CRESTVIEW — Remodeling a kitchen is no small decision, so John Cassady, sales manager with BT Kitchen and Bath will be with you every step of the way. Stop by the showroom at 4110 South Ferdon Blvd. Meet John and see how BT Kitchen and Bath can transform your home.

John, his father Paul Cassady, and Joel Hughes are the leaders behind BT Kitchen and Bath. The showroom has been in existence for eight years but Paul and Joel have decades more experience in the industry.

John’s approach to the kitchen and bath remodel is two-fold: simplification and customization with the customer in mind.

In the showroom, you’ll see a few hand-picked kitchen designs and a selection of Wellborn cabinet doors.

"We keep it really simple here," John said. "I don’t like a bunch of competing brands. I take what I feel is the best bang for the buck and put them on the floor."

From start to finish, BT Kitchen and Bath is about building trust.

Step one is the meet-and-greet. John meets with customers first at the showroom to see what you’re looking for and discuss materials.

John will help you stay within your budget and find out what’s most and least important to you.

"If they start to pick things out that are pricy I can advise them on that," he said.

Step two, John will come take measurements at your home. He’s the sales manager but he likes to put his own tape measurer on projects.

"I want to be face to face with each one of my customers," he said. "It removes some of the miscommunications that can happen in remodeling."

Step three, you’ll meet with John at the showroom to see the layout or multiple layouts he’s created and the quote. Whether you want a detailed estimate, a simple design or a good/better/best set of options, John can work with you.

"I really try to base my whole process around the needs of the customer," John said.

Step four is the paperwork. BT Kitchen and Bath offers zero percent financing up to 60 months. John can offer other payment options as well.

Step four is the install. On average the process takes six weeks. Know ahead of time that BT Kitchen and Bath doesn’t touch plumbing work.

"We clean up," John said. "The customer has to have their sink reconnected."

Visit www.btkitchenandbath.com to read customer testimonials and see photos from past remodel jobs.

Just looking for an estimate? Call 1-850-266-7499 or email johncassady@buythiskitchen.com. Make an appointment, meet John at the showroom and get a free consultation with him today.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Call BT Kitchen and Bath for your next remodeling project

CRESTVIEW — Healthy Coast Meals is a company that makes clean eating easy and convenient for its customers.

Owners Ashley and Ross Cole have one store and commercial kitchen in Fort Walton Beach. They opened their second "Grab and Go" retail store Jan. 5 at 1900 Ferdon Blvd. S., Suite 180 in Crestview.

The Crestview site has prepackaged, color-coded meals for purchase. Breakfast items are crustless quiche and protein waffles. There are also vanilla and chocolate chip protein donuts. Of their entrées, their most popular are the buffalo chicken plates and burrito bowls.

Ross Cole said professional chefs prepare all the foods from scratch.

"While we do cook everything in Fort Walton Beach, we are very concerned about food safety," Ross Cole said.

The food for Crestview is cooked there, then immediately transported in brand-new refrigerated vehicles that keep the food between 35-39 degrees.

All HCM foods are gluten-free, meaning no wheat flour is used in any product. They are also peanut-free and shellfish-free as well.

"Too many people are allergic to shellfish that we will never have a shellfish, a shrimp, a lobster … in our kitchen," Ross said.

Some items are sugar-free, and some are dairy-free. They are labeled accordingly on the packages and every ingredient is listed on every meal.

In addition to Grab-and-Go products, customers have the option of signing up for various meal plans, bulk purchases, and additional options.

Pre-orders are available by phone and online at www.healthycoastmeals.com. Customers pick up items indoors, at the store's drive-thru, or have them delivered directly to their homes for a fee.

As former professional athletes, Ross said eating healthy is important to him and his wife. They know the amount of work that goes into weighing and preparing food for a healthy diet.

Packets are weighed out, the nutritional content is on the outside, and customers can come pick up 20 meals for the week instead of losing a day preparing them.

