lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

Crestview girl completes chemotherapy treatments

Written by archive on March 18, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Katie Mitchell was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December 2013, and has undergone regular intravenous chemotherapy since then.

For three years, a routine of seemingly endless medical visits became normal for the 5-year-old and her family.

That is, until Wednesday, when Katie completed treatments at Nemours Children’s Clinic at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. April 1, she will take her final chemo pill.

“It feels good,” she said of the milestone.

Thea Duhaime, Katie’s grandmother, said Katie’s family, including her brother, Ryan, 7, joined her for the last spinal tap.

“The nurses dress up in silly hats and ring a bell for her,” Duhaime said. “They sang, ‘Happy last chemo day to you.’ They were in tears. She’s a little celebrity there.”

Katie was hungry afterward, necessitating a quick visit to a McDonald’s drive-thru for fries, Duhaime said. But her celebration dinner came later.

“I placed the order to Bamboo Sushi for her favorite meal: chicken teriyaki with steamed rice,” Duhaime said, adding the restaurant presented the family with a $100 gift certificate.

Duhaime said her granddaughter’s lively spirit and contagious smile have inspired the whole family and everyone who’s met Katie during her treatment.

“She is one of the bravest people I know,” Duhaime said. “She has just taken it in stride.”

Now, the family must readjust.

“We can learn a new normal now,” Duhaime said. “For two and a half years, that (the treatments) was the normal.

“We can have a normal kid again.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview girl completes chemotherapy treatments

Give blood in Crestview, get a tote bag

Written by archive on March 17, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Donors who give a pint of blood March 24-28 at OneBlood donor centers will get a OneBlood jute tote bag and a voucher for a Free $10 eGift card.

Hours at the Crestview center, 2400 Ferdon Blvd. S, Suite B, Crestview, are:

●10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday

●8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday

●noon to 5 p.m. Sunday

●10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday

Call 306-2455 for details.

For other participating locations and hours, go to oneblood.org/spring.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Give blood in Crestview, get a tote bag

Mosaic Church plans Crestview Easter celebration

Written by archive on March 16, 2016. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Mosaic Church will host an Easter egg hunt, worship services, lunch and more.

The event starts with registration at 9:30 a.m. March 27 at Twin Hills Park, 100 Hathaway St., Crestview.

A worship service is 10 a.m., followed by lunch and family events at 11:30 a.m.

Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served, and bounce houses and a selfie station are planned. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the event. For details, go to www.easterattwinhillspark.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mosaic Church plans Crestview Easter celebration

MYERS: Ease into gardening with a raised bed

Written by archive on March 16, 2016. Posted in lifestyle.

Raise your garden to new heights for easier access and greater productivity. Raised beds allow you to overcome poor soil by creating the ideal growing mix, plus make gardening time more comfortable thanks to less bending and kneeling.

Whether you purchase a kit or build your own, there are a few things to consider when creating a raised bed garden.

Locate the garden in a sunny area if possible. Most plants require at least six hours of sun, and vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and melons produce best with a full day of sunlight.

Select a long-lasting material such as interlocking block, fieldstone, plastic lumber or naturally long lasting wood like cedar. The material selected will influence the shape and size of your garden. Some materials allow for curved beds while others are limited to squares, rectangles and other angular shapes.

Design your raised bed to fit your space and your needs. A three- or four-feet width makes it easy to reach all parts of the garden for planting, weeding and harvesting. Raising your planting bed at least 8 to 12 inches improves drainage and provides an adequate space for most plants to root and grow. If you want to minimize bending, go higher. Add benches to increase your gardening comfort and ease. Bonnie Plants has free downloadable plans for building a raised bed garden with benches in just one afternoon.

Roughen or loosen the existing soil surface if your bed is built on compact, slow-draining soil. This will allow water to readily move from the raised bed into the soil below. Cover the bottom of the bed with newspaper or cardboard, if needed, to suffocate existing weeds and grass.

