Soon, witches, zombies and vampires will converge on your house, asking for candy.

As is the case every Halloween, you’ll likely be merely amused by the sight of these costumed characters.

But in other areas of life, such as the investment world, you may need to watch for some seemingly scary entities.

Here are a few of them:

The Horrendous Headline — Big, glaring headlines rarely offer any comfort to investors.

Whether it’s political squabbles at home, conflicts in the Middle East or the debt crisis in the euro zone, there’s always something happening that’s perceived as jeopardizing financial markets' stability.

Yet these threats are often overblown, and the markets have proven quite resilient for decades.

Here in the United States, the most powerful economic engine in the history of the world has offered investment opportunities as crises have come and gone.

The Terrible Tipster — He or she could be anyone: your neighbor, friend or relative. But whatever their origins, Terrible Tipsters have one thing in common: They tout “hot” stocks or “can’t miss” opportunities.

The problem is that by the time you actually hear about a hot stock, it may already be cooling off. And the “can’t miss” opportunities often do indeed miss.

Don’t waste time, effort and money seeking a shortcut to investment success; there isn’t one. Instead, stick with an investment strategy that’s suitable for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.

The Scary Statement — When the market is down, you probably dread seeing your investment statements.

But don’t let a few bad months, or even a bad year, cause you to stuff your money under your mattress.

The financial markets can turn around pretty quickly, and if you’re out of the market when the next rally begins, you’ll miss out on some potentially big gains.

So, put those negative statements aside and look back at your investment results over a period of many years — the big picture might look a lot less frightening than you’d imagine.

The Fearsome Forecast — The financial markets' performance is notoriously hard to predict, but that doesn’t stop a slew of fortune-tellers from trying.

And the same is true of the economy — predictions abound, but many prove far off base. You can always adjust your portfolio, as needed, in response to changing market or economic conditions, but don’t act on these possible circumstances just because someone, somewhere, has predicted them.

Instead, follow tried-and-true principles such as diversification, which can help reduce the impact of volatility on your holdings. (However, diversification can’t guarantee a profit or protect against loss.)

The ghouls and goblins you see on Halloween are unlikely to cause you nightmares. And various phantoms of the investment world may prove just as illusory.

Don’t let them scare you away from investing.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Beware of scary inhabitants of the investment world

GetHelpFlorida.org helps you easily find valuable government information.

This site provides  thousands of federal, state and county programs and services.

The website, and the following information, comes from the Pasco County Library Cooperative, funded under provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the institute of Museum and library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and information Services.

Here's why you should visit Get Help Florida's website:

●It's the most up-to-date site that helps Florida citizens find vital information

●Organized content links visitors to specific Florida programs and services available to Florida citizens

●The responsive web design works seamlessly on cell phones, tablets, and laptop computers

●Chat, text or email a Florida librarian from the website.

From citizens to civil servants, GetHelpFlorida.org is a valuable resource portal for anyone in need.

Its resources include information on these topics:

●Food stamps

●Unemployment

●Shelters

●Education

●Jobs

●Foreclosures

●Help filing taxes

●Utilities

●Medicaid

Stop in at the Crestview Public Library for a flier or bookmark to learn more about the service.  

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LEWIS: Florida website has information on thousands of government programs, services

The Christian church — with more than 34,000 denominations worldwide — is divided. 

Loyalty to a particular school of thought or theology drives heated debates, physical violence, shunning and divorces.

But on Oct. 4, World Communion Sunday, Christians around the world were called to remember that we are united in Jesus Christ as one body — the Body of Christ.

REMEMBERING PASSOVER

Last Sunday, Christians gathered at our Lord’s table, remembering what happened when He sat with his disciples to eat the Passover meal.

Jesus, knowing what was coming — his arrest, interrogation, beating and crucifixion — picked up unleavened bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you.”

Later in the meal, he took the Cup of Elijah — traditionally full of wine, but untouched during the meal. He said, “This cup is the new covenant, sealed in my blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sin.” 

The old and new covenants came together to unite God’s people within the Body of Christ.

