lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

3 places to get the flu shot in Santa Rosa County

Written by archive on October 20, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

MILTON — Cooler weather and shorter days mark the transition from summer to fall — and they’re signs that flu season is here.

This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention only recommends people get injectable flu shots. Nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for this flu season because of concerns about its effectiveness.

The Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County offers the flu vaccine as follows:

•Milton Clinic, 8–11:30 a.m. and 1–3:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 5527 Stewart St., Milton

•Midway Clinic:8–11:30 a.m. and 1–3:30 p.m.Tuesdays, 5840 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze

•Jay Clinic:9 a.m. to noon, first Wednesday of the month, 14122 Alabama St., Jay

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu, so experts recommend getting the shot before Halloween.

Medicare covers the $32 vaccination fee, for those who are eligible; so do some other types of insurance. A limited amount of vaccine is available at no fee for children ages 6 months through 18 years through the Vaccines for Children Program. Parents should contact the clinic at 983-5200 to confirm vaccine availability.

Flu strains change from year to year so it is important to get the flu shot this year even if you got one last year, according to the Florida Department of Health.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 places to get the flu shot in Santa Rosa County

It’s National Save for Retirement Week — so take action

Written by archive on October 17, 2016. Posted in lifestyle.

Congress has dedicated the third week of October as National Save for Retirement Week. Clearly, the government feels the need to urge people to do a better job of preparing for retirement.

Are you doing all you can?

Many of your peers aren’t — or at least they think they aren’t. In a recent survey conducted by Bankrate.com, respondents reported that “not saving for retirement early enough” was their biggest financial regret. Other evidence seems to show they have good cause for remorse: 52 percent of households 55 and older haven’t saved anything for retirement, according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, although half of this group reported having a pension.

Obviously, you’ll want to avoid having financial regrets or major shortfalls in your retirement savings. And that means you may need to consider making moves such as these:

•Take advantage of all your opportunities. You may well have access to more than one tax-advantaged retirement plan. Your employer may offer a 401(k) or similar plan, and even if you participate in your employer’s plan, you are probably still eligible to contribute to an IRA. You may not be able to afford to “max out” on both plans, but try to contribute as much as you can afford. At the very least, put in enough to your employer’s plan to earn a matching contribution, if one is offered, and boost your annual contributions every year in which your salary goes up.

•Create an appropriate investment mix. It’s not enough just to invest regularly through your IRA, 401(k) or another retirement plan — you also need to invest wisely. You can fund your IRA with virtually any investments you choose, while your 401(k) or similar plan likely offers an array of investment accounts. So, between your IRA and 401(k), you can create portfolios that reflect your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. It’s especially important that your investment mix offers sufficient growth potential to help you make progress toward the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned.

•Don’t “raid” your retirement accounts early. If you start withdrawing from your traditional IRA before you turn 59½, you may have to pay a 10 percent tax penalty in addition to normal income taxes due. (If you have a Roth IRA and start taking withdrawals before you are 59½, the earnings will be taxed and may be subject to a 10 percent penalty — but contributions can be withdrawn without any tax and penalty consequences.) As for your 401(k) or similar plan, you may be able to take out a loan, but you’ll have to pay yourself back to avoid any tax or penalty consequences. (Also, not all plans offer a loan option.)

More important, any money you take out early is money that no longer has a chance to grow to help you meet your goals. Try to do everything you can, then, to keep your retirement plans intact until you actually do retire. One suggestion: Build an emergency fund containing three to six months’ worth of living expenses, kept in a liquid, low-risk vehicle outside your IRA or 401(k).

National Save for Retirement Week reminds us that we all must act to help ourselves retire comfortably. By making the moves described above, you can do your part.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: It’s National Save for Retirement Week — so take action

Understanding limited poultry and egg farm operations

Written by archive on October 17, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

Before 2014, farmers who wanted to sell eggs and poultry to the public were required to meet certain standards for facilities and pay much higher fees. In 2014, the rules changed for small farmers selling their eggs and poultry. This rule was meant to provide regulatory and economic relief to small farmers; it relaxes those standards and fees.

The definition of a limited poultry and egg operation is a farm-based food establishment that directly produces and offers dressed poultry or whole-shell eggs for sale. Dressed poultry would refer to slaughtered and minimally processed chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, guineas, fowl and quail.

