COMMUNITY CALENDAR April 12
All area codes are 850 unless noted.
Destin City Hall
All City Council meetings, workshops, executive sessions and CRA Board meetings are held at the City Hall Annex, 4100 Indian Bayou Trail. All other board and committee meetings are held at City Hall, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail.
• Harbor CRA-AC, 5:30 p.m. April 12
• City Council, 6 p.m. April 17
• Special Magistrate Hearing, 5:30 p.m. April 19 in City Hall
• Town Center CRA-AC, 5:30 p.m. April 19
• Local Planning Agency, 5:30 p.m. April 20
Easter Egg Hunt
The Destin Library will host its Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 4 years and under from 9:30-10:30 a.m. April 12. Pre-registration is required and may be made in person at the library or by calling 837-8572. The traditional program will include door prizes, a visit by the Easter Bunny and more.
Healthy Living Seminar
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast Senior Spirit program will host “Sun Protection: Prevention and Early Detection of Skin Cancer” at 10 a.m. April 12 in the Hospital’s Resource Center, Suite 3 Conference Room. Call 278-3600 or 877-416-1620 to register for free seminar.
Air Commando Ruckers
Get at free flag at the main stage and welcome the Air Commando Ruckers home from a 450 mile Ruck March to honor fallen heroes from 4-5 p.m. April 13 at HarborWalk Village. Wave them on as they Ruck March through the Village and music plays.
Cancer Support Group
Sacred Heart Oncology’s Cancer Support Group for current or former cancer patients and their families will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. April 13 at the Sacred Heart Medical Oncology Bldg., 27 E. Mack Bayou Loop in Santa Rosa Beach. The group will continue to meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Call 205-542-6212.
Senior Nutrition Class
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast will hold a free, community nutrition class, “Healthy You at Any Age: For the Over 60 Crowd,” from 12-1 p.m. April 13 in the Suite 3 Conference Room at the hospital. The goal of the class is to provide seniors and/or their loved ones with tools to adapt their eating pattern based on age-related health changes and evolving needs. Participants are invited to bring their lunch to enjoy with the food samples provided. Call 416-1620 to register.
The Happy Hearts
An adult senior ministry of Village Baptist Church, The Happy Hearts will meet for a fellowship lunch with guest speaker Sean C. Hodson, podiatrist, at 2 p.m. April 13 at Golden Corral in Destin. Buffet lunch is $8, no credit cards. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Village Food Pantry.
Relay for Life
The American Cancer Society’s 2016-17 Relay for Life of Fort Walton Beach will host the April Team Party at 6 p.m. April 13 at Wright Baptist Church, 795 Beal Parkway NW in Fort Walton Beach.
Kids Easter Crafts
Children ages 4 to 12 years, along with their parents, are invited to stop by the Destin Library from 1-4 p.m. April 14 and 10 a.m. to noon April 15 and create an Easter craft for their family. Kids will have a craft choice of Easter Egg Magnet, Easter Egg Decoration or an Easter Bunny Magnet. This event is free and open to the public.
City Easter Egg Hunt
Destin’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt for ages 12 and under will be held at 9:15 a.m. April 15 at the Morgan Sports Center. There will be a special egg hunting zone for crawlers and toddlers, along with a visit from the Easter Bunny.
Boating class
An About Boating Safely Class, designed to meet the boating education needs of recreational boaters, will be held by USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 1-4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 15 at the Destin History & Fishing Museum, 108 Stahlman Ave. Cost is $38 and includes material and lunch. Register at www.flotilla14.info.
Easter Egg Hunt
Hop on over to see the Easter Bunny and go on a fun and festive Easter Egg Hunt at 2 p.m. April 16 at LuLu's in Destin. The Easter Bunny will be visiting LuLu’s to help boys and girls hunt for eggs, and kids will be divided by age groups for safe fun for all. Free family fun will include pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Whole Foods Market anniversary
Events for Whole Foods month-long first anniversary celebration are:
• Trivia: Brush up on trivia skills and enjoy bites and brews from Lucky Catch Bar & Bites at 7 p.m. April 18.
• Bonterra Bottle Signing: Toast Whole Foods Market Destin’s Anniversary from 6-8 p.m. April 20 with a bottle signing with Jeff Cichoki, lead winemaker for Bonterra, winner of American Winery of the Year for 2016.
