Course Description: Learn practical ways to manage stress in a humorous, interactive class setting. Topics include recognizing symptoms of stress, life stressors, relaxation exercises, altering stress-inducing thoughts, and understanding how passive/assertive/aggressive personal interactions impact stress. This one-time class will meet Thursday, February 26, 10:15 to 11:45 at UWF.

Class Leader Bio(s): Dr. Richard is a retired clinical and military special operations forces psychologist with over 30 years of experience training Olympic/professional/college athletes, civilian police tactical teams, and top-tier specialized military professionals requiring a high level of mental toughness and stress tolerance. He has a PhD and 3 Master’s degrees and currently spends his time volunteering with various charitable organizations and training mental skills to local high school varsity athletic teams.

Course Description: Sundy Keichel, a master artist of frosting, will share tips, tricks, and all supplies required to decorate her beautiful cookies. Students will take home whatever they decorate. This one-time class will meet on Friday February 27, 10:00 to 11:30. There is an additional $5 fee for supplies.

Class Leader Bio(s): Sundy Keichel has been decorating andselling her artistic and deliciouscookies for a decade, as well as offering seasonal classes.

Notes: There is an additional $5.00 fee for supplies and participants will have cookies to take home.

Course Description: Do you know that the only source of quality wood products on the Emerald Coast can be found at Niceville Slabs and Cookies? They provide custom woodworking, sawmill services, kiln drying, and domestic and imported wood. It all started with owner Michael DeShay’s renovation business and a passion for woodworking. If you’re working on a project and need some cuts or other work done, consider visiting Niceville Slabs and Cookies. You will have the opportunity to purchase many of their incredible designs. This one-time class will meet on Monday March 2 from 9:30 to 11:30.

Class Leader Bio(s): Genevieve Burgess is a Jill of all trades and veteran of the Air Force. Genevieve has been woodworking since 2018, when she attended Fox Valley Technical College in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for Wood Manufacturing Technology.

Notes: This one-time class will meet at Niceville Slabs & Cookies 207 Kelly Road Unit B Niceville

Course Description: This informal tour highlights Choctaw High School football under Head Coach Beasley, covering game prep, player development, coaching tactics, and rules. In his first four years, the team posted a 34-16 record and went 9-1 in 2025 with three consecutive district titles. Coach Beasley also supports athletes during and following high school. At the beginning of 2025 Choctaw football hosted over 40 college representatives for potential.

Class Leader Bio(s): Frank Beasley grew up in Okaloosa County and attended Choctawhatchee High School, where he played football under Coach Fayard. After graduating from Choctaw in 1995, he started his coaching career at Lake City Columbia High School following his graduation from FSU. He later served as Coordinator of Athletics for the Florida High School Athletic Association and was selected as Choctaw Head Football Coach February 2021.

Notes: We will meet at:Choctawhatchee High School110 Racetrack Rd NWFort Walton BeachCLL participants will meet in the lobby at the school to be guided to our meeting location.

Course Description: Emily Clarrey of Katie’s House of Flowers and Gifts will showcase a day in the life of a florist. She will also help attendees create small spring mix flower arrangements. This one-time tour will meet on Wednesday, March 4 at 10:00. A fee of $25 will be collected at the door to cover the cost of the spring mix flower arrangements.

Class Leader Bio(s): Emily and Dylan Clarrey have owned Katie’s House of Flowers since 2017. Katie’s has been in business since 1965 and serves most of Okaloosa County. It has a long-standing reputation in the community for being community first and providing stunning floral arrangements. Katie’s was recognized as the 2023 Niceville Valparaiso Small Business of the Year. Emily was recently recognized as a recipient of the United Way’s 2025 40 under 40. Katie’s amazing family of 12 is at the heart of everything they do, and they are extremely proud to carry on Katie’s legacy.

Notes: We will meet at Katie’s House of Flowers & Gifts 402 Bayshore Drive Niceville, FL. 32578 A fee of $25 will be collected at the door to cover the cost of the spring mix flower arrangements.

Course Description: Mary Esther Community Garden encourages residents to grow organic produce, and employs the practices of composting, collecting rainwater, recycling and the use of environmentally safe pest management. They give back to the community by inviting residents, schools, community centers, and food banks to manage a garden plot for their needs. Ten garden plots are designated for charity donations. Come see this exciting work and learn how you can join in. This one-time tour will meet on March 5, 9:00 to 10:00, at the Mary Esther Community Garden.

Class Leader Bio(s): Ruth Sykes is the Community Garden Coordinator. Ruth has managed the Community Garden since 2013 and, with the help of Master Gardeners, educates the member gardeners about the growing process and best practices for plant production. The Community Garden members have harvested and donated over 2000 pounds of vegetables to local charities and food banks.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet at the Mary Esther Community Garden in Springdale Park on Mary Esther Drive (not Mary Esther Cutoff) next to the water tower. Ample parking is available. Participants are encouraged to wear gardening clothing.

Course Description: Destin-FWB has the most active artificial reef program in the state having deployed over 500 reefs. Due to lack of natural bottom habitat and coral reefs in the northern Gulf, artificial reefs and structures are put on the sea floor to provide habitat for marine life and provide divers and fishers with known sites. This presentation will talk about the process of deploying artificial reefs, what materials can be used, and will highlight some of the most popular reefs deployed in the last 10 years. This one-time class will meet on Thursday, March 5 at 1:00.

Class Leader Bio(s): In March of 2021, Jessica Valek became the Natural Resources Manager for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Natural Resources Team where her main focus is running the County’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Nesting Program. She also manages marine debris removal efforts and assists the team with lionfish removal, research and restoration projects, as well as education and outreach efforts.