CRESTVIEW — Tom Thumb Stores, headquartered in Crestview, supported Children in Crisis by donating over $21,000 from its recent Charity Golf tournament. 

Tom Thumb Inc. President Mark Salisbury and Vice President of Operations Teresa Smith made the presentation.

“We have been blessed with great support from the community to build the CIC Neighborhood,” Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, said. “However, it’s a struggle to find the necessary funding to feed, clothe and care for the foster children and sustain operations of our foster homes. 

“Support from Tom Thumb is a tremendous help in our efforts to provide a safe haven to the abused, neglected and abandoned children that don’t have a home.”

The CIC Neighborhood has an emergency shelter for children removed without notice from an unsafe environment, family foster homes and a teen transition home for foster children aging out of care. 

Call 864-4242 or visit www.childrenincrisisfl.org to learn more.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tom Thumb Stores donates to CIC Kids

Don’t let your vegetable and fall flower gardens succumb to hungry deer. Even if you’re lucky enough to be deer-free now, be vigilant and prepared to prevent damage as these beautiful creatures move into your landscape to dine. Here are five tactics to help you in the battle against these hungry animals.

Fencing is the best, though not always practical, way to control deer. Install a 4- to 5-foot-high fence around small garden areas. This is usually enough to keep out deer that seem to avoid small confined spaces.  The larger the area, the more likely deer will enter. Some gardeners report success surrounding their garden or landscape with strands of fishing line set at 12” and 36” above the ground.

Low voltage electric fencing or posts baited with a deer repellent are also options. Just be sure to check with your local municipality before installing this type of fencing.

Scare tactics are less effective on deer in urban environments. They are used to human scents and sounds. Many gardeners report success with motion sensor sprinklers. As the deer passes in front of the motion sensor it starts the sprinkler and sends them running. Just be sure to turn off the sprinkler when you go out to garden.

Repellents that make plants taste or smell bad to deer can also help.  You will find products containing things like garlic, hot pepper oil, and predator urine.  Apply them before the animals start feeding for the best results. And reapply as directed on the label. Look for products like Deer Ban (summitchemical.com) that are easy to apply, odorless and last a long time.

Include deer resistant plants whenever possible. Even though no plant is one hundred percent deer-proof, there are those the deer are less likely to eat. Include plants rated as rarely or seldom damaged by deer.  And be sure to provide additional protection if you include plants known to be frequently or severely damaged.

Constantly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the methods used.  Deer often change their feeding location and preferred food. And if the populations are high and the deer are hungry, they will eat just about anything. Be willing to change things up if one method is not working. Using multiple tactics will help increase your level of success.

So don’t let hungry deer stop you from gardening.  Be vigilant and persistent and send them elsewhere to dine.

Gardening expert Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook.

She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone” DVD set and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Summit Responsible Solutions for her expertise to write this article.

Myers’ website is www.melindamyers.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 ways to protect your garden from the deer

CRESTVIEW — Organizers of the Community Organizations Showcase hope that people who complain, “There’s nothing to do around here” were among the event’s more than 100 attendees.

PHOTOS: See photos of the Community Organizations Showcase>>

After the success of the Friends of the Crestview Library’s Aug. 1 gathering of non-profit clubs, organizations, associations, fraternal groups, civic and public organizations, the group will make it an annual event.

See video footage>>

The showcase was an eclectic mix of local scouts, genealogists, hikers, radio hams, Rotarians, Kiwanians, Lions, Toastmasters, poets, history buffs, international hosts, dog lovers, gardeners, house builders and senior and health advocates.

“Sometimes it’s really hard to find different groups,” Friends member Rae Schwartz said. “This was an opportunity for people to come see many of them and compare for themselves and see what would suit what they’d like to do.”

Even the showcase’s organizers were surprised by the diversity of involvement opportunities in North Okaloosa County.

“People just loved it,” member Dot Moxcey said. “People were going back and forth and people were saying, ‘We do this’ and ‘We do that’ and handing out literature. I have never seen some of these organizations.”

While clubs and organizations exhibited in the library meeting room, government and public services hosted information tables in the lobby and main room, where the Friends of the Library also hosted refreshments.

Exhibitors included Florida Department of Education Vocational Rehabilitation, Florida Elder Services, the Epilepsy Foundation, Seniors Against Crime, the county health department, and the Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, which registered new voters,

Organizers said in addition to attracting new members and supporters, organizations became familiar with what other groups had to offer.

For example, some attendees were surprised to discover the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints offers free family genealogical research.

“It changes lives,” Elder Glade Wall said. “Family history helps us connect with the past and it helps our future. When children know about their ancestors conquering challenges, it gives them courage and hope to do the same in their lives.”

For exhibitor April Meier, representing the Crestview Bark Park dog park, the event was a chance to recruit new members.

“I got a couple new volunteers, so it was worth it,” Meier said. “The more volunteers we have, the easier it is to get the word out. We had a lot of people interested in it.”

“I think there is a real need for (the showcase), especially as we have so many new people coming to town every year, just to see what we have to offer,” Schwartz said.