• Anniversary Party: Celebrate on Earth Day from 4-7 p.m. April 22 with a local vendor fair, live music, a tap take over, bar specials and more.
• Family Game Night: Various games placed on tables outside on the patio as well as inside at Lucky Catch Bar & Bites from 5-9 p.m. April 26. Food specials include cheese pizza + 365 cola or lemon lime soda for $12, Pepperoni pizza + 365 cola or lemon lime soda for $15.
Coastal Seniors
The Coastal Seniors of South Walton, which focuses on planning activities for seniors age 50+, will host a presentation from 2-3 p.m. April 18 at the Coastal Branch Library, 537 Greenway Trail in Santa Rosa Beach. Light refreshments and snacks will be served. The topic for this month is Caring for Seniors and Their Caregivers. Lisa Wainwright will be guest speaker. RSVP at coastalseniorsofsouthwalton@gmail.com or call 460-1995.
Spay/neuter services
Dog-Harmony Inc. and Operation Spay Bay will offer spay/neuter services for pets in the Santa Rosa Beach and Destin community. On the first Monday of each month, Dog-Harmony will transport dogs and cats to Panama City where they may be spayed or neutered at a reduced cost and returned to Dog-Harmony to be reunited with their owners. The transportation is offered at no fee by Dog-Harmony; all you have to do is make an appointment one week in advance and bring your pet to Dog-Harmony in Santa Rosa Beach.
Tai Chi Class
The Destin Library will offer one-hour Tai Chi classes with Barbara Rezmer, a certified Tai Chi for Health instructor, every Monday morning at 9 a.m. The cost is $5/session. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants with registrations (on a first-come first-served basis) accepted by phone or in person. Call 837-8572.
Fitness on the Lawn
The Market Shops at the entrance to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort will host free, fitness classes on the lawn from 9-10 a.m. weekdays through July 31. The classes are free to attend and open to individuals of all fitness levels. Classes include Pilates Stretch with Essential Oils by Susan Authement Dunnam, Pure Barre, Tabata Circuit with Scott Lassiter, Core Pilates with Lisa Turpin and Unique Flowing Fitness with Andi. No pre-registration is required; bring a mat.
Volunteers needed at Hospice
Emerald Coast Hospice is in need of volunteers willing to share their time relating and connecting with veteran patients and their families, being a patient visit volunteer or an administrative volunteer. Call Lisa Secondine at 837-2589 or email lisa.secondine@gentiva.com for information.
Caregiver Support Group
Covenant Alzheimer’s Care support group for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a dementia-related illness is held at 5:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Brookdale Fort Walton Beach, 233 Carmel Ave. Call 864-4600.
Seminar
Syndicated economic columnist and firm founder Margaret R. McDowell of Arbor Wealth Management, LLC will lead a presentation, “Income Production and Rising Rates: Constructing a Portfolio Paycheck in a Rising Interest Rate Environment,” at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. April 19 in the Arbor Wealth Conference Room. Refreshments will be served. Call 608-6121 to reserve seating.
Panhellenic
The Fort Walton Beach Panhellenic organization will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. April 21 at Twisted Grape restaurant in Shalimar. President Betsy Bryd will review the 2017 purpose of the organization and share future recruitment event details. Members are asked to “Bring a Sister” to the meeting from their respective collegiate sorority. Make reservations at 833-3066 or bchappellfwb@gmail.com by April 17.
Heart and Sole Fashion Show/Luncheon
Destin Woman’s Club will host a Fashion Show and Luncheon to benefit the Emerald Coast Fisher House and DWC Family Fund at 10:45 April 21 at Marina Café, 404 Harbor Blvd. in Destin. Bid on silent auction items, wine cart entertainment cart and enjoy libations from the cash bar. The Niceville Opus 1 Choir will entertain followed by models and the current fashion trends from Destin Threads, Stein Mart, Boca, Chico’s, Today’s Boutique, Men’s Wearhouse and The Dressing Room. Tickets are $55/person and available at www.destinwomansclub.org, Today’s Boutique in Paradise Key or 650-7936.
Choctawhatchee Audubon Society
Celebrate Earth Day April 21 touring/birding various species rich venues in Gulf County for this 2-day chapter retreat. Call 678-6665 for information.
