Remember "Beach Blanket Bingo" with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello?  During the 1960's young men would flock to the Panama City Beach looking for summer employment in tourist related job. The glamorous job of "life- guard" was a popular summer job for many college age young men. They would move to the beach for 4-6 months, live in cramped accommodations' and head to the office  at Ed's Beach Service at 6 a.m. for check in. They would then go to their respective beaches to set up chairs, umbrellas, and floats to rent throughout the day. They also sold tanning accelerators, zinc oxide in a tube, and sunburn relief. They had the responsibility of cleaning up the beach, saving lives if necessary, and providing "chamber of commerce" information to our visitors. An added benefit for the young men was a steady stream of young ladies wanting to catch the eye of the tanned and toned life guard for a summer romance.

     Each week a new group of guest arrived at the beach providing a steady stream of heart throbs, then heart breaks as they all had to return to their respective hometowns to romanticize the summer romance that only happens once. Some of the visitors and life guards did maintain contact and eventually did marry and start a family!

      In the photo, from left to right, front row: J.E Churchwell, in the suit, owner of all Long Beach Resort. He was the mayor and owned the insurance company. He pioneered the Casino, the Hangout, and ultimately opened Petticoat Junction, an attraction that had a old timey coal locomotive and a ghost town attraction. Wal-Mart and Long Beach Resort condos now site of the old attractions. Next is Paul Baldut. Next is Ed Hickey, founder of Ed's Beach service. This photo was taken in 1962. Ed is still operating Ed's Beach Service and Ed's Shed on Back Beach Rd. He is 86 today, chewing on his cigar, and has mentored thousands of young men throughout the years! You can catch him at J Michael's restaurant on Wednesday's for lunch...the spaghetti special. In the rear: Mike Goodson, Tom Goodman, John Nolan, Leo Tober, Ronnie Hendrix, and Teddy Harris. Some of the lifeguards still keep up with Ed. They bring grand children down to play in the Gulf of Mexico and remember the days of surf, sand, and a carefree lifestyle that only lives in memories!

Grilled fish with lemon and parsley
Ling or Cobia, Snapper will do just fine