lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

Church sets Easter activities, hopes to reach lapsed Christians

Written by archive on April 8, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Bounce houses, face painting, train rides and an Easter egg hunt are in store for children who attend Easter at Twin Hills Park on April 20.

Allactivities, set for the park's recreational field and tennis courts, follow a 10 a.m. worship service including children's ministry, Mosaic Church Pastor James Ross said.

"The sermon's (focus) is that God is greater than us," he said.

The event, presented by church volunteers, is free and includes lunch catered by The Wild Olive.

Ross said he hopes to reach those who rarely attend church functions.

"(We hope) that something we say or do resonates with them and they understand that God is a lot more than Easter Sunday," he said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Easter at Twin Hills Park

WHEN: 10 a.m. April 20

WHERE: Twin Hills Park near U.S. Highway 90

EmailNews Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitteror call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Church sets Easter activities, hopes to reach lapsed Christians

Women's wellness is the focus of April 11 symposium

Written by archive on April 8, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

NICEVILLE — The 3rd Annual Women on Wellness Symposium is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11 at Northwest Florida State College's Niceville campus.

A $20 registration includes breakfast, lunch, presentations and a complimentary Healthy to You membership. Attendees can win door prizes.

Call 729-6880 or see womenonwellness.org to register.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women's wellness is the focus of April 11 symposium

EXTENSION CONNECTION: What are those evil looking weeds in my yard and pastures?

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

Nine known thistle species exist here in Florida. The weeds — most of which live two years — can be evil-looking in our backyards and pastures.

The key to controlling thistles is to keep them from flowering and producing seeds.

Mechanical or hand removal is effective, but may not be efficient. To hand remove, cut off the entire rosette just below the soil surface or cut off the bolt before it flowers.

This is tedious if you have a large amount of thistle on your property. Mowing can mechanically cut the bolt and stop seed production but is less effective because not all thistles bolt and flower at the same time.

Herbicides are often more flexible and less time consuming. However, timing is important. Thistles in the rosette stage are the most susceptible to herbicides but are hardest to see in the field since they lay flat on the ground.

Once thistles bolt, they are harder to kill with herbicides. Using 2,4-D, thistles are easily controlled in the rosette stage but are only 40 percent controlled at flowering. 2,4-D is an Organo-auxin herbicide, and anyone who applies this herbicide must follow the Florida Organo-auxin Herbicide Rule.

Scouting fields for thistles January through March can save time and money since timing of treatment is important. Herbicide applications during the rosette stage are more effective. If thistles bolt, cut the stalks off before they flower.

The goal is to stop seed production — and, therefore, stop the spread of thistles.

Jennifer Bearden is an agent at the University of Florida's Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION CONNECTION: What are those evil looking weeds in my yard and pastures?

Fashion show to feature 8 women, latest trends

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

UPDATE (4/9/2014, 9:37 a.m.): We've learned that this fashion show has been canceled.

—

CRESTVIEW — The General Federation of Women's Club of Crestview is reviving its Spring Fling fashion show after a four-year hiatus.

Eight local women will model clothes from the Pensacola Dress Barn's business casual, dress casual and comfortable nightwear lines on April 12 at the Crestview Community Center.

"The main goal is that we will be raising money for our charities and a ($500) scholarship for the Juniorettes Club (at Crestview High School)," club member Jeri Jones, who also will model, said. The school's Juniorettes often volunteer with the GFWC, earning credit for community service.

Attendees can enjoy the show, get inspired for their next shopping trip and receive discount coupons. Club members will provide a home-cooked meal, event organizers said.

"There is going to be something there for all ages, shapes and sizes," club member Kathy Neidig said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Spring Fling fashion show and lunch

WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m. April 12

WHERE: Crestview Community Center, 1226 Commerce Drive

COST: $20 per ticket

WEBSITE: www.gfwccrestview.com

EmailNews Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitteror call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fashion show to feature 8 women, latest trends

Autism fundraisers set for this Saturday

Written by archive on April 8, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

A yard sale and children's event this weekend will benefit the Autism Society's Emerald Coast office, organizers said.

The yard sale is 6 a.m. April 12 at Pinnacle Pointe Rental Community, 1000 Patriot Lane, Crestview.

Bounce-4-Autism, featuring a bounce house, is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 12 at the same location.

A $5 donation is encouraged, and Spectrum House will provide information on autism.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Autism fundraisers set for this Saturday

Business sets fundraiser for Crestview teen

Written by archive on April 8, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Garrys Auto Recycling, 1261 E. Chestnut Ave., Crestview, is sponsoring a fund drive for Anna Hutcheson, a 17-year-old Crestview resident who needs a lung and heart transplant.

For qualifying purchases, money owed may be donated to Anna, rather than paying Garrys.

At the end of the drive, all monies received will be totaled and Garrys will match the amount of collections, a spokesperson with the business said.

More than $35,000 of the $70,000 needed has been collected so far.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Business sets fundraiser for Crestview teen

View From the Stage tackles ambitious Helen Keller drama

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

CRESTVIEW — "Hello Dolly" it ain't.

The View From the Stage community theatre troupe has chosen one of American theatre's most challenging shows for their fourth production.

