HOLT —Scout Pack 532 in Holt seeks kindergarten through fifth-grade students to join them. The group is also enrolling adult leaders and volunteers.

An information meeting is 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at the First Baptist Church of Holt Fellowship Hall, 532 US Highway 90.

Register at www.beascout.org.

Contact Natalie Chandler, 537-8408 and ngcoop@gmx.com; or Courtney Strom, 228-365-1995 and Courtney.strom.3@gmail.com, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Scout troop seeks members, leaders and volunteers

CRESTVIEW — If you have an event you would like to submit, send your first and last name and information about the event to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this week in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — Oliver Wade’s band, Belles and Beaus, performs every Saturday at Crestview’s Senior Activity Center; their gathering purportedly is the only scheduled activity that evening at the facility. 

However, Wade, 78, and his band mate have told the News Bulletin that various individuals have advised them to leave the center at their regularly scheduled time, or were otherwise prevented from using the center after their arrival.

The reason — an amphitheater roughly 300 feet adjacent to the senior center, to them, takes precedence over the seniors’ activities, and Belles and Beaus often have to perform at the same time as artists at the amphitheater, who audibly drown them out. 

Wade said performances at the amphitheater are scheduled without notice from officials at the Department of Public Works, which oversees the senior center. On one occasion, Wade said, his band was even told to leave after they had set up their musical equipment, so people at the amphitheater could count their group’s ticket money in the senior center.

The News Bulletin reported on this issue last month, but has anything changed, in Wade’s view?

“… Wayne Steele’s [the public services director] response [was] that he always gave us notice…” Wade said, adding he doesn’t believe that’s been the case.

Steele told the Bulletin that time is of the essence; conflicts arise when amphitheater performances are scheduled on a Friday, and city workers lack enough time to tell Wade and his band mates by Saturday.

Wade also said that when he initially set out to schedule a time for Belles and Beaus to perform, Steele said they didn’t have any evenings available on a log.  

“He implied when I was in his office that he had a log and the secretary said, ‘we’ll check and see,’ after I didn’t leave right away and he said they didn’t have any nights open,” Wade said. “So I hung around until ‘lo’ and behold’ they had Tuesday evenings open and no one was going there on Tuesday nights …”

Wade says that at the time he went down to the senior activity center to see if any seniors were using the center in the evening — just to check — and no one was there for six nights straight. 

That led Wade to question something.

“I would like them to explain if they have a log or not,” Wade said. “If he has a log, I would like to know how come he said no nights were open during the week when I proved that there were no people there any night of the week. The lights were off, the doors were locked.”

The Bulletin contacted Steele informing him that the paper was writing a follow-up to Wade’s initial complaints and asked him if there is a ‘log’ of activities at the center.

In response, he said he could not immediately interview; and, he said, “… I have NOT received any comments or we haven't been contacted by anyone from the parties using the senior center, before or after the story was released.”

At the Bulletin’s request, the assistant director of public works, Chuck Powell, provided a copy of the center’s log, a calendar of activities at the senior activity center. The only evening activity scheduled at the center was Wade’s band, Belles and Beaus, on Saturday nights, according to the document.

Wade hasn’t returned to the center to request another nighttime activity for seniors because no one has responded to his most recent request to join an evening writers group. 

“I haven’t been back up there to try to get a nighttime spot because I put the word out there for a writers group and didn’t get any response from the old folks so I just gave that up,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident still wants answers about perceived limited access to senior center

Drivers will encounter traffic variations on the following state roads in Okaloosa and Walton counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities. 

Okaloosa County 

· State Road (S.R.) 85 Turn Lane Construction from Commerce Drive to north of Airport Road in Crestview- North and southbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday ending Thursday, Sept. 28, excluding Labor Day holiday weekend, as crew construct turn lanes for a shopping center.

· S.R. 189 (Beal Parkway) Intersection Improvements at S.R. 393 (Mary Esther Boulevard) – Southbound lane restrictions from Park Drive to Ewing Court from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 17 as crews clear trees and shrubs, remove concrete, and perform driveway, curb and sidewalk construction.

· Interstate 10 (I-10) Resurfacing from east of County Road 189 (Holt/ Exit 45) to west of Yellow River- Intermittent east and westbound lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 14 through Thursday, Aug. 17 as crews perform paving operations. Crews will also perform guardrail work during daytime hours. Drivers may encounter periodic inside and/or outside shoulder closures.

