CRESTVIEW — Ron Medlock of Crestview, a.k.a. Graybeard the Pirate, will give candy to children, in character, this Halloween.

Medlock, who has portrayed the pirate for several years in Crestview and surrounding areas, looks forward to the annual event.

"I can't disappoint the kids," he said.

He and his family will accept trick-or-treaters 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 at 2754 Lake Silver Road, Crestview, "until I run out of candy or they quit coming," he said.

"We have a good time and make them laugh."

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Graybeard the Pirate docks in Crestview for Halloween

CRESTVIEW — The 17th Annual Run for the Toys, a motorcycle event benefiting North Okaloosa families and the Families First Network of Crestview, kicks off soon.

Registration is 9:30-11 a.m. Nov. 1 in the Wal-Mart Supercenter parking lot,           3351 Ferdon Blvd. S., Crestview. Entrants must bring a $10 donation and a new unwrapped toy for the event, which includes food, music and a 50-50 drawing.

The ride ends at VFW Post 5450 on U.S. Highway 90 in Crestview.

Contact Ken Payne, 612-5493, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 17th Annual Run for the Toys planned in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — Confederate roses are in bloom, at least for some local residents.

Larry Williams, an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview, wrote about the flowers for the News Bulletin's Oct. 28-30 Midweek Edition, and a number of readers responded to the column.

Click here for William's column.

Some of our Facebook fans expressed favorable results.

"We have one in our yard … love it," Vickie Baker Johnson said.

"I love ours," Cam Milligan Sasser said. "It blooms throughout the month of October. Sometimes, a freeze comes and ruins all the remaining flower buds and that's it for the season, but usually it's done blooming by the time it freezes."

Other residents said they had difficulties with the plant.

"The deer keep eating mine down to the ground," Silvia Clem Womack said.

"Someone just gave my dad this plant, and since putting it in the ground the leaves have begun to turn brown," Heather Moore said.

"The buds were wilted, but one of them still bloomed a few days after putting it in the ground."

With proper care, a Confederate rose should grow into a 15-foot-tall bush during a single season, Williams said. But expect the entire plant to be killed to the ground during the winter.

"It usually sprouts rapidly from the base of the plant the following spring," he said.

But be careful — too much fertilizer can result in lots of leaves but few blooms, Williams said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Confederate roses in bloom across Crestview

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — Corvias Military Living, Corvias Group's military housing division, and the Army Wife Network LLC, a multimedia resource site for military spouses, will bring the Field Exercise: Battle Buddies program to Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field in November.

The networking and military appreciation event — filled with friendship, laughter, prizes, advice and self-discovery, according to a spokesperson — is Nov. 5 and 6 at the Holiday Inn Resort in Fort Walton Beach. It is open to all military spouses.

Army Wife Network’s Tara Crooks, Janet MacIntosh and Paula Swanson will host two free sessions: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 5 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 6. Both are free to attend and focus on creating a personal support network to help navigate military life.

 “Our Field Exercise will have a room full of talking and laughing spouses engaged with each other and recharging their spirits by putting themselves first,” Crooks said.

The two four-hour sessions are identical and will feature a full lunch or dinner, door prizes and giveaways.

Register at www.armywifenetwork.com under the events section if interested; space is limited. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free military spouse events scheduled in Fort Walton Beach

CRESTVIEW — Christie Cadenhead has joined Community Bank as an assistant vice president and loan officer.

With more than 10 years' banking experience, she will be instrumental in the Crestview market's growth, according to Jason Crowe, Community Bank's Florida Division president.

Cadenhead, a Crestview native, serves on the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, is a Kiwanis Club of Crestview member, and volunteers for Covenant Hospice.

She and her son, Seth, live in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cadenhead, Crestview resident, joins Community Bank

VALPARAISO — The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida presents “Okaloosa Steepheads,” a free lecture, at noon on Nov. 13. 

Guest speaker Walter G. Smith will discuss the region's deep ravines, one of the Southeast's most diverse, sensitive ecosystems.

Attendees can bring lunch for History Sandwiched-In, a free education program, but space is limited. Call 678-2615 to reserve a seat.

The event — at 115 Westview Ave., Valparaiso — is part of Okaloosa County's 100th anniversary celebration.

Museum centennial events are made possible by a matching grant from the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs and Okaloosa County.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Okaloosa Steepheads,' free lecture, set Nov. 13

CRESTVIEW — A beloved senior citizen and town fixture says she enjoys riding a tricycle that numerous residents bought her.

