lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

Crestview artist's tools: paintbrush, canvas and raw talent

Written by archive on May 14, 2015. Posted in lifestyle.

MILTON — Sandra Horne, a full-time artist from Crestview, has been creating traditional fine art oil paintings professionally since 1972.

Her work — which has won numerous awards, including Best of Show and People’s Choice — is praised and collected by many prominent art enthusiasts.

Currently, it's on display at the Dragonfly Gallery in Milton, and at www.sandrahornefineart.com. There, you can find a range of her works, including still life paintings, portraits and landscapes.

Studying art has been a life-long adventure for the third-generation artist. She developed her own talents but also studied art at Wesleyan University and earned a degree in graphic design.

These days, Horne stays active in several organizations, entering juried shows and teaching classes, as part of her dedication to art.

She said her goal is to glorify God, and hopes everyone will know God’s love for them and experience peace and joy from this knowledge.

WANT TO GO?

Crestview artist Sandra Horne's work is on display at the Dragonfly Gallery, 5188 Escambia St., Milton. Call 981-1100 for hours and directions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview artist's tools: paintbrush, canvas and raw talent

ANDERSON: Vegetables available at a farmers market near you

Written by archive on May 13, 2015. Posted in lifestyle.

It’s the time of the year to think about fresh vegetables from local producers.

Vegetables are beginning to appear in farmers markets, and you can’t beat produce grown locally for flavor. It hasn’t gotten too hot yet, so you can still find a few cooler-season crops such as lettuce, kale, bok choy and carrots.

Also available this time of the year will be peas, onions and strawberries, as well as year-round offerings like eggs, honey and cottage food items such as jams, jellies and breads.

If you’re somehow not enticed by any of these, it won’t be long before warm-weather crops begin to come in. Soon, you’ll find tomatoes and peppers, cucumbers, beans, peas, summer squash and sweet corn on the tables at our local markets.

There are several to choose from, but the extension service works most closely with farmers markets in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach.

Crestview's market is at the corner of Stillwell Boulevard and Industrial Drive, and is open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Fort Walton Beach's market — open the same hours and days — is located on Lewis Turner Boulevard beside the courthouse annex.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ANDERSON: Vegetables available at a farmers market near you

North Okaloosa churches unite to ease racial tensions

Written by archive on May 13, 2015. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa County pastors have formed a coalition to address race-related issues in our community head on.

It all started Feb. 12, when Crestview Mayor David Cadle, Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor and other city officials met with pastors from Crestview and surrounding towns' predominantly African-American and white churches.

The first meeting was so productive, the group will begin meeting regularly, and it invites North Okaloosa pastors of all races to fellowship with them and join their efforts.

The idea came about "probably during the Ferguson incident," the Rev. Sanford Hayes, of New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Crestview, said. A series of protests, demonstrations and riots sparked last August in Ferguson, Mo., after Michael Brown, a black 18-year-old, was killed by a white police officer who wasn't indicted by a grand jury.

Hayes said North Okaloosa's African-American pastors asked themselves, "What service can we be for those in the Crestview area, and also what can we do if something (like the Ferguson situation) happens in Crestview?

"What can we do as pastors and leaders of our congregations to help release the tension or smooth relationships between the public and the police, or any other factors that may be involved?"

He contacted Eugene Strickland, of the Crestview Area Ministerial Association and Okaloosa Baptist Association, "and invited any of the white Anglo pastors to attend," Strickland said Monday.

"There was a total of probably about 20 pastors from both races who attended," Strickland said, publicly announcing the partnership Thursday, during the National Day of Prayer at city hall.

"And now we are in the process of becoming prayer partners with each other. God put this together. We were thinking about it as white, they were thinking about it as African-American, and God brought us together."

The group will mobilize if a situation like Ferguson's happens in Crestview.

"The plan would include receiving the correct factual information from the police department," Hayes said, without the rumor mill inflating an already tense situation.

Contact Strickland at 682-5434, or Hayes at 621-4186 to learn more about the coalition.

"Also, pastors will be coming together if anything happens in Crestview, as it happens in other places, where we can come and mobilize and reason with and quiet down friction that has arisen," Hayes said.

Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa churches unite to ease racial tensions

'NOT ONE WORD': Baker mom raises awareness for children's speech disorder

Written by archive on May 13, 2015. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Many parents anticipate hearing their children say his or her first word.

Especially if it's "Mommy" or "Daddy."

Baby's first words usually come within 11 to 14 months after birth, according to Parenting magazine. But some parents, like Christina Sims, have to wait much longer.

The Baker woman's 3-year-old son, Bentley Lefevre, has childhood apraxia of speech, or CAS, a motor speech disorder.

It's not a muscular problem; there's no paralysis.

"The brain has problems planning to move the body parts (e.g., lips, jaw, tongue) needed for speech," the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's website states about CAS. "The child knows what he or she wants to say, but his/her brain has difficulty coordinating the muscle movements necessary to say those words."

'A DIFFICULT THING'

Sims said her son tested positive for autism, and a Pensacola physician gave a referral for a Gulf Breeze neurologist.

"They read his brain waves while (he was) sleeping and (flashed) a light to see if he had epilepsy," Sims said. "Our test came out normal. He's had an MRI — normal — blood work, everything keeps coming back normal."

While medical tests show no abnormalities, Sims' own observations concern her.

"He cannot speak — not even one word," she said. "I've never heard him say Mom, Dad, bye-bye — not one word. And it's a difficult thing to deal with.

"Then our family and people in our community pass judgment on others, when they should be educated about issues that may surround them, and realize things may go deeper then what they may see."

RAISING AWARENESS

Thursday, May 14 marks Apraxia Awareness Day, according to The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America, a nonprofit, publicly funded charity.

Sims wants local residents to know about what the Mayo Clinic's website refers to as an uncommon speech disorder.

"I want to bring awareness to our community about this speech problem in children because it is still little known, very misunderstood, and has a huge impact on kids and families," she said. "These children must work and struggle so very hard just to learn a skill — speaking — that comes effortlessly to other children.

"We need to find ways of supporting children with apraxia and their families because speech therapy, the only proven treatment for apraxia, is quite costly and will extend over many years for these children."

'THE BEST THING FOR HIM'

Although Bentley can't speak, he has his own strengths.

"He can't talk but he can climb a 6-foot chain link fence in a matter of seconds, and I mean seconds," Sims said. "And we are teaching him with picture cards. If he wants something, he flips though a book and shows me what he wants.

"Sometimes, you have to be a mind reader, but I'm getting pretty good at that."

Bentley attends pre-kindergarten class at Southside Center in Crestview, his mother said.

Initially, it was difficult enrolling him there.

"I was really nervous about sending him to school — how could I send my son away every day and he can't tell me anything, good or bad," Sims said. "But it has been the best thing for him. I love them there."

As time goes by, and as Sims finds resources like Apraxia-kids.org, which offers information and support, she's getting used to everything.

"I've never heard of CAS until last year," she said. "Who would have thought it had a day (dedicated to awareness?)"

Despite the struggles, which include regular doctor's appointments and speech therapy sessions, those resources have been invaluable, she said.

And now, she's coming around to the idea of CAS.

"It's getting easier for me, too," Sims said.

MORE INFORMATION

Learn more about childhood apraxia of speech at http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/ChildhoodApraxia/.

Email News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'NOT ONE WORD': Baker mom raises awareness for children's speech disorder

Here's how TV inspired Crestview's Zachary Mann & Maurice Sullivan to dance. (VIDEO)

Written by archive on May 13, 2015. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Two featured performers in Saturday's 6th Annual Dance for Life decided to dance after watching television.

But their motivations were very different.

Zachary Mann, 10, and Maurice "Sully" Sullivan, 87, both of Crestview, are among some 30 Fred Astaire amateur and professional dancers performing in the Covenant Hospice benefit that begins 7 p.m. in Crestview High School's Auditorium.

RESPONSBILITY, FOCUS

Zachary said he is excited about performing the Charleston, and a little swing, with his teacher, Hannah Kania.