· S.R. 188 (Racetrack Road) Construction Activities near Carlos Drive- Drivers may encounter intermittent lane restrictions near Carlos Drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16 and Thursday, Aug. 17 as crews perform construction activities in the median and near Carlos Drive.

· S.R. 85 Driveway Construction south of 3rd Street in Crestview-The southbound, outside lane will be closed just south of 3rd Street in Crestview from 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17 to 6 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18 as crews install a new driveway to Waffle House. 

Walton County 

· U.S. 98 Widening from Emerald Bay Drive to Tang-O-Mar Drive- Alternating east and westbound lane closures from the Okaloosa/Walton County line Poinciana Boulevard near Silver Sands Outlet stores from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13 through Thursday, Aug. 17 as crews continue drainage improvements and roadway widening work. 

· U.S. 98 Maintenance of Stormwater Drainage from Mack Bayou Road to U.S. 331- East and westbound, outside lane restrictions from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. continue through Friday, Aug. 25 as crews inspect stormwater pipe.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 7 Okaloosa and Walton County traffic changes

CRESTVIEW — A dedication marking the GFWC Crestview Women's Club Inc.'s 100 years took place Aug. 8 at its club house. The CWC is part of the Greater Federation of Women's Clubs, an international organization whose members work to better their communities.

The brief ceremony began as Club President Jeri Jones welcomed attendees and introduced Crestview Historic Preservation Board member Ann Spann. They recognized guests present at the event, including Crestview Council member JB Whitten; County Commissioners Carolyn Ketchel and Graham Fountain; and one of the club's oldest members, Nellie Fleming, who will be 92 in October.

Fleming served as president twice and district director twice for the club. When asked to name one of the most memorable things the club has done, she mentioned how they got the State Road 85 overpass built above the Main Street railroad tracks in the 1970s.

"I was so happy about that," she said. "We went over to Tallahassee and talked to them representatives all the time. We tried to get the county commissioners to take it and do it and help us, and they wouldn't do it.

"So we went on and did it and said, 'We'll show you,' and we showed 'em," Fleming said. The club was going to use the overpass construction as part of the impetus to win a $5,000 national GFWC award, but the county commission claimed credit for the overpass, eliminating the group's chance at the money, according to Fleming.

Despite the loss, the overpass has been a boon for drivers wanting to avoid long wait times at the railroad tracks. Fleming's daughter, Theresa Riley, participated in town parades as a school cheerleader in those days, and trains were a problem. "We could have a parade, and it would come through, and it'd be the longest train," she said.

Club outreach

The CWC raises money for scholarships and community needs. One of its concerns is providing necessities and entertainment to Crestview Manor residents. They provide bingo games once a month for the residents, and just donated 90 sets of towels for them, club member Kathy Neidig said.

They work with Richbourg and Riverside Elementary Schools as volunteers, donate school items to fill needs not provided by the county, and also donate to other charities and charitable activities, like Heifer International and medical mission trips to Belize.

Members mentor women's club Juniorettes at Crestview High School, and each year they present a $500 scholarship to a Juniorette. Judges not affiliated with the CWC choose the winner based on what the students have accomplished through volunteer work, grades and activities through the year, according to Neidig.

The majority of the money for their community outreach activities come from Sunday dinners once a month at the club house. Meals usually cost $10 per person, and consist of a different menu every month.

The next dinner is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 13 at 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. Chicken and dumplings, veggies, salad, cranberry sauce, assorted desserts, coffee and iced tea will be served. The Sept. 10 menu contains stuffed pork chops. Members will determine the side dishes for that meal at a later date.

Members meet in the spring, fall and winter. Visit http://www.gfwccrestview.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Celebrating 100 years of progress

CRESTVIEW — If you have an event you would like to submit, send your first and last name and information about the event to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this week in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — Sandra Dreaden, a Crestview Public Library fixture for over 16 years, will retire soon.

The reference librarian said she made the unexpected decision due to health complications related to “a stage four, incurable, metastatic disease.”

Dreaden began teaching GED classes in 1989 in the old East Highway 90 library building when it was owned by Okaloosa Walton Community College — now Northwest Florida State College. 

“The college had an agreement with the library, so actually, my classroom was the library meeting room there,” she said.

In 2001, Dreaden was hired to work for the city as a reference librarian; later, enough funding was secured to construct and design the Robert L.F. Sikes Public Library, which is now located off of North Highway 85 at 1445 Commerce Drive. 

