lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

New eye center offers latest in glaucoma, cataract care

Written by archive on September 27, 2019. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Doctor Phil Alabata always knew he wanted to be a surgeon, but he wasn’t sure which specialty he was interested in until he found ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology, the study of the eyes, became the perfect specialty for Alabata after he did some research.

“My most important goal was to be a physician and have a good family life,” Alabata said. “Ophthalmology just stood out for me because the surgeries were very interesting, the technology was extremely interesting to me and they were always advancing. In addition to that there was a lot of time after work to spend with family.”

Near the end of August, Alabata opened the Alabata Eye Center, located at 239 W Redstone Ave. It is the first and only location Alabata plans to open.

“I wanted it to be special to me and the community so I chose to have only one location,” Alabata said. “I thought this was a very strategically placed location for me to capture my patients and to provide good quality care for the Crestview community and Okaloosa County area.”

The center offers the latest in glaucoma and cataract care, as well as laser services and comprehensive eye exams. Some of the specific services offered at the center include laser assisted cataract surgery and retinal exams.

Alabata said any issue he is not able to take care of is then referred to another specialist.

Taking care of your eyes is an important issue for Alabata, who sees up to 34 patients in a day.

“It is very important to have your eyes checked on a regular basis, annually preferably, to detect any changes such as glaucoma,” Alabata said. “I want to provide compassionate, technologically advanced eye care to whoever is interested in it.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New eye center offers latest in glaucoma, cataract care

New Crestview church schedules celebration

Written by archive on September 24, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Vision Baptist Church will have a celebration before its first church service this week.

The celebration is scheduled from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 28 at 3191 Newman Ave., Crestview. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Saturday event includes a free meal of barbecue sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, cookies and a drink while supplies last. The event includes a bounce house for the kids, games for all ages, cakewalks, snowcones and door prizes.

A grand prize will be presented Sunday morning during the 11 a.m. church service.

Visit www.visionbcfl.com or the church Facebook page at visionbcfl for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: New Crestview church schedules celebration

FAITH BRIEFS

Written by archive on September 20, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

Email submissions and photos about special events, musicians, speakers, classes, etc., to faith@crestviewbulletin.com. Send items at least two weeks in advance if possible. Items run on a space-available basis.

UPCOMING

Church of the Epiphany announces events

CRESTVIEW — Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 424 Garden St., Crestview, has these upcoming events planned.

Sept. 29 at 9 a.m., the Anglican Harvest Festival will take place followed by high tea.

On Oct. 20, the 9 a.m. service will include a blessing for the animals in the field near the church.

Pancake fundraiser set for Milligan church

BAKER — The Baker Lions Club will have an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast to benefit First Baptist Church of Milligan. The church building was destroyed by a fire in July.

Hours are 7-10 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Baker Recreation Center, 5503, Highway 4, Baker.

Cost is $5 per plate with an advance ticket, or $6 per plate at the door. The plate includes coffee, an order of sausage, and condiments.

Those who also wish to make a donation to help may bring a check made out to Milligan First Baptist Church to the event or mail it to the Baker Lions Club at Joyce Cosson, 5303 Griffith Mill Road, Baker, FL 32531.

Lebanon to have Pastor's Appreciation services

BAKER — Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the Rev. Nathaniel Sledge's 15 years of service with a day of pastor appreciation services.

The morning service is 11 a.m. Sept. 22 at the church, 1288 Washington Ave., Baker. Guest speaker is the Rev. Robyn Burnett, associate minister at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Havana, Florida.

The 2 p.m. service will feature the Rev. Ricky Boykin of Life Changing Experiences Missionary Baptist Church, Port Charlotte.

RECURRING

AWANA PROGRAM: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Joy Fellowship, 5978 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed is for 4-year-olds through fifth-graders. Call 682-6219 to register.

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS: 6 p.m. Fridays, Central Baptist Church, 951 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Faith-based recovery program for people with any addiction. Directed by Wendell Morgan. 682-5525.

RESTORATION AND RECOVERY MINISTRY: 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. Weekly outreach ministry for healing, restoration, wellness and wholeness. For people who have struggles with addiction.

