One of the founders of Crestview's Sister City relationship with its French counterpart has had a new accolade added to her long list of honors.

Dr. Marie-Thérèse Reed, who holds dual French and American citizenship, was honored when the Noirmoutier Classic Vehicles club named a newly restored World War II troop carrier for her late husband.

"I unveiled the door of the GMC and the name of my husband appeared," Reed said. "It was a very moving experience."

The General Motors truck of the 3545th Quartermaster Company was christened Nov. 23 "with very appropriate prayers" by Reed's pastor, the Rev. Pierre Chatry of St. Philbert's Catholic Church.

During the ceremony, club president Jean-Paul Limagne presented a history of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps in which her husband, Capt. William A. Reed, served, Dr. Reed said.

Retired Gen. Dominique Viard of the French army praised the long friendship between the United States and France during the event, a topic close to Reed's heart.

She holds a knighthood of the French Order of National Merit for her work toward Franco-American friendship.

In the mid-1990s, Reed helped establish Noirmoutier's Sister City relationship with Crestview and is a frequent visitor to the Hub City. Her home has Noirmoutier's only screen door, a souvenir of her more than 20 years living in the United States.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Sister City co-founder honored with WWII truck dedicated to her husband

Joining adults in the kitchen helps kids learn about foods. Most 4-H cooking projects explore the science, nutrition and history of cooking while promoting healthy eating and resource management.

Of course, safety comes first. Follow these tips:

•Have supervision, and never allow kids to cook without asking for permission.

•Tell children that cleanliness is good. They should keep hands and surfaces clean, and children with long hair need to tie it up.  

•Ensure kids don't wear loose clothing that can catch on fire.

After setting safety rules, help youths identify, and know how to safely use, common kitchen tools including knives and other sharp objects. Ditto for hot items such as a broiler, toaster, stove or microwave.

Teach kids about measuring methods and demonstrate how to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. We certainly don’t want foodborne illnesses coming our way.

Help kids read directions and follow recipes. They should ensure they have all their ingredients before beginning a cooking project.

If the project requires cutting skills, start simple with something soft like a banana and a plastic knife. Demonstrate the technique and have them try the actions.

And when working with knives — you guessed it! — safety comes first. Lay down these ground rules:

•Cut with caution

•Focus on one task at a time

•Never point a knife at a person

•Always hold the knife by its handle

•Use a cutting board

•Go slowly

Next, demonstrate how to wash produce and handle meat safely so you do not have cross-contamination of foods.

Above all, help kids find what it is about cooking that excites them! Recipes for snacks, side dishes, main dishes, quick breads and desserts are great starters for youth cooking.

Thank you to Paula Davis, Bay County 4-H youth development agent, and the Northwest District Volunteering in the Panhandle Newsletter for this information on food and nutrition.  

FIND IT ONLINE

Adults can teach children how to select, prepare and store food. You can help kids explore cooking methods such as roasting, stir frying, grilling, barbecuing, smoking, boiling, steaming, braising and microwaving. MyPlate, a USDA resource, can help you plan meals and make balanced food choices.

Haley Worley 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: 4-H, a recipe for success in the kitchen

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 — 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 — 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