Line the bottom of your raised bed with hardware cloth to reduce the risk of animals burrowing into your garden. Lay the hardware cloth over the ground and bend it up along the inside of the raised bed walls.

Fill the bed with a quality growing mix that is well drained but also able to retain moisture and nutrients. This may be a mixture of quality topsoil and compost, a high quality potting mix, or a planting mix designed specifically for raised bed gardens.

Grow any plants that you normally would grow in ground. Just make sure the plants are suited to the growing conditions (such as sunlight, heat and wind) in your area. Since the soil mix and drainage is ideal in a raised garden, you will be able to grow more plants per square foot. Just be sure to leave sufficient room for plants to reach their mature size.

Keep your plants healthy and productive with proper watering. This is critical for growing any garden, but even more crucial in a fast-draining raised bed. The simple act of raising the garden height increases drainage, and a raised bed filled with planting mix means more frequent watering. Consider using drip irrigation or soaker hoses for watering ease. Always water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry.

Add some mulch to help reduce watering and the need for other garden maintenance. Spread a layer of evergreen needles, pine straw, shredded leaves or other organic matter over the soil surface. This helps conserve moisture, suppresses weeds and adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. You’ll spend less time watering and weeding throughout the season.

Add an organic fertilizer at planting if your planting mix does not already contain one. Apply again mid-season if the plants need a nutrient boost. Always follow the label directions on the fertilizer container.

The time and effort invested in creating raised beds will be returned many times over with years of healthy and productive gardens.

Melinda Myers has over 30 years of gardening experience has written over 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Bonnie Plants for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ website is www.melindamyers.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: MYERS: Ease into gardening with a raised bed

Cancer, heart disease top causes of premature death in Okaloosa

Written by archive on March 16, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County today acknowledged the 2016 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps tool released by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

This study highlights community factors that influence health, and uses established data available at www.floridacharts.com.

"Premature death in Okaloosa County, (or) dying before the age of 75, is primarily the result of people dying from cancer, heart disease and during infancy," Dr. Karen Chapman, DOH-Okaloosa director, said. "The No. 1 and No. 2 contributor in most cases to these leading causes of premature death is tobacco and obesity. Tobacco abstinence and cessation, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices remain the top priorities for improving the health of the people of Okaloosa County."

DOH-Okaloosa is working to improve residents’ health, a media release stated.

For instance:

●The Community Health Improvement Plan is designed to address specific opportunities for improved health. The department has partnered with many stakeholders to implement the CHIP and collaborates regularly to track progress. Over the last five years, the Healthy Okaloosa Collaborative has worked to address community-chosen priority areas — tobacco use, healthy lifestyles and access to care.

●The Tobacco Team, in collaboration with the Okaloosa County School District, worked to update the school district's Tobacco Discipline Policy to address all forms of tobacco and nicotine use. In addition, Okaloosa Schools are smoke-free zones, and most recently, the School District adopted a no electronic cigarette policy on all school property.

●"West Florida AHEC has a long history of successful partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County, including working closely with them as part of the Healthy Okaloosa Collaborative," stated Paige Collier, director of West Florida Area Health Education Center Inc. "We look forward to continuing to support the collaborative' s efforts to reduce the use of tobacco in Okaloosa County by providing cessation services for community members as well as education and training on the CDC Best Practice Guidelines to health care systems, providers and health professions students in Okaloosa County."

●The Healthy Lifestyles Team has implemented the Healthy Okaloosa 5210 initiative, which is being implemented in 21 early-childhood education centers, nine K-12 public schools, four after-school programs, 10 worksites, and is actively recruiting summer care programs. It looks to partner with businesses and organizations throughout the county to increase healthy lifestyle behaviors through policy and environmental changes around improving nutrition and physical activity, supporting and encouraging breastfeeding friendly environments, limiting recreational screen time and sugary beverage consumption, and eliminating use of and exposure to tobacco and nicotine products.

