MILTON — The South’s land and its people serve as inspiration for Dragonfly Artist of the Month Kathy Adkison’s paintings.

The Northwest Florida native is an emerging, self-taught artist who enjoyed drawing as a child and loved art history, but never took professional courses. 

“She is a free-spirited woman with a thriving passion of art, and never ceases to amaze those around her,” a Dragonfly spokesperson said.  

Adkison, who received a BSBA degree in Business Management from the University of West Florida, did not fully realize her passion for art until she began experimenting with oil and water color. She started painting with those mediums 10 years ago with friends, and has been doing so ever since.

Adkison’s work is on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Dragonfly Gallery, 6815 Caroline St., Milton.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free-spirited Milton artist has a passion for oil, water color

MILTON — Do you have bonsai on the brain? This plant takes focus during the “Mondays in the Gardens” series’ April 25 installment at Pensacola State College’s Milton campus.

Pierre Kaufke will lead the presentation — on planting bonsai and how to care for it — beginning 10 a.m. in room 4902 in the 4900 building at the north end of campus, 5988 Highway 90.

Kaufke's interest in bonsai goes back to 1975 while he was on retreat at the Trappist Monastery in Conyers, Ga. He built a bonsai collection of over 150 trees, which he sold in 2012 except for 12. These have now grown to over three dozen "research projects."

Kaufke regularly lectures on and gives live demonstrations about bonsai; he has shared his experiences with the subject in numerous articles.

Mondays in the Gardens is a free gardening program that UF Milton Gardens offers under University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners’ direction. No pre-registration is required.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: PSC Milton campus sets April 25 bonsai presentation

PENSACOLA — The Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, National Park Service, and Escambia County Sherriff's Office are searching for a missing man near Pensacola.

James Bradley Gunther, 62, was reported missing by his family to Coast Guard Sector Mobile watchstanders, at about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday.

Gunther was piloting a sailing vessel from Gulf Shores, Alabama, to Port St. Joe, Florida, and has failed to contact the family since Saturday.

Involved in the search are:

●Coast Guard Station Pensacola 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew

●Coast Guard Station Pensacola 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew

●Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 fixed-wing-aircraft crew

●Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 helicopter crew

Gunther's 48-foot sailing vessel, named Reliant, was found anchored near Ft. McRee, Florida, but there was no one aboard.

The small white dinghy, normally with the sailing vessel, has also not been located.

Anyone with information on the missing man is requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-6211.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Coast Guard seeks missing man near Pensacola

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Writer's Support Group meets regularly. Members have varied expertise, are of all ages and share information and tips.

Each meeting has a discussion topic and is free to attend.

Meetings are 6 p.m. fourth Mondays at the Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive, with the next one set for April 25.

For more information, contact Tami Kidd, tamilynnkidd@gmail.com. You may also visit the group's new Facebook page, http://bit.ly/1PTRn05.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview writers support group schedules meeting

CRESTVIEW — U.S. Air Force Airman Jacob T. Cleveland graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Cleveland's parents, Michelle and Kent  Cleveland, and brother, Michael A. Cleveland, are all Crestview residents. His sister is Kimberly Cleveland of Grove, Oklahoma.

He is a 2012 Crestview Senior High School graduate.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview graduate completes US Air Force basic training

CRESTVIEW — Florida's longest yard sale, Flea Across Florida, is set for April 8 and 9 on Highway 90 across North Florida. See original Florida and find treasures for your home or business.

Sale dates are April 8 and 9 and include the following locations:

●The Vintage Attic, 128 John King Road, Crestview

●New Beginnings Church, 412 James Lee Blvd. W, Crestview

●First Presbyterian Church, 492 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview

●1641 U.S. Highway 90, Baker

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: April 8-9 Flea Across Florida includes North Okaloosa stops

FORT WALTON BEACH — Children in Crisis has extra support for its programs benefiting at-risk children. Golf tournament participants raised almost $30,000 March 18 for the nonprofit organization.

Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, said, “Our annual CIC Golf Tournament helps with funding to keep our children’s neighborhood open and operating.  Thanks to the support from our wonderful volunteers and community, we can continue with our very worthy cause.”

The CIC Neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach provides emergency shelter for children removed from an unsafe environment on short notice, and offers housing to help with foster home shortage. 

Learn more at www.childrenincrisisfl.org or call 864-4242. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Golf tournament nets almost $30K for children's organization

FORT WALTON BEACH — Attention shoppers! Get ready to place your bids for amazing auction items right from the palm of your hand, anywhere you may be. The Cox Charity Auction to benefit Covenant Care kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 9.

This online auction, presented by Cox Communications, is a virtual fundraising event featuring four one-week auctions at http://www.CoxCharityAuction.com. Each auction will feature a variety of packages starting at 40 percent off the retail value. All you have to do is log on and place your bid.

Auction One is April 9-16 and includes items such as an iPad Mini courtesy of Cox Communications and tickets from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center.

Auction Two is April 16-23 and includes a luxurious New Orleans getaway from Hotel Monteleone & Gray Line Tours and home décor from The Fixture Exchange.

