lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

Spring arts festival benefits Laurel Hill School programs, community

Written by archive on April 11, 2013. Posted in lifestyle.

LAUREL HILL — Like spring flowers bursting into bloom, the grounds at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church will sprout colorful tents and displays of local artists' creativity on Saturday.

The Laurel Hill Spring Arts Festival, beginning 11 a.m. on Saturday, will provide a venue for area visual and performing artists to display their God-given talents, said the church's pastor, the Rev. Mark Broadhead.

"Other art festivals charge artists to exhibit their work," he said. "We think it's a privilege that these talented people want to share their beautiful music and artwork with the community, and we're just happy to provide an opportunity for them to do so."

Music will fill the air as attendees admire paintings, photography, woodturning, handmade jewelry and ceramics.

The Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums corps from Fort Walton Beach will share the instrument’s stirring sound and its history.

Sax to the Max — a saxophone quartet led by Crestview High School student Nick Overton — and The Wesley Boys gospel quartet also will be among performers.

Nick's brother, acoustic guitarist and vocalist Aaron Overton, a Florida State University student, will croon classic rock, ballads and folk tunes.

The Okaloosa Arts Alliance-North, the Crestview Friends of the Arts, and the Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian churches will sponsor the event.

Refreshment sales will benefit Laurel Hill School's fifth grade trip and baseball team and Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church's community outreach and support efforts.

Want to go?

The Laurel Hill Spring Arts Festival is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13 at the Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church, 8115 Fourth St. Admission and artists' exhibition space is free.

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: Spring arts festival benefits Laurel Hill School programs, community

Car wash and wieners raise $350 for Crestview High chorus

Written by archive on April 10, 2013. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Hearing that it meant an extra contribution, members of the all-girl Destiny show choir burst into a harmonious rendition of Colbie Caillat’s "Brighter Than the Sun" as they washed a patron's car Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, across town, more chorus members and parent volunteers hawked baked goods and hotdogs during the Crestview Sears' 15th anniversary celebration for the same cause.

The car wash and food sales netted the 130-voice, state-recognized Crestview High School chorus $350 toward expenses unfunded by the Okaloosa County School District — namely transportation to out-of-town performances and competitions.

Though the morning was too cool for soaking each other with water hoses as they washed cars, it didn't preclude friendly towel snaps, adeptly wielded by sophomore Johnathan Berry.

It didn’t take much for Tommy Hill to sell hotdogs at the store.

"It gets me out of the house,” he said.

As she bought a hotdog, Marty Lane, a proud chorus mom, said she supports her sophomore daughter’s passion.

"She just loves it," Lane said.

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: Car wash and wieners raise $350 for Crestview High chorus

THE EXTENSION CONNECTION: National Safe Digging Month

Written by archive on April 9, 2013. Posted in lifestyle.

National Safe Digging Month — recognized by the Senate and Florida’s governor — reminds diggers to call Sunshine 811 before starting outdoor digging projects.

Before installing a mailbox, fence, deck, garden or tree, call 811 to have underground lines marked.

The free service notifies utility companies of your plans. They send professional locators to identify and mark the appropriate location of underground line with paint and flags in colors that identify the utility type.

Visit www.call811.com/faqs/default.aspx to see which colors correspond with each utility.

Diggers who hit underground utility lines while digging can cause injuries, utility service outages to entire neighborhoods, and damage to the environment.

Calling 811 in Florida is the law. At least two full business days before digging, do-it-yourselfers and professional excavators must contact 811 to start the process of marking underground utility lines.

Be sure that all utilities have been marked before grabbing the shovel.

Follow up on your one call ticket by contacting 811 again on the third day.

FIND IT ONLINE

See www.Sunshine811.com for more information on Florida’s utility protection law.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

•Volunteer income tax assistance: VITA sites are open in Crestview at the JobsPlus center 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 689-7823, ext. 219 for an appointment.

•Master Gardener Native Plant Sale:8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 13, Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, 1958 Lewis Turner Blvd., Fort Walton Beach.

•Teach Children to Save: April 22 to July 31. Youths who set a savings goal are eligible for a savings bond drawing. Complete an entry form and make deposits. Contact your bank orcredit union to participate. Details: 689-5850 or www.economiclivingexpo.com.

•Bearden guest on "Okaloosa Today": Agriculture Agent Jennifer Bearden is the April guest on "Okaloosa Today," which airs 8 a.m. Sundays, 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays on Cox channel 6. She talks about local farming and how Okaloosa County, University of Florida Extension can assist residents with their gardening and farming, as well as how to access local produce.

•4-H Camp: June 10-14, for ages 8-12. Cost: $220 per person. Contact Haley Worley, 689-5850 or hbworley@ufl.edu. Registration packets are available at 3098 Airport Road, Crestview.

