CRESTVIEW — The City Council unanimously approved Friends of the Arts’ proposal to create a display of 12 historic and military branch service flags to enhance Warriors Hall for the city’s centennial.

The proposed display would have flags for each of the six military branches on the west wall and six flags representing political entities that historically ruled the Crestview area on the east wall.

A March 14 FOTA memo credits Fire Chief Joe Traylor as the proposal's inspiration: Shortly after the city acquired the former church, Traylor suggested the service flags be displayed, the memo stated.

Service branch flags would be hung in chronological order of each branch's establishment, beginning at the rear of the hall with the U.S. Merchant Marine flag and continuing with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Air Force flags.

Historic flags would begin with the Muskogee (Creek) Nation, then continue with the Spanish colonial, British colonial, Republic of West Florida, United States and Confederate States flags. To avoid controversy, the Confederate States of America’s first national flag would be used instead of the battle flag.

The Friends’ proposal calls for sponsors of each flag, which costs $200, including pole, mounting hardware and identifying plaques. The plaques would be mounted below each flag and would recognize the sponsor and identify each flag.

“Service branch flags could also be dedicated to a veteran, either in his/her honor or his/her memory,” the FOTA memo states.

Public Works facilities workers will mount the display as soon as funding for all 12 flags is obtained and the flags can be ordered, Schwartz said. 

Ten 5- by 3-foot service branch or historic flags proposed for Warriors Hall need sponsorships. (Two flags, the U.S. Merchant Marine and the Muskogee Nation, have already been donated.) Sponsorships are $200 per flag and include pole, mounting hardware and a descriptive plaque. Sponsorship forms will be available at the city clerk’s office in City Hall or from Friends of the Arts President Rae Schwartz, bakerny@yahoo.com, beginning March 28.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Historic, military service flags proposed for Warriors Hall

LAUREL HILL — Some folks have stories about chasing a garbage truck when they’re late hauling out trash. Trecia Chedister fondly recalls dashing down German village streets ahead of the garbage truck.

The occasion: “gross garbage day,” “gross” being German for “oversized.”

In the 1970s, Trecia’s husband, now retired Maj. Gen. Robb Chedister, was stationed at Sembach Air Base near Kaiserslautern. The family lived in a village called Imsbach.

“It was a known fact among the Americans that every three months they had gross garbage day,” Trecia Chedister said. “If you couldn’t find what you needed in stores, you’d go out looking on the streets.

“Back then, German people wanted more modern things so they were putting their family antiques out on the street. It was just a wonderful, wonderful shopping day for Americans.”

Once the Chedisters and another couple visited Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a walled medieval village of half-timbered buildings.

“The guys went to do their touring and I went with my girlfriend to walk along the wall,” Trecia said. “We discovered it was gross garbage day and soon we were running ahead of the garbage truck to find what wonderful pieces we could find.

“The garbage guys realized what we were doing, so they’d slow down and shout, ‘hurry, hurry’ and point out good things to us.

“By the time the guys got back to the car, we had the trunk completely filled, and we were sitting on our luggage. We literally had our treasures packed around us. We had so much fun!”

Gross garbage day once led to a poignant moment. A pair of suitcases yielded a trove of antique, hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments.

“I took them back to our home and yelled for my landlady, who used to make fun of me for going out on gross garbage day, and said, ‘Ulla, Ulla, come see what I have found.’ When she saw them she just burst into tears,” Trecia said.

“I said, ‘Why are you crying?’ She told me one Christmas during the war, she was living with their grandparents and the house was bombed.

“Ulla always remembered the beautiful glass ornaments that they had just hung on the tree but were all destroyed. When she saw the ornaments I found, she started crying. I had to give them to her.

“Now she is still decorating her Christmas trees with them. She calls me every year to tell me how beautiful they are.

“So there are treasures in garbage.”

The News Bulletin publishes “Everybody Has a Story,” a feature about interesting North Okaloosa County residents, in each Midweek Edition and on www.crestviewbulletin.com.

Do you know someone who met a celebrity, has an unusual hobby or is otherwise fascinating? We welcome suggestions for the series, and particularly seek people who are not public officials and have never appeared in the News Bulletin. Email ideas to news@crestviewbulletin.com.

SEEKING SOURCES

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill woman once found treasures in German trash

Main Street Crestview, starting from the railroad tracks up to the Okaloosa County courthouse, will turn into festival grounds 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 19.

Local bands will perform on the south and north stages, with plenty of barbecue and a variety of other food offerings, during the Triple B — Blackwater, Bluegrass and Barbecue — Cookoff.

In addition, an abundance of vendors will line the street and offer their merchandise and displays for people of all ages.

People’s Choice tickets, for only $1 each, give you an opportunity to sample one of our participating competitors’ barbecue and vote for your favorite to be the People’s Choice Barbecue Winner of 2016.

