You probably already know about the two big shopping days — Black Friday and Cyber Monday — that follow Thanksgiving.

But did you know that Giving Tuesday is observed on Nov. 28? By showing your generosity on this day and throughout the holiday season, you can benefit charitable organizations and your loved ones — and your gifts can even provide you with some potential financial advantages.

So, what sorts of gifts should you consider?

Here are a couple of suggestions for the charitable organizations you support:

Give cash.

Any charitable group will welcome cash contributions. And if the charity has 501(c)(3) status (named after the section of the Internal Revenue Code that governs such groups), your gift can offer you a tax deduction.

So, for example, if you are in the 25 percent tax bracket and you give $1,000 to a qualified charity, you will be able to deduct $250 from your taxes. (You will need to itemize deductions to gain this tax benefit.) Generally speaking, your maximum deduction is limited to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income.

You might be able to expand the reach of your cash gifts through your workplace. Some companies will match some of your contributions to charitable organizations. Also, your employer may allow you to apply for larger grants to support nonprofit groups, especially those in which many employees are actively involved.

Donate appreciated stocks.

If you have stocks that have grown significantly in value, you may want to donate them to a charitable group. You will be allowed a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the gift on the date of the transfer, even if your original cost was only a fraction of today’s value. Furthermore, you will avoid the capital gains taxes you’d have to pay if you sold the stock, provided you’ve held the stock for at least a year.

You don’t have to restrict your giving to charitable groups. If you have children or grandchildren, you might want to provide them with the gift of higher education by contributing to a 529 college savings plan. A 529 plan offers several benefits. Contribution limits vary from state to state, but are generally quite high — you can accumulate more than $200,000 per beneficiary in many state plans, although special gifting provisions may apply. And you can typically invest in the 529 plan offered by any state, even if you don’t live there, although you might not receive the tax benefits — such as deductions or tax credits — you’d get if you invested in your own state’s plan.

Also, all withdrawals from 529 plans are free from federal income taxes, and possibly from state income taxes, as long as the money is used for a qualified college or graduate expense of the beneficiary you’ve named — typically, your child or grandchild. (Withdrawals for expenses other than qualified education expenditures may be subject to federal, state and penalty taxes.)

Be aware, though, that 529 plans may affect financial aid, particularly if you’ve set up a plan for your grandchild, so you might want to consult with a college’s financial aid office before the child heads off to school.

Through your gifts to charitable groups and your family members, you can take the spirit of Giving Day and extend it throughout the holiday season — and even beyond. 

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Take action on ‘Giving Tuesday’ — and beyond

One in three folks over 50 who need a colonoscopy fail to have one. That’s nuts.

It’s easier than it's ever been, and not getting this done might kill you. So schedule one now, before Obamacare implodes further and you can only see your doctor in a few years if you sign up to caddy on Saturday at your local country club.

If you are totally afraid, they now have what President Obama had when he turned 50, a "virtual colonoscopy." It’s where they just X-ray to see if there are polyps. This procedure simulates a full and proper traditional colonoscopy exam, but it's not as thorough, like the Obama Justice Department’s simulated investigation of the Clinton Foundation.

"Proctologist" is a word a man never likes to hear, along with a few others like "testicular," "ingrown," "listen," "ask for directions," and "let’s cuddle." But a colonoscopy is something we all have to do.

My procedure went well, but now I know how those sock puppets in the media feel. And to you liberal bloggers out there, the answer is "No, my doctor did not find my head up there."

I don’t listen to instructions well, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I felt like it would be best to treat the procedure like French marriage: Asking a lot of questions takes the fun out of it.

First, you have to stop eating the day before and drink a particularly obnoxious concoction called "MoviPrep" plus a lot of Gatorade.

This stuff tastes like tinsel from your Christmas tree ground up into creek water coming from near a phosphate plant. Yet they have easier to swallow pills now.

In about 30 minutes, you understand what the "Mov" part of "MoviPrep"’ means. You run to your potty, and you and the toilet make like a jet ski for the next hour. It's like that scene from "Dumb and Dumber," a movie done back when Jim Carrey was funny.

If Trump would just allow it, they should give "MoviPrep" to captured ISIS terrorists in New York. After taking it, everything comes out.

Then a loved one (or someone just looking for entertainment) drives you to the procedure. You meet with the anesthesiologist who, by American Medical Association rules, has to be foreign, unintelligible and socially awkward.