"They can come in here and just grab them and they still have their Sunday," he said. "They don't lose that time in their life."

Healthy Coast provides a 10 percent discount to active duty and retired military members, first responders and Okaloosa teachers.

NOTE: This article was updated as it incorrectly stated food transportation temperatures. Healthy Coast meals are kept below 40 degrees for safety.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Healthy Coast Meals offers clean eating in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Homes For Our Troops will soon begin building a custom home for U.S. Army veteran Vicente Ramirez. A kickoff celebration is scheduled Feb. 16 in Crestview.

In 2006, Ramirez lost his left leg and was severely injured in his other by an incident involving two improvised explosive devices in Iraq.

In the nonprofit's video footage, he said, "Having a house would take a huge burden off my daily living and the issues that bring the pain."

One source of pain is the lack of wheelchair access in his family's Baker home. Vicente, who goes by Vince, has difficulty standing for long periods of time. Without his wheelchair, he has to stand a lot.

The new home will have an open floor plan and other necessities built to accommodate him, he said. They will make it easier for him to do daily tasks and do simple things with his family.

Vince and his wife, Becky, also a disabled Army veteran, have two sons. Cade just turned 3, and Ison is 6. The new home will make it easier to do simple things with them, he said.

The couple decided to build in Florida since it is near both of their families.

Vince expressed his gratitude to supporters. Their gift is "allowing him to rebuild his life," the release stated.

"These homes not only help soldiers, but most importantly, these homes help veterans be more productive individuals to family and friends," he said.

"Our homes include more than 40 special adaptations such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops," Teresa Verity, JFOT marketing associate, said.

"The home will also alleviate the mobility and safety issues associated with a traditional home, including navigating a wheelchair through narrow hallways or over thresholds, or reaching for cabinets that are too high."

She discussed the basic criteria to apply for a house through the organization. The veteran applying must be:

• a post-Sept. 11, 2001 veteran injured in the theater of Iraq-Afghanistan war.
• retired or in the process of retiring from military service.
• must have received a letter of eligibility for the VA Specially Adapted Housing Grant program
• have the HFOT home as their primary residence.
• must accept the responsibility of home ownership and have the resources to maintain a home (ongoing maintenance and upkeep, property taxes, home insurance, utilities, etc.).

Visit https://www.hfotusa.org/building-homes/veterans/ramirez/ for more information about the Ramirezes. You may also visit that site to RSVP for the Feb. 16 kickoff celebration.

Verity said the other home HFOT will be building in Northwest Florida is for Army SPC Elliott Smith of Pensacola. Visit www.hfotusa.org/esmith for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Area veteran and family to receive home from nonprofit

FORT WALTON BEACH — Advance Fire Protection Services recently presented Children in Crisis a check for $1,500 to help provide a home and care to the abused, neglected, and abandoned children of the local community.

According to Ken Hair, CIC President & CEO, "We opened the Children’s Neighborhood in February 2008 and since then; we’ve provided a home to about 880 Kids and have kept all of our brother and sister sibling group families together.  We continue to have a critical need for funds to help sustain operations and care for the at-risk children of our community.  We can’t thank the employees of Advance Fire Protection Services enough for their wonderful support."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Advance Fire Protection Services Help Children in Crisis

CRESTVIEW — Gulf Power has provided a list of organizations that help people who need help paying their power bills. The Salvation Army has a program called Project SHARE. It provides emergency assistance with energy bills, heating and air-conditioning equipment repairs, and other energy-related needs. The program assists the elderly, the disabled, the sick and others who are experiencing financial hardship. Gulf Power customers can make donations to Project SHARE by adding a donation to their power bill. Here is a partial list of Northwest Florida groups to request help.

