CRESTVIEW — This year’s annual walk and ceremony honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place soon in Crestview. This annual City of Crestview event is organized by the Concerned Citizens of Crestview, with support from Mayor JB Whitten.

Mayor Whitten encourages all citizens, including children, to participate in this recognition of one of our greatest Americans.

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The event starts 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 15 at the south entrance to Main Street. The march concludes at the Veterans’ Memorial, where a ceremony will follow the community’s walk up Main Street.

This year’s featured guest speaker is the Rev. Benjamin Randolph of Beulah No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church in Milligan. Crestview Police Chief Stephen McCosker, Crestview High School Jr. ROTC Sgt. Joann Durm, Linda Parker, Whitten, and Pearl G. Bess are among the scheduled participants in this year’s ceremony.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Recognizing 'one of our greatest Americans': Crestview schedules Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. march

CRESTVIEW — Team members in Okaloosa and Walton counties exceeded their goal of 10,000 packed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in 2021.

Churches, individuals, and groups worked to pack, gather and ship the boxes, which will be sent to children all over the world by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian charity which teaches children about “the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Shoebox and monetary donations may still be made online as well. Visit samaritanspurse.org for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Photos: Okaloosa and Walton Operation Christmas Child groups exceed 10K goal

Did you have a merry and blessed Christmas with your family and friends? Did you receive the gifts that you wanted? Did you receive Jesus, the greatest gift of all? His birth, which is why we celebrate Christmas, was to bring salvation to the world.

We all get a variety of gifts, and some of them stand out more than others. Sometimes just a small gift is more meaningful than a larger more expensive gift, as it has loving memories behind it.

I look at the beautiful quilts my mother made over the years and see all the love that she put into them, as well as the quilt and afghans Jim's mother made for him. As we grow older, we don't need as many possessions to make us happy as most of us have houses full of items we have accumulated over the years.

My husband, Jim, requested a new screen door for the back porch. This was a practical gift and one that is on order for him. We send gifts to the grandchildren as they outgrow clothing and jackets and love new toys each year.

What plans do you have for the new year? It is difficult to believe that 2022 is almost upon us.

We used to spend New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World, but have decided that is a long drive for just a few days. We have no particular plans and may just ring in the New Year by watching the local count down from Pensacola. Maybe I can convince my husband to play Monopoly with me.

As you know from reading my column over the years, I am not much of a resolution person, but there always areas in our lives that could use improvement. What are some areas that you'd like to work on in 2022? Did you make any lifestyle changes in 2021 that you'd like to carry forward?

Are you eating healthier, more fresh vegetables and fruits and less processed foods? Did you spend more time exercising than in previous years? Are you getting plenty of sunshine, our natural vitamin D? Whatever changes you'd like to make, start now so that 2022 will be a successful year.

Did you manage to read through the Bible in 2021? If not, you have an entire new year ahead to do so. There are many Bible reading plans on the internet that you can follow and your church may also have a Bible reading plan.

Perhaps there is a program or charity that could use your particular skills. Make this the year to volunteer your time and talents. Take stock of where you are today, decide where you'd like to be on Dec. 31, 2022 and make a plan.

These past two years have been difficult and our prayer is that everyone has a very happy, healthy New Year!

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: Treasuring family gifts and looking forward to the new year

CRESTVIEW — Recently, we enjoyed an evening celebrating the holiday season at our annual Noel Night. This event has become a tradition with Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa activities including crafts, choir performances, and dreidel.

Here, the community comes to celebrate and connect. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus stop in to visit. When this season moves to the next, the library will continue to be a place for community connection.

When the world seems so chaotic and polarizing, the library is a beacon in the storm. These last few years have been especially tough for most. Human connection has never been more important to our well-being.

It is the library’s mission to provide space for curiosity, exploration, and access to reliable information and assistance from experienced staff. 

At Crestview Public Library, we believe that access equals opportunity. Sometimes that means a space to create, the ability to research peer reviewed information, or using the internet to apply for a new job.

We offer many services and resources to help improve your quality of life. If you would like to learn more about all that Crestview Public Library offers, please come see us at 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview, call us at 850-682-4432, or visit our website www.cityofcrestview.org/178/library.

Jean McCarthy is director of Library Services at the Crestview Public Library.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Library can be a beacon in the chaotic storm

Christmas is almost here. Are you prepared? Are the cards mailed, the packages wrapped and the baking finished? Is your house clean and ready for guests should you be hosting Christmas? Do you feel frazzled?

Quite simply, Christmas was not meant to be a time of hectic activity. God desires peace for us and at Christmas we should spend time contemplating the wondrous gift God sent the world through his Son, Jesus. 

Yes, it is a wonderful time of year to gather with family and friends and spend time with them. It is fun to buy gifts for one another, but let's not forget the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus. Jesus was born as a baby and came to Earth to redeem humankind from their sins in order that we can live eternally in heaven with God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. 

We have heard the story of Jesus' birth. The angel Gabriel came to a young woman named Mary and told her that she would conceive a baby and that he would be the Son of the Most High God. The angel continued that God would give Jesus the throne of his father David, that Jesus would reign forever and there would be no end to his kingdom.

 Mary asked how could this happen as she was a virgin and the angel answered and told her the power of the Holy Spirit would come upon her. (Luke 1:26-38) Mary replied that she was the handmaiden of the Lord and that his will be done.

One can imagine the surprise Joseph had when Mary told him she was having a baby. He knew the child wasn't his and I'm sure was hurt that Mary was pregnant. Being a good and righteous man, Joseph didn't want Mary stoned to death (the penalty for adultery) so he sought a way to privately send her away. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to go ahead and take Mary as his wife as the baby she was carrying had been conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The angel further told Joseph the baby would be called Jesus and that he would save his people from their sins. Then the angel quoted Isaiah 7:14, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel." So Joseph did as the angel requested and took Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:18-25)

What an amazing story is the birth of Jesus Christ. Mary was probably a young teenager and Joseph may have been a few years older, but here is this young couple and the Lord allowed them the honor and privilege of being the earthly parents of his Son. I am certain they took this responsibility seriously.

Caesar Augustus, the ruler of Rome, decided to conduct a census and wanted everyone to go to the town of their ancestors. So a very pregnant Mary, along with Joseph, set out for Bethlehem to be counted. There were no rooms available for this couple and Mary was going to have a baby, so they found a stable and she gave birth among the animals. A lowly stable was the birthplace of our Savior who had come from heaven to be born as a human baby and would eventually die for our sins.

No one on this Earth has ever been more royal than the Lord Jesus Christ, yet he was born in a stable into very humble circumstances. He was sent to the world, not just the rich and powerful. The first people to worship the newborn King were the shepherds from the field. The religious leaders of his day rejected Christ Jesus, but the poor and everyday citizens accepted him. We all have a choice. Do we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior, or do we reject him? We need to choose wisely.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men," Luke 2:14.

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of 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: The true meaning of Christmas

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