My anesthesiologist looked like he got his medical degree at Chuck E. Cheese using one of those claws in the toy machine.  More mistakes have been made combining a doctor with minimal English language skills and anesthesia than anything in the history of mankind – except maybe bourbon and a pistol.

You then impart critical personal information to this person who is going to take you as near to death as you have yet come. Mine asked if I had any mental illness in the family; I said I have an uncle who worked in the Carter administration.

Everyone asks you about ten times if you are allergic to anything. My answer remained consistent: Pilates and weak-willed men.

Then you are rolled into a room and an IV is placed in your arm in preparation for putting you into a mini-sleep.

Once you can stand up, you are released to go home. It’s the same criterion my bartender uses. You are told you cannot drive that day or (my favorite) "operate heavy machinery." This fits my lifelong rule: do not operate heavy machinery – ever. I call my assistant into my office to operate my stapler.

Southerners occupy five of the top five positions of most obese states, which is even more reason to get a colonoscopy. If Tennessee Williams were to adapt his famous novel about the South today, he’d have to call it "A Streetcar Named Diabetes," and Marlin Brando would be screaming to bring him a "Stella" beer.

You can also use the time to ask your gastroenterologist about the health and lifestyle choices you make and their potential damage to your internal organs. Mine asked if I drank a lot, and I didn’t disagree. I told him that I liked bourbon over ice, Jack Daniels on the rocks, or occasionally Scotch on ice.

He told me that is really awful for me.

So I learned an important health fact: ice must be bad for you.

Ron Hart is a libertarian op-ed humorist and award-winning author. Contact him at Ron@RonaldHart.com or @RonaldHart on Twitter.

What's your view?

Write a letter to the editor.

"Southerners occupy five of the top five positions of most obese states, which is even more reason to get a colonoscopy."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: My colonoscopy — going boldly where no man has gone

It seems as though Halloween ended and Christmas began. When and why did we abandon Thanksgiving?

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated because the Pilgrims were thankful for surviving the previous year; thankful to the Lord and to the local Indians for their help.

The Pilgrims landed with 116 passengers at Cape Cod about Nov. 9, 1620. Following the winter of 1620-1621, only half of the passengers and crew survived.

In the spring of 1621, an Indian named Squanto came and kindly taught these settlers how to live off the land, catch fish and plant corn and other local crops.

In the fall, when the crops had been harvested, Gov. William Bradford declared a Harvest Feast for both the settlers and the native Indians.

The settlers hunted fowl and the Indians brought deer to the feast while the women cooked up some delicious dishes. While we know about the venison, fish and fowl, there was probably a type of corn bread, as well as local vegetables that the Indians had taught the settlers how to plant and harvest.

Different sorts of tree nuts may have been harvested and used in various recipes. Since there was no wheat or butter, pies wouldn't have been included, and the beverage of the day would have likely been water.

The feast lasted for three days, according to the Smithsonian Magazine’s website. Think of how full we'd be if we ate Thanksgiving dinner for three days.

Thanksgiving was recognized in 1777 by a Proclamation of the Continental Congress. It states, "November 1, 1777: FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of: And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence…."

In 1863, President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving an official national holiday. Let's not overlook Thanksgiving since it is an important day to show gratitude and thankfulness for our bounty.

Wednesday, Nov. 15, there will be a community Harvest Dinner at First Baptist Church, 3972 Second Street, Laurel Hill, hosted by Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m.

The community is invited; please bring food to share. A wonderful time is always enjoyed at this dinner.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, 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: What happened to Thanksgiving?

We took my parents home to Alabama for the Crimson Tide vs. LSU game Saturday, and I had occasion to get some insight into current events from my Druncle Mac. I pass on his blue collar views because I feel strongly that they go a long way to explain why Trump is President.

Mac will never win a humanitarian award. I once saw him call the manager over when he saw a baby changing station in an airport men’s restroom to tell him, “There must be some kind of design flaw.” He made the manager promise to look into it. He also says, “I have two favorite songs. One is Elvis’ rendition of ‘Dixie,’ the other is not.”

Confronted about his “drinking problem,” he said, "When you think about it, it’s really the police’s problem.”

My Druncle Mac had an interesting take on the Harvey Weinstein case: “I’m lucky to be too poor to have any accusers come forward to say I got grab-ass with them years ago.”

His point is that sexual harassment claims are a rich man’s problem. These women (via a Gloria Allred-type attorney) all seem to be coming out saying they were inappropriately touched years ago. By whom? The answer, all too often is, “anyone willing to settle.”

