Tour Description: The Heritage Museum Colonial-Independence Tea on Thursday, September 17, from 1:00 to 3:00, will be a tour of the Celebrate America 250 Exhibit with the Revolution Exhibit curated by Dr. Marie Hallion and organized as an exhibit by Dr. Barbara Palmgren. There will be appropriate afternoon tea appetizers and tea itself.  Dr. Hallion will explain the history of the tea, as well as the Boston Tea Party.  Cost is $10 to cover food and beverage served for the tea party. Please bring exact change.

Tour Host Bio(s):  Dr. Marie Hallion is an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate School and the School of Undergraduate Studies of the University of Maryland Global Campus.  She worked inside the White House from 1972 to 1978 during the Nixon, Ford, and Carter Administrations.  Marie specializes in organizational theory and a wide range of courses in government and politics.  Dr. Barbara Palmgren is a retired educator and author who currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.

Notes: There will be an additional cost is $10 to cover food and beverage served for the tea party. Please bring exact change.

Tour Description: Discover the joy of creativity and connection in the Kit Card Class. Stampin’ Up! kits are designed to introduce you to the fun of paper crafting. Depending on your chosen kit, you’ll create 6 to 9 handmade cards. (The kits are not the same as the ones in the September 18 session.) Each kit includes stamps, ink, precut pieces, and step by step instructions. Michelle will guide you through the process of stamping images and sentiments, assembling your cards, and adding personal touches to each project. No prior experience is necessary. A fee of $30 will be collected at the door to cover the cost of the card kits. Please bring the exact amount.

Tour Host Bio: Michelle Rushing has been a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for over 10 years. Today she enjoys all kinds of creative projects including stamping, die cutting, card making, and scrapbooking. Through her Stampin' Butterfly social media pages, she shares paper crafting tips and projects to help others discover the joy of creating something handmade.

Notes: We will meet in the UWF Cafe, which is in the Library (Building 8). 

Tour Description: Students will build a charcuterie board to take home with ingredients provided by The Board Chef. To build your board you will be provided with eight cheeses, three types of salami and accoutrements such as dried fruits, olives, sweetie peppers, etc. You will learn to shape your salami slices into roses. A fee of $25 (payable in cash or credit card) will be collected at the door to cover the cost of the ingredients.

Tour Host Bio: Annmarie has been in the food industry since her first job at the age of 14 in a Southern California pie shop.  She has worked on every side of this amazing industry, not only as a brands manager for a national broadcaster liner as a center of the plate specialist, but 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: The class location is 322 Harbor Place SW, Fort Walton Beach.  This is a residence with plenty of on-street parking available. A $25 fee payable by cash or credit card will be collected at the door to cover the cost of the ingredients provided.  The class will last approximately 1.5 hours (90 minutes).  If you register for the tour and need to cancel, please email smcnairLTC@gmail.com as soon as possible to allow someone on the wait list to take your place.

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, September 23, at 10:00.

Tour Host Bio: Audrey Adams is the Communications Assistant Manager and 2-year veteran for the Okaloosa Sheriff’s Office. She manages the day-to-day operations of the Emergency Communications Division which provides dispatch services for law enforcement, fire rescue, and emergency medical services throughout the county.

Notes: We will meet at the 911 Center, located on the Northwest Florida State College Campus. Use the first NWFSC entrance closest to SR 85 and across from Cedar Avenue. You should see the Sheriff Larry Gilbert Emergency Operations Center building on the right.

Tour Description: Discover the art and science of pairing wine and cheese in this engaging, guided tasting experience. Participants will sample a curated selection of wines alongside an expertly selected variety of premium cheeses to complement the wine list. A $25 cash fee will be collected at the start of the class.

Tour Host Bio: Jackie Cox is a founder and manager of Wine World. She will use her expertise to guide you through the cheese tasting. Wade Stalwart is the wine sales manager and will guide you through the wine tasting.

Notes: We will meet at Chan’s Wine World, 4424 Commons Drive East, Destin, Florida.

Tour Description: For generations, Goofy Golf has been the heart of family fun in Fort Walton Beach. Established decades ago, it holds the title of the oldest mini golf course in the entire area. With its whimsical obstacles and charmingly retro design, Goofy Golf has been a cherished destination for locals and visitors alike. Join us for a brief history, and stay to play 18 holes on either of its two courses.

Tour Host Bio: Josh Calhoon and his wife, Anna, are natives of this area. They have owned Goofy Golf since May 2024. The Calhoons plan to refurbish and update the beloved miniature golf course while maintaining its original charm, ready to create lasting memories for generations to come!

Notes: We will meet at Goofy Golf, 401 Eglin Parkway NE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Tour Description: Emily Clarrey of Katie’s House of Flowers & Gifts will showcase a day in the life of a florist. She will also help attendees create small fall flower arrangements. A fee of $25 will be collected at the door to cover the cost of the fall flower arrangements. Please bring the exact amount.

Tour Host Bio: Emily and Dylan Clarrey have owned Katie’s 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 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.

Tour 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 September 30, 9:00 to 10:00, at the Mary Esther Community Garden.

Tour Host Bio: 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.