OLD DESTIN Through the Eyes of a Child, by Capt. Ben Marler

ISBN-10: 1461098556 ISBN-13: 978-1461098553 From the From the Publisher:


Cut off from mass communications with the rest of the world with nothing but a bridge and not a single telephone or electric light, Destin managed to grow from a remote paradise to a resort area which attracts millions of visitors from all around the world.

Back when some of Florida's fishing boats were handmade and built in captain's back yards, their primitive engines pieced together from automobile motors, the plentiful schools of fish "fathomed out" and snared in seines. Fishing grounds then could be found by nothing more than dead reckoning, timed by a wind up watch, a compass, and the clouds and shore trees. A quiet life began in this particular spot, long the Civil War. But, in 1934, Destin was building a bridge, future WWII pilots were in training, and less than a handful of hardworking fishermen were feeding multitudes of civilians from a tiny fishing village known as Destin. Life was not easy, but it was satisfying and adventurous.
One of Destin's foremost and memorable captains, a fish-catcher and evangelist, opens his families most cherished albums to share pages from Destin's history in the previous century, with photos dating back to 1900.

Capt. Ben seats us around his knees like grandchildren to retell the stories, impressions, descriptions of a small boy's life in Destin, Florida, its' only boy born there in 1938.
Part Tom Sawyer, Part Leave it To Beaver, with a touch of Old Glory and reverence for God, Old Destin Through the Eyes of a Child will be a certain welcome addition to museums and school libraries as well as to those armchair historians who can't get enough of Florida's rich history.
You’ll almost smell the kerosene and sea grasses, and will wish you could go back in time to experience Old Destin.
Even if you were there.


-Heiress Arts Publishers, Destin, Florida

Athena's Tilapia in Sour Cream Parmesan Sauce

Athena's Tilapia cooked in Sour Cream Parmesan sauce.


(Ma's Recipe, made for Grouper)(Cleopatra Maltezo Marler, mother of Capt. Ben Marler of Destin, FL)(pictured g. granddaughter Christina Victoria Cole and husband, Seth Cole, of Destin on their wedding day)



For 2 Tilapia (or any white fish such as grouper) filets, on an oiled baking sheet



Mix well in a small bowl about 1/2 c. Sour Cream, Salt and Pepper to taste, and a few drops of Tobasco sauce. Then "frost" the fish filets with it, covering completely (use up all the sour cream mixture). Sprinkle liberally with Parmesan cheese, and garnish with Dill sprinkled lightly over the cheese (optional). Pretty, and adds some flavor, too.



Broil on LOW, for about 7-8 minutes for each inch of thickness of fish. Keep checking by flaking meat with a fork, until done. (If you don't have Low Broil, you could improvise with 450 Bake and brown slightly under broiler afterwards)



DELICIOUS, and Restaurant Worthy.



Serve with bread or dinner rolls, Pilaf (rice cooked in broth or with a bouillion cube) or Buttered Rice, and maybe a canned vegetable like chilled asparagus with lemon. Or a salad. Note: I make perfect microwave rice by cooking 2 c. water, 1 c. rice, Uncovered in microwave for 14 minutes. If you cover it, it will run over. Fast and foolproof. Flake and serve.

