Course Description: Nothing disturbed Socrates. With remarkable calm, he endured poverty, combat, public ridicule, and his unjust trial and execution. How did he do it? Philosophers inspired by Socrates tried to understand him by focusing on different facets of his life and teaching. Over time they developed philosophies that readers across the centuries, including our nation’s founders, turned to in search of something like Socrates' peace of mind. We still turn to them today. You may have heard of Stoicism, but it is not the whole story; it had formidable rivals, especially Epicureanism and Skepticism. This class will explore the teachings of ancient and modern Stoics, Epicureans, Skeptics, and even a Cynic or two. We will then apply these timeless ideas to real-world cases and ask how well they stand up to life’s inevitable ups and downs.

Instructor Bio:  Dr. Charles Myers is a retired USAF judge advocate and philosophy professor who taught at the USAF Academy and Northwest Florida State College.

Course Description: Have you taken an Introduction to Zentangle class and want to learn more about enhancing your Zentangle creations? Then Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) is for you! 

This class requires that you have studied the basics of the Zetangle Method. We will take this meditative art form further as we enhance our original Zentangle drawings with highlighting, color, and creativity. This class will meet on Zoom, and students will be required to purchase their own supplies. 

Instructor Bio: Shannon Flynn is a retired classroom teacher who found Zentangle in 2020 and fell in love. She had never before been successful at any visual art form, but the Zentangle Method changed that! In 2020 she attended the international seminar to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher and started teaching small classes locally. Shannon also leads an online group of tanglers called Fabtangling Fun as they participate in guided tangling twice monthly. She has been a guest instructor at two Zenjo Zentangle retreats, 2022 in Wisconsin and 2023 in Wales, UK. She was also a guest instructor online for Holly Jolly July 2026. This is a 7-week class, no class on September 29.

Notes: Have you taken an Introduction to Zentangle class and want to learn more about enhancing your Zentangle creations? Then Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA) is for you! 

To participate, you must know The Zentangle Method and have access to personal internet plus technology capable of using the Zoom app.  Students will be responsible for purchasing their own supplies. 7-week class meeting September 8, 15, 22 October 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Course Description:  Course will consist of short novels, articles, and short stories including: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Reader, Tuesdays With Morrie, and The Things They Carried.  This is a 6-week class.  Articles and short stories will be provided.  Participants may choose to watch movie/read book/come for discussion. A reading list will be sent within two days of registration.

Instructor Bio:  Pam is a retired, secondary language arts/history teacher. She is also a pianist.

Notes:  This is a 6-week class meeting September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6 and 13. Articles and short stories will be provided. Participants may choose to watch movie/read book/come for discussion. A reading list will be sent within two days of registration.

Course Description: Explore the role of money in your life by looking at past money scripts, discover your money personality, and thinking around money so you can make your money match your values as you rewire your brain for wealth and increase your peace of mind and happiness.  

Instructor Bio:  Sharon Bumgarner, CFP®, has over 30 years of Financial Services experience as a financial planner, stockbroker, corporate trainer and wealth manager who is now an educator and possibility partner.  

Course Description:  Practice or learn the card game of Cribbage. Beginners take your time to learn and practice. Seasoned Players may play in pairs for fun with some advice and strategy shared. Learn protocol of American Cribbage Congress (ACC) and Grassroots local tournament play. A short, written instruction consistent with the (ACC) rules is provided.  This is a 6-week class.

Instructor Bio:  Pete Seda is a former director of the local Grassroots tournament play. Annette Seda is an ACC official tournament judge.

Notes: This is a 6-week class meeting on September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 5 and 12. Cribbage boards, pegs and cards will be provided. VFW Post 7674 213 Carol Ave NW Ft. Walton Beach, FL  

Course Description:  This is a class for active adults who want to improve their balance while learning the basics of ballet. No tutus or leotards required! No previous ballet experience necessary. Note(s): Please dress in stretchy, comfortable clothing.  You may wear ballet shoes or soft slippers.

Instructor Bio:  Jackie Youngblood grew up dancing and opened her own dance studio in Georgia while in college. She taught ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, aerobics, and disco for ages 3 through adult.

Tour Description: During this tour participants will see and receive information about the full process of the recycle stream, from where the trucks dump their material on the top floor, down to the final bales and where it is shipped out to local mills. Information will be shared and shown about specific pieces of technology and equipment along the system stream used at the facility to separate out the different recyclable material.

Tour Host Bio: Sam Peterson is the manager of the recycling center. He runs the facility and logistics part of the company while growing volume with the sales team.

Notes: This tour meets on Tuesday September 9 at 9:00AM. Location is the WM FWB Material Recovery Facility, 109 Ready Avenue, Fort Walton Beach. Wear closed toe shoes. There are some stairs to climb during the tour.

Course Description: Learn to play Mah Jongg using the National Mah Jongg League rules. This is a 6-week class.

Instructor Bio: Donna Gross taught Mah Jongg for over 20 years at various schools. She would like to bring this game to the Emerald Coast while teaching the proper rules belonging to the National May Jongg League. 

Denise Bavarian was a former student and has become an excellent player. With her help, we will be able to bring the game of Mah Jongg to more people.