CRESTVIEW — Home Depot volunteers and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450 members have begun renovations on the post’s West James Lee Boulevard location.

The post was awarded a $9,100 grant from Home Depot to remodel the building. “The Home Depot went above and beyond to help us out,” Trent Rundell, a 12-year member of the post, stated.

The post, which assists veterans and their families, was chartered in 1987 and has almost 500 members. “Our programs at our post … give our veterans and their families a place for camaraderie with other vets,” Scott Hice, post commander and a 22-year Air Force veteran, said.

The post also promotes military history with community youth programs. All VFW posts also sponsor the annual “Voice of Democracy” student essay contest. Last year the Florida state winner was from the area and won a $30,000 scholarship.

James “Polo” Cutts, the Fort Walton Beach Home Depot’s store manager, along with Laura Calvery, ASDA manager at the Fort Walton location, coordinated the Nov. 10 event with the VFW Post.

So, what’s next?

“Our plan is to remodel our current facilities. We will replace ceiling tiles and fans, doors and air conditioning units. We will also do new landscaping and paint inside and out,” Rundell said. An outside recreational space will be constructed for members to socialize.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: VFW Post 5450 gets a makeover

CRESTVIEW — A plea on social media in 2014 caught Baker resident Renee Wiley's attention. A woman asked if anyone could help provide for her family at Christmas. Responses were mostly positive.

Wiley decided at that point to organize a Facebook group that links people who can help with people who need help during the holidays. That group became the Christmas Angels in Crestview.

Christmas Angels in Crestview's 72 members work year-round to collect toys and other items for children. About 24 of the members wait to adopt a family for the holidays.

Wiley also established a second Facebook group, Christmas Needs. People needing help for the holidays can join that group. The Christmas Angels group provides for the Christmas Needs group.

So, how does the program work? Well, parents are asked to make a list of what their children need. The list includes ages, sizes and certain items children may want. Needs for children ranging from babies to high school students are accepted.

Christmas Angels volunteers then take the lists, along with a picture of the child or children, to pick gifts from a storage unit. Stockings and stocking stuffers are also provided. Parents — “Most of those families in need are single mothers raising their children on their own,” Wiley said — then can come by the storage unit and receive a box of gifts along with wrapping paper.

The first year the Christmas Angels went into action, Wiley lacked a warehouse to keep donations and had to store them in her home. The second year, the group had a rented storage unit in Niceville. This year, Wiley rented a storage unit in Crestview and will probably have to rent another after Thanksgiving. That unit is already filled with dolls and games, Christmas decorations and two Christmas trees.

Christmas Angels in Crestview also accepts cash donations, which go straight to purchasing what is needed to help those in need, Wiley said.

That number is growing. During its first year, 74 children received gifts; last year, 99 children received gifts, according to Wiley.

“Last year, our Black Friday shoppers doubled our inventory in the unit in Niceville. One generous couple spent $3,000 to help out. That same couple also adopted two families for the holidays. They like to do for others,” Wiley stated.

“This group has restored my faith in humanity,” she said. “There are people out there who care and don’t want a child going without on Christmas morning. All we ask is that those families who are helped out take a picture of their children’s smiles on Christmas morning and send it to us. That keeps us going.”

Interested in contributing? Contact Renee Wiley through Christmas Angels in Crestview on Facebook. Need help? Contact her through Christmas Needs on Facebook.

Wiley also has a third group on Facebook called Giving Hands in Crestview. This group is a “free-cycling” exchange group between people.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Christmas Angels prepare for annual gift distribution

UPCOMING

BECOME AN AMVETS POST 35 MEMBER at no charge through Nov. 12. Eligible active duty and veteran military members may sign up at 105 John King Road, Crestview. Bring military I.D., retired I.D., or honorable discharge DD Form 214. Details: 682-8435.

HUMAN RESOURCES Q&A: 11:15 a.m. Nov. 16, Costa Leadership Institute, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Speaker Amie Remington leads a question-and-answer session on the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime rule and employment laws. Attendees may bring canned and other nonperishable food items for donation to Sharing & Caring.