BREAD OF LIFE OUTREACH MINISTRY: Sign up and a brief ministry and prayers at 11 a.m. and box pick-up is 3 p.m.11 a.m. Fridays, Kingdom Life Worship and Training Center, 798 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. The church distributes boxes of once a month per person.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: 7-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Church of New Covenant, 3191 New Ave. N., Crestview. Faith-based 12-step program for people seeking healing from things that keep them from living healthy balanced lifestyles.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FAITH BRIEFS

Insights about humility, Part 3

Written by archive on September 20, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

This is the last of three columns on the topic of humility. The first two were published Sept. 7 and 14 in the Crestview News Bulletin.

As I wrote earlier, people misunderstand humility.

Many think humility is a weakness, or that one needs to grovel before another. In the first two columns regarding this topic, I tried to point out the fallacies of those misunderstandings.

Today, I conclude my discussion on humility and how, when rightly understood through Biblical interpretation, humility is truly a gift from God that helps better our relationships with others and with our Lord.

Remember, according to the Scriptures, humility does not mean groveling. When you humble yourself, you will feel strong in the Lord.

You don’t need to be defensive. Instead, you develop the ability to stand up for yourself, others, and for what is right and good.

This is not done in an aggressive way, but with appropriate strength and forthrightness. You will stand with the courage of your convictions, and voice them in a firm but loving way that will cause another to think and reply in kind.

According to the Bible, humility means being aware of your gifts or calling. We each have gifts from God to be used for God’s purposes.

Although we should avoid pride, proper humility does not mean we should pretend we are unaware of the gifts God has given us. The key is to remember that they are from God to be used to put the focus on God, and to glorify God, not us.

Scripturally, humility means we may speak our hearts directly. When God says to be humble, he lets us know we need to examine our motives and attitudes as we respond to others. There are times when we need to take strong action. Remember how Jesus cleared the temple of the moneychangers. He spoke and took necessary action in righteous anger.

When you understand and practice what the Bible says about humility, you will usually be more successful than if you are pushy or arrogant. When you are humble, you are likely to have more influence than when you fight abrasively.

Even if you don’t achieve the results you hoped for, you have the joy and pleasure of having acted in a godly manner.

So, allow yourself to become biblically humble. You will go far in helping further the work of God’s kingdom on this earth while you do.

Thanks to Doug Britton for his insights on this topic.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Insights about humility, Part 3

Welsh Revival concert scheduled

Written by archive on September 13, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW —The Welsh Revival, a female Celtic ensemble from The University of Mobile, will present their 2019 concert.

The free event is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at First Baptist Church, 171 Hickory Ave. E, Crestview. A love offering will be requested.

Welsh Revival has performed hundreds of times throughout the southern United States. They bring a joyful excellence to performing traditional and newer Irish instrumental music as well as Celtic treatments of sacred music, according to an FBC media release.

Call 850-682-2544 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Welsh Revival concert scheduled

Hymn sing set, hurricane preparedness tested

Written by archive on September 10, 2019. Posted in lifestyle.

A community hymn sing is scheduled 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at First Presbyterian Church, located at 492 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview. All are welcome to this fun time of singing hymns, which the congregation gets to choose.

Bring your family; you will enjoy praising the Lord with other Christians from our community. Please bring a finger food to share for the fellowship afterward, time when we can get to know each other better.

This is one of my favorite events in our community and I would like to see you there. Bring your voice and get ready to make a joyful noise.

Hurricane readiness

We got to test our preparedness skills this past week with Hurricane Dorian. Did you and your family pass? Did you have enough water, canned food and pet food to last for at least a week? Did you remember to get your prescriptions filled?

Do you and your family have an evacuation plan in place that includes your pets, as they are more vulnerable than we are? Do you have all of your financial records easily available should you need to evacuate, your mortgage information, birth and marriage certificates, passports, banking records and so forth?

Don't forget your phone, tablet and computer chargers, as well as your contacts or eyeglasses.

