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’

NORTHWOOD ELEMENTARY

DAN HILLARD'S CLASS

Dear Santa, Hi Santa Merry Christmas. Santa I really want a pop and a squishy and I need a pop tube and nice stuuf. Thank you Santa. From, Autumn

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year and very helpful at home. This year I would like clothing and pop-it pokemon and LOLs and pop tubes. Love Always, Aeja

Dear Santa, I’ve been kind of good this year. I would like a make-up and squishy and popit. Love Always, Sydney

Dear Santa, I have a good life with my mom and dad they give me stuff that I wish. I’m happy that my mom gave me a life and this year I wish for a big and super fast electric scooter. Your friend, Sierra

Dear Santa, I think your the best. I hope you have a good Chrismis. Love, Wyatt

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year and helpful at home this year. I would like a new bike. love you – Love Always, Savannah

Dear Santa, I have been very good and very helpful at home and picing dog poop this year. I want all lot of pokemon. Love Always, Robert

Dear Santa, You are a helpful man also thank you for my presents. last December wen I was going to the bathroom I saw you did you know that? And I hope I get a lot of presents this Christmas and year. Love Always, Dylan

Dear Santa, I want a LOL, a Chihuahua. Thank you for my elf Santa. Love Always, Lilie

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. I want a pop-it, bike, squishy, dirt bike, make-up, pokemon. From, Hannah

Dear Santa, This year I have kind of been good. Thank you for Mr. beans. I love you so much! I would love if you could give me a new teddy bear and a lot of squishy. From, Delaina

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year and very cind to my famly and I wood like a big dinosaur for Christmas. Love, Brody

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SANTA LETTERS: Northwood Elementary, Dan Hillard's class

NORTHWOOD ELEMENTARY

GLORIA ACOSTA'S CLASS

Dear Santa, I have been very good this weekend. I want a Fortnit game for Christmas. From, Kcaden

Dear Santa, I wish flor sonic gams for Christmas. Your friend, Braylin

Dear Santa, I have been very good. I wish a huggie wiggie kissie missie plushy. Merry Christmas. Love, Jonas

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. Thank you for my presents last year. I would like a esyback oven. Thank you for spreading joy around the world. Merry Christmas Santa. Love, Libby

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year and very helpful this year. I would want a new toy. Merry Christmas Santa. I love you Santa. Love, Teyana

Dear Santa, Thank you for the present you gave me. You are so nice. I wish that I had a puppy. Love you Santa. Merry Christmas. From, Takeira

Dear Santa, I wont to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Ho Ho Ho. Tell Mrs. Clos I will bake cookies for her to. I will leev you a prezit by the fir place. Love, Brinklee

Dear Santa, I am very good this year. Can I please have a game called meteoroid dread and a plush called bon bon. Love you Santa. By, Noah

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year and I have been helpful to others and it was funny that snow flake made a mas in the kitckun. It was very funny. Love, Penelope

Dear Santa, I been very good this year. I wish for the new barbe dream house and barbe shef and I wish you a merry Christmas too. I wish you get what you want. Love, Victoria

Dear Santa, I have been vere good this year. Mirry Christmas to you and Misus Clos and rudof and comit is my favirit. Friend Sincerely From, Addison

Dear Santa, I love you Santa. I wish you a Merry Christmas. Love, Jaxon

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. Can you git me a Pole Pocit? I wish you a Merry Christmas. Love, Paisley

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SANTA LETTERS: Northwood Elementary, Gloria Acosta's class

WALKER ELEMENTARY

SANDRA ROBINSON'S CLASS

Liam G – Dear Santa, I wish you a good day and, how have you been? I would like a PS4 and a phone. And a present of money for my papa and all of the care you can give him.

Raven G – Dear Santa, I hope you have a great Christmas. For Christmas I would like some skates please and a skateboard please.

Gunner K – Dear Santa, How is your day? My day is great. For Christmas I want a bike, mini brands store, books, and a scavenger hunt. How are your reindeer? How do you deliver all those presents in one night? How is the North Pole?

Logan B – Dear Santa, How is the weather in the North Pole? Was there a blizzard? How do you get in people's houses? How does nobody hear you? Doing that is so cool. I wish I could do that.

Rayne G – Dear Santa, I hope you have a good day. I want a tablet, a ball, and milk because I love Christmas.

Jeremiah J. – Dear Santa, How is your reindeer doing? Can I get two toy cars for Christmas? Why can't you talk to people? How do you get inside of a home if there no chimney?

Fischer H – Dear Santa, How are your deers doing? Do you have the presents ready to be delivered? Can you get me a very fast go cart?

