Home

Friday Special Events

The CLL sponsors these free Friday events from noon until 12:45 p.m.
They are held on the UWF Campus in Fort Walton Beach in Building 1, Room 126.
The campus address is 1170 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Bring a sack lunch, bottled water, and enjoy hearing the presentations. Most presentations will allow time for questions.

Upcoming Events

Week 7, March 4th: - Prentice Thomas & Assoc., Inc., Cultural Resource Management
Note: This event will be held in the Auditorium (Bldg. 8).
The appeal of a location by the water can be seen in ever increasing prices of waterfront property and seemingly unstoppable coastal development in northwest Florida. This appeal is not, however, a modern phenomenon. Archaeological investigations have revealed a selection for waterfront land by prehistoric people settling the panhandle over 3,000 years ago. Recent excavations by the company have reaffirmed that one of the most sought-after areas was around downtown Fort Walton Beach.

This presentation explores what the cultural landscape looked like when it was dotted with burial mounds and prehistoric villages instead of bars, restaurants, and condos.

The company provides archaeological and cultural resource management services to a wide range of clientele. Since 1977, they have conducted over 1400 archaeological projects in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and other locations in the United States; responding to our nation’s goal of preserving its diverse historical and cultural values by integrating exciting research with compliance work and providing timely and cost-effective services in Cultural Resource Management and historic preservation.

Week 8, March 11th: - Final Follies “Party!”
There will be Fun, Food and Frolicking to be had as various CLL classes exhibit skills they mastered at CLL during this term! You are invited to bring snacks/refreshments to share, and along with laughter, there will be time to socialize and have FUN. Please join us for this noon event in the Auditorium (Bldg. 8). Everyone is welcome - don't miss it!

If you are a class leader/teacher and would like to showcase the work of your students, please e-mail Jackie at Jackie Youngblood, or call her at 850-499-9321, to reserve a space or spot in the program.

This event is open to the public so bring your family and friends!

Previous Events

Week 1, Jan. 21st: Nancy Kruzek, Stage Crafters Community Theatre, Inc.
Nancy has worked with this all-volunteer not-for-profit organization for most of their 50 years. She will share with us what it takes to get a show to the stage, from the beginning to a production that rivals a Broadway show!

Week 2, Jan. 28th: Christa Hornbaker, our CLL “Weather” girl! She spent 28 years as a USAF Weather Officer, and served 18 of those years as an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter. Christa has a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science from LSU, B.S. in Meteorology from St. Louis Univ, and an M.S. in Earth Sciences/Education from Mississippi State. Come and hear her share fascinating information about Hurricane Hunters and how they do what they do!

Week 3, Feb. 4th: - Shane Reynolds, underwater cinematographer. The multi-talented Shane Reynolds of Color Earth Production Co. will share some of his beautiful and amazing work with us on Friday, February 4th. He is both an underwater and aerial cinematographer whose work has appeared many places including National Geographic, and the Discovery and Travel channels.

Week 4, Feb. 11th: - CLL Annual Meeting and “Valentine” party!

Week 5, Feb. 18: Mark Kilbride, Eglin Wealth Management Mark Kilbride is a financial advisor with Eglin Wealth Management within the Eglin Federal Credit Union. Come join us as he shares educational information with us on “How a Financial Advisor Can Help You in Retirement.”

Week 6, Feb. 25th: - Atty. Michelle Anchors, “Community Engagement”
Yes, Michelle Anchors is a well known and respected attorney with the firm Anchors Gordon. But you may not know how active and ‘hands on’ involved she is in many local organizations, from pro bono work as needed, to having served as President of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, also serving on various Boards, and was a founding member of Impact 100. Come join us as she shares information with us on “Community Engagement”.

What is the CLL (Center for Life Long Learning)?

Established in 1993 on the University of West Florida campus in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, the CLL provides interesting and stimulating educational activities for persons who believe that learning never ends. In addition to educational classes, the CLL organizes other activities that include local social events and occasional out-of-town trips.
Our organization is a Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) and we are affiliated with the Road Scholar. There are more than 400 similar LLIs across the country.

Unlike most LLIs, the CLL has no paid staff; all our class leaders are volunteers who have acquired their expertise through their lifelong career experiences or favorite hobbies.
In 2004, our organization was incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt charity.

During normal times, when in-person classes are available, paying an enrollment fee of $60 establishes membership and entitles students to take up to four CLL classes.
Each additional class beyond four costs $10 each. There is no separate membership fee.