lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

Crestview hospital aims to reduce elective early deliveries (VIDEO)

Written by archive on January 28, 2015. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa County mothers-to-be hoping to cut a few weeks off their pregnancies for other than non-medical reasons better find another facility than Crestview’s hometown hospital for elective inducements and cesarean deliveries.

That’s because North Okaloosa Medical Center has embraced the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the March of Dimes “39 Weeks” initiative for reducing the number of elective early deliveries.

“We’re in the business of healthy babies and we want to make sure babies are not delivered before 39 weeks, which gives us healthy organs, healthy eyes, healthy everything and more weight,” NOMC Chief of Nursing Nina Perez said.

The program aims to reduce the number of “convenience” deliveries, March of Dimes Community Director Dannon Byrd said.

“Mothers say, ‘Oh, it’s so uncomfortable,’ or ‘My doctor’s going out of town, let’s schedule a C-section,’” Byrd said. “Thirty-nine is a magic number for babies. Anything less than that and they’re at greater risk for poor organ and eye development.”

March of Dimes Division Director Michele Redmond said the recognition is given very selectively. Fort Walton Beach Medical Center is the only other hospital in Okaloosa County to receive it.

“There are only several of these that have been given and we’re so excited because we want our area to be the best when it comes to healthy babies,” she said.

ACOG representative Dr. Julie DeCesare of Florida State University and Sacred Heart Hospital said the recognition will assure mothers-to-be that the community hospital is committed to their babies’ health.

“We know in terms of infant mortality we’ve been going in the wrong direction so we hope programs like this will get it going in the right direction,” DeCesare said.

“It’s a good thing for the community,” hospital Chief Executive Officer David Fuller said. “The biggest thing is making sure our youngest, tiniest citizens get a good start and stay inside of mama as long as possible to get a healthier start in life.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview hospital aims to reduce elective early deliveries (VIDEO)

Father's involvement with daughters may lead to safer sex

Written by archive on January 28, 2015. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

GAINESVILLE â”€ To paraphrase an old TV show title, Perhaps Â“Father (does) Know Best.Â”

Female students who said their dads were “involved” in their lives as teens are more likely to use protection when having sex in college, a positive sign for fathers in an era of increasingly single-parent homes, according to new University of Florida research.

For her master’s thesis in the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Caroline Payne-Purvis analyzed responses from 748 college students in an introductory course at a large public southeastern university. About 60 percent were females, and 40 percent male.

Students answered 73 questions, which tried to find out, among other things, aspects of the participants’ adolescent years, their parents’ level of involvement when the students still lived at home, how often they now engage in sexual behaviors, including intercourse and their contraception use during various sexual behaviors.

Payne-Purvis found female students who said their father was “involved” in their lives as teens used condoms more frequently during intercourse.

Females who reported higher rates of father involvement reported engaging in sexual intercourse less frequently and with fewer partners. Furthermore, the more involved mothers were doing a female college student’s adolescence, the more often the young women used hormonal contraceptives.

Payne-Purvis, now an assistant professor in health and kinesiology at the Mississippi University for Women, said it’s hard to explain the finding. One possible explanation she offers in the paper is that the presence of a father figure in females’ adolescent lives reduces the desire for male attention outside the home.

“The main lesson to take from this study is that in an era of single families, high divorce rates and dual working families, fathers continue to have an impact on their daughters’ lives,” she said. “Additionally, it indicates that situations and relationships from one’s adolescence carry over into early adulthood.”

In the paper, published in the Journal of Adolescent and Family Health, Payne-Purvis wrote that mothers have historically taught their daughters about sex, while fathers have educated their sons about the birds and the bees.

Payne-Purvis’ study was part of a larger examination of contraceptive use among college students. She wrote the paper with Professor Rosemary Barnett and Associate Professor Larry Forthun, both in the UF/IFAS’ family, youth and community sciences department.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Father's involvement with daughters may lead to safer sex

'Incredible legacy': First Baptist's music minister retires

Written by archive on January 28, 2015. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — If the future is anything like Paul Conrad’s past, the beloved First Baptist Church of Crestview’s music minister won’t be retired long.

Though Conrad officially retired after Sunday’s services, his fellow ministers say he’s threatened to retire before and just never does it.

“My ‘last Sunday’ was the last Sunday in December, but we had a revival coming up and they asked me to stay on for that, so then we thought I might as well stay through the month,” he said.

Conrad and his wife, Phyllis, plan to retire to their small farm in Georgia, where he’ll offer his service to local churches on a part-time or interim supply basis, he said.

RENOWNED CHOIR

Among his accomplishments, Conrad points to First Baptist's youth choir as one of his favorite achievements.

