ANNOUNCEMENTS
AMERICAN LEGION POST 78 seeks student participants for the American Legion Oratorical Contest. Students in grades nine through 12 may participate as well as 4H, Future Farmers of America and home school. The contest will be 1 p.m. Dec. 3 at Avalon Baptist Church, 4316 Avalon Blvd., Milton. Details: Carl Scheel Jr., 626-7625.
UPCOMING
FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION’S WESTERN GATE CHAPTER has scheduled these events:
- Dec 1: 8 a.m. work on the Florida Trail. Meet at Blackwater River State Park (north parking lot of Deaton Bridge). Details: Ed Williamson, 474-5359.
- Dec. 4: 8 a.m. wake-up hike at Garcon Point Trailhead (State Road 281, Avalon Boulevard, Milton, just before Garcon Point Bridge) Details: Peggy Grantham, 982-9490.
- Dec 4: 11 a.m. Christmas party at Bear Lake Pavilion, Blackwater River State Forest (Highway 4, Munson). Bring a dish or two to share for this potluck luncheon. The group will hike around the lake (4 miles) at 11:30 a.m. and eat upon return. Details: Helen Wigersma, 484-0528.
- Dec 8: 8 a.m. work on the Florida Trail. Meet at Blackwater River State Park (north parking lot of Deaton Bridge). Details: Ed Williamson, 474-5359.
- Dec. 10: 7:30 a.m. introductory trail work in Blackwater River State Forest. Meet at the Milton What-A-Burger (5346 Stewart St., Milton). All members welcome. Details: Bob Browder, 910-1234.
- Dec 11: 8 a.m. wake-up hike at ECUA Bayou Marcus Wetlands (3050 Fayal Drive, Pensacola). Details: Peggy Grantham, 982-9490.
- Dec 15: 8 a.m. work on the Florida Trail. Meet at Blackwater River State Park (north parking lot of Deaton Bridge). Details: Ed Williamson, 474-5359.
- Dec 16: 6 p.m. dinner hike. Dine at Shah Kishi Restaurant (804 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze). Details: George Brinkman, 932-0125.
- Dec 18: 8 a.m. wake-up hike at Arcadia Mill (5709 Mill Pond Lane, Milton). Details: Peggy Grantham, 982-9490.
All activities are free except as noted, but donations from non-members are welcome. See http://www.meetup.com/ftawesterngate/ for more information on the group.
WEST FLORIDA RAILROAD MUSEUM CHRISTMAS DISPLAY: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, 23 and 30 and Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 at 5003 Henry St., Milton.In addition to historic displays, the depot will feature multiple model railroads running indoors and out, train rides for children, holiday lights and plenty of hot chocolate.Admission and parking are free, but donations are accepted.
ST. MARY'S WINTER ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at 6849 Oak St., Milton.Vendors will display custom jewelry, art, woodcrafts, candles, other creative handiwork and retail sales items. The Episcopal Church Women will sell homemade turkey gumbo, baked goods, goodies, jams, jellies and other canned goods, and the Men’s Group will grill hamburger lunches. Details: 623-2905 or stmarysmiltonflorida@gmail.com.
GULF COAST CHORALE CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Cokesbury Methodist Church, 5725 N. Ninth Ave., Pensacola. Theme: “That’s Christmas to Me.” Admission: $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Details: www.gulfcoastchorale.org
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MILTON HOLIDAY FAIRE: Noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3, in and around the fellowship hall at 5203 Elmira St. Features a silent auction, vendors offering handcrafted gifts, and direct sales. The church will sell food and drinks, with sandwiches for lunch and homemade chili for supper on Friday and homemade soups for lunch on Saturday. All funds raised from food and drink sales benefit My Father’s Arrows, a nonprofit organization that helps local foster children. Silent auction proceeds go toward restoration of First Presbyterian’s 148-year-old sanctuary building. Details: 623-2510 or fpcmiltonspecialevents@gmail.com.
EMERALD COAST BEAD SOCIETY ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 at 80 E. Wright St., Pensacola. The show features a selection of artisan jewelry, embellished work, gemstones, one-of-a-kind items, beads (including lampwork) and findings. Free Admission. Details: Mary Jordan: 982-7633, nona2kandc@gmail.com or emeraldcoastbeadsociety.com.
SECOND ANNUAL MARY STEWART FORTUNE FUN RUN: On-site registration begins 8 a.m. and the run starts 9 a.m. Dec. 3 at Benny Russell Park, 5417 W. Spencer Field Road, Pace. Registration is available at Active.com. Entry fees are $30 for adults and children over 12 and $20 for children 12 and under. Event-day registration will be first come, first served. Event proceeds will help fund improvements to the park’s playground area. Details: Dawn Henderson, 450-6120, or Misty Roberts, 736-7393.
