It’s definitely an art. Making that delicious syrup from cane juice is art. There’s science in it for sure, but as I watch this process, I realize there’s an art to it as well as the science.

In the 100-plus-year-old kettle in the middle of the woods in northeast Okaloosa County, I observe several gentlemen working diligently to create their masterpiece. From personal experience, it’s the best cane syrup I have ever tasted.

The process of cane syrup starts with growing the sugar cane. It is technically a perennial grass, even though it grows 6 to 20 feet tall. The cane is harvested in the fall. In antique mills, the cane juice is squeezed from the cane and collected. The mill used to be mule-powered but now they use a tractor to do the job.

The juice is then processed into syrup. Simply put, you evaporate water from the juice to thicken it into syrup. This can be done either by slow boiling in a large kettle or by using the “newer” method of using an evaporator. These guys prefer the old method using a kettle. They feel it removes the impurities in the cane juice and creates a better product.

Who am I to argue, since it was the tastiest cane syrup ever.

The kettle of juice is heated by a fire burning underneath it. The fire man is in charge of keeping the fire just right under the kettle. Too hot and you’ll scorch the syrup. Too cool and you won’t ever get it processed. With his thermometer and hydrometer, one man keeps an eye on the juice temperature and the relative density. A couple of guys are on either side of the kettle, removing impurities by wiping the hot kettle edge with a dishcloth. This evidently is an easy job because they let me give it a try. I'm happy to report I didn’t burn myself.

The team works seamlessly from field to jar. They have a lot of practice. They have been making cane syrup there since 2006. Keeping an old southern tradition alive, the team has perfected the art and science of cane syrup making!

The team is led by Clinton Harris and consists of Randy Batson, James Jackson, Eddie Brown, Tom McDougald, Elijah Bell, Art Blakely, Fred Frates, and Jim Melton. For more pictures and even a video of this team and their process, go to https://youtu.be/50cocf2a7hw or go to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UFIFASOkaloosaExtension.

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: The lost art of making cane syrup

Both society and Hollywood have impressed upon us that Christmas is supposed to be a time of warm, fuzzy gatherings around the Christmas tree, opening presents with family and loved ones, sipping eggnog by the fireside.

But the truth of the matter is, there are those for whom Christmas can be rather painful. There are those who are going through difficult and challenging times. Some are grieving the loss of a loved one. Some are struggling with illness. Some have experienced the loss of a job, or the break-up of a significant relationship.

The “warm fuzzies” are far off. The Hollywood version of Christmas is not a possibility for them. Instead, people like this are in need of the assurance and comfort that God has not abandoned them, and that they will make it through the Christmas season intact emotionally and spiritually.

In years gone by, the suffering people of Israel looked for the long-awaited Messiah. In their longing, they were given a hope-filled message about God. This message expressed the belief and understanding that no matter what happens to us, God will be there to comfort and support us.

That promise is still alive today.

When someone is sad, the color blue is coupled with sadness. The reason for this is we associate water with blue. Tears are made mostly of water. Therefore, are blue. So sadness is related to the color blue.

Jay Johnson and Billy Hayes wrote a song, which was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1957. It was entitled “Blue Christmas.” In part, the words are:

“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you

I’ll be so blue just thinkin’ about you

Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree

Won’t be the same if you’re not here with me.”

If you are experiencing a “Blue Christmas” for whatever reason, and would like to be reassured that God is still beside you to give comfort and support, there will be two brief and identical “Blue Christmas” services at First Presbyterian Church, 492 N. Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview.

One is 4 p.m. and the other is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21. They are open to everyone.

If you are seeking comfort, hope, wholeness, and renewal as Christmas Day approaches, make some time for quiet reflection, for knowing it is okay to feel “blue” at Christmas, and for remembering God is beside you every moment of every day.

The gift of the Christ-Child is that he meets us where we are, as we are, and will lift our hearts in love and grace.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: Blue Christmas services scheduled

CRESTVIEW — Researchers have found that certain scents evoke memories in us. For instance, when I smell cinnamon when baking, I remember all of the delicious breads my mother made for the holidays, such as pumpkin nut bread. It brings a smile to my face and the wonderful times we had together making baked goods for our family and friends.

Scents definitely trigger our memories. When I lived in Southern California, we went to Disneyland each week. Walking down Main Street, the scents of vanilla and fresh baked cookies were evocative. I have since learned that Disney uses "smellitizers" to pump scents out onto Main Street.