Auction Three, April 23-30, includes a three-night stay with Pelican Beach Resorts and a microdermabrasion treatment from Dermatology Specialists of Florida.

Auction Four is April 30-May 7. It includes a portrait session and images by Michelle Castle Photography and a Beau Rivage Getaway Package.

“This is just a sampling of the auction packages we have to offer, thanks to the generosity of our community partners,” Rachel Mayew, Covenant Care development manager, said.

“The beauty of this online auction is that anyone, anywhere, at any time of the day or night can support Covenant’s mission while getting great items and experiences for pennies on the dollar.”

For more information about the auction, contact Mayew, 729-1800, or visit the website.

 Covenant Care is a nonprofit that covers under-funded and non-reimbursed hospice programs in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. These programs include charity care, as no one is turned away due to the inability to pay, grief support, children’s support services and spiritual support services.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cox charity auction kicks off April 9

BAKER RODEO: 7:30 p.m. April 8 and 9, Barnhill Arena, Baker Area Recreational Center, 5503 U.S. Highway 4, Baker. Gate opens at 5 p.m. Includes bronco riding, roping and barrel racing. Tickets: advance, $12 for adults; $7 for children age 6 and up. $15 and $10, respectively, at the door. Reserve tickets for seats above and behind bull chutes cost $20. Purchase reserve tickets at Ace Hardware, Crestview, and Tractor Supply.  More locations and details: http://bit.ly/23b7waS.

HERITAGE 5K RUN/WALK AND KIDS FUN RUN: 8 a.m. April 30 at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. The first 200 applicants will receive a free T-shirt and goody bag. Winners in each category will receive a matted and framed photograph from the museum's library archives. Early registration fees (before 4 p.m. April 16) are: $20 for 5K Run/Walk; $18 for Northwest Florida Track & Museum Members; $10 for kids 1-mile fun run (up to 13 years old). Late registration fees (after April 16) are: $30 for 5K Run/Walk; $20 for kids one-mile fun run (up to 13 years old). You can register at the museum, 115 Westview Ave., in Valparaiso, or at www.active.com through April 25.

THURSDAY

BASEBALL

6 p.m.: Freeport at Baker*

6:30 p.m.: Crestview at Milton*

FLAG FOOTBALL

6:30 p.m.: Crestview at Choctaw

SOFTBALL

5 p.m.: Meade County (Ky.) at Crestview

TRACK AND FIELD

11 a.m.: Choctaw, Crestview, FWB, Niceville at Okaloosa County Championships (FWB)

12:30 p.m.: Baker, Freeport, Rocky Bayou at Jay

FRIDAY

BASEBALL

5 p.m.: Laurel Hill at Malone

7 p.m.: Milton at Crestview

FLAG FOOTBALL

6 p.m.: Crestview at Chiles

SOFTBALL

6 p.m.: Washington at Baker

Laurel Hill at Samson (Ala.) Tournament

SATURDAY

SOFTBALL

Laurel Hill at Samson (Ala.) Tournament

* denotes district game

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: April 4 North Okaloosa sports schedule includes rodeo, 5K

CRESTVIEW — Jack and Donna Atkins’ home library is several dozen volumes bigger following their evening of browsing at the Friends of the Crestview Library’s annual spring book sale.

Thanks to the Atkins and hundreds of other supporters, the Friends raised more than $3,500, which will go toward needed library services and resources not funded by its city budget.

Library Director Marie Garcia said the money belongs to the Friends, which allocates it to the library in consultation with Garcia and her staff.

“I would like to have a nice reading area but library furniture is very expensive,” Garcia said. “It’s commercial-grade. A chair can cost a thousand dollars but it can last a decade.

“And we can always use more books to add to the collection and to update old subjects in the non-fiction section.”

AVID READER

Jennifer Williams and her daughter Ambriel, 7, were among the Warriors Hall throng diligently perusing more than 30 tables laden with books, videos, toys, puzzles and music.

“I really like to read,” Ambriel, a Southside Elementary first-grader, said as they paused at one of the science fiction tables. “I could probably read all of this. But it would take about 1,000 days.”

Ambriel’s favorite book is one in Olivia Moss’s “Butterfly Meadow” series. But soon she will outgrow the whimsical, colorful books for little girls.

“She just started chapter books, so we’re looking for new ones,” Jennifer Williams said.

OPENING NIGHT

“We had such a good opening night crowd,” Friends volunteer Dot Moxcey said as a thunderstorm lashed the Warriors Hall parking lot Friday night. “We didn’t expect that many in this crappy weather.”

Moxcey said those dedicated browsers must subscribe to the philosophy expressed by a sign posted in the hall reading, “There is not such thing as too many books.”

Among book lovers braving the opening night storm was Matt Bryant, who filled two totes with books ranging from Agatha Christie mysteries to World War II histories.

“Yeah, histories and mysteries, that’s me,” Bryant said with a laugh. “It drives my wife crazy when I bring all these books home, but she’s glad I like to read instead of sitting glued to the TV all the time like some husbands. And it helps the library. That makes it better.”

“You’d be surprised how much those donations help us out,” Garcia said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Spring library book sale in Crestview raises $3,500