Victoria Wilcox, author of the award-winning historical novel trilogy, "Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday," will present a book talk and signing at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 at the library.

Wilcox is the founding director of Georgia's Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum — the antebellum home of Doc Holliday's family — and a nationally known expert on the life of the Western icon.

She speaks at historic sites, libraries and bookstores around the country about the research behind her novels and Doc Holliday's untold history. She was recently featured in the debut episode of the Fox network's "Legends & Lies: The Real West."

In her Crestview library presentation, Wilcox will discuss Doc Holliday and his surprising Southern roots — including a family tie to author Margaret Mitchell and a cousin who became the model for Melanie in "Gone With the Wind." 

Doc Holliday even had a Florida connection, as his likely route west was from Valdosta, South Georgia, across Florida to Pensacola and a ship to Galveston. 

The three books of "Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday" — published by Knox Robinson Publishing of London & New York — are available to check out at the library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Learn more about Victoria Wilcox and her work at www.victoriawilcoxbooks.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GARCIA: Doc Holliday book tour coming to Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The Daughters of the American Revolution's Choctawhatchee Bay chapter is celebrating an award from a national competition.

The Choctawhatchee Bay chapter was the 2nd Place National Winner in the Conservation Committee’s 2014 Chapters Contest for its entry, “Blackwater River Patriot Pines Living Memorial."

The chapter, in partnership with the Florida State Forestry Service, planted 5,000 pine seedlings in a stand at the Blackwater River State Forest, in Milton, to honor Revolutionary War Patriots. A virtual booklet detailing the project and 57 Patriots has been published.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Choctawhatchee Bay DAR chapter wins conservation award

FORT WALTON BEACH — You can enter a drawing for the chance to win a one-of-a-kind paddle board.

The 12-foot Starboard Atlas Stand Up Paddle Board, donated by Dog House Surf Shop, was customized with airbrushed artwork by Keith Jette of Wicked Paint and Big Rooster Co. Cycles and Tattoos. The artwork includes an intricately detailed underwater scene with an octopus, jellyfish and sunken ship.

Tickets — $5 each or five for $20 — are available at eventsatcovenant.org/paddle. Proceeds benefit Covenant Hospice.

The drawing will be held Saturday, Aug. 8; you do not have to be present to win.

Covenant Hospice is a not-for-profit organization that provides comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones during times of life-limiting illnesses.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tickets available for Fort Walton Beach paddle board drawing

CRESTVIEW — In less than seven months, four Crestview families have moved into their own homes after partnering with Habitat for Humanity.

And there are more to come, Habitat officials said.

See photos of the Clark family's home>>

CONDITIONAL FUNDING

“It started in 2013 with mortgage settlement funds we received,” Habitat Community Outreach Director Melissa Forte Litscher said.

Three years ago, Attorney General Pam Bondi entered a $25 billion federal-state agreement with the country's five largest mortgage servicers over foreclosure and mortgage servicing abuses. These included robo-signing and loan origination misconduct. The agreement provided an estimated $9.22 billion in relief to Florida homeowners, and addressed future mortgage loan servicing practices, according to Bondi's website.

But the funding came with conditions. One requirement to use settlement money was that Habitat rehabilitate a dilapidated residential site.

“We had to take an uninhabitable property, knock it down and build something habitable,” Forte Litscher said.

DREAM COME TRUE

The latest “something habitable” found Crestview resident La’Terica Clark and her daughter, Nylah, 4, celebrating Fourth of July in their own home.

“This has always been a dream — to be a homeowner — and Habitat for Humanity made it possible,” Clark said. “I never would have been able to afford it on my own.”

In December 2014, Clark received her phone call from Habitat saying her application had been accepted. Soon she and Nylah were hard at work, helping other families’ dreams come true and then helping build her own home.

Now, Nylah has specific ideas about how her bedroom should be decorated. She wants to hang costumes on the walls.

“I’m going to have an elephant costume,” she said. “I have a lot of costumes.”

'SWEAT EQUITY'

The nonprofit helps families who can't gain conventional house financing, according to its website.

"Generally, this includes those whose income is 30 to 50 percent of the area’s median income," the site states. "In most cases, prospective Habitat homeowner families make a $500 down payment."

