lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

COVER STORY: First Baptist Church of Crestview teens are living the Gospel

Written by archive on March 5, 2014. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Many teenagers may take shampoo, conditioner, hairbrushes and makeup for granted, but that's not the case for Children in Crisis' clients.

The Fort Walton Beach nonprofit's board of directors appreciates donors, like First Baptist Church of Crestview's Acteens, who supply them with life's staples.

Full story in the March 5, 2014 Crestview News Bulletin, available here.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: COVER STORY: First Baptist Church of Crestview teens are living the Gospel

Emerald Coast Theatre Company presents benefit performance of 'Resurrecting Van Gogh'

Written by archive on March 4, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

MIRAMAR BEACH — Emerald Coast Theatre Company, a newly formed not-for-profit professional theater company based in Miramar Beach, will stage “Resurrecting van Gogh,” a solo performance piece, at 7:30 p.m. May 2 at Seaside REP Theatre, 216 Quincy Circle, Seaside.

The play is based on the life, work and writings of Andy Martin, a medical student and oncology patient at Tulane University, who conducted groundbreaking research on sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, an extremely rare form of cancer that eventually took his life. Under the supervision of Dr. Tyler Curiel, Andy was able to grow his own cancer cells in the lab and establish a permanent cell line to allow important research to continue.

The majority of the performance text is taken directly from Andy’s unpublished, private journals (with permission from the Martin family).

General admission tickets cost $15 for adults and $8 for students. To reserve tickets, call the Seaside REP box office at 231-0733.

The performance, which was first seen at The Ohio State University and The Creative Center in New York City, is directed by ECTC producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher and stars Jason Hedden, a local actor, director and professor based on the Emerald Coast.

Hedden holds theatre degrees from Gulf Coast State College, the University of South Florida and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting/New Works from The Ohio State University.

Nathanael Fisher said, “This short, thought provoking performance piece is followed by a documentary and Q&A session. Anyone who has been touched by cancer can expect to be moved and inspired with hope.” Fisher also mentioned, “The Arts in Medicine program at Sacred Heart Hospital serves a great purpose — we invite everyone in the community to come out and support this worthy cause.”

This collaborative community project will benefit Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast’s Arts in Medicine program, which is designed to bring performing, meditative and the visual arts into the hospital setting as a form of healing therapy for patients. This is accomplished through workshops for staff, artistic activities at the bedside, and musical performances in outpatient clinical areas and waiting rooms.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Theatre Company presents benefit performance of 'Resurrecting Van Gogh'

Grow a nutritious garden in a pot

Written by archive on March 4, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Don’t let a lack of time or space get in the way of gardening your way to a healthy lifestyle. Plant a container of nutritious vegetables and herbs. Include a few planters on the front porch, back patio or right outside the kitchen door.

All that’s needed is some potting mix, fertilizer, plants and a container with drainage holes. A fifteen to twenty-four inch diameter pot or twenty-four to thirty-six inch long window box is a good starting size. Bigger containers hold more plants and moisture longer, so it can be watered less frequently.

Check containers daily and water thoroughly as needed. Self-watering pots need less frequent watering, allowing busy gardeners and travelers the opportunity to grow plants in pots with minimal care.

Fill the container with a well-drained potting mix. Read the label on the container mix bag. Add a slow release organic nitrogen fertilizer, like Milorganite(milorganite.com), at planting for better results with less effort. It provides small amounts of nutrients throughout most of the season and eliminates the need to mix and water in fertilizer throughout the growing season. Sprinkle a bit more on the soil surface midseason or when changing out your plantings.

Mix colorful flowers with nutritious vegetables for attractive, healthy results. Bright Lights Swiss Chard, pansies (their flowers are edible), colorful leaf lettuce, spinach, radishes, and trailing ivy make a great cool season combination. Fresh-from-the-container-garden vegetables make the best tasting salads and the greens provide Vitamins A and C as well as calcium. Use the pansy flowers to dress up a salad or frozen in ice cubes for an added gourmet touch to beverages.

For summer, use a tomato, pepper, eggplant or peas, beans, and cucumbers trained on a trellis. All are packed full of nutrients and make a great vertical accent. Surround the towering vegetables with purple basil, tri-color sage, carrots, beets and a colorful trailing annual like verbena, lantana, or bidens.