‘SHE DOES SO MUCH THERE’ 

“She really is a priceless treasure. I don’t know how they are going to replace her,” said Brian Hughes, a former reporter for the Crestview News Bulletin who met Dreaden at a library event shortly after moving to the Hub City. He had lived in New Orleans and was displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 

Since then, Hughes has noticed her influence, which surpasses her immediate department.

“She does so much there; she is not just a reference librarian, she has answers for everything and she also knows where to send you for answers,” he said. “She also coordinates lecture programs — the First Tuesday Series — and she is so willing to try new, cool things to see how the community responds to them.”

Dreaden has worked to bring, what she calls, “organization, logic and knowledge of the community” to the library. Her duties ranged from lemon-oiling the wood and cleaning baseboards to doing research for the historical mural that the Friends of the Library commissioned an artist to paint in 2004. 

‘SHE GIVES TIRELESSLY’ 

Dreaden, who planned to serve with the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce from 2017-2020, had to resign from this position as well.

“She has had such an outreach. She has dedicated her time to developing programs for the children and the elderly and for the book giveaways that they have, and just trying to get education to the public and letting them know what resources the library has available,” said Valerie Lott, the chamber’s president and CEO. 

“She has reached out and worked through the school system more than any librarian we have ever had and her work here with the chamber — she has really been invaluable to us and she has been our proofreader for everything for the last several years. She gives tirelessly and we are definitely going to miss her.”

The most rewarding aspect of Dreaden’s career as a librarian, she says, has been interfacing with the community to provide answers to a multitude of wide-ranging questions. 

“Networking people to the answers to the questions that they need, and by that I mean an expanded view of not just finding a book; it’s embedding this library into the community,” she said.  “It’s that whether there is an organization, a service agency, or a government meeting that they are asking about, that we are the hub for the city.

“I like to say that we are the city of Crestview’s information desk because people call the library for all kinds of things. We are an interface that defuses a lot of the other questions that could come to the city.” 

CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY

When asked what the most important function of the modern library system is, Dreaden directed the question to Vicky Stever, coordinator of the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative, who defined what she called the “three pillars” of the library’s function.

“The first pillar is self-directed education,” said Stever. “That includes things that people find on their own to learn on their own — it’s found on the library catalog, it’s a book you find, or a language class you take that you find at the library.” 

“The second pillar is research assistance and instruction and the third pillar is instructive and enlightening experiences, the cultural and social aspect of what libraries do — a concert at the library or a knitting club. It’s the way we interface with the community and it can be the way the library interfaces with the library,” she said.

And to those who say that libraries are a thing of the past as print publications head to the Internet, Dreaden believes in their true staying power.

“Every year the Okaloosa County (Public Library) Cooperative has a staff day and at the one we just had the past year, last April, one of the national guest speakers did a presentation on Radio Shack versus the libraries — are we going the way of Radio Shack?” she said. 

“It was very interesting, but he threw up this word diagram of libraries back then and libraries of the future, and you know, the biggest word of libraries of the future was still the word ‘community.’ No matter the online resources we provide … the future of libraries is still going to be a connection to your particular community.”

She added, “This is a place where they feel welcome, they feel connected and that they know people. It’s not just reading material and movies — it is a community connection.”

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated how many years Sandra has worked at the Crestview Publicly Library, in addition to when she started working there. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'We are definitely going to miss her’

CRESTVIEW — The 2017 Little Miss Northwest Florida winner, a Crestview resident, has achieved her goal to help a children's assistance organization.

Kadance Fredericksen, 10, presented a total of $5,099.56 to the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola.

She held a lemonade stand and online fundraiser where people could donate and purchase T-shirts and refreshments. She also received a matching grant from David Costa Enterprises, which owns McDonald's restaurants in Crestview and throughout the Southern U.S.

The Crestview youths had set a goal of $1,500 for the benefit.

The Ronald McDonald Houses function as homes for families near hospitals where children are in medical crisis.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview girl boosts Ronald McDonald House

CRESTVIEW — Need help or want to volunteer for a worthy cause? Here are some local services and organizations for consideration. 

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS WANTED: ECH provides compassionate care through a team of professional staff members and volunteers. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and provided ongoing education. They can serve in a variety of areas from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Just a few hours a month makes an impact. Details: Ann O'Connor, 689- 0300.

SENIORS VS. CRIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Seniors vs. Crime Crestview office, which assists senior citizens of whom someone scammed or took advantage, needs help. Hours are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays at 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8. To volunteer, contact Office Manager Sheila Parish, 306-3176, or Region 5 Deputy Director JB Whitten, 813-489-5657. Contact 306-3176, www.seniorsvscrime.com or 800-203-3099 for help.

REPORT ELDERS ABUSE: Call the Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-96-ABUSE (800-962-2873) if you suspect elderly friends and neighbors are being abused. Many elders may suffer from financial exploitation, neglect or physical or emotional abuse, often caused by family members. The NFAAA is a private, non-profit agency supported by the federal Older Americans Act and the State of Florida General Revenue Fund through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Gwen Rhodes, 494-7100 or rhodesg@nwflaaa.org

UWF ACADEMIC ADVISING: The University of West Florida offers assistance with admissions, academic and degree advising and registration in Crestview. Contact Deborah Cluff, 863-6550, to schedule an appointment for first Thursdays at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1446 Commerce Drive.

HOMELESS ASSISTANCE: Need help? Contact the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care, 409-3070, www.okaloosawaltonhomeless.org; Opportunity Inc., 659-3190; or Helping Hands of Crestview, 428 McLaughlin St., behind First United Methodist Church. Helping Hands is open 1-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, Tri-County Community Council, 290 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Crestview. 306-1134.

CRESTVIEW SOUP KITCHEN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS: Serves Mondays through Saturdays. To volunteer at Central Baptist Church, call 682-5525; Our Savior Lutheran Church, 682-3154; LifePoint Church, 682-3518; Community of Christ, 682-7474; First Presbyterian Church, 682-2835; or First United Methodist Church, 682-2018.

FREE CLOTHING GIVEAWAY: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 247 S. Booker St., Crestview. Free items include shoes and other accessories. Presented by Concerned Citizens of Crestview. Details: 689-1582 or 428-6997.

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR NEEDY RESIDENTS: 9 a.m. second Saturdays, 383 Texas Parkway, Crestview. Dry goods and fresh produce available while supplies last. Hosted by House of Restoration, a partner agency of Feeding the Gulf Coast. Details: Ruby Chatman, 398-0577.

WOMEN AND FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES AND EDUCATION: a Crestview-based Community Drug and Alcohol Council program that helps pregnant women with substance abuse. 689-4024.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Eligible low-income families can receive financial assistance through the Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Apply at www.elc-ow.org. Hover over “Services” and click “School Readiness” to register.

FREE MEDICARE COUNSELING: By appointment, Crestview Public Library and Elder Services of Okaloosa County, in Crestview, 494-7101 or 1-866-531-8011.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY seeks Crestview area lots for families needing housing. 758-0779 or 315-0025.

VA VETERANS CRISIS LINE: Veterans in crisis, their families and friends can call 800-273-TALK (8255), and press 1 to talk with qualified, caring VA responders. Confidential. www.veteranscrisisline.net.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA NEEDS MENTORS: Adult volunteers spend two hours weekly mentoring children. Pairs go to the library, museum, park or beach, hike, roller-skate or play sports. 664-5437.

VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS: Group needs people to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel. Contact: Yvonne Earle, 863-1530, extension 230.

FREE HAZARDOUS HOUSEHOLD WASTE DROPOFF: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, Okaloosa County Recycling Office, 80 Ready Ave., Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa residents may drop off paints, pesticides, pool chemicals, used oil, gas, antifreeze, computers, televisions, fluorescent lamps, car batteries, rechargeable batteries, cleaners, solvents, aerosols and printers.

MUSEUM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS: Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida seeks friendly, reliable volunteers to greet guests and answer phones in its gift shop 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Details: 678-2615, stop by 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso, or email info@heritage-museum.org.

CARS NEEDED: Opportunity Inc. accepts donations of cars, boats and other vehicles to support Opportunity Place, an emergency shelter for families. Shelley Poirrier, 409-3070 or shelley@okaloosawaltonhomeless.org.

SHELTER HOUSE FINANCIAL SUPPORT: It costs just more than $100 a day to shelter a domestic violence victim. Every little bit helps. 683-0845.

DRIVE VETERANS to appointments at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Pensacola two days a month. Veterans Service Office, 689-5922.

VEHICLES NEEDED: Covenant Hospice accepts cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, boats and RVs. Qualified professionals pick up vehicles from Pensacola to Tallahassee at convenience. Rachel Mayew, 428-0605.

LAKEVIEW CENTER'S FAMILIES FIRST NETWORK NEEDS BEDS for local children in protective services. Cribs and beds for children must be in good condition. 833-3840.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa County services calendar