He's practiced just about three weeks for Dance for Life with Kania, but that's all the time it takes to learn a typical dance routine and feel comfortable with it, she said.

Then again, "You never stop," she said. "You could work on a routine for a full year and perform it through that year, and you're just learning each time you perform."

Zachary, a Bob Sikes Elementary School student, was inspired to dance after watching a popular television program that pairs celebrities with professional dancers.

"One day, I started watching 'Dancing with the Stars,' and I said to my mom that I wanted to be like them," he said.

But wanting to dance at 6 years old wasn't enough for professional instructors to take him on.

Before he could learn the kinds of moves that Derek Hough, Tony Dovolani and Maksim Chmerkovskiy wow audiences with Monday and Tuesday nights, he needed to learn two key factors.

"It takes responsibility and focus" to dance, Zachary said, recalling what he said the Crestview dance studio's owner, David Colon, told him all those years ago.

Fred Astaire accepted Zachary as a student last October, and he has learned the waltz, foxtrot, and cha-cha, too, his mother, Dawn Mann, said.

'SOLD RIGHT AWAY'

Sullivan, who began taking lessons at the Crestview dance studio last September, will waltz during Saturday's benefit.

Unlike Zachary, he doesn't remember what he was watching on TV that spurred him to dance. But back then, he knew one thing: In his case, it was "mindless" entertainment.

"I was sitting in my easy chair, and I was there about four hours watching TV, and I thought, 'This is a stupid way to live,'" Sullivan said. "So I got up and I came downtown, and I was looking for a dance studio. And I kind of thought I'd seen one on the corner here and, sure enough, I walked in the door and … well, I was sold right away."

But his decision to dance also didn't automatically mean he could start off like a pro. Sullivan weighed 220 pounds and had difficulty just walking.

What a difference eight months has made.

"Through dancing, it's really improved his health (he's now 170 pounds)," Kania said. In addition, "He's gained 2 inches in height, 'cause it's made him stand taller and it's improved his balance dramatically. He can walk on his own now; just like sprinting across the floor almost."

And he has no plans to stop dancing, Sullivan said.

"I'm gonna keep right on," he said.

'A LOT OF FUN'

One-hundred percent of Dance for Life's proceeds benefit Covenant Hospice, Colon said. The not-for-profit organization provides services to patients and loved ones throughout terminal illnesses.

Dance for Life helps fund certain Covenant programs — bereavement services, children’s support programs, spiritual support services and charity care — in Okaloosa and Walton counties.

"We just fell in love with the people, with the volunteers (at Covenant)," Colon said. "They really worked so hard and we saw their dedication and we wanted to be part of it."

For his part, Colon will provide 14 Crestview area dancers, and he said more than 20 dancers from other Fred Astaire studios will perform this weekend.

"Come see the show," he said. "It's a great show for all ages. It's a lot of fun."

And, most importantly, "We've been able to help raise over $25,000 in the past six years for Covenant Hospice," he said.

—

THIS WEEKEND

WHAT: 6th Annual Dance for Life, benefiting Covenant Hospice

WHEN: 7 p.m.Saturday, May 16

WHERE: Crestview High School's Auditorium

COST: Advance tickets: $15, general admission; $30, VIP admission — includes premier reserved seating for the show and a post-event cocktail party. VIP. Call 682-1455 to order.

Tickets at the door: $20, general admission; $35,

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Here's how TV inspired Crestview's Zachary Mann & Maurice Sullivan to dance. (VIDEO)

SHANKLIN: Prepare for health care costs during retirement

Written by archive on May 12, 2015. Posted in lifestyle.

As you save and invest for retirement, what are your ultimate goals? Do you plan on traveling the world? Purchasing a vacation home? Pursuing your hobbies?

People often think and plan for these costs. Yet, too often, many of us overlook what could be a major expense during our retirement years: health care.

By preparing for these costs, you can help yourself enjoy the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned.

Many of us may ignore the impact of health care costs because we assume Medicare will pay for everything.

But that’s not the case. In estimating health care costs during retirement, you may find that $4,000 to $6,000 per year per person for traditional medical expenses is a good starting point, although the amount varies by individual. Furthermore, this figure excludes the costs of long-term care, which can be considerable.

