In working on last week's article about home repairs, I realized many in my age group are unprepared for retirement. We are working so hard that we don't often slow down and plan for our future.

Retirement will come whether we are ready or not.

While our physical homes certainly need to be in good repair, we also need to start to dispose of possessions we no longer use. My mother no longer entertains, so doesn't need her "good" china any longer. I am sure there are many things I no longer need and should donate.

Now would be a good time for many of us to sort through our possessions and decide what to keep, so we don't have to do it when we are older.

Here are a few questions to consider:

•Where do you want to spend your later years? Do you want to stay here in Crestview, in the home you love, or do you want to relocate closer to family?

•Have you calculated how much money you will need to retire?

•Is your home paid off? If not, do you have the money to pay it off and relieve yourself of this financial burden?

•Are your finances in order? Have you paid off all outstanding debts? Do you have a good savings account or solid investments?

•In what shape are your roof, flooring, bathroom fixtures, water heater, etc.? Do you need to replace these or other appliances before retirement?

•Should something happen such as a long hospital stay or assisted living, have you prepared specifically for your pets' future? Please don't leave their future in jeopardy.

•Can you and your spouse physically maneuver in your home as you age?

•Have you planned financially for long-term medical care should either of you need it?

As one can see, there are many decisions that must be made before we retire. We need to seriously look at the items mentioned above and be realistic.

It will be much easier to perform needed home modifications or repairs while one is still working rather than after retirement, so plan carefully.

Here is a retirement calculator that can help one plan for the future: http://money.cnn.com/calculator/retirement/retirement-need/.

Let's not get taken by surprise as the future comes at us full speed.

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: 8 questions to plan for the future

The "dog days" are the hottest, muggiest days of summer. In the northern hemisphere, they usually fall between early July and early September. The actual dates vary greatly from region to region, depending on latitude and climate. But, fall is coming.

Did you notice that you got to skip a mowing and that some of the trees are starting to turn rusty-colored?

In ancient times, when the night sky was not obscured by artificial lights, the Romans used the stars to keep track of the seasons. The brightest constellation, Canis Major (Large Dog), includes the "dog star," Sirius.

In the summer, Sirius used to rise and set with the sun, leading the ancient Romans to believe that it added heat to the sun.

Although the period between July 3 and Aug. 11 is typically the warmest period of the summer, the heat is not due to the added radiation from a far-away star, regardless of its brightness. The heat of summer is a direct result of the earth's tilt.

Spending time outdoors this time of year is uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous, due to the intense heat. However, the chinch bugs are very active in St. Augustine grass (see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/lh036 for details), and the summer flowers need water. So, take care of those tasks early in the day and then retreat to the air conditioning to plan your fall planting.

Plant tomato plants in August for tomatoes in October. Varieties such as Phoenix, Florida 91, Solar Set and Heat Wave II are good selections for setting fruit in high temperatures, should summer temperatures continue. Otherwise, try some of the newer varieties recommended for fall planting by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. These include Bella Rosa, Tribute or Finishline. Refer to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in756 for more information on tomato selection. Refer to the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vh021, for information on other vegetables for fall gardening.

Many bedding plants flower quickly and can add color to the fall landscape. These include pentas, African marigolds, torenia, zinnias, melampodium and scaevola. Other can be planted in October for blooms all winter-long. Plan spaces and color themes for calendulas, pansies, snapdragons and violas. Add in ornamental cabbage or kale and some dusty miller to accent the garden. They too will perform through the cold.

See http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg319 for more on Annuals for the Florida Garden.

Dependable fall blooming perennials include lion's ear, pineapple sage, firebush, cigar plant, yellowbells and firespike. Also, garden mums and many different irises will add color again in the spring. See http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg035 for information on perennials.

Webster's second definition of "dog days" is a period of stagnation or inactivity. But, even when the heat forces you to slow down on the labor-intensive work, there is plenty of gardening activity to do. Stay in the air conditioning and plan that spectacular fall and winter yard.

Sheila Dunning 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: 'Dog days' are good for fall planning

In the wake of the blatant racism displayed in Charlottesville, I find I cannot remain silent. I also realize that what you are about to read will anger some and alienate others. So be it. It is my hope, however, that most will be encouraged to make a change for the better.

I denounce any group that places itself above any other. This means I denounce those who believe the white population is better than those of another color.

I denounce those persons of color who believe they are better than the white population or any other.

I denounce any faction within religious traditions that spew hatred.

I denounce any group or organization that wrongfully exerts their power and authority over innocent persons.

The list goes on.

Just because someone is different does not make them evil. Just because someone holds different values does not make them less of a human being. Just because someone disagrees with "me" does not make them wrong or stupid.

Do you not realize our society is being led as sheep by charismatic voices and personalities that know how to feed the baser instincts of the human mind and ego?

Do you not realize we are being maneuvered by masters of manipulation who find pleasure in making people do their bidding?

Do you not realize we are living the results of decades of judgments and prejudices against varying groups of persons?

Hatred, revenge, an erroneous sense of entitlement, jealousy, unbridled anger and prejudice are all very easy to let into one's way of thinking and living.

Have you learned to hate someone whose skin is a different color than your own, or whose opinion is different than yours? Why do you hate that person? Do you even know him or her? Have you engaged in conversation?

It is very, very easy to pass judgment on someone you don't know simply based on appearances and assumptions. That is prejudice. You pre-judge someone without knowing anything about them.

Jesus said, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."

He also said, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

It is time for everyone to start exercising their brain and intellect.

It is time to start utilizing common sense.

It is time to start thinking and pondering instead of acting and reacting precipitously.

It is time to start living the teachings of Jesus — all of them, not just a few that are easy.

