lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

Art by Chance: Holt artist’s work comes from a colorful imagination

Written by archive on October 17, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — A world of lighthouses, bucolic landscapes and even an old water-powered mill awaits on the exhibit wall at the Crestview Public Library.

It’s the world of Holt artist Donna Chance, who says her subject matter comes from her imagination, inspired sometimes by favorite artists and from places she’s enjoyed.

“I just do whatever I think of,” Chance said. “I just sit down and start painting sometimes and it just comes. I’m a spontaneous painter.”

Chance, the mother of 15-year-old Jordan, said she’s been painting since she was her son’s age, then perfected her gift at Northwest Florida State College back when it was Okaloosa-Walton Community College.

Her deft handling of light effuses each painting with a warmth that seems to glow from within its subject.

“My favorite painters are Thomas Kincade and Bob Ross,” Chance said. “I watched a lot of Bob Ross on TV and I picked up my style from him. I love Thomas Kincade. All my favorite artists are dead now.”

Ross, who started the PBS “The Joy of Painting” program, died in 1995. Kincade, known as “the painter of light,” died in 2012.

Chance’s subjects exhibited at the library include seascapes, landscapes, country scenes and lighthouses.

Lots of lighthouses.

Taking care of Jordan, who is disabled and has type-1 diabetes, is a full-time job, Chance said, but she has recently resumed painting.

“I went for a long time without painting anything,” she said. “I just got back into it recently so we’ll see what happens.”

Chance’s exhibit is on display through October.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Art by Chance: Holt artist’s work comes from a colorful imagination

‘Redneck Rivalry’ coming soon to a restaurant near you

Written by archive on October 17, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW— Act4Murder, a theater troupe, will present "Redneck Rivalry" this month.

This original murder mystery dinner theatre production features feuding cousins, outrageous costumes, music, comedy, romance — and bacon — in a 7 p.m. dinner and show.

The fun starts at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Coach-N-Four, 114 John King Road, Crestview, with seating at 6:30.

Tickets are $37 per person. Call the restaurant at 850-432-1003 for dinner reservations.

For more information on Act4Murder, call 850-862-2885 or visit www.act4murder.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘Redneck Rivalry’ coming soon to a restaurant near you

Niceville UMC buys property for second Crestview location

Written by archive on October 17, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Niceville United Methodist Church has officially purchased property off Old Bethel Road to build a second church campus in Crestview.

Greg McKinnon, a Niceville UMC executive pastor, said church officials finalized the paperwork on Tuesday to attain a 10-acre piece of property across the road from Davidson Middle School.

McKinnon said the church paid $698,000 for the property.

The land has been annexed into the city and will feature a 20,000-square-foot church building –including a sanctuary with a seating capacity of 350 and a children’s facility.

Church officials decided to search for a second campus due to growth at St. Mark UMC on P.J. Adams Parkway. Renovations had already been made there due to membership growth.

McKinnon anticipates many St. Mark members who currently live in northern Crestview will attend the new campus.

Jeff Burnett, an associate pastor at St. Mark, will serve as the lead pastor at the new church campus.

Church officials hope to have the new building completed by next fall.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Niceville UMC buys property for second Crestview location

'Strings' performance coming to Crestview library

Written by archive on October 17, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Musicians George Keith and Scrammy Lane will perform next week at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Keith & Lane, the guitarist and mandolin players, will perform a variety of folk, bluegrass, country and Celtic music.

For more information on the free concert, call the library at 850-682-4432.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Strings' performance coming to Crestview library

HOW TO BATTLE BREAST CANCER: 'Have a great attitude,' survivor says

Written by archive on October 15, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Editor's Note: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Keep reading the Crestview News Bulletin throughout the month for news and feature stories about this issue.

CRESTVIEW — A breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating, but there are many ways to get through it, said breast cancer survivor Lizzy Swanson.

“You just got to deal with it and have a great attitude about it,” she said.

Lizzy, a loss prevention specialist for area Tom Thumb convenience stores, had two breast cancer scares: one in 1997; the other in 2011.

Her husband, Paul, said she handled each diagnosis “like a trooper.”

“Her mental state never quavered,” he said.

After the 2011 diagnosis, she decided to have a double mastectomy. The decision to remove both breasts followed positive results of a BRCA gene test, which determines whether breast or ovarian cancer is hereditary.

Lizzy said the procedure had no effect on her spirit or her sense of femininity.

“Breasts really don’t make the woman,” she said.

When facing such a diagnosis, she said it helps to get informed immediately.

“Get knowledgeable; the internet is so great,” she said. “Definitely read up on it and realize your life is not over.”

For support, Lizzy suggests talking to other men and women dealing with the same situation.

“When you talk with other cancer survivors, it makes you healthy, because (you realize) you’re not alone” she said.

One way to do that is to regularly participate in local American Cancer Society awareness events, like Relay For Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Having her employer's support also has helped. At last year’s Relay For Life of Crestview, Tom Thumb donated $35,000 toward the ACS.

Paul remained supportive during his wife’s two bouts with breast cancer, and now Lizzy is supporting Paul while he battles stage five chronic kidney disease.

“We back each other up,” Paul said. “I love her to death.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HOW TO BATTLE BREAST CANCER: 'Have a great attitude,' survivor says

Not Disney's 'Snow White': NWF Ballet gives favorite fairy tale a new twist

Written by archive on October 14, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — She’s still the fairest of them all — and the witch is just as nasty — but the Northwest Florida Ballet gives the familiar fairy tale a whole new twist this weekend.