SANTA ROSA DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REORGANIZATION MEETING: 3 p.m. Dec. 3, United Way of Santa Rosa County, 6479 Caroline St., Ste. A, Milton. As required by law, the election and installation of new officers will take place. Details: Mary Johnson, chair, 225-1725, or Margie Purkerson, secretary, 206-5884.
STORYTIME — for children ages 3-5 and including stories, finger plays and action rhymes — is set as follows through Dec. 9:
•11-11:30 a.m. Mondays at the Jay Library
•11-11:30 a.m. or 1-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Navarre Library
•11-11:45 a.m. Wednesdays at the Milton Library
•11-11:45 a.m. Wednesdays at the Gulf Breeze Library
•11-11:30 a.m. Fridays at the Pace Library
PACE HIGH SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS’ FIRST CAJUN CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10. A 4-6 p.m. benefit concert by Chloe Channell will follow. Details: www.cajunchristmasfestival.com.
FREE FLU SHOTS: Sacred Heart Health System will provide free flu shots from 9-11:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at Bagdad Community Center, 6860 Pooley St., Milton. Only individuals ages 18 and up, who are poor, elderly or uninsured, are eligible.
RECURRING
GENEALOGY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE: 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Milton Library, 5541 Alabama St. Details: 981-7323.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY WRITER’S WORKSHOP: 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays at the Coffee Break, 4620 Woodbine Road in Pace.
GRAPHIC NOVEL BOOK CLUB: Regularly meets 5 p.m. third Tuesdays at the Milton Library, 5541 Alabama St. Graphic novel enthusiasts discuss the book of the month. Speak with a library staff member to sign up.
BIBLIOBABBLERS TEEN BOOK CLUB: Ninth- through 12th-graders who are 14 to 18 years old can discuss the read-of-the-month with friends. Bibliobabblers meet 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every other month in the Gulf Breeze Library’s meeting room, 1060 Shoreline Drive.
SANTA ROSA BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION: 7 p.m. third Thursdays at the Bay Area Vineyard Church, 5163 Dogwood Drive, Milton. Visitors are welcome. Details: Bill Blankenship, president, 232-6005, or Clarence Prater, vice president, 623-776-7018.
THE GULF COAST CALLIGRAPHY GUILD meets 9:30 a.m. the second Saturday of each month at the Courts of Praise Church on the corner of Johnson Avenue and Davis Highway, Pensacola. A presentation and practice time follow each meeting. Details: 995-7056.
PUBLIC MEETINGS
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL BOARD: 8:30 a.m. Dec. 1, Tiger Point Community Center, 1370 Tiger Park Lane, Gulf Breeze
LIBRARY ADVISORY BOARD: 4 p.m. Dec. 1, Pace Library, 4750 Pace Patriot Blvd., Pace
MILTON PLANNING BOARD: 5 p.m. Dec. 1, Council Chambers at City Hall
COUNTY COMMISSION COMMITTEE: 9 a.m. Dec. 5, County Administrative Center Board Room, 6495 Caroline St., Milton
MILTON SUNDIAL UTILITIES BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 4 p.m., Dec. 5, Council Chambers of City Hall, 6738 Dixon St.
MILTON CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SESSION: 4 p.m., Dec. 5, after the Sundial Utilities board of directors meeting, Council Chambers of City Hall, 6738 Dixon St.
LEAP COMMITTEE: 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6, in Conference Room “B” at City Hall
YOUTH COUNCIL: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6, Council Chambers at City Hall
MARINE ADVISORY: 5 p.m. Dec. 6, County Administrative Center Board Room, 6495 Caroline St., Milton
BLACKWATER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT: 7:30 a.m. Dec. 8, Jay Service Center, 3927 Highway 4, Ste. 102, Jay
COUNTY COMMISSION REGULAR: 9 a.m. Dec. 8, County Administrative Center Board Room, 6495 Caroline St., Milton
HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8, Council Chambers at City Hall
COUNTY COMMISSION SPECIAL: Rezoning Meeting, 6 p.m. Dec. 8, County Administrative Center Board Room, 6495 Caroline St., Milton
BUILDING CODE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS: 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14, Public Services Conference Room, 6051 Old Bagdad Highway, Milton
BAGDAD ARCHITECTURAL ADVISORY BOARD: 8:30 a.m. Dec. 28, Public Services Conference Room, 6051 Old Bagdad Highway, Milton
COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28, County Administrative Center Board Room, 6495 Caroline St., Milton
TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL BOARD, SPECIAL: 9 a.m. Jan. 6, 2017, County Administrative Center Board Room, 6495 Caroline St., Milton
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: What's Happening in Santa Rosa County