“We had a good adult choir, and we had kids, but they were nowhere as strong as they’ve become,” he said. “Our youth choir sings every Sunday night.”

The Rev. Randall Jenkins, education minister, said the youth choir’s summer performance tours are renowned, especially at a time when few youth choirs tour anymore.

“It’s just something we’ve morphed into over the years,” Conrad said. “They’re strong kids. They’re dedicated.”

For many of the kids, the tours have been their only opportunity to venture out of the Florida Panhandle, senior pastor the Rev. Alan Kilgore said.

“Through the choir ministry, the kids have seen a lot of national landmarks,” he said.

Some of the trips have left indelible memories, Conrad said.

“When we were in New York, we sang in Times Square,” he said. “It was spontaneous. I asked a policeman if we could sing and he said, ‘I’m not going to tell you you can’t.’ We got our pitch and we sang the spiritual, ‘Shut de Do’.’ We had about 500 people all around us cheering us on.”

GOOD PEOPLE

Conrad has been the church's longest-tenured minister in recent memory, Jenkins said.

“He’s stayed here longer than most pastors,” Jenkins said.

Conrad said the reality of retirement still hasn’t quite sunk in.

“I’ve caught myself saying, ‘I’ve got to get ready for Easter,’ then, oh, no I don’t,” he said. “I’ve got to do this or that. Oh, no I don’t. Sometimes I wonder if I’m really ready for this.”

Fellow pastors shared funny stories about their music minister.

“He has a habit of leaving the office with the lights on,” Kilgore said. “I started locking his door and turning up his thermostat. So he got even with me and took the lock out. It fell apart in his hand. We only just got it fixed.”

Kilgore and Jenkins said Conrad refuses to change his watch from standard time.

“If Jesus came back, Paul would be an hour late to the Rapture,” Kilgore said.

“Unless he came back on Daylight Savings Time,” Conrad responded.

Conrad said in retirement, he will miss the people of First Baptist most.

“This is the best church I’ve ever served, and the best choirs,” he said.

“He’s a good guy,” Jenkins said. “That’s an incredible legacy he’s leaving after a quarter-century.”

“It sounds like a long time if you say it that way,” Conrad said.

Then, as he left his office, he paused at the door and switched off the light.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Incredible legacy': First Baptist's music minister retires

I AM WHERE? 'Jinxed Coffee'

Written by archive on January 27, 2015. Posted in lifestyle.

In each Weekend Edition, the News Bulletin will provide clues to a certain North Okaloosa location. If you tell us the correct location, you could win lunch for two at Angel's Speakeasy in Crestview.

It's too late to enter last week's contest, but you can quiz yourself on North Okaloosa knowledge, just for fun!

HINT:

This morning I took a few practice swings with a cast iron skillet before I gave it to Pam. Can you believe a grown woman doesn’t have a cast iron skillet? How does she make corn bread?

But in 1915, people went to the flickers on this very spot. They had no choice: there wasn’t any other place to do it in the whole north county.

I take a deep whiff and can just smell the history seeping from the walls. Can I detect a hint of popping corn lingering beneath the turpentine, rubber and iron?

The clerk eyes me suspiciously with steeley eyes. Time to check out.

Where am I?

Spoiler alert:

* * * * * * * * *

The correct answer was: Juke Hill

Congratulation, Joe Coffield, who won!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: I AM WHERE? 'Jinxed Coffee'

LDS quorum members visit Northwest Florida

Written by archive on January 27, 2015. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Fort Walton Beach Stake held a Jan. 17 and 18 conference.

Elder Neil L. Anderson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, presided over the meetings — Saturday in Fort Walton Beach and Sunday in Crestview — and addressed 998 members who attended.

Elder Robert W. Hymus, of the Quorum of the Seventy, presided over Saturday's two meetings. The Sunday meeting was held at the Crestview Community Center to accommodate members from congregations in Baker, Crestview, DeFuniak Springs, Niceville, Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

President Mike Roberts, who conducted the Crestview meeting, spoke of the blessings of being raised in the church, with all the teachings and examples of his parents guiding him, his brothers and sisters. Now, he said, those traditions are being carried on in his own young and growing family.

Hymus emphasized the importance of teaching children to recognize the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Several in the congregation were called to bear their testimonies.

At the close of the meeting, Anderson extended an invitation for children to come forward and shake his hand. Even though he had a plane to catch, he was there for nearly a half-hour shaking hands.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LDS quorum members visit Northwest Florida

Restaurant's breakfast menu debut raises $2,600 for mission

Written by archive on January 27, 2015. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — With area breakfasters' support, local missionaries now serving in Kenya are closer to buying a much needed van for their orphanage ministry.

