lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

October proclaimed Italian American Heritage Month in Crestview

Written by archive on October 10, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Mayor David Cadle has proclaimed October National Italian American Heritage Month in Crestview. Among observances, the local Order Sons of Italy lodge is hosting its annual pasta dinner.

Richard A. Capozzola Lodge President Thomas Hughes Sr. said Cadle’s proclamation followed Gov. Rick Scott’s statewide proclamation.

“Ties of Italy to America date back to Italian explorer and geographer Amerigo Vespucci, the namesake of this country,” Cadle stated in his proclamation.

“Italian immigrants are recognized for their courage in coming to America and their strong belief in family and tradition, and the descendants of these early families have worked diligently to become educated and productive Americans while honoring their Italian heritage,” he stated.

Hughes, who has two Italian stepchildren, said the Crestview lodge welcomes anyone of Italian ancestry or anyone interested in Italian culture to join its 35 members.

“I love Italian culture and heritage, I love my stepchildren, and of course, I love Italian food!” Hughes said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:Order Sons of Italy Crestview Lodge Family Pasta Night

WHEN:5-7 p.m. Oct. 17

WHERE:Foxwood Country Club, 4927 Antioch Road, Crestview

COST:$7, adults; $3.50, children under 12

NOTES:Cost includes pasta with meatball or sausage, salad, bread, dessert and water. Cash bar available.

CONTACT: Joy, 689-8995, or Karen, 682-1416

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: October proclaimed Italian American Heritage Month in Crestview

Church: food, clothing ministry closed due to reorganization

Written by archive on October 10, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — The Raymond Williams Mission Center, which provided food and clothing to needy residents, has been closed since Sept. 18.

Jason Stokes, New Beginnings Church's associate pastor, said a reorganizational effort within the church led to the ministry's closure, and no date is set to reopen the facility.

In the meantime, the church has received phone calls about the situation.

“We hate to be an inconvenience to anyone,” Stokes said. “It wasn’t because we did something bad or because of the people we were serving.”

The ministry’s volunteers provided free food and clothing for almost 60 people each day.

Donations from Milton’s Bay Area Food Bank, food from Winn-Dixie and Wal-Mart, financial support from New Beginnings Church members and contributions from government commodities fueled the ministry.

Stokes said he doesn't know when it will be, but the church plans to inform the public about a potential reopening date.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Church: food, clothing ministry closed due to reorganization

Blue Jean Ball nets $20K for Covenant Hospice; organizers announce ball's 2015 (VIDEO)

Written by archive on October 9, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Covenant Hospice has an extra $20,000 after the annual Blue Jean Ball, staffers said.

The Oct. 4 Arabian Nights-themed evening included a dinner buffet by Chef Brian Cartenuto, a silent auction and — of course — dancing, a Blue Jean Ball fixture.

Optometrist Dr. Wanda Batson, Joel Davis of Davis-Watkins Funeral Homes, and gastroenterologist Dr. Khalid Moussa participated in the Dancing with the Crestview Stars segment, which matched community business leaders — amateur dancers — with professional partners from Fred Astaire Dance Studio.

The event also featured a crowd-pleasing Bollywood performance, belly dancing and fire juggling in the Crestview Community Center.

"I think the entertainment was so fantastic," Covenant's senior development and communications manager Jenni Perkins said. "We were extremely pleased with the turnout and the results. We had just glowing remarks."

Now, organizers already are planning for next year's ball.

It'll bring a"1920s speakeasy, Great Gatsby sort of feel in the community center," Perkins said.

In the meantime, Covenant — which has a number of locations throughout the Florida Panhandle — has other fundraisers planned before the new year.

Locally, there's the 2nd Annual Covenant Alzheimers Services' Miles of Memories 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk. It's scheduled for 8 a.m. Nov. 8 at Bluewater Fitness Center in Niceville.

Covenant Hospice’s physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, home health aides and trained volunteers make regular visits to deliver medical care, help with personal care or facilitate legacy-building or reconciliation with family members and significant others.

“We also provide support for survivors as they move through bereavement to renewal,” Perkins stated in an email.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Blue Jean Ball nets $20K for Covenant Hospice; organizers announce ball's 2015 (VIDEO)

Crestview Methodist church hosting annual crafts bazaar

Written by archive on October 9, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Crestview First United Methodist Church is hosting its annual Arts and Crafts Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8 at its Crossroads Center, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview.

Lunch will be available for purchase during the event.

Limited spaces are still available for artists and vendors. For more information, contact Bobbi Burton, 850-758-8085.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Methodist church hosting annual crafts bazaar

Homecoming service announced at Svea Assembly of God

Written by archive on October 9, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

LAUREL HILL — Svea Assembly of God Church north of Laurel Hill is hosting Homecoming this month.

Services begin with Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and morning worship at 10:45 a.m. at the church, 4638 Grimes Road.

Guest speaker is Joel Davis, and guest group Sound and Spirit will sing after lunch.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Homecoming service announced at Svea Assembly of God

Fall Bluegrass Festival returns to Holiday Hills Music Park

Written by archive on October 8, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

LAUREL HILL — Organizers are wrapping up planning for the Holiday Hills Music Park Fall Bluegrass Festival.

Bands will take to the stage in Alford Ranch's pole barn, just as they had for the spring festival after the original performance barn burned down in an accidental blaze.

For bluegrass music fans like Lena Dietiker, that’s good news.

“They’re the nicest people, and it’s always a great time,” the Crestview resident said.

Festivities begin Oct. 16 with a covered dish supper followed by bluegrass jammin’ on the stage. The next day, bands play from 6-9 p.m.