Long ago, Los Angeles declared itself a sanctuary city for powerful, ugly, nasty old men. Men that ugly can only get action by trafficking in their power. The same can be said for powerful politicians in D.C. Washington has long been the Hollywood for ugly people.

Mac went on to pontificate that most of these “victims” who suddenly came forward with claims of sexual harassment had to know Weinstein’s reputation and went to his hotel room anyway. When one actress was asked, “Why didn’t you NOT go to a married movie producer’s hotel room, knowing what you know about him?”, she responded, “And give up on show business?”.

There is always truth in his drunken, blue-collar observations. He readily admits men are cads. Mac has always said, “God created man in just one day, on the seventh, when He was probably not paying attention — and it shows.”

Free market capitalism quickly punishes boorish-like Harvey Weinsteins. Just when you think no one could mess up his career worse than Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey pops up and says, “Wait a second, hold my Appletini.”

There might be a comeback opportunity for Spacey and Weinstein: I hear Subway is looking for a new spokesman.

Keep in mind, Druncle Mac has not had the best relationships with women. I once asked him how he and his then-wife were doing, he said, “Ronnie, not so great. We took out large insurance policies on each other; now it’s just a waiting game.”  This from a man who does not buy car insurance. We were watching a Geico commercial on TV that promised to save 20 percent on car insurance. Mac said that was nothing; he saved 100 percent on car insurance by leaving the scene of every accident he’s ever been in.

In essence, Weinstein was using his position and extorting ambitious actresses for sex. Awful, yes, but being a horn-dog jerk is not a crime. Otherwise, Bill Clinton would be serving life.

Rape and assault are serious crimes and should be examined in this case. The sad thing is that, in some states, the woman who taped Weinstein in his hotel room proving her case would face felony eavesdropping charges. The reluctance to come forward could be traced to our unchecked and convoluted legal system where “Russian collusion” investigations end up with unrelated bystander charges.

Both Mac and Harvey are walking and talking testaments to the fact that telling someone to “just be yourself” is terrible advice to give some people.

There are always going to be creeps, and piling on after not saying anything when it happened do not make victims “heroes.”

This #Me,too seems too late, victimizing and self-congratulatory. But Hollywood created this world.

Weinstein, Ratner, et al. are still around Hollywood. Bill Cosby, Woody Allen and O.J. are too.

Ron Hart is a libertarian op-ed humorist and award-winning author. Contact him at Ron@RonaldHart.com or @RonaldHart on Twitter.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor.

"These women (via a Gloria Allred-type attorney) all seem to be coming out saying they were inappropriately touched years ago. By whom? The answer, all too often is, 'anyone willing to settle.'"

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: My Druncle Mac’s take on the Harvey Weinstein fallout

Coming to Crestview, Florida in the near future is a support group for sexual assault victims.

Our mission is, “A Christian-based network support group for sexually abused women and men. Our goal is to provide a holistic approach in allowing individuals to live a life of freedom through the word of God.”

Crestview does not currently have any of these resources in our local area. Scars of the Past has a safe meeting place where individuals can meet and become healed from the many internal and external scars from his or her assailant.

The support group is a place where you can share your story confidentially with others who have been through or [are] going through the same thing. You will also have access to a prayer partner who wants the best for you and is willing to intercede on your behalf.

We are a group of people dedicated to your physical, emotional, spiritual and mental well-being.

Here are some of the things you can look forward to when attending a Scars of the Past meeting:

• You will have support dealing with the effects of sexual abuse

• Support connecting you to a local health facility for medical or forensic examinations

• People who can listen and assist you as you walk through the events of what happened

• Local resources for healing and recovery

• Referrals to mental health professionals who will assist you with coping mechanisms and PTSD

• Information regarding victims' rights and compensation

• An advocate or guardian ad litem who will assist you with court proceedings

God has moved in a powerful way and I am excited about the next chapter.

For more information or to obtain the meeting place, time and location, please send your email to: scarsofthepast@scarsofthepast.net or call 850-612-9847.

Many thanks to my board of directors and a host of other anonymous community leaders who have helped with the start-up of this non-profit organization.

Patti Adams founded Scars of the Past, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donations can be made through GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/scars-of-the-past.

“We are a group of people dedicated to your physical, emotional, spiritual and mental well-being.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New Crestview support group helps sexual assault victims

As most assumed, lobbyist and fired Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was indicted by Mueller’s Special Counsel investigation.