Sheila Dunning is a Commercial Horticulture Extension agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: THE EXTENSION CONNECTION: National Safe Digging Month

Freshwater fish without a license in Florida on Saturday

Written by archive on April 5, 2013. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — People can cast their lines April 6 in Florida, which is license-free freshwater fishing day. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC, scheduled the first of four license-free recreational fishing days on this weekend because it coincides with a productive freshwater fishing period, when the weather is usually pleasant. Many of Florida’s recreational sport fish, such as black bass, bluegill and redear sunfish, move into shallow water to spawn during spring, making them more available for anglers to catch. Saltwater license-free fishing days are June 1 and Sept. 1. These days coincide with a holiday weekend, National Fishing and Boating Week or open-harvest seasons for popular species such as bay scallops. All other bag limit, season and size restrictions apply on these dates for recreational, not commercial, fishing. See My FWC.com/Fishing for freshwater fishing tips, locations and rules.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Freshwater fish without a license in Florida on Saturday

North county club formed for Mustang drivers and lovers

Written by archive on April 3, 2013. Posted in lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — The sleek 1960s sports car that launched its own class of American automobiles — and millions of drivers’ devotion — now has its own club in north Okaloosa County.

The Shoal River Mustang Club welcomes Mustang owners and fans of the popular vehicle to its fold.

Next year is the car’s 50th anniversary, said Russ Chamberlain, a local Mustang owner and one of the Shoal River Mustang Club's organizers. Ford plans a sixth generation of the car for 2014, he said.

"I can't wait to see what they're going to do with it," Chamberlain said.

The Ford Mustang, built on the Falcon sedan’s chassis, was introduced to American drivers on April 17, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair. Sales took off and surpassed Ford Motor Company's expectations of 100,000 sold in its first year. More than a million Mustangs were snatched up in the first 18 months of production. Five generations of the car have been created since 1964.

The Mustang created the “pony car” class, which includes classic vehicles such as the Chevrolet Camaro, the Dodge Challenger and the Plymouth Barracuda.

Chamberlain said many members of the Shoal River club, sponsored by Hub City Ford, drive newer Mustang generations than his 1964 1/2 convertible, which rolled down the assembly line in Dearborn, Mich., in June 1964.

Want to go?

Mustang owners and fans may join the Shoal River Mustang Club, which meets in Crestview on the first Tuesday of even-numbered months. The club meets in neighboring communities for odd-numbered months. Visit the club on Facebook or at www.shoalrivermustangs.net.

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: North county club formed for Mustang drivers and lovers

Health rankings report: teen mom rate down, obesity up

Written by archive on April 3, 2013. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health, or DOH, in Okaloosa County has received the fourth annual County Health Rankings and Roadmaps’ data.

These rankings — submitted from University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — serve as a snapshot of the health of individuals across each state’s counties.

In Okaloosa County, there are areas of progress. For example, the rate of births to teen mothers ages 15-19 has decreased over the past three years due in part to outreach of the department’s family planning program, a health department spokesperson said.

However, challenges remain, as the number of obese adults has risen 6 percent over the past four years. The department has collaborated with many stakeholders to implement the Community Health Improvement Plan, which has a focused effort to address physical activity and nutrition resources in our community.

The DOH works to improve Floridians’ health. Data used include information related to physical environment, social and economic factors, health behaviors, education, crime rate, law enforcement and clinical care.

The rankings include a snapshot of each Florida county, with a color-coded map comparing each county’s overall health ranking.

"Health knows no boundaries,” Dr. Karen Chapman, director of the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County, said. “While … (the) report presents county level rankings, we realize that promoting optimal health involves a broad spectrum of partners in government, education, business and civic organizations that are not necessarily limited geographically."

See more county and state health rankings and statistics at www.floridacharts.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Health rankings report: teen mom rate down, obesity up

THE EXTENSION CONNECTION: Volunteering with 4-H

Written by archive on April 3, 2013. Posted in lifestyle.

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the world?

4-H offers many opportunities for adults, parents and teens to volunteer. You can help provide youths with knowledge, opportunities and fun.

4-H is the world’s largest youth organization. Multiple educational programs held throughout the year would be impossible to schedule without volunteers.

It is essential to have dedicated volunteers for a successful 4-H program.

Volunteer to help expand the Okaloosa 4-H program and provide great activities for our local 5- to 18-year-olds. Free training is provided.

Get involved today and make a difference in young people’s lives.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

•4-H Camp: June 10-14, for ages 8-12. Cost: $220 per person. Contact Haley Worley, 689-5850 or hbworley@ufl.edu.

Haley Worley is an agent at the Okaloosa County Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: THE EXTENSION CONNECTION: Volunteering with 4-H

Church banks help First United Methodist pay down mortgage debt

Written by archive on April 3, 2013. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — First United Methodist Church of Crestview members put their money where their faith is.

Throughout Lent, decorated wooden church banks gave churchgoers a colorful place to drop their spare change, contributing the savings toward paying down a mortgage on the church's new family life center.

The Rev. Brandon Dasinger, the church's youth minister and associate pastor, said more than $123,000 was raised during the 40-day campaign. The church still owes around $900,000 on the more than $2 million Crossroads Center.