Don’t forget to squeeze in a few onions or garlic. The fragrant foliage can be decorative and these vegetables help lower blood sugar and cholesterol, while aiding in digestion.

So be creative and add a few small-scale, attractive vegetables high in nutritional value to a variety of containers this season.

Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Grow a nutritious garden in a pot

Pirate-themed dinner theatre raises $800 for American Cancer Society (PHOTOS)

Written by archive on March 4, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Editor's Note: This report is part of the News Bulletin's ongoing series on cancer research fundraisers. The newspaper is proud to support Relay For Life Crestview, which will take place 6 p.m. April 25 at Shoal River Middle School.

CRESTVIEW — The local American Cancer Society Relay For Life now has an extra $800 following "The Mystery of Red Leg the Dreaded, Pirate of the Gulf," a Friday fundraiser.

See 5 photos from Act 4 Murder's "The Mystery of Red Leg the Dreaded, Pirate of the Gulf">>

Learn more about Relay For Life>>

The Duke It Out team raised $843 from Act4Murder's pirate-themed dinner theatre at Foxwood Country Club. Relay team members dressed as pirates and served guests a three-course meal during the performance. Many of the 59 attendees went home with door prizes, and all attempted to solve "whodunit."

Crestview's Relay For Life effort comprises 35 teams, according to its website. Duke It Out, which includes retired and current civil service employees at Duke Field on Eglin Air Force Base, has been a participant for 14 years, event organizer Laurie Klausutis said.

The cause is close to her heart.

"Unfortunately, I have lost two grandmothers, a great uncle and some very close friends to cancer, and I have some friends that are battling it right now," she said. "I do it for them."

For the past 10 years, Duke It Out has raised an average of $10,000 for the ACS, Relay Co-Chair Loney Whitley said.

The team schedules Boston butt and cookie dough sales, yard sales and other events, all leading up to each Relay For Life, when people walk a track and participate in other activities all night long to commemorate people touched by cancer.

Act4Murder's professional actors said they enjoy entertaining for worthy causes.

"We always love doing fundraisers," Mary Ann Troiano, who portrayed Pillage Ann Freebooty, said. "We know what it means to the people who have hired us."

In this case, the issue was personal.

"My father died of cancer," she said. "It may have been 14 years ago, but for me it still feels like yesterday."

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Relay For Life

WHEN: Begins at 6 p.m. April 24

WHERE: Shoal River Middle School, 3200 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pirate-themed dinner theatre raises $800 for American Cancer Society (PHOTOS)

Pensacola Opera to host a 'Cinderella' tea party

Written by archive on March 4, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

PENSACOLA — March 23 at noon, prior to the matinee performance of Cinderella at the Saenger Theatre, Pensacola Opera will host a Cinderella Tea Party for princesses and princes ages 12 and under.

Dress as your favorite prince or princess and join the group for an afternoon of fun and excitement, where princesses will receive tiaras and bracelets to add to their costumes and princes will go home with a noble badge of honor.

Tea, cakes and finger sandwiches will be served. As a special treat, Cinderella, her prince and two step-sisters will join the party to greet all guests and take a photo before they take the stage for their big performance.

Tickets to the tea party are $70, which buys a ticket for one child and one adult, and additional add-on tickets are $30 each. Participants of the Cinderella Tea Party can also purchase matinee tickets in the “Royal Court” section (first two rows on the main floor) for only $15. Those attending the performance, and in costume, will get the chance to parade across the stage and wave hello to friends and family before the curtain opens.

Call Pensacola Opera at (850) 433-6737 or visit www.pensacolaopera.com for tickets and information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pensacola Opera to host a 'Cinderella' tea party

THE EXTENSION CONNECTION: Here's how to treat cold-damaged palms

Written by archive on March 4, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

Palms may survive, and even thrive, for years in climates cooler than those to which they are native. However, these plants eventually will experience temperatures cold enough to cause injury. Here in Crestview, that happened in January.

When cold damage is severe, plant tissues are destroyed and water uptake into the plant may be reduced for years. Often, only the protected bud will remain alive; in that case, palms can still be saved.