Here are the rules for these operations:

Poultry producers are limited to no more than 20,000 birds processed per year (with less than 384 dressed poultry sold in any given week.)
Shell egg producers are limited to no more than 1,000 laying hens per year (with less than 30 dozen eggs sold in any given week.)
Products can only be offered for sale at permitted farm locations, roadside stands, farmers markets, similar open-air type markets or direct delivery.
Products can only be sold in Florida. No mail order or wholesale sales are allowed.
Internet orders must be picked up at the farm, farmers market, roadside stand or direct delivery.
The permitted farm owner, direct family members or employees must deliver the products to the consumer.

The fee for this annual permit is $100, although this first year will be prorated since the permit expires Dec. 31. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will issue the permit after an opening visit.

To request an initial visit, fill out the form at http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Food-Safety/Request-Opening-Inspection-for-Permit.http://forms.freshfromflorida.com/14306.pdf

Our office will have a Poultry Production 101 class to teach the basics necessary to become a Limited Poultry and Egg Farm Operation. This class will be held 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27 from at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Okaloosa County Extension Office at 3098 Airport Road, Crestview.

The class costs $10 per participant and registration is required. You can register by calling 689-5850 or emailing bearden@ufl.edu.

For more information about limited poultry and egg operations, give me a call at 689-5850 or email bearden@ufl.edu

Also: The University of Florida IFAS Okaloosa County Extension Office is currently collecting unopened jars of peanut butter for our annual peanut butter drive! Help us “Take a Bite Out of Hunger” by donating jars at 3098 Airport Road, Crestview.

Jennifer Bearden 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: Understanding limited poultry and egg farm operations

Noirmoutrins are here in Crestview

Written by archive on October 17, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

Our French visitors arrived from Noirmoutier, France on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to a reception hosted by the Okaloosa County Airports. Amid French flag waving, host families and their guests were soon paired up and enjoying refreshments.

On Thursday afternoon, the Greater Federation Woman's Club of Crestview hosted a Southern cuisine luncheon for our French visitors. It included delicious chicken and dumplings. This is the 100th anniversary of Crestview women getting together to bring culture and civility to the town. In 1918, the ladies formed the Woman's Club and eventually joined the GFWC. Twenty years ago, the GFWC of Crestview hosted the first delegation of French visitors with a luncheon; they were happy to welcome this year's visitors on the 20th anniversary of friendship between the two cities.

That evening, Beach Community Bank hosted a Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Business after-hours reception. Many of the French visitors attended and enjoyed meeting Crestview's business community. An enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere meeting new friends and catching up with old friends was had by all attendees.

Friday morning and afternoon, Crestview dignitaries received French dignitaries from municipalities on the Island of Noirmoutier. A delicious luncheon was hosted by the Crestview City Council, mayor and city clerk and held at the Durrell Peaden Jr. Education Center headed by Dr. LaRose-Pierre. This luncheon was followed by a tour of city services and facilities.

Friday evening brought the "Spirits of Crestview" walk, a Crestview Centennial event that was a historic interpretation of Crestview's early influential leaders and citizens. View from the Stage, Crestview's Community Theatre group, presented the drama. Following this informative and moving performance, many of the guests and host families ate dinner on Main Street.

The spectacular Evening in the Garden, a scholarship fundraiser, will be held 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at Northwest Florida State College’s Crestview campus. This promises to be a fun evening under the stars and a chance to get to know our French guests. Tickets cost $45 each, in advance, or $60 at the door. If you would like to purchase tickets, you may call 683-1247 or purchase tickets at the college campus.

Plan to attend; you will enjoy yourself.

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: Noirmoutrins are here in Crestview

'It was an honor to be there for them'

Written by archive on October 14, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Dozer the Therapy Dog's life will be a little less active now.

Oct. 13 marked Dozer's last session as a greeter at the Walgreens in Crestview.

"It started as a one-time event to kick off National Take Your Dog to Work Day," Nousiainen said. "It was such a hit we were invited to make it a monthly event."

Over the past four years, Nousiainen said, "We have greeted customers having an average day and those having one of the worst days of their lives. Some who recently lost a loved one (a spouse, parent or canine family member); some who struggle with depression and stress — just getting out of the house — were all smiles when Dozer greeted them at the door. It was an honor to be there for them."