Here is a quote from an interesting article I found online at https://duchessofdisneyland.com/tips-trivia/smellitizers/:

"Sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell all work together to tell the Disneyland story. So the next time you walk through Disneyland, pay attention to what you’re smelling. Odds are, the scent in the air was crafted by Imagineers to fully immerse you in the magic."

No wonder certain smells arouse certain memories for me at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Baking cookies is a smell that seems to evoke many good memories among people. They associate them with their mother baking cookies for a special occasion, a family outing and sometimes, just because.

My husband still loves fresh chocolate chip cookies. My mother also made candy, and the smells of caramel, vanilla, almonds and other items used to make it still bring a smile to my face.

Sounds, such as music, can also trigger our memories. An article from the BBC found the following: "Neuroscientists have analyzed the brain mechanisms related to memory, finding that words set to music are the easiest to remember."

The article, www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140417-why-does-music-evoke-memories, went on to say: "There is a link then between music and memory, but why, when we hear a particular song, do we feel strong emotions rather than just being able to recite the lyrics?"

Certain Christmas music brings up different memories for me and probably for you, too. The sound of sleigh bells reminds me of Christmas time and gives me a general sense of happiness.

When I hear "O Holy Night," I remember the many midnight Christmas Eve services that we attended as a family while I was growing up, and later on, the many services I sang this piece for on Christmas Eve. A Christmas song such as "Frosty the Snowman" or "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" reminds me of watching a Christmas parade or cartoons with these musical pieces being played and sung. Christmas hymns remind me of the reason that we celebrate Christmas, because of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I know that we all have favorite hymns that we have sung over the years, and it is difficult to choose one or even 10 that are my favorite.

What is your favorite Christmas song or hymn? Here are a few suggestions of mine:

• Still, Still, Still.
• Bethlehem Morning.
• O Holy Night.
• The Birthday of a King.
• Silent Night.
• Joy to the World.
• Angels We Have Heard on High.
• In the Bleak Midwinter.
• One Small Child.
• Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy.
• Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light.
• Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming.

Enjoy the scents and sounds of Christmas, and don't forget the real reason that we celebrate. Christmas is truly the birthday of a King, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HAPPENINGS: Scents, sounds of the season evoke memories

LAUREL HILL — The outdoor Living Nativity event scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11 at Laurel Hill has been canceled due to the potential for inclement weather.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill Presbyterian cancels Dec. 11 Living Nativity event due to weather forecast

CRESTVIEW — Patrons at Crestview’s “Swing into the Season” Christmas dance Nov. 27 swing-danced to the big band sounds of Hashtag Swing, savored gourmet cuisine, discussed World War II history with reenactors, examined historical displays, and did one other thing.

They raised more than $1,600 toward the city’s April 22-24 “Hail Our Heroes” World War II reenactment weekend.

“Here’s to a successful event!” event adviser and co-organizer Dako Morfey, dressed as a WWII American captain chaplain, said at the evening’s end as he raised his glass in a toast. “Thank you to all our donors, sponsors and hard workers.”

While the evening was lots of fun and feasting, it also had a serious side. Attendees and organizers reflected on the Dec. 7, 1941, “unprovoked and dastardly attack” — as President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it — by Japan on the U.S. Navy port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Historical displays beneath the flags of America’s military branches in Warriors Hall related how and why the attack was planned and executed, and also detailed America’s response just four months later on April 18, 1942.

After intensive training at Eglin Field, Lt. Col. James Doolittle led a bombing strike, launched from the American aircraft carrier USS Hornet, against Tokyo and several other targets. While causing little physical damage, the raid shook the Japanese population’s faith in its military’s ability to defend the home islands and belied their leaders’ claims that their attack on Pearl Harbor had “crippled” America’s military might.

Back at home, the Doolittle Raid boosted America’s morale, showed what a unified national response would look like, and paved the way for the ultimate American victory in the Pacific war three years later.

The Doolittle Raid’s 80th anniversary in April 2022 provides the impetus for Crestview’s planned weekend of equipment displays, reenactments, encampments, and other activities.

Among the several World War II reenactors at the “Swing into the Season” dance was Shobu Hasegawa, who was uniformed as a soldier of the Imperial Japanese Army. The University of West Florida student displayed Japanese WWII weaponry and equipment and, like his GI- and U.S. Navy sailor-uniformed friends, sparked conversations and war history discussions with attendees.

