BAKER — “Crestview, Florida: A Pictorial History” offers an illustrated glimpse of the Hub City as far back as the city’s 1880s establishment.

And there’s more to come as Crestview gears up for its 2016 centennial celebration, Baker Block Museum Director Ann Spann said.

 “We’re excited about being part of the Crestview centennial,” Spann said.

Featured photographs culled from the museum’s collection help readers trace the city’s progress, beginning with shots of crews laying Louisville and Nashville Railroad track.

“We’re excited about it,” Spann said. “We just got it on the shelf last week.”

The book, published by the North Okaloosa Historical Association,  is dedicated to the late James “JC” Connor, a longtime museum and association volunteer.

“He initially worked with us on this project,” Spann said. “He was very much a force behind it.”

Photos cover the area's people, moonshining, sports, entertainment, schools, churches and times both good and bad.

Timed for release around the Fourth of July will be a second volume in what Spann said will be a series of history books.

“It’s called ‘Okaloosa Strong: The Homefront,’ which talks about a lot of people who served in the military as well as the homefront during wartime,” she said.

Like the Crestview book, “it has a lot of photographs and newspaper clippings,” Spann said.

All proceeds from sales of both books go to the Baker Block Museum.

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WANT A COPY?

“Crestview, Florida: A Pictorial History” is available for $20 at the Baker Mercantile, beside the Baker Block Museum at the corner of State Roads 189 and 4 in Baker. All sales benefit the museum. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: History book delves into 100 years of Crestview history

CRESTVIEW — The HEROES group of Crestview has been hard at work this summer.

Members of Helping Everyone Respectfully Overcome Everyday Situations, led by CEO Kathy Ellis, have done everything from stuffing envelopes for businesses to making and planting about 4,600 poppies for the Flanders Field Memorial Day effort at American Legion Hall Post 75 in Crestview.

In addition, members recently competed in the Special Olympics, bringing home several medals.

"They enjoy being useful, and they are so proud of (their accomplishments)," Ellis said.

And they are looking for more opportunities to help the community.

"Does your organization need help with a project? Let our busy hands help you out," Ellis said.

Contact Ellis, 689-1448 or gonnuts78@hotmail.com, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview H.E.R.O.E.S. plant Memorial Day poppy field, bring back Special Olympics medals

CRESTVIEW — Main Street Crestview Association is getting ready for its annual Sidewalk Mania day next month.

The event, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6, features Crestview and Main Street businesses and restaurants, a sidewalk chalk art contest, activities for all age groups, and cow patty bingo, sponsored by the Common Ground Community Garden.

For more information or to preregister for the event, call 398-8433 or 585-5672.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Sidewalk Mania planned in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — A pancake fundraiser is scheduled at Applebee's to raise funds for Crestview Professional Firefighters unit 2680.

The meal costs $7; pancakes will be served from 8-10 a.m. June 13 at 215 Rasberry Road.

Proceeds will help buy a Hurst Jaws of Life. Here's why they need it>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pancake breakfast benefits Crestview firefighters

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County Commission on the Status of Women's 2015 Women’s Wall of Honor Honorees are as follows:

Tammy McGaughy, Sherry Marcolongo, Jean Hood, Velma Conyers, Valarie Bogar, Sherry Smith, Margaret Schwartz, Louan Rathke, Donna Pattison and Dood Wood.

"These special women have contributed to the well-being of children, families and the citizens of our community," an OCCSW spokesperson said in a news release.

The honorees’ names are placed on a plaque, and in a nearby book containing a biographical page for each woman, in the library at the University of West Florida's Fort Walton Beach campus.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa commission announces 2015 Women's Wall honorees

CRESTVIEW — All Okaloosa County Tax Collector Offices will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day.

Other Memorial Day closures include:

•Crestview News Bulletin

•Crestview Public Library

•Crestview Community Center

•CIty of Crestview offices and parks

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Tax Collector's Offices, Crestview offices closed May 25

Come visit the Crestview Public Library for book signings with Pensacola author Daniel Barker.

Mr. Barker, who is currently in the Air Force, is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base and has been a Northwest Florida resident since 2003.

He will sign books from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at the Robert L.F. Sikes Public Library.

His books, "Sergeant Stone, NOPD" and "Sergeant Stone, Sentinel of the Crescent City," describe the adventures of Sergeant Stone of the New Orleans Police Department. (Barker grew up in New Orleans).

Barker’s uncle, James S. Prine, created the character some years ago with a couple of stories in his own short story collection, "Tales From the Id."

Since the introduction was all too brief and readers were left wanting more, Barker decided, with his uncle’s permission, to write his own Sergeant Stone stories.

The stories — which involve elements of science fiction, fantasy and historical fiction — are available on Amazon.com.

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

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EYEBROW: UPCOMING

STORY TIME: 10:15 a.m. Mondays, Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive. Children at least 3 years old can enjoy stories and activities, and make a simple craft to take home.

