CRESTVIEW — Philip Duda's latest novel, "Wandering Prospector," is an explorer's guide to global treasure hunting.

The book— available on Amazon.com and Kindle — is fictional, but if you examine the clues, "you may find gemstones, treasures, and fossils, among other things," a press release states. 

The Laurel Hill man says he's created a puzzle for readers: He'll drop clues and mention locations, but readers must fill in the blanks.

That, the author said, is similar to his personal experiences.

PEARLS IN THE RIVER

Duda's love of treasure hunting began when he was 11 years old.

"That was up in Connecticut when I found pearls in the Connecticut River," he said.

In his travels, he consulted with geologists, professors, elders, shamans and others around the world, he said. Some of them shared folklore and legends that fueled journeys to places like Arkansas and the Central and South Americas.

His sense of adventure took him up roads and valleys and over mountains and hills, he said.

BIGGEST FINDS

Duda, an Okaloosa County School Systembus driver, said he's explored other people's property, with permission, in his quest for hidden treasure.

"There's been several (big finds)," he said. Among them? Golden beryl crystal — "I couldn't even put my arms around it, it was so heavy," he said — along with gold, emeralds, diamonds and other precious stones. Sometimes he'd break rocks, examine their colors and lick them to correctly identify them.

But "finders keepers" doesn't always apply, he said.

"If they (property owners) ask you to leave it … you always leave it," he said.

Duda, a published poet and songwriter, also makes jewelry. Some of the pieces come from his treasure finds; some from insect wings.

He still searches for treasures, but at 65 years old, it's not quite the same as his youthful days.

"Yeah, you know, you can try," he said, "but as old as I am I can't climb cliffs anymore.

"I can go into some caves, but not a lot of caves."

Email News Bulletin Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill man's book invites readers to a treasure hunt

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Master Gardeners consistently attract statewide attention, former Master Gardeners president Lockey Buhrow said.

“We’ve had more state awards in the last 10 years than any other county in the state,” she said.

Wednesday, a dedicated cadre of Master Gardeners organized a luncheon and accepted kudos during the latest occasion for recognition.

MORE THAN 'WEEDS-AND-SEEDS'

In 2013, extension and Master Gardener volunteers provided $357,320 worth of free services totaling 19,149 hours of volunteer time, University of Florida/ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences-Okaloosa County Extension Director Larry Williams said.

Excluding an approximately 300,000-person weekly audience for newspaper columns and radio and TV programs, almost 103,000 residents received advice and information, he said.

“I found out you guys do a lot more than weeds-and-seeds,” Okaloosa County Commissioner Dave Parisot said. “Forget the hours; it’s the quality of what you give back to the community that matters most.”

While helping residents, the gardeners also found time to landscape the new county extension building grounds on Airport Road, growing most of the plants in their nursery.

HONOREES

Among honorees at the luncheon, Stacey Taylor, the group’s president, was named Master Gardener of the Year, and Lee Vanderpool received the Rookie of the Year recognition.

Faye Todd and Bob Thomas, two of the volunteers who advise residents who call the office, were honored as the year’s outstanding telephone communicators.

Karen Kirk-Williams was named Outstanding Educator of the Year for her work with the local 4-H Club chapter, and Crestview Nurseries and CVCTV proprietor Ken Nielsen received the Friend of the Master Gardeners Award.

Former Master Gardeners president Marge Stewart was honored for achieving 3,000 volunteer hours. Thomas received a 2,000-hour pin, and Bill Buckellew, Jane Montgomery and Todd received 1,000-hour pins.

Thirty-one of the 75 members were in the 2013 Master Gardeners training class.

Group members prepared their luncheon spread, earning Williams’ compliments for being “master chefs” as well as Master Gardeners.

Guests who helped present awards included county commissioners Parisot, Nathan Boyles and commissioner-elect Carolyn Ketchel; Public Works director John Hofstad; and county administrator Ernie Padgett.

BY THE NUMBERS

The University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Okaloosa County Extension provides residents with unbiased, research-proven information and advice.

2013 accomplishments:

• Agents and volunteers taught 90,577 people in classes, phone conferences, demonstrations, seminars, web-based modules, interactive audio/video conferences and field and office visits

• Extension agents published 104 newspaper articles and aired eight TV and 104 radio programs reaching almost 300,000 people each week

• Volunteers provided 8,137 citizens with 10,300 hours of research-based information worth $192,198

• 75 Master Gardeners provided 4,237 residents with 8,849 hours of Florida-friendly home gardening, lawn and landscaping advice worth $165,122

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Master Gardeners celebrate accomplishments

The Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, seeks vendors for the Biker's Blast to the Past from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 20.

Commercial vendors, artisans and craft vendors are welcome.

Bikers will start and stop at the museum with an after party, which will include food, beverages, music and prizes.

There is an early registration discount through Sept. 14 available at the museum's website.

For details, call 678-2615, or email info@heritage-museum.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Heritage museum poker run needs vendors