Though the dance’s focus was on America’s World War II heroism and honored those lost on Dec. 7, 1941 — “a date which will live in infamy,” as President Roosevelt called it — it was also a fundraiser for the WWII weekend, which will draw reenactment groups from around the country. An auction of genuine World War II American and British helmets and sales of $25 “war bonds” raised $625 alone.

It was also the first event under the city’s new Cultural Services Division.

“While it was a lot of hard work, we also had a lot of fun,” Morfey said as he supervised a trio of reenactors manning vacuum cleaners at the end of the evening’s clean-up. “We’re looking forward to staging more events after the holidays.”

WANT TO HELP?

Donations toward assisting volunteer reenactment groups with equipment transportation expenses for the April 22-24, 2022, “Hail Our Heroes” weekend in Crestview are welcome. The overall goal is establishing at least a $5,000 fund. For donation information, contact Cultural Services Specialist Brian Hughes at City Hall, 850-398-5459, or hughesb@cityofcrestview.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pearl Harbor remembered at Crestview dance

Christmas is coming. I guess you don’t need to be reminded of that. Or… do you?

How well did you do with your shopping spree on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Did you find some great deals?

How well did you do on Giving Tuesday? Were you as generous on that day as you were the previous two special shopping days?

How are the Christmas party plans coming along? How many different events are on your calendar between now and Dec. 25th?

I continuously hear people remark how busy this time of year is – more so than any other time. It almost becomes a time of dread instead of meaningful celebration.

It can be quite easy to get swept up in the myriad things that seem to need to be done. As a result, it can be easy to let frustration build, tempers fly, resentment settle in. Is that how you would like people to approach your birthday?

I wonder what the Lord thinks about what has happened to the celebration of his birth. I wonder how the Lord reacts when he sees people beginning to resent all the things that “have to be done” during this time.

It is great to get together with family and friends for special times. It is delightful to watch children as they put on various little plays and pageants. It is enjoyable to bake special confections to eat. But it is highly important to keep everything in proper perspective.

First and foremost is the foundation of Christmas – the birth of God’s Son. He is the reason there is a celebration in the first place. 

Next is having a proper heart and mindset. If you are going to do special events or create special confections, do so to the glory of God. Greet your family and friends with the love and grace given you by God. Decorate your home with the intention of giving light to the majesty of God. As you cook, give thanks that God has provided all the necessary ingredients (even if you have to run to the store three times).

And since it is Jesus’ birthday, what gift do you plan to give him? As Christina Rossetti wrote: “What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give him: give my heart.”

Giving him your heart would be the best Christmas gift ever.

Christmas is coming. What will you do?

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FROM THE PULPIT: The best Christmas gift ever

The Choctawhatchee Bay spans 30 miles, nearly the width of Okaloosa and Walton counties, and has played a major role in the development of the area.

A fascinating article from 1985, Historical Remembrances of the Choctawhatchee Bay, was recently posted on one of my favorite websites, waltonoutdoors.com. The article is a compilation of interviews from five people who lived in the area in the early 1900s.

These locals describe the booming timber and turpentine industries, which relied on the bay to get product to Pensacola, and the plentiful fisheries, both fresh and salt, that sustained many families during the Great Depression. They also share their experiences and opinions about how the bay has changed over the decades.

One of the most significant events that they recall is the storm in 1929, when heavy spring rains flooded the bay. In a desperate attempt to ease the flooding, several locals wielded hoes and dug a trench across Santa Rosa Island.

This small trench quickly widened into the East Pass we have today, connecting Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting increase in salt water entering the bay significantly changed not only the grass beds, but also the fish, oysters and shrimp that relied on them.

The article gives a brief peek into the life of locals in the early 1900s. It reminded me of one of my favorite places to visit, The Destin History and Fishing Museum. The museum is where I first learned about the history of Destin, its founding families and the fishing and working waterfront industries that developed Destin into the tourist mecca it is today.

I encourage everyone to take time to read the article and schedule a visit to the museum sometime soon to learn more about the Choctawhatchee Bay and its impact on our local area. It is a great place to spend a couple of hours during your holiday break.

Laura Tiu 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: The history of Choctawhatchee Bay

CRESTVIEW — Are you in the Christmas mood? Have you put up your outside lights and displays? Some of our neighbors have their homes adorned. Ours will wait a few weeks before everything is set up. The cooler weather helps get our family into the Christmas mood.

Some other holiday activities include playing Christmas music in your home and watching the Hallmark Christmas movies. Did you get your Christmas list written and identified who gets what gift, how much it costs and in what store it is located?

