Tour Description: Just Think Cake is an award-winning cake shop where your vision becomes a tasty reality. Participants will decorate 6 cupcakes (to take home) with piped frosting and fondant accents. A $15 cash fee will be collected before class begins.

Tour Host Bio: After being gifted with a cake decorating class, Kristen found her niche and began a flourishing business in 2011. She is now well known for her delicious and expertly decorated cakes for any occasion!

Notes: There is a $15 Fee to cover materials cost. We will meet at Just Think Cake, 2 David Street, Unit D, Fort Walton Beach, FL.

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: “Fall in Love with Your Outdoor Spaces:  Fall Planting, Containers & Outdoor Living Ideas for the Emerald Coast”. Jenny will discuss what to plant in October, how to refresh containers for fall, and suggest simple landscape updates and outdoor entertaining ideas for the holidays.

Tour Host Bio: Jenny George is the owner of The Shop at Baldwin Turf in Niceville. A Florida State University graduate, she spent eight years in the Manhattan fashion industry before returning home to join her family’s business. At The Shop, Jenny blends her creative eye with Baldwin Turf’s legacy of quality, curating premium outdoor furniture and decor to enhance their long-standing landscaping business. She also serves on the Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce reflecting her passion for community and local business.

Notes: We will meet at The Shop at Baldwin Turf, 739 John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL.

Tour Description: October is Fire Prevention Month. Come join us on this behind the scenes tour as we learn how our first responders provide protection of life, property and the environment from the effects of fires, medical emergencies and hazards with a tour the vehicles and the firehouse. Firefighters will be happy to answer all of your questions. You will depart with a new appreciation and understanding of our local fire station and firefighters.

Tour Host Bio: This Tour is conducted by local firefighters and first responders, providing valuable knowledge and insight on how they do what they do, and how you can help them and help yourself when emergencies arise.

Notes: We will meet at 10:00AM at the Fort Walton Beach Fire Station #6, 5 Hollywood Blvd. NE, Fort Walton Beach.

Tour 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. And, as a part of this tour, you will have the opportunity to purchase many of their incredible designs. This one-time class will meet on Friday October 9, at 10:00AM.

Tour Host Bio: 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, in Niceville.

Tour Description: The C.A.L.M. House (Crisis Aid for Littles and Moms) is a 501c3 nonprofit that offers transitional housing and life skills training to mothers and their children in crisis situations.  CALM Village provides a unique one-year independent living program designed for single mothers who work full-time and have children enrolled in childcare or school.

Tour Host Bio: Terri Steadman became involved with CALM after mentoring single moms at Whataburger in 2010, a simple beginning that turned into a large support group at Crosspoint. As she met moms living in cars, woods, and behind local businesses, she realized they needed more than encouragement; they needed safety and a place to rebuild. That conviction led her to co-found CALM in 2016 and opened their first home in 2018.  Since then, they have served nearly 70 moms and over 100 children, helping families regain stability, custody, careers, and hope.

Notes: We will meet at 9:00 am at The C.A.L.M. House, 201 Redwood Avenue, Niceville, Florida. We will tour the facilities and get an overview of the program.  Parking is available on site. 

Tour Description: In this exclusive tour of the Air Force Armament Museum participants will explore and experience the legacy of military aviation through an extensive collection of aircraft and armament. You will dive into the stories behind the technology and bravery that shaped our skies. The museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and memorabilia associated with the US Air Force. Their collection includes aircraft ranging from the WWII era to the present.

Tour Host Bio: Air Force Armament Museum guided tours are conducted by our veteran volunteers, who will gladly share their extensive knowledge of the artifacts, museum information, and possibly a few personal anecdotes from their own storied careers!

Notes: This tour will meet on Friday, October 16 at 9:30 at the Air Force Armament Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Eglin AFB, FL (Located off base,  NO pass required). This is a walking tour and will include both indoor and outdoor walking.

Tour Description: Join us for a special behind-the-scenes tour of Salt & Story, a unique independent bookstore and community gathering space. Attendees will learn about the inspiration behind the store, how an independent bookstore operates, and the role community-centered businesses play in fostering connection and creativity. Following the tour, participants will create a hands-on book-themed craft project to take home. A fee of $25 will be collected at the door to cover craft supplies. Please bring the exact amount.

Tour Host Bio: Laura Redmon is the owner of Salt & Story, a local entrepreneur, community magazine publisher, and a passionate advocate for small businesses and meaningful community connections. With a love for storytelling, creativity, and bringing people together, Laura created Salt & Story as a place where readers, makers, and neighbors could gather, learn, and feel inspired. She enjoys hosting engaging events that encourage creativity, conversation, and lifelong learning.

Notes: We will meet at Salt & Story, 1103-B John Sims Parkway, Niceville, FL 32578