While patrons last week indulged in breakfast sandwiches with oversized buttermilk biscuits, pancakes and waffles, $2,600 was raised for Ryan and Beka Boonstra’s mission.

Supporters turned out early to celebrate the Jan. 21 introduction of The Wild Olive’s breakfast menu and its Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting.

The McDuffie family, the restaurant's owners, are known for their faith-based generosity and willingly turned the unveiling of Chef Joseph McDuffie’s breakfast menu into a fundraiser for the Boonstra mission.

“We even had people donating money throughout the week,” restaurant host Michael McDuffie said.

The Boonstra Kenya Ministry operates orphanages in rural areas of the east African country near the capitol, Nairobi. They need to raise $9,000 for the van, Michael said.

“They are trying to purchase a larger vehicle since they have to transport themselves and their children across many miles,” Wild Olive co-owner Mike McDuffie said.

Chef Joe and his wife, Rachel, visited the Boonstra mission during the summer of 2014 and returned touched by the “great works” they witnessed, Michael, Joseph’s older brother, said.

Joseph McDuffie said he and his wife were amazed at how the Boonstras can stretch limited resources to serve the children with programs including church camps.

“It’s cool to see how just a little amount of resources go a long way,” he said. “What’s a little amount to us, they make go a long, long way.”

WANT TO HELP?

Residents wishing to donate to the Boonstra Kenya Ministry may bring monetary gifts to The Wild Olive during regular breakfast, lunch and dinner hours, 797 Pearl St. N., 682-4455. One hundred percent of money raised goes directly to the orphanage ministry.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Restaurant's breakfast menu debut raises $2,600 for mission

Evangelical bodybuilders demonstrate strength of faith

Written by archive on January 23, 2015. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Though the front of Woodlawn Baptist Church’s sanctuary may look like a construction zone lately, the impression doesn’t last long.

Each night since Wednesday, stacks of cinderblocks, bricks and lumber are reduced to rubble at the hands — literally — of The Strength Team.

Led by former Seattle Seahawks football player Mike Hagen, the trio of body builders combines feats of brute strength with inspirational messages.

The construction materials and assorted common household goods “are all just tools to share the greatest love story that ever existed,” former Cleveland Browns running back William Green said.

With Zeb Bishop, a 6-foot, 5-inch tall, 310-pound former track and field athlete, Green and Hagen brave fire, smash bricks, roll up frying pans, bend rebar into loops, lift audience members and twist horseshoes backward to form heart shapes.

“The heart represents the love Christ has for you,” Hagen said. “Open up your heart and let Christ in.”

HEAVENLY AWARDS CEREMONY

Hagen and his teammates have had their share of accolades on the athletic field, but there’s one prize they have yet to win, he said.

“When you stand before the Lord, it’s going to be a great awards ceremony for believers,” Hagen said. “But when the unbelievers stand before the God, there will be no lawyers jockeying for position. There will be no settlement out of court.”

The team’s demonstrations and spirited evangelism enthuse their audiences, inspiring people to come forward and profess their faith, and reinforcing the faith of many others.

“I thought it was pretty great,” church youth member Wesley Barrow said. “I definitely felt a little inadequate, though.”

The Strength Team performs two more 6 p.m. shows tonight and Sunday at Woodlawn Baptist Church.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:Presentation by The Strength Team

WHEN:6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

WHERE:Woodlawn Baptist Church, 824 Ferdon Blvd. N.

COST:Free admission; a love offering will be received to support The Strength Team’s mission work in Haiti and elsewhere.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Evangelical bodybuilders demonstrate strength of faith

Milligan pastor stands by his sign's words (VIDEO)

Written by archive on January 21, 2015. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

MILLIGAN — The Rev. Mike White says Milligan Assembly of God's controversial sign about the sanctity of marriage came straight from the heart.

"Sometimes, we have to see if we’re really serious about what we believe,” he said. “It’s time for the church to stand up against sin.”

See Brian Hughes' interview with the Rev. Mike White>>

Many of society’s ills rest on pastors afraid to speak up against sin for fear of offending someone and losing members or financial support, White said.

“This is where I feel the church has failed,” he said. “Our ministers who stand in our pulpits have failed to preach against sin. It’s time the church acts like the church and be that voice it needs to be — and be unapologetic.”

The sign raised passionate debate among readers as near as North Okaloosa to as far as San Francisco. Here, he answers some of the questions they raised on Facebook.

Who decides the sign's message?

White: I normally do it. When the Lord gives me a thought, most of the time, it’s me.

What message did you want to send with this sign?

White: I felt compelled by the spirit of the Lord to make a stand. I felt compelled to make a stand and say our church would not perform any homosexual marriage at all.