Members could direct their Lenten gift to benefit the general giving fund or to pay down the center’s debt, Dasinger said.

The Crossroads Center opened in 2012 and features Wesley Hall, a large multi-purpose room that houses the contemporary worship service. The center also provides an expanded youth ministry area with a game room, a main hall and smaller meeting and classrooms.

On Easter Sunday, nearly 40 banks, each decorated by church members, were displayed in the sanctuary.

"They were unreal," member Cathy Thigpen said. "One they turned into a Noah's Ark. Somebody planted theirs and made it look like it had grass and shrubs. People were very creative. Some had shingles on. Someone took pennies and just covered the roof with them."

Thigpen and her husband, Dr. Lee Thigpen, covered their church bank with a decoupage of family photos. Some showed Cathy's father serving as an usher when the church was in its former location on Wilson Street, and Lee's mother playing the old church's organ.

"We're rooted in this church and, for us, it's been a desire of ours to see it grow," Cathy Thigpen said. "We're doing that. It's exactly what we're commanded to do."

"It worked great and everyone had a lot of fun with it," Dasinger said. "My daughter's 2, so our church was very pink. We got the 'most pink church' award."

Other awards, chosen by impartial judges from outside the congregation, included "most creative," "most church-like," and "Wow!" for the most dazzling, Dasinger said.

"More than anything, it's the sacrificial giving," Cathy Thigpen said. "Instead of having that Starbucks that I love, I can put that money toward my church. That's going to last longer than a cup of coffee."

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: Church banks help First United Methodist pay down mortgage debt

North Okaloosa Medical Center hosts walking event on April 3

Written by archive on April 2, 2013. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Medical Center will raise heart health awareness with a walking event at the hospital on Wednesday.

The event is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the hospital's walking track on the corner of East Redstone Avenue and Brookmeade Drive, behind the hospital.

"We are not raising any funds, we are just raising awareness to encourage people to walk for at least 30 minutes a day," said Alicia Booker, NOMC’s community programs coordinator.

"We are having it around lunch time to encourage people to (regularly) spend a portion of their lunch walking," Booker said.

Participants are encouraged to lace up their walking shoes and support the American Heart Association’s event.

One in two men and one in three women reportedly are at risk for heart disease, which is the No. 1 medical cause of death. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

In addition to eating healthily and exercising, the hospital promotes creating walking plans and forming walking groups for encouragement.

The hospital’s track is open for public use, Booker 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: North Okaloosa Medical Center hosts walking event on April 3

Area churches celebrate Easter

Written by archive on March 29, 2013. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — This weekend, North Okaloosa churches will celebrate Easter with several sunrise services.

"We celebrate the resurrection by getting up early, because that is what Jesus did," said Jerry Nelson, pastor of Live Oak Baptist Church.

Nelson will preach at Crestview's 6:30 a.m. sunrise service on Sunday at Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Boulevard. Doug Compton, pastor of New Life International Worship Center, will direct the music. The service is organized by the Crestview Area Ministerial Association, which comprises several churches.

The Crestview association will collect money to support local needy families. A portion of the proceeds benefits a scholarship for Christian students, Nelson said.

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church has replaced its regular 5 p.m. vigil Mass March 30 with an 8 p.m. service. Its Sunday services are 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

For Holt and Baker residents, a sunrise service will take place at 6:30 a.m. Sunday at Baker School's Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium. It will feature Curt Rainey, pastor at the First Baptist Church of Holt.

The Baker service, organized by the Baker Area Ministerial Association, will feature music from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church members and Darren Williams’ direction.

The Baker association also will collect money for needy families, Rainey said.

Laurel Hill’s service is at 6:30 a.m. Sunday at Gene Clary Park on New Ebenezer Road. Mike McVay, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Laurel Hill, welcomes area residents to the service, in which he will be preaching, and to a following breakfast.

If 6:30 a.m. is too early, a 10 a.m. service, sponsored by Mosaic Church of Crestview, is at Twin Hills Park.

"Like Jesus, we want to preach to the crowds, but at our current church, we don't have enough room for crowds," Pastor James Ross said. "So we decided to do something special for the community."

Children’s Easter egg games will follow the service. A bounce house also will be available.

Services are outdoors, so attendees should dress accordingly. In addition, attendees should bring their own chairs.

Want to go?

Crestview, Laurel Hill and Baker’s Area Ministerial Association sunrise services are as follows:

•6:30 a.m. Sunday, Old Spanish Trail Park on Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview.

•6:30 a.m. Sunday, Gene Clary Park on New Ebenezer Road, Laurel Hill.

•6:30 a.m. Sunday, Doug Griffith Memorial Stadium, Baker School, 1369 14th St.

The Mosaic Church in Crestview’s service is 10 a.m. Sunday at Twin Hills Park, off east James Lee Boulevard.

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Crestview celebrates Easter at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

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: Area churches celebrate Easter

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