Community happenings

Ancient Sea
Learn the facts about common sea turtles at 9 a.m. June 14 at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. Call 267-0299.

Chess  tournament
The Emerald Coast/Destin Chess Club will hold an open tournament from 1 to 6 p.m. June 14 at Golden Corral on U.S. 98 in Destin. Dinner required. Tourney fee is $20/adult and $10/children 14 and under. Call 654-5140.

Flag Day Republican Rally
All Panhandle Republicans are invited to a Flag Day Celebration and Rally from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 14 at Liza Jackson Park on U.S. 98 in Fort Walton Beach.There will be entertainment, music, children’s activities, games, speakers, and an opportunity to meet the candidates. There is a request of a $1 donation per person. Bring lawn chairs. Call 217-2532.

Florida Trail Association
Canoe/kayak trip at 8 a.m. June 14 on Shoal River with a cookout following. Call 682-6098.

Rummage Sale
The Fort Walton Beach Creative Senior Center will hold a fundraiser Rummage Sale from  a.m. to 1 p.m. June 14 at 31 Memorial Parkway SW. Call 833-9587.

Shrimp boil fund-raiser
The Destin History and Fishing Museum will hold an old-fashioned shrimp boil fund-raiser with live music from 4 to 8 p.m. June 14 at Destin HarborWalk behind Emerald Grande. Menu includes shrimp, potatoes and vegetable. Tickets are $10/museum members and $12/non-members. Call 837-6611.

Bridgeway Senior Program
Bridgeway Senior Program will deliver the following meals the week of June 16-20:
•Monday: Meatloaf.
•Tuesday: BBQ chicken quarter.
•Wednesday: Pork rib patty.
•Thursday: Baked chicken.
•Friday: Hamburger patty.

Silver Spoon Awards
Families Count will host its fourth annual Silver Spoon Awards on June 19 at New World Landing to honor outstanding volunteers who give of themselves tirelessly for the many causes in our community. This year, volunteers, sponsors and guests will be addressed by keynote speaker, Dave Barry, national humor columnist.
Master of Ceremonies will be Ted Corcoran, president/CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. To nominate or reserve  a table for lunch, sponsor the event and/or attend the VIP Happy Hour with Barry call 698-5719 or e-mail familiescount@familiescount.net.
 
Butterfly Gardens
Join the Fort Walton Beach Library for “Butterfly Gardens” at 10 a.m. June 21 to learn about these creatures and their favorite plants. Featured presenter, Theresa Friday, from Navarre’s Panhandle Butterfly House, will discuss the Monarch butterfly and its life cycle. To sign up for the free program, call 833-9590.

Florida Trail Association
The Florida Trail Association will hold the following events. Visit http://westgate.floridatrail.org or call the listed number.
•June 21: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance at 8 a.m. on Eglin reservation. Call 341-1389.
•June 24: Monthly meeting at 6 p.m.  at LaRumba restaurant in Niceville.  Visitors welcome. Call 682-6098.
•June 28: Volunteers needed at 8 a.m. for trail maintenance on the Nokuse section. Call 862-1903.
•June 28: Canoe/kayak trip at 8 a.m. Call 474-5359.
•July 5: Float trip on the upper part of Holmes Creek at 8 a.m. Call 474-5359.
•July 12: Float trip on the northern Yellow River at 8 a.m. Call 682-6098.
•July 19: Float trip on Blackwater River at 8 a.m. Call 932-0125.
•July 19: Volunteers needed for trail maintenance on Eglin reservation at 8 a.m. Call 341-1389.
•July 22: Monthly meeting at LaRumba restaurant in Niceville at 6 p.m.
•July 26: Annual Summer Sweat Hike at 8 a.m. in the Titi section with a partial hike or bail out point at 3.7 miles. Call 862-9633.

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.
•Coastal Dune Lakes: Learn about rare freshwater lakes at 9 a.m. June 21.
•Snakes in your Backyard: Learn about the native snakes at 9 a.m. June 28.
•Breakfast with a Ranger: Ask questions about park wildlife at breakfast at 9 a.m. July 5. Cost is $3 or bring your own breakfast.
•Wildlife Puppet Show: Geared for young children at 9 a.m. July 12.
•Endangered Beach Mouse: Learn about their habitat and behavior at 9 a.m. July 19.
•Wild World of Spiders: Learn which spiders are poisonous, where they live, and what they eat at 9 a.m. July 26.

OWC information session
Okaloosa-Walton College will hold an information session, “OWC-The Basics: What You Need to Know to Begin College,” for new and prospective students from 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 24 in the College Mall gallery in bldg. K at the Niceville Campus and June 26 in the administration bldg. 1, Room 126.   Call 729-6467.
 
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.
•Swim classes for spring now forming.
•Registration for T-ball for boys and girls ages 3 and 4.
•The Emerald Coast Swim Team for  ages 4 through 18 will practice from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
•Fitness classes are offered in the morning and evening at Grace Lutheran Church. Call for schedule.

CPR/AED classes
American Heart Association CPR/AED classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. June 26 and July 8 and 23 at the Destin Fire Control District, 848 Airport Road. Cost is $45/class and includes textbook, instruction, all materials and CPR card. Call 837-8413 to sign up.

Mike Huckabee
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee will speak at 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. July 6 at Destiny Worship Center, 122 Poinciana Blvd. in Miramar Beach. Call 650-6800.

Trade In-Sale to benefit Shelter House
Patchington is holding a Trade In-Sale to benefit the Shelter House on July 16 and 17. Customers “trading-in” quality used clothing will receive a discount on comparable articles of clothing.
All clothing “traded-in” will be donated to Shelter House for use in their Thrift Shoppe.

Political Meet and Greet
The Democratic Women’s Club of Okaloosa County will hold a “Political Meet and Greet” at 5 p.m. July 17 at the Boathouse Restaurant on John Sims Parkway in Valparaiso. The event is for all area Democrats, those interested in being a Democrat, those wanting to learn about the Democratic agenda and anyone who wants to meet our Democratic candidates. Call 678-1561 or 651-3040.

Cox Communications Cablethon
 The 36th annual Cox Communications Cablethon to benefit Covenant Hospice in Okaloosa and Walton counties will be held on Cox channel 6 from 8 p.m. July 18 through 8 p.m. July 19.
The not-for-profit organization is now seeking corporate sponsorships and auction items for the Cablethon. If interested in being a sponsor or donating auction items, call 729-1800.
 
Christmas in July
The Fort Walton Beach Creative Center is accepting applications for the “Christmas in July” Craft Show and Bake Sale to be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19. Holiday décor, gifts, baked items, jewelry, toys, and other unique items will be available. Door prizes will be given away all day and special lunch items will be available. Call 833-9587.

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.

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.