NICEVILLE, FLORIDA - The Florida Humanities Council, Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida, Okaloosa-Walton College and the Niceville-Valparaiso branch of American Association of University Women are teaming up to present “Florida: Then and Now,” a series of six free programs focusing on Florida and its history. The series of free programs begin next month with Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids and concludes May 1, 2008 with Update on Northwest Florida Archaeology: Shipwrecks, Spanish Colonists, and Indians.

Three of the programs will be held at the Heritage Museum and the other three will take place at OWC. Here is the complete schedule and additional program information:

October 15, 2007 • 1 p.m.
Lu Vickers, Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee
Weeki Wachee, City of Mermaids

Weeki Wachee is the quintessential Florida spring – a once primordial pool and kitschy tourist attraction. Vickers offers a nostalgic trip through this enchanted spring for a unique snapshot of Florida’s tourism heritage, showing how a local novelty became a stellar international attraction. She discusses the history of the spring, sharing a glimpse of mastodons, conquistadors, William Bartram, Elvis, Paris Hilton, real estate developers, and an in-depth look at the mermaids and the men who founded Weeki Wachee. (OWC K-Gallery)

October 26, 2007 • 12 p.m.  
Andrew Huse, University of South Florida Library, Tampa
Florida’s Delicious History: A Gastronomic Journey through Modern Florida

Florida’s food and restaurants are as diverse as its people, and have changed through the 20th Century. Huse offers a gustatory romp through modern Florida’s cuisine, with a look back at union soup houses, African American jook joints, shady speakeasies, drive-in burger stands, barbecue pits, fish fries, and palaces of luxurious leisure. From the rarefield cuisine of the super-rich to the humble home-style foods of city and hamlet, food habits queasy and quirky are explored. (Heritage Museum)

December 5, 2007 • 1 p.m.
David Colburn, University of Florida, Gainesville
From Yellow Dog Democrats to Red State Republicans: Florida and Its Politics Since 1940

Florida holds a particular fascination to Americans because of the romantic attraction of the sun, beaches and sea breezes as well as the glamorous and bizarre characters that frequent the place. Also fascinating are the ways the state has changed in a lifetime – from 1940 to 2007 – and the way Floridians have changed with it. Colburn shares the story of the political, demographic, and social transformation of the Sunshine State over the past 60 years. (OWC K-Gallery)

February 27, 2008 • 2 p.m.
John Kelsay, Florida State University, Tallahassee
Western and Islamic Approaches to War and Peace

The Distinguished Research Professor and Richard L. Rubenstein Professor of Religion at Florida State University. Professor Kelsay’s teaching and research deal with issues in religious ethics, particularly in relation to the Islamic and Christian traditions. His most recent book, published in November 2007 by Harvard University Press, is Arguing the Just War in Islam. He will be speaking about developments in contemporary religions, especially Islam, as these relate to political life. (OWC K-Gallery)

March 5, 2008 • 12 p.m.
Carrie Sue Ayvar
Bilingual Storytelling

A third generation bilingual (Spanish/English) storyteller. She has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of storytelling throughout the United States and Mexico. She has developed and given storytelling workshops for families, teachers, and students, from preschool to university level, as well as for community groups. (Heritage Museum)

May 1 • 12 p.m.
Judy Bense, University of West Florida, Pensacola
Update on Northwest Florida Archaeology: Shipwrecks, Spanish Colonists, and Indians