Sara Reese, known as "Ms. Sara," often travels Crestview streets using just her walker. She frequently wears a neon shirt that says, "Please don't hit my back."

But now when she wants to travel down North Ferdon Boulevard, or otherwise get around town, she has an alternative.

Sixty-three Crestview residents raised $1,660 in two months on GoFundMe to purchase a new tricycle for Reese.

Before, Reese would have to hang groceries and other things on her walker. 

Her new, pink set of wheels has more storage, with a basket in the front and one in the back. In addition, the tricycle features a canopy embroidered with, "Sara." 

"I love it," Reese said. "It makes it a lot easier" to get around.

But don't expect Reese to entirely give up walking.

"It's good for my heart," she said.

<<Read more about 'Ms. Sara' in 'Related Content' at the left

Watch video of Ms. Sara on her bike>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's 'Ms. Sara' loves her new tricycle (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Gulf Power recently recognized its 100,000th residential customer in the company's central district.  

The customers are Floyd and Leah Nash of Crestview.

Their new home is all-electric and was built by Robert Fisher Signature Homes.

Joining in the celebration were Bernard Johnson, Gulf Power District general manager; Crestview Mayor David Cadle; homebuilders Bob and Mary Fisher; homeowner Leah Nash; builder Bobby Fisher; and Okaloosa County District 1 Commissioner Wayne Harris.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview couple named Gulf Power's 100,000th residential customer

CRESTVIEW — Like Crestview itself, the city’s annual Fall Festival is growing. This year’s event will be the biggest ever, Main Street Crestview Association organizers say.

The six-block-long event on Oct. 31 will stretch from the Okaloosa County Courthouse south to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Main Street manager Patti Gonzo said.

“There will be numerous food booths and lots of booths with games and candy for the children,” she said.

Gonzo said this is the first year the festival has extended south of the railroad tracks.

The expanded venue has encouraged participation from South Main Street businesses, including Hub City Smokehouse and Grill, which will offer free play with its new knocker balls, the giant, inflatable balls in which people can roll around, Gonzo said.

Fall vegetables from the Common Ground Community Garden will be available across from Hub City Smokehouse and in front of the H&R Block office.

Sponsors include Okaloosa Gas District and attorney Brandon Stewart, whose practice will offer free popcorn.

Pawsitively Scrumptious will host a pet costume parade, and sponsors for the Halloween costume contest are

Children's costume contest sponsors include Bill Parker, Attorney at Law; Ashley Rogers, Brian Corlew and Michael Hamby, of Chesser & Barr Attorneys; and Dunkin' Donuts. Dunkin' Donuts mascots Sprinkles the donut and Cuppy the coffee will be present. 

A skillet toss contest will held on the courthouse lawn.

Editor's Note: The Oct. 21-23 edition erroneously stated that Okaloosa Title and Abstract was among these sponsors.

What: Main Street Crestview Association Fall Festival

When: 1-6 p.m., Oct. 31

Where: Main Street, from the courthouse south to Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Crestview

Cost: Free

WANT TO GO?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Fall Festival expands

CRESTVIEW — Nikita Ottosen has conquered the National Strongman Competition in Quad Cities, Iowa.

What is she going to do next?

Represent the United States in competition at the Arnold Sports Festival, scheduled for March 3-6 in Columbus, Ohio, according to the event's website.

"The festival has expanded into the world’s largest multi-sport fitness weekend since 1989, when it debuted…," arnoldsportsfestival.com states, noting actor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger co-promotes the event.

Ottosen, a Crestview resident, qualified for the event after competing in the Oct. 2-3 National Strongman Competition in Quad Cities, Iowa.

She performed in these events:

●Log clean and press: 155 pounds for total repetitions in 60 seconds

●Conan’s Yoke Front Carry: 60 feet, 350 pounds

●Farmer’s Carry: 190 pounds, each hand, for 60 feet

●One-armed Circus Dumbbell press: 90 pounds; one-armed deadlift: 145 pounds; and medley for reps in 60 seconds

●Sand bag sprint: 30 feet loading on a 3-foot platform; 120 pounds, 140 pounds and 160 pounds

Ottosen finished fifth in the middle weight (140-160 subdivision) class. She placed 14th overall in the middle weight (140-180) class out of 37 female competitors.

Ottosen — who trains with her coach, Stephen Schiff at Militia Fitness in Crestview — qualified for Nationals earlier this year during the Alabama’s Strongest Man competition in Gulf Shores.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview weightlifter is Ohio bound