A common problem associated with freezes is that the spear leaf's freeze-killed lower portion is degraded by secondary fungi and bacteria ever present in our natural environment. Palm owners considering trimming damaged leaves following cold weather should avoid the temptation until the danger of additional freezes passes. Even dead leaves insulate the critical bud.

As weather warms, you should remove dead fronds surrounding the bud to let the spear dry out. Drenching the bud area with a copper fungicide will reduce secondary microbes. Copper fungicides, unlike other fungicides, are active against bacteria and fungi; do not use a copper nutrient spray. Be sure to repeat applications as palm leaves develop, and delay fertilizer application until you notice new fronds. The best analysis for palms is 8-2-12 plus 4Mg.

Cold-damaged palms can still show symptoms six months to a year following a freeze. New leaves in the spring may appear misshapen.

Usually, the palm will outgrow the damage. However, the palm sometimes loses its ability to take up water. If there is a sudden collapse of the fronds in the crown during the first hot days, the palm may die.

If that happens, nothing can save the palm.

Sheila Dunning is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: THE EXTENSION CONNECTION: Here's how to treat cold-damaged palms

North county students invited to interpret Blackwater River in art

Written by archive on March 4, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — The first "B" in the Triple B Festival stands for Blackwater. Area students may interpret the nearby river in "The First B" art poster contest held in conjunction with this year's festival.

The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Arts and Culture committee, the contest sponsor, asks student artists, "How do you see the Blackwater? History? Nature? Recreation?"

Elementary, middle or high school students at any north Okaloosa County school may enter. Prizes will be awarded in the three grade-level categories.

North county resident students who are home schooled or attend Collegiate High School or a private school are also eligible, committee chairwoman Rae Schwartz said.

"The Blackwater River component of 'Triple-B' isn't usually included in the festival," Schwartz said. "This contest is an opportunity for our great student artists to make this historic waterway part of the event."

"… Let your imagination flow like the Blackwater River!"

All entries, due March 21, will be exhibited during the March 29 Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue festival on Main Street, Schwartz said. Winners will be announced during the event.

Prizes, donated by the Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union, are $100 for first place, $50 for second place and $25 for third place in each of the three categories.

Contest rules

All north Okaloosa County elementary, middle and high school students can participate in the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Arts and Culture Committee's "The First B" Triple B student art poster contest.

Guidelines are as follows:

• All entries must be original artwork by the student entrant and must incorporate the artist's interpretation of the Blackwater River.

• Only one entry per student is allowed

• Posters must be 8 1/2 by 11 inches and may be produced in any medium.

• The student artist's name, school, grade and teacher's name must be written on the back of the poster.

• Homeschooled students, Collegiate High School and private school students who live north of the Shoal River in Okaloosa County must write their name, grade, home address, phone and email contact information on the back of their entries.

• First-, second- and third-place winners will be chosen in each of the three categories: elementary (kindergarten through fifth grades), middle (sixth through eighth grades) and high school (ninth through 12th grades).

• Posters must be received by March 21 by mail or in person at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview FL 32539-6944.

Contact Arts and Culture Committee chairwoman Rae Schwartz, bakerny@yahoo.com or 585-5672, for more details.

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: North county students invited to interpret Blackwater River in art

EMT feeds needy woman, earns HERO Award

Written by archive on March 3, 2014. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

Emergency Medical Technician Barbara Chestnut is the latest HERO Award recipient for a humanitarian act she performed while on duty in late November 2013.

On Nov. 23, Chestnut transported a sick child from North Okaloosa Medical Center to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. The child's great-grandmother and legal guardian accompanied her. Chestnut noted that the grandmother was in a tired, weakened state, and upon inquiry learned she had no money and had not eaten all day. Chestnut took her to a nearby Wendy’s and bought her dinner.

“This is a true act of kindness,” County Administrator Ernie Padgett said during a recent Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners meeting.

“This shows true compassion that many EMTs exhibit, and Ms. Chestnut’s help was far-reaching, providing nourishment for the grandmother so she could better respond to the needs of her sick grandchild,” Public Safety Director Dino Villani said.

