Dear editor,

TV host Glenn Beck and other stalwarts of the Christian right have attacked the recent blockbuster “Noah” as being “pro-animal” and unfaithful to the Bible. Well, yes and no. The film is both pro-animal and faithful to the Bible, at least to the Book of Genesis, our only source for the story of Noah.

After all, Genesis 1:29 admonishes “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree that has seed-yielding fruit — to you it shall be for food.” It is only after the flood, with fruits and vegetables no longer abundant, that humans get permission to eat animal flesh. Even then, the Bible stipulates that lives of only select animals may be taken and always with reverence and minimal cruelty. This is certainly a far cry from today’s factory farm and slaughterhouse practices.

Regardless of how we may feel about “Noah’s” interpretation of the Bible, each of us can recreate the recommended diet of the Garden of Eden in our home by dropping animal products from our menu.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Is the blockbuster 'Noah' pro-animal?

Dear editor,

I retired here from Cumberland, Maryland in 2009, and was warmly welcomed by the Senior Circle for people ages 50 and up at the prime of their life.

With their encouragement, I just published a book, "Born Again Free as a Butterfly," with Xulon Press, which is on the shelves at Barnes & Noble.

I was born with cleft lip/palate and encountered numerous problems up until coming here, including dyslexia, alcoholism in the family, codependency and coping with my mother's Alzheimer's disease.

The book contains Bible verses, poems, prayers, educational and treatment resources.

It has been a blessing to receive the love and support of the Senior Circle, where you can have the time of your life in the prime of your life.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Author: Crestview's Senior Circle offers love, support

Dear editor:

April was Parkinson's Awareness Month, helping bring much-needed attention to this chronic, progressive neurological disease that affects movement, speaking and cognitive function.

Between 500,000 and 1.5 million Americans — including me — live with Parkinson's disease and it is important that we use this month to celebrate, commemorate and educate the public and our elected officials about Parkinson's, and the need for better treatments and a cure.

I want to encourage Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson and Representative Jeff Miller to support biomedical research that can lead to better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's.

Their leadership is important to me and the entire Parkinson's community.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A request to support biomedical research for Parkinson's

Two important anniversaries are being celebrated this year. Forty years ago, President Richard Nixon declared the first National Volunteer Week, and it was that same year, 1974, that America's first hospice opened its doors in Connecticut.

April 6-12 is National Volunteer Week, and during this important time of recognition it’s fitting that we honor our nation’s 400,000 hospice volunteers for ensuring people with serious illnesses find comfort, love and respect.

At Covenant Hospice, more than 2,000 trained volunteers support patients and families during one of life’s most challenging experiences. These dedicated volunteers are helping patients and families live as fully as possible and our community is better because of their service. Covenant’s slogan, "Every Moment is a Memory in the Making," reflects the quality time made possible by volunteers' loving support.

Covenant volunteers visit with patients, provide emotional support and practical help for caregivers, serve as ambassadors in our community, raise funds for our non-profit organization, help in our offices, provide bereavement support for people who have lost a loved one and more.

I encourage others to learn more about Covenant Hospice and invite you to volunteer your time, make a donation or help someone who needs our care to contact us.

Please visit www.covenanthospice.org or call 682-3628.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: First American Hospice to celebrate 40 years

Dear editor,

I met and married my husband in England during World War II. I was one of thousands known as “British war brides."

My year-old daughter and I arrived in America and Crestview in April 1946. I am not an outgoing person and knew no one except for my in-laws, so I was very lost in this strange place, and missed my family and home. 

One day, this elderly lady drove up to my home, on her old model T car; she introduced herself as Miss Bertha Henry, and asked if I would like to borrow some English magazines. Every week she came with new magazines, bringing me a little bit of home.

My family grew and the children started school; we would go to visit Miss Henry at her home on Pine Avenue to borrow books. 

My children loved to visit her. Her little house was surrounded by woods and the trees, and bushes were full of birds, all singing and chirping. When my daughter read the piece in your paper, she remembered going up the wooden steps and said it was like going into a wonderful magic place.

Her walls were stacked with books from the floor to ceiling, and she enjoyed showing them to us as much as we enjoyed seeing and hearing about them.

Sadly, after her death her house was torn down and all the lovely trees and bushes were destroyed. 

Her books, I’m sure, went to the library, which was hit by a tornado in the early years of 1960.  I don’t know if any of the books survived, but I often wondered why they named the then-new library, which is now the college, the Bob Sikes Library. 

I felt it should have been named after Miss Bertha Henry — to me one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever known.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Memories of Bertha Henry, the county's first librarian

Dear editor,

I would like to sincerely thank all the doctors who saved my life Jan. 31.

 I had an unexpected aneurism in my aorta that ruptured, and was told by many doctors that not many people live after this.

It would have happened to me if not for Doctor Ginger Manos and her team at North Okaloosa Medical Center who saved my life.

To  Dr. John Johnson, who checked on me every day, Dr. Joseph A. Pedone, Doctor John Koszuta, all the ICU/Step Down nurses who all seemed to be wearing wings and took care of me for the next 11 days, thank you!

I would also would like to thank everyone for all the get well cards, e-mails, phone calls and follow-up inquiries, which I received following my emergency surgery.

I really appreciated the concern expressed by members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Ladies Auxiliary, from all the Regions and Departments Command, the National Staff and to all of my family, friends and neighbors.

I am pleased to report that I am on the fast track to recovery and recuperation, and no doubt I shall be 100 percent by the end of April — and “rearin’ to go” onward and upward to bigger and better things!

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni @cnbeditor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Purple Heart Region IV commander grateful for recovery

Dear editor,

R stands for restricted. Children under 17 require an accompanying parent or adult guardian.

An R-rated motion picture, in the view of the Motion Picture Association of America, contains some adult material.

An R-rated motion picture may include adult themes, adult activity, hard language, intense or persistent violence, sexually oriented nudity, drug abuse or other elements, so parents are counseled to take this rating very seriously.

Generally, it is inappropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures.

Just because children under 17 are not allowed to attend R-rated motion pictures unaccompanied by a parent or adult guardian, it doesn't mean they should if accompanied by one.

I saw at least six under 5-year-olds at the Marquis this weekend at one showing of "300."

Very bloody, very gory — complete with sex scene.

I'm sure they were taken to learn the history instead of being with a sitter.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Parents, please observe movie ratings

Dear editor,

Here's a little dose of reality to the vegans, Time magazine and the Mayo Clinic "notes" published Friday from a Fort Walton Beach reader on www.crestviewbulletin.com.

"Animal-derived protein such as meat, fish, milk and eggs provides the body with essential amino acids that are required for life, but are not produced by the body and must be eaten," Livestrong.com states, citing "The Schwarzbein Principle: The Truth about Losing Weight, Being Healthy and Feeling Younger" by Diana Schwarzbein and Nancy Deville.

"Plant-derived protein such as nuts and beans are considered 'incomplete proteins' because they are lacking in one or more of these essential amino acids," the article states. "Vegans must combine foods carefully to ensure they are consuming all the essential amino acids in the proper proportions."

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A reality check for vegans