CRESTVIEW — Inventory is still being shipped from its Kentucky and Fort Walton Beach locations, and fixtures like lights and the credit card machine were still being installed Dec. 1, but Dan's Discount Jewelry & Pawn is already serving customers.

Owner Bryce Jeter and three of 10 staff members are getting the store ready for its grand opening, which is 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at 299 Main Street. The store's regular hours are also 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Jeter said the opening is "supposed to start Saturday, but if somebody wants to come in and buy something today, we will talk about it." While working on it Thursday, they'd had a few people come in to see if they were open yet, and did business.

"A lot of our inventory comes in through our front door. People will come in and bring us stuff and sell us stuff … we'll be fully stocked up for Christmas a week or two from now."

Items and services at the store include loans, firearms, ammunition and jewelry.

The Crestview location is part of a family-owned, 30-year business. The first of Dan Merryman's 17 stores through the years began in Lexington, Kentucky. Even Jeter has been with the company for most of his 32 years. "He's my uncle and I've worked for him all my life."

As for how the stores expanded from Kentucky to Northwest Florida, he said, "I grew up down here and I went to Fort Walton Beach High School. I've lived 15 years of my life in Kentucky and I've lived 15 in Florida. This is my home and this is why we've moved the store down here. It's been challenging, but it's been good challenges."

While traveling, transferring employees and transferring inventory were among those obstacles, "The biggest thing is just branding stuff here," Jeter said.

"Three years ago when we opened a store in Fort Walton Beach, everybody didn't know us, didn't know our business and thought we were crazy. We let them know who we are and what we do … We're not just a business. We are a clean, bright, well-lighted, family friendly pawn shop retail store, not just a place with bars on the windows."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dan's Discount & Pawn opens its doors (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s December schedule includes these activities:

●Express Oil Change ribbon cutting ceremony, 9 a.m. Dec. 6 at 2053 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.

●Ambassador Committee holiday mixer, 4 p.m. Dec. 8 at Crestview Hooters, 180 Cracker Barrel Road, Crestview. For details or to RSVP, contact Richard Harless, richardh@beachcommunitymortgage.com.

●Military Affairs Committee meets 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview. Membership fees apply. For details, contact Marian McBryde, Committee Chair, MAC@crestviewchamber.com.

●Government Issues Committee meets 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at the Crestview chamber office, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview. The guest speaker this month is Crestview Mayor David Cadle.

●Lunch for PILOT Committee members ages 21-41, noon Dec. 15 at Johnny O'Quigley's Ale House, 1025 Industrial Drive, Crestview.

Chamber members and their employees may join any of the events and committee meetings.

Call 682-3212 or go to http://www.crestviewchamber.com for more information about the chamber.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Chamber lists December schedule

CRESTVIEW — When the annual Main Street Christmas Parade — the last official event during Crestview’s Centennial celebration — rolls at 5:30 Saturday, planning that has been underway since July between multiple city departments and the Main Street Crestview Association will reach its culmination.

Meeting Wednesday morning at the Crestview Police Department, Main Street Director Patti Gonzo, Police Chief Tony Taylor, Operations Cmdr. Jamie Grant and Sgt. Mike Leadmon reviewed final plans to assure a safe and secure experience for participants and a crowd some anticipate to number 10,000 or more North Okaloosa County residents.

Thursday night, police officers, Main Street officials and a representative from each parading organization will meet at Warriors Hall to review rules and regulations governing the parade from line-up to disbanding.

“It’s very productive for us to meet like this,” Taylor said at the Wednesday meeting as the group met around a large-scale map of South Main Street and Gonzo pointed out parade staging locations from the railroad tracks south to State Road 85.

“I have four years’ experience doing this,” Gonzo said, tapping a thick binder packed with notes from previous parades.

Gonzo presented the following procedures that she said will help make marshaling the parade more efficient:

• School bands and marching groups will stage in the parking lot off East Chestnut Avenue near the community garden

• Walking groups will stage along East Chestnut Avenue

• Scout troops and packs will stage on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard

• Parading vehicles, except those pulling floats, will enter East Field Avenue off S.R. 85, check in at the check-in center, receive a number and stage on the east side of South Main Street

• Floats will enter South Main Street at either S.R. 85 or East Eden Avenue, check in at the check-in center, receive a number and then stage along the west side of South Main Street.

Among a few tweaks in procedures parade entrants will learn about at Thursday’s mandatory organization meeting: candy and other throws may not be distributed until after the unit has crossed the railroad tracks and started up North Main Street.

“That’s new this year,” Gonzo said. “The safety of all is what makes this necessary,” noting that at past parades, children and other parade goers have been clamoring for candy at the same time parade officials are dispatching parading units into line in the same area.

