Fun Facts   

Captain Puckett will outline the lecture series and will present his first lecture, Age of Exploration, the 15th Century through the 18th Century, history of Columbus's voyages to the Caribbean, the Spanish Conquistadors occupation of Central American and Frances's attempt at constructing a Canal across the isthmus of Panama.

This course will trace the evolution of Rock N Roll from early Blues Styles to Elvis Presley. The instructor will be using audio and video clips to illustrate the changes in the US that led to the development of this new style in the early 1950s.

Captain Puckett will cover America's construct of a Canal across the Isthmus of Panama. He will introduce the engineers that actually built the Panama Canal, the design and location of a lake lock system, construction of a mammoth set of concrete locks, manufactured floating steel gates, electric locomotives that controlled the ships as they pass through the Canal.

The French flag once flew over 2/3 of North America territories. Discover the history, culture, food and music of New Orleans, the only U.S. city that retains its French culture. Included is the history of an ancient pagan party known as Mardi Gras.

Construction of the Panama Canal was completed in 1914 and immediately began taking ships through on a limited basis. There were numerous problems with topography, rockslides, electrical issues, channel depths, and operations in general. It would not be until 1920 that the Panama Canal was fully operational.                                                                                                                                                          

Captain Puckett will explain the overall requirements that enable a ship to pass through the Panama Canal. He will outline the sundry of requirements including ship measurements, monetary costs and payments, manpower assistance and detailed scheduling procedures. He will also share a Panama Canal Pilot's training and responsibilities and share some of the interesting, picturesque views of the landscape as makes its eight-hour transit of the marvel of engineering of The Panama Canal.   

Hear the 'back-story' concerning movie studios, the stars they created, and the murders, mysteries and mayhem of Hollywood's Golden Age.

Captain Puckett will outline the history of the United States relationship with the Republic of Panama relating to the Panama Canal Zone. He will explain the reason President Jimmy Carter decided to turn the Canal over to Panama.

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.

The Panama Canal Authority's design of a mega set of locks to accommodate the larger world ships. The Panama Canal also instituted a new advanced vessel communication and accounting system, purchased a fleet of larger tugboats to assist in handling the larger ships that would be passing through the new Panama Canal Mega Lock and reorganized the Panama Canal Pilot training and advancement system. The new Mega locks would limit operation mostly to daylight hours and would take an average of 12 ships a day through those new locks.

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!
 

What is the price for becoming famous? Was it murder or suicide? Join this class to hear about the nasty secrets of Hollywood's most famous 'gossip mongers.'

Captain Puckett has over 50 years of maritime experience. He went to sea when Satellite Navigation and GPS were just being developed.  As a young navigator he learned to navigate by the Stars. For years he taught the history and science of this forgotten art. In this lecture he will share Celestial Navigation with you.   

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.

 

Join Cathy Salustri and take a look at how hurricanes impact Florida. Find out about the parts of our state that really need hurricanes, and hear stories from some of the previous storms that hit Florida.

Explore legends of hauntings and ghosts throughout Florida. From Key West north, hear all sorts of ghost stories about Florida. Robert the Doll? The Headless Pirate? Get to know the scarier part of our state, and take a closer look at these stories. Feel free, at the talk's end, to share some of your own. After all, 'tis the season.

Florida has no shortage of historic hotels still in operation. For those ready to plan a next Florida road trip, don't miss this 2-part talk with Cathy Salustri and Joey Vars. Between the morning and afternoon presentations, they will cover all of the still-operating historic hotels throughout the Sunshine State. Part I will cover the oldest hotels, and Part II includes some still-old, but not as old hotels with a breakout segment on hotels in the Tampa Bay area.

Florida has no shortage of historic hotels still in operation. For those ready to plan a next Florida road trip, don't miss this 2-part talk with Cathy Salustri and Joey Vars. Between the morning and afternoon presentations, they will cover all of the still-operating historic hotels throughout the Sunshine State. Part I will cover the oldest hotels, and Part II includes some still-old, but not as old hotels with a breakout segment on hotels in the Tampa Bay area.

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? Even if you have visited Key West, this presentation offers many surprises and amusing anecdotes.