The ninth annual No Child Without Health Care Fair is 9:15 a.m. Saturday, July 25 at Crestview High School, 1250 Ferdon Blvd. N.

The event is for children up to 18 years old, with health screenings starting at 10 a.m. and lunch served at noon. Doctors start seeing the last patients — who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian — at 2 p.m. and finish everything by 4 p.m.

Here's what else you should know about the fair.

1. Freemasons started it. The fair began at the request of Masons concerned about "…children that were not getting proper Medicare because of insurance," said Malcolm Haynes, 3rd Masonic District deputy grand master.

Northwest Florida's3rd Masonic District —all organizations that operate under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge — provides resources and labor for the fair.

Okaloosa through Washington counties' branches include the Order of the Eastern Star, the Holy Royal Arch Masons; Royal and Select Masters; Knights Templar; The Ladies of the Circle of Perfection; the Templar Crusaders; and the Knights of Pythagoras, a youth organization.

Mount Zion AME church; the Kiwanis Club of Crestview; Dr. Joseph Peter of Crestview Pediatrics; and Dr. Michael Neuland of the Allergy Partners clinic also will help.

2. Expect plenty of education and assistance. Affordable Health Care Act representatives will help people who have not signed up for health insurance: pediatricians, allergists and dental technicians will be on site; Area Health Education Committee members will share information on quitting smoking and tobacco screenings; and Crestview police officers will provide fingerprinting, bicycle helmet giveaways and car seat safety checks.

In addition, a blood mobile and children's games will be onsite.

3. You'll get a lot of freebies. The fair offers free physicals, health and dental screenings, and even free lunch at noon, with a goal of reaching as many needy people as possible.

Just offering the opportunity on a Saturday can help people who don't get the chance to get checkups during the work week.

"There are still a lot of people that cannot get to see their doctors," Haynes said. "They can come here and get their physical."

4. Very little paperwork is involved. All that attendees need to fill in is a doctor's visit form about them, their  family history, and whether they have had shots or injuries.

Those getting free school or sports physicals will receive certification under the seal of a doctor's signature.

5. Vendor funds and donations support more medical visits

Donations and funds that vendors pay for a medical fair booth also will benefit attendees, Haynes said.

"For people who need to see a doctor (after the fair), the money will go to their visit," he said.

Remaining monies will go toward medications for Peter's annual medical mission to Belize.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 things you should know about the Crestview No Child Without Health Care Fair

CRESTVIEW — The 3rd Masonic District hosts the sixth annual No Child Without Health Care Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27 at Crestview High School, 1304 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.

The free event for children from Crestview and surrounding communities begins with an official opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m.

Weight control, diabetes, allergies, immunizations, hypertension, sickle cell anemia and trait and dietary considerations are among topics to be addressed.

Participating doctors will provide school and sports physicals. Attendees may give blood donations at a blood mobile onsite. 

 More than 500 children and their parents from Okaloosa through Washington County are expected to attend. Vendors and sponsors are encouraged to participate.

Funds generated by this event pay health care costs for children who need assistance.

Contact chairperson Jean Lewis, 305-1259 or billijee@embargmail.com, for more details.

The event is sponsored by the Masons, Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, City Councilman Shannon Hayes, and the Crestview Kiwanis Club, as well as Dr. Joseph Peter of Crestview Pediatrics and Dr. Michael Neuland of Allergy Partners.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: No Child Without Healthcare Fair is July 27 in Crestview

BAKER — The Lions Club of Baker and the Okaloosa Baptist Association are hosting the Florida Baptist Mobile Dental Clinic.

Applicants ages 6 and up listed at or below the poverty line can receive free dental work, including fillings and extractions, July 22 to 26 at the Baker Area Recreational Center.

Mandatory screening appointments are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday, July 19 at the Baker Area Recreation Center on U.S. Highway 4. Applicants must attend the July 19 screenings to get an appointment next week.

