I enjoy music and appreciate good musicians, so I am pleased to live in a town that values good music.

We are fortunate to have music programs in our schools and to have the North Okaloosa Community Band, under the direction of Kim Whaley, the band director at Shoal River Middle School. Currently, there are also three associate conductors: Lindsay Stuart from Paxton Middle School, Joshua Williams, and Jeanine Connelly.

Lee Emerson, an instrument repairman at Upbeat Music, had the vision to form a community band and asked Bob Allen and some other musicians if they were interested. That is how Crestview got this wonderful band.

The band formed in January last year, starting with about 15 members. It has since grown to over 50. Many of the musicians are high school students and about 40 percent are adults of various ages. The band rehearses on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at Shoal River Middle School. Whether a virtuoso or beginner, musicians with all levels of experience are encouraged to participate.

The next NOCB performance is during the Crestview Fall Festival, and starts about 4 p.m. Oct. 28 on Main Street. The program will be "spooky" music suitable for Halloween. This should be a fun time for all ages.

The band begins every performance with "The Star-Spangled Banner." When the band is playing, if Crestview Mayor David Cadle is present, he is always invited to conduct one piece. Cadle is the former director of the Crestview High School Band.

A Christmas program, in conjunction with the Friends of the Arts, is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 4 at Warriors Hall. I will post more information as it becomes available.

In addition to the community band, we have an outstanding Crestview High School band under the leadership of Jody Dunn.

We are just as fortunate to have an exceptional school choral department under the direction of Kevin Lusk. Both men do an astounding job of teaching musical discipline to those who are interested in music at CHS. We are blessed to live in a music loving community.

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: Crestview's musical opportunities abound

Unless you live near an amusement park that does a lot of advertising, you probably didn't know that Aug. 16 is National Roller Coaster Day. Actual roller coasters provide people with thrills. But as an investor, how can you stay calm on the "roller coaster" of the financial markets?

Here are some suggestions:

•Know what's in front of you. If you've ever ridden a roller coaster in the dark, you may find it scarier than if you boarded it in daylight — after all, it can be unsettling not to know where you're going.

The same can be said about investing. If you have no idea what's in front of you, you might find the journey unnerving — and if that happens, you could make panicky decisions, which are usually bad ones. So prepare for the inevitable market volatility — it's a normal part of the investment landscape.

•Buckle up. When you're on a roller coaster, you need to buckle your seat belt or use a restraint. You want to have the excitement of the ride, but you certainly don't want to take unnecessary risks. And you can enjoy some of the excitement of investing without incurring more risk than you are comfortable with, too. One way to lower your risk level is to diversify across a range of investments — stocks, bonds, government securities, and so on. That way, if a market downturn primarily affects just one type of investment, you'll have some protection. However, although diversification can reduce the impact of volatility on your portfolio, it can't protect against all losses or guarantee a profit.

•Choose a strategy for the journey. Different people have different ways of handling a roller coaster ride. Some like to throw their hands up, enjoying the feeling of abandon, while others hold on tightly to the bar in front of them. When you invest, you also need a strategy that works for you, and the best one may be the simplest: Buy quality investments and hold them for the long term. How long is "long term"? It could be 10, 20, 30 years or more. Famed investor Warren Buffet says his favorite holding period is "forever."

If you've chosen a mix of quality investments appropriate for your risk tolerance, you may be able to hold them until either your goals change or the investments themselves undergo some transformation.

•Stay for the whole "ride." When you hop on a roller coaster, you've got no choice — you're staying until the ride is over. As an investor, though, you can exit the investment world whenever you like. But if you take a "time out" from investing every time the market drops, you risk still being out of the market when it rallies — and the early stages of a rally are often when the biggest gains occur. Furthermore, if you keep investing during a "down" market, you'll be buying shares when their price has dropped, which means your dollars can go further — and you'll be following one of the basic rules of investing: "Buy low."

You can't take out all the twists and turns of the investment road, but by following the above suggestions, you can help make the ride less stressful — and possibly more rewarding.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Stay calm on the investment 'roller coaster'

We are fortunate to be able to grow some sort of vegetables year round in Florida. But not all vegetables will grow year round.

Planting time is critical, because cool-season crops tolerate and require lower temperatures.

Many of these cool-season vegetables, sometimes called fall or winter crops, can be planted this month through winter. The below planting dates are for North Florida.

• Broccoli is an excellent crop for home gardens. Cultural practices are similar as for cabbage. September through February is a good time to plant broccoli and cabbage.
• Collards will withstand wide ranges of temperatures if properly conditioned. They may be direct seeded and thinned to cabbage spacing or plants may be set. Collards may be harvested by cutting the whole plant or by "cropping" individual leaves. Plant collards during August through February.
• Onions are generally grown from sets or plants. Sets and plants will require about six to eight weeks to reach eating size. These can be planted now through March. Bulbing onions will not be ready to harvest until spring. Plant bulbing onions September through early December.
• Radish is ready to harvest only 25 to 30 days after planting. Plant radish seeds September through March.
• Beets, cauliflower, kale, mustard and turnips can be planted now through February. Carrots and spinach can be planted now through March. Lettuce is best planted either September through October or January through February.

To learn more about this topic, you may wish to attend a Lunch and Learn Vegetable Gardening class that I’m providing for the Okaloosa County employees emphasizing what we can grow during fall and winter, as well as how to incorporate organic gardening techniques that work in Florida’s climate.

The class is open to the public, and is noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Gerald R. Edmondson Extension Building, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview.

Bring a lunch if you wish.

There is no cost to attend; however, registration is required due to limited seating. Call 689-5850 to do so.

Larry Williams 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: Learn about fall vegetable gardening

Horatio Spafford, after enduring an horrendously tragic event in his life, wrote a poem which later became a beloved hymn.

In 1873, two years after the death of his young son due to scarlet fever, Spafford’s wife and daughters were traveling to Europe on a ship, the the Ville du Havre. The ship sank after being struck by another vessel. His wife, upon arriving in Europe, sent a very brief but heart-breaking message to her husband: "Survived alone."

Spafford then boarded an ocean liner himself to meet his wife. When the ship passed the spot of the tragedy that took the lives of his daughters, he wrote:

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll 

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say

 It is well, it is well, with my soul.

"Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, 

Let this blest assurance control, 

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, it is well, with my soul."

As you look at life around you — locally, nationally, globally — it might be easy to feel overwrought by the horrific sights and sounds. The turmoil in our own national government, the genocide perpetrated against groups of people and the hatred expressed by fanatics of various religions can feel overwhelming.

However, in the midst of challenges, difficulties, and tragedies, it would be extremely beneficial to remember, it is well with your soul.

This is not "pie-in-the-sky" thinking. It is not pretending that hardships do not exist. They do. "It is well with your soul" means that you are claiming the assurance that God never leaves your side, even in the severe circumstances in life.

God is there in the peaceful times. God is there in times of great sorrow. God is there when trials and temptations strive to take you away from him.

The Lord knows your circumstances. In love he surrounds you with his love, grace, and protection. Claim that promise.

Matters may be way beyond your control; you cannot fix most of them. But, deep in your heart, you can remember, that with God, all is well and peace will reign.

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: The point of a treasured hymn