CRESTVIEW

•Sharing & Caring, 682-1134

•Salvation Army, 243-4531

•Tri-County, 306-1134

NICEVILLE

•Okaloosa County Council on Aging, 833-9165

•Salvation Army, 243-4531

•Catholic Social Services, 244-2825

•Sharing & Caring, 678-8459

FORT WALTON BEACH

•Striving for Perfection Ministries, 312 Pelham Road. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday – Friday, 862-3899

•United Way, 112 Tupelo Ave., 243-0315

•Salvation Army, 425 Mary Esther Cutoff, 243-4531

•Catholic Social Services, 11 1st St., 244-2825

MILTON

•Interfaith Ministries — Santa Rosa County residents, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Milton, 934-8385

•We Care Ministries (United Methodist Church — Santa Rosa County residents, Navarre), 939-1005

•Family Resource Center, 626-2054

•Salvation Army, Santa Rosa County, 623-4099

•Tri County Community Council, 6607 Elva St., 981-0036　

PENSACOLA United Way referral line, call 2-1-1 from any phone United Ministries (only provides assistance to families w/children) 257 E Lee St., 433-2333

•Catholic Social Services, 222 E. Government St., Pensacola, 436-6425

•Community Action Program, 8:15-9:15 a.m. Tuesdays, 1308 W Garden St., 607-2088

•Salvation Army, 1501 North Q St., Pensacola, 432-1501

•First Baptist Church, 438-8907 Olive Baptist Church, 473-4466

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS

•Caring & Sharing, 892-7656

•Tri-County Council Assistance, 892-3615

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Power provides contacts for power bill help

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The 96th Test Wing is scheduled to conduct testing on the Eglin range complex, requiring the closure of State Roads 85 and 123.

Roads will be closed 6:30-7:30 Tuesday, Jan. 29.

If testing is cancelled, a back-up testing is scheduled 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 30 and 31.

Visit www.eglin.af.mil for more information and updates on road closures.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: State Roads 85 and 123 to close for 96th Test Wing mission

Frederick Steadman, 68, of Milton, Florida, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2019.

 Frederick was born in Waycross, Georgia, and has lived in Pace since 1990. He was the sixth child of nine, born to the late Clyde and Agnes Steadman. He is a six year U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam veteran; and later served twenty years as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy.  He was a member of the New Faith Church of the Nazarene in Pace, Florida.

Frederick is preceded in death by his father, Clyde L. Steadman; his mother, Agnes R. Mobley Steadman; his brother, Leon Steadman; his sister, Ada Long; his daughter, Mary Anne Farmer; and his son, Jeremiah Johns.

Frederick is survived by his wife of 31 years, Vickie A. Steadman, of Pace, Florida; sons, Daniel Farmer, J. Adam Johns, J. Jason Steadman, Christopher Steadman, Brandon (Ashley) Steadman, Kyle (Deborah) Steadman, and Dustin Steadman; brothers, Jimmy (Linda) Darsey, Donald (JoAnn) Darsey, and Berry (Tangela) Hampton; sisters, Alice Claxton and Millie Barrett; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Public viewing for Frederick Steadman will be held 6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 24, 2019, at New Faith Church of the Nazarene of Pace, with funeral services to follow at 7:00 p.m., with Pastor Eddie Harden officiating. Frederick will be buried at Barrancas National Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 25, 2019, with military honors, and Lewis Funeral Home of Milton directing.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Naval Hospital Pensacola, Sacred Heart Hospital, Kindred Home Health, Emerald Coast Palliative Care, and Covenant Hospice for the love and care given to their husband, father, and brother during his time of illness.

The family requests that memorial donations be made, in Frederick’s name, to the New Faith Church of the Nazarene, 5162 Avenida del Fuego, Pace, Florida 32571.

Lewis Funeral Home of Milton has been entrusted with arrangements.  Condolences may be left for the family at:

www.lewisfuneralhomes.net or

https://www.facebook.com/lewisfun.home/

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Frederick Steadman

CRESTVIEW — Here is the latest information on area club meetings in Northwest Florida.

