It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic المتنبي مستنصر gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bagdad, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Main Street Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Dairy Queen Grill & Chill or visit Bab Baghdad Al-Wastany, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Bagdad, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bagdad, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bagdad, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Cameron Belanger and his parents were ready to start over.In May 2023, 25-year-old Cameron returned home to Fountain, Florida, after spending nearly six-and-a-half years in state prison. Ready to change his li...
Cameron Belanger and his parents were ready to start over.
In May 2023, 25-year-old Cameron returned home to Fountain, Florida, after spending nearly six-and-a-half years in state prison. Ready to change his life, he left for Milton looking for work and was supposed to be home in a few short days.
But that short trip has turned into a monthslong nightmare for his parents, Darryl and Crystal Belanger, who are now waiting to see if bones found near Cameron's last known location belong to their son.
According to the Belangers, on June 30, Cameron traveled to Milton to visit friends and work a few "odd jobs," like mowing lawns. On July 1, Cameron spoke with his parents on the phone, promising to return on July 4 for his sister's birthday party.
"We had planned a 4th of July party and (our daughter's) birthday, and he said he was coming home," Crystal said. "Then we never heard from him again."
Originally, the parents thought nothing of it. They expected to see their son maybe a few days later, but when Cameron's lifelong best friend LeAnne Taylor and his child's mother, Brooke Taylor, called and said he was missing, Crystal said she called law enforcement.
Cameron had been staying in a camper just off Popcorn Road in Bagdad while he worked his odd jobs, so that's where the investigation began. Days, weeks and months went by as family, friends and Santa Rosa County Sheriff's investigators searched for any trace of Cameron without success.
Six months of searching culminated in January when Cameron's parents said they were notified by a local woman – who they met during their previous search efforts - that she had found human remains in a wooded area near Popcorn Road. On Jan. 11, Darryl and a few of his family members searched the area and found the remains.
However, so much of the body has decomposed that the medical examiner must perform DNA testing to determine if the remains belong to Cameron.
"We don't know for sure if they are our son's, but at least we found someone's child," Crystal said.
Having a child go missing and possibly finding his remains would take a toll on any family, but throughout the investigation the Belanger family expressed their discontent with how their son's case has been handled.
Both Crystal and Darryl Belanger say they felt they couldn't get information regarding Cameron's case, and when they would ask about it, they say they would receive little response.
"For example, one of the (responses) was, 'Oh, well maybe he was on drugs again, so you know people on drugs do crazy things,'" Crystal told the News Journal. "Well, even if he was on drugs, he's still a person and a person we care about."
The Belanger family also criticized the SRSO's search efforts, asking why they found remains near Popcorn Road six months after Cameron was last seen near the same road.
"The sheriff's department, I think, their search efforts were minimal, to be honest," Darryl said, expressing that deputies never seemed willing to devote much manpower to the search, even after the family located the remains.
"The sheriff's department came out there, and instead of going into the woods they broke out a drone," the father added. "We were like, 'Yeah, we'll take you through the woods and show you where he's at,' and they didn't want to go into the woods, they wanted to use this drone. I was like, damn, when (Cameron) first went missing they could've brought their drones out there then, six months ago, and used drones to help try to find him."
In a response to the News Journal, the SRSO said they are deeply concerned for the "well-being of our community member, Cameron Belanger," saying they've conducted their investigation like any other.
"Our organization takes all missing persons cases seriously, and we assure you that we have conducted a thorough investigation within the bounds of the law and the resources at our disposal," the SRSO's statement said. "Our hearts are with Cameron's family and friends during this challenging time."
Anyone with information regarding Cameron's activities or whereabouts, is urged to call the SRSO at 850-983-1100, the missing person hotline at 1-888-FL Missing or contact the Belanger at [email protected].
Friendly tree branches wave overhead, a thick carpet of deep green grass surrounds every home and building and the roadways quiet enough to hear insects buzzing in the Florida heat.These are some of the homey characteristics that make up the Bagdad area near Milton. And, if all goes to plan, another component — something different but equally serene —...