Hurricane Dorian was a visible reminder that we cannot let our guard down during hurricane season, which lasts until Nov. 30 each year. We must be vigilant and prepared and not take storm season lightly. Make sure you have plenty of fresh batteries and flashlights on hand should we lose power.

As of this writing, the Carolinas are getting hit by heavy wind, rain, tornadoes and may get storm surges. This will no doubt affect many people and they will need our help, both money and supplies.

The devastation in the Bahamas is horrific. If you would like to donate money or supplies, for either the Bahamas or the Carolinas, here is a partial list of organizations that are helping restore life for those affected by the hurricane.

Of course, your local church may also be participating in this relief effort, so you may wish to check with them.

•Salvation Army: www.salvationarmy.org/

•Operation Blessing: www.cbn.com/

•Samaritan's Purse: www.samaritanspurse.org/

•United Methodist Committee on Relief: www.umcor.org/

•Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: http://pda.pcusa.org/

•Southern Baptist Disaster Relief: www.namb.net/southern-baptist-disaster-relief/

Remember, we could be in this situation too, so please give generously.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hymn sing set, hurricane preparedness tested

FAITH BRIEFS

Written by archive on September 6, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

Email submissions and photos about special events, musicians, speakers, classes, etc., to faith@crestviewbulletin.com. Photos should be high-resolution jpg attachments. Send items at least two weeks in advance if possible. Items run on a space-available basis.

UPCOMING

Peoples to host Gospel Singing Extravaganza

CRESTVIEW — Peoples Missionary Baptist Church will have an "old-fashioned, foot-stomping, and hand-clapping" Gospel Singing Extravaganza. Dress is casual for the event, which is 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the church, 722 School Ave.

Bishop to visit Church of the Epiphany in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 424 Garden St., Crestview, has these upcoming events planned.

Sept. 15 will be a visitation of the Right Rev. Bishop Russell Kendrick of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Service will be at 9 a.m. followed by a pot luck luncheon.

Sept. 29 at 9 a.m., the Anglican Harvest Festival will take place followed by high tea.

On Oct. 20, the 9 a.m. service will include a blessing for the animals in the field near the church.

Lebanon to have Pastor's Appreciation services

BAKER — Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church will celebrate the Rev. Nathaniel Sledge's 15 years of service with a day of pastor appreciation services.

The morning service is 11 a.m. Sept. 22 at the church, 1288 Washington Ave. Guest speaker is the Rev. Robyn Burnett, associate minister at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Havana, Florida.

The 2 p.m. service will feature the Rev. Ricky Boykin of Life Changing Experiences Missionary Baptist Church, Port Charlotte.

RECURRING

AWANA PROGRAM: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Joy Fellowship, 5978 Old Bethel Road, Crestview. Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed is for 4-year-olds through fifth-graders. Call 682-6219 to register.

REFORMERS UNANIMOUS: 6 p.m. Fridays, Central Baptist Church, 951 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Faith-based recovery program for people with any addiction. Directed by Wendell Morgan. 682-5525.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FAITH BRIEFS

Pediatrician joins Sacred Heart Pediatrics

Written by archive on August 23, 2019. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Pediatrician Charlotte Lee, MD, has joined Sacred Heart Medical Group’s regional network of doctors and will see patients from Sacred Heart Pediatrics at Crestview, 332 Medcrest Drive.

She joins the office of Dr. Scott Wakefield and nurse practitioner Lindsey Mann-Badyrka, ARNP. Lee is accepting new patients and most major insurances. For information or to schedule an appointment, call 850-683-5100 or visit healthcare.ascension.org.

Lee received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. She received her medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, and she completed residency training in pediatrics through Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington.

Lee has more than 18 years of experience in pediatrics. She is board-certified in pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has served as a volunteer pediatrician with the American Red Cross while living in England with her active-duty husband. She was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq as field medical officer in support of the 3rd Infantry Division. Her research has been published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. Lee has a special interest in breastfeeding support, nutrition, infectious diseases, and vaccine education. She and her husband have four children.

