Course Description: This one-day tour will be a leisurely walkthrough the Fort Walton Beach VeteransPark 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 Veterans Park Rookery on Okaloosa Island on Friday February 20, 8:30 to 9:30.

Class Leader Bio(s): Our guide, Jim Anderton, is a member of theAudubon Society. He has led many birdwalks in the rookery and other locallocations. Jim is highly experienced atlocating and identifying birds as well asidentifying them by sounds.

Notes: This one-time tour will meet at the NEcorner 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: 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: Ashley Bailey from the Crime Prevention Unit will discuss how AI is currently being used in frauds and scams and ways to prevent being a victim. This one-time class will meet on Wednesday,  February 25, at 1:00PM at UWF.

Class Leader Bio(s): Ashley Bailey is the Crime Prevention Manager with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. She has been working for the Sheriff’s Office for over 20 years educating citizens, business owners, and tourists in Okaloosa County. In addition, she started and continues to manage numerous programs and services for residents.

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.