Friendly tree branches wave overhead, a thick carpet of deep green grass surrounds every home and building and the roadways quiet enough to hear insects buzzing in the Florida heat.
These are some of the homey characteristics that make up the Bagdad area near Milton. And, if all goes to plan, another component — something different but equally serene — will makes its way into the community's landscape.
Luci Bailly and her husband, David, own the Forcade House — a home that has been standing since 1919 and recently earned a spot as a Florida Heritage Site.
The couple is planning to operate a new business out of the home, Ms. Luci's Tea Room and More, an eatery that specializes in the British tradition of afternoon tea. Customers can expect an assortment of finger sandwiches, soups, quiche, scones, other desserts and over 30 types of teas.
"Well, why tea? I really can't tell you why," Luci Bailly said. "It was something that was placed in my heart. I don't know. I tried to figure it out myself."
They have owned the structure since the mid-2000s. In the last decade, members of their family lived there while the Baillys lived just a stone's throw away. But now, the couple has a plan that will let the whole community enjoy the space.
"You have more opportunity to be around your patrons and be more personal — (add) that personal touch," Luci Bailly said of the appeal of a tearoom.
While David Bailly was candid that the two have never really stepped into the restaurant game before, his wife told the News Journal about her decades-long teacup collection and her lifelong dream of running a tea room.
"It's rare that you get your dream, and I have my dream," she said.
The property not only includes the house itself, but also an open area where, tucked away in the corner, is a walkway that leads to a marble fountain. The wedding-esque open concept is made more enchanting by the mossy overhangs and excited voices of the couple.
"A lot of people have never experienced (the afternoon tea concept). What we want to create is excellent service, excellent food, delicious food. Food that when you taste it, you say, 'Wow, that is some good food,'" Luci Bailly said.
Even though this type of project is new to the pair, they said they have visited other tea shops to get a feel for what they do and do not want to include in their own. They cited places in Louisiana and in South Florida, but said they have not, unfortunately, made it England for their culinary research.
Walking through the building, each room has its own unique flooring and ceiling patterns, but it all fits together in a way that feels both weathered and comfy. In all, it has that quintessential homey feel, just perfect for afternoon tea.
"It's like wine. ... You smell it. You look at it. You put it in your mouth. Well, it's almost like that with tea," Luci Bailly said as she smiled, playfully acting out the motions of sipping and tasting an imaginary cup of tea.
So far, the couple have spent the last three to four months working on the home. Luci Bailly remains steadfast she is shooting for an opening date by the end of the year. She stressed the fact that the two are not rushing the project, and that they want to provide the best service possible.
"Things are basically homemade. They're special. They're not the norm," Luci Bailly said.
In addition to normal restaurant operations, the couple teased the idea of hosting school trips and birthday parties.
Most importantly though, when speaking about their favorite types of tea, David Bailly first named a Scottish caramel flavor, while his wife said she prefers the fruitier flavors herself.
She's looking forward to helping her guests discover their favorites.
:This is fun. This is passion. This is great. This is going to be good," she said.
LATEST NEWS Flash flood warning issued for Northwest Florida8:17 a.m. A flash flood warning has been issued for Navarre, East Milton and Bagdad until 1:15 p.m. CT. Flood advisory in effect for Pensacola6 a.m.: While the tornado warning issued earlier this morning has expired, a flood advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected in a portion of northwest Florida, according to the ...
LATEST NEWS
8:17 a.m. A flash flood warning has been issued for Navarre, East Milton and Bagdad until 1:15 p.m. CT.
6 a.m.: While the tornado warning issued earlier this morning has expired, a flood advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected in a portion of northwest Florida, according to the National Weather Service, Mobile.
At 4:58 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen and an additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected over the area.
EARLIER STORY
A tornado warning has been issued as a severe thunderstorm moves north across the western Panhandle this morning.
