CRESTVIEW — April is Financial Literacy Month, an ideal time to “Teach Children to Save.”

During the event, which runs through July 31, youths can set a savings goal, make a deposit into a savings account, and earn a chance to win a prize.

Youths age 18 and younger must make deposits to savings accounts at Beach Community Bank,   Eglin Federal Credit Union, First City Bank and    PenFed Credit Union to be eligible.

Once entry forms are collected from these financial institutions, six winners will receive $50 to deposit into their savings account.

Okaloosa $aves, part of the national initiative America Saves, is coordinated by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension in Okaloosa County.

Since 2004, Okaloosa $aves has awarded children $7,800 in savings bonds and deposits.

The organization received an A+ School Recognition Certificate at an April 14 Okaloosa County School System faculty meeting.

Call 850-689-5850 to learn more about the project.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Children's saving program kicks off in Okaloosa County

CRESTVIEW — Regional artists and crafters, classic vehicles, a bounce house, live music and food will highlight North Okaloosa's annual spring festival on Saturday.

The Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival, sponsored by the Laurel Hill and Crestview Presbyterian churches, presents the talents of area artists, crafters and performers, as well as local history and traditions. The Baker Block Museum and North Okaloosa Heritage Association join the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Arts and Culture Committee and the Friends of the Arts in supporting the event.

"It's the little festival that just grew," the host churches' pastor, the Rev. Mark Broadhead, said. 'It's a really fun opportunity for families throughout the region to come see what God-given talents some of our local artists have, both visual and musical."

FROM PIPES TO PIANO

Opening with light pop and folk ballads by Crestview singer and acoustic guitarist Aaron Overton, music includes Professor Dennis Mitchell's ragtime and honky-tonk piano, and the haunting skirl of Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums.

Gordon Martial Arts' taekwondo students will demonstrate their routine of patterns, basic kicking skills and board breaking.

The Wesley Boys gospel quartet will debut its new lineup with Jim Hight — who replaces retired bass singer Joe Dunn — joining lead tenor Kevin Lusk, second tenor Brian Hull and baritone Leon Curenton.

Crestview beach music guitarist and vocalist Jordan Rogers rounds out the live entertainment.

DIVERSE ORGANIZATIONS

Exhibits will represent a cross-section of public services and community organizations including:

•University of West Florida’s Public Archeology Project

•Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s mobile discovery exhibit

•Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program

•Crestview Area Sister City Program, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the community's relationship with Noirmoutier, France

•Ancestry research by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

CARS, COBBLER AND BOUNCE HOUSE

A show-and-shine for classic vehicles is scheduled, and dash plaques will be presented to the first 25 cars that arrive.

Several local nonprofits — and attendees' taste buds — will benefit from festival food sales.

For instance, Crestview Boy Scout Troop 773 members will cook their signature Scout Cobbler in a Dutch oven over a campsite fire.

The First Presbyterian men’s group will grill burgers and hotdogs to raise money for food baskets for needy families.

Desserts, baked goods and plant sales by both host churches will benefit community outreach programs, including school supplies for needy Laurel Hill School students.

And snacks and drink sales will benefit LHS fifth-graders' field trip to New Orleans.

A children's bounce house also will be available during the event.  

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 25

WHERE: Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church yard, 8115 Fourth St.

COST: Free admission, free booth space

NOTES: Arts and crafts festival featuring area artists and artisans, classic car show-n-shine, bounce house, food and live entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT LINE-UP

11 a.m.: Aaron Overton, acoustic guitar and vocals

Noon: Gordon Martial Arts exhibition

12:30: Professor Dennis Mitchell, honkytonk and ragtime piano

1:45: Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums, bagpipe band

2:30: The Wesley Boys, gospel quartet

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Arts & Heritage Festival returns to Laurel Hill this Saturday

CRESTVIEW — A mayoral commission to produce a presentation vase for Crestview's sister city has revealed secrets inside an old log.

