CRESTVIEW — Chocolate, golden tickets and the world-famous candy man, Willy Wonka, are coming to the Florida Chautauqua stage this week.

Performances of "Willy Wonka" are 7 p.m. May 8 and 9, and 2:30 p.m. May 10 at the theater, 840 Baldwin Ave., DeFuniak Springs.

Tickets cost $15 per adult and $22 per student age 22 and younger. Call 892-9494 or email info@fcweb.org to reserve seats.

“Willy Wonka” tells the story of an eccentric candy manufacturer and his quest to find an heir. He stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his candy bars. Whoever finds a ticket wins a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of chocolate.

Four of the five winning children are brats with equally insufferable parents: the fifth is a likeable lad named Charlie Bucket, who tours the company with his grandfather.

The children must learn to follow Wonka's rules in the factory, or suffer the consequences.

The Florida Chautauqua version of the play, based on Roald Dahl's story, features “The Candy Man” and the other songs from the 1971 film, along with new songs by Leslie Bricusse ("Jekyll & Hyde," "Doctor Doolittle") and Anthony Newley.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Willy Wonka' stage production premieres this week

These days, you can go online and invest, for modest fees. You can also visit various websites for research and watch numerous cable shows for investment recommendations.

So, why shouldn’t you be a do-it-yourself investor rather than work with a financial professional?

Actually, there are at least five good reasons why a financial advisor can help make you a better investor.

A financial adviser can:

•Ask the right questions. If you try to invest on your own, you may find yourself asking the wrong questions, such as: “What’s the ‘hottest’ investment out there?”

A financial professional can help frame better questions, such as: “Given my individual risk tolerance and long-term goals, which investments should I consider to help me build a balanced portfolio?”

In other words, a financial professional can help you ask the questions that can lead to better results.

•Look at your situation objectively. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to take all the emotion out of your investment choices. After all, your investment success will play a large role in some key areas of your life, such as your ability to enjoy a comfortable retirement.

Consequently, if you think you’re not making the progress you should with your investments, you may be tempted to make a hasty decision to give your portfolio a “jolt.”

Frequently, though, such choices can backfire.

When it comes to investing, it’s better to invest with your head, not your heart. A financial adviser can analyze your situation, assess your risk tolerance and make appropriate recommendations.

•Show a deeper understanding of investment research. You can look up many types of financial data on your own. But do you know how to put all these pieces together into a cohesive picture?

A financial professional, with years of experience and training, is generally more capable of finding the research sources and making the most sense out of the results.

•Put experience to work in making portfolio recommendations. Even if you’ve been investing for many years, you might be surprised by all the underlying influences that should go into making investment decisions. But a financial professional understands market patterns, the nature of diversification and other factors necessary in helping you make the right choices for your situation.

•Spend time searching for opportunities. Even if you enjoy the process of investing, chances are quite good that you can’t spend as much time on it as a financial professional.

That means, among other things, you aren’t constantly on the lookout for new investment opportunities. Nor are you always looking within your own portfolio for opportunities to rebalance or make other adjustments that can help you move forward toward your goals.

But when you work closely with a financial adviser, he or she is exploring the financial markets for new investment prospects while regularly reviewing your portfolio for possibilities of upgrading quality, increasing diversification or making adjustments in response to changes in your life.

The do-it-yourself route may be fine for home repairs. But when it comes to managing your investment situation, there are benefits to working with a professional.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: 5 reasons not to be a do-it-yourself investor

CRESTVIEW — The Community Redevelopment Agency has unanimously approved a $40,000 one-year contract for the new Main Street program and CRA director.

In interviews, Brenda Smith, a former Okaloosa extension agent with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, impressed Main Street members and city officials with her communication skills and professionalism.

"She has good experience and background in programs and events similar to our Main Street programs," Main Street President Ellis Conner said.

Before Smith's contract was approved, board member JB Whidden suggested changing the word "should" to "shall" in the document to clarify that Smith will be required to perform specified duties.

Indeed, Smith will report to Administrative Services Director Teresa Gaillard, who will require weekly progress and status reports from Smith.

