Tuesday, with fun, fireworks and great fanfare, we celebrated our nation's 241st Independence Day. 

Perhaps area residents joined the fun at Twin Hills Park, with food, the North Okaloosa Community Band and then of course, beautiful fireworks. Hopefully, everyone got a head start and went to the Lifepoint Church annual Independence Day celebration with food, music and fabulous fireworks on Sunday. What a wonderful gift Lifepoint offers to the community each year.

Independence Day came about because American colonists were tired of England taxing them and having no say in the taxation. The phrase "no taxation without representation" became the slogan that many used as an indication of their unhappiness with England and having no representation in the English government. It seems as though politicians, even today, like to raise taxes and pass laws in which their citizens have no say.

The Continental Congress, a group of men elected to the task of forming a new nation, appointed five members to draft the Declaration of Independence: John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, who was the author of our Declaration of Independence. James Madison was the "father" of our Constitution.

The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776. The colonists were declaring their independence from King George III and Great Britain. They wanted freedom and sovereignty over themselves to be an independent nation. John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress, was the first signer of the document and signed his name in large letters. This is why a signature is often referred to as a "John Hancock" today.

Here is the title and first paragraph of our Declaration: "Action of Second Continental Congress, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America, WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation."

Let's give thanks to our country's founders for the freedoms that we enjoy here. God bless America!

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: Thoughts on Independence Day's beginnings

July is Independent Retailer Month. As you know, local stores bring vitality, creativity and economic growth to their communities, so it's worth celebrating those "mom and pop" shops. 

But they aren't the only entrepreneurs in the country — about 10 percent of workers in the U.S. are self-employed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you're thinking of joining these ranks, you may want to prepare yourself financially.

For one thing, you may need to pay more in taxes, depending on your income.

Self-employed individuals typically have to pay twice the amount in Social Security and Medicare taxes because they have to cover the portion that employers normally pay.

Also, unless you're fortunate enough to have a spouse who can put you on their employer-based health insurance, you'll need to find your own, at least until you're eligible for Medicare.

Furthermore, you will need to take charge of your own retirement savings. Fortunately, several retirement plans are available to the self-employed. These plans typically offer tax-deferred growth potential and tax-deductible contributions.

Here are a few options to consider:

•Owner-only 401(k) — This plan, which is also known as an individual 401(k), is available to self-employed individuals and business owners with no full-time employees other than themselves or a spouse. For 2017, you can put in up to 25 percent of your annual income as an "employer" contribution, and you can defer up to $18,000 (or $24,000 if you're 50 or older). The sum of your employer contribution and your salary deferrals cannot exceed $54,000, or $60,000 if you're 50 or older.

•SEP IRA — If you have just a few employees or are self-employed with no employees, you may want to consider an SEP IRA. You'll fund the plan with tax-deductible contributions, and you must cover all eligible employees. As an employer, you can contribute the lesser of 25 percent of your compensation (if you're also an employee of your own business) or $54,000.

•Solo defined benefit plan — Pension plans, also known as defined benefit plans, are still around — and you can set one up for yourself if you're self-employed or own your own business. This plan has high contribution limits, which are determined by an actuarial calculation, and, as is the case with other retirement plans, your contributions are typically tax-deductible.

•SIMPLE IRA — A SIMPLE IRA, as its name suggests, is easy to set up and maintain, and it can be a good plan if your business has fewer than 10 employees.

Although planning for your retirement is important, you also need to prepare for unanticipated short-term expenses, such as a major car repair or a new furnace. While everyone should be ready to meet these needs, it's especially important if you're self-employed and have a variable income. So, work to build an emergency fund containing three to six months' worth of living expenses, with the money kept in a liquid, low-risk account.

You may find self-employment to be quite rewarding — but you'll likely enjoy it even more if you make the right financial moves.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: How to prepare for entrepreneurship

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