CRESTVIEW — Indiana governor and vice presidential candidate Mike Pence and Okaloosa County engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Paul Hsu spent some time together Sept. 8 while attending a technology meeting in California.

“They discussed educational issues for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs from elementary to high school,” Crestview Technology Air Park project executive Dennis Mitchell said. “Dr. Hsu filled him in on the ongoing TEAMS recognitions and new robotics awards programs in progress in Okaloosa County.”

Nominations for the 2017 Paul Hsu Foundation Teaching Excellence Awards in Math and Science are now open. Anyone may nominate a North Okaloosa County high school science, technology, engineering, math or computer science teacher.

The pair of $5,000 awards will be presented at the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s March 2017 breakfast meeting.

Nominations may be made at www.crestviewchamber.com/pages/PHFTEAMS1.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pence meets with Okaloosa engineer

CRESTVIEW — Hannah Teel, César Hernández and their boss, David Colón, are often seen in evening clothes or fashionable day wear.

Finding the Fred Astaire Dance Studio instructors and owner earlier this week in paint-dappled shorts and T-shirts is a change.

But their labors’ results are expected to delight attendees at Thursday’s Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event.

The work involved the final stages of a months-long transformation of a former dirt lot behind the studio’s Elegant Vue Event Center on Main Street North into a paved, landscaped patio.

Wednesday’s painting party marked the completion of a bandstand gazebo on the patio’s northwest corner.

“It’s going to be real nice,” Teel said as she stretched on a ladder to roll paint over the side supports.

The Elegant Vue center and studio grew out of a total renovation of a former residential mission, including bringing the brick building up to code and opening its main room into a two-story atrium events hall.

The patio was for many years the site of car washes benefiting mission residents’ expenses.

As the weather cools off with fall’s approach, Colón hopes the patio will see lots of use. When it does, he and his dancers promise to shed the paint-spattered work duds for their usual dance attire.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Dancers paint Crestview studio's gazebo

CRESTVIEW — Remember that orange bread Aunt Katy served at Christmas? Or Pawpaw’s corn waffles?

Then there’s Miss Cheryl’s truck stop soup, Auntie Vi’s sweet and sour pork, and Minty’s red beans and rice that are so authentic you’d swear you got ’em in the New Orleans Bywater.

Crestview’s grown and, with its growth, its cultural influences have expanded over the past 100 years. The Centennial Committee is sharing the city’s culinary heritage in the Crestview Centennial Cook Book.

For the project, volunteers gathered recipes from resident donors, ranging from old-fashioned, down-home North Okaloosa country cookin’ to dishes by new residents offering international pizzazz.

From Kim Williams Crane’s “Anytime Punch” in Appetizers and Beverages to Jeri Jones’ white chocolate raspberry cheesecake in the rear desserts section, hundreds of locally tried, tested and family-approved recipes fill the 343-page cookbook.

A committee headed by Main Street Crestview Association manager Patti Gonzo requested recipes from throughout the community and heard back from 166 named contributors.

Dozens more arrived from Main Street members, “friends of Crestview,” and those listed “in memory of” family members, friends and ancestors.

Gonzo said she began working on the project with volunteers Valerie Manley and Viola Owens.

“Then as we got going, Cheryl Bunyan and Marie Saccaro came aboard,” Gonzo said.

Recipes received via email had to be formatted. Handwritten, typed or photocopied documents needed to be entered manually.

“Marie had to do a lot of the typing,” Gonzo said. “She was a big help on that. Viola laid out all the divider pages and Cheryl Bunyan helped me proofread.”

The book contains a 10-page city history, cooking and nutritional tips, household hints, gift ideas and kids’ kitchen crafts suggestions.

The $15 book is available at several Main Street businesses. Proceeds benefit Main Street Crestview Association programs.

The Crestview Centennial Cook Book is available for $15 at the City Clerk’s office in City Hall, which also has collectors’ centennial coins; Hub City Barbecue, Pawsitively Scrumptious, Rustic Reflections and Casbah Coffee.