When Mayor David Cadle asked wood artisan Dannis Young to create a gift commemorating Crestview's 20-year partnership with Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile, France, Young saw an opportunity to use a log stashed behind his Crestview home.

He knew nothing of the tree's background, except that honey locust produces a soft, golden glow when he applies his chisels while the wood turns on his lathe. "Locust wood almost has a fingerprint in it," he said. "It has signatures."

While hollowing out the vase's bowl, he found evidence of a lightning strike. About 20 years ago, lightning struck the honey locust. The tree survived, but the strike's result added the marks to the wood. "You could scrape it with your fingernail and smell a charred smell to it," Young said.

Young, who's turned wood since he was introduced to the craft in high school in his native Meridian, Miss., said the vase became more than he planned. "I think it'll be one thing, but when you start turning, the wood starts telling you what it wants to be," he said. "The wood talks to you."

Young finished the vase with beeswax, which added a soft luster to the honey locust wood's golden glow. "I like to use all-natural materials," he said. "I don't like to use chemicals because you never know who will come in contact with it and how it might affect them."

After applying polish, Young let the vase sit in various locations for a week, ensuring it wouldn't crack under different temperatures and humidity levels.

Cadle, whose representative will present the gift May 9 to Noirmoutier officials, said, "I am just so very pleased with this.

"It's great our gift to our Sister City is something directly from the Crestview area, made by a Crestview artist."

WANT TO GO?

Crestview wood artisan Dannis Young will exhibit turned bowls, vases, goblets and other materials made from locally sourced wood at the Laurel Hill Arts and Heritage Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 25, at 8115 Fourth St.

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 craftsman's vase reveals hidden surprise

The first Earth Day — celebrated April 22, 1970 — signified the beginnings of the modern environmental movement. 

The Crestview Public Library has many resources to help you learn about everything from the movement's history to what the current state of our environment is and how governmental policies can affect the environment. 

We also have resources that can help you do your part to have less of a negative impact on the environment. 

Whether you’d like to find the most fuel-efficient automobile (see Consumer Reports) or discover helpful hints to consume less, we can help.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GARCIA: Learn more about conservation at the Crestview library

CRESTVIEW — Had Emmanuel Menz's supervised visit with his non-custodial parents been at Safe Connections instead of a fast food restaurant, it's unlikely he would have been kidnapped.

"We would never have a child out of our line of sight," Safe Connections Executive Director Sharon Rogers said, referring to situations like last year's Menz kidnapping. "We do visits in a safe place, never out in the community, where there are too many variables."

The 18-year-old nonprofit — which also has centers in DeFuniak Springs and Shalimar — opened its Seventh Avenue location in Crestview on Thursday after several months of renovations.

FEELS LIKE HOME

Finding affordable, commercial property to renovate was a challenge, Rogers said. Criteria included providing separate parking and entrances for visitors and custodial parents with children.

A Seventh Avenue house's complete remodeling provided the security and comfort Safe Connections sought. Spaces include two cheerfully decorated primary visitation rooms stocked with toys and children's books, a holding room and a custodial parent waiting room with a TV. A security area separates the building's two sections.

"We make the setting so nice and comfortable, it's like a big comfy place to visit," Rogers said. "We provide really respectful and courteous supervision, but with training."

Visiting parents must arrive 15 minutes before the custodial parent and child, and be checked for any inappropriate materials before the visit, program coordinator Ken Tate said.

"It can be dangerous," he said. "They're not always happy when they come here. But we treat them as parents, with respect. When they see we're here to help them, they cam down."

'GRASSROOTS PROJECT'

A group of child psychologists, DCF supervisors, family attorneys and other child welfare professionals founded Safe Connections, Rogers said. The idea of a supervised visitation was, in 1997, "a fairly new concept," she said. "We started with $700. It was truly a grassroots project with volunteers."

Safe Connections' purchase and renovation of the Seventh Avenue home was funded through a Northwest Florida Impact 100 grant of $128,000. Much of the center's continued operations are funded through a $400,000 Okaloosa County U.S. Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women Safe Haven grant.

