MILTON — Here's a look at upcoming events in Santa Rosa County and surrounding areas.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Santa Rosa Neighborhood Softball League
SANTA ROSA COUNTY — Tim Sousa is organizing a neighborhood softball league. Sousa and organizers are looking for coaches and players to represent their neighborhoods and communitie sduring the spring and early summer months.
The league would consist of neighborhood teams who will compete against one anothe rin a friendly team environment. Email timesousa76@gmail.com for more information.
UPCOMING
Out of the Orient fine arts festival
MILTON —Rhodes Elementary at 5563 Byrom St. presents "Out of the Orient," an fine arts festival from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 24 where 860 students, parents and guests will rotate through six different events connected to the arts and culture of Asia.
There will be demonstrations by the Florida Okinawa Kenjin-Kai Dancers, tea bowl pottery by Larry Manning and Martial Arts of America. Sodexo food service will be preparing a traditional Asian meal followed by a chopstick activity. Outside, each classroom of students will parade with their uniquely decorated dragon and swirl to Chinese music in a ribbon dance. Finally, children will paint a paper umbrella with the art teacher, Toni New. The school cafeteria is preparing an Asian meal also.
Every student will participate in a tea ceremony with their classmates using their personally-created clay tea cup. Carp kites will fly. Cooley hats will be worn and much more is going on in preparation for this day’s event.
Bagdad Museum Author Luncheon
MILTON — The next lecture at the Bagdad Museum at 11 a.m. May 26 will be from University of West Florida archive director Jacki Wilson speaking on J. Earle Bowden's last book. Cost of the luncheon is $10. The Bagdad Museum is located at 4512 Church St.
Japanese Children's Day Celebration
GULF BREEZE — Children’s Day Celebration will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 26 at Saint Sylvester Catholic Church, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway in Gulf Breeze. This is free community event. This event provides children a variety of Japanese cultural activities including a yo-yo catching game, origami, face paint, a calligraphy contest, mochi (sticky rice) sampling, Okinawa taiko and Karate performance, etc. There will be food vendors offering various Japanese dishes.
Doing business with the federal government
PENSACOLA — The Florida Procurement Technical Assistance Center at the University of West Florida offers a workshop entitled "Government Contracting 101" 9 to 11:30 a.m. June 6 at the Santa Rosa Economic Development Office, 6491 Caroline St, Suite 4, Milton, 32570. This workshop will provide you with the basics on what you need to know to prepare for entering the federal government market. You will learn the procurement process, how to register and the basics on how to sell to federal government agencies. This class is aimed at business owners who are beginning to think about doing business with the federal government. The cost is $20 in cash or check at the door. Pre-registration is recommended. To register, visit www.sbdc.uwf.edu "Training Opportunities" or call 474-2528.
Kids Day in the Park
PACE — The Azalea Garden Club of Pace from 9 a.m. to noon June 9 will provide Kids Day in the Park at Benny Russell Park, 5417 West Spencer Field Road. Children ages 4 to 10 are free with accompanying adult. Volunteers will present an educational program at four stations on either birds, bees, bugs or butterflies. Children will take about 10 minutes a station to hear about each subject and, do a hands on craft or project. The child will be able to take home the projects they make. Our wonderful members, Santa Rosa Bee Keepers Association and Francis M Weston Audubon Society will be on hand for expertise on the subjects. This venue is under a covered pavilion. Call Jean at 380-2256 or Sandra at 623-6321 for more information.
AARP Smart Driver's Class
MILTON — Seniors 55 and older who attend an AARP Smart Driver class can receive a discount on their auto insurance.
Class will be conducted 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 18 at Santa Rose Medical Center, 6002 Berryhill Rd in Milton.
Cost is $15 for AARP members, $20 for non-members. Call to register at 293-4902.
Annual Padgett Reunion
The annual reunion of the descendants of Elijah Padgett will be held at Leonia Baptist Church in Holmes County on June 16 at 10 a.m. Extensive research has been conducted to identify descendants of all 16 of Elijah's children and printouts of information will be available at the reunion. All relatives and friends are invited to attend. Please bring food of your choice.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Community Briefs