Okaloosa County 4-H has been very busy so far this summer and we have many more opportunities available to youths in our community.

Do you have an interest in joining 4-H but do not know what to expect? Register for one of the following day camps to explore all the areas in which 4-H can make the best better.

• Explore 4-H Day Camp, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19, Okaloosa County Extension Office, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. During this day camp, we will experience just a few of the over 55 different project areas available to members. We will dive into consumer science, healthy living, green energy, and even a little robotics; all the while focusing on developing youth leadership and communication skills. Youths ages 8-12 years old are welcome to register for this day camp. The cost is $10 per participant and is limited to 25 people.
• Wild About Deer and Food Plot Day Camp, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., date to be announced, Okaloosa County Extension Office: This day camp is separated into two main events. The morning will focus on proper deer processing and sausage making skills. Then, we will learn about nutritional needs of wildlife and plants that can meet those needs by visiting a local food plot. The camp is open to 30 youths 8-18 years of age and costs $10 to attend.The cost to participate as a family is $25.
• Living On My Own Day Camp, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 25, Okaloosa County Extension Office: This is a budgeting workshop for our older youths ages 12-18. It will guide participants through the world of savings and living on a fixed income. It will teach youths how to balance life with expenses and still have enough funds to enjoy the money they earn. The cost for this event is $10 and it has a limit of 25 participants.
• Outdoor Adventures Day Camp, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 27, Okaloosa County Extension Office: This day camp will be a fun and eventful day. We will walk the Okaloosa County Extension Office’s Native Habitat Trail and identify trees and plants. Then we will make animals tracks out of plaster and study specifically how to identify and track animals. We will also have other fun opportunities during the day to explore leaf printing, scat identification, and even dissect owl pellets. This event is open to ages 8-18 years old and costs $15 to participate. There is a limit of 25 participants for this event. 

Lunch is included in the price for each day camp. Contact Veronica Graham, vgraham@co.okaloosa.fl.us, or call our office, 689-5850, if you are interested in signing up for a day camp or just interested in joining 4-H.

We are also always looking for individuals willing to donate their time to become club leaders or start new 4-H clubs. Visit our website, http://okaloosa.ifas.ufl.edu/4hy, for more information.

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: 4-H summer day camps are available

This coming week, we will be celebrating another birthday for our nation. July 4 is the day we celebrate the start of something new.

This nation won the ability to make its own choices, its own mistakes and its own successes. No longer did the rules handed down from England hinder the right of the people to govern themselves.

That freedom was not handed over lightly nor easily. It was a bloody attainment. People were injured, maimed, permanently crippled and killed. Families were split and devastated. But the ultimate goal was ever before the people: freedom.

Men and women, young and old, willingly put their lives on the line to attain what they knew was their inalienable right. Many lost their lives, never tasting the sweet prize they sought. But because of their sacrifice, we enjoy the fruit of their actions.

In my opinion, we live in the greatest nation on earth. Yes, there are quirks and frustrations with the political arena. There are the ever-present cries of unfairness, selfishness and greed.

But there are also the freedoms to pursue happiness, to walk freely down the streets, to enjoy nature as God's precious gift and to not be afraid of speaking your mind.

It has been said that throughout history no democracy has lasted more than 250 years. How does a democracy fall? By people becoming complacent. By people demanding that the government owes them something. By idleness. By people not being willing to do the hard work to maintain the form of government that was won through bloodshed and heartbreak. By the government demanding more and more of its people's money through taxes and other means. By the powerful oppressing the weak.

Our nation will be celebrating its 241st birthday. If statistics hold true, this would mean our democracy has about nine years left before it evolves into something else.

Are we heading down the path of destruction? To look around, it might appear that way. But, if each of us would do our part to prevent that from happening, our nation will continue to give honor to the men and women throughout our nation's history who gave their all for the freedom we enjoy today.

Doing our part does not mean more bloodshed. It means making a commitment — a commitment to live by the laws of our land, a commitment to stand for justice and truth and a willingness to call out those who practice corruption and seek their own glory.

In other words, it is making a commitment to remember what it was what our ancestors fought against 241 years ago, and prevent the same oppressive factors from raising their ugly heads.

