CRESTVIEW — "Victorian Mourning: Practices, Etiquette and Customs" takes focus during an upcoming lecture.

Bonnie Grundel of Crestview will present the event 10:30 a.m. Nov. 1 at the Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Admittance is free.

Grundel — a living-history actor — portrays Laura Rogers, a widow headed to Pensacola to attend a funeral in 1901. She weaves a tale that includes accurate historical information on Victorian customs and etiquette, and will display her extensive collection of Victorian mourning articles.

Coffee and cookies will be served at 10 a.m. when doors open. Call the library, 682-4432, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Victorian mourning presentation set in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa Master Gardener Dave Gordon will present the final program of this year's Okaloosa County Master Gardener Association Lecture Series.

"Native Azaleas and Rhododendrons” is 10-11 a.m. Oct. 19 at the Crestview Extension Office, 3098 Airport Road.

North Florida has a number of native azaleas, and dozens more have been hybridized including the Confederate Series, which is ideally suited for local growing conditions. Most are fragrant, some are evergreen, and all have picturesque blooms.

Gordon’s program will feature many photos of these native azaleas, along with instructions on how to plant and maintain them.

Seating is limited. Call 689-5850 to register.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Master Gardeners set Azaleas, Rhododendrons lecture

CRESTVIEW — Need something to do this weekend? Check out these fun events:

1. GATHER IN THE GARDEN as the Crestview Area Sister City program dedicates the Jardin de Noirmoutier to its Sister City members from Noirmoutier, France. The event is 2-4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Northwest Florida State College's Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center, 805 U.S. Highway 90, Crestview. Admission is free. Crestview High School culinary arts program students will provide refreshments after the ceremony.

2. ENJOY A PIANO RECITAL featuring guest artist Yejin Lee, whose solo debut recital was 2015 at Carnegie Hall in New York. Lee will perform along with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Tyler Recital Hall, Northwest Florida State College, 100 College Blvd., Niceville. Lee competed and claimed top awards at the Dallas International, Kingsville International, Wideman International, Oberlin International and Korean Chopin piano competitions, and performed at various music festivals and master classes, including the Banff Music Festival. Tickets, $20 each, are available at http://bit.ly/2dg6s3H. 

3. LURCH LIKE A ZOMBIE during the annual Fort Walton Beach Zombie Walk and Can Food Drive, which starts at 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at Fort Walton Beach Landing, 139 SE Brooks St. The entry fee is four cans of food for Fort Walton Beach Sharing and Caring. Participants wear zombie attire and tour downtown businesses. A performance of "Thriller" is part of the event.

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

CRESTVIEW — Downtown Crestview comes alive with ghosts this Friday.

THREE EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

1. Learn from the spirits of Crestview as they help celebrate the city's centennial with a historical walking tour Friday on Main Street. Repeated at 15-minute intervals, the tour provides insight into Crestview's first 100 years from 10 influential residents who lived here. The tour is not a Halloween-related event. It is non-scary and suitable for people of all ages interested in Crestview history.

2. The View from the Stage theater group of Crestview will portray ghostly inhabitants, including William C. Mapoles, considered the father of Okaloosa County; and Emma Grove, dubbed "the sixth councilmember" for her attendance and input at council meetings.

3. It starts and ends at the Peaden Distillery, with stops along Main Street in between. Books and Centennial-themed souvenirs will be available for purchase at the distillery, located in Main Street's historic Fox Theater. Coney Island and Pawsitively Scrumptious will be open during the tours and they will have specials in honor of the occasion.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND

The ghost walk is the 10th of 12 events planned by the city of Crestview for its 1916-2016 Centennial celebration.

Rae Schwartz, one of the event's organizers, said, "Any city is a product of the special people whose vision and passion helped create and shape it. Reading about Crestview's history (in a wonderful book like 'Crestview: The Forkland') is a great way to learn about our past; but watching our history come to life is much more immediate — and more fun!"

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Ghosts of Crestview, a Crestview centennial event

WHEN: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 14, with additional tours at 15-minute intervals

WHERE: Peaden Brothers Distillery, 382 Main St. N., Crestview

TICKETS: $5; purchase at Coney Island, Pawsitively Scrumptious, Casbah Coffee Company and Rustic Reflections, all in downtown Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ghost tours offer glimpse of Crestview's past

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview man's homage to one of the U.S. military’s heroes now comes in the form of a biography.