GENEALOGY TUTORING: Call 682-4432 to schedule one-hour appointments for one-on-one assistance in family history research on Mondays at 5, 6 or 7 p.m. Crestview Public Library card required.

CRESTVIEW WRITERS GROUP: 6 p.m. fourth Mondays in the library meeting room.Want to have your work critiqued? Submit no more than 10 pages to mgarcia@okaloosa.lib.fl.us, or hand in a hard copy with your name and contact details at the library's front desk.

LAPSIT: 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays and 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays in the Crestview Public Library's Story Room. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays. For children under age 3 and caregivers. Check the library's calendar, www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php, for exact dates and themes.

BEGINNING COMPUTER SKILLS TRAINING: Call 682-4432 to schedule one-hour appointments at the library. Crestview Public Library card required.

brary. Crestview Public Library card required.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Eglin-based 'Sergeant Stone' author sets Crestview book signings

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview Public Library's summer programs start in June. Planned events are:

SUMMER READING CHALLENGE for children ages 6 and up. Readers earn funny money, from June 12 to July 21, for every day they read at least 20 minutes.

Reading logs will be available 6:30 p.m. June 5 at Warriors Hall on Stillwell Boulevard, in front of the story room at the library or at www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php. A parent or guardian must sign the logs and turn them in by 6 p.m. July 22 at the library's front desk.

The Summer Reading Challenge Awards and Funny Money Store are 6:30-7:15 p.m. July 28 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive.

MAGICIAN BEAU BROOMALL appears 6:30-7:15 p.m. June 5 at Warriors Hall. Free; for ages 4 and up. Sponsored by the Friends of the Crestview Library.

READ TO DOZER: 10-11 a.m., first Saturday of each month, beginning June 6, and Thursday, June 18 and July 16 at the library. Children ages 4 and up can read to a Great Dane for confidence and company.

LAPSIT, for children younger than age 3 and their caregiver. Includes songs, stories and finger-plays. Sign in: 10 a.m. Tuesdays in the library's Story Room. Themes: Community Heroes, June 9 and 16; American Heroes, June 23 and 30; and Health Heroes, July 7, 14 and 21.

SUMMER STORIES, for children ages 6 and up, select days between June 16-30, and July 1-22. Tuesdays, 3:15-4 p.m., and Wednesdays, 10:15-11 a.m. in the library's Story Room. Stories and activities for first 20 sign-ins. Register: 10:15 a.m. June 10 at the Crestview Community Center.

STORYTIME, for children ages 3 and up. Sign in: Mondays at 11 a.m. and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. in the library's meeting room. Crafts available for first 35 sign-ins.

Themes: Community Heroes, June 15, 17, 22 and 24; American Heroes, June 29 and July 1; Health Heroes, July 6, 8, 13 and 15; and Animal Heroes, July 20 and 22.

ART CLUB, for children ages 9 and up, 3:15-4:15 p.m. Tuesdays, June 26 through July 21, in the library's meeting room. Sign in: 3 p.m., with no admittance after 3:15 p.m. First 20 kids signed in create art.

FIRST TUESDAY SERIES, for ages 6 through adults: 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the library.

July 7: “Square and Line Dance” with the Sand Spurs, members of the Northwest Florida Square and Round Dance Association.

Aug. 4: “Revealing the Inner Beauty of Stones," by the Playground Gem and Mineral Society.

MISCELLANEOUS

ACCELERATED READER books are available at the library.

NEED VOLUNTEER HOURS for the Bright Futures scholarship program? Contact reference librarian Sandra Dreaden, 682-4432, for details.

TEEN WII: 2-4 p.m. Fridays in the Story Room. For rising seventh- to 12th-graders.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Reading Challenge among Crestview library's summer activities

CRESTVIEW — Concerned Citizens of Crestview has scheduled a regular, free clothing giveaway at 247 Booker St. S.

The group also is giving away shoes and other accessories.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1-3:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.

Call 683-5733, 689-1582 or 428-6997 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free clothing, accessories giveaway set by Crestview Concerned Citizens

CRESTVIEW — Attorney Ashley Rogers will present “Legal Corn Hole: A Fun Overview of the Court System and Basic Law Concepts” for the June 2 First Tuesday Series program at the Crestview Public Library. 

The program begins at 10:30 a.m., with coffee and cookies served at 10 a.m. 

Attendees can play law trivia using scenarios that citizens encounter every day. Overall topics will include constitutional law, property law, family law, contract law and business law.

Rogers is the managing attorney at Chesser & Barr's Crestview office. The focus of her practice is business and real estate litigation.  

The library is located at 1445 Commerce Drive behind the Post Office in north Crestview.

Call 682-4432 for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'Legal Corn Hole' competition set June 2 at Crestview library