CRESTVIEW — Anna Florence has many job titles at the Robert L.F. Sikes Public Library.

Florence is the library’s records clerk, but she also keeps library statistics, maintains patron cards, handles inter-library loans and the book drop, and helps visitors.

And she has been doing those things for 30 years.

THE RISE OF TECHNOLOGY

Florence, who was born and raised in Crestview, is a 1980 Crestview High School graduate and is married to William Florence.

What started as a volunteer position for her while attending Okaloosa Walton Community College — now Northwest Florida State College — became a full-time position in 1986.

A lot has changed since then.

For instance, when Florence started as a clerk, the library was located on Highway 90 in NWF State’s satellite location. Its present Commerce Street location opened in June of 2002.

In addition, the library’s information sources have evolved over three decades.

“There is lots of new technology such as computers, E-readers and automation,” Florence said. “There are no more card catalogs or due-date cards in the back of the books.”

She said the library has seen increased membership due to an influx of area military.

To serve what’s become Okaloosa County’s largest city, the library now schedules daily educational and enrichment programs; it has a Career Resource Center and a teen area; it offers one-on-one computer skills tutoring; and it features multimedia such as DVDs.

‘A  WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE’

Marie Heath — the library’s director who has worked there for a decade — said Florence is more than a co-worker.

“She has a great sense of humor and tells the funniest stories,” Heath said. “She has been a good friend to me and very supportive.”

Sandra Dreaden, the reference librarian who has worked with Florence since 1989, said, “Anna has a wealth of knowledge of the Crestview area.

“Here at the library she jumps in to do whatever is needed to keep the library running smoothly. She is irreplaceable.”

Sabrina Sturdivant, Heath’s executive assistant, echoed her co-workers’ sentiments. 

“She is the go-to person on policies about the library,” Sturdivant said. “She is very dedicated and is such a hard worker.”

Library patrons like Charles and Marci Nicholson have noticed.  

“We have known Anna for many years,” Marci Nicholson said. “She has become a good friend to us and checks in on us at home often. We just love her!”

“Anna is one of the greatest! There is nothing we wouldn’t do for her,” Charles Nicholson said.

Florence said she enjoys many aspects of working at the Crestview Public Library. 

“I started working here because I love books and enjoy interacting with the people that come in,” she said. “I have developed such great friendships with people across the city of Crestview.”

As for the past three decades?

“It has been a great journey,” she said. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘It has been a great journey’

Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season opens Oct. 15 in state and federal waters.

To be harvested, stone crab claws must be at least 2.75 inches in length when measured from the elbow to the tip of the lower immovable portion of the claw (see illustration).

Claws may not be taken from egg-bearing stone crabs. Egg-bearing females are identifiable by the orange or brown egg mass, also known as a “sponge,” which is visible on the underside of the crab when it is picked up or turned over.

Recreational harvesters can use up to five stone crab traps per person. Stone crabs may not be harvested with any device that can puncture, crush or injure a crab’s body. Examples of devices that can cause this kind of damage include spears and hooks. Recreational and commercial traps may be baited and placed in the water 10 days before the opening of the season, but may not be pulled from the water for harvest until Oct. 15.

Traps not being fished should be removed from the water to avoid ghost fishing, a process in which marine species get caught in the trap for extended periods and are not harvested.

Harvesters should take only one claw, even if both claws are of legal size so that the released crab can better defend itself from predators. A crab returned to the water with one claw intact can obtain more food in less time and can regrow its claw faster.

There is a recreational daily bag limit of 1 gallon of claws per person or 2 gallons per vessel, whichever is less.

The season will be open through May 15, 2017.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Stone crab claw season opens Oct. 15

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa Arts Alliance has a new board of directors for 2016-2017.

Executive board members are President Bill Head, chair of the Volunteer Committee; Vice President Ken Hair with Children in Crisis; Treasurer Susan Kneller, chair of the OAA Grants Committee; and Secretary Becky Belcher with the Arts & Design Society.

The board of directors includes Keri Woods with Pyramid Inc.; Nellie Bogar with the Youth Village; Demetrius Fuller with Sinfonia Gulf Coast; Ursel Behnken with the German Club; Jeanette Shires with the Mattie Kelly Arts Center of Northwest Florida State College and Northwest Florida Symphony Guild; Chris Manson with the Beachcomber; Jean Starkey with Stage Crafters; Gayle Vann, chair of the Events Committee; James Baughman Sr., author; and Bill Johnston with Emerald Coast Pipes & Drums.

The OAA is the officially designated nonprofit arts agency for Okaloosa County, with the mission of supporting and promoting art and culture in Okaloosa County.