Johnathan McDaniel's new book, "The Dansville Darling," is an ode to his grandfather, John Jackson Wray of Crestview, and the 32 years he spent serving as a member of the U.S. Air Force and Army.

"I felt like there are many people in the military who are unsung heroes because they don't tell their own story,” McDaniel said. “It's a code of honor that prevents them from bragging about what they've done.

"There's many out there. He's one of many and I wanted to make sure his story was told."

Wray was born May 5, 1924, in Dansville, New York to Cora and Jack Wray. He retired as an Air Force chief master sergeant in 1975. He participated in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. His work as a fighter pilot in Korea inspired his grandson to write about him.

It took McDaniel about two years to compile his references for the book.

"The research was the hardest part. It's very hard to find old military documents," McDaniel said.

The work has been a rewarding journey for McDaniel, though. His family was "very supportive. My mother (Wray's daughter, Kathy Wray-McDaniel of Crestview) was so proud that she cried when she received the copy of the book," he said.

The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Between his grandfather; his dad, Jerry McDaniel — who spent 20 years in the Air Force — and McDaniel's 10 years as an Air Force F-16 mechanic and Morale, Welfare and Recreation officer, the men have 60 years of military service.

Johnathan, a counselor at Eglin Air Force Base, and his wife, Ritsa, have two daughters ages 6 and 11.

The book was released Sept. 18 and is available on Amazon.com. The Dansville Darling Facebook page also has more historical photos and details about John Wray.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: A labor of love

MILTON — St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Winter Arts and Crafts Fair is Dec. 2 and 3. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the historic church located at 6849 Oak St., Milton.  

“Join us for this event to showcase your custom jewelry, art, woodcrafts, candles and other creative handiwork,” an event spokesperson said. “Attendees look forward to this event to purchase one-of-a-kind treasures.”

The Episcopal Church Women will sell baked goods, goodies, jams, jellies and other canned goods, and the Men’s Group will grill hamburger lunches.

Inside booth space is available for $40 for both days and includes one 6-foot table. Outside booths are $20 for one day and $35 for both. Set-up is 9-11:30 a.m. Dec. 2; space is limited. Use of electricity will be provided for $5.

Contact the church, 623-2905 or stmarysmiltonflorida@gmail.com, for a vendor application.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Vendors sought for winter arts and crafts fair

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this weekend in Santa Rosa County

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: The Bulletin Kids enjoy a day at Bob Sikes Airport

CRESTVIEW — Hurricane Matthew evacuees have toys to enjoy while away from home due to area Scouts’ efforts.

Boy Scouts from Troop 773, Cub Scouts from Pack 799, and Girl Scouts from Troop 738 collected items to help children of U.S. military who evacuated to NAS Pensacola.

John Humphrey, cubmaster of Pack 799 and chartered organization representative of Troop 773, coordinated the collection. He asked the Knights of Columbus for use of the Don Braun Hall on Highway 90 as a collection site. In addition, the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary group donated coloring books, crayons, games, toys and other items to the collection.

The Scouts spent the day collecting items and then drove to Pensacola to deliver the items to United Way. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Scouts collect toys for Hurricane Matthew evacuees

SPONSORS, VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, which is Oct. 29-30 at Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village, Destin. Details: Marcia Hull, 650-2226. To volunteer, go to http://signup.com/go/rniGJm to reserve a shift or contact Kathy Whidden, 376-7391 or kathy@destinchiropractor.com.Subhead: RECURRING

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.

MOM'S NIGHT OUT: 4:30-8:30 p.m. second Fridays, Mosaic Church, 837 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Open to single moms and dads, and those with a deployed spouse. Child care for children ages 1 and older. Email Stacey@mosaiccrestview.com to make reservations the Wednesday before the event.

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 needs people to work in the Emergency Operations Center assisting county personnel. Contact: Yvonne Earle, 863-1530, extension 230.

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.

EMERALD COAST HOSPICE seeks volunteers in a number of areas, from administrative help to offering support to a hospice patient through visits or weekly phone calls. Details: Ann O’Connor, 689-0300.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Helping Hands: volunteering and services