Did your church members express concerns about the sign?

White: No, sir! The opposite happened. Ours is a very strong church. It stands strong for morality. As a pastor, it’s been eye-opening for me to see that reaction. I’ve been strengthened by our church’s reaction.

Have you received phone calls about the sign?

White: I received two or three extra-length emails, and a total of two or three calls. We got a lot of comment on the internet, too.

Did this sign seem controversial initially?

White: I don’t see what is insulting about what was put on the sign if you’re a Christian. I’m going to Heaven or I’m going to Hell. It’s an inter-self decision that you’re going to have to make yourself. It’s not something you just put on a sign.

What are your views on same-sex marriage?

White: It is a sin. It is a sin against God’s creative work. Not only did God make us in his image, he made us in his likeness. Why would God make anything or create anything that is an abomination against himself?

If someone in your church were gay, how would you treat them?

White: We welcome them here. We love them. We don’t love the sin, but we love them.

“The best thing we can do about sin is get it out of our heart by going to Christ and ask him for forgiveness,” White said.

EXTENSION CONNECTION: Agriculture's importance cannot be overstated

Written by archive on January 21, 2015. Posted in lifestyle.

Hello, Okaloosa County! I'm Evan Anderson, your new University of Florida Agricultural Extension agent.

I look forward to covering Okaloosa and Walton counties after moving here to Florida from West Virginia.

I grew up and studied horticulture and agricultural education at West Virginia University.

My experience includes work on outreach to farmers in West Virginia as well as operating a community supported agriculture and market garden, growing vegetables, flowers and herbs.

Agriculture's importance cannot be overstated. Beyond food, which people need to survive, agriculture supplies us with many other materials. For example, locally grown cotton fibers are wonderfully useful for clothes.

Approximately $16 million annually is contributed to the local economy by agriculture and forestry, and the Extension Service has served those who work in these industries for a century.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to work for Extension in such a fantastic place, and I hope that I can help not only local farmers, but also communities, in every way I can.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or the Okaloosa County Extension office at 850-689-5850 for information on our programs.

Evan Anderson is an agent at the University of Florida/Institute of Agricultural Sciences' Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Agriculture's importance cannot be overstated

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Don’t let low rates sink your retirement plans

Written by archive on January 21, 2015. Posted in lifestyle.

Over the past few years, if you’ve taken out a mortgage or another consumer loan, you’ve probably welcomed the low interest rates you may have received.

But as an investor, if you’ve kept any retirement savings in fixed-rate investment vehicles, you may have seen low rates in a less favorable light.

That’s why it may be time for you take a closer look at your financial strategy for working toward the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned.

You can always hope that interest rates will rise — and perhaps they will — but the Federal Reserve has kept interest rates at record lows in recent years to stimulate lending and boost the economy.

But rates can’t get much lower, and if inflation were to heat up, the Fed could reverse course by starting to raise rates.

If you’re going to do a good job of building financial assets for retirement, you really can’t afford to play “wait-and-see” with interest rates.

Instead, consider the following moves:

• Rebalance your portfolio. No matter what your situation is, it’s a good idea to periodically rebalance your investment portfolio to help ensure it still reflects your risk tolerance, time horizon and long-term goals.

If you’re concerned about low rates harming your future investment income, you have more reason than ever to review your portfolio and make adjustments as needed, relative to your objectives.

For example, if it seems that your portfolio has become “overweighted” in any one vehicle, you may need to change your investment mix, keeping in mind your individual risk tolerance.

• Redefine “retirement.” Retiring from one career doesn’t have to mean retiring from work altogether.

If you decide to work part time, do some consulting or even open your own small business, you may be able to earn enough income to take some of the “pressure” off your investment portfolio in terms of providing you with the money you need to live on during retirement.

Also, by working during your nominal retirement years, you may be able to delay taking Social Security until you’re a little older, when your monthly checks can be larger.

• Review your withdrawal strategy. During your retirement, the amount you choose to withdraw from your investments each year will depend on several factors, including the size of your portfolio and the amount of income it is providing.

As you chart your retirement strategy, you’ll need to factor in a realistic withdrawal rate.

• Re-examine sources of investment income. You may want part of your retirement income to come frominvestments that offer protection of principal. If so, you don’t have to settle for the lowest-rate vehicles.

By looking at various alternatives and blending them with your overall portfolio, you may be able to boost your income without significantly increasing your investment risk.

Just because interest rates are low, you don’t have to lower your retirement expectations — as long as you plan ahead and explore your options.

Yvonne Shanklin is a Crestview financial adviser. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FINANCIAL FOCUS: Don’t let low rates sink your retirement plans

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