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF OKALOOSA COUNTY: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at Fort Walton Beach Public Library, 185 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach. Hank Klein's presentation will be "Major Public Land Laws in the United States." GSOC members will be available after the meeting to answer questions related to genealogy. Details: Val Moreland, 582-8202.

EMBROIDERERS GUILD OF AMERICA: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 27 program meeting, Religious Education building, Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 1200 Valparaiso Blvd., Niceville. Meetings are in theCall 496-3466 with any questions.

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB SCHEDULE: Club members meet first Mondays from September through May, usually in members' homes.

• 10:30 a.m. Feb. 4, Riverwood Apartments Office, 342 Riverwood Drive, Crestview. Program: container gardening.
• 10:30 a.m. March 4, TBA. Program: Bulbs and Perennials.
• 10:30 a.m. April 1, TBA. Program: Wrap It Up.
• 10:30 a.m. May 6, TBA. Program: Salad Luncheon, Woman of the Year Award and Installation.

Call 682-2691 or 683-0839 for TBA meeting locations. Dues are $25 a year.

MONDAYS

ADULT CHESS CLUB: The Crestview library hosts the Adult Chess Club 5-8 p.m. Monday evenings starting Jan. 7. Playing is free and boards are available. Call 850-682-4432 with questions.

YOUTH NIGHT: 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N. Visitors may enjoy free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or fellowship.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. Mondays, the clubhouse at 704 Robinson St., Crestview, for beginners and newcomers. Details: Jerry, 830-6218. www.fwb-area-aa.org.

DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB: 10:30 a.m. first Mondays, September through May, location to be announced. Details: 683-0839.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Yearly membership: $20.

COUNTRY PATCHERS QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. fourth Mondays, Antioch Baptist Church, 4824 Antioch Road, Crestview. Sit-n-sew and workshop meeting.

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. every fourth Monday, Crestview Public Library. Online: http://www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php.

THE OKALOOSA COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: fourth Mondays. Details: info@occsw.org.

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS: 7 p.m. second and fourth Mondays, Mount Ewell Lodge 131, U.S. Highway 198, Baker.　 

TUESDAYS

CRESTVIEW LIONS CLUB: 7 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Hub City Smokehouse, 168 Main St. S, Crestview. Details: crestviewlions@hotmail.com, secretary Charlotte Jones, 533-9931.

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY:

●8 a.m. Tuesdays at First Baptist Church of Garden City, 3140 Haskell-Langley Road, Crestview. Details: Mary Cole, 683-1899.

●5 p.m. weigh-in; meeting starts from 5:25-5:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church fellowship hall, 599 Eighth Ave., Crestview. Brooke Bratton, 225-8197. www.TOPS.org.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 to report incidents. okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com.

STORY TIME: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Children ages 3 to 5 can enjoy stories and activities, and make a simple craft.

CRESTVIEW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS BINGO: Quarterly games 4:30-6 p.m.; regular games 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday at 701 James Lee Blvd., Crestview.

BAKER GARDEN CLUB: 10 a.m. first Tuesdays September through May at different locations. Liz Davis, 537-4512.

OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP: 1 p.m. first Tuesdays, Wellness Center at Twin Cities Hospital, Niceville. A Registered Nurse is present, and meetings include details of specialty care and product innovations that may be helpful. Details: 389-7071.

CARVER-HILL MEMORIAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 5:30 p.m. first Tuesdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

OPEN MIC POETRY AT THE LIBRARY: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Free. Esther Hurwitz, 682-4432 or ehurwitz@okaloosa.lib.fl.us; Rick Sanders, 585-6399. Read poetry or play music. http://cvwlibrary.tumblr.com/.

SHOAL RIVER REPUBLICAN CLUB: 6 p.m. second Tuesdays of each month at Hideaway Pizza, 326 Main St., Crestview. Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

CRESTVIEW TOASTMASTERS: 6-7 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Greater Federation of Women's Club building, 150 Woodlawn Drive, Crestview. Visitors are welcome. Details: Kathy Morrow, 974-3662.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 395: 5:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Carver-Hill Museum, 895 S. McClelland St., Crestview. Cmdr. Raymond Nelson, 420-0706.