CRESTVIEW PHOTO CLUB: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17, Don Braun Hall, 701 James Lee Blvd. E., Crestview. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. There is a $2 donation request. Bring your camera if you attend.

RECURRING

SATURDAYS

ADULT/FAMILY NIGHT: 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or just fellowship.

KARAOKE: 8 p.m. Saturdays, American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. 689-3195.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP: 11 a.m. first Saturdays, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Anyone may attend to inquire about the craft. 678-2615.

THE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF OKALOOSA COUNTY: 10 a.m. second Saturdays, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Martha Trau, 259-4351.

GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION: 9 a.m. to eat and 10 a.m. meeting third Saturdays of the month, Ryan's restaurant, Crestview. Dwayne Hopkins, 217-1001. All motorcyclists are welcome.

VFW HORSESHOE TOURNAMENT: 12 p.m. third Saturdays, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450, 2240 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Lynn Mobley, 682-5552.

MONDAYS

YOUTH NIGHT: 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or fellowship.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. Mondays, the clubhouse at 704 Robinson St., Crestview. Details: Richard, 398-6620. www.fwb-area-aa.org.

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays, September through May, location to be announced. Details: 683-0839, 902-1899.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Yearly membership: $20.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mt. Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

HELP OTHER PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY: 6 p.m. third Mondays at Community of Christ, Crestview.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. fourth Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Sit-n-sew and workshop meeting.

THE OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: fourth Mondays. info@occsw.org.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mt. Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.

TUESDAYS

BUSINESS NETWORKING INTERNATIONAL: 7:30-9 a.m. Tuesdays, Fred Astaire Dance Studio, 544 Main St., Crestview. Members give each other quality business referrals; the goal is increased financial success. Business persons welcome to visit. Details: President Peggy Hollingshead, 902-9066 or peggy@drphh.com.

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY:

●8 a.m. Tuesdays, First United Methodist Church, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview. Mary Cole, 683-1899.

●6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, First UMC fellowship hall, Crestview. Brooke Bratton, 225-8197. www.TOPS.org.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 to report incidents. okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com.

STORY TIME: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Children ages 3 to 5 can enjoy stories and activities, and make a simple craft.

CRESTVIEW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO: Quarterly games 4:30-6 p.m.; regular games 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday at 701 James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

BAKER GARDEN CLUB: 10 a.m. first Tuesdays September through May at different locations. Liz Davis, 537-4512.

OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP: 1 p.m. first Tuesdays, Wellness Center at Twin Cities Hospital, Niceville. A Registered Nurse is present, and meetings include details of specialty care and product innovations that may be helpful. Details: 389-7071.

CARVER-HILL MEMORIAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 5:30 p.m. first Tuesdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB: Noon, second and fourth Tuesdays at Ryan’s in Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Details: B.J. Thomhave, 682-2012.

OPEN MIC POETRY AT THE LIBRARY: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Free event. Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; Rick Sanders, 585-6399. Read poetry or play music. This month's poetry starter: Rules are rules. http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library/programs.php.

CRESTVIEW TOASTMASTERS: 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Greater Federation of Women's Club building, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Details: Kathy Morrow, 974-3662.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 395: 5:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Carver-Hill Museum, 895 S. McClelland St., Crestview. Cmdr. Raymond Nelson, 420-0706.

NORTH OKALOOSA PATRIOTS: 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, 150 N. Woodlawn Blvd., Crestview. www.panhandlepatriots.com.

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB: Noon, second and fourth Tuesdays at Ryan’s in Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Details: B.J. Thomhave, 682-2012.

WEDNESDAYS

CRESTVIEW KIWANIS CLUB: 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview.

KNITTING GROUP: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W, Crestview.

SENIOR SOCIAL: noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or just fellowship. See Facebook page for details.

SONS OF ITALY, CRESTVIEW CHAPTER 2865: 6 p.m. third Wednesdays, Foxwood Country Club, Antioch Road. All people of American-Italian heritage may join. Group president Thomas Hughes, 682-3597, thomasjhughessr@hotmail.com.

