Community happenings

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Will Rogers Humanitarian Award
A reception will be held at 5 p.m. Aug. 7 at Pandora’s Steakhouse & Lounge on Okaloosa Island to celebrate Bill Campbell being awarded the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award. The public is invited. Call 244-1438.

new4Booksigning
Author Sandra Gales Shapard will be at Sundog Books in Seaside from 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 7 to sign copies of her newly released book, “Grandmotherhood.”

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of Aug. 4-8:
•Wednesday: Oven fried chicken.
•Thursday: Hamburger patty.
•Friday: Chicken strips.

Pilates classes
Mindful Pilates, located within Northwest Florida Ballet, introduces  “Spine Corrector” Pilates sessions. Session 1 will be held once a week from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Aug. 7 through Sept. 28. Call 664-7787 or visit www.nfballet.org for more information.

Flying Needles Quilt Exhibit
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida opens Flying Needles, an exhibit of old and new Florida quilts presented in cooperation with the Flying Needles Quilt Guild, on Aug. 8.
An opening reception for HMNF members and special guests will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 9.
Guild demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages are planned from 12 to 1 p.m. Aug. 14 and from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 23.
The exhibit runs through Sept. 27 and tours are available by appointment. For information, call 678-2615.

Destin Library
The following events are held regularly at the Destin Library. Call 837-8572
•Tai Chi for Arthritis: At 7 a.m.  Wednesdays. Cost is $5/class. 
•Cuddlers & Toddlers Storytime: From 3 to 3:45 p.m. Tuesdays and 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Thursdays for ages 4 months to 4 years.
•Independent Film Series: Independent and foreign films shown at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.
•Friends of the Destin Library: Monthly meeting held at 10 a.m. the second Friday of each month.

Destin Community Center
All activities are at the Destin Community Center, unless noted. Call 654-5184 for information and to register. Persons with disabilities who require assistance are asked to notify the center 48 hours in advance.
•Brazilian Martial Arts: Offered at 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays for adults.
•Chair Yoga: Meets at 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Cost is $2.
•Destin Spiritist group: Meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Free. Registration required at spiritist_destin@yahoo.com. Call 855-4374.
•Duplicate bridge: ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Community Center and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Buck Destin Park. Entry fee: $5. Call 380-1558.
•Game room: Open to children 10 and older and under 10 accompanied by adult from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday.
•Intermediate party bridge: At 12:45 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Buck Destin Park. Call 837-1967.
•Jazzercise class: 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
•Low impact aerobics: From 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Bring water and towel. Cost $3 per session.
•Oil painting: Featuring “Bob Ross Method.” Class is $35, supplies $10 and canvas $10.
•Walk to music: From 8 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.
•Woodcarving: Coastal Wood Carvers meet at 9 a.m. Fridays. Fee: $3 per class.

Destin YMCA
If interested in the following events, contact the Destin Family YMCA at 837-8440.
•Registration for Summer Swim Lessons with morning and afternoon session offered. Call for class times and dates.
•Register for Summer Day Camp to be held from 1 to 6 p.m. through Aug. 8 at the Destin Community Center.
•Fitness classes, including zumba, yoga, spinning, muscle max and abs are offered.
•Seeking new members for the Swim Team ages 4 to 18. Call or stop by between 4 and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and speak to Coach Joe McKenzie.

Model search
Modelscoutbennett and bennettprophoto announce a model search for Ford Modeling Agency on Aug. 9 at the Country Inn and Suites  in Destin. Ford will scout for ages 5 and up and all sizes. Children will be seen from 10 a.m. to noon; adult group of 13 and over, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
No photos necessary. Dress code is casual, no flip flops. Prizes will be awarded. Entry fee is $50. To pre-register, call 424-6095.

Topsail tours
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach will hold the following tours. A $2 park entrance fee is required. For information, call 267-0299.
•Breakfast with a Ranger:  Ask questions about park wildlife at breakfast at 9 a.m. Aug. 9. Cost is $3 or bring your own breakfast.
•Coastal Dune Lakes: Learn about freshwater lakes that exist in Walton County at 9 a.m. Aug. 16.
•Fishing in the Surf: Learn basics on catching bait, fish identification and how to fish in the surf at 9:15 a.m. Aug. 23. Bring your poles.
•Ancient Sea Turtles: Learn the facts about common sea turtles at 9 a.m. Aug. 30.
•Exotic Plants of Florida: Identification of plants at 9 a.m. Sept. 6.
•Breakfast with a Ranger: Ask questions about park wildlife at breakfast at 9 a.m. Sept. 13. Cost is $3 or bring your own breakfast.
•Dolphins: Learn about their habitat, what they eat and myths at 9 a.m. Sept. 27.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number..
•Aug. 10: Float trip on Boiling Creek at 8 a.m. Call 477-7043.
•Aug. 16: Volunteers needed for Nokuse trail maintenance at 8 a.m. Call 862-1903.
•Aug. 23: Float trip on Juniper Creek at 8:00 a.m. Call 682-6098.
•Aug. 26: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at LaRumba restaurant in Niceville.  Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.

Computer assistance
Volunteers will be available from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 13 and Aug. 30 at the Destin Library to assist people in using computers to access the Internet, write a letter, create e-mail accounts, or generally become more familiar with available technology to retrieve information. Check in at the circulation desk. Call 837-8572.

