Course Description: This tour will show the operations of the 911 Center. It is the primary answering point for all of Okaloosa County for sheriff, fire, and medical rescues. This tour is on Wednesday, October 1, at 10:00.

Class Leader Bio(s): Capt. Leslihan Suhi-Moore is an 18-year veteran with the sheriff’s department. Prior to leading the 911 Center, she worked in criminal investigations and was a patrol officer.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet on Wednesday, October 1, 10:00-12:00 at: 911 Center (located on the Northwest Florida State College Campus) 100 E. College Blvd, Niceville, FL. The building is located next to the Raider Arena.

Course Description: This course offers essential financial guidance for navigating life after the loss of a loved one, including key steps for managing estates, accounts, and legal documents. Participants will learn how to safeguard personal information, prevent identity theft, and recognize common scams targeting older adults. Designed for retirees, this session empowers attendees with the tools to protect their finances and peace of mind. This is a 4-week class meeting October 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Class Leader Bio(s): Thedna Yellow Bear-Baskin is a Financial Education Specialist at Eglin FCU. She is a Certified Financial Education Instructor and retired Air Force veteran. Talluya McKinnie, is a Claims Representative III at Eglin Federal Credit Union.  She assists with Deceased Account Settlement Consumer Loan Products.  Robby Wilcox is Eglin FCU’s AVP Fraud. He has been a fraud fighter at Eglin FCU for over 20 years. He holds an MBA from UWF as well as CFE and CFCI Fraud certifications.

Notes: Retire Smart and Protecting What Matters meeting October 1, 8, 15, and 22. This engaging four-part series provides vital financial guidance for retirees and older adults. Three sessions will walk participants through the essential financial steps to take after the loss of a loved one, from managing accounts to handling legal documents. The final session will empower attendees to protect themselves from identity theft, fraud, and scams commonly targeting their age group.

Course Description: This one-day tour will be a leisurely walk through the Fort Walton Beach Veterans Park Rookery to observe and identify local bird life. Our guide is an experienced member of the local Audubon Society. The rookery is a beautiful 1.5 acre park and the home of heron and many other bird species. The Audubon Society has identified over 240 species of birds that migrate through our area. The rookery is on the migratory path of the Monarch butterfly. Come enjoy nature on this educational walk through the park at 1300 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, FWB. This tour is Friday, October 3, 9:30 to 10:30.

Class Leader Bio(s): Our guide, Jim Anderton, is a member of the Audubon Society. He has led many bird walks in the rookery and other local locations. Jim is highly experienced at locating and identifying birds as well as identifying them by sounds.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet Friday, October 3, from 9:30 to 11:30, at the NE corner of the Fort Walton Beach Conference Center parking lot, 1300 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Closed-toe shoes and binoculars are recommended. Park and meet in the northeastern corner of the lot.

Course Description: Each student will build and take home a cheese and charcuterie board with ingredients sourced and provided by The Board Chef. You will taste and cut a minimum of 8 cheeses and 3 charcuterie items, learn how to make salami roses, and have an opportunity to play with added accoutrements such as dried fruits, olives and sweetie peppers. This tour will meet on Monday, October 6 at 10:00 and last between 1.5 to 2 hours. A fee of $25 will be collected at the door to cover ingredient costs.

Class Leader Bio(s): Annmarie has been in the food industry since her first job at the age of 14 in a Southern California pie shop. Since then, she has worked on every side of this amazing industry, not only as a brands manager for a national broad liner as a center of the plate specialist, but also as a successful entrepreneur. She took a leap during Covid, took out every tool, called on every business relationship she had, made a plan, moved to Fort Walton Beach and started The Board Chef.

Notes: This one-day tour will meet on Monday, October 6, 10:00 to 11:30 or 12:00 at 322 Harbor Place SW, Fort Walton Beach. This is Annmarie’s residence. There is plenty of street parking available. A fee of $25 will be collected at the door to cover the cost of the ingredients.

Course Description: You will be making a very unique vase that actually has a hole right in the middle of it. This is a 4-week class meeting on October 7, 14, 21 and 28. There is a $40 non-refundable fee. This is the same class as Basic Pottery A, Do Not sign up for both classes.

Class Leader Bio(s): Sherry Cooler has been a potter and instructor for 30 plus years. She loves hand-building and creating pottery with found objects as well as sharing what she knows. Pat Basque will be the co-leader for this course.

Notes: There is a $40 non-refundable supply fee to cover materials. This is a double session 4-week class meeting on October 7, 14, 21 and 28. Only sign up for one Pottery Class, both 4-week sessions are the same. ADSO 17 First Street SE Fort Walton Beach, FL

Course Description: The Magnolia Grill is located in downtown Fort Walton Beach and is equal parts museum and restaurant. The home was ordered from a 1910 Sears Catalog. It is filled with pieces of local and military history. Tom and Peggy Rice, the owners, have deep family roots. Tom Rice will lead you through the entire restaurant explaining the significance of many items. He will also walk you around the outside to explain unique construction. This tour will meet Wednesday, October 8th from 9:30-11:00.

Class Leader Bio(s): Tom Rice is not only a restaurant owner, but a pillar of the Fort Walton Beach community having won many awards for his civic contributions. To name just a few, he received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by establishing the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast for veterans and their families and serves on the Board of Directors of Veterans Florida raising funds to construct the Veterans Tribute Tower at Beal Memorial Cemetery.

Notes: This one-day tour of the Magnolia Grill located at 157 Brooks Street SE, Fort Walton Beach, will meet 9:30-11:00 on Wednesday, October 8. Following the tour, you are invited and encouraged to stay for lunch (at your expense) to meet other tour attendees and enjoy the vast and varied menu.

Course Description: With help from the instructor, you will create several acrylic paintings of landscapes and seascapes. No experience is necessary. This is a 4-week double session class meeting October 9, 16, 23, 30.

Class Leader Bio(s): Pat Roberts is a local artist. She is an active member of the Arts and Design Society and Okaloosa Public Arts. Pat exhibits as well as teaches at ADSO and HH Arts.

Notes: $40 supply fee, non-refundable due at first class. Double session 4-week course meeting October 9, 16, 23, 30.

Course Description: The Emerald Coast Science Center’s mission is to inspire and grow a scientifically engaged community. The indoor and outdoor exhibits include robotics, electricity, color, light, sound, space, reptiles, and our ecosystem, to name just a few. The sciPad exhibit, embodies a learning environment where every person is up, moving, and collaborating. The center is a nonprofit that strives to inspire and grow a scientifically engaged community. This one-time class will meet on Thursday, October 9, 10:30 to 12:30.

Class Leader Bio(s): Diane Fraser is the Executive Director of the Emerald Coast Science Center. Diane solicits community involvement and support to keep the Science Center and her passion for all things science alive and growing.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet on Thursday, October 9, 10:30 to 12:30 at Emerald Coast Science Center 31 SW Memorial Parkway Fort Walton Beach