COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS May 11
All area codes are 850 unless noted.
Covenant Care volunteers
A volunteer training for new Covenant Care volunteers will held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 11 and 13 at the Covenant Care office, 220 Eglin Parkway NE in Fort Walton Beach. The workshop is free and open to the public. Interested volunteers will need to attend both days and lunch will be provided. Volunteers must be at least 14. Register at 863-6165 or email carole.haws@choosecovenant.org.
May Luncheon
Community members are invited to join The Friends Guild of the Destin Library at their annual May Luncheon at 11 a.m. May 13 at the Tuscany Italian Bistro Restaurant, 36178 Emerald Coast Parkway. Cost of $20 per person includes lunch, coffee or ice tea, tax and tip. Lisa Rector, owner of Brava Hair Studio, Spa, and Clothing Boutique of Fort Walton Beach will provide a fashion show. Advance tickets are available at the Destin Library, 150 Sibert Ave. Tickets will be available at the door for $25.
Audubon Society
The Choctawhatchee Audubon Society will be hosted by the Bay County Audubon Chapter at their 400 acre Laidlaw Plantation Sanctuary May 14. Meet at 7 a.m. in the CVS parking lot in Niceville’s Oak Creek Shopping center. Bring a sack lunch, bug spray, binoculars, camera and dress appropriately for walking in the woods. Call 381-5651or 678-6665.
• May 21: Learn to be a coastal bird steward through a training walk led by Caroline Stahala, Florida Audubon Panhandle Stewardship Program manager. Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot south of the west end of Marler Bridge on Santa Rosa Island. Call 919-673-9393.
Grom Comp
The Seventh annual Billabong "Grom Comp" begins at 9 a.m. May 14 at Captain Dave's Restaurant in Crystal Beach. Open to kids ages 12 and under with four divisions. No experience necessary. Pre-registration entry fee is $20 before May 12 and beach entry is $25. Awards and prizes for all finalists in each division. Sign up on FB page or call 424-3553.
Contest
Miss MatchMaker, Denise Levy, is currently holding an online contest for The Cutest Couple, The Most Eligible Bachelor and The Most Eligible Bachelorette with all proceeds, $1 per vote),benefiting Children in Crisis! Vote is open through May 31 and registration is open through May15. Vote at http://www.missmatchmakerlive.com/voting.html and register at http://www.missmatchmakerlive.com/contest-registration.html. A stock the pantry drive will held throughout May. Call 366-2824 for drop off locations.
Kindergarten Registration
Destin Elementary is accepting kindergarten registrations for the next school year for a student 5 years old on or before Sept. 1. Some of the documentation required along with filling out a registration packet is birth certificate, proof of being a Destin resident, a current physical that will not expire before the first day of school on Aug. 10, and an updated shot record. Registration packets are available at the school daily from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Community Yard Sale
The Destin Community Center will host a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 14 at Dewey “Buck” Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. Rain date is May 21. Anyone interested in selling their belongings can sign up for a fee of $15/residents and $20/non-residents. This fee includes one table and a section of the basketball court at Dewey “Buck” Destin Park. Set-up will begin at 7 a.m. Parking will be at Destin Assembly of God. There is a limit of one table per reservation location. To reserve a spot or for more information, call 654-5184.
Military/Veteran Appreciation Month
Silver Sands Premium Outlets salutes military members during National Military & Veteran Appreciation Month, May 1-31. Military members and their families may shop and enter to win a Shop & Stay prize package.
Destin Pantry ribbon cutting
Food For Thought Outreach's new Destin Pantry will hold a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. May 18 at 908 Airport Road. Tour the facility, get to know the organization, register to volunteer and enjoy lite bites and refreshments from Brotula's Seafood House & teamer. Donations may be made or visit http://fftfl.org/products/destin-pantry-project.
ACT/SAT workshop
A workshop to assist students in Okaloosa County High Schools who will take the June 4 SAT and June 11 ACT will be held from 2:15-4:15 p.m. May 31, June 1 and 2 and 9 a.m. to noon June 6 and 7 in the Media Center at Fort Walton Beach High School and 2-5 p.m. April 15, 16, 22 and 23 at Niceville High School. All materials, snacks and drinks are furnished. Students need to bring calculators. Registration deadline is May 19. For information, contact Alice Hart at 615-585-2401, email Amhart1966@aol.com or contact your high school guidance department.
Health & Fitness Fair
Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and Twin Cities Hospital will host the Fifth Annual Community Health & Fitness Fair from 9 a.m. to noon May 25 at the Niceville Community Center. A complimentary, light continental breakfast will be served until 10 a.m. Over 40 vendors and multiple healthcare professionals will provide health information, educational materials, and basic health screenings as well as injury assessments.
World's Greatest Baby Shower
Okaloosa and Walton County pregnant women and new parents who have had a baby in the last 3 months are invited to the World's Greatest Baby Shower from 5:30-8 p.m. May 26 at the Emerald Coast Convention Center. Free admission, food, fun, games and prizes.
Memorial Day Ceremony
The public is invited to attend a Memorial Day Ceremony presented by the American Legion at 11 a.m. May 30 at the Destin Memorial Cemetery, 111 Stahlman Ave. For information, call the Destin Community Center 654-5184.