See www.okaloosaarts.org for more information.  

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Arts Alliance selects board

CRESTVIEW — Hooters will host a bikini contest fundraiser for the Crestview Fire Department.

The event is 6 p.m. Oct. 20 at Hooters, 180 Cracker Barrel Drive, Crestview. VIP tables seat 10 people and cost $400 each. The purchase includes 50 wings and two pitchers of beer per table. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of equipment for the CFD.

Limited individual chairs will be available later; the price has not been determined.

Hooters Girls from all stores in the franchise, also including Destin, Mobile and Pensacola Beach, will compete.

Visit the Crestview restaurant from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or 11 a.m. to midnight Friday or Saturday to purchase a table.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hooters bikini contest to benefit Crestview Fire Department

CRESTVIEW, Florida — The Florida Department of Corrections will host a recruitment event at Okaloosa Correctional Institution.

FDOC seeks qualified individuals for employment. Applicants should bring a driver’s license, legible copy of their birth certificate, Social Security card, high school diploma, GED or college transcripts and any name change documents (if applicable), such as a marriage certificate.

Veterans and current Reserve or National Guard members should bring a copy of their DD-214 or military ID, respectively.

Applicants should be on site no later than 8:30 a.m. Oct. 7 at OCI, 3189 Colonel Greg Malloy Road, Crestview. The event starts at 9 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida Dept. of Corrections sets hiring event

CRESTVIEW — Families seeking help from the Angel Tree Christmas Connection program can attend one of three upcoming registration events.

Here is the schedule:

• 9 a.m. to noon and 3-5 p.m. Oct. 5, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 550 Adams Drive, Crestview
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 8; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 11 at DeFuniak Springs Community Center, 37 N. 9th St., DFS
• 4-5 p.m. Oct. 11, Baker Area Recreation Association, 5503 FL-4, Baker

Prospective families must show their ID including birth certificates; food stamps along with all income and expenses; and proof of hardship.

The Angel Tree Registration Christmas Connection Team includes The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and The Matrix Community Outreach Center.

Call 243-4531 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Angel tree registration events scheduled

CRESTVIEW — Family food — Japanese style — is on the menu at You Sushi and Hibachi.

“It’s family-owned,” hostess Mei Zheng said as she nodded to Jimmy Ye, who was hard at work behind the sushi bar. “He’s my husband. Everybody works together.”

Family extends to the restaurant’s hibachi and kitchen chef, Hai Zheng. He’s Ye’s father.

The 450 Main St. N. location closed as Sapporo on Aug. 30. Less than three weeks later, the family opened the doors to You Sushi and Hibachi on Sept. 19.

IT’S ALL ABOUT ‘YOU’

The “You” in the restaurant’s name carries multiple meanings, Mei Zheng said. In the family’s native Chinese dialect, it means “a leaf,” reinforced by the restaurant’s “flaming leaf” logo.

“A leaf is green, for happiness and healthy food,” she said. “It is shaped like a flame because we want the news to spread like fire about our good food.”

And in the family’s adopted American English, the restaurant name has a familiar meaning.

“’You’ means you,” Mei said. “You and your family are our priority here.”

Ye said a brief visit to Crestview while passing through town made a lasting impression on him, and inspired him to return and open his restaurant.

“I just dropped by here and I saw people were very nice and friendly,” he said. “Even in Wal-Mart, they were smiling and greeting each other. You never see this in the city.”

LISTENING TO PATRONS

Mei Zheng said the family listens to customers’ suggestions and recommendations. They started by lowering menu prices from their predecessors’ charges.

“We want everybody to have good sushi, not just rich people,” Ye said. “We serve good food at reasonable prices.”

By offering a menu of lunch specials, Ye and his family have also sped up the service time for busy workers who have limited lunch periods.

But of course, Ye said, patrons may order anything from the dinner menu at lunchtime.

“And anything not on the menu, we can create!” Mei said.

AFTER-CHURCH LUNCH

Word is getting out. A steady stream of customers recently came and went, including some who called ahead for take-out orders.

The family hopes to tap into another underserved clientele: the Sunday after-church lunch crowd, for whom they offer 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. hours.

“We hope we can soon be open all day Sunday if enough customers wish,” Ye said.

He was just 18 when he arrived in the U.S. from China. At last, after years of hard work, he has attained the American dream of owning his own business.

“I’ve been working for other people for many years,” Ye said. “Now we are trying to succeed with our own restaurant. We want this place to be busy all the time!”

You Sushi and Hibachi is located at 450 Main St. N. Call 306-3986 for more information.