If you are interested in competing or having a vendor booth, don’t worry, there’s still time. Please visit our website, crestviewchamber.com/pages/tripleb, or call the Crestview chamber office, 682-3212.

We would like to thank all of our sponsors, competitors and vendors who make this event possible. Come join us for this family friendly event!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Triple B Chair: Mark your calendar for March 19

The next "Music at the Library" performance will feature keyboardist Jay Russo.

Russo, a Valparaiso native and Crestview resident, will play a mix of popular and classical music, including "A few originals, the first movement of 'Moonlight Sonata.' I'll be playing the song 'Africa,' by Toto," and other selections.

"One more I know I'll be playing, and that's 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel," Russo said.

The performance is 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 18.

Music at the Library hours are 6-8 p.m. Mondays or Tuesdays at the library, 1445 Commerce Drive. To schedule a performance, musicians may call 682-4432.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Keyboardist plans Crestview performance

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Citizens Police Academy Alumni will sell assorted items on March 19 during the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s Triple B Cookoff.

Bottled water, Thin Blue Line plaques and raffle tickets for a wreath giveaway will be available during the cookoff, which is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Main Street in Crestview.

Plaques cost $4 each and include the text, "Walking the thin blue line."

Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. The winner — to be announced at 5 p.m. April 1 at the Crestview Walmart — will receive a wreath large enough to cover half a front door.

Proceeds benefit the CCPAA for construction of an Okaloosa fallen officers memorial in front of the Crestview Police Department building on Stillwell Boulevard.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fundraiser for Okaloosa fallen officers memorial scheduled

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

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

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is accepting applications for the 2016 Urban and Community Forestry grant program.

The program provides funding to local governments, educational institutions, Native-American tribal governments and non-profit groups for urban forestry projects within their communities.

 "Trees play a vital role in urban communities," said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. "In addition to improving the aesthetics of our communities, healthy tree canopies have a long list of environmental benefits, especially in developed areas."

The Urban and Community Forestry grant program is part of Florida's ongoing initiative to increase tree canopies in developed areas. The program is offered for projects implemented on public lands in all Florida counties. Qualified participants may apply for a minimum of $2,000 and up to $30,000 in matching grant funds. Program projects can include:

●conducting community tree inventories

●preparing urban forestry management plans

●developing or updating local tree ordinances

●hiring temporary staff

●conducting personnel training

●creating urban forestry education programs

Applications for the program will be accepted through March 31.

To submit a proposal or learn more, contact Okaloosa Forester Maria Wilson, Blackwater District, 7050 Highway 189 N., Baker, Maria.Wilson@FreshFromFlorida.com, 689-7838; or visit the Florida Urban and Community Forestry grant program webpage, http://bit.ly/1V7eaMX.

All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval. The program is funded by the USDA Forest Service.

To learn more about FFS programs, visit FloridaForestService.com. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Florida forestry grant organizers now accepting project applications

CRESTVIEW — Tuesday, March 15 is national VITA Awareness Day, the United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties stated.  

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program offers free tax help to individuals who generally make $54,000 or less, people with disabilities, senior citizens and individuals with limited English proficiency who need tax preparation help.

The United Way of Okaloosa & Walton Counties’ VITA site in Crestview, First Presbyterian Church on Ferdon Boulevard, offers appointments between 2 and 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Appointments and walk-ins also are accepted between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26 and April 16.

VITA volunteers are IRS-trained and certified to help with many tax questions, including credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, the Crestview site will file returns electronically for free.

Call 598-5807 to learn more about Crestview’s VITA program, such as which documents to bring, or to make an appointment. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free tax preparation assistance available in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The potential for this year’s Triple B Festival attendance to top last year’s 13,000 means more than folks enjoying food and music.

The Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce’s largest fundraiser — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 19, downtown — brings a proverbial rising tide that floats many boats.

Some downtown businesses seize the opportunity to open on Saturday to show off their wares and services. Exhibitors sell everything from hand-crafted ceramics to new cars and trucks. Attendees window shop and plan to return later to visit shops that interest them.

In other North Okaloosa County towns, community festivals are opportunities for neighbors to gather, local vendors to showcase handmade crafts or produce, and civic organizations to raise funds, selling everything from burgers and barbecue to boiled peanuts and pork cracklin’s.

Here are some area festivals and their impact:

Triple B: Blackwater, Bluegrass and BBQ Cook-off, March 19: During this daylong barbecue competition, Crestview’s biggest annual downtown festival, two stages on both ends of Main Street provide live music while the aroma of smoky barbecue fills the air.

Artists, crafters, community organizations and vendors line the street, and new and classic cars are on display, drawing folks from throughout Northwest Florida, south Alabama and beyond.

