DICTIONARY FUNDRAISER: 6 p.m. March 29, Sons & Daughters of Italy Lodge, 808 South Drive, Fort Walton Beach. A Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated event with bunco, dinner and an auction to support its Dictionary Project, which provides dictionaries to Okaloosa third-graders. Dinner of baked chicken alfredo penne, tossed salad and Italian bread. Tickets: $20. Call Hulda Mahlum, 217, 5775, to purchase.

UNITED WAY’S ANNUAL MEETING: 8:30 a.m. March 30, Ramada Plaza Beach Resort Empire Room, 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. For the 2016 Campaign, "Giving Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow," combining Okaloosa and Walton counties. Cost: $15 per person; includes breakfast. Details: 243-0315 or email carolyn@united-way.org.

THROWDOWN BENEFIT AUCTION & BBQ: March 30 through April 1, Churchill Oaks Clubhouse, Santa Rosa Beach. Features renowned chefs, including Emeril Lagasse and Chris Wilson, "world-class vintners, pitmasters and … musical entertainment by Silverado Pickups and live and silent auctions,” a media release states. Annual charity events, Wine Walkabout, Sip N Shop and Golf Tournament, kick off festivities on Thursday, March 30 and Friday, March 31, benefitting Alaqua Animal Refuge and the Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. Tickets to individual charity events can be purchased separately. All funds benefit charities along the Gulf Coast, with most proceeds given to local organizations. Tickets and details: www.chichimiguel.com.

FRIENDS OF THE CRESTVIEW LIBRARY BOOK SALE: 5-8 p.m. March 31 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 1, Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. The March 31 early-bird sale costs $2 for non-Friends members’ admittance.

WOMEN ON WELLNESS CONFERENCE: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 7, Niceville Community Center, 204 N. Partin Drive. Featuring presentations and interactive sessions to help women achieve balance and success in life, work and health. Registration costs $30; go to http://womenonwellness.org/ to register.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND DIGITAL ARTS EXHIBIT RECEPTION: 6-8 p.m. April 7, Arts and Design Society, Art Center Gallery, 17 First Street, SE, Fort Walton Beach. The exhibition is on display free of charge from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays April 4-28 at the gallery. Details: www.artsdesignsociety.org or call 244-1271 during gallery hours.

REGIONAL SEDER: 6 p.m. April 10, Emerald Coast Convention Center,1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Cost for the Passover meal, music, worship and celebration is $40 per person. Features recording artist Paul Wilbur and host Hosanna House of Destin. Details: 837-7430 or admin@hosannahouse.net.

‘NWF READS’ FEATURES FICTION WRITER: 7 p.m. April 17, Northwest Florida State College Sprint Theater, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Annual literacy celebration with fiction writer and memoirist Andre Dubus. Free, with first-come, first-served seating Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Followed by Blackwater Review reception, 6-6:45 p.m., in the adjoining McIlroy Gallery. Beverly Holmes, 729-6032 or holmesb@nwfsc.edu.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Youth Center, 923 Denton Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. Seventh- through 12th-graders may attend. $10 per person; includes a light lunch and conference materials. Scholarships available for students from low-income families. Theme: “Lead, Empower, Act, Discover!” Includes a hands-on, real-life simulation. Details: David Triana, 368-3505, united4agoodcause@gmail.com, or Dawn Novy, 344-7721, dnovy@bgcec.com.

ARC SUMMER CAMP DONATIONS: Arc of the Emerald Coast seeks donations of funding, water, juice, paper products and carnival toy items for an April 25-28 summer camp trip for Arc clients. Contact Arc at 863-1530 or info@arcemeraldcoast.org for details.

‘COMING HOME’ PERFORMANCE: 6 p.m. May 13, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. The Calling Dance Company presents a faith-based story centering on hope amid loss. A portion of the proceeds benefits Covenant Care's Camp Connect, a grief counseling camp for children. Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and free for children age 4 and under. Purchase at www.TheCallingDanceCompany.org.

PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY CLASSES: 5-8 p.m. May 16 and May 23, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Learn Seminole techniques. $55 to $60 per person. 678-2615.

CRESTVIEW HIGH CLASS OF 1977’S 40-YEAR CLASS REUNION: 6 p.m. July 15, Warriors Hall in Crestview. “We are searching for classmates that we have lost contact with,” an event organizer said. “If you haven't already received information about the reunion, please contact Sharry at krustin@cox.net." Tickets must be purchased in advance due to the caterer needing to prepare for the correct number of attendees.

OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP RESCHEDULED: The March 28 workshop has been rescheduled to 1:30 p.m. March 29 at the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar. Two or more Tourist Development Council members may attend the meeting to discuss functions of the Tourist Development Department and possible privatization of its marketing activities.

Other workshops are April 25, May 30 and June 27 at the same location.

OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION:

• 8:30 a.m. April 4, Crestview City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
• 8:30 a.m. April 18, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.
• 8:30 a.m. May 2, Crestview City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
• 8:30 a.m. May 16, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.
• 8:30 a.m. June 6, Crestview City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.
• 8:30 a.m. June 20, Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 N. Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEETINGS:

• 3 p.m. April 20, training room of the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.
• 3 p.m. June 15, Niceville Community Center, 204 Partin Drive N., Niceville.
• 3 p.m. July 20, Niceville Community Center, 204 Partin Drive N., Niceville.
• 3 p.m. Oct. 19, Robert L.F. Sikes Center, Northwest Florida State College, 805 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview.
• 3 p.m. Dec. 14, training room of the Okaloosa County Administration Building, 1250 Eglin Parkway, Shalimar.

Meeting schedule and location are subject to change. For updates and agendas, visit www.wfrpc.org or emailtiffany.bates@wfrpc.org.

BLACKMAN FIRE DISTRICT BOARD: 7 p.m. first Mondays, 1850 U.S. Highway 2, Baker.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

CRESTVIEW HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD: 5:15 p.m. third Mondays, 371 Hickory Ave. W, Crestview. Open to the public.

CRESTVIEW CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, City Hall, 198 N. Wilson St., Crestview.

MILLIGAN WATER SYSTEM BOARD: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, 5340 U.S. Highway 4.

LAUREL HILL CITY COUNCIL: 6 p.m. first Thursdays, City Hall.

BAKER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 7 p.m. first Thursdays, Baker Area Public Safety Building.

DORCAS FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. first Thursdays, 5232 Deer Springs Drive, Crestview, off Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90, Holt.

ALMARANTE VOLUNTEER FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Almarante Fire Station, 3710 Old California Road, Laurel Hill.

OKALOOSA-WALTON NORTH OKALOOSA FIRE DISTRICT: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, fire station 82, 5549 John Givens Road, Crestview.

HOLT FIRE DISTRICT COMMISSION: 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays, 490 W. U.S. Highway 90.

HOLT FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, fire station.

LAUREL HILL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT: 7 p.m., second Fridays, in Laurel Hill City Hall's fire department office.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s Happening in North Okaloosa County