THURSDAYS

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Crosspoint, in portable 2, 2250 PJ Adams Parkway, Crestview. For people grieving the death of a loved one or other losses. 678-4411 extension 109.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays, 704 E. Robinson Ave., Crestview. 689-1842.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 or email okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com to report incidents.

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING: 7 a.m. first Thursdays, Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF CRESTVIEW: 5:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

FLYING NEEDLES QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Thursdays at Niceville Church of Christ. Visitors and quilters are welcome.

NORTH OKALOOSA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Live Oak Baptist Church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview. Call 398-7524 for details.

MAINSTREET CRESTVIEW ASSOCIATION: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, City Hall, 502 Wilson St., Crestview. Group improves and promotes Main Street and Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency businesses.

CRESTVIEW PHOTO CLUB: 6 p.m. third Thursdays, Knights of Columbus Hall, 701 James Lee Blvd. E., Crestview. For amateur through professional photographers. https://www.facebook.com/CrestviewPhotoClub/ or contact MSgt. Jayly Jackson, jayly.jackson@us.af.mil.

EMERALD COAST PROFESSIONALS NETWORKING GROUP: 4-6 p.m. second and fourth Thursdays, Crestview JobsPlus One-Stop Center, Wilson Street, Crestview. For job seekers with a bachelor's degree and two years’ professional work experience, or more than eight years’ professional, managerial or supervisory experience. Registration: email a resume and cover letter to ecp@jobsplus02.com. emeraldcoastprofessionals.com or jobsplusonestop.com.

CRESTVIEW EXCHANGE CLUB: fourth Thursdays, Covenant Hospice, Crestview. Sharlene Cox, 682-6824.

FRIDAYS

LAPSIT: Two sessions to choose from, 9:15 or 10:15 a.m. Fridays now through Dec. 9, in the Crestview Public Library's Story Room. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays. For children under age 3 and caregivers. Check the library's calendar, www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php, for exact dates and themes.

STEAK NIGHT: 6 p.m. first Fridays. American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Cost: $15 per person; includes T-bone steak, baked potato, salad, bread and dessert. 689-3195.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County clubs and organizations calendar

BLUE ANGELS HOMECOMING AIR SHOW: Gates open 8 a.m. Nov. 12 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Free admission and parking. Concessions and memorabilia are available for purchase. Reserved seating at http://www.naspensacolaairshow.com/.

ACTING AUDITIONS: 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12, Sprint Theater of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Auditions are for March 6-12 presentations of "Agnes of God" and "The Servant of Two Masters," directed by Clint Mahle. A 90-second prepared audition consists of one dramatic and one comedic short monologue with the comedic one having a broad physical style. “Agnes of God” is a women-only cast. Men and women are needed for “The Servant of Two Masters.” Servant rehearsals are Mondays and Tuesdays; Agnes rehearsals are Thursdays and Fridays.

FRIENDS OF THE CRESTVIEW LIBRARY: 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Consider joining for $10. Refreshments served.

SENIOR BINGO: 10:30 a.m. Nov. 17, Don Braun Hall, 701 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Presented by the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. Lunch will be served. Call 612-6325 to RSVP.

‘BABES IN TOYLAND’: 7 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19, and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Florida Chautauqua Theatre, 848 Baldwin Ave., DeFuniak Springs. The family-friendly performances include action and music. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students ages 22 and younger. 892-9494.

'THE NUTCRACKER 'BALLET: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19, and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Debut of the Northwest Florida Ballet Symphony Orchestra led by composer and conductor David Ott. $38 for adults and $18 for children 12 and under.

LIBRARY THANKSGIVING SCHEDULE: Holiday hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. The library will be closed Nov. 24 and 25 for Thanksgiving Day. Regular hours resume Nov. 26, with the library being open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WASTE PRO THANKSGIVING SCHEDULE: Waste Pro will be closed Nov. 24 to observe Thanksgiving Day. Recycling usually picked up Thursday and Friday will be picked up Nov. 25; residential garbage collection will be moved to Nov. 28.

