Course Description: Fused glass creations are beautiful and easy to create. This is not stained glass or blown glass but is known as kiln formed glass. During the 2-hour tour we will make 2 projects with sheet glass, noodles, stringers and dots of glass. We will fire your projects within 2 weeks following the tour date. The art glass we are using is handmade, very unique and beautiful. It is very expensive glass, and we fire the pieces in the kiln for up to two firings that take almost 24 hours each. You will be amazed at what you create! A $30 fee will be collected on February 20 to cover materials and firing. We will meet on February 20 from 1:00 to 3:00.

Class Leader Bio(s): Anita Vasquez and Rosanne Painter Maas are lifelong crafters and love making things out of glass. You can see pictures at our website for Paradise Glassworks at paradiseglassworks.com.

Notes: We will meet at: Paradise Glassworks, 2 David Street, Unit E, Fort Walton Beach. Students need to wear close-toed shoes in the studio. Eyeglasses are required in the studio which we provide or you may use your own.

Course Description: At Traditions Workshop, the goal is to keep memories alive and restoring family heirlooms. Traditions Workshop is a hybrid shop. Power tools can be found onsite, but you can also find can adze, hand planes, saws, scrapers, needle and thread. Our tour will consist of providing an overview of the Traditions Workshop crafts and classes offered such as blacksmithing, stain glass, drop spindle and more. This one-time tour, geared to the introduction of restorations skills and availability, will meet on Monday, February 23, from 10:00 to 12:00, at Traditions Workshop.

Class Leader Bio(s): When Lt. Col. David Sandlin retired from the Air Force after a 22-year career as an A-10 and F-16 fighter pilot and 13 years as a software contractor, it didn't take long before he was ready for something new. And as it turned out, something new was actually something old, after forming his Traditions Workshop furniture repair and restoration business. David believes that "Part of restoration is doing the blacksmithing work, because some of the pieces we get in are antique and you can't find the hardware anymore, so we have to make it".

Notes: We will meet at Traditions Workshop 418 Green Acres Rd, Unit 4 Fort Walton Beach

Course Description: Chef Lasheeda will show you how to make this delicate pastry dough used in many pastries. Each guest will have the opportunity to taste a delicious cream puff that’s filled with pastry cream and topped with craquelin. This one-time cooking class will meet on Tuesday, February 24 from 10:00 to 11:30.

Class Leader Bio(s): Chef Lasheeda Perry is known as the Queen of Flavor. She is a pastry chef by profession and a dessert queen by heart. She has worked as a pastry chef at various Four Seasons throughout the country. She appeared on the Food Network, where she Beat Bobby Flay. She has been featured in a number of publications, including the LA Times, The Atlanta Tribune, Food Network Magazine, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Notes: This one-time cooking class will meet at: Queen of Flavor Unit 119-B Racetrack Rd NW Fort Walton Beach, FL

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. This will take place in the UWF Campus Cafe, located on the UWF Campus in the Library, Building 8, first floor.

Class Leader Bio(s): Sundy Keichel has been decorating and selling her artistic and delicious cookies 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: 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.