Dave Striegel, with resources to guide dental associates on the path to practice ownership. Explore the second episode below, or start from the beginning by visiting dentalassociateedge.com.
JC’s Gourmet
JC's Gourmet thanks the loyal patrons who nominated the company for the Best of the Emerald Coast again this past April! The votes will be collected in October for each category nominated - so, stay tuned!
In the meantime, you can find JC's four-time, award-winning shrimp dish, Chillin' Ceviche, now seasonally available at the Seaside Farmers Market on Saturday mornings and for catered events.
Renee Broxson Fine Art
Distilled: An Artist Series
Emerald Coast Storytellers, in collaboration with the Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County, selected Renee Broxson as the featured artist at Distillery 98 in April as part of the "Distilled: An Artist Series." On display were Renee's whimsical, abstract works, drawn from her own experiences.
The pieces included limited edition giclee prints of her original work, "Crowned in Courage," one of two works selected to promote the CAA's 38th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival on May 2-3, 2026, at Grand Boulevard. (Catch Renee's interview on April 30 with WJHG-TV as the featured artist of this year's ArtsQuest festival here.)
Featured Artist of the 38th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival
The Cultural Arts Alliance (CAA) of Walton County selected Renee Broxson as the Featured Artist for the 38th Annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival taking place on Saturday, May 2 (10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and May 3, 2026 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), at Grand Boulevard Town Center's North Park.
The CAA's latest #ArtMatters publication features Renee's second of two works, "Big Ears, Clear Vision," and details what to expect at ArtsQuest, which kicks off the CAA's Art Month in May.
Dog-Harmony
Dog-Harmony's Paw Pantry supporters are making a difference for families on the Emerald Coast. In partnership with Caring & Sharing of South Walton, this initiative is designed to ensure that no family has to make the difficult choice between feeding themselves or feeding their canine family members. Dog-Harmony thanks local businesses, The Doggy Bag, Barry Veterinary Hospital, and Kindness Pet Hospital for their ongoing support and pet food collections. Learn how you can support Paw Pantry here.
If you are in the mood to celebrate the Kentucky Derby after ArtsQuest on Saturday, May 2, stay in Sandestin and grab tickets to Baytowne Wharf's First Annual Run for the Roses benefiting Dog-Harmony from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
THE ELEVATED EXPERIENCE
A curated collection of upcoming events with our talented clients, partners, and friends
No matter your perspective this May, we hope it brings clarity — and plenty to celebrate. Thank you for reading ELEVATED NEWS.
