Bethany Little

Florida Humanities Council six-part series Florida: Then and Now

I came across an article in the Northwest Florida Daily News about the Florida Humanities Council six-part series, "Florida: Then and Now". In the second installment yesterday, the lecture shared the stories about four Hollywood productions filmed at Eglin AFB and surrounding Okaloosa County.

Held at the Heritage Museum in Valparaiso, FL Eglin Air Force Base historians Clay T. McCutchan and Robert B. Kane reviewed the productions of "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo," "12 O'clock High," "Dr. Strangelove" and "Green Berets" - which were filmed in our area.

In the Peter Sellers' classic, "Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb," when Maj. T.J. "King" Kong rode a nuclear bomb into the coast line of the Soviet Union, he is actually riding through the Desin Pass. The sands of Destin, Florida's East Pass were so white (and still are!) that they easily passed for Russian snow. (Which immediately gives me the idea to dress my kids up in winter clothes and head out to the pass to take "snowy" Christmas pictures.)

Duke Field, was used in "12 O'clock High," where Mr. McCutchan said the director spent hundreds of hours searching for airfields that could mimic the cracked, grassy asphalt of a World War II English airfield. He filmed the first 15 minutes at Duke.

"They went out to Duke and they built a complete little English base," McCutchan said.

He talked about the cast that had to act in coats and scarves in the middle of May and the local inns where the cast and crew slept.

The Doolittle Raiders were featured in "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo". In one scene, they donned Navy caps.

"They went up on the flight deck without their hats so they grabbed any hat they could, and most of those hats are Navy hats," said McCutchan.

I hate I missed this lecture, but I will be sure to be at the next installment. It will be this Dec. 3 on Florida Holidays. It will be held at the Northwest Florida State College K-Gallery. For more information, visit www.heritage-museum.org. Here is a pdf of the slide show used at the Eglin Air Force Base In The Movies Lecture.

Is there anything more noble than agreeing to lay your life on the line in service of your country? Thank you Veterans, and those currently serving overseas, for your service and dedication to America.

I am lucky to live in an area surrounded by Eglin AFB, Hurlburt AFB, Duke Field, and NAS Pensacola. When I am driving up Hwy 85 and the fighter jets fly over low to land at Eglin AFB, it gives me chill bumps every time. That is the sound of freedom, to me. Every morning and evening, across the water, I can hear The Star Spangled Banner being played on Eglin as they raise and lower the flag. When I hear this I know that every serviceman and woman has stopped whatever they were doing, turned toward the direction of the flag, and saluted in respect. Thank you.

Not only are our past and present military personnel embodiments of the ideals that make this country great, they are some of the best citizens in our community. Quick to volunteer when needed, dedicated to their neighborhoods, respectful, and proud. They fly a flag in front of their home to say, I've lived this. I fly a flag in front of my home to say..thank you. You are the reason I can fly this flag.

We don't just have to honor them on Veterans Day. If you meet a Veteran or someone on active duty, please thank them for their service to our country.

Grab your wetsuit, the recent stormy weather in Northwest Florida shouldn't keep you indoors. The surf has been up on the Florida Gulf Coast! Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the water temperaturehas been around 62 degrees. While I may think the water is too cold to swim, many vacationers from the northern climates (especially Canada) think the water is just fine. I'll leave that to them and wait until summer when the water around Destin, Florida; Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and Navarre, Florida averages 82 degrees. It's like floating in a bathtub.

If you are interested in learning to surf, the Ride On Surf Schoolis located in Destin, Florida next to Pompano Joe's Seafood House. They offer private lessons, as well as rentals.

Just because it's winter, doesn't mean that you can't enjoy the beautiful beaches along the Emerald Coast. Check out the Destin Beach Cam. Every time I look at this, I want to turn off the T.V. and head for the beach.

Fantastic news for homeowners living withing the city limits of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The city is offering assistance for roofing and exterior painting. You may be eligible if your primary residence is within city limits, a single story, and in need of a new roof or exterior paint. Your income cannot exceed the following limits:

1-person household - $35,050

2-person household - $40,100

3-person household - $45,100

4-person household - $50,100

5-person household - $54,100

6-person household - $58,100

Anyone interested in more information should contact Cathy Ducharme at (850) 833-9598.

Well, I missed Mardi Gras on the island in Fort Walton Beach, FL. It was on January 19th this year, and it slipped by me without notice. However, there is still time to catch the Pensacola Mardi Gras on February 2nd. This is a 4 day event, that is full of fun. Pensacola, Florida is 40 miles from Fort Walton Beach, Florida and 65 miles from Niceville, Florida. Another hour west of Pensacola is Mobile, Alabama and they have the claim to fame as the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in America. Beginning on January 5th and culminating on February 5th (Fat Tuesday), the streets of downtown Mobile are transformed with marching bands, floats, and of course moon pies. Mobile prides itself on having a "family friendly Mardi Gras" experience.

There are many more upcoming events in the Fort Walton Beach area that I don't want to miss. Especially, "Annie" coming to the Mattie Kelly Fine & Performing Arts Center at Okaloosa Walton Community College. Visit Fort Walton Beach.com to stay abreast of the many activities available in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Niceville, Florida, and Destin, Florida.

source: http://www.ftwalton.com/pages/Localevents/default.aspx