Walter H – Dear Santa, Can I have a Nintendo switch for Christmas? And how ya doin? Is your job good or hard and also can I have some mints? I love you very much.

Oliver B – Hey Santa, These are the things I want for Christmas. Toys, a Pokémon plus, and a lot of TVS. I hope you have a Merry Christmas

Collin D – Dear Santa, How are the reindeer in the North Pole? How are you Santa? How are the elves and how is Rudolph? What kind of cookies do you like? I wish for a star wars fighter.

Louie P – Dear Santa, I miss you every year. I have always wanted to see you. I miss you so much!

Emma H – Dear Santa, How do you get inside of my house? How do you ride on your sleigh? I hope you have a good day. I hope I will get a PS1.

Harley V – Dear Santa, How are you feeling today and how are you doing? How are your reindeer doing and how is Dasher? When is your birthday?

Jackson R – Dear Santa, How are you doing? How is it like in the North Pole? How is your elves doing? When is your birthday?

James M – Dear Santa, How are you doin' in the North Pole? Dear Mrs. Claus, thanks for making cookies for Santa.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SANTA LETTERS: Walker Elementary, Sandra Robinson's class

BOB SIKES ELEMENTARY

TONI LAFEAR'S CLASS

Dear Santa, Can you give my family some good gifts? I want an electric skateboard and VR Headset and dirt bike. Can you give Grant apple jamyses and a lizered cacher, and give Griffin a Blippy trater and put some bones in Cooper’s stocking and give my Mommy and Daddy some gifts too. Emmett A.

Dear Santa, How are you doing? Santa, can I get these toys for Christmas? Doom buggy, Hot wheels, iPhone 13, hover board, Xbox series 2, Mario Live, remote control car, Gokin cotoom, dog, and V bucks. Xander B.

Dear Santa, I really want Heelies, a bracelet maker, Robucks, iPhone 13, computer, hair dryer. These are all the things that I want. I really want a girl elf. I want to know what kind of cookies do you want on Christmas. I hope your reindeer come for Christmas. From Layla C.

Dear Santa, Santa for Christmas I want an iPhone 13 and a electric skateboard. Another thing is a RC car, dune buggy lime green. I want a PS5. An one wheel and Nintendo Switch. Noxton C.

Dear Santa, I would like an dune buggy. I would like an Robucks. I would like an electric skateboard. I would like an VR Headset. Kaiden H.

Dear Santa, Can my elf make me a present? I would like a pop it and a iPhone. I want a bracelet maker and a hover board. I want some playdoh and a ball. I want a math book. Leah H.

Dear Santa, Can you get me a PS5 for Christmas Also, can you get me Robucks. Next, can you get me a Oculus Quest 2 VR Headset. Also, can you get me a hoverboard. Also, can you get me a dirt bike. Next, can you get me roller skates. Next, can you get me a Nintendo Switch. Lastly, can you get me a dune buggy. Kyree H.

Dear Santa, I love Christmas is one of my favorites. I love the toys and family. Did you know that I believe you? I think I want an Xbox series 20, Hot Wheels, roller skates, and dirt bike. Garrett H.

Dear Santa, I like LOL dolls. I love toys. I would like 5 ceres of them. I love you Santa. If you need any help, Santa, I will help you. You are the best, Santa. Peyton H.

Dear Santa, I want a dirt bike and iPhone 13. Santa, I like my elf. Tyrin H.

Dear Santa, I would like a Nintendo Switch or Heelies. Thank you. Hope it’s not too foggy! Tell Mrs. Claus I said hello. Merry Christmas! Olivia I.

Dear Santa, I like your elves and the gingerbread. I would like to have vbucks and robucks, VR headset, Minecraft for PS4, Spiderman for PS4, boxing game for PS4, and an electric scooter. Erich J.

Dear Santa, Santa for Christmas I want Super Mario Party, Nintendo Switch, Robucks, Hot Wheels for Christmas. Jasmine P.

Dear Santa, I would love to go to the North Pole so it would be amazing if I did. I know that I can’t. A snow globe is good too. How are you doing? How is Mrs. Claus? I’d love to have some Heelies or Robux. I’d like to have a Christmas tree topper. Can I have a OMG Doll. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! Clara R.

Dear Santa, Santa, I will give you more cookies and milk. Can I please have a iPhone, dirt bike, xbox 2, Heelies, Hot Wheels, and one wheel, and have a good Christmas. Patrick S.

Dear Santa, I would like a hover board charger. And please get me 100 Robucks. I hope you like your milk and cookies. Because my mom is a good cook. Love, Emma S.