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘Everybody works together’

Editor's Note: This is the second in our multi-part series on nonprofit organizations that improve North Okaloosa County residents' quality of life. 

CRESTVIEW — Crestview wasn’t supposed to partner with Noirmoutier-en-l’Île, France. That privilege was supposed to go to Fort Walton Beach.

But when it came time to forge a formal relationship under Sister Cities International, it was the Hub City that twinned with the island community off France’s west coast.

The Crestview Area Sister City Program is celebrating the 20th anniversary of a friendship that has grown to encompass cultural, educational, social and economic components.

Oct. 12, host families from Crestview, Niceville and Baker will welcome 43 Noirmoutrins upon their arrival at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport.

For the next 11 days, the visitors will delve into regional history and heritage, attend an ecumenical church service, discover North Okaloosa County’s economic generators, and sashay in a garden named for Noirmoutier.

IN THE GARDEN

To mark the first year of the 20th anniversary celebrations, in May 2015 Noirmoutier named its entry roundabout the Rond Pointe du Crestview.

To observe the anniversary’s second year, Crestview and Northwest Florida State College — a partner in the Sister City relationship — will dedicate the Jardin de Noirmoutier, the “Garden of Noirmoutier,” Oct. 15 at the college’s Crestview campus.

The garden’s inaugural wine and gourmet foods gala soirée, “An Evening in the Garden,” with live music by Jones and Company, follows Oct. 22.

Regional explorations will include a “Nice Day in Niceville,” beginning with a picnic and painting at Turkey Creek Park followed by a dinner and music at Northwest Florida State’s art galleries.

An Oct. 18 “North Okaloosa County Heritage Day” features folkways and Indian demonstrations at the Baker Block Museum, followed by a tour of Shannon Nixon’s farm.

Regional black heritage events include a gospel worship service at Mount Zion AME Church, and a tour and lunch at the Carver-Hill Museum.

THE FIRST STEPS

Friendships begin with first encounters. In September 1994, Russell Sneddon, an early Air Force Armament Museum executive, suggested twinning Noirmoutier with Fort Walton Beach, and matching up three neighboring French communities with Destin, Niceville and Crestview.

In May 1995, a 12-member Okaloosa County delegation visited Noirmoutier.

“Fort  Walton didn't send anyone and they were the intended partner of Noirmoutier,” Crestview contractor and historian Joe Barley, a member of the delegation, said.

With their reciprocal visit postponed by Hurricane Opal, Noirmoutrins visited in February 1996. While charmed by Okaloosa County’s sugar-white beaches, they were especially delighted by Crestview Mayor George Whitehurst and his citizens’ down-home hospitality.

In May 1997, Noirmoutier formalized the partnership with Crestview under Sister Cities International.

“We were supposed to be the step-sister, but we were the ones who got partnered,” Barley said, chuckling. “We've had Noirmoutier for 20 years so we did pretty good.”

“The Sister Cities relationship works well and our activities have grown to be quite numerous,” René Relandeau, president of Noirmoutier's Twinning Committee, said. “The frequent exchanges, encounters and contacts generate numerous friendships.”

EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES

Crestview City Councilman Shannon Hayes said the relationship brings cultural benefits to the community, affording residents an insight into another country.

“Not all of our people can get to France,” Hayes said. “This program here brings a little bit of France to us.”

The friendship included Northwest Florida State from the beginning, with then performing and fine arts department head Dr. Cliff Herron a part of the original Okaloosa delegation.

Today the school’s Soundsations show choir and Madrigals and Belle Voci traditional choirs perform on the island almost biennially.

In October 2015, 23 Noirmoutrin students stayed with student hosts from Crestview High School, forming bonds that will continue a lifetime. Another student visit is planned for 2018.

This year the Crestview Sister City program has established a scholarship fund to be administered by the Foundation of the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce to facilitate educational travel to Noirmoutier by Crestview High School and NWFSC choir students.

ECONOMIC SENSE

City leaders take notice of the relationship’s economic benefits. Each visitor adds an average of $1,200 or more to local economies during an exchange. The upcoming visit is expected to add more than $55,000 to the economy.

When the Noirmoutrins arrive next week, they will rent three vans and two cars from the Crestview Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Their hosts will take them to dinner at local restaurants, and guests often reciprocate. Shopping excursions, such as trips to Destin Commons and Silver Sands Factory Stores, are planned.

“The relationship impacts more than just eating at a restaurant and renting a car,” Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Valerie Lott said. “They’re going to be visiting a lot of places, including in the south county.