What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

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: Make a commitment to stand for justice and truth

It's summer again — time for many of us to take a break and possibly hit the open road. But even if you go on vacation, you won't want your investments to do the same — in summertime or any other season. How can you help make sure your portfolio continues to work hard for you all year long?

Here are a few suggestions:

•Avoid owning too many "low growth" investments. As you know, different investments have different characteristics and can help you in different ways. For example, you typically own stocks because you want them to grow in value so that you can eventually sell them for a profit.

Other investments, such as certificates of deposit (CDs), provide you with a regular source of income and stability of principal — two valuable contributions to your portfolio. However, investments like CDs don't offer much in the way of growth. So if you own too many of them, you might be slowing your progress toward your important financial goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

You can maximize the productivity of your portfolio by owning a variety of investments — domestic stocks, international stocks, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury securities, CDs and more.

How much of each investment should you own? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including your age, income, risk tolerance, family situation and specific objectives. Over time, your ideal investment mix may change, but you'll likely need at least some growth potential at every stage of your life.

•Don't let your portfolio go "unsupervised." Your investment portfolio can be subject to "drift" if left alone for extended time periods. In fact, without your making any moves at all, your portfolio can move in directions that may not be favorable to you. Suppose you think your holdings should be made up of 70 percent stocks, but due to strong gains, your stocks now make up 80 percent of your portfolio. This development could lead to a risk level that feels uncomfortably high to you. That's why you should review your portfolio at least once a year, possibly with the help of a financial professional, to check your progress and make adjustments as needed.

•Don't stop at the nearest "resting place." Some people hope that if they can get that one "winner," they will triumph in the investment arena. But the ability to "get rich quick" is much more of a myth than a reality. True investment success typically requires patience, persistence and the resilience to continue investing even during market downturns.

In other words, investing is a long-term endeavor, and you need a portfolio that reflects this reality. The investment moves you make today may pay off for you decades from now. You need to establish your goals and keep them constantly in mind as you invest. And you will never really reach the end of your investment journey, because you'll need to make choices and manage your portfolio throughout your retirement years.

Hopefully, you will enjoy a pleasant vacation sometime this summer. But your investment portfolio shouldn't take time off.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Don't let your investments take a 'vacation'

Tomatoes are abundant this time of year and you have many options to buy local and fresh. Tomatoes are one of the most popular home garden vegetables to grow and are currently providing home gardeners with fresh ripe bounty until summer's end.

Our local farmer’s markets are also selling homegrown tomatoes, and in many colors like deep red, bright yellow and green. Our climate is great for growing tomatoes. Florida is the nation’s largest producer of fresh tomatoes.

Nutritionally, tomatoes are packed with vitamins C and A. The vegetable is low in calories and high in flavor. They are great served sliced and also in cooked dishes.

Tomatoes should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Ripe tomatoes should be used within three to four days. For best flavor, do not refrigerate. Ripe tomatoes will give slightly to gentle pressure.

To preserve the summer’s bounty, try canning. Remember to use U.S. Department of Agriculture-recommended practices for safety and long-term quality. Go to http://nchfp.uga.edu/publications/usda/GUIDE03_HomeCan_rev0715.pdf for a complete listing of how to safely can tomato products.

Here is a recipe for a low-fat, low-sodium salsa recipe packed with flavor and essential nutrients. Adjust the salt and oil to your taste and diet.

Farm Fresh Salsa

Ingredients:

• 6 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ½ seeded and minced jalapenos
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• ½ red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lime, juiced
• chili powder, salt and pepper, to taste
• scallions, cilantro or parsley, to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Place in refrigerator for up to 12 hours for flavor infusion. Serve with your own baked chips.

Baked Tortilla Chips

• 1 package medium or large tortillas
• cooking spray
• salt to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cut tortillas into 8 – 12 pieces using a pizza cutter and a cutting board.

Place aluminum foil on 2 or 3 baking sheets. Place tortilla pieces in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Lightly coat tortillas with cooking spray on both sides. Sprinkle tortilla pieces with salt to taste, or eliminate salt for dietary needs.

Place in oven and cook 10-15 minutes until crisp. 

Pamela H. Allen is the interim county director and 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: Let's talk tomatoes