NORTH OKALOOSA PATRIOTS: 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, 150 N. Woodlawn Blvd., Crestview. www.panhandlepatriots.com.　

WEDNESDAYS

CRESTVIEW KIWANIS CLUB: 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays, Samuel's Roadhouse, 114 John King Road, Crestview.

KNITTING GROUP: 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Casbah Coffee Company, 196 Pine Ave. W, Crestview.

PANHANDLE SADDLE CLUB: 6 p.m. first Wednesdays, David’s Catfish House, 1296 N. Ferdon Blvd. Crestview. Includes socializing, dinner and a meeting. November topic: how to keep your horse healthy. Details: Donna Curry, 830-6403 or donna@embarqmail.com.

SONS OF ITALY, CRESTVIEW CHAPTER 2865: 6 p.m. third Wednesdays. All people of American-Italian heritage may join. Group president Thomas Hughes, 682-3597, thomasjhughessr@hotmail.com. 

THURSDAYS

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP: 10 a.m. Thursdays, Crosspoint, in portable 2, 2250 PJ Adams Parkway, Crestview. For people grieving the death of a loved one or other losses. 678-4411 extension 109.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays, 704 E. Robinson Ave., Crestview. 689-1842.

SENIORS VS. CRIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, except holidays, 296 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite 8, Crestview. Call 306-3176 or email okaloosacountysvc@yahoo.com to report incidents.

CRESTVIEW AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING: 7 a.m. first Thursdays, Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF CRESTVIEW: 5:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Allen Park, 895 McClelland St., Crestview.

FLYING NEEDLES QUILT GUILD: 9:30 a.m. second Thursdays at Niceville Church of Christ. Visitors and quilters are welcome.

NORTH OKALOOSA AMATEUR RADIO CLUB: 7 p.m. second Thursdays, Live Oak Baptist Church, 4565 Live Oak Church Road, Crestview. Call 398-7524 for details.

MAINSTREET CRESTVIEW ASSOCIATION: 8 a.m. third Thursdays, FAMU College of Pharmacy in downtown Crestview. Group improves and promotes Main Street and Crestview Community Redevelopment Agency businesses.

CRESTVIEW PHOTO CLUB: The Crestview Photo Club meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. fourth Thursdays at the Crestview Elks Lodge, 127 W. Pine Ave., across from Casbah Coffee Shop.

CRESTVIEW EXCHANGE CLUB: fourth Thursdays, Covenant Hospice, Crestview. Sharlene Cox, 682-6824. 

FRIDAYS

TEEN WII: 2-4 p.m. Fridays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Wii playing for students in sixth through 12th grades.

STEAK NIGHT: 6 p.m. first Fridays. American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Cost: $15 per person; includes T-bone steak, baked potato, salad, bread and dessert. 689-3195. 

SATURDAYS

ADULT/FAMILY NIGHT: 6-9 p.m. Saturdays, Convergence Coffeehouse, 498 Wilson St. N., Crestview. Free refreshments, play games, watch old movies, or just fellowship.

KARAOKE: 8 p.m. Saturdays, American Legion Post 75, 898 E. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. 689-3195.

READ TO DOZER: 10-11 a.m. first Saturdays, Crestview library, 1445 Commerce Drive. For children ages 4 and up.

BOBBIN LACE GROUP: 11 a.m. first Saturdays, Heritage Museum, 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso. Anyone may attend to inquire about the craft. 678-2615.

GOLD WING ROAD RIDERS ASSOCIATION: 9 a.m. to eat and 10 a.m. meeting third Saturdays of the month. Dwayne Hopkins, 217-1001. All motorcyclists are welcome.

VFW HORSESHOE TOURNAMENT: 12 p.m. third Saturdays, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5450, 2240 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview. Lynn Mobley, 682-5552.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County clubs and organizations