Even before the contract's approval, Smith attended Monday meetings of the Main Street Association and the Crestview Centennial Committee.

"I'm looking forward to her being on board and letting her show this city what her capabilities are," board member Joe Blocker said.

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THE MAIN STREET/CRA DIRECTOR

Brenda Smith's role as Community Redevelopment Agency/Main Street director fulfills a Florida Main Street requirement that Crestview's program has a city-funded director.

A president and board elected by association members govern The Main Street Crestview Association.

Smith's contract states she will be "responsible for the development, conduct, execution and documentation of the Main Street program."

She will "coordinate activity within the Main Street Association and the Community Redevelopment Agency revitalization program, utilizing preservation as an integral foundation for…economic development."

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Main Street Crestview Association gets new director

CRESTVIEW — Runners, prepare to get a little dirty during this one. But it's for a worthy cause.

The Okaloosa County Farm Bureau 5K Mud Run is 8 a.m. Saturday, July 11, starting at 5741 Gum Creek Lodge Road, Baker.

Registration costs $40 in advance by July 9; $50, race day. The Kids Fun Run registration costs $20 in advance; $25, race day. Proceeds benefit local agriculture education programs.

Award categories include male and female overall (1st), male and female age group (1st, 2nd and 3rd). Age groups: 13-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55 and up. Kids Fun Run: 6-9, 10-12.

You can register here>>

Contact Molly Huffman, 682-3536, or Jennifer Bearden, 585-3940, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County Farm Bureau sets 5K Mud Run

FORT WALTON BEACH — Children in Crisis' Children’s Art Education program has an extra $800 in support.

“The OAA donation allows CIC to provide a very important element of education sometimes not considered a priority," Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, said. "It’s amazing to watch our at-risk children grow and develop their art talents. This wouldn’t have been possible without the great support from the Okaloosa Arts Alliance."

CIC gives a home to about 100 at-risk children each year. Call 864-4242 or see www.childrenincrisisfl.org to learn more about the nonprofit. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Arts Alliance donates to children's art fund

Most fruits and vegetables we eat once depended on insect pollinators. 

There are fewer working farmers, but they must meet an increasing population's needs. And they must make choices on chemical alternatives for pest control. 

Good bug blends of flowers can help attract pollinators, and beneficial insects can suppress harmful pests. 

You can establish insectary meadows on a small or large scale in any habitat.

Bees are the overwhelmingly dominant pollinator for most food crops. Native bees in the United States annually pollinate over $3 billion worth of agricultural commodities. 

However, native bee populations are declining due to habitat loss. Meanwhile, managed colonies of European honey bees have dipped 50 percent over the past few decades.

Numerous other pollinating insects face the same fate.

One approach to bring back pollinators is to intercrop with blooming plants that attract insects. 

Selecting diverse plants — those with different flower sizes, shapes and colors, as well as various plant heights and growth habits — will encourage the greatest numbers of pollinators.

It is important to provide a continuous source of pollen and nectar throughout the growing season. At minimum, strive for three species to be blooming at any one time; the greater the diversity, the better.

To enhance the garden, choose flowering plants that also provide shelter for beneficial insects. Many companion plants are suitable habitats for predators and parasitoids. 

Research in Florida has demonstrated that predatory minute pirate bugs can build to high numbers in sunflowers. Their favorite food is Western flower thrips. So, planting sunflowers on the perimeter of vegetable crops, such as peppers, can greatly reduce thrip-related damage. 

Similar results were found with planting sorghum to attract beneficial mites and intercropping with buckwheat to house syrphid flies and parasitoid wasps. 

The garden vegetables experienced fewer spider mite, whitefly and aphid problems.

Here in Crestview, you can get a first-hand look at an insectary meadow in operation. This week, we will seed sunflowers, sorghum and buckwheat at the Common Ground Community Garden. 

Over the next few months, we will monitor the plants for pollinators and beneficial insects. 

If you are interested in helping with the insect collection and data recording, please contact Evan Anderson or me at the Okaloosa County Extension office, 689-5850.

Sheila Dunning is a Commercial Horticulture Extension agentat the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bringing pollinators back: Insectary meadows provide food for pollinators, homes for beneficial bugs