The warning was issued for west central Santa Rosa County and central Escambia County until 6 a.m. CT after radar indicated rotation.
At 5:14 a.m., a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Ferry Pass, moving north at 30 mph, according to the National Weather Service, Mobile.
The dangerous storm was expected to be near Floridatown around 5:20 a.m. CT, Pace around 5:25 a.m. and Molino around 5:40 a.m.
Heavy rain may hide the tornado. Penny-sized hail also is possible with the storm.
Strong thunderstorms are forecast to impact portions of Santa Rosa and Escambia counties through 5:45 a.m. CT
At 4:50 a.m., the National Weather Service's radar showed a line of strong thunderstorms from Goulding to 12 miles south of Warrington. The storms were moving north at 35 mph.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding.
Winds are more than 30 mph. Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include: Pensacola, Ferry Pass, Brent, West Pensacola, Ensley, Warrington, Gonzalez, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Goulding, Bagdad, Myrtle Grove, Oriole Beach, Molino, Point Baker, Pea Ridge, Roeville and Floridatown.
Severe thunderstorm warning: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for southeastern Escambia County in south central Alabama, Santa Rosa County in Northwest Florida, central Escambia County in Northwest Florida until 6:15 a.m. Hazards includes 60 mph wind gusts and penny-sized hail.
Locations impacted include: Pace, Milton, Brewton, Bagdad, East Brewton, Jay, Pollard, Riverview, Pea Ridge, Roeville and Point Baker.
Flood advisory: A flood advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected in a portion of northwest Florida.
At 4:58 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen and an additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected over the area.
Some locations that will experience flooding include: Pensacola, Ferry Pass, Brent, West Pensacola, Ensley, Warrington, Gonzalez, Pace, Milton, Gulf Breeze, Goulding, Bagdad, Myrtle Grove, Oriole Beach, Floridatown, Pea Ridge, Pensacola Beach, Olive, Brownsville and Mulat.
Flood watch: A flood watch is in effect through Thursday evening. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
Florida areas that could be impacted include: Escambia coastal, Escambia inland, Okaloosa coastal, Okaloosa inland, Santa Rosa coastal and Santa Rosa inland.
High surf advisory: A high surf advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. today until 4 a.m. Friday. Large breaking waves will build to 4 to 6 feet in the surf zone.
Rip currents: A high risk for rip currents is in effect through late Friday night.
Deep beneath the surface of the Blackwater River, a fleet of long-forgotten sunken ships sits quietly on the sand — some waiting to be discovered, some having been explored extensively. There's the City of Tampa shipwreck, which sank in seven feet of water at the mouth of the Yellow River in 1921. The packet steamer worked for Milton and Ba...
Deep beneath the surface of the Blackwater River, a fleet of long-forgotten sunken ships sits quietly on the sand — some waiting to be discovered, some having been explored extensively.
There's the City of Tampa shipwreck, which sank in seven feet of water at the mouth of the Yellow River in 1921. The packet steamer worked for Milton and Bagdad for 23 years before catching fire during the middle of the night during a routine boiler replacement procedure. It was set adrift, ablaze, down the Blackwater River until striking a sandbar and sinking.
Local fishermen still know the ship's location, and it was investigated by University of West Florida maritime archaeology graduate students in 2015.
There are the Shields' Point Shipwrecks, a group of seven lumber barges that were stripped and abandoned in the 1920s when they were no longer making a profit, a sign of the Great Depression that crippled Northwest Florida's lumber industry.
And there's the HMS Mentor, described as "one of the greatest maritime mysteries of the Blackwater River" by the Blackwater Pyrates association. The ship had been stationed in Pensacola Bay in 1780 to help protect the British colony, but when the Spanish invaded Pensacola in 1781, the Mentor was sent up Blackwater Bay in an effort to hide it.
It capsized in a squall and was burned to prevent it from falling into Spanish hands during the Seige of Pensacola. Its wreckage has not been found — yet.