To illustrate: The national average for home health aide services is nearly $45,000 per year, and a private room in a nursing home is nearly $84,000 per year, according to a recent survey by Genworth, a financial security company.

So what can you do to help cope with these costs? Here are a few suggestions:

•Estimate your costs. Try to estimate what your out-of-pocket health care costs might be, based on your health, your age at retirement, whatever supplemental insurance you may carry and other factors.

•Know key dates. Things can change in your life, but try to identify, as closely as possible, the age at which you plan to retire. This will help you spot any coverage gaps before you become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Also, be aware of the seven-month window for enrolling in Medicare, beginning three months before your 65th birthday.

•Review your insurance options. Medicare-approved insurance companies offer some other parts to Medicare, including Part D, which covers prescription drugs; Medigap, which covers gaps in Parts A and B (in-hospital expenses, doctor services, outpatient care and some preventive services); and Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage, which is designed to replace Parts A, B, Medigap and, potentially, part D). You have several options for Part D, Medigap and Medicare Advantage, each with varying coverage and costs, so choose the plans that best fit your needs. (To learn more about Medicare and supplemental insurance, go to www.medicare.gov.)

•Develop a long-term care strategy. To meet long-term care costs, you could self-insure or purchase insurance coverage. To learn about long-term care insurance solutions, contact your financial advisor.

•Invest for growth and rising income. Health care costs typically rise as you move further into retirement, so make sure that a reasonable portion of your assets is allocated to investments with the potential for growth and rising income.

•Think about health care directives. If you were to become incapacitated, you might be unable to make health care decisions — and these decisions may affect not only your quality of life but also your financial situation, and that of your family.

Talk to your legal adviser about establishing a health care directive, which allows you to name someone to make choices on your behalf.

Health care costs during your retirement may be unavoidable. But by anticipating these costs, you can put yourself in a position to deal with them — and that’s a healthy place to be.

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: Prepare for health care costs during retirement

CROSE: Playing a musical instrument feeds the brain

Written by archive on May 12, 2015. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

Crestview High School's Spring Band Concert will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14 at the Pearl Tyner Auditorium, 1250 Ferdon Blvd. N. Admission is free.

The program will feature four concert bands, two jazz bands and several small ensembles performing a variety of music from jazz standards to contemporary wind literature.

Under band director Jody Dunn and assistant band director Charles Andersen's direction, this concert is sure to be enjoyable, as were all of the band concerts I have attended.

The concerts are well attended, and since it is first come, first serve, they fill up quickly, so get there early to get a great seat.

But before you go, consider this: Research shows that playing a musical instrument develops certain brain processes. All music, both vocal and instrumental, requires regular instruction and practice, which develops our attention spans. A TedEd animation by educator Anita Collins states, "Playing music is the brain’s equivalent of a full-body workout… Playing an instrument engages practically every area of the brain at once — especially the visual, auditory, and motor cortices.

"And, as in any other workout, disciplined, structured practice in playing music strengthens those brain functions, allowing us to apply that strength to other activities…" (See the animation.)

Playing a musical instrument certainly teaches self-discipline, eye-hand coordination and multi-tasking skills. And, as CHS choral director Kevin Lusk said, "Music makes us better humans."

So there you have it. Practicing and playing an instrument are good for your brain — among other benefits. I am going to go practice my piano and do some vocalizing.

I hope to see you around town — please say "hi" if you see me.

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: Playing a musical instrument feeds the brain

Okaloosa parks pass hazardous water tests Monday

Written by archive on May 12, 2015. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — No Okaloosa County parks have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.

The parks that passed testing include Lincoln Park, Valparaiso; Poquito Park, Shalimar; Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville; Liza Jackson and Garniers Parks, Fort Walton Beach; Gulf Islands National Seashore, East Pass, Emerald Promenade, Marler Park and Wayside Park, all of Okaloosa Island; Clement E. Taylor Park, Henderson Beach, and James Lee Park, all of Destin.