Featured bands include Straight and Narrow, The Alabama Gentlemen, Cedarrock, Dismal Creek, Route 55 and Truegrass. Arts and crafts will be on exhibit and offered for sale. Food is available at the park’s Country Kitchen.

Attendees should bring lawn chairs — no high-backs — and pets on a leash are welcome at the campground. Food isavailable for purchase at the park’s Country Kitchen.

Hook-ups are available for $15 for those who bring their campers or trailers. Rough camping is free.

Call 652-4538, 612-6575 or 978-0436for more details.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Holiday Hills Fall Bluegrass Festival

WHEN: 5 p.m. Oct. 16; 6-9 p.m. Oct. 17; 1-5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Oct. 18

WHERE: Holiday Hills Music Park, Alford Ranch, 4191 Bluegrass Parkway, off State Road 85, 3 miles north of Laurel Hill

COST: $15 weekend ticket; $5 Thursday; $7 Friday; and $10 Saturday. Camping: Hook-ups: $15; rough camping: Free

NOTES: Bring your own lawn chairs; no high-backs; pets welcome on a leash in the campground; food available for purchase at the park’s Country Kitchen. Information: 652-4538, 612-6575 or 978-0436

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fall Bluegrass Festival returns to Holiday Hills Music Park

"Camelot" performance scheduled at Niceville college campus

Written by archive on October 8, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

NICEVILLE — The Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville, will present one of Broadway's most memorable productions.

"Camelot," a Lerner & Loewe musical, retells the story of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10.

Tickets are $47 at the Box Office, 729-6000 or www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org. Price includes $2 box office processing fee.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: "Camelot" performance scheduled at Niceville college campus

EXTENSION CONNECTION: Blame ragweed, not goldenrod, for fall hay fever

Written by archive on October 7, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Goldenrod, with its yellow flowers held high on stems swaying by autumn winds, is a familiar sight this time of year.

This plant often is blamed for the sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes that many people have while goldenrod blooms. But ragweed is the common culprit causing these allergy symptoms.

Ragweed — which blooms the same time as goldenrod: August to frost — releases billions of tiny, lightweight pollen grains into the air this time of year. Its pollen causes much of the hay fever problems.

Goldenrod's pollen is too large, heavy and sticky to be windborne. It relies on insects to carry its pollen.

I suppose if you put your nose right up into a cluster of goldenrod flowers and took a big sniff, you might be bothered by the pollen, but otherwise, it’s not going to get into your nose.

Goldenrod is an innocent bystander; ragweed remains camouflaged, releasing its pollen. Ragweed visually blends in with other green plants.

Despite the fact that common ragweed, an annual, can grow 3 to greater than 6 feet tall, it just does not get your attention.

It is quite common along roadsides, vacant lots and abandoned fields. Its inconspicuous flowers start out green, similar in color to the leaves; they turn a yellowish green and finally dry to a brown color. They are never showy.

Enjoy goldenrod's blooms this fall, but please do not blame them for your allergies.

Larry Williams is an agent at the University of Florida's Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Blame ragweed, not goldenrod, for fall hay fever

Pink Main Street raises breast cancer awareness (VIDEO)

Written by archive on October 6, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Pink is the fashionable color on Main Street this month as businesses observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Pink ribbons grace lampposts, pink dominates shops and eateries’ window décor and, Thursday evening, pink-clad residents strolled the street in a carnival-like defiance of the deadly disease.

Breast cancer survivors — on four legs as well as two — drew cheers from onlookers when, after enjoying a party in the courtyard of attorney Nathan Boyles and his family’s Yellow River Winery, they paraded to the courthouse gazebo to share stories and be recognized.

The event, sponsored by North Okaloosa Medical Center’s Healthy Women program and the Main Street Crestview Association, was a fun way to address a serious concern, NOMC Healthy Woman and community programs coordinator Alicia Booker said.

“The best way to slip in an important message is to mix it with a little fun, a little music and door prizes,” Booker said. “It’s a good way to draw people to downtown Crestview for a worthy cause.”

In addition to pink-wrapped cupcakes, pink punch, pink lemonade and pink-wrapped candies, there was a serious side to the event.

NOMC surgeons and medical technicians, American Cancer Society representatives and Emerald Coast Hospice staffers answered questions and provided information on topics such as self-examinations.

“We’re not just raising awareness but also raising education,” Booker said.

NOT JUST FOR HUMANS

Humans aren't the only species who can have breast cancer.

Daisy, a Great Dane, wears an “I am a survivor" sign at Thursday's Pink Street Part in downtown Crestview. attention to the importance of checking pets for breast cancer.

“She’s a big girl and likes to stand on the coffee table,” Angie Nousiainen, the dog's owner, said. “When she does, her nipples are at eye level. One day I noticed one seemed different than the other. Just like a human should, we examined her and a found a lump.”

Daisy received a canine mastectomy and now is cancer free, Nousiainen said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pink Main Street raises breast cancer awareness (VIDEO)

Give blood in Crestview, get a T-shirt

Written by archive on October 6, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Residents who give blood at OneBlood Donor Center locations between Oct. 1 and Oct. 21 will receive a limited edition T-shirt.

"People who have A+, B+, AB+, AB- and O+ are perfect candidates to donate platelets," a OneBlood spokesperson said.

People with O-, B- and A- blood are encouraged to donate whole blood or double red blood cells.

Learn about platelets' importance at www.oneblood.org/learn/donation-methods/platelet-donation.stml.

Learn more about blood types at www.oneblood.org/target-your-type.

Crestview's location is 2400 S. Ferdon Blvd. Call 306-2455 for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Give blood in Crestview, get a T-shirt

850.682.6524