CRESTVIEW — Crestview resident Lynn Lee has collected Victorian greeting cards since she was 12 years old.

"I started just by buying a box of junk when I was 12 and the cards were in the bottom of the box," she said.

Now, more than 50 years later, she shares a selection of late 18th and early 19th-century Christmas cards with Crestview Public Library patrons.

Today's graphic design programs, such as Adobe PhotoShop and InDesign, coupled with digital printing and laser cuts, can't produce cards with the warmth of the lithography, delicate die cuts and embossing Lee has displayed.

 Though she only purchases cards that interest her, several of the exhibited cards are from the Raphael Tuck and Sons printing company in London.

The firm, which produced cards for Queen Victoria, lost its original dies and plates in the London Blitz during World War II, Lee said.

"It was so amazing," Lee said. "His son took over after the war, and some of his grandchildren are still in the business. I found it so interesting that he still kept going after the war."

Lee said until she mounted an exhibit of Victorian Valentine's cards at the library in January 2012, "nobody got to enjoy them but me. Now I'd like to get my cards out more."

Admiring her cards' intricate designs and reading senders' sentiments inscribed in flowing script transports Lee back to another era, she said.

"I think I'm living in the wrong time," she said. " I think the story of Victoria and Albert is just so wonderful. It's a wonderful love story. It's always been a time period that's dear to my heart."

The exhibit, which runs through December, includes Victorian dolls and other antiques to complement Lee's cards.

Lee will visit Dec. 5 to chat about her collection and share Christmas cookies.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Visit with antique card collector Lynn Lee

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon, Dec. 5

WHERE: Crestview Public Library lobby, 1445 Commerce Drive behind the post office

DETAILS: Learn about Victorian card production and enjoy Christmas cookies with exhibitor Lynn Lee.

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Antique Christmas cards exhibit an era of elegant graphic design

CRESTVIEW — Abrakadoodle begins teaching adult art classes here Wednesday afternoon.

Parents who have seen the creativity pour from their children — Abrakadoodle art classes are available at Bob Sikes, Antioch and Riverside elementary schools — have been requesting classes for themselves.

Some have ventured down to Destin for the opportunity to take adult art classes, Abrakadoodle owner Erin Bakker said.

Abrakadoodle and Simply Pink Boutique are offering Christmas art parties in which adult students will make Christmas-themed décor, Bakker said.

"I think it'll be a good opportunity to expand that kind of programming to Crestview, because we don't have any adult classes there," she said.

The first class, from 6 to 8 p.m., will offer instruction in making mixed-media angels on wood panels. Classes cost $30 per person and include materials.

Subsequent classes are the next two Wednesdays at the same times. Simply Pink is at 451 Ferdon Blvd., Crestview. Call 423-7750 or 855-5375 for more information.

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Abrakadoodle offers its first Crestview adult art classes

CRESTVIEW — It's not hard to guess local artist Deni K.'s choice subject matter. The Crestview Public Library's exhibit wall is currently a menagerie of animal life.

Deni, who doesn't use her last name, is exhibiting her first exhibit, "A Walk on the Wild Side."

One of the most captivating details of Deni's animal paintings are the creatures' eyes. She painted the eyes of some of the wolf paintings on display with glow-in-the-dark paint.

Reference librarian Sandra Dreaden said the effect is wonderfully eerie when she and her colleagues turn off the library lights at the end of the day.

"It's like the animals are peering out of the darkness, watching you," Dreaden said.

Deni praised local art instructors who helped develop her talent. Those include Carolyn Stewart, who once had a Crestview studio, and teachers at the Journey Java Connection on Main Street and Artful Things in Niceville.

Deni hopes she can inspire other "closet artists," as she calls those who paint for fun but don't want to exhibit their art.

"There are a lot of closet painters out there who are a thousand times better than I am, but they keep their art in the closet," Deni said. "I hope I can challenge them to come out of the closet and share their art."

The library is offering two opportunities to acquire one of Deni's works. A warm Christmas candle painting is being raffled for $1 per ticket, with all proceeds benefiting the library book fund.

At the Dec. 3 First Tuesday lecture, presented by the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, an attendee will win a painting of a wise owl.

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Walk on the Wild Side' exhibit features wildlife with piercing eyes

CRESTVIEW — Local arts organizations have an idea for Christmas shopping: How about buying one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts from local craftsmen and fine artists?

Three area arts organizations are sponsoring the annual CALA: Crestview Area Loves the Arts showcase of hand-crafted works by area artists.

