FORT WALTON BEACH — Children in Crisis' tutoring and other educational programs have extra support with the Okaloosa County Sheriff First Judicial Circuit Law Enforcement Association's $750 donation to the nonprofit organization.  

The money will be used to purchase educational equipment for at-risk children living at the CIC Neighborhood. The emergency shelter serves children removed from an unsafe environment on short notice, and offers homes to help with the foster home shortage. 

“The donation was truly a blessing and came at a perfect time in our development of the CIC Neighborhood," said Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO. "We provide a home to about 100 children every year, and most are behind in school."

Learn more here or call 864-4242.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Sheriff's donation gives Children in Crisis programs a boost

CRESTVIEW — This St. Patrick’s Day, you can learn to dance like the Irish.

David and Anna Sandlin will demonstrate Irish moves from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 at the Crestview Public Library. Irish Blend, led by Adrian Lincoln, will perform music.

Registration is not required for this free event.  Evening Library Time is designed for age 4 and up. 

Call Heather Nitzel, 682-4432, with questions.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Irish dancing lessons set in Crestview

BAKER — Saturday afternoon, Laura Rogers, en route to Pensacola for a funeral, will step off her train in Cobb and share her family’s story.

Rogers is portrayed by local antiques collector Bonnie Grundel, who will premiere her “Victorian Mourning Practices in America” living history presentation at the Baker Block Museum.

“This is going to be a conversation with a living historic person from 1901,” Grundel said. “It’s not going to be a lecture.”

In keeping with the turn-of-the-20th-century setting, Grundel’s performance takes place in Cobb, the original name of today’s Baker.

“Within my story, I’ll be going back in time and work in historic facts during my conversation with the people, whether it’s about the Civil War or Queen Victoria or etiquette," Grundel said.

Audience members can ask questions of “Laura Rogers” — Grundel’s middle and maiden names.

Grundel — costumed in genuine period ladies’ mourning clothes and jewelry — will display artifacts from her collection including a prayer book, photos, memorials and keepsake jewelry made by Victorian mourners from the hair of deceased family members.

“All the characters and all my collection pieces all tie into the story,” Grundel said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:Victorian Mourning Practices of America

WHEN:2 p.m. Feb. 21

WHERE:Baker Block Museum, corner of State Roads 4 and 189

COST:Free

NOTES:Baker resident Bonnie Grundel portrays a Victorian woman on her way to a funeral in Pensacola

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Living history presentation examines American Victorian mourning practices

CRESTVIEW — When Jamie Peoples’ new home springs up in near-record time this summer, it’ll be because of help from her friends.

About 140 of them.

Like an Amish barn-raising on steroids, employees of Ohio-based Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems from across the country descended on a Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort parking lot on Thursday and prefabricated the walls of Peoples’ Crestview home.

The workers — in town for a sales conference — participated in the Bendix Corporate Responsibility Local Care project, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa and Help Build Hope.

“The Local Care program fuels the company’s ongoing dedication to supporting communities, and aims to grow active social involvement among employees through leadership and project management experience,” Bendix spokesperson Barbara Gould stated in a media release.

Bendix conference attendees “were excited and eager to complete this project and inspired when they met Jamie and heard her story of struggling to support her three children on her own," Habitat Community Outreach Director Melissa Forte Litscher said.

“They began at 12:30 and had the walls for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home completed in 2.5 hours,” Forte Litscher said.

After erecting the 1,260-square-foot framework, Bendix, Habitat for Humanity and Help Build Hope volunteers inscribed inspirational messages and blessings on the raw woodwork. Though wallboard, paint or trim will cover those messages when the house is finished in Crestview, they will always be part of the Peoples family’s home.

“I was overwhelmed, but with joy,” Peoples said. “It was nice to see that people care. It restores your faith in people.”

The framework was then dismantled in wall sections for reassembly in Crestview. Peoples and her family will help with the construction.

“Her home will take much less time, money and effort thanks to this gracious donation for Habitat for Humanity in Okaloosa County,” Forte Litscher said.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Corporate sales force frames Crestview woman's home in 2.5 hours

ENTERPRISE, Ala. — Former Coffee Springs High School attendees are invited to a reunion 6 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Coffee Springs gym.

A live band and covered dish meal are part of the festivities. Bring your favorite dish to share and a 2-liter drink.