●"Women and Children's Services at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center is proud to be partnering with the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County to initiate the pathway to becoming a designated Baby Friendly Hospital.

“This collaboration will bring more resources to our community both in the hospital setting, as well as after patients return home," stated Brittany Bryan, Director of Women and Children's Services at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. "The benefits of exclusively breastfeeding infants and promoting mother/baby bonding are immense. Simply stated, breastfeeding saves lives.”

●In 2016, DOH-Okaloosa started the Community Health Assessment for 2016-2020, which will provide DOH-Okaloosa, partners and stakeholders a "big-picture view" of current and emerging community health concerns. Data collected during the assessment will help guide deciding CHIP’s community-chosen priority areas for the next five years.

●Last week, the Florida Department of Health became the nation’s first integrated department of health to achieve national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board, which signifies that the Florida Department of Health has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cancer, heart disease top causes of premature death in Okaloosa

Crestview residents share inspirational talks during LDS women's conference

Written by archive on March 16, 2016. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — Women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their guests experienced a spiritual and musical feast during their annual conference Feb. 27 at the Fort Walton Beach Stake Center.

The theme was, "Women who know make important things happen by their faith,” based on Moroni 7:33: "And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me."

Tammy Jones, Stake Relief Society president; her assistants, Sally Reynolds and Priscilla Kelly; and Katrina Dilmore prepared an inspiring program.

Crestview resident Holly Tew shared "Live Like You Believe," a theme that embraced keeping the Sabbath Day holy and setting positive examples for family and friends by reading scriptures and making music a part of your family's lives.

In musical comedy style, Crestview resident Tristi Bond and Kelsea Kind, both young single adults, presented "The Stages of Womanhood."

Scott Brill, a U.S. Air Force chaplain, spoke of the women in his life: his mother, his wife and his missionary daughter who is serving in Manchester, England. The sacrifices women make for their families — based on Esther 4:4 — was his theme and he shared his mom's devotion to him and his sister while they were growing up.

Mike Roberts, FWB Stake president and Crestview resident, concluded with "A Plea to My Sisters."

Ingrid Roberts, first chair violin with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, began and ended her talk, "Loving One Another” — on how service can heal souls, and how to encourage and to teach children to serve others — with violin solos.

Naomi Vestel, who lived for a time in Nigeria, shared a video explaining the struggles of Nigerian-native church members and the great faith they had to persevere in the face of many trials.

A luncheon of soups served in bread bowls followed the luncheon.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview residents share inspirational talks during LDS women's conference

Okaloosa health department releases water quality results

Written by archive on March 16, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has announced water quality test results for local parks.

No Okaloosa County parks have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated March 14.

The FDOH tests are based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards. Enteric bacteria's presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department releases water quality results

CROSE: Palm Sunday lesson reminds us of some Crestview fickleness

Written by archive on March 15, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

The story of Palm Sunday shows humanity’s fickleness.

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back on a donkey and the crowds cry, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," throwing down palm branches and their coats.

Then, a few days later, some of these same people call for Christ’s crucifixion. (Luke 19:29-38 and Mark 11:2-10)

Today, people do the same thing. We ask for this or that, and sometimes we are pleased when we get it, but many times we either want more, or want it taken away, as it didn't meet our expectations.

For instance, we want more places to shop and eat in Crestview, yet when they are proposed, naysayers are upset that proposed new shops and restaurants will increase traffic problems, which may or may not be the case.

An interesting phenomenon is to observe a group excited by changes coming to town, and then one person joins the group who is against the proposed changes and begins to complain about traffic issues.

It is amazing to watch how quickly some of the people who were happy with the new shopping center suddenly change their minds.

In over 2,000 years, humanity hasn't changed much. People are still fickle, and can bend to crowd mentality.

When people thought Jesus would save them from Roman rule and be their earthly king, they hailed and praised Him (lowercase him). A few days later, they reviled Him (lowercase him).