This indictment had nothing to do with Trump's campaign. The investigation into Russian collusion by Trump has been an expensive, media-encouraged attempt to find some major smoking gun. So far, this “scandal” hasn’t lived up to its hype; it’s the Apple Watch of investigations. 

They were able to get Manafort for whatever they wanted to with all the convoluted laws we have regarding taxes and foreign lobbying. As a famous New York judge once said of grand juries, “Prosecutors could get them to indict a ham sandwich.” If you are a ham sandwich, or a U.S. citizen, that should bother you. 

Manafort’s biggest crime in the partisan swamp of D.C. was being Trump’s campaign manager. 

According to an analysis by The Hill, of the 14 major federal agencies whose employees personally donated to presidential politics, “By the end of September 2016, about $1.9 million, or 95 percent, went to the Democratic nominee’s campaign.” Ninety-four percent of Department of Justice employee donations were to Hillary. If you don’t think legal outcomes are based on biases or payback, ask the O.J. jury. 

The Mueller team is full of Democrat donors. Even according to the hyper-left Washington Post, of the top investigators who donated heavily to Democrats, “James Quarles gave the most political donations out of the four — nearly $33,000 to various Democrats since 1999, Federal Election Commission records show. Recipients included Obama for America, Hillary for America and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.” 

Like everything in Washington, the Justice Department is political. Its stock answer is, “We will go where the evidence leads us.” But, in a town that voted 90 percent for Hillary, that means, "We will go where we want the evidence to lead us, and leak it if it doesn’t." Not surprisingly, the judge in the Manafort case is an Obama appointee. 

The way the deep state "swamp dwellers" in Washington are now, Democrats really want this investigation to impeach Trump, and Republicans are secretly hoping it will. It’s not a fair fight. We all know Trump often exchanges bravado for facts. He is probably also under investigation for something. I say this because he has tweeted that he is “NOT under investigation.” 

The reality is that, if you give the ex-FBI chief $10 million, a big Democrat donor staff, and all our laws-layered-upon-laws in America, they will get 90 percent of us if they want to. It is like a policeman tailing your car for 1,000 miles: He will eventually find a reason to arrest you. But what should worry us all, Democrats included, is the question: Is this the legal system we want, one that indicts out of political vengeance?  

I think Manafort probably did some slippery things; in that business, most do, including Hillary’s besties, the Brothers Podesta. You start lobbying for foreign governments, wiring money, etc., and you can be indicted on a whole long list of U.S. laws. I predict this episode unveils further the seedy role lobbyists play in running D.C. and will strengthen Trump.

Swamp dwellers in D.C. like Manafort and Podesta didn’t invent crime; they just improved on it. 

But if the crimes Manafort has been indicted for date back to 2006, why did DOJ not get him then? That is the real question. And an armed, pre-dawn raid of his home for a non-violent investigation should make us all scared of government.  

With all the problems in America, we continue to prosecute and incarcerate more citizens than the rest of the world. We are 4.4 percent of the world's population and we have 22 percent of the world’s prisoners. If you give government this many agencies, money, and vast and unaccountable powers, more of us will be arrested. Neither Hillary nor any political enemy needs to be harassed as a blood sport by this government morass. 

By weaponizing criminal law for political gain, this “special counsel” is about to spend $20 million to indict some guys who really harmed no one. It is no surprise we have a huge budget deficit with all this waste and just had to do a budget deal to avoid another “fiscal cliff.” When lawmakers go over the next fiscal cliff, I hope the tide is out. 

Even liberal lawyer Alan Dershowitz says, “Criminalizing political differences hurts democracy.” And GOP congressmen are mute as this governmental blunt object is swung. We must stand up to politically motivated prosecutions. Should America die next week, the police investigation would say there were no signs of struggle. 

Ron Hart is a libertarian op-ed humorist and award-winning author. Contact him at Ron@RonaldHart.com or @RonaldHart on Twitter.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Like everything in Washington, the Justice Department is political

In an age when so many people spend so much time sitting or who are doing nothing, let's celebrate the people who are doing something. Celebrate their living.

I've always been blessed with energy. Energy is a good asset. As a young adult growing up I wanted to be in the middle of whatever was going on. I always enjoyed playing sports, swimming in the lake or creek, riding a bicycle for miles or being in the middle of the dance floor. I've always enjoyed movement. [Conversely], I can sit for three hours and read, meditate and write and actually tremendously enjoy it. There is something beautiful about life between two and five o'clock in the morning when you can be more creative than you've ever imagined. Try it sometime. It's quiet and you can hear God a little better.