The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Arts & Culture Committee, Okaloosa Arts Alliance-North committee and the local Friends of the Arts will present the Dec. 7 event.

"Here is an idea," Arts and Culture chairwoman Rae Schwartz said. "Let's buy Christmas presents from small local businesses and self-employed people."

Schwartz said by buying local, shoppers' money remains in the community. By buying from local artists, shoppers are assured their gifts are unique. And by shopping at CALA, shoppers will meet the artists who crafted the gifts they select.

"This way, more local people will have a better Christmas," she said.

Schwartz said multiple fine and visual arts will be represented, including china painting, wood turning, painting, photography, book and fabric arts.

"Many of the artists have had their works on display in the display cases at the library," Schwartz said.

Live music will be performed during the event, to be held in the Crestview Public Library meeting room. Limited exhibitor space is still available, Schwartz said. Works must be handmade, she said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: CALA: Christmas Arts & Crafts Festival

WHO: Sponsored by the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Arts and Culture Committee, Okaloosa Arts Alliance-North and Friends of the Arts

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7

WHERE: Crestview Public Library

DETAILS: Fine arts for sale, live music. Free to browse. Call 585-5672 to exhibit. Not for sales representatives.

Contact News Bulletin Arts & Entertainment Editor Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Arts organizations offering handmade gifts for the holidays

More than 60 plant species can poison livestock. However, just a few species cause most of the problems. Toxic plants can be native or exotic; most are broadleaved.

Florida’s climate is ideal for dozens of poisonous plant species such as: 

•Bracken fern

•Showy crotalaria

•Lantana

•Nightshades (solanaceae)

•Tomatoes

•Irish potatoes

•Eggplant

•Black night-shade

•Horsenettle

•Jimsonweed

•Spotted water hemlock

•Red maple

•Prunus species

•Daturas

•Cassias

•Oleander

•Carolina jasmine

•Perilla mint

•Rhodendrons

•Azaleas

•Wild honey suckle

•Mountain laurel

•Pokeberry

•Tung tree

Poisonous plants most often are in new pastures or other areas of recently disturbed soil. Neglect and overgrazing are common conditions for poisonous plants to thrive. Dry water holes, old burn piles or trash piles, fence rows, ditch and creek edges and nutrient-rich areas (feeding sites and manure piles) are other common sites to find toxic weeds.

Livestock generally eat poisonous plants under conditions such as:

•Starvation

•Deficient rations

•Overgrazing and drought

•Being inadvertently fed them as fodder

•Curiosity

•Good taste

So, what can you do about poisonous plants in your pastures? 

•Walk through the pasture frequently and submit samples of any unfamiliar or suspicious plant to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences extension office.

•Know your hay source, as poisonings can result from feeding infested hay.

•Remember that any cultural practice that results in species diversity in the pasture increases the chances of plant poisoning.

•Don’t allow your livestock to graze in the yard. Many exotic landscape plants are toxic and unfamiliar to the animals.

•Prevention is the key since few antidotes can be administered.

In most cases, veterinarians can only provide supportive treatment to affected animals, according to the Foundation for the Gator Nation.

Jennifer Bearden 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: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Identify strange plants to prevent spread of poisonous ones

CRESTVIEW — Meredith Majors' passion for moviemaking led her to numerous behind-the-scenes roles: from catering, to makeup and working with camera operators and lighting specialists.

The 2000 Baker School alumna also has appeared on camera, namely as Angelina Jolie's stunt double in 2005's "Mr. and Mrs. Smith."

Follow "Lake Eerie" on Facebook or visit the film's official website>>

But her biggest endeavor yet may be a horror film for which she is a star, writer and producer. She is working on the final cut with her husband, Chris, the film's director and co-star.

In "Lake Eerie" — which began filming last month in LaSalle, Mich. — Majors plays a young widow who moves into a lakeside house near the titular body of water, and soon discovers she is not alone.

"It's in the horror/ thriller/ science fiction genre," she said.

The film features Lance Henriksen, of "Aliens" and "Terminator," along with notable talents behind the camera, including Director of Photography David M. Brewer, who worked on "Insidious," and special effects makeup by Robert Kurtzman, of "Predator" and "Army of Darkness."

Majors — who studied theatre at Florida State University — said she was working as a "struggling actor" in Los Angeles when she met and married Chris. Later, the couple started their own production company, Savage Beast Films.

