CRESTVIEW — Kania Hill is a little girl with big dreams of appearing on television and in advertisements.

"She loves to play, she loves to dance, she loves to take pictures like she's modeling, and loves to sing … She's photogenic, that's for sure," said the 5-year-old's mother, Angelene Brewer-Hill of Crestview.

You might add media savvy to that list. When Kania heard a radio announcement about Premiere Event auditions for child actors, she was quick to bring it to her mother's attention.

"I heard it on the radio, and I told my mom, 'Hurry up before it goes off' (the air)," Kania said.

Brewer-Hill grabbed a pencil, wrote down the information, and then took her daughter to the first Premiere Event Weekend audition in early August.

Premiere  Event auditions children as dancers, singers and actors for network television, commercials and more.

"It was probably like … a billion!" Kania said, when asked how many people were at the audition.

She had to say one phrase during the audition: "Mom likes Berry Crunch because it's good for us and because it's yummy in our tummy," she said.

After going through that evaluation process and two more auditions in Mobile, Ala., Kania was among eight to 10 children selected to attend the Dec. 18-23 "My Hollywood" event in Orlando.

"She did everything she was supposed to do, at 5 years old!" Brewer-Hill said. "They see her potential. She's already been through two auditions, and she's going to the big event" in Orlando.

While there, the finalists will give five performances in five days for industry professionals; model clothing in five categories including formal, swimwear, every day and fashion; and more.

They are also "going to see all the stars," Kania said.

Among them will be one of her favorite Disney Channel actresses: Skai Jackson, who plays Zuri Ross, on "Jessie."

Brewer-Hill is reviewing a list of items necessary to participate in the Orlando function, including portfolio photos of her daughter, clothing for the modeling portion and more.

Participating in the event, including travel funds, will cost Brewer-Hill approximately $5,500.

To help, she's planning a benefit fish fry and has created a gofundme account, http://www.gofundme.com/e801h8.

At this point, not doing everything she can to make her "rising star" daughter's dreams come true isn't an option.

"We are so excited!" Brewer-Hill said. "She's made it this far; I can't stop now."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mom determined to make 'rising star' daughter's dreams come true

NICEVILLE — The Heritage Museum is hosting a fall corn hole tournament at 5 p.m. Oct. 4 at Twin Oaks Park horseshoe pits at the corner of State Road 85 and College Boulevard in Niceville.

People of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Signups and warm ups are from 4-4:45 p.m. Registration before Oct. 2 costs $25 per team or $15 per person. Cost goes up $5 after Oct. 2.

Participants and spectators will enjoy fun raffles, including a special raffle for a brand new set of corn hole boards, 50/50, and there will be hamburgers and hotdogs for sale. Cash prizes will be awarded.

All proceeds benefit Heritage Museum in Valparaiso.

"Dress for the weather, bring your chairs, coolers, and join the fun," said an event spokesperson. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: October corn hole tournament benefits museum

Take Off Pounds Sensibly has helped millions of people nationwide lose weight over the past 60-plus years.

Now, the nonprofit's Crestview Chapter 0325 has new officers who can help local members achieve their goals.

TOPS' network includes thousands of weight-loss support groups across the United States and Canada. These chapters provide a judgment-free zone where people learn how they can make life changes to responsibly shed pounds. 

TOPS has three Crestview chapters that meet as follows:

•TOPS FL 0796: 8 a.m.  Fridays, Valley Road Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 1018 Valley Road

•TOPS FL 0504: 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 599 8th Ave.

•TOPS FL 0325: 8 a.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church

See www.tops.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Weight-loss support group celebrates new officers

NAVARRE — Join the Panhandle Butterfly House in celebrating the amazing journey of the monarch butterfly. The Eighth Annual Monarch Madness Butterfly Festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 and  4 at the Panhandle Butterfly House, 8581 Navarre Parkway (U.S. Highway 98), in Navarre Park.

Admission is free, but butterfly house donations are encouraged and appreciated.

The Panhandle Butterfly House is a certified Monarch Waystation with Monarch Watch, an educational, conservation and research organization at the University of Kansas.