Sacred Heart Seminar
Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast will host “Bodies In Balance: Home Environmental Fall Risks” featuring Leslie Moskal, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Mary Kay Cattaneo, director of Rehabilitation Services for Sacred Heart Hospital, at 11 a.m. April 21 in the hospital’s Resource Center, Suite 3 Conference Room. Call 278-3600 or 877-416-1620 to register for free seminar.
Earth Day Coastal Clean-Up
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and the City of Destin will hold the annual Earth Day Coastal Clean-Up from 8-10 a.m. April 22 at Norriego Point Beach Access and Park, Gulf Shore Drive (Holiday Isle).
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Earth Day Beach Cleanup
Celebrate Earth Day at the beach by volunteering for a beach cleanup from 8-10 a.m. April 22 at Henderson Beach State Park in Destin. All ages welcome. Wear closed-toe shoes, gloves, and sun protection, and bring a re-usable water bottle. Entrance fees are waived for volunteers. For more information, call 650-5928 or visit http://www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/environmental/council/earth-day.
Youth Leadership Conference
United For A Good Cause Inc., a local 501(c) (3) charitable organization, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast, will host a conference for 7th through 12th grade students in public, private, parochial and/or home-schooled, regardless of race, ethnicity, or creed, to participate. The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22 at 923 Denton Blvd. in Fort Walton Beach. Fee will be $10 and will include a light lunch and conference materials. Scholarships will be available to cover the conference fee for students from low-income families. Visit www.unitedforagoodcause.org.
Relay for Life Relay
The American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life of Fort Walton Beach will host the annual Relay at 6 p.m. April 28 to 6 a.m. April 29 at the Choctawhatchee High School track, 10 Racetrack Road NW in Fort Walton Beach. This event is to raise awareness and funds toward cancer research and will feature food, fun, and activities throughout the night.
Advising sessions
Northwest Florida State College will offer group advising sessions for new students who will begin classes in the upcoming summer or fall at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. May 1 and 8. Students are encouraged to arrive with high school transcripts to ensure they receive all advising assistance needed. Register at https://nwfstatecollege.formstack.com/forms/form_1__fsform2530100.
Food For Thought Thursdays
Travinia Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, 435 Grand Blvd. Suite 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. May 4, first Thursday of the month.
Community Yard Sale
The Destin Community Center will host a community yard sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 6 at Dewey “Buck” Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. 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 chair on a section of the basketball court. Set-up will begin at 7 a.m. Parking will be at Destin Assembly of God (next door). There is a limit of one table per reservation location. To reserve a spot or for more information, call the Community Center at 850-654-5184.
Basic Life Support classes
American Heart Association Basic Life Support, Healthcare Provider Initial courses will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 20 at Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast, Suite 1, Education Building. Enrollment closes May 18. Cost is $50/person. To enroll, call 278-3019 or email timfeld@shhpens.org.
• July 22: enrollment closes July 20
• Sept. 23: enrollment closes Sept. 21
Make-and-Take classes
The Destin Library has announced a new series of free how-to workshops for ages 18 and up that focus on practical projects and skills you might not have learned in school. Workshop will be held the last Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. No registration. Call 837-8572 or email mfontaine@cityofdesitn.com.
Code Club
The Destin Library's new Code Club, dedicated to enhancing the programming and coding education of today’s youth by providing free programming materials to schools and libraries, is open to children in fifth through eighth grades. Meetings will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Fridays and 4:30-5:30 Tuesdays. Registration is required to participate, and will be capped at 18 students. There is no cost to register. Small snacks and drinks will be provided. Call 837-8572 or email mfontaine@cityofdesitn.com to register.
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.
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 Sundays 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 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 nzdet@aol.com.
Destin Life Center
Recreation and fitness activities at Destin Life Center at Destin United Methodist Church, 200 Beach Drive, are from 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.
‒ Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group: From 3-4 p.m. first Wednesday of the month at the Destin Senior Center in Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. This support group is free to the public. It is sponsored by Emerald Coast Hospice. Materials are provided by the Alzheimer's Association. This support group can be for family members and care providers in helping to deal with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Call 654-5184 to make reservation.
‒ Capoeria: Class in the Brazilian martial art that combines the elements of dance, acrobatics and music will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. for all ages.
‒ Destin Senior Chair Exercise 50+ years: Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10-10:45 a.m. consists of performing light exercises to help improve balance, flexibility, strength, and circulation. Free/residents.