The couple used a portion of their savings to finance the production, which also received support from producers and supporters on the crowdfunding website Indiegogo.com.

The Motion Picture Association of America hasn't rated the film — which producers expect to be released by June 2014 — but Majors said she hopes for a PG-13 rating.

Completing the film was "a dream come true" for the couple, Majors said.

"Whatever happens, they can never take this away from us," she said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker School alumna to star in horror movie she wrote

You don’t have to be an expert gardener or landscaper to create a Florida-friendly yard. All it takes is willingness to learn and desire to build a beautiful yard that protects our environment.

Florida-friendly landscaping is now part of state law, which prohibits governments and homeowners associations from preventing implementation of its principles. 

Fertilizing appropriately and watering efficiently are two of the nine Florida-friendly landscaping principles.

Click here to learn more about Florida-friendly landscaping>>

All commercial fertilizer applicators must have a license from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services by Jan. 1, 2014.  To get this license, each Green Industry employee must be trained in Best Management Practices, which teaches professionals how to implement FFL principles. 

To address water conservation, Florida law states: “Any person who operates an automatic landscape irrigation system shall properly install, maintain and operate technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the system during periods of sufficient moisture." Irrigation contractors must ensure there is an operational rain shut-off device on site before they can perform services. If it doesn’t exist or isn’t working, the contractor can be fined for not reporting the property owner or by completing the repair work without installing or repairing the rain shut-off device.

Right Plant, Right Place, along with Mulch, Attracting Wildlife, Managing Yard Pests Responsibly, Recycling, Reducing Stormwater Runoff and Protecting the Waterfront are the titles of other principles. 

Using landscape techniques to reduce factors that negatively affect natural resources is the foundation of Florida-friendly landscaping. 

You'll save money, reduce workload and protect the environment by implementing these practices.

Sheila Dunning is a Commercial Horticulture Extension 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: EXTENSION CONNECTION: Florida-friendly landscaping is the law

NICEVILLE — Crestview High School graduate Josh Long gets several dozen people's immediate attention when he calls out, "Pipe coming in!"

Long and Crestview resident Mike Patenaud can lower some often hefty equipment on the heads of unwary fellow stagehands at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.

See load-in video here>>

See photos here>>

"When you hear 'pipe coming in,' that's the most dangerous time to be on the stage," Northwest Florida State College theatre professor, actor, director and set designer Clint Mahle says.

Long, Patenaud and the rest of a combined student, local professional and traveling stagehand crew spent the morning of Nov. 12 loading in "The Addams Family," the most recent touring Broadway musical to play the venue.

Few audience members are aware that the choreographed performances they see in the theatre are preceded by a similarly choreographed and professional pre-show flurry of activity.

Pre-show

At 7:30 a.m., student and local professional stagehands gather for a load-in briefing, dividing into carpentry, electrical, costume and sound teams.

A half-hour later, the teams begin unloading tractor-trailers that arrived in the wee hours. For "The Addams Family," equipment, props, costumes and scenery traveled 500 miles from Shreveport, La., the night before.

By 10 a.m., the four trailers are empty, their contents distributed around the stage, in the wings, in dressing rooms or zooming up into the fly-space above the stage.

Long — one of Mahle's students before he graduated from NWFSC and went to the University of Tampa to study film and communications — says he likes keeping in touch with his theatre roots.

"I like being able to switch around," he says. "I never feel lacking for something to do. It keeps me on my feet."

About 90 percent of the production's approximately 50 stagehands are NWFSC students, Mahle says.

It's about the kids

"Student crews run this place. It's all about them," Mattie Kelly Arts Center Technical Director Bob Whittaker says. "They have opportunities to observe and watch, and that's when it hits home.

"You can tell them all you want in the classroom, but until they actually do it, it doesn't really hit home."

First-time student crew members team up with professionals. Many techies who travel with the shows patiently guide students through the load-in process, becoming valuable professional contacts in the process.

Many NWFSC students who graduate with a two-year fine arts degree and head off to other schools to complete their theatre studies say their experiences on Mattie Kelly stage crews gave them an advantage over their classmates.

"This and Clint's acting class helped prepare me for the University of Tampa," Long says. "I was leaps and bounds ahead of everyone in my class."

"We want everybody to be successful," Whittaker says. "We also do it to train the kids. You're not only learning; you're (also) getting paid to learn.

"It's a win-win for the college, the kids and the community."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Students get on-the-job training in 'the show before the show' (PHOTOS, VIDEO)