"The Miracle Worker," William Gibson's inspirational 1959 drama, brings local audiences the story of Annie Sullivan, who is hired to tutor the near-feral Helen Keller.

It is a triumphant story of the human spirit.

It is also a risk.

Are local audiences ready for a meaty show without hummable tunes or madcap door-slamming?

Producer Berit Faust thinks both the company and its audience are ready for serious drama.

"We've had a lot of people interested in the play," including some who, like Keller, face the challenges of speech and hearing impairment, Faust said.

In fact, the Saturday evening performance will include a sign language interpreter "so people can see how far we have come in our awareness from the days of Helen Keller being almost institutionalized," Faust said.

Director Nancy Black believes audiences will find many relevancies in the show.

"'The Miracle Worker' … is a prolonged glance at one family and their trials and triumphs; really no different than you or I," she said.

Black considers herself fortunate to have found an exceptional pool of talent from which to cast the production.

"I have been involved with theater, both acting and directing, for over 30 years," she said. "This cast and crew are by far the best with which I have ever worked."

Sarah Hawkins as Annie Sullivan and Brooklyn Onuffer as Helen Keller hadn't previously worked together, which Black said has added extra realism to their characters' initial tumultuous relationship.

"Through the brutal blocking that is required for several scenes, they have developed a trust in each other," she said. "This trust is evident in the fact that their movement on stage has become fluid and realistic."

The drama opens Friday evening. Curtain is 7 p.m.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: "The Miracle Worker," presented by View From the Stage

WHEN: 7 p.m. April 11 and 12; 2:30 p.m. April 12 and 13

WHERE: Warriors Hall, Whitehurst Municipal Building, Stillwell Avenue at Industrial Drive, Crestview

TICKETS: $12 each at the door or at Journey Java Connection, 269 N. Main St.

MORE: www.viewfromthestage.com

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: View From the Stage tackles ambitious Helen Keller drama

Growing Crestview church gains space, eyes more ministry opportunities

Written by archive on April 7, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Mosaic Church will soon have a much larger home, and that means more opportunities for helping people, head pastor James Ross said.

The church, which meets in a building owned by Central Baptist Church, soon will share facilities with Living Faith Baptist Church and Crestview Korean Church off James Lee Boulevard.

The 9,000-square-foot property currently serves four members, according to Living Faith Pastor Tony Orsa.

Mosaic averages an estimated 200 Sunday visitors, Ross said.

"With the group that Mosaic has, we felt that they could use the resources of the building," Orsa said. "We thought it would be of better service to them."

Facility use was offered at no charge, and Mosaic members performed $75,000 worth of renovations, according to Ross.

To prepare for the first service at their new home June 1, church members are constructing lighting systems and contractors are renovating the inside byreplacing walls, changing flooring and updating the main sanctuary.

The investment of time and sweat will pay off for the Crestview area, Ross said.

"Churches don't pay property taxes, so what we want to do is to find out how much we would owe in those taxes and invest back into the community," he said.

Additionally, Ross wants to work with other churches to meet the community's needs.

Mosaic's ministries include supporting the Crestview Pregnancy Center and Crestview Orphan Care, an Emmanuel Baptist Church ministry, with supplies and other contributions. In addition, members — with help from The Wild Olive, a local restaurant — provided a free Thanksgiving meal for the community in 2013.

Eventually, their reach could spread beyond the Hub City, as Ross wants to start other churches in Northwest Florida.

For now, increasing community service here in Crestview, particularly for the needy, is a top priority.

"One thing we say all the time (at Mosaic) is 'be the church,'" Ross said. "Nowhere in the Bible is the church mentioned as a building. It's the people.

"That's where being the church comes into play — so we can help those people."

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Growing Crestview church gains space, eyes more ministry opportunities

Covenant Hospice offers advance care planning workshops this month

Written by archive on April 7, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Planning for the end of life isn't an easy conversation, but Covenant Hospice staffers want to clarify the process.

The nonprofit will offer free hands-on advance care planning workshops as follows:

•2 p.m. April 10, Sterling House, 1551 Merchants Way, Bluewater Bay.

•1:30 p.m. April 16, The Meridian at Westwood, 1001 Mar Walt Drive, Fort Walton Beach.

•2:30 p.m. April 23, Chautauqua Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 785 S. 2nd St., DeFuniak Springs.

Attorneys, financial planners, healthcare professionals and other area experts will be available.

National Healthcare Decisions Day, observed April 16, is an initiative to provide healthcare decision-making information at no charge.

Reservations are required. Call 729-1800 to RSVP.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Covenant Hospice offers advance care planning workshops this month

Community, business leaders should support local culture

Written by archive on April 5, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — While audiences have favorably received View From the Stage's first three productions, "The Miracle Worker" producer Berit Faust realizes the troupe faces a continued challenge in making residents aware they have a community theatre.

Community and business leaders' absence during "A Christmas Carol," the company's December musical, indicate to VFTS producers they have a way to go.

It was also a disappointment for culture proponents, who stress the importance of a rich quality of life in attracting new area businesses.

"As we go forward, I really hope community leaders and the business community will increase their support of not only this, but of other cultural organizations that benefit not only those of us who live here, but those companies looking to relocate here and bring their families here," Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Arts and Culture Committee chairwoman Rae Schwartz said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Community, business leaders should support local culture

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