Destin Senior Membership: Join the Destin Seniors to enjoy multiple festivities including the senior lunch bunch, pot luck, casino trips, cruises, bingo, chair exercise, knitting, scrabble, and Mexican dominoes. Members must be a Destin resident.
‒ Dodgeball: From 6-8 p.m. Thursdays for children ages 8 to 14. Fee is $3/non-residents and $2/residents. A waiver will be required for your child.
‒ 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
‒ Grief Support and Education: At 3 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at the Destin Senior Center in Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. These sessions are facilitated by Emerald Coast Hospice's Bereavement Coordinator, Christopher Keown, and are free to the public. Anyone dealing with grief, assisting someone in their grief or curious about the experience, is welcome to join in.
‒ Pickleball: Play from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Racquets and balls are available. Just bring gym shoes. Fee: $3/non-residents or $2/residents. Call for lesson times.
‒ Senior Art Lessons: The Destin Senior Center at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive, offers six-week sessions for Seniors (50 years and older). The current lessons began Oct. 6 with three weeks of pen and ink, then three weeks of acrylics. Fees are $20/non-Destin residents and $15/residents. Cost includes materials.
‒ Senior Drop-In Hours: The Destin Senior Center at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive, offers senior drop-in hours from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday for Seniors (50 years and older) to meet and enjoy each other's company, participate in games such as Mexican Train Dominoes, Scrabble, cards, etc.
‒ Senior Knitting: Sessions and lessons for beginners and all skill levels from 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Destin Senior Center at Buck Destin Park, 724 Legion Drive. No registration required.
‒ Table Tennis: From 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Paddles and balls provided. Fee is $2/resident and $3/non-resident.
Referral Leaders International
More than 30 of the top Destin professionals and business owners meet Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 790 on the Gulf to share connections and referrals. Come ready to talk about your products/services and get help to grow your business. Call 897-1957.
Toastmasters International
To become more effective communicators and leaders, visit one or more of the Toastmasters clubs at the following locations or visit www.toastmasters.org/Find-a-Club.
• Club 702 White Sands Toastmasters, 12-1 p.m. Thursdays at 415 Racetrack Road NE in Fort Walton Beach.
• Club 1919 Emerald Coast Toastmasters, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays at Education Bldg 251, Room 122 on Eglin AFB.
• Club 9478 Hurlburt Toastmasters, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Education Center Bldg. 221, Classroom L on Hurburt Field.
• Club 724908 Destin Toastmasters, 5:45-7:15 p.m. 1st and 3rd Tuesday each month at Walton County Utility Building.
• Club 817348 Crestview Toastmasters, 6-7 p.m. 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Crestview.
• Club 851515 Lake DeFuniak Toastmasters, 12-1 p.m. 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at Northwest Florida State College, Room 103 at the Chautauqua Center.
Seniors of Destin
The Seniors of Destin meet the fourth Friday of the month for a covered dish and to celebrate all birthdays for the month. The program is sponsored by the city of Destin and Gentiva Home Health. Each month has a featured guest speaker that pertains to senior living. Call 685-5310.
Betterment Alliance
The Main Street Betterment Alliance meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays at the American Legion, 311 Main Street. Call 837-3818.
Destin Business Builders
Destin Business Builders Networking group meets from 7:15-8:45 a.m. every Wednesday at the Destin United Methodist Life Center. Call 651-1300 ext. 13.
Coffee and Cars
Emerald Coast Muscle Car Club hosts Coffee and Cars the last Sunday of every month at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach. For information, call 200-2465 or email dfureigh@fwb.org.
Food Buying Club
A small group interested in eating healthy and purchasing smart meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at 125 Scottsdale Court in Mary Esther. On the second Tuesday, the group meets at Fountain Square in downtown Fort Walton Beach for the Growing Local film series. Call 863-4040.
Kiwanis Club of Destin
The Kiwanis Club of Destin meets every Thursday at 8 a.m. at the Destin Methodist Church Life Center on Beach Drive in Destin. The public is invited to attend the club’s weekly meetings.
Destin Rotary
The Destin Rotary meets at 7:15 a.m. every Tuesday at Rutherford’s 465. Visit www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Destin/241220675890226.
Flotilla 1-4 USCG Auxiliary
Flotilla 1-4 USCG Auxiliary meets at 8 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month at Coast Guard Station Destin on Okaloosa Island. Anyone wishing to become a member is welcome to attend. Prior military duty is not required. Call 865-9130 or email www.flotilla14.info.