RECIPES FOR THE CENTENNIAL

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Centennial cookbook features 100 years of heritage

NICEVILLE — The Pastel Society of North Florida’s National Juried Exhibition is Oct. 9 to Nov. 18 at Northwest Florida State College’s Mattie Kelly Fine Art Galleries.

The opening reception and award ceremony are set for 2-4 p.m. Oct. 9. Lyn Asselta, who was featured on Pastel Journal’s February 2016 cover, will jury and judge the exhibition.

In addition, PSNF will present a free, open to the public demonstration featuring Asselta. The event is 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 at the Bayou Arts Center in Hogtown Bayou, Santa Rosa Beach.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Florida pastel group schedules exhibition

CRESTVIEW — The Knights of Columbus Council 7968 will host their annual Spaghetti Dinner soon.

The event is 4:30-7 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Don Braun Columbian Home, formerly the Knights of Columbus Hall, 701 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children under 13 years old. Children under 6 eat free.

For tickets or more information call 225-1390.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Knights of Columbus set spaghetti dinner

CRESTVIEW — Esther Simmons will soon be a homeowner, and it’s due to the efforts of volunteers, donors and a particular nonprofit organization.

Allen Turner Chevrolet is sponsoring the latest Habitat for Humanity home, rising at 570 S. Savage St. in Crestview. It’s the Hub City’s 57^th Habitat home.

Construction crew members, including 823d Red Horse Squadron volunteers, recently worked on the home’s first wall.

Habitat helps “families break the cycle of poverty and build long-term financial security,” the nonprofit’s website states. “With an affordable, stable home, families have more to spend on food, medicine, child care, education and other essentials.”

See www.habitatfwb.org to volunteer on Crestview’s newest home.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Habitat for Humanity begins Crestview home construction

PENSACOLA — Naval Air Station Pensacola will commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a ceremony.

The event, open to the public, is set for 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9 at the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard the base.

NAS Pensacola commanding officer, Capt. Christopher Martin, will provide opening remarks for the event, which will include a “Where Were You” tribute, the traditional “Two-Bell Ceremony” and the playing of “Taps” performed by the NASP Honor Guard.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NAS Pensacola to host 9/11 commemoration ceremony

CRESTVIEW — Drivers will encounter these traffic disruptions as crews perform construction and maintenance activities: 

●Interstate 10: Minor traffic delays east and westbound between Exit 45 (County Road 189/ Holt) and the Walton County line Tuesday, Sept. 6 and Wednesday, Sept. 7.  Lane restrictions will be in effect 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews perform striping operations and replace raised pavement markers.

●U.S. 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge: Traffic will be reduced to one lane  from 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7 to 6 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 as crews pour concrete for the new fishing pier.  Traffic flaggers will be on site to safely guide drivers through the work area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 2 traffic changes to expect

Did you know you can check out music at your library? We have a wide range for all tastes.

Music, like reading, can benefit your health and soul. So check out your favorite artist or discover a new one.

Music Staff Picks

●"Traveller," by Chris Stapleton

“Traveller” was named Album of the Year at the 2015 Country Music Association Awards. This album is a current gem with an old-fashioned country sound. I discovered the artist through NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series where he and his wife do a rendition of “More of You”.

●"Morning Phase," by Beck

Beck has been around for almost 30 years and, while I thought he was a great live performer, I was never compelled to purchase any of his music until the release of his latest album, “Morning Phase.” This album is beautiful, intricate and complex. It won the 2015 Grammy for Album of the Year.

●"Sound & Color," by Alabama Shakes

Lead singer Brittany Howard’s soulful, pleading voice will move you. This album is a funky, soulful and folksy mix.

Marie Heath is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview library's music choices include Beck, Stapleton

CRESTVIEW — Poets and musicians can read, perform, improvise and play together during an open-microphone event at the Crestview Public Library.

Anyone can attend the event —which is 6 p.m. Sept. 13 — and admittance is free.

The poetry starter is "I used to be a… but now I am a ….."

The library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive in Crestview. Contact Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; or Rick Sanders, 585-6399, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Open microphone night scheduled