BEAVER CREEK — While some North Okaloosa County farmers generally reap their bounties from April to September or October, Susan Holley and her family have extended their vegetable-growing season upward of three months.

Through a U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service program, the Holleys’ Beaver Creek Farm erected a “seasonal high-tunnel” at the beginning of March and planted crops in it within a week of completion.

See photos of Beaver Creek Farm's growing tunnel>>

It is the first tunnel under production in the county.

“The structure will extend the growing season for them,” NRCS district conservationist Darryl Williams said. “It’s similar to a greenhouse, but it’s more of a shelter.”

Under the Holleys’ tenth-of-an-acre tunnel, tomatoes, banana peppers, bell peppers, okra, squash, zucchini and jalapenos grow, ripen and are harvested.

They then proceed — along with other crops from the farm’s two acres of vegetables — directly to local dinner tables, either from the family’s farm stand on Beaver Creek Road or at farmers’ markets in Crestview and Fort Walton Beach.

“We plan to use it well into the fall,” Holley said. “We’ll be planting winter crops in it.”

Williams said two other farms in North Okaloosa County have been awarded contracts for seasonal high-tunnels out of seven that applied to the nationwide Environmental Quality Incentive Program, known as EQIP.

The NRCS contributes between $7,300 and $8,800 toward the structures’ average $10,000 construction cost, depending on the farmer’s participation in other USDA programs, Williams said.

“It’s a way of helping small family farms and improving their income and helping bring fresh fruit and vegetables to our residents,” he said.

Holley said she and her family members, including her husband, Gary, sons Nathan, Michael and Bryan, and her in-laws — “This is a true family farm,” she said — appreciate the extra crops that the tunnel will yield.

 “People can come here to our farm stand, or to the farmers’ market, and get locally grown vegetables instead of vegetables from foreign countries you get in the store,” she said.

Her customers notice the quality of her family’s produce, Holley said.

“There was a man at the farmers market looking at our tomatoes,” she said. “He said, ‘These are too perfect. These aren’t homegrown.’ That made me feel pretty good.”

DID YOU KNOW?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service contributes between $7,300 and $8,800 toward seasonal high-tunnels' average $10,000 construction cost, depending on the farmer’s participation in other USDA programs.

WANT TO GO?

The Holley family sells fresh produce from their Beaver Creek Farm from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Crestview Farmers Market in Spanish Trail Park, and from their farm stand at 7016 Beaver Creek Road, off State Road 4 west of Baker.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Tunnel to market: USDA program extends Baker farm's growing season (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Summer is a great time to catch up on all the books you’ve been wanting to read. 

Here are some suggestions of quality, award-winning books available for checking out at the Crestview Public Library.

•"All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr—  A blind French girl and a German boy have a chance encounter in occupied France during World War II. Doerr's book received the Alex Award (given to 10 books written for adults that also appeal to 12- through 18-year-olds.)

•"Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel — "An audacious, darkly glittering novel about art, fame and ambition set in the eerie days of civilization's collapse," the publisher states. St. John Mandel's novel won the Arthur C. Clarke Award, which recognizes the best science fiction novel published for the first time in the United Kingdom in the previous year.

•"The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend" by Dan Santat — "This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born," the publisher states. "He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match." Santat's book won the Caldecott Medal, which recognizes the most distinguished American picture book for children.

•"Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson —  "In vivid poems, (the author) shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement," the publisher states. Woodson's biography won the Coretta Scott King Author Award, which recognizes African-American authors for outstanding contributions to children's literature, promoting a better understanding and appreciation of the culture and contribution to the realization of the American Dream.

•"Mr. Mercedes" by Stephen King — "Mr. Mercedes is a war between good and evil, from the master of suspense whose insight into the mind of this obsessed, insane killer is chilling and unforgettable," the publisher states. It won theEdgar Allan Poe  Best Novel Award, which recognizes authors for outstanding contributions in mystery, crime and suspense writing.

•"Redeployment" by Phil Klay — "Interwoven with themes of brutality and faith, guilt and fear, helplessness and survival, the characters in these stories (about the war in Afghanistan) struggle to make meaning out of chaos," the publisher states. Klay's novel won the National Book Foundation's Fiction Award, which honors American books of the highest literary merit.

•"The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History"  by Elizabeth Kolbert — This Pulitzer Prize winning fictional work tells the "future of the world, blending intellectual and natural history and field reporting into a powerful account of the mass extinction unfolding before our eyes," the publisher states.

Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's assistant director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GARCIA: 7 great summer reads for all audiences

CRESTVIEW — The Whiz Kid is getting his book back, with help from a Baker welder.

