lifestyle | Crestview News Bulletin

North Okaloosa LDS members aid Louisiana residents

Written by archive on September 26, 2016. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — A Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission group recently left its Fort Walton Beach Stake headquarters and headed to Hammond, La., with a variety of tools and lots of determination.

The stake encompasses Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, DeFuniak Springs and Baker members.

The crew, wearing bright yellow “Mormon Helping Hands” T-shirts, visited flooded homes and tore out wet carpets, Sheetrock and furniture. They gathered personal and sentimental belongings and cleaned moldy, smelly refrigerators.

Women and youngsters 12 years of age and up joined in the effort.

Stake presidents Mike Roberts, a doctor practicing in Niceville, and Craig Miller, Niceville High School assistant principal, pitched in to lead one of the work crews.

“There were 145 workers and 14 teams that came from our stake to help with the cleanup efforts in Louisiana,” an event spokesperson said. “Altogether, roughly 4,600 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave 1,860 hours of volunteer work in Louisiana with the Mormon Helping Hands Flood Relief Effort.”

The experience particularly touched Roberts, a Crestview resident who has family in Baton Rouge.

"We lived in New Orleans the first few years of our marriage and had the experience with our members getting flooded and our car being smashed by a falling tree," his wife, Ingrid, said. "He was born and raised and went to college in Louisiana, so he has a special love for the area.

“The people there are so humble and generous. We hope they recover from this tragedy quickly and we were so grateful to be able to help!”

Roberts’ team included people from Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Washington and Utah.

In addition to onsite labor, the Fort Walton Beach Relief Society collected and sent items such as diapers, wipes, insect repellent, first aid and cleaning supplies.

Semiautomatic trucks loaded with supplies for personal use and tools for cleanup arrived in Covington from the Bishop’s Storehouse in Atlanta (run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) after Gov. John Bel Edwards asked faith-based organizations to help flood victims.

9,400 Mormon Helping Hands volunteers from six states sorted through blankets, clothes, food and other supplies, getting them ready for flood victims.

More trucks are on the way.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa LDS members aid Louisiana residents

What investors can learn from rollercoaster rides

Written by archive on September 26, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

If you have an interest in looking up obscure holidays and celebrations, you will find that Aug. 16 is National Roller Coaster Day. As you know, a rollercoaster is used as a metaphor for many areas of life — including the financial markets.

As an investor, what can you learn from this thrill ride? Here are a few suggestions:

●Don’t jump off. This is standard advice for all roller coaster riders — but it’s also a good recommendation for investors. Specifically, you don’t want to exit the financial markets when they turn volatile. It can be tempting to do so, because the markets do indeed experience dizzying drops from time to time. However, if you jump out of the markets when they’re down, you may be on the outside when they start their climb, potentially missing out on gains.

●Protect yourself. When you’re on a roller coaster, you are typically advised to keep your arms and legs inside the car to protect your extremities from dangerous contact with the track and other cars. As an investor, you also need to protect yourself from dangers such as a market downturn.

If you owned just one type of asset, such as aggressive growth stocks, and a downturn occurred, you’d likely take a big hit. One of the best ways to help avoid this possibility is to diversify your holdings among stocks, bonds and other investments. Although diversification can’t guarantee a profit or protect against losses, it can help reduce the impact of volatility on your portfolio.

●Keep looking forward. When you’re on a rollercoaster, you don’t want to look backward. Not only could you strain your neck, but you’ll also be unprepared for the ups, downs, twists and turns that await you. When you invest, you want to keep looking forward as well. By keeping your eyes, and your focus, on your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you can be better prepared to follow a consistent strategy designed to help get you to your destination.

●Don’t bring extra baggage. For obvious reasons, it’s not a good idea to bring any loose or extra baggage inside a roller coaster car that may have you going upside down at 90 or so miles per hour. As an investor, you don’t want to be saddled with any extra “baggage,” either — and one of the biggest sources of this baggage is unrealistic expectations. If you think you will earn double-digit returns every year, you will likely be disappointed — and your disappointment could lead you to make unwise decisions, such as constantly buying and selling investments to improve your performance. This type of activity is expensive, time-consuming and usually futile. So, when you invest, maintain realistic expectations — it can help you stay on track toward your goals.

By following these basic guidelines for roller coasters, you’ll enjoy a safer ride. And by observing similar rules for investing, you can help make your investment “journey” smoother — and less scary.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What investors can learn from rollercoaster rides

Act4Murder event benefits Crestview church

Written by archive on September 25, 2016. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Act4Murder will present dinner theater to benefit a local church.

"Bebopped at the Sock Hop" will take you back to the ’50s and a sock hop with more twists and turns than Elvis himself.

The event, a fundraiser supporting youths' activities at Life Tabernacle Church in Crestview, is 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at the church, 3136 Pinewoods Drive.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a buffet and show at 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $40 for adults. The fee includes a meal and the show, as well as a raffle ticket.