Memorial Day Ride and Ceremony
For the fifth year, the Vietnam/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club (MC), Chapter Z, will present a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Fallen Soldier Monument May 30 at Niceville City Hall. The event begins with a motorcycle ride that departs the Bayou Plaza parking lot in at 11 a.m. proceeding to City Hall. Guest Speaker will be Colonel James A. Diddle (USAF Retired). After the ceremony, American Legion Post 221, Niceville, will have a cookout, music and 50/50 drawing.
Adult Coloring Book Club
The Destin Library’s Adult Coloring Book Club will be held from 10 a.m. to noon June 2 and will continue thereafter on the first Thursday of each month. The program is free, but there may be a need for donations of colored pencils in the future. Both coloring books and pencils will be provided. Call 837-8572.
Food For Thought Thursdays
Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, 435 Grand Blvd, Ste Q104, in Grand Boulevard, will give 20 percent of food and drink sales to Food For Thought Outreach during Happy Hour from 3-7 p.m. the first Thursdays of the month.
Grant Workshop
IMPACT 100 of Northwest Florida, Inc. will host a non-profit grant workshop at 9 a.m. June 7 at the Destin Library for 501(c)(3)s. The discussion will include thinking outside the box, how to write a grant that gets attention, approaches to asset protection and innovative approaches to common problems.
Fourth Celebration/Bike Parade/Concert
Ages 14 and under can show off your decorated bike, scooter, etc., on the pedestrian pathway at Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village at 6:15 p.m. July 1. Registration begins at 5:45 p.m. No charge. Awards will be given and spectators are welcome. Refreshments for all participants. A concert with Chuck Lawson follows. Fireworks over the East Pass begin at 9 p.m.
Big Truck Day
All ages can see the trucks parked in the parking lot at the Destin Community Center from 9-11 a.m. Aug. 5. No charge.
Bereavement Support Group
Share and learn more about the grief journey you are enduring with an Emerald Coast Hospice bereavement group at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Destin Library. Groups are free and ongoing.
Grand Boulevard Farmers’ Market
The market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday in Grand Park in Miramar Beach between Cantina Laredo and Tommy Bahama’s. Vendors will offer locally sourced food-based items including produce, eggs, milk, butter, grass-fed beef, chicken, lamb, and pork, honey, pickled vegetables and gourmet jams.
Farmers Market
The WaterColor Coastal Farmers Market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday at Cerulean Park. Traditional Farmers Market items such as local farm fresh produce, eggs, and dairy products will be available. There will also be a large variety of organic and homemade items such as Greek gourmet foods, hot and jerk sauces, grass fed beef, chicken, and pork. Market is held on Thursdays from March 12 through Labor Day.
30A Farmers’ Market
This community event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays in Town Center in Rosemary Beach features fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey, cheese and more. Market is held on Thursdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Seaside Farmers Market
Get your pick of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products, native plants and other unique offerings Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Amphitheatre behind Raw & Juicy. Enjoy special cooking demos and activities.
Bridge
Emerald Coast Bridge Club will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, and Duplicate Bridge, ACBL, meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 307 Harbor Blvd. in Destin, in the old Parlor. Cost is $7. No partner necessary. For more information, call 380-1558 or email halsyst@aol.com.
Destin Life Center
Recreation and fitness activities at Destin Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive, include the following. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday visit the Soul Café for lunch. Call ahead for dine in or pick up. For information, call the DLC at 837-2021.
• Adult Open Soccer: From 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays. Fee is $2/player.
• Adult Open Volleyball: From 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays. Fee is $2/player.
• Pickleball: From 2-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
• DLC Fitness Cardio/Weight Room: Nautilus equipment, three treadmills, two ellipticals and one recumbent bike. Memberships are $40/calendar quarter; $30/month; $20/week; and $10/day.
• Community Fitness Classes: Indoor cycling, Zumba, Rise and Stretch, PIYO, Cardio Dance, Forever Young (senior aerobics) and more. Costs are $40/month; $7/class; $20/month Forever Young, fitness for seniors; and $3/individual Forever Young.
Destin Community Center
All activities are at the Destin Community Center, unless noted. Call 654-5184 or email recreation@cityofdestin.com for information and to register. Persons with disabilities who require assistance are asked to notify the center 48 hours in advance.
• Aerobics: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. Bring water and towel. Cost is $3/session.
• Capoeria: Class in the Brazilian Martial Art that combines the elements of dance, acrobatics and music will be held on Wednesdays from 6-7 p.m. for children of all ages and from 7-9 p.m. for adults 18 and over.
• Chair Yoga: Monday and Thursday from 10-11 a.m. Cost is $4/class.
• Dodgeball: Ages 13-16 play from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays; ages 17 and up from 7:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays; and ages 8-12 from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. Fee is $2/resident and $3/non-resident.
• Game Room: Open to children age 10 and older from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. Basketball/Volleyball Court, Ping Pong/Foosball/Air Hockey/Pool Tables
• Pickleball: Sessions are Mondays 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fees: $3/nonresidents or $2/Destin year-round residents. Racquets and balls are available¬¬. Make reservations at 654-5184.
• Senior Ping Pong Lessons: Free for Destin Seniors from 1-2 p.m. every Tuesday starting May 24. Call to sign up.
• Table Tennis: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Paddles and balls provided.
• Youth dodgeball: From 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays for ages 13-15 and for ages 8-12 Thursdays. Fee is $3/session for nonresidents and $2/session for residents.
• Zumba Gold: From 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Fee is $6/session.