CRESTVIEW — Children participating in the Lillie M. Conyers Summer Reading Program now know more about fire safety.

Crestview firefighters and Engine 1 visited Mount Zion AME Church on Tuesday to give a group of 4- to 12-year-olds some potentially life-saving lessons.

For instance, children learned that they should stop what they're doing, drop to the floor and roll around if their clothes catch fire.

Children participating in the six-week summer reading program make friends, crafts and memories while improving their reading skills, according to Crestview Public Library Director Jean Lewis, who has led this program for a couple of years.

"I originally was a volunteer for (the late) Lillie Conyers," she said. "She was the one who originally headed this program." Conyers, a former city council member, wanted to do something beneficial for her neighborhood.

The Rev. Sinclair Forbes, Mount Zion's pastor, said he supports the program for one particular reason.

"We have to read to lead," he said.

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WHAT: Lillie M. Conyers Summer Reading Program

WHEN: 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesdays through July 14

WHERE: Mount Zion AME Church, 502 McDonald St., Crestview

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview children learn about fire safety

CRESTVIEW — Former state senator Dr. Durell Peaden died Tuesday night of illness related to a heart attack he sustained while in Pittsburgh. He was 69.

Born in DeFuniak Springs, Peaden graduated from Crestview High School before attending Tulane University in New Orleans. He obtained his medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Mexico, and a law degree from the Thomas Goode Jones School of law.

Dr. Peaden served the area as a family physician, and as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1995 to 2000. He was a Florida State senator from 2001 to 2010, when he left due to term limits.

He was a member of the First united Methodist Church of Crestview.

Local leaders remembered Peaden as a visionary for Northwest Florida who was instrumental in directing opportunities to the Crestview and North Okaloosa County area.

“Crestview and Okaloosa County and all of Northwest Florida have lost a favorite son in Durell Peaden,” Mayor David Cadle said. “He was one of the most positive men that I ever met. He was just bubbling over all the time.”

“He was a great patriot and a great sponsor of projects for our area,” Okaloosa County Commissioner Wayne Harris said.

Cadle cited Peaden as the driving force that brought the Florida A&M University Rural Diversity Healthcare Center and its pharmacy school to downtown Crestview, and for bringing the Florida International university physicians assistant program to town next year.

“I will miss our times together as we drove around looking at building sites and looking toward the future growth of Crestview together,” Cadle said. “Those were special times.”

Cadle said like hundreds of families, his will also remember with fondness the kind ways of a gentle country doctor.

“We remember Dr. Peaden as the physician who cared for our families and would sit by the bedside of a sick child, all night if necessary,” Cadle said.

Harris asked residents to “please keep his wife, Nancy, and their family in your thoughts and prayers.”

—

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article stated that Mr. Peaden was 71 years old when he died. The article was corrected.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Former Crestview area state senator Dr. Durrell Peaden dead at 71

CRESTVIEW — Since before the city’s — and county’s — founding, North Okaloosa County residents have relied on newspapers for information about local people and issues.

See images of old Okaloosa County newspapers, ads and stories>>

William H. Mapoles, “the father of Okaloosa County,” might also be called “the father of Okaloosa County newspapers.” When he and his wife, Celeste, moved to Laurel Hill in 1910, Mapoles established The Laurel Hill News. He was a newspaperman by trade, having worked for his father, the Rev. John Thomas Mapoles, The Milton Gazette’s founder, according to Baker Block Museum Director Ann Spann.

Upon Okaloosa's September 1915 formation, the Rev. Mapoles moved to Milligan and established The County Journal. After successfully shepherding the county’s creation through the state Legislature, William Mapoles moved his family and newspaper to Crestview, recognizing the city’s growth potential. He renamed his weekly The Okaloosa News, publishing the first edition on Nov. 8, 1915.

In March 1918, he merged with his dad’s paper and changed the name to the Okaloosa News-Journal. It was the county’s longest-running paper, publishing until Dec. 14, 1992.

THE MESSENGER

In 1922, an annual subscription to The Okaloosa News-Journal cost $1, Claudia Patten and Betty Curenton wrote in “Crestview: The Forkland.” Three years later, editor W.D. Douglas added the county’s first crossword puzzle.

In September 1926, Mapoles sold the paper to Douglas “with an agreement not to compete,” Spann said. But by September 1929, Mapoles was back in the newspaper business; as a wink at the agreement, his wife Celeste was the new Okaloosa Messenger's editor. The two weeklies competed well into the 1940s.