See photos of The Whiz Kid's departure for repair>>

The Crestview Public Library's iconic bronze sculpture, one of the few pieces of public art in Crestview, was damaged earlier this month when the book was ripped from the boy-with-a-mortarboard’s hands.

Crestview financial planner Ryan Mabry learned about the vandalism and library staffers’ search of a welder of bronze from a June 10 News Bulletin story.

He told Aaron Charron, owner of AC’s Welding, of the library’s need. “He does phenomenal work,” Mabry told library staffers.

Charron examined the damaged sculpture last week, Library Director Jean Lewis said.

“He said he will donate the cost to repair it for us,” Lewis said. “He said it would only take a couple hours depending on what he needs to do. The hardest part is getting it off the pedestal.”

To do that, Charron and his father, Cliff Charron, had to cut the bolts, but Monday afternoon, The Whiz Kid was on its way to Baker. Charron said he expected to have the sculpture repaired within a couple of days.

Had he charged his going rate for the service, the library would face a bill of approximately $250, he said.

Charron said restoring the sculpture is just a way of thanking the library for the pleasure it gives his children, whom he takes there frequently.

“They enjoy it,” he said. “I’m just paying it back.”

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 welder volunteers to restore 'The Whiz Kid' sculpture

CRESTVIEW — A local health club has joined other southeastern “Fight for Finn” fundraisers to help a Chattanooga, Tenn., 2-year-old combat a rare form of epilepsy.

June is “Fighting for Finn” month at Perfect Fit 24-7. The South Ferdon Boulevard gym is selling theme T-shirts, donating half of membership processing fees, and accepting donations to raise money for Finn Smartt’s treatments.

Perfect Fit manager Iris Miller said gym owner Brian Hughes became familiar with Finn’s disorder and decided to help his parents, Crystal and Elliott Smartt.

“This is something that he wanted to do for them,” Miller said. “The little boy has already gone through several surgeries and he will have more to go through.”

Finn soon will receive his fifth brain surgery. In addition to Dravet syndrome, the boy was born with a Chiari malformation, a structural defect in the back of the brain.

In addition, he has had surgery for hydrocephalus, commonly known as “water on the brain,” a buildup of too much cerebrospinal fluid in his brain.

FREQUENT SEIZURES

Crystal Smartt said her son has frequent seizures, and she worries about the syndrome's common result: sudden, unexplained death in epilepsy, which often happens while the victim is asleep.

“So since we can't do anything to stop the seizures from happening, the only thing left to do is to keep him safe,” Smartt stated on Finn’s GoFundMe page. “We have him sleep with us in our bed. That way, we do not miss a seizure from happening.”

Smartt said among expenses the family faces is acquiring a seizure-alert dog, which typically costs $12,000 to $15,000.

“Right now we are looking for a regular dog similar to a German shepherd so that he can have a companion,” she stated.

“We’re trying to do as much as possible for him as we can,” Miller said.

“We have no idea what the future holds for ‪#‎SuperFinn, or what the next day, hour or even minute might bring,” Smartt stated on her Facebook page, “but one thing is for sure: being his Mama has taught me more lessons then ever imagined! His fearless but sweet heart makes me so proud.”

Editor’s Note: Perfect Fit 24-7 owner Brian Hughes is unrelated to News Bulletin writer Brian Hughes.

FAST FACTS

•Dravet syndrome, or severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, is a rare, catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy

•Initial seizures are often prolonged events. At 2 years old, other seizure types emerge 

•Individuals with Dravet syndrome face a higher likelihood of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy

•Currently, individuals with these disorders face a diminished quality of life. Current treatment options are limited and prognosis for these children is poor.

Source: www.dravetfoundation.org

WANT TO HELP?

Perfect Fit 24-7 is raising funds throughout June to benefit 2-year-old Finn Smartt’s medical treatment expenses. The gym will donate half of all new-member processing fees and all revenue from sales of $20 “Fighting for Finn” T-shirts.

Those who purchase a T-shirt or donate $10 or more are entered in a drawing for a $200 prize package. Visit 4381 Ferdon Blvd. S., or www.perfectfit24-7.com, or call 398-8497 for more information.

Donors can also contribute toward Finn’s medical expenses at www.gofundme.com/fightingforfinn.

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 gym joins Fighting for Finn regional fundraiser

CRESTVIEW — Chicago sang about the joys of “Saturday in the Park." What a great idea to enjoy an afternoon in our own backyard.

Here are some suggestions for spending a day outdoors without spending any money.  

Read about five more venturesome day trips easily made from North Oakloosa County here.>>

1. Baker Block Museum and Heritage Park

Pack a picnic lunch and step back to the turn of the 20th century — and earlier — and dine among historic buildings arranged as an old-time rural Northwest Florida village.