After he gave them the bread, and after he gave them the cup, he said, “Whenever you do this, remember me.”

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

If we were to truly remember humanity — not just on Sundays, or Wednesdays, but all the time — and what Jesus did for all, would the Body of Christ be more united than it is right now? Would it be healthier?

What if we consistently remembered the feet that walked long, dusty roads to carry the good news of God’s loving grace, so God’s teachings could be heard anew?

What if we consistently remembered the hands that blessed little children; that healed the sick; that took a basin of water to wash his disciples’ feet; that took the bread and the cup and served his disciples at dinner?

What would it be like to consistently remember the depth of his love, a love that ran so deep that it sent him to the cross?

What would it be like for the Body of Christ to continuously remember that Jesus took our sins on himself as a sacrifice, and that our sins have been forgiven, and our punishment removed?

What would it be like to persistently look into his eyes and realize he chose to forgive and never scorn anyone for their mistakes?

FOLLOWING JESUS' EXAMPLE

Jesus chose obedience to God, regardless of the cost to himself. He knew his whole life that he would suffer the most agonizing death.

Yet he remained faithful to God.

He sacrificed himself for the sins of people throughout the world and throughout history.

He laid down his life; he gave everything; and he gave himself.

Are we willing to be living sacrifices, surrendering ourselves completely — our earthly desires, our selfishness, our pride and our ego — to love and serve him? 

Are we willing to sacrifice the pursuit of earthly success to pursue holiness? 

Are we willing to sacrifice superficiality to pursue the depths of God’s grace?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Ways to strengthen the body of Christ

Here's your last chance to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15) — at no charge.

The Crestview Public Library has many resources to help you learn about Hispanic and Latin cultures and people, and we can help Spanish speakers learn English or English speakers learn Spanish. 

The library has Spanish brochures from Federal Student Aid and a local bilingual newspaper, La Costa Latina. 

In addition, Crestview library card holders can access electronic resources to research topics in Spanish and English. For instance, Informe Académico provides access to newspapers and magazines in Spanish and Portuguese.

There is also Rocket Languages, a language learning resource  recognized with PC Mag and Bessie Awards. 

We also have bilingual picture books, great novels and adult non-fiction books. 

Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's assistant director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GARCIA: National Hispanic Heritage Month wraps Oct. 15

National Save for Retirement Week is observed Oct. 18-24 this year.

And this week has some weight behind it, as it is recognized by the U.S. Senate for its importance in encouraging Americans to prepare themselves financially for retirement.

Are you doing all you can?

Many of your peers aren’t. About a third of working adults have no retirement savings or pension, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve.

And more than half of workers report that the total value of their household’s savings and investments, excluding the value of their primary home and any defined benefit plan (such as a traditional pension), is less than $25,000, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2015 Retirement Confidence Survey.

Such figures help explain why many people are unsure if they’ll ever be able to retire. Almost 40 percent of respondents in the Federal Reserve’s study have no intention to retire or plan to keep working for as long as possible.

Of course, if you enjoy your career, or just simply like to work, you may be in no hurry to retire. But you may want to put yourself in a position someday when work is optional — not mandatory.

To reach that point, consider taking these steps:

Estimate your cost of retirement. At what age do you plan to retire? When you do retire, will you stay home and pursue your hobbies, or will you travel the world? Will you do some consulting or other part-time paid work, or will you volunteer?

By answering these and other questions, you can at least estimate your costs during your retirement years.

Contribute to your 401(k). Contribute as much as you can afford each year to your employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k).

At a minimum, put in enough to earn your employer’s matching contribution, if one is offered.

A 401(k) or similar plan is a great way to put money away for retirement, because your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis. And you may have a dozen or more investment vehicles within your 401(k), so you can build a portfolio that’s appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.

In 2015, you can contribute up to $18,000 to your 401(k), or $24,000 if you’re 50 or older.

Fully fund your IRA. Even if you participate in a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, you’re probably still eligible to contribute to an IRA as well.