“We drew people from all over,” chamber of commerce President Valerie Lott said. “And getting some of the bands we got this year, they’re really popular in festivals around the area. And of course people aren’t just going to listen to the band. They’re going to buy some stuff and hang around.”

Profits are cycled into chamber community events and programs, benefiting members and the community as a whole, Lott said. “It’s a good impact for downtown and for the entire city,” she said.

2015 attendance: More than 13,000

2015 revenue: $34,000

Average Joe Car Show, April 16: More than 100 classic cars and trucks will line Main Street for the Spanish Trail Cruisers’ 16^th annual event, a fundraiser that will primarily benefit the Okaloosa School Nutrition Association Scholarship Fund.

This year, the Crestview Centennial Committee will partner with the Cruisers to celebrate the city’s 100th birthday with a party — and cake — toward the end of the car show. And, for the first time, “we will have cash prizes for the top entries,” member George Kennedy said.

2014* registrants: approximately 130

2014 attendance: 5,500-7,000

2014 revenue for charity: $2,500

* Note: The 2015 car show was canceled due to severe weather

Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival, April 30: The festival, presented by the Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian churches, “is an opportunity to bring artists, crafters and live music to folks in the rural northern part of the county,” the Rev. Mark Broadhead, pastor, said.

Organizers charge no booth space fees or commissions on vendors’ sales, but through selling of baked goods, hamburgers and plants, the churches usually recoup expenses and have some money leftover for community service work.

2014* attendance: estimated at 300

2014 revenue: approximately $100

*The 2015 festival was canceled due to severe weather

Military Appreciation Recognition Celebration, May 21: The daylong festival in Spanish Trail Park features live music, food, classic and show cars, games and static military displays.

“This year we will feature the North Okaloosa Community Band,” MARC founder and coordinator Bob Lynn said. “We will have three Mustang clubs there with their cars, and we are supposed to have two motorcycle groups as well.”

This year’s MARC is an official Crestview Centennial Military Event. Admission, food and games are free.

2015 attendance: More than 1,000

2015 revenue: $10,000, benefits local service members and organizations

Hobo Festival, Oct. 1: Gene Clary Park sets the stage for live music, arts and crafts, food and games and bounce houses. Balancing the festival’s fun side is a mission of community improvement through revenue raised by festival sponsorships and booth space rentals.

“We’re trying to take money to do improvements at Gene Clary Park, and we’re considering doing a scholarship this year,” Mayor Robby Adams says.

2015 attendance: 1,750

2015 revenue: $0

Downtown Fall Festival, Oct. 29: The Main Street Crestview Association’s annual event focuses on Halloween-themed fun with crafts, food vendors, trick-or-treat opportunities at each booth, and a costume contest.

2015 attendance: 10,000-12,000

2015 revenue: $2,500

Baker Heritage Festival, Nov. 5: This annual fall event, a Baker Block Museum and North Okaloosa Historical Association fundraiser, celebrates all things North Okaloosa.

The festival, held among old buildings in the museum’s adjacent Heritage Park, features folkways demonstrations, regional music, food, Indian heritage displays and presentations, and displays by school and community groups.

“It draws a large crowd to the Baker community, and it also showcases the museum’s many exhibits and the heritage skills and traditions that are demonstrated,” museum Director Ann Spann said.

2015 attendance: 3,000

2015 revenue: $7,000

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Festivals' financial impact on North Okaloosa communities

CRESTVIEW — Why was a recreational vehicle parked at the North Okaloosa Fire District’s John King Road station?

That’s one Facebook user’s question.

Jerry Litynski‎ posted this photo on the News Bulletin’s Facebook page of an Aurora RV parked at the station.

“Nice place to store your motor home — a taxpayer structure that is supposed to be used for fire-fighting equipment,” he stated in a publicly visible post.

Litynski did not direct his complaint to the fire district, according to NOFD Chief Ed Cutler, who said neither he nor other NOFD firefighters or administrators have received complaints about the incident, and encouraged residents to contact NOFD when they have concerns.

The fire district has four stations, three of which have been unmanned since the late 2000s, but are equipped with one fire engine each. At the John King Road location, that left a vacant bay, where a deputy fire chief temporarily parked his vehicle overnight March 7, Cutler said.

The bulk of NOFD’s firefighting fleet and all personnel are housed at the Bob Sikes Airport station, which is staffed 24 hours a day.

If there’s a fire, professional or volunteer firefighters respond to the fire station nearest the emergency, taking the fire engine to the site of the fire. Firefighters also generally respond from the airport main station.

A call to Litynski for further comment was not immediately returned.

What do you think? Should the RV have been parked there? Leave comments in the box below.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Why was an RV parked at the North Okaloosa Fire District station?