Afterward, explore regional history in the museum, where exhibits include a backwoods liquor still, an Indian log canoe, rural school furnishings, a 19th-century buggy and military uniforms from several wars.

Want to go? It's at the corner of State Roads 4 and 189, Baker. Information: 537-5714, bakerblockmuseum.org.

2. Gene Clary Park

Laurel Hill residents looking for the perfect family picnic or reunion venue know to head for the pavilion in the town park.

With ball fields, a children’s playground and onsite water and electricity, the facility offers a great recreation spot for the whole family.

Want to go? It's on New Ebenezer Road on the corner of Park Street. Pavilion reservations: City Hall, 652-4441.

3. McMahon Environmental Center

One of Crestview’s best-kept secrets, the park features more than 100 examples of native trees and shrubs, a goldfish pond, and a new strolling path built by Kiwanis, Boy Scout and Young Marines volunteers.

Enjoy a picnic under the pavilion before exploring the park. For groups, city officials can open up the little natural history museum, which includes artifacts from early regional industries.

Want to go? It's on Butler Circle off Mapoles Street, by the fire tower. Information: Parks and Recreation, 682-4715 or 682-9685

4. Shoal River Wayside Park

Also known as Bill Duggan Jr. Park, this shady Okaloosa County getaway is nestled against the scenic Shoal River in the south end of Crestview. Bring a picnic and a boat.

After lunch in one of the nine pavilions, fish in the Shoal River, which flows along the park’s south side. Facilities also include a boat ramp, a playground and restrooms.

Want to go? It's at 4502 Live Oak Church Road, off State Road 85.

5. Twin Hills Park

The city’s flagship park features a walking path with exercise equipment, picnic pavilions with grills for families or groups, a fishing pier, a footbridge, and a children’s playground.

Sports facilities include tennis courts, basketball courts and outdoor beach volleyball. City football, soccer and basketball leagues play here as well.

Want to go? It's on U.S. Highway 90 East. Group pavilion reservations: city facilities reservations, 689-1619, ext. 239.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Enjoy a Saturday in one of these North Okaloosa park

Want to make your Saturday in the Park an extended day trip? Try these nearby outdoorsy getaways not far from North Okaloosa County:

1. Bear Lake

Bear Lake Fish Management Area in the Blackwater State Forest has a boat ramp, handicapped-accessible fishing pier, bath/restroom facilities, camping and picnic areas.

Bear Lake Road off State Road 4 west of Holt, 957-6175 or 265-3676, myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/sites-forecast/nw/bear-lake/.

2. Blackwater River State Forest

Whether canoeists and kayakers launch their own vessels or rent them, the Blackwater River offers a scenic and enjoyable getaway. State park amenities include two nature trails, picnic areas and 30 campsites.

Information: 7720 Deaton Bridge Rd. off SR 4 west of Holt; 983-5363, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Blackwater-River.

3. DeFuniak Springs

Chipley Park surrounds the almost perfectly round Lake DeFuniak. After a picnic in the park, stroll over to Museum Depot and explore regional history in the town’s restored train station. Museum information: 951-2127.

4. Krul Lake

Krul Lake State Recreation Area in the Blackwater State Forest “has a swing (suspension) bridge and an amazing trail all the way over to Bear Lake,” J. Denise Ford stated, adding she enjoyed the 1.3-mile hike and the “picnic area at the middle.”

Information: Division of Forestry, 11098 Krul Lake Rd., off SR 4, Munson, 957-6140, www.outdoorgulfcoast.com/krul-lake-state-recreation-area/.

5. Lake Jackson

Next to historic downtown Florala, Ala., “Beautiful Lake Jackson,” as the signs say, has lakeside campground, swimming, bike and walking trails.

Florala State Park, 439 Victoria Lane, Florala. 334-858-6425, www.alapark.com/florala-state-park. Take State Road 85 about 15 minutes north of Laurel Hill over the state line.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 fun day trips from North Okaloosa County

CRESTVIEW — Okaloosa County Transit will offer free bus fare Thursday, June 18 in celebration of the 10th Annual National Dump the Pump Day.

Click here to see the Crestview route

Bus stops include Crestview City Hall, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville City Hall, the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Shalimar, the Shalimar Courthouse Annex and Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach.

OCT also is challenging local businesses to encourage their employees to ride the bus.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free Okaloosa bus rides available Thursday

CRESTVIEW — A Laurel Hill man is doing everything he can to help veterans with post traumatic stress disorder, and horses in need of rescue across the U.S.