Sacred Heart Medical Group offers the largest network of primary care and specialty doctors in Northwest Florida, with more than 80 locations and 300 providers from 25 specialties along the Gulf Coast from Gulf Shores, Ala., to Apalachicola, Fla. To find a doctor and request an appointment, call 850-416-2337 or visit healthcare.ascension.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pediatrician joins Sacred Heart Pediatrics

Leaders have power, set an example

Written by archive on August 11, 2019. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three Jewish leaders among the Chaldeans under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar. Their story can be found in the book of Daniel.

A decree went out stating that whenever the people heard the sound of a musical instrument, they were to bow down to worship a golden statue.

The three Jewish leaders did not follow this decree of the king. They refused to bow down to worship any gods. They remained faithful to the one true God. As a result, it was determined that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to be put to death.

Sounds pretty harsh, doesn’t it? But take this into consideration: Have you ever watched preschoolers play on the playground? Even among the youngest, a leader emerges and the others follow this leader’s example.

This little leader can work for good, helping the others play safely and follow the rules, or you can watch as the leader decides to run up the slide and swing upside down. In seconds the whole class is in complete chaos!

To be a leader, whether you want to be or not, is to have power. How that power is used can mean the difference between unity and chaos. People will follow the example set.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were leaders. The king appointed them to lead in the area of Babylon.

So, when King Nebuchadnezzar learned of his chosen leaders not setting the example he had in mind, you can imagine his rage. He knew the power that comes in leading, and he knew that others would follow as their leaders led.

Those three leaders also knew the influence they had and they chose to remain faithful to the one true God. By their example, and by the power of God, hearts and minds were changed. Others came to know the God of the Israelites and started to live in the light of his love.

You are a leader, too. By being a disciple of Jesus Christ you have chosen a life that represents him through your words and actions. You have the ability to influence others around you. What kind of example are you going to set?

By the way, to find out what happens to the dynamic trio, check it out in Daniel, chapter 3. It’s amazing.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Leaders have power, set an example

Miss Mac celebrates 105th birthday

Written by archive on August 9, 2019. Posted in lifestyle.

LAUREL HILL — When C. McDonald Campbell was born, World Wars I and II had yet to be fought, television had yet to invade peoples’ homes, Okaloosa County didn’t exist, and today’s cellphones and the internet were not even envisioned.

On July 27, she celebrated her 105th birthday in her home, surrounded by family, friends and fellow church members. Relatives representing at least five generations came from as far away as Tallahassee.

While Campbell — known as "Miss Mac" to her friends and church family — held court in the dining room, other guests caught up on family news in the front parlor, which more than a century ago was the room where the honoree was brought into the world.

A retired educator, Miss Mac started her teaching career in 1935 after graduating from now-defunct Palmer College in DeFuniak Springs. A few years later, she bought her first car, a Ford sedan — stick shift, of course — and made monthly payments of about $40.

"The Great Depression was with us, and we teachers made $75 a month for working eight months a year," she said during an interview on her 99th birthday — the year she reluctantly stopped driving herself to church and around town "just to keep an eye on things."

After teaching seventh through 11th grades, she helped establish Laurel Hill School's library, serving as the school’s first librarian.

Including teaching stints in Marianna and Crestview high schools, Miss Mac has also traveled in Europe and Asia, and keeps up to date with world and local events through newspapers.

"I started at Laurel Hill and I ended at Laurel Hill," she said.

Miss Mac’s home is filled with books and antiques that were new when first brought there, including pieces owned by her grandmother, parents and from Campbell Company, a Laurel Hill general store owned by relatives in the railroad town’s heyday.

Miss Mac painted many of the country life, local scenes, florals and still life paintings that grace the walls of her home. The simple white frame house first showed up on Walton County tax rolls in 1908. Then, Laurel Hill was one of the biggest communities in the county. (Okaloosa County wasn’t carved from Walton and Santa Rosa counties until 1916, two years after she was born.)

Though she doesn’t make it to church very often these days, Sunday school meets regularly in her dining room after morning services, and at least once a year, the whole congregation packs into her parlor for a worship service.

"Home is home," she said during the 2013 interview. "When you've lived in one house all your life, you feel an attachment. It's part of you."