VALPARAISO — “Rural Electrification,” a traveling exhibit celebrating CHELCO’s 75th anniversary, is open through Jan. 15, 2016 at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida.  

The display includes artifacts such as household items used in the days before and after electrification.  

The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.   Tuesday through Saturday at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Admission costs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and military, and $3 for children. Museum members and children under 4 get in free.

In August 2015, Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative marked 75 years of providing electricity to rural Okaloosa and Walton, as well as portions of Holmes and Santa Rosa counties.

The "Rural Electrification" exhibit has visited Walton County Heritage Museum, Walton County Coastal Branch Library, Freeport Public Library, and the Baker Block Museum. 

Next, the display will be featured at the 2016 Chautauqua Assembly in January, as well as CHELCO’s Annual Meeting in April.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Valparaiso museum hosts 'Rural Electrification' exhibit

CRESTVIEW — Gracie Grant looks forward to an upcoming golf tour after earning high rankings in numerous tournaments across the southeastern United States.

And the 9-year-old just started competing in April.

Her 2015 standings are:

●First place, April 11-12, Red Hills Jr. Golf, Tallahassee.

●First place, May 2, Red Hills Jr. Golf, Albany, Ga.

●Second place, June 24-25, Rocky Bayou, Niceville.

●First place, July 20-22, Divot Derby, Pensacola.

●Second place, July 27, Drive, Chip, Putt, Mobile, Ala.

●First place, Aug. 1-2, Red Hills Jr. Golf, Valdosta, Ga.

●Third place, Aug. 11, Drive, Chip, Putt, New Orleans, La.

●First place, Sept. 12-13, Red Hills Jr. Golf, Valdosta, Ga.

Gracie, the daughter of Shane and Kerri Grant of Crestview, was named Player of the Year Oct. 11 by Red Hills Jr. Golf in Thomasville, Ga.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Meet the Crestview 9-year-old who is a rising golf star

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview area family wants to help a North Okaloosa household undergoing the adoption process.

Sheena Faircloth, her parents, Lorna and Chris, and other family members are donating at least $300 to whoever wins an essay contest. The proceeds will go toward adoption-related costs. all of Crestview,

The deadline for contest entry is 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

Private adoption can cost more than $20,000, and international costs can exceed $30,000, so every bit helps, Faircloth, a life coach for at-risk youths, said.

"I have been much involved in the foster care and court system over the past several years," she said. "I attend foster care/adoption connection meetings and am well informed on the needs in our area.

"I am also aware that there are many families in this area wanting to adopt but struggling to raise the funds necessary to do so."

Learn more about the contest at www.fcadoptionscholarship.squarespace.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Entries sought for Crestview adoption scholarship contest

CRESTVIEW — Main Street Land Title Company and the law firm of Nathan D. Boyles, P.A. are accepting donations for Crestview Manor.

The facility houses more than 50 senior citizens with limited means who likely would have no alternative for housing.

"Under the leadership of my office manager (aka: Mom), we will deliver care packages and cash a few days before Christmas," Boyles, an Okaloosa County commissioner, stated in his latest constituent newsletter.

Items needed include: shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, chapstick, lip balm, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, brushes, socks, combs, cookies, candy, chips, crackers, word search books, Poligrip, denture cleaner, disposable razors, calendars and cash for purchasing incidentals.

Deliver donations through 4 pm. Dec. 18 to 204 N. Main St., Crestview.

Email Sabrina@Crestview-law.com for more information on how to help.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Household staples needed for Crestview Manor residents

LAUREL HILL — What’s your favorite Christmas song? Which Christmas song could you live happily without ever hearing again?

The News Bulletin asked residents to share their most and least favorite holiday songs, and whose version of each.

Here's what they said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 of North Okaloosa County residents' least-favorite Christmas songs

 MILLIGAN — Dan and Trish Gartner hope passersby enjoy their home's Christmas lights display.

The couple's front yard — which includes a nativity scene, The Nutcracker, Santa Claus, reindeer, Christmas trees and Disney characters, among other cheerful sights — is lit 5-10 p.m. seven days a week at 5206 Ray St., Milligan. 