Enteric bacteria’s presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

Call 689-7859 or 833-9247 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa parks pass hazardous water tests Monday

Baker, Crestview residents among 'Oklahoma!' cast

Written by archive on May 12, 2015. Posted in lifestyle.

NICEVILLE — Six North Okaloosa residents join an ensemble cast for Northwest Florida State College's production of "Oklahoma!"

Selected for lead roles are Katie Pickler of Niceville as Laurey Williams; Tristan Allen of Fort Walton Beach as Curly McLain; Sean Royal of Mary Esther as Will Parker; Megan Garofalo of Santa Rosa Beach as Ado Annie Carnes; Daniel Thornton of Baker as Jud Fry; Gretchen Erickson of Niceville as Aunt Eller; Jason Mueller of Fort Walton Beach as Ali Hakim; Clayton Reed of Crestview as Ike Skidmore; Dylan Garofalo of Santa Rosa Beach as Andrew Carnes; and Victoria Mullins of Santa Rosa Beach as Gertie Cummings.

The Women’s Chorus roles will be played by Holly Johnson of Niceville as Kate; Brittany Castle of Fort Walton Beach as Ellen; Arin Walker of Niceville as Virginia; Brittany Parry of Crestview as Vivian; Jordan Van Dyke of Niceville as Sylvie; Madalyn Wilson of Santa Rosa Beach as Armina; Isabel Rivera of Niceville as Aggie; Wesley Urbanczyk of Niceville as Wilhemina; Ansley Walker of Fort Walton Beach as Edwina; and Joleigh Jarvis of Niceville as Becky Sue and a Laurey double in ballet.

The Men’s Chorus roles include Donovan Black of Niceville as Cord Elam (Ranch Foreman); and various men’s roles are played by James Meadows of Fort Walton Beach; Wesley Barlow of Crestview; Zachary Phillips of Niceville; Richard McWhorter of Niceville; Shelby Steverson of Crestview; and Nick Watson of Crestview.

The show — to be presented July 15-19 in the 1,650-seat main stage theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, 100 College Blvd. — is produced by the college’s Humanities, Fine & Performing Arts Division.

Set in the Oklahoma Territory in 1906, the musical tells the story of the high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys and provides the colorful background against which Curly, a cowboy, and Laurey, a farm girl, play out their love story.

Tickets cost $25, adults; $20, youths age 18 and younger. Purchase through the Mattie Kelly Arts Center’s Box Office, by phone, web or in-person. Call 729-6000 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday or purchase through the center’s website, www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org.

NWFSC students may request one free ticket per student ID, space permitting, in person from the Box Office starting June 1.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker, Crestview residents among 'Oklahoma!' cast

Crestview church's Mother's Day tea benefits Polish pastor

Written by archive on May 12, 2015. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Fifteen women at First United Methodist Church hosted FUMC's second annual Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, but the benefits will surpass an enjoyable weekend, particularly for a Polish pastor.

With 120 tickets sold, organizers reached their goal: to sell out the event and help someone in need.

"Proceeds from this event will go to the pastor of our sister church in Ilawa, Poland," church member Anne Campbell said. "Pastor Kris came to visit our church eight years ago; and shortly upon returning home, he fell and broke his knee.

"After that, his leg has broken several times and (he) has had five surgeries and is facing another. He is at a critical point in his knee and leg condition and is in desperate need of financial assistance."

For the tea, each of the 15 hosts set their round table with fine china, Depression-era glass dishes, hand-painted porcelain dishes and crystal pieces over 100 years old.

The menu included chicken salad in a croissant; ham, cheese and lettuce roll-ups; white chocolate and raspberry scones; cucumber dip with Ritz crackers; chocolate-dipped strawberries; brownies; lemon and orange muffins with lemon glaze; water; and hot tea.

"We were blessed with Pastor Michael singing two beautiful songs for the ladies, and Pastor Sam (also known as Pastor Slam or Roller Derby Queen) blessed us with an encouraging message on motherhood and then played her bass drum (cello)," Campbell said.

Grace Bratton, 92, the oldest mother present, took the Mother’s Day bouquet. Four other mothers in attendance were in their early 90s.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview church's Mother's Day tea benefits Polish pastor

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