Fun Facts   

Captain Puckett will lecture on Age of Exploration, the 15th Century through the 18th Century, history of Columbus's voyages to the Caribbean, the Spanish Conquistadors occupation of Central America and France's attempt at constructing a canal across the isthmus of Panama. 

How they are formed, the history of the discovery, the 4-C's of white and color diamonds thoroughly explained, (they're different), what gives colored diamonds their unique colors?  How diamonds became an engagement ring custom, industrial usage, critical physical features and parameters to know when buying. Also, how they are made from rough carbon stone into dazzling works of beauty.  Are "Lab Diamonds" a good value, "Blood Diamonds" explained.  World's most expensive diamonds with carat sizes and price tags shown and the "Hope Diamond Curse Mystery" solution. 

For centuries, people have viewed Fridays and the number 13 as omens of bad luck. And when the two combine on the calendar, it’s double the trouble. Superstitions often take the form of taboos, things you shouldn't do. In some cases the superstition comes with its own remedy for undoing the harm. Enroll in this class and explore some familiar but silly superstitions from bygone days. Be sure to throw a little salt over your left shoulder before leaving the house to attend this class.

Visit the 'Golden Age of Hollywood' and discover the back-story about the movie studios, the stars they created and the murders, mysteries and mayhem of the lives they lived.

This course will include more Hollywood secrets, scandals, suicides and murders. Topics include items like what happened to Errol Flynn? Who was Clark Gable?

Key West is a popular destination for residents and tourists, alike. Some are frequent visitors, others just a few times. This course will cover many aspects of this Florida city, including amusing historical anecdotes and surprises. Why did Spanish ships refuse to land on this tropical paradise for almost 200 years? How did a resident of Key West become Florida's first millionaire? Attend to find out how much you really know about the southernmost tip of Florida.

The Panama Canal was completed in 1914 and opened for ships of the world to pass through the Panama Canal. It was not be until 1920 that the Panama Canal was fully operational. Captain Puckett will explain the modernization and defense of the Canal Zone infrastructure for Americans living in the American Canal Zone. 

Join us as we look at the small towns around in North Central Florida.  Explore the history, trivia, and places of interest of places you may want to visit. For this class, come learn about the St. Johns River and First Coast counties.

Join us as we look at the small towns around in North Central Florida.  Explore the history, trivia, and places of interest of places you may want to visit, just miles from home. The focus for this event will be on The Suwannee River and Big Bend counties.

During his military career Captain Puckett served aboard vessels the US Navy and US Army.  He held the position Ship Captain and Maritime Ship Pilot in four major ports of the world and on the Panama Canal. In this lecture he will outline the history of the "Army Navy", it's operations, responsibilities and his career in the Army's Navy at home and abroad.  He will share many photographs very seldom seen. 

Captain Puckett will introduce the engineers that actually built the Panama Canal, the design and location of a lake lock canal, construction of a mammoth set of concrete locks, manufacturer of the floating steel gates and the special electric locomotive that controlled the ships as they pass through the canal. 

Captain Puckett will outline the rules, regulations and procedures that a ship must meet to pass through the Panama Canal. He will explain the requirements that enable the ships to pass through the Panama Canal. 

On December 31, 1999 the United States relinquished complete control of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama.  Captain Puckett will outline the history of the United State Relationship with the Republic of Panama Relating to the Panama Canal Zone.  He will also review the Republic of Panama's construction of a Mega Second Canal Lock System.  

This PowerPoint program details the very beginning of Gold on the planet to the variety of techniques used to mine it around the world. The earliest Gold rushes in America; to the manners used to collect it; how some people found it and then lost it; what the major commercial uses are; how it is extravagantly displayed; colors, karats and chemistry and history and trickery in currency transactions. This colorful program tells it all!

A completely different tour with totally different artifacts whose background stories are revealed and colorfully illustrated by a CIA Retiree who was in the Agency when most of these events were happening. This is Part 2 of an ongoing series that will contain, as they are declassified, new clandestine items and missions previously highly classified in full color and with unique illustrations created to show how they were carried out. It reveals two of the most expensive operations in CIA history!

A completely unique tour with totally different artifacts and background stories revealed and colorfully illustrated by Dr. Don Wyman, CIA Retiree who was in the Agency when most of these events were happening. This is Part 3 of an ongoing series that contains as they are declassified, new clandestine items and missions previously highly classified in full color and with unique illustrations created to show how they were carried out to combat smothering enemy surveillance.

Peek into the lives of several exceptional women who became famous because of an overwhelming passion for whom or what they loved. The names Annie Oakley, Madam Curie may be familiar, but come and discover how their 'love story' changed history.

Peek into the lives of several exceptional women who became famous because of an overwhelming passion for whom or what they loved. The names Annie Oakley, Madam Curie may be familiar, but come and discover how their 'love story' changed history.

Solving Cryptograms, like the ones in the newspaper, is a fun way of keeping the brain cells active, while at the same time giving a sense of accomplishment at their decoding. As part of the tuition, a new, only one-of-its-kind Cryptogram Deciphering Handbook will be given to each attendee, along with a Certificate of Achievement conferring an honorary degree. A new, one-of-a-kind "Pattern Words: Crown Jewels of Cryptography" reference handbook will be available.