For the past several years, those shipwrecks and many others have been extensively documented by University of West Florida students and faculty, funded by the historical group Blackwater Pyrates and the nonprofit Bagdad Waterfronts, as well as Santa Rosa County and the TDC. Now, after a four-year-long project, the history of the Blackwater River is becoming more accessible to the public than ever, thanks to the Blackwater Maritime Heritage Trail project, the first phase of which was completed last week.
"This work is absolutely crucial for the cultural identity of Northwest Florida and the Pensacola Region," said Della Scott-Ireton, associate director of the Florida Public Archaeology Network, a program of UWF. "There are towns that grew up around the river in the bay system, and a lot of people don't know about the history of the Blackwater River. That dark water hides a lot of evidence, but it's still there, and it's really well preserved, so it's really important for folks locally to hear about the heritage in their own backyard."
County officials came together last week for a ribbon cutting marking the official completion of the first phase of the Blackwater Maritime Heritage Trail project, which essentially maps out historical shipwrecks, landmarks, settlements and other important events that took place along the banks of the river.
Doug Lasater, a member of both the Pyrates and the Waterfronts groups, said he isn't sure how many phases there will be to the project.
"There will be as many as we want until we get sick to death of doing it," he said.
The $36,000 project included hiring a professional surveyor to extensively map the Blackwater River and its bays and estuaries. That map was overlayed with historical data from the UWF research teams, and blown up and placed on four kiosks at key points in the Milton/Bagdad area: Carpenter's Park Boat Launch, Russell Harber Landing, Marquis Basin Boat Launch and Tampa Landing.
The trail, which is approximately 12 miles long, can be explored via boat, kayak or canoe, and can even be viewed in 360-degree, high definition detail online. There's an option to take an "underwater tour" online and explore actual shipwrecks that have been investigated by maritime archaeologists.
The team behind the Blackwater Maritime Heritage Trail hopes to eventually connect it with Gulf Breeze's new Blueways Project, as well as a state circumnavigation trail. But for now, they hope the trail can encourage people to get out and explore the river.
"We're on the river weekly," said Larry McKee, who's also a member of the Blackwater Pyrates group. "We want everyone else to enjoy the river too."
The Blackwater River has a long, extensive history harking back to the earliest settlements in Northwest Florida.
According to the Bagdad Waterfronts group, the river was the "highway for travel, commerce and recreation. The Blackwater River has ecological diversity, natural resources, historical significance and major recreational potential."
Scott-Ireton said the river also has a long history of being utilized by Native American populations and lumber industry workers.
"There are Native American sites all up and down, and right on up as early as colonization, the Blackwater River was designated on some early Spanish maps of the region," Scott-Ireton said. "The Spanish and British knew about it, and it became very much used as the lumber industry grew. It went up into the area of these huge, lonely pine forests, and so the logging industry used it to float logs down. Milton and Bagdad used it to grow up into these logging towns. It's just been the scene of immense industry."
Today, the Blackwater River is still a significant landmark in the Milton region. It runs through downtown Milton and is still considered a thoroughfare for boaters and kayakers.
It's also the backdrop for the hugely popular Bands on the Blackwater events, a series of live outdoor music concerts meant to bring the community together.
This past weekend, the Pyrates hosted its second annual Blackwater River Poker Run that drew more than 80 participants on 30 boats and raised $3,000 to continue funding the trail. The Poker Run included seven stops where boaters collected cards and learned historical facts about the stop.
The Pyrates also host yearly community cleanup efforts on the river, which draw hundreds to the area to clean up garbage and keep the area clean.
The Pyrates, Bagdad Waterfronts and UWF students and professors are continuing to explore the 56-mile long river every day, and hope to learn more about rich history of the area.
"There's so much history in that area and it gives people yet another reason to come and explore," Scott-Ireton said. "It boosts heritage tourism and boosts community pride. It's a win-win."
Annie Blanks can be reached at [email protected] or 850-435-8632.
850.797.8710
