Volunteers are being sought to staff hurricane shelters in Santa Rosa County, the Grillin’ in the Breeze grilled-food tasting event is scheduled for this Saturday, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla in Milton is looking for new members and the fifth annual Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners Yard and Plant Sale is set for Saturday, June 13.

Hurricane shelter training this Thursday

The American Red Cross and RSVP are conducting a training session this Thursday, May 14, for those willing to volunteer in an emergency shelter during the 2015 hurricane season.

Dozens of shelter workers are expected to be needed to support displaced families during and after a tropical storm or hurricane. Hurricane season begins June 1.

The purpose of this training is to prepare participants to help in the opening, organizing, operation and closing of a Red Cross shelter. This training is intended for groups, families or individuals that want to serve their community.

The training is set for 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, May 14, at the Milton Community Center, 5629 Byrom St, Milton.

For more information, contact Doug Watson with the American Red Cross at (850) 432-7601 or [email protected].

“Grillin’ in the Breeze” starts cooking on Saturday

Hundreds are expected to bring their appetites to Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze this Saturday, May 16, as they taste the fare offered by the contestants in the Grillin’ in the Breeze competition.

Grillin’ in the Breeze is a fundraiser for the Take Stock in Children scholarship program.

Teams of up to five people have registered to grill steak, BBQ, burgers, ribs, fish, shrimp, chicken, pizza, vegetables, fruit, desserts and whatever they can think of.  Teams that registered before May 1 paid $60 each to participate. Late registrants – through this Friday, May 15 – will pay $90.

The public may purchase tickets for $10 in advance or $12 at the park to sample the contestants’ food. Tasting runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place as determined by the judges, and first, second and third place as determined by the people at the event.

Live entertainment will be provided by the band Loaded Goat.

For more information, go to http://grillininthebreeze.com.

Milton Coast Guard Flotilla looking for members

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 18, based in Milton, is looking for new members.

Auxiliary members may choose among a number of programs, such as boating safety, public education, public affairs, Interpreter Corps, communications, Marine Environmental Programs, operations and U.S. Coast Guard support, among others.

Following training, auxiliary members may assist at a station or sector in a number of ways. For example, an auxiliary member may stand in for a Coast Guard member as a radio operator, so that Coast Guard member is released for other duties.

Members develop and share new skills with the community as well as other members.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend the monthly Flotilla 18 meeting, held at 6 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Milton Fire Station, 5321 Stewart St.

For more information visit the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary website www.cgaux.org or the Milton Flotilla website www.flotilla18.com .

Master Gardeners Yard and Plant Sale set for June 13

The 5th annual Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners Yard and Plant Sale is set for Saturday, June 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension Office, 6263 Dogwood Drive, Milton.

A variety of plants will be available including herbs, annuals and perennials. Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening, lawn and plant questions. The demonstration gardens will be open for tours.

A variety of items including household goods, linens, kitchenware, dishes, patio items, jewelry, books, garden items, and knick-knacks will also be for sale.

For more information contact Mary Derrick at (850) 623-3868 or by email at [email protected].