Contact Randy and Darlene Halcomb, 1-334-393-2376, for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Coffee Springs school reunion planned

FORT WALTON BEACH — The United Way of Okaloosa-Walton Counties' board of directors unanimously approved the Fund Distribution Committee's recommendations to help 40 nonprofit organizations.

The nonprofits funded fall within three focus areas: 

•children and education

•financial stability and disaster preparedness

•health and prevention.

Allocations are as follows: 2-1-1 of Florida Panhandle, $3,000; Covenant Alzheimer's Services, $8,525; American Red Cross NWFL, $25,509; AMIkids Emerald Coast, $10,663; Arc of Walton County, $12,484; Bay Area Food Bank, $11,576; Big Brothers Big Sisters, $10,162; Boy Scouts Gulf Coast, $15,074; Boys & Girls Clubs Emerald Coast, $32,480; Bridgeway Center, $9,105; Catholic Charities NWFL, $23,709; Children in Crisis, $47,490; Children's Advocacy Center of Emerald Coast, $35,342.

Also: Children's Home Society, $19,018; Children's Volunteer Health Network, $13,628; COPE — Chautaqua Therapy & Evaluation, $16,430; Council on Aging Okaloosa & Walton, $18,606; Covenant Hospice, $45,734; Crossroads Medical Center, $20,687; Early Learning Coalition of Okaloosa and Walton, $22,107; Elder Services Okaloosa, $14,783; Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center, $26,982; Emerald Coast Science Center, $2,559; Family Life Ministries NWFL, $7,642; Fresh Start for Families & Children, $17,054; Girl Scouts Florida Panhandle, $4,099; Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa, $21,512; Habitat for Humanity Walton, $2,217.

Also: Harvest House, $11,688; Horizons, $28,899; Independence for the Blind, $5,229; Judge Gordon/Friends of Families, $13,300; Mental Health Association, $18,136; OASIS — Okaloosa AIDS Support, $10,462; Public School Foundation of Okaloosa, $1,055; Public School Foundation of Walton, $14,432; Ronald McDonald House, $16,061; S4P Synergy, $20,977; Salvation Army Okaloosa Walton, $16,114; Sharing and Caring Okaloosa, $38,277; and Shelter House, $48,843.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 40 United Way partner agencies receive funds

CRESTVIEW — For Young Marine Sgts. Ashton Normand and Michaela Cantwell, each time they carry Old Glory or escort it in the organization’s color guard renews their love of country.

“To be able to carry the flag and call the commands and hold the American flag up high, it shows our national pride,” Ashton said. “It’s a great feeling and a great experience.”

Michaela, who bore the American flag in Monday’s “Stand Up and Say the Pledge” ceremony, said, "To me, it’s feels like a sense of pride. We’re lucky to be able to carry the flag. Some people can’t do that.”

Mayor David Cadle hosted the annual ceremony, which the Exchange Club of Crestview presents each Presidents’ Day at the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial.

About 30 residents — including city leaders, Exchange Club members, Cub Scouts, mayoral candidates, teachers and veterans —  paused under leaden, blustery skies for the 12-minute ceremony.

During his invocation, City Council President Shannon Hayes said, “Today we’re here thanking you, God, for our flag, a flag that unites all Americans as one.”

Southside Center teacher Cassie Johnson sang “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Emerald Coast Young Marines adviser Lynn Dominique recited Joanna Fuchs’ poem, “Our Flag Flies High,” and Cadle read her “Old Glory” before the assembly solemnly placed their right hands over their hearts and recited the familiar Pledge of Allegiance.

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

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Pledge ceremony renews Crestview residents’ American spirit

The Crestview Public Library is proud to introduce… Playaway bookpacks!

Each bookpack has an mp3-type player loaded with audio content that corresponds with a couple of paperback books also included.

The library has recently invested in this new format for books with our beginner readers in mind, although other children will also enjoy them.

Playaways are easy to use and harder to damage than cassettes and compact discs, but please handle them with care; some cost as much as $140 to replace.

You may check out one Playaway bookpack per card, or bring your headphones and enjoy them in the library. We ask that you replace the AAA battery (if needed).

I chose some of my favorite children’s books that I consider timeless, so you’ll find familiar characters like Clifford, Curious George, and fun titles like “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type ” by Doreen Cronin.

Come check them out!

Heather Nitzel is the Crestview Public Library's youth services librarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Library offers new feature for beginning readers