________________________________

AT THE SHOWCASE

Exhibitors at the Friends of the Crestview Library’s Aug. 1 community organizations showcase included:

Baker Block Museum/North Okaloosa Historical Association, Habitat for Humanity, Main Street Crestview Association, Toastmasters Club, Epilepsy Foundation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Family Heritage, North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club, Crestview Area Sister City Program, Poetry and Music Jam, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Dogwood Garden Club, Kiwanis Club, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Crestview Woman’s Club, Crestview Bark Park, Farm Bureau, and Florida Trail Association

Government services included The Florida Department of Elder Services, Florida Department of Education, Okaloosa County Health Department, Seniors Against Crime, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, and University of West Florida Small Business Development Center

Exhibitors at the Friends of the Crestview Library’s Aug. 1 community organizations showcase included:

Baker Block Museum/North Okaloosa Historical Association, Habitat for Humanity, Main Street Crestview Association, Toastmasters Club, Epilepsy Foundation, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Family Heritage, North Okaloosa Amateur Radio Club, Crestview Area Sister City Program, Poetry and Music Jam, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Dogwood Garden Club, Kiwanis Club, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Crestview Woman’s Club, Crestview Bark Park, Farm Bureau, and Florida Trail Association

Government services included The Florida Department of Elder Services, Florida Department of Education, Okaloosa County Health Department, Seniors Against Crime, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections, and University of West Florida Small Business Development Center

AT THE SHOWCASE

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview organization showcase: the 'There's nothing to do here' antidote (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

FORT WALTON BEACH — Join Volunteer Campaign Chair and Board Member Alan Wood, CCB Community Bank, as he kicks off the United Way’s 2016 Campaign with the announcement of the campaign goal. 

The campaign’s theme, “Giving Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow,” exemplifies what each United Way partner agency provides to anyone who receives their services, which are made possible when donors give to the United Way.

Hear stories about some local people, who will be recognized with a “Sunshine of Hope” award.

The kick off is 4:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Ramada Plaza Beach Resort’s Empire Room, 1500 Miracle Strip Parkway SE.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: United Way kicks off 2016 campaign

CRESTVIEW — The Convergence Coffeehouse in Crestview is a place to enjoy free drinks and refreshments and spend time with other people.

Visitors may enjoy coffee, tea or lemonade; play games, watch old movies, or just fellowship.

The schedule is as follows:

●Senior Social, noon to 4 p.m. Wednesdays.

●Adult/Family Night, 6-9 p.m. Saturdays

Starting Sept. 5, the coffeehouse have Youth Nights from 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays.

The coffeehouse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization at 498 Wilson St. N. Visit its Facebook page for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview coffeehouse Youth Nights to start in September

CRESTVIEW — Need something to do this weekend?

Check out these family-friendly events.>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this weekend in Crestview (PHOTOS)

SHALIMAR — Okaloosa County road closures and detours are scheduled to start the week of Aug. 8.

Detours or closures are as follows:

●CSX Railroad repairs, starting 6 a.m. Aug. 10 and ending Aug. 12: on the tracks beside US Highway 90 at Kelly Mill Road in Holt. Though lengthy, the detour option is to take Cooper Lane from US 90 to John Road west, back to Kelly Mill or Bryant Bridge.

●Lovejoy Road, Fort Walton Beach closure for stormwater pipe installation., Aug. 9-12: just west of Poplar Avenue. The detour will be clearly marked, but will utilize Anchors Street, which runs parallel to Lovejoy, to the south.

●Schneider Drive, Fort Walton Beach closure due to cross drain replacement, Aug. 8 to approximately Aug. 11: just east of Green Acres Boulevard. Access will be available up to each side of the closure, but no through traffic will be permitted. The detour is from Willow Bend to Landview Drive, to Green Acres Boulevard.

●South Avenue, Fort Walton Beach closure for drainage repairs started Aug. 1: The closure will continue for seven weeks. A detour is set up for Woodham Avenue to Davenport Road, to Taylor Street, and back to South Avenue. Residents will be allowed access to and from their homes, but no through traffic will be permitted. This is a heavy traffic area, so please plan for delays.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Road closures, detours to impact Holt, Fort Walton Beach

MILTON — A Milton firefighter caught more fish than expected on his wife’s 30^th birthday.

That is, the couple encountered an unexpectedly large fish while aboard a Chew on This charter boat with Capt. Ben Chancey in Cape Coral, Fla.

Stephen Rampersad reeled in the 400-pound grouper after four hours of fishing, according to GrindTV.

He used the boat’s biggest fishing rod and baits to land the goliath fish, which pulled him overboard and cost him some expensive sunglasses, according to the site.

The whole time, he held onto the rod, not giving up on his pursuit for the trip’s largest grouper.

The couple took photos with the fish before releasing the fish back into the water.

Rampersad’s wife, Christen, recorded the experience on video, and the couple shared these photos of the event with the Press Gazette.  

See more of this story>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Milton man catches monster grouper (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — "Social Security: Your Questions Answered" is the topic of a free presentation by Yvonne Shanklin of Edward Jones.

The event is set for 6 p.m. Aug. 8 at Hideaway Pizza in downtown Crestview.

As the main foundation of U.S. retirement income, it's important to understand options and the effect decisions have on retirement beforehand, organizers said in a media release.

Dan Cronin, regional vice president of Transamerica, will be available to answer any questions.

Attendees may bring a guest, but reservations are required. Call Marcia at 682-2497 by noon, Aug. 8 to RSVP.

Dinner will be served.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview presentation on Social Security set