Setting up the lawn decorations and stringing all the lights are no easy feats — "Our display takes three weeks to create," Trish Gartner said. "My husband puts the decorations up, although we both design it." But that's beside the point.

The hard work is worth it, she said.

"We have lived here for three years and have always loved the joy we bring," Gartner said. "We decorate to bring joy to everyone who sees it. Bringing joy to others is a blessing to us."

Other rewards sometimes follow.

"One night, we had a family visit the lights," Gartner said. "A 3-year-old said to my husband she wanted to help pay the 'lectric' bill.

"She gave him a penny, which will be a forever part of our display."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'We decorate to bring joy': Milligan couple shares Christmas lights display

CRESTVIEW — Since 1989, Pauline Coleman of Laurel Hill has hosted Cookie Day.

Originally, it was intended just for her grandkids, but the event now includes extended family, friends and their children.

This year's Cookie Day, Dec. 5 at Ralph and Pauline Coleman's Laurel Hill home, attracted the largest turnout, with 60 attendees and hundreds of cookies made.

Each year, everyone gets to roll out cookie dough, cut cookies and decorate.

"After the cookies are cut out, Mrs. Coleman bakes every cookie in her oven with care," Jennifer Johnson said. "She enjoys every minute and every person who comes to spend Cookie Day with her.

"The more people who show up on the special day, the happier she gets."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Laurel Hill Cookie Day tradition draws 60 residents

CRESTVIEW — The Concerned Citizens Group of Crestview's street ministry outreach will soon present angel boxes to recipients.

The organization, which accepted signups for the giveaway last month, will distribute more than 60 boxes — including coats, toys and other items — 9 a.m. Dec. 19 at Elder Services, 198 Wilson St. S., Crestview.

Children and their parents or guardians must be present to receive the boxes.

Contact Pearl Bess, 682-5733, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Concerned Citizens Group sets angel box giveaway

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa and Walton County drivers can expect these traffic disruptions as crews perform construction activities:

●Interstate 10, between the Santa Rosa County line and east of County Road 189 (Holt/Exit 45): alternating east and westbound lane closures, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 through Thursday, Dec. 17.  The speed limit within the lane closure area will be reduced to 60 mph.

●U.S. Highway 98, from the East Pass Bridge to Airport Road: Intermittent and alternating lane closures, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14 through Thursday, Dec. 17 as crews take roadway samples for testing.

●U.S. 331 Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge: Alternating lane closures on U.S. 331, across the Clyde B. Wells Bridge in Walton County, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14 through Friday, Dec. 18 as crews place concrete for the new bridge.

●State Road 85 at Juniper Creek: Lane closure on S.R. 85 at Juniper Creek Bridge, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 as crews stripe the roadway.

●S.R. 285, from the Okaloosa County line to south of I-10, Walton County: Expect intermittent lane restrictions as paving operations get underway on a 6-mile project.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 Okaloosa, Walton County traffic disruptions to expect

CRESTVIEW — Lori Wenrich is the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors' 2015 Crestview Realtor of the Year.

Wenrich is an agent of Rising Star Real Estate, a brokerage specializing in Crestview, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach and Navarre properties, according to its website.

ECAR honored other leading members at its annual awards event, Dec. 3 at the Bayview Club on Eglin Air Force Base. 

Additional ECAR award winners include:

●Terry Pilcher, of Merrifield and Pilcher Realty, DeFuniak Springs, ECAR Realtor of the Year.

●Commercial Realtor of the Year: Chad Knaepple

●Destin Realtor of the Year: Abner Williams

●Fort Walton Beach Realtor of the Year: Ben Acock

●Niceville Realtor of the Year: Cathy Alley

●South Walton Realtor of the Year: Michele Bailey

●Unsung Hero: Kerry Kelly

ECAR also recognized its 2015 committee chairs and MLS tour coordinators for their contributions.

The organization — one of 1,500 local chapters of the National Association of Realtors — covers Okaloosa and Walton counties, and has more than 2,700 Realtor members from across the Florida Panhandle.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Realtor of the Year celebrated