In 2015, you can contribute up to $5,500 — or $6,500, if you’re 50 or older — to an IRA. A traditional IRA offers tax-deferred earnings, while Roth IRA earnings can grow tax free, provided you don’t start taking withdrawals until you’re 59 1⁄2 and you’ve had your account at least five years.

Plus, you can fund your IRA with virtually any type of investment you choose. Try to “max out” your IRA every year.

Control your debts. Control your debts as much as possible. Every dollar that doesn’t go into a debt payment could be invested for your retirement.

These aren’t the only steps that can help you move toward a comfortable retirement — but they can certainly help get you on the right path.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

WHAT: "Social Security: Your Questions Answered," featuring Edward Jones financial adviser Yvonne Shanklin and Destin Cobb, a certified public accountant with Carr, Riggs and Ingram

WHEN: 6 p.m. Oct. 13

WHERE:Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview; dinner will be served

CONTACT: Space is limited. Call Yvonne Shanklin, 682-2497, to make a reservation.

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: 4 steps to save for retirement

When hunting, food safety begins in the field. The goal is to have safe meat for you and your family to eat.

Here are some ways to keep your food safe:

1. Shot placement. Food safety begins with an accurate shot. Your goal should be to prevent the digestive tract's contents from touching the meat. A gut shot can quickly ruin meat and make cleaning the animal harder.

2. Quickly chill the meat. Improper temperature is meat’s No. 1 enemy. The recommended storage temperature to prevent bacterial growth is 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Handle the knife with one hand and the carcass with the other. The hide can harbor dirt and pathogens, so be careful to prevent contamination of the meat.

4. Have vinegar water and chlorine water on hand. Spray a solution of half vinegar and half water on areas where hair or hide touch the meat. Rinse hands and tools periodically in a bucket of sanitizing solution of 1 tablespoon of chlorine per gallon of water.

5. Think food safety through the whole process. Prevent cross contamination by keeping anything from contacting the meat unless it has been sterilized. Keep the digestive tract intact and prevent its contents from contacting the meat. Chill the meat as quickly as possible. When further processing, always use sterile surfaces and tools.

Jennifer Bearden is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

WHAT: "Wild About Deer: Game Processing," a lesson on field-to-table food processing safety; includes a home-cooked venison meal

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14

WHERE: 3098 Airport Road, Crestview

COST: $20; call 689-5850 to pre-register.

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BEARDEN: 5 ways to keep field-to-table meat safe

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputy Bill Myers' death has been a shock and disappointment for our community: A kind, loving man was gunned down in cold blood after delivering an injunction.

Myers' shooting is not the type of incident anyone expected to happen in Okaloosa County. This was basically a process service; I have served court documents with no incident.

With this senseless murder — and many police shootings around the country — we must ask: When did we declare war on our neighbors? When did we decide that police are the enemy? When did we decide that dealing drugs or stealing others' possessions is important enough to end human life?

Does anyone really want to live in a society with no police presence, and allow crime to run rampant?

Here's another question: Senseless murders have increased, so what can we do about this lawlessness?

Will we listen to those who create controversy and stir up dissention? The Bible states, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness…." Isaiah 5:20.

Prayer is our first line of defense in any situation.

Pray for peace in our neighborhoods and community.

Pray for the safety of our police officers and deputies; for them to make wise decisions and have discernment.

Pray that they always act with integrity and that they are shielded from harm as they do their jobs.

Pray for the police chiefs and the sheriff to make wise decisions; they are in tough situations many times.

We can let law enforcement know that we care about their safety; perhaps watch over them, as a Houston 16-year-old had. The story, which has gone viral, says he watched a sheriff's deputy's back as she pumped her gas.

We can — as I wrote a few weeks ago — take them cookies or other treats to thank them for their service.

We need to teach children to respect and obey the law and law enforcement personnel. Parents always should speak respectfully of law enforcement, as our children learn from us.

My family prays for the safety of our officers and deputies every day; we encourage your family to join us.

May God bless our law enforcement!

Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Pray for law enforcement officers