FAMILY LIBRARY TIME:  6:30 p.m. Nov. 29, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Topic: Drum Circle with Pathdrummer. For ages 4 and up; limited to the first 20 kids. Free tickets available at 6 p.m. before presentation.

'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."

‘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.

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.

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.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: What’s Happening in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — The Shoal River Middle School Boys & Girls Cross Country team took fifth place overall in the County Championship.

These SRMS student-athletes finished in the top 15 and earned medals:

• Eighth-grader Caleb Pursley, fifth place in the overall boys race
• Sixth-grader Trinity Holland, 13th place
• Seventh-grader Tianna McPhaul, 15th place overall in the girls race

The race wasn’t easy, according to a team spokesperson.

“It is a grueling trail race located at Northwest Florida State College,” an SRMS media release stated.

Individual times and team places are available at www.milesandminutes.net. Go to “Schedule” and “Okaloosa County MS XC Championship.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SRMS cross country team takes fifth in county championship

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

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

Okaloosa County

· Resurfacing from College Boulevard to State Road 123: Intermittent lane closures from 7:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Nov. 10 as crews perform shoulder work.

Walton County

· U.S. 98 traffic signal at Seascape Drive and Forest Shore Drive: A new traffic signal on U.S. 98 at the intersection of Seascape Drive and Forest Shore Drive will become operational Wednesday, Nov. 16 at approximately 10:30 a.m. The signal will be placed in flash mode Thursday, Nov. 10 to acquaint motorists with the new location. The new signal is mounted on strain poles with signal heads in the vertical position. Drivers should use caution when approaching the intersection.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2 traffic changes to expect in Okaloosa and Walton counties

Billions of leaves blanket the fall landscape and are bagged by hundreds of homeowners to be placed curbside for local trash pick-up.

Many of these leaves could be easily turned into valuable mulch or compost.

Why do all those fall leaves end up in bags to be discarded?

It’s probably because the homeowner is overwhelmed by the volume. For instance, one resident reported raking more than 100 large bags of leaves from his half-acre property. One large oak tree can contain over 250,000 leaves!

Still, bagged and discarded leaves could become quality mulch or could be composted.

Homeowners have tools for reducing 100 bags of leaves to 10 in their own backyards.

Shredding and composting can reduce leaf volume by 90 percent and provide a manageable quantity of valuable mulch and an excellent organic source for composting and converting into rich humus to improve garden soil.

Shredded leaves stay seated better on the landscape than whole leaves. They also do a better job of holding moisture in the soil and don't mat down like whole leaves.

But how do you shred leaves if you don't have a costly leaf shredder?

All you need is a lawn mower, a little extra time and concern for the environment. Just put the leaves on the lawn in rows around three feet wide and two feet deep.

Then, with the lawn mower at the highest wheel setting, run over the pile. If the mower has a bag attachment, collecting shredded leaves is a neat and easy task.

Without a bag, the easiest way to collect them is to put a 9-by-12-foot drop cloth parallel to the row of leaves. Then, by running the mower in one direction so the leaves are discharged onto the cloth, cleanup is easier.

Throw the shredded leaves in the compost pile to cut the volume by another 50 percent.

Shredded leaves will shrink within a week and compost faster than whole leaves.

To compost dry leaves, add water, a little garden soil and a cup of garden fertilizer.

For more information on gardening and landscaping, contact the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Office.

Larry Williams 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: How to reduce 100 bags of fall leaves to 10

CRESTVIEW — Surrounded by more than 60 family members and friends, Virginia Kemp celebrated her 90^th birthday with a Nov. 5 luncheon at the First United Methodist Church’s Crossroads Center.

Beaming in a pink and peach ensemble accented by a white daisy and yellow rose corsage, Kemp shared laughs and reminiscences with her guests, several of whom traveled from out of state for the occasion.

The party was organized by her daughters, Martha Barton, Peggy Blanton, Delma Welch and Elizabeth Weirich, and featured a luncheon buffet with multiple desserts prepared by event organizers and friends.