Each adult family member is required to put at least 300 hours of “sweat equity,” or labor, into construction of their homes and those of other Habitat partner families.

Clark’s home is the 54th Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County residence, with more coming.

“In the fall we are planning to be up in Crestview again,” Forte Litcher said. “We’re working on a plan for a five-home project up here.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Habitat for Humanity on a Crestview home-building boom (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — Dr. Patrice A. Williams, the daughter of Isaac Othello “Chief” Williams and the late Ottie Mae Baldwin Williams, will marry Jonweau C. Shuford, the son of Milton and Carolyn Pogue Shuford, on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 at a private ceremony in Crestview.

The bride is the granddaughter of the late Clinton and Andrea C. Baldwin and the late Isaac and Genoa Williams. The groom is the grandson of the late John and Flora Pogue and the late Percy Sr. and Elizabeth Shuford.

Patrice serves as campus director at Northwest Florida State College’s Robert L.F. Sikes Education Center in Crestview.

Jonweau, a medically retired veteran of the United States Navy, served in several post-911 conflicts. Currently, he is a student pursuing his Associate of Science degree in Architectural Drafting & Design.

The couple will live in Crestview.

To submit a Special Occasion item, call 850-682-6524 for more information or email the announcement to us. You may include a photo.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SPECIAL OCCASION: Williams and Shuford plan Crestview wedding

DESTIN — Blue Marlin Realty Group's third annual Charity Golf Tournament is Oct. 23 at Regatta Bay Golf and Yacht Club, organizers announced.

The tournament begins with registration at 11 a.m. and a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Entrance fees are $150, individual players, or $500, foursome. Players receive a complimentary lunch from Another Broken Egg of America. Proceeds will benefit the Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue, a non-profit organization that provides medical care and finds loving homes for golden retrievers and other abandoned, abused or surrendered lab breeds.

An after-party and awards ceremony will follow the tournament at the Regatta Bay Clubhouse with food donated by Landshark’s Pizza Co., along with a silent auction, raffle prizes and live entertainment.

Golfers can register at Blue Marlin Realty Group’s office, on Holiday Isle in Destin, or at the Regatta Bay Clubhouse.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Destin golf tournament to benefit Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue

FREEPORT — Alaqua Animal Refuge wants Northwest Florida residents to remember their pets in hurricane preparation plans.

The nonprofit suggests packing a pet supply kit — a sturdy, waterproof container — with these items:

•Medications, medical records, vaccination certificates, photographs and veterinarian information

•Leashes and harnesses, along with carriers large enough for pets to stand up and turn around in

•Toys and bedding

•Five days' food and drinkable water

•A manual can opener, just in case

See more tips at www.ready.gov/caring-animals and www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/pets.

Pet owners should have an evacuation plan and ensure immunizations are current, proper identification is in place and pets have a safe place to stay.

Ask friends or family members if they can assist hosting your pet in case evacuations become mandatory. Or visit www.petswelcome.com, which provides information on hotels and motels that allow pets.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 hurricane preparation tips for pet owners

BAKER — The battle against breast cancer has received a boost from Baker Pro Rodeo sponsors.

For the second year, the rodeo presented a $1,000 check to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Emerald Coast. Proceeds came from an April 11 Breast Cancer Awareness Night during the rodeo at the Baker Arena.

“In the rodeo world, it’s a big event to have Saturday nights as pink night for breast cancer awareness,” Baker Area Recreation Association President Mark Todd said. “We joined the movement last year and we want to keep it a tradition from now out.”

ACS will use the money for research and education to help save women's lives, breast cancer survivor Donna Fought, of Making Strides, said. “Getting the word out assures women get their mammograms,” she said.

“Even if you encourage just one woman to have an annual mammogram, you’ve saved a life. The American Cancer Society saved my life. I was one of those women who didn’t do what she was supposed to do.”

Rodeo organizers presented the check on Monday by a truck with a pink AAA Waste trash bin as a backdrop. Company owner Russell Moorman, one of the organizers, said AAA places the pink container at various community events, particularly cancer research fundraisers.

“It gets a lot of attention,” Moorman said. “People like to sign it.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Baker rodeo donates $1K toward breast cancer education, research (VIDEO)