The Timid 2000's

When I wrote my book in 2002, I'd built up the excessive 80's, dreamed through the nostalgic 90's and now I am ending what I say was the Timid 2000's. This was the decade that started with the World Trade Center disaster on 9/11/2001. I'm ten years older now, and wiser. I worry that my book does not strike the same note that it did ten years ago. But, it is filled with wisdom and inspiration from my grandparents day, so it isn't exactly focused on my lifetime. Right now, I no longer want to "be rich." I want to "be secure." The present economy is weak and we are in the second year of a major recession. "The tide floats all boats," and not one person has not been affected by it. However, money does not buy happiness, and as a matter of fact, cannot even buy us security. So let us store your treasure in heaven by helping others. Strangely, that alone brings me happiness. Living within a budget brings me a sense of contentment. Facing lack drives me to my infinite source in God. Having anything at all makes me feel thankful, and well, rich- richly blessed, that is. I wonder what the 2010's will bring.
I've discovered some impressive links I'd like to share.
Simply Savings from Australia. www.simplesavings.com.au/ (Look what you can do with $21!)
ING Direct for savings and banking www.ingdirect.com (If you can't bank in Switzerland, how about Amsterdam? It's an International bank and fully a U. S. one, too, and tailored to we customers.)
And for buying and holding stocks and mutual funds, www.Sharebuilder.com.
Check out my Dad's blog as well. It's called, I Am Not Ashamed of Jesus. http://captben61.blogspot.com/ I'd like you to join me in putting some "treasure" in our heavenly bank account. And in so doing, enrich our life.//
Sometimes an example of what I am trying to say comes to my inbox. Please take few minutes to view this clip of a blind motivator has to say. It will bless your life and I believe possibly change it as well.
http://mymentorsnetwork.com/30DayBootCamp/MMN_Day11_Life_Mastery_30-Day_Boot_Camp20jj7o8hgfdhjyewktyf0y078y98__8_8JJ.html

Log Readers Get Free E-book

If any readers of the Destin Log's recent articles on my father, Capt. Ben Marler, would like to download a free copy of this book, please go to http://www.box.net/ImpressiveHome
You will need Adobe Reader, but you may freely download this program at www.adobe.com
Libaries are encouraged to download a free archival copy. Many of the 130 historial and family photos were taken by myself or my family and I will give written permission to use them if you will contact me at www.heiressarts.com
The County libary system has a printed copy. Several local elementary schools are using this book as a fifth grade level "A. R. Reading" book, and at last count, 140 children had checked it out for school credit at my "alma mater" (1966-1972) Destin Elementary School. I regret that I don't have any more printed copies to donate, but I will be producing the book on CDs and hope that eventually Amazon will have printed copies for purchase for $13.85 plus tax. God bless you for reading this book, and please share it with your own children. - Athena//

Capt. Ben Marler's Baked Snapper

Have you seen Julie & Julia yet? If you have, you might be feeling like giving a little dinner party...
My Dad, Capt. Ben Marler, just gave me a beautiful red snapper that he caught, cleaned, wrapped in saran wrap, and froze for me. It is thawing in my refrigerator. You can buy hopefully buy Red Snapper at a fish market. I will prepare it Saturday to serve for Sunday dinner because it is better the next day as it must absorb all the flavors. There is really no substitute for the delicate sweet red snapper in this recipe. It's baked in a savory, tangy sauce made by sauteing onions, garlic and bell peppers in real bacon drippings (Bacon is in vogue in many recipes right now, too). Add an undrained can of tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon, salt and pepper, 1 small bayleaf (optional) and cover, simmering on very low heat so as to not scorch the tomatoes or lose too much liquid. Add water if necessary. The aroma will be heavenly. In a rectangular glass baking dish, pour the sauce over the half side of snapper, skin side down. Place 3-4 lemon slices on the top. Bake in a preheated oven, covered, at 350 degrees until meat is white and flakes with a fork. It will have a silky texture. Then, resist devouring and cover and refrigerate overnight. Before serving, reheat, place 3-4 new lemon slices, discarding the old ones, over the snapper and garnish with parsley, if desired.
Here is an excerpt from my book found in the Destin Libary, describing my grandmother Cleo's weekly family dinner in the 1960's in Destin, Florida:
"We could hear her whistling in the kitchen, or talking on the base radio to my grandfather as he steered the boat back in to the dock, broadcasting on station call letters KCS 1395. The aroma of baked red snapper with tomatoes, onions, pepper, lemon and bacon was heady. She would be cooling down tea, and slicing lemons. There would be a relish tray with black olives, radishes, bell peppers. Brown and serve rolls, and whipped "cow butter" as my sister and I called it. She would have green salad with plain oil and vinegar for dressing. The white wrought iron and glass table in her large kitchen would be set with all the dishes within reach. A step ladder chair would be pulled up to the table with phone books on it for my little sister. We would have conversation, the news, the telephone ringing with boat reservations, and all, but we loved every animated, happy moment of it."
Enjoy!//