The crowning touch was a yellow and white birthday cake, which matched the lively event colors and was topped by a frosting illustration of a grand piano in honor of Kemp’s decades of piano playing at the church.

Before guests dug into the food, they enjoyed a “trip down Memory Lane,” as Welch called a multimedia presentation she prepared. The program featured photos from her mother’s life accompanied by music ranging from The Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Gershwins, Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” and a poignant tune recorded by Kemp’s late husband, Edmond Kemp.

The couple met while both worked at a south Florida hotel. Soon the Svea native swept his newfound love from her Philadelphia birthplace to Northwest Florida, where she has remained ever since.

Watching photos of her grandsons flashing on the screens, Kemp remarked, “All my girls had boys.”

Kemp, an active member of the Friends of the Crestview Library, attributes her longevity to being involved with her church, her community and her family.

“I have a good family and good friends,” she said. “We have many connections here. They’re my daughters, my friends, my church friends and my library friends.”

“She’s amazing,” GFWC Crestview Woman’s Club member Jeanne Gutenmann said. “She just as sweet as ever. She gets up there (at church) at 90 years old and still plays the piano.”

“Your being here means our mama has touched your lives in some special way,” Welch told the guests.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘Good family and good friends’

CRESTVIEW — Loomis Bros. Circus is returning to Crestview for its fall "Funtastic Tour," sponsored by the Crestview Historic Preservation Board.

Circus presentations are 90 minutes long and set for 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 11 and 12, and 3 p.m. Nov. 13 at Old Spanish Trail Park pavilion, on Stillwell Boulevard in Crestview.

Full-priced admission is $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 2-12. Coupons for “Free Kids Tickets” are available at most merchants throughout Okaloosa County. There are also a limited number of discounted advance-sale tickets available from the preservation board by calling 240-4053. Tickets may also be purchased, with cash only, at the circus box office on the day of show.

All seating for the circus is general admission and doors open approximately one hour before each scheduled show time.

Featured performers include "the amazing Ashton Family, performing an extraordinary display of Risley acrobatics … the mesmerizing Cassandra: 'Woman on the Moon' performing a most unique aerial display… and James Plunkett, the 'Sultan of Silliness,' with his sidekick Cleo the Camel in a riotous demonstration of the bond between man and beast," a media release stated.

“This year, we’ve added a live band to our show,” said circus producer and ringmaster Justin Loomis. “The band is very versatile and performs everything from the circus classics to today’s latest hits.” 

“We also continue to carry on circus tradition by featuring exotic animals including White Siberian and Royal Bengal tigers along with the only mixed herd of both Asian and African elephants currently touring North America.”

In a media release, the company stated, "In light of recent announcements made by many circuses, both in the United States and internationally, regarding the removal of elephants from their shows, we would like to take a moment to inform the public on our stance regarding the subject.

"Facts show that elephants that have grown up in the circus do not adjust well to non-circus environments. They simply cannot survive without the care and interaction of humans. Releasing a circus elephant into the wild would be detrimental to their health and safety. Circus elephants are under 24-hour supervision, receive a nutritional diet and superior veterinary care. There are strict regulations set forth by government agencies on local, state, and federal levels that must be followed. The care given to our elephants not only meets these regulations, it exceeds them.

"The population of elephants in the wild has been severally dwindling over the last few years. In Africa, there are open hunting seasons for their ivory. In Asian countries, the serious loss of habitat has caused the Asian Elephant to become nearly extinct.

"We believe that education is the best weapon in the fight towards keeping elephants in the circus and we urge the public to become informed on the subject, and see through the negative propaganda. It is our greatest fear that animals which have lived in a circus their entire lives will be taken away, put into unsafe environments, and become forgotten … likely leading to their extinction.

"…At Loomis Bros. Circus, we strongly support the bond between human and animal. Therefore, at this time we will continue to display elephants in our circus for as long as we legally can.

"However, time could be running out. Many states have already passed, or are in the process of proposing, new laws against the display of elephants and other animals in a circus."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Loomis Bros. Circus returns to Crestview