The Lions Club worked with the faith-based association in bringing the mobile unit to Baker from Jacksonville, project director Mary Ann Henley said. The Florida Baptist Association owns the mobile unit, which can facilitate two dental patients at a time.

"In our economy, when the times are tough, dental care is usually the first thing (people) will let go," Henley said.

In addition to the free service, applicants will receive Bibles and other faith-based material upon arriving for the screenings.

WHAT: Florida Baptist Mobile Dental Clinic

WHEN: Screening appointments are 8 a.m. to noon. Friday, July 19.

WHERE: Baker Area Recreation Center, 5503 U.S. Highway 4.

NOTE: Filling and extraction appointments will be scheduled following the July 19 screenings.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mobile dental clinic offering free services, Bibles

FORT WALTON BEACH — The health advisory for Lincoln Park remains in effect due to the recent sewage spill, but on Friday the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County lifted the advisory for the waters of Tom’s Bayou and Boggy Bayou along Bayshore Drive in Valparaiso, which had also been affected.

Sampling of Lincoln Park and other testing sites in the Healthy Beaches program resumed this week, with results reported upon receipt from the laboratory service.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Health department lifts health advisory for Valparaiso bayous

FORT WALTON BEACH — Two Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

Advisories have been issued for Liza Jackson Park of Fort Walton Beach and East Pass of Destin based on the enterococci standards recommended by the EPA. These areas present potential health risks to the bathing public.

The department tests weekly for enterococci, which indicates fecal pollution and comes from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. Ratings are based on EPA standards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Two parks receive advisories for hazardous water

FORT WALTON BEACH — Two Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

Advisories have been issued for Liza Jackson Park of Fort Walton Beach and East Pass of Destin based on the enterococci standards recommended by the EPA. This should be considered a potential health risk to the bathing public. These areas present potential health risks to the bathing public.

The department tests weekly for enterococci, which indicates fecal pollution and comes from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. Ratings are based on EPA standards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Two parks receive advisories for hazardous water

FORT WALTON BEACH — Two Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

Advisories have been issued for Lincoln Park of Valparaiso and Rocky Bayou State Park of Niceville. These areas present potential health risks to the bathing public.

The department tests weekly for enterococci, which indicates fecal pollution and comes from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. Ratings are based on EPA standards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Two parks receive advisories for hazardous water

FORT WALTON BEACH — Two Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

Advisories have been issued for Lincoln Park of Valparaiso and Rocky Bayou State Park of Niceville. These areas present potential health risks to the bathing public.

The department tests weekly for enterococci, which indicates fecal pollution and comes from stormwater runoff, pets, wildlife and human sewage. Ratings are based on EPA standards.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Two parks receive advisories for hazardous water

CRESTVIEW —  The Healthy Woman organization, a North Okaloosa Medical Center resource, will complete its discussion panel series on women's health on June 25 at Christopher's Uncorked Bistro.

The panel —  which will focus on a woman's inner core — will feature four experts discussing the importance of emotional wellness and stress-relief tips.  

•Brittany Allen, of Soundside Wellness Consultants, will discuss emotional health.

•Dr. Peggy H. Hollingshead, will discuss serenity.

•Nan Maddox, of Adiva's Day Spa, will discuss how "60 minutes can save your life."

•Nicole Scott, of ResortQuest, will discuss enjoying so-called staycations.

The series began in April when experts gave fashion and cosmetic tips. In the second part, experts discussed skin care and exercise techniques.

Each panelist will give a brief presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.

For questions of a more personal matter, a basket will be passed around allowing those in attendance to anonymously write down questions, which would then be addressed by the panel.

Hors d'oeuvres will be available and doors prizes will  be given away.

Want to go?

What: Healthy Woman’s"Making the Most of Me: Outer Layer to Inner Core”

When: 6 p.m. June 25

Where: Upper room at Christopher's Uncorked Bistro

Cost: $5 per person with advance registration, http://conta.cc/1299573; $7 at the door.

Notes: Contact coordinator Alicia Booker, alicia_booker@chs.net or call 689-8446, for more details.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women’s emotional health takes focus June 25