Dear Santa, Hi. I really want a PS5, dirt bike, Nintendo Switch, one wheel, hover board, Hot Wheels, Robucks, Oculus Quest 2, iPhone 13, soccer ball, football, computer, electric skateboard, and a Xbox series 2. Thank you, Santa. From Sam W.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SANTA LETTERS: Bob Sikes Elementary, Toni LaFear's class

BOB SIKES ELEMENTARY

RENEE' COTTEN'S CLASS

Dear Santa, How are you? Is Mrs. Clos OK? How do you get the toys. I want a tablit , shoes and a phone. Merry Christmas! Love, Jacoby R.

Dear Santa, How are you doing Santa? I have been good. It wold be nice to get a PS5. Please may I have a RC car. Legos wodl be nice. Merry Christmas Santa! Love, Nathan S.

Dear Santa, How are you doing? I have been good this year. How is Mrs. Claus? It would be good to have a big doll house and some more dolls. Also, I want a kitchen set and toy food. Please can I get a spy drone? What is your favorite color? Love you Santa! I hope you will come to my house. Love, A’Niree G.

Dear Santa, How are you Santa? How did Rudolph get his red nose? How cold is it in the North Pole? I wut wires for my clay and I want more clay. I would like a little table. Merry Christmas! Love, Tanner B.

Dear Santa, How are you? How did Rudolph get his red nose? May I have a piano or guitar? May I have arts and crafts supplies? Please help the children that don’t have much. Love, Penelope M.

Dear Santa, How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? It would be great if I could have a Easy Bake Oven please. Also a teddy bear. Last but not least, a controller car. Thank you Santa! Love, Sadie P.

Dear Santa, How are you ,OK? I wod like a electric bike and a randbow high doll. That is all . I wod ask a quachn, how do your deer fly? I hope you have a good and great Merry Christmas! I love you. Can you care for homeless kids and their mom and dad? Love, Catie L.

Dear Santa, How are you? I have bin good. How is Mrs. Claus? I will like a book and a dress. A strawberry candle would be nice. How are the elves? How is the North Pole? How is Rudolph? I hope all the kids have a good Christmas. Love, Izzy V.

Dear Santa, How did Rudolph get a red nose instead of brown? I like to do arts and craft. I wold like a huge stuff unicorn in pink with rainbow hair and sparkles. I wold like Descendents dolls and Lego friends! That will be all. Love you! Love, Aubrey B.

Dear Santa, I have been good all year. How are you doing? Are the Elves bisy. It woud be good to have some poke’mon cards. Also some Lego sets. Merry Christmas! Love, Ethan C.

Dear Santa, How is Ruby doing? How are you doing? I rily want a bike! I also want more frinds, aka- stuffed animals. And I want Poke’mon cards. Merry Christmas! Love, Jace G.

Dear Santa, How are you doing? How is Mrs. Claus doing? Do you like any tipe of cookies? I want a baby that looks alive and a bottle for it. She needs a pacifier. What makes you fly? Help the homells. Love, Vataya W.

Dear Santa, How are you doing rite now? I hope you are doing good. How is ms clools doing. Can I get a laptop please Santa? Can I get Nike shoes and a hoodie please Santa? How are the elves and randears doing? How do they fly? What king of cookies do you like? Love, Roman M.

Dear Santa, How has Mrs. Claus ben? I hope you lisin up because it wold rely cheer me up if you get me a bike. I want a small stuff animal and a castle made of Legos. Merry Christmas! Love, Caroline W.

Dear Santa, Do you lie me? Do you like mom? I wot a Santa toy. Do you like the cold? I want a piscur os my dad. I want a magic 8 ball. I like your piscr with us. Love, Carson W.

Dear Santa, I have been bad because I cry. I can be your best friend if you can give me a cookie. I can give you a present. I love so much so I can be good. I want a knife that has tools in it. Pocket knife I would like a little baby doll. Love, Kira V.

Dear Santa, How is Mrs. Claus? I love you and Rudolph at Christmas. I love your elves too. I want to learn to read beter. I wat a book and 5 surpriz with a shop. I have bin bad but Im trying to so bedr with reading and writing. Merry Christmas! Love, Scarlette H.

Dear Santa, How are you doing. How do you live in the cold? I want a . I want a RC car. I want a PS5 please. Love, Jaxson L.

Dear Santa, How are you? Wut cind uv cookeys do you like? Im a good boy. Id like an axolotl and a guinea pig. May I have a RC truck. I love you! Love, Vince S.

Dear Santa, How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? How do you mack toys. Am I being good or bad. I want a bike for Christmas. I want a tedy bear for Christmas. How is the North Pole? I think it is beautiful. I love you. Merry Christmas Santa Claus! Love, Ellie S.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SANTA LETTERS: Bob Sikes Elementary, Renee' Cotten's class