“The Brothers Grimm’s ‘Snow White’ has been a beloved staple of childhood for generations,” NWFB marketing assistant Megan Fontaine stated in an email. “This new production is … given new life on stage.”

Mobile Ballet artistic director Winthrop Corey choreographed the production, which opens Saturday at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. His transformation of the story premiered in March 2013.

In a preview interview on AL.com, Corey described his restaging as a performance suitable for a 5- to a 55-year-old audience member.

“I didn’t want to do anything quirky,” he said.

He particularly wanted to avoid Disney-fying the story, especially in representing the dwarves. Don’t expect Sleepy, Dopey, Sneezy and others, but do expect Corey’s delightful solution.

His production is set to music by a range of classic and popular composers, including Jules Massenet, Bedrich Smetana and Sir Arthur Sullivan.

Dazzling costumes and scenery evoke scenes ranging from a stately English garden party to the grandeur of an imperial Russia court ball for this colorful, creative, lively and glorious “Winthrop Corey’s Snow White.”

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:“Winthrop Corey’s Snow White”

WHEN: 7 p.m. Oct. 18; 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19

WHERE: Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College Niceville campus

COST: $32, adult; $15, children

NOTES: Tickets available at 664-7787 or nfballet.org. $80 adult, $40 child season-package tickets, with 20 percent savings, available through Oct. 17.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Not Disney's 'Snow White': NWF Ballet gives favorite fairy tale a new twist

Exodos Ministries celebrates new location with block party (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Written by archive on October 13, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

BAKER — Kyra Crowson wants to set the record straight about Exodos Ministries, a rehabilitation ministry for men with chemical addictions.

“To be clear, we are not a (detoxification) facility. People do not come to us suffering withdrawal symptoms and a panicky mindset,” she said in a statement. “Our men come to us for after-care. They have already detoxed and experienced withdrawal."

PHOTOS: See 34 photos from the Exodos Ministries block party>>

The ministry, which has moved from Crestview to Baker, faces some opposition. Several Buckward Road residents have posted signs on their property requesting that no rehabilitation or detoxification facility be placed in the neighborhood.

The nonprofit presented a block party on Saturday to clear up such misconceptions, event organizers said.

'NOT A SCARY INSTITUTION'

“This is to introduce to our community that we are a faith family ministry; we are not a program and not a scary institution,” Crowson said of the block party.

Although the location will be different, the ministry’s mission remains the same: to lead men from alcohol and drug addictions through spiritual guidance, she said.

Volunteers screen the men beforehand; the ministry doesn't accept individuals with a criminal background, like assault, Crowson said.

Crestview resident Brody Bonta said a three-month stay at Exodos helped him overcome his addiction to pain medication.

“It completely changed my life … I definitely could not do it on my own,” he said. “It definitely allowed me to get quiet and spend time with God.”

'IT'S A GOOD THING'

Jessica Mann, who lives next door to the new location, said she supports the effort.

“I’m not opposed to it all; I think it’s a good thing,” Mann said. “If they are trying to help people, then it’s always a good thing.”

Local businesses, organizations and churches showed their support by volunteering at the block party's skee ball and ring toss booths.

Russell Moorman — owner of AAA Waste Services in Crestview, who drove a tractor for the hay ride — said he will support the ministry in any way possible.

The reason is simple, Moorman said.

“They are trying to change lives and put (people) on the right path,” he said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Exodos Ministries celebrates new location with block party (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Crestview Community Health Fair planned in October

Written by archive on October 13, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness Committee is hosting its eighth annual Community Health Fair in October for people of all ages.

The fair is 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

Up to 80 vendors will provide healthcare information, screenings, services, education and more.

The committee's goal is to build awareness of the many health-related organizations available in Crestview and surrounding areas.

Local talent will perform throughout the day.

For details on vending or more information, call 682-3212.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Community Health Fair planned in October

CoffeeHouse Live! planned in Valparaiso

Written by archive on October 13, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

VALPARAISO — CoffeeHouse Live! is coming again to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Emerald Coast, 1295 Bayshore Drive, Valparaiso.

On Friday, Oct. 24, the public is invited to enjoy the fun of a coffee house with open mic, music, poetry, storytelling and performances of all kinds. It begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

Admission is free, but donations at the door are very much appreciated.

Halloween costumes are strongly encouraged but not required.

A “Haunted Room” will be open for children of all ages. Event coordinator Dave Abraham said, “This has been such a fun event over the many years we have been having the “CoffeeHouse LIVE!

Refreshments will be available.

Call Dave at 850-217-8481 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CoffeeHouse Live! planned in Valparaiso

Free hunter safety Internet-completion course offered at Bass Pro Shops in Destin

Written by archive on October 13, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

DESTIN — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering a free hunter safety Internet-completion course in Okaloosa County.

The course takes place at Bass Pro Shops, 4301 Legendary Drive, Destin. Instruction is from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 28 and 30, and attendance is required at both class sessions.

Students must complete the Internet course before coming to class and bring a copy of the final report from the online portion of the course. The final report form does not have to be notarized.

An adult must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times. Students should bring a pencil and paper with them to take notes.

Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.

People interested in attending this course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling Hunter Safety Coordinator Will Burnett at the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at 850-265-3676.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free hunter safety Internet-completion course offered at Bass Pro Shops in Destin

850.682.6524