Also, the parade route has been extended, rounding from North Main Street west on Cedar Avenue to Wilson Street and then two blocks south to Beech Avenue, and an area will be set aside on Courthouse Terrace at Main Street for special-needs residents, Grant said.

“If somebody just wants to drive in there and watch the parade, no, they can’t do that there,” Grant said. “But if they need to get in with a wheelchair, they can.”

Assisting full-time Crestview police officers in maintaining safety and communications will be Crestview Police Auxiliary officers, members of the Crestview Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, and members of the North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club.

Other parade regulations include:

• No candy or other throws may be tossed from vehicles or floats. Only organization members walking alongside their group’s float or vehicle may hand out treats.

• Parading units may not line up until 3 p.m. at the earliest.

• Floats or vehicles may not stop and decorate at the entry to South Main Street. Final touches can be applied once the float or vehicle is in its place in line.

• Vehicle drivers must remain with their vehicles at all times.

• Bands must stay in formation until the parade has rounded the bend by Badcock & More Furniture and reached Wilson Street and Beech Street at the Round Palace laundry. Parading units may not stop and drop off riders until the end of the parade at the Round Palace.

Gonzo said organizers are anticipating floats decorated to celebrate the city’s 100th birthday following the parade’s theme, “Christmas Through the Decades.”

“We have plenty of people in it and plenty of people coming to see it,” Gonzo said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 10 things to expect for Crestview's Christmas parade

CRESTVIEW — Residents in need can still enjoy a full Christmas dinner due to local volunteers’ efforts.

AMVETS Post 35, Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS and AMVETS Riders have shared Christmas dinner with area residents in need since 1990. 

This year, volunteers will again deliver meals in the area from Shoal River in the east and south, Yellow River to the west and Auburn Road to the north. 

The menu includes turkey, baked ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans and whole kernel corn, pie and a roll.

If you would like a meal delivered to you at no charge, call 682-8435 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Include your name, address, phone number and how many meals you will need. If you wish to pick up the meals, let volunteers know how many you will need.

“We ask that you make your meal requests prior to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22,” an event spokesperson said.

Volunteers will deliver meals sometime between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Dec. 25, Christmas Day.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview AMVETS to provide free Christmas dinners

CRESTVIEW — Christy Dennis has joined Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate as a sales associate with its Crestview office.

Dennis, formerly with Back Stage Realty, specializes in residential property sales.

“We are very happy to welcome Christy to the Coldwell Banker network. Her real estate experience, knowledge of the area and commitment to excellent customer service leads to making customers for life,” said Martiel Summitt, branch manager of the Crestview office.

“I look forward to providing the best customer service and helping area buyers and sellers achieve their needs with my knowledge of the area,” Dennis said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dennis joins Coldwell Banker

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Geremy J. St. Vil graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

St. Vil is the son of Terrence Kelly of Annapolis, Maryland, and Myrlande St. Vil of Crestview, Florida.

He is a 2007 graduate of Stratford High School, Stratford, Connecticut. He earned a bachelor's degree in 2015 from the University Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview airman completes Air Force basic training

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Geremy J. St. Vil graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

St. Vil is the son of Terrence Kelly of Annapolis, Maryland, and Myrlande St. Vil of Crestview, Florida.

He is a 2007 graduate of Stratford High School, Stratford, Connecticut. He earned a bachelor's degree in 2015 from the University Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Airman with Crestview ties completes Air Force basic training

'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' CONCERT: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 2, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Northwest Florida State College, Sprint Theater, 100 College Blvd., Crestview. Production combines vocalists, dancers and theater students. Features four Crestview residents.

FIRST TUESDAY LECTURE: 10:30 a.m., Dec. 6, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Pat Hollarn, Crestview Centennial Committee chair, presents, "Crestview through the Century."

LAUREL HILL CHRISTMAS PARADE: 3 p.m. Dec. 10, starting at the industrial park on New Ebenezer Road. The route continues across Highway 85, down Fourth Street and up Third Street. It ends on Second Avenue at the Laurel Hill post office.

‘A PETER WHITE CHRISTMAS’ JAZZ PERFORMANCE: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Accompanying guitarist White are trumpeter Rick Braun and saxophonist Euge Groove. Reservation required. Front-section seating costs $80 each; general admission costs $40 each. Order at seabreeze.fm or call 729-6000.

'JOURNEY TO THE MANGER' MUSICAL: 10:30 a.m. Dec. 11 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12, First Baptist Church of Crestview, 171 E. Hickory Ave. Free. “Discover the meaning of Christmas on a journey through time … the Depression Era, Italy during the Renaissance, the streets of England, a simple little church in Austria, the manger, and the 21st century,” a media release states. Details: 682-2544.

