🌱 How a Mary Esther teacher’s 31 years earned a big home surprise

Hi there, Mary Esther! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Mary Esther teacher’s 31 years earned a big home surprise

Also on today's calendar: Coffee City Manager and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 81 and low of 64 degrees.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 80, low: 60.
• Sunday: A few morning showers; windy, with a high of 74 and low of 49 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Mary Esther Elementary teacher surprised with new HVAC system from We Care for 31 years of dedication (getthecoast.com) — A beloved Mary Esther Elementary second-grade teacher was surprised Thursday morning with a brand-new home air conditioning system, honoring her 31 years in Okaloosa classrooms and 28 years at the Mary Esther school. Local business We Care A/C, Plumbing and Electric partnered with district leaders to recognize Michelle Harris’ decades of impact on students, families, and the Mary Esther community.
   

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📸 Around Mary Esther

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Mary Esther

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday April 23

• 3 - 6 yrs old Story Time
  Mary Esther Public Library, 100 Hollywood Blvd W, Mary Esther
  10:30 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Saturday April 18

• Lego Free Play!
  Mary Esther, FL Calendar , 100 Hollywood Blvd , Mary Esther
  10:00 am

Monday April 20

• All About Books Book Club
  Mary Esther, FL Calendar , 100 Hollywood Blvd , Mary Esther
  10:30 am

Wednesday April 22

• Baby & Toddler Story Time
  Mary Esther, FL Calendar , 100 Hollywood Blvd , Mary Esther
  10:30 am

Tuesday April 28

• Coffee City Manager
  Mary Esther Public Library , 100 Hollywood Blvd W , Mary Esther
  9:00 am

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📣 Mary Esther Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Friday April 17

• The Decades by Request - A DJ Hosted Events
  The Gulf Club Restaurant and Sports Pub , 960 Highway 98 , Destin
  8:00 pm

Saturday April 18

• CARE on the Coast TurtleFest 2026
  Gulfarium , 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE , Fort Walton Beach
  3:30 pm

Sunday April 19

• VFW Post 7674 - Sunday Breakfast
  VFW Post 7674 , 231 Carol Ave , Fort Walton Beach
  8:00 am
• Bonsai Workshop at Props Brewery Hammock Bay
  Props Brewery Hammock Bay , 1799 Great Hammock Bend , Freeport
  6:00 pm

Monday April 20

• Trivia Night in Downtown Fort Walton Beach
  Soundside , 189 Brooks St SE , Fort Walton Beach
  6:00 pm

Tuesday April 21

• City of Fort Walton Beach City Council Special Meeting
  Fort Walton Beach, FL Calendar , 107 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW , Fort Walton Beach
  5:00 pm
• Trivia Night in Fort Walton Beach
  Rick's Crab Trap , 178 Eglin Pkwy NE , Fort Walton Beach
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Everybody's been so nice on here, picking at least I could do was add a picture of myself on my profile.
  So many nice people here willing to help someone out sight unseen. (Nextdoor Islandview)

• HKA Enterprises, Inc. posted a job opening for Water Utility Worker (Water/Wastewater) in Mary Esther. Apply here.
• Sodexo, Inc. posted a job opening for Utility Worker in Fort Walton Beach. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mary Esther here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Fort Walton Beach

• Choctaw baseball holds off Fort Walton Beach rally, 6-4, in district semifinals (getthecoast.com)
• Fort Walton Beach awaits title survey before addressing county's speed camera refund request (getthecoast.com)
• Woman accused of throwing beer bottles at 3-year-old (powerorlando.com)

Destin

• Destin Boat & Yacht Show: Your guide to the first-ever event (nwfdailynews.com)
• Destin earns a top spot on Southern Living's best small towns list (nwfdailynews.com)
• For Sale: Daytona 39 Express (yachtingmagazine.com)

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Ok Mary Esther! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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