School orientations
Freeport High School will hold its 9th grade and new student orientation/open house for returning students and parents from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 14.
Freeport Elementary School will hold orientation Aug. 15. The kindergarten preview program will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Students in grades 1 through 5 can meet their teacher between 1 and 3 p.m.

Rally 2008
WSRE presents “Rally 2008,” a primary and general election television candidate forum focusing on the upcoming primary election, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 18–21.

Destin Duck Derby
The Women’s Council of Realtors inaugural Destin Duck Derby will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 23 at Destin West Beach and Bay Resort on Okaloosa Island.
Bring your pre-paid ticket to the park or buy your ducks at the door. Cost is $5 a duck or $20 for five ducks. Races begin at noon.
Enjoy the duck shop, ducky tattoos and AFLAC duck photos. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Call 543-4604.

ACT/SAT workshop
A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will be taking the Sept. 13 ACT and the Oct. 4 SAT will be held from 2:15–5:15 p.m. Sept. 9, 10, 15 and 16 at Fort Walton Beach High School. All materials, snacks and drinks are furnished. Students need to bring calculators. Registration deadline is Aug. 25. For information, contact Alice Hart at (615) 585-2401, e-mail Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school Guidance Department.

Linux PC Operating System
The Destin Library will host free presentations about the Linux Personal Computer Operating System at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 and Sept. 9. Pre-register at 837-8572.

Abrakadoodle art classes
Free art classes for toddlers ages 4 years and under will be held from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 at the Destin Library. Children will learn about artists and artist styles, develop new skills, learn about artists of distinction, demonstrate art techniques, explore creative art materials, and design original artwork.
The free classes are based on a selected book and will include a take-home art activity. Each schedule class will be limited to 15 children from the Destin area whose parents have pre-registered on a first-come, first-served basis with the library at 837-8572.

Volunteer Firefighter Weekend
The third annual Northwest Florida Volunteer Firefighter Weekend will be held Sept. 17-21. Visit www.nwflvolunteerffweekend.com for information or to register.
 
Reunion at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital
Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital is looking for all patients who “graduated” from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since its opening in 1972 for a reunion and celebration to be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 20 in the Greenhut Auditorium at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
If you or a loved one is a Sacred Heart NICU graduate, call Cat Outzen, at 969-1372.

Kiwanis Yard Sale
The Niceville-Valparaiso Kiwanis Club will hold a Yard Sale Spectacular to benefit the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20. The Museum will have space available to rent for $10.
Donations will be accepted from Aug. 25-31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday or by appointment. Call during Museum hours (Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm) or by appointment. Call 678-2615.

Emerald Coast Woodturners Guild
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso will host the Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild as part of its Heritage Alive! Craft Series at 10 a.m. Sept. 20. The program is free and open to the public. 
 Seating is limited; call 678-2615 for a reservation.

Dog Daze
Dog Daze, a day of activities, entertainment, services and merchandise or dogs and their owners, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Fort Walton Landing.
 
Destin History & Fishing Museum
The Destin History & Fishing Museum is offering interesting and educational tours to home school students. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Adults are $5, seniors/military, $4 and students of all ages $3. Under 5 are free. Call 837-6611.

Fit Club
The Destin YMCA is offering a “Fit Club” in partnership with The Palms of Destin. Members have access to The Palms “State of the Art” facility.  Call 837-8440 for member and non-member rates.

Training and toning demonstrations
Free accelerated strength training and toning demonstrations will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturdays. Call 420-5044

Vessel safety checks
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer free vessel safety checks on any kind of recreational watercraft from kayaks, canoes, personal watercraft, to large cabin cruisers and sailboats.
Boat owners may call to schedule by contacting Flotilla 14, Destin, at 244-5374.

Harvest House volunteers
Harvest House needs volunteers. If interested, call Lainie, 837-2277, or Caroline, 685-4013.

Heritage Museum volunteers
Volunteers are needed at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, 115 Westview Ave. in Valparaiso, to meet and greet, exhibit tours, and for special events. Call 678-2615.

Hospice of the Emerald Coast
Hospice of the Emerald Coast in Crestview has openings for volunteers. Call 689-0300.

Bridgeway Center
Meals on Wheels needs volunteer drivers who possess a valid driver’s license. Arrive on site between 10 and 10:30 a.m. Each route will generally take between 45 minutes and an hour and fifteen minutes. Drivers are needed Monday-Friday, or even one day a week, for Destin and Fort Walton Beach routes. Destin routes will be based out of the Destin Senior Center at 108 Stahlman Ave. Fort Walton Beach routes will be based out of the Creative Senior Center, 31 Memorial Drive SW. Call 833-7479.
Bridgeway Center also offers classes in anger management, parenting, coping skills, drug alcohol traffic education and more.

Prayer meeting
Every Friday from noon-1 p.m., a noontime prayer meeting will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 4325 Commons Drive. All are welcome for five minutes or the entire hour to pray for the city, nation, marketplace, revival and personal refreshing.

Soul strength and stretch
Classes for all ages and all levels of fitness are held at 5 p.m. Tuesdays at Immanuel Anglican Church in Destin. Bring mat and bottle of water. Fee is $5/class. Call 837-1943.