The Humanitarian Efforts Recognized by Okaloosa County award recognizes a deed, act or event in which an employee does something of a humanitarian or heroic nature, beyond job requirements.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EMT feeds needy woman, earns HERO Award

RevFest art and music festival has Crestview roots

Written by archive on March 3, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

The second annual RevFest may take place on March 15 in Fort Walton Beach, but its roots lie with a Crestview band leader.

Michael Flatau, New Earth Army's bass player, said he and fellow band members were driving back from a Tallahassee gig and started discussing the need for more opportunities to connect local bands with local audiences.

"We said, 'You know what, we need to do our own festival. We need to so something in Okaloosa County,'" Flatau said.

With backing from KC's SandBar and Grill in Fort Walton Beach, the first day-long Revolution of Art and Music Festival, shortened to RevFest, was held last year during a drenching downpour.

"It was awesome," Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce executive assistant Jennifer Pierson and RevFest volunteer said. "It poured rain but we packed KC's all day long. We had a lot of fun."

Pierson described the music attendees will hear at RevFest as "jam band stuff — kind of bluesy, some reggae, some funk sound."

Two chamber members, UpBeat Music in Crestview and Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, will be integral; the former will lend sound equipment expertise and the latter will benefit from some of the ticket proceeds.

The festival, hosted by New Earth Army, achieved its goal of being an event that is especially attractive to local audiences, Flatau said.

"Our idea is that, even though it is in the middle of spring break, it is primarily for locals to come out and enjoy something," he said.

"That's what it is about: Doing something for the local community so they can see what we have to offer here in the area."

By keeping admission low — advance tickets are just $5, door price is $10 — area families can enjoy an entire day of regional music and visual art. Some all-day festivals charge $25 or $50 a day, Flatau said.

"If the people of the community feel they can go to an event that is not really expensive, it will draw more of your everyday person" instead of just band groupies, Flatau said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Second Annual Okaloosa RevFest, a regional art and music festival including bands New Earth Army, CopE, Hotel Oscar, the Owsley Brothers, and The Applebutter Express.

WHEN: Noon to 2 a.m. March 15

WHERE: KC's SandBar and Grill, 190 SE Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach

TICKETS: $5 advance at www.OkaloosaRevFest.com; $10 at door; 12 and under free

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: RevFest art and music festival has Crestview roots

THE HOBO HOMEFRONT: Spring cleaning and Hobo marquee news

Written by archive on March 3, 2014. Posted in lifestyle.

March brings Daylight Saving Time, St. Patrick’s Day, the beginning of spring and student spring break.

Not to mention spring cleaning. I figure if the décor outside is changing, the décor inside should, too.

Spring means to start anew, and changing my surroundings helps reinforce that. These are a few guidelines I try to go by:

•If I bring a new item home, I discard an old one.

•If I haven’t seen an item in more than a year and haven’t missed it, chances are I can probably get rid of it without losing sleep.

•With every item I ask myself, 'Does it have sentimental value? Do I love the item? and 'Does it serve a purpose?'

In the past few weeks, I have become interested in yard sales. With the pleasant weather lately, it has been a perfect time to have them, so they have been popping up everywhere. I have been thinking of having one myself this month.

So, instead of throwing items away, why not dispose of them in other ways? Give them away, donate them or have a yard sale?

Just a thought!

Switching gears, I have tried several times to read Laurel Hill School's marquee sign. It can cause traffic jams, and I figure if I’m having trouble, others are as well, so I’m going to start listing those items here.

Currently, in Marquee News:

• Jennifer Franklin is Laurel Hill School's Teacher of the Year.

•Joann Jackson is the school's Support Staffer of the Year.

•Kindergarten registration starts this month.

•Junior class Hobo Cards are on sale for $10 at supporting businesses including Country Folks and Huddle House in Florala. Mia’s Italian Restaurant, Waffle House, Coney Island, Forever Kids, Uncle Bill’s Family Restaurant and Los Rancheros.

That’s it for this week. Until next time, be safe and God bless!

Amber Kelley lives in Laurel Hill. Send news, comments, or donations for Maudy Carper's family to Hobo.homefront@gmail.com or P.O. Box 163, Laurel Hill, FL, 32567.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: THE HOBO HOMEFRONT: Spring cleaning and Hobo marquee news

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