What they didn't realize is that He came to earth to be their savior and eternal king, not their earthly king, but that didn't fit into their plans.

We are still sinful, and we still want what we want, when we want it, no matter how it affects others.

But please, let's try not to become part of the crowd in forming opinions on the Lord (follow with ,) as well as changes coming to our town.

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: CROSE: Palm Sunday lesson reminds us of some Crestview fickleness

Pastel Society of North Florida schedules free painting demonstrations

Written by archive on March 14, 2016. Posted in lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Pastel Society of North Florida has scheduled free demonstrations on pastel painting techniques.

The meetings — open to the public — are 9 a.m. to noon April 1 and May 6 in the Fellowship Hall of the Church of Christ, 232 Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. The hall is accessed from the small parking lot off of Magnolia.

At the April meeting, Linda Whittaker will demonstrate her cost-saving technique using pre-made, standard size frames.

At the May meeting, Carrie Raeburn will show attendees how to use Kitty Wallis's Moist Pastels to make sticks of pastel in a value range, as well as how to transform broken bits of pastel into colorful grays, custom colors and speckled pastels. She will also discuss how to use dust from your easel trays to tone supports.

Attendees may bring something for Show and Tell to the meetings. Refreshments will be served.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pastel Society of North Florida schedules free painting demonstrations

DUNNING: Do your part to stop the spread of Zika virus

Written by archive on March 14, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

With news about the Zika virus spreading in Florida, now is the time to think about mosquito protection.

As the weather warms, mosquitoes hatch. Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes lay their eggs in temporary flood water pools — even small ones such as pet watering bowls, bird baths and upturned magnolia or oak leaves. So dumping out collection containers and raking leaves every couple of days can greatly reduce the population.

Becoming infected with Zika virus is not common. Though mosquitoes, blood transfusions or sex can transmit the disease, Florida’s only known infections were from people who had been “bitten” by mosquitoes while traveling to countries with active virus outbreaks. That is, until this past week, when a person-to-person infection occurred between a man who had been infected while out of the country and the woman he returned to in Florida.

Mosquitoes usually obtain the virus by feeding on infected people, who may not exhibit symptoms because they have been exposed and their body has built immunity to the virus. Once the mosquito has drawn infected blood from the person, the infected mosquito “bites” another human, transmitting the virus mixed in saliva into the second host’s blood stream.

If the second host is a susceptible pregnant woman, there is a risk of birth defects for the unborn child. If the infected host is a man, he can transmit the virus in semen for about two weeks.

Public health officials in Florida can monitor mosquito-borne illnesses quickly and effectively. Though the daily news can be alarming, the awareness is truly the message.

Here are tips to protect yourself:

●Stay indoors at dusk (peak mosquito-biting time). If you must be outside, wear long sleeves and pants or mosquito repellents containing the active ingredient DEET.

●Repair torn door and window screens.

●Remove unnecessary outside water sources.

●Flush out water collected in outdoor containers every three to four days.

●Disturb or remove leaf litter, including roof gutters and covers on outdoor equipment.

●Apply larvicides, such as Bacillus thuriengensis israelensis to temporary water-holding areas and containers. Mosquitoes have been around all winter with the milder weather and frequent rain. As spring approaches, they will lay eggs on water surfaces they can find. As you get ready to spruce up the yard, look at all the ways you can remove potential habitats for the pesky creatures.

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

University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office classes include:

●March 16: “Bee Amazed,” 10-11 a.m., 127 W. Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. Cost: Free

●March 17: Private Agriculture, Aquatic and General Standards Pesticide Licensing Training, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Cost: $10 per session.

●March 17: Aquaponics, 6-8 p.m., 3098 Airport Road Crestview. Cost: $10.

UPCOMING CLASSES

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DUNNING: Do your part to stop the spread of Zika virus

UPCOMING CLASSES

850.682.6524