4-H has been very busy for the last couple of months and one of the programs responsible for this increase in activity is Embryology.

Embryology is the study of developmental cycles. The biological development in particular that 4-H-age children study is that of chickens.

Our 4-H Embryology Program is school enrichment based, meaning it focuses on in-classroom study. Each teacher participating in the program receives a complete equipment kit, which includes curriculum and a training seminar with a 4-H professional to kick off the program.

Fertilized eggs are then placed in the incubator and the program cycle begins.

The children in each classroom spend the next two weeks candling the eggs and observing the changes each chick goes through in preparation to enter the world.

The final week, also known as hatch week, is an eventful time. The teachers prepare the incubators and brooders for the coming chicks and the children are able to take responsibility in caring for the newborns through feeding and watering cycles.

On many occasions, the students are able to hold and interact with the chicks as well.

There are so many advantages to this program. Not only do the students learn a biology lesson at a young age, they also learn responsibility and compassion. They also are able to experience a little piece of where their food they eat comes from.

Eggs from the store have very little meaning and many times are misunderstood until a child watches a chick come from the same looking egg. Everything about what that egg is truly for comes into focus.

It is an amazing experience for both the children and the teachers to witness.

If you are a teacher or a principal in an elementary school in Okaloosa County and are interested in implementing this University of Florida funded program into your school next spring, please contact Veronica Graham at the Okaloosa County Extension Office at 689-5850 or graham.v@ufl.edu. 

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 program focuses on Embryology 101

You probably won't see it on your calendar, but May 29 is 529 College Savings Day, or 529 Day for short. This day, named after the 529 plan, a popular college-savings vehicle, is designed to promote people's awareness of the need to save and invest for the high costs of higher education. And that need has never been greater.

Consider the following:

•College prices keep going up. College costs just keep rising. For the 2016–2017 school year, the average cost (tuition, fees, room and board) was about $20,000 for in-state students at public universities and more than $45,000 for private schools, according to the College Board. These costs are likely to continue climbing.

•Student debt is at record levels. Of the Class of 2016 graduates who received loans – about 70 percent of the total student population – the average individual debt was $37,172, a record high, according to a study cited by CBS News.

What can you do to help your children graduate from college without having to provide a big "IOU" in exchange for a diploma? In the spirit of 529 Day, you might want to consider investing in a 529 plan. It's certainly not the only means of saving for college, but it does offer some attractive benefits.

For starters, contribution limits are quite high – you can accumulate more than $200,000 per beneficiary in many state plans. And you can typically invest in the 529 plan offered by any state, even if you don't reside there. If you do invest in your own state's plan, you may be eligible for state income tax incentives.

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 — typically, your child or grandchild. (Withdrawals for expenses other than qualified education expenditures may be subject to federal and state taxes and a 10 percent penalty on the earnings portion of the distribution.)

Furthermore, you have complete control of your 529 plan assets. You decide who will get the money and when he or she will get it. You can even change the beneficiary to another family member.

Keep in mind, though, that your 529 plan will be counted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, although schools typically only consider up to 5.6 percent of parental assets when calculating financial aid. And distributions from a parent-owned 529 account used for one year's college expenses will not usually reduce next year's financial aid eligibility. (For more information on how a 529 plan might affect your child's financial assistance, you may want to consult with a college's financial aid office.)

If you can find a 529 Day event in your area, you may want to attend so that you can learn more about the many aspects of saving for college. But even if you can't personally take part in 529 Day, give some thought to a 529 plan. It might be part of the solution for helping your children earn a relatively debt-free degree.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: On 529 Day, think about college savings plans

The ladies at First United Methodist Church of Crestview held their annual Mother's Day tea on Saturday, May 6, in the Crossroads Center. There was lots of laughter and fun at this event and a great time was had by all.

This year's Mother's Day Tea was coordinated by Marian McBryde, Anne Campbell and Pam Callahan, who did a fantastic job. There were 14 tables of eight ladies and a table for 10 little girls.

The monies raised from this event and the silent auction will be sent to Pastor Krzysztof Kopacz in Ilawa, Poland. Pastor Kris, as he is known, is the pastor of Crestview's sister church in Poland.

I wasn't aware that Poland was such a poor country and his salary is limited. As well as his local congregation in Ilawa, Pastor Kris travels to three other villages and ministers to the residents, he teaches the children about Jesus, sings songs and plays games with them.

About 10 years ago, Pastor Kris visited Crestview and FUMC; shortly after his return, he broke his knee and lower leg. He has to travel to Warsaw for medical care, which is four hours away. He has had five surgeries and another one is planned, but he is quite limited as to what he can do physically. Due to his physical limitations, he can't travel to the United States for medical treatment.

Because of Pastor Kris' physical limitations, the Crestview congregation recently raised money to purchase a used car for his use. This campaign was started earlier in the year and the car has been picked out and the money from the tea will complete the cost of the car. Pastor Kris has no car at this time and has to depend upon others for transportation.

(In other highlights from the tea), Jennifer Precht, the FUMC pastor's wife, gave a meaningful devotional and sang a gorgeous rendition of "How Great Thou Art."  

Miley Milani, aged 7, played "Jesus Loves Me" on her violin and a trio consisting of Miley Milani, Elsa Precht, 8, and Kimmie Raiche, 8, sang a sweet Mother's Day song, titled "My Mom," for the ladies.

This was a lovely tea and an enjoyable day of fellowship.

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: Reflecting on a Mother's Day tea

Have you ever felt betrayed by a family member, a friend, a co-worker?

You have a great relationship going, then one day something is said or done that shatters the relationship. 

Unfortunately, it happens to most people more than once in a lifetime.

When loyalty or friendship is betrayed, what are some typical reactions felt by the “victim”?

Make the other person hurt as much as you’ve been made to hurt.

Get your friends to hate the other’s friends.

Malign the other person’s name around town.

Get even — or in some cases, more than even.

Those are some natural reactions. And if they are followed and acted upon, what good do they do?

In the short run, it might feel good. Retribution has been made. Now the other is just as miserable. “Hah! Take that! How do you like it?”

But is anything resolved by seeking revenge? No. The feelings of hurt, anger and/or betrayal will still be alive and strong. Nothing will have been settled.

The Bible tells us that revenge belongs to God. He will repay in his own time and way. The scriptures tell us that we should seek reconciliation. This would mean coming together face to face, talking about the incident, and especially the feelings that were stirred up. If the attempt at reconciliation is successful, the relationship can begin to heal — although it will be different than it was in the past.

I once heard an old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” Yes, if we don’t learn something from the event and the ultimate reconciliation, we may be duped once again. But with eyes and ears wide open, that is less likely to happen.

If reconciliation isn’t possible, the Bible says we are to at least forgive the one who hurt us. Remember, this does not mean you condone what the other did. It does not mean you pretend it never happened. It does not mean you have to enter back into a relationship with them.

It does mean, however, that you are willing and able to let go of the hurt, anger and pain that stirred up because of the incident.

It means you will not allow your life to be dragged into dark depths by harboring ill will toward the other.

Cutting ties may certainly be necessary for health and survival, and that’s okay because even Jesus said to knock the dust from your feet and move on.

Betrayal is devastating on so many levels. When it happens, allow yourself to process the incident and your feelings appropriately. Surround yourself in prayer, seeking God’s guidance. Remember that both reconciliation and forgiveness bring freedom to your heart. The weight you carry will get lifted. You will become wiser and stronger.

Give God glory by doing as his word directs, and you will have life.

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: Betrayal devastates; reconciliation frees us