I grew up in an era when old-time ministers preached against going to movies, rock and roll, dancing and of course smoking and drinking and gambling. I never wanted to smoke, drink or gamble but I loved movies, music and dancing. I was sad this when I learned Fats Domino had died at the age of 89. My brother brought one of his albums home from college when I was a kid. We had an old stereo and I would dance through that album, all twelve songs, at least three times in a row.

Would we not all wish for people to be out dancing and doing something physically active?  This would be better than sitting in the house staring at cell phones, computers and televisions or sitting around gossiping about others.

There is a point to this column and the point is do not let other people stop you from activity. Be active in life. Be out and about. Be doing something.

Applaud yourself and others if you have the emotional and physical wherewithal to jump up from your chair and go to work, sing, dance, mow the yard, chop down a tree, jog down the road, preach a 30-minute sermon, golf or fish all day, write a book, paint a picture, wash down the house, start a new venture — but rejoice for activity and feeling like you want to live.

It's a sign that you are really alive! Enjoy and live it!

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: How to know if you are alive

Our hearts go out to the people of Sutherland Springs, Texas. The First Baptist Church of this town and the entire community was ambushed in what resulted as the worst mass shooting in Texas history.

Twenty-six people are dead and many others are currently fighting for their lives in intensive care. This is heart crushing for this Texas community, and all of America, as we must conclude no place is safe in America anymore.

My hometown church in Inez, Kentucky kept the backdoor of the church unlocked during most of my high school years. The church was a place where anyone could enter and pray, and seek refuge from the problems of the world.

A little Catholic church around the corner from where I once lived in Louisa, Kentucky kept the front door unlocked the entire time I lived there. My sons and I went in there a couple of times to just be quiet, think and pray.

While growing up as a kid, my family attended different churches and there was never a thought of anything being unsafe about our worship.

Times have changed.

Sutherland Springs, Texas again reminds us that evil is everywhere and no place is perfectly safe.  Worshippers in this quiet Texas town gathered to sing, pray and hear a good sermon Sunday. They never dreamed their lives would end in church at the hands of sick and evil gunman. We don't know his motive for sure but it seems to me based on various reports that Devin Patrick Kelley was there to kill his in-laws.

Kelley's past was filled with troubles that included domestic abuse and a dishonorable discharge from the military. Unfortunately, Kelley needed mental help that might have saved 26 lives and carnage that this Texas community will never overcome.

Too bad a good deacon in the foyer or vestibule area of the church did not shoot Patrick Kelley dead. I know my good moderate Christian friends frown on me for this line of thinking. However, maybe several lives could have been saved if the church had a game plan for reacting to terrorism.

This has been a hard concept for my religious friends to embrace. Many have ignored the times of this world and simply sloughed it off. Some have said, "God will take care of us." Others want to brush off today's crisis with, "Something like that would never happen here."

Wake up, reader. Bad stuff happens everywhere. This is our world. Walkers on a bike path in New York City are not safe. Concertgoers in Las Vegas are not safe. People shopping in Colorado are not safe. Moviegoers and schoolchildren are not safe. Quaint café wine drinkers on sidewalks in peaceful neighborhoods in Paris, France are not safe. Busy people trying to earn a living in prestigious skyscrapers are not safe.

We are all vulnerable. If we do not take a position of defense, we are more vulnerable. People sitting in churches, concerts, movies and many other places are in danger of being attacked by surprise. It's very difficult to survive an ambush. This is why there must be a defense plan in place for all churches, civic groups, businesses, factory work places, offices and families.

When I was child, I remember when my mother started locking the front door. We had not always locked the front door but my mother had heard about people walking our road late at night and decided it was time to do so. We also had shotguns.

Today, of course, people with common sense lock their doors.   

America has changed. We still have a great country. I love America. America mostly has good and decent people.  Sadly, there are Devin Patrick Kelleys scattered throughout our country. There may be one in your state or even your community. You have to be ready to confront him or them.

By the way, Kelley was denied a gun permit. He still managed to obtain guns. Evil people will find ways to rent trucks, obtain guns, knives or make bombs. Please think about this and live — and, sadly now, worship — defensively. Even church is not safe anymore.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor.