My family not only has to shop, but we then have to ship the gifts out of state. I love online shopping sites that will ship directly to the recipient. 

I have pulled out my Christmas card list and am in the process of updating the names and addresses so I won't get returned cards. Inevitably one or two get returned each year. I have made and purchased Christmas cards, so all that is left is to print the labels and letters, and begin to assemble them. My husband, Jim, generally gets the job of stamping and putting the return address labels on the envelopes.

Did you find good Christmas bargains on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? The only item we purchased was a self-cleaning litter box for the cats. We hope this technology will make our lives easier and that the cats will use this type of box.

As our parents, grandparents and even friends age, what they want or need as gifts may change. Many people would like the gift of time. You and your family can make homemade gift cards for items such as:

• One hour of visiting time.
• One hour of raking leaves in the yard.
• One hour of decorating their home for the holidays.
• Taking them to the grocery store once a week.
• Taking them out to lunch or dinner.
• Picking up their prescriptions.
• Fixing them a homemade meal.
• Cleaning their house.
• Cleaning out the rain gutters.

There are many other tasks that older people need help with. Use your thinking skills and come up with some helpful ideas. Giving a book of coupons for use throughout the year would be very thoughtful.

The gift of helping is very valuable and meaningful, especially to seniors. No one wants to be a burden, and this is a way to make it fun to help others. 

Remember that your church also needs help. Ask at your church office what chores need to be accomplished and offer to help.

Our church in California had volunteers straighten up and clean the sanctuary for Sunday morning services. Others folded the bulletin each week, while others maintained the premises.

As my great-grandmother used to say, "Many hands make light work."

I watched many friendships develop while people worked together on projects at the church. 

Let's think of others during this holiday time and not get too stressed with the season.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HAPPENINGS: Ways to get ready for Christmas this year

CRESTVIEW — Usually when singers from countywide school choruses come together at the same venue, it’s to perform in competition between schools. But at the Nov. 18 Super Men’s Chorus Day, the guys got together to make new friends and sing.

“We brought high schools and middle schools together — not competing but to sing together and to get to know each other,” said Crestview High School choral music director Kevin Lusk.

One of the reasons for organizing the annual Chorus Men’s Days is to get boys from the middle school choruses interested in continuing choral music in high school and beyond, Lusk said, noting that it is sometimes hard to get enough guys to complete high school-level men’s sections.

This year, Lusk and his counterparts throughout Okaloosa County schools decided they should all get together.

“We thought we’d try something different after last year,” Lusk said, noting that COVID-19 pandemic restrictions precluded large gatherings of students in 2020.

More than 100 boys represented host Crestview High School, Davidson Middle School, Shoal River Middle School, Ruckel Middle School, Baker School, Choctawhatchee High School, Fort Walton Beach High School, Niceville High School and Avalon Middle School in Navarre.

Starting at 9:30 a.m., choral music directors from those schools worked with the boys in small groups and ensembles throughout the day, culminating with a massed Men’s Day Choir mini concert in the Pearl Tyner Auditorium. 

The concert’s six numbers were performed with virtuosity, with choral music directors Lusk, Christian Feazell of Ruckel, Catherine Feazell of Niceville and Suzanne Hartog of Davidson alternating directing the boys. 

With boys ranging from little guys who needed extra effort to climb the risers to seniors in high school, the resultant quality of the concert pieces was doubly impressive, especially considering none of the chorus’ members had performed as one group before. In addition, the range of maturity offered some extra sound not always prevalent among older male student choruses.

The evening concert began with Roger Emerson’s arrangement of John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Roads,” which the guys handled with pleasing aplomb. On Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” the singers had a lot of fun emphasizing the signature “bum, bum, bums.”

“They did that themselves,” Lusk said, smiling. 

“Courage Lives!” is a dramatic and uplifting song written in 2006 for middle and high school singers for the Texas Choral Directors Association. It let all of the boys unleash their bravado as they sang about the character traits of courage and bravery.

Traditional numbers including “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain” and “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” offered the guys a chance to explore American traditional music, while “The Wellerman” introduced many in the chorus to New Zealand’s folk music. 

While the audience left appreciative of the singers’ talents and those of their choral music teachers, it was the kids themselves who benefited most from a day of choral singing and making new friends from other schools.

“We had a great time,” Lusk said. “We came together to sing and that’s what we did.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘We came together to sing’