Attendees of all ages can enjoy strolling through the vivarium, a screened structure housing hundreds of butterflies and the plants they love. Children can learn about the life and biology of the butterfly while earning their Junior Lepidopterist card entitling them to release a butterfly in the vivarium. Children ages 3 and up will be able to tag and release a monarch butterfly outdoors as part of the annual Monarch Watch.

“The tagging program is a part of a nationwide research program that helps answer questions about the geographic origins of monarchs that reach Mexico, the timing and pace of the migration, mortality during migration and changes in geographic distribution,” said Mary Derrick, University of Florida IFAS Extension agent in Santa Rosa County.

Children can make and take fun butterfly-related crafts during the event; the Monarch Market will have many butterfly themed items for sale; and the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center and the Navarre Beach Marine Science Station will have dynamic displays.

In addition, Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners will provide advice to area residents on lawns, landscaping and gardens.

Holley-Navarre Elks Lodge No. 2787 will be raising money for local charities with the sale of hamburgers and hot dogs, along with snacks and soft drinks.

For more information visit www.panhandlebutterflyhouse.org; or contact Mary Derrick at 850-623-3868 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; or via email at maryd@santarosa.fl.gov.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Panhandle Butterfly House celebrates Eighth Annual Monarch Madness

FORT WALTON BEACH — Margaret Stewart,  a Crestview resident, will present a talk on growing, using, and preserving herbs at 11 a.m. Sept. 13 and 14 during the Emerald Coast Home Show Health Fair and Business Expo, Emerald Coast Convention Center, 1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach.

Stewart is an Okaloosa County Master Gardener and University of Florida Extension Office representative. She has been growing and using herbs for over 30 years.

After moving to Northwest Florida from the Northeastern U.S., she modified her dooryard herb garden to accommodate the vagaries of the Florida climate; cool to cold, dry winters and hot, humid and sometimes wet summers.

She will give advice on what herbs do best here and how to use these herbs in traditional foods.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Master Gardener will present herb growth information during expo

Best-selling author and Florida novelist Tim Dorsey is coming to Okaloosa County this month.

His stand-up comedy presentation about Florida history, current culture and news — with audience interaction thrown in — will entertain Florida natives or anyone who now calls this area home.

Three free performances are scheduled in Okaloosa County this month.

•5 p.m., Sept. 27 in the Niceville City Hall, council chambers, 208 N. Partin Drive, Niceville

•4:30 p.m. Sept. 28, Crestview Public Library, 1440 Commerce Drive, Crestview

•6 p.m. Sept. 28, Fort Walton Beach Public Library,207 Florida Place SE, Fort Walton Beach

  Dorsey's books are humorous crime capers in the Florida style pioneered by John D. MacDonald.  His latest book is "Tiger Shrimp Tango," and his 20th title, "Shark Skin Suite" has a Jan. 27, 2015 release date.

His work is often compared to authors Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen, who both had cameo appearances in his first book, "Florida Roadkill."

For more information call the Crestview library, 682-4432; Niceville library, 279-4863; or Fort Walton Beach library, 833-9590.

Best-selling Author Tim Dorsey coming to Crestview library, two other Okaloosa stops

Best-selling author and Florida novelist Tim Dorsey is coming to Okaloosa County this month.

His stand-up comedy presentation about Florida history, current culture and news — with audience interaction thrown in — will entertain Florida natives or anyone who now calls this area home.

Three free performances are scheduled in Okaloosa County this month.

•5 p.m., Sept. 27 in the Niceville City Council Chambers, address.

•4:30 p.m. Sept. 28, Crestview Public Library, 1440 Commerce Drive, Crestview

•6 p.m. Sept. 28, Fort Walton Beach Public Library.

  Dorsey's books are humorous crime capers in the Florida style pioneered by John D. MacDonald.  His latest book is "Tiger Shrimp Tango," and his 20th title, "Shark Skin Suite" has a Jan. 27, 2015 release date.

His work is often compared to authors Dave Barry and Carl Hiaasen, who both had cameo appearances in his first book, "Florida Roadkill."

For more information call the Crestview library, 682-4432; Niceville library, 279-4863; or Fort Walton Beach library, 833-9590.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Best-selling Author Tim Dorsey coming to Crestview library, two other Okaloosa stops