"We're going to miss him…," Dan Anderson, Walgreens store manager, said. "Customers looked forward to the days he was here. They were excited to have their pictures taken with him."

Anderson said seeing how well Dozer interacts with the public factored into his becoming a greeter at the pharmacy.

"Walgreens has treated us well and always made us feel welcome. Their employees go out of their way to make sure we are comfortable and they come (to) get Dozer snuggles every chance they get," Nousiainen said of the experience.

"I am very grateful Mr. Anderson didn't hesitate to think outside the box and try something nobody else around here had. I think it was a big hit; many happy customers."

Dozer's health

Nouisianen said the 7-year-old Great Dane has been "working" for six years. "I wanted to free up his schedule a little and maybe explore new things or just rest a little.

"Shortly after making that decision Dozer developed an issue with his hips. The vet thinks he pulled a muscle in his neck, causing the problem. We are making improvements on it, though. The vet wanted him to try three weeks of this medication and see how he's doing."

To compensate for the injury, the team still makes visits — but shorter ones.

"As he gets older we may have to retire more visits, (like to) places that require a lot of walking. But there are some visits he'll do until he retires (completely),” Nouisianen said. “He'll always be part of the program at the Crestview Public Library."

Dozer also visits the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola once a week, the Okaloosa Airport, and area nursing homes, assisted living facilities and local organizations.

Benefits of therapy dogs

Nousiainen said therapy dogs benefit people in physical and emotional ways. They:

•lower blood pressure

•promote calmness

•help with anxiety, depression and stress.

She said, "I think you can actually see stress leave a person's face."

During visits to the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola, "We greet the parents when they come back from the hospital. It's like taking an emotional break,” Nousiainen. “Talking dogs instead of doctors for 20 minutes gives them a kind of relief … and you can see it in their face."

She has also seen how people react when Dozer comes into the room.

"(People) who may not be very sociable and want to interact — he brings that out in them. They immediately want to go to him and pet him and talk to him.

"Sometimes some of the work we do with adolescent group homes, when Dozer comes up to them and snuggles with them, they can feel the love.”

Keeping in touch

Dozer may not be as famous as the canine star of Disney Channel’s "Dog with a Blog," but he does have his own Facebook page with 10,000 likes.

"I started that just so I could keep track of my own visits, but it's grown into so much more," Nouisiainen said.

"His page has actually encouraged others to join a therapy dog program because they were inspired by Dozer's page,” she said. “One of his friends in Michigan is at the University of Michigan hospital. They've been doing things (like hospital visits) he couldn't accomplish here …”

Those who miss Dozer at Walgreens can always count on his social media presence.

"You can always follow Dozer on Facebook or drop him an email," Nousiainen said. His email address is dozersemails@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'It was an honor to be there for them'

Rocky Bayou expands to Crestview

Written by archive on October 14, 2016. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — A faith-based school with Destin and Niceville campuses is coming to Crestview. Rocky Bayou Christian School is expanding to facilities at Central Baptist Church, located at 951 Ferdon Blvd. S.

"It's been part of our master plan since Rocky Bayou started in 1973," Denise Bowers, RBCS elementary principal, said. "It's been considered several times and put on the back burner for three years at Central."

Crestview’s campus is set to open in August of 2017, and open enrollment begins in mid-November.

The school's goal "is to partner with parents to provide a biblically-based education for their children, to help them to be prepared for whatever God calls them to do," Bowers said.

Kindergarten through fifth-grade students will study subjects including science, history, phonics and grammar, reading, spelling and cursive penmanship. They also have a Bible study class. The staff plans to have seven classrooms, with 15 students per class.

An information session is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Blvd. Interested parents may attend for details on the school's mission and vision, program and curriculum details, and tuition assistance, according to a school media release.

Bowers — who has worked in Christian education for 13 years and is credited with making Rocky Bayou the No. 4 best private elementary school on www.thebestschools.org list — looks forward to it.

"I'm a Crestview girl and it's been a dream of mine to be … a principal of a Crestview Christian School for many years," she said.

Visit www.rbcs.org or call 850-279-3729 for more information on RBCS enrollment.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Rocky Bayou expands to Crestview

Speak kindly to others

Written by archive on October 13, 2016. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

Years ago, I read a poster in a colleague’s office that read, “Lord, make my words sweet today, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.”

The words we use convey messages. That’s a given. However, what many people don’t realize is one of the messages conveyed is what is in your heart. Words reveal what is sometimes hidden in the depths of your heart.