1952 through 1954, the News-Journal became the West Florida Daily Globe, adding “combined with Okaloosa News-Journal” in small print on the masthead. Still published in Crestview, the paper included national, world, local and regional reporting.

ENTER THE BULLETIN

On July 3, 1975, the Crestview News Bulletin’s ancestor, the Okaloosa Consumer Bulletin, a free, tabloid-size weekly, began publishing under editor Roger Robinson, a former reporter for The Playground News. (The Playground News, later the Playground Daily News, is today's Northwest Florida Daily News.) Robinson’s father, Allen, helped his son by writing a series of county history columns he planned to turn into a book, Spann said.

In 1985, the Okaloosa News Journal dropped its hyphen, “The Forkland” states. It added a weekend edition with color funnies in May 1991, which lasted less than a year.

Upon the end of The Okaloosa News Journal’s 77-year run, early in 1993 the Consumer Bulletin evolved into the North Okaloosa Bulletin and grew from tabloid to broadsheet size under new publisher Jim Knudsen, who later renamed it the Crestview News Leader.

THE BULLETIN

In 1995, the News Leader competed with four former North Okaloosa Bulletin writers, who established the free weekly Citizen Review, which lasted two years.

In the early 2000s, Knudsen renamed his newspaper the Crestview News Bulletin. Mid-decade, the Northwest Florida Daily News opened a Crestview bureau and began publishing The Hub, a freestanding Wednesday North Okaloosa County section.

Upon Knudsen’s 2007 sale of the News Bulletin to Daily News publisher Freedom Communications, The Hub ceased publication and its staff merged with the News Bulletin’s.

Next week, the News Bulletin, now a GateHouse Media newspaper, observes its 40th year of bringing North Okaloosa County residents all the news affecting them and their neighbors.

BREAKING NEWS 

Reviewing old Okaloosa County newspapers reveals interesting tidbits of the community’s zeitgeist. The Okaloosa News, Jan. 21, 1916: “Mesdames Mary Scranton, Bessie Brown and Martha Early made a business trip to Camp Walton last Tuesday.”

Okaloosa Messenger, Oct. 3, 1929: “Mr. J.M. Green, general manager of the Gulf Electric Company, who sees to the pumping of all the city water, informs us that the town uses more than 1,123,200 gallons of water per month.”

Okaloosa Messenger, Mar. 19, 1931: “The niftiest thing in town now is the unique radio ‘Little Doc’ Enzor has installed in his new Chevrolet.”

West Florida Daily Globe, Jan. 22, 1953: “Okaloosa County (School) Superintendent Lance Richbourg said…that the problem of ending segregation is an educational one that could not be legislated ‘down peoples’ throats.’”

Okaloosa News-Journal, July 3, 1975: “The former tax assessor agreed to repay all the money, approximately $38,000, the prosecution alleged he embezzled over a four-and-a-half-year period.”

Crestview News Leader, March 9, 1994: “’We are working on getting the downtown image improved,’ said (City Councilwoman Brenda) Bush. ‘With the AmTrak [sic] station in town, arrivals would be more inclined to check out the area if it looked more inviting.’”

Crestview News Bulletin, Aug. 31, 2005: “Okaloosa County residents are breathing a sigh of relief this week…Last Friday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center projections for Hurricane Katrina had it aimed for the area between Destin and Navarre.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa newspapers keep residents informed more than 100 years (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Toastmasters Club has installed new officers.

Leading the club for the 2015-2016 Toastmaster year are Peggy Hollingshead, president; Wanda Edwards, vice president of education; Bob Hollingshead, vice president of membership; Michael Dunn, vice president of public relations; Kathy Morrow, secretary and treasurer; and Bruce Adams, sergeant at arms.

The installation took place Tuesday with Toastmaster Patti Evans as the installing officer. New officers begin their duties July 1 and will serve until June 30, 2016.

Crestview Toastmasters, a community club, has been helping people in Crestview become better speakers and leaders since October 2005.

The club meets 6-7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at Destiny Worship Center, 419 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. Visitors are welcome.

See crestview.toastmastersclubs.org or visit toastmasters.org and type in your ZIP code for more information. You may also contact Kathy Morrow, 974-3662, for meeting information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Toastmasters install new officers

CRESTVIEW — Visitors to the McMahon Environmental Center have a shady new meandering path to follow through the multi-acre arboretum thanks to a June 13 morning blitz build.

See photos from the McMahon Center path construction>>

Nearly three dozen Kiwanians, Boy Scouts and Young Marines descended on the Butler Circle park at 8 a.m., and within four hours, the wood lined, mulch filled pathway was complete.