Call 826-1828 to purchase tickets. Visit www.act4murder.com for additional show night details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Act4Murder event benefits Crestview church

Gulf Breeze author takes home honors

Written by archive on September 22, 2016. Posted in lifestyle.

GULF BREEZE — Inspirational author and speaker on women’s lives, Kathleen Vestal Logan, won two awards this year for her book titled “Women's Wisdom: Pass It On!”

The book was a 2016 International Book Awards Finalist in the self-help/motivational category. With over 1,500 entries, it beat out 80 percent of fellow entrants including Pope Francis and Daymond John of “Shark Tank.”

In addition, Logan’s book received a Bronze award in the 2016 National Mature Media Awards. These honored the best marketing, communications, educational materials and programs for older adults.

Logan’s book aims to encourage intergenerational sharing; that is, to acknowledge, nurture and share women’s wisdom at every age and stage of life.

A former U.S. Navy officer now residing in Gulf Breeze, Logan is a frequent speaker to women’s groups throughout the Southeast. Her many conversations with women have led to articles she writes for the online newsletter of The Transition Network, a national organization for women over 50.

She also co-authored “Second Blooming for Women: Growing a Life that Matters after Fifty” with E.L. (Betsy) Smith, Ph.D.

Published by Second Blooming Books, A Wyatt Mackenzie Imprint, “Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On!” is available at bookstores and online, including Amazon and on electronic devices.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Breeze author takes home honors

Let's make time for what's important

Written by archive on September 21, 2016. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

When King Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, he was in the twilight of his years. He was reflecting on numerous aspects of his life and humanity in general.

He repeated numerous times a sentiment in which he encourages us to enjoy everything in life because everything we have has come from God.

In "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, Ecclesiastes 9:7 says, “Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes, God takes pleasure in your pleasure!” Eat each meal as though it were a feast.

That may be kind of hard to do these days. As people run from one event to the next, they grab a fast hamburger or taco, or some other fast food. What kind of a feast is that? Well, it’s a bunch of empty calories, actually.

But that is not the kind of feast Solomon is getting at. We have lost the practice of daepnon — a relaxed meal in which people enjoy each other’s company. Most people don’t do that anymore. They don’t have the time.

Actually, that’s not true. People have the time — they simply choose to not make the time. People are busier now than they have ever been in the course of history. It is rare that families sit at the same table for a relaxed meal together. A busy schedule is blamed for it.

Well, may I call a spade a spade here? Who has control over your time and energy? Who has control over your calendar and your commitments?

You do!

When children are young, who has a great deal of influence over their activities and schedules? Parents do!

Are you forced to be as busy as you are?

No. In all things, you have a choice.

If you choose to not spend good quality time with family and friends, don’t blame your busy schedule. It is your choice. If you are exhausted because of all your running around, don’t blame circumstances. It is your choice.

God wants us to enjoy this life he has given us. We can’t do that if we are rushing from one event to the next. We can’t enjoy the people in our lives when we act like ships passing in the night. We can’t marvel at the wonder of creation when we streak through nature at 90 miles per hour.

God gave us life to enjoy. What will you do to enjoy the gift he has given to you?

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: Let's make time for what's important

Diversification is still important for retirees

Written by archive on September 21, 2016. Posted in columns, lifestyle.

During your working years, your primary investment goal is generally growth – you need your money to grow so that you can eventually afford the comfortable retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned. But when you retire, should you change course and adjust your investment strategy from “offense” to “defense”?

Actually, it’s not quite that simple. To begin with, even while you are working, you don’t want your portfolio to be completely filled with growth-oriented investments, such as stocks. If it were, you would likely be taking on a degree of investment risk that’s too high, because, as you may know, stocks will fluctuate in price – sometimes significantly. And if you only own stocks, you could take a big hit during a market downturn.

That’s why you need to have an array of investments – stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs) and so on. By spreading your investment dollars this way, you can give yourself more opportunities for success while reducing the impact of volatility on your portfolio. (Keep in mind, though, that diversification, by itself, can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses.)

Now, let’s fast-forward to your retirement date. Once you retire, you may need to look at your investment portfolio somewhat differently – instead of “building it up,” you may now want to think of “making it last.” So, your first impression might be that instead of maintaining the diversified portfolio you had when you were working, you need to switch to predominantly “safe” investments, such as CDs and Treasury bonds, to reduce the risk of losing principal.

And such a strategy might indeed be effective – if your retirement were only going to last a year or so. But the chances are reasonably good that you could be retired for two, or possibly even three, decades. If that’s the case, then you will have to deal with a threat to your lifestyle that you might not have considered: inflation. We’ve had low inflation for several years, but that could change in the future. Consider this: Even at a relatively low 3 percent inflation rate, prices double roughly every 25 years. And depending on your personal needs and spending patterns, your personal inflation rate might be even higher.