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: Denouncing hatred in a post-Charlottesville world

Life for all of us gets more difficult as we age.

I wrote a few months ago that my Dad said the "golden years aren't so golden."

I see the struggles my parents, friends and others who are growing older face, as well as Jim, my husband, and myself. Things that were once easy, such as laying a brick sidewalk, digging a hole for a tree, trimming bushes or installing new sprinklers become difficult as one's joints stiffen and back hurts.

Prices for home repairs can be extremely expensive, especially for retired seniors who no longer have an income to help offset these costs.

For example, my parents desperately needed their sprinkler system repaired; something Dad could have handled himself five years ago. They hired a contractor on the recommendation of the sprinkler shop; the results, the man broke several pipes, put in a worthless drip system and the expensive automatic controller is no longer automatic.

He charged them a lot of money for a worthless job.

Seniors are often at the mercy of unscrupulous contractors that don't do the job or repair correctly, demand payment and then leave. As the children of aging parents, we need to watch out for our parents and make sure others aren't taking advantage of them.

Some advice would be to keep your home in good repair and do all repairs in a timely manner. Don't put off repairs, as once we are retired our income level drops. Jim and I have a contingency fund; I know that we will need a new roof in the next few years, and probably a new air conditioner, so I save for these certain expenses. Saving for a "rainy day" was the expression our grandparents used.

Make wise decisions while you are still healthy and mobile. I enjoyed growing up in a two-story house, but my Mom warned Dad years ago, that someday they'd get old and the stairs would become difficult; that day has come for them. Plan ahead for what will happen as one ages and it will make retirement much easier.

School is back in session, please be careful when driving around Crestview.

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: Seniors, home repairs and upgrades

Few of us have unlimited financial resources — which means that almost all of us need to prioritize our financial goals. Consequently, you'll have some decisions to make if you'd like to help pay for your children's college educations someday while, at the same time, saving for your own retirement.

Your first step in addressing these objectives is to maintain realistic expectations. Consider the issue of paying for college. Right now, the average four-year cost (tuition, fees, room and board) is about $80,000 for in-state students at public universities and approximately $180,000 for private schools, according to the College Board. And these costs are likely to keep rising in the years ahead. Can you save this much for your kids' education?

Instead of committing yourself to putting away this type of money, take a holistic approach to saving for your children's higher education. After all, you probably won't be the only one to help pay for college.

Depending on your income and assets, your family might be eligible for some needs-based financial aid awarded by the college. Also, you should encourage your children to apply for as many scholarships as possible — but keep in mind that most scholarships don't provide a "full ride." Here's the bottom line: Don't assume you will receive so much aid that you don't need to save for college at all, but don't burden yourself with the expectation that you need to pick up the full tab for your children's schooling.

On a practical level, you may want to commit to putting a certain amount per month into a college savings vehicle, such as a 529 plan. You can generally invest in the 529 plan offered by most states, but in some cases, you may be eligible for a state income tax incentive. Also, all withdrawals from 529 plans will be free from federal income taxes, as long as the money is used for a qualified college or graduate school expense of the beneficiary you've named. (Withdrawals for expenses other than qualified education expenditures may be subject to federal and state taxes and a 10 percent penalty on the earnings.)

By starting your 529 plan early, when your children are young, you'll give the investments within the plan more time to grow. Plus, you can make smaller contributions on a regular basis, rather than come up with big lump sums later on.

And by following this approach, you may be in a better financial position for investing in your IRA and your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. Obviously, it's to your benefit to contribute as much as you can to these plans, which offer tax advantages and a wide range of investment options. If you're investing in a 401(k) or similar employer-backed plan, try to boost your contributions every time your salary increases. At the very least, always put in enough to earn your employer's matching contribution, if one is offered.

And once your children are through with college, you can discontinue saving in your 529 plan (although you may want to open another one in the future for your grandchildren) and devote more money to your retirement accounts.

It can certainly be challenging to save for education and retirement — but with discipline and perseverance, it can be done.

So, give it the "old college try."

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Can you save for college and retirement?

The Okaloosa County Fair is a very busy time for Okaloosa County 4-H. There are just so many things to prepare for. Animals need baths, and their hair and nails must be clipped. 4-H youths are busy polishing off their skills in show and project delivery.

It is the best time of year to come out and see all of what our kids have been working on all year long. The youths have been raising farm animals that range from chickens and cows to other smaller animals such as rabbits and cavy. They have also been perfecting skills such as cooking, sewing, and even canning.

The best part of the annual fair is its diversity of project areas. Local 4-H members are able to display anything from photography to robotics and show animals ranging from steer to turkeys. Throughout the event, they will participate in competitions to demonstrate their knowledge in animal science and showmanship techniques. We even have a dog show on Thursday night which includes some of the best dressed dogs around! It is a fun and eventful time.

Okaloosa County clubs will also have booths available to provide extra information about current 4-H offerings in our area. Nightly demonstrations in the 4-H building are scheduled to give the public a small idea of what these amazing youths are learning throughout the year, so mark your calendars and come visit us at the Northwest Florida Fair this year.

It will be open from 5-10 p.m. Sept. 25-29, and 2-10 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Northwest Florida Fair Grounds in Fort Walton Beach.

This year our fair is open to all Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa County 4-H members. Contact the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences' Okaloosa County Extension Office at 689-5850 or email me at graham.v@ufl.edu for registration information if you are interested in participating.

All registration is due by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Crestview office. Premium booklets and registration forms are available at http://okaloosa.ifas.ufl.edu/4hy/okaloosa-county-fair/.

Visit http://www.nwffair.com/fair/index.htm for more information on the Northwest Florida Fair.

Veronica  Graham 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: The Okaloosa 4-H fair is coming soon