Spoiler alert: this is not your typical cover story. Since my husband and I are fortunate enough to know Jerry and Alice Zich of Burnt Pine, I’ll explain how we met—repeatedly. 

Encounter #1

One night several years ago at a Burnt Pine Club Night, my husband and I spied a couple sitting alone at a table, obvious newcomers. As we often do with newbies, we asked to join them and they immediately agreed. We spent a pleasant evening as we learned they were from the Chicago area, owned several condos in Tops’l, and hoped to buy in Burnt Pine in the future. We exchanged contact information and never saw each other again.

Encounter #2

Years later, my walking buddy neighbor, Susan, and I marched down Club Drive on an enchanting July morning, with a temperature similar to my cookie-baking oven’s, and humidity like my bathroom after a hot shower. As I trudged along, my wonky hip cried, “No more. I’m done and so are you!”  While I rested dejectedly on the curb, a roomy black SUV stopped, appearing like an angel out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. The front window rolled down and the driver said, “Would you like a ride?” Disregarding warnings from my mother about accepting rides from strangers, I couldn’t scramble into the car fast enough. As they delivered me to my home, I thanked them profusely and never saw them again.

Encounter #3

A couple of weeks later, as my husband and I entered Emerald Coast Theatre for another evening of fun, a worried-looking bespeckled man, Jerry Zich, said, “How’s your hip, Carol?” The penny dropped for Alice and me at the same time. “Oh, you’re the kind people who drove me home!” I gasped. Simultaneously, Alice cried, “And you’re the kind couple who sat with us at Club Night so long ago when we knew no one.” Authors would have us believe that only young people fall instantly in love, but we four know better.

Besides the dubious honor of knowing Jerry and Carol McEwen, the Zichs have many accomplishments.

Title #1: Successful restauranteurs. 

Jerry and Alice are the proud owners of Fish On Seafood House, at 791 Harbor Boulevard in Destin, a restaurant with perfectly cooked fresh fish, a charmingly casual atmosphere, and a cost that’s easy on the wallet. I also liked the generous spacing between the picnic tables, so that kid customers could stretch their legs instead of sitting like little puppets with their hands and napkins in their laps.

Title #2: Generous patrons of Emerald Coast Theatre. 

As they arrive to sit front and center at every opening night, the Zichs are greeted warmly by the staff and the rest of us attendees who benefit from their largesse.  

Title #3: Excellent Golfers. 

My envious husband informs me that Jerry plays a great game and scored well in the Burnt Pine Club Championship last fall. Meanwhile Alice is a star with the lady golfers. 

Title #4: Ace Parents. 

Alice and Jerry share two children: Chuck, who lives in Itasca with his wife and two children, and daughter Judy who lives in Chicago with her kitty. 

I’m sure the Zichs wear many other hats, and I look forward to learning about them. We’re lucky to have such community-minded people living among us.