To protect yourself against inflation, you will find that investments such as CDs and Treasury bonds are typically not much help. In fact, in a low-rate environment, your returns on these investments may not even keep up with inflation, much less keep you ahead of it. That’s not to say they have no value – they can provide you with an income stream and help lower your overall investment risk.

But to defend your purchasing power, you will still need some growth potential in your investment portfolio during your retirement years. Your exact percentage of stocks and other growth-oriented investments will depend on a variety of factors – your projected longevity, other sources of income, family situation, risk tolerance and so on. You may want to consult with a financial professional to ensure that your portfolio mix is suitable for your needs.

Many things may change in your life when you retire – but the need for investment diversification is not one of them.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Diversification is still important for retirees

LDS Girls Camp features survival training, crafts

Written by archive on September 20, 2016. Posted in Faith, lifestyle.

FORT WALTON BEACH — Each summer the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ young women participate in a week of adventure and testimony-building they call Girls Camp.

These 12- to 18-year-olds exercised their creative sides as they staged choreographed plays and lip-synced to their favorite songs.

During the first night of this year’s camp, they dressed as their favorite “Star Wars” character. Crestview group 1 used pool noodles and silver and black duct tape to create light sabers. Crestview group 2 used the Michael Jackson song, “I'm Bad” with a gangster theme and changed the words to “I'm Good." They became “hug dealers”and gave out hugs to all.

Classes were offered to prepare attendees for survival in Northwest Florida’s woods. The girls learned basic first aid and canoeing along with how to care for camping equipment.

“In addition, they spent hours in the pool learning water safety and just having fun with crazy pool relays, scripture-based scavenger hunts and water balloon fights,” a church spokesperson said.

The women learned about diverse cultures from natives of other countries who taught them about the foods, clothing, dances and songs of their lands. Hawaii, Peru and Italy were featured in these presentations.

The program ended with a testimony meeting, during which the girls could share their beliefs in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Following the “Star Wars” theme, they were encouraged to dare to be different and do what God wants, to trust in themselves, and to be in the world but not “of the world,” the spokesperson said.

“And to remember to be happy by never thinking of yourself.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LDS Girls Camp features survival training, crafts

NOMC sets breast cancer awareness event

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

CRESTVIEW — North Okaloosa Medical Center’s Healthy Woman program will present Paint It Pink, a breast cancer awareness and education event.

The occasion — 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the FAMU College of Pharmacy, 153 Woodruff Ave. W., Crestview — includes breast self-exam education, free professional bra fittings, and creation of Paint It Pink memory art with the Happy Lark Art Studio’s assistance.

Attendees may bring new scarves for donation to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. In addition, “breast cancer warriors and survivors” will be honored, a media release states.

RSVP at http://conta.cc/2czis0E.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NOMC sets breast cancer awareness event

Crestview woman recovering from heart, double lung transplant

Written by archive on September 18, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — Two years ago, the community rallied to raise funds for a 17-year-old diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension.

This type of high blood pressure can affect the lungs’ and heart’s arteries, making blood harder to flow, resulting in heart weakening and possible failure, according to the Mayo Clinic’s website.

Today, Anna Hutcheson, now 19, is recovering from a heart and double-lung transplant. Doctors at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital recommended the procedures to save her life.

The surgeries took place Sept. 11 at the Gainesville hospital. Hutcheson can expect a three- to six-month stay in the transplant unit there as she recovers.

The Children’s Organ Transplant Association, a national charity that organizes and guides communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses, made the surgery possible.

So, how is Hutcheson now?

“Anna’s heart is doing exceptionally well at this time; her lungs are doing as expected at this point in the recovery,” Jessica Nance, a public relations coordinator with COTA, said. “Anna is able to sit up; she has many milestones ahead of her.”

In the meantime, prayers — and financial support — are appreciated, Nance said.

Hutcheson’s COTA website raised $43,106 of a $70,000 goal. You can donate at http://www.cotaforteamannahutch.com/

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview woman recovering from heart, double lung transplant

Family Fun day to raise Turner syndrome awareness

Written by archive on September 12, 2016. Posted in health-fitness, lifestyle.

CRESTVIEW — The third annual Turner Syndrome Family Fun Day benefit is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 24 at Old Spanish Trail Park Pavilion.

Barbecue plates and wristbands will be available for $5 each at the event. Seventy percent of the proceeds will defray medical costs for Crestview resident Madi Baxley; the remainder goes to awareness efforts.

Turner syndrome is a genetic condition present from birth, where the second X-chromosome is completely or partially deleted. It affects one out of 2,500 women. Turner syndrome itself is not life-threatening, but the medical conditions that ensue because of it can be.

People with the syndrome require strict medical management throughout their entire lives. Common characteristics are short stature, ovarian failure, heart defects, and normal intelligence with possible learning disorders, kidney abnormalities, lymphedema, frequent ear infections and hearing loss, and visual and spatial difficulties.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Family Fun day to raise Turner syndrome awareness

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