Jim Bryan, a retired U.S. Army first sergeant, will present information on the Haven for Heroes program from 6-7 p.m. tomorrow at the Crestview Public Library, 1447 Commerce Drive, Crestview.

Bryan and co-owner Rhonda Bryan operate the Safe Haven Horse Rescue Center at 8321 Stokes Road, Laurel Hill.

Through their equine therapy program, veterans care for abandoned mares and colts 6-8 weeks old that were separated from their slaughtered mothers. In a recent CNB interview, Bryan said, ""Here's what happens … pregnant mares, they'll have their babies, and the mothers will be taken to slaughter and the babies are abandoned in a lot to fend for themselves."

The group also rescue horses that can no longer be cared for by their owners, or are unwanted.

"We pick the trash up (from places such as Oklahoma and Texas) and we get 'em back to health and we get 'em adopted out," he said. The horses are veterinarian checked, vaccinated, de-wormed and cleared for interstate travel.

WANT TO HELP?

Safe Haven Horse Rescue Center is located at 8321 Stokes Road in Laurel Hill. Contact 652-3350 to donate to the nonprofit organization or volunteer services.

Click here for their Facebook page>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Bryan to discuss Haven for Heroes program tomorrow at Crestview library

CRESTVIEW — Kristen Forehand is celebrating the rewards of lengthy research and composition.

The Florida State University graduate's thesis, "Cool but Correct: Humanitarian Discourse and the U.S. Justification for Intervention in Chile," earned her FSU's Edward H. and Marie C. Kingsbury Undergraduate Writing Award, which comes with a $2,000 bonus.

Robinson Herrera, an FSU Department of History associate professor, helped the Crestview resident pick the topic and nominated her for the award.

"Kristen's thesis investigates the poorly understood historical process of how the U.S. adopted the discourse of human rights as justification for foreign intervention (in 1970s Chile)," Herrera stated via email.

"She worked with a large corpus of sources, many of them in Spanish, and she formulated original arguments and thoroughly grounded her conclusions in original documents."

Deciding to use Spanish-language sources was easy, Forehand said.

"I have studied Spanish for about seven years now, and I wanted to pick a topic that would allow me to use Spanish sources," she said.

But completing her thesis was a challenging process.

"I worked on that thesis for nine or 10 months," Forehand said. "It was a very stressful process, so getting that award and getting acknowledged — it was also very worthwhile.

"I had friends and family who were very supportive, and there was a lot I had to sacrifice (to accomplish that)."

So, what's next for Kristen?

Well, she is working on certification to become a Florida teacher and preparing for graduate school in 2016.

"If I do teach, I'd like to teach high school, just because (the students) are getting ready to go to college and I'm interested in one day working at the college level of education," Forehand said.

FAST FACTS

•Kristen Forehand's parents are Amy and Todd Forehand of Crestview. She has an older brother, Andrew.

•The Florida State University graduate's thesis, "Cool but Correct: Humanitarian Discourse and the U.S. Justification for Intervention in Chile," earned her FSU's Edward H. and Marie C. Kingsbury Undergraduate Writing Award, which comes with a $2,000 bonus.

•She is working on certification to become a Florida teacher and preparing for graduate school in 2016.

Email Editorial Assistant Renee Bell, follow her on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident wins prestigious award after 9 months' research

CRESTVIEW — A summer morning's stillness once again reflects in Grandview Pond as the water level rises to its previous height.

The north Crestview pond, one of several in the Grandview Heights neighborhood, drained when its dam collapsed in the aftermath of an April 29-30, 2014 storm.

Just less than a year later, workers from Westerra Development began restoring the breach on the dam’s south end, including replacing the spill pipe.

Construction began April 28. The project start date was critical, Grandview Heights Homeowners’ Association President Gary Johnson stated in a message to members on the organization’s website.

“If the construction is not started within a year, the state Environmental Protection Agency may recover the lake area as wetlands area,” his message stated. “This means we would not be able to reestablish the lake, which would affect everyone’s property value regardless of if you live on the lake.”

The subdivision’s 172 lot owners were each assessed $350 per lot in January when a 1993 dam repair fund established by an assessment of $100 per home owner was insufficient to fix the breach.

“Sadly, the inflation of our economy has caused this fund to fall short of the required funds to implement required repairs,” Johnson stated.

His web posts stated that the homeowners’ association tried to find federal, state and county grants before assessing homeowners for the dam repair.

"The lake is full of water and the dam is working as designed," Johnson said in an email to the News Bulletin.

Since the pond started refilling more than two weeks ago, properties lining its banks once more overlook a body of water rather than a grassy wetland. 

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: With dam repaired, Grandview Pond refills after April 2014 storm