“When they come all the way from France they’re going to want to see our beautiful beaches. It’s going to impact down there as well. Anything from convenience stores to grocery stores, to souvenir shops.”

The Tourist Development Council perked up when informed the Noirmoutrins and their hosts will picnic at Beasley Park after Oct. 16 services at Crestview’s Mt. Zion AME Church. Its representatives will be waiting with goodie bags — and lunch.

‘DELIGHTFUL PEOPLE’

“They are the most delightful people,” Crestview Mayor Cadle said.

His favorite experience was in 2009 when Noirmoutier Mayor Dr. Noël Faucher made Cadle an honorary Noirmoutrin, draping a red, white and blue sash around his neck before a crowd in Jack Foster Stadium.

“We had that ceremony before the game and we had both flags flying and the band played ‘La Marseillaise,’” Cadle said, referring to the rousing French national anthem. “I felt so international.”

Barley said he is pleased the program has grown so successfully. Locals’ Noirmoutier experiences continue to resonate in lifelong friendships and affectionate memories.

“It’s such a beautiful, interesting place, so full of history,” Barley said. “The people are wonderful; the food is great.”

What: “An Evening in the Garden,” a wine and epicurean soiree

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 22

Where: Northwest Florida State College’s Bob Sikes Education Center in Crestview’s Twin Hills Park

Details: The Crestview Area Sister City Program and Northwest Florida State College present unlimited gourmet cuisine, wine and beverages and live music by Jones and Company; sponsored by Bob Sikes Airport. Tickets cost $45 in advance or $60 at the door; proceeds benefit the Crestview Area Sister City Program Scholarship Fund. Purchase tickets at www.crestviewsistercity.org or call 683-1247.

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A tale of two cities

Even though the weather is still warm, fall is here. Walk into any local grocery store and pumpkins are starting to show up.

Pumpkins are a staple for the beginning of the fall season. Locally, you will see many varieties called pie or sugar pumpkins, as well as carving pumpkins.

The variety of pumpkin you select will depend on what you want to do with it. Are you buying to carve a jack-o-lantern or make pumpkin pie? The bigger pumpkins are great for carving, but they’re the worst for cooking as they are stringy and very bland.

The best ones for baking and cooking with are sweet, flavorful and have smooth-textured flesh. Varieties you will notice locally will be labeled for “pies” and are more compact in size.

After purchasing a pumpkin, it may be stored for many weeks in a well-ventilated place at room temperature. Once cut, you should store it inside a refrigerator, where it will keep for several days. For longer storage, prepare the pulp and freeze. This is excellent for pies and baked goods you want to make later.

Here are some interesting facts about pumpkins:

• Pumpkins are fruits (they contain seeds) and are members of the cucurbit family, which includes squash and cucumbers.

• Pumpkins are 90 percent water.

• Pumpkins come in all sizes and weights.

• Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.

• The United States produces more than 1 billion pounds of pumpkins each year.

• Most pumpkins are orange, but come in other colors too, such as yellow, white, green, red, and even tan.

• Most pumpkins weigh about 15–30 pounds.

• Pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a snack.

• It takes four to five months to grow pumpkins.

Freezing Pumpkin

Select a pumpkin labeled for cooking.

Wash it, cut into cooking-size sections and remove seeds.

There are several ways to cook the pulp. Cook until soft in boiling water, in steam, or in an oven. Remove by scraping the pulp from the rind and mash. Discard the rind or use in your compost pile.

To cool, place a pan containing the pumpkin in cold water and stir occasionally. Package in an approved freezer container, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Label, date and place it in the freezer.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Scoop out seeds from the pumpkin. Remove pulp from seeds; rinse and drain well. Rub seeds with a little oil. Spread on cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 25 minutes or until brown. Stir often.

Pamela Allen is an interim director for the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Okaloosa County.   

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pumpkins have arrived

Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on Okaloosa and Walton County state roads as crews perform these construction and maintenance activities.

Okaloosa County: State Road 189/Beal Parkway construction. Expect lane restrictions south of Racetrack Road from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Thursday, Oct. 6 as crews close the median opening to construct a new driveway and southbound, left-turn lane.

Walton County

• Interstate 10 resurfacing: Expect intermittent and alternating lane closures between mile marker 66, west of the S.R. 285 (Niceville/Exit 70) and mile marker 78, west of Boy Scout Road. Lane restrictions will take place 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 7 as crews perform resurfacing operations.
• S.R. 20 over Dismal Creek bridge maintenance: Intermittent lane restrictions over Dismal Creek, 2 miles east of Bruce, from 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5 to 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 traffic changes to expect in Okaloosa and Walton counties