Community Speaker Events At SoWal Coastal Library

Walton County Coastal Library “Winter Community Programs” Wednesdays, Jan 10 –March 06, 2024 at 10:00 am. All programs are designed for our adult community and families having entertaining and educational value while learning about our community and neighbors.

For more information please call (850) 267-2809 Walton County Coastal Library, 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach - located behind the South Walton Government/Education Complex on HWY 331 South. Free for the public with limited seating.  
https://www.facebook.com/FOCBL

January 10, 2024 Walton County History with Story and Song – Historian; Ronnie McBrayer

Ronnie McBrayer is author of Wild, Wild, Walton publications, a local pastor, a musician, playwright, and a nationally syndicated columnist. Keeping the Faith and Down by the Riverside. He will be speaking on local Walton County history with story and song. The beautiful sugar-white beaches of the Florida Panhandle are the result of erosion, scientists say. A Florida sand dune we’re told, was once a mountaintop in Georgia but over time that mountain washed all the way down to the sea. Before making his home in Walton County, Florida, Ronnie was a Georgian born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Today having washed down to the sea, he is the author of multiple books.

January 17, 2024 Historian Wilfred “Chick” Huettel will lecture on the “War in the Gulf of Mexico: the German U-boat Invasion”

If you served on a U-boat, you had to make up your mind to ignore foul air, dampness, and strong smells. The smells were all kinds. They came from the bilges, food, and fuel. The close proximity to the diesel engines was enough to sicken many stout stomachs. The food was the best quality in the navy, but at the start of a voyage it was stacked everywhere, and as time went on some usually spoiled. Chick Huettel has authored several historical works including War in the Gulf of Mexico, Adventures in Destin Waters, Early Settlements around Hogtown Bayou, and Mark of the Baskerville Hound (London published). He has degrees from Memphis State University (Business) and Memphis Academy of Arts. Recent activities seen Chick as Founder & board member Cultural Arts Association, Santa Rosa Beach,FL, Walton County Sheriff Department, Posse Volunteer (staff) and President of Coastal Heritage Society Foundation.   This is a lecture and slide series originally initiated by the South Walton Coastal Heritage Association; one the oldest organizations still in existence in south Walton. Coastal Branch Library is now the home of the society and displays some local recovered artifacts.

January 24, 2024 Sara Hodgen with OLLI at FSU

Presents information on these scholarly and exciting programs of classes at OLLI targeted to mature adults who want to learn in a stress-free environment where there are no tests and no required homework: It’s learning for the fun of learning! Member benefits include field trips (aka tours) to fascinating locations, including stays at FSU’s international studies sites. Also available to members are two book clubs, a Spanish club, a walking club, a men’s group and special events, including trips to the opera, concerts, plays and local art galleries and other sites of interest. Volunteers create and initiate clubs and a wealth of activities and manage them for the benefit of all members.

January 31, 2024 Kay Beck; Artist at Artful Images Gallery, Niceville, FL Demonstrates Acrylic Knife Painting as an elite certified one stroke educator www.facebook.com/Artfulthingsniceville

 February 7, 2024  Master Gardeners of Walton County; Margaret Zonia Morrison and Bill Kuenstler present “Right Plant, Right Place” 

Master Gardeners assist the Extension Service Agent and staff, they are in effect “extending the Extension Service.” As such, they provide advice and recommendations which have been well documented as a result of experimentation and testing and are approved by the University of Florida. Walton County’s Master Gardener Program began in 1998 with 19 Master Gardeners.

February 14, 2024   Susan Paladini; Curator of the Four Mile Museum and the Coffeen

Nature Preserve presents original photographs and will give a brief history of the Museum, Preserve and the flora and fauna of the area.

During World War II German U-boats were in the Gulf of Mexico launching V-1 and V-2 bombs. After the allies captured some of these bombs, the bombs were studied and the American Military developed its own rocket bomb called the JB-2 missile. These new missiles were shipped to Eglin AFB and 600 of the unarmed missiles were test launched over the Gulf from the Coffeen Preserve Missile-launching ramps. The Preserve is also a good place for bird watchers, home of the white tailed deer, raccoons, red fox, opossums, bobcats, armadillos, wild turkey, rattlesnakes, alligators and the ever allusive beach mouse.

February 21, 2024    Dr. James W. Wilson; Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; as Chair of the Choctawhatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association for Walton and Okaloosa Counties  Speaks on the +1500 mile Florida national Scenic trial. One of only eleven in the US and open to the public with over 100 miles on non- motorized trails in this area. Dr. Wilson is passionate about nature and the environment. This interest led to the achievement of master naturalist in both Texas and Florida.

February 28, 2024    Dr. Neal P. Jeffries; Professor University of Cincinnati will present the “Greatest Photographs of All”

March 6, 2024   Drummer / Musician; Raymond Cyr co-founder of Studio 237 Music School Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Presents history of drumming music for the last 50+ years from a personal perspective.  Ray will be speaking on how some drummers evolved to be educated for performance as skilled drummers. Various drum techniques will be introduced and some audience participation may be happening as well.  Ray has been engaged in drumming for more than 50 years, starting in 1961, in a Drum and Bugle Marching Corp out of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine.  Ray started in 1964 playing in various music groups on a drum set. Ray professionally performed in 18 different bands from Maine, MA, WI, CO, CA and Florida, producing three out of eight recording albums along with over 1,000 concerts in 25 states and Canada. www.studio237musicschool.com