"Too bad a good deacon in the foyer or vestibule area of the church did not shoot [Devin] Patrick Kelley dead. I know my good moderate Christian friends frown on me for this line of thinking. However, maybe several lives could have been saved if the church had a game plan for reacting to terrorism."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Church is not safe anymore

This is an open apology to the Crestview News Bulletin, the [Northwest Florida] Daily News, and to all businesses and citizens in Okaloosa County and in surrounding areas.

As you know, over a year ago I made a big mistake trying to help someone whom I thought was a friend that turned out to be a snake in the grass. Because of that, my organization [the Brotherhood of Love] suffered a lot of hurt and pain. A lot of people that trusted and believed in me suffered too.

At that time, I said to myself that I wasn't going to care for anyone else or to help anyone else. But in the last year and a couple months, I have received a lot of phone calls and a lot of people knocking on my door asking for help.

That let me know that a lot of people still believe in what I was doing: to help people with food, clothes and anything to assist them in their day-to-day needs so that they can move forward and progress in life.

Now that I know what I did was wrong, I've asked God to forgive me and to give me another chance to prove myself. So, I'm asking the news media and all businesses and citizens to forgive me for the mistake I made. But remember, we are all human. Don't let one mistake cause others to hurt and suffer.

I am very sorry for my mistake. I've made an error and see my mistake and I will try not to let something like this happen ever again. I've seen and realized a new way of doing things. It's a new time, a new day, and a new way.

You will not hear the name of The Brotherhood of Love again. It's gone in the past. Let the past be buried and move forward to a new future. The name of the new organization is The New Way of Life Outreach Ministry, always giving a helping hand, and to God be the glory.

We are now preparing for our Thanksgiving events and our Christmas donations. We are in a new location at 398 N. Spring St., in Crestview.

We are now accepting donations of food, toys, clothes, furniture, appliances, monetary donations, and anything that God puts in your heart to give. We are going to try to do what we can to make a change come about.

There are so many kids and teenagers that we are losing to the streets, drugs, the gang-related shootings; young girls in prostitution, fathers against sons, and mothers against daughters. When will this stop or how long will we let this go on?

This is not just for the citizens and businesses in Okaloosa County. It's for anyone that wants to take part and help a worthy cause.

Call me, Gary Johnson, or my wife, Doris, at 229-379-1741 or 850-398-0431, for more information.

Thank you very much in advance and may God bless you during the holidays.

Sincerely,

Gary Johnson

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: An apology — and an invitation to give

Everybody needs a good day every now and then!

Think of something or someone for which you are grateful. Maybe this is easy? Hopefully you have one or maybe dozens of people who are meaningful to you. We all have someone who aggravates us — or maybe worse. We're not going to emphasize that group in this column. They get enough glory. Today just think about those people you enjoy seeing or hearing from.

Have something to do every day. It is better if you have three or things to do. If you are going to work every day, you have plenty to do. If you are raising kids or caring for family, you have plenty to do. Don't run out of things to do. Clean your house, work in your yard or find a part-time job, but have something that requires you to put out some effort.

Do something to take care of your health every day. Walking , bike riding, fervent exercise along with focusing more on healthy eating all have positive effects on our mental well being.

Try to reduce negativity in your life. Don't watch negative cable television four or five hours a day. They are saying the same things repeatedly. I suspect you could start talking before you turn on the channel and verbalize almost verbatim what is being said, depending on the channel. Also, reduce the negative people time in your life. That may be hard if you live with a negative person or have lots of negative family. Try to be the upbeat person and try to create happier conversations.

This brings us to laughter. Laughter is good medicine for any mind and body. Families who laugh will be happier growing old together. Social groups that interact and laugh can't wait to gather again. Happy churches that are laughing together will stay together and even grow. Children need to hear their parents laughing and laughing with them.

Don't make age the deciding factor. A friend of mine had been on the sideline of life for a long time and got another chance. Some tough things happened to him in life. He went through a divorce. After this life-altering event, he got in trouble and had to go to prison. That was a very dark period in his life.

However, in time he got back on his feet. He went forward, tried to stay upbeat and at the age of 77 was called to serve a very vibrant church as their senior pastor. For the last three years he has done a tremendous job. He didn't let his age, along with his past failures, cripple him for the rest of his life.

Gain strength each day from outside of you. Look to God, a loving spouse, family, friends and good mentors. We all need time to be alone but we also all have times when we need support from outside of ourselves.

We've all had a few bad days along the way. Here is to a good day for you and hopefully many of them.

Glenn Mollette is an American syndicated columnist and author.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: How to have a good day