Words express kindness and consideration. They help build up and encourage. They convey the fact that you care about someone or about a situation.

Words also express hatred. They can demean, tear down and injure. Callous words stir feelings ranging from hostility to devastation.

Someone who utters harsh words may try to explain them away rather than take responsibility for them. “I was just kidding.” “I was just joking around.” “It was just locker room banter.” However, the moment the words are out, the damage is already done. They cannot be taken back.

Just grab a tube of toothpaste and squeeze out some toothpaste. Now, put it back in cleanly. It can’t be done. And the more you try, the bigger the mess.

Jesus said, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles. What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.”

Do you truly pay attention to the words you use? Do your words build up or tear down? Do you speak to a person one way, and then talk about them in another?

Do your words speak derogatorily about a person because of gender, race and political position, denominational or religious preference?

During this presidential campaign, I have heard Christians speak words about the candidates and those that support them that are truly shocking. The vehemence, the level of uninformed rhetoric, the spreading of rumors, the excuses for poor behavior have been appalling.

Shame on us! I thought our Lord taught us better than that!

It’s okay to disagree with a candidate. However, that does not give permission to slander, belittle or tear down. That is stooping to the levels of childishness.

Don’t let your words condemn you. Speak kindly to — and about — others.

Remember the old saying, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”

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: Speak kindly to others

Okaloosa health department releases water quality results

Written by archive on October 13, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — Here are the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County’s water quality test results for local parks.

No Okaloosa County parks have potentially hazardous bathing water, the FDOH-Okaloosa stated Oct. 10.

The tests are based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards. Enteric bacteria's presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department releases water quality results

Going wherever they're needed

Written by archive on October 12, 2016. Posted in lifestyle.

MILTON — For some 37 years, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Milton went from knitting children’s booties to aiding hurricane relief efforts, according to Director Brenda Roland.

Roland said she started at the entry level with RSVP in 1985 and, since its start in Santa Rosa County five years before then, the organization "looked at keeping seniors strictly active."

However, by 1996 she said the focus shifted toward volunteerism, and "how are they helping the community."

Roland said during the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan in September of 2004, RSVP had "almost 500 volunteers cutting down trees and cleaning debris, (as well as) feeding people through the Red Cross … At that time we had over 18,ooo volunteer hours in a matter of four to five weeks."

Roland said RSVP operates not by recruiting volunteers directly for itself; instead, it recruits volunteers for organizations like American Red Cross, United Way of Santa Rosa County or other groups that need regular or temporary volunteers. She said these volunteers take brief RSVP training but act as volunteers of the organization in need.

"I recruit seniors, 55 and older, to place in other nonprofit organizations … We have volunteers that work 40 to 60 hours a week, some just for events," she said.

Recent activities of RSVP include recruiting 18 volunteers to open shelters for disasters through the American Red Cross; supporting the Santa Rosa County Emergency Operations Center by coordinating volunteers; partnering with Santa Rosa Medical Center to provide hospitality volunteers when hospital staffing is low; and providing transportation to elderly and disabled individuals for medical appointments or grocery shopping.

Roland said RSVP is also working to recruit mentors to help Bridges Out of Poverty's Getting Ahead graduates. Bridges out of Poverty provides classes for those in crisis to help them manage their resources. Bridges discovered its graduates still want guidance after graduation, so the organization seeks mentors.

Roland said, "Seniors like to do that. Years ago, we had 30 volunteers to mentor pregnant teenage girls through the Pregnancy Resource Center. Seniors have such knowledge and experience."

In July, RSVP moved from 6052 Buckskin Drive — which consisted of three portable school buildings on RSVP property — to the Guy Thompson Community Center. Roland said since the community center also provides senior activities "it was a no-brainer" to move into the building.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Going wherever they're needed

Milton FD celebrates Fire Prevention Week

Written by archive on October 10, 2016. Posted in lifestyle.

MILTON — The Milton Fire Department had its sixth annual open house on Saturday to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 2-8.

In addition to opening the fire house up to the public, several first response agencies joined in the event. Attendees included representatives from the Milton Police Department, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol and the Gulf Breeze Fire Department.

All enjoyed food, refreshments, kids’ activities and an informative puppet show.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Milton FD celebrates Fire Prevention Week

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