“They really worked hard,” Boy Scouts Gulf Council unit commissioner Rae Schwartz said. “That was supposed to be a full day project but it was done by noon.”

“I was impressed,” Emerald Coast Young Marines unit commander Lynn Dominque said. “We laid out all of the walking path, drove stakes into the ground, put the wood sides up and spread the mulch in four hours. I think that was impressive for 8-to-12.”

A FIRST FOR ALL

The Crestview Kiwanis Club, taking its American Indian-inspired name —  which, club president Ashley Rogers said, means “we build” — to heart, has adopted the city-owned environmental center as a major community project.

“This the largest project that we have undertaken,” Rogers said. “We have been selective. We try to select a project of large impact for the community.”

Rogers said though the club has been active in educational projects and the annual No Child Without Health Care fair, tackling the arboretum’s renovation is its first large-scale construction project.

In fact, it’s a first for the other involved organizations as well.

Boy Scouts Troop 30 treasurer Kelley Koon said though individual scouts frequently tackle community improvements as individual Eagle projects, such as work at Crestview’s community garden, “This is the first big project they’ve really been involved with.”

WORK FROM THE HEART

Schwartz, who was among adult volunteers at the McMahon Center Saturday morning, couldn’t be happier than to see improvements being made. Helping mark native tree species was her son, Mike’s, Eagle project in the 1990s.

“We’ve (Boy Scouts) had a long association with the McMahon Center, and we’re just excited to see what Kiwanis is doing with it,” she said.

“We do a lot of events but this is our first project,” Dominque said, listing the Young Marines ceremonial participation in programs such as the city’s Military Appreciation Recognition Celebration and the Exchange Club’s Stand Up and Say the Pledge ceremony.

“We always participate in the community,” Dominque said. “Whatever we can do to help out the community, we’ll come out to support it in any way we can.”

Koon said it’s impossible to assign a value to work that comes from the heart.

“For our boys, we try not to put a dollar value on these projects,” she said. “It’s more of a community value and making it about giving back to the community they live in.”

THE PATH, BY THE NUMBERS

1/8 = length of the path in miles

32 = volunteers

8 = Troop 30 Boy Scout volunteers

2 = Troop 30 adult volunteers

7 = Young Marines volunteers

3 = Young Marines adult volunteers

12 = Kiwanians and community volunteers

128 =Total man-hours to construct the path

WANT TO GO?

The McMahon Environmental Center is adjacent to the fire tower opposite Live Oak Park Cemetery at the corner of North Avenue, Butler Circle and Mapoles Street. Open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To arrange a visit to the onsite natural history and regional industry museum, call Crestview Parks and Recreation, 682-4715.

For information about the Crestview Kiwanis Club and its future renovation plans for the McMahon Environmental Center, visit the club’s Facebook page, Crestview Kiwanis/Environmental Center Project, or email crestviewkiwanis@outlook.com.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Kiwanis, Boy Scouts and Young Marines team up for first major project (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — Creative juices are flowing throughout the area as students plunge into summer artistic opportunities.

Baker School students Hadyn Hensz and Madison Stanley, both 10, spent Tuesday morning at the first Abrakadoodle Summer Art Camp, creating works that let them stretch their imagination while trying new art techniques.

“It was fun!” Hadyn said.

“We made a turtle, we made surfboards and we made a starfish painting,” Madison said, adding that the clay turtle — which she painted a deep blue and accented with jewels and small shells — was air-dried and didn’t require a kiln.

After decorating three paper surfboards, the girls applied them to a decorated background panel on which they affixed seashells and beach sand.

However, the girls said their starfish paintings needed more than just color. “We gave them names,” Madison said, adding she and Hadyn named their creations for “SpongeBob SquarePants” characters.

“I think it was cool that we got to try new things that we’ve never done before,” Madison said, adding she’d like to try some of the techniques on her own at home.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:Abrakadoodle Summer Art Camps

WHEN:9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., June 30, July 7 and Aug. 4

WHERE:Crosspoint South Crestview (former St. Mark United Methodist Church), Portable 2, 2250 P.J. Adams Parkway, Crestview

COST:$35 per student per camp; register at www.Abrakadoodle.com/FL07, 424-5058, Facebook.com/abrakadoodleNWF.

NOTES:Campers must pack a snack, lunch and drink, and “dress for mess.”

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview summer art camps prove inspirational

CRESTVIEW — Expect east and westbound lane restrictions on Interstate 10 over the Shoal River Bridge, 2.4 miles east of State Road 85, on Tuesday, June 23. 

Lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. as crews perform a routine inspection.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Routine bridge inspection set for Interstate 10 Shoal River Bridge

CRESTVIEW — Two pageants benefiting worthy causes are scheduled for next month.

Download an application form.

BASEBALL BEAUTY

The 2015 Miss Baseball Beauty Pageant is 12 p.m. July 25 at the Crestview Community Center.

Age divisions include:

•Infant Miss, 0-11 months

•Baby Miss, 12-23 months

•Toddler Miss, 2-3 years old

•Tiny Miss, 4-5 years old

•Petite Miss, 6-8 years old

•Little Miss, 9-11 years old

•Junior Miss, 12-14 years old

•Teen Miss, 15-17 years old

•Miss, 18-21 years old.

A Miss Baseball Princess, the girl with the most overall votes, will be crowned and will receive a sash and a trophy.

Divisional queens will receive a crown, embroidered banner, a trophy and a ride in the Crestview Homecoming Parade, along with a year of appearances. All contestants will receive a participation crown and trophy onstage.

Contestant entry fees are: beauty, $35; photogenic, $10; optional titles (Best Smile, Prettiest Eyes, Most Beautiful, Best Attire and Best Hair, $25 each); and Outfit of Choice, $10. July 23 is the entry deadline.

$10 seating passes will benefit the Crestview High School Baseball Team.

ROYAL ROSE BEAUTY

The 2015 Miss Royal Rose Beauty Pageant includes the same age divisions and similar entry categories, in addition to an interview.

The pageant is 5 p.m. July 25 at the Crestview Community Center.

Seating passes cost $10; proceeds will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Miss Ambassador Spring Rose 2015 will be the girl who raises the most money for the foundation. Girls will sell $1 sponsorship tickets for a prize drawing.

The girl with the most votes overall will be crowned Miss Royal Rose Princess. She will receive a crown, a sash and trophy.

The deadline to enter is July 23. Make checks payable to 65 Roses Events. Mail checks and entry to 523 Hyde Park Drive, Crestview, FL 32539.

For more information contact event director Tanya Rivera,  376-0108 or 65rosesevent@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Two beauty pageants set next month in Crestview (APPLICATIONS)

CRESTVIEW — Today, North Okaloosa County children will honor their fathers with tool sets, car maintenance kits and ties, among expected gifts.

Some News Bulletin readers want to honor dads with just their words.  

'HE BECAME MISTER MOM'

One word in particular enters Dawn Martin's mind when she thinks of her father, Lewis Elwood.

Hero.   

The retired Marine "worked for everything we ever had till one day a fall made him and Mom change roles," she said. "He became Mister Mom."

Over the years, despite some challenges — "his body has given out and he's mostly confined to a chair," Martin said — her dad's dedication remains strong.

"My daughter was born with a lot of issues," she said. "Through the adoption, numerous doctor appointments, MRIs and surgeries, he was there.

"He was the rocker when I had been up all night because she wouldn't or couldn't sleep. He's been my oldest constant in her life … he's our rock when everything falls apart."

'MY DAD IS AWESOME'

Stefney Haskell, of Crestview, said she loves that she and her father share the same hobby: hunting.

Haskell fondly recalls her first deer kill. It happened during an in-season hunting trip this year in Garden City.

She proudly shares a photo of father and daughter, in their camouflage coveralls, grabbing the 150-pound 9-point buck's antlers.

And the unforgettable memory it represents. Stefney had been waiting to hunt for two years.

"My dad is awesome because he let me kill my first big buck with his gun," she said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'He's our rock': 2 residents share why their fathers are special

This summer, kids are looking for fun things to do. How about having them spend computer time on something other than games?

The Association for Library Service to Children — a division of the American Library Association — Great Websites for Kids Committee suggests these fun and educational sites:

•Ask a Biologist: http://askabiologist.asu.edu/

•Bug Guide: http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740

•Code Monster: http://www.crunchzilla.com/code-monster

•CSI: Web Adventures: http://forensics.rice.edu/

•I Was Wondering: http://iwaswondering.org/

•Middle Shelf: http://issuu.com/middleshelf/docs/

•San Diego Zoo Kids: http://kids.sandiegozoo.org/

•Smithsonian Tween Tribune: http://tweentribune.com/

Great Web Sites for Kids — which should interest children 14 and older — fall under various categories, including animals, art, history, literature and sciences, among others.

Each site entry includes an explanation and grade-level rating, and users can rate sites, save their favorites and share links through social media and email.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LEWIS: 8 educational, fun websites your kids should browse