Other funding comes from grants, a contract with the Department of Children and Families, and local gifts, Rogers said.

HARSH REALITIES

The center's clients include families with domestic violence or mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse, paternity cases and parents who have been incarcerated, Rogers said.

She anticipates Crestview's center will have at least 25 family clients within six months. Children visiting their parents at Safe Connections generally live with a single parent, grandparents, foster families or in shelters such as Children in Crisis.

"The realities why there is a need for a center like ours are pretty harsh," Rogers said. "But when parents are seeing their children, they are making changes. It reminds them to get their act together and be strong for their child, pay their child support, meet their obligations."

"We see success stories where people turn the corner and say, 'I want to be a responsible parent,'" Tate said.

WANT TO GO?

Referrals to the Crestview Safe Connections family visitation center can be made by contacting case manager Heather Smith, 398-8855, 618 Seventh Ave.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Safe Connections' new center offers supervised family visits in Crestview

FORT WALTON BEACH — The 23rd Annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, set May 9, will help food banks restock their pantries. 

Letter carriers, in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service, the AFL-CIO, Valpak, and United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties, will collect non-perishable items; quick meals like macaroni, spaghetti, soups, canned meats, peanut butter, canned juice, canned fruits, canned vegetables, baby food and cereal.  

To participate, place food donations in a bag beside your mailbox early morning on May 9. Your letter carrier will pick up your donations during regular mail routes and will deliver them to local food banks. 

See a list of local participating food banks>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Food drive to benefit Okaloosa, Walton pantries

CRESTVIEW — Cub Scout Dens 4 and 11, of Pack 799, chartered by First United Methodist Church of Crestview, have received financial support that can help them attend scout events and purchase more supplies.

The Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union cut a $100 check for the Dens' participation in the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Triple B Cookoff Art Contest.

"Cub Scout Dens 4 and 11 … would like to send a big thank you to the Okaloosa County Teachers Federal Credit Union for the check," a spokesperson for the groups said. "Thank you very much!"

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Scouts: Financial support will help fund events, supplies

FORT WALTON BEACH — Okaloosa County’s household hazardous waste drop-off site opens Tuesday through Saturday beginning April 21. Hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Paint, pesticides, pool chemicals, used oil, gas, anti-freeze, computers, televisions, car and rechargeable batteries, fluorescent lights, cleaners, solvents and aerosols, among other items, can be dropped off at 84 Ready Ave., Fort Walton Beach.

Contact 301-2013 or see www.co.okaloosa.fl.us/pw/environmental/hazardous-waste for more information. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Household hazardous waste drop-off site opens Tuesday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam wants the state's agricultural land owners to apply for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program by May 30.

The program's goals include:

•Protecting valuable agricultural lands

•Creating conservation easements that ensure sustainable agricultural practices

•Preventing conversion to non-agricultural land uses in Florida's rural base

•Helping to protect natural resources in conjunction with these agricultural operations

Florida agriculture employs more than 2 million people and has an annual economic impact estimated at $120 billion, making it the state's second-largest industry. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Last chance to apply for Florida's agricultural land protection program

FORT WALTON BEACH — Upcoming Earth Day events in Okaloosa County are as follows:

•Emerald Coast Science Center Earth Day event: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25 at The Emerald Coast Science Center, 31 SW Memorial Parkway, Fort Walton Beach. The Okaloosa County Water and Sewer Department teaches water conservation lessons to children.

•Earth Day Beach Cleanup: 8-10 a.m. April 25. Volunteers sign in at Beasley Park or Beach Park on Okaloosa Island, or Henderson Beach State Park in Destin. The Okaloosa County Environmental Council invites all ages to participate. 

Volunteers will receive a “Leave Footprints — NOT Stuff” T-Shirt, trash bag, bottled water and gloves. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Earth Day events include water conservation lessons, beach cleanup