FREE GENEALOGY WORKSHOP: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. One-on-one help sessions start at 6:15 p.m. 849-9468.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: 7 p.m. Dec. 12, Warriors Hall, Stillwell Boulevard, Crestview. Traditional Christmas music by North Okaloosa Community and Pensacola Bay Concert Bands. Free admission, but donations accepted. Proceeds go to group costs and the hall's piano upkeep.

NORTH OKALOOSA CUB SCOUTS ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERS: Rising first- through fifth-grade boys now can join the Cub Scouts. Registration, through December, costs $14; annual membership costs $24. A Boys Life Magazine subscription costs $12. Scholarships and earning opportunities are available through pack fundraising.

North Okaloosa groups include:

• Pack 530, which meets at Crosspoint Church’s south Crestview campus. Contact Cubmaster TJ Tajalle, 573-842-8214 or tj.tajalle@gmail.com, for more information.
• Pack 799, which meets Mondays at First United Methodist Church in Crestview. Contact Cubmaster John Humphrey, 380-6977 or johnhumphrey@embarqmail.com, for details.
• Pack 532, which meets at First Baptist Church of Holt. Contact Cubmaster Courtney Strom, 228-365-1995 or cejeos5@gmail.com, for details.
• Pack 731 also meets in Crestview. Contact pack chair Mike Wing, 902-3556 or mikecwing@yahoo.com, for details.

Crestview Boy Scout membership is available for sixth-grade through 18-year-old males. Contact Rae Schwartz, bakerny@yahoo.com, or Bryant Perkins, Bryant.Perkins@scouting.org, for details.

CHRISTMAS CANTATA: 6 p.m. Dec. 16, Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, 502 McDonald St., Crestview. Theme: "The Prince of Peace." Free to attend. Rehearsals are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5; and 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Carver-Hill School Center, 461 School Ave., Crestview. Darlene Jenkins, 398-6310.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s Happening in North Okaloosa County

Youth members of the 4-H Country Club (veterinary sciences) and Feathers and Fur 4-H club (chickens and rabbits) recently united to help local shelters in need.

Normally, these two clubs teach youths about large and small livestock, but this week it was all about community service.

The clubs received donations from local businesses to put together bags for local cold night shelters. Publix donated the bags, and a local knitting club from First United Methodist Church knitted hats.

The two clubs purchased remaining items with funds they raised throughout the year. The kids packed the bags with items such as toiletries, snacks, hats and gloves, and a personal card signed by all of them. They then took the bags to Helping Hands, a Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless program.

By giving back to their communities, young people can:

•learn the value of helping others

•develop leadership, communication, organizational skills and a sense of empowerment

•learn how important the connection is between subject matter and life in the community

•learn how to cooperate with one another and work as a team with diverse groups of people including adults, peers and others with different backgrounds and experiences

•succeed in an area different from academics, athletics or popularity

•build self-esteem from the positive results of their service

•develop problem-solving and decision-making skills by applying their knowledge to real-world situations

•develop a sense of being responsible for their community and a sense that citizenship requires them to actively participate in their community

•experience the world of work

Not only do young people gain by being involved in community service; the clubs and groups that they are in also experience benefits from planning and carrying out service projects.

According to the Michigan State University Extension website, carrying out service activities can strengthen a club or group because it:

•boosts member commitment and involvement by giving members meaningful activities

•can involve families and youths in a joint activity

•fulfills the "hands to larger service" part of the 4-H pledge

•builds unity among members, allowing them to function better as a team

•allows members to get to know one another better as they work together on a common goal

•helps youths become invested in their club and community

•shows the community how youths can be resources and how they can get things done

Get youths involved in the 4-H program. If you are interested in discovering what 4-H has to offer, please contact the Okaloosa County Extension Office, 689-5850, for more information.

Misty Smith 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: Okaloosa 4-Hers give back to the community

Did you know that, with your library card, you have free access to OneClickdigital (soon to be RBdigital)?

It's an online service that allows you to check out eAudiobooks and eBooks, including best-sellers, Recorded Books exclusives, classics, selections for children and young adults, and much more.

Soon, you will also have access to downloadable magazines (Zinio for Libraries), video games (OnePlay), and online music and art lessons (ArtistWorks for Libraries).

Anyone with a valid Crestview Public Library or any other Okaloosa Public Library Cooperative member (Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther, Niceville or Valparaiso) has free access to eAudio and eBooks at home, in the library, or on the go.

OneClickdigital is compatible with all popular listening devices, and mobile apps are available for the iPhone, Android and Kindle Fire.

OneClickdigital features an easy-to-use interface with streamlined navigation, fast downloads, and automatic software updates. You can come in with your device if you need help installing and loading items, or live toll-free technical support is available at 1-877-77AUDIO (772-8346).

Details on how to access OneClickdigital may be found at readokaloosa.org, or bring your device in and